If you were allowed to watch an Auburn spring practice, you’d notice a peculiar beginning and end to the three-or-so-hour session.

Before they step onto one of the two fields, Auburn players — in their respective position groups — are required to file down a certain ramp and stop at a small Auburn logo painted on the grass. After strength and conditioning coach Kevin Yoxall “breaks it down,” the players can then proceed forward.

The routine is repeated in reverse before the players can head to the locker room at the end.

“Practice is not over until you cross that ‘AU,’” offensive tackle Lee Ziemba said. “It’s a lot tighter than it used to be.”

That tightness goes well beyond practice time.

Under new rules introduced by Coach Gene Chizik, players are not allowed to wear hats, jewelry or cleats inside the Auburn Athletic Complex. Their lockers are to be kept tidy and organized according to Chizik’s code. Inspections occur on a daily basis.

“That’s all Chiz,” safeties coach Tommy Thigpen said. “He’s big into tradition.”

Whether or not it has been well-received depends from player to player, but there shouldn’t be any surprises along the way.

“When Coach Chizik came here, his goal was to make no gray area on anything, so we’re not guessing,” Ziemba said. “He lays out the expectations for us, and when those expectations are implemented, we follow them.”

Auburn could scrimmage Saturday
Saturday’s practice, Auburn’s third of 15, will be the first in full pads.

It could also mark the first scrimmage of 2009.

“We’ve just got to see how far along we are,” Chizik said. “Obviously, if we scrimmage, we certainly don’t want it to be a sloppy situation. We have to be ready to do that.”

Chizik said he and the staff would decide today after watching film from the team’s first two practices.

No drops
Drop a ball, pay the price. It’s the Trooper Taylor way.

Any time one of his wide receivers drops a pass, Taylor requires an up-down. Any other type of mistake also falls under that umbrella.

“I was taught a long time ago, whatever you tolerate or accept, you encourage,” Taylor said. “Dropped balls, turnovers, stupid penalties will not be accepted at Auburn University.”

During Thursday’s practice, some of which was open to the media, Taylor organized a drill where he squatted in the middle of four wide receivers and faked a number of snaps before actually moving the ball. When he finally did tuck the ball back, each receiver screamed “no drops” before sprinting 10 or so yards.

“That’s what I was trying to emphasize out there, the speed of the game, the speed of the game,” Taylor said. “They’re going to hear that 1,000 times. That’s why they were doing some of the up-downs, and it’s like anything else. You’ve got to be held accountable for your mistakes.”

1,000 or bust
Running backs coach Curtis Luper briefly turned into a prognosticator Tuesday.

Asked about senior Ben Tate, one of the presumptive favorites to take the bulk of the carries in 2009, Luper set the bar high.

“I think he’ll rush for 1,000 yards,” Luper said. “It’s going to happen.”

Tate led the Tigers last season in rushing, but gained just 664 yards.

“He’s tough and he’s smart and we’re going to use him,” Luper said. “We’ll find his strengths and make sure this offense is catered to his strengths.”

| 737-2561