Here is a good article on CLM's view of our QB situation. http://blog.nola.com/lsusports/2009/03/lsu_qb_situation_not_guarantee.html Pretty good read.
Miles did not give too much info but the general feeling is we will not know until after the Spring obviously. Looks like Miles wants a balance in Shep's development between QB and other roles. He sees it as a necessity to make sure RS develops as a QB for the future and he is too good not to be on the field somewhere. Great problem to have.
Miles is being purposely vague. He is coaching speaking to Shep and hedging his bet on the QB deal. We'll have to see how it goes in the spring. Good problem to have because Shep seems willing to take whatever role he is handed as long as he's contributing. I still dont see Shep as a long term solution at QB "if" JJ continues to develop well. Shep doesnt have the measurable's JJ has. He's definitely on the smallish side of his listed height and it remains to be seen what kind of arm strength he has. We are still going to see some electricity from this kid regardless. I cant wait to see him in open space against DB's. He will make many of them look silly.
CLM would be foolish to publicly state that there's not a QB competition going on heading into the Spring. At this point, I'd be pushing my two sophomores as hard as possible to see who can improve the most. And I'd use Shep and Garrett to do that, as well. He's just managing his talent and leading his team. Prediction: Garrett will be a star at LSU in his Jr and Sr years. He's been seriously overlooked.
Can somebody tap CLM on the shoulder and ask him to pass me a cup of the Kool Aid? I'm on board. No RS for Sheppard. Get him on the field and get the ball in his hands. CLM obviously is already impressed and he hasn't even seen him at practice. :geauxtige:geauxtige:geauxtige
Miles is saying the right thing, he'd be crazy to anoint JJ. My expectation is that JJ emerges as the starter. He knows the offense, he's had a few games under fire, he's got a very good arm, and he's been careful with the ball. He's a competent runner, but not really a game breaker, more of a first down getter. He's solid in every phase, and will only get better with experience. I like JJ. Lee can come back. He's got to get his head together, and he's got to learn to take care of the ball better. I think those percentages can be coached, and he can learn from good coaching. I hope Crowton can help Lee out. Shepard has the quickest initial step, and I think he's a better runner than JJ. I think he has better vision and he is a threat to go all the way. I think his arm is suspect and he doesn't know the offense. I see him as a situational QB. I'd like to see Garrett RS. If JJ missed part of the season, he may get his shot. If Lee doesn't take care of the ball, he could play a lot more. If Shep doesn't have an SEC arm, the door opens for Garrett. Shep still sees the field and could star in a slot receiver role, but you have to have an SEC arm to play QB in the SEC. We're still young at QB, younger and less experienced than most SEC championship squads. I see us in contention for the west with Ole Miss (who will have the best QB in the west) and Bama (who is building quality depth at every position with the last 2 recruiting classes). If JJ from the Ga. Tech bowl game is the QB we'll be in the thick of it. Distinguished Sr. seasons from Scott and Williams at RB will sure help also.
I bet that Russell Shepard has an SEC arm, especially when the game is on the line. We'll have opportunity to see him in clutch situations this coming season, and then we'll know for sure one way or another. Even if he starts his LSU carreer as a slot reciever, Crowton will have him use his arm somehow.
It did towards the end. The article mentions that he and Garrett bring totally different styles of play than JJ and Shepard.
