I only knew DD through his site, but over the years developed a fondness for him and appreciation for his work. I really didn't think that I would continue reading the site after his passing, but must confess that I still check it out almost everyday and appreciate the job that his son is doing.
I still read DD's site daily as well. What many folks may not realize is that DD's son Scott has been heavily involved on the site in all aspects for years. In fact, over the past year or so he pretty much did all the writing & work due to his Dad's illness. IMO he's doing a pretty good job and I'll continue to read his site on a regular basis.
I honestly think DD's son will do a better job than his dad did, particularly near the end of his life. I could tell even when both were contributing when Dandy Don got on his soapbox. For example, if he had a player rated highly, particularly if that player was from Lafayette or from the Winnfield area of the state (where he grew up) and LSU didn't recruit him, whoa baby! And he seemed to second guess Miles for decisions he didn't agree with. We all do that of course but he seemed to hang on to something for weeks/months and wouldn't let it go. Once again, some of that may have been the colon cancer deal which I'm sure would effect anyone both physically and their mental attitude. As far as ratings of players, they are always quite different than the services. But I'll give them credit for one correct? rating right now. All you have heard about is T. Williams. I tell you what...I have seen videos on both he and M. Patterson, and I think that M. Patterson is better. DD has Patterson #4 and Williams #7. I agree with that and simply think the services have missed on Patterson.
I couldn't agree more. There are several in the LSU community that provide wonderful free services for those of us that can't seem to get enough LSU info. Never knock someone that spends countless hours giving you what you want at absolutely no charge.
{Posted on another free forum and originally came from 24/7 but NOT the premium part so it should be OK to post here I would think -- the original author is a coach obviously} "Thought I would offer a small bit of observation on Dodd. I spent my first 5 years coaching OL. After watching this kid's film on youtube, one word jumps to the forefront: ATHLETICISM! His foot work is exceptional. Watch him go out for a pass, he moves incredibly well. Specifically 2 things stand out: 1) Excellent footwork to get into a proper base to deliver a strong initial punch and 2) that same footwork allows him to maintain the proper blocking position to finish the block to the whistle. Playing offensive line is all about establishing the proper horizontal and vertical leverage. Largely, this is accomplished through a good stance and proper footwork. Without boring everyone with the physics of leverage and playing OL, suffice it to say that his feet are always under his base which allows for maximum power and mobility to change direction. Some people forget that run and pass blocking are not a linear event. Some DL use brute force to run you over but now DL are taught to combine strength with speed moves and change of direction tactics to avoid the block. A college OL coach I know preaches that an OL must be able to change direction and redirect at least 2 times, and more likely 3, in any given block. Feet matter more than most realize. At our camps, I work with an incredible OL coach who tells the players that the best OL to ever play the game was a guy named Tony Chin. None of the kids have ever heard of Tony Chin. That's because it is a made up name to help the kids recall the concept that the best OL maintain a proper blocking fit (ie , the term coaches use to describe the position you should be in when in contact with the DL) by keeping their toes, knees, and chin aligned vertically. When one of those things gets too far ahead or behind the others, you lose power and balance. This makes you susceptible to not being able to change direction with a DL or susceptible to the bull rush. Dodd maintains an exceptional blocking fit from initial contact through finish. Many great high school OL can get a good initial fit on contact but ask them to maintain that fit through the whistle and their feet just aren't good enough to follow through. LSU pulls its guards fairly often in the run game. Dodd could certainly fill that need. Dodd could also be an amazing center, a position which requires way more athleticism than it ever gets credit for. The one thing people don't talk about when it comes to pulling a guard is that the center often must make a very difficult block on the man aligned over the guard. There are many ways of teaching this block (we call it a pin block but can also be referred to as a down block or angle block) but all of them require exceptional footwork. That being said, playing center is as much about mental acuity as it is about athleticism. Think about it this way: while jogging to the line of scrimmage from the huddle, the center know his assignment and that of the other OL, must identify the defensive front (not easy considering today’s multiple defensive sets) to determine if the called blocking scheme is appropriate, assess whether to change to a different scheme, communicate that different scheme, identify the mike linebacker for pass protection purposes (even on a run this is important for various reasons), and communicate changes to adjacent guards depending on if the defense adjusts after the offense aligns. All of this happens before the ball is snapped, at which point the center must make a proper snap, while at the same time, taking his first step toward his blocking assignment. Assuming Dodd has the mental side (and I have no reason to believe he doesn’t) he would make an exceptional center. At worst, he becomes an exceptional guard. Not too shabby. I really like this kid." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- He said it more eloquently and with a lot more words but essentially, it was the same attributes I noticed on Dodd. 1) he sticks with his blocks till the end 2) his feet move very well which explains why he played some TE and also why he always seems to be in front of his target and not having to reach or grab 3) he is disciplined enough to keep his body in balance so that he isn't stumbling around while trying to block or pursue his block (amazing how many times in football games, OL never even hit their target but end up diving at the guy and blocking Caspar the Friendly Ghost. Obviously, he isn't played college football in these clips but my hopeful assumption is that as he is playing against better competition, he also is improving all the time. Of course, this is all based on his coming to LSU. If he doesn't come to LSU and especially ends up playing for an LSU opponent, I hope he is a bust.
Shame on you for your reading comprehension. "None of the kids have ever heard of Tony Chin. That's because it is a made up name to help the kids recall the concept that the best OL maintain a proper blocking fit". Anyway, I definitely hope Dodd commits and signs with LSU. I don't like only having 3 OL in a class and my guess is Lawson stays on the DL. For a guy around 320 supposedly or whatever, he surely looks like he can move! With probably 6 openings left (assuming no defections), and my guess is LSU won't take a RB or another WR, that would leave 1 OL, 3 DL, and 2 secondary guys. If the Skinner TE commits to LSU, that would say to me that either they project Skinner as a WR/TE or Logan Stokes the JUCO TE they think might head elsewhere.
