What's weird is that he used to not be that way. Look at when Matt Flynn was here or even further back during his Okie St. days, even though that conference kind of dictated that you had to have a wide open offense. I still maintain that Jarrett Lee's freshman season did more damage to Miles' psyche then it ever did to Lee's. Since then, ZM is the only legitimate passing threat we've had at QB.
Even then it wasn't really a diverse passing attack. It was only used as a necessity... run on first down, run on second down, let Mett throw for the first on third and long. We had an insane conversion rate on third on long that season.
Affected it for sure, but it enlightened him as well. Miles and all of us got a graduate education in how a limited number of key turnovers can ruin a season and that rookie quarterbacks are prone to key turnovers. Mettenberger was never a rookie at LSU. He transferred in after a 32 TD season in JC. They let him throw a pro-style passing game. Despite the predictions of the Minions, Harris is not looking like a future pro quarterback. He has time to improve, but he ain't no instant savior. Les is trying to give him that time.
I agree with you here, but the statement that they let Mett "throw a pro-style passing game" needs some qualification. They let him do that primarily on 3rd down. The play calling from down to down was not "pro-style" in that it was run, run, pass, run, run, pass, 90% of the time. That's not setting up your offense for success. While they were successful overall, what frustrates most of us is given the talent level on that offense that year, Mett could have easily thrown for a thousand more, and it would have opened up the run more, so the JHill would have even done better. There is no question in my mind that a different offensive philosophy, such as TCUs (just for example), utilizing the same talent would have had more yards, points, and wins than the team that year. I don't want to sacrifice quality defense for that high-powered offense, but most of us have a hard time understanding w/our talent level, why there can't be both. Opening up the offense a bit more, being less predictable and keeping the opponents defense off balance more is, I think, the root of most reasonable folks frustrations and desires.
Yeah. Well, I don't follow "should have", "would have" kind of logic. You simply don't know that we could have been any better than we were. It was a very successful passing season, the best in years and you still aren't content. We also had an effective running game and we used it...just like everybody else did that had one.
No, I'm content. I very much appreciate the past 10 years overall, including that season. When you look at how succesful those guys are in the NFL now, and the talent level we had on offense, it whets your appetite and makes you wonder what a more sophisticated offensive plan would have resulted in with it. I don't think my contentment, pride for LSU, or season long enjoyment of the team prevents me from also offering some criticism and want for improvement. I hold myself to those standards, too. I enjoy life everyday, have a fairly relaxed and appreciative attitude about it overall, but there are certain moments and details that I look at and tell myself, "okay, that needs improvement", or "I can do better," or "I need to research that more." Still go home happy, though, at least on most days.
Agree, I think he wakes up in the middle of the night screaming NO JARRETT NO!!! I think that was the turning point in his psyche. I also think though that Cam Cameron was a god send because Les trusts him and I think Les has backed off more than he did with Crouton/Studrawa. Ever wonder how 2 completely different coaches with different coaching styles could run an almost identical offense? Yeah....
