I was in Randall's corner. I wanted him to do great. I felt bad that he always had to take a backseat to other QBs in the past. This was his time to shine, but he proved last night (at least) that he's still the same nervous QB he always was. I'm not saying he can't improve in future games, hell, maybe he just had some of those first game jitters... but I, like many others, was really impressed with the freshman Russel. He may be our future, but don't discount Randall entirely.
Randall kept his head in the game and came back in twice when Russell couldn't go including scoring the winning touchdown. Russell shows promise but his stats were not all that glittering ( 35% passing for 9 completions vs. Randalls 38% passing for 7 completions). It ain't about Russell or Randall--it's about the LSU offense. Jarmacus Russell is a freshman and the future QB for LSU, but he ain't totally ready yet. Marcus Randall is a senior with experience and showed some Mauck-like poise coming in and scoring on a QB draw. Nick is going to need both of these quarterbacks this year and I think he will be playing them both on a regular basis for a while. Russell really hasnt separated himself, yet. Let's see how they do on a dry field. I don't care who starts and who relieves, but we could have worse problems than having two quarterbacks who can play. :lsug: :champs: :lsup:
Just as a note Mauck was 13 of 28, 1 int, 3 td's, 154 yards against ULM last year under similar conditions. How would he have done if he were playing OR St. instead of Monroe? Randall did throw a TD pass that was called back for a petty penalty. He did throw an ugly pick. But Mauck was good for at least one 'what-the-hell-was-he-thinking' pick per game last year. Randall certainly ain't no all american but I'm not willing to boo the guy off the field. Russell looks like he will be a player down the line. He showed some toughness. Randall showed some toughness too. We will need both of these guys man. Don't let the uneducated boo birds drown out the real fans.
May I ask you what Marcus Randall's record as a starter? What was Matt Mauck's record as a starter? How about with the same team 2 years ago? The point is Randall is 2-4 as a starter and would've been 2-5 last nite if JM hadn't came in and saved the game last nite. I like Marcus but the offense didn't do well in the Kentucky game and LSU would've lost if not for the Bluegrass miracle and his record would've been 1-4 as a starter. Sorry, but that says it all! Matt came in to the SEC Champ game and won the game just like JM did last nite in their first SEC game.
JaMarcus was our prized recruit 2 years ago. He may be the most talented QB in the country. I've yet to see an arm like him and a body like him. Add a 4.7 to that and I don't think it's possible to build a better specimen. Regardless of whether or not he's the better man right now, I'm willing to sacrifice right now for the big picture down the road. And I'm not so sure he's the better man right now because Randall sure as hell hasn't given me any reason to say "I'm glad we have Randall back there to settle the team down against teams like Auburn, Georgia and Florida."
If I had to pick a starter I'd pick Russell. No doubt. If you are going to struggle on offense, you do it with a big time freshman not a 5th year senior. I just don't like the freakin' booing man. Randall is giving it his best shot and wants to win more than we do, believe that. Coming out with 'Randall sucks this' and 'Randall sucks that' doesn't do anyone any good and just puts a negative cloud over the stadium.
Why in the hell would you sacrifice this season for the next one???? Saban should and will start the QB that gives us the best shot at winning the next game not next season or down the road at some time. I think that person is JR but not by much. Body build speed and such mean nothing if you can't get the job done. Would you take JR the physical specimen or Doug Flutie the physically challenged. I seem to remember a QB at LSU some years back that had none of the physical qualities you look for in a QB he just got the job done(Herb Tyler). Saban will make a descision based on who plays the best not who looks the best posing in his underwear.
Ok, what he meant to say is the freshman gives LSU the best chance to win RIGHT NOW. Which means the senior should never start another game barring injury.
