re: Column: Defenses, catchphrases, deception and coordination

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I do not understand all the hate on chavis . He has been an excellent def. cord. for about 20 years, so why after one game is people doubting him.

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I'm not hating on Chavis (nor loving - he has to earn it at LSU on Saturdays).

He was DC at Tenn 14 yrs before here. I would not describe him as "excellent." I would classify him as average-to-above average. What we saw last Saturday was vintage Chavis - fully consistent with his track record at Tenn. I do not expect us to ever achieve the dominance we saw in '03 with Chavis. If all we get during his tenure at LSU is a re-run of his record at Tenn then I doubt he'll ever make it 14 yrs at LSU. "3rd and Chavis" is not a myth. Sooner or later it could cost us a win.

Nonetheless, I think we'll get better on D this year. Players will adjust and I think Chavis himself will get better. We'll have some good games defensively. If he can keep opponents under 30, that may be good enough to win every game.