Auburn Football: The Five Biggest Stories of Fall Camp Week 1

Apr 19, 2014; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Nick Marshall (14) throws to receiver D

The first full week of fall camp is finally behind us, and the Auburn Tigers have hit the practice field on nine separate occasions at this point. We have learned a great deal about the 2014 Auburn football team. Some questions have been answered, and new questions have come to light.

Here are the top five stories of the last week, and our take on each.

1. Marshall and Mincy Speak, But Can They Lead?

On Sunday, and for the first time following their respective off-season legal incidents, Auburn football players Nick Marshall and Jonathon Mincy faced the media. The pair offered their apologies to a wide range of people, including family, coaches, teammates and Auburn fans. In case you missed it, you can watch the videos or read the full transcripts of the press conferences here and here.

Both Marshall and Mincy said they were hoping to once again earn trust and respect from those people they disappointed with their actions. Both players had already apologized to teammates, and each seemed ready to get past their legal issues and concentrate on football. If only it were that easy.

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• Hugh Freeze was the right hire to truly embrace Auburn
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Off-season disciplinary issues, unfortunately, are now commonplace in college football. And, with so much interest in the sport and anticipation for the coming season building through spring and summer, the actions of student athletes off the field are always a hot topic. Especially when the players find themselves in police reports.

We know already, as head coach Gus Malzahn mentioned following the first practice of the fall, that both players would not start the season opener against Arkansas. What we do not yet know is how long it will take for them to see the field on August 30.

Both players will be needed in 2014 if Auburn is to make another run at a national title. Nick Marshall and Jonathon Mincy are seniors, and as the starting quarterback and most experienced defensive player, respectively, they are expected to be leaders in the locker room. During their media sessions on Sunday, both mentioned leading by example on the football field. Time will tell if they lead by example off of it, but right now, their leadership appears to be lacking.