I am going to be optimistic and say our running game will be good. I did say it was an unknown at this point,but indication from the spring game gives me hope. Sorry I had to break that down because you didnt read close enough:grin:
JJ doesn't have to be the man. All he needs to be is a good game manager. If the coaches put the rest of the pieces to the puzzle together around him, then his decision making and game management will be enough to win on Saturdays. As has been mentioned, if the OL and the Run game are strong enough to support a solid offensive attack, JJ's abilities should show enough improvement to be effective. The key will lie on coaching and game management. Based on the reports so far one would have to think that the OL and the Run game should be improved. Getting back to being physical, getting back to having an attitude of confidence, and getting back to playing as a team. The worst thing that JJ can do is make poor game time decisions and hold onto the ball too long. I don't think we need a big down the field attack, just one that consistantly moves the ball 3-5 yds/play. Do we need the ability to throw the ball down the field, of course. We need to keep opposing D's on their heals. But an offensive attack that eats up small chunks of the field at a time and large chunks of time should put us in a good position to win some of these close games. :geaux: :milesmic: :LSU231:
He really needs to show that he can complete those 10-15 yd intermediate pass plays, as well as mix in some short passes, especially in the first few games of the season. Defenses will continue to crowd the line of scrimmage until LBs and DBs get burned enough times to tighten coverage. Then the running game will really have a chance to show what it can do. If that doesn't happen, expect a lot more of those 3rd and long situations from last year. If it does, then LSU will be a team to be reckoned with.
Agreed. I didn't realize I left that element out until you brought it up. Thanks, now I think my thoughts are complete.:thumb:
Well, he's the best we got. As long as he goes out there and plays his best, I can live with that. If I may channel Rick Pitino for a second: Bert Jones isn't walking through that door. Tommy Hodson isn't walking through that door. Rohan Davey isn't walking through that door. JaMarcus Russell isn't walking through that door (he would but he can't fit). Jordan Jefferson may not be "The Man", but he's our man, and the best we got for the job as of now. I have confidence in him that he's doing everything he can to improve and bring the Tigers a successful season. He was a big-time winner in high school, and I think he can be a big-time winner at LSU. He has the tools, just has to put it together. If not this year, the next. Time will tell though.
These have all been discussed in previous threads but if... The OL is better... The OC does a better job... The running game is more consistent... RS has an impact as a WR... Then JJ won't be counted on to make so many decisions. If he needs to play a larger role then we can only hope he learned a lot this off season. His completion % is good but the average attempt is not much. The number of sacks can be attributed to the OL and JJ's inability to read defenses and make quick decisions. I really, really, really hope JJ has learned to run the option or we stop attempting it. Yes, a blind squirrel can find a nut occasionally but most of the time it just looked bad. Scoring 24 points a game (which is inflated by a few weak teams) is not enough. We held opponents to 16 points/game and should have a better defense this season. We don't need to score 40/game but we do need to keep the chains moving and run the clock. Those are the areas we had trouble with last year. I believe he has started or played a significant period in 14 games. He may have been a very young QB when he started against Georgia Tech but he has a lot of experience now so what we see this year should be what we get. We can't use the age excuse any longer. I hope he does well. He seems like a good kid and I believe he wants to be the leader. Occasionally he reminds me of Aaron Brooks (lost) which scares me and the reason I'm not ready to call this a breakout season.
As I've always said if he is than GREAT if he isn't then the bigger question is will Les give some one else the chance to prove they are the man? Past experiences say Les will stick with him whether he is or not. So for all of our sake lets hope so.
It all comes down to what they show at practice to Miles. I think that one advantage of playing one or two chumps (not 1AA but just definately not at your level) is that it allows you to see what others can do in reality. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see that very much last year. Since we have a big game to start the season, I don't think that Miles will pull him unless he starts making colossal errors in judgment.
thanks for yall's oppinons guys, I believe that JJ will be good enough to bring us back to a Title ,if anyone can remember JR's redshirt freshmen year (same age as JJ last year) he struggled alot, but he showed oodles of talent and potential, i do not think JJ has that same potential but he is alot smarter and played alot better at the same age as other qb's who went on to be successful
