Welcome to Derek Mason's Candy Shop

Edge defenders are going to be asked to do a lot in Auburn's new defensive scheme. The new head man is excited about those possibilities.

DC Derek Mason (Todd Van Emst/Auburn Athletics)

Mike Bobo told Derek Mason not to use “any Stanford or Vanderbilt words” in his first media interview session as Auburn’s defensive coordinator.

Mason used “kinesthetic” during an answer. He also used “smörgåsbord,” and he probably knew where to put the accent marks on it.

But when he was asked about his edge defenders, Mason used a phrase that everyone could easily understand.

“For me, right now, I’m like a kid in a candy shop,” Mason said.

Mason is ushering a new era on the Auburn defense, where versatility and well-rounded skill sets are top priorities.

This shows up the most in the position group known as the EDGE on the spring roster. They’re different from defensive ends. They’re now being trained by former Fresno State defensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach Bert Watts. They have to be able to transition from stand-up defensive ends in a 4-man front to linebackers around a 3-man front.

“As an edge guy in this defense, you b…