Dear Les,

Before deciding not to run for re-election due to the Vietnam War, Lyndon Johnson is famously quoted, after being told of Walker Cronkite's announcement that he thought the war unwinnable, as saying "Well if I have lost Cronkite, I've lost Middle America." I'm not Walter Cronkite and you aren't LBJ...but if you've lost Mike Linebacker, you've lost the fanbase.

All offseason and through the first weeks of this season, I defended you. I played this game at the collegiate level and realize things that the average fan does not. And I know you have run a clean program and have represented the University in an honorable fashion. And you have WON! You are 55-15. You won us an SEC title, two SEC West titles and a national championship.

This is not a critique from some 14 year-old with a modem who lacks maturity or grace. Rather, it's a heartfelt message from someone who loves LSU, loves LSU football and wants nothing more than to see us win one or more championships this year.

Les, you have a fantastic defense. It's violent, it's fast, it's filled with ball hawks. It's a nice mix of youth and veterans. It's really quite a unit. Those on here calling you names and questioning your coaching because of everything that is wrong (which we'll get to in a minute) need to temper themselves with everything you have gotten right with this unit. My hat to you sir on a fantastic defense.

The offensive line, which many felt was our weakness last season, has done a 180. Another thing to commend you and the coaching staff on. We have been able to run the ball effectively and fairly consistently. These guys aren't where the "D" is yet, but the promise is there and we look forward to how this unit will play against Alabama and Arkansas later this season.

The wide receivers have underachieved. There is too much talent for them to have as many drops as they have had. Still, the trio, backstopped by a bevvy of young guns, is the deepest, most talented group I have seen since 2006 (Davis, Doucet, Bowe). You recruited them Les. And you are coaching them. If we can actually get them the ball, they will be another coaching achievement for which you deserve praise.

Stevan Ridley is making the most of his opportunity. He appears to have learned from his first game mistakes and is protecting the ball. Fans probably want to see a little bit of Michael Ford, but it's really hard to criticize the running game right now. Again--vast improvement from 2009 for which the coaches deserve credit.

You know where this is leading. Despite all of these improvements, our offense is WORSE than it was in 2009 and we're eeking out wins against depleted teams, lower-tier SEC squads and overrated Big East teams in over their heads. It is one of two things (or a combination)--the playcalling and the Quarterback.

I understand your philosophy coach: great defense, establish the run and don't make mistakes. However, that does not mean we can or should abandon the passing game altogether. Especially when you consider that the 3 of our top 4 offensive weapons need to generally receive a pass in order to use their talents for the betterment of our team. And, while I note above the improved line play and running game, it is a fact (ok, maybe an opinion but one so grounded in logic and veracity as to be the kissing cousin of a fact) that we will need to execute in the passing game with some degree of success to defeat the big four remaining--Florida, Auburn, Alabama and Arkansas.

To date, Jordan Jefferson's play has simply been horrific. HORRIFIC. In his best moments, he has been mediocre. In his worst moments, he's been the opposing team's best friend. I understand your loyalty to him. I understand that a lot of his issues may not be solely his fault and thus there may be a bit of guilt involved here. You guys made him tentative or you took a tentative kid and stunted his growth. I get it. But that being said, coach, you have a whole bunch of other players who are killing themselves for you and the team who deserve better.

Forget about the fans. Some will violently disagree but you don't owe the fans anything. But you do owe Drake Nevis. You do owe Kelvin Sheppard. You owe Pep and Jai. You owe Barksdale. You owe Patrick Peterson. All of these guys are about to suit up as LSU Tigers for 8 more regular season games. And then it is gone. Some won't play real football ever again. Some will go pro but they'll never play in Tiger Stadium again. These guys have put in the work. They fight and bleed for you and their teammates. They deserve much more from the playcalling and the QB. They deserve the same chance that Glenn and Flynn and Early and Jacob had: the chance to be GREAT.

This is a championship team, Les. Certainly a championship defense and an offense that is a sleeping giant. It lacks a leader right now. Sometimes the fans are right, Les. I remember playing and seeing how WRONG the fans were so many times. But sometimes...they are right. 92,000 saw it last night. Millions at home saw it. The media sees it very obviously.

You have to make the change. For the good of the team, please do it.

Sincerely yours,

Mike Linebacker