Bob's Sports Blog

Super Fan, Howard Gordon, Gives his take on LSU vs. Mississippi State

2011-09-14T12:01:00.000-05:00

I receive a number of emails each day. Every now and then I receive an email that I think most LSU fans would like to see. This email from Howard Gordon concerning the LSU/Miss St. game is one of those emails.

Good Morning Bob ...

It's certainly good to have you "back" my friend. I've certainly missed your insights.

This is my take on the Miss. State game. Miss. State has improved immensely under Mullen, and they looked pretty good against Auburn ... right up until the last play of the game. However, as you said, they have not played a defense like LSU's. Auburn's defense did not impress me. Matter of fact, there was little or no defense in the entire game as far as I could tell! This is what I think will happen Thursday night:

LSU will have a good night rushing the football. Both Spencer Ware and Michael Ford will have good games as will Alfred Blue. The offensive line will shine!

LSU should pass for at least 200 yards given the Miss. State secondary.

The defense will shut down the Miss. State rushing game, although not to the degree in the NSU game. That will force State to pass more than they would like. Our secondary will be up to the task of taking care of things there.

The offensive line for State is big as usual. However, the athleticism and strength of our d-line will also be up to the task and should control the line of scrimmage limiting State's rushing attack. LSU will put pressure on Relf all night long.

State will keep the game interesting for 2 1/2 quarters or so before LSU pulls away with a convincing victory. I don't think 40 points is out of the question. If we don't score 40, I won't be disappointed ... just give us an SEC victory!

All in all, this team has talent, size, power and maturity. As you said, that maturity really showed up in the NSU game. In the past, LSU has played those games good enough to win and that was about it. They showed a great deal of maturity playing that game. Now it's time for the real games ... SEC competition! I feel as good about this team as any I've witnessed in my 53 years of LSU football!

Geaux Tigers!
Howard

Thanks for checking in Howard! I really enjoy reading your emails.

The Next Test for the LSU Tigers - Mississippi State

2011-09-13T22:25:00.002-05:00

LSU's first two games were a real treat for Tiger fans and expectations of a national championship appear to be reasonable. I was glad to see LSU ranked #2 after dominating a very good Oregon team but understood that Alabama fans might be miffed at having won and dropped in the polls. It was not hard to predict that Alabama would beat Penn State and jump back up to #2. Considering LSU plays a ranked team and Alabama plays North Texas, we will see if the trend continues. First, LSU will have to face a very good Mississippi State team in Starkville.

Mississippi State's defense gave up 14 points to an over matched Memphis team and 41 points to a solid but rebuilding Auburn offense. I think it is reasonable to expect LSU to put up 40 points. LSU's first two games would indicate that 40 points is a benchmark of what to expect. It will be interesting to see if LSU's offense will be able to keep showing improvement against a ranked SEC West team. Mississippi State gave up two passing touchdowns in each of the last two games and I would like to see Jarrett Lee throw at least two TDs and zero interceptions this Thursday. By the way, if you did not get to see the NSU game, LSU's quarterback future looks bright. Zach Mettenberger delivers the football quickly and on target. By comparison, Lee's pass seems to be thrown more on an arc and floats. Don't get me wrong, Lee's passes were on target and his decision making has been stellar in the first two games but I expect Mettenberger to be playing on Sundays for a number of years. Provided he has matured enough to stay out of trouble. The real story in the LSU/Miss. State game is not LSU's offense versus Miss. State's defense. I expect LSU's offense to have a solid showing.

The real match up of the LSU/Miss State game will come down to the ground game. LSU's rush defense versus Miss. State's rushing attack. Mississippi State's passing game will keep LSU honest. Miss. State QB, Chris Relf, has completed just over 61% of his passes accounting for 397 yards, 3 touchdowns and 1 interception but, even with an improved Auburn pass defense, I feel that LSU will significantly cut down that nearly 200-yards a game passing average. The threat of a passing game will only keep LSU from crowding the box to defend the run. Mississippi State running back Vick Ballard is on a mission to improve his NFL draft status and he is looking every bit like a first round draft choice so far. So far this year, Ballard has rushed for just over 150-yards a game, 4 rushing touchdowns while maintaining a 9.7 yards a carry average. I have watched significant portions of both of Auburn's games and in the Mississippi State/Auburn game Vick Ballard took over the game in the fourth quarter. Ballard rushed for 94 yards including a touchdown in the fourth quarter and accounted for another 21 yards receiving. It looked like to me that on the third to last play of the game Ballard launched himself through the end zone for a second fourth quarter touchdown before going out-of-bounds but, the ball was marked at the one yard line. No part of Ballard's body touched the ground out-of-bounds before the ball broke the plain of the end zone. I think at a neutral site or at Starkville Mississippi State would have beaten Auburn in overtime.

While Vick Ballard may be one of the best running backs in college football this year, we will not know just how good he is until he has met the LSU Tigers' rush defense. Auburn is a solid team, however; I was a bit embarrassed for them in their opener against Utah State mainly because Utah State seemed to be able to run almost at will against Auburn's defense. Utah State may be a very good team too. But, I suspect that Auburn may be having troubles with their rush defense and if that is the case Ballard's ability to run all over Auburn in the 4th quarter may not be quiet as impressive as it seems at first glance.

Another thing to consider in this key match up of LSU's defense versus Miss. State's ground game is the size of Miss. State's Offensive line. So far LSU has faced two opponent offensive lines that they outweighed at key interior line positions. Oregon is having to play less experienced interior offensive linemen that may have needed a game to get their legs under them and let's face it - NSU O-line did not belong on the same field with LSU's D-line. I am not sure how many teams, if any, will be able to handle the size, strength, and speed of LSU's D-line. Thursday will serve as a big test to evaluate just how good LSU's defense really is.

Note: Thanks to the many of you who have written me with concerns about my silence and encouragement for me to keep writing my thoughts down about LSU football. I guess I was so elated about the Oregon game that I didn't show up to write about the next game. Better I not show up for the NSU game versus LSU not showing up. I did have concerns that LSU might come out flat after the victory over the Ducks. It seems that these Tigers are mature enough to know that they have a target on their backs. I am also glad to see that there is a "real want" for these Tigers to prove themselves on the field each and every week.

LSU vs. Oregon: The Auburn Experience

2011-08-31T12:19:00.005-05:00

LSU and Oregon had two common opponents last year: Tennessee and Auburn. Both teams beat Tennessee. LSU's win was the ugliest win in college football and though Tennessee fans will still debate whether or not LSU won the game, going over the LSU/Tennessee game will yield nothing in contributing to the analysis of the LSU/Oregon game. However, both LSU and Oregon lost to Auburn and in both of those games Auburn exposed basic weaknesses of the Tigers and Ducks.

The LSU/Auburn Experience
LSU arrived at Auburn's Jordan-Hare Stadium undefeated and staring the national championship squarely in the face. It appeared that if LSU could get by Alabama in the next game, they would be bound for the BCS title game. LSU did manage to beat Alabama but, only after an embarrassing loss to Auburn. What was most embarrassing for Tiger fans was that LSU's known weaknesses, quarterback play and more specifically the passing game, were not the reasons for the Tigers loss to the other SEC West's Tigers. LSU's defense was crushed by Cameron Newton and Gus Malzahn's misdirection offense. Throughout the game LSU fans were left scratching our heads while our defenders seemed frozen in their tracks either unwilling to fully commit to tackling or simply unable to get the right angle to deliver the knockout blows that we had become accustom to witnessing. It seemed that LSU's defensive coaches had done too good of a job hammering in the idea that defenders would be embarrassed if they over committed against Auburn. It is true that Auburn's style of offense banked on the fact that they would be playing fast defenses that swarmed to the ball. Auburn's offense had mastered the counter-punch of football: "Let the defender commit and then quickly change the direction of the play rendering the defender out of position and unable to make the play." There were two teams that had perfected this style of offense last year: Auburn and Oregon. The quick decisive decision making of quarterback is the key to this type of offense. Oregon's quarterback, Darron Thomas, was a sophomore last year when he executed this offense. He's back and has a year of experience. Another key factor in effectively running Oregon's type of offense is the coordination of quarterback and running backs. Both Oregon's starter and back up running backs are returning. Oregon's starting running back, LaMichael James, was arguably the best running back in the country last year. Oregon's back up running back, Kenjon Barner, is a speedy track star who was injured much of last year. He is completely healed for the opener this year. If LSU expects to win, they had better have learned from their Auburn experience.

The Oregon/Auburn Experience
Argue all you like amongst yourselves about how Auburn dominated LSU in their 7 point win at home versus how Auburn squeaked by with a last minute field goal victory over Oregon in the BCS National championship and then come back and face the reality that I will discuss in the rest of this section of this article.

Auburn shut down Oregon's vaunted running game in the BCS National Championship. What kept the game close was Darron Thomas' passing attack. What shut down the Ducks rushing game was the fact that Auburn's defensive line, Nick Fairley and company, crushed the holes that should have opened up in Oregon's zone blocking scheme. Nick Fairley probably added some zeros to his NFL contract because of his constant presence in the Oregon backfield. News flash: Auburn's Nick Fairley was an outstanding college defensive tackle but LSU has become defensive line U in the past few years. LSU has several defensive tackles and defensive ends that are of the same caliber as Nick Fairley. Senior LSU offensive guard Josh Dworaczyk (6'6", 301lbs.) will miss the LSU/Oregon game because of an injury that will require knee surgery. Dworaczyk had a great Spring with no apparent or anticipated knee problems. In fact, several of the LSU offensive linemen were "nicked up" and recovering during a recent scrimmage. Logic would have it that all of those nicks and Dworaczyk's knee injury occurred while playing against LSU's defensive line. Still not convinced? Take my word for it LSU has no fewer than 4 defensive tackles that can crush inside rushing lanes and have the speed and strength to meet Ducks behind the line of scrimmage all night long. Three other factors should also be considered: 1. LSU has the quickest defensive ends in the SEC and 2. LSU's secondary is considered by most to be much better than Auburn's secondary was last year, and 3. Oregon is missing interior offensive linemen from last year's team. Oregon may very well run all over and pass at will against LSU Saturday but, that would be a real testament to the arrival of the Duck offense. Oregon proved that they were an unstoppable force last year but, Saturday starts a new year.

What is truly exciting about this Saturday is that no one has a crystal ball. We will all be watching the action as it occurs in real time. We can guess that when Oregon meets LSU on the playing field that the classic "unstoppable force" will meet the "unmovable object" but, who knows, maybe the real game will somehow come down to the match up between LSU's new offense and Oregon's defense or maybe it will come down to some special teams play that decides the final outcome.
I cannot wait until this game starts and I would like to see a close game that represents the true quality of these two teams. That is. . . . unless. . . . LSU somehow manages to totally blow out the Ducks. No secrets - Oregon is my third favorite team behind my Alma Maters - LSU and Texas A&M.

Jarrett Lee: An Unlikely Second Chance

2011-08-26T21:09:00.002-05:00

In 2007 Cameron Newton was ranked #58 among ESPN's 150 top high school football players. Two spots below Newton, Jarrett Lee ranked #60. In 2007 Rivals.com ranked Lee as the #7 pro-style quarterback prospect in the country. Jimmy Clausen, Ryan Mallett, and Florida's John Brantley were numbers 1, 2, and 3 on that same list and Robert Marve was ranked #8, one spot below Jarrett Lee. Jarrett Lee was a consensus 4-star quarterback with a promising future. Lee may have started at some schools but LSU already had two very promising quarterbacks ahead of him (Senior Matt Flynn and Sophomore Ryan Perrilloux) so, LSU redshirted Lee, giving him another year to develop. In fact, it looked that after his redshirt year, Lee would probably have a couple of years backing up Ryan Perrilloux. Rivals had rated Perrilloux as the #1 dual threat quarterback in 2005 and even though those ratings are often hit and miss, Perrilloux was showing signs that he may live up to the rating.

Unfortunately, Ryan Perrilloux had recurrent problems off-the-field and was dismissed from the team. Perrilloux and Jordan Jefferson grew up and played football at high schools probably not 50miles apart. A few centuries ago pirates could be found not too far from where these guys grew up. Makes you wonder if swashbuckling isn't somehow latent in the culture or if these guys are channeling pirates. Face it, there is no "good" reason why guys with a shot at quarterbacking for a national champion would throw away those dreams by making bad decisions off-the-field. I'm going with the guess that Perrilloux and Jefferson are somehow modern day pirates and therefore are destined to swashbuckle. I know, it's not funny. Sometimes I attempt a little humor when things get way too serious. And I have digressed. Back to the Jarrett Lee story.

Because Perrilloux had been summarily dismissed from LSU's football team in 2008 Jarrett Lee moved to the front of the lineup. 2008 was almost a decent year for Lee at quarterback. Lee threw for 1873 yards with 13 touchdowns while completing 53.2% of his passes earning a quarterback rating of 115.7. The were only a couple of pretty big strikes on Lee's record. Lee threw 16 interceptions and 7 of those interceptions were returned for touchdowns. Redshirt freshman Lee was clearly not ready for prime time in Death Valley. When true freshman Jordan Jefferson quarterbacked the Tigers to a 38-3 Chick-fil-a bowl victory over a favored, higher ranked Georgia Tech team many LSU fans were certain that Lee would soon be announcing a transfer because clearly, Lee would never likely start for LSU ever again. However, Jarrett Lee did something that few expected, something kind of old fashion. In a day and age marked so clearly by instant gratification and selfishness, Jarrett Lee stayed committed to LSU football despite his failure, his embarrassment and a largely unforgiving Tiger fan base.

In 2009 Lee played in seven games with only one start against Louisiana Tech. He completed only 16 of the 40 passes he attempted that year for just shy of 200 yards and a dismal 40% completion record. Things had dropped so low that some LSU fans were actually booing when Lee entered the game. The best bet was that surely Lee would transfer after 2009 to a place where he could make a fresh start. But once again, Jarrett Lee did what few others would have done: he stayed true to LSU and was more determined than ever to improve enough to prove that he deserved to lead the Tigers.

Early last year (2010) seemed to prove the general consensus that Jarrett Lee had already had his place in the sun and would not ever repeat as LSU's starting quarterback. Through the first four games of 2010 Lee only attempted 2 passes as a backup. Still, an anemic passing game had many wondering if maybe playing Lee instead of Jefferson might be a good idea. LSU clearly had a strong deep receiving corp but Jefferson could not seem to consistently get the ball to them. Many will remember how LSU got unbelievably lucky on a last second call to beat Tennessee but because of the incredible ending few recall that Lee's outstanding passing is the only reason that LSU was in a position to score. Lee also was the hero of the Florida game. There is no bigger stage than playing Florida at home but Lee threw for 2 touchdowns(0 interceptions), over 100 yards, with an 81.8% completion rate. Lee finished that game with two perfect fade passes to the end zone to end the Florida game. The second pass won the game. The first pass had to be repeated because part of a toe of the LSU receiver was touching out-of-bounds. As a backup, Lee threw for over 500yards with a nearly 61%(60.7%) completion rate. Oddly enough, if you take out two lackluster performances against ULM and McNeese State, Lee's completion percentage rises to 65%. Maybe LSU should consider starting Zach Mettenberger against the cupcakes this year. Last year Lee's best performances were against Florida, Alabama, and Tennessee.

Of course Lee has not been a regular starter since his redshirt freshman year in 2008 but he will have a most unpredictable opportunity for a second chance. There are very few second chances in big time college football. Jarrett Lee has proven by his actions that he is not one to walk away from a challenge. Jarrett Lee has been preparing for this opportunity for quiet awhile. Senior quarterbacks with lots of game experience tend to judge potential interceptions better than redshirt freshmen and I fully expect that Jarrett Lee will do just fine. As frustrated as the Tigers must be right now, I would hate to have to line up against them in a few short days.

LSU Football Lunch Links

2011-08-11T12:39:00.000-05:00

Who has the best young talent in the SEC? ESPN's Chris Low ranks the top 5. LSU is #1. You may want to see what Low has to say in his article "Who has the SEC's best young talent?"

Kris Brauner, author of LSU's Bloguin blog "Saturday Night Slant", has an excellent 11 part series that answers many of the most important LSU Football 2011 questions. In his latest installment Brauner explores LSU's safeties.

College Football Pundit is not so sure that LSU will have an offense this year but his perspective is one that you may want to take look at: "LSU's Offense May Have Lost Its Fastball".

And finally, Robert Hopkins of Saturday Down South's "Calling Baton Rouge" blog give Tiger fans his recipe for a BCS National Championship in his latest article "The Bayou Bengals National Championship Punch List ".

It may not be Duck Soup, but that ought to hold you until Supper.

Happy Anniversary! Go vote for your #1

2011-08-06T12:16:00.003-05:00

Today is Kim and my 23rd wedding anniversary. We met in an American History class at LSU. My parents, who will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this month, also met in an American History class at LSU. Maybe that is why I have a degree in American History. Ironically, today also marks the anniversary of the U.S. dropping the atomic bomb on Japan in WWII. I didn't realize that when we set the date. Now to more important things. Happy Anniversary, Kim! I look forward to renewing our vows this afternoon! Our son will be the best man and our daughter will be the maid of honor. If you came here for college football stuff today, sorry.

I did notice that USA Today just ranked Oregon #3 and LSU #4. I figured that you might disagree with USA Today ranking Oklahoma #1 so I set up a poll on my College Football's Big Game Poll site so that you can vote for the real #1 college football team. Auburn was #22 in last year's preseason ranking and Oregon was #11. I bet we know better on who is really #1. Here is a link to the poll go vote!

LSU's New Offensive Coordinators

2011-08-04T21:44:00.001-05:00

Bad News and more bad news for LSU

Lately the news surrounding LSU football has been bad or near misses. Wide receiver Chris Tolliver who worked hard and had all the potential in the world will never play another down of football thanks to concussions suffered mostly in practice. LSU has a connection with Willie Lyles. So far, that is a near miss since LSU paid the advertised rate for state junior college video, recruited players on the video from each of the two states, and was successful in signing only one of the junior college players. Had LSU been more successful recruiting, ironically that may have thrown up a red flag. The fact that all star quarterback recruit Zach Mettenberger is still listed as 3rd string and not practicing with the veterans is a red flag. LSU is on probation because of recruiting violations surrounding junior college recruit Akiem Hicks. Reports from practice one day pointed to Hicks becoming a real force on the d-line but then for no clearly explained reason, Hicks had fallen down the depth chart list and never saw a single down as an LSU Tiger. After seeing the quarterbacks in the Spring game, I am wondering why coaches are insisting Jordan Jefferson is the hands-down starter and why Mettenberger is listed at 3rd string. I hope that this is not a precautionary move by LSU reminiscent of the handling of Akiem Hicks. I also hope that LSU's recruiting problems are imaginary this time. To add to the bad news about Chris Tolliver and the Lyles concerns, SEC media days brought the surprising news that team role model, spokesperson, and starting wide receiver - Russell Shepard was absent because of personal issues that turned out to be potential housing violations. Shepard has taken care of business and I am pleased to report that this one was a near miss. About the same time LSU fans learned that MaxPrep #1 wide receiver recruit Jarvis Landry has a broken foot and will probably not be available for a few weeks. Landry is an incoming freshman and a broken foot is not usually a career ender so LSU fans should enjoy seeing Landry for several years. LSU is loaded with talent a wide receiver so the Landry news is disappointing but it is just a temporary set back.

The news for LSU coach Kragthorpe is even worse

Sadly, the most recent bad news is really bad news. New Offensive Coordinator Steve Kragthorpe informed coach Miles three weeks ago that he has Parkinson's disease. Coach Kragthorpe took off from coaching last year because his wife, who has MS, needed coach Kragthorpe to help her recuperate from heart surgery and to take a larger role in home and parental duties with the Kragthorpe's three sons. I am a religious man and I have always struggled with living the charge of James 1:2 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, . . . ." When I think of what the Kragthorpe's are going through, I cannot imagine the kind of faith that it would take to consider these trials pure joy. I am including the Kragthorpe in my prayers and hope that you will too.

From a professional perspective this hiring was supposed to provide coach Kragthorpe an opportunity to redeem himself from a dismal showing as Louisville's head coach. I had confidence that coach Kragthorpe was on track as LSU's new offensive coordinator to that redemption. Clearly, now that coach Kragthorpe has stepped down from the LSU OC position, that redemption will have to take a different path. But, you know what, I think now that coach Kragthorpe has changed positions to become LSU's quarterbacks coach, he will have an opportunity to focus on having a more concentrated impact. Kragthorpe's forte is coaching quarterbacks and now he can complete his career coaching quarterbacks. Coach Kragthorpe has a real opportunity and I bet LSU will be an even bigger winner from the opportunity. More importantly, because of coach Kragthorpe's character, how he handles these extremely difficult personal problems will teach volumes. Jordan Jefferson needs to grow as a leader. Zach Mettenberger exhibited poor judgement at Georgia and may need some lessons in maturity and character. Coaches do not always get the opportunity to really teach the most important lessons. Coach Kragthorpe may have no choice but to really teach these important lessons simply by the way he lives his life. As I said before, my prayers are very much with the Kragthorpes.

So what is next for LSU's Offense?

In the press conference where coach Miles and coach Kragthorpe discussed coach Kragthorpe's situation, Miles announced that offensive line coach, Greg Studrawa, has been given a battlefield upgrade to offensive coordinator. Whether or not coach Studrawa will be an effective offensive coordinator or not is without question a secondary concern to the more important problems that coach Kragthorpe faces. Still, Tiger Nation deserves to know that promoting coach Studrawa to OC is not a knee-jerk reaction or poor decision.

Offensive line coach/Offensive Coordinator Studrawa

Coach Studrawa may turn out to be one heck of an OC if his background is any indication. Coach Studrawa served as both offensive line coach and offensive coordinator for Bowling Green from 2003-2005 and was promoted to Assistant head coach and offensive coordinator in 2006. Coach Stud has been with LSU since 2007 which makes him LSU's senior offensive coach.

In 2003, coach Studrawa's first year as Bowling Green's O-line and OC coach, Bowling Green only lost to two teams and both losses were to top 20 teams. One of those two losses was to then #6 Ohio State at Ohio State by only one touchdown. In 2003, OC Studrawa's Bowling Green team beat #13 Purdue at Purdue, scored more than 30 points in 8 games, more than 40 points in 4 of those games, and top the 60 point mark in two games. Bowling Green went 11-3 and beat Northwestern in the Motor City bowl in 2003 - coach Studrawa's first year as an offensive coordinator.

In 2004, Bowling Green went 9-3 with one of those three losses coming to Oklahoma at Oklahoma. Oklahoma had a pretty good team in 2004. In the previous game, Oklahoma had just ended with a 21-14 loss to LSU in the BCS National Championship. Oklahoma only lost one game in 2004 - a 55-19 loss to Southern Cal in the 2004 BCS National Championship. Bowling Green managed 24 points against Oklahoma. Including USC, only three teams managed to score more points against Oklahoma that year. In five games the 2004 defense managed to hold their opponents to one touchdown or less, four of those games include fewer points than a single touchdown, and the OU defense completely shutout two teams. In 2004, Bowling Green's QB, Omar Jacobs, set the NCAA division 1-A record for touchdown-to-interception ratio with 10.25 touchdowns for each interception. Jacobs threw for more than 4000 yards with a 66.9% completion ratio. The next year Jacob's was injured but still managed 2590 yards with 60.7 completion ratio. Jacobs backup, Anthony Turner, added 492 yards passing with 61.2 completion ratio. In 2005, Bowling Green only went 6-5 but managed to score 40 or more points in 5 games including 42 points in a loss to a strong 10-3 Wisconsin team that defeated Auburn in the Capital One bowl by a score of 24-10. In 2006, offensive line coach/offensive coordinator Studrawa was promoted to assistant head coach/offensive coordinator and Bowling Green suffered a 4-8 season. Bowling Green's starting quarterback, Anthony Turner, still completed 57.1% of his passes for 1596 yards, 11 touchdowns to 5 interceptions, and rushed for another 482 yards and 5 touchdowns. After a 4-8 season Bowling Green assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Greg Studrawa took a position as LSU's offensive line coach.

Coaching at Bowling Green is not in the same league with coaching at LSU, however; I trust you noticed the fact that Bowling Green faired well when they played LSU caliber teams like Oklahoma, Ohio State, Purdue, and Wisconsin. Nobody would have thought twice if any of those teams had shutdown Studrawa's Bowling Green offense. This year, LSU will face no team where they will be the kind of underdog that Bowling Green must have been in those games. I have certainly had a year or two where I wondered privately if coach Studrawa might be on the hot seat but this year is an opportunity for coach Studrawa to show what he can accomplish as LSU's offensive coordinator. If LSU has the kind of success that Bowling Green had with Studrawa as offensive line coach and offensive coordinator, OC Studrawa may be more than a temporary battlefield promotion. If that happens, I would hope LSU would be careful not to ever promote coach Stud to assistant head coach. ;)

Questions Still Remain

LSU suffered a horrible time with co-defensive coordinators in the recent past and we can hope that coach Miles is wiser from that experience. In the press conference it sounded like coach Kragthorpe may still maintain some of the OC responsibilities like devising a game plan. On the other hand, it seems clear that with the depth of experience among LSU offensive coaches that sharing responsibilities may not be a huge departure from current standard operating procedures at LSU. We can hope that Miles will carefully consider what strengths coach Studrawa utilized in his success in performing the dual roles of offensive line coach/offensive coordinator at Bowling Green. I have to believe that Miles has had and will have many long talks with coach Studrawa to get the most of his offensive experience.

Sadly, we have to wonder about the "hows" and "whens" of coach Kragthorpe's limitations due to illness. Coach Kragthorpe looked incredibly under controlled during what must have been a difficult press conference announcing his illness and coaching change. Maybe his doctors have found a really good combination of medications to help manage his illness. Once the right combination of medications have been discovered, I have been told that Parkinson's is very manageable. I trust LSU will continue to rally around and support coach Kragthorpe.

Let's hope that this marks the limit to the bad news that Tiger Nation will have to endure this season. We have now met our quota of bad news. We will now only receive good news for the remainder of the year and possibly through the end of next year.

LSU Week In Review with Links

2011-07-22T13:48:00.003-05:00

LSU Tight End - Deangelo Peterson

It has been pointed out that the biggest individual benefactor from the addition of LSU's new offensive coordinator may be LSU tight end Deangelo Peterson and Oregon bloggers are aware of this possibility. Kris Brauner, author of the LSU blog Saturday Night Slant, made a solid case in a recent article for a Kragthorpe offense that may very well feature many more passes being thrown to Deangelo Peterson. Oregon blogger Dale Newton, The Duck Stops Here, has also taken note of Peterson's potential in an article: "A Matchup to Watch in the Oregon-LSU Game". Brauner and Newton are stars of the Bloguin Sports Blog network and the ideas in both articles are definitely worth strong consideration. I think LSU fans first really saw the potential of Deangelo Peterson the last time the Tigers played Alabama in an away game two years ago but most of the nation became aware of Peterson in the LSU-Alabama game this year when Peterson took a 4th-and-1 handoff for 23 yards and nearly scored a touchdown. The reverse 4th-and-1 play followed Les Miles now famous grass chewing incident. There is a great story around Peterson as a New Orleans native who road out and survived Hurricane Katrina that marked Les Miles 1st season as LSU's head coach and even if there was not that human interest story, Peterson has all the tools of a future Hall of Fame caliber NFL wide receiver or tight end. It would be unwise for any team to overlook Peterson as a potential offensive threat. I believe Nick Saban will confirm that should there be any doubt.

Willie Lyles

I have said all that I want to about Willie Lyles and LSU. This nonsense that ESPN has perpetuated about the videos not being very worthwhile is not worth a second thought. I included a link to ESPN in the previous sentence only for those that are not aware of the content of the ESPN nonsense. I am not irritated with ESPN for the articles. Sports fans want to know about Lyles and LSU and ESPN is in the sports information business. I am satisfied that LSU has been wise in their dealings with sports recruiters in the past year. Remember LSU just self-reported and self-sanctioned two years ago because of inappropriate recruiting practices surrounding Akiem Hicks. Hicks did not play a single down at LSU and the coach involved, D.J. McCarthy, resigned. Edit: If you want a quick clear explanation of why LSU need not worry about Lyles and why (on second thought) ESPN may have done LSU a disservice with a story that had more negative hype than real incriminating content, follow this link to an article from Saturday Night Slant.

Unfortunately, Oregon still has much more Lyles drama to endure. The best article I have read from an Oregon source concerning Lyles is once again from The Duck Stops Here author Dale Newton. While there are several good Oregon Duck writers, Dale is right up there with the best of them.

LSU-Oregon game to become a test of strength!

Every single comment made on every single article I write is emailed to me which allows me to delete inappropriate comments. I rarely delete comments but, I do read most of the comments and some comments inspire me to do a little research and share my findings with you. Here is an excerpt of a comment from an Oregon fan that made me stop and do a few seconds of research that you may find of interest:

"In the end, I don't think you guys are going to have the advantage you think you have. One thing you have to remember is that strategy and speed can counter physical desparities. I don't contend that LSU and the SEC has superior physical abilities. But this is not a weight lifting competition. If it was, then you guys would win. But it's not. GO DUCKS!!"

I know that both LSU and Oregon have outstanding strength training programs so, I was not entirely sure that this commentor's assertion that "LSU would win a weight lifting competition" was true. As it turns out I have found some evidence that the Duck fan knows what he is talking about.

As it turns out LSU strength training coach Tommy Moffitt recently posted a picture on Twitter that included a partial list of LSU football player's squat lift totals. (Here is a link/article from BR Morning Advocate) According to the pic LSU has 18 players that can squat over 500lbs. LSU running back Michael Ford and middle linebacker Kevin Minter are at the top of the list squatting 583lbs. Freshman defensive tackle Anthony "Freak" Johnson and newly converted backup offensive lineman Chris Davenport each totaled 560lbs. Four other linemen were also on the "over 500lbs" squat list. Starting QB Jordan Jefferson did not make the list but barely missed with a total of 495lbs squatted.

After looking through some of Oregon's official records I found that starting offensive tackle Mark Asper leads all Oregon offensive linemen with a squat max of 500lbs. and Issac Remington leads all defensive linemen with a 445lbs squat.

As an LSU fan, I am thinking that who wins the battle in the trenches has a lot to do with who has more strength but, I know that is not by far all there is to the game and this after all is not a weight lifting competition.

LSU-Oregon game noted as a "Top 10" toughest SEC game by Fox Sports Florida
With the University of Florida, Florida State and Miami football programs concentrated all in the same state it is probably pretty hard for a college sports reporter from Florida to look very far beyond the state's borders. In his list of the Top games for the SEC in 2011 Fox Sports Florida reporter Sam Gardner includes LSU in four of the first six games on the list. LSU vs. Oregon is the #2 top SEC game right behind Alabama-LSU. Here is the complete list:

Top games for SEC teams during 2011 by Sam Gardner for FS Florida

1. Alabama vs. LSU

2. LSU vs. Oregon

3. Alabama vs. Penn State

4. Auburn vs. Alabama

5. Arkansas vs. LSU

6. Florida vs. LSU

7. South Carolina vs. Georgia

8. Georgia vs. Boise State

9. Alabama vs. Arkansas

10. Florida vs. Georgia

2011 SEC Coaches Preseason All-SEC Team: LSU

2011-07-14T18:03:00.000-05:00

The SEC coaches preseason All-SEC team has been announced and LSU has 7 players that made either 1st, 2nd, or 3rd team All-SEC. Congratulations to all of the LSU players selected to 1st, 2nd or 3rd team All SEC.
LSU All-SEC players
Cornerback Morris Claiborne is the sole LSU player to make 1st team All-SEC. Wide receiver Rueben Randle, defensive end Barkevious Mingo, linebacker Ryan Baker, and cornerback Tyrann Mathieu made 2nd team All-SEC. Offensive lineman Alex Hurst and defensive end Sam Montgomery were select 3rd team All-SEC.

1st Team All-SEC
Only Mississippi State placed fewer players on the preseason 1st team All-SEC than LSU. Tennessee, Vanderbilt, and Ole Miss tied LSU with only 1 player selected to the 1st team. Alabama placed 7 players. Georgia placed 6. South Carolina placed 4. Arkansas placed 3. And even Kentucky managed to place 2 players on the preseason 1st team All-SEC team.

Overall - 1st, 2nd and 3rd Team All-SEC
This chart shows how each school did in terms of placing players on 1st, 2nd or 3rd team preseason All-SEC:

School	1st Team	2nd Team	3rd Team	Total
Alabama	7	3	3	13
Arkansas	3	5	6	14
Auburn	0	2	5	7
Florida	0	2	4	6
Georgia	6	3	0	9
Kentucky	2	0	1	3
LSU	1	4	2	7
Ole Miss	1	2	1	4
Mississippi State	0	1	3	4
South Carolina	4	3	2	9
Tennessee	1	0	1	2
Vanderbilt	1	3	0	4

So What does all of this mean for LSU?
If you trust the collective judgement of the SEC coaches, then it could mean that we could expect LSU to finish somewhere in the middle of the pack this year based on talent. Or it could mean that Les Miles is the best coach in the country considering the relative lack of talent at LSU versus the rest of the SEC. But, honestly, I don't think it means a darn thing! If Alabama and Arkansas have twice or nearly twice the number of talented players than LSU, then Nick Saban and Bobby Petrino are grossly over rated as coaches. As much as I would like to say that is close to the truth, it's not even sort of true. It is unbelievable that the national media can rank LSU in the top five in most any poll that you consult and yet, SEC coaches cannot find more than one 1st team caliber LSU player. I watched the LSU-North Carolina game rerun recently and now wonder at the announcers saying that Morris Claiborne was in for a difficult season because of his inexperience and unfamiliarity at cornerback. One year later he is LSU's sole 1st team All-SEC selection. Way to Go Mo! Still, I feel sure that even Morris Claiborne would tell you that being selected 1st team preseason All-SEC is an indication of very little. It is how you play on the field in games that matter.

What does this mean for LSU? This means that LSU players that are far more talented than SEC coaches realize have something to prove. If I were Les Miles, I would post this list in the locker room and write a note that says: "If you are on this list, prove you belong. If you are not on this list, I dare you to prove them wrong!" LSU is used to earning respect. I am not sure that I would want it any other way. Geaux Tigers!!!

LSU Lunch Links:

2011-07-14T11:47:00.000-05:00

Here are a few LSU football articles that I know you will find of interest:

SEC Championship Talk: LSU from Saturday Down South

Three Reasons Why the LSU Tigers will win the SEC and three reasons why the LSU Tigers will not win the SEC. Read More

2011 Florida football preview: Week 6 - LSU by Jason Shoot for The Fort Walton Sun News Herald

"Few conference games were as thrilling as last year’s Southeastern Conference showdown between Florida and LSU at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Considering the number of starters both teams have coming back on each side of the ball, this year’s rematch in Baton Rouge, La., on Oct. 8 promises to be another slugfest." Read More

Checking in on Will Lyles and Cal and How It Relates to LSU From Team Speed Kills

"So far, the bulk of the Will Lyles story has centered on Oregon with a little LSU mixed in. There still is one other school that bought from Lyles' now-defunct scouting service, that being Cal. Jeff Tedford opened up with Jon Wilner of the San Jose Mercury News about his dealings with Lyles, and Wilner posted the best nuggets from it yesterday afternoon." Read More

The microwave dinged, soup's hot, now it is time for lunch. Catch you later.

LSU Football Lunch Links:

2011-07-08T12:00:00.001-05:00

Using Top College Teams and Top College Teams SEC Page I found these articles during lunch. I think LSU fans will find these articles of interest:

First up - Oklahoma blogger, Allen Kenney, discusses the LSU - Tennessee game. Yes, he talks about last year's LSU-UT game and this year's. Read This Article

Second, if this article is any indication, Louisville fans are still upset about their Steve Kragthorpe experience. Read This Article I do not recall Louisville football being something to watch before Bobby Petrino and it seems that once Petrino left Louisville, so did their winning ways.

In light of the Willie Lyles stuff that we are bombarded with lately, you have to wonder about any coach that has been successful recruiting top athletes. Here is one more Willie Lyles article that discusses Lyles involvement with LSU. Read This Article

and Finally, here is a good article from The New Orleans Times-Picayune titled "LSU vs. Oregon football game can't get here fast enough" by Peter Finney that I think you might enjoy. Read This Article

I have to finish lunch and get back to work. I am thinking about writing an article about the Willie Lyles experience - LSU vs. Oregon style. Check back later, I think you will enjoy the article that I am thinking about.

LSU's 2011 Football Schedule - 7 Top Ranked Opponents

2011-07-07T18:32:00.000-05:00

Reading through yesterdays emails, I took note of what LSU Super Fan Howard A. Gordon had to say. Howard has let me know that I can use his emails for my blog anytime and I think you may find what Howard has to say of interest.

Good Morning Bob ...

I just read your column from July 6th. I can understand the frustration the Louisville fan has. However, extenuating circumstances probably existed, like his wife's illness. Another important fact is a great coordinator does not necessary translate into a great coach. There is a reason head coaches make the money they do ... it's a rare talent. Personally, I feel Kragthrope will do an excellent job for the Tigers. He is just what Jordan Jefferson and this offense need. I've read between the lines in some statements from JJ, and it sure sounds like Crowton almost set him up to fail. When a passing play was called, it was so obvious the opposing defense must have been salivating waiting for the snap. Crowton's offense for the most part, was so predicable that I could call defenses against it. The only time it really looked good was in bowl games and possibly after a bye week during the season. That just doesn't make it in the SEC.

I honestly feel we will see a very smooth, talented LSU team in 2011. I agree with you ... the talent level at LSU mandates great performances on the playing field. The main thing concerning me is the difficult schedule. It has to be one of the toughest in the country. The attitude of the players sounds very good, and they will have to bring their "A" game each and every week. No weeks off this year!!!!

Most publications I've read predict LSU to be 2nd in the West behind Alabama. I don't think so. LSU will beat Alabama in a very tough game, but the revamped LSU offense will win the day after a intense defensive battle.

Only 58 more days ...

Take care my friend ...

Geaux Tigers!

Howard

While I certainly appreciate what Howard has to say about coach Kragthorpe, what caught my eye was the very thing I was already thinking about: LSU's schedule. Shortly after I read Howard's email I saw this opening line from an article today on al.com

"It's taken as a given in the SEC that each team's conference schedule is tough enough that it doesn't make sense to line up a power-packed non-conference slate to go with it. That line of thinking continues this year." ("Countdown to Football: 58 Days - Non-conference schedule is easy pickings" by Mark Inabinett for AL.com)

At that point I knew that I would have to write something about LSU's 2011 Schedule. In the al.com article author Mark Inabinett throws in this last line concession:

"LSU comes closest to bucking the four-cupcakes lineup with its 2011 schedule, balancing pushovers Northwestern State and Western Kentucky with games against Oregon in Dallas and West Virginia on the road."

But, that concession does not come close to describing what most of the nation already knows: LSU has one of the toughest schedules in the country. LSU does play in the SEC which means in conference LSU will face five teams - Auburn, Alabama, Florida, Arkansas, and Mississippi State - that are consensus preseason top 25 ranked teams. The consensus that I am referring to is an averaging of 18 expert sources that you may want to look at by clicking here. In addition to the 5 SEC preseason consensus top 25 teams, LSU will face 2 non-conference opponents - Oregon and West Virginia - that are also preseason top 25 teams.

So, by the end of the regular season, LSU will have faced 7 of the preseason consensus top 25 teams. Just to be bowl eligible LSU will have to win 7 of their 12 regular season games. So just to get to a bowl game LSU will have to beat at least 2 top 25 teams.

Yes LSU has 2 cupcake game: Northwestern State the week after they open up against Oregon and Western Kentucky the week after they play Alabama at Alabama. But considering who LSU plays the previous week, these cupcakes should expect to face a battle-worn Tiger team. Oregon-LSU and Alabama-LSU appear to be shaping up to be epic battles. Still, admittedly, even a "battle-worn" LSU ought to be able to crush NSU and Western Kentucky.

So that accounts for 9 of LSU's 12 game schedule. In the remaining 3 games LSU will face Tennessee at Tennessee, Ole Miss at Ole Miss, and Kentucky in Tiger Stadium. Anybody that was alive and taking even a passing fancy in college football last year will recall that LSU only beat Tennessee in Tiger Stadium last year by a score of 16-14 because of an extra play due to a penalty that still has Tiger fans ducking and changing the subject anytime a Vol fan mentions the game. When Ole Miss visited LSU last year a shoot out ensued and LSU won 43-36. This year LSU travels to Oxford, Mississippi. LSU and Kentucky are not in the same divisions of the SEC which means the two teams do not meet every year. The last time LSU faced Kentucky was the last time LSU won a BCS National Title, however; many thought LSU did not deserve to be in the game because of two triple overtime losses. One of those losses was to Kentucky.

I do not want to read another word about LSU not playing a tough schedule either in or out of conference. I have not looked to closely but, I can think of no other national contender that has a tougher schedule this year. I agree with something that Texas A&M blogger Mike Tag recently wrote on his blog "I am the 12th Man":

"If LSU wins the national title they will have earned it. They play Oregon in Dallas and West Virginia in Morgantown in '11. Will be interesting to see if Lamichael James can run against the LSU defense. No one talks about the fact that James and Oregon struggled mightily on the ground against an Auburn defense that was nothing special save their uber-DT."

How do I think LSU will finish this year? I think LSU is a special team this year. I have a strong feeling that LSU will be bowl eligible, sure. Honestly, I will be disappointed if LSU wins less than 10 games this year and I could certainly see a scenario where LSU goes undefeated. I think the LSU Tigers are that good. I hope that they prove it on the field. Geaux Tigers!

A Couple of Kragthorpe Articles

2011-07-06T17:43:00.001-05:00

I have not written a thing about LSU's new offensive coordinator, Steve Kragthorpe, since January but I guess there is a reason for the "Older Posts" tag below the last shown article. Yesterday I received this:

"Bob,
Read your blog about Kragthorpe doing something crazy. How about a 3 yard pass play on 3rd and 5? It took him just 4 games to destroy 9 years of winning football, coming off of an Orange Bowl win with 56 returning lettermen. We were a 38 point favorite at home against a lowly Syracuse squad and lost 38-35. We use the term "Kragged" It is used to describe the utter ruination vested upon our program by that fraudulant charlatan.
U of L fan"

Since the U of L fan emailed me instead of leaving a comment on a specific article, I can only figure that he was referring to my "Kragthorpe vs. Kragthorpe" article. Maybe I wrote something about crazy things that Kragthorpe could do with the talent of LSU's offense. Anyway, Steve Kragthorpe is starting to get quite a bit of attention in the national media lately. Here is an article on Rivals by Tom Dienhart entitled "Kragthorpe holds key to LSU title dream" and another that focuses on Kragthorpe article by ESPN's Chris Low called "Coaching 'em up: LSU".

I think coach Kragthorpe will solve LSU's passing problems. Les Miles knows Steve Kragthorpe from their Oklahoma coaching days and Miles evidently thinks coach Kragthorpe has the right skills and strategy for solving LSU's passing problems. If LSU's does not show clear and consistent offensive improvement, don't expect LSU fans to be patient. LSU has far too much talent to not be productive.

Happy 4th of July!

2011-07-04T15:49:00.001-05:00

Happy 4th of July! I am in Dallas, Texas checking it out so I can give you some ideas of where to stay and what to do when you are here for the big game.

First piece of advice - Grapevine, Texas is a good place stay. Grapevine is close to DFW International and only about 25 miles from Cowboys Stadium. There are several hotels to choose from in Grapevine. The Gaylord Texas convention center and resort is looks brand new and it is the official hotel of the Dallas Cowboys. The Gaylord has a huge pool with a several story high tower/slide and lazy river. Just across the street from the Gaylord is the Great Wolf Lodge - a great but expensive place for families. The Great Wolf has both an indoor and outdoor water park open only to guest of the hotel/resort that is included in the price of the room. Yes, Oregon fans, it will be more than hot enough to bring your bathing suits the first week of September. There is a pretty good outlet mall in Grapevine that has a Rain Forest Cafe, an outlet Niemann Marcus, and an outlet Saxs 5th Avenue. There are plenty of places to shop at the Grapevine Mills Mall and many places nearby. There is also a large lake and a marina close to all of the hotels where I am sure there are plenty of boat and jet ski rentals.

If you are not looking for a resort like the Great Wolf Lodge or the Gaylord Texas, there are plenty of nice newer hotels in Grapevine. There is the usual Hilton, Residence Inn Marriott as well as a beautiful Embassy Suites. And once again one of the big advantages is that Cowboys Stadium is a straight short 20-25 miles away from just about anywhere you might stay in Grapevine Texas.

My family and I are having a great 4th of July here and wish you and your family a Happy 4th of July also.

LSU's Impact True Freshmen

2011-06-30T20:45:00.000-05:00

I was looking through the new Drudge Report-like website - Top College Teams SEC page last night and noticed an ESPN SEC blog headline/link call "Impact true freshmen: Western Division". In the ESPN article Chris Low mentions defensive tackle Anthony Johnson but excludes him from being considered as an impact "true" freshman because he enrolled early and took part in LSU's Spring practices. Low also mentions one other LSU true freshman, wide receiver Jarvis Landry. Chris Low's article focused my attention on LSU's true freshmen. I do not buy the premise that if a football player enrolled early and took part in Spring practices, he has lost his status as a true freshman. In my book, a true freshman is a "true" freshman though his entire first year of college football. For me we can stop considering Anthony Johnson and Kenney Hilliard true freshmen when this football season is over. Having set that ground rule here is the list of LSU true freshmen list that can be found on LSU's official roster:

56	Anthony Johnson	DT	6-3	294	Fr.	HS	New Orleans, La. (O.P. Walker HS)
	Jonah Austin	OL	6-5	320	Fr.	HS	New Orleans, La. (St. Augustine HS)
	Odell Beckham Jr.	WR	5-11	175	Fr.	HS	New Orleans, La. (Isidore Newman HS)
	Jalen Collins	S	6-1	180	Fr.	HS	Olive Branch, Miss. (Olive Branch HS)
	La'el Collins	OL	6-4	315	Fr.	HS	Baton Rouge, La. (Redemptorist HS)
	Micah Eugene	S	5-11	185	Fr.	HS	Lafayette, La. (Acadiana HS)
	James Hairston	P	5-11	175	Fr.	HS	Dallas, Texas (Jesuit HS)
	David Jenkins	CB	6-1	179	Fr.	HS	Jena, La. (Hebron)
	Mickey Johnson	DT	5-11	310	Fr.	HS	Covington, La. (St. Paul's HS)
	Jarvis Landry	WR	5-11	190	Fr.	HS	Lutcher, La. (Lutcher HS)
	Alonzo Lewis	WR	6-3	205	Fr.	HS	St. James, La. (St. James HS)
	Terrence Magee	RB	5-9	205	Fr.	HS	Franklinton, La. (Franklinton HS)
	Ronald Martin	S	6-1	182	Fr.	HS	White Castle, La. (White Castle HS)
	Trevon Randle	LB	6-1	205	Fr.	HS	League City, Texas (Clear Springs HS)
	Jermauria Rasco	DE	6-4	240	Fr.	HS	Shreveport, La. (Evangel Christian Academy)
	Stephen Rivers	QB	6-7	198	Fr.	HS	Athens, Ala. (Athens HS)
	Quentin Thomas	DE	6-3	276	Fr.	HS	Breaux Bridge, La. (Breaux Bridge HS)
	Paul Turner	ATH	5-11	185	Fr.	HS	West Monroe, La. (West Monroe HS)
	Trai Turner	OL	6-2	334	Fr.	HS	New Orleans, La. (St. Augustine HS)
	Corey White	OL	6-3	333	Fr.	HS	Baton Rouge, La. (Capitol HS)
27	Kenny Hilliard	RB	5-11	225	Fr.	HS	Patterson, La. (Patterson HS)

After looking over this list of LSU true freshmen several times, I find it very hard to limit the list of potential impact true freshmen to a single player as Chris Low did in the ESPN article. One way to that this might be limited is to redefine the standards of "true freshman" like Low. There is real potential in this group of freshmen coming to play for LSU this year. The only real limiting factor for many of these guys is whether or not they will make an impact as true freshmen or wait to blowup Tiger Stadium in a year or two. Considering that may lead me to limit LSU's impact true freshmen to very few players, just like Chris Low. So, here is what I am thinking:

Look for jersey number 56 ever time you see LSU's defense sack a quarterback or blowup a play in the backfield. The player you see first may very well be #49, Barkevious Mingo, or #99, Sam Montgomery, or #90, Michael Brockers, but odds are that you will see #56, true freshman Anthony "Freak" Johnson getting up from the pile. It would not surprise me if LSU true freshman Anthony Johnson is named SEC freshman of the year at the end of the season. Johnson is that good.

Two other true freshmen defensive linemen that will make a difference once they hit the field are Mickey Johnson, a Rivals 4-star defensive tackle that squats nearly 700lbs and benches 450lbs, and Jermauria Rasco, a 4-star defensive end from high school national powerhouse Evangel of Shreverport. Although many will think of offensive players like San Diego Chargers Jacob Hester or University of Miami former quarterback Brock Berlin when they think of Evangel players, Evangel has has produced some pretty good defensive linemen. Indianapolis Colts defensive end Kenyunta Dawson is the first Evangel defensive line player that comes to mind but many LSU fans will may remember former LSU defensive end Chase Pittman, also an Evangel player.

Looking over the list of true freshmen offensive linemen should put a smile on all of Tiger Nation. Considered with the facts that Evan Washington is a redshirt freshman and Chris Faulk is a sophomore, it would appear that Les Miles has a good plan for keeping LSU's offensive line well stocked. While I hope to see LSU's true freshmen offensive linemen redshirted, I think it may be hard to keep consensus #1 offensive line recruit La'el Collins out of the LSU lineup for an entire year. La'el Collins may be challenging for a starting position from the moment he steps foot on LSU's campus.

Both Kenny Hilliard and Terrence Magee may be truly outstanding running backs that will thrill Tiger fans for years to come but LSU has a strong and deep group of running backs so these guys may not get many opportunities this year. I do not know a lot about Magee but anyone who has followed LSU for any length of time would not be surprised to see Dalton Hilliard's nephew, Kenny Hilliard, contend for Heisman by his senior year.

All of the true freshmen currently listed as a safety or cornerback may not play safety or cornerback but they will get a chance to earn playing time this year. LSU played a number of freshmen last year on the defensive side of the ball. John Chavis appears to be committed to playing the best players without regards to class rank. I have heard very good things about linebacker true freshman Trevon Randle. Randle may not start but he might get enough playing time to be an "impact" freshman.

True freshman punter James Hairston may have the best chance of any of the true freshmen of starting. I think I am probably like ESPN's Chris Low in think naming a punter as an impact true freshman is not very sexy or cool. Still, LSU has punt team guys that can rundown a punt and pin the ball deep in opponent's territory and coach Miles has been known to run a fake punt every now and then so, I'll be bold and name Hairston as a dark horse impact true freshman but he is still going to have to win the position.

I saved possibly the best for last - namely the wide receivers. LSU recruited three very good wide receivers. Alonzo Lewis has the size (6-3, 205lbs) that remind me of a Brandon LaFell or a Dwayne Bowe but even more exciting is that reports are that Lewis' speed makes him a deep threat. Odell Beckham, Jr. played for Isidore Newman, the same high school that helped develop Peyton and Eli Manning. Beckham shares a Isidore Newman H.S. distinction with Cooper Manning as one of only two wide receivers to break the 1,000 yard receiving mark in a single season. Beckham's father was a running back for LSU in the late 1980s, early 1990s and his mother was an All-American track star at LSU. I kind of suspect that Odell Beckham, Jr, may have the right stuff to play football for LSU. The one LSU impact true freshman that ESPN's Chris Low identified in his article was wide receiver Jarvis Landry. LSU is very deep at the wide receiver position but Low's analysis may be dead on. Jarvis Landry was consider the #1 wide receiver prospect by MaxPreps and the #4 wide receiver prospect by both Rivals and Scout. Landry was also named his team's Most Valuable Player in the Under Armour All-American Game. To have stood out with limited playing time among the very best players in the country is quite an accomplishment. I think all three of the true freshmen wide receiver may get redshirt year and a chance to develop over the next four years but any of these three true freshmen certainly have the potential to make a huge impact this year.

I was not nearly as good as ESPN's Chris Low at focusing on the one or two LSU true freshmen impact players but that does not worry me one bit. In fact, as a Tiger fan, I am excited to see a very bright future for LSU Football.

The Birth of the LSU Flying Tigers - A tribute to Chris Tolliver

2011-06-29T22:21:00.001-05:00

LSU football has a problem: No passing game. Sometimes problems like these are conquered by hiring the best teachers and strategists in the business. LSU lured away long time Urban Meyer protege Billy Gonzales from Florida and created the position of passing coordinator so that Gonzales could help create some of the magic that Florida's offenses had enjoyed. Florida's offense really dropped off last year but, LSU still lacked a solid passing game. In all fairness, Coach Gonzales' charge was to prepare LSU's receivers and those in the know have no complaints about LSU's receivers. The problem with LSU's air attack was not the receivers but, the quarterback. This year LSU has hired new Offensive Coordinator Steve Kragthorpe in large part because of his talent at coaching quarterbacks. Tiger nation is collectively holding our breath to see if Coach Kragthorpe can transform senior quarterback Jordan Jefferson. Sometimes problems like these are remedied by bringing in the pros but sometimes, the real magic develops from tragedy. This is where LSU wide receiver Chris Tolliver enters the picture and where the modern day LSU Flying Tigers have the opportunity to be born.

Chris Tolliver's Story, So Far
Chris Tolliver still has a lot of opportunity in front of him. He is still a young man and most of his adult life lies ahead. Tolliver came to LSU in 2008 rated by ESPN and Rivals as the 11th best receiver nationally in a recruiting class that included Julio Jones (Alabama), A.J. Green (Georgia), and Michael Floyd (Notre Dame). A year or two earlier or later and Tolliver could easily have been considered a top 5 wide receiver but number eleven in 2008 put Chirs Tolliver in pretty good company. At 6' 1" and 178lbs, Chris Tolliver is good sized. Out of high school Rivals reported that Tolliver had 4.4-second/40-yard speed and most of the time athletes shave off a tenth or two off of their 40-yard time after a year or two of college training. Tolliver must have followed this pattern because in his official player bio LSU calls Tolliver "the fastest receiver on the team." In their evaluation, Scout recruiting services had this to say about Tolliver:

"Tolliver is a big play receiver that can beat you every way possible. He can run by a secondary or take the short pass the distance. Tolliver is a terrific runner with the ball, showing very good speed, elusiveness and quickness. He can make a defender miss or run right by you. Tolliver has good hands and concentration and he also shows toughness by going over the middle. He can also go up and get the ball and has good body control."

Even with all of these measurables Chris Tolliver was waiting in line behind some talented receivers to get his shot at wide receiver. In 2008 Tolliver was red shirted. In 2009 Tolliver participated in three games but did not have any recordable catches. In 2010 Tolliver did not start but participated in 6 games and caught two passes for a combined total of 35-yards. Chris Tolliver will not be able to play another down of college football in Tiger Stadium ever again. It may be an emotional time right now but, I feel certain that Chris Tolliver will reflect on his experience at LSU and tell you that he wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. However, Chris Tolliver, a very promising wide receiver has received one too many concussions in practicing against one the hardest hitting defensive secondaries in college football. Because of these concussions Tolliver has been advised that he should not and cannot play football any more.

The Birth of LSU's Flying Tigers
Chris Tolliver has sacrificed quite a bit to wear that purple and gold uniform and his efforts should not go unrecognized by a single member of Tiger Nation. Moreover, I feel strongly that the LSU Tiger football team should honor Tolliver's efforts by giving an inspired commitment to a passing game that Chris Tolliver can no longer physically contribute to.

I think the entire offense and more specifically Coach Kragthorpe and senior quarterback Jordan Jefferson should make a commitment to rally around Tolliver's loss so that LSU may gain a passing game. Here are a few specific ways that LSU may commit to honoring Chris Tolliver by way of an improved passing game:

Chris Tolliver's jersey number is #21 - commit to making 21 completions a game or better yet
Commit to scoring a minimum of three passing touchdowns a game (with extra points 21pts)
If the first two sound somewhat lofty why not simply commit to the idea that no wide receiver will complete his career at LSU with only two catches or only 35 receiving yards. Chris Tolliver was far too talented and hardworking to finish his college career with those numbers. The LSU offense needs to let that idea sink in - There is far too much talent at the receiving positions at LSU for any receiver that may currently have the opportunity to play in even just a few games to finish with only 2 pass receptions for 35 yards.

Let Chris Tolliver's tragic situation end tragically. Rally around this fallen Tiger. Let Chris Tolliver's loss of opportunity to play be the birth of a renewed, inspired effort to give birth to a fierce Tiger air attack. If that happens this year, I plan on calling the LSU air attack "The LSU Flying Tigers".

LSU Lunch Links:

2011-06-29T12:30:00.001-05:00

It is amazing how much more quickly I can find thought provoking information on the SEC page of Top College Teams. I have just begun to develop the Top College Teams site but these lunch links are articles I found during lunch that I think you will want to see.

This first article from the Mississippi State blog site "For Whom the Bell Tolls" is a good example of an article I would have missed. The article title, "Bulldogs’ Chances Against LSU Hinge on Inconsistent Jefferson", may have led me away from the article also but, the author, Tyler Nelson, provides a good quick rundown of the Bayou Bengals.

I had learned a few days ago that LSU wide receiver Chris Tolliver would no longer be able to play football because of medical issues and that is cause for all Tigers fans to be saddened. This is a good article from the Monroe News Star that covers that story.

And finally, here is an interesting article from The Bleacher Report called "Top 10 LSU Players of 2011". Fortunately, for Tiger fans limiting our choices to LSU's "Top 10 Players" is a hard call. I think you probably have to read this one just to see what the guys at The Bleacher Report think.

National Championship 2: Oregon vs LSU - The Ranks

2011-06-28T22:25:00.002-05:00

When the LSU Tigers and Oregon Ducks meet September 3 in Cowboys Stadium it will be really big. This game is like BCS National Championship 2. If there were some sort of playoff in place of a regular season almost everyone that follows college football would put both LSU and Oregon in just about any playoff scheme you might imagine. A recent New Orleans Times-Picayune article reminded me just how good the 2011 Tigers and Ducks are expected to be. The Times-Picayune article was focused on the fact that LSU is ranked high by five of the top preseason magazines but naturally, I noticed that Oregon is also rank high by these top preseason magazines. Here is what I am talking about:

The Sporting News ranks LSU #1 and Oregon #5
Lindy's ranks Oregon #3 and LSU #4
Athlon ranks Oregon #3 and LSU #8
Phil Steele ranks Oregon #4 and LSU #7
Blue Ribbon ranks LSU #3 and Oregon #5.

The Times-Picayune article reminded me of a table that I saw on LSUsports.net (LSU's Official page) that listed several more expert rankings of the Tigers and Ducks 2011 squads. An aggregate of 18 expert ranks yielded that LSU is ranked an average of 3.06 and Oregon is ranked an average of 3.75. So the average rank places LSU as the preseason #3 and Oregon as the preseason #4 but not by very much.

Seven of the 18 expert sources ranked Oregon ahead of LSU. Meaning of course that 11 of the expert sources ranked LSU ahead of Oregon, no ties. Five expert sources, including The Sporting News, ranked LSU #1. While none of the expert sources ranked Oregon #1, two expert sources, Sports Illustrated's Andy Staples and the Orlando Sentinel's Matt Murschel, ranked Oregon #2.

I don't think there is any truly accurate way to guess a team's rank prior to the first game. I saw somewhere that Auburn was ranked #22 preseason last year. However, these high preseason ranking suggest that the nation is in for show September 3rd.

Interesting Observations About LSU Football

2011-06-27T22:35:00.000-05:00

This morning I noticed this from Dandy Don:
"In LSU football news, I have picked up a little information from Summer workouts. I am hearing great things concerning redshirt freshmen wide receivers Jarrett Fobbs and Armand Williams. I am also hearing great things concerning the following redshirt freshmen: defensive tackle Ego Ferguson (6'2", 300), offensive lineman Evan Washington (6'5", 315), defensive end Jordan Allen (6'6", 255) and tight end Nic Jacobs (6'5", 270). I am also hearing great things about Sam Montgomery who will be back at full speed this Fall, Chase Clement, Travis Dickson, Josh Williford, J.C. Copelad and Barkevious Mingo."

I was kind of wondering where offensive tackle Evan Washington stood in relation to Chris Faulk in taking over the vacancy left by Joseph Barksdale. Both Faulk and Washington were both highly recruited and are pretty much the same height and weight. With both Washington and backup offensive guard Josh Williford making progress this is great news for LSU's depth at offensive line.

Sam Montgomery and Barkevious "KeKe" Mingo were two of the fastest defensive ends at the beginning of last year. Both boasted a true 4.5sec/40yd speed and if Montgomery is back at full speed after suffering an injury in the Tennessee game last year, then quarterbacks beware.

Jarrett Fobbs and Armand Williams making noise at wide receiver makes LSU's receivers the deepest talent in college football. There will be no acceptable excuse for LSU not having a top passing game this year. Forget merely improved. Improving LSU's passing game from last year would be raising it to average. The depth at offensive line, the talent at running back, and the crazy depth at wide receiver warrants a top flight passing game.

I also noticed an article on And the Valley Shook that drop kicked a way-off-base article by College Pundit. The College Pundit article rated Les Miles "the worst college coach in the country". Kudos to Poseur from And the Valley Shook for crushing College Pundit. College Pundit - Les Miles is the Best college coach in the country bar none.

A Wonderful Time of the year - Thinking About LSU's Season

2011-06-25T12:44:00.000-05:00

"If LSU wins the national title they will have earned it. They play Oregon in Dallas and West Virginia in Morgantown in '11. Will be interesting to see if Lamichael James can run against the LSU defense. No one talks about the fact that James and Oregon struggled mightily on the ground against an Auburn defense that was nothing special save their uber-DT." from Texas A&M blogger Mike Tag found on "I am the 12th Man" SB Nation blog site.

I am developing a Drudge-like/Alltop-like site to track what is being written/said about the top college football teams. It is in early development but if you want to, take a look - Top College Teams . Naturally, there will always be items on the page that include LSU. It is still in the "brainstorming-try it see what it looks like" stage.

While there is not much happening in LSU football right now, there are still many things to consider. I will be interested to see if Spencer Ware will be able to establish himself as the main LSU running back. There are several talented running backs at LSU. Will coaches Miles and Kragthorpe pull Jefferson from the starting position sooner even if LSU is winning? or Will Jordan Jefferson finally have developed the quick decision making and take charge leadership qualities that seemed to lag last year? Jefferson is plenty talented and a great athlete. If he can develop the qualities that he seemed to lack, Jefferson will win a national championship and a potentially huge NFL contract. Few athletes have the abilities that Jefferson has and fewer still get the opportunity that he has to shine on the stage that LSU football provides. Will John Chavis figure out how to manage the defense in the 8-seconds that Oregon will allow between plays? How will LSU's secondary do with out superman Patrick Peterson and the coach on the field, Kelvin Sheppard? How will LSU do in away games against West Virginia, Mississippi State, Tennessee, and Alabama? Will there be magic when LSU wins a National Championship in the New Orleans Superdome?

This is a great time of the year to wonder and imagine great things. Geaux Tigers!

Grades For LSU Football 2011 All Positions

2011-06-22T19:32:00.001-05:00

DandyDon.com is a great place to visit to get your daily fix of all LSU sports. When "the Don" of LSU football speaks, people listen because even though Don Long is a huge LSU Tiger fan, he is a fan in the know. Don posts every morning before breakfast and this morning part of his post included grading LSU football position-by-position. For this article, I will be quoting Dandy Don extensively and then giving my grade for each position and what I think. I can tell you now, that when I disagree with Don by even a letter grade, Don will probably be right but, I will try to make my case.

Dandy Don: QUARTERBACKS - B, Jordan Jefferson will perform better with a playbook with far less plays. I also believe that he will perform better because of pressure from Zach Mettenberger, and because of the coaching of new offensive coordinator Steve Kragthorpe.

Bob: QUARTERBACKS - C, I agree with everything that Dandy Don says in his analysis but I graded it a little differently. The upside - the potential for an "A" - at quarterback is certainly there. Jefferson is a senior and must realize that it is now or never to impress NFL teams and make his final mark in LSU football history. Steve Kragthorpe has a reputation as a great quarterback coach so there is a reputation to uphold for Kragthorpe. And backup quarterbacks Zach Mettenberger and Jarrett Lee should press Jordan to be all that he can be. However, if you base the grade on the known factors, that leaves us with Jordan Jefferson's not so great stats last year which warrants a "D". The 11-2 record, some truly brilliant moments, and the stellar finish in the Cotton Bowl has me settled on "C" for now. I hope Dandy Don and I are both undervaluing the quarterback position and Jefferson surprises us with an A+ year.

Dandy Don: RUNNING BACKS - A, Spencer Ware is going to be one of the best running backs in the nation, and I am looking for big things from Michael Ford and incoming freshman Terrance Magee.

Bob: RUNNING BACKS - A, Spencer Ware, Michael Ford, and Alfred Blue all have meaningful game experience and I am with Dandy Don in saying that Spencer Ware appears to be on the verge of being one of the dark horses for being the best running back in the SEC and that is saying a lot. Don usually knows something the rest of us do not but I was surprised that he did not mention Jakhari Gore as a potential breakout running back with his fairly solid performance in the Spring game. Two or three LSU Super Fans that I interview suggested that Gore would be the surprise breakout player for LSU this year. Also, Kenny Hilliard is the incoming freshman running back that many have been expecting great things from. Hilliard missed the Spring game to attend to "personal business" and I don't want to read too much into that but maybe there is some fire with that smoke.

Dandy Don: WIDE RECEIVERS - B, If incoming freshman Jarvis Landry reports in great shape, LSU will have a solid receiving core in Rueben Randle, Russell Shepard, Kadron Boone and Jakhari Gore.

Bob: WIDE RECEIVERS - A, I think that incoming freshmen Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham will be the tandem receiving stars in LSU's near future. I just think it will be pretty hard to break into the starting lineup at LSU this year. This year's wide receiving dynamic duo will be Rueben Randle and Russell Shepard. Both these junior wide receivers came to LSU as consensus 5-star top recruits and the only thing disappointing about either is that LSU fans have not seen either player with the ball in his hands nearly enough. The "other" receivers: Chris Tolliver, Kadron Boone, James Wright, Jarrett Fobbs and Armand Williams are all solid receivers and each of these guys could have some spectacular moments this season if they can get on the field. Jakhari Gore is still officially listed as a wide receiver and the last time I can remember LSU moving a solid running back to wide receiver Josh Reed, who started with the Buffalo Bills for several years, won the Biletnikoff Award (best wide receiver in college football). Of course it will all rest on a quarterback getting the ball to a "straight A" group of receivers.

Dandy Don: OFFENSIVE LINE - B, LSU returns four full-time starters in center P.J. Lonergan, tackles Alex Hurst and Chris Faulk, and guards Josh Dworaczyk and Will Blackwell. Blackwell started the Cotton bowl and might be the best offensive lineman on the team.

Bob: OFFENSIVE LINE - A, I am a fat old man and I would feeling comfortable playing running back for LSU and I would find a way to direct my runs toward Will Blackwell and Alex Hurst. Although I would not be scared running on the other side behind Dworaczyk and Faulk. Lonergan, at center, would keep any huge defensive lineman from catching me whichever side I decided to run to. Seriously, LSU's offensive line is that good and the guys in the backfield are real running backs not an old fat guy. T-Bob Hebert is an extremely solid backup at either guard or center. Hebert is like a line coach on the field with his knowledge and ability to recognize defenses and call out blocking schemes. Josh Williford, Greg Shaw, and Evan Washington are also very able offensive line backups. I cannot remember where, but I read somewhere that there might be concern that LSU does not have many offensive linemen in the 2012 recruiting class. Let me allay those fears before they begin. Look at the 2011 o-line recruits: La'el Collins (6'4" 315lbs) is considered the best OL prospect in the country, and the other o-linemen - Corey White 6'3" 333lbs, Trai Turner 6'2" 334lbs, and Jonah Austin 6'5" 320lbs - were all rated as 3 or 4-star recruits. I included the sizes of these incoming freshmen because these guys already have the size to be playing in the SEC or given time in the NFL.

Dandy Don: TIGHT ENDS - A, Deangelo Peterson, Mitch Joseph, Chase Clements and Tyler Edwards are as good as they come.

Bob: TIGHT ENDS - A, Deangelo Peterson is a great wide receiver-type tight end and he had one of Jordan Jefferson's favorite running plays last year. Jefferson got to block. Jefferson can do it all. Mitch Joseph, Chase Clement, and Tyler Edwards are all first rate tight ends and I am eager to see Travis Dickson in a game.

Dandy Don: DEFENSIVE TACKLES AND ENDS - A, Sam Montgomery, Michael Brockers, Athony Johnson and Lavar Edwards are the real deal. I also like the depth at the position.

Bob: DEFENSIVE TACKLES AND ENDS - A, I am with Don on both statements! The four guys Don mentions are the real deal and so are Barkevious Mingo, Kendrick Adams, Chancey Aghayere. I am also eager to see Josh Downs, Bennie Logan, Ego Ferguson, and Justin Maclin. I kind of expect true freshman Jermauria Rasco to be redshirted just because of the talent in front of him.

Dandy Don: LINEBACKERS - B, I like Ryan Baker and am looking forward to a breakout season for the senior. I also like Kevin Minter and incoming freshman Trevon Randle.

Bob: LINEBACKERS - B-/C+, Ryan Baker is a rock anchoring the linebacking crew but, I am concerned about the loss of Kelvin Shepard. Along with Kevin Minter, Lamin Barrow may have the experience to step up. And LSU may have a guy like Luke Muncie or Tahj Jones step up. Also, it is hard to be worried about seeing senior Stefoin Francois line up at linebacker. Francois is one of those converted safeties that hits hard. Still, out of respect for the loss of Kelvin Shepard from the ranks of the linebackers, I cannot give this better than a B-/C+.

Dandy Don: DEFENSIVE BACKS - A, LSU will have the best defensive backfield in the nation led by cornerbacks Morris Claiborne and Tyrann Mathieu and safeties Brandon Taylor and Tharold Simon. Also, I am not counting out Craig Loston and Eric Reid as starters.

Bob: DEFENSIVE BACKS - A, It seemed strange last year to see so many freshmen getting playing time in LSU's backfield. The freshmen did not disappoint. 1st round NFL draft pick Patrick Peterson is gone but my last memory of last year was Peterson carrying Tyrann Mathieu on his shoulders after learning that Mathieu had won defensive MVP of the Cotton Bowl. Eric Reid, Tharold Simon, and Craig Loston are among the younger starters in LSU's backfield but any doubts we had about Mo Claiborne at the beginning of last season were erased as he led LSU DBs in passes defended and interceptions last year. Old Mo will be a more experienced junior this year. Karnell Hatcher and Brandon Taylor will be senior safeties. And Ron Brooks will be a senior cornerback/strong safety and return man.

The defense runs deep at almost every position.

Dandy Don: SPECIAL TEAMS - B, LSU will be very strong on kickoff and punt coverage. It might be a little early to grade special teams on kickoffs, field goals and PATs, but the team will be strong in that area because the talent is there.

Bob: SPECIAL TEAMS - I, I hate to "punt" this one but I am taking Don's suggestion that "it might be a little early to grade special teams." I grade Special Teams an "I" for incomplete. I do hope that they decide to complete this one for an "A". But, I can't tell and I can't give them a "B" just because Don does. Remember though, I told you previously that when Dandy Don talks LSU football, he's probably right.

This is what we think about each position. Yes Dandy Don and I are two big LSU fans or homers but besides that I would love to read your thoughts about how you would grade LSU position-by-position in the comments section or email me your thoughts at bobwynnster@gmail.com and I may quote you.

FYI: I do have the ability and authority to block/delete comments should they get out of hand. Also, you can choose to leave "anonymous" comments or choose any name you like. And you do not have to sign up or give any personal information.

If you have not been to LSU's official football home page and watched the Les Miles video, you should. It is funny. Here is a link to the page: LSU Sports - Football.

Vote for LSU! In the first Big Game Poll Ever

2011-06-18T11:26:00.001-05:00

I am proud to announce the creation of a new site called "College Football's Big Game Poll". This site allows you to support your team by voting that your team will win the big game. The site also includes a list of links chosen to help you find out what is being written about the big game. The first big game of the season is clearly LSU vs. Oregon in the Cowboy Classic and so that is the first game to be featured on this brand new site. I urge you to check out the site and show your support by voting for your team! Here is a link to my newest site:

College Football's Big Game Poll

Thoughts From LSU Super Fan Jon Cefalu

2011-06-14T18:53:00.000-05:00

Even though Jon Cefalu and I are Facebook friends, we have never met. Jon and I are bound by our unyielding support for the LSU Tigers. Jon is a Junior studying Theater/Communications at LSU and hopes to be an actor. While I do not know Jon personally, Jon is representative of a distinct and sizable segment of LSU fans. Almost every time I see something that Jon has posted on Facebook, I remember how much fun it was to be young and in college at LSU. Here is a picture of Jon. He's the guy on the left.

Jon Cefalu with Coach Les Miles

This is a description of Jon Cefalu in his own words : First I just want to start out by saying i'm a big LSU, probably the biggest fan, I represent LSU in everything I do, I even rap about the success of LSU and My love 4 LSU. I think of myself as LSU's posterboy! Most of the team knows who I am and I'm cool with the Coaches too! They are all my homies and I rep hard for my team!!

You got to love a guy with this much passion for his team. Jon's next words in his email to me were "and now on to the questions." Sounds like a good idea!

Bob: What is the answer to LSU's QB woes? Should coach Kragthorpe concentrate on developing Jefferson or try to develop one of the backups?

Jon: I think Coach kragthorpe should put more time into developing Mettenberger and the other QBs, JJ has had enough time, he's started for the past 2 1/2 years and even though he looked great during the Cotton bowl game against Texas A&M, he looked sloppy during the spring game and he needs to throw a lot better and study the playbook a lot more. I think Kragthorpe will make every QB better, even Jordan Jefferson. I'm hoping that we do get to see a Little Of Zach Mettenberger this year, cause I knew he was going to be great when I first heard about him at Georgia.

Bob: Which player will have a surprise breakout season on offense this year?

Jon: I think the players that will have a big breakout year will be Rueben Randle, Spencer Ware and Hopefully My buddy Russell Shepp has a great season 2. I also think Jakhari Gore will start to blow up too. He did really well in the spring game. Spencer ware will definitely have a big season this year. We saw him doing it big last year and i can't wait to see what he does this year, also I'm ready to see my buddy Lael Collins go beastmode like the way he did at my high school Redemptorist.

Bob: What will be LSU's biggest strength on defense - the line or the defensive backfield?

Jon: The Db's are young, but very skilled and know what to do. Tyrann Mathieu is straight ballin, he will definitely be one of the big play makers on defense. I remember last year against North Carolina he leaped on one of the players and took em down like a jaguar. I was at the game and after that play I was like "sh*t! that guy is awesome, who was that guy? later I found out, and to my surprise I had a friend request from him waiting for me. After the game in the hotel, I got on to check my Facebook and saw a notification that said Tyrann Matheiu wants to be your friend and I was like what!!! OMG wow!!! I will definitely accept. I mean who wouldnt be excited about that. 3 more play makers that will be exciting to watch tear up the opponents offense are Morris Claiborne, Eric Reed and Craig Loston. Also don't forget about Anthony "The FREAK" Johnson. He will lay people out 2.

Bob: What are your expectations for the Oregon Game?

Jon: ITS DUCK HUNTING TIME!! My expectations for the Oregon game is that we show the whole country who's boss and I think we will win!! It might be close at first like it was the first quarter of the cotton bowl against Texas A&M, but we will come out on top at the end. The media needs to quit bashing LSU, we are going to show all those haters what we are all about. I will be at that game and I will be doing what I do best at the game and that is Reppin hard for my team, and then party hard if we win! LSU4EVER

Bob: What do you expect the Tigers overall record to be this year?

Jon: I think we will go 11-1 or even better 12-0 perfect season and then be up for a National Championship in the Big N.O. I hope we do have a perfect season when its all said and done. We need to show all the haters/media that we can have a perfect season too just like Bama -which I hate majorly and Auburn

Lastly I want to say GEAUX TIGERS!!!!! LETS GEAUX DUCK-HUNTIN!!! LETS FLIP THEM BIRDS LIKE CHUCK E CHEESE PIZZA DOUGH!!

Clearly, Jon is very candid about what he thinks. Thanks Jon, for sharing your thoughts.

Houston Checks In: An Interview with LSU Super Fan Craig Ceccanti

2011-06-13T18:04:00.001-05:00

Craig Ceccanti is the Vice President of the Greater Houston LSU Alumni Association and a huge LSU fan. I think you will find Craig's answers to my interview questions interesting.

Bob: What is the answer to LSU's QB woes? Should coach Kragthorpe concentrate on developing Jefferson or try to develop one of the backups?

Craig: The root of the problem is poor quarterback recruiting. However, moving forward I think that Kragthorpe needs to concentrate on Jefferson. He is a senior, and he has the valuable experience. If LSU is going to make a NC run, it's going to be on the back of the 3 year returning starter, not an unproven underclassman. Fans often think the grass is greener with Zach Mettenberger, but I happen to agree with the approach Coach Miles is taking. Mettenberger will get much needed experience this year and hopefully step in and dominate for 2 years as the starter. Kragthorpe will make them all better, that's for sure!

Bob: Which player will have a surprise breakout season on offense this year?

Craig: I can't help but think that Spencer Ware is going to blow up this year. We saw flashes of greatness last year but, he should get more opportunities this season. Plus, the offensive line is going to be very very good so the holes will be there for the running game.

Bob: What will be LSU's biggest strength on defense - the line or the defensive backfield?

Craig: The db's are young, but holy sh*t are they good. I would give the nod to the db's but not by much. Tyrann Mathieu will continue to be a playmaker, Morris Claiborne will put his men on lockdown, Eric Reed and Craig Loston will bring some serious lumber over the middle. They'll be fun to watch.

Bob: What are your expectations for the Oregon Game?

Craig: Duck season is open! I expect LSU to make a statement in front of the whole country. We will win this game, and we will ride the positive press all season. Think Virginia Tech 2007.

Bob: What do you expect the Tigers overall record to be this year?

Craig: 11-1

Special thanks to Craig Ceccanti for his thoughts on Tiger football 2011! From Craig's responses it sounds like the Tigers in Houston may be expecting a Duck call that sounds something like "Houston, we have a problem." I should have asked Craig which one game he expects the Tigers to lose.

LSU Tiger Super Fan Howard Gordon Checks In

2011-06-11T08:00:00.003-05:00

I receive many emails and try to read and respond to every single one as quickly as possible. This Saturday I would like to share a portion of an email from LSU Super Fan Howard Gordon. Howard's thoughts on the LSU vs. Oregon game make a lot of sense to me. Do not adjust the color on your screen: Howard always writes in Tiger purple.

I am really expecting a great game. As I've said before, I believe Kragthrope will have the offense ready, and that includes Jordan Jefferson. Oregon's speed on defense and offense does concern me, but you can't forget the talent LSU will put on the field on both sides of the ball. The talent on the field in Dallas on September 3rd will be something to see. Oregon may have lost some stars, but they have plenty left in the tank too.

In order for LSU to win this game, I feel three things must happen:

We have to keep the Oregon offense off the field with ball control. Three and outs aren't going to win this game. LSU must keep the advantage of "possession time".
The defense cannot afford to give up big plays like we did last year. I know this is reaching, but if you take away the big plays given up to Auburn and Arkansas, LSU comes away with a W instead of an L.
The linebacker position must be solid to stop the short passing game of Oregon as well as keeping an eye on the very mobile Oregon quarterback. Again, looking back at 2010, mobile quarterbacks gave LSU all kinds of problems. That must be corrected to win this one.

Personally, ol' buddy, I believe LSU will rise up to occasion and win a hard fought, relatively low scoring game. I think the hard nosed LSU defense will be key. This is a "first game", and it will be critical to get off to a good start and not play "catch up" with that Oregon offense.

Geaux Tigers!

Howard

I think Howard may have the keys to LSU's success in the season opener against the Oregon Ducks. I also think that the Bayou Bengals are up to the task of accomplishing Mr. Gordon's recipe for success. Thank you Mr. Howard Gordon for your thoughts. Geaux Tigers!