re: Maybe Just The Heat....

Stevan Ridleys FB status yesterday was something about how people didn't know what was coming this year and they didn't know how hard they have been working.

I've been excited about this season. I think we'll be much improved and have thought that for some time now and am a little bewildered by all the "sky is falling" people.

The biggest question mark is QB but we literally can't be any worse than last year.

when we win are you?

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but for the first time in two years, I actually am bullish on LSU Football. I have been an outspoken critic of Miles and have stated that I would not be surprised if they only win 5 games in 2010.

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Anyone that has read a post of mine with respect to Miles knows what I think of him, but I don't go into any season without some sense of optimism.

I just hope the coaching staff steps up with the necessary guidance and game preparation to allow the team to play with confidence on the field against every opponent.

The last two years have been painful to watch. Bottom line...I hope they are able to compete and hold their heads up win or lose!

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I have heard from a few guys that have worked for the team since 07 that this team has an attitude that hasnt been seen for a while..the guys are more together as a team, less groups, all staying after practice to help younger guys...they are hungry..

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I've been reading alot of stuff like this lately. I know that LSU has some of the best talent in the nation and if this whole attitude and leadership talk is true they are going to be a VERY dangerous team.

Me to.

to Tiger 79

I'm feeling good about this year. Last year we lost to Bama and UF by 9 and 10 points. The only other games we lost came down to the wire. And this was with an offense with serious issues (ranked over 100). If our offense gets reasonable production (say top 50), then people are going to have a hard time beating us.

And for those of you who would point out that there's no reason to expect improvement, I disagree. Our big problem last year was the O-Line. This year it should be much improved because we've had some time to develop a number of younger guys that should step up. People on the Rant tend to forget that players usually improve from year to year. So the O-Line will be better. JJ will be better (and he'll have better protection). And I like the guys in the skilled position. I mean at WR we'll have TT, RR and RS. That's killer.

And on D, we'll have two shutdown corners (if stories about the emergence of Morris Claiborne are true). Even conservative coordinators feel the need to blitz more often when they've got hard core CBs. I expect a lot more aggression from the D.

And for those of you who want to make some comment about P&G glasses... STFU! I'd rather be pumped up and optimistic going into a new year than hanging my head like a dog that's been beat.

We better hope we have a great QB falls out of the sky before Sept.

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a QB who I think will improve

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I do think JJ will improve this year. I don't expect him to turn into an All-American candidate, but he doesn't have to for this team to be very successful and compete for the West. He needs to improve in two key areas: 1) Timing/Pocket Presence, which are really the same issue. He can't hold the ball forever, and he must step up in the pocket to deliver the ball as the pocket develops; 2) Option mechanics.

The first is something that can be taught and can come with experience. He doesn't have to get that much better at it, just reasonbly so. With improved O-line play, I think he gets that done.

The second is not even an issue if Russell Shepard takes over the bulk of the option duties, which he should. If we can get Keiland Williams a passing play, we can get RS one, too. And for Pete's sake, he's only got to successfully throw it about twice ever to keep opposing defenses honest to that ability when he's running the "Wild Tiger".

I think it's very reasonable to expect better production this year, and I think that's what we'll get.