will the real Tommy Moffitt please stand up?

:geaux: I'm not sure that Moffitt is totally to blame for Black, Jones, etc. For the vast majority of his tenure here, LSU has always been known as a team that wore the opponent down by the fourth qtr and seemed to get stronger as the game went on. It's just in the last couple of years that there's been a change in this somewhat and I think it has more to do with quality depth (lack of) than conditioning. And as mentioned earlier, Moffitt has been recognized for years as one of the premier strength & conditioning coaches in the nation and I don't believe he just decided to start coasting in the last couple of years.

On the depth issue, just take for example the OL. Look at all the OL recruits who have left, quit, been injured, or kicked of the team over the last several years. Posts in other threads have mentioned this. Z. Thomas, Matt Allen, Singleton, Anderson, etc, etc. It's a long list. All these guys leaving for what ever reason have had a negative effect on quality OL depth the last couple of years, especially last year. Young guys had to step up (Hebert, Dwaroczyk) and it was tough on them. Also, Black and Hitt didn't have the type of years many thought they would have. Helms and Big Herm were sorely missed. Not only for their playing ability but their leadership. Lack of leadership on the line last season was part of the problem, but the starting five also played almost the entire season without much substitution until late in the season and the bowl game. These guys were worn out. Ciron had to play, IMO, because there wasn't really another option at LT and he and the staff knew that. On the other hand, maybe the staff should have done a better job of trying to give the subs and younger guys more PT early in the season to develop them.

Maybe the lack of substitution was CLM & Studrawa trying to develop unit chemistry. Maybe they didn't have much confidence in the subs. I don't know. As for Chad Jones he's supposedly had motivational issues in the past as someone else mentioned. Having said that, it falls back on the coaches to "motivate" him. It's tough to do with some players. I still have confidence in The Chief and his defensive staff though and believe Jones was the exception, not the rule.

I also still have confidence in Moffitt unless we see a lot of the same issues this year. If we do then maybe there's a problem. Even so, it's up to CLM and the rest of the staff/position coaches to put their foot up the butt's of those who are slacking and let them know it's not acceptable and they won't tolerate laziness. Nothing worse than some "stars" slacking up and suffering no consequenses for it. Sets a bad example for those busting their butt just to get PT. Don't know it that was the case with C. Jones or not.

Let's see what happens this season. The depth is a lot better at just about every position across the board and shouldn't be a problem/excuse. If the Tigers are gassed and getting worn down in the the 4th qtr. this year, we've got a problem. Stay tuned.:LSU231:

 

i asked that during the season. back then the issue was brought up, and it seemed there was a breakdown somewhere. i dont know where it was. but i hope it is/was addressed, as it seemed to cause us problems.

as far as lsu guys at the combines, their conditioning has been questioned. that, i dont know either. is it conditioning, or letting themselves get out of shape after the season?

all i know is there are red flags. they may be unrelated and easily addressed, they may be tied together and something that could bite us in the ass again. who know?

 

no, you are right. I thought the same thing, but i doubted myself, so i didn't say anything.

 

Freudian slip....sorry Randy. I've met him in the past at some SLU honors functions and I certainly slipped up.

Tommy Moffett, will you please stand up? :hihi:.

 

Kyle, you should have started this thread...last name spellings ARE important.

(just ask Clair) :lol:.


Tommy is going to beat me up one day.