That has to be the MO for any LSU player these days, as there is likely to be a log-jam at skill positions. Quality depth--a nice problem to have. Imagine what QB is going to look like in a year or two...
I just hope that Les is saying the right things in recruiting and that the players are up front and honest with their desires. I don't want players saying that they'll do what's asked and then demanding to start when push comes to shove.
Obviously, there will be some guys like that. I always felt that RP really felt like he should've been starting, for instance. But, a fellow would be naive to look at LSU and think he plays from day one, or that at RB, for example, that he will be able to rush for a gazillion yards. However, they will hopefully look at guys like Joe Addai and Hester and see that the pros can see what they're capable of, even in a crowded line-up.
Only the "superstars" want 1500+ yards per season or bust...LSU doesn't typically get those guys (i.e. Joe McKnight). That's fine. We get the quality, capable players that have a team attitude and we get them in droves. I'll take quality depth over a single Heisman-candidate RB anyday.
Ridley is still young (rs freshman right?) and is smaller than Scott. He may fill that role in a few years. Scott is supposedly up to about 233 Lbs. Don't forget we still have Quinn Johnson, a true fullback, who is a Senior this year, unless I am mistaken. I think Scott will get his share of touches at tailback, but he needs to practice at FB so we can use him like we did with Hester. Remember Hester catching fairly long passes out of the fullback spot down the left sideline? Remember the quick dives to him from the FB spot with a fake pitch to the tailback around the end. That play broke wide open a few times. Who do you want running the ball now on that play, Scott or Quinn Johnson? Obviously, you want Scott. Scott will still get his touches, probably including his middle screen play we ran last year.
He figures to have the second best receiving stats of all-time by the time he retires. 3-4 more years of being the good guy and everyone will forget the bad stuff. Irvin got in on 2nd ballot and he wasn't near the player Owens is IMO.
I might be wrong about Jefferson. But I just think if Miles says "oh, he is redshirting, etc...", that Jefferson will shut down a little bit and that might hurt his development. Again, I could be wrong, but he is way behind the leaders right now. But he also has way more upside than either of the leaders, too. Every once in a while, he makes an insane throw that just makes your eyes pop out of your head.
no doubt about. the thinking is just that the only thing better than having one solid back on the field is having TWO solid backs on the field. This is not a move to knock Scott. This is a move to praise Scott in that Miles wants his 11 best on the field and he knows that Scott is one of his 11 best. It's the same with Chad Jones at rover. Kids at other schools might have the mentality that "I'm not starting, so this sucks." But the LSU kids (aka high character kids) just are flattered that the coaches are being creative to make time for them.
[This is not a move to knock Scott. This is a move to praise Scott in that Miles wants his 11 best on the field and he knows that Scott is one of his 11 best. But the LSU kids (aka high character kids) just are flattered that the coaches are being creative to make time for them.[/quote] And they should be flattered because ultimately it helps them at the next level by giving them more versatility. It gives them a chance to make the pros at special teams, RB, FB, and showcases them catching the ball out of the backfield. Someone that can do it all and has a willingness to do so has a better shot at making a roster.
