Aug. 16, 2016
By Charles Goldberg
AuburnTigers.com
AUBURN, Ala. - Montravius Adams understands why people like Auburn's defensive line. It's talented and deep.
That kind of talk is nice in the preseason, but Adams, an Auburn defensive tackle, says the D-line has to live up to those kind words.
"I think they've got us on a high pedestal, but that just comes with the territory," Adams said. "We have a lot of guys who are experienced, and everybody thinks we have great athletes on the D-line. They think we're fast, strong, smart and that we can do it all. For the defense, we're supposed to be in charge. But at the end of the day, we got to take it practice by practice. And at the end of the day, we got to take it to the game and perform."
For Adams, and the rest of the defensive line, that starts with the Sept. 3 season-opener against Clemson in Jordan-Hare Stadium. The defensive line looks something like this: Adams, Carl Lawson, Devaroe Lawrence, Dontavius Russell, Maurice Swain Jr., Byron Cowart, Marlon Davidson, Derrick Brown, Jeff Holland, Nick Coe, Paul James III, Andrew Williams and Antwuan Jackson.
"No doubt I think we have the potential. But at the end of the day, you've got to play."
Auburn is taking Tuesday off for the first day of classes. A practice is scheduled for Wednesday. In the rearview mirror is last Saturday's scrimmage.
"From the coaches' standpoint, we did pretty good," Adams said. "There's always room for improvement, but overall, I think we did pretty well."
Defensive line coach Rodney Garner says he's counting on the likes of Adams at tackle.
"I think Montravius has improved," Garner said. "I've been pleased with him. He's been more studious and professionally about how's he gone about his business - taking notes, attention to detail - so I'm impressed with him. He and Russell are the guys that are going to set the tone with that unit, they just have to keep sharpening and improving to take their game to another level."
Auburn fans are familiar with the experienced Adams and Lawson. Cowart could be a bigger factor this year and newcomers Davidson and Brown could as well.
"Byron has made a lot of improvements," Adams said. "I think he's doing pretty good, as long as he keeps on doing what he's doing and taking coaching and getting better at practice.
"I think the sky's the limit for Marlon, just because of the type of player he is. He always comes to work at practice. He always just wants to get better."
Adams said Brown has impressed from "just a strength standpoint. Coming in as a freshman, everybody has to learn the techniques of the game. But coming in and just playing with pure athleticism, I think the sky's the limit. I think he's done really well in practice."
More practices are squeezed in before the start of school - the period known as fall camp - but that's now over. Now, Adams said, it's time to look ahead.
"Because after fall camp we're transitioning into the season. So I'm glad to be done with camp because I know the season is right down the road. Sept. 3 will be here before we know it."
Charles Goldberg is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @AUGoldMine