Only two to go, which means it's almost time to actually talk football at the SEC Media Days in Hoover on Wednesday. Hopefully this list will tide you over. We're down to No. 2 on Auburn's MIP countdown: linebacker Josh Bynes.Follow the blog on Twitter.
- Skill level: 4. If you had to mold a middle linebacker from nothing, Bynes would be a pretty good template to follow. He's big (6-2, 239), fast and smart, the three things you need to be a successful middle linebacker. And while there are some drawbacks (for instance his habit of not wrapping up all the time while tackling), it doesn't overshadow all the good things he does for the defense. And really, he brings an infectious energy to the group. When Sen'Derrick Marks was on top of his game a couple years ago, he did the same thing. Players fed off of that. I think Bynes is in the same boat. You can't help but get hyped to play football if you're around him. That's a unique skill.
- Production history: 5. Ever since Bynes replaced an injured Tray Blackmon in the starting lineup two years ago, he's produced. He had 53 tackles in a little more than half a season as a starter as a sophomore, then thrived as a junior in his first full year in the middle. Bynes led the team with 104 tackles last year, including a team-best 61 solo stops. He had six tackles for a loss, forced two fumbles and even picked off a pass, giving him four picks for his career, an impressive number for a middle linebacker. And like fellow linebacker Craig Stevens, he didn't come off the field much (or at all during the Outback Bowl, where he played all 115 snaps), adding to his overall value.
- Position importance: 4. Another one of the most important positions on defense, the middle linebacker not only is in the mix on seemingly every play, he sets the alignment, getting players in the proper place and calling audibles when necessary. I put this figure just slightly lower than what I think are two most important positions on the field: quarterback and left tackle. I can see an argument for this number being higher, but I think there's a higher premium on protecting the ball, and a left tackle and quarterback have major duties in that department, whereas the middle linebacker doesn't. Still, it's an incredibly valuable position.
- Backup competence: 5. Behind Bynes, there's no one in sight. Defensive coordinator Ted Roof tried to create some depth last spring by having players work at different linebacker positions (Eltoro Freeman, for instance, worked some as a middle linebacker). But coaches barely trust him to get on the field. Do you think they'd trust him to set up the defense? It's a big empty space behind Bynes. And while incoming freshman Jake Holland, the only middle linebacker I've seen listed of the group, could be good in a few years, he's probably not going to provide an instant solution to Auburn's depth at the position. Bynes and Stevens said they don't mind playing so many snaps in a game. In fact, they claim they're used to it now. It's a good thing. Auburn might need them to do it again this year.
- Leadership: 5. I"d give Bynes the highest marks in this category. He's a vocal player on the field and off of it (from a media standpoint, he's a go-to interview, even though he talks extremely fast and his answers are occasionally difficult to transcribe). And, like I mentioned before, other players feed off his infectious personality. There's rarely a play where someone makes a tackle that Bynes doesn't come flying in for some sort of over-the-top congratulations afterward. And while that may seem like something trivial to football outsiders, I think Auburn's players appreciate it. Bynes always seems legitimately involved and interested in how his teammates are doing. I don't know if most players are that genuine.
- Total: 23. Our highest score yet and **spoiler alert** it will be tied for our highest score in the rankings. Bynes, who is a good blend of talent, energy and leadership, is worth it. He's by no means a finished product and must cut down on the missed tackles if he wants to enter an elite class of linebacker, but he's a solid player, and, considering the void of players behind him on the depth chart, a vital one to Auburn's success year, especially if the defense is serious about taking a major step forward.
5 comments:
Let me guess, No. 1 MIP is Patrick Butler.
Yes he's a valuable member of the team, but don't you think that's showing a little too much home town favoritism?
just took a look at the roster as of spring 2010, and you are correct, there is no one in sight behind Bynes. I've got a hunch Curry will be a pretty good LB. Is he slated for OLB? He's as big as Blackmon, which certainly isn't to imply he's prototypical MLB size.
From what I remember, Curry started out by working on the outside last spring. Not sure if he got any reps in the middle or not.
And you got me. Butler's No. 1.
No argument here. Bynes definitely is the man. I completely wiffed on Pugh. I'd imagine Ziemba will be number one. Maybe Smith was in your list of key players in the first article you did in the series. Great job getting us ready 4 some football these past couple of weeks Andy.
Smith just missed the cut for the top 10. Leadership wasn't a strong category for him (for obvious reasons). Plus, while Auburn doesn't have many players like Smith, I don't think the H-back is as vital to the offense as most of the other positions.
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