Auburn trots out another offense, hopes for better results

AUBURN, ALABAMA - Tommy Tuberville wants truth in labeling regarding Auburn's latest offensive incarnation.

``Everybody calls it the West Coast offense,'' Tuberville said. ``Well, we're going to run Auburn's offense. That's what we do.''

But which Auburn offense will show up: the one that produced nary a touchdown for the first 143 minutes of last season, or the group that proved far more balanced and effective in its final two games?

With virtually all of the big-name defensive players gone and all the offensive stars back, this could be the $1.2 million question. That's Tuberville's annual salary, and he's entering the season on potentially shaky ground after last year's disappointment.

He's turned to Al Borges, his fourth offensive coordinator in five years. The veteran coordinator is charged with finding creative ways to get the ball to tailbacks Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown and helping build a system that allows senior quarterback Jason Campbell to flourish.

He should have an easier break-in period than Hugh Nall, opening the season against Louisiana-Monroe and Mississippi State instead of Southern California and Georgia Tech.

The expectations surrounding this team also are far less daunting. The 2003 Tigers were the popular picks to win the Southeastern Conference and even received some national championship buzz, but stumbled badly early and finished 8-5 and unranked.

They open this season as darkhorse candidates in the SEC West with LSU a heavy favorite.

``We will be considered the underdogs, which is a role we seem to thrive in,'' safety Junior Rosegreen said. ``It feels good to be coming into the season as underdogs because nobody is going to be expecting us to do anything.

``We will be able to sneak up and surprise some people.''

Auburn's all-senior backfield won't sneak up on anybody. Instead of being Williams or Brown, however, the offensive theme will be more Williams Brown. Borges plans to let them share the backfield often, hoping to add punch to an offense that ranked eighth in the SEC in scoring and 10th in passing.

Campbell is becoming something of an expert on different offenses.

``The one we're running this year fits my style,'' he said. ``It gives me more freedom. That's the biggest change from this year and all the other years.''

Leading receiver Jeris McIntyre is the only key part of Auburn's arsenal that's gone. Courtney Taylor, Silas Daniels, Ben Obomanu and Anthony Mix all posted similar numbers but combined for only five touchdown catches.

What do the receivers expect to get from this offense?

``Touches. Catches. Touchdowns,'' Taylor said. ``With this offense, I just feel like we're going to get a lot of opportunities to make big plays. That's all we can ask for.''

Three starters return on the line, led by preseason All-SEC tackle Marcus McNeill. It's a group that's high on depth and low on experience.

Tight end Cooper Wallace also returns.

Then there's the defense, one of the league's best last year. All-SEC linebackers Karlos Dansby and Dontarrious Thomas are gone on to the NFL. Linemen Reggie Torbor, DeMarco McNeil and Spencer Johnson are gone too.

The defense certainly lacks name recognition beyond cornerback Carlos Rogers and strong safety Junior Rosegreen.

``We should have done better than we did last year with those big names,'' said Rogers, a preseason All-SEC pick. ``This year we're going to be more fundamentally sound. We don't have the big names and the hype but we're going to surprise people.''

The Tigers' other projected starter at cornerback, David Irons, will miss the season with a knee injury sustained during practice.

At linebacker, Travis Williams is the only proven starter, though players like Antarrious Williams and Mayo Sowell have been part of the rotation.

End Bret Eddins is the line's only returning starter and had likely his best game against Alabama. Sophomore Stanley McClover, who sat out last season as a partial qualifier, had 22 sacks as a prep senior.

Tommy Jackson and converted defensive end Jay Ratliff are expected to start in the middle.

Rosegreen thinks the new defense will do just fine.

``Last year we had better players,'' he said. ``This year we have a better team.''

On special teams, punter Kody Bliss returns while John Vaughn and Philip Yost once again are vying for the placekicking duties.

The Tigers open the season Sept. 4 against Louisiana-Monroe.