Post Spring Depth Chart Thoughts (Part II)

Today we'll look at the defensive side of the ball for the 2008 Auburn Tigers. You do remember we have a defense, don't you? And a pretty good one at that.

Defensive Tackles
This position is taking hit with the loss of Josh Thompson and in the eyes of WRAS a premature departure from the team by Pat Sims. But we'll never fault someone for leaving early if they feel they are ready. Plus it looks like Sims will get drafted in the first 4 rounds so it looks like a good decision for him. Lots of unproven guys in this group with Sen'Derrick Marks being the only one with starting experience. There are 3 sophomores, 1 redshirt freshman and junior Jake Ricks in the top 6 along with Marks. Marks has a chance to be All-SEC this year but he'll need the young guys to step up.

Defensive Ends
Helping out the young DTs will be a young group of DEs that has a little more experience than the big guys on the inside. Only 2 upperclassmen in the top 6, Antonio Coleman and JUCO transfer Raven Gray). Coleman missed most of the spring with a neck injury but his play last year keeps WRAS from being worried about him. Coleman's backup, Antoine Carter, and Michael Goggans had good springs and a lot is expected out of them. Raven Gray missed the spring with an injury but has received a lot of hype without ever seeing the field but Coach Tuberville thinks he has a chance to be one of the best he's coached and that's saying a lot.

Linebackers
WRAS would be a lot more skeptical of the D-line if it weren't for the deepest and most talented unit on the defense and possibly Auburn's whole team. Craig Stevens (backed up by Courtney Harden and Bo Harris), Tray Blackmon (Josh Bynes and Adam Herring) and Chris Evans (Merrill Johnson and Courtney Harden) have a lot of experience and all will see the field with not much of a dropoff from player to player. Only Johnson and Harden are seniors and this hard hitting bunch will be leaned on to carry this defense. If Blackmon can stay healthy, the sky is the limit for him as he doesn't always show up on the stat sheet but he is the definition of an impact player. Josh Bynes and Bo Harris are two exciting young players who will make a big difference for the Tigers and look for Bynes to have a big year if his spring is any indication.

Safeties
Another young group with 2 sophomores listed as the starters, Mike McNeil at free safety and Zac Etheridge at strong safety. McNeil was named 2nd string last year the day he set foot on campus and now he gets the starting nod after playing considerably last year as a true freshman. He's big and rangy and should cover a lot of ground in the secondary this year.

Cornerbacks
Auburn lost two big-time players from last year's team, Pat Lee and Jonathan Wilhite and there is a lot of anxiety about this position (as well as the whole secondary) but Jerraud Powers played the best out of the CBs last year in our opinion and should improve greatly in his junior year. Aairon Savage and Walter McFadden are listed as co-number ones at the right CB position. Savage is moving over from safety and is a big hitter who will need to learn to stay at home and make plays on the ball or McFadden will see more playing time. A lot has been made of Powers' backup, Ryan Williams, and now we'll get a chance to see what he can do.

Complete depth chart here...
http://auburn.scout.com/2/746895.html