When I look back at the talent we lost on defense in 2012 - It's Staggering!

This is just a post reflecting on the past 2 years of defense.


We lost
1st round Mingo (starting DE)
1st round Reid (starting S)
2nd round Minter (starting MLB)
3rd round Mathieu (we lost him before the season, but same difference)
3rd round Montgomery (starting DE)
3rd round Logan (starting DT)
5th round Simon (starting CB)
5th round Edwards (backup DE)
UFA Downs (starting DT)

2012 ranked 8th in total defense 307.6
2013 ranked 15th in total defense 340.7 yards

2012 ranked 12th in scoring defense 17.5 ppg
2013 ranked 21st in scoring defense 22.0 ppg

2012 ranked 28th in pass defense 206 yards
2013 ranked 13th in pass defense 197.5 yards

2012 ranked 9th in rush defense 101.62 yards
2013 ranked 38th in rush defense 143.23 yards

2012 ranked 16th in sacks 35
2013 ranked 54th in sacks 27

2012 ranked 19th in tackles for loss 91
2013 ranked 86th in tackles for loss 69

2012 ranked 12th in interceptions 18 3 TDs
2013 ranked 73rd in interceptions 11

2012 ranked 89th in forced fumbles 10 missed Mathieu
2013 ranked 88th in forced fumbles 9

If you notice from a raw numbers standpoint, we were fairly even in the secondary and that's with playing freshman and injuries left and right to the safeties. The worst part was the lack of playmakers. No ball hawks. Also you see what losing five guys on the DL (all four starters) can do for you in pressure on the QB, stops behind the line, and halting a rushing attack. Don't forget a guy like Minter who came up to make big stops and was the best tackler we had.

Aside from the interceptions and run defense, it wasn't a major dropoff, but it definitely wasn't what we have grown accustomed to.


BELOW WILL PROBABLY SEEM HOMER SO PLEASE STOP RIGHT HERE TO AVOID IT


A stop or pick at UGA, a stop or pick at Ole Miss (ok I know that game was mostly Mett's fault), you're looking at a one loss team. I mean considering the shite load of talent we lost, it was amazing we came this close again, to a divison title. I mean we stop Yeldon on that last pass in 2012, division title.It seems like LSU is always just one play away, or one player away (Mathieu 2012, Minter 2013) from taking home the whole thing.

I think we can get back to that this year, I mean Mett only scored 12 passing TDs in 2012, surely we can do that. We have the run game, the defense, and a better OC, to push for a divison title. Don't look at this as a rebuilding year. Look at it as same old LSU, 2010, 2011, 2012. Stout defense with playmakers, great rushing attack, but instead of an abysmal passing attack, something that is decent enough to get the job done.