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Grades for this team at the halfway point

Posted on 10/14/14 at 10:56 am
Posted by nicholastiger
Member since Jan 2004
42309 posts
Posted on 10/14/14 at 10:56 am
Coaching Staff gets a C at this point, for the money being paid to head coach and 2 coordinators the play has not been consistent enough in all phases. Improvement in some areas are offset by breakdowns in other areas. It's time to get closer to a complete game in all three phases which we might not see this year with the inexperience especially on offense. It would be nice to get some sort of spark in the return game which could help take some pressure off offense and defense. To win a Ole Miss or Bama game they need some more explosive plays from somewhere and special teams has sorely been lacking.

QB - D Jennings completion percentage not good enough B Harris inexperience shows in big games and on the road so far, his potential far outweighs Jennings and it's only a matter of time before he takes over for good.

RB - B Fournette starting to emerge. Magee starting to look more explosive (not sure if injury played a role in his early season lack of carries because Miles is too vague on that but I'm guessing there was a fall camp injury contributed to his slow start, if Magee can pick it up this could be a nice one/two punch.

FB - B Neighbors banged up, Jones is the future at this point and gives you an athletic presence that can catch passes out of the backfield.

WR - B I blame the QB's mostly but Dural is big time and Dupree needs to work on his breaks off line of scrimmage (he couldn't get separation from FLa DB's - when he gets more physical and does that he will be big time

TE - D blocking adequate, lack of targets but it still is the one area that could help the QB with completion percentage and open up the offense even if it is minimal targets, nice to see Desean Smith streaking down the field on that long 3rd down conversion against FLa and he was open as well

OL - C although the Fla game may have been that turn the corner type game for them, on field coaching has been disappointing but Collins was dominant Sat and if Alexander starts playing for NFL money this line can line up with anyone left on the schedule

DL - C depth is major issue but if the young guys can start contributing even a little like they did against Fla they can slow teams down, hopefully Trey L can get on field and I think at this point Valentine is done for this year, DE play has been disappointing and I'm not sure Rasco is helping much. Time to let the newcomers get more reps

LB - B Outside of Alexander no one really dominating but play has been adequate with average DL in front of them, with a better dline this group would be cleaning up right now

DB - A Adams will be a stud and overall they have done well even with lack of pressure from DLine which puts more pressure on them

P/K - A
Posted by Kingpenm3
Xanadu
Member since Aug 2011
8958 posts
Posted on 10/14/14 at 10:59 am to
Keehn is too inconsistent for that A.

eta: which I guess is my way of saying I agree with the rest.

This post was edited on 10/14/14 at 11:03 am
Posted by GeismarGeauxer
Geismar
Member since Dec 2009
5172 posts
Posted on 10/14/14 at 11:00 am to
Special teams C-
Pk missing 2 PAT's should be B+ even with 50 yard winner.
Posted by Catman88
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Dec 2004
49125 posts
Posted on 10/14/14 at 11:03 am to
QB - D
RB - B+
FB - B-
WR - C
TE - F
OL - C
DL - D-
LB - D
DB - B+
P - B
K - B

Coaching - D-
This post was edited on 10/14/14 at 11:04 am
Posted by victoire sécurisé
Member since Nov 2012
4817 posts
Posted on 10/14/14 at 11:07 am to
Your Dline grade is too generous. Whisky, MSU, and AU have had canyons to run through. There has been no pass rush from the front 4.

LSU really needs Hunter to stay one more year. Right now, starting Clark and Teheuma at DE would not be comfortable.
Posted by Springlake Tiger
Uptown
Member since Aug 2006
15531 posts
Posted on 10/14/14 at 11:23 am to
QB: D-
RB: B-
FB: C-
WR: B
TE: D
OL: C-
DL: C-
LB: C
DB: A-
P/K: B
Coaching: D

just being honest, I hope the Florida game sets a new trajectory for the team.
Posted by koLSU86
Member since Aug 2012
3471 posts
Posted on 10/14/14 at 11:28 am to
QB - D-
RB - A- (Fournette is going to be a beast)
FB - B
WR - A (Dural and Dupree are the real deal)
TE - F (should probably be tied into OL since they don't catch the ball)
OL - C+ ( seems to be improving)
DL - F
LB - D-
DB - B+
ST - C

Coaching - F -----------------


This post was edited on 10/14/14 at 11:29 am
Posted by goatmilker
Castle Anthrax
Member since Feb 2009
64126 posts
Posted on 10/14/14 at 11:32 am to
QB - D
RB - B+
FB - B-
WR - C+
TE - (incomplete needs to show up to class to be graded)
OL - C
DL - C
LB - C
DB - A
P - C
K - B+


Coaching - C-
This post was edited on 10/14/14 at 11:34 am
Posted by TN Bhoy
San Antonio, TX
Member since Apr 2010
60589 posts
Posted on 10/14/14 at 11:34 am to
quote:

TE - D blocking adequate, lack of targets but it still is the one area that could help the QB with completion percentage and open up the offense even if it is minimal targets, nice to see Desean Smith streaking down the field on that long 3rd down conversion against FLa and he was open as well



Should be an F. They get called for penalties constantly, they can't catch, and they've missed way too many blocks.
Posted by Penrod
Member since Jan 2011
39080 posts
Posted on 10/14/14 at 11:49 am to
quote:

LSU really needs Hunter to stay one more year. Right now, starting Clark and Teheuma at DE would not be comfortable.


You forgot the best two returning DE's, Lewis Neal and Tashawn Bower. Bower is practically a co-starter this year. Neal will probably get moved back to DE as Bain and Heron develop behind Godchaux and LaCouture. I'd love to have Hunter back, but we're okay without him. Plus I see little chance he comes back. I fully expect at least a second round slot for him.
Posted by Chimlim
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Jul 2005
17712 posts
Posted on 10/14/14 at 11:49 am to
QB D-
RB A-
FB B
WR B
TE C-
OL C

DL F
LB B
CB A-
S A

Coaching: D
Posted by LSUsuperfresh
Member since Oct 2010
8329 posts
Posted on 10/14/14 at 11:51 am to
QB - F If this isn't an F then I don't think I've ever seen one. We're more inept at passing right now than when we had JJ/Lee. If Dupre hadn't bailed Harris out on snagging that underthrown pass, he seriously would not have had a pass across the line of scrimmage completed. And we think he's hands down better than Jennings.

WR - C I agree it's likely not their fault and I think Dural is good, but our passing game is too inept for them not to shoulder a little of the blame.

Everything else looks pretty good. I might consider bumping either DL or LB down one. If it wasn't for Kwon, I would probably have LB at D so maybe them down to C.
Posted by tiger94gop
GEISMAR
Member since Nov 2004
2913 posts
Posted on 10/14/14 at 11:54 am to
QB-D-- Jennings-negatives-doesn't know offense, can only find primary option, does not know reads or progressions. Doesn't have touch on short passes, poor field vision, pocket presence. Holds on the ball too long. When allowed to improvise; result-New Mexico State. Positives-- He can throw a long bass; sometimes. No one talks about NM State performance, when Harris has not had anything close to that.

RB-C- Fournette does not have the best vision and seems to run to contact. Does get better as game goes on. Tweener between power/scat back. Hilliard does what he does. McGee was terrible, now making plays, needs more carries. DW will be a beast, when Hilliard leaves he will fill that role.

OL-C+ we do not run enough to the left, so some of that is not on them. Alot of penetration, QB's don't help them with release, extremely slow. Don't blow anyone off the ball. Speed gives them fits off the edge.
Rec-B+ for being as young as they are, good route runners, do not have to many drops. QB's don't help them at all. Do have issues getting off the Jam. Don't block all that well. Need to be stronger.
This post was edited on 10/14/14 at 12:06 pm
Posted by arcalades
USA
Member since Feb 2014
19276 posts
Posted on 10/14/14 at 11:57 am to
QB - D-
RB - C+
FB - B-
WR - B-
TE - F
OL - C-
DL - F
LB - D
DB - B+
P - C
K - A-

Coaching - F
Posted by Navytiger74
Member since Oct 2009
50458 posts
Posted on 10/14/14 at 11:59 am to
quote:


QB - D-
RB - A- (Fournette is going to be a beast)
FB - B
WR - A (Dural and Dupree are the real deal)
TE - F (should probably be tied into OL since they don't catch the ball)
OL - C+ ( seems to be improving)
DL - F
LB - D-
DB - B+
ST - C

Coaching - F -----------------



OP was too generous, but damn.

ETA: An even more negative report.
This post was edited on 10/14/14 at 12:02 pm
Posted by Patrick_Bateman
Member since Jan 2012
17823 posts
Posted on 10/14/14 at 12:00 pm to
C+
Posted by whoisnickdoobs
Lafayette
Member since Apr 2012
9352 posts
Posted on 10/14/14 at 12:03 pm to
Special Teams:

Before Florida: B
After Florida: D-
This post was edited on 10/14/14 at 12:06 pm
Posted by tigernation56
im the woods
Member since Feb 2013
4766 posts
Posted on 10/14/14 at 12:25 pm to
D but c for running backs.
This post was edited on 10/14/14 at 12:27 pm
Posted by Lakeboy7
New Orleans
Member since Jul 2011
23965 posts
Posted on 10/14/14 at 12:31 pm to
LB C Thank god for Kwon

DB B- To many long balls

PK B- Punting hasn't been all that, the ball kicked right to Debose was dumb

Agree with the rest
Posted by Nuts4LSU
Washington, DC
Member since Oct 2003
25468 posts
Posted on 10/14/14 at 2:39 pm to
QB - D+: It's been bad for a lot of the time, but there have been flashes of good play. Just too inconsistent.

RB - B: Started slow, but OL play and stacked defenses had something to do with that. Seem to be improving.

FB - B-: Making some contributions, but not really game-changing, not bad.

WR - B+: I like this group. I'd like to see them getting a little more open more often, and there have been a couple of drops here and there, but overall they are a strength of the offense, despite being held back by poor QB play and play calling.

TE - D: Giving benefit of the doubt because I assume they are blocking. No factor in passing game, but again maybe not their fault given QB play and play calling.

OL - C: They have really struggled to open holes for the run or protect the QB, but have faced stacked defenses because passing game can't make teams pay for stacking the line and opponents know we'll keep running straight into the teeth of the defense no matter what anyway.

DL - F: I've really seen basically nothing redeeming here. Showed the first small spark of life all season in the Florida game. Hope that's a sign of improvement and not just a reflection of the quality of the opposing offense.

LB - C-: A few nice plays, but not a dominating group. 31 is too slow and not physical enough, but is apparently needed because of his field presence and knowledge of the defense. A slight break for this group because lack of DL play makes their job nearly impossible.

DB - C+: They've made some good plays, and I realize they are getting absolutely no help from the front 7, but they are busting coverages, losing battles to WRs on big catches and their tackling downfield has been absolutely atrocious. Still, they are the strength of the defense by default.

P - B-: Inconsistency holding Keehn back from an A

K - A-: Missing two xps is puzzling, but consistency on FGs is more important, in my view. Missing the xp after a TD isn't nearly the momentum killer that missing a FG after a nice drive can be. Nailing a couple of long kicks, including the game winner on Saturday, has been particularly nice. Kickoffs have been good for the most part.

KOR/PR - C-: They have not been a factor for us, but at least have not been turning the ball over with fumbled kicks or killing field position with silly plays.

Coverage - C+: Would have been higher before the two long punt returns gave Florida 14 points in a tight game. Otherwise, they have been reasonably solid, not getting many big hits or turnovers but nicely downing some balls deep on punt coverage and preventing long KO returns.

Coaching - D: At least one of the QBs should be further along at this point and, even if they're not, we can't just keep handcuffing them until it's 3rd and long and we're down by two scores every time. It's just setting them up to fail. The apparent trade-off with Jennings and Harris is that Jennings is more experienced and steady but doesn't have the talent of Harris, while Harris has the better talent, but is too young and will make more mistakes. But if Jennings makes the same mistakes and can't deliver the stability and additional consistency that usually comes with experience, then what's the downside of playing Harris? The OL should be playing better. The DL is playing horribly, but NFL defections and other attrition has a lot to do with that, although some big recruiting misses over the past two years loom even bigger right now, and that part is on the coaches. Two specific examples of extremely poor game planning have contributed to one loss and almost led to another. We faced a Wisconsin offense that could run well but couldn't pass, and waited until we were down 17 to start stacking the line and daring them to throw. We faced a Mississippi State defense that struggles against downfield passes but is elite in the front 7, and stubbornly tried to run straight at them until we were down by 2+ scores. Play calling on offense has been atrociously predictable and uncreative, even for a conservative offense with young QBs. Clock/game management issues have actually been a positive. Using the timeouts when UF was on the 2-yard line was the right thing to do, even though it almost cost us (until the INT bailed us out), and the snafu at the end of the half against Auburn couldn't have made a difference. Time management late in the Mississippi State game was good and actually gave us a chance to steal the win at the end. "Lesticles" trickery hasn't been much of a factor, but the faked punt against Wisconsin was certainly a positive. The 4th and goal attempt early vs. Miss. State wasn't necessarily a bad idea, but was certainly a horrible play call and execution.

Big picture: Other than the kickers, there is no aspect of this team which doesn't have room for drastic improvement. Kickers, RBs and WRs have been the highlights to this point.
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