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by RickKarle from WBRC, FOX6

Last Post 1 day, 18 hours Ago


Tommy Tuberville: He's In A Pickle!
Oct 7, 2008 | 9:06 PM
Category: Sports
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     Did you happen to tune into any sports talk radio today? Many Auburn football fans are turning their criticism away from Offensive Coordinator Tony Franklin and to head coach Tommy Tuberville.  I must say, coach Tubs is in a pickle.  His offense ranks 103rd in the nation (passing ranks 103rd as well, and rushing? Forget about it- the Tigers averaged 2.5 yards per rush last weekend at Vanderbilt).  Why the pickle? Tommy Tuberville insists he is committed to running the spread offense because he has to be committed to the spread.  Allow me to explain.

     Tuberville has reeled in well over 20 verbal commitments for the 2009 signing period.  Many of those commitments are scatback athletes that can step into a a spread offense and help the cause  (the problem today is that he does not currently possess the number of athletes that can run the spread). Tuberville said today that trying to install an offense different from the spread would a "major disaster."  While many Tiger fans consider the current offense a major disaster, Tuberville is right. College football players need great study habits off the field (see: the playbook) and plenty of reps on it.  Turning back to a power-I formation would only serve to throw the AU offense in even more chaos.

     So then: Tommy Tuberville, for the time being, is in a pickle.  Privately, I wonder if he is biting his collective nails and hoping that the spread offense catches fire in a hurry.  If not, it's going to a long season before an off-season may help the spread latch on.  Tubs has changed to the spread, he's hired OC Tony Franklin, who has written books on the spread, and he has recruited to the spread.  Has it been a big gamble for Tuberville?  While some may think that somewhere Al Borges is smiling, Coach Tubs is waiting for his new offense to kick into gear.  Until it does, he's going to have painful, long nights like he did three days ago in Nashville.
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AzJim read my blog view my photos
Oct 8, 2008 | 4:16 PM

It's too late -the party's over-sounded like a good line as Tubbs canned Franklin-it's always the OC's fault, after all, he's in charge, right? And if Tubbs was in charge he'd-wait- Tubbs is in charge-so does that mean he has some fault here? Nah- he's Tom Terrific-the most arrogant thing to grace football in years.
Katie101 read my blog
Oct 8, 2008 | 7:07 PM

Why does the firing of Tony Franklin seem eerily familiar to Bama's tactics? Hmmmm....

Our offense is 104th in the NATION....I wonder how many offensive points that equals up to- maybe less than 50? I don't know- haven't added them up. What I do know is that while I have been sick with Auburn's performance thus far, I do hate that a man lost his job today in the MIDDLE of the season. But what other options does one have?

And I don't know about Tubby being the most arrogant thing to grace football in years. I've seen waaaaay more coaches who could vie for and win that trophy.....Saban.....Steve Spurrier (when he was at Florida)....Urban Meyer....I'm usually with you AzJim, but not this time.
AzJim read my blog view my photos
Oct 9, 2008 | 8:13 AM

Sorry, but Tuberville's constant smirk gets to me. Shula had it too. It's that look you get from someone who feels superior to everyone in the room. Saban, well I think his is anger and intensity, never good enough, more of a perfectionist who has very little time for people.Didn't say he was anyone's best bud, but a different look.Right about Spurrier though.I know there others we could add too.
AzJim read my blog view my photos
Oct 9, 2008 | 8:29 AM

Katie,
I forgot to mention-I'm just now getting into AL football as I didn't like Shula.Coming from Memphis originally (we had a yearly budget of $25 for football, so it wasn't a big deal-old timer I still call it Memphis State)I thought it was pretty cool that AL had two teams and never understood the bitterness between the two.I understand when they play each other you have to choose, i just didn't understand how anyone would be against either team when they played the other teams from out of stste.Still doesn't make a lot of sense to me.I pull for both and especially hope they kick Tennessee and Ole Miss as they used to throttle Memphis State relentlessly and "smirk" about it.Kind of like a mastiff fighting a terrier-not much to brag about.
Katie101 read my blog
Oct 9, 2008 | 9:39 AM

Good morning, AzJim. I see your point.

Although I am an Auburn fan, I can give Alabama its just due, especially since I taught the awesome Andre Smith when he was at Huffman. The child is amazing on the field and is just as wonderful off the field. What I can't stand is Alabama fans. But usually when Bama is playing someone other than Auburn, I hope they win.

Here's an example of just how serious the UA/AU rival is: My fiance moved to Mobile from San Diego in 2005. He had already been here to pick out his lot and plan for his house. He made the terrible mistake of choosing Iron Bowl Saturday to come back to do the final walk-through. As he was talking to the contractor while they walked through the house, the contractor interrupted him mid-sentence to tell him that he had to go because the Auburn-Alabama game was about to start. Naturally, my fiance was baffled, but that was because he was an "outsider". Still, for a contractor to snub his homebuyer because of a game is a bit much. Even for the Iron Bowl, if you ask me.

Still, WAR EAGLE!!!
AzJim read my blog view my photos
Oct 9, 2008 | 10:37 AM

Good story Katie- I totally understand- I was baffled originally- my wife is a loyal Bama fan and we gather on 280 at one of the wings places on Saturday for blacked out games w/friends.Some are Auburn fans also so we watch both games-it gets funny to say the least!Great about Andre-I like when a lineman gets his due since the backs usually get the glory (old guard and center here).Whoever you cheer for, it's great to watch so many people get so excited and involved.I still don't get the tiger-war eagle thing-wish they would choose one or the other-preferably the war eagle since it's so cool to see that thing fly.Oh, and I don't get the correlation between Tide and elephants either!
Katie101 read my blog
Oct 9, 2008 | 11:18 AM

LOL- the correlation (or lack of) has baffled me since childhood. But I guess since few other things make since here in Bama, our college teams might as well follow suit! LOL!
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RickKarle

Rick Karle is Sports Director at FOX6 WBRC, anchoring sports segments during FOX6 News at 5, 6, 9 and 10 pm. Rick started his duties at WBRC-TV in April of 1989. Prior to working in Birmingham, he served as sports anchor at WJXT Jacksonville, Fla, and Sports Director At WNNE in Hanover, New Hampshire.

Member Since: 5/30/2006


 

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