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Possible theories for Harris not playing against Arkansas...
Posted on 11/17/14 at 11:07 am
Posted on 11/17/14 at 11:07 am
I have no inside knowledge so don't read into anything I post...I was scratching my head just like everyone else when Harris didn't get a single snap on Saturday. After all, Miles made mention on his radio show last week that Harris could see action. In my opinion, here are the best theories on why Harris didn't play (in no order):
1. If Harris plays against Arkansas and performs poorly, then what hope would the team have for the immediate future? Miles knew that Harris struggled mightily against Auburn and another poor effort by the true freshman would mean that the QB situation is a complete disaster (more so than it already is). The dysfunctional nature of the LSU QB position under Miles is well-documented and Miles is trying to insulate himself from that as much as possible. By not playing Harris, the jury would still be out on Harris. Miles is essentially protecting Harris and covering his own butt at the same time.
2. If Harris plays against Arkansas and does well, then it will show that Miles got it wrong on the QB's and Miles would have himself another QB controversy. He obviously doesn't want that after the Jefferson/Lee QB controversy.
3. Harris is in the dog house. This is a logical reason, but there is no basis for it and I have not seen anything to substantiate it.
4. Miles truly believes that Jennings was his best chance to win games. Look at it this way, Jennings was QB during LSU's three game win streak and its near win against Alabama. Jennings led the team to the win over Wisconsin, and did enough in relief at the end of last season. Miles' gameplans might also call for a conservative, game manager QB versus a gunslinger like Harris.
Personally, I think it is a combination of #1 and #4. I don't think it is #2. #3 would make sense, but I have no reason to believe it is the case,
What does the Rant think?
1. If Harris plays against Arkansas and performs poorly, then what hope would the team have for the immediate future? Miles knew that Harris struggled mightily against Auburn and another poor effort by the true freshman would mean that the QB situation is a complete disaster (more so than it already is). The dysfunctional nature of the LSU QB position under Miles is well-documented and Miles is trying to insulate himself from that as much as possible. By not playing Harris, the jury would still be out on Harris. Miles is essentially protecting Harris and covering his own butt at the same time.
2. If Harris plays against Arkansas and does well, then it will show that Miles got it wrong on the QB's and Miles would have himself another QB controversy. He obviously doesn't want that after the Jefferson/Lee QB controversy.
3. Harris is in the dog house. This is a logical reason, but there is no basis for it and I have not seen anything to substantiate it.
4. Miles truly believes that Jennings was his best chance to win games. Look at it this way, Jennings was QB during LSU's three game win streak and its near win against Alabama. Jennings led the team to the win over Wisconsin, and did enough in relief at the end of last season. Miles' gameplans might also call for a conservative, game manager QB versus a gunslinger like Harris.
Personally, I think it is a combination of #1 and #4. I don't think it is #2. #3 would make sense, but I have no reason to believe it is the case,
What does the Rant think?
This post was edited on 11/17/14 at 11:10 am
48
Posted on 11/17/14 at 11:08 am to Chicken
Doghouse. Miles seems to be rubbed the wrong way by some guys regardless of their on-field performance. Reminiscent of Keiland and Ford.
Posted on 11/17/14 at 11:09 am to Chicken
I think it's a combination of 3 and 4.
Posted on 11/17/14 at 11:09 am to Chicken
#4
Posted on 11/17/14 at 11:11 am to Chicken
Had too much beef broth on the sidelines. Miles didn't want him to take a hit and puke all over the field.
Posted on 11/17/14 at 11:12 am to Chicken
I'm going with #4 here. Unlike the rant, Miles is at practice everyday, and he really does believe Jennings is our best option. It sure would've been nice to put Harris in for a series just to put Arky off-balance though.
Posted on 11/17/14 at 11:12 am to Chicken
I think Miles loses track of time during games. He never appears to be very organized and aware of what is happening "in the moment".
That combined with only 3 first half possessions as we waste a lot of clock during games.
That combined with only 3 first half possessions as we waste a lot of clock during games.
Posted on 11/17/14 at 11:13 am to Chicken
People are looking past the auburn game. Miles and the play calling was so bad BHarris couldn't succeed. I think he was setup for failure. Second part is the interview after the game were harris was saying that the coaches put him in a good place to suceed. I think he was being a smart arse and miles knew it and picked up on it. That's where this all started in my opinion. Miles had to appease the fanbase and give him a shot but miles prefers Jennings style
This post was edited on 11/17/14 at 11:17 am
Posted on 11/17/14 at 11:14 am to Chicken
quote:
If Harris plays against Arkansas and does well, then it will show that Miles got it wrong on the QB's
this Miles doesn't want to be proven wrong
Posted on 11/17/14 at 11:14 am to Chicken
I think Miles has screwed up the quarterback situation from the start of the season. EVERYONE knows that Harris has more upside than Jennings. Miles should have been open and played both quarterbacks early.
Harris should have seen at least 2 series in every game this season. Jennings might give you the best chance to win today, but not tomorrow. By not giving Harris more opportunities Miles is actually slowing down his progress.
Apparently quarterback is the only position where certain players are allowed to make the same mistakes without being penalized. Look what happens to Quin, with the drops against Bama.....no playing time at Ark. Look at how much time a running back spends on the bench after a fumble.
Jennings is allowed to be inept with no repercussions.
Harris should have seen at least 2 series in every game this season. Jennings might give you the best chance to win today, but not tomorrow. By not giving Harris more opportunities Miles is actually slowing down his progress.
Apparently quarterback is the only position where certain players are allowed to make the same mistakes without being penalized. Look what happens to Quin, with the drops against Bama.....no playing time at Ark. Look at how much time a running back spends on the bench after a fumble.
Jennings is allowed to be inept with no repercussions.
Posted on 11/17/14 at 11:15 am to Chicken
quote:
What does the Rant think?
I'll go with number 4.
I doubt that he sees even now that Jennings against Arkansas was actually worse than Harris against Auburn. Harris's mistakes against Auburn were physical, adrenaline-based. Jennings against Arkansas was poor decision after poor decision, coupled with physical mistakes.
Posted on 11/17/14 at 11:17 am to Chicken
no doubt #3 He doesn't like a player he can't keep his foot on. Harris is very sponatneous in how he plays...Les doesn't like the unpredictability of that AT ALL!!!! And #4 for the same reason I just mentioned.
Posted on 11/17/14 at 11:17 am to Chicken
5. Les Miles has the IQ of a turnip on Saturdays.
Posted on 11/17/14 at 11:18 am to Chicken
quote:
Miles' gameplans might also call for a conservative, game manager QB versus a gunslinger like Harris
I think this is a HUGE part of it. It seems to me that Harris will improvise and call the audible at the line of scrimmage. Les does not like this.
Posted on 11/17/14 at 11:20 am to Chicken
Really don't have a clue as to CLM's thinking. Maybe Miles really believes that Jennings will improve, and likes him because of all the extra work he puts in to study the game (#4), but maybe it's because he is just too damn scared to let him Harris go win because #2 would happen.
After watching Miles' actions over the last few years, I think he's just too damn stubborn to let someone think they know more than him about what to do, and is determined to show LSU that he is going to do what HE wants to do - LSU be damned.
After watching Miles' actions over the last few years, I think he's just too damn stubborn to let someone think they know more than him about what to do, and is determined to show LSU that he is going to do what HE wants to do - LSU be damned.
Posted on 11/17/14 at 11:20 am to Chicken
Your last sentence of #4:
Is not mutually exclusive with #3. Look, New Mexico state isn't Arkansas. With an additional interception or fumble in that game, then you are looking at 24-0 instead of 17-0.
Personally: Both JJ and Jarrett Lee were ruined by playing early. I think it's pretty clear that Harris has longer term value to the program, but we lack experience at anything other than O line in the offense. It's not like he's got upperclassmen WRs to throw to.
That said - probably should have started him the 3rd quarter or 2nd series in the 3rd quarter. I know the game is tight at 10-0 but the current horses weren't leaving the stable.....
Looking forward to seeing Harris against A&M.....
quote:
Miles' gameplans might also call for a conservative, game manager QB versus a gunslinger like Harris.
Is not mutually exclusive with #3. Look, New Mexico state isn't Arkansas. With an additional interception or fumble in that game, then you are looking at 24-0 instead of 17-0.
Personally: Both JJ and Jarrett Lee were ruined by playing early. I think it's pretty clear that Harris has longer term value to the program, but we lack experience at anything other than O line in the offense. It's not like he's got upperclassmen WRs to throw to.
That said - probably should have started him the 3rd quarter or 2nd series in the 3rd quarter. I know the game is tight at 10-0 but the current horses weren't leaving the stable.....
Looking forward to seeing Harris against A&M.....
Posted on 11/17/14 at 11:23 am to Chicken
I think No. 3 is the answer. He probably won't see the field this year.
Posted on 11/17/14 at 11:24 am to Chicken
JMO - Harris is probably a little more prone to going "off script" than Jennings. We saw multiple occasions against AU where Harris left the pocket when there was no pressure and tried to create a play. Good or bad, I don't think that's what Miles' and co. want to happen. It could lead to a big play, but could also lead to a big TO. NOTHING scares Miles more than turnovers. It is abundantly clear that he is willing to forego an effective offense in order to minimize the potential risk of a TO.
Although it didn't seem that way, the game was still relatively close at 10-0. Miles' thinking (as IMO it was on 1/9/12) was likely that if our defense/ST can make a huge play we could get a short field for our offense and/or "steal" some points. Justifiably or not, I don't think he wanted to risk Harris turning the ball over at that stage thus keeping the opportunity alive for the defense or ST to get LSU to a one score deficit. I'm not saying that was the right decision, just my thought as to why Harris didn't play
Although it didn't seem that way, the game was still relatively close at 10-0. Miles' thinking (as IMO it was on 1/9/12) was likely that if our defense/ST can make a huge play we could get a short field for our offense and/or "steal" some points. Justifiably or not, I don't think he wanted to risk Harris turning the ball over at that stage thus keeping the opportunity alive for the defense or ST to get LSU to a one score deficit. I'm not saying that was the right decision, just my thought as to why Harris didn't play
Posted on 11/17/14 at 11:26 am to Chicken
I think it's #4. 1 & 2 don't add up because Miles believes he is immune to criticism. Also, #2 doesn't necessarily mean that Miles made the wrong call. It could be that Harris is a better QB now than he was at the beginning of the season, just like Beckwith is better now. As you say, no evidence for #3 so that leaves #4.
Posted on 11/17/14 at 11:27 am to Chicken
quote:
4. Miles truly believes that Jennings was his best chance to win games. Look at it this way, Jennings was QB during LSU's three game win streak and its near win against Alabama. Jennings led the team to the win over Wisconsin, and did enough in relief at the end of last season. Miles' gameplans might also call for a conservative, game manager QB versus a gunslinger like Harris.
I think this is partially it, but it's an unjustified reason to play Jennings imo. We win in spite of him, not because of him. He's had turnovers and some crucial times and has not had a single game all year that I'd describe as anything more than average.
I think Harris starting all year would have seen similar results though likely better passing numbers. But we'd also be set up better for the next few years.
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