2011 to 2014, a post by rmnldr (For your viewing pleasure)

We all thought that this team could have some similarities to the based 2011 damn strong gridiron squad. But after one SEC game, all bets are off. This team is in very bad shape. This is no discredit to Moo State, but LSU has more quality players than they do, even if they haven't come into fruition yet.



In 2011, our playcalling on offense was questionable at times but the offense was always able to make big plays. The pass game was outstanding at times (Auburn game) and the run game was always a force with Ware, Ford, Blue, and Hilliard. With Rueben Randle, stretching the field was easy, and with a stud freshman in Beckham Jr, we could often succeed passing out of the I-formation with two wideouts.

Fastforward to 2014:

The offensive line SHOULD be better than the 2011 line. It has more quality depth and star power. We were able to run on anyone last year, and some of that may be Hill's doing, but he needed blockers. This o-line lacks push. They rarely get to the second level and are often running the wrong plays it seems. This offense lacks a dominant fullback like J.C. Copeland. Connor is faster, more agile, and can catch, but he doesn't have the size or hit to move a pile.

The wide receivers seem even in talent, but we lack a true dominant receiver. Dural looked the part but I've lost confidence in him after an easy catch went right through his hands. Diarse doesn't get the ball enough. Peterson (Johnson?), Spears, etc are nowhere to be found. Trey Quinn is not ready for SEC play, and for some reason, Dupre can't seem to find the field as often as we thought he would.



Our running backs just don't have the same attitude as guys before them have had. We don't have blue collar guys like Blue, or violent stick your face in the fan guys like Ware. Hilliard falls forward at the first sign of contact and Magee is too hesitant. That leaves the freshman phenom Fournette and the gritty Darrel Williams. Fournette looks to be the part. Anyone that disagrees should probably watch some tape. He hits harder than the other backs, despite not being able to wiggle his way out of tackles. Williams has a nose for the end zone, and will eventually progress into a Ware type back.

This offense has no identity. Its play calling has absolutely no rhythm. Opposing teams know what we'll run because our coaching staff has no confidence in their players.

Onto the 2011 defense:



There isn't much that needs to be said about the defense. Adams, Mingo, Brockers, Downs, Logan, Montgomery, Edwards. Damn. Those guys could play.



Ryan Baker, Kevin Minter, Stefoin Francois? Same as the d-line.

Mo Claiborne, Mathieu, Brooks, Tharold Simon, Reid, and Taylor. These guys all had it. They lined up and knew they could stop you. They didn't hold back one bit. These guys were insane physical specimens that made QBs cry to bed.



And onto 2014:

I'm not even going to mention the DTs because they're all non existant on the field. The only guy who deserves any credit is QT because he's playing through a bicep, and Godchaux for playing as a freshman. We hear how fast Hunter is and how great he could be but he often goes inside because of how bad our tackles are. Rasco has been living off of missed blocks his entire career. Rasco hasn't stepped and and the guys like MJ Patterson and Maclin can't even sniff the field.

Linebackers? Ha. I'm not even gonna mention the mike situation. Our OLBs could be good but it's hard to be successful when- yeah we know.



DBs? Tremendous ceiling. A ceiling being inhibited by Ronald Martin. I'm not even going to say much more. They just don't have the same mentality as before.

Special teams should be great. Kheen has made massive improvements. He's just slightly worse than Wing.

So what does this all mean?

The guys from 2011 and 2012 have been spoiled by the guys before them. They've been playing off of their success and have not stepped up at all since being here. Loston proved last year of how suspect he really was. He played off of Reid's success in 2012. Johnson? He played off the success of the 2011 and 2012 lines. The list goes on. Hilliard? He played great because the guys in front of him wore down the defenses.

This team has serious issues. Ones that we can't even see. We have been graced by exceptional athletes who not only can play, but can raise their level of play to match their competition. You saw it last night. Mississippi State's players were jumping up and down hyped up while our guys played flat.

And the worst part of all of this?

The playcalling/coaching does nothing to allow these players to play to their potential. Keeping Welter in does nothing to help the team. He only keeps Beckwith from getting valuable experience. Not throwing the ball? It keeps Jennings/Harris from developing as passers. Not riding your running backs? Well you know.

Hopefully this loss wakes up the coaching staff and players because god damn, we go to Auburn after this cupcake and those War Eagles are licking their chops.