I was in the South Endzone (great seats) for the NT game. Driving home, my impression was that the DL didn't look that great against the pass and that LSU didn't really blitz all that much. After rewatching the game last night on LSUSports.net, I've changed my mind a bit. Here are my perceptions of the "D". Interested in your thoughts. First, NT QB Vizza is a crafty little guy who accurately and quickly dumped the ball off. He made the pass defense "appear" vulnerable when in fact he is just a pretty good QB in that system and made some very nice throws under pressure. Second, the DBs looked very good in my opinion. The CBs played off a bit in the first half, allowing some easy screens and slants. But in the second half, the coverage was very tight and Vizza had to thread the needle to get completions in. LSU could've had three picks in the game, but the balls were SO poorly thrown on two of them that the DBs couldn't quite get to them. Third, Jacob Cutrera played a very good football game. We'll miss Beckwith. But I think Cutrera, Sheppard, and Riley are a very good LB combination. Now, another injury could make things very interesting here, with Foyil being injured right now as well. It's a good thing Theriot enrolled early. Clemmons looks brutal on ST, as does Ryan Baker. Fourth, the DL absolutely dominated up front. Alem had some very nice pass rushes that, with a less poised QB, would've resulted in sacks. The two or three nice runs that NTU did have appeared to me to be miscues by young DBs in support of gaps left by blitzing LBs. Otherwise, there was no place to run. Auburn is a different beast. But LSU's defense, if it stays healthy, is very good. If the DBs keep getting better (and I think they are almost there now), the 2008 defense could be better than last year, which is obviously saying something.
LB is my only concern, but I think LSU counters the lack of depth there with more nickel packages. I'd like for opposing teams to think that they can run through Jones and McCray because they are not "linebackers". :wave:
