Chizik Speaks

Here are some highlights of Gene Chizik's meeting with the media today:

• "There will be a battle at the quarterback position, and [Cam Newton will] be a part of that battle. May the best man win."
• "Zac [Etheridge] is a day to day progression whether he can play again. But I feel very encouraged about the progress he has made."
• "[Kodi Burns is] a wide receiver. He'll still play wildcat, but his predominant position is wide receiver"
• Spring practice will be in the mornings this season. It will begin March 24. Practices will occur on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays with possible scrimmages on Saturdays.
• Daren Bates will not participate in spring contact after having shoulder surgery.
• Mario Fannin, Eric Smith and Onterio McCalebb will fight it out for the tailback position in the spring. Dontae Aycock will be used in multiple roles.

Thigpen: Etheridge Will Return

The Opelika-Auburn News is reporting that Zac Etheridge will return 100 percent and he will play again, quoting Tommy Thigpen. For more, click here.

News

• Eric Smith is the only academically ineligible player for the Outback Bowl according to Gene Chizik. He will return to the team in January. More to come.
• Antonio Coleman and Ben Tate have been invited to play in the Senior Bowl in Mobile.
• Eight current and former football players earned their degrees today: John Cubelic, Clayton Crofoot, Zac Etheridge, Tim Hawthorne, Jeno James, Montae Pitts, Craig Stevens and Darrell Roseman.

Latest On Etheridge

Photo: Jay G. Tate

• Zac Etheridge was walking in a neck brace and shoulder harness. Will have to wear the brace 24/7 for the next 3-4 months.
• Thanks Auburn fans for support and prayers.
• Damaged ligaments in neck and cracked 5th vertebrate.
• He has not undergone any surgeries but will meet with the doctors again.
• Hopes to play again and says the doctors think he will be able to.
• He called Rodney Scott to thank him for his actions (or no actions) but Scott was in class. Had a conversation with Houston Nutt.
• He has not decided on if he will finish classes this semester.
• Says he was paralyzed for the first couple of minutes after the hit.

Etheridge Released; Full Recovery Possible?

Zac Etheridge has been released from the hospital after suffering a neck injury during the Ole Miss game. Etheridge was reportedly walking and Chizik said the medical staff is optimistic Etheridge will make a full recovery.

Zac Etheridge Update

Sources close to Zac Etheridge are saying he will miss the rest of the season and may have to give up football. Etheridge suffered a neck injury on Saturday and spent the night at UAB Hospital in Birmingham.

News Updates

• Eric Smith will play on Saturday. Eltoro Freeman might. Chizik said he really hoped Freeman will play.
• Curtis Luper says he hopes to redshirt Dontae Aycock.
• Tommy Thigpen complimented his safeties but says they need to do better tackling and says Bates should have had another pick and Etheridge missed an opportunity for one.
• Jay Boulware has come down hard on Mario Fannin and I would not expect to see him returning kicks this weekend.
• Curtis Luper says he wants to lower Onterio McCalebb's touches to about 15.
• Anthony Gulley, Emory Blake, Demond Washington, Quindarious Carr, Zac Etheridge and Walt McFadden are all being considered at punt returner.
• The offensive line appeared to be in shape on Saturday but Jeff Grimes says the linemen need to work on their conditioning.

Quick Notes

• The team will head to LaGrange, GA on Friday night to get away from Auburn.
• Mike Slade will enter the game for the nickel. He will take Zac Etheridge's safety position and Etheridge will move to the nickel back.
• There are huge banners being installed today on the outside of the south end of the stadium. The five banners have five different players: Bo Jackson, Pat Sullivan, Carlos Rogers, Zeke Smith and Tracy Rocker.
• Some visitors for this weekend include commitment Cody Parkey, Emory Blake's father Jeff who was an NFL quarterback, and La Tech head coach Derek Dooley's father Vince, who played football and basketball for Auburn and was head coach at UGA.

A Defensive Move

Freshman cornerback T'Sharvan Bell will move from cornerback to strong safety. He is very happy about the move. It will bring a bit more depth to a thin safety position. So far this spring and summer, Christian Thompson has been dismissed, Aairon Savage suffered a torn Achilles and will miss the season, Mike McNeil broke his leg and Zac Etheridge did not participate in spring due to a shoulder injury. Coach Tommy Thigpen says he felt Bell was the perfect candidate for the move. Etheridge is back healthy and hopefully Izauea Lanier and Daren Bates can qualify.