re: Jimbo, Crowton, Stud, Cam

Sorry for the long post, but I've really put some thought into this and IMHO...

The problem is that Les tries to simplify execution in a complicated passing offense to protect the QB rather than develop efficiency to read defenses and understand check downs in a more simplified design. When it comes to the passing game, it looks like he tells them, "This is the play, it's designed to go here, and don't screw up." The QBs are forced to focus on the primary target because the play's design and check-downs are not understood based on simplified execution rather than design.

You hear every single week in the Pros, "Take what the defense gives you." This is basically the definition of efficiency. It gets the ball to your playmakers rather than INTs and incompletions. In 2012, Mett finally started doing this against Bama, it's like a light went on that he has talent around him and just needs to get it there, and the efficiency carried over to 2013. We need to give Les/Cam credit for Mett's improvement, but it happened pretty slow for a QB with starting NFL talent.

The only answer (again IMHO) is that the offense (being run oriented) doesn't get enough reps in the complicated, pocket-passing game-plan to operate efficiently. Young QBs don't come along quickly and usually are better at sight throws than spot throws which means the passes develop slowly due to the QB needing to see the open WR. This is why Harris can come in and create a wide-open, "come-from-behind" offense with a live arm, good scrambling and good vision, but when he needs to execute the passing game-plan as designed from start to finish, he looks confused.

If Les could simplify the design in the pass attack rather than the execution, I think the QB play would improve. A more simplified pass attack with increased reps for that design would improve timing and efficiency.

Good post Cracking.

I don’t pretend to have the X and O acumen on a CFB/NFL level.

What it seems on the surface is that our approach to O and more specifically to passing makes it very difficult for a young QB to get any sort of rhythm going. Every pass seems like a happening more so than another routine play. It’s like a caddy in golf having the golfer put the club in the caddy’s hand every 3-4 holes and saying ‘you make the shot’. Consequently, our QB’s, e.g., AJ, play very tentative. As you put it, they throw on sight, not to a spot.

I don’t think our O (route trees) is complicated. In fact, I think it’s pretty simple. IOW, we’re not asking our QB’s to make a bunch of reads. Huard noted on one attempt that it was a 1 route play (Dural). Likewise, Risher noted 2-3 weeks back that we run elementary routes.

Moreover, we rarely throw to the TE or over the middle of the field. We just don’t. IMO, post-‘08’s int fest, Les intentionally put constraints on how we would throw the ball. And although we threw well in ’13 we never developed a 3rd receiver and it was a simple approach. It could afford to be. But requiring we have the same level of talent each year before our O can function is unrealistic.

Miles has to accept the fact that we can't just run 85% of the time. You eventually have to trust your QB to make a play. Since Jimbo Fisher left in 06, the only QBs to be successful under Miles have been 5th year seniors. Flynn in 07, Lee in 11, and Mett in 13.

quote:

---

Wrong answer kemosabe. If you remember right, we lost the Auburn game in 06 mainly because Miles handcuffed Jimbo until the 4th quarter and we had to throw the ball. I remember watching us run the ball 3 straight plays and punt on 4 consecutive series in the 2nd half.

---

I think you remember that game wrong.

We threw it 37 times, and ran it 23.
The 4 straight 3 and outs on run plays never happened.

quote:

---

The 4 straight 3 and outs on run plays never happened.

---

Doesn't matter. Doesn't fit his narrative.

I was there. It may not have been three straight running plays, but the offense was certainly handcuffed until the very end in that game. Miles refused to play Keiland Williams, who later in the year, was an integral part of our team. He insisted on giving all the carries to Alley Broussard, who obviously wasn't 100%, coming off of an ACL injury, and it showed, and also Justin Vincent, who was never the same running back after 2003. He kept insisting on feeding them the ball, when we had Bowe, Davis, and Doucet on the outside, and Jamarcus able to deliver it to them. We had the talent to win the national title that year, and the Auburn game was a big reason why we didn't.

quote:

---

I hope everybody finally realizes that the Offensive Coordinators are not the problem.

---

I am one that thinks our coordinators are the problem. We have a QB development problem. It's not Miles job to develop QBs.

Cam must accept responsibility for not developing our QBs or, at a minimum, designing plays for them to work within. Miles is not the one throwing INTs and locking onto receivers. Cam needs to teach better. Now...Ultimately, Miles is to blame because he hires the OCs.

IMO, our offensive approach is good. It is proven to win championships (at LSU and elsewhere) and we have the talent to run it. But, we haven't been able to develop a QB to run it. Miles needs to find someone that can develop the QB for the style of offense he wants.

Do people forget that fact that Les was dictating the run heavy offense for most of the 2006 season despite the talent LSU had on that team? It wasn't until later in the season that he let them open it up. Think Auburn that year.

Nothing has changed in 9 years despite these OC changes, and that should tell you something.

All I can say is I agree 100% and Miles is the puppet of the OC, whomever it is. Last year was good as we had a very decent QB that got better when Cam arrived Before that Miles sat him on the bench and played JJ in lieu of Lee or Mett.

LES MILES -10 years means the new car smell of you and your antics is wearing thin. That is a long time and your stepping on every nerve the fanbase has left. Most of us don't think your a good fit for LSU, you were handed the keys to a ACE PROGRAM IN LSU. We were good before you and we will be good after you are gone. If he left for Michigan we could have a shot at Mullen, Harbrough, and so many others in the changing times of football. Heck most think Cam Cameron would be a good HC for LSU.

quote:

---

uote:
The top scoring offenses in school history
#1) 2007 38.6ppg (Crowton)
#2) 2013 35.8ppg (Cameron)
#3) 2011 35.7ppg (Stud)
#5) 2006 33.7ppg (Jimbo)

*2003 is #4 at 33.9ppg

Les Miles has produced four of the top five scoring offenses in school history with FOUR DIFFERENT OFFENSIVE COORDINATORS. He deserves equal credit for those years as blame for 2010, 2014...


nice work. nice counter. I wish your post wasnt burried though. this should be its own thread. I wont plagiarize your work............so get on it

---

These are BS stats. Using ppg doesn't account for defensive touchdowns, special teams touchdowns, or really short fields because of turnovers. There are other ways of determining offensive effectiveness.

Just look at the recent Bama game and LSU's last regulation possession. Ultimately negative yards on the possession, but the team adds 3 pts to total tally.