We're gonna be talking a bunch about quarterbacks over the off-season. For now, here's some video of JJ's better plays against Ga Tech in the Peach Bowl. Enjoy. My favorite is not the shuffle pass - which I think was ill advised. I like the bomb to LaFell that was called back - very pretty strike.
Showing posts with label 2008 Bowls. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2008 Bowls. Show all posts
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Congrats Gators!
There is a thought in the blog/forum sphere that Florida winning it all hurts LSU recruiting. Maybe. But I could not pull for Oklahoma. More accurately, I could not pull against the SEC.
So, kudos to the Gators.
Personally, I think the Big 12 love fest has been exposed. With Florida taming Oklahoma, Ole Miss handling Texas Tech, and Texas struggling to beat an average Ohio State team, it seems pretty clear that the Big 12 is solid but not as solid as thought.
Furthermore, there is no doubt that the SEC is the strongest conference in the country. Doubting that is denying reality. Flat out.
Now.
Let's spend a month bitching about USC, Utah and the Longhorns. Let me know how that turns out. I'll be busy yawning.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
SOAPBOX: Utah? WTF!
Utah owned SECW champs Alabama last night in the Superdome. As in it was never really close. The 31-17 drubbing finished a perfect 13-0 season for the Mountain West team, and thrusts them squarely into yet another brewing challenge to the BCS system's validity. If the Utes can go 13-0, beating Alabama, Oregon State, and Boise State, then how can a one loss Florida or Oklahoma claim to be the champs? I'll let others argue that one. Honestly, short of an NFL style playoff system that drags out for another month, there is no perfect answer. I'll leave it at that.
But back to Utah.
This is a team that has recruited exactly four 4* players in the last five years. Not in EACH of the last five years. In the last five years COMBINED. Their average star rating for the last five recruiting classes is 2.4. The highest their recruiting classes have ranked since 2004 is 55th. The only SEC team they favorably compare to from a recruiting standpoint is Vanderbilt (funny, that). Their starting QB is a fifth-year 2*. He made John Parker Wilson look like a scout team QB by comparison last night.
Bama, on the other hand, signed as many 4* and 5* offensive linemen in 2006 alone (4) than Utah signed in all positions in the combined years of 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008. Bama's average star rating over that period is 3.3. The lowest they ranked was near #20, and the highest was last year's #1 rated class.
Saban makes over $4 million a year. Whittingham was making $4 million over SIX years before signing a recent raise to $6 million over 5 years.
Of course, any team can have a great day and beat any other team, right?
Yet this is the Sugar Bowl - against the great and historic Alabama Crimson Tide, resurgent under the recruiting prowess and coaching genius of Nick Saban. Surely there's no way Bama was overlooking this team. Surely they weren't unprepared.
No, I think Utah was a better team. How is that possible, considering the serious disparity in recruiting and coaching salaries between the two teams?
Well, it's impossible to know for sure. Here are my two educated guesses.
1. Salaries define past coaching performance mixed with hope and sprinkled with incentive for good measure. Salaries do not define ACTUAL coaching performance.
2. Recruiting is like mining. You generally get raw material of varying quality and it's the coaches' job to make it shiny and profitable. Sometimes, an up-and-coming operation will be able to get more out of lesser known raw product than a well-established, "elite" operation, where too much inertia and internal chaos get in the way of processing the very finest raw material available. It's called efficiency and waste.
The vast majority of Bama fans won't like those answers. Most Bama fans won't like any answers this morning. And I would be the same way. But to me, Bama was outcoached. Not just this year. But outcoached as a program by Utah. You can't put it all on Saban. This loss is about Utah being a much more solid football program - in total - than Alabama. First Urban Meyer, then Whittingham. The Utah athletic director knows how to pick coaches, apparently.
Would Utah have beaten LSU or Florida or Georgia?
Well, with that passing game, I think LSU could've been in serious trouble. I can't speak for the Gators or the Dawgs.
I'm impressed with what Whittingham and Utah have done.
Alabama has some big holes to fill for next year, but they have to remain the favorite in the West. And I'm cool with that, too. I prefer Les Miles and LSU to be slightly under estimated.
As for Utah, they graduate a TON of seniors this year. And that's a program that rebuilds, not reloads. They'll be remembering 2008 for a long, long time!
But back to Utah.
This is a team that has recruited exactly four 4* players in the last five years. Not in EACH of the last five years. In the last five years COMBINED. Their average star rating for the last five recruiting classes is 2.4. The highest their recruiting classes have ranked since 2004 is 55th. The only SEC team they favorably compare to from a recruiting standpoint is Vanderbilt (funny, that). Their starting QB is a fifth-year 2*. He made John Parker Wilson look like a scout team QB by comparison last night.
Bama, on the other hand, signed as many 4* and 5* offensive linemen in 2006 alone (4) than Utah signed in all positions in the combined years of 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008. Bama's average star rating over that period is 3.3. The lowest they ranked was near #20, and the highest was last year's #1 rated class.
Saban makes over $4 million a year. Whittingham was making $4 million over SIX years before signing a recent raise to $6 million over 5 years.
Of course, any team can have a great day and beat any other team, right?
Yet this is the Sugar Bowl - against the great and historic Alabama Crimson Tide, resurgent under the recruiting prowess and coaching genius of Nick Saban. Surely there's no way Bama was overlooking this team. Surely they weren't unprepared.
No, I think Utah was a better team. How is that possible, considering the serious disparity in recruiting and coaching salaries between the two teams?
Well, it's impossible to know for sure. Here are my two educated guesses.
1. Salaries define past coaching performance mixed with hope and sprinkled with incentive for good measure. Salaries do not define ACTUAL coaching performance.
2. Recruiting is like mining. You generally get raw material of varying quality and it's the coaches' job to make it shiny and profitable. Sometimes, an up-and-coming operation will be able to get more out of lesser known raw product than a well-established, "elite" operation, where too much inertia and internal chaos get in the way of processing the very finest raw material available. It's called efficiency and waste.
The vast majority of Bama fans won't like those answers. Most Bama fans won't like any answers this morning. And I would be the same way. But to me, Bama was outcoached. Not just this year. But outcoached as a program by Utah. You can't put it all on Saban. This loss is about Utah being a much more solid football program - in total - than Alabama. First Urban Meyer, then Whittingham. The Utah athletic director knows how to pick coaches, apparently.
Would Utah have beaten LSU or Florida or Georgia?
Well, with that passing game, I think LSU could've been in serious trouble. I can't speak for the Gators or the Dawgs.
I'm impressed with what Whittingham and Utah have done.
Alabama has some big holes to fill for next year, but they have to remain the favorite in the West. And I'm cool with that, too. I prefer Les Miles and LSU to be slightly under estimated.
As for Utah, they graduate a TON of seniors this year. And that's a program that rebuilds, not reloads. They'll be remembering 2008 for a long, long time!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
LSU 38, Georgia Tech 3: Media Roundup
Later in the weekend, I'll take a look at what the bowl performances and the recruiting season may say about how the depth chart will look next year.
But for now, here's a roundup of what the mainstream media folks and bloggers are saying about LSU's decisive pounding of Georgia Tech.
Coley Harvey of Macon.com: Mauled, maimed and downright outplayed by the LSU Tigers in the Chick-fil-A Bowl on New Year's Eve night, the No. 14 Yellow Jackets had hardly anything to celebrate, as they were humbled by the unranked Tigers in a mind-blowing 38-3 loss.
Jeff Schultz of the Atlanta Journal Constitution: This game was supposed to be a reward. It turned out to be some bad acid flashback to bowl flops of years past. But at least back then, the Jackets suffered their humiliation in Boise and nobody really cared. Or noticed.
George Morris of the Advocate: Let the record show on defense the Tigers swaggered their way into the new year. LSU’s defense played its best game of the year in a 38-3 Chick-fil-A Bowl rout of Georgia Tech.
Joe Schiefelbein of the Advocate: With his coming-out party, Jefferson takes a considerable lead into a spring quarterback derby, if one exists.
Randy Rosetta of the Advocate: ...freshman Jordan Jefferson slammed the door on any doubt of who the quarterback of LSU’s immediate future is with an MVP performance ...
Scott Hotard of the Advocate, quoting GT safety Morgan Burnett: “Those guys looked like a defending national champion."
James Varney of the Times-Picayune: All of which suggests the Tigers have found a quarterback. But later this month, high school phenom Russell Shepard will enroll at LSU. The rose in what some services now rate as the nation's best recruiting class is also a quarterback from Texas, which gives the Tigers plenty of options at the position come spring.
Pete Fiutak of Scout: Going into next year, Jordan Jefferson might seem like the answer under center, but the coaching staff has to quickly figure out if it's going to be that big a slam dunk. Will Andrew Hatch and Jarrett Lee get any real chances to work and win the job? Les Miles has to at least keep the competition open.
Richard Pittman from And the Valley Shook: Jefferson was outstanding in the first half, but came back to earth in the second. He wasn't bad, but he reminded me that he was a true freshman making only his 2nd career start.
Dandy Don from, well, Dandydon.com: I was also very happy with LSU's kicking game that kept Ga Tech backed up close to their goal line and gave them bad field position to start drives. Josh Jasper, who had struggled all season with his kicks, kicked four into the end zone and two resulted in touch-backs. The other two were returned but for only 17 and 20 yards. I was also pleased with Brady Dalfrey's punting. Dalfrey had good distance and height.
Spencer Hall on the SportingNews Sporting Blog: Les Miles puts on his Scream mask, grabs a knife, and calls you on a phone that is INSIDE THE HOUSE by calling a fake punt in the fourth quarter of a 38-3 blowout. Hey, the fans decided to spend New Year's with you: give 'em some freakin' fireworks, even if you happen to be pointing that lit Roman Candle directly in the face of Georgia Tech.
But for now, here's a roundup of what the mainstream media folks and bloggers are saying about LSU's decisive pounding of Georgia Tech.
Coley Harvey of Macon.com: Mauled, maimed and downright outplayed by the LSU Tigers in the Chick-fil-A Bowl on New Year's Eve night, the No. 14 Yellow Jackets had hardly anything to celebrate, as they were humbled by the unranked Tigers in a mind-blowing 38-3 loss.
Jeff Schultz of the Atlanta Journal Constitution: This game was supposed to be a reward. It turned out to be some bad acid flashback to bowl flops of years past. But at least back then, the Jackets suffered their humiliation in Boise and nobody really cared. Or noticed.
George Morris of the Advocate: Let the record show on defense the Tigers swaggered their way into the new year. LSU’s defense played its best game of the year in a 38-3 Chick-fil-A Bowl rout of Georgia Tech.
Joe Schiefelbein of the Advocate: With his coming-out party, Jefferson takes a considerable lead into a spring quarterback derby, if one exists.
Randy Rosetta of the Advocate: ...freshman Jordan Jefferson slammed the door on any doubt of who the quarterback of LSU’s immediate future is with an MVP performance ...
Scott Hotard of the Advocate, quoting GT safety Morgan Burnett: “Those guys looked like a defending national champion."
James Varney of the Times-Picayune: All of which suggests the Tigers have found a quarterback. But later this month, high school phenom Russell Shepard will enroll at LSU. The rose in what some services now rate as the nation's best recruiting class is also a quarterback from Texas, which gives the Tigers plenty of options at the position come spring.
Pete Fiutak of Scout: Going into next year, Jordan Jefferson might seem like the answer under center, but the coaching staff has to quickly figure out if it's going to be that big a slam dunk. Will Andrew Hatch and Jarrett Lee get any real chances to work and win the job? Les Miles has to at least keep the competition open.
Richard Pittman from And the Valley Shook: Jefferson was outstanding in the first half, but came back to earth in the second. He wasn't bad, but he reminded me that he was a true freshman making only his 2nd career start.
Dandy Don from, well, Dandydon.com: I was also very happy with LSU's kicking game that kept Ga Tech backed up close to their goal line and gave them bad field position to start drives. Josh Jasper, who had struggled all season with his kicks, kicked four into the end zone and two resulted in touch-backs. The other two were returned but for only 17 and 20 yards. I was also pleased with Brady Dalfrey's punting. Dalfrey had good distance and height.
Spencer Hall on the SportingNews Sporting Blog: Les Miles puts on his Scream mask, grabs a knife, and calls you on a phone that is INSIDE THE HOUSE by calling a fake punt in the fourth quarter of a 38-3 blowout. Hey, the fans decided to spend New Year's with you: give 'em some freakin' fireworks, even if you happen to be pointing that lit Roman Candle directly in the face of Georgia Tech.
New Year's Quickie: 2009 Starts With a Bang
A lot of the immediate reaction to the win last night will be centered on the play of freshman QB Jordan Jefferson. And Jefferson played well - especially in the first half, but actually all game. Only in the fourth quarter did he start making some silly mistakes - like throwing 40 yard bombs into heavy coverage when he could've just run for the first down. I'm guessing he was trying to manufacture another TD strike like the one to LaFell that was called back. But I digress. Jefferson had a great night.
But the defense won that game and won it handily. First, and most importantly, I think LSU won most of the matchups. Second, they were well coached, very prepared, and disciplined. And third, they manufactured turnovers.
Jordan Jefferson got the MVP ball, but I would've given mine to the LB'ers and Chad Jones. Beckwith, Riley, Sheppard and Jones had a great night, keeping the Georgia Tech running game in check. And if I had to pick one, I'd pick Chad Jones because of his all-around performance - the first quarter pass breakup that saved the touchdown; the many great tackles; and his special teams play.
Couple more quick points then I go nite-nite.
1. Special Teams - outstanding. Coverages were great except for one good return by GT. Outstanding onside kick. Awesomely executed fake punt. Kickoffs into the endzone. And Brady Dalfrey punted very, very well.
2. No LSU turnovers. Although - Jefferson in actuality fumbled twice. The first was called a forward pass - bad call, it was a fumble. The second was recovered and Richard Murphy saved a safety with his legs.
3. The fake punt - is it just me, or did that seem very unlike Les Miles? Up 38-3 late in the game and he fakes a punt? I have to say - with nothing else on the line (BCS computer stuff, for instance) and no real chance that GT was going to comeback - I was disappointed we chose to do that. However, it was really well executed.
4. Colt David ends his outstanding LSU career with a 53 yarder! What a great way to go. I hope he finds a fat paycheck in the NFL because he's been awesome at LSU.
Lots more to talk about. But for now, I just want to give props to the LSU football team for not only making Tiger fans and the SEC proud, but finishing out an otherwise frustrating season with pride and gusto.
Congrats to the seniors! Geaux Tigers!
But the defense won that game and won it handily. First, and most importantly, I think LSU won most of the matchups. Second, they were well coached, very prepared, and disciplined. And third, they manufactured turnovers.
Jordan Jefferson got the MVP ball, but I would've given mine to the LB'ers and Chad Jones. Beckwith, Riley, Sheppard and Jones had a great night, keeping the Georgia Tech running game in check. And if I had to pick one, I'd pick Chad Jones because of his all-around performance - the first quarter pass breakup that saved the touchdown; the many great tackles; and his special teams play.
Couple more quick points then I go nite-nite.
1. Special Teams - outstanding. Coverages were great except for one good return by GT. Outstanding onside kick. Awesomely executed fake punt. Kickoffs into the endzone. And Brady Dalfrey punted very, very well.
2. No LSU turnovers. Although - Jefferson in actuality fumbled twice. The first was called a forward pass - bad call, it was a fumble. The second was recovered and Richard Murphy saved a safety with his legs.
3. The fake punt - is it just me, or did that seem very unlike Les Miles? Up 38-3 late in the game and he fakes a punt? I have to say - with nothing else on the line (BCS computer stuff, for instance) and no real chance that GT was going to comeback - I was disappointed we chose to do that. However, it was really well executed.
4. Colt David ends his outstanding LSU career with a 53 yarder! What a great way to go. I hope he finds a fat paycheck in the NFL because he's been awesome at LSU.
Lots more to talk about. But for now, I just want to give props to the LSU football team for not only making Tiger fans and the SEC proud, but finishing out an otherwise frustrating season with pride and gusto.
Congrats to the seniors! Geaux Tigers!
Sunday, December 28, 2008
DEFENSIVE SOAPBOX: Triple Option Bogey Man
Yeah, yeah, yeah. The Ramblin' Wreck runs the triple option. Otherwise known as the wishbone - which is actually a variation of the triple option, as is the veer. Otherwise known as "I bet you can't stop my running game."
Georgia Tech runs this offense very well. They run it well because Paul Johnson, their new head coach, has run it FOREVER and knows it inside and out. In fact, there's something called the Paul Johnson version. So, yeah, he's familiar.
And they (Georgia Tech) have done well with it because - news flash - few if any other teams in BCS conferences run it anymore. No one practices against it anymore. So the first time they see it is when they prepare for their game with Navy, Army, or Georgia Tech.
But is the triple option - even (gasp) the Paul Johnson version - really all that? Well, Garndner-Webb - that perennial powerhouse that you've never heard of, barely lost to them 10-7. And vastly overrated teams like Virginia Tech, North Carolina and Virginia (OK, Virginia isn't overrated - everyone thinks they stink) beat Georgia Tech. Yes, Georgia Tech beat Georgia. And, yes, Georgia beat LSU. But here's the deal. Georgia Tech had 19 yards of passing against Georgia. Not 19 yards on one reception. Not 19 yards for one receiver. 19 yards. PERIOD.
I'd say that's - eh - predictable! Yes, yes - it's the triple option! It's deceptive! It requires discipline! HELLOOOOOO! LSU has an insane amount of time to prep for this. LSU can figure out this one-trick pony. The real question is, can Georgia Tech develop a passing game in that same amount of time? But we'll get to that.
How does one stop the triple option? Assignment football. Everyone has an assignment and they stick to it. Now, I don't mean to make this sound easy. Georgia Tech knows the weaknesses of their own offense. They're going to mask as much as possible and make it challenging for our defense to pick up their assignments. (Who knows - they may come out THROWING!) But...
Assignment football means: can you win your 1 on 1 matchups? I'd say LSU has the clear advantage in that kind of a game. Assuming Les Miles and the Tigers are spending their Atlanta time homing in on who crushes who at the line of scrimmage, LSU should matchup very, very well. Let's face it - LSU is FULL of talent, has recruited very, very well for a long time now, and enters this game as healthy as any LSU team has been in recent memory. So assignment football should play to LSU's advantage, actually.
So - what does that MEAN? Well, simply, it means this.
Defensive Line: Two jobs. Keep the offensive line off of the linebackers. And keep the fullback from getting more than three yards a carry. Simple? Yes. Easy? No.
Linebackers: Middle linebacker has to read the dive or the fake, and scrape to the QB for the pitch. This is a key, and Beckwith will play a very important role here. Outside linebackers take the QB or the pitch as well. The read is everything.
Safeties: The strong safety is going to probably play a lot closer to the linebackers (almost a fourth linebacker (I'm talking to you, Chad Jones!!)) and provide safety valve to the linebackers on the pitch option. The free safety's job really is the same.
Cornerbacks: My bet is that Georgia Tech targets our cornerbacks. They need to lock down the receivers. We're young at corner - talented, but young. I would NOT be surprised to see Georgia Tech throw WAY more than they have all season long. In fact, I'd bet on it.
So - what does all this MEAN!?! GADDAMIT!
Key defensive players - Beckwith, Sheppard, Riley, Chad Jones, and whoever Miles decides is starting at corner.
What's interesting is that LSU fans have become accustomed to hearing lots of names in the secondary this year because we've played lots of spread type offenses, which call for the nickel and dime packages.
Georgia Tech, if they follow their tendencies, will not call for nickel and dime backs. So....will Patrick Peterson play or not? Remains to be seen...
Which brings us back to the passing game. LSU's weakness this season has NOT been the running game. In fact, in a decidedly off-season for LSU defenses (don't get me started on the co-coordinator bullshite), the LSU defense is still #17 in the country against the rush. Even with all the bullshite tackling (you know what I'm talkin' bout). So...
If'n I was Paul Johnson, here's what I'd do. Besides buy myself a really nice fishing boat that I cannot currently afford, I'd target LSU's cornerbacks. BIG TIME.
LSU will not be planning to rush the QB. There will be few if any stunts or blitzes. If Georgia Tech's QB executes some good play action, then he will definitely have time to throw. Because, let's face it, LSU has not been the best at pressuring the QB in a couple of years now.
So...
Paul Johnson, if you're reading. First of all - thankin' you. Second of all, I have no idea what I'm talkin' bout and Les Miles is ALL OVER your idea about the passing game thing.
Les Miles, if you're reading. I didn't mean anything when I said you weren't a great public speaker (although you could use some polish, bro...). But, seriously, onsiderke the asspe...
Sometime later this week - the offense....I bet you cannot wait!
Georgia Tech runs this offense very well. They run it well because Paul Johnson, their new head coach, has run it FOREVER and knows it inside and out. In fact, there's something called the Paul Johnson version. So, yeah, he's familiar.
And they (Georgia Tech) have done well with it because - news flash - few if any other teams in BCS conferences run it anymore. No one practices against it anymore. So the first time they see it is when they prepare for their game with Navy, Army, or Georgia Tech.
But is the triple option - even (gasp) the Paul Johnson version - really all that? Well, Garndner-Webb - that perennial powerhouse that you've never heard of, barely lost to them 10-7. And vastly overrated teams like Virginia Tech, North Carolina and Virginia (OK, Virginia isn't overrated - everyone thinks they stink) beat Georgia Tech. Yes, Georgia Tech beat Georgia. And, yes, Georgia beat LSU. But here's the deal. Georgia Tech had 19 yards of passing against Georgia. Not 19 yards on one reception. Not 19 yards for one receiver. 19 yards. PERIOD.
I'd say that's - eh - predictable! Yes, yes - it's the triple option! It's deceptive! It requires discipline! HELLOOOOOO! LSU has an insane amount of time to prep for this. LSU can figure out this one-trick pony. The real question is, can Georgia Tech develop a passing game in that same amount of time? But we'll get to that.
How does one stop the triple option? Assignment football. Everyone has an assignment and they stick to it. Now, I don't mean to make this sound easy. Georgia Tech knows the weaknesses of their own offense. They're going to mask as much as possible and make it challenging for our defense to pick up their assignments. (Who knows - they may come out THROWING!) But...
Assignment football means: can you win your 1 on 1 matchups? I'd say LSU has the clear advantage in that kind of a game. Assuming Les Miles and the Tigers are spending their Atlanta time homing in on who crushes who at the line of scrimmage, LSU should matchup very, very well. Let's face it - LSU is FULL of talent, has recruited very, very well for a long time now, and enters this game as healthy as any LSU team has been in recent memory. So assignment football should play to LSU's advantage, actually.
So - what does that MEAN? Well, simply, it means this.
Defensive Line: Two jobs. Keep the offensive line off of the linebackers. And keep the fullback from getting more than three yards a carry. Simple? Yes. Easy? No.
Linebackers: Middle linebacker has to read the dive or the fake, and scrape to the QB for the pitch. This is a key, and Beckwith will play a very important role here. Outside linebackers take the QB or the pitch as well. The read is everything.
Safeties: The strong safety is going to probably play a lot closer to the linebackers (almost a fourth linebacker (I'm talking to you, Chad Jones!!)) and provide safety valve to the linebackers on the pitch option. The free safety's job really is the same.
Cornerbacks: My bet is that Georgia Tech targets our cornerbacks. They need to lock down the receivers. We're young at corner - talented, but young. I would NOT be surprised to see Georgia Tech throw WAY more than they have all season long. In fact, I'd bet on it.
So - what does all this MEAN!?! GADDAMIT!
Key defensive players - Beckwith, Sheppard, Riley, Chad Jones, and whoever Miles decides is starting at corner.
What's interesting is that LSU fans have become accustomed to hearing lots of names in the secondary this year because we've played lots of spread type offenses, which call for the nickel and dime packages.
Georgia Tech, if they follow their tendencies, will not call for nickel and dime backs. So....will Patrick Peterson play or not? Remains to be seen...
Which brings us back to the passing game. LSU's weakness this season has NOT been the running game. In fact, in a decidedly off-season for LSU defenses (don't get me started on the co-coordinator bullshite), the LSU defense is still #17 in the country against the rush. Even with all the bullshite tackling (you know what I'm talkin' bout). So...
If'n I was Paul Johnson, here's what I'd do. Besides buy myself a really nice fishing boat that I cannot currently afford, I'd target LSU's cornerbacks. BIG TIME.
LSU will not be planning to rush the QB. There will be few if any stunts or blitzes. If Georgia Tech's QB executes some good play action, then he will definitely have time to throw. Because, let's face it, LSU has not been the best at pressuring the QB in a couple of years now.
So...
Paul Johnson, if you're reading. First of all - thankin' you. Second of all, I have no idea what I'm talkin' bout and Les Miles is ALL OVER your idea about the passing game thing.
Les Miles, if you're reading. I didn't mean anything when I said you weren't a great public speaker (although you could use some polish, bro...). But, seriously, onsiderke the asspe...
Sometime later this week - the offense....I bet you cannot wait!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
SOAPBOX: Crowded at Quarterback?
The Peach Bowl has the potential to reveal which freshman QB has the upper hand going into the Spring. And that will be important because LSU is about to experience a log jam of talent at QB for the foreseeable future.
I made a conscious decision to leave Andrew Hatch out of most of this discussion. I guess there's a chance Hatch will make me look foolish for excluding him by playing a major role at QB next year. But I have a hard time believing that. I think Hatch played a role this year, and had a chance to grab the brass ring. It didn't work out. I think he's going to close out his time as an experienced, reliable backup. He could transfer, but he's probably tired of that. I'll get back to Hatch towards the end of this piece.
It sounds like Jefferson will start the Peach Bowl. And it appears that Lee's injury is healed and he'll be available. Both QBs are liable to see time, but it's not clear what the plan will be for rotating them in and out. What gets lost in all the conversation about these two freshmen is just that - THEY ARE FRESHMEN. Once in a very long while, a college freshman QB will have a great first season. It's no disgrace that didn't happen this year for these two men.
The challenge of matching scores with Georgia Tech will be a great competition for both of these fellas. I'm looking forward to watching them go at it. It's going to be important for one of them to separate himself going into the Spring, if he can. Because the picture gets cloudier after that.
Chris Garrett. From watching his film and reading his stats, I think Garrett might be one of the more underrated QBs in the country. He's a 3-star on Rivals and Scout. Based on his outstanding high-school career - setting school records for touchdowns, yardage and completions - the only factor keeping Garrett from a fourth star may be his mobility. He's a pocket passer. But he's a 6' 4", 222lb rifle-armed, dead-accurate pocket passer. And he's enrolling at LSU in January. And he's smart. And he has a great work ethic. While it seems likely (and rational) that Garrett will end up redshirting next year, it is by no means a lock. If he has a good game at the Junior World Championship of American Football (I had no idea that game even existed - his participation is a rumor that I cannot confirm at this point), he may get his fourth star. And that might mean he's been under-evaluated. He could push Lee and Jefferson this Spring. And he looks to be a great compliment to this next fella.
Russell Shepard. If you're reading this, I'm going to assume you know who Shep is. The LSU-related internet is awash in adoration for this kid. And he probably deserves every bit of it. He's obviously ridiculously talented, unusually mature, and he just loves the idea of playing at LSU. What's not good about that? Like Garrett, he will graduate HS early and enroll at LSU in January. Since Shep is very much a Pat White kind of QB, he's likely to play a role in the LSU offense immediately in the Spring. He's a Percy Harvinesque runner. But he also has a very good arm, tons of poise, and has both accuracy and touch. Oh. And he LOVES the leadership role. So, the question for Shep is not will he play, but how much will he play? There really doesn't seem to be any way he redshirts.
2009
So LSU begins the 2009 season with: two sophomores, both with some playing time; two freshmen, one of them a superstar in waiting; and Andrew Hatch. Of those five, I think I can comfortably predict one thing. Shep will see the field. My guess is that Shep will play the pre-Heisman Tebow QB-role, using his athleticism and versatility to give opposing defenses nightmares. Or, perhaps, Shep would be a nasty slot receiver in the Percy Harvin mold.
So that leaves JJ, Lee and Garrett. How does that pan out? My guess is that JJ and Lee fight for the #1/#2 slots and Garrett redshirts. In fact, once Garrett gets a look at the crowded QB passing drills this Spring, he's going to WANT to redshirt to distance himself from Shep by a year.
But here's the wildcard.
Transfers.
Lee and JJ are both sophomores next year. With Shep in the mix, it's doubtful that Lee and JJ share time. It's far more likely that either one or the other wins the starting job and keeps it. And, since they're in the same class, one of them faces the potential of being a backup forever. Sounds familiar, right? Matt Flynn stuck it out and has a BCS championship ring to show for his patience. And a Green Bay Packers job. And it has happened many, many times before that.
But there is a difference this time. Russell Shepard. Shep will likely not threaten either JJ or Lee for the starting job at the beginning of 2009. But if he lives up to even half of his hype, it is difficult to imagine how the coaching staff would choose to continue to limit his touches in 2010 by platooning him in and out. Clearly, he looks like a sophomore starter at LSU. In fact, if JJ and Lee don't play very well next season, he may find himself starting by year's end. What does that say for JJ and Lee? As juniors, they find themselves as the #2 and #3 guys? I'm thinking not.
My guess is that either JJ or Lee will end up transfering after the Spring. Why not wait a year? Well, that's possible. But if either decides to transfer to a Div 1-A school, they'd have to sit out a year of eligibility. By waiting a year, they'd only have their senior season to play. I doubt either of these two would transfer to Div 1-AA, where they could play immediately (Ryan Perrilloux). So my guess is next year is the perfect year to go. And if one of them will transfer, it will probably be Lee. He's said publicly that he has no intention of doing so. But the situation will be clearer for everyone after the Spring Game.
IF - and it's obviously still a huge IF - either JJ or Lee transfer, then this is where Hatch reenters the picture as an important piece of the QB queue. If the QB situation is going to be Shep and either JJ or Lee, then Hatch has a place as the backup to JJ/Lee. That allows Garrett to comfortably redshirt.
Now. Add to THAT the fact that LSU is recruiting better than ever right now, and that there are some excellent high school QBs who are interested in LSU, and the QB queue just gets busier. My guess is that LSU will go after one high profile QB next year.
2010 possibles
Connor Wood
Terrance Broadway
Nick Montana
Yes. That Montana. That's just an early look, and I'd say Notre Dame probably feels pretty solid with Montana. But since Broadway is from Baton Rouge, if he has a great senior season there's a very good chance LSU lands yet another great dual-threat QB in the 2010 class.
LSU may be entering an era where QBs sign understanding that they may only get one year as the starter unless something happens to the studs in front of them - like the NFL draft or an unfortunate injury. Sounds a bit like an elite football program to me.
So. Here's what that could look like. I've put them in the order I think they're most likely to play.
2009: #1 JJ and Shep; #2 Hatch; RS Garrett; Lee transfers
2010: #1 Shep; #2 JJ (jr); #3 Garrett; RS Broadway
2011: #1 Shep (jr); #2 JJ (sr); #3 Garrett (soph); #4 Broadway
2012: Too far out. But if Shep is drafted as a Jr? Interesting.
Combine the QB outlook with LSU's other skill positions and you see why 2010 and 2011 look like very exciting years for LSU football.
It's crowded at QB this spring. I think it gets a little less crowded by the Washington game. But all in all, I see a very bright future for LSU at the QB position.
I made a conscious decision to leave Andrew Hatch out of most of this discussion. I guess there's a chance Hatch will make me look foolish for excluding him by playing a major role at QB next year. But I have a hard time believing that. I think Hatch played a role this year, and had a chance to grab the brass ring. It didn't work out. I think he's going to close out his time as an experienced, reliable backup. He could transfer, but he's probably tired of that. I'll get back to Hatch towards the end of this piece.
It sounds like Jefferson will start the Peach Bowl. And it appears that Lee's injury is healed and he'll be available. Both QBs are liable to see time, but it's not clear what the plan will be for rotating them in and out. What gets lost in all the conversation about these two freshmen is just that - THEY ARE FRESHMEN. Once in a very long while, a college freshman QB will have a great first season. It's no disgrace that didn't happen this year for these two men.
The challenge of matching scores with Georgia Tech will be a great competition for both of these fellas. I'm looking forward to watching them go at it. It's going to be important for one of them to separate himself going into the Spring, if he can. Because the picture gets cloudier after that.
Chris Garrett. From watching his film and reading his stats, I think Garrett might be one of the more underrated QBs in the country. He's a 3-star on Rivals and Scout. Based on his outstanding high-school career - setting school records for touchdowns, yardage and completions - the only factor keeping Garrett from a fourth star may be his mobility. He's a pocket passer. But he's a 6' 4", 222lb rifle-armed, dead-accurate pocket passer. And he's enrolling at LSU in January. And he's smart. And he has a great work ethic. While it seems likely (and rational) that Garrett will end up redshirting next year, it is by no means a lock. If he has a good game at the Junior World Championship of American Football (I had no idea that game even existed - his participation is a rumor that I cannot confirm at this point), he may get his fourth star. And that might mean he's been under-evaluated. He could push Lee and Jefferson this Spring. And he looks to be a great compliment to this next fella.
Russell Shepard. If you're reading this, I'm going to assume you know who Shep is. The LSU-related internet is awash in adoration for this kid. And he probably deserves every bit of it. He's obviously ridiculously talented, unusually mature, and he just loves the idea of playing at LSU. What's not good about that? Like Garrett, he will graduate HS early and enroll at LSU in January. Since Shep is very much a Pat White kind of QB, he's likely to play a role in the LSU offense immediately in the Spring. He's a Percy Harvinesque runner. But he also has a very good arm, tons of poise, and has both accuracy and touch. Oh. And he LOVES the leadership role. So, the question for Shep is not will he play, but how much will he play? There really doesn't seem to be any way he redshirts.
2009
So LSU begins the 2009 season with: two sophomores, both with some playing time; two freshmen, one of them a superstar in waiting; and Andrew Hatch. Of those five, I think I can comfortably predict one thing. Shep will see the field. My guess is that Shep will play the pre-Heisman Tebow QB-role, using his athleticism and versatility to give opposing defenses nightmares. Or, perhaps, Shep would be a nasty slot receiver in the Percy Harvin mold.
So that leaves JJ, Lee and Garrett. How does that pan out? My guess is that JJ and Lee fight for the #1/#2 slots and Garrett redshirts. In fact, once Garrett gets a look at the crowded QB passing drills this Spring, he's going to WANT to redshirt to distance himself from Shep by a year.
But here's the wildcard.
Transfers.
Lee and JJ are both sophomores next year. With Shep in the mix, it's doubtful that Lee and JJ share time. It's far more likely that either one or the other wins the starting job and keeps it. And, since they're in the same class, one of them faces the potential of being a backup forever. Sounds familiar, right? Matt Flynn stuck it out and has a BCS championship ring to show for his patience. And a Green Bay Packers job. And it has happened many, many times before that.
But there is a difference this time. Russell Shepard. Shep will likely not threaten either JJ or Lee for the starting job at the beginning of 2009. But if he lives up to even half of his hype, it is difficult to imagine how the coaching staff would choose to continue to limit his touches in 2010 by platooning him in and out. Clearly, he looks like a sophomore starter at LSU. In fact, if JJ and Lee don't play very well next season, he may find himself starting by year's end. What does that say for JJ and Lee? As juniors, they find themselves as the #2 and #3 guys? I'm thinking not.
My guess is that either JJ or Lee will end up transfering after the Spring. Why not wait a year? Well, that's possible. But if either decides to transfer to a Div 1-A school, they'd have to sit out a year of eligibility. By waiting a year, they'd only have their senior season to play. I doubt either of these two would transfer to Div 1-AA, where they could play immediately (Ryan Perrilloux). So my guess is next year is the perfect year to go. And if one of them will transfer, it will probably be Lee. He's said publicly that he has no intention of doing so. But the situation will be clearer for everyone after the Spring Game.
IF - and it's obviously still a huge IF - either JJ or Lee transfer, then this is where Hatch reenters the picture as an important piece of the QB queue. If the QB situation is going to be Shep and either JJ or Lee, then Hatch has a place as the backup to JJ/Lee. That allows Garrett to comfortably redshirt.
Now. Add to THAT the fact that LSU is recruiting better than ever right now, and that there are some excellent high school QBs who are interested in LSU, and the QB queue just gets busier. My guess is that LSU will go after one high profile QB next year.
2010 possibles
Connor Wood
Terrance Broadway
Nick Montana
Yes. That Montana. That's just an early look, and I'd say Notre Dame probably feels pretty solid with Montana. But since Broadway is from Baton Rouge, if he has a great senior season there's a very good chance LSU lands yet another great dual-threat QB in the 2010 class.
LSU may be entering an era where QBs sign understanding that they may only get one year as the starter unless something happens to the studs in front of them - like the NFL draft or an unfortunate injury. Sounds a bit like an elite football program to me.
So. Here's what that could look like. I've put them in the order I think they're most likely to play.
2009: #1 JJ and Shep; #2 Hatch; RS Garrett; Lee transfers
2010: #1 Shep; #2 JJ (jr); #3 Garrett; RS Broadway
2011: #1 Shep (jr); #2 JJ (sr); #3 Garrett (soph); #4 Broadway
2012: Too far out. But if Shep is drafted as a Jr? Interesting.
Combine the QB outlook with LSU's other skill positions and you see why 2010 and 2011 look like very exciting years for LSU football.
It's crowded at QB this spring. I think it gets a little less crowded by the Washington game. But all in all, I see a very bright future for LSU at the QB position.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
SOAPBOX: A Fitting End. Can We Just Say No to the Chic-fil-A Bowl?
Fortunately for me, I was all but apathetic about the LSU-Arkansas game on Friday. After getting spanked by Ole Miss, the Tigers were headed to a disappointing bowl appearance, regardless of the outcome in Arkansas.
So, while I watched the entire game, and got a little excited when the Tigers actually started playing football in the second quarter, I mostly just quietly gritted my teeth for three hours.
LSU is a better football team than that putrid performance. I still believe that. I just can't prove it. Not after the last few weeks.
Porous defense, undisciplined play, terrible play calling, a freshman QB in his first start, a struggling running game, an penalties. All LSU lacked was a few ill-timed turnovers to make the tragedy more complete.
Ah, well. Thus ends the 2008 season - and it may just be fitting. The team has been leaderless all year long, and that, in my mind, is the "why" in all of this. No on-field leadership.
There are coaching problems. There are QB and secondary problems. There have been injuries.
But the critical facet of last year's team, who had all of that to deal with and more (except maybe coaching), was the outstanding leadership of Dorsey, Hester, Flynn, and others. That has been missing this year.
Yes, Arkansas made some critical plays at the right time. But this LSU team should not have let that Arkansas team - particularly with thier injuries - even sniff an opportunity to win.
This team remains rudderless. Especially on defense.
And that leads me to this. Could LSU turn down the bowl game and just let this season go away? I know the Tigers and Les Miles would NEVER do that, particularly because of the senior class. But, really, do any of you want to risk watching LSU get blown out by some crappy ACC team?
Personally, I've had enough. I'd be happy to turn to basketball and start getting ready for baseball and the Spring football game.
It's sour grapes. I admit it. And I know better. I should have more perspective. But, even though I did not in any way expect this season to be a repeat of 2007, I certainly didn't expect LSU to go 3-5 in SEC play. And struggle with Troy. And lose to Ole Miss. And lose to Arkansas. So, although my brain says I'm being childish, my heart is calling for the pain to stop.
Whatever. The game will be played. And I will watch. But that familiar pre-game anticipation won't be there, replaced instead with something very, very close to apathy. But not quite.
Geaux Tigers. I guess.
So, while I watched the entire game, and got a little excited when the Tigers actually started playing football in the second quarter, I mostly just quietly gritted my teeth for three hours.
LSU is a better football team than that putrid performance. I still believe that. I just can't prove it. Not after the last few weeks.
Porous defense, undisciplined play, terrible play calling, a freshman QB in his first start, a struggling running game, an penalties. All LSU lacked was a few ill-timed turnovers to make the tragedy more complete.
Ah, well. Thus ends the 2008 season - and it may just be fitting. The team has been leaderless all year long, and that, in my mind, is the "why" in all of this. No on-field leadership.
There are coaching problems. There are QB and secondary problems. There have been injuries.
But the critical facet of last year's team, who had all of that to deal with and more (except maybe coaching), was the outstanding leadership of Dorsey, Hester, Flynn, and others. That has been missing this year.
Yes, Arkansas made some critical plays at the right time. But this LSU team should not have let that Arkansas team - particularly with thier injuries - even sniff an opportunity to win.
This team remains rudderless. Especially on defense.
And that leads me to this. Could LSU turn down the bowl game and just let this season go away? I know the Tigers and Les Miles would NEVER do that, particularly because of the senior class. But, really, do any of you want to risk watching LSU get blown out by some crappy ACC team?
Personally, I've had enough. I'd be happy to turn to basketball and start getting ready for baseball and the Spring football game.
It's sour grapes. I admit it. And I know better. I should have more perspective. But, even though I did not in any way expect this season to be a repeat of 2007, I certainly didn't expect LSU to go 3-5 in SEC play. And struggle with Troy. And lose to Ole Miss. And lose to Arkansas. So, although my brain says I'm being childish, my heart is calling for the pain to stop.
Whatever. The game will be played. And I will watch. But that familiar pre-game anticipation won't be there, replaced instead with something very, very close to apathy. But not quite.
Geaux Tigers. I guess.
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