It is a real quandry that the Tigers are in with Les

Extend the contract when some hardware is delivered (SEC). Until then, extension should be a non-issue.

 

I don't personally know CParso...but I do appreciate his willingness to not only give answers off the top of his head...but actually RESEARCH and gather facts...then answer questions we ask...especially about recruiting. Anywho...

To answer your original question...which I too consider a ridiculous one...of course we re-sign him. Surely you understand that the man is now 26-4 in his tenure at LSU. I get the feeling...based on your posting history...that you are still of the mind that he is winning with Saban's players. Hopefully next season will be the season you come around and jump on board with us in backing our coach.

You're right about the defense, though. I'm not as informed as some on here...but I trust that the coaches probably also realize that there are a lot of seniors that must be replaced next year.:thumb: I know several top notch defensive players were signed this past year...although I didn't really follow recruiting before then.

CParso...can you throw some names out that we should be looking forward to stepping into the exiting players shoes? A few come to mind...such as Chad Jones and Phelon Jones...as well as Blackwell and a few others I'm sure I'm forgetting. But all of those are from last years class...what about the ones from '06?

 

Here are some possiblities, we'll be okay.

Defensive Line (likely lose two starters)
-------------------------------------------
DT - Glenn Dorsey...........Marlon Favorite or Al Woods
DE - Tyson Jackson.........Ricky Jean-Francois or Tremaine Johnson

Linebackers (lose two starters)
--------------------------------
OLB - Ali Highsmith.........Perry Riley
OLB - Luke Sanders........Jacob Cutrera at MLB (with Beckwith moving back to OLB)

Defensive Backs (lose three starters)
--------------------------------------
CB - Chevis Jackson........Chris Hawkins
CB - Jonathon Zenon.......Jai Eugene
SS - Craig Steltz.............Danny McCray/Chad Jones

Potted Plant and I were pming this week about maybe McCray at LB and Jones at SS. Parso or others may have different/better thoughts they can tweak this with.

 

i think you and potted are right on track. many of these guys are already proving their ability to step up, and they will just keep getting better. does darry beckwith fit into your scheme?

 

why is this is even an issue... we got business to handle this year.. namely winning a national championship...

I personally don't worry about things I have zero control over... if Les stays great... if he leaves.. I have faith we will sign another great coach...

no biggie.. LSU 4 Life

 

Les has not lost to a single opponent his team was clearly better than. The closest exception to that would be Tennessee in the first game played back in Tiger Stadium following the hurricanes, but given the extraordinary circumstances surrounding that contest (let alone the entire year) it is hard for me to find fault.

He has managed defensive struggles. He's won games going away. He has put away teams he should have. He has gutted it out against inferior talent when his team wasn't playing up to their own high level. He's beaten ranked teams. He's won two bowl games against routine national powers decisively. In fact, those programs even felt a steep decline the very next season in terms of on-field performance.

He has taken talented players and shown the ability to develop them. Under his leadership LSU sent a record four players to the NFL in the opening round. The first overall selection was a Tiger, and Les never wavered in his faith in that young man despite the urgings of some for change at times.

He has hired the very best coordinators he could, despite the fact they in some way get a lot of the recognition that ordinarily might be passed his way.

Not to mention the man's recruiting excellence, his approachable manner, and by all accounts sincerity of quality character.

Really, I cannot think of a better ambassador for LSU football than Les Miles, and I am incredibly glad we have him. I don't know what there is to question, but if there is anything I would ask it would not be if we should resign him or how can Les improve. Rather I would ask myself:

Why would you want anyone else?

Brian
~Go Tigers!~

 

Talent-wise, we've got guys to step up, but they lack experience & don't have that team chemistry we're seeing the benefit of this year.

Tyson Jackson isn't having as big of a year as many expected because Pelini is doing some different things with him having him drop into coverage & batting down a lot of passes. I don't see him coming out early. We do likely lose Kirston Pittman though (I heard coaches are trying to get an extra year of eligibility, but I don't see it happening). Ricky Jean Francois will fill that roll plus move over to DT at times. Our DLine will still be amazing, but it always hurts to lose a guy like Dorsey.

LB's - not worried about losing Highsmith as he's only the field about half the time anyway, but I am a little concerned about how his absence will change our scheme. He's not a great LB, but he's good at what he does which is take on blockers. We don't have another LB as physical as him. Riley & Cutrera would be my guesses there too, but it depends on how well it works out with Beckwith on the outside as opposed to MLB.

DB - Hawkins & Eugene are obvious choices. I've also seen Chad Jones line up at CB, so I'm curious what they're going to do with him. Eugene worries me because he hasn't learned how to be physical without drawing a flag yet, but once he gets that down he's got the potential to be a great one.

And thanks guys! I'm not really worried about some guy giving me a bit of a hard time.