Too soon to panic, but Cox could use help
ITommy Tuberville was not unlike you and me and everyone else Sunday, the day after his team dropped the ball against South Florida. The Auburn coach found himself talking about the Auburn quarterback.
I say quarterback, singular, because the way Auburn plays Brandon Cox for better or worse, in sickness and in health, it looks as if the Tigers have just one signal-caller on the roster.
Steven Ensminger transferred.
Blake Field, Neil Caudle and Kodi Burns must've been abducted by aliens.
Why else would Cox seem destined to lead the league again in minutes played?
Why did the coaches let Cox go wire to wire against Kansas State, when often he couldn't think straight? Cox admitted the next day he was woozy much of the night. Someone should've recognized it at the time.
Why did the coaches give him every snap against South Florida, when often he couldn't shoot straight? Mario Fannin fumbled twice and got benched. Two critical interceptions and a fumbled quarterback sneak didn't earn Cox a breather for even one play.
Do Tuberville and offensive coordinator Al Borges have that much faith in the senior quarterback, or that little faith in his understudies?
Coaches have two primary functions.
Sign'em up and coach'em up.
At the quarterback position, at least, the Auburn coaches are falling short in one or both of those departments.
Tuberville stood by his man again Sunday. He defended Cox even better than South Florida did. He said Cox will "settle down" and "get better."
Only one thing is really certain. Cox will try his best. He's one of the toughest players in college football. But there comes a time, especially at his position, when toughness isn't enough.
You have to make plays, but you have to have help. The more limited you are, in foot speed and arm strength, the more help you need.
That's the biggest failing of the Auburn offense through the last two games - through the last two seasons, really. Cox hasn't gotten enough help.
When he put the ball in the receiver's hands for what could've been a touchdown, the receiver dropped it. When he put the ball in the tight end's hands for what should've been a first down in overtime, the tight end dropped it.
When he put the ball in the running back's hands on consecutive plays in the second half, the running back dropped it.
Is this the same program that had three skill players taken in the first round of the NFL draft two years ago?
No. It isn't.
The offensive talent has dropped off.
So, with two games left before the Tigers take their first step onto a brutal road at Florida, something's got to change.
Cox's teammates have to step up, and for his sake and for the program's future, the coaches have to sit him down.
Not for an entire game or an entire quarter, but for a series here or there. Cox could use the rest, and another quarterback could use the experience.
Let it be Field, if he's really No. 2 on the depth chart, or Caudle, if he's recovered from his shoulder injury, or Kodi Burns, if he's half the talent his teammates say he is.
It's too soon to panic, but it's no time to stand pat.
[More at www.al.com]
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