According to ESPN.com's Chris Low, Auburn is keeping the spread offense. Maybe I was wrong about Tubs and the spread after all. This story just keeps getting weirder by the minute. If it has nothing to do with the underlying system, then we have the makings of a personality clash between Franklin and Tuberville. Or perhaps between Franklin and the other offensive assistants, all of whom were coaching for Auburn prior to Franklin's arrival.
Call me a cynic, but I don't think a new play-caller is going to fix this mess. Of course, it couldn't hurt, either. A wise man once said, "players, not plays." What does that mean? It means that players win games, not schemes, formations, personnel packages, or trickeration. Auburn is struggling on offense because they don't have the PLAYERS to run the spread, not because they aren't running the right plays at the right time. Play-calling isn't going to change things. Recruiting is the ultimate answer. Tuberville knew it would take time to get the right players to run the spread. Maybe he bought into Franklin's guru status too much, because he seems to have forgotten that a transition period would be needed. Auburn will have to use some damage control in order to keep the 2009 recruiting class in order. Other SEC schools, and Alabama in particular, will certainly try to capitalize on Franklin's firing.
Also, you can probably waive goodbye to the Chris Todd era. Todd was "Franklin's guy," and his installation as the #1 quarterback always seemed forced, as if Franklin and Todd were a package deal. Will Todd go down as one of the lamest quarterbacks of the last 40 years of Auburn football? Probably. He's right up there with Daniel Cobb and Gabe Gross.
As I mentioned yesterday, when you run the spread, you need a quarterback that can be "The Man." The player most people think can be "The Man" for Auburn is Ray Cotton. The recent struggles on offense, and Franklin's firing, have put Cotton's commitment to Auburn in doubt. According to this article, Cotton is still locked in for Auburn: http://www.oanow.com/oan/sports/college/article/auburn_quarterback_commitment_not_backing_off/40256/
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3 comments:
What. The. Fuck!? This whole thing reeks of Trustee involvement. Yesterday, everything was hunky-dory, and now he's fired? All the interviews yesterday spoke of an energetic Franklin running around and coaching everyone on the offense with a focus on precision. Players commented on liking the amped environment, saying it was a needed change of pace. So what the hell happened from yesterday afternoon to today?
This has Lowder's fingerprints all over it, seriously. It had to be the scenario where they told Tubs "either you fire him, or we get rid of you." Based on Tubs comments this week, there's no indication that he was going to fire Franklin, so someone else put the full-court press on.
Don't get me wrong, I'm happy that we're bailing on the high school offense. We're better off lining up and ramming the ball down people's throats. But what does the future hold? Will Auburn stick with it's desire to run a spread-oriented offense, but get a legitimate coordinator to do it? If not, say good-bye to Ray Cotton and all those offensive recruits. Back to square one.
but really what do we think happened??? do we think lowder intervened?
for all we know, franklin wasn't as humble as tubs was indicating. maybe he wasn't shouldering the blame. maybe tubs went in there to ask him to make some changes and he was defiant.
and what do you guys think about tubs? message boards are saying its time for him to go? but i guess they always say that.
that he's never giong to build anything if he can't keep coordinators -- the problem is him not them.
personally, i love the guy. he's been a winner. i'm proud to call him our coach. i get the goosebumps when they lock arms and exit the tunnel.
but i'm starting to wonder.
.t
You know, i think the faithful need something to restore confidence. My parents will be in the stadium on Saturday for the Arkansas game, and i'm wondering how the offense will come out. If they come out under center, the roar will be enormous.
But i'm calling for something more. The people need reassurance. The people need overcompensation. No more prettyball. Can you imagine the roar if they came out two tight ends and the wishbone? Tate leading Fanin and Lester. The people want it. The people need it.
Nothing says "everything's gonna be ok" like the wishbone.
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