H-backs and TEs 'need to be impact guys'

AUBURN | The red zone isn’t the only point of emphasis for Auburn’s offense this week.

Perimeter blocking, particularly from the tight ends and H-backs, hasn’t been up to par and is an area Auburn offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee wants to see improve when Auburn hosts Louisiana-Monroe Saturday.

“That’s been an emphasis this week,” Lashlee said. “Jalen Harris, Chandler Cox, those guys need to be impact guys for us. And they know, just like every position, that there’s room for improvement there. So that’s been a big emphasis this week, because we’re going to have to do that throughout the season more and more.”

Production in general has been lacking from the tight end and H-back positions this season. Cox, Auburn’s starting H-back, has five carries for six yards. Neither Cox or Harris, the starting tight end, has caught a pass in the first four games.

But the biggest need for improvement is blocking, especially with Cox, who has been on the field for about two-thirds of Auburn’s snaps this season.

Cox spent a good portion of spring and preseason practice focusing on the running back position. He's concentrated on H-back the past few weeks and Lashlee has seen improvement.

“Chandler is a tough guy. He’s going to be physical and hard-nosed,” Lashlee said. “He’s going to continue to work his technique so he can get better fundamentally and sustain the blocks. I think he’s getting better.”

Kickoff at Jordan-Hare Stadium is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT and the game will be carried on the SEC Network alternate.