Talking to and reading comments from many LSU fans, I get the impression that most people would like to pigeon hole us into one problem that if fixed, would get us on track. I tend to believe that it is a series of issues, varying in size and frequency that seem to be snowballing on us. 1. Most glaring to me is an inability to run the ball effectively, but I attribute this to a lack of respect for the pass from our QB. 2. JJ does not manage the pocket well, but in all honesty, Black and Barksdale have been abysmal at times in pass protection. 3. WR sometimes run sloppy routes, and sometimes not at all when confused on the play(they run block instead of run a route) 4. Play calling seems a bit predictable or just poor in some cases - Crowton is not catching anyone off guard this year. 5. Punt returns are rare - we cannot get our return man free. 6. Sideline calls - I am not a fan because I think it is being executed poorly. It should be a faster pace, be designed to commit the defense to a formation and player set, and take the responsibility off the QB of an audible. Doesn't seem to be doing this so far. Do you guys see other things at odds? Agree it's several things? Disagree and think it's just one? I know there are plenty of people out there that would love to turn this into a staff bashing thread, but it seems to me there are plenty of those already. If possible, please limit your comments to actual constructive criticism. If the staff is to blame for something, point it out. If the players are to blame, point that out. I am really curious to gauge where the average TF poster stands as to our issues.
I think you nailed it - it is rarely just one thing. It all starts with running the ball and not many teams can run the ball against a stacked box...we're now one of those teams. With that being said there are screens and other plays that can get you yards -- we seem to like the option . . . for whatever reason.
I agree, I think that it's varying degrees and combinations. Weakness at QB and off. line play are killing us, if either one improves, it'll take the pressure off the other. Teams are stacking the box and daring us to throw. Below average QB play is allowing this to be successfull. If the QB play was better, the below average line play wouldn't be exposed. If the line were a little better/consistent, then we could get by with sub-par QB play Defense has gotten better each game, IMO, but still need to get way better on 3rd down. We're staying on the field way too long.
Isn't that puzzling why we have not riddled these guys with screens and forced them to be honest? I scratch my head on that one every game. Who here thinks that is a Miles call as opposed to a Crowton call? The option is the answer? I am wondering how much the injury to Murphy has upset this years gameplan. I would like to think they could adjust around it, but I have not seen it yet. I have never liked the option(even when run well), so our devotion to a poorly executed play is bizarre. Not trying to give Miles a pass here, as he is ultimately in charge of the team, but I don't think he is calling this play.
your number 1 to me is the biggest problem. Did Herman Johnson mean that much to this team? LSU has to be able to establish the run. If we don't do that, we cannot beat a quality opponent. When you have a young quarterback, with little experience, his best friend is a good defense, and a good running game. It takes alot of pressure off of him. The offense has to be simplified. We have to get back to running the ball to set up play action. Everyone on the offense needs to check themselves, it seems like the only one with any heart is Charles Scott, and Terrance Toliver sometimes.
It has been said before with the O-line, that we dont have enough beef up front, along with the poor pocket presence of JJ, we are just not getting it done. However, I do blame alot of it on the coaching and playcalling. We have good running backs and wide receivers at a average height of about 6'3 to 6'4. Our o-line play has been really sad this year and when JJ does have time to throw the ball, he is scared of throwing an interception, which is a result of micromanagement of the position. They have to let him play and the offensive line has to either get better or start playing younger guys. I refuse to believe that Black, Hitt, and Barksdale are that bad. I single those guys out because they have the most experience.
I think you pretty much summed it up. Here's what I see/hear: 1) JJ is young, and just may not be ready mentally to accept the load that's being put on him. He's scared to screw up and one thing Crowton has been drilling him on is not making mistakes. The young man is gun shy. He may eventually come around, but this is what I see to this point in the season. 2) Crowton is not doing a good job with play calling. I was told that they have many new plays "in the playbook", yet when it comes game time, Crowton is just calling the same old predictable stuff. And what about Shep or Lee? I'm not saying start either guy, but I know for a fact there's more plays in the play book that they do at practice that involve Shep both running and throwing, and we know Lee can throw down field. Yet when game-time comes, they don't dial any of it up... I'm not saying to bench JJ, but lighten his work load a bit. Not good to do half way through the season, but something's gotta change here. A 2-QB system with Shep in at different positions for special plays would likely be more productive than what we have right now. 3) The O-line is struggling. However, it's not like they're consistently not executing. I don't think it's as much of their fault as #1 and #2 above compounding the problems. I've seen many many plays where JJ has 4-5 seconds to make his decision. He shouldn't need nearly that long. Again, he's too worried about mistakes. 4) I hate this look back to the sideline stuff. It seems to be popular now days, but we aren't getting the plays in quickly enough, which pressures the O-line and Jefferson to get the right play set up, etc. Not to mention, the DE's aren't fooled by it at all.. watch the Florida replay.. The DE's get down and never flinch when JJ looks to the side for the play. I think we should stop that crap. This would let the QB find his own rhythm. 5) Until we start dumping the ball over the middle to Dickson a little bit, the opposing team's LB's will NEVER back up, thus complicating O-line issues. Other teams simply do NOT respect our passing game at all, and honestly they have no reason to. Just my take on it. I do know they're working on all of the above things but we won't know if any changes will stick until game day. Crowton has had a lot of "meetings" this week with CLM and the team alike and all of these things were brought up to him. We'll see how it goes from here.
I agree with everything posted so far. My feeling is that the coaches are playing scared and they need to tell the guys "OK, let's see what you can do". Turnovers are bad but you can't let your fear of them paralyze you.
I want to add that sometimes the offensive side seems to lack the swagger that the defensive is begining to have. CLM is a "motivator" coach and should be coaching these guys up. To be sure, I'm not saying our guys on the offense is lacking desire. It's hard to have the swagger when your struggling (in the points you listed in Post #1) but I think it could be a "which came first, the chicken or the egg?" situation. Is it the lack of confidence causing these problems or the problems causing lack of confidence. The thing is if one side of the equation increases, I think other will also.
THIS! I know we are under utilizing a lot of offensive weapons, but using the TE in the receiving game has been well below sub par. If JJ is most comfortable with short to medium passes, Dickson should be blowing up!
