Malzahn has decisions to make after Auburn's spring break
Gus Malzahn is hoping to get better look of his Auburn squad in 10 practices following the team's spring break vacation.
Malzahn has decisions to make after Auburn's spring break Gus Malzahn is hoping to get better look of his Auburn squad in 10 practices following the team's spring break vacation. Check out this story on montgomeryadvertiser.com: http://on.mgmadv.com/1pzgPTY
Auburn Authority
Matthew Stevens, Montgomery Advertiser Published 4:12 p.m. CT March 18, 2016
Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn after fifth spring practice on Thursday. Matthew Stevens
AUBURN –Gus Malzahn is hoping to get a more honest representation of his squad in the 10 practices following the team's spring break vacation.
When Auburn returns to practice this week, the Tigers head coach has several decisions to make after his players used its first five practices to install offensive and defensive concepts slowly. One of the decisions will be the playing time amount for players expected to return from injuries.
According to Malzahn's comments through the first few days of spring practices, Johnathan Ford​ is expected to be cleared for full contact when Auburn's players return to campus from spring break. Ford has been just observing practice today without his helmet as school officials confirmed he continues to have "an illness" that is unknown but also seemed to be nursing a noticeable limp in his left leg in the first open practices session last week.
"Rudy still hasn't practiced yet," Malzahn said. "He's sick. Nothing major other than the fact he was sick and we held him out these practices. We expect to have him back full go after spring break."
Auburn Tigers defensive back Johnathan Ford (23) returns an interception for a touchdown during the NCAA football game between Auburn and Idaho on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015, at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. Albert Cesare / Advertiser (Photo: .)
Ford, a 6-foot and 203-pounder, started at nickel cornerback, has 216 career tackles including a team-high 118 last season.
Malzahn confirmed his coaching staff is debating whether to use Ford, who was originally was recruited to Auburn as a tailback, in some offensive sets this season. However, with Ford being inactive and it being unknown what his conditioning level might be after returning from an illness, it is unknown if Malzahn will subject him to more reps and contact.
"It's possible he could have a role on offense," Malzahn said. "I'm not ready to say that yet, but he's got playmaking ability."
Junior college transfer defensive end Paul James III returned to practice before the spring break after recovering from what Malzahn said was "a little minor tweak" in his foot. Malzahn said he hoped the former four-star prospect from Miami, Fla., would be back out on the field and the injury was "nothing major".
James was seen working with the defensive lineman in practice last Tuesday as the debate continues whether he'll be used by Auburn's new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele more as a traditional defensive end or a pass rushing specialist that could be stood up all around the line of scrimmage.
Check out Jeremy Johnson, John Franklin III and Sean White going through drills during the first day of spring practice Tuesday at Auburn. Duane Rankin/Montgomery Advertiser
Another injury concern is a prevention issue that Malzahn says he's debating whether to take the red jerseys off his quarterbacks, specifically new signal caller John Franklin III, for live contact during the 10 remaining practices.
"We wanted five good foundation days to get our offense, defense right before we go scrimmage-wise," Malzahn said. "If you we do that, it will probably be the first week we come back. Right now, I'm still leaning toward doing that, but have not made a final decision."
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