Kendrick can help Tigers earn much-needed ‘W’ against Tide in SEC Tournament

Posted on May 20, 2013 by James Crepea

This is a preview of a story which will appear in Tuesday’s Montgomery Advertiser. To read the full story click here.

AUBURN— When Conner Kendrick heads to the hill this afternoon at the Hoover Met he’ll be staring down a familiar foe. The Auburn reliever turned ace brings his team-best 2.03 ERA to the mound for today’s first round SEC Baseball Tournament game in what will be the fifth meeting with bitter in-state rival Alabama who sends Justin Kamplain (1-0, 4.53 ERA) to the mound for a contest which could decide an NCAA Regional berth.

Kendrick, a junior left-hander, had two outings against the Crimson Tide this season. He was dazzling in a six-inning lights out performance out of the bullpen in which he held Alabama without a hit and struck out eight as Auburn rallied to win the MAX Capital City Classic on March 5 but had a clunker in which he struggled with his command and allowed six runs, two earned, on nine hits and four walks in 5 1/3 innings in a March 28 loss.

“I didn’t really have any off-speed pitches to go to and they just sat on one or two pitches and that didn’t work out for me,” Kendrick said. “That was the worst that it’s been so far this year. Just feel like I was pulling everything right to their bats and they put some good contact on it.”

Auburn (33-22, 13-17 SEC), the No. 10 seed in this week’s conference tournament, may have its NCAA berth decided today and the Tigers will need Kendrick (5-3) to be more reminiscent of his recent performances in which he’s earned wins in three of his last four starts. The Sharpsburg, Ga. native shut down No. 11 Arkansas last Thursday, striking out eight while allowing just four hits and one walk in 7 1/3 scoreless innings to earn SEC Pitcher of the Week.

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Auburn Post-Spring Depth Chart Breakdown: Slot Receiver

Posted on May 20, 2013 by James Crepea

AUBURN – With the first spring practice of the Gus Malzahn era in the books, we’ll take a look at each position on the depth chart and go over the starter, backup and who arrives in the summer. In the 20th installment of an extensive series, we look at the Slot Receiver spot.

The Two-Deep
Quan Bray (5-foot-10, 183 pounds, junior), Corey Grant (5-foot-11, 201 pounds, junior)

Coach Gus Malzahn’s View
“Slot receiver, Quan Bray; Quan is one of those real versatile guys. I can take you back a couple of years ago when he was actually playing the tailback position, so he’s got running back skills. You’ll see us try to get the ball to him in space and let him do his thing as far as that goes.”

Starter
Quan Bray might be the fastest wide receiver on the roster. He has been in the slot role and played in the Wildcat both two years ago under Malzahn and even last year on a few occasions.

The LaGrange, Ga. native was the primary punt returner last season as well, further emphasizing his explosiveness in the open field and his agility. Bray struggled on punts though and after a few muffed catches appears to lack confidence on when he could make a return and when to call for a fair catch.

He spent most of the spring working in the slot and on special teams. Bray had five catches for 18 yards on A-Day.

Bray could be one of the more versatile offensive players since he can throw the ball as well, even doing so last year on a 33-yard touchdown pass on a reverse to Kiehl Frazier.

“I’m looking forward to playing a lot of different roles,” Bray said. “Just trying to be all over the field and learn different things for me to be able to help my team and be a playmaker for the team.”

Corey Grant is the backup at the slot receiver position. (Todd Van Emst/Auburn athletics)

Backup
Corey Grant is a tailback through and through but in empty backfield situations the speedy Opelika native can line up on the inside and be a weapon in the open field.

“Corey Grant worked at that spot in the spring, and at times did some very good things,” Malzahn said, “He will be both. He has got the versatility to be both (tailback and receiver).”

He did not take part on A-Day due to what coaches said was a fever.

Next Wave
Trovon Reed is listed at Flanker but his skill set also lends itself to being an inside receiver.

Summer Arrivals
Marcus Davis is the only clear cut signee who is considered a clear slot receiver. Not to say the others can’t end up there, but Davis was recruited for the slot.

Quotable
“Quan and Trovon Reed are both guys with the ball in the hand, even if it’s not a deep ball. You give them the ball quick, they can make people miss and do some things with it as well.” – Rhett Lashlee

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Auburn Post-Spring Depth Chart Breakdown: Field Safety

Posted on May 20, 2013 by James Crepea

AUBURN – With the first spring practice of the Gus Malzahn era in the books, we’ll take a look at each position on the depth chart and go over the starter, backup and who arrives in the summer. In the 19th installment of an extensive series, we look at the Field Safety spot.

The Two-Deep
Jermaine Whitehead (5-foot-11, 198 pounds, junior), Ryan Smith (6-foot-2, 197 pounds, senior)

Coach Gus Malzahn’s View
“Jermaine Whitehead was probably the safety that had just an excellent spring. (Safeties) coach Cheese (Charlie Harbison) was very high on him, and he really did a solid job along with Ryan Smith at that free safety position.”

Starter
Jermaine Whitehead is the only returning defensive player to start every game in 2012. The Greenwood, Miss. native was the second-most productive returning player from last season with 86 tackles including four for loss with one sack and five pass breakups.

His high number of reps also made Whitehead a common target last season and he does need to improve in coverage, particularly since he’s playing on the field side of the defense.

“Every game had its mistakes,” he said. “With the season last year, the Georgia game I missed that pick in the end zone. In the ‘Bama game I came down from safety and hit the wrong guy. There are a lot of plays that stick out to me that I can’t wait to [correct] myself this year.”

He worked the whole spring with the first team and had a strong outing.

“I thought Whitehead had a great spring. Very good spring,” defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson said. “No question the brightest spot at safety for us.”

Whitehead will unquestionably be a starter come the fall but he’ll have work to do as well. There’s a possibility he could work at the Star in the fall since Johnson likes to go with two Stars in the dime package, meaning four safeties are on the field.

“I think I’ll primarily be back there in the free and be able to see the whole field and make wider plays,” Whitehead said. “I would definitely love to play (the Star) position but we’ve got somebody who can play it and I’d love that, too.”

Backup
Ryan Smith made 27 tackles in just four games including two starts – the season opener with Clemson (12 tackles) and the Iron Bowl (nine tackles).

The Cordova native spent 2012 working behind Demetruce McNeal and could end up seeing time on the boundary as well.

Smith spent most of the spring working with the second team.

Next Wave
T.J. Davis was working at the boundary in the spring and would be a viable replacement down the depth chart. Josh Holsey’s position still needs to be finalized whether that’s as a safety or corner.

Summer Arrivals
Mackenro Alexander might play at Star, same goes for JUCO transfer Brandon King. Khari Harding was a tackling machine in high school and which safety position he’ll play remains to be seen.

Quotable
“After last year’s season I think the only way to come back this season is with winning in my mind,” he said. I’ve got my personal things: picks, tackles and plays I make. I just want to be productive.” – Jermaine Whitehead

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Auburn Post-Spring Depth Chart Breakdown: Field Corner

Posted on May 20, 2013 by James Crepea

AUBURN – With the first spring practice of the Gus Malzahn era in the books, we’ll take a look at each position on the depth chart and go over the starter, backup and who arrives in the summer. In the 18th installment of an extensive series, we look at the Field Corner spot.

The Two-Deep
Jonathon Mincy (5-foot-10, 191 pounds, junior), Jonathan Jones (5-foot-10, 172 pounds, sophomore)

Coach Gus Malzahn’s View
“Jonathon Mincy and Jonathan Jones. Jonathan Jones, he’s not a very big guy, but he really laid some good hits. You saw in the spring game when he made an outstanding hit, and then Mincy also had a very solid spring, a veteran guy, also.”

Starter
Jonathon Mincy was effectively a season-long starter in 2012, with the final 11 games to his credit. The East Atlanta, Ga. native nearly doubled his production from his freshman year in 2011, racking up 57 tackles including four for loss and a sack with four pass breakups.

Mincy has very good speed and worked a lot as the nickel in 2012. His quickness makes him a good fit for the field corner role where he has to cover more ground.

The 5-foot-10 junior to be gained some further notoriety on A-Day when he was ejected on a personal foul penalty for targeting a defenseless receiver for his hit against Dimitri Reese early in the third quarter.

Mincy and starting Boundary Corner Chris Davis set themselves apart in the spring and practiced the whole way with the first group. What they both need to do in 2013 is come away with interceptions, something no Auburn corner did in 2012.

Backup
Jonathan Jones made 13 tackles as a true freshman in 2012 with three starts at the nickel position. The Carrolton, Ga. native is a speedster and could end up seeing time in the return game as well.

Jones is by far the lightest member of the Auburn secondary so while he’s lean and quick, he’s also a mismatch in size matchups with bigger wideouts. For teams who can throw a few tall receivers on the field, Jones’ stature could present a hurdle.

Still as freshmen both Jones and Josh Holsey were among the few bright spots on an otherwise poor defense in 2012 and can both have even bigger sophomore campaigns.

Next Wave
Holsey is listed as safety and worked more on the boundary but he may be a field corner as well. The same goes for Ryan White, who is listed as the backup boundary corner.

Summer Arrivals
Among the incoming signees in the secondary, Kamryn Melton might be the most likely option at either corner position but a lot will be sorted out early in fall camp.

Quotable
“We want four corners and if we can get four playing at a high level, I think Mincy and Davis sort of made enough plays to kind of separate. I tell you Jones has had an outstanding spring and Holsey was good enough we feel like he can learn both positions.” – Ellis Johnson

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The doctor is in: Auburn’s Garner calls on ‘Dr. Rush’ to help make over D-line

Posted on May 19, 2013 by James Crepea

Former NFL defensive lineman Chuck Smith has a facility in Atlanta where he helps college and pro players improve on their pass rushing techniques. / GETTY IMAGES

This is a preview of a story which appears in Sunday’s Montgomery Advertiser. To read the full story click here.

AUBURN— It’s been a “Code Blue and Orange” emergency for the Auburn pass rush the last two seasons.

Auburn associate head coach/defensive line coach Rodney Garner is on a mission to get his group back to performing at an elite level after finishing 12th in the SEC in sacks in 2012. With more than a quarter of the defensive linemen selected in this year’s NFL draft coming out of the SEC, there’s no room for downward trends in production from the defensive line, and Garner set out to improve the Tigers by calling upon a doctor to help assist in the makeover.

Chuck Smith, aka “Dr. Rush,” the former Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers defensive end and former Tennessee defensive line coach who has also worked with the New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens, was asked by Garner to train several Auburn defensive linemen earlier this month to help revive the Tigers’ pass rush. Garner has a long relationship with Smith from his time at Georgia and former Bulldogs Jarvis Jones and John Jenkins were players who trained with Smith.

“That’s what he specializes in and obviously we definitely need improvement in that area from a defensive line standpoint,” Garner said. “So I was really excited that those guys were going to take this time to try to devote to sharpen their tools and develop their craft, and take some ownership of things.”

Dee Ford, Gabe Wright, Jeff Whitaker, Ken Carter and Nosa Eguae were among the Auburn players who went to Atlanta to work with Smith and improve on their pass rush techniques. Last week, Smith posted several short video clips on Twitter of the Auburn linemen performing a variety of drills.

“Our guys on their own are always trying to get better,” Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said. “That’s a guy that has a great reputation and definitely can help guys.”

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