Auburn Burning Redshirts?

[TigerEyes1914]

LB Joshua Bynes and CB Ryan Williams played during the Vandy game. They were redshirting but since they played today, they lose their redshirts. Auburn needed some depth at linebacker with Tray and Merrill out but cornerback? Is AU just turning the youngsters loose?:unsure:

[KRIEGER]

Why the hell would they do this? Bynes was an extremely high touted LB coming out of HS. With him and Blackmon both as upperclassmen would be BRUTAL.

[gatorunvrsty]

LB Joshua Bynes and CB Ryan Williams played during the Vandy game. They were redshirting but since they played today, they lose their redshirts. Auburn needed some depth at linebacker with Tray and Merrill out but cornerback? Is AU just turning the youngsters loose?:unsure:

The commentators said the coaches were benching the guys who they didn't think wanted to give it their all, and were giving new guys a chance. Maybe that's what they were referring to... the young guys.

[KRIEGER]

Merril Johnson isn't very good, but still...

[TigerEyes1914]

Well it looks like we're cleaning out the cubbards! I hope it works.

[AU Blaaaaaaaake]

It could mean a lot of things.. it will benefit recruiting, we are very thin at LB and CB next year so getting those two some PT will help. They can also get "medical redshirts" if they happen to get "injured" in practice further down the road.

[aufan]

Sometimes gotta do what ya gotta do

[KRIEGER]

Sometimes gotta do what ya gotta do

Yeah, but why wait for the sixth game to do so?

[AU Blaaaaaaaake]

Yeah, but why wait for the sixth game to do so?

Injuries, having only 5 healthy LB's is never a good thing.

[aufan]

well who knows...like somebody pointed out, maybe they decided to play the young uns that got some desire...maybe thats what it takes to send a message to the older ones...seemed to work for Cox....either that or injuries...

[KRIEGER]

Makes sense, and I'm now glad that these youngsters get some valuable playing time.

[aufan]

sucks to have to use some of these guys early but experience now only helps out later..look at the offensive line..they are really proving themselves and getting better...obviously when injuries happen there is no other choice but i personally like the coaches playing the guys that have that fire and want to prove themselves now...age shouldnt matter....its who proves themselves...plus like i said, i think it can sometimes light a fire under the older ones when they see their outplayed by their junior

[TigerEyes1914]

I wont second guess the coaches because they obviously know what they are doing and it's working. There was a report that the coaching staff was prepared to use another true freshman, WR Quindarius Carr, during the weekend. Ultimately, they didn't need him.

Here are the true freshmen currently playing:
S Mike McNeil
DE Antoine Carter
QB Kodi Burns
OL Lee Ziemba
OL Chaz Ramsey
OL Ryan Pugh
WR Chris Slaughter
K Wes Byrum
CB Ryan Williams
LB Josh Bynes
LB Bo Harris
P Patrick Tatum

TBA: DE/LB Brent Slusher. May or may not be eligible for a redshirt.

Here are the redshirt freshmen currently playing:
TB Mario Fannin
OL Mike 'Big Snacks' Berry
S Zac Etheridge
LB Craig Stevens
P Ryan Shoemaker
DE Mike Goggans
OL Byron Isom
WR Tim Hawthorne
DT Mike Blanc
DT Zach Clayton
OL Bart Eddins

That's a lot of youngters! Do ya'll think this helps or hurts recruiting and our future success on the field?

[KRIEGER]

I think it helps recruiting and success both. I love seeing these young AU players kicking ass on the field.

[WarEagle73]

That's a lot of youngters! Do ya'll think this helps or hurts recruiting and our future success on the field?


Well, I think it will help. In the past Tubberville was loath to play a freshman and recruits took notice of this. Guys today are looking for two things above all else. First, where can I go that gives me my best shot @ the NFL. Second, where can I go and get on the field in a hurry. With recruits seeing so many true freshmen playing for Auburn that will make us look better in their eyes. Also, I think a freshman that has played a season will be better prepared for his sophomore year than a kid that spent that first year as a redshirt. As more players opt to forego their senior season for a chance to play in the the NFL, I think we might be seening a trend where in a few years the redshirt will be a thing of the past.

[TigerEyes1914]

I like the idea of putting the best players out there regardless of their classification. I do worry about the possibility of this new philosopy pushing kids to throw their hats in the pro arena before they are ready. We seem to have alot of players stay til their senior years and get their degrees. I would hate to see this turn into a situation where kids abandon their education early because they fear the lose of playing time to a freshman.

[WarEagle73]

I like the idea of putting the best players out there regardless of their classification. I do worry about the possibility of this new philosopy pushing kids to throw their hats in the pro arena before they are ready. We seem to have alot of players stay til their senior years and get their degrees. I would hate to see this turn into a situation where kids abandon their education early because they fear the lose of playing time to a freshman.

I think what will be required is for the player that is considering the jump to the NFL to listen carefully to both his coaching staff and the NFL evaluators. The way the system is set up now a guy will have a pretty accurate assessment where he can expect to be drafted before declaring early for the draft. I can think of only one example of a player going against the advise of the coaches and NFL evaluators that being Stanley McGlover. I speculate that he must have been having serious academic issues to have entered into the draft.