LOCKER-ROOM BLOG
BLACKMON: Not the start we wanted
July 2, 2009
In his first regular-season CFL game, linebacker Tray Blackmon had seven defensive tackles, two special-teams tackles and a forced fumble.
That was a tough way for us to start the game and a tough way to start the season.
They came out, they ran their plays and it worked. They had success in the first quarter and we struggled a little bit. I think we put it together pretty good after the first quarter, man, but we just came up short.
Right from the beginning, there was no doubt in our minds we knew we could play better. We knew we weren’t playing our type of football. Even though they had success, and we know that they’re going to have some success, we were more worried about ourselves. We knew we were better than that. We knew we had to come back after that start and play Calgary-style defence. I do feel we got a lot better in the second half.
For myself? I felt comfortable out there. I felt like I did pretty good, but I made some crucial mistakes, too. A lot of plays I wish I could have back, you know? But you’ve just to go back and look at it, learn from it and get better. You’ve got to come out next week and try to not make the same mistakes.
As for getting some tackles and making some plays, I’m just trying to run to the ball. You can’t coach effort — and Coach Jones preaches that all the time. After you’ve run through your assignment and checked your man, then it’s just instincts — see ball, run to the ball, hit ball. I want to make plays. I feel like that’s one of my strong points.
There’s been a lot of positive comments and feedback from the people at Auburn and in my hometown of LaGrange and I just want to say that I love my fans. I had great fans in my high school, I had great fans at Auburn — and there are great fans here, too. They’re big for me.
Thanks for the support, thanks for the encouragement and we’re going to try and do better for them next week.
Tray Blackmon, #30
>> Blackmon bio
Comments
| 1. | Robert |
| July 2nd, 2009 at 6:53 am MDT | |
| War Eagle, Tray. Keep it up, man. | |
| 2. | Robert K |
| July 2nd, 2009 at 8:06 am MDT | |
| Nice start to your pro career Tray. The wins will come, and if you keep putting out that kind of effort, you will get to where you want to be. Keep fighting. War Eagle! | |
| 3. | chip chip |
| July 2nd, 2009 at 8:12 am MDT | |
| keep grinding TB. you and your guys will get better. tell duval we wish he had been hitting FGs like that while at AU the next time you see him. | |
| 4. | Jackson |
| July 2nd, 2009 at 9:52 am MDT | |
| Enjoying your blog! I'm proud that you seem to have grown a lot, perhaps even due in part to Coach Tub's doghouse (I believe you had a permanent locker there, didn't you? :) Would loved to have seen you and Eltoro line up together this fall, dangit! Still, I'm extremely happy for you in your new career. Make us as proud as a professional as you did as a collegian. P.S.- I have several Gator friends that hate your guts... some still argue it was an incomplete pass... ha, ha... I LOVE it! War Eagle. | |
| 5. | Tyrone |
| July 2nd, 2009 at 10:06 am MDT | |
| War Eagle TB, you need to post that hit you had last night on YouTube! | |
| 6. | Trey |
| July 2nd, 2009 at 10:07 am MDT | |
| War Eagle, Tray! We are still pulling for you down here in the Lovliest Village. Keep it up, bro! | |
| 7. | Nate |
| July 2nd, 2009 at 10:17 am MDT | |
| Heck Yeah Little-Ball-of-Hate, so glad to see/hear that you are enjoying yourself up there. If you make it back for an Auburn game, stop by our tailgate - catty-corner from Sewell. WDE. | |
| 8. | Coach Vaughn |
| July 2nd, 2009 at 10:24 am MDT | |
| Good job Tray..just keep ya head up and remember it is a long season.... | |
| 9. | Rory |
| July 2nd, 2009 at 11:23 am MDT | |
| I was at the game and the offence needs to get better. Tell 'Meat' we wish him well. Good game Tray. The special teams were great! I will give game balls to #31, #30, #83, #91, and #47. Most of these are rookies. Stamps all the way! | |
| 10. | CajunTiger |
| July 2nd, 2009 at 11:40 am MDT | |
| TB, You are an Auburn man, part of the Auburn family, and it is nice and great to see you having success. Best wishes for a long career. Remember to well represent yourself for God first, family second, Auburn third and Tray last. War Eagle!! | |
| 11. | Doug |
| July 2nd, 2009 at 12:29 pm MDT | |
| Tray I was at the game and agree after the 1st quarter the defence definitely improved, and with the excellent special teams work allowed you to get back in the game. I am dissapointed that the vets had such a time with penalities and I know you guys will come back and are still the team to beat in the league. Good luck, turn it around, and see you at the Grey Cup | |
| 12. | 72punt |
| July 2nd, 2009 at 1:03 pm MDT | |
| Tiger fans are Stampeders fans now Tray. We'll be following you and praying for your opportunities. War Eagle. | |
| 13. | VoiceofLG |
| July 2nd, 2009 at 6:20 pm MDT | |
| Great start to your CFL career. We're cheering for you, Tray. Come visit us up in the booth your first chance. | |
| 14. | AUsome |
| July 4th, 2009 at 8:52 am MDT | |
| The Auburn family is proud of you Tray! I wish we got the games down here in the Dirty South, lol. I'm a Calgary fan now. War Eagle! | |
| 15. | john-john |
| July 5th, 2009 at 8:46 pm MDT | |
| HIT em HARD - LBO'HATE! Glad to hear your doing well. Really wish I could catch your games man. Put up some stuff on youtube so we can catch you in action! Keep up the effort! Congrats on your first game. WDE. John | |
| 16. | Heather |
| July 9th, 2009 at 11:13 am MDT | |
| Hey Tray B. I knew you could do it.....We are so very proud of you!! Keep working hard.....Next time you are in the big LG--come see us! War Eagle! | |
| 17. | Tennessee Crush |
| July 10th, 2009 at 2:30 pm MDT | |
| Hate you are not here playing with us and at the same time we are glad you are there! Keep laying those licks!! | |
| 18. | Pat |
| July 10th, 2009 at 6:48 pm MDT | |
| War Eagle Tray...I was flipping through the channels and came across the Winnipeg game. Glad to see you on the field. Show 'em how to play hard nosed Auburn football. Good luck to you and hit 'em hard. | |
| 19. | Johnny B |
| July 10th, 2009 at 9:21 pm MDT | |
| Great to see you on the field again Tray! Grangers and Tigers are pulling for you and now turning into Stamps. Love to see you hit! Keep up the hard work and make us proud. You've got what it takes. | |
| 20. | Rick Spivey |
| July 14th, 2009 at 6:39 pm MDT | |
| Hey Tray, I am happy to see you are doing well. I miss playing with all you guys back in the day, and I envy those of you who are still out there playing. Keep up the good work! I wish you all the best. | |
| 21. | Lane Pierce |
| July 17th, 2009 at 9:52 pm MDT | |
| You are the best, watched you through your career at AU. Keep up the great work, I graduated AU in 1993. You truly know how to close. I will be watching you through your career! War Eagle LP | |
| 22. | matt white |
| July 27th, 2009 at 12:27 pm MDT | |
| keep up the work man good to see ya on the field go out there and do it like ya did at lg....granger for ever | |
| 23. | Alvin Davenport |
| August 16th, 2009 at 1:55 pm MDT | |
| Good game, I've been watching this guy since he was in high school and he just get better and better! Call me! And I hope that video get loaded on youtube! |
