I could buy that rationale as well, BUT the fact is JJ isnt any better. JJ has not run the team well at all. Everything is off. The coaches clock management sucks as well to compound it all. The looking to the sidelines doesnt at all help either. The fact is Shepard probably isnt ready for QB and JJ or even Lee or better options. Thing is though Shepard could be used in so many ways and formations that the coaches arent exploring. If he is in the game and in motion the D will probably key on him. Helping free Scott up the middle or off tackle. Shepard is a super talent that is being wasted. No two ways about it.
I agree with you and the first thing we need to do to help them get better is to get them some protection. Protection facilitates learning, less mistakes, and opens the playbook.
Which is exactly why Shep should have been used early in the year during the non-crucial games. I think this just proves the point many of us where making in the off season when people said Shep would be in on 30% of the plays. You never count on a true freshman to come in right away and contribute. Even one the caliber of Shep is not immune to plenty of mistakes. Promising a freshman playing time and no red shirt is a risky move at best.
Well, i don't know which is worse, that or starting from your 25 and then punting from the 10. Or throwing an int before half with an sure opportunity to put points on the board, or watching the same mistakes week after week and not correcting them as if they don't exist. I would say give the kid a chance. He has not been given a chance yet, at all. One play per quarter is not a chance.
I agree with Bhelm that Shep's character is not going allow him to quit LSU and go someplace else because his coach doesn't think he's ready. It will just make him work harder. However, I'm perplexed by this myself and more concerned about the message is sends to the 30+ recruits we had at the game Saturday. I'm a recruit watching RS standing on the sideline AGAIN when our offense is not doing jack. I just might be thinking...."Les says RS will play and doesn't. Nick Satan says if you got it, I'll use it and does (as does Auburn with McAlebb and Georgia with Ealey, etc.). Where should I go if I want to play from day one?" Miles is slow to change and seems to change only when his hand is forced. I'm hoping he'll take the next two weeks to revamp our offense and use some of the speed we have. opcorn:
If we don't see Shepard get significant playing time for the rest of the season.. well.. let's just say the public perception will change and Miles will start to feel a warm seat. It has nothing to do with Shepard either really -- Shepard is just the posterboy on the "Miles doesn't use his talent" train that is picking up steam.
