re: Evaluating Blake Baker

I do believe it's downfall has been talent and not scheme, but I have been frustrated a few times when they will play aggressive for 2 downs putting the opposing offense behind the sticks, then go conservative, bend don't break on 3rd down and give up the first down. Makes me throw my remote.

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That is a guy who you wait and let him get his guys.

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Exactly! This cycle he has had a heavy hand in recruiting guys who fit his system AND I'm sure he will be right there to evaluate & bring in portal players that can impact our D. The running QB results notwithstanding, he & his coaches have done an noteworthy job. Keep Charging!

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The struggles against running QBs have been rough. But all in all, when compared to House's trash defense from last year, Baker has done pretty well with the hand he was dealt.

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Baker and his entire staff came in after the recruiting class was signed only able to add a few portal guys. Also he lost Mingo and Jefferson DTs. I am expecting significant improvement next season.

I think most of us were worried about LBs and Safeties coming into the year and that worry personified itself. I do think we improved on the number of chunk plays given up but still too many.

Throw in some free Nuss points that last years D didn’t have. And a punting game that sucks and Baker is actually slightly better than his stats. At least we get off the field a few times a game

Does anyone know how many points we’ve allowed following turnovers? I’m really curious about that - bc to many of your points, we’ve been able to get off the field a fair amount - the turnovers are just so difficult to overcome against a quality opponent.

Great breakdown, but the overarching issue for Coach, which makes it very difficult to evaluate him fairly is that he lost his #1 returning LB and his #1 DT for most all of the season.

Not every team has a lack of depth like LSU to handle taking such a blow and not be affected.

Missing those 2 guys, particularly the Guillory, @DT, is probably the difference between 1 or 2 more losses than expected, hence the 4 losses.

Not having a consistent run game on offense also put them on the field for more minutes and it’s all connected.

He’s been great this year minus the Bama Game, that was an atrocious game plan.

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Would be better had Kelly hired a real OC to put less pressure on our defense

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while we are talking ‘what if’’s’ and hind sight BK should not have canned Baker when he was on staff when he got here instead of the very ineffective House.

If Kelly had this years defensive staff last season. LSU wouldn't have lost 3 games.

The corners haven’t been bad this year. Certainly far from when we had the likes of PP, Trey White, Stingley…but they are getting better.