We officially have no free safety that is capable of SEC play. Chad Jones is not progressing and has looked just out of place as much as he did last year. On the long fly pattern just before the half, he was amongst 3 other Tigers near midfield, guarding no one. Just abysmal. The missed tackles were worse and something that baffles me to no end. I thought this kid was physical, but he does not show that on the field. Again, I think it's because he just isn't comfortable or sure of himself and thus is timid to even make hits. McCray we all know about his shortcomings. That leads us to 3rd stringer Loston. He's a special talent. He will be great when all is said and done at LSU. Do you just throw him out there and let him learn on the job? We might be faced with that very scenario. Will Les pull the trigger? I doubt it seriously.
I agree. At first, when I think about Chad Jones, I think about that sack on JP Wilson in '07 that caused a fumble, which eventually lead to LSU winning the game. And then I think back to the UF game, UGA game, and the Troy game from last year and remember how bad both he and McCray played, especially McCray. While it may be the first game, he looked completely lost out there and could barely make a tackle, which I thought was his strong suit. I hope they start to work Loston in more and more as the season progresses. He can't do much worse. Heck, LaRon Landry started as a freshman. Or maybe they should move Jones to LB like they did with Coleman. I don't think anything will be done differently with Jones anyway, much like last year with McCray. I hope he improves leaps and bounds by the time the tough SEC play rolls around.
To me Jones is just too talented to take him out right now. Remember he came with probably more hype than Loston out of high school, it was between us and USC for his signature. I've never been a huge fan of McCray, I always see teams picking on him and while he seems like a relatively smart player, there's just something about him that I always see him giving up big plays. Maybe try Jones and Loston together? I don't know. Loston should see the field more either way though, he's very talented.
Chad Jones mistakes can be fixed Issy, give him a chance, its just one game. I think he will be All SEC by the end of the season. I havent lost faith in him as of yet.
So you'll put a guy on the field based on his high school accolades while watching him ruin any chance of LSU having a cohesive and effective unit? The free safety is arguably the most important defensive position on the field along with middle linebacker. Believe me I watched Josh Bullocks do the same thing to the Saints for 3 long years and it was painful.
I think you will see this. Loston is all reputation right now and has not payed his dues on the team, not even in August practice. He's going to have to take the job away from Jones, not have it handed to him.
I think Loston will have to work his way up into the job. He still needs the condition and to get down the schemes. As mentioned it boils down to whether or not Miles will start him. From what I seen sat night Hatcher and B Taylor should be the starters at S. Jones is lost out there. He is the worse tackler on the team. Takes very poor angles, relying too much on speed. The S and DL positions are the definitely weaknesses thus far. I think we could see much improvement from the line though. Downs and Nevis would make a great pair of DTs. S is a seperate issue. Jones would most definitely better serve himself and the team at LB. He isnt a S. At LB he would be able to really maximize his talents which are obviously abundant.
