As someone who has been very critical of Les Miles, I feel obligated to point out areas in which he has improved. Playing younger players-people will argue that it was a myth that he favored seniority over talent, but I firmly disagree. However, in the last 2 years the amount of freshman with significant playing time has been astonishing. Giving backup QBs quality reps-if you would have told me Mett would have thrown the ball around like he did, I would have said you were crazy Michael Ford-I was very surprised/happy to see how Michael Ford has been used. Hopefully, I'm not premature in saying I was wrong One of my biggest criticisms of Les Miles has been his inability to learn from his mistakes. I've said that I wanted to like Les Miles, but he had see what he was doing wrong and improve. There are still some things I would like to see change, but that's the case with any coach. He's growing as a coach and I'm proud of him. :milesmic:
I agree about the playing of freshman early. That has changed from how Les was early in his career at LSU (the last 2 years predominantly). As far as team preparation, he is one of if not the best head coach in college football. Gameday management has been sketchy (of course we don't need to relive the 2010 season). I hope he improves in this department.
The reason I like our chances for the rest of the season is because Miles is 10x the coach he was in 2007.
We went from wanting Miles' head on a platter after the 2009 Ole Miss clock management fiasco, but the very next week against Arkansas, our team showed perfect clock management at the end of the 4th. I gained a lot of respect for Coach Miles after that. The guy just wins. And when we do lose, we don't get blown out, it's usually a couple plays here and there. That is consistency and exactly what we needed after Saban left us on Christmas Day.
After having to hear the "He won with Saban's players" meme after the NC, he has shown himself to be a terrific judge of talent. He recruits the players he wants and doesn't worry about how many stars they have. While others coaches are winning recruiting championships, Miles has quietly assembled the most talented group of players in LSU history.
Yep. And, it's impressive the confidence they have in their own talent evaluation. 2 years ago, no one had heard of Tyrann Mathieu, and now he is getting Heisman votes as a 2nd year DB.
My biggest argument FOR Les Miles is this... When I hear someone say something like "Les beat so-and-so with that trick play late in the 4th Qtr", I just chuckle. A football game is 60 minutes. Maybe 70 offensive plays, 70 defensive plays and about 10-15 special teams plays. Something like that. In order for a coach to turn a game and beat you with 1 play, or 1 series of plays, that means he was right there with you the whole time. IMO, Les is way, way under-rated. :crystal::geaux::crystal::geaux::crystal:
