After watching this thread for a few days I decided to go back and watch the game again. I know from personal experience that my first impressions of games are seldom the whole story. I can see where one might think there was too much of a cushion allowed. What that isn't taking into account is who caught the pass. As example, in that last drive. three of the four completions weren't too guys lined out wide. Giving a cushion to a guy who is lined out wide is one thing. When the completion goes to the TE (both cases, lined up on the line of scrimmage) or the guy in the slot (in that case, a yard outside of the tight end, more of a H-back position than the slot) you can't say "there was too much cushion given." How you're remembering the game is clouded, shane. It's easy to do in a loss: hard to go back and watch a loss again.
Blame mother nature. This will make the second year in a row I've taken more than a week off around Christmas with the intent to play golf as much as possible and it's rained, and rained, and rained... It's not supposed to be raining on Christmas day: a day I played golf on every year for 12 years in a row until last year. But, after raining since last Saturday it's not a day I want to be on the links. I'm not a big fan of lift, clean, and place cheat.
The failure of the D following their success the entire game = choke. I don't blame the D for that loss, but that last drive they choked, including Chavis.
Scoring more points leads to less prevent defense. If I were Chavis and getting this type of heat from fans because the offense can't score points, I'd be pretty frustrated. I am sure he would enjoy one season where his defense doesn't have to be leaned on for the duration in order to have a successful season. A little help from the offense isn't too much to ask for. Players do make mistakes, but the overall improvement from the beginning of the season to the end is proof that Chavis knows what he is doing. The Chavis and the defensive staff are the only ones developing talent at this time. If Chavis isn't around and the defense falls off, Miles would certainly be looking for a job in a season or two. Miles has cost LSU more games than Chavis ever will.
Sure. Signed, OBJ, Landry, Mett, La'el, James Wright, Trai Turner, Ridley, Blue, etc You do know in last years draft class, 7 came from the offensive side of the ball and only 2 from the defensive side?
I agree that Chavis and the defensive staff made some great adjustments during the season. The LSU D drastically improved from mediocre to a stout D that we have come to expect at LSU. He deserves a ton of credit. I certainly want him here at LSU. My only criticism of Chavis is at the end of games. I read an interesting article last night that brought to light the fact that Chavis has not shot aTm down yet. They feel he stays at LSU but is entertaining aTm. It appears his salary at LSU is now at its ceiling. If aTm ante's up similar money then he may have a higher ceiling there. Also, they said he would like to make similar money to Muschamp who is making $1.7. They also brought up a great point that at aTm and their dynamic O Chavis would be afforded much more opportunity to improvise and be more aggressive. I think you hit the nail on the head. LSU, coaches and players choked. The difference was Bama knew they could and would win. Bama has LSU's number. LSU was much more aggressive and confident against Ole Miss because of confidence. I also give Bama, especially Sims a lot of credit in the comeback.
I don't think that Chavis chokes at the end of games, I think the calls are right and the players choke.
Here's where you and I see things differently. As example, following the WVU game this season I had a lot of members talking about how Bama had HUGE issues with the secondary. My reply to all of them was, "It's not as bad as it seems. Clint Trickett is a hell of a quarterback." He's proven that. I've seen a lot of people talk about how Auburn put up over 600 yards this season on Bama. Nick Marshall had one hell of a game that day, as did his receivers. Blake Sims passing completion average on third down this season is right at 74%. The 22 yards reception to put the Tide in field goal range was on third down—in tight coverage. The completion that preceded the field goal to tie the game was on 2nd and 10. I'm not saying this just because he's on the Tide squad. He's proven, in pressure situations, to be able to move the chains. I don't think it's fair to say your defense choked when they were facing a quarterback that's proven himself to be able to move the ball in pressure situations all year long. Sometimes, players just make plays.