Auburn quarterback Kodi Burns not worried about questions

AUBURN — Kodi Burns has shrugged off the constant, seemingly neverending questions like a trained politician.

Burns has been here before, the centerpiece of yet another quarterback controversy.

“It’s the way college life is in the football realm of things,” Burns said. “I’m a veteran at this now. It’s not that bad.”

As a freshman, Burns was the upstart understudy trying to take away time from embattled veteran Brandon Cox. Last year, Burns was considered the favorite for the job before Chris Todd arrived, which led to neither of the two exactly winning the job.

Now, Burns is still a favorite of sorts, but he has had to deal with a whole new set of eyes and an inability to rely on what he’s accomplished in the past.

“I’m really not too much worried about it,” Burns said. “I know this position comes with that pressure, and I’ve learned over the years to be able to handle that and have a strong head. All I can do is just leave it in God’s hands. I got to know that I did my best.”

Burns has the experience edge over Neil Caudle and Barrett Trotter and has been healthy throughout his entire Auburn career, a major advantage over Todd at the moment.

“I feel like I’m getting better each practice,” Burns said. “I feel like the things he’s asking of me, I’m going to be able to do a little bit better each day.”

Finally, a chance
Caudle, in all reality, had no shot at the starting job in 2008.

Former offensive coordinator Tony Franklin openly talked about how far behind Caudle was in last year’s battle. It didn’t help matters when Tommy Tuberville openly considered true freshman Trotter over him when Burns and Todd floundered midway through the 2008 season, either.

“My family helped me out a lot,” Caudle said. “I love being around the guys and being around here and I love Auburn. So it wasn’t too tough, but it was tough to watch us have that kind of season.”

Caudle has been noticeably laid back this spring. His efforts in front of a fresh set of eyes likely account for that, as Caudle and Burns, from all indications, have been neck-and-neck in the ongoing competition.

“I try not to put too much pressure on myself,” Caudle said. “I think if I did that it would hurt me. There is a lot of pressure to go out there and be successful, but you can’t think of it like that.”

Not his time…yet
Gene Chizik wouldn’t go as far to rule him out, but it appears Trotter will have to wait until next year, or the year after that, to have a realistic shot at the starting quarterback job.

The Briarwood Christian product has time on his side when compared to his fellow competitors. Trotter will just be a junior when Burns and Caudle are gone.

“I’m going to work hard either way,” Trotter said. “So we’ll see.”

Todd man out
Is it fair that Todd may not have a fair shake at Auburn’s quarterback competition because of his inability to practice at full strength?

That’s up for debate, but, barring a major turn of events, it’s the scenario Todd is currently dealing with in his final season with the Tigers.

Chizik and offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn have neither confirmed nor denied whether Todd will have a crack at the job in fall practice, when it is presumed his right shoulder, which was operated on this winter, will be at full strength.

“It’s baby steps right now,” Chizik said. “He’s getting back where he can throw it a little bit. Day-by-day is what I look at with the doctors telling us where he’s at. We’ll play that by ear.”

Who will run it?
When a play broke down last year, which seemed to happen more often than not, Burns was able to make something out of nothing with his feet.

It remains to be seen just how important a mobile quarterback is to Malzahn’s offense, but Burns said it certainly can’t hurt that he has the mobility advantage over his peers.

“The quarterback definitely in this offense has to be able to run the ball,” Burns said. “I will run some in this offense as well. I just don’t know if it will be as much as last year.”