The Internal Problem of QB Development

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What do we know about Les Miles and turnovers? It’s pretty much common knowledge that the standard punishment for fumbling is the bench. How about interceptions?

Well, we know Jarrett Lee threw a bunch of pick-6’s in 2008, and then never started again until Les had no other choice besides a brand-new Zach Mettenberger in 2011.

We know Les replaced Lee the first chance he got in 2011 after throwing a couple of picks against Alabama (not saying that was a bad decision. Jefferson’s running won LSU that game.)

We can’t really make any assumptions about Mettenberger’s picks in 2012 or 2013 because he was far and away the best option, regardless. We know Harris got banished again after throwing one pass and getting intercepted against Kentucky. So here’s what I think the problem is… If this is how turnovers are handled in games, why do we have any reason to believe that turnovers are handled any differently in practice?

Haven’t we always wondered why certain RB’s light it up one game, and then don’t start or barely get any carries in the next game? Could this be the explanation? Turning it over in practice?

Fumble or throw picks in practice and down the depth chart you go….

Wouldn’t this explain all the QB’s transferring out of LSU recently? Makes sense to me. It’s pretty obvious that, other than Mett, LSU has not had any stud QB’s since 2007 that would make younger QB's say "dang, I'm never gonna start over these guys."

Rob Bolden. Stephen Rivers. Hayden Rettig. So what’s the problem? If those QB’s weren’t performing well, then good riddance, right?

Well, if anyone has ever played QB or is familiar with the mentality of the QB position, they would know that it requires a completely different mindset. It almost requires a mentality of cockiness. Not the bad kind of cockiness, but a level of confidence that nearly borders on cockiness. Because a QB has to break the huddle knowing that he’s going to make a great throw. He has to be confident enough to believe the opposing defense can’t stop him.

Does a culture of getting benched or demoted on the depth chart because of turnovers seem conducive to that type of mentality? To me, it’s dangerous, and not how you want to develop your QB’s, especially your younger QB’s. ESPECIALLY YOUR YOUNGER QBs IN PRACTICE!

Doesn’t this explain the constant worried looks on Jordan Jefferson and Anthony Jennings faces? Doesn’t it explain the inability to make quick and confident decisions with the football? Our QB’s aren’t out there trying to make plays. They’re out there trying not to make mistakes.

My personal opinion is that Les prefers docile QB’s who will be “good soldiers” and avoid turnovers. That’s not necessarily a bad thing in itself, but having that philosophy does have consequences. QB development is suffering from it. Mett is an easy explanation. He received his early QB development (which is the most vital) at UGA and then at a JUCO college. By the time he arrived at LSU, he was already a confident and experienced QB.

I’m not a nega-tiger or a sunshine pumper. I’m just trying to call it like I see it. I can’t believe the amount of people who excuse the QB play as “let’s face it. We just don’t have an SEC-caliber QB this year.” Well, why the hell not? Why can so many other schools who don’t have the resources of LSU plug in new guys every year who can, at the very least, complete 55-60% of their passes for a couple thousand yards? Why is this such a struggle for LSU? It’s obvious that it’s an internal problem, and not just a matter of external circumstances.

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