Injuries plagued last year's group of defensive backs. With all of the injuries, the reserves saw significant playing time which should give them an advantage once the season starts.

Injuries cause a lot of nightmares for coaches during the season. Auburn's coaching staff probably experienced more than they cared for when dealing with all of the injuries in the defensive backfield last season. The defensive backs were expected to be one of the strengths of the team but when injuries started piling up as the season progressed, the group suffered against potent offenses in the SEC. With Jerraud Powers leaving early for the NFL, and with senior cornerback Aairon Savage suffering a possible season-ending injury to his Achilles over the summer, you would think the new coaching staff is in panic mode. But, that's not the case with plenty of depth and experience returning to this year's defensive backfield. With Savage likely out, Demond Washington, D'Antoine Hood, and T'Sharvan Bell are vying to fill his spot. Washington played both defensive back and running back for the last two seasons at Mississippi Gulf Coast College, but with the injury to Savage, he was quickly moved to cornerback full-time. Hood has experience after playing in all 12 games while starting one. Bell had a strong spring after being redshirted in 2008. Walt McFadden (Photo courtesy of autigers.com) At the other two cornerback spots, senior Walt McFadden and sophomore Nieko Thorpe are back after productive seasons last year. McFadden was tied for second on the team with two interceptions and led the team with eight pass breakups. One of the team's fastest corners, McFadden started every game and recorded 29 tackles. Playing in a backup role, Thorpe made 29 tackles and hauled in two interceptions. Thorpe also brings experience and size to the defensive backfield. He had a solid spring which should carry over into the season. Both starting safeties from last season, Zac Etheridge and Mike McNeil, missed time in the spring because of injuries. Etheridge was still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery and McNeil broke his leg early in spring ball. Despite playing hurt last season, Etheridge led the team with 75 tackles. His only interception came against Southern Miss and he had just three pass breakups. If he stays healthy, those numbers should go up. McNeil may miss the first few games of the season. As a sophomore, McNeil was the team's second-leading tackler with 65 and led the way with 42 solo stops. The reserves at safety are sophomores Mike Slade and Drew Cole. Slade made only eight tackles last year as a freshman but has great size and speed to play where needed. Cole got much needed reps at safety during spring drills when Etheridge and McNeil were out. As a true freshman in 2008, Cole played almost exclusively on special teams. Phil Marion Next week: Special Teams Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers Running Backs Offensive Line and Tight Ends Defensive Line Linebackers