My Internet works! For now. So let's resume these position-by-position breakdowns of the 2010 roster. Here's what we've done so far: quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers/tight ends, offensive line and defensive line.

Now for the linebackers ...

(Just as soon as you follow the blog on Twitter)

WHO'S GONE?

• Starters: None
  
• Reserves: None
  

WHO'S COMING BACK?

• Seniors: Josh Bynes, Craig Stevens
  
• Juniors: Eltoro Freeman, Adam Herring, Spencer Pybus, Wade Christopher, Ashton Richardson
  
• Sophomores: Jonathan Evans, Harris Gaston
  
• Redshirt Freshmen: None
• Incoming freshmen: Jessel Curry, Jake Holland, LaDarius Owens, Jawara White

No group on the roster needed an influx of young talent more than the linebackers. That's not to say that the group Auburn had last year wasn't good. Bynes and Stevens performed iron-man duties last year, rarely leaving the field because no backup could replace them without a considerable drop-off in performance. It culminated in the duo playing all 115 snaps of the Outback Bowl against Northwestern, a feat that was understated in the Tigers' thrilling win.

While Bynes and Stevens claim they don't care about coming off the field -- and their combined 204 tackles, 14 TFLs, 3.5 sacks and 2 interceptions suggest they are fairly comfortable with it -- it's still not a good idea to run two of your best players into the ground. Auburn did it out of necessity, true. But the coaching staff knows it has to recruit and develop players capable of stealing several snaps away from the duo. Just a little bit of rest every now and then would make Bynes and Stevens that much more effective on the downs they were in the game. Say what they will, but I'm sure they were holding back a little and leaving something in the tank knowing that they couldn't leave the game. When you consider that in 2011 neither will be on the Plains anymore, developing their eventual replacements becomes an even bigger priority.

On the weak-side, Freeman appeared to be making strides toward locking the position down. True, he didn't play much in the bowl game, but that was a response to Northwestern's spread offense, not Freeman's play or (we think) late-season ankle injury. When he was healthy and when his head was on straight, Freeman provided exactly what the Tigers needed at the weak-side, someone who could make plays and provide a big hit every now and then. True, he still missed assignments. True, he still missed some tackles. But as he proved at LSU, he can be a major player at the FBS level if he puts everything together. Put Bynes, Stevens and Freeman together, and that's a solid starting three.

It's the backup crew that will again be a concern. Look at the other list of juniors at the top of the post. Herring battled injuries all year and despite a desperate need for a weak-side linebacker during Freeman's short break, he didn't seize that starting spot. Who knows if Pybus will play again. Concussions can be tricky. And while Christopher and Richardson appear to be nice options on the practice field, they are walk-ons and probably will never do much more than appear on special teams in the game.

Of the freshmen last year, Evans looked like he had made some strides. He performed admirably against Alabama considering the circumstances and finished his season with 28 tackles. Gaston got even less playing time, despite a definite need for him to contribute immediately, leaving me to wonder whether or not either of these players will be major factors this season. The Tigers never had a bigger need for a backup linebacker to step onto the field than last year. And they couldn't really find anyone to do it until they were absolutely forced into the situation.

Perhaps this year's freshman class will have more success. Owens is a four-star recruit who is one of the best in the state, so he figures to have the best shot at competing right away. Curry is enrolling early, so going through an entire spring will help him get a jumpstart on next season. White, Holland and perhaps even two-way athlete Shaun Kitchens can be in the mix as well. At the very least it gives the coaching staff a luxury it didn't have last season: bodies.

So how will next year play out? I can't imagine Bynes or Stevens will have much less of a role on the defense (they're too good of talents to keep off the field), but they'll have to get more rest than they did this year. If Freeman remains healthy and focused, he'll obviously be the third starter. But what I do see is the coaching staff working younger players in more often -- especially in blowouts -- to give those starters a reprieve and set up for the future.