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Spring practice: Session VIII


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Thanks for the QB info, George! You're right; we can't get enough of it.

I'm curious about one of your comments on the RB situation. You mentioned that you feel Chisholm is a more powerful runner than Alexander. Now I've been a huge fan of #44 from day 1, but I'm a little surprised at that assessment. I'll admit the thing that 1st caught my eye last spring was Jawon's willingness to hit the hole HARD and fast (although as many have noted, the last 1/3 of the 2011 season this willingness disappeared for some reason). But I've always looked at Broderick as being more of a "bruiser". If Jawon looks more powerful to you at this point, then this is good news indeed. Because he has shown that he DOES have another gear that makes him capable of hitting the home run. I really like what I'm hearing concerning both players this spring. Coach Bowden seems to genuinely like what he's seen from them so far.

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GREAT stories on the QBs, George. What I love to hear the most is that these guys are out there pushing each other to be better - and seemingly having fun doing it. Egos cannot get in the way of the ultimate goal - which is for the TEAM to win games... And it sounds like these kids are on board with that philosophy.

Coach Bowden has always said that every player, whether he's the starting QB or the 3rd string left guard, has to be 100% ready when his number is called. You never know what will happen in a game or a season - and we need every player to believe that he has to give maximum effort every day so that he'll be ready if he's needed.

Go back to 1993... Auburn was 10-0, and playing their last game of the season - against Alabama... Who is not only their hated rival, but were also the defending national champions. Auburn was losing in the 3rd quarter, when starting QB Stan White got injured on a (I think) 3rd down play at about the 35 of Bama. While Coach Bowden was frantically searching the sideline for his back up, Pat Nix, he finally turned to the field and saw Pat already at the huddle waiting for the play to be signaled in. Too far for a field goal, and too close for a punt, he called a pass - Pat hadn't seen the field all year, and hadn't even warmed up on the sideline. He floated a perfect pass to Frank Sanders for a TD and Auburn went on to win the game, and finish Coach Bowden's first season at Auburn with a perfect 11-0 record.

Coach tells that story a lot - because it absolutely epitomizes his philosophy that every player must prepare like he will play in the game, and be the guy who makes the play that wins the game.

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From what I read, Williams seems as if he might be the front runner at this point. My concern about Moore is his staring down his receivers. The spread allows a player to find the open guy among several and when you stare a guy down, you aren't really looking at all options. This team is going to need a steady hand and Williams appears to be the guy doing that. In a couple years when the team is much better, a QB taking risk is OK. Right now, we need to be a little more conservative than I would even want.

Good stuff.

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Here is GT's more in-depth article on the QB derby. From today's (4/6) ABJ.

Nice snag, B&G!

The following is a pretty interesting segment:

For Pohl the situation is a bit simpler.

“He just needs reps,” Bowden said. “The more reps he gets with the first and second team, the better he gets. He has a very calm demeanor which I like in the pocket and he’s got the strongest arm.”

Hmmmm ;)

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This article is very complimentary of Kyle Pohl. I don't know a lot about Kyle other than he had a decent performance in the 2011 North-South game, (The same game Tyler Williams was MVP in) whatever that is worth. One thing I liked seeing last year is that he was totally engaged in the games, shadowing Ianello with his clipboard, obviously trying to be as big a part of the offense as he could in his first season. His bio is impressive in addition to his football accolades: 4.0 student, scored 1000 in h.s. basketball career. This is going to get really interesting.

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@JZ84 I agree with you on the running backs. I can remember several instances where 44 chose the Franco Harris option and ran out of bounds without being touched. My take on Alexander is more of a getting what you can then square the shoulders and hit someone. More like a Walter Payton.

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For Pohl the situation is a bit simpler. “He just needs reps,” Bowden said. “The more reps he gets with the first and second team, the better he gets. He has a very calm demeanor which I like in the pocket and he’s got the strongest arm.”

I'm hoping Pohl wins this battle. My QB needs a strong arm to be able to make all the throws, the rest can be coached.

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Good mechanics will take care of that, and that can be coached too...unless your name is Tebow.

Tim Tebow once completed 71% in a season at Florida. The spread doesn't require a strong arm (although I like both a strong arm and accuracy, but I prefer a brain first and foremost). They coach good mechanics every day. Guys either can or can't at some point, but if they can't it isn't because of coaching. All these guys get is endless coaching. It's up to the players to put the coaching in action.

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I'm hoping Pohl wins this battle. My QB needs a strong arm to be able to make all the throws, the rest can be coached.

No offense to you, at all, DrZ, but "Your QB"? I thought it was Coach Bowden's offense/system and his QB? A strong arm is necessary to a point - but accuracy, good decision making, and a keen understanding of the offense is more important than a "gun" in this offense. Certain things cannot be coached - poise under pressure is one of them.

Let's hope that these guys keep pushing each other to be better - and that the coaching staff is happy to name a starter in the fall.

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Tim Tebow once completed 71% in a season at Florida. The spread doesn't require a strong arm (although I like both a strong arm and accuracy, but I prefer a brain first and foremost). They coach good mechanics every day. Guys either can or can't at some point, but if they can't it isn't because of coaching. All these guys get is endless coaching. It's up to the players to put the coaching in action.

The offense Tim Tebow played in at Florida isnt the same offense that is being installed by TB. Tim Tebow was a serious running threat, which caused the defense to worry about the dual-threat that he posed, opening up the passing game.

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