A little chat with GUS and ROD BRAMBLETT.
Rod says this was a hard-fought win. He knew it would be tough. "We did know it was not going to be easy. We didn't play very well. We need to improve."
Rod says JSU had a great game plan. "They did a good job," Gus said. "It was a dogfight in the second half."
Rod believes this win says a lot about Auburn for finding a way to win. I'm not sure I agree with that, but this is Rod's show. "The positive is that nobody was panicked on the sideline. Everybody kept doing what they were supposed to be doing. We need some guys to grow up in a hurry."
Rod says the team is banged up, but it's not an excuse. "You saw a lot of true freshmen out there. That'll do nothing but help them in a future."
Rod says JSU was picking on Carlton Davis. Mean ol' Gamecocks. "He was battlin' hard. He's going to be an excellent player for us."
Rod wants to talk about Peyton Barber. We all want to talk about Peyton Barber. "He willed us to win. His toughness and his attitude, it's obviously going to help us."
Rod says Jeremy's late screen pass to Peyton was tough and the throw to Melvin Ray was awesome. "He's going to get better, there's no doubt. I expect him to play better this week."
Rod asks if that throw to MEL RAY the same play that won the game against MSU in '13. Gus confirms it. Two years ago today, people! It's the circle of life!
Rod asks about today's practice. Gus says what you think he said. "Our guys, they want to get better."
COMMERCIAL BREAK IN PROGRESS.
Rod wants to talk about the fans. "We really appreciate our fans. It was a packed house. We stayed with us the whole time. That made a huge difference."
Rod isn't going to ask Gus about the scoreboard. Then he asks Gus about the scoreboard. "I did notice a difference."
QUESTION TIME. Oh yeah!
Someone on Twitter wants to know if we'll see more of MEL RAY. "He does a lot of things that aren't shown on the stat sheet. He actually played more snaps than any receiver we had (Saturday.)"
Rod says MEL RAY is older and, therefore, more mature. "He doesn't have bad days. If he has a bad day, you'd never know it."
Rod says Ricardo Louis, who caught 10 balls, was a big part of the offense. Gus agrees.
Ros says the younger WRs need to do some stuff, too. Gus heartily agrees.
Some dude wants to know if Gus has concerns about the offense. (HUH?) "The first two games obviously aren't up to our standards. When you turn the football over, it usually costs points. We have to do a better job in that area. We're a run, play-action team. That's a place where we really need to improve."
Rod wants to talk about the OL. Gus says Avery Young wasn't ready to go. "There's nothing like that continuity. We do have some depth up front this year. It's a matter of playing together."
Rod thinks that using some different groups up front is actually a benefit. "We have some depth. That's a good thing. Avery ... I think he'll return pretty quick."
Rod wants to know about Kerryon Johnson. "He's been healthy the last couple weeks. The moment's not too big. He understand the offense. He'll be a part of what we're doing."
Some dude wants to know about Jovon Robinson's situation. "Jovon got banged up in that first game. He has an ankle. We're hoping to have him back this week."
COMMERCIAL BREAK IN PROGRESS
Some person wants to know about Jeremy Johnson and his running ability. Can he run, Gus? He's been bipedal for the better part of his life, Coach! "There will be times when teams will take the back instead of him (in the read option). He can run the football and he will before the year's out."
Rod suggests that some of the JSU coaches knew what Auburn was running. GUs agrees, says that's part of life.
Some person asks about Jason Smith. "he is growing at the wide receiver position each week. He's doing a very good job. He has a great attitude. He can run. He's a great competitor, too. It's a matter of getting more comfortable."
Rod says that Jason's background at quarterback makes him better at receiver. "It's very important that they ... can see the game like a quarterback."
Rod wants to look ahead to LSU. He then reviews LSU's curriculum vitae. We know this stuff, sir. "They did an outstanding job in all three phases (at MSU)."
Rod wants to know if Fournette reminds Gus of anyone. "He's a big, fast guy. You've got to do a good job of gang tackling." (I guess that's a NO.)
Rod wants to know about the injured/infirmed players. "They're working hard to get back."
Rod wants to know what Blake Countess has brought to the defense. "It's definitely great to have him."
Rod asks about Josh Holsey. Gus says they'll know more tomorrow, ends his answer abruptly. Two seconds of dead air. Like Gus is going to launch into a soliloquy regarding injuries, right?
COMMERCIAL BREAK IN CONTRAST
Kim has the Question of the Week. I think she's won a few times before? At minimum, she's asked questions on the Mic at Bammerhauer's. She wants to know how Gus gets young guys prepared for Death Valley. "We'll do everything we can to get them ready for that environment."
Rod asks about Kevin Steele. Gus says he's familiar with that dude from Clemson '11 and, of course, Alabama more recently.
Rod says this game has been a defining game for a lot of Auburn teams. He brings up 2010 and 2013. Auburn lost in '13. "The history shows that this is a big game."
Rod says this is the kind of game that helps Gus know which players can be counted up. Gus affirms.
Rod wants to know how road trips affect things. "It can bring a team together. You're all you've got, you know?"
Rod wants to know the practice plan. Gus says they'll practice tomorrow, Wednesday, a little Thursday, will travel Friday.
Rod asks for keys to the game. Gus said they need to play well in all three phases.
THAT'S A WRAP. War Eagle, everyone.
Rod says this was a hard-fought win. He knew it would be tough. "We did know it was not going to be easy. We didn't play very well. We need to improve."
Rod says JSU had a great game plan. "They did a good job," Gus said. "It was a dogfight in the second half."
Rod believes this win says a lot about Auburn for finding a way to win. I'm not sure I agree with that, but this is Rod's show. "The positive is that nobody was panicked on the sideline. Everybody kept doing what they were supposed to be doing. We need some guys to grow up in a hurry."
Rod says the team is banged up, but it's not an excuse. "You saw a lot of true freshmen out there. That'll do nothing but help them in a future."
Rod says JSU was picking on Carlton Davis. Mean ol' Gamecocks. "He was battlin' hard. He's going to be an excellent player for us."
Rod wants to talk about Peyton Barber. We all want to talk about Peyton Barber. "He willed us to win. His toughness and his attitude, it's obviously going to help us."
Rod says Jeremy's late screen pass to Peyton was tough and the throw to Melvin Ray was awesome. "He's going to get better, there's no doubt. I expect him to play better this week."
Rod asks if that throw to MEL RAY the same play that won the game against MSU in '13. Gus confirms it. Two years ago today, people! It's the circle of life!
Rod asks about today's practice. Gus says what you think he said. "Our guys, they want to get better."
COMMERCIAL BREAK IN PROGRESS.
Rod wants to talk about the fans. "We really appreciate our fans. It was a packed house. We stayed with us the whole time. That made a huge difference."
Rod isn't going to ask Gus about the scoreboard. Then he asks Gus about the scoreboard. "I did notice a difference."
QUESTION TIME. Oh yeah!
Someone on Twitter wants to know if we'll see more of MEL RAY. "He does a lot of things that aren't shown on the stat sheet. He actually played more snaps than any receiver we had (Saturday.)"
Rod says MEL RAY is older and, therefore, more mature. "He doesn't have bad days. If he has a bad day, you'd never know it."
Rod says Ricardo Louis, who caught 10 balls, was a big part of the offense. Gus agrees.
Ros says the younger WRs need to do some stuff, too. Gus heartily agrees.
Some dude wants to know if Gus has concerns about the offense. (HUH?) "The first two games obviously aren't up to our standards. When you turn the football over, it usually costs points. We have to do a better job in that area. We're a run, play-action team. That's a place where we really need to improve."
Rod wants to talk about the OL. Gus says Avery Young wasn't ready to go. "There's nothing like that continuity. We do have some depth up front this year. It's a matter of playing together."
Rod thinks that using some different groups up front is actually a benefit. "We have some depth. That's a good thing. Avery ... I think he'll return pretty quick."
Rod wants to know about Kerryon Johnson. "He's been healthy the last couple weeks. The moment's not too big. He understand the offense. He'll be a part of what we're doing."
Some dude wants to know about Jovon Robinson's situation. "Jovon got banged up in that first game. He has an ankle. We're hoping to have him back this week."
COMMERCIAL BREAK IN PROGRESS
Some person wants to know about Jeremy Johnson and his running ability. Can he run, Gus? He's been bipedal for the better part of his life, Coach! "There will be times when teams will take the back instead of him (in the read option). He can run the football and he will before the year's out."
Rod suggests that some of the JSU coaches knew what Auburn was running. GUs agrees, says that's part of life.
Some person asks about Jason Smith. "he is growing at the wide receiver position each week. He's doing a very good job. He has a great attitude. He can run. He's a great competitor, too. It's a matter of getting more comfortable."
Rod says that Jason's background at quarterback makes him better at receiver. "It's very important that they ... can see the game like a quarterback."
Rod wants to look ahead to LSU. He then reviews LSU's curriculum vitae. We know this stuff, sir. "They did an outstanding job in all three phases (at MSU)."
Rod wants to know if Fournette reminds Gus of anyone. "He's a big, fast guy. You've got to do a good job of gang tackling." (I guess that's a NO.)
Rod wants to know about the injured/infirmed players. "They're working hard to get back."
Rod wants to know what Blake Countess has brought to the defense. "It's definitely great to have him."
Rod asks about Josh Holsey. Gus says they'll know more tomorrow, ends his answer abruptly. Two seconds of dead air. Like Gus is going to launch into a soliloquy regarding injuries, right?
COMMERCIAL BREAK IN CONTRAST
Kim has the Question of the Week. I think she's won a few times before? At minimum, she's asked questions on the Mic at Bammerhauer's. She wants to know how Gus gets young guys prepared for Death Valley. "We'll do everything we can to get them ready for that environment."
Rod asks about Kevin Steele. Gus says he's familiar with that dude from Clemson '11 and, of course, Alabama more recently.
Rod says this game has been a defining game for a lot of Auburn teams. He brings up 2010 and 2013. Auburn lost in '13. "The history shows that this is a big game."
Rod says this is the kind of game that helps Gus know which players can be counted up. Gus affirms.
Rod wants to know how road trips affect things. "It can bring a team together. You're all you've got, you know?"
Rod wants to know the practice plan. Gus says they'll practice tomorrow, Wednesday, a little Thursday, will travel Friday.
Rod asks for keys to the game. Gus said they need to play well in all three phases.
THAT'S A WRAP. War Eagle, everyone.
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