re: Realistic=Optimistic

Reality says we are far from OK on offense.

quote:

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Miles is a doofus who won with Saban's recruits - but all recruits need to be coached to win - So which one is it?

Did the recruits win in 2007 - in which case Miles is doing fine by bringing in great classes.

Did the coaching win in 2007 - in which case , regardless of a couple of down years (relatively not absolutely), he is still our coach and can recruit as well.

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This is my thinking: Yes and no, to all of the above. Somewhere between when Saban left and Miles took over and today some things have changed.

First, all new coaches inherit a coaching "culture" from their predecessor. Miles did. Saban did. Dinardo did. Etc.

Second, Miles benefited from the Saban culture and the team which was coached by Saban/Miles looked good for a couple of years.

Third, in the Miles MNC year (07), the team actually began having some mild issues that translated into key losses - esp. the UK loss. I attribute that to the change in balance of the Saban culture. It was being outweighed by the Miles culture, and the loss of team focus and discipline was beginning to surface, if just slightly.

Fourth, a combination of bad hiring (Malveto) and further erosion of the Saban culture led to the emergence of the real Miles coaching culture at LSU. We saw blunders, defensive failure, lack of proper use of talent, clock management issues, and a retrenchment of Miles' former freedom to be a free-wheeling gambler (He didn't have confidence in the players? What reason? No focus?)

Fifth, I present seasons 2008 and 09 as the emerging trend at LSU.

Sixth, I will be the first cheer if CLM can overcome his own coaching style and begin moving back to the focused, disciplined, dominating LSU teams that are truly competing for championships and not just having a "want" to compete on that level.