Something I've noticed and have not seen discussed much on this board is what I truly believe is a key ingredient to an extraordinary season. We saw it with the 2003 team and it appears even more abundant this season....and that's team chemistry. I have never seen a team at this level of competition as relaxed and confident as this team appears to be. The comraderie and attitude both on the field and on the sidelines is incredible. I've coached a lot of youth baseball and football and one thing that became abundantly clear from the beginning is that you cannot win on talent alone, you cannot win on coaching alone. So many different factors have to gell in order to have a championship team. I can honestly say that the teams I've coached with far superior talent have often times been much less successful than the teams I've coached with less talent. I saw some criticism last season regarding the amount of talent LSU had and how the coaching was not able to take this team as far as some had expected.....last years team was incredibly talented, well coached....what was the missing ingredient????? This LSU team has no Heisman candidates and no "Superstars" clamoring for individual glory. Yes I know that Glenn Dorsey and others are "Superstars" but you would only know they are such by the way they play on the field and not by any other kinds of grandstanding, hype, or drawing attention to themselves. This team is a "TEAM" in every sense of the word. We rotate QB's and running backs without friction or jealousy. Everyone seems to be on the same page of contributing to the success of the program and not their individual draft status. I love looking at the individual stats and NOT seeing our guys in the top few spots....that's a true indication of our unselfish attitude and play. This is a very special group and Miles and his staff deserve a lot of credit, not only for the play calling, teaching, and game management, but for the intangibles and the atmosphere the coaches and staff have created and the leadership of Matt Flynn, Glenn Dorsey and others.
I think that you are dead on. Great post. I to can see the chemistry between the players on this team it shows after every play. They play for each other. They get the team concept and it shows.:helmet: :geauxtige
A product of coaching and leadership and you are exactly right about the difference between a good team and a great team when this quality is factored in. Oddly enough it is great to see this so early into the season. I know many had doubts about our leadership after the off the field fiascos this Summer. This team is not lead by one leader but by a core of players all over the field. I look for this trend to continue as the younger kids step up after the seniors are gone.
I've been thinking along the same lines - watch the offensive line get into the end zone just after a score and congratulate the ball carrier before he's had a chance to even drop the ball. I agree - I think this team gets it. I also think there are some real leaders suited up - Flynn, Dorsey, probably others (Steltz, Helms?). Young players learn how to act from team leaders more than from coaches. I think this team has leaders across the board.
Definitely feel the chemistry as a fan watching the players' interaction and plays. Seems like they are also confident in themselves.:thumb: This team is special.
Talk about character, did you see Williams comments when asked about the way the backs share the ball? He said something to the effect that Hester needs to get more carries because he is a SR and wants to play at the next level. That says something about this team.
Whatever JR brought to the table athletically, I'm of the opinion that his leadership and consistency were not enough to get LSU to any championships despite having the best talent in the SEC. This is why I supported Flynn after the team's comments in the Peach Bowl about his leadership qualities. Just in case anyone thinks I'm racist, I thought RP should have played quite a bit more against SC once it was apparent Flynn was having trouble throwing the football. NOt that we needed to . . .
Whew great post... I Thought we were gonna have a test and im just a simple Kajun boy who has been out of school way to long... p.s. if we have test can it be multiple choice and can I sit next to O-tiger and nld.... anywho, yes... the chemistry of this team is awesome... sometimes I Think Sean PEyton should make his players watch and learn from Les Miles Tigers! but that thread would be "tackling 101" or "scoring points 099 remedial course" ... yea I know, me kant spell 2 gud, cuz me a coonazz shay!
