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The Tigers returned to the practice fields today after a week off for Spring Break. It's an important time for the defense in particular, as the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer spoke of from talking with Will Muschamp. This may cut into tomorrow's "Coffee and Magnolia" articles, but I figure y'all would want this type of info as soon as possible.
Video
You can find various videos out and about on the internet. Some of it behind paywalls, some of it not.
Rivals: Behind the paywall.
AuburnUndercover: You can watch videos of the quarterbacks and offensive line in front of the paywall!
AL.com: Video of the quarterbacks.
Pictures
ThePlainsman (a resource I haven't been linking to enough, honestly) has a photo gallery from the media viewing period.
News and Notes
Here are things I've taken from all of the various sources during the short media-viewing window.
Tim Irvin and Stanton Truitt were in non-contact jerseys. Alex Kozan and Gimel President were in the blue "full-contact" jerseys.
Jason Smith was full-time receiver, today.
TJ Davis wasn't there. Maybe more on that, later.
Offensive line was the same as previously reported.
For full recaps, you can check out each writer's at the below sources:
Inside the Auburn Tigers (Scout - Paywalled)
Gus Malzahn Press Conference Tweet-cap
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Gus Malzahn here for a post-practice presser. "It was a little sluggish. You could tell our guys had been off a week."</p>— Ryan Black (@wareagleextra) <a href="https://twitter.com/wareagleextra/status/583039831938351104">March 31, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Malzahn wasn’t happy with the tempo of practice coming off of spring break. Challenged the team after practice.</p>— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAEricksonAU) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoelAEricksonAU/status/583039863940845569">March 31, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Malzahn wasn’t happy with the tempo of practice coming off of spring break. Challenged the team after practice.</p>— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAEricksonAU) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoelAEricksonAU/status/583039863940845569">March 31, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Malzahn: Install will be done by week's end</p>— James Crepea (@JamesCrepea) <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesCrepea/status/583040222264463361">March 31, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Jason Smith has moved to receiver full time in spring practices. <a href="http://t.co/98LEbriJvS">http://t.co/98LEbriJvS</a></p>— Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) <a href="https://twitter.com/bmarcello/status/583040383476740097">March 31, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Auburn's Gus Malzahn said of Jason Smith: "We're trying to transition him to the wide receiver spot." But will have QB package for him</p>— Auburn Gold Mine (@AUGoldMine) <a href="https://twitter.com/AUGoldMine/status/583040687505018881">March 31, 2015</a></blockquote>
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So now it's 100% officially official. Still think he'll do a good bit of Wild-cat, too. Probably see that throw-back pass with him in the game once or twice. Put JJ out wide, fake the run up the middle, toss back to JJ, chuck it deep. That will work a whole lot better when it's obvious the type of threat Smith is, himself.
Or that's what I'm hoping for, at least.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Malzahn: T.J. Davis tore his ACL before break</p>— James Crepea (@JamesCrepea) <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesCrepea/status/583040745059291136">March 31, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>T.J. Davis injured his knee last week, torn ACL, had surgery. Hoping to get him back during season</p>— Bryan Matthews (@BMattAU) <a href="https://twitter.com/BMattAU/status/583040839095570432">March 31, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>T.J. Davis trying to return during season but using Lawson as example, that might not happen</p>— James Crepea (@JamesCrepea) <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesCrepea/status/583040985107689472">March 31, 2015</a></blockquote>
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Oh, dang. So sorry for TJ. That sucks. So there's Major Injury #1. Hopefully that's the only one this spring.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Malzahn: Saturday will be the first scrimmage of spring</p>— James Crepea (@JamesCrepea) <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesCrepea/status/583041453254963202">March 31, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Malzahn reiterates his stance against satellite camps in light of Harbaugh coming to Prattville</p>— James Crepea (@JamesCrepea) <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesCrepea/status/583041964276367360">March 31, 2015</a></blockquote>
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That would be in regard to this report, here.
And that's it. So...
Thoughts
Kozan being in a full-contact jersey is big. He wasn't supposed to be full-speed this spring. He's technically still not FULL speed, as he isn't participating in the entirety of practice, but this bodes well for his progress.
The make-up of the offensive line - Coleman, Kozan, Golson, Braden Smith, Young - will probably be your starting five against Louisville. And that's a pretty danged good starting five.
Man, do I really hate to hear it about TJ Davis. Any injury is bad, but if there was ever a time for someone to break into the starting rotation in the defensive secondary, this would be it. I highly doubt he makes it back before the season is over, but he doesn't have as long remaining in his eligibility. So, there's a chance he could attempt a late season come back. He has already used his redshirt season, though there is always the chance of a medical.
That's about it. The first scrimmage is coming up this Saturday, so there's that to look forward to. The Tigers will return to the practice fields on Thursday first, though. More to come!