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Chris M · Dec 5, 2005

downtown said:

Yeah, I agree with most of this. Our receivers have been disappointing to a degree. Mostly Bowe with all the drops (although he does make some big catches).

However, most of the pass plays are so conservative that it's almost impossible to do anything special with the ball after the catch. When you run five yards and cut out right next to the out-of-bounds line, you're not going to do anything with it even if you catch it because the defender just has to push you out.

And I definitely wouldn't say that anyone who bitches about JR's play is football-retarded. He had a year in which he definitely improved and had some good games. But here's a list of things he needs serious help on:

1. He takes the longest sacks I've ever seen in my life. Some aren't his fault, but a good number are. Throw the ball away! Let Matt teach him.

2. Make a decision to throw or run faster because he sits back there entirely too long when his main guy is covered. The O-line sometimes gives him plenty of time and he just stands there and can't decide.

3. Get the play going faster so each snap doesn't take ten years or result in a delay-of-game penalty. LSU's scoring drives take forever and this is one of the reasons. Our first score was actually the longest drive ever in the SECCG. Have some urgency - watch Georgia's offense.

4. Learn how to throw a screen consistently.

And I agree that our receivers don't make many special catches. But JR is limited to throwing a lot of short passes because of the calls and he does have a habit of throwing the ball below their knees on those passes. Davis made awesome catches in the Bama game that were as close to uncatchable as you can get.

Overall, the coaches need to step the discipline up. You drop passes consistently, you get benched. You want to take 14 yard sacks when you have plenty time to throw the ball away, the backup is coming in. It's not that hard and it produces results. And if they would throw more than a two yard pass on a consistent level, JR would be better because that's his game.
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Very well said. I agree with everything you said.

G-LSU · Dec 5, 2005

For whatever reson, from the start of the game, I felt uneasy. When UGA had their first deep score, that was bad.... But when we started to move the ball, I think it was Pope who ran a 10 yard out pattern, and while driving for more yards, got popped and you could hear that hit ringing thru the Georgia Dome, is when I knew that it was going to be a long night. I am still very proud of our team. Injuries are not an excuse, but I hate that the injury bug hade it's presence felt towards the end of our season.
:geauxtige

StaceyO · Dec 5, 2005

Basically, when we didn't manage to pounce on the fumble of the opening kickoff, that was a bad sign. It was like we were "just a step late" for the entire game--like the hit out of bounds by Landry--just a step too late.

LsuCraig · Dec 5, 2005

downtown said:

However, most of the pass plays are so conservative that it's almost impossible to do anything special with the ball after the catch. When you run five yards and cut out right next to the out-of-bounds line, you're not going to do anything with it even if you catch it because the defender just has to push you out.

And I definitely wouldn't say that anyone who bitches about JR's play is football-retarded. He had a year in which he definitely improved and had some good games.
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Now this is a good post. I agree. How many times did Russell throw the ball over the middle and attack a 2 deep zone? I can't remember not one pass for 15 yards over the middle. IMO, that is by design. I don't think whomever is in charge of playcalling, trusts JR to make that throw.

Next there was one play that kinda of summed up JR's year to me. Arkansas game....under slight pressure, turns, rolls out and throws deep to the only receiver on the field in double-coverage and it's picked off. On the opposite end of the field.....Casey Dick, 18 years old, under pressure, turned and found the right guy....a guy open 25 yards up-field under single coverage. He missed him but found the right guy. He's 18 but our guy's really a junior. Many great plays, and I'm not saying MF should play.....that just made an impression on me.

I also agree....anybody who says anything negative about how JR or Bowe or anyone else plays, is not football retarded. To me, the comparison to Aaron Brooks is legit. All the talent in the world but will make a few plays a game that makes you wonder what the F.......

Ott was talking about how in preparation for Appy. St., RP played the part of the Appy QB running a spread offense and moved the ball up and down the field on LSU's 1st team D. It would be nice next year to put to put RP in ala Shockley and D. Greene. Let the guy run an offense like Virginia Tech and roll the guy out.....throw it. If not take off like a running back. Ready to see RP honestly.