re: Jarrett Lee officially has zero chill

quote:

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miles really couldn't evolve could he

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It is not that he couldn't. It's that he stubbornly didn't want to. That cost LSU probably a national championship or two, and ultimately, Miles his job.

2008 changed everything for Miles. His offenses from 2005-2007 weren't "ultra-conservative" for that era. Same for 2008. However, with (ironically in response to this post) Lee throwing several pick 6's in 2008 that helped lead LSU to its worst season in 8 years or so, he decided to COMPLETELY change his offensive approach going forward.

From 2009 on Miles' in-game approach was to play great defense, play good special teams, try to dominate the run game, and pass only when necessary or try to hit surprise deep shots with as low-risk pass plays as were reasonably possible. That's why the middle of the field became a complete no-mans land for the passing game. He was not going to allow for the risk of interceptions at all costs. Even if that approach meant LSU was equally as apt to play a tight game late into the 4th quarter with #1 Alabama as they were with a 3 win Ole Miss team. He didn't care. He was never going to lose the way they lost in 2008 again. The only time he deviated from that approach somewhat was in 2013. And the only reason he did was because the defense was so weak the offense had no choice but to "throw caution to the wind." LSU couldn't just grind out low scoring game.

The frustrating part is that 2013 and moments in subsequent seasons showed LSU COULD potentially have a potent offense...if only their coach allowed for it. Unfortunately, for nearly a decade Les was content with playing anyone, regardless of the quality of the opponent, on a razors edge with wild 4th quarter finishes, thinking he would win most of them, rather than come out of his shell offensively.

So it is ironic that Jarrett Lee is the one to make the post because (fairly or unfairly) it was his play that led to that approach.