My explanation is very simple. Alabama knew that if they stopped the option play, LSU couldn't move the ball...since that was the main way in the first game LSU moved it. I have no idea what adjustments could have been made by LSU. As LSUPride said, when your OL is getting dominated, I would love to know what to do about that. So would say Louisiana Tech when they play say a Florida State. I think we have seen Russell Shepard's potential...a straight speed guy with bad hands, poor route running skills, has trouble even lining up properly sometimes, not a good blocker, and goes down on tackles too easily. Once again, it is not his fault he was rated a 5* player out of HS when IMO he is no more than a high 3* player. The services make mistakes a lot...his invitation to the Under Armour all star game as a QB was one. I realize the delay penalties deal was hyperbole but I want to comment on that and related to RS some BTW. Those delay of penalties were usually caused by people like Jordan Jefferson and Russell Shepard who seemed to get confused as to alignments, etc. I saw no indication that Crowton got the plays in late...I believe you are confusing him with Jimbo Fisher who time and time again sent the plays in late when at LSU. I had no problem in general with Crowton's playcalling EXCEPT that he apparently never realized that he didn't have the personnel to run some of those plays. Here is a perfect example: Crowton never figured out that Jarrett Lee couldn't read defenses...pretty obvious with all the INTs that Lee had under Crowton. When Kragthorpe came in, and yes (here it is again), he figuratively put a GIANT U forward from the LOS and flipped it upside down. Lee's "zone of safety" was basically any pass that fell on the border of the U. Thus, Lee was restricted to throwing flat patterns, sideline throws, fade routes, long anywhere was pretty much OK. But Lee was NOT allowed to throw over the middle either in short or intermediate routes because Kragthorpe realized that JL would never find the LBer/S. LSU receivers would run the correct "read and run" routes but JL misread coverages....hence the 2 INTs in the 1st UA game. BTW, the passes listed above falling on the upside down U are fairly safe because LBer and Safeties are not an issue. Even on LONG passes, yes the safety will come over but usually if you thrown the ball at least as far as the receiver you are safe. Underthrown passes are the ones where the S can INT it and Lee's problem was never really underthrowing receivers.
The DC's also know that Shepard is a dangerous runner with the ball. With no downfield threat last year, the linebackers just keyed on the slotback and the running back. But if Mettenberger is hitting receivers downfield, some of those backers are going to have to drop into coverage. Shepard in the slot complicates the defensive plan because he can get downfield in the pass patterns or get the ball quickly on a toss and exploit linebackers out of position.
Meh, anyone LSU lines up on O can be dangerous. I just didn't see anything at all special about the kid. He might have the natural tools, but never seemed to make that next step. RR really made that jump last year considering on averaging 150 pass yards as a team per game. This is the greatness that surrounds Shep with nothing to back it up with. His time has passed and to me, is just another GOOD player on this team. I mean, any defense needs to pay attention to the slot….
LSU just on TD plays in the passing game has Beckham with 52 yard play and a 51 yard play. Randle had TD catches of 46, 42, 46, and 59. LSU's problem in the passing game was not the lack of long TD pass plays. You have 6 long TDs in a season in the passing game...that is not bad at all when you are basically a running team to begin with. There are a few people getting drunk on the Russell Shepard Kool-Aid...the guy has bad hands and runs rounded off routes. I seriously doubt the offensive philosophy this season will be built around Russell Shepard. In fact, Alfred Blue said he has been practicing some out in the slot. I would much rather slip Alfred Blue who is a much, much better football player than Russell Shepard down the middle of the field.
Everybody that is not a blind contrarian understands that LSU lacked a reliable downfield passing game last year and good defenses (alabama) made us pay for it. Everybody is expecting Mettenberger to address this issue, which may be all it takes to open up our running backs and slot backs for long runs and short passes. Especially without an established receiving tight end.
That has nothing to do with Shep. The kid had chances and came up short. Proven results. Again, he is not the best WR or RB. He is a good player, but not one that has SHOWN the ability to separate himself from the pack.
Other than perhaps giving him more freedom to operate in the style that he's best at -- getting the ball quickly and using his legs.
Agreed. With part of this thread dealing with long passing plays and which receivers had success on those a point seemingly ignored is without a threat at slot your X and Z receiver end up being double teamed. Putting the speed of a guy like Shep in the slot, on a crossing route, essentially freezes the S and F safeties and eliminate them playing directly over the top on passing plays. You add a TE in the pattern and you pretty much guarantee single coverage on X and Z unless the D is in a nickel. Then, you've still got single coverage on at least one. A move to dime, and we're back to what you mentioned earlier...opening other options for the Y (Shep.) Honestly, it leads me to consider some believe there are only two skill players on successful passing plays.
