Sometimes, watching his reactions, either on the sideline, or on the field, he had an "Aaron Brooks-type" facial expression. You can certainly tell that the kid is talented--I just think that in his mind, he should have been annoited the starter based on his pure abilities. Russell played extremely well at times. But he also played like he wasn't trying his hardest at other times. Maybe it was just the typical Freshman ups-and-downs? Maybe he was the fact that he knew that no matter how well he did, or how poorly he did, Randall would be coming in?? Who knows? I just hope that if the rumors of him and Saban "butting heads" during practice are true, then they will be a thing of the past with his new coaching staff?
You must not have been at the 38-31 win over Tennessee in OT in 2000. :hihi: :hihi: :hihi: :hihi: :hihi: :hihi: :hihi: Just kidding, I know what you mean and yes it would be very nice to have a defense to go with the offense. :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:
Looking at the schedule, who's on it, and what the other teams will look like next season, and the talent we have....anything less than an SEC championship would be dissapointing, 18 of 22 starters returning off a team two blown defensive plays from 11-1, it should be expected that they achieve that and are at least in the national title hunt. One of the two quarterbacks will step up next year and you could play Xbox with that offense, just based on talent and situation with no talk of anything more than competent coaching, and that should be expected and realistic.
On the Russell subject, First off, he may have gotten just what he needed this year. We're talking about a guy that has been considered a god at every other level he has played, then he has to come to an SEC school and compete with not one, but two other athletes for playing time. Now that he has been through a non redshirt season, and seen that he is not good enough to "just wing it" hopefully he has gotten the message and will be ready to put in the hours it will take to show how good this guy really can be. I will say that bringing Flynn in before Russell in th Bowl may have been Saban's final gift to the LSU program. I little parting message to Jamarcus that no matter how good he is, there is someone still on his heals, and he better step up.
Still too soon to say, since we don't have a detailed feel for the offense, etc. First off, I don't see how you can open up the offense as long as you have inconsistent QB play. If JaMarcus proves to be consistently intelligent with the ball---not taking sacks, throwing it away when necessary, not forcing the ball into coverage, etc.---then yes, since he has the arm to really go full throttle with the passing. Otherwise, there's gonna be run, run and more run until the QB play settles. If LSU signs RP, he'll play in spots (maybe the way Georgia used Shockley, for example, along with Greene), which gives the offense a different look than you'd get with Russell in there. Flynn's only shot, IMO, is to prove he can be consistent with the ball. Having a new coach onboard gives all the QBs to prove themselves anew using a clean slate. Not too worried about the defense, even with the losses in the secondary. I assume Les will play and scheme to take best advantage of the talent he has, so no worries there. If the QB play is more consistent, this team can go quite far. Also, we need to see how good a gameday coach Les really is, especially in crunch time. Even Saban has had his failings in that department on occasion, so I don't expect perfection, but it's still a factor that needs to be taken into consideration. Last but not least, the PK situation can't possibly be worse next season, but then again I said the same exact thing this time last year. Looks like Tennessee will be the toughest game next year, followed by Florida. Could be a special season, and that's all you can ask for as a fan: a clear, legitimate chance given your schedule, the returning lettermen, etc.
If LSU signs the most hyped Louisiana-bred QB prospect since Peyton Manning and *that* alone doesn't humble Russell and help him focus, nothing will.
How many games did you watch this year in Tiger Stadium? Almost TO A MAN, my section, and many here, expressed consternation at LSU for winning ugly. We saw posts here all the time about, "The 24 point LSU offense." 22-21 over Oregon State 24-21 over UF 24-20 over Troy 24-7 over Vandy 26-10 over Bama The thing that all these games had in common were uncommonly listless performances on offense, and customarily good performances on defense. OSU only scored 13 points in regulation, and against a PAC-10 team that early in the season, that's a damn good regulation point scoring output to give up. We gave up two redzone touchdowns to Florida off of two ugly redzone interceptions thrown by an inexperienced J. Russell. We gave up a legitimate touchdown drive only once. We gave up two turnovers inside the 10 against Troy, and that led to 2 scores...Outside of that, they hit two field goals... Vandy & Bama were outstanding defensive performances... The listless performances on both sides of the ball were direct results of the OFFENSE sputtering...It had nothing to do with the defense... I was there for each game listed there...I saw the Florida game on the tube, just like you...and I can tell you that those games were so gut wrenching, listless, and akin to watching paint-dry while watching a cat scratch a chalkboard, that I place MUCH more of an emphasis on offense. Were you watching the same games? Did you see our defense admittedly struggle in most Tiger fans eyes, yet end up ranked in the Top 10? I wonder why anyone gives you any credit anymore...Because you obviously don't know what you're talking about half the time...
Well said, TE! Our close games this season were NOT the result of an inept defense. Our defense, though not as "blitz-happy" as last season, was really sound except for a few plays throughout the season (4th and 12 vs Auburn, and the 2 plays vs Iowa). Our offense gave up too many turnovers, and put our defense in the bad situation of having to defend a short field.
My prediction is that Russell showed you what he's capable of when he's motivated...Going in THIRD? Waiting till we thought the game was almost out of reach? Russell was p!ssed...He had gotten put in his place. He knew that he wasn't even playing 2nd banana...But third string... I think that inspired him...To know that it wasn't just Randall-who'd be gone after the game-that might go in or replace him...It was someone who'd be there as long as he was in TigerTown... I also think that Dwayne Bowe stepped up, and was having a good game, which affected his confidence...He helped out the passing game, bigtime...and set himself up for a breakout junior season...I also think that Skyler Green's game showed he was healthy for the first time all year. Look at both of those amazing passes, as well as his "almost" touchdown pass that he wasn't tall enough to get his feet down on. With those two sure-handed receivers in the game to help him out, Russell not only had the confidence, but the surrounding and supporting cast, the sense of urgency, and the FIRE IN HIS BELLY to go out there and do it...and he did it... The blueprint for next year on offense is scary...Four all-conference level running backs that go Senior/Senior/Junior/Junior...A trio of true sophomore wideouts who have experience and a chip on their shoulder with something to prove after a somewhat lackluster passing performance last year. Two veteran receivers in junior Dwayne Bowe and senior slot-man Skyler Green. A veteran offensive line that's anchored by Whitworth, and stars Niswanger & Livings, and will introduce Will Arnold and probably Terrell McGill, all of which return with accolades and plenty of starting experience. Most of all, we return a hungry backup, and an heir-apparent that finally put it all together on the field in the tighest of situations, with the marbles on the line, and delivered a Montana-esque late game performance that is the stuff LSU legends are made of. We are as scary as we are loaded on offense next year...and I expect much more of the 4th quarter Capital One Bowl J. Russ than I do the Florida J. Russ... On defense...More of the same...Loaded, deep, and just ready for the right scheme and playcalling... The only questions are the new corners...But with Ronnie Prude, Keron Gordon, Chevis Jackson, and others ready to step up, I'm confident that we'll have plenty of veterans in the secondary as well... Bottom line, this team is a favorite to win the SEC...MSU will still be down...Ole Miss still has unsettled issues at quarterback, and lost a lot of talent at wideout, and still has no running game...Arkansucks will be breaking in a totally new quarterback, and is still green on the defensive line...Auburn will be breaking in a new quarterback, a new backfield, and all but one new wideout...Bama will probably be our stiffest challenge, and they're on the road... In the East, Georgia loses most of its talent on offense, with Greene, Gibson, and the other UGA wideout...On defense, they lose Thomas Davis, Pollack, and a few other guys in the secondary...Florida lost Crowder, and we're already a better team than they are...South Carolina had talent at running back, but Spurrier's emphasis will be on breaking in a 1st year signal caller...Tennessee will be the best team in that division, and they're on our schedule...Vandy & Vandy stink... Outside of Tennessee, we are the favorites to win the SEC...and Florida rounds out that upper tier of the Conference...We face those teams, plus toughies like Bama on the road, and Auburn at home... We should win the conference...a 9-2 record should be a MINIMUM expectation...I wouldn't freak out over 8-3 because of the staff and changes...But we should win the SEC within the next two years...and contend in BOTH years...
I don't think Bama is getting enough credit. They are going to be strong next year - a top 5 defense this year, plus a decent offense that was bitten hard by the injury bug and will have lots of starters returning. Bama, Tennessee & Arizona St scare me the most. Arizona St because they are OOC and I'm not sure how well prepared Miles will have the team. Also, I think that a lot of the stars on the team didn't have the performances this year they were hoping for. Buster Davis was one of the few players that exceeded expectations. Even X Carter & Doucet, although both got lots of playing time for true freshmen & excelled pretty well, but probably hoped they could have been more influential. Bowe looked like he was going to have a breakout year but had a few set backs and didn't have the year he hoped for. NEXT YEAR IS GOING TO BE SICK!!
