Okay, we all know he's borderline insane...but it works, so let's get past that and focus on the issue at hand. This year will be the first true test of what kind of a coach this man is. Several cards are stacked against him going into this season, including but not limited to the lack of a QB, feature RB, defensive backfield, an experienced LB corps, and a proven DC. Winning this year is going to take some real game management. Can the mad hatter win with the hand he's been dealt? I personally have faith. I say 9-10 wins with four or five that could go either way. LOL, how would that be any different? Go Tigers :LSU231:
I'm sorry, I'm used cbssportsline and people instantly reaching into their "hate Les Miles" bag and pulling out the insanity card. My only response is always..."Well, it works!" I was trying to beat the haters. And the bump was my mistake...I had the sorting screwed somehow and I didn't see my thread, so I bumped it thinking it would help. Apologies.
I've noticed a shift on the opponents boards. His first two years it was "Les is crazy" and "Les is dumb". Now it's "Les is lucky" and "Les takes risks". "We must believe in luck. For how else can we explain the success of those we don't like?" -- Jean Cocteau "Fortune favors the Bold" -- Virgil
Every year Miles has had issues the team has had to overcome, and every year he has succeeded (all top 6 finishes). This year will be no different.
Yeah, he DID go from the "madhatter" to the "Riverboat Gambler" over the course of last season. Again, it works and it makes for some exciting moments. Back to topic, though...how do you see his game-management style adjusting for this coming season? Are we going to be Arkansas of 2006...run, run, run, run, run, pass, run, run........and so on? The spring game was not really all that comforting to me regarding our QB's. I like to think our new defensive backfield is really just that good, but it really could be the QB's. I saw a lot of overthrowing from Lee and hesitation from Hatch. Will Miles curb his OC's gameplan to suit his signal-caller's abilities? Or will he have faith in whoever he chooses as his starter and let Crowton do what he does best?
Obviously the Auburn game gets a lot of attention, but I don't think that was a very big gamble. Hester was the reason we were able to go for so many 4th downs, and I don't see that especially being the case this year. He'll still go for some, but not as many IMO. Considering how strong we are at OL & DL, I expect us to grind it out a lot. We're going to be able to dominate at the line of scrimmage and control the ball, which I expect us to utilize a lot in the beginning of games to tire out the other team. But look at the points Crowton was able to put on the board last year - I see no reason we still won't have an exciting offense. We aren't going to turn into Mississippi St. We'll still have lots of playmakers that Crowton will get in space. Miles doesn't have to curb Crowton's offense. Crowton will adapt to the players we have. In the spring game our defensive backfield was not that good... With the addition of Patrick Johnson it may be this season though.
I disagree completely and I only expect statements like this from rivals or the media(what's the difference?). I disagree here as well. I'm pretty sure his first year was one of the more challenging for any LSU coach, despite his inherited talent. Last year's perpetual distraction of the Michigan job? Not to mention rampant injuries amongst our starters? Pretty good testament of his ability to keep his team ready, and continue to win. No, I think he has been tested plenty, and his salary bump reflects that. This is different from any other year? Didn't we have some nail biters last year that ultimately came down to "game management"? Faith is good, and I share it with you, however I also feel that Miles has supplied plenty of evidence of his ability to coach, coupled with our depth at every position, I think it's a forgone conclusion he will do well this year. And most of our rivals know this too. The fact that they still cling to the hope that LSU will disappear into the night is testament to that fact. As long as Miles decides to stay at LSU, he will continue to win. Despite hurricanes, OC changes, QB changes, and extensive media distractions for him and the entire team, he still managed to squeak out 11 wins in three straight seasons. I feel confident that despite the claims of rivals "in the know", which equate to wishful thinking, this is not gonna change.
