We're approaching the finish line with these position-by-position breakdowns. So far we've done quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers/tight ends, offensive line, defensive line and linebackers.

Now for the secondary...

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

WHO'S GONE?

• Starters: Walt McFadden
  
• Reserves: None
  

WHO'S COMING BACK?

• Seniors: Demond Washington, Zac Etheridge (maybe), Aairon Savage (maybe)
  
• Juniors: Neiko Thorpe, Mike McNeil, D'Antoine Hood, Drew Cole, Mike Slade
  
• Sophomores: Daren Bates, T'Sharvan Bell, Anthony Gulley (maybe)
  
• Redshirt Freshmen: None
  
• Incoming freshmen: Demetruce McNeal, Jonathan Mincy, Chris Davis, Ryan White
  

No group on the team was as patched together by the end of the Outback Bowl as the secondary. The unit took its hits throughout the year -- starting with McNeil's broken leg last spring, continuing with Savages' Achilles' tear in the summer and peaking with Etheridge's neck injury against Ole Miss -- and still somehow pulled through at the end against Northwestern. Granted it had given up over 500 passing yards by that point, but the outcome is the important part, right?

Although there remain plenty of question marks next year, 2010 will at least provide a fresh start. It remains unknown how the injured players will return next year. McNeil practiced by the end of last year, so it appears he is not a concern, but Savage and Etheridge's comebacks are up in the air. Savage, who has suffered season-ending knee and Achilles' injuries the last two seasons, would need to apply and receive a medical hardship and then, toughest of all, return from an Achillles' injury. That's not easy. Tez Doolittle made it seem like it was a few years ago, but that's not the norm, especially for a skill position that requires as much cutting and shifting as cornerback/safety. I remain skeptical if he can shake off this latest setback.

Etheridge is another concern. He said he would like to return to the field shortly after the injury. Of course, he said that while wearing a neck brace that restricted him from moving his head form side-to-side. He has to wear the brace for four months, which would last until March. If you heard Etheridge speak, you wouldn't doubt that he would be back on the field. But neck injuries are a serious thing. Not just in a football sense; in a life sense. It's not something you can overcome without less than 100 percent certainty. I've seen someone who had a similar injury (Virginia safety Nate Lyles) return the following year and play decently, but the fact of the matter is it's a big question mark right now.

So who do we know will be back? Well, Thorpe shook off a few difficult games during the season to finish strong in the bowl game, reaching double digit tackles, including one on the Wildcats' final play, a fumblerooski, that preserved the win. Coaches think he has All-SEC potential. At the other corner, you would figure Washington moves back from safety. He showed a knack for being able to perform at any position he played last year and was gaining confidence in his pass defense skills before moving to safety. Losing McFadden's leadership is undoubtedly a concern, but Thorpe and Washington at least give Auburn two experienced starting corners, which is all you can really ask for.

Nobody outperformed expectations as much as Bates, the least-heralded member of the 2009 recruiting class but its most productive in his first season (funny how that works, huh?). He started every game and there's no reason to believe he won't continue to in the upcoming years. I can't see coaches taking the job away from him to give it back to McNeil. The question is who will start beside him. If Etheridge makes a complete return, he would likely get the nod. He was the unquestioned team leader of the secondary before his injury, someone teammates called a coach on the field. McNeil provides another good option, given his experience and physical attributes. If all three return, I can definitely see the possibility of a rotation among them, a luxury Auburn was never afforded last season.

The rest of the group will fill the gaps. Bell showed signs of life for the first time in the Outback Bowl, making two interceptions. Hood, who battled an ankle injury for most of the year, looked like he took a step back from his freshman year. Cole and Slade appear to be last-resort options. But let's not rule out Gulley, who could get lost in the wide receiver shuffle and might be able to better help the team on defense. Coaches seemed impressed by his ability to immediately catch on at everything he tried.

If all the players come back as expected, that's a fairly deep crew. (I have three "maybes" listed, and that's not including a guy who missed all of last season with a broken leg.) If not -- and really, there's a definite possibility -- it might be another year of playing newcomers and patching things together on a weekly basis.