just a thought at this point, but....... LSU doesn't lose that much talent if i'm right it's something like 5 seniors who start and we should a have a senior quarterback, a 1000 yard rusher and a couple of 5-star recievers returning and not to mention a monster named la'el collins to replace barksdale so we can look forward to offensive improvement next year, not to mention the title game is in new orleans....... sniff sniff smells like another go for the big one!!!!
losing Nevis and Shepard worry me, at the beginning of the season i would have said losing Peterson would hurt but at this point, and who would have ever thought this, i don't think LSU loses that much with him gone. Is he still a first rounder and the best corner in CFB yes i believe so, but we have some serious depth at that position.
Those losses are extremely crucial, especially early on as you mention. Considerign we start off with Oregon the D must be running as a strong unit because they will be tested. Im very confident overall though with the young talent coming up on D. Hopeflly Freak is everything he is touted to be at DT. Maybe Downs can stay healthy and show the flashes he did as a Fr. Not to mention Davenport might show promise and the 5 start potential. Mathieu will do a great job at CB, plus we have a ton of other young talented players coming up. Overall I like the potential here. We will learn a lot in the Oregon game.
Ryan Baker has played his ass off this year, and I like what I see out of him, but who is going to captain that Defense like Sheppard does now? That is what concerns me the most. Nevis is probably the more replacable of the 2 being that we are loaded with big bodies we can rotate in and out. But losing 11, and the mental aspect of his game is going to hurt us. Who steps up to be the leader of that D?
Kadron Boone was a hell of a returner in High School, but Shepard was a hell of a QB in High School, so who knows.
Id have to agree with everything youve said. I hope Baker can take over the leadership role. Id also agree the DL is the most replaceable. Mathieu is an animal but he isnt the cover guy like Peterson. At least not yet. For return man Id love to see Shepard back there. If not maybe Fobbs?
Next year's team will have the same problem this year's team has - QB. The OL will be experienced and stout and deep. The WR corps will be experienced and talented and deep. The RB corps will be experienced and talented and deep. On defense, DL will lose critical starters, but there is are some experienced backups, and some talented returning starters. And a ton of talented youngsters looking for experience. LB - losing Sheppard will hurt. Are the young guys up to the challenge? DB - Losing Eugene will hurt more than some realize - he's a utility man and gives a lot of the young talent a rest. Losing Pat Pete speaks for itself. However, LOADS of potential in the secondary and they're all getting quality playing time every week. Kickers - Jasper is amazingly consistent and talented as a kicker AND punter. Helton has been good as well. LSU has won the "invisible yardage game" most if not all weeks. Both are seniors. Remains to be seen if there is a drop off and how much next season. BL: As Izzy once said - championships are possible EVERY season for LSU. But, like EVERY team in the country - the pieces have to come together.
