It's what we do here, always has been, always will be. You have bitched and moaned as much as any of us. I don't understand this notion that because we are having a great season, that certain subjects are off limits. That's TideFans crap. :wink: I did not suggest that. I was just saying that this explanation for Lee not playing has to be considered a rumor until someone goes on the record. I'm happy Bhelm shares rumors with us, it's just important not to run with them as known facts. Often they don't pan out.
Ok Earle. :hihi: I took it as you implying just because Miles said it, it must be true. And about rumors, I agree, but it isn't as if BHelm is the only one that reported it. It was reported the night of the WKU game, and several times since. Players have even tweeted sarcastically about him being in class for the 6th time this...year. Also, there are some on here whose word...although not 100% all the time...is more valuable than most.
What defies explanation is . . . if all he has to do to get significant playing time is to go to class, why wouldn't he? He doesn't have to pass, it's his last semester in school, all he would have to do is go to class. That is the part that makes no sense. He has gone to class for five years. Why would he hurt himself at his best opportunity for playing time by cutting classes? Also, if he has graduated (or has all the hours needed to graduate) and is just taking classes to remain a full-time student, wouldn't it be kind of chickenchit to bench him (especially on Senior Day with his family in the stadium)?
He wasn't benched yesterday, Red. He was benched after his second interception in a row against Bama, in a game he very clearly displayed he couldn't handle the magnitude of. He lost the starting job at that point, PROBABLY (THIS is an assumption) because Les Miles realizes that Lee is not the best option to beat Bama, which will likely be necessary once again. (Still assumption)...JJ needed reps to prepare for the tough games he would be NEEDED in. Les started him against WKU, and then against the next two teams as it became even MORE likely LSU would be facing Alabama again. Personally, I think if Les doesn't win COY, THAT'S the disgrace of this season. That said, I think he will...(assumption)
I figured there must be more to the story as it surely wasn't due to JJ separating himself based on performance or decision making. Do you know if he started missing games before or after he was replaced as the starter? I still think the offense works best with both. It's too bad his career has come to an end on the bench. Like '03 and '07 we don't need a great QB to win it all. An average one-dimensional QB can still get us there.
Lots of us took the same position about JJ earlier this season when he got in trouble at Shady's. Most people said, "why would he even put himself in that position, what a poor leader." IF this is true with JL, the question is still why? Answer has to be because they are just kids in College, thinking in the here and now, trying to have a good time, and not thinking of consequences. IF Miles' policy is that you have to go to class, and IF that rumor is true, then, like JJ, Jaret Lee has no one to blame but himself for not attending class. Again, the question rises, why would a kid do that in his senior season when he is doing so well on the field? JL should not be given a pass for this while we tried to hold JJ to a higher standard.
I hear what you're saying, but both Mauck and Flynn were better than "average" (Specifically Matt Flynn). Both players were better decision makers than JJ in the passing game and more accurate throwers and while they certainly didn't have the break-away speed like JJ, they weren't statues in the pocket like Lee. But both Mauck and Flynn, when pressure was too much, or if no one was open, both of them could tuck the ball down and get you a good chunk of yards with their feet...nothing huge in terms of game stats, but somewhere in the ballpark of adding 20-30 yards rushing any given game. They were both kinda like Big Ben in Pittsburgh in that Rothlisberger is a pocket passer and never considered dual threat, but he escapes the pocket and gets you up to 15 yards scrambling.
True AB. And IMO, BOTH of our QBs have played MUCH better this year than at any time in either of their careers. When (Hightower, I think) hit Lee early in the Bama game, anyone could see that it affected him...got in his head. FWIW, I thought it was a late hit. But nonetheless, it wasn't called, and it DID get in his head. From that point on, he was a hot mess. JJ came in and played about the same that JL had played, but didn't give up the ball, and didn't play scared. No offense to Lee, who I am very proud to call a Tiger, but JJ is playing with more confidence right now. Actually, this couldn't have worked out better for the TEAM. JJ is fresh, and is just now in 'mid season' form. Just so happens it's the end of the season when we need him most. One other thing...Lee is one snap from being the starter again.
