Sunday, February 05, 2006

The Bell Tolls on 2005

Pittsburgh claims the Lombardi Trophy. Recruiting has wrapped. The seasons are over.

Auburn hires Muschamp as the new DC. Who will teach the Tiger DB's how to tackle?

What has this world come to?

52 comments:

tigernation said...

Yeah, the game could have been better. I lost some cash with Seattle not covering. Two penalties cost me money. I like seeing Pitt win though.


Shakes, Word was that it was his decision. Your conspiracy theory makes sense but people don't get fired over one nonqualifier. I think Whitt knowing about Jetgate and accepting the DC job if Petrino got hired had as much or more to do with it. They said that Tubbs was unhappy with Whitt since he found out that Whitt was in on it. Either way the guy was gonna retire anyway before too long so it's really not that big a deal.

He has 30 years with the state of Alabama (5 high school and 25 AU) so he can get retirement and a salary since "Tigers Unlimited" is not State funded.

I'm ready for James Willis (AU guy, NFL player, young, Badass) to come. They say Whitt will introduce the new LB coach to all of his high school contacts so there is no fall off in recruiting.

I really don't think losing Whitt is the end of the world. Kids come to schools because of playing time and the school. Not coaches, coaches leave all the time. Just ready for A-DAY. Muschamp is gonna be gooooood.

King of Tigerland said...

Regardless, the news broke on the Daily Football Fix!

tigernation said...

I had 25 on heads for the coin toss...lost. Had 25 on Seattle-4........lost. Had under 46.5......won! If Seattle gets the TD in the 1st half and/or scores on the drive where they had the 1st and goal called back for holding, I break even. Stupid refs.

Rodney Garner may be leaving UGA. He is their recruiting-coordinator and is a badass. If he leaves that opens up GA for us. Muschamp is familiar with the state and also with Louisiana. Things might actually be looking up.

tigernation said...

Pulled this from Scout.com premium story by Phillip Marshall. May clear up some of our questions about Whitt.


Rambling around on a Monday morning...
By the time anyone reads this, James Willis should be on campus interviewing for the job as Auburn’s linebackers coach. It’ll be surprising if he is not offered the job and even more surprising if he doesn’t take it.

Willis, an All-Southeastern Conference Auburn linebacker in 1992, made a terrific impression when he returned to campus n in 2001. He was a student assistant for two seasons as he finished up his degree after seven years in the NFL and one in the ill-fated XFL. He was a graduate assistant in 2003, helping Joe Whitt coach linebackers.

Even at Division I-AA Rhode Island, Willis earned a reputation in two seasons as heck of a linebackers coach and one of the top recruiters in the East. That’s why Al Golden quickly offered him a job after taking over as Temple coach last December.

Willis has never made it a secret that he wanted to come to home to Auburn one day. If things work out, it looks like he’ll have that opportunity sooner than he would have expected...

Speaking of Whitt, he spent last weekend exactly where his son, Joe Jr., said he did. He was bird-hunting in Midland, Texas. He’ll soon be busy in his new role in Tigers Unlimited, where my guess is he will be just as successful as he was in coaching and leading Auburn football players for 25 years.

More than his considerable football knowledge, more than his work ethic, more than anything, it was Whitt’s honesty and integrity that carried him through a quarter of a century of Auburn football and four different head coaches.

That’s why it is sad to hear the constant speculation that he was involved in the clandestine move to remove Tommy Tuberville as head coach in December 2003. He wasn’t involved or even informed. The speculation that he helped his son land defensive end Peanut Whitehead for Louisville is downright ridiculous. Whitt had no role in recruiting Whitehead, period.

I guess people are going to believe what they want to believe...

Tuberville’s hiring of Will Muschamp to take over the Auburn’s defense seems to have been a masterful stroke. Like every coach, Muschamp will be judged by what happens on the field, but he’s an engaging person who will be a breath of fresh air in the aftermath of the reclusive David Gibbs.

tigernation said...

Bulldogbite:

Will Muschamp is from Rome, Ga. Will Muschamp was a 4 year letterman at UGA. Will Muschamp is known as a good recruiter and has ties in GA, south Alabama and Louis. from his days at LSU.

Rodney Garner is regarded as one of the best recruiters in the nation. He was great at AU and has been better at UGA. If he leaves UGA may miss ONE or TWO players that they may get with him.

As you know if you follow SEC football, AU consistently pulls a few good players from GA every year. With the departure of Garner and the addition of Muschamp, one could reasonably presume that AU may have a better chance in GA than in recent years with Garner there.

Nobody said AU would outrecruit UGA in the state, just might have a few more open doors. Clear enough?

tigernation said...

DUUUUHHHUHHHH. "We dominate the state every year". Congrats doofy. Do they give you a trophy for your "domination" of the state?

As for AU having to enter the state to get athletes so we can compete. Did it ever occur to you and the rest of the Arrogant UGA nation that not every kid in GA wants to play at UGA?

Kenny Irons... "Holtz thought I was going to UGA but I didn't want to be no dawg." After his 180 yard performance last year.

It doesn't matter where AU gets their players from. We still own Samford Stadium...or should I say "Jordan-Hare East."

King of Tigerland said...

AU just so happens to be on the Georgia state line so it is just as easy to pull from Ga. as Alabama. AU pulls most of their players from Ga, Al, and Fl.

ShakeYour$Maker said...

It would be nice to get R. Garner back on the plains. Did yall hear why he left in the first place. He got in a fight on the field with T. Bowden. Left shortly thereafter for UT.

ShakeYour$Maker said...

Nation-- You trying to be two people again(B-dog Bite) to bring some excitement to the room?

By the way, Whit was fired more for the P-nut deal anyway. To Tubbs, Whit was a traitor, and that was not needed or wanted on his staff.

I have a better source than the AJC or Phillip Marshall.

tigernation said...

Yeah, I knew Tater Tot had something to do with it. I wish they would take Bowden's picture off of the Stadium. Every time I walk to that side I feel like I am going to vomit.

tigernation said...

Fuck the AJC. I don't read it, I do think Marshall is good and I'm sure you have a good source.

It was just time to go and that is fine. It was gonna happen and after signing day is a good time.

I hope they choose Willis. He played and coached under Whitt, not to mention 7 years in the NFL and SEC Freshman defensive player of the year in like '90 or something.

By the way I am not the dawg fan. I would come back with much better stuff than that. So whichever one of you it is, keep it up. I think it is you Shakes. Or Dr. feelsboys.

tigernation said...

Shakes, y'all thinking about the 'Crowes show on March 14? Fox Theatre. Chucky D, Donny and I already have tickets.

Donny also wants to set up a lake weekend with Shakes and Daddy in attendance. Springtime of course.

Damn, it is cold and rainy here. The snow flurries from this morning have turned to freezing rain.....uuuuugghghgggh!

tigernation said...

Nope I didn't write that. Those are lyrics from "Whiter Shade of Pale." I think it is a Wilson Picket(RIP) song.

My lady looked good though didn't she?

tigernation said...

Daddy - You have a "Whiter Shade of Pale" when those short shorts ride up.

You still got them Coochie Cutters?

Did you wear them with your stache and a rainbow tie-died Grateful Dead shirt?

tigernation said...

bullgogbite:

Nobody is "a-ffended" as you would say . I answered your question objectively and you felt it necessary to comment on UGA "dominating" the state. Along with your attempt at a putdown by saying AU has to come to GA to get talent. Big f-ing deal, Auburn gets talent from lots of places....just like UGA and everybody else. So you, Sir, must have been "a-ffended" by my post.

Did they print UGA backwards on the SEC trophy since the back-in job was so nice? Just kidding, it will always be a battle.

tigernation said...

The 14th is a Tues

King of Tigerland said...

Is that Friday night? Are there still tix, I was working all day Saturday and it got away.

tigernation said...

Probably Rob J

King of Tigerland said...

Is BDB not a G-ville boy? I thought Jacob said he was to busy/to good for blogger.

tigernation said...

Why is it posting my answers in front of your questions?

tigernation said...

Jacob can't just veg-out in front of the computer like me every day. He really doesn't have time.

ShakeYour$Maker said...

Nation- I like Willis too. He was one of my favorties when I was a kid. As a matter of fact, the first year I played football, I wore number 51 because of him. I even wore his helment and jersey during an A-Day game. He learned from the best LB coach, so I guess he will be a great one to carry on the tradition.

As for the Crowes...I`ve got tix already. See all of you there.

As for a lake weekend in the spring....tell me when and lets get it on the calendar.

ShakeYour$Maker said...

yes I am going for sure. got EY to order tix on sat. Valentine`s present to each other instead of flowers or chocolate candies. That is my ideal present!!!!

tigernation said...

Do you want to know my ideal present?

Here goes........Pick me up in a electric blue Camaro (T-top), take me to the bowling alley for dinner and 2 games (1st 2 free on Valentine's), buy me a bear holding a heart at the gas station, box of Wal-Mart Chocolates and give me a good nite kiss with a slight hint of Copenhagen Snuff aftertaste. Smack me on the ass in my Jordache Mom Jeans and call me "sweet thang". Throw in a carton of Salem Menthols if you want to get past 1st base.

tigernation said...

Willis will be the new 'Backers coach at AU. Interviewed and hired today and started in meetings this afternoon. Should be a good fit.

tigernation said...

Yeah Daddy, you might be needing to get to bed early on a school night. 9 o'clock these days?

The show will be over by 11 or 11:30 eastern probably. That would put you back in Auburn by midnight central. Oooooooh, I don't know, that is pretty late!

tigernation said...

I think they are 40 with an internet charge of like 6 bucks. Sure would like to see everyone there...especially sweet, sweet diddy.

tigernation said...

Well, well, well. I have determined the identity of our good friends "bamalama" and "bulldogbite". It is a male although some of you thought they may be female. It is also the same person. He is a football coach at Shaw University and is also a UGA grad unfortunately.

Shakes, it's your boy Rob J. You know, the guy who picked us up from downtown Athens shirtless in a big ass truck. The same night we scared the hell out of those old people in that cab. And also the same night of the craziest event since the lunar landing.....you guessed it....."Nobody does it like Brice Does it!!!!!"......"Robert, Call Annie Robert!!!!".......and my personal fave...."NIIIIIIIIGGGGGGGGEEEEERRRRRRRRSSSS!!!!!!!"


Everybody give my boy a warm welcome. Show up anytime Rob....we're waiting on yo ass boy!!!!!

ShakeYour$Maker said...

I swear to God, Pussy in my face....Stretch Discovery.............AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHGGGGGGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRR.....SHITTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT........ROBERT!!!!!! CALL ANNIE!!!!!!!!!!!!! AAHHHHHHHHHHHGRRRR!!! NOBODY DOES IT LIKE BRICE DOES IT!!!!!

Next time I see Rob...I hope it is not under the same conditions.

tigernation said...

Yeah, that was absolutely terrible. He has since embarassed himself at the AU/UGA tailgate in front of PARENTS and other notable adults ("I ate 2 Lortabs man I am fff'd"). He has been to a party at my house and screamed bloody murder at 2 in the morning OUTSIDE in our family neighborhood, and last time I saw him he was at a bar here in town making loud laps and jawing like a freaking cow.

ShakeYour$Maker said...

Sounds like Mr. Brice might need to spend some time at Dr. Feelgood`s alma mater in Tuscaloosa....Brice Mental Institute (which happens to be located on campus at UAT).

tigernation said...

That explains so, so much.

tigernation said...

Brice Brice Baby. What was he the Master of? Ceremonies? MC Brice?

ShakeYour$Maker said...

Dr.- Didn`t your buddy James used to go down there at night and play in the building?

tigernation said...

bamalama or bulldogballs:

You still thinking about a move to ATL and the banking biz? How did recruiting go for you?

ShakeYour$Maker said...

Dr.--Brice burned to the ground? I bet the PIKES ( james) did it if that is true.

tigernation said...

This from the SEC offices about '06 schedules

Counting conference games, each SEC team will play at least two teams that finished last season in the Top 25. Florida, Mississippi State and Tennessee will play five each, Arkansas, Auburn, Kentucky, Ole Miss and South Carolina will play four each, Alabama, LSU and Vanderbilt three each and Georgia two.

tigernation said...

Yeah, that was a big leap going up there with no idea what to expect. I hope it works out for you here. I know Annie wants to be at Emory and it would be easier for y'all being closer to home. If nothing else you would at least get to go to some UGA games in the fall.

Have you thought about going into coaching high school? You would hae to teach but you would get the summers off and you would make a little more money. I guess it's always a fall back.

tigernation said...

I think the Fox is on Peachtree so you might want to leave Raleigh about 5:30 to get to ATL by the time the show is over.

The echo of his voice in your old house still brings chills to my spine.

We were just relaxing with the TV turned down really low and he came in like a Tazmanian Devil. Just ripping through the house like a tornado!

tigernation said...

OK, this is the funniest thing I have heard in a long time.

A woman just came to pick up some bedding and she had her dog in the truck with her. No big deal, I used to let my dog ride in the truck too. The thing about this woman, other than the knee brace over the ultra-tight stone washed jeans, was that she was trying to sell my Dad her dog.

She said "The dog is such a nice pup, he lets all my cats eat before he does. The only problem with him is that he chases my GOATS. My goats don't like it and they think he is trying to hurt them but he is just playing. Don't you want him?"

Nope, I don't want yur goat-chasing dog woman!

As I am typing this I smelled the worst kind of stink; as I turned around my Dad was standing behind me with an open can of Vienna Sausages while blowing the stank ass cat food that he eats at the back of my head. That shit is RANK!!

King of Tigerland said...

Nation, any good gossip on scout lately?

tigernation said...

An interview with Big Al Borges previewing the offense in the spring.......

Receivers:

“Receivers and tackles have to come to the surface,” Borges says. “Those two positions as well as fullback, someone has to show their head at fullback. Wide receiver is probably as big a deal as anything. We had a very good recruiting class, but they won’t be here in the spring.

”This is going to give some of the young kids that have been in the program an opportunity to prove their worth. We’ve got three guys to replace. With Courtney (Courtney Taylor) and Prechae (Prechae Rodriguez), who played significantly, we’ll be pretty solid there. Robert Dunn played a little bit, but this is a very important time for him.”

O-Line:

“They’ve got some snaps,” Borges says. “Leon has played some. It’s not totally new to him. King hasn’t played as much, but it’s King’s time now. It’s his turn to show what he can do. We’re replacing a six-foot-nine guy with a guy that’s probably even taller. He’s got to show he can be as productive as Marcus, which I think he can. He’s had a chance to be in the wings a little bit. Now it’s his turn to show us what he can do.”

Fullback:

One of the most important positions to fill on offense this spring will be at fullback where Slaughter departs after a solid career leading backs into the hole. Sophomore Mike McLaughlin and walk-on Andrew Turman both have some experience, but Borges says the position is as wide open as it can be heading into spring football.

“Mike McLaughlin is back,” Borges says. “He’s going to have a great opportunity to show us what he’s capable of. Stephen Gowland is another kid that is coming off an injury. We’re going to take a good look at him. Andrew Turman has been in the wings for a while and will get a chance. They’re all going to get a chance to show us whether or not they want some playing time. We’ll do our two tailback stuff also and give Carl Stewart a look there.”

QB and Overall:

Despite averaging a SEC best 34.2 points and 425.6 yards per game in last year’s regular season, Auburn’s players and coaches have the memory of a terrible performance against Wisconsin still fresh on their minds as they head into the spring. Borges says that it’s important for the unit to build some confidence once again starting with starter Brandon Cox and the quarterbacks because their play is the key to the performance of the offense in the West Coast system.

“It’s important because we played so poorly in the bowl game,” Borges says of the offense. “We need to get back on track now. We’re not going to ignore the fact that we didn’t play well in that game. We had improved every game, I felt, from the first to the 11th. Then we took a step backwards for the first time all year in the bowl game.

”This spring is going to be about getting our feet back on the ground offensively with the quarterback position being one of those. Obviously at backup quarterback Blake (Blake Field) finished as the backup, but this will be a real important spring for Calvin Booker to see if he can push for that position.”

tigernation said...

More AU gossip:

Tony Bell and his mother had a meeting with Tubbs Monday to discuss his future. He was unhappy about NO playing time. Everything turned out ok and he is working out with the team. Personally, I would like to see him in there. he was a big time recruit and hasn't done anything yet. He can't be any worse than Will Herring and Eric Brock. I hae never seen college d-backs tackle that poorly.

tigernation said...

Dr.- I read where Chris Keys broke his leg in a fight with Ali Shareiff or Shareeiff Ali, whatever his name is.

No big deal but the bama message board was pissed that they were fighting with eachother.

I would think he could be ready for fall practice with no problem.

ShakeYour$Maker said...

Those Bama boys were fighting with each other??? Are we suprised??? It`s too bad they can`t show that kind of intensity against Auburn....instead they chose to take it out on each other.

Auburn always has fights on the practice field. Tubbs lets them fight, though. I haven`t figured out why someone would let their team fight each other....but if that kind of stuff brings out the best performace from your players...let `em fight.


"Cuz you know in Hockey they let you fight. That`s why they won`t let any "REAL BROS" play hockey. Like NUk NUK, and POJO....there`d be niggas just skatin around without a stick...I wish a motha fucka would be in my way."

tigernation said...

"He kicked him in the penis.....he was injured, injured bad."

tigernation said...

Remember this name...Noel Devine.

He goes to the same high school that Deion went to. He is 5'8" 180 and is a junior this year.

I just watched his highlight video and he is a badass. I don't know if he has offers yet or where he wants to go but wherever he goes will be lucky.

The only highlight video of a running back that is better that I have seen is the Reggie Bush tape. This kid is smaller but runs just like him.

Just remember his name for next year. He may be a bigger prospect than the other Faggot Clausen.

ShakeYour$Maker said...

Why would you want a Clausen anyway? Neither of the older brothers did jack shit when they played at UT and LSU. Why do they think this one will be so good?

I can understand the reasoning behind thinking he will be better than the other two because he has learned from their mistakes and all.....but I still don`t think I would give him a scholly because of the lack of success his brothers have experienced.

tigernation said...

I wouldn't offer him because of how he and the rest of his family look. They look like a pack of Dicks with blonde, balding, spikey hair. I hope he comes to the SEC and sucks dicks just like his brothers.

ESPN did a story on him that I am sure you saw this year and he is a JUNIOR! Why build him up already when you know how bad his brothers sucked in college?

I hope he drags all the schools along next year before making a dwcision, then goes to college and blows ass. Maybe then ESPN, Scout, Rivals, and all fans like me would quit sucking up to 17 year old CHILDREN.

That RB Noel Devine is the real deal though. Not kidding.

tigernation said...

Chris Keys reportedly told Chuck Norris that Bama was going to win a National Title in the next couple of years.

Hearing this, Chuck Norris roundhouse kicked Keys in the lower leg, breaking the ankle in 2 places. Chuck Norris simply broke his leg to leave a limping reminder to all athletes that.......ONLY CHUCK NORRIS WINS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS!!

tigernation said...

That is pretty good.

Now, if Richt doesn't win a MNC in the next 3 or 4 years, does that mean he is not doing his job?

Will the Bulldog nation be on his ass if they go 8-4 next year? They shouldn't if the talent is as good as advertised.

Some of those guys in the 1st and 2nd year should be ready to play.

If so, they should be pretty competitive. It will interesting to see if those "rankings" translate to success on the field.

You know I have got to say it....

0 = the number of years AU was ranked above UGA in recruiting the last 5 years.....record vs UGA the last 5 years = 3 and 2.

Just a jab, but it might say something about rankings....I guess we will know more pretty soon.

I do remember Jerome being pissed last year because something like the top 5 from the class failed to qualify. That has an affect on how the classes turn out down the road.

If a team was to have a top 10 or top 5 class, but three 4 star and two 5 star guys don't qualify, then it would be unfair to expect that class to be as good as advertised. That is where many fans do not put 2 and 2 together. Hence the unrealistic expectations.

tigernation said...

I hear that. I don't think Richt is going anywhere unless he decides to leave himself. And after reading his comments I don't think he is leaveing, as much as I and the rest of the SEC would like to see him go, for obvious reasons.

The SEC gets a bad rap for scheduling shitty OOC games but its not the Pac-10. You don't have 6 patsies on your in-conference schedule. Even a team like Ole Miss or S.Carolina can beat you.

We will see a NC from the SEC before too long.