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I never understood the knock on Steve Ensminger this season...
Posted on 1/14/19 at 4:56 am
Posted on 1/14/19 at 4:56 am
First of All....lets look at a few things. Coming into the season we had NO BIG Name offensive firepower returning this season. The only real offensive Stat production we had coming back was our TE Moreau. We were breaking in a brand new QB, two brand new Runningbacks, and a bunch of unproven WRs. We lost Guice, DWilliams, Eitling, Chark, and Guice. So before the season even started Ensminger already had his work cut out for him. Looking back I can't remember the last time our offense had as many questions heading into a season.
Now, I think we can all agree how bad our Offensive Line was this year. Seemingly we started a NEW offensive starting rotation week to week due to injuries and shuffling around. That was another HUGE obstacle for Ensminger to overcome all season long.
How bout the Dropsies? I bet LSU led the SEC in dropped passes this season. It was another constant struggle that should be expected with a group of unproven WR's getting their first starts with little to no experience. Thats NOT on Ensminger???
Now look at our final season results...and tell me how this man did a bad job for the hand he was dealt???
Brossette went for over 1,000 yards and CEH added close to another 700. Burrow contributions on the ground, puts us over 2,000 yards. NOT BAD for 3 guys who never played meaningful college snaps.
I think we can all agree that over the last decade our passing game was a HUGE issue. So what did Ensmingers offense do this season??? Well lets see, Burrows 219 completions this season were the MOST! since Jamarcus Russell 12 years ago! That trumps BOTH Mettenbergers years, and trumps Flynn's 2007/2008 campaign. And Burrow most definitely didn't have the caliber WR's Russell, Flynn, or Mettenberger had to work with...and if you factor in all the dropped passes this season Burrow would have shattered those completion and passing yards as well.
When was the last time you remember LSU offense spread the ball around as much as Ensminger did this season? When was the last time you remember LSU having 6 different Receivers catch over 20 passes a piece?
Now, I think we can all agree how bad our Offensive Line was this year. Seemingly we started a NEW offensive starting rotation week to week due to injuries and shuffling around. That was another HUGE obstacle for Ensminger to overcome all season long.
How bout the Dropsies? I bet LSU led the SEC in dropped passes this season. It was another constant struggle that should be expected with a group of unproven WR's getting their first starts with little to no experience. Thats NOT on Ensminger???
Now look at our final season results...and tell me how this man did a bad job for the hand he was dealt???
Brossette went for over 1,000 yards and CEH added close to another 700. Burrow contributions on the ground, puts us over 2,000 yards. NOT BAD for 3 guys who never played meaningful college snaps.
I think we can all agree that over the last decade our passing game was a HUGE issue. So what did Ensmingers offense do this season??? Well lets see, Burrows 219 completions this season were the MOST! since Jamarcus Russell 12 years ago! That trumps BOTH Mettenbergers years, and trumps Flynn's 2007/2008 campaign. And Burrow most definitely didn't have the caliber WR's Russell, Flynn, or Mettenberger had to work with...and if you factor in all the dropped passes this season Burrow would have shattered those completion and passing yards as well.
When was the last time you remember LSU offense spread the ball around as much as Ensminger did this season? When was the last time you remember LSU having 6 different Receivers catch over 20 passes a piece?
51
Posted on 1/14/19 at 5:05 am to RaginRed
Dilly, Dilly 
Posted on 1/14/19 at 5:09 am to RaginRed
I remember Mett spreading the ball around pretty well in 2012, but the 6 players with 20 catches is interesting. (That Giles wasn’t one of the 6 despite being healthy almost all year is damn near mind boggling, but the subject of another thread...)
My biggest issue with the E offense was our seeming inability to get the ball out quicker, especially given the pass blocking issues. Hope we can get someone in here to do better with WR screens and such.
Other than that, I thought he did an ok job given the inexperience at the skill positions.
Side note, I’d be interested to see what he does with a healthier/ deeper TE corps
My biggest issue with the E offense was our seeming inability to get the ball out quicker, especially given the pass blocking issues. Hope we can get someone in here to do better with WR screens and such.
Other than that, I thought he did an ok job given the inexperience at the skill positions.
Side note, I’d be interested to see what he does with a healthier/ deeper TE corps
Posted on 1/14/19 at 5:10 am to RaginRed
He did what everyone has been wanting, although we weren’t extremely successful doing it.
The UCF game was HOPEFULLY a glimpse of what it will look like when the passing game is opened up.
In E’s defense, this was our weakest running team in the last 10 years. I expect big things for 2019!
The UCF game was HOPEFULLY a glimpse of what it will look like when the passing game is opened up.
In E’s defense, this was our weakest running team in the last 10 years. I expect big things for 2019!
Posted on 1/14/19 at 5:14 am to RaginRed
I’m not anti-SE, but here are a few things that I think most tiger fans are worried about with him:
1. Red zone offense is terrible. No imagination and a lack of utilizing his play makers. I swear I think we ran the ball up the middle every second down which let us to a terrible third-down pass into the end zone. Too predictable
2. Inconsistent playcalling. It felt like we had teams on the ropes so many times and then we let off the gas. I do not think this is an O issue. I think his play calling gets conservative when he has a couple of touchdown lead and he needs to learn how to keep the pressure on.
I’ll admit I wasnt a big SE fan but he did a good job. We need to see lots of improvement this coming year since he stated he’s only installed 30% of his offense. I’d really like to see where that other 70% leads us.
1. Red zone offense is terrible. No imagination and a lack of utilizing his play makers. I swear I think we ran the ball up the middle every second down which let us to a terrible third-down pass into the end zone. Too predictable
2. Inconsistent playcalling. It felt like we had teams on the ropes so many times and then we let off the gas. I do not think this is an O issue. I think his play calling gets conservative when he has a couple of touchdown lead and he needs to learn how to keep the pressure on.
I’ll admit I wasnt a big SE fan but he did a good job. We need to see lots of improvement this coming year since he stated he’s only installed 30% of his offense. I’d really like to see where that other 70% leads us.
This post was edited on 1/14/19 at 5:31 am
Posted on 1/14/19 at 5:22 am to RaginRed
People wanted to hate him before we even got started (somewhat understandably given his resume). I thought he did a decent job with the tools we had - lot of room for improvement, which I’m hoping will come with another year of the OL working together and some offseason time with Burrow and the receivers. Also, while I love the heart of Brossette and CEH, with all due respect, we didn’t have that Fournette/Guice/Hill RB this year, which would have made a big difference in games like Florida and A&M. While I like the talk about getting a ‘big name’ OC, that’s easier said than done (those guys are looking for head coach jobs) - would love to see us either become the stepping stone for those guys or buy into some young talent at position coach and develop Ensminger’s replacement.
Posted on 1/14/19 at 5:38 am to FrozenTuna
quote:
buy into some young talent at position coach and develop Ensminger’s replacement
This is what I'm hoping for. Joe also threw for almost 3000 yards. So while the offense needs a lot of work it wasn't a disaster. Well actually it was close to a disaster. Get improved offensive line play, better running the ball, tight ends healthy, wide receivers will come back with experience and Joe in his second year.
This offense has a chance to be pretty good.
Posted on 1/14/19 at 5:49 am to RaginRed
For me it boils down to these things:
1. Red zone productivity. We left a lot of points on the field by having to settle for field goals. The play calls were terribly predictable.
2. Lack of variation. No wheel routes, few, if any, flanker/tunnel screens, etc. I know the mantras was we had to keep it simple but why?
It was okay but okay isn't good enough.
1. Red zone productivity. We left a lot of points on the field by having to settle for field goals. The play calls were terribly predictable.
2. Lack of variation. No wheel routes, few, if any, flanker/tunnel screens, etc. I know the mantras was we had to keep it simple but why?
It was okay but okay isn't good enough.
Posted on 1/14/19 at 6:06 am to RaginRed
Good, but not great enough to get us over the hump.
2019 should be the final test. He will have a Senior QB and much better weapons at RB.
E has 0 points against Bama at home twice now. (Frustrating)
Even if people want to just concede this as an auto-loss, I would rather take the next step and compete here.
I hated the amount of play-action called and the redzone offense needs to improve.
LSU had around 40 total TDs in the regular season. The top teams had around 60,70, and 80 TDs or something during the regular season. The final four teams left in the NFL are the top 4 scoring offenses.
I just want to see LSU be among the top 25 in offense. Is that asking too much?
Okay, top 30.
I'm looking at the final stats now and LSU had 48 tds with the bowl game?
For comparison
Georgia had 68 (one extra game)
Ohio St 79
Florida 57
Clemson 90 (extra two games? champ + 1 extra playoff)
Alabama 92 (extra two games? same thing)
I would prefer LSU gain some confidence on offense and score more TDs rather than settle for 3.. even if it meant an extra turnover here and there. I just see a lot of similarities to the previous struggles, but perhaps this is the year.
2019 should be the final test. He will have a Senior QB and much better weapons at RB.
E has 0 points against Bama at home twice now. (Frustrating)
Even if people want to just concede this as an auto-loss, I would rather take the next step and compete here.
I hated the amount of play-action called and the redzone offense needs to improve.
LSU had around 40 total TDs in the regular season. The top teams had around 60,70, and 80 TDs or something during the regular season. The final four teams left in the NFL are the top 4 scoring offenses.
I just want to see LSU be among the top 25 in offense. Is that asking too much?
Okay, top 30. I'm looking at the final stats now and LSU had 48 tds with the bowl game?
For comparison
Georgia had 68 (one extra game)
Ohio St 79
Florida 57
Clemson 90 (extra two games? champ + 1 extra playoff)
Alabama 92 (extra two games? same thing)
I would prefer LSU gain some confidence on offense and score more TDs rather than settle for 3.. even if it meant an extra turnover here and there. I just see a lot of similarities to the previous struggles, but perhaps this is the year.
Posted on 1/14/19 at 6:07 am to FrozenTuna
Nobody hates him dumbass. He’s a great Tiger. He’s NOT a good OC. He was mediocre in that role 3 decades ago when he last did it, and there’s a reason no one was knocking the door down to hire him. Much like his boss. We need a young, innovative OC, the offensive equivalent of DA.
Posted on 1/14/19 at 6:18 am to RaginRed
What part of 0 points against Alabama at home in both of his games against them as coordinator do you not understand?
Hell, as a QB, he only scored 3 against them in two games at home.
Hell, as a QB, he only scored 3 against them in two games at home.
Posted on 1/14/19 at 6:20 am to RaginRed
You can say what you want, but our scheme was terrible in a couple games, especially against Bama. They were in a our backfield all night, yet we continued to PA almost every play. There were very few quick slants, screens, or short crossers that could be used to offset the pass rush.
Posted on 1/14/19 at 6:34 am to RaginRed
quote:
I never understood the knock on Steve Ensminger this season...
Alabama 29
LSU 0
This post was edited on 1/14/19 at 6:37 am
Posted on 1/14/19 at 6:46 am to JohnnyU
quote:
2. Lack of variation. No wheel routes, few, if any, flanker/tunnel screens, etc. I know the mantras was we had to keep it simple but why?
It was okay but okay isn't good enough
They only had a portion of the offense installed at the beginning of the season. They were having to install a new portion each week along with the gameplan for the game. Literally learning on the fly. They only have X amount of hours a week for practice. I would imagine things like fundamentals were somewhat neglected. I imagine that the coaches went over the material quickly and just hoped everyone got it. I could see where some might fall behind or get confused. On top of all that the coaches said that they had communication issues and couldn't call audibles at the line of scrimmage because people didn't know what to do.
quote:
Lack of variation. No wheel routes, few, if any, flanker/tunnel screens, etc. I know the mantras was we had to keep it simple but why?
It was okay but okay isn't good enough
So on top of all of that people expect that the coaches can just install different offenses or different plays drawn up in the dirt I guess.
At what point are the players simply stretched too thin and further input would be a useless endeavor.
This is just my opinion and may or not be on or off base.
Posted on 1/14/19 at 6:47 am to RaginRed
Good points, OP. Well said.
Posted on 1/14/19 at 6:54 am to Cajunomics
quote:
hated the amount of play-action called and the redzone offense needs to improve
Here is an excerpt from an article written about the play action that I'm reading right now. It's concentrating more on the league but it's still highly relevant. I'm currently looking for something on college ball so I'll post that asap.
Twenty-four teams saw their play-action rate increase from 2016 to 2017. A dozen teams saw their rate increase by at least five percentage points. The five teams that increased the most went to the playoffs, including all four conference championship teams (plus the Rams). It really was the best year for play-action in recent history, even if it was fractionally less successful overall this year than it was in years past
This post was edited on 1/14/19 at 6:55 am
Posted on 1/14/19 at 7:00 am to bencoleman
Could have and should have been way more creative/ aggressive offensively. Pretty sure that you can't do worse than "0" points, so what is there to lose? Once the pathetic scheme yielded zero after 2 quarters, blow it up and start over. Did you watch Clemson, Alabama, Oklahoma, Ohio Stae? Are you watching the Saints, Rams, Patriots, and Chiefs? The great defense and just enough offense theory as it relates to success, is a thing of the past.
Posted on 1/14/19 at 7:02 am to RaginRed
Steve did a tremendous job
Posted on 1/14/19 at 7:02 am to Drayton80
Here's some more dealing with college QBs and the reasoning behind the resurgence of the play action.
Play-action passing makes passing easier. Defenders have to respect the possibility of the run, and so hesitate in their pass rush and their coverage. It makes sense, then, that in a year when so many of the best teams in the league had inexperienced or just lower-quality players at the quarterback position, we'd see coordinators dialing up more play-action to give them every benefit they could.
Spotty, inexperienced and unproven quarterbacks are all over the top of the play-action leaderboards. The teams that saw the biggest jump from 2016 to 2017 include
Play-action passing makes passing easier. Defenders have to respect the possibility of the run, and so hesitate in their pass rush and their coverage. It makes sense, then, that in a year when so many of the best teams in the league had inexperienced or just lower-quality players at the quarterback position, we'd see coordinators dialing up more play-action to give them every benefit they could.
Spotty, inexperienced and unproven quarterbacks are all over the top of the play-action leaderboards. The teams that saw the biggest jump from 2016 to 2017 include
Posted on 1/14/19 at 7:03 am to bencoleman
Play action does not work with a limited oline, no respectable run game, and an indecisive quarterback. Next scheme, please.
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