Re: Rueben Randle The only thing I wonder about Randle, is how much this LSU season will affect his decision. If he comes outright and says he understands LSU's situation, they'll get better, this season will not affect my decision, then I like LSU's chances. Randle will look and see LSU has won 2 NCs in 5 years. Awesome. After our first NC, we had a bit of a down year under Saban. This year, no team could probably overcome the QB situation we were in. Then the coaches will get in his ear about every team has down years, Florida, Texas, Bama last year. If this was LSU's second year losing, it might have a huge impact on Randle but its not, its one year. LSU will make the changes they need to keep winning, too much invested in the program. I mean, look at who he is considering. Bama, huge question marks at QB next year, probably the weakest spot on their team. Saban is also all about power football and LSU is much more suited towards balance than anything(that is if we have a QB, obviously). Oklahoma might not have a QB but if they do, who will be the man after next year, Randle's next 3 years? And then you look at LSU, JJ showed real solid signs of progression Sunday. Was he amazing? At one point he was but then slowed down. He did show something that takes QBs 4 years and more to do...he actually progressed through his WR reads, something JL has shown nothing of. That is a HUGE step of progression right there. If JJ tears up this upcoming bowl game, watch out NCAA!
Re: Rueben Randle I'm glad you reminded me about JJ cause I was thinking the longer he waited the more chance of him slipping out of the back door.
Re: Rueben Randle Same here so that's a wash. Arguably better at Bama -McElroy is a redshirt sophomore who is thoroughly familiar with McElwain's offense- so I was told.
Re: Rueben Randle The difference between him and LSU is, we will have 2 Freshman on roster next year, 2 Sophomores and 1 Junior. Which means, no matter how bad the QB situation is, somebody is going to step up. That means one of those young QBs will develop with Randle, rather than by his Junior year, QB is gone, then forces the receivers to struggle, messing his draft stock up. Randle doesn't need to tear it up his first 2 years to make it to the NFL. Plus, no offense to Bama but JPW is a pretty mediocre QB and this guy is sitting behind him with almost no game experience. But yea, I guess Bama is a similar situation sorta. But their offensive philosphy is different from ours, believe it or not. LSU just ran it more this year because of the QB situation. A spread is better fit for a wideout like Randle, I'm sure he understands that. LSU could not be stopped last year, keep that in mind with Doucet almost out the entire year.
Re: Rueben Randle Bama will have the exact same except for one less sophomore. Both schools are extremely similar. You said we ran the ball more this year b/c of the QB, but so did Bama. Each team will do what they need to do to win, and if RR is on their team he will get the ball.
Re: Rueben Randle I don't think that is true at all Tigerbait, Saban has always had that power mentality. Will they be a little more balanced? Probably. But it can't really be argued the style of offense Bama plays is better for a WR compared to LSU. Like I said, last year LSU could basically do what it wanted, to whoever it wanted. Especially the WRs. Last year, the only time I ever really remember LSU getting stopped consistently on Offense was itself off Penalties or dropped passes. And remember, its not like 8 starters got knocked off the Offense from last year either. That was the point I was trying to make Tigerbait3, JPW is incredibly mediocre and yet the guy behind him has almost no experience. How good could the guy be if hes sitting behind JPW, obviously he can progress but hes not there right now. So they're sitting in a situation we had this year. Will they be as bad? Probably not and that defense will probably carry them a lot but they are going to have their growing pains just like us. At least we got some guys with a lot of experience now, they know what to expect ahead of them.
Re: Rueben Randle From the first TAF meeting Saban has always preached a balanced offense -- 150ish passing yards a game is not balanced, and it is not what he or any SEC coach wants. You are assuming this years offense is what they will look like in the future, which isnt the case. No one other than Julio can get separation which is what sets the passing game back. Last year JPW was third in the conference in pass attempts and this year he is seventh. JPW starts because he gives them the best chance to win, and that is because of his experience. It doesnt mean the back up QB's are bad players, they just know in this offense JPW isnt going to lose them many games. If their defense was poor and their record was different you might see a different QB. In 2001? Saban had to score and the offense was wide open. It just depends on the year, and all coaches in the SEC are striving for balance...they just adjust to their current players. Perhaps our OC should have passed less this year as well. McElwain calls the plays and I believe last year his offense was a 200/200 team, or close to it. Point is both teams will use their talent and adjust play calling accordingly -- as any good coach would.
Re: Rueben Randle Well TB3 has a great point. Bama won't throw for more than 150-175 a game on average. LSU has the potential and Crowton would certainly like to put up 225-250. Big difference. I can say we are in better position now that it looks like JJ will be able to lead this team next season. If Miles had his way he would have played Lee into the ground and I sure as hell would not be thinking about coming to LSU as a WR. Thank God for the injury. There, I said it.
