Eckwood43
05-14-2004, 11:56 PM
Doesn't mention Jacobs' transfer to SIU but with the Cadillac back in the garage, I guess that doesn't matter much. Brown also coming off that 1,000 yard season in 2002.
Auburn No. 19 in Athlon's preseason Top 25
Auburn is eager to atone for a five-loss season in 2003 and should have the man-power to do it. Quarterback Jason Campbell will have the opportunity to once again learn a new offense, and he will have plenty of help from tailbacks Ronnie Brown and Carnell Williams. Defensively, Auburn may not have the dominating names of a year ago, but the Tigers may be just as formidable. Auburn will enter the season behind some others in the SEC, but may just finish the season ahead.
Those lofty aspirations of last preseason sure came crashing down in a hurry. The offense lacked vitality, finishing last season 10th in the SEC in passing offense and middle-of-the-pack overall, prompting head coach Tommy Tuberville to hire Al Borges as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Borges, who was offensive coordinator at UCLA during the late ’90s when Cade McNown quarterbacked the Bruins to 20 straight wins, was brought aboard to add a West Coast flavor to the attack.
Borges’ eager pupil is Jason Campbell, who has started 27 career games, including all 13 last season. Campbell is an accurate passer and a good runner, and he’s coming off an MVP performance in the Music City Bowl. If Campbell, wide receivers Courtney Taylor, Silas Daniels, Ben Obomanu and Anthony Mix, and tight end Cooper Wallace can catch on to the new system quickly, it will mean more running room for tailbacks Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown. The two have combined for 4,460 career rushing yards and 53 touchdowns. Despite the departure of guard Monreko Crittenden, the line is well-stocked with experienced, SEC-caliber performers.
Graduation hit the defensive front hard, taking tackle DeMarco McNeil and linebackers Karlos Dansby and Dontarrious Thomas, among others. But end Bret Eddins and linebacker Travis Williams return to their posts and senior Jay Ratliff should move into a tackle vacancy with no drop-off. Free safety Will Herring and cornerback Kevin Hobbs tied for the team lead last season with three picks apiece and lead last year’s entire secondary group back for 2004. Cornerback Carlos Rogers is a three-year starter and the leader of the unit.
LSU’s visit to Jordan-Hare Stadium this Sept. 18 is circled on the calendar. A trip to Tennessee is on the docket for Oct. 2, and Georgia comes in for a visit on Nov. 13.
Auburn No. 19 in Athlon's preseason Top 25
Auburn is eager to atone for a five-loss season in 2003 and should have the man-power to do it. Quarterback Jason Campbell will have the opportunity to once again learn a new offense, and he will have plenty of help from tailbacks Ronnie Brown and Carnell Williams. Defensively, Auburn may not have the dominating names of a year ago, but the Tigers may be just as formidable. Auburn will enter the season behind some others in the SEC, but may just finish the season ahead.
Those lofty aspirations of last preseason sure came crashing down in a hurry. The offense lacked vitality, finishing last season 10th in the SEC in passing offense and middle-of-the-pack overall, prompting head coach Tommy Tuberville to hire Al Borges as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Borges, who was offensive coordinator at UCLA during the late ’90s when Cade McNown quarterbacked the Bruins to 20 straight wins, was brought aboard to add a West Coast flavor to the attack.
Borges’ eager pupil is Jason Campbell, who has started 27 career games, including all 13 last season. Campbell is an accurate passer and a good runner, and he’s coming off an MVP performance in the Music City Bowl. If Campbell, wide receivers Courtney Taylor, Silas Daniels, Ben Obomanu and Anthony Mix, and tight end Cooper Wallace can catch on to the new system quickly, it will mean more running room for tailbacks Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown. The two have combined for 4,460 career rushing yards and 53 touchdowns. Despite the departure of guard Monreko Crittenden, the line is well-stocked with experienced, SEC-caliber performers.
Graduation hit the defensive front hard, taking tackle DeMarco McNeil and linebackers Karlos Dansby and Dontarrious Thomas, among others. But end Bret Eddins and linebacker Travis Williams return to their posts and senior Jay Ratliff should move into a tackle vacancy with no drop-off. Free safety Will Herring and cornerback Kevin Hobbs tied for the team lead last season with three picks apiece and lead last year’s entire secondary group back for 2004. Cornerback Carlos Rogers is a three-year starter and the leader of the unit.
LSU’s visit to Jordan-Hare Stadium this Sept. 18 is circled on the calendar. A trip to Tennessee is on the docket for Oct. 2, and Georgia comes in for a visit on Nov. 13.