re: My humble opinion and analysis of the 2009 Tiger FB team

I am just a fan and have been one since starting school at LSU in 1968. I played high school football in Michigan and Delaware. I have no credentials and consider myself a student of the college game.

This post only my opinion, and I wish that I could have rephrased the comments about Jared Lee. I can see where the post loses credibility when I mention that Lee might be brought in for obvious passing situations. That should have put in the light of designated plays and the chance that Jefferson was injured with Shep and Lee sharing QB duties.

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I've been saying LaFell will be the best LSU WR since Josh Reed since 07, and he will be the rock of this unit once again. But I still think TT has a lot to prove. The key words are "hope" and "should" with him, but I won't mark him as a legit starter until he does it on the field.

And I wouldn't call CMitch and RJ "experienced". Old, and been around, yes, but neither has done anything on the field to show that they are ready to make major contributions. Personally, I don't think either will ever be a consistent SEC receiver, so I think the success of our corps will depend on the development of TT, Molton, Randle, Tolliver.



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Like it or not, Jared Lee is the 2nd string quarterback, and it would be no surprise if he had to replace Jefferson for at least several key games or was called in for some obvious passing situations.
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I think you are 50% right here. I don't think Lee will play in "obvious passing situations". I defended Lee a lot last year because he was thrust into such a bad situation, but if he expects to play again, he is going to have to be patient and wait for JJ to either fold or get injured.

The deck is too stacked against him and his baggage and memories of 2008 for him to get a fair shake with the players, coaches, and especially the fans, unless he comes in with no other options, and I say this as someone who absolutely believes that he can succeed in the SEC. His major contribution from this point forward will be to push JJ in practices and keep him honest.

That said, if JJ gets hurt, which wouldn't be the biggest shock in the world seeing as how he seems a little reckless when he scrambles, Lee will have a chance to redeem himself, and I honestly believe he would if ever given the chance. Let's hope we never find out though.

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Thanks for the thoughtful reply. I happen to agree with you almost completely. I wish that I could have expressed it as well as you did. I could see that the post was getting kind of long, though.

88 days till kick off

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88 days till kick off

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+1 and, I assume, most of us feel the same about this!

Good work, very informative.

Overall I agree but there are a few things that dont make much sense.

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Three QBs will play this year. We all hope that Jordan Jefferson takes off to become a super-star and that Russel Shepard will see plenty of action, as well.

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ALright, I think Jefferson will be the primary guy and will see atleast 90% of the snaps this season. I dont see RS playing much QB other than out of the wild tiger formation.

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Like it or not, Jared Lee is the 2nd string quarterback, and it would be no surprise if he had to replace Jefferson for at least several key games or was called in for some obvious passing situations.

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I see Lee getting in some playing time, but not very much and definately not in obvious passing situations.

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I believe that 10-2 would get them into the SEC Championship game with a shot at the National Title.

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I dont think we can be lucky a shite again and win another title with two losses. Im conetent to leave us as the best two loss champion to ever play college football in the past.

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how I think the LSU offense should be run next year to get all over our play makers touches is like this. I modeled it on the Xbox and I know its a video game and doesnt translate to real life but it is still an awesome team to play with. I created Russell Shpeard and Reuben Randle who I think will be impact freshman on offense. And I probably overrated them but I dont give a frick. I had Jordan Jefferon at QB full time, I have RUssell Shepard in the backfield at Running back, and Charles Scott at full back. SCott plays full back more like Hester did in 07 than Quinn in 08. Lafell Toliver and Randle are the recievers since we usually run three reciever sets, and I didnt bother with the O-line, cause that getting to techincal and would make me too much of an Xbox nerd for me to bear and i had better things to do, like watch the LSU super regionals

I've broken down this roster hundreds of times with no greater feel than I had at the end of last season.

The offense will be perfectly fine. 30+ points a game is well within reach. Jarrett Lee's biggest obstacle last year was stage fright. He would see a blitzing linebacker coming at him, and rather than throwing the ball away or taking the sack, he would try to force it into tight coverage and it would get picked off. I think Jefferson is an upgrade at the position not only based on his performance against Arkansas and Georgia Tech, which was average at best... I couldn't watch the Ark game because I was stranded on I-10, but from what I saw in GT, Jefferson had a stellar first half and then bad bad second half. But it's was his second start a year removed from high school. At the very least, I have to assume that McCarthy would have made tackling mechanics a priority in these workouts.

The inexperience in the OL and the huge uncertainty in the FB position has me a little worried, but I've been hearing nothing but rave reviews of Dworcyzk(sp). The injury to Hebert has me a bit worried because I'm getting mixed reviews on his progress.

In any case, give any coordinator an offense with Scott and Williams in the backfield, LaFell out wide, Dickson running underneath, and a line with three solid returning starters and he'll be happy. This does not include the contributions to be made by Shepard, Randle, and Holliday.


The defense worries me, but it should for anyone who watched the games last year. The secondary will be monstrous, IMO.. but that's a lot of speculation and hope. Peterson will be the same lockdown corner that he was last year, Jones will lay the wood like we expect him to. I really like the Brooks move to SS. But I do have a question about the remaining corner spot. Eugene has come nowhere near fulfilling expectations coming in and Hawkins left a lot to be desired last year. The linebackers are questionable as well. I'm unsure about the Coleman move. It adds speed to the position and brings him back to his natural position, but I'm concerned about how easily he'll make the transition. I like Cutrera in a Dan Morgan pre-concussion way and no one can say Chavis doesn't know what he's doing with the LBs. However, this is still LSU. We're haven't put out a good linebacking prospect outside of Bradie James in ages. I think the line will be fine. Rahim Alem will cause mass confusion coming off the line and Drake Nevis should be a force up the middle. Woods and Alexander underachieved in a big way last year, but their experience and a new coaching staff to better utilize their talents can help but maximize their potential. I hear a lot of calling for Woods to have a breakout season this year. Either way, it's not like the losses on the DL are as staggering as some make them seem. RJF was never a contributor and Tyson was taken lightyears above where his production dictated. We lost our depth, but I tend to believe that outside of Levingston, if everyone came back from the 2008 squad, this would be the lineup anyway.

10-2 is the safe bet for this season with a home loss to Florida and a road loss to either Alabama or Ole Miss. Here's to hoping we pull off at least one upset. Though in my mind, with as hungry as the team seems, I wouldn't put an undefeated season past them. As we know, sometimes it's more about desire than talent. It doesn't hurt that this year's team isn't short on either.

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This is where this thread loses all substance and credibility.

Why in the world would Jarrett Lee be called in to replace JJ on obvious passing situations?

Makes no sense at all.

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Well, because JL is the best passing QB on the team, by a long shot..

What JL lacks is confidence under the live bullets, and making the right decision, and looking the defense off.. He was put in the fire before he was ready.. Thank you RP!

He is the most accurate passer we have, throws the best deep ball ..

the poster is correct...

All is not lost with JL

I watched the spring practices on video, JL is the best passer. PERIOD!

I enjoyed your post and opinions. Food for thought.

Nice post.

Two things will tell the tale. First is the QB position. We have a choice between a kid thrown into the fire who was clearly not mentally ready or a still younger kid who led the team to one victory against an outmanned Georgia Tech team. Lee, with all the crap he threw, had a higher passer rating and, I believe, better passing mechanics. Jefferson clearly made better choices in his limited time but is that an SEC arm? What we need is a Mauck/Flynn performance to allow our over-all talent to prevail. If we get that we can contend for SEC and maybe MNC honors. If not it is 3 or 4 loses.

Second is defensive coaching. I got so sick of watching crossing and underneath routes being wide open against us. The Saints have played "soft" for years because of a lack of talent. We are loaded with talent. Play aggressive and if we get beat long sometimes it is the price we will have to pay.

In reality it all goes back to the QB position.