It would help if the OL would've been able to create some holes. Most of the time when we ran the ball against AU they were at the line of scrimmage if not in the backfield. (if I remember correctly) On the other hand, Thank God we don't face Kenny Irons again. I simply couldn't believe our defense couldn't keep him from going forward on that td drive the second half. It was like he was possessed and I was pissed.
Having endured two terrible knee reconstructions myself (from cheerleading, of all things), I can atest that it takes a long time to come back from the injuries, both physically and mentally. I think the psychological end of it takes even longer. So if AB is tentative, it's not something he can just "get over." And there's a good chance he's in pretty constant pain. My pain was so bad that I had to have surgery on my left knee this past summer, 20 years after the injuries, to reverse arthritis. It was an operation normally done on people twice my age. So, I can really empathize with AB and what he's going through. I can only imagine if my injuries had impeded my ability to become a professional athlete.
The offensive line failed at least 3 times when Alley carried the ball. One defensive lineman was not even blocked before he hit Alley. I don't think even the great Kevin Faulk would have fared to well with this offensive line blocking for Him.
Dalton Hilliard and Kevin Faulk were mighty fine running backs, but Hilliard never made All-American in the competitive Hershel Walker/Bo Jackson era. Kevin Faulk made All-American, but as an all-purpose back because of his return and receiving skills in addition to his running. The last All-American running back at LSU was Heisman finalist Charles Alexander in 1978 and 1979. He was the first running back in SEC history to average 1,000 yards a season for four years. As far as LSU running backs go I rank them: 1. Billy Cannon -- Heisman trophy winner 1958, 2-time consensus All-American running back 2. Charles Alexander -- Heisman finalist 1979, 2-time consensus All-American running back 3. Jerry Stoval -- Heisman runner-up in 1962, 2-time All-American running back 4. Kevin Faulk -- All-American 1996 all-purpose back 5. Dalton Hilliard -- SEC Freshman of the year 1982, 3-time All SEC running back It should be noted that both Cannon and Stoval played defense, too. Stovall became an All-Pro defensive back.
AB and JV are both tenative. AB has a bit more open field speed and will hit you rather than fake you. However neither are 100%, JV is a different runner than 2003. AB is tentative and hasn't had any holes to run through. Therefore he tries to get around the corner and against a speed D it makes it difficult because is not a cut back runner and if he tries he has extra weight to deal with. That extra weight slows him a half step to get around the corner. I think he will continue to lose weight throughout the season and will gain more confidence in his knee as it gets stronger and he loses weight. We need him but I don't like them putting him in for as many plays when we have Scott that has the extra speed LSU needs when the hole collapses. Plus I would like them to play AB less so that the knee can continue its recovery and not get beat up every week. It is ridiculous to me when we have 2 guys coming off of torn ACLs that are obviously not 100% and JV wasn't good last year, yet they just continue to run them through the whole game against a really fast defense. We have at least 1 guy and maybe 2 in KW if he knows the plays that could contribute immensely and releive AB and JV and provide extra speed in the open field that aren't tentative.
I hate to say it, But both AB and JV look a little tentative against Auburn. My personal opinion is that this is more of a mental things as opposed to a Physical setback!!! Hopefully this weekend, aginst "Kool-Aid", they can get their confidence back!!!! :geauxtige :geauxtige :geauxtige :geauxtige
I think we will be seeing more of Scott and Williams for this very reason. But this was a big game against a very fine, fast, smart defense. If the problem is Vincent and Broussard not being 100% yet, perhaps you must risk putting in a back that has been on the team for a month and has less than 10 carries. But . . . if the problem is mistakes by the offensive line as Miles has stated and has been admitted by Arnold in the paper, then changing backs would not have helped and may possibly have hurt us. Not just with potential fumbles, illegal procedure penalties, and limited playbook knowledge. But the green freshmen are also unproven in the passing game and especially unproven in picking up the blitz. Putting them in too soon may be just as bad a decision as putting them in too late. I trust the coaches to decide when a player is ready. We certainly don't have the information or the knowledge to do so. These are Miles' recruits, he wants them in just as bad as we do.
JV has never been the back that he was in 2003, since 2003. I'm surprised if he's still a starter. AB looks tentative. If it is because he is not 100%, then, again, I'm surprised if he is a starter. If AB is not 100%, then I have to wonder why he's playing in a big game. Are these the best two running backs that LSU has right now? I guess that they are. In that case . . . I'm surprised.
You can't tell. Most of our premier backs of the past made impacts early in their career. It's a chance that needs to be taken. I don't think JV is totally useless. I thought he did alright with the screen/dump-off passes. I think it's his fear or something of getting through the o-line. Broussard didn't look good once. There were a couple of times where he gained a yard or two on those sweep/toss Single I - Trip formation, but he couldn't gain much more because of his obvious lack of speed and 'mental' awareness. This is where I think Scott, Williams, or even Holiday could have been utilized, and I hope they will be in the future. I broke my knee cap and tore everything there is to tear down there, and I know that it takes a heck of a lot to conquer that 'I don't want to mess it up again' demon. I played pick-up football for the first time in four years last winter, and I still had hesitation. It's tough.
Was thinking of this last year. they have 3 running backs who are starters with caddi, brown and rudi johnson. add brandon jacobs and you have 4. add some little fella named bo jackson and AU is currently running back U.
