Agreed, if Crowton doesn't get whisked away, and it doesn't look like he will be, then this team will be better offensively. With Barksdale being probably an upgrade at RT, and maybe even getting a healthy Arnold to replace Hitt at OG with a medical redshirt, we could be really something to watch. Obviously the question is on defense. I think the D-line will be awesome, its the linebackers and DBs that are worrisome. I don't think we can afford to have poor OLB and poor CB play next year. That spells doom. The safety tandom of Taylor and Jones will have to come up really big next year to hide our deficiencies.
Agreed ... we look loaded on the offensive side of the ball for next year. Those first 3-4 "patty cake" games will be great for RP and co. to really get into a groove and learn each other. Defensively, we have a lot of starters to replace, but because of injuries and depth, many of them gained valuable playing time this yr. My main concern is next yr's secondary.... hopefully the O will score plenty of points (and we'll blitz). :crystal: :champs: :crystal: :champs: :crystal:
Our question mark will be on defense next year. We lose 3 out of 4 starting DBs and had no backup CBs play much this year. Yikes! It'll be interesting to see who we hire as DC and what kind of scheme we play. We might be in a few shootouts again next year. Let's just avoid 3 OT games.
Looks like the depth chart is currently: LCB: Jai Eugene - SO Phelon Jones - RSFR RCB: Chris Hawkins - JR John Williams -RSFR Our safety play is paramount to covering up the inexperience at CB. I have supreme faith in Jones and Taylor. I also think the next DC will employ a very aggressive blitzing defense, as just laying back will allow opposing QBs to simply pick us apart. I hope we get Tenuta. Sounds like a perfect fit for the kind of DC this team needs.
He played a lot this year, especially with the injuries to both Alexander and then of course Dorsey. He will be a handful, much like Dorsey was. It will just take a little more seasoning and build his confidence to be a lot more aggressive. Then the rest will take care of itself. Don't forget we still have that beast named Rickey Jean-Francois. This guy could be unstoppable next season. So the D-line looks like: RE - Tyson Jackson (SR), Kirston Pittman (SR) RT - Charles Alexander (SR), Marlon Favorite (SR), Drake Nevis (SO) LT- Al Woods (JR), Ricky Jean-Francois (JR), Kentravis Aubrey (SO, RSFR?) LE - Tremaine Johnson (SR), Tahim Alem (SR), Will Blackwell (RSFR) That's a pretty damn good lineup (tons of experience). I don't think Jackson nor Pittman are going to declare.
Hard to say who we might lose to next year, though realism says we probably will. I just don't see a talent or coaching gap between us and the other top teams of the SEC. That brings it down to experience and execution. On that note, it will absolutely come down to db's and linebackers. The learning curve will be steep, but emotion will play in to it as well. It should be many more great days ahead in Red Stick. Now that the thread is totally hijacked.... It is quite the accomplishment to be the first team with two crystal footballs. With the parity in CFB, we should be grateful that we are staying in such lofty company. Perhaps we will change the perception of LSU football, the way we did in baseball. Wouldn't a 3-4 championship decade be nice??:milesmic:
He played well at times, but got pushed around a little bit. Watch out for Drake Nevis. He'll be the next great DT at LSU.
Another major concern for next year is the away games on the schedule. AU, FL, SC, and AR are away, with 3 of these in a 4 game stretch. As always, the AU game is huge, (as ISLSTL said). Losing to one East team still allows you to control your own destiny for the SECCG. Adding GA as another east team makes this one tough schedule. Here is the schedule: Date Opponent Location (Arena) Time (CT) Results On the Air Sat, Aug 30 North Texas Baton Rouge, La. (Tiger Stadium) TBA Sat, Sep 06 Troy Baton Rouge, La. (Tiger Stadium) TBA Sat, Sep 13 TBD Baton Rouge, La. (Tiger Stadium) TBA Sat, Sep 20 Auburn * at Auburn, Ala. (Jordan-Hare Stadium) TBA Sat, Sep 27 Mississippi State * Baton Rouge, La. (Tiger Stadium) TBA Sat, Oct 11 Florida * at Gainesville, Fla. (Ben Hill Griffin Stadium) TBA Sat, Oct 18 South Carolina * at Columbia, S.C. (Williams-Brice Stadium) TBA Sat, Oct 25 Georgia * Baton Rouge, La. (Tiger Stadium) TBA Sat, Nov 01 Tulane Baton Rouge, La. (Tiger Stadium) TBA Sat, Nov 08 Alabama * Baton Rouge, La. (Tiger Stadium) TBA Sat, Nov 22 Ole Miss * Baton Rouge, La. (Tiger Stadium) TBA Sat, Nov 29 Arkansas * at Little Rock, Ark. (War Memorial Stadium) TBA * Conference Games
