Cam Cameron goes fishing and talks LSU offense http://theadvocate.com/sports/lsu/9585222-123/video-cam-cameron-goes-fishing
Cam goes fishing and talks LSU Offense Part 2 http://theadvocate.com/sports/9592691-128/video-cam-cameron-goes-fishing
Mathieu talks LSU phenom Fournette By Gerry Hamilton | July 8, 2014 11:17:50 PM PDT BEAVERTON, Ore. -- One of the many NFL players on hand at The Opening this week is former LSU All-American safety Tyrann Mathieu. While Mathieu is most known for his two seasons with the Tigers and as an Arizona Cardinals defensive back, he played high school football at New Orleans St. Augustine, the same high school that produced 2014 No. 1 recruit and current LSU freshman Leonard Fournette. Mathieu "I grew up with him," Mathieu said. "I know his dad real well. He could never play park ball, he was always bigger than everybody else. So the parents would always say he's too big, they would write letters to the state. He couldn't play football so he always had to play what we called all-star football. They travel the state and play football." It's not just that Fournette was big, but it was his natural strength that impressed Mathieu. "I knew he was a grown man when I was in the 12th grade and he was in the 8th grade, he was always bigger than me and he (punched me in the chest) and it hurt a little bit. I didn't know if he was playing or serious because it hurt that bad. He has always been strong," Mathieu believes Fournette will not struggle with expectations that are already bordering on the unrealistic. "I think he's hungry. I think he has what I didn't have, he has a great support system already. They've always been a great support system for him. He believes in himself and the people around him believe in him. The thing is, he can't get down. I had great years at LSU, but every time I played Alabama I wasn't the same guy. So you're going to have bad games but you just can't down about it." Now in a position to give younger players advice to help them not make the same mistakes he did, Mathieu recently had a conversation with Fournette about dealing the distractions and walked away impressed. "I already told him," Mathieu said. "It's going to be a lot of hype, the girls. You're wearing the No. 7, they don't just let anybody wear No. 7. I told him to just stay balanced through it all, don't get too high or low. He's going to be all right."
DandyDon.com's Q&A with Mike Detillier on LSU’s 2014 Offense Posted 7/9/14 Scott: In many recent years, LSU's defense and special teams made up for an offense that, let's just say, left a bit to be desired. That changed dramatically last year as the Tigers' offense really found its stride. How much of last year's offensive success do you attribute to the hiring of Cam Cameron, and how much do you attribute to having a senior quarterback and playmakers like Jarvis Landry, Odell Beckham and Jeremy Hill? Mike: It's a combination of the two. Cam has done a wonderful job with the offense and utilizing the tools and talent of the players here. But the key now is developing the quarterbacks. Fair or unfair, Cameron will be judged over the next few years in his development of Anthony Jennings and Brandon Harris. Landry, Beckham and Jeremy Hill were really good players and will be outstanding pro players. Zach has a chance down the road to play and start at the NFL level. Cam Cameron is smart. He will use the best skills of the players he has, and one thing he does well is adapt his philosophy to the talent, and not have it the other way around. Some coaches insist you adapt to their scheme, but the really good coaches adapt to the talent in hand and to the changes in the game. Cam's best asset as a coach is to relate to players and also adapt his system to the current talent on a roster. Scott: The question I get asked more than any other, by far, is whether I think Brandon Harris or Anthony Jennings will start at quarterback. My standard answer is that I just don't see Coaches Miles and Cameron starting a true freshman on the road against Wisconsin unless Harris really separates himself from Jennings in preseason practice. With that said, I do think Harris is the better talent. What are your thoughts? Mike: I have long felt that Anthony Jennings starts the season and Brandon Harris finishes the season as the starter. Talent wins out in the end. Brandon is the more talented player. But with young quarterbacks you will have good and bad moments. It is part of the maturing process at any level. Johnny Manziel and Jameis Winston won the Heisman Trophy as redshirt freshman quarterbacks. But to answer the question, I think Jennings will start against Wisconsin because of his experience and because he is more familiar with the offense, but Harris will eventually be the starter in 2014. Scott: Regardless of which quarterback gets the nod, LSU will have something it hasn't had in a couple of years - a quarterback who can hurt you with his feet. How different do you expect LSU's offense to look with a mobile quarterback? Mike: Both guys move around the pocket well and it puts pressure on a defense to defend the quarterback's ability to make a big play with his feet. That element is hard to defend and we certainly saw what Cam Newton, Tim TeBow, Johnny Manziel, and last season Nick Marshall at Auburn, meant to their teams in having the skill-set to run the ball and also throw it downfield. Even when a play is bottled up, they have the ability to make something happen when there isn't much there, and I think today very few teams in college football have good depth in their front-7. It is a wear down game, fast-paced, and the change is that there are more good offensive players than defensive players. It's part of the change seen across across Football America. Quarterbacks are coming into the college ranks more ready to throw the ball, and to throw it more accurately due to all the quarterback camps and 7-on-7 competitions. It's created more weapons at tight end and wide receiver than ever before and less defensive linemen and linebackers. Mobile quarterbacks are a huge part of the college game (they always have been), and now with their ability to also throw well, offenses are just wearing down defenses and scoring is way up. That is hard to defend week in, week out. Scott: Expand more on what has brought about this change, especially in Louisiana and across the South? Mike: In Louisiana there are so many camps today, with more of a focus on offense. For example, there's the Manning Passing Academy at Nicholls State every year. But the 7-on-7 camps changed the football world more than anything. They're a way for quarterbacks and wide receivers to get their timing down and for them to understand what works best. The pace of the game is so quick today. These huge defensive linemen are getting worn out and you have to have depth or you will just get beat in the 4th quarter. But the emphasis is more on offense in these camps, more on the pitch and catch game and more on the better athletes playing wide receiver and not playing defensive end or outside linebacker. We spoke about this subtle change two years ago. It's not subtle anymore. It's distinct and it has hit the best conference in football, the SEC, right square between the eyes. Scott: Speaking of wide receivers, there's no doubt that LSU has an exceptional amount of talent at the position this year. In fact, I believe I've seen where you've called Trey Quinn, Malachi Dupré, Tony Upchurch and DJ Chark the most talented group of freshman receivers LSU has ever had. Which one, or ones, do you think will see the field early? Mike: Best foursome of freshman wide receivers I have ever seen hit LSU at one time. DJ helps immediately in the return game. Chalk is thin and will need to physically get stronger and upgrade his skill-set as a route runner, but he is a dynamite return man. Upchurch is a big receiver, well built, very physical and he moves the chains. But my bet to play a lot as freshmen go to Quinn and Malachi. Trey is perfect for the slot receiver. He's a good route runner, catches the ball with ease and he is sneaky fast. Malachi is the Mercedes Benz player. He has great size, has really worked hard to become a better route runner and he has great leaping and timing skills with the ball in flight. His work with Keenan Lewis and also with George Whitfield really helped. I think all four play as freshman in some capacity, but Dupre and Quinn see the most playing time. It will be so interesting to watch the maturity of these four talented receivers and see which quarterback-receiver duo has the best rapport in the pitch and catch game. All four receivers have distinct talents and it will be hard to keep them off the field. Scott: You know, with a group of young hot-shot freshmen like that, it's easy to forget about a few "veteran" receivers who haven't yet had their moment in the sun for one reason or another. Players like John Diarse and Avery Peterson who came to LSU with a lot of fanfare, but had to deal with injuries and a stacked depth chart. And then there's guys like last year's leading receiver, Travin Dural, and JUCO transfer Quantavious Leslie. And let's not forget Kevin Spears. There sure is a lot of talent in the mix. Who steps up, and how do you see this all shaking out? Mike: Travin Dural has the "it" factor at receiver. I can see him as an All-SEC performer. Great speed and acceleration downfield and he catches the ball so much better now. He still physically needs to get stronger, but he is lightning in a bottle. John Diarse is a little more physical and he can get up the field too in a quick manner. Diarse and Dural are similar. Leslie is different. He’s more of a guy who can make plays over the middle. I am anxious to watch Quantavious play this season because he is the guy I think today can help fill some of the production left behind by Jarvis Landry. Travin and John are more like Odell Beckham. You are right Avery had to deal with injuries and so there is some unknown there, and I have always liked Kevin Spears. He's a big receiver with excellent hands and a good route runner. I think the world of Dural as a player and I like Leslie. Man, there will be some competition at receiver in fall camp and during the season. There is a lot of talent there and also a lot of unknowns because the rapport with the QBs isn't there yet like we saw with Zach and Odell and Jarvis. That ability to break open at critical times will be a key. It's a big part of what Cameron has to figure out on who fits best, and LSU also has one of the best WR coaches in the business in Adam Henry. That guy is a terrific coach and motivator. He pushes good fundamentals and he gets the most out of his players. Scott: And how about the tight ends. Coach Cameron has said that they will be more involved in the passing game this year, and he's got a couple of great receiving tight ends to work with in sophomore Desean Smith and freshman Jacory Washington. How do you see these guys being utilized? Mike: Dillion Gordon is a terrific inline blocker and a good downfield receiver. Travis Dickson is a very good receiver and a solid inline blocker, but DeSean Smith is special as a receiver. He is like a big receiver playing tight end. I see LSU using all three guys this season. I really think a tight end in the short passing game is the QB's best friend and especially a young QB. I see Gordon, Dickson and Smith playing a big part as third down receivers and being a part of filling what Jarvis Landry did by getting that critical yardage on conversion downs. It's hard for linebackers and safeties to guard TEs at the NFL level, and I think that is one element Cam Cameron brings to LSU's offense this season. Run blocking, especially this year with a young QB, will always be part of LSU's attack under Les Miles, but this new wave of TEs is also going to be used more as receivers in this offense. Anxious to see DeSean Smith in action as a receiver and I really like Gordon. He is a terrific blocker, but underrated as a receiver.
A little more..... Scott: I've said before that I believe the strength of this year's Tiger offense will be its O-line. With four starters returning, this should be one of the better offensive lines in the country. Give me your thoughts on this group in terms of talent, experience and depth. Mike: I agree 1000%. It is the most talented and with the most depth ever at LSU. It is the key to their offense in 2014. Early on you are going to have to run the ball and control the clock and also not put great pressure on your QB to convert long 3rd down plays. This is a really good unit and they will lean on their running game early. What I want to see is how much they have improved in the pass protection part of the game. Jeff Grimes is a good coach and a good teacher of technique. LSU was lacking in that department in protecting the QB. But with La'el Collins, Jerald Hawkins, Elliott Porter, Evan Washington and Vadal Alexander, along with Hoko Fanaika, Josh Boutte and Ethan Pocic, that is a lot of talented beef upfront. Best group I have ever seen in one season at LSU. Big part of the Tigers' offensive production is in their hands in 2014. I feel really good about this group. You gotta win in the trenches and this unit is really good. This unit could be the best in college football. That is saying a mouthful, but they are really good. Scott: Yeah, with a group like that up front, and with a stable of running backs led by veterans Terrance Magee and Kenny Hilliard, and strengthened by Leonard Fournette and Darrell Williams, LSU should be able to run the ball. Just how much of a plus is that for a staff that will be breaking in a young quarterback? Mike: No question, and Les and Cameron like that running back by committee situation so you are going to see a lot of all the above. Terrance is in so many ways like Kevin Faulk - as a runner and a receiver. He's just a very good football player and he's unselfish. It's a big season for Kenny Hilliard. He's the "power" guy and he's a pretty good receiver coming out of the backfield. Darrell Williams is a lot like Stevan Ridley. Compact build, very powerful and he is a North-South guy. And what can I say about Fournette? He's the best running back I have ever seen come out of the Louisiana high school ranks, and he rates alongside Peyton Manning and Ed Reed as the best high school players I have ever seen from Louisiana. Running backs get nicked up a lot, so you need volume at that position, but Magee and Fournette really will carry the rushing load, barring an injury. Excellent group of backs behind one of, if not the, best O-line groups in the country. Scott: Expectations for Leonard Fournette are sky-high, and understandably so. There's no doubt he's an exceptional talent. With that said, how quickly do you see him making an impact, and what would you say are realistic expectations for him in year one? Mike: Game one. Running backs with that talent adjust quickly to the college game. He is a rare talent. Big man with speed, power, and the ability to make you miss. And he's a good receiver also. Leonard is a 1,000-yard rusher and catches 15 to 17 passes as a freshman. He is Louisiana's version of what Adrian Peterson was when he came out of the Texas high school ranks. He's a very focused young man too, and he understands the load he carries with such expectations of him. He will share the carries with Magee, who is more of a change of pace/quickness/speed back, but it will be a lot like last season with Jeremy Hill and Terrance. Fournette is special and in year two he will be even better. There certainly is a possibility of heavy early losses along the offensive line and graduation along the offensive line, but this unit with all that young talent at quarterback, wide receiver and tight end is geared to make a run at the BCS National Championship in 2015. 2014 is the set-up year for the big run next season. Fournette and, in my opinion, Brandon Harris lead the way offensively in 2015. The key is to recruit offensive tackles and defensive ends hard for 2015. Those two areas are just so hard to find and both play off one another.
Best of luck to him....... LSU wide receiver, former QB Rob Bolden planning to transfer LSU's Rob Bolden will transfer for the second time in two seaons after being moved to wide receiver by LSU. ( (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)) Print By Jim Kleinpeter, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune Follow on Twitter on July 14, 2014 at 1:44 PM, updated July 14, 2014 at 2:27 PM LSU senior wide receiver Rob Bolden will transfer to another school prior to the 2014 season, a source close to LSU told NOLA.com | The Times Picayune Monday. Bolden transferred to LSU as a quarterback from Penn State two years ago. Bolden, a 6-foot-4, 208-pounder from Detroit, was moved from quarterback to wide receiver last spring but was not expected to have an impact in 2014. Possible landing places include Central Michigan or Eastern Michigan, the source said. Bolden played little in LSU's spring game in April and caught one pass for 37 yards. He will have one season of eligibility after redshirting at LSU in 2012 but will have to graduate and enroll in another school's graduate program not offered at LSU. The first freshman to start at quarterback in 100 years at Penn State, Bolden played in 20 games with 15 starts in two seasons. He did not play during his two seasons at LSU. He apparently was not an option for being moved back to quarterback for 2014 after Stephen Rivers and Hayden Rettig transferred earlier this year. That leaves LSU with two scholarship quarterbacks, sophomore Anthony Jennings and freshman Brandon Harris, for the 2014 season.
