re: CFN LSU preview

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While those #'s indicate a better record over a similar span of time, the state of the program in 1999 was a FAR CRY from where it was in 2005. That doesn't mean it shows a decline, only that those wins/losses should be considered in context.

Okay.

LSU regular season records:
2008: 7-5
2009: 9-3

That doesn't look like a program in decline either.

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even better when you consider the overall 8-5 in 2008 occurred without an even somewhat experienced qb (thanks rp), very much comparable to saban's 8-5 in 2002 (3-4 without mauck).

more difficult to explain away 2009 other than an attritioned, horrendous offensive line.

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He quit just before the Auburn game if I remember correctly.

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booted off for smoking dope, if I remember correctly

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The saftey is KEY in Saban's defense, and James was a great talent, just something of a head case. He quit just before the Auburn game if I remember correctly. Our defense wasn't the same for the rest of the season.

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I agree. One thing I perceive to be a slight "weakness" of Saban's "process" is an apparent overdependence on great performances from specific positions, meaning that if a guy (like D. James) goes down or freaks out and you can't replace him, your defense goes in the tank (relatively speaking).

Some use this as a defense of Saban's 2002 season, claiming that once he'd been able to recruit a few more years he would have had ample replacements for James. And that is quite likely true (though we've never seen Saban anywhere long enough to test that theory). But saying that your defense is subject to near-total collapse from the loss of a single player until 4 or 5 years of recruiting are under your belt sounds distastefully similar to claims that a certain Def. Coordinator's defense would simply "take 5 years to implement."

Not that the "collapse" of Saban's '02 defense was even in the same ballpark (barely even the same sport) as the '98-'99 fiascoes, but the notion is somewhat similar: if you don't have depth at Safety, but you build a defense that reliant up excellent Safety play, you have to be accountable for the failures if something happens at that position.

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I feel LSU's coaches can stack up with any SEC or other college football coaching staff.

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Funny to you? Not funny to me.

Since SEC teams have won the last 4 BCS MNC games, I'll dispense with LSU's coaches stacking up with other college football coaching staffs. Seems it's head to head with SEC coaches.

Florida has won 2 of last 4 BCS MNC games with a 4 year record of 48 - 7. LSU has won 1 of last 4 BCS MNC games with a 4 year record of 40 - 13. Alabama has won 1 of last 4 BCS MNC games with a 4 year record of 39 - 15. Saban's record (last 3 years) at Alabama was 33 - 8.

What part of LSU's past record of stacking up with the best coaching staffs in America (i.e., essentially the SEC) is funny to you. Or do you just like to indirectly criticize LSU coaches with a ROFLMAO meaningless emoticon without any meaningful reason why you don't think LSU's coaching staff can compete big time with any program in America?

Don't give me any of your perceived "downward spiral" of the LSU coaching staff as basis for any rationale. That wasn't part of Fiutak's analysis of LSU's upcoming season and it's not part of mine. His analysis dealt with ifs. That's what future analysis is. My prognosis is an improved season. What is your analysis. Please be specific.

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The style of play did. In fact, you could argue that in 2009 the style of play was WORSE with an even better record. If it weren't for Mr. Pick 6, in 2008 we prob would have been 9-3.

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the 2 biggest issues in '08 were costly interceptions and a horrible defense...both of those improved in '09. QB play still has a ways to go, and Crowton not being moved out was a disappointment, so '10 still has some question marks.

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The style of play did.

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There is no style of play, which is the major problem.

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"bad" and "shite" was better than "shite" and "average"?

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There was no improvement and you could argue that in fact, it was worse, based on the 112 number and all that. So my argument is that we in fact did NOT improve from '08 to'09 despite the better record. We just traded bad for shite and shite for average.

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Anyone who really saw and paid close attention to the OL in the spring game saw a huge difference in the OL. JMHO, the OL is definitely back with force and attitude. Now, can JJ take advantage of that and adjust...to me this is the only piece of the puzzle to fall into place.

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If we can run, JJ will not have the world on his shoulders like he thought he did last year. Kid looked like he was afraid to lose.

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The style of play did.

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There is no style of play, which is the major problem.

Touche'.

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Its actually difficult to describe..more like a lack of identity. Think the defense has a chance to develop one this year though.

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I don't deal with "what if's", I deal with what I see on the field in front of me.

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since we're all talking about the quality of LSU football in a season that hasn't been played yet we're all dealing in "ifs".