quote:
Obviously he isn't the reason all these guys came to LSU, but he was actively promoting LSU from the time he committed until the present. He wanted to be tiger, he is a tiger, and he will always be a tiger.

I've said it in other posts. Shepard was a success at LSU, he was just a different kind of success than what everyone originally had expected.

I agree with all of this. Very good post.

I do have to add though, I think the coaches worked their hardest to find ways to help him be successful on the field, contrary to some opinion.

They allowed him to work at QB at first until he realized he probably wasn't cut out for QB at this level and asked the coaches to move. They then worked to get him adjusted to WR, even though his hands have never been close to SEC level. He may have been better suited at RB, but LSU has always been so stacked at RB that there has always been more of an opportunity for him to contribute at WR. Plus, he has remained light and his body never developed into one that could take punishment as an SEC back. He shows great burst when he finds a hole, but has never shown an ability to make someone miss, which would be key to play RB at his weight.

Interestingly enough, I'll always wonder what would have happened had he stayed at QB given the struggles at that position the past few years. I know he was anxious to see the field, as we all were to see him, but had he kept working at QB, we may have had another option when things got dicey. He may have actually been a more natural option QB than JJ ever was. But, we'll never know.

That said, the coaches actually seemed to find ways to get him involved and draw up plays that allowed him to succeed and contribute in some of our biggest games. Notably, Bama in 2010, Auburn 2009, UNC, Arkansas 2011, and even Bama this year. Not to mention big special teams contributions as well with big tackles. Would have loved it if he could have developed into a returner though.

I'm glad Shep came here and loved and promoted LSU so actively. Hopefully he will continue to do so, and not choose to be critical of the program that gave him every opportunity to succeed the way some others have recently.

I don't like when people hate on him, but I don't like it when people blame the coaches either. Some HS players just don't pan out. Some are just great athletes, not necessarily great football players.

Hopefully Shep can accept that and focus on his future as possibly a coach. He seems like he'd be a great teacher and mentor. His strange declaration for the NFL last year makes me think maybe that hasn't really sunk in yet. It was almost comical actually.

Hopefully he moves on and can focus on how this experience prepared him for his future after his playing days are over.

This post was edited on 11/15/12 at 6:04 am

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Posted by ZereauxSum

Lot 23E

Member since Nov 2008

10176 posts

Posted on 11/15/12 at 7:46 am to Tiger Voodoo

quote:
I do have to add though, I think the coaches worked their hardest to find ways to help him be successful on the field, contrary to some opinion.

I remember watching a "day in the life video clip" featuring Shep his freshman year. He commented on some random guy suggesting to him that he would make a great DB and he just laughed it off.

I do wonder though, with 20/20 hindsight of course, if moving to corner would have been a more productive move. He's obviously athletic and also somewhat rangy...I could see him being successful in coverage and he's made a couple of life-saving special teams tackles as well.

He wouldn't have needed the elite hands and tackle breaking ability that he lacks. If he makes the switch to DB instead of whatever skill position they were trying to create for him, I believe he would be draft-able right now.

But, too late for that. I'll just assume that he never had interest in playing on the other side and wish him the best of luck, as I will all of our seniors!