My first thoughts were to point to Matt Mauck and Jack Hunt. After all, Mauck went from being an adequate passer to being the SEC leader in pass efficiency. Jack Hunt went from being a liability as Damien James' stand in to being a sure tackler, a consistent contributor and the quarterback of the defensive backs. These guys have definitely improved their game dramatically, and both of them have been keys in the improved performance of our team. Then I started thinking about how many players have stepped up their game significantly from last year to this year. Consider the tremendous improvement in the play of Marcus Spears and Marquise Hill, who to me are the best pair of DE's in the country now. Certainly Eric Alexander is another key contributor on the defensive side of the ball who was nowhere in sight last year. Travis Daniels was injured a lot last year, but this year he has become a lock down corner who is almost as proficient as Webster. Last year Rodney Reed was vulnerable to the outside speed rush. Not particularly so this year. Last year, Skyler Green was fast and shifty, but did not run routes very well and was not a reliable receiver. This year, he is one of three WR threats to take it to the house any time he touches the ball, and his receiving and route running skills have improved significantly. Wilkerson has seriously improved his play at center also. There are many other players who have made significant contributions that did not play much or at all last year, or are true freshmen: LaRon Landry, Kyle Williams, Nate Livings, Kirston Pittman, Adrian Mayes, Justin Vincent, Shyrone Carey, David Jones, to name some of them. The improvement in the play of these guys (not to mention Mauck's injury and Damien James untimely departure) is the reason why we are playing for the MNC this year after going 8-5 last year. The level of improvement shows the work ethic of the players as well as the ability of the coaches to enhance the performance of those who are willing to put in the work to get better. We are so fortunate as fans to have the coaching staff and players we have on this team. They are completely worthy of our support and respect.
Daniels and Alexander are the only guys that I think that you left off. Lionel Turner showed me a lot this year, but I expected it out of him.
Excellent post. The only thing I would add is that over time our DBs got very good over a 3 year period. I remember our big problem used to be giving up the big play (this was around 3 to 2 years ago). If it wasn't for our DB's being able to play such outstanding man coverage, we wouldn't be able to blitz as much as we do. So those guys improved the most, in my mind. The other group I would mention is the O-line. We control games now, and it is b/c of this group that we can run the ball better than ever before, and protect Mauck better than ever before. And these guys play as a complete unit.
The thing about the OL is that Peterman and Whitworth played great ball IMO this year and last. They played great this year too, but it would be difficult for them to improve from last year to this year as much as some of the others because they played so well last year. Same thing with Henderson and Clayton at WR. Clayton is probably the best overall athlete I have ever seen at LSU, including Tommy Casanova, who I considered to be the best all round athelete to put on the purple and gold until Clayton arrived. But Clayton has been a great athlete since he arrived, and this year is not a change but a progression.
I considered Jack Hunt's position as one of the biggest question marks to begin the year. I thought if he didn't step it up some freshman could step right in. Jack stepped up his game and has played awesome. He may not go on the NFL but he will be one of those guys that fans will talk about well into the future as a great Tiger.
The offensive line underperformed the last two years, even though there was adequate talent there. Nick let the last two offensive line coaches go after the season. Looks like he found a keeper in Searles. Turnover among assistants is a good thing if you are upgrading. This year the OL not only lived up to expectations, but dominated some very good defensive lines and produced two players named to All-America teams. They get my vote for most improved players. And their coach gets my vote for most improved position.
OL What a contrast between the first Georgia game and the last. Running backs were consistantly getting caught in the backfield in the first game. They were consistantly getting caught ten and twenty yards downfield and sometimes not until they passed the goal line in the second game. It was amazing how many running plays gained more than ten yards in the SECCG.
