After last night's LSU win, nearly all commentators and fans are saying LSU played vanilla offense so as not to reveal the dynamism of what will be Gary Crowton's ingenious let-it-all-hang-out designs. I'm not buying it completely. I must say I'm worried a ton about next week, as I recall the conservatism that contributed to the Tigers' first losses in each of the past two seasons under Miles, vs. Tennessee and Auburn respectively. If you're listening, Les and Gary, playing not to lose against terrific teams nearly always ensures a loss. Don't let it happen in game two of the most highly anticipated LSU football season ever. :lsup: P.S. I don't like the option.
I am going to give Crowton the benefit of a doubt here. But this had better be the last we see of the vanilla offense.
Last night was a wet and rainy practice. I'll bet it looks a whole lot better to watch them play at Tiger Stadium next Saturday. I know I'll feel pretty good about it.
I recall many (in cluding me) not being impressed with Pellini's defense after all of the talk about how he likes his players to "think less" and "play more" by keeping the defense simpler than Saban's, but just as agressive despite his track record otherwise. Of course everyone came around before long.... I have seen Crowton coach some very productive offenses with half of the talent possessed by LSU's redshirted recruiting class. Give him time. He'll get things moving as long as Les stays out of his head and lets him coach.
This is as old as football. Our opponents have no film of a Crowton offense at LSU to study. Les is going to keep them guessing for as long as possible. He won't even show everything for VT, some new plays will be introduced all season long. It's just they way it's done.
With a new QB and new coaches on offense you need to lay a good strong vanilla foundation. That was laid last night. Last night OC Gary Crowton saw his offensive players play for the first time in a real game. Yes, the very first time. I loved how he did not put anyone in too much of a stretch against MSU. Now as we all know vanilla can be the base for some of our favorite flavors. Cookies and Cream, Berry Garcia and many others. My first Blue Bell ice cream to taste was vanilla, then I just had to taste the other flavors. I expect next week we will have a new flavor aimed at what we can exploit against VT's defense. Our players have a good base of chemistry to build on now. Our defense will keep VT's offense in check as our offensive finds their rhythm.
I for one like the option...at least with our athletes. But I have to admit, at halftime, I was feeling a little worried. I bet if we're all honest with ourselves, most of us were. I agree that we ain't seen nothing yet...and neither has VT, UF, SC, AU, Bama, etc... That said, I think the players played a little tentatively early on...and most of my worry had to do with the fact that I wondered if THEY got the offense. It doesn't matter if we like the offense or not...but they HAVE to know what they're doing to make it work. I'm sure it'll come around, but I wish we played La Tech next Saturday.
Ain't that the truth. I expect MUCH of the same with, as red stated, a couple of new plays. You don't get too fancy with defenses like VT's- notice what happened when State tried that with ours.....the Flea Flicker? VT's defense will be disciplined, as ours was, we'll have to beat them in the trenches and old time hard-nose football with our offensive weapons and depth. Don't expect A LOT of change.
