My story is quite strange. I was born and raised in New Orleans, during the 80's and 90's. This is a time when LSU was at the cellar of the conference, and schools like FSU, Bama, Notre Dame, and Miami, dominated the limited TV market.
Growing up in the projects of New Orleans, college was a thought and goal of mine, but I was more worried about getting to the next day, let alone, the next year (point being, I can't claim to be a kid who grew up dreaming of attending LSU).

However, as most, if not with every New Orleans native, I had an undying love for the Saints. When it was time to go to college, I took one visit to LSU's campus and was done with my search.

Though it was my university, I could not claim to be a die hard Tiger Fan during my freshman year because I was so all-in for the Saints (of course this was at a time when the Saints were terrible), and I defended them to no end. I would often find myself frustrated when I met people on campus, who were from Louisiana, who hated the Saints.

This then caused me (forgive me, I was a 18 year old kid) to begrudgingly root against the Tigers. Simply because I wanted fans to not be so "arrogant" about the Tigers, and "distasteful" when talking about the Saints. During the 2000 season, the Saints won their first playoff game, and the Saints reach started to spread, and I found myself softening (my illegitimate and spiteful) stance against the Tigers.

As I was reading the Stadium history thread (which is completely classic!) I began having vivid flashbacks of the the 2000 East End Expansion, because I used to be able to see the game from my 12th floor dorm in Kirby smith. After the expansion, I couldn't.

It was now time to man up and buy my first game tickets. I confess again, I am not one that can claim to have rooted for the Tigers, my entire life, it would be a lie. The fact is, after my first game I was hooked (don't even get me started on the frozen minute maid lemonades from the concession cart). It is an unexplainable experience that can rarely be put into suitable words. Nothing compares to being inside of that stadium, rooting for that team, down by the river on an unforgiving Saturday night.

I was in TIger Stadium when Leak and Florida snuck out of Death Valley with a win.
I was also sitting on the second story balcony, at the 50-yard line of the Georgia Dome as Justin Vincent went racing up the field off tackle in the SEC Championship game (I saw the lane before he took the handoff).

I also was in ATL, as the Dogs crushed Jemarcus and our Dreams of another Championship. My wife (then girlfriend) and I actually were so angry, we left the Stadium, and drove directly home (leaving our luggage behind.....it was mailed to us later :-).

I have lived through the many ups an downs, and the greatest successes as an LSU fan. We've won a Championship during my time as a student (which is always a special experience), and we have won a championship in the years since I've graduated.

Les Miles has always been a guy that I've supported. He may not be perfect, but he is a Grade A leader, top recruiter and a proven winner. He makes questionable play calls at times, which all coaches do. He makes questionable clock management calls at times, which all coaches do. However, in the Miles era, he has consistently shows the ability to address staff weaknesses in a heart beat.

Chief ended the dual DC nightmare.
The offense had been sputtering statistically, and he continually made efforts to correct that problem.

We have gone from Crowton, to Krag, To Strud, to Cameron.

I can't sleep because Cameron may be the key to it all/ the missing link/ the literal turning of the tide.

In one year in Cameron's offense, and we produced records at all skill positions. We put every skilled player in the league. We were the best team in the country on 3rd down. What does that mean, that means you couldn't get us off of the field when you needed or tried to.

The reason I can't sleep is due to the fact that we are going into a year after losing the likes of OBJ, Landry, Hill, and Mettenberger, yet I feel that the freshman coming in may be better.

I can't sleep because these kids each step onto campus sporting NFL bodies.

LF7 6-1 224

Watching his highlights are like watching a movie.
Literally the only comparison you can make is AP. He is too big to be that fast, and that agile. Sadly, he isn't comparible to AP because AP can't catch. So he's basically like Peterson with Faulk's skill set.

TQ8 6-0 207

Quickest feet in the business. Will always be open. Not to mention he's the all time yard gainer at WR in the history of high school football. I liken him to a Marvin Harrison.

MD15 6-3 188

Dupre is never covered. Leaping ability plus ball skills means one-on-one matchups are actually no contest. Throw in the fact that when you put the tape on, you see that he has no fear of defenders when the ball is in the air. Think Moss. I know its a stretch, but it's the only comparison I can make.

Point being, these guys are only going to get stronger. Three years in our program, and we will be looking at complete freaks.
But again, they don't have to put on a pound, and they would be suitable sizes for the next level. Think about that and let it settle for a bit.

I can't sleep, because after watching that spring game, Brandon Harris, looks like he has been dropping back and reading defenses since he was 3 years-old. That kid looks so comfortable in the pocket that it is refreshing. Watching him outrun Deion Jones (one of my favorite players) on that scramble, only put into perspective how fast the guy can move. He throws the ball with no hesitation. He gets what he can when the play is not there, and he's faster than the guy assigned to sack him.

I can't sleep because I didn't see not one option run called in the Spring game. Cameron seems to realize that athletic QB's don't need to have designed runs, as they are even more of a running threat when all pass options are covered. Imagine the frustration of what should be a throw away, turning into a 15 yard gain.
Or imagine the frustration felt when a secondary plays perfect coverage, only to give up a 10 yard scramble for a first down. This could be dangerous.

I can't sleep because I vividly recall imagining RP11 leading this team to multiple championships.
I see a lot or RP in Harris (of course RP was bigger).
Harris can sling it and run with it. I'm sure Harris will make his mistakes, as all QB's do, but I'm sure his abilities are going to make us more dangerous than we've ever been on offense.

I can't sleep because if you through in the rest of the defensive signing class, I must say that I can only see championships in our future (NOTICE the "s" at the end of championship):
Godchaux, Adams, Valentine, Battle, Garrett, Paris, Teuhema, Gage, and Clark: That's 9 true freshman on defense that I see as potential NFL players.

I can't sleep, because my common sense tells me, that with all of this talent, and with this group of coaches we are going to be a force to be reckoned with.

I can't sleep because all of my common logic says, "These guys are just freshman, they can't be that good."
My eyes then kick my logic through the window, because then reality sets in.

We just so happen to have 4 game changers, who just so happen to be from the same state, about to play on the same team, at the same time. Call me crazy, but I can't sleep because everything in my football mind tells me that we are about to dominate. Not just this year, but the next, and the next.

P.S.
And this is just when I think bout the Tigers.
Imagine how bad it is when I throw in what I know the Saints are about to do on top of all that.

This post was edited on 7/26/14 at 1:24 pm