Cam Newton: The guy bama fans hate yet need.

     On December 13, 2008, the bama nation was rising to it's peak and enjoying life.  Not only had they just beaten Auburn ending a 6 game skid to their rival, but Auburn had hired Gene Chizik, a coach with a 5-19 record.   Jokes and chest beating quickly followed.  To add fuel to the fire, their leader promised to dominate Auburn 24/7 365.  They were quickly returning to their glory days.  Houndstooth apparel was making a comeback and they solidified their status the following year by winning the BCS national championship. 
     While they were busy celebrating, Gene Chizik and his all-star cast of assistants were quietly piecing together one of the best signing classes Auburn had ever seen.   This class included a JC signee QB named Cam Newton.  On April 17th, 2010, Cam took the field as a Tiger for the first time at the annual A- Day game.  He was welcomed with a standing ovation and the rest has become legend.  No one in attendance that day (myself included) could have ever imagined just what this young man would eventually mean to Auburn or Alabama.
     As we all know, Cam went on to dominate college football, winning almost every individual award and leading Auburn to an undefeated championship season.   He set school and conference records amid all the controversy surrounding his recruitment.  There is no need to discuss the specifics as this is a subject the nation knows all too well.  The reason that everyone knows the details is due to it being brought to light repeatedly by people associated with Alabama football.
     After winning the 2009 championship, Alabama was the preseason favorite to repeat and rightfully so.  They returned the majority of their skill players and had one of football's better coaches.  Yet in early November, they found themselves slipping in the rankings with 2 losses and watching Newton destroy defenses. They focused their frustration on Cam and Auburn.  How dare they take attention away from Alabama?  They played their songs, threw their fake money, and wore their $cam Newton shirts proudly while they blew a 24 point lead to Auburn at home.   This was the breaking point.  Auburn went on to win the national championship and prove it could go toe to toe with Alabama in recruiting and on the field. 
      This enraged Alabama fans everywhere.  They could not believe that Auburn had risen so fast.  Something had to be done.  So the onslaught of rumors and accusations continued.  Since the Iron Bowl, Alabama message boards have blamed Cam and Auburn for everything just short of the tsunami.   This is the plan.  If at anytime Auburn seems to be getting the better of Alabama in recruiting or public spotlight, another Bama man will go on record claiming to have proof of Auburn and Newton's wrongdoing.  We have gone from blank debit cards, to rigged slot machines, tapes of proof, and now bagmen. None of which included any evidence.  They catch phrase seems to be "I will release the proof (or name) in 2-3 weeks".  If you have proof, why wait?  Could it be to keep the charade going as long as possible?   It is becoming apparent that as much as they hate him, Alabama needs Cam Newton.  Without him, what would they have to blame for Auburn being the better team?  Or maybe another question would be without him, what could they use to distract people from what they are doing?

ENVY

Been away for awhile.   But now I'm back to tackle the most recent set of accusations against Auburn.  Ok so lets break this down.  Since Auburn beat LSU and it appeared they were destined for greatness,  there has been an onslaught of accusations trying to tarnish their success and outright attacks driven by resentment.   First there was the Cam saga, which didn't play out like many hoped.  Then there was the poisoning of Toomer's Corner trees, created by the butt-hurt of losing a game after being ahead by 24 points.  Next after Auburn signed another outstanding recruiting class,  there was accusations of wrongdoings in Louisiana.   After that fell through,  there was the claim (and later faking) of tapes proving Cam did have knowledge of the money.  Now we are at present day and four disgruntled ex-players have decided they would go public with their stories of receiving extra benefits while at Auburn.  They do so on an HBO special reportedly earning nothing more than the good feeling of coming clean.   Yet they either can't remember the names of the people who gave them these benefits or just refuse to name them.   The weird thing is while HBO called mutiple Auburn players who said they received nothing and the former highschool coaches and teammates of the "confessing" players disputing their claims, none of this was mentioned in the show.  Yet they did have Tyrone Prothro discuss how he didn't receive anything while at Alabama.  Imagine that...  four Auburn players hand picked to talk about Auburn being dirty and then one Alabama player talks about how they are clean.   What they failed to mention is Prothro attended Alabama while they were on probation after being found guilty of paying players!  And then two years after he leaves they go on probation again for athletes receiving improper benefits.  I guess that wasn't relevant to the story.   As of now one of the Auburn accusers is refusing to cooperate with NCAA by saying he knows names, but wont release them and another says he will not meet with NCAA as long as Auburn attorneys are present.  I guess they got over that "coming clean" feeling.  

It is aggravating to have to listen to all of this mess, but I guess I can't blame some fan bases for being envious or even a little confused by Auburn's success.  After all they were promised by their current coach to "dominate them 24/7 365". 

10 things to watch at A Day and 2011.

1. Barrett Trotter -  filling the void left by a Heisman winner is no easy task.  Trotter looked sharp in last year's A day.  Is he ready to be the leader?
2. Trovon Reed - the excitement about Trovon played second fiddle to Cam last year.  After a year of waiting, expectations are high for the play maker.
3. Ladarious Phillips - LP was a fan favorite before he ever walked onto campus.  Will he get a shot at RB as well as DT?  The fans are hoping so.
4. Jake Holland - will he be able to step in and run the defense.  Holland saw limited action in 9 games last year.  He was trusted enough to play in the NC game.
5. Neiko Thorpe moving - Thorpe moves from corner to safety.  He was third on the team in tackles last year.  With his size and the corner talent building the move makes sense.
6. Emory Blake - Blake is the top returning receiver. He led the team in receiving TDs last year.  Can he lead the receiving corps this year?
7. Young D-line / New coach - The young but experienced D-line will be adapting to a new position coach.  Can Coach Pelton have them ready for SEC play by week 2?
8. Offensive Change? - What should we expect from Malzahn with a pass first QB?  I'm thinking Dyer will enjoy the difference.
9. New O-line - this one's a biggie.  The success of the season could hang on the success of the O-line.  Will they be up to the challenge?
10. Replacing Byrum- Cody Parkey will be asked to replace Auburn's all time leading scorer.  I think we'll  be fine here, but will he be as clutch as Wes?

Auburn's A day will be held Saturday April 16th at 2 pm.   General Admission $5.  Buy tickets HERE.
It will be shown live on CSS.

Amazing Champion

While we're on the subject of Auburn videos, it wouldn't be right not to share this.

"Don't ask how we got here, just know we hold that title boy!"