Thursday practice observations: Auburn defense

Auburn is two weeks away from its season opener against Baylor.

Preparation continued Thursday, as the media viewed a portion of the Tigers’ morning practice. Here are some notes and observations from the viewing window.

Observations from drills

— All defensive tackles, defensive ends and buck linebackers worked on tackling with a dummy. Roc Bellantoni led the drill, making sure to emphasize wrapping up the dummy before finishing the tackle.
— Auburn also did a strip sack drill. Amaris Williams was the standout in that one — his first step is quick and he’s powerful once he gets in the backfield.
— Sylvester Smith did an extra rep off to the side of a footwork drill.

Redzone work

Auburn spent one period working on red zone situations, where we saw a variety of defensive backs going against wide receivers and tight ends.

— Jackson Arnold connected with Horatio Fields on a slant, with Rayshawn Pleasant in coverage. Fields looked to be the most problematic receiver today for the DBs.
— Kayin Lee had a good pass deflection against Cam Coleman
— Brandon Frazier reached over Kensley Louidor-Faustin for a catch. Louidor-Faustin likely had a play on the ball had he turned around in time.
— Taye Seymore made a play against Duke Smith and interrupted the pass with a pass break up.
— Kayin Lee matched up with Cam Coleman quite often during the red zone drill.
— AnQuon Fegans appeared to slow up during a rep, not sure if Fegans thought the drill had stopped or what. Regardless, TJ Rushing got onto him. “We don’t stop playing,” Rushing said. Fegans did up-downs afterwards.
— Horatio Fields beat Rayshawn Pleasant on a play. Just found a way to get open and Deuce Knight delivered one of the best passes of the day.
— Eric Winters got a hand on a ball, but couldn’t finish off the interception.
— Malcolm Simmons beat AnQuon Fegans on a route.
— Sylvester Smith had a good rep against Sam Turner, Raion Strader with a good rep against Cam Coleman on the other side.
— Donovan Starr had a pass breakup against Malcolm Simmons.
— AnQuon Fegans broke up a pass in coverage against Preston Howard.

Miscellaneous notes

— Scouts from the Titans, Cardinals, Jets, Ravens, Seahawks and Bears were present at Thursday’s practice
— Special teams got a lot of work done during the viewing window. Chad Lunsford coached a walkthrough of kickoff returns. Started slow and progressed at a faster pace. Those working at kickoff returner included Malcolm Simmons, Jeremiah Cobb and Rayshawn Pleasant.
— Auburn also worked on onside recovery and calling for the ball on pooch kicks.