HOOVER – Right out of the gate, the reigning SEC Champion Auburn Tigers get their crack to talk to the media. The revival of the program was well documented in 2013.
The 2013 season was completely different than the 3-9 mark that plagued the program in 2012. Now, the program tries to back up the strong season last year, with a repeat performance this season. Defensive lineman Gabe Wright said continuity has been a huge help for the program this season.
“One of the bigger blessings we’ve had is to have the coaching staff coming back to us,” Wright said. “For instance, this will be my third defensive coordinator and my second defensive line coach. I can go across the board with all of our coaches, so that’s really been a blessing for us.”
In Wright’s case, he gets former Georgia defensive line coach Rodney Garner back for another season. Plus Ellis Johnson is his third defensive coordinator after former Falcons DC Brian VanGorder and current Georgia Tech DC Ted Roof.
Senior tight end CJ Uzomah believes the loss to Florida State last year has motivated this Auburn program and feels that it has something else to prove to the country.
“It’s a little bit different because we’re now the hunted and not the hunter,” Uzomah said. “We’re approaching it just the same intensity wise, if not a little bit harder because we made it to the national championship and we were 13 seconds away from winning it.”
Another change this season is the offense is trying to become a little more balanced on offense. They’re trying to improve on their 108th ranked passing offense.
“We kind of hope that people overlook it (the passing game) to be and get surprised,” Uzomah said. “If they overlook it, we feel like they will be surprised.”
Uzomah continued on to say that he believes that quarterback Nick Marshall has developed that part of his game during this offseason.
Speaking of Marshall, he has been in the news recently with his citation for marijuana possession. Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn said he will deal with Marshall accordingly.
“He’s going to have some consequences to pay,” Malzahn said. “I’ve not decided what they are, but he’ll definitely pay some consequences for his actions.”
Malzahn continued on by saying that he feels that it is a “privilege and a reward” to represent your program at SEC Media Days. This is especially the case for the quarterback, as he is the face of the program. Malzahn says that Marshall understands that fact.
Auburn will start their season at home against Arkansas on Aug. 30.
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