AUBURN -- When defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder ripped his linebackers a few weeks back for what he considered serial alignment failures, players from other positions didn't point fingers and laugh.

Alignment has become a huge emphasis on the other side of the ball as well.

Though offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler hasn't offered even token insight into how his attack will work this fall, wideouts clearly are concerned about the Tigers' new strategy affects them. It has nothing to do with statistics.

Loeffler uses frequent shifts and motions to create an advantage, which has taxed receivers in new ways since spring practice. Thriving as a receiver no longer is all about blocking and catching passes.

"I've never had to motion before, so that's a whole new part of the game that we've all had to master," senior wideout Emory Blake said. "I can handle it. It's not a big deal to me. I just think it's a challenge for some guys, mostly the younger guys, to know exactly where to be in this offense. If you miss something, you'll be on the sideline."

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