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-As with the other days, observations are taken from Twitter and from various beat writers reports.
-For full write-ups, see AL.com and AuburnUndercover
-For video, check out AL.com, AuburnUndercover, AuburnSports.com, and Inside The Auburn Tigers.
And, as always, here's the official site write-up with pictures.
Practice Notes:
The biggest news that hit Twitter was that Duke Williams was not at practice during the media period. It's important to note that James Crepea points out Melvin Ray was late hitting the practice field, and Ryan Black says Myron Burton was, too, so there's always the chance that Duke had some other things to take care of. But, of course, Auburn folks being Auburn folks, panic set in.
There have been all sorts of rumors about an altercation at the residence hall involving some football and basketball players, but it's hard to believe this would have anything to do with that, since it reportedly occurred before practice even began, and Duke has been out there every other day. I'm not up on the rumors, though, and don't have a clue who may have been involved.
Montravius Adams was working with the first team defense, today. I don't know if this is the first or second day he's been there, since the media weren't allowed to view yesterday's practice. What is very interesting is that he replaced the JUCO transfer (Maurice Swain) on the first team line and not the redshirt freshman (Dontavius Russell). Is it possible to get too excited about Russell's potential? Because I'm getting pretty hyped about it.
It's really hard not to get too excited about the defense as a whole. For the first time in a while I think we've got the core of an excellent starting 11 on D. There's even depth at the linebacker slot! Once we get past the starting 11, it will get a little hectic until they're battle-proven, but those starters have potential to be excellent.
After not working with the first team on Wednesday, Kozan was back with the first team offensive line, today. I still expect the group we saw on Day 1 to be the starting five against Louisville. It's been the starting five we've predicted since spring: Coleman, Kozan, Golson, Smith, Young.
Ryan Black also points out that Stanton Truitt and Ricardo Louis were working kick returns and a number of players were working at punt return. Auburn is looking to find another dynamic punt returner after two great years with Chris Davis and Quan Bray. I still go back to what I said last year in terms of my first requirement for a punt returner: CATCH THE DANG BALL.
Rhett Lashlee Press Conference Tweet-Cap
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rhett Lashlee says that Duke Williams is dealing with personal issues and is day-to-day at the moment.</p>— Jason Caldwell (@ITATJason) <a href="https://twitter.com/ITATJason/status/629785399007793152">August 7, 2015</a></blockquote>
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Well that's vague and unlikely to quell any speculation. Hopefully it's something simple. Let's hope it's this simple:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Definitely the runs. <a href="https://t.co/hzPx9g8YeE">https://t.co/hzPx9g8YeE</a></p>— AubExpat (@AubExpat) <a href="https://twitter.com/AubExpat/status/629785731053912064">August 7, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lashlee on freshman WR Darius Slayton: "He had a good day today. He's just got to get comfortable with what we're doing."</p>— Ryan Black (@RyanABlack) <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanABlack/status/629786514524909568">August 7, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lashlee on Jordan Diamond: "He's gone four good days. ... The main thing is he's actually been out there on the field."</p>— Ryan Black (@RyanABlack) <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanABlack/status/629786924883025920">August 7, 2015</a></blockquote>
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Diamond has been rather injury plagued for most of his career.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lashlee "Roc is one of those guys that stands out" talking about Roc Thomas.</p>— Jason Caldwell (@ITATJason) <a href="https://twitter.com/ITATJason/status/629787092323815424">August 7, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Auburn offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee says RB Roc Thomas is "one of those guys who stands out… Peyton Barber is doing extremely well."</p>— Auburn Gold Mine (@AUGoldMine) <a href="https://twitter.com/AUGoldMine/status/629787556234838016">August 7, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lashlee kinda/sorta avoids whether there has been any movement at RB: "They're all moving up." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/okthanks?src=hash">#okthanks</a></p>— Ryan Black (@RyanABlack) <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanABlack/status/629787138410840064">August 7, 2015</a></blockquote>
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We're not going to know who the feature back is until we get into the games. I know it's something to ask about, but we really won't know until we see them in the games.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lashlee says Stanton Truitt is doing "some really good things" at wide receiver</p>— Jason Caldwell (@ITATJason) <a href="https://twitter.com/ITATJason/status/629787756340846592">August 7, 2015</a></blockquote>
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Not from the press conference, but this was a Grade A Tweet:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Little difference in height between coach & player, but both J.B. Grimes and Shon Coleman beat cancer all the same. <a href="http://t.co/596JRvSYAU">pic.twitter.com/596JRvSYAU</a></p>— Jeffrey Lee (@JLeeAU21) <a href="https://twitter.com/JLeeAU21/status/629787720173375489">August 7, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lashlee on OL coach J.B. Grimes: "J.B. is a champion, a stud. He's as stubborn as all get out. ... He's the best." <a href="http://t.co/9gbTqn2sXs">http://t.co/9gbTqn2sXs</a></p>— Ryan Black (@RyanABlack) <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanABlack/status/629788495180111872">August 7, 2015</a></blockquote>
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And that's it, as there really wasn't a whole lot. The Tigers will practice tomorrow in pads for the first time before taking Sunday off for Fan Day (3:30pm CDT at Auburn Arena) and then be back out on the field Monday.
Oh, and one more thing before we go:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Auburn's Daniel Carlson says he's good trying field goals from 60 yards out in games, says he's hit one from 70 yards in practice</p>— Auburn Gold Mine (@AUGoldMine) <a href="https://twitter.com/AUGoldMine/status/629792117771079680">August 7, 2015</a></blockquote>
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