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There's some very good things and some very bad things to come out of today's Spring Practice update. The very bad thing, Brodarious Hamm's cancer diagnosis, we've already covered this evening.
I'm sure the news that John Franklin was working with the first team is uplifting to many. I suspect he'll probably end up being the starter, but we'll see. It's also nice that Rudy Ford and Josh Holsey have been out on the field. Ford was off the field with an undisclosed illness, and Holsey has been coming back from yet another knee injury.
I'm not shocked to hear about the movement on the offensive line. Spring is, as Gus says in the PC recap, the time to cross-train and prepare for any possibilities.
Wait until you get to Gus' statement on two receivers. It really hits the spot. I'm very curious what information comes out from Thursday's scrimmage. That's especially true if the quarterbacks go live as soon as the first real scrimmage. Today was the first day of real tackling, so it seems a bit sudden, but maybe that's for the best. It will get them reacting similarly in practice when they simulate hits.
Practice Observations
Gus Malzahn seems more hands-on with QBs this spring. He tossed underhand "snaps" to John Franklin III in a drill. pic.twitter.com/w7vPGwWs9P
— Justin Ferguson (@JFergusonBR) March 22, 2016
John Franklin III and Jeremy Johnson repped with the first-team offense at the beginning. Sean White and Tyler Queen were with second team.
— Justin Ferguson (@JFergusonBR) March 22, 2016
Austin Golson took reps at left tackle with Xavier Dampeer filling in at center. Darius James and Robert Leff rotated at both tackle spots.
— Justin Ferguson (@JFergusonBR) March 22, 2016
On special teams, Kyle Davis and Stanton Truitt worked at KR. Marcus Davis, Ryan Davis, Stephen Roberts and Griffin King got reps at PR.
— Justin Ferguson (@JFergusonBR) March 22, 2016
Pictures
Gus Malzahn and John Franklin III. Auburn returns to practice pic.twitter.com/i9VZFDQF49
— Auburn Gold Mine (@AUGoldMine) March 22, 2016
Coach Kodi Burns and Ryan Davis, and more scenes from Auburn's return to football practice pic.twitter.com/A4Oodo7pUy
— Auburn Gold Mine (@AUGoldMine) March 22, 2016
Photo Gallery: Auburn football team practices for sixth time this spring https://t.co/9ynOspq8zX
— WarEagleExtra (@wareagleextra) March 22, 2016
Video
Gus Malzahn worked a lot with John Franklin III early in practice today. pic.twitter.com/QAQ6gWVDpc
— Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) March 22, 2016
Auburn spring practice videos: Watch DL, QBs and OL. FREE https://t.co/PhfrqcI88q pic.twitter.com/SJbhqQBRhb
— Phillip Marshall (@PMARSHONAU) March 22, 2016
Watch Auburn quarterbacks in drills Tuesday: John Franklin III (#5), Jeremy Johnson (#6) and Sean White (#13) pic.twitter.com/LiJ5vyXxx1
— Auburn Gold Mine (@AUGoldMine) March 22, 2016
Watch Auburn DB Josh Holsey move on surgically repaired knee https://t.co/TsFVVcivDS pic.twitter.com/hLtTBFHscZ
— Wesley Sinor (@WesleySinor) March 22, 2016
Watch all of Auburn's quarterbacks in practice https://t.co/8ehKHeabPt via @JustinKing
— Wesley Sinor (@WesleySinor) March 22, 2016
Press Conference Tweets
Gus Malzahn
Gus Malzahn is here. "It was good to get back on the practice field with our guys after a very good break last week."
— Justin Ferguson (@JFergusonBR) March 22, 2016
The guys went live today for the first time this spring
— Sam Butler (@_sam_butler) March 22, 2016
Malzahn on practice: "You can learn so much about guys when you play real tackle football."
— Justin Ferguson (@JFergusonBR) March 22, 2016
Malzahn said there was a little bit of rust after Spring Break, "but our guys' energy was real good... that's what you want to see."
— Justin Ferguson (@JFergusonBR) March 22, 2016
Auburn coach Gus Malzahn: Plans to have scrimmage Thursday at JHS
— WarEagleExtra (@wareagleextra) March 22, 2016
Auburn coach Gus Malzahn: Quarterbacks could go live Thursday, hasn't made decision yet
— WarEagleExtra (@wareagleextra) March 22, 2016
Malzahn said he can confirm the news that Brodarious Hamm has been diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma.
— Sam Butler (@_sam_butler) March 22, 2016
Center Austin Golson played left tackle today. https://t.co/6P8eJRjvV6
— Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) March 22, 2016
The OL's been shuffled around a bit in practice, including Austin Golson taking reps at LT. "Spring's always a good time to mix and match."
— Sam Butler (@_sam_butler) March 22, 2016
Malzahn reaffirms the staff wants to get a two-deep depth chart set by the end of spring camp.
— Justin Ferguson (@JFergusonBR) March 22, 2016
Gus on QBs: "I thought in the individual period, they were very crisp."
— Sam Butler (@_sam_butler) March 22, 2016
Auburn coach Gus Malzahn: Will tell QBs night before if they are going live later this week, wants them to be prepared
— WarEagleExtra (@wareagleextra) March 22, 2016
Malzahn on freshman WR Kyle Davis: "You can tell he's really sharp. He really knows his football."
— Justin Ferguson (@JFergusonBR) March 22, 2016
Yessssss, yesssss, more of that right above. That's what I'm needing.
Darius Slayton had "a solid day today."
— Sam Butler (@_sam_butler) March 22, 2016
"We expect him to make some plays down the field."
That too, Gus. That's what we're wanting to hear.
Auburn defensive back Rudy Ford was back on the field Tuesday, practicing for the first time this spring
— Auburn Gold Mine (@AUGoldMine) March 22, 2016