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A sliver lining with all the missing players
Posted on 12/30/18 at 3:19 pm
Posted on 12/30/18 at 3:19 pm
Obviously the team would be in a lot better position in terms of talent and experience if they were at full strength. However, it might also be easier to let complacency creep in, especially considering UCF isn’t a name brand opponent. It’s up the staff to prevent that, but we’ve seen it go both ways with ours- the team was ready to dominate vs Louisville in 16, but a lot less so last year vs ND.
There is one positive with all of the missing players. The team (at least the defense) can’t help but be more focused because there are so many guys playing bigger roles or any role at all who otherwise wouldn’t have. We all know they aren’t Greedy or Fulton, but you can’t tell me that a guy like Terrance Alexander, who may be playing the last football game of his life, won’t be focused and mentally ready to play.
Will that be enough? That’s harder to say. When an older guys is buried on the depth chart, there’s a reason. If this were a normal game week, I wouldn’t expect much. However, with a couple of weeks to prepare with one of the best DCs around, maybe he steps up and delivers more than we think he’s capable of.
Several of the others guys give me more hope. Alexander didn’t get on the field that much because he just wasn’t at the talent level of the guys around him. Everyone else getting called on outside of Paris is younger and getting their first big shot to play a leading role in the defense. We may not know much about these guys and how they will respond, but you have to think they all see this as a huge opportunity. This is a chance for them to get out of the shadows and make a statement. A big game in the Fiesta would be a perfect way to lead into a great Spring and a move up the depth chart. I’m betting a couple of these guys have really good games.
If I were talking about this many new guys being plugged in on offense, I would have absolutely no optimism. However, if anyone can take this crew and get them ready to play well in a single game against a single opponent over a bowl break, it’s Dave Aranda. Just look back at the 2016 domination of Louisville. It was a defense playing several younger guys in lead roles that set the tone in that game. As with that game, I don’t think we need to worry about the defense being focused coming into this one.
Hopefully the offense will follow their lead, but that’s a whole different story.
There is one positive with all of the missing players. The team (at least the defense) can’t help but be more focused because there are so many guys playing bigger roles or any role at all who otherwise wouldn’t have. We all know they aren’t Greedy or Fulton, but you can’t tell me that a guy like Terrance Alexander, who may be playing the last football game of his life, won’t be focused and mentally ready to play.
Will that be enough? That’s harder to say. When an older guys is buried on the depth chart, there’s a reason. If this were a normal game week, I wouldn’t expect much. However, with a couple of weeks to prepare with one of the best DCs around, maybe he steps up and delivers more than we think he’s capable of.
Several of the others guys give me more hope. Alexander didn’t get on the field that much because he just wasn’t at the talent level of the guys around him. Everyone else getting called on outside of Paris is younger and getting their first big shot to play a leading role in the defense. We may not know much about these guys and how they will respond, but you have to think they all see this as a huge opportunity. This is a chance for them to get out of the shadows and make a statement. A big game in the Fiesta would be a perfect way to lead into a great Spring and a move up the depth chart. I’m betting a couple of these guys have really good games.
If I were talking about this many new guys being plugged in on offense, I would have absolutely no optimism. However, if anyone can take this crew and get them ready to play well in a single game against a single opponent over a bowl break, it’s Dave Aranda. Just look back at the 2016 domination of Louisville. It was a defense playing several younger guys in lead roles that set the tone in that game. As with that game, I don’t think we need to worry about the defense being focused coming into this one.
Hopefully the offense will follow their lead, but that’s a whole different story.
Posted on 12/30/18 at 3:34 pm to misey94
Any scholarship athlete that made it to the LSU roster is talented! It’s their time to shine and make a name for themselves! We might discover a diamond in the rough! I sure hope so!
Posted on 12/30/18 at 3:38 pm to NorthLouisianaLSUFan
Agreed that it is time for the young guys and under utilized players to step up. Alexanders signed up for this..to be called on in an emergency to play for the flagship school of his home state. Time for him and others to do it! I believe Vincent will come out possessed and play the game of his life.
Posted on 12/30/18 at 3:47 pm to Canwoodtiger
It’s easy to get down on these guys, and especially the coaching staff, but damn. I’m pulling for all of these guys forced into bigger roles to ball out and have the games of their lives.
This post was edited on 12/30/18 at 3:48 pm
Posted on 12/30/18 at 4:29 pm to Canwoodtiger
I'm sensing a tyrann Mathieu vs a&m type breakout game for Vincent. also think Stevens and Monroe have some big plays
Posted on 12/31/18 at 9:34 am to TimTBlows20032007
I agree. I also hope Alexander has a good game. I don’t expect greatness, but I would love for the kid to have a good day after transferring back to LSU to close his career.
Posted on 12/31/18 at 9:48 am to tigerintexas777
quote:
TLDR: leach > Orgeron
frick off, jackass. Like in the last thread, who cares which one is better. Neither Is a championship coach and neither is qualified to be the head coach at LSU. Notice that only one coach is mentioned above, and it isn’t Ed O. But keep on with your pointless binary argument bullshite.
Posted on 12/31/18 at 10:01 am to misey94
Totally depends if 4th and Aranda turns the defense loose, or decides like the A&M debacle to play his prevent the whole second half.
Posted on 12/31/18 at 10:34 am to coachw
quote:
Totally depends if 4th and Aranda turns the defense loose, or decides like the A&M debacle to play his prevent the whole second half.
It will be interesting to see if Aranda adjusts from recent gameplans. He gave up on sending extra guys to get pressure there for a while, but this new UCF QB shite his pants the entire first half of the Memphis game, and they don’t have a dominant D Line by any stretch of the imagination. He is a turnover machine under pressure. I think he threw a pick 6 and had three or four fumbles, at least two lost in that game.
Based on that and all the new guys in the secondary, I’m betting he dials up pressure left and right and tries to get physical with their WRs to knock them off their short route timing.
Posted on 12/31/18 at 10:37 am to NorthLouisianaLSUFan
I agree! This is a golden opportunity for guys who have been working hard in practice and sitting on the sidelines during games to finally show what they can do. As fans, this also gives us a glimpse into what the future holds. There always seems to be one player that explodes on the field and shows he's ready to be a big-time player for next year!
Posted on 12/31/18 at 11:22 am to misey94
Alexander scares me. Not a good cover guy.
Posted on 12/31/18 at 11:24 am to misey94
will be an extra spring game, just don't have to hit each other, jockeying for the job for next year, NYU!!!
Posted on 12/31/18 at 11:52 am to coachw
quote:
Alexander scares me. Not a good cover guy.
I know he is a step down. I am hoping Aranda can get him in position to be a successful as possible. The best way to help him and all the other new guys will be to get pressure on their young QB.
Posted on 12/31/18 at 11:55 am to misey94
quote:
know he is a step down. I am hoping Aranda can get him in position to be a successful as possible. The best way to help him and all the other new guys will be to get pressure on their young QB
I'm hoping that Kirklin can come over from the offense and take some of the pressure of of Alexander. He would probably be a better safety.
Posted on 12/31/18 at 1:27 pm to bencoleman
quote:
I'm hoping that Kirklin can come over from the offense and take some of the pressure of of Alexander. He would probably be a better safety.
Sometimes the guys switching over from offense can make up for lack of experience with great instincts and knowing how receivers think and act. That, and they are getting starter reps and extra prep time for this opponent. I know some of these same guys struggled badly vs A&M, but getting pressed into being a lead cover guy in OT is a tough ask. I’m hoping we see a lot better from them after the extra reps and prep time.
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