News Wrap Up

• I've been informed Philip Lutzenkirchen has suffered an undisclosed injury.
• Gabe McKenzie has been working back at defensive end recently.
• The focus of practice this week has been tackling and special teams.
• A lot of fundamentals work is being done like taking good angles.
• We could begin to see more of Anthony Gulley in the coming weeks.
• Trainers say Mike McNeil is looking good but is likely weeks away from returning.
• Tracy Rocker has had a lot of praise for Jake Ricks this week.
• Josh Bynes is on track for 112 tackles this season. The last two seasons combined, he had 63.
• Shon Coleman could be wavering on his commitment. He says his parents are pushing him to check out Ole Miss more.
• Stay tuned in the next three days...that is all I will say...

Tuesday Practice

• Long practice (2 hrs 15 mins) in full pads tonight
• A main focus was speeding up the tempo on offense
• Another focus was not making mistakes on offense such as penalties and fumbles
• Malzahn says they are still trying to define Gabe McKenzie's role and expect him to grow as the season progresses.
• Malzahn says he is not sure how he will work Eric Smith into the gameplan this weekend. They are currently "moving him around" in the offense.
• Kodi Burns says he expects the Wildcat to grow on Saturday's performance and that it has great potential.

Two Notes

• Josh Harris has won the deep snapping job for field goals and extra points. Clayton Crofoot will hold.
• Interesting note that Inside The Auburn Tigers has made me aware of: 8 of 13 seniors have already earned their degrees (Montez Billings, Antonio Coleman, Walt McFadden, Chris Todd, Gabe McKenzie, Aairon Savage, Ben Tate and Tommy Trott).

More

• Coach Malzahn says there will not be a two quarterback system this season. There will be one quarterback except in the Wildcat formation.
• Tyrik Rollison and Chris Todd impressed today.
• Gabe McKenzie was working with tight ends.
• Coach Malzahn says all of the quarterbacks have made improvements since spring.
• Malzahn seems to want to make a decision soon. Right now, Todd could be leading believe it or not.

Gabe Is Back

Gabe McKenzie is back with the team after an undisclosed situation held him out of spring ball according to Gene Chizik.  The tight end and defensive end will be back working out with the team and will continue to work through what Chizik called "health issues" but is excited to watch him make progress.

Thursday Practice Report

Thursday's final practice of spring was a scrimmage in Jordan-Hare and it is being described as a very physical affair.

• It is considered a "half" scrimmage.
• Neil Caudle and Barrett Trotter both took hard hits and got a little dinged up. Their exact injuries are unknown. Both seemed to be fine and returned to the scrimmage according to Mike Blanc.
• The defense again dominated the offense by just about doubling up the offense's score. (50 something to 20 something).
• Onterio McCalebb had two long runs.
• Jomarcus Savage has been moved to defensive tackle.
• Players not participating in A-Day include Aairon Savage, Gabe McKenzie, Zac Etheridge, and Eric Smith. Tommy Trott and Antoine Carter are questionable but doubtful. Mike Slade also has some sort of injury making the secondary even weaker. No word as to whether he is questionable for the A-Day game. Philip Pierre-Louis will have minimal playing time.
• Harry Adams reportedly had a good half scrimmage at receiver.
• Kodi Burns threw a touchdown pass to Derek Winter.
• It's late, I'm going to bed. I'll work on some more information tomorrow.