i finally had to do it. just too fn ridiculous. never thought Id really have to. normal to an extent. he still just doesnt get it regarding pocket presence. i dont think that can be taught or changed however.
:thumb: I couldn’t agree more. You can have the best players in the game of CF on the field but if you cant use them correctly, you end up being the most over & under rated team in CF at the same time - Which IMO is exactly what LSU was last season. Had we not had Scott, Holiday, Black, Lafell, and few others come back for the 2009 season, last year would have been considered a TRUE rebuilding year for LSU and for most players and staff IT WAS. JJ will improve, if he doesn’t, he will sit. I truly believe that. Sheppard will see much more playing time, and we have some Fresh Young Strong angry, frustrated, and hungry defensive players coming back & in who would have killed to be out on that field last year. My biggest concern is the O-Line & the RB position. What next?? As for the “Are the wheels falling off” I agree with the posts at the beginning of this thread, we cant win it all EVERY YEAR and we may not win it all next year, But we will be a force and not taken lightly! – And the wheels are not falling off.
I agree that the wheels are not falling off. I believe we are in good shape with the RB situation. I'm hoping the O line is stronger and bigger than last year. 290 pound guards are small linemen and we aren't going to have much of a running game with them.
Add to that the uber predictable play calling based on personnel and line up packages. What I also dont get is how when allowed to freely, consistently go down the field JJ did fairly well. Yet the coaches handcuffed him most of the time. Enter Lee who is a shot player because of last year. Despite that they going down the field every play? Yes JJ has to learn pocket presence. Yes he needs to learn to not overthink situations causing him to freeze. JJ does have some work but a big part of the problem is the lack of a run game because of the OL. As well as him being hand cuffed with the calls. Also, maybe one day they will realize that JJ isnt actually an option QB.
You know what I also noticed about 2 games in this year. JJ does about 1000000% better when he is rolling out. Its like he stops letting his nerves/over thinking/whatever bother him and just does what he can do. Its a shame there wasn't more designed roll out plays this year. Then again he might feel more comfortable because he found out early that his O-line cant block that great. Just an observation.
True, JJ does do a good job when rolling out. I think for him, he just has to not overthink situations and fear making a mistake. When JJ just drops back, lets it rip he shows the talent. Its just all too often he is fearful of making the mistake. I dont think the play calling helps his confidence either because he is being confined with the play calling. We just need to get in sync. Find the players, formations, peronnel, etc that work and stick with it. It seems like they try to divide too much of the plays. OK, you get so many plays, you get so many, etc.
I find this thread entertaining. Keep up the good discussion. It will be fun to revisit this after next season. I got a feeling that many LSU fans will be served a large helping of crow. I am not ready to say the wheels are falling off. I lean toward the ship will be righted, but will be one of the first in line should this team not show any signs of improvement. I think and hope that the coaching changes that Miles has made will make a positive impact on the product we see on the field. All this said, I am ok with another 9-3 season if we show signs of improvement and we don't lose to Bama, UF, and Ole Miss again. We beat them, but still lose 3, as long as they aren't our gimme games, I'm ok with that. I really think that much of the problems we witnessed this past 2 seasons will be corrected. We will see JJ play a much more confident roll, and the offense show the power it has in talent. The D will continue to improve in Chavis's 2nd yr. I believe a 10-2 season and a trip to Atlanta is the outcome of the 2010 season. Not my expectations, but what I would really like to see.
