Auburn linebacking duo drawing rave reviews

AUBURN, ALABAMA - Tommy Tuberville has worked with players who became some of the NFL&#39;s best linebackers, including frequent Pro Bowlers Ray Lewis and Jessie Armstead. <br> <br> The Auburn coach thinks Dontarrious Thomas and Karlos Dansby have that kind of talent, too. <br> <br> ``Karlos and Dontarrious are as good a two linebackers as I&#39;ve been around in college football,&#39;&#39; said Tuberville, a former defensive assistant for the Miami Hurricanes. <br> <br> The two Auburn seniors both are preseason All-Southeastern Conference picks who possess the height and speed coaches covet. Their decisions to return for their senior seasons instead of entering the NFL draft are a big reason why fans are expecting so much from the Tigers this season. <br> <br> ``Once we knew we both were coming back we just got together and said, &#39;Hey, this is it. We&#39;ve got to make it happen,&#39;&#39;&#39; said Thomas. <br> <br> The 6-foot-5, 235-pound Dansby is the playmaker. He&#39;s intercepted eight passes in the past two seasons, racking up 107 return yards. Dansby, a preseason Playboy All-American, forced a fumble against Vanderbilt and returned it 7 yards for a touchdown. <br> <br> His acrobatic interception against North Carolina in the 2001 Peach Bowl was nominated for an ESPY. Dansby was the leading vote getter on the media&#39;s preseason All-SEC team, listed on 77 of 78 ballots to outpace even Georgia All-American David Pollack. <br> <br> ``He&#39;s more of a chance taker,&#39;&#39; Thomas said. ``He has a good instinct as a football player, knowing what routes the receivers are running. He goes beyond the call of duty. <br> <br> ``If you tell him to cover one man, he puts himself in a situation to cover both receivers. That&#39;s how he plays.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> The 6-4, 238-pound Thomas, meanwhile, has 277 tackles in the past three seasons and already has received his degree in Management Information Systems. <br> <br> ``His speed is amazing,&#39;&#39; Dansby said. ``He might be one of the fastest on the team. He&#39;s something else on the field.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Thomas is also a hard hitter. <br> <br> ``I&#39;d be scared running up the middle, I know that much,&#39;&#39; Dansby said. ``As a running back, I&#39;d be trying to watch my back because if I mess up he might be coming from nowhere. I&#39;d have to look over my shoulder.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Both Thomas and Dansby were told they might have been drafted as high as the second round after last season. <br> <br> Defensive coordinator Gene Chizik was a happy man when they opted to return. <br> <br> ``That was a big shot for us and I was very happy that they made that decision,&#39;&#39; Chizik said. ``They know that we have a chance to be special. <br> <br> ``They&#39;re both going to make a lot of money one day. I think it&#39;s a great choice to finish their education.&#39;&#39;