Jefferson taking ownership

If LSU has 2 loses by the Florida game, yes, I think it's going to be a long year. I am not saying they will, I saying yes with that schedule 5 losses would not be surprising. With that said, I was encouraged by the spring game. I would say 4 or less losses with that schedule will be a good year.

When the defense has 8+ in the box you ain't going to be able to run against most SEC teams. I would play LSU just like every team has been playing them, but 8-9 in the box and let him throw.

 

There were a number (a lot actually) of times on 2nd and 2-3 or even 3rd and 2-3 and we could not get the first. There is no reason we cannot power I that chit to a 1st down. I dont expect every time, but hell, it was once in a blue moon when we could get a run for a 1st.

I agree with both of you above, JJ needs to be able to give a passing threat...

 

I will start this with I am not in disagreement with the assessment of JJ. I just think that he isn’t the main focus of what we need to improve on. If JJ can stay the course and manage the game at no worse than he did last season, if we improve in other areas than we will be better than ok. I think that our bigger concerns are the OL, which you could have put the best RB’s in the NFL behind last season and they wouldn’t have been successful. We need to have a run game that has the strength to muscle out 3-4 yds every time they touch the ball. Our D needs to be better than just keeping teams from scoring. Our D last yr allowed teams to move between the 30’s all day long, not giving our O enough touches and aiding in losing the TOP battle in many games. Although JJ does need to show a strong leadership, I don’t think that he necessarily is the main focus for our success. We were just a few bad calls and a few plays away from having a much different season than we did. We don’t need to dominate everyone, we just need to play smart ball and win. If our D and our OL play improves I think that these 2 areas will open up a different element to our team. Not having to play on our heels and not having to play needing JJ’s arm to win games can make all the difference. If the D gets more 3 and outs, and allows us to win the field position and TOP battles we will come out on top in those games that we lost last season. JMHO

 

Yeah, i agree with this, but i do think JJ needs that internal clock in his head to work a little better, so that he can be more successful in the passing game. He shouldn't be holding on to the ball any longer than 3 seconds, and if he is he should already be 5 to 10 yards upfield. He needs to be more of a running threat also, he has wheels, he needs to use them. Make it to where defenses have to put extra men on Jefferson and that will leave extra space in the zone. But yeah, i think if the Tigers can pound the football and dominate in the trenches its going to be a fun, fun season.

 

I agree, anything more than 3-5 sec’s in the backfield allows for the D to make their reads and in play adjustments that only end up with the play breaking down. The OL needs to improve, for sure, but you can’t expect them to hold off a D for ever. Make their push, open up a hole, protect the pocket or the roll out, and have a QB that makes the play in a timely manner. Quick plays that pick up 4-6 yds on avg, eat up the clock, methodically move the ball down the field, have a couple of 10-20 yd plays that keep the D honest, and score as often as possible. Sounds simple enough, now with the talent we have hopefully this is what we will see. I think the keys to success will be in the OL and run game more than anything when it comes to the O, but it does have to be piloted by a confident QB that can manage the game. Again, we do all of these on offense, and have a defense that can win the battles in the trenches, create more 3 and outs, win the field position battle, and gets off the field giving the O more opportunities to win the TOP battle, and we will have a very successful season.

 

Tony Barnhart the self proclaimed "Mr. College Football" suggested that there are only two locks at quarterback in the SEC. G-Mac and Mallet respectfully. On the "Bubble"meaning there is no guarantee they keep their job for the entire season were Mike Hartline, Kentucky, Steven Garcia, S. Carolina, Larry Smith, Vandy, and LSU's own Jordan Jefferson (2,508 passing, 17 TD).

On JJ, Barnhart made these points: "Jefferson has all kinds of talent but he is wildly inconsistent and I don't believe the coaching staff trusts him enough to turn him loose. He will start against North Carolina in the opener but watch this one closely. I've spoken to enough people to believe that Jarrett Lee, who has had an up and down career, is talented enough to regain the job if he can find his confidence again. Lee has talent but has not been developed well."

The "enigma" will be ready to go if LSU struggles against North Carolina. Either way I expect a better team performance from the offense this year.

 

Lee will get his chance at some point, but it'll be up to him to prove that he won't mentally collapse again and can lead the offense.

 

Jefferson would be fine if he could just regain that sort of youthful recklesness that he had when he came in at the end of the 2008 season. I remember that the offense flowed 20x better than it had at any point in the season prior to him taking over. He did great vs Arky and GTech, but hasn't looked anywhere near as confident since then. He just needs to quit second-guessing himself so damn much. The best QB's make quick decisions.

 

We don't need recklessness at a position that demands quick, intelligent decision-making, often under duress. Looking good against teams like Arky and GT that didn't have any film of Jefferson to study is one thing. Performing well after teams identify your tendencies is quite another. Last year was a result of inept offensive playcalling, lousy OL performances and marginal at best QB improvement. If Jefferson doesn't progress as a pocket passer it doesn't take a defensive genius to figure out how to defend him.