I was just wondering what everyone's opinion on Jordan Jefferson was, is he the guy to bring LSU back to the Promised land or will he ever let go of the ball?:tigereye:
Define the man. He is the starting QB, so I hope so. Define "the promised land". Two teams have two :crystal:, and as Tiger fans, we're lucky to be fans of one of the two. The other, we play every year. So, if that's "the promised land", then it's unlikely that JJ is "the man" to lead us back there. However, he offers us the best chance right now...and next season. How many :crystal: did Mark "Dirty" Sanchez lead USC to? With all that talent? How many did Bradford lead OU to? How many did McCoy lead UT to? As a fan base, I think we really need to take a look around and realize that what we have is special. Not pointing the finger at anybody, because I'm just as guilty. But sometimes, I do have a rational thought...and now's one of those times. If you're talking about "competing" for SECCs and :crystal:, then yeah...I think he's "the man"...I really do. But as has been stated before, before JR had the season that led to the Raider's being stupid enough to select him #1, he made most of us cringe for a couple of seasons...and a lot of the criticisms we had towards him, we have towards JJ. Only difference, I don't think JJs an idiot. I don't think JJ is lazy. I don't think JJ thinks he's the best ever. I think he's a young QB that has struggled with things...like most young QBs do. He didn't have the luxury of backing up Leinhart...or even Russell. He had the luxury of backing up Lee...and eventually being forced to start as a freshman. Last year, he didn't have an OU offensive line, and subsequently, didn't have much of a running game. Also, he didn't have a lot of time, couldn't find a pocket if you told him there's a C note in it, and didn't know how to react to pressure. One thing he didn't do wrong though...he didn't heave it up for grabs when pressure came. Something to be said for that, and quite frankly, as bad as he looked...his stats were comparable to many other "great" QBs sophomores stats. Quite frankly, in the NCAA, it's a little hard to compare sophomore QBs...because there aren't many with stats...at least not many on winning programs. Just my .02.
I am a Tiger fan that is tired of defining my team by one position. I am looking forward to the season and I have faith in Les to pick the best QB and have him on the field ready to go in Atlanta. Whoever is on the field is my QB and I will support them and look for them to lead my Tigers to a win. JJ, JL, CG, or ZL Lets go and Lets win! :tigereye:
It's way too soon to start throwing out things like "probably not". A year can make a world of difference for a young QB. Come September we'll be a lot closer to the answer. In the meantime he seems to be doing all the right things in the summer, working hard, studying film, and keeping his nose to the grindstone. IF he gets the right coaching, that work ethic should pay big dividends in the fall.
I think if this team delivers on the promises of a hard nosed physical football team, with a much improved offensive line, and solid running attack, then you will see an experienced quarterback, who can lead this team to victory on Saturdays. We don't need someone who can fling the ball all over the yard, we need a smart kid, who takes what the defense gives him, makes good decisions, and fast ones.
He is our man, at least at the moment. Even if the others appear more talented in practice, that does not automatically mean they will do better than JJ on the field. That is not to say that he's the perfect quarterback, in my opinion. He made mistake in his sophmore year. But with an improved offensive line and a decent running game, with receivers who don't drop the ball as if it were on fire, and a revamped playbook, even if he does the same I think we will win more games. I don't see us winning a :crystal: with him, at least not next year. I believe that we will finish the season with a solid record and a trip to the SEC Championship.
If the offensive line improves and JJ decision making and pocket awareness improves, then he will be just fine. The running game is the unknown, but if the Spring game is any indication, we will be able to run and throw it.
