Objective Look

Long post, but the alternative today was to actually do work.

Yes, Miles is a much more laid back personality.

Yes, Miles has made some questionable decisions....when reviewed and replayed at the Monday Morning QB breakfast table with the benefit of knowing the outcome.

Granted, the clock management in the last minute was horrible, but I am not ready to write him off.

Les, like him or not, proved his commitment to LSU in 2007, when EVERYONE of the EXPERTS had him bolting to Michigan.

The concept of Saban's recruits is rediculous. They still need to be coached. Les won the NC 3 years removed from Saban. there was no lingering "Saban effect" by then.

Problem number 1 is Les actualy speaks to the media and engages the media rather then opereating in the dictatorial world of NS where NO ONE besides him was to speak to the media---EVER. Therefore, the media pounces and makes a story, and the "fans" feed on it (Hope n Change, Hope n Change, Hope n Change).

Now, in 2005, Les took this team to an 11-2 record through the termoil of Katrina. 10 games in 9 weeks. That told me that this man could coach. The ghost of NS had nothing to do with guiding this team through that dark period---NOTHING.

Followed that up with another 11-2 campaign in 2006. Still not good enough for some.

2007 brings about a 12-2 record and a second NC in 5 years. STILL NOT GOOD ENOUGH for some. Hell, we waited near 53 years for the 2nd one, but the fat that Les had not won a NC sooner was unforgivable. Of course Nick followed his NC run with an impressive 9-4 swan song--with his own talent. Of course, I do realize that NS has NEVER lost a game. The defeats were always a result of 19-20-21 years old young men failing to execute his football genious.

Despite the injuries on the D in 2007, I still did not like the scheme. I think that the athletic ability made that defensive scheme work. And I don't think the players liked it. Many commented on the complexity.

Now we arrive at 2008, and FOUR things occurred in 2008 but we never realized what was worse.

First, Les makes the decision to release RP from the team. painful, but the correct decision. This automatically sets the team back 2 years offensively. We rely on Hatch and then Lee---we know the history.

SECOND, Crowton begins to run his offense. He ran Jimbo's playbook his first year. Now, was the problem Hatch and Lee? Or was it the playcalling coupled with the inexperience of these QB's.

THIRD was the CO-DC experiment. I don't think that Miles really ever wanted this, but considering the knowledge and concerns he had about the offense, he needed to maintain as much stability as he possibly could. Also, I am not sure that there was a DC available that Miles felt comfortable with to offer a 3-year gig to. You can't hire a DC on a one year contract. Decision point was to promote from within with guys who understood the D-scheme and roll the dice by running the same defense. Problem was you have an experience gap on D, and possibly even a talent drop. The athletic ability no longer compensated for the weak scheme, and the Co-DC's were probably in over there heads.

FOURTH, Saban arrives at Alabama a inherits talent. He's a better coach then Shula nad the team performs better. Florida is loaded also and is another year wiser. LSU gets some bad breaks---the endless pick-6's. We give up 14 points to GA and lose by 14. We outplay Alabama and due to poor QB play can't convert and end up losing. We have a big lead on Arkansas and can't complete a pass in the second half, and lose that lead in the final minute. I don't believe one pass was completed in the 2nd half.

The DEFENSE takes the blame, mainly because of the 2---50+ ponts scored against us (Fla and Ga).

2009---Miles works behind the scene, and gets his coaches quality jobs to grow, learn, and salvage their careers. Then Miles, who I don't believe ever liked the 07-08 D-scheme, makes a change during the off-season and hire Chavis. Great call. But even with the talent and a proven SEC DC, the defense struggles. WHY? Because its a new scheme and there is always going to be a learning curve.

Why aren't we winning? The Offensive is stagneent and undisciplined. We are really now into year 2 of the Gary Crowton offense. And don't forget, LSU isn't the only team in the league with talent. Crowton made his reputation in conferences that really didn't "play" defense, so on paper he looked like a good hire. Unfortunately, the SEC is a conference built on speed and DEFENSE.

With the defense in tact, and heading in the right direction, Les must now focus on the offense. He must make the evaluation and hard decision as to what to do with Crowton. I think he will make the change, but he is loyal....hopefully not loyal to his own demise.

We need to see how the season plays out. The R--Kansas game will be tough. Tougher because of the hits our running game has taken over the past couple of weeks. This really is a big game.

Get over the fact that Les is not Nick. NS coached thru intinidation and punishment. Saban took the LSU job because it was to his advantage. It had plenty of talent, and the HS recruiting class in La was loaded that year. And Florida was in the Ron Zook termoil.....and BAMA was stepping on South Carolina's Cock at every turn....SO the SEC WAS A MUCH DIFFERENT SETTING during the NS era. Get over the fact that Les doesn't yell and scream on the sideline....that doesn't make you a better coach. I don't ever recall Tom Landry ever yelling or screaming....but I do believe he was a pretty good coach. Head coaching (leading) is about building an organization through the talents of your subordiantes---Saban controlled everything and football success controlled Saban---Les does not operate this way.

I recall Dandy Don posting about a personal foul (late hit) in the 08 season and how Les addressed the issue.....and DD said that Saban would be all in the players face yelling and screaming. Now, I asked what is the learning point to the palyer about remaining composed on the field and keeping your emotions in check in order to make sound decisions if the reaction by the coach was to let his emotions get the better of him and become a ranting lunitic on the field yelling and screaming? Nick Saban's theatrics made for good TV commentary, but it grew old rather quickly.

Finally, we all get caught up in the W's, but the reality is that most players are not going pro. The head coach is there to prepare and"play for victory" with a strong "want", but mostly these coaches are here to develop these young men and help them become quality citizens in society. Les Miles showed his commitment to LSU, and i don't hear his players criticizing him. I think his players truely like him and more importantly I think his players truely respect him because they know he cares for them---not because they are the backs that provide his meal ticket. I could not say that about Saban.

No doubt decisions and changes need to be made. Les must step up and make them at the appropriate time. We are 8-3, and 3rd in the West. EXACTLY where the experts predicted we would be, and most fans. Ole Miss was unranked, but was also #4 in the nation at one time. Illness and numerous injuries cost them dearly this season, so let's not pretent that this was the same Ole Miss team we dominated over the last decade. The "unranked" team we played was finally the team that was expected from Ole Miss---it was the team that was in the top 10 earlier in the season.