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Football Weaknesses and Starters

Posted on 5/19/21 at 3:08 pm
Posted by Cigar
Member since May 2021
1032 posts
Posted on 5/19/21 at 3:08 pm
After spring most people identified 4 issues with LSU.

RB
Still widely unproven. We have some guys at the top that have been in the program and were highly recruited that haven’t lived up to the hype. Hopefully they can take that step this year and show why they were considered elite. This is kind of a Dumbell position. The immediate seniority depth is kinda week, but have some bright spots mostly in specific faculties of the game (passing). But the incoming freshman are coming in with similar hype as the upperclassman did. 2 elite guys with a lot of versatility and talent. High expectations for them. More than likely the upperclassmen will take the majority of the reps this year.

O Line
Experience, experience, experience. That is the key for O line. There is no substitute for in game reps where you are going full speed against someone else going full speed. Practice and drills can help improve, but where most O lineman get better is in game reps. Hopefully we can capitalize on that this year.


The next 2 it’s still unknown as to who will actually start.

LB
In spring it was evident that we needed some help here, but that was mostly because key players weren’t here or were injured. I expect there to be great play from this position this year especially with BB at coach and when all the players are there.

Safety
How the turn tables here... this was believed to be one of our weakest depth positions so much so we would be relaying so much on freshman that we moved a CB to safety. Regardless if they are freshman or transfers the coaches have aired up the depth here greatly. Looking for big improvements here with DJ and Raymond.


*my guess*
LBs
Bj Ojulari (So) *listed as Lb but he is a DE*
Josh White (So)
Zavier Carter (Fr)
Damone Clark (Sr) *significant PT* (3rd down likely)
Navonteque “Bugg” Strong (Transfer So) *Starter*
Micah Baskerville (Sr) *Starter* (1st and 2nd down)
Antoine Sampah (So)
Phillip Webb (Fr)
Jared Small (Sr) (walk on but has gotten some hype)
Mike Jones Jr. (Transfer So) *Starter* (mock 1st round draft pick)
Gregg Penn III (Fr)

I think starters will be assume if we are in 4-3
Bugg, Jones, (situation rotating of Baskerville and Clarke)
4-2 will likely depend on NB and situation

Safeties
Todd Harris Jr. (Sr) *Starter*
Cameron Lewis (Sr)
Jordan Toles (So)
Jay Ward (Jr) *Starter*
Major Burns (Transfer SO)
Derrick Davis (Fr) *PT*
Sage Ryan (Fr) *PT likely at NB*
Matthew Langlois (Fr)

Assuming 4-3
Harris and Ward starting
4-2 will depend on situation

Went off of the LSU roster website for the classifications. Some of it depends on redshirts and the Covid extra year.
Who do you have starting?

Excited to see this Defense with all the talent.
This post was edited on 5/19/21 at 3:28 pm
Posted by Wrucker16
Member since Jul 2014
3140 posts
Posted on 5/19/21 at 3:13 pm to
Jordan Toles is better than Todd Harris
Posted by Cigar
Member since May 2021
1032 posts
Posted on 5/19/21 at 3:17 pm to
quote:

Wrucker16


Really didn’t realize you had a similar post. I’m not disagreeing that Toles is better. He has a lot of hype. It just seems like Harris is the starter based on the way everyone mostly O speaks. The seniority leadership.
Posted by TigerLunatik
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Jan 2005
93739 posts
Posted on 5/19/21 at 3:19 pm to
That's a long arse post for such a short title.

May wanna make it more descriptive so that the thread doesn't get anchored.
Posted by PenguinPubes
Frozen Tundra
Member since Jan 2018
10813 posts
Posted on 5/19/21 at 3:20 pm to
Jordan toles looked like a Jamal adams kind of guy in the spring game.

I really liked him
Posted by BayouCowboy
Member since Dec 2012
14457 posts
Posted on 5/19/21 at 3:23 pm to
quote:

O Line Experience, experience, experience. That is the key for O line. There is no substitute for in game reps where you are going full speed against someone else going full speed. Practice and drills can help improve, but where most O lineman get better is in game reps. Hopefully we can capitalize on that this year.

The big question will be how much Shanahan was able to progress in the weight room and how he does with making the line calls. Cush's play at OC will be hard to replace. He made the other starters better.
Posted by Pipedream
Member since Nov 2019
1231 posts
Posted on 5/19/21 at 3:26 pm to
Safety
Ward and Toles Ryan will play
LB
Id agree with Bugg and Jones. Clarke will play
Micah was our best last year but is there any update on him being back and getting his grades right. Will be interesting to see how this lines out. Id expect PT for all 4
Posted by southendzoneresident
Member since Jun 2013
1112 posts
Posted on 5/19/21 at 3:43 pm to
Wide receiver

Who is going to step up behind Boutte and be the go to number 2. Good defenses will try to shut down Boutte, need someone to step up and be a threat to open up the offense.
Posted by Purple Tiger King
Member since Jan 2021
2016 posts
Posted on 5/19/21 at 4:05 pm to
More like questions rather than weaknesses.

I would love to see Damone moved back to rushing on third down and in other special situations.

I believe Jordan Toles will start before Todd Harris. As I hear Harris is injured again.

Posted by Clark W Griswold
THE USA
Member since Sep 2012
10512 posts
Posted on 5/19/21 at 4:08 pm to
Safety will be the weak spot.
Posted by Purple Tiger King
Member since Jan 2021
2016 posts
Posted on 5/19/21 at 4:13 pm to
quote:

Who is going to step up behind Boutte and be the go to number 2. Good defenses will try to shut down Boutte, need someone to step up and be a threat to open up the offense.


As far as the usual suspects go, your guess is as good as mine.

With respect to the incoming true freshmen, in my opinion Jack Bech and Deion Smith are the most college ready. In fact, I kind of expect both of them to take over the two and three spots as the season goes along.

Also still hearing Arik Gilbert is still in Baton Rouge working on Ed O's plan to get himself back eligible for 2021. I have my fingers crossed.
Posted by Purple Tiger King
Member since Jan 2021
2016 posts
Posted on 5/19/21 at 4:17 pm to
quote:

Safety will be the weak spot.


If so, only temporarily until Sage Ryan and Derrick Davis, Jr can get up to speed. Plus, I expect Major Burns to be able to make a significant contribution as well. Meanwhile, Ward looks like a significant upgrade to what we had back there last season.
Posted by Basura Blanco
Member since Dec 2011
8358 posts
Posted on 5/19/21 at 4:45 pm to
Saftey is definitely a question mark if Harris is not back from injury. Good news is with Stingley and Ricks at CB and McGlothern a Nickel that is three lockdown coverage guys.

The key is Ward. IF he can play like he did at the end of last year and IF he can get better with expecience, we could plug in Toles or any of the incoming freshman and be good if not great in coverage.
Posted by Wrucker16
Member since Jul 2014
3140 posts
Posted on 5/19/21 at 5:26 pm to
McGlogthern is a boundary corner not a nickel. Nickel will be between Flott and Ryan probably unless they decide to move Ward back there but I think he’ll stick at Free Safety.
Posted by Cigar
Member since May 2021
1032 posts
Posted on 5/19/21 at 6:33 pm to
I think Flott will do much better this year in the slot. That’s one of the hardest positions to play in college football. Especially now a days with the new offenses.
Posted by lsufan1971
Zachary
Member since Nov 2003
18360 posts
Posted on 5/19/21 at 7:44 pm to
quote:

RB Still widely unproven. We have some guys at the top that have been in the program and were highly recruited that haven’t lived up to the hype.


This can be a huge money year for Emory if he plays well. We shall see if he will live up to the hype.
Posted by Andychapman13
Member since Jun 2016
2728 posts
Posted on 5/19/21 at 8:18 pm to
quote:

Jordan Toles is better than Todd Harris

I see us using 2 frees over the top, a nickel, and Jones as a hybrid LB/SS
Posted by Cigar
Member since May 2021
1032 posts
Posted on 5/19/21 at 8:57 pm to
Hoping Emory plays up to his potential for sure.
Posted by Wrucker16
Member since Jul 2014
3140 posts
Posted on 5/20/21 at 1:03 am to
I’m hoping that Sage Ryan takes over that spot.
Posted by Cigar
Member since May 2021
1032 posts
Posted on 5/20/21 at 6:49 am to
Honestly not sure who takes over any of the DB spots. The only 2 I know that are for sure locked up barring injury are our boundary/main 2 CBs because Sting and Ricks are the 2 best corners returning college football and are the best CB duo in college football. I’d hate to be an opposing QB. Our D Coaches will for sure have an easier time game planning knowing the can leave them in Man. Opposing O coaches will have nightmares trying to figure out how to play them.
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