AU FOOTBALL: What have we learned after 15 spring practices?

More than four months separate today from Sept. 4, when Auburn opens its 2010 season with Arkansas State.

Fifteen spring practices certainly made what many expect to be a much-improved season seem closer, but any answers that may have arisen from those practices could very well be wiped away with what transpires in August.

Alas, the Opelika-Auburn News posed five burning questions before the spring, and now it’s time to attempt to answer them.

1. Who will be the quarterback?
On the surface, Auburn is no closer toward answering this question than it was ever since Cameron Newton signed with the Tigers one day before the Outback Bowl.

From what transpired over 15 critical practices, though, there’s no reason to expect anyone but Newton under center when the season starts.

Newton’s combination of size and speed puts him head and shoulders above his competition before you even factor in what he can do with the ball in his hand. Newton, according to his teammates, has a cannon of an arm, which he was able to showcase on two occasions during A-
Day — once on a zippy pass to Darvin Adams across the middle and another on a deep ball to Quindarius Carr.

Even if Newton weren’t around, it’s safe to figure offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn would feel better about his other options than he did at this time last year.

Neil Caudle clearly understands Malzahn’s fast-paced offense and looked sharp in the spring game. Barrett Trotter, one year removed from tearing his ACL, also looked like a prototypical Malzahn quarterback on his way to two touchdowns. Even Clint Moseley, who all but ruled himself out of the battle Monday, has continually impressed Malzahn after a year on the scout team.

2. Is Mario Fannin the starting running back, or is he just holding the seat warm for Michael Dyer?

This was a question running backs coach Curtis Luper tackled Monday.

His answer? Yes and maybe.

While perhaps concerned a bit with Fannin’s injury history heading into the spring, particularly when it pertains to his shoulder, Luper was impressed with how Fannin approached the open job and seized it. He has fixed his penchant for fumbling with a few basic changes to his fundamentals and he proved himself enough that Auburn’s coaches didn’t need to see much from him at A-Day, when he carried the ball just three times.

Luper, just like he did with Ben Tate in 2009, guaranteed Fannin would clear 1,000 yards in 2010 — if he stays healthy.

He also made a half-guarantee that Dyer would run for just as many, and certainly pulled no punches when asked if Dyer would get a real shot at big-time carries.

“Real quick,” Luper said. “That’s the plan.”

3. Where will the five new guys fill in?
Newton’s place on the team is obviously solidified at quarterback.

The other four early enrollees, though, did plenty this spring to at least get a sense of direction.

At right tackle, junior-college transfers Brandon Mosley and Roszell Gayden both went through the adjustment period that is standard when adapting from a normal offense to a Malzahn offense.

Mosley remained healthy while Gayden battled a few nagging injuries, which allowed Mosley, who also helped himself by wowing coaches with both his size and quick adjustment from tight end to tackle, to emerge as a potential favorite for the job.

Jessel Curry, who should be weeks away from his high school prom, did nothing but impress defensive coordinator Ted Roof.

Roof, of course, was frequently cautious to pump the brakes when discussing Curry, but considering Auburn isn’t exactly deep at linebacker, it’s not out of the question to foresee Curry seeing real playing time in September.

Craig Sanders, meanwhile, has the fortune of playing at a deeper position, but defensive line coach Tracy Rocker showed no fear in playing a number of youngsters in meaningful moments last season. Sanders showed steady improvement since entering Auburn as a wide-eyed high schooler in January, his teammates said, and he should have a leg up on his fellow freshmen in August.

4. How much will AU’s injured defensive backs be able to do?
Though much of practice was closed to the media, it was clear that Auburn coaches exercised extreme caution with these players.

Of the four, safety Mike McNeil was the only player to see full action from start to finish. Aairon Savage dressed out for every practice and participated in most drills, but was held out when it came to contact drills.

Savage sat out A-Day, just like Daren Bates and Zac Etheridge. Bates’ timeline is much more concrete than Etheridge, who will certainly not be rushed back from his scary neck injury. Bates said he should be ready for full contact in August.

5. Will DeAngelo Benton and Emory Blake make a push at wide receiver?
It seemed every time one of Auburn’s players talked about big plays from practice, Benton’s name was always involved in some way, shape or form.

Benton said he is not stressing what some perceived as a disappointing freshman season. He’s embraced his role on the team, whatever it ends up being, and has shown respect for his elders, such as Darvin Adams and Terrell Zachery.

Blake, too, has drawn high praise from Malzahn and wide receivers coach Trooper Taylor. Blake said he set high expectations for himself in 2009, so he considered it a disappointment. His role in the offense should be expanded in 2010, as Malzahn hopes to diversify the ball distribution more.

agribble@oanow.com | 737-2561

Tags: auburn auburn football auburn quarterbacks BCS College deangelo benton Mario Fannin Michael Dyer SEC Tigers Western Divison