The loss of Early Doucet will not be felt until the Florida game, and then it will be huge. The Gators would have had to double Early on most plays, leaving openings for LaFell and the backs to run and receive out of the backfield. Now, the Gators may double LaFell every once and a while. But mostly their safeties will be freed up to stop the run and blitz whoever is the quarterback. I'm glad the game is in Death Valley. But the loss of Early is one of the biggest losses this team could have had, right up there with Dorsey, Jackson, Flynn, and Williams. Also remember: LSU probably doesn't lose to Florida last year if Chevis doesn't muff that first-half punt. Everything fell apart from there. Doucet was our best punt returner this year. Jarerd Mitchell is his back up. Jared Mitchell muffed a punt last night vs. MTSU.
losing early isnt that big of a deal. crowton spreads it around so much double teams are useless anyway. and early hasnt been making more plays than the other wrs the players that are the most valuable are the experienced OL (black, helms, johnson), highsmith and the corners.
Losing Doucet at returner isnt a big loss at all. We have only returned 4 kicks this year anways and we fair catch most punts.
I have to agree. While I feel he's a big-play guy, this team is full of big-play guys... Even the young ones (how about that grab from Byrd last night?)... We'll be ok until Early is ready to come back and add to the arsenal.
Let's not start getting carried away here. This is worse than the 8th grade gossip speculation that goes on in the hallways of the school where I teach. No one knows whether his groin is pulled, strained, or torn. It's all "I heard," and as we know, Miles will not divulge the information. It probably is because of the law. I noticed that Flynn's dad was discussing MF's injury, but Miles wasn't.
Some of the guys I was with asked Doucet's "people" and they said a tweaked groin. I haven't heard anything about it being torn or serious enough to hold him out several weeks.
Ten Tigers caught balls in last night's game. LSU has a strong WR corps - young is OK if they're also GOOD - and I think they are. SC's defense is not really up to shutting them down. Even if Flynn is forced to take another game off, is there any doubt that RP is ready to roll? I don't think I've ever been more comfy - we are deep, deep, deep - except on the O-line - still my single concern on this year's team.
My first reaction was not "Oh crap, we're screwed", but damn, I feel bad for Doucet. Depth at wide receiver is no problem. Do we lack by not having him on the field..of course, but we'll be just fine. The bad thing about this is that he doesn't get the playing time he deserves. I want to see Doucet do great things, and accomplish all he can in life. The last thing I would want to see is his draft stock go down due to an extended injury and speculation on his health.
Yeah, our WR corps is good and deep without Doucet, but with Doucet, it opens up room for all those guys to maneuver. He draws the double teams and the opposing team's top corner, leaving lesser players, safeties, and nickel backs to cover Lafell, Tolliver, etc. We don't NEED him, but we sure do WANT him out there. He makes us significantly better.
