If I’ve ever done anything in my writing, it’s try to provide the fan’s side of things (especially with LSU) without getting too up or too down after a game.
I try to be a bit more positive than most, attempting to be the voice of reason while showing some perspective.
Fans have a short memory. They don’t remember how Matt Mauck (who won a NC in ’03) struggled as an underclassman, or how JaMarcus Russell (eventual NFL No. 1 pick) made crucial mistakes before he started to blossom.
We don’t live in that kind of world now in college football. When you are a championship team, there exists no world where players get a chance to develop their talents. It’s win and win right now. Fans get spoiled. LSU fans are (for the most part) spoiled.
They have short memories.
Now is the point where you would think I remind fans how short their memories actually are and defend the LSU program. But instead, give me a little time to agree with those purple and gold crazies.
What they’re worried about
The QB Situation
If Miles says he’s thinking about getting true freshman Jordan Jefferson some more time, then something is definitely wrong. Be glad that Miles is aware of it. Be glad that both Jefferson and Jarrett Lee get some experience this year, and be happy two outstanding QB recruits are headed to Baton Rouge next year.
LSU’s two losses are to two preseason Top Five teams quarterbacked by Tim Tebow and Matthew Stafford. Last time I checked, both were pretty good QBs.
This isn’t a panic situation, but it’s not good either. Honestly, though, it’s what was expected. Jarrett Lee has shown some upside by tossing 15 TD passes. He has shown some inexperience in that four of those 15 were to opposing teams.
In fact, Lee’s three picks against Georgia totaled 17 points for the Dawgs. The game was decided by 14 points.
Lee’s not going through his progressions, and I think that stems from the game moving too fast for him and his nerves getting the best of him. He rarely looks to more than one receiver on a play, and the Bulldogs game-planned for this and executed well.
This isn’t the bad thing though. LSU’s success in the recent past has been sustained because of the defense’s ability to bail the offense out when they make mistakes.
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2 months ago
Justin I just posted my article and there is alot of agreement , even from the pressbox noted in my article! I do dis agree with you on Lee. I find he does go through his progressions. He has a ton of tallent, and a Bret Farve gun slinger attidude. There was a int in this game and one earlier in the year that look eerily simular. Form what I've have seen I think he believes he can make throws that should be throw aways. I think that is what Les is seeing and why he brought up Jefferson. Lee will become a good college qb, and that takes time, but it seems to me that Lee is frustrating Les alittle on the repeat of the type of pick sixes he has thrown Some are reminiscent of each other.
from 2 months ago
leo,
i'm not saying lee is garbage, i'm saying he's young and making freshman mistakes. he will get better.
from 2 months ago
I didn't take it that way. Justin! I think his problem is more of faith in his ability than going through progressions. From what I have seen hge has a tendency to throw it in tight coverage to often! Flynn was a play maker, but he didn't try to be. I think Lee is tryong to be the play maker in place of letting it happen.
from 2 months ago
ok i gotcha.
flynn was smart, you were dead on there saying he didn't try to make plays but did. while flynn didn't throw it down field as much as russell in a vertical passing game, he puts the ball in the right spot when his WR's got separation in order for the WR's to get some serious YAC. of course he was smart in that he benefitted from being a 5th year senior before he saw the field.
also the most crucial part of LSU's offense since matt mauck is their ability to convert third downs. the itgers were excellent on third downs under miles and this year is not the case. i think it's the most underrated stat of LSU's recent history.
with a freshman your third down % is going to tumble.
as far as nerves and being a gunslinger go, i think it's a bit of both, if that even makes sense.
2 months ago
Justin...
Great read. I think you're on the mark on all your takes. We do need a top notch DC...I'm sure we can hand pick whoever we want with all the talent we have but my fear is that Miles is so loyal to his people that he would sacrifice the program...not long term...but not quick enough to keep not just the teams morale up, but to not give any doubt to any potential recruit looking at LSU. I can almost hear the other coaches from other big time programs pointing fingers at how foolish Coach would be...if that makes any sense? As Barney Fife would say..."Nip it...Nip it in the Bud". It's Tony Franklin Time.
2 months ago
dude,
great article. i loved seeing lsu score 38 pts. wow, if we had the 17 back.
but, we can't get it back. would perrilouze have been smarter?...not smoking
drugs.
put together a good game vs bama, and auburn beats bama, and ga/fla get us
in atlanta. will ol miss and ark be as good as fl/ga?
dude, these guys don't quit. they could've laid down at the half. but good coaching,
i mean great coaching keeps 'em in the game.
miles kept 'em up vs tenn.
don't sell the tigers short.
and i'm ok w/ a 7 win bowl.
but, since i'm alumni, i'll be ok no matter what.
geaux tigers
from 2 months ago
thanks!
if auburn had a team this year i'd be with ya but i think it's looking more and more like even if LSU beats bama the tide will go to atl.
2 months ago
Good assessment Justin. Thanks.
2 months ago
Well written, Justin. Mistakes are part of the game and given the fact Lee did not grow up with a football in his hand makes him slightly more prone to them. He will develop and come into his own. He just needs time, support and LESS HATE MAIL.
from 2 months ago
thanks and agreed batgirl (what are you going to be for halloween???).
this is lee's 4th year of football which is a bit crazy since his dad is a coach, i don't think i know his story as well as others do.
2 months ago
Hubby and I are going as Batman and Batgirl- How original!
Late bloomer? Just joking.
2 months ago
Good article Justin! You know there are a lot of fair weather fans that jump on and off the band wagon so much I think they have springs in their legs. People need to stop and think about what Flynn, Russell and Mauck did here at LSU. They all struggled just like Lee is doing, but the difference is they didn't get on the field as much as freshman. We have to remember he is only 19 years old. And yes 10-3 would be a very good season.
2 months ago
Good analysis. We also need to remember that Mauck played pro baseball so he was more mature than a typical freshman when he stepped in for Rohan Davie in the SEC championship vs Tenn. You're right about the defense being a major concern. If you look back to last year, they started having defensive troubles around mid-to-late season with giving up the big play. They still got a lot of 3 and outs but they also gave up big plays (e.g., 4th and 10 in OT to Ark.). The Tiger D doesn't seem as aggresive as it should be.
IIRC, the Tiger graduated a bunch of starters (and leaders) from last year's team. GA and FL both returned 17 and 18 startes respectively. I too viewed GA and FL as probable losses going into the season but I never expected 50+ points. Yikes!
from 2 months ago
thanks splash.
with it being halloween and all, how about this for a scary stat. the dirty word around here when talking about defense is "tepper".
he's seen as the worst DC in recent memory at LSU.
the most points he ever gave up in a game was 42. in 7 games mallory has given up 50+ twice. ouch.
2 months ago
Justin, this is one of the best post game analysis I have read on B/R. Absolutely a great read by a great writer. Your breakdown of the situation with LSU is intelligent and well presented. You make a good CL for the boys from the Bayou. *****POTD
from 2 months ago
thanks double G, it's much appreciated.
2 months ago
Nice article. You were correct that it is from the LSU fan perspective. That is a good thing.
I hope you are wrong and that Pelini was the greatest assistant ever at LSU.
from 2 months ago
pelini is a great coach, don't get me wrong. believe me, many fans are missing him around these parts this year.
2 months ago
Don't worry about the people calling for Crowton's head. They were probably the same people I heard on the local radio after the 2003 Florida-LSU game calling for Fisher's head. I think we all know how that turned out.
from 2 months ago
yeah david, this all goes into the short memory thing.
people used to b!tch about saban all the time when he was here, and that game was definitely one of them. he lost to ole miss once and people were talking about packing saban's bags for him.
most don't remember that now, but i do.
2 months ago
You can't compare Matt Mauck or Matt Flynn to Jareet Lee.
Mauck sat out for his first two years and then in 2002 he started the first 6 games but got hurt. And of course after three years in 2003 he lead them to the NC. He was more than a game manager too, I hate it when people say that. LSU wasn't afraid to let him throw the ball and he does have the record for the most TD passes in a season for LSU (28). You don't throw 28 TD passes by being a game manager.
Matt Flynn played some his first 3 years but mainly sat on the sidelines. His Senior year he won the NC and threw 21 TD. But both him and Mauck had significant time on the bench to learn the system and understand the game.
If Mauck and Flynn had played their first year they would've had the same problems. Everyone wants to kill Lee right now but if you watch him play you can tell he is very talented. To many fans are unrealistic, if you have a redshirt freshman playing in the SEC he is going to struggle. Mathew Stafford threw 7 TD and 13 INT his freshman year. Just relax LSU fans, Lee will be fine.
from 2 months ago
michael thanks for the comment. i don't know if you mean "you" as in me or "you" as in other fans.
but if you meant me then i'll say that i have not compared lee to flynn. there is no comparison. flynn never really played before his fifth year in college. it's apples and oranges. i tried to compare lee to russell and mauck who both playd as underclassmen.
but i pretty much agree with everything you said so maybe you meant "you" as in other fans?
2 months ago
Honest. Ryan Perrilloux ruined the offense. While he kept getting in trouble, getting suspended and distracting the team, I don't think Hatch and Lee got serious reps because the staff expected RP back.
Miles is an excellent coach. He gets on my nerves, but the more you listen to him, the more he grows on you. I actually like him a lot now. I have no doubt that this team is over-achieving due to his skill as a coach. The team lost a lot of talent LY.
If you can't give your D a rest because your O is always 3 and out, or can't sustain a drive, it affects the entire team. Injuries start to pile up, and the drive isn't as strong. Your biggest problem is QB play..there's no confidence in Lee or Hatch as a leader. They know the charm of last season is not there.
Next year? I expect LSU to be in the top 3 preseason. :)
POTD.
2 months ago
please remember what flynn did to miami.
also, didn't jamarcus' fumbles cost us serious n.c. consideration?
and....and....fl went 9-4 the year after their n.c.
things can still happen.
2 months ago
Great article Justin!
I'm not a big fan of the 2 QB system, however, (and correct me if I'm wrong) I don't think the offense has gotten a penalty due to the interchange. Most teams really can't pull it off all that well.
As mad as I get at watching Lee throw interceptions I still have to remind myself - he's only a freshman. You live by the sword - you die by the sword. He's learning right now and I like our future. My fiance' rolls her eyes at me because one minute I'm praising his play, then he throws a pick and I want to reach through the TV and rip his eyes out. :)
He makes good play fakes and has a cannon for an arm. I've mentioned before that he telegraphs some of his throws and he will need to speed up his reads. Most freshmen QB's that start try to do too much and be the hero. We have a lot of talented players at the skill positions on this team - all he needs to do is get the ball to them and let them make the plays. As we saw on Saturday, this team is capable of putting up points on one of the best teams in this league/country but freshman or no - the int's have to stop. Tipped balls, balls batted in the air is one thing - throwing right to a LB (twice) or into triple coverage is a different thing entirely.
One of the problems I see with the defense; some players trying TOO hard to make a play and wind up being out of position to make said play. DB's missing an assignment, DE's and LB's not staying at home and the RB runs right through the hole. We have a defense that's capable of playing lights out each and every game, however, when you're constantly playing from behind you try to do too much which winds up actually hurting you.
Five games remaining; four @ home - last one on the road; I like our chances of finishing the season strong and getting into a good bowl game. After the topsy-turvy CFB season last year - I don't rule anything out.
2 months ago
Why are we passing so much with a red-shirt freshman when we have running backs like Scott, Williams and Murphy? For the life of me, and it really irks me still, I can't figure out why we pass with 4 minutes left at mid-field, driving with momentum, down 21-17 just prior to the half. Georgia intercepts, score a FG, we lose all momentum and the game from that point on. Can U please help me understand what Crowton and Miles was thinking?
2 months ago
And another point, the LB's played absolutely horrible. I hope LSU scraps that silly defensive scheme, whatever it was called.
2 months ago
Justin,
What needs to be asked, and no one is, why does the LSU offense continue to pretend to be passing team, when it is clear that running is our strong suit. Case in point, at the end of the first half, LSU passed and got intercepted with about 4 mins left, when Charles Scott was slicing through Georgia's defense and we had momentum. This was the end of the game, IMHO. It really irks me when LSU tries to pretend to be a passing team, when in fact, it is not. What say you?
from 2 months ago
i say the offense has the b@lls to do something the defense doesn't and that is play the team's philosphy and gameplan despite weaknesses in personnel.
you can't run on every down, and crowton and miles both believe in a balanced offense. that balance is going to exist whether the QB makes mistakes or not.
the defensive scheme however has been amended to play soft in the secondary and not rush as much up front in order to hide the weaknesses in the secondary. the result is a passive defense that's getting their butts handed to them.
my take is since you're getting burned anyway start coming after the QB more and for heaven's sake disguise a blitz. that's been the worst part when this team does blitz, the opposing qb knows it's coming. that's unacceptable.
2 months ago
Justin,
Balance is good IF you can do both. There are times to run and times to pass. When you can run the ball so effectively, it will only enhance your chances to pass as the defense will start to adjust. A red-shirt freshman at QB against a veteran team is not the answer. He doesn't need to be the answer. Manage the game. We have awesome running backs that are way underused. If we ran the ball more, maybe the defense wouldn't have to be on the field because of interceptions and 3 and outs. Crowton can't just throw throw throw. We are not the PAC-10, we are the SEC. Because of the offense's lack of production, the defense has to step up, and they just don't have the personnel to do it. It's not a matter having the b@lls, it's a matter of being smart with the personnel you have, unless you want to lose.
from 2 months ago
there's a difference btwn passing all the time and showing balance. this team still rushed for 200 yards on UGA. it's not like we never run.
maybe the reason we run so well is because the threat of the pass and the balance of the offense. sometimes the chicken can come before the egg.
LSU has always had decent running backs who can run, but you need a QB who can convert third downs and if we're constantly run, run, passing on every series converting on third would become even more difficult. you'd see our stats drop from averaging 400 yards a game to a lot less.
if the defense could stop the big play every once and while, no one would be worrying about the offense.
2 months ago
I have pretty much chalked this season up to a rebuilding year, but that doesn't mean that we can't still make it to the SEC championship. We will have to rely on AUB or Ole Miss AND beat Bama to do it. I still have faith. But we can start the game with big plays against us like with FLA (defense fault) and GA (QB fault) or we will definitely be doomed vs. BAMA.
from 2 months ago
well i've pretty much ruled out atl. but that's just me.
AU wont be much help, neither will miss st (not ole miss, they already lost to bama).
we just need to win the games that are in front of us.
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