AU deep with skill players

Editor’s note: This is the second in a series of position-by-position previews of the Auburn football team heading into spring practice, which begins Sunday.

Auburn offensive coordinator Tony Franklin uses a simple standard to measure his skill-position players.

Franklin isn’t looking for players of a specific height or weight or speed. Regardless of size or quickness, there is one trait that can assure a receiver or running back of playing time in Franklin’s spread offense.

“Make plays,” Franklin said. “That’s the biggest thing.”

Auburn will spend the spring trying to identify the top playmakers among a talented group of running backs and a deep collection of receivers.

The job should be particularly easy at running back, where senior Brad Lester and junior Ben Tate are expected to share the No. 1 role.

“Together, they make a great player,” Franklin said of Tate and Lester. “Separately, they’re both pretty good. Each of them has shown signs of greatness at different times.”

Franklin is already scheming ways to get the most out of both players. He showed off some of his ideas in the Tigers’ Chick-fil-A Bowl win against Clemson; he’ll install a few more in spring practice, which starts Sunday.

But the bowl game is a good example of the way Franklin plans to use both tailbacks.

In that game, they combined for 34 touches — each had 14 runs and three catches. Tate finished with 47 yards rushing and 19 receiving; Lester had 57 and 24.

Franklin hopes to average 80 snaps per game using his no-huddle attack, which will maximize opportunities for both backs, as well as the rest of AU’s playmakers.

But while Franklin expects Lester and Tate to be Auburn’s top tailbacks, they won’t be the Tigers’ only playmaking options.

Auburn also needs its receivers to step up this season. In Franklin’s version of the spread offense, AU will pass first and run second, often from three- and four-wide receiver formations.

There aren’t many experienced receivers behind returning starters Rod Smith, Robert Dunn and Montez Billings. But with at least eight wideouts and four tight ends on scholarship this spring — and more due to enroll by fall practice — the Tigers have plenty of pass-catching depth.

Smith is the likely starter at the “X” position. The former walk-on, Auburn’s leading receiver last season, has more than 1,000 career receiving yards. Senior James Swinton, the team’s fastest player, will also have a chance to make an impact at the “X.”

Billings will compete for playing time at the “Z” receiver spot with Dunn, who started in the slot last season, and redshirt freshman Quindarius Carr. Billings, AU’s No. 2 receiver in 2007, could see more opportunities to use his deep speed in the spread offense.

Sophomore Chris Slaughter is a top candidate at the “H” position — the slot receiver. He is part of a deep group of slot possibilities that also includes sophomores Terrell Zachery and Tim Hawthorne. Fullback John Douglas will also contribute as a slot receiver, as will tight ends Tommy Trott and Gabe McKenzie.

And then there’s sophomore Mario Fannin, who might be Auburn’s most versatile player. He had 1,023 all-purpose yards last season and should pass that total in 2008.

He is officially listed as a tailback, but that doesn’t begin to describe the role he’ll play in the spread offense. Franklin plans to use Fannin as a slot receiver as well as a runner and receiver out of the backfield.

Fannin played that role in the bowl game, finishing with five catches for 53 yards — both team highs — and 18 yards on three carries. Those numbers will only increase as Fannin becomes more comfortable in the spread offense.

“Mario has to be a guy that touches the ball 10-12 times a game at least,” Franklin said. “We’ll find ways to get him the football, because he’s dynamic when he has it in his hands.”

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