What are your concerns after the first game? For me: Special Teams: Punting was terrible. Offense: QB play was average at best. Lee should've had 3 interceptions. He doesn't know how to check off or chose a WR. Hatch just doesn't have enough arm - he was consistently under throwing passes, but he did a good job managing the game. The second string OL also did not look very good. Defense: The defensive backfield looked to have way too many miscommunications. Jai Eugene looked improved over last year, but still not overly impressive. I would've liked to have seen some more of Peterson.
The only thing on your list that truly concerned me was the punting. As a punter, you cannot kick a 14-yarder and a 20-something-yarder in your debut. Coach Miles and the ST staff need to find someone who will consistently average 35+ on net punting.
Agree with all. You may be being a little too easy on the QB spot though. Adding the kickoffs. Good lord half of them came down near the 20. Thank goodness for great kick coverage, but in the big games that will bite us in the ass.
My only real worries continue to be punting, passing game beyond screens, and depth in the LB and CB positions. Hard to judge just how poor that second half really was until we see what App State does with the rest of their season. But my gut feel is that it was very poor.
QB assessment just as we have heard all spring and summer long: Lee is the much better arm, but maybe doesn't grasp the offense as much or have the football smarts as of yet. Hatch, a very mobile QB but has no arm strength whatsoever. He does not throw into coverage or tip off his passes, however. His pass to Byrd from the 40 yard line was painful to watch. He almost appeared to have a javeling throwing motion, heaving his entire body forward. Scary. I gotta hope the lightbulb turns on for Lee, as he is our best hope to help win games in the tough and tight SEC.
Dalfrey appears to have lost the starting job already. At least that's my gut feeling. Was it Jasper that had that nice punt at the end of the game? We just can't have 15 yard punts come SEC time.
Punting.. and Lee wanting to key in on one receiver. RB looked great. O-Line/D-Line i'm loving. A few miscommunication problems in the secondary.. but they were aggresive and I like that alot.
Inconsistent punting KW didn't show up and was stuffed twice near their goal line (3 pts) LSU didn't run up the score and shut this team out (could have easily done it) but chose to play everyone and really make a tune-up game out of it without regards for second half scoring. The second half domination did not happen and really wasn't needed. Lee's pick was pathetic, and the freshman mistakes were plenty. No field vision or saavy, and this guy's got to get better quick. Hatch is the man, played as per plan and didn't turn the ball over. His arm is still healing after surgery, and he didn't look comfortable, but ran well and made key 1st downs and conversions on scoring drives. Advantage Hatch! Will watch the replay before I comment on line play, esp backups. Not a bad start! Gotta remember, Les doesn't run up the scores!:geaux:
One small concern is that LSU has sooo much talent that when a sub. is brought into the game the play called usually goes to that player. ie Trindon Holiday. seems like a wasted play, but hey... what else can you do? Other than that the Tigers looked great for the first game of the season.:geaux:
