you could make that case if it wasn't a big slower tight end. You still have to be in the right position, Beckwith frequently has not been.
That play you are referring to was zone converge. Beckwith is not expected to be the deep guy...... Also Beckwith runs like a 4.7.. Thats why I pointed out a few weeks ago that Steele DOES NOT ADJUST in game.
I'm not just talking about that play. He has been absolutely abused in the passing game all year long. Most of the yards other teams gain on LSU come on either our linebackers in coverage or Dewayne Thomas. They just don't cover very well.
Again, I have to go back to the scheme. We dont adjust. I mean, Beckwith isn't fast. No one has claimed that. Steele does absolutely nothing creative.
There are still linebackers who cover better than others do. Guy that go pro. We need one like that. It's coaching, talent, and performance. Modern SEC defenses are complex, often pro-style. They have to be able to play both man or zone, look like like man but play zone, and look like zone but play man. Players have to being big, fast, and smart and that is a rare combination. I think the players have the talent. Their performance has room to improve and I hope we see just that in the coming weeks. I think these players are being coached well, but your point about the linebackers inability to play man is well taken. I suppose Steele is trying to run the defense that he wants and trying to get his linebackers playing smarter. So far, so good. That is better than dumbing down the defense to accommodate underperformance. Ole Myth and Bama may force such an accommodation, but we might as well keep developing these linebackers to cover better rather than giving up on playing man. They are huge assets against the run.
And you can tell on the Adams touchdown that's exactly what they were doing. Trying to disguise zone coverage as man coverage and Beckwith just didn't get back in time. To be fair Jamal Adams must make that tackle.
A lot of it is scheme related, we had this same situation years back with Chavis years back where the LB would often have to cover a WR in the slot. Our LB's have not been good in coverage over the years, we have not recruited nor coached up the LB's well over recent years. There are a lot of good LB's in coverage, just not here at LSU.
This is going to be a big test for both the offense and the defense. Our offense hasn't faced a defense close to what Florida will bring, Harris will be needed to perform. Also a struggling defense will have to get more pressure and cover better. Unfortunately special teams may be the difference in this game. LSU will need their best game of the season to win and Miles can't go into his circle the wagons conservative offense shell.
