plenty of signs, i was never sold on this defense, as i said from the start of the season, we have not dominated teams and when we did, it was for a quarter or 2, just to give up late touchdowns and big plays. Thats the sign of a team who cant finish and a coordinator that is not prepared.
It's also a sign of a defense lacking talent and depth in the front seven. Steele may end up being the worst LSU DC ever, but he has to have some talent, depth and players that fit his system. Right now he's running Chavis' system with a shortage of players. You're not going to be a successful defense in the SEC if you're short handed and lacking talent on the DL. Add to that the lack of LBs and the cards are stacked against you. I've said it plenty, I wasn't thrilled with the hire and I'm still not, but he definitely hasn't had much of a fair shot yet. Unfortunately we're probably still going to be a little short handed and inexperienced in the front seven next year. I don't see us being able to switch to a 3-4 until 2017. That's one of the reasons it's so risky making that switch, it takes a couple years to totally change recruiting strategy and get those players in the program.
I'm still baffled at how the recruiting team really screwed the pooch on linemen. Bain, LMFAO, Valentine, Gilmore, Herron all busts. Bower hasn't really lived up to the hype either. That can't happen.
Add to that the early departures and it's a recipe for disaster. I'm not 100% sure that lack of development hasn't played a part also. The staff really needs to hit a home run this year recruiting DL and LB. It wouldn't hurt if there were a couple on base when they hit it either.
If Duke Riley being your starting middle linebacker next season doesn't worry the crap out of you, you gotta have some good weed.
but it wasnt like he was a home run from the beginning, what is his philosophy, i havent seen it or heard him speak about it. Its just a base defense. We are lacking depth more than anything and thats an indictment of Miles, Haley and Chief.
The Stay Kendall Stay campaign needs to start immediately. But I wouldn't stay, as many minutes and tackles he has to make its a wonder he isn't on a gurney right now.
