Rewatched the Florida game, LSU is essentially playing with 9 1/2 players on defense

No ... not really. I've seen Loston make some good plays. The problem with Loston is that when he screws up, it usually results in a score, like twice against GA.

Like I said earlier ... 3/4 and 3/4.

To be honest, until the last game, I wasn't giving Freak, or Mills very high marks either. Nor did I think Barrow was lighting up the world. Barrow came on a lot better in the last game, but he ain't no Minter either. I've been a tad disappointed with ALL the DE's ...though Hunter stepped up a bit last game. ... but that doesn't mean he will do the same next game.

But .. I"ll say, it seems .... only seems issy, and I respect your post, .. but it seems, the difference between you and me is that I hold the position that both Welter and Loston, and the entire defense for that matter "can" redeem themselves. I'm not slamming the door on anybody, just commenting on play up to this point. With you, it "seems", and you've said as much, that Welter shouldn't have even been allowed on the team, and regardless, should be kicked off the team tomorrow. I'm don't necessarily agree with that. It's like was said earlier ... Eric Reid stunk up the field last year for awhile, doesn't mean he is a pathetic DB. Same for Loston .. the dude could come on strong in the next few games. Welter could come on strong in the next few games. I'm open to that possibility.

 

What we may be missing is how much better Eric Reid and Kevin Minter made Loston and Barrow look. Welter is the field general I get it, but honestly I've seen him do more good than Barrow. I thought Barrow and Welter were alot better vs UF though. The pass rush helped them out tremendously.

 

Dude, you are so good at critiquing play that I am ready to see some Islstl out on the field, or at least on the sideline coaching. Maybe a GA?

 

I don't agree that you can make that determination. Players can learn better skills, better instincts.

Athleticism is something that can be improved by training, and determination can be improved by attitude, and instincts can be improved with experience. Welter is not, and may never be a Minter, but neither will 90% of the MLBs in College Football. But that doesn't mean that he can't bump it up to the next level. Some Players are "gifted" ... but I've yet to see a team with 11 "gifted" players on the field ... usually, there is 3-4 gifteds, and the rest are just guys who've worked their asses off to win the position.

Same goes for Loston. Loston is not gifted ... but he most certainly holds the potential to work his ass off and bump his play up to a higher level. .... [as for laying the wood, I have to wonder about the new targeting rule and the threat of ejection .... I remember the guys on the OM/ATM game talking about how the guys are backing off because they are aware of it]

Think about Mettenberger ... He does not even look like the same player this year as he did last year! Cameron has done wonders with Mett. ... and lord knows, Mett is not the most athletic player on the field. Jefferson would have ranked way higher on the athleticism scale than Mett, but this years Mett makes him look like a pee wee QB. I think back on the WRs who were not as fast as some, not as tall as some, but, turned out to be the best in the game because they learned how to run routes better than most and maximize the strengths they had.

IMO .. it all comes down to attitude. Some players can't be helped because they think they are already "the bomb", when they aren't. I see it all the time. Some guys have some natural talent, but they are too narcissistic to improve. Some guys don't have the natural talent, but they work their asses off. On more than one occassion, I've seen that guy who works his ass off pass the natural talent.

Question is ... which one is Welter?

 

i dont hate the kid, I just dont think he is good. I think Jalen Collins is a far worse corner than Welter is as a MLB.

 

Id agree with that statement. Collins is just a horrible liability. He gets soundly beat far too often. I think Welter is an intelligent player. He just lacks the size, athleticism, and attitude to be a starter at LSU. He is a special teams type player.

 

Collins is starting to remind me of Hoofkin.

He must be reminding the coaches of him, too, because the freshmen are taking over his spot.