re: Columnist says LSU is overrated

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semblance of leadership on defense they wouldn't have been near getting those points

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Had LSU any leadership period last season alot of things could have been avoided. You think Hester, Bowe, Dorsey, LaRon would have let players slack, not hustle, or quit during the season?

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Bama got 3 TDS of those INTs

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I have it at 14-7 Unless you are deciding to count the OT turnover

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LSU OCs didn't offer him options

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Was an issue with all the QB's not just Jefferson, they were ill prepared once Perrilloux was kicked off and Hatch went down.

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As for Toliver, he got more looks at the end of the season and proved to be a solid receiver in the making. He looked better last season than Lafell did in 2006 before turning it on in 2007 and 2008

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LaFell was buried behind Bowe, Doucet, Davis he had a reason to struggle.

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Those numbers will go up with JJ at QB than when Lee was there throwing to Lafell or Dickson on every play

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Him and Lee combined for 10 catches in Troy/Bama/Ole Miss games. Jefferson and Toliver combined for 8 in Ole Miss/Arkansas/GT.
His numbers will go up but mainly because he will get more looks. Although if he fails to live up to his potential and hype RR could over take him as the #2.

Its not always about who they play it can be about how many "W's" they can get during the course of season.

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Had LSU any leadership period last season alot of things could have been avoided. You think Hester, Bowe, Dorsey, LaRon would have let players slack, not hustle, or quit during the season?

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Oh I agree with this completely, but I think the bigger issue was lack of leadership at the top in the DCs. Love him or hate him, Pellini led the defense and gave them someone to look up to in times of trouble. The Co-DCs didn't offer this, and its not all their fault. I think Les made a stupid decision from the start in that you now had TWO position coaches losing time with their positional players because of increased duties, and this led to a lot of problems.

Chavis has shown that he can handle being DC and positional coach at the same time, as referenced by his solid development of LBers over the years.

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I have it at 14-7 Unless you are deciding to count the OT turnover

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Yes, I was counting the INT in OT mainly for its demoralizing effects. The INT from Bama set us up in decent field position, but not automatic TD position like Lee's gave to Bama for their 2. Still, that's huge INTs that killed momentum. Bama did miss 2 FGs, but LSU missed a chip shot too, so that leaves the one blocked at the end.

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Was an issue with all the QB's not just Jefferson, they were ill prepared once Perrilloux was kicked off and Hatch went down.

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Agreed. I don't think people realize how far back Jefferson was in his development since he wasn't there for spring practice, and Hatch's injury was huge whether people realize it or not. He gave us a calming effect when out there, but still was limited. I think that Jefferson this season will offer everything that Hatch did last season with the stronger and better arm.

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Him and Lee combined for 10 catches in Troy/Bama/Ole Miss games. Jefferson and Toliver combined for 8 in Ole Miss/Arkansas/GT.
His numbers will go up but mainly because he will get more looks. Although if he fails to live up to his potential and hype RR could over take him as the #2.

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He got 8 receptions from LEE in those 3 games and 8 from Jefferson in 3 games. With his movement into the #2 spot, I could see his catches being around 45-55 this season, much like Bowe, Doucet, Davis had in 2006. I think this season will be more balanced than last year as far as the receivers go.

I'm sure with 11 wins they will be in a BCS bowl...10 maybe even 9 could get Notre Dame in the BCS simply based on fan following and potential cash flow for the bowl and network. However, i don't think they can match up to a real opponent. If Weiss doesn't get them in a major bowl this year he will be looking for a job by seasons end.

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Peveto coached the LBs and Mallory coached the DBs on our 2007 defense that won the NC.

Mallory's coaching of the DBs was excellent, comparatively as good as that of Ron Cooper's South Carolina secondary. From 2005-2007, LSU's pass defense with Mallory as the secondaries coach ranked No. 11, No. 3, and No. 9 nationally. From 2006-2008, South Carolina's pass defense with Cooper as the secondaries coach ranked No. 43 (growing pains?), No. 4, and No. 2 nationally.

The problem with them as DCs was that they weren't using their system. They tried to continue Pellini's defensive schemes, schemes that they obviously didn't have a feel for. To do it right, I believe it has to be your baby, not someone else's. Without that feel, it's too hard to make adjustments.

The bottom line is that, despite being good coaches at their respective areas, they totally sucked as Co-DCs using someone else's schemes.

That was a mistake Miles made that I doubt he ever makes again in his coaching career. Live and learn.

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This is the best analysis of the 2008 defense and its problems I have yet to read. It is well informed, and it cuts to the quick on about 75 percent of what my sources have told me about the main causes of the confusion and guessing that went on.

I've read pieces from professional journalists that don't come close to the truth on this, much less within sniffing distance of the bull's-eye this post hits dead center. This doesn't explain everything, but it is the least understood and the most underreported aspect of the topic to date. Most of what I've read are half-baked theories that fans (and some in the media) have heard and said often enough they've convinced themselves it's the real deal. They're loaded with buzzwords and catchphrases that have been used so much by so many that they have lost their meaning, and they have no meaning at all when it comes to the 2008 defense. But, they're easy answers to trot out, so they're popular.

This is solid stuff from someone who knows what happened last year. Well done.

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Peveto coached the LBs and Mallory coached the DBs on our 2007 defense that won the NC.

Mallory's coaching of the DBs was excellent, comparatively as good as that of Ron Cooper's South Carolina secondary. From 2005-2007, LSU's pass defense with Mallory as the secondaries coach ranked No. 11, No. 3, and No. 9 nationally. From 2006-2008, South Carolina's pass defense with Cooper as the secondaries coach ranked No. 43 (growing pains?), No. 4, and No. 2 nationally.

The problem with them as DCs was that they weren't using their system. They tried to continue Pellini's defensive schemes, schemes that they obviously didn't have a feel for. To do it right, I believe it has to be your baby, not someone else's. Without that feel, it's too hard to make adjustments.

The bottom line is that, despite being good coaches at their respective areas, they totally sucked as Co-DCs using someone else's schemes.

That was a mistake Miles made that I doubt he ever makes again in his coaching career. Live and learn.

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This is the best analysis of the 2008 defense and its problems I have yet to read. It is well informed, and it cuts to the quick on about 75 percent of what my sources have told me about the main causes of the confusion and guessing that went on.

I've read pieces from professional journalists that don't come close to the truth on this, much less within sniffing distance of the bull's-eye this post hits dead center. This doesn't explain everything, but it is the least understood and the most underreported aspect of the topic to date. Most of what I've read are half-baked theories that fans (and some in the media) have heard and said often enough they've convinced themselves it's the real deal. They're loaded with buzzwords and catchphrases that have been used so much by so many that they have lost their meaning, and they have no meaning at all when it comes to the 2008 defense. But, they're easy answers to trot out, so they're popular.

This is solid stuff from someone who knows what happened last year. Well done.

It's very close and provides lots of good insight, but the fact remains that two huge problems existed with the system. Neither Mallory nor Peveto have the leadership skills to control/lead the team. They were stretched to thin in key areas by having so much double duty.

Another thing that people need to realize is that all the years our secondary was great, we also had Pelini on staff. He was an NFL DB coach and the year he left, the DBs struggled and looked confused. Not to take away from Mallory, but his resume prior to coming to LSU wasn't anything special, so that says a lot.

Again, I wish them well and they were put in a tough spot, but I don't think Peveto was ever going to be a good DC and Mallory wasn't ready to be DC at a top program. He needed time to hone his coordinator skills.

All this talk about Notre Dame. Yeah they probably will win 10 games this year and go to the Sugar Bowl. Only to have to play and SEC team, some real competition, and get their asses kicked all over the field again. Just like every year when they play a team like USC in the regular season. Can stand the national hype they get each year

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Maybe it's because you weren't that good last year?

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Wow. Just wow. Should Washington have to drop the sport then ? We have had some dumb posts here and some dumb posters,but you may be the dumbest. LSU was 8-5 and wore out a ranked team in the Peach Bowl, 38-3. Washington was 0-12.

And it was LSU that wasn't good last year ?

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Maybe it's because you weren't that good last year

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I find this laughable coming from a UW fan!