A regional high school coach's impression of coach Miles

Nailed it, Nootch. This is a great example of how stats can be misleading. I've pointed out Jefferson's completion percentage myself. But as we saw from last season, if you're not moving the ball down the field then it's all for squat.

We averaged 309 yards a game last season, that's why it wasn't so hot to look at despite Jefferson's accuracy. If we had been averaging 400+ a game with that completion percentage from a sophomore QB (and maybe a little ground game), suffice to say everyone would have expectations this year instead of hope. Jefferson would be the next Jamarcus... wait.. well, maybe minus a hundred pounds and some codeine.

 

Worked pretty well for Danny Wuerful...

 

I actually did know that, Ace, as I've stated it several times on this very forum. But did ya ever stop and think that his comp. % was so high because he usually just refused to throw the ball? Or wouldn't throw it beyond 15 yards? Were you sleeping through all those 3-and-outs? Understandable. It was not the most inspiring display.

 

If we really do have an improved running game this year that can get us to within 3rd down and 3-5 yards I feel very (extremely!) good about Jefferson at QB. He's at his best when he's completing short passes which he excels at. A strong running game and his natural talents will start to show themselves IMO..

That doesn't have to be a weakness. We can live off 3rd and short situations with Jefferson at QB.. and probably make it to 10+ wins. While throwing last year..

3rd down and 1-3 yards to go: 43% 1st down
3rd down and 4-6 yards to go: 55% 1st down

(compared to.. Bama QB Gmac)

3rd and 1-3: 59% 1st down
3rd and 4-6: 21% 1st down

 

This is the key. I don't think McElroy is any better than JJ. He missed alot of throws against us last year. A good running game will take the pressure off of JJ and he should be more confident throwing the ball downfield.

 

I'm gonna go with Tiger Tap on this one...not the part about JJs completion percentage, but the FACT that JJ was a true sophomore. If we did a poll about who was the best QB at LSU in the past 20 years, Rohan would be in everyone's top 3...probably top 2, and some people would have him #1. I know I'm the one that stated JJ (and JLee) is no Rohan, but there's something to be said that Rohan wasn't Rohan until his senior year. I think we should wait and see with JJ before throwing him and the season away. He should definitely be improved this season, and as so many have stated, with any running game, the offense as a whole will be better. It's probably worse than the sunshine pumpers can admit, and better than the "negatigers" wanna admit.

 

We also averaged about 12 offensive plays/game. (exagerrated for dramatic effect) We need to get the plays up to about 70-75/game on offense, and we'll probably be at that 400 yd mark.

 

Neither is dropped passes, no running game or a O'line who cant block.

In all honesty, if J LEE didn’t throw 16 in'ts he'd be the starter. J Lee didn’t have the probs on O that JJ has had. J Lee had a good run game and decent blocking up front.

JJ has had no such luxury.

The real difference between the 2 QB's is JJ had to do it all on his own. He didnt have help from ANYONE, not even coaches. They put him in bad situations by calling plays he should have never been running.

On the other hand, J Lee and all the tools and screwed it up himself...

If more people looked at the team around these 2 very different QB’s in 2 VERY different teams, it is easy to see JJ is the best we have and WHILE not the best in the SEC, he doesn’t need to be.

Plenty of passes that were well over 10 yrds got dropped last year. JJ can manage a game and that’s all we need. Time for some people to step up and help the guy out…..

 

Sometimes I hate looking at stats so much, but lately, the major thing I hear about JJ, is no long ball.

Well J lee average pass in 2008 was 7 yrds, JJ's was 7.3......

JJ also averaged more yrds a game the J Lee.

JJ as starter:

Longest 58.
109 for 1st downs.
52 15+
23 25+.

Also had his most yards on 1st down and his best numbers all around were between 1st and second downs. (maybe better play calling there). Of these numbers J Lee threw the following:

J Lee (2009)

Longest 38.
8 for 1st downs.
6 15+.
1 25+.


J Lee starter:

Longest was 66.
114 1st downs.
66 15+.
23 25+

Now there is a margin of error in the 2008 season because JJ threw 73 passes and Hatch threw 43. So some of their numbers are in there, but for the most part, we can see that in passing, BOTH YEARS ARE EQUAL.. But I can break down JJ's personal stats in 2008 and subtract from the total:

JJ (2008)

Longest 41.
18 1st downs.
9 15+.
4 25+.



So we can see that most of the points made against JJ are just hot air other than QB mechanics. Something that extra coaching should help. Some say he holds on the ball too long, but that’s not always a bad thing. Better to keep it rather than throw it away (to other players). It was also noted by the coaches that the offensive scheme last year confused a number of players, which could have also had effects on JJ’s play.

JJ is not that bad, in fact he is better than over half the SEC IMO. People said we moved the ball so much better under Lee, but Lee did nothing more than what JJ did...Maybe it just seems that way, but when I look at game stats and so on, they are deathly close with the exception of Int's..

With all that being said, JJ is better b/c he doesn't give the ball away and has the ability to run, something J Lee never could do with having negative rushing yards.

I am sorry I had to add the 2007 stats just so people can compare!!

Longest 71.
146 1st downs.
67 15+.
26 25+.

Under senior leadership mind you.

2006:
Longest 58.
138 1st.
80 15+.
31 25+.

Clearly, JR threw it deep often. !

Seems to be a steady decline........

Though, in 2007 and 2006 LSU had well over an extra 250 more plays than the 2009 season so keep that in mind.

 

If JJ could establish a rhythm in the game and stick to it, we'd be a lot less concerned. That's part of the reason we didn't have as many plays a game as we should have. Watch the spring game again.. Look at the difference between the two QB's.. Neither was spectacular, but JL looked more comfortable and set a pace to work with. Unfortunately, the guy just has problems with his accuracy in game situations, but if we could have JJ stay on that rhythm like Lee does, it would be awesome.

Other than that, I still tend to think like many others here.. It all starts with the line. If the O-line is better this year, a lot of this will fall in to place. That is not to say JJ doesn't need to pick up the pace a little. But if he trusts that line and we have a decent running game, his confidence will increase a lot as will his performance.