Yes, we should strive for the best. But it is impractical and impossible to be the best every game and every season. My opinion and love of LSU football developed in the 1960's, 70's, 80's and 90's. I grew up hearing constant stories from my dad, his brothers and others about 1958 - over and over and over. Hell, I even bought a mounted commemorative ticket/schedule from the 1958 season for my dad for Christmas one year - and that was in 2002! Up until that time, we hadn't really sniffed a national championship since 1959 when we lost to #1 Ole Miss to end the season. I was in the 'dome with my dad when we won our next title in January 2004, and I had tears in my eyes when I realized we were really going to win that game. But I didn't love LSU and LSU football any more that night than I did during the "down" years. I cherished and appreciated it because I realized how rare that experience was. For those of us who've experienced the highs and lows of Cholly Mac, Stovall, Rein, Arnsparger, Archer, Hallman, DiNardo and Saban, we realize how good things are these days. Yes, I yell and scream and become disgusted when I see things like last weekend. But after looking at the big picture, I'll "settle" for being in the top 10 almost every season, and being in the NC discussions almost every season, and actually winning one every 4-5 years. So many things must fall into place for any team to win every game, much less play "perfectly" and dominate every opponent. I refuse to let myself become spoiled and jaded by a few great years. So, here we are, back to a point very similar to where we were last year. But instead of the constant complaints about our defense and the co-DC situation, most people agree that our main problem is our inept offense and the OC. So, just like CLM made a major move after last season to fix the defense, I trust that he'll do what is necessary to fix the offense. Will that call for a new OC? Probably. But CLM will be CLM. The questionable things he did in 2007 (and other times) that WORKED are the basis for his reputation as a "gambler", the "mad-hatter", etc. If those things hadn't worked, he would have been dealing with the same criticism then that he's dealing with now. As in any sport, you have to be good - but you also have to be lucky at times. And I believe that CLM is smart enough to make the changes this off-season to fix the offense. And who know's - that could be all that is needed to have us challenging for a NC again next year. And after 5 decades of watching, cheering, cursing, screaming, crying and second-guessing my favorite team in the world - if we're competing at that level, with a chance to win another NC, that is good enough for me. Call it settling if you want, but I call it appreciating those successes and good times that are never guaranteed. :lsup:
If anyone has gone after Coach Miles' family, I invite them to come here and explain why. I would suspect that it would be some young, dumb, punk kid that has never had to support a family or be a part of one. Once again, please, come and explain to us why you would go after a man's family. You probably need to take a good, long look at YOURSELF!
Nothing is life is perfect, my friend. In fact, times like these put into perspective just how hard it is to win championships. And appreciate them more when they do happen. Winning in life is more about how about you deal with adversity than how you enjoy your successes. You will find the real measure of a man when he's down and out. Not when he's in the club, drinkin' Cristal and makin' it rain. It is apparent to me from your post that you demand much of yourself in your own life to demand so much from your team. That can be a good thing, provided you have the sense to stop and smell the roses on the way. Good luck with your angst about our team. :thumb:
Great post bayareatiger, He made some good points. I gotta agree that this year has been frustrating even when we win...even when we have reasonable expectations.
How very true. Great post and great perspective. My motto in life has been perseverance. If you are a moral person, approach life issues with a positive attitude, and just hang in there through the ups and downs, good things usually happen.
Outstanding Post! It's nice to see some logical thinking going on in the middle of the angry mob. A lot of people would sell their soul and toss characater out the window in favor of wins. Most of them know in their hearts it's not the best path. And most of them don't really care. I like who we got. I think he is a good man. I like his passion for this State, the University and his players. I like his loyalty. He's been hit with a series of events that had deeper impacts than we anticipated starting with Perrilloux. We've had two new freshman start at QB each of the past two years. He tried to make the right decision with the defense last year, failed and then corrected it. He's recognizing issues with the offense and with himself. I trust he will make the right decisions again. Now is definitely the time he needs the support of the fan base.
Great post! I'm over being angry. It's easy to be a fan when everything is going well. Let's pull for the Tigers (all of them, including Les, Gary, Jarrett, etc.) Saturday to smoke some hog!
You might enjoy my favorite quote of all time: “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan "press on" has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race” - President Calvin Coolidge
Good thread and posts. I remember times when Coach Mac was belittled for the two QB system. I remember people claiming he put players on the field to please a politician or LSU Board member (and not because the player was the best on the team at that position). I remember Nick's assigning two extra assistants the duty of counting heads to make sure we had the right number of players on the field after several games wehn we were called several times for too many players on the field. Every coach has made mistake or a blunder in his time. CLM's biggest problem last week was that the problem occured the end of the game. We have that problem at the end of the first half, we don't hear anything about it by Monday, even if we lose the game. Oh, and as an LSU fan, "we" had the problem. Now let's all move on, learn from the mistake and make the best of it. All this "who shot John" finger pointing and complaining is not helping our Tigers win games or recruit players. Geaux Tigers Geaux LSU ldskule:
