Now that Jefferson is back on the team, let me make my argument why he should NEVER see the field.
1. 11th rated passer in SEC last season. Second to last.
2. 92nd rated passer in NCAA last season.
3. 10th in the SEC in yards per attempt.
4. 83rd in the country in completion percentage.
5. For a "QB that makes plays with his feet" he averaged a paltry 3.66 per carry in 2010. Take out the 83 yard run against Tennessee and he only averaged THREE yards a carry on the other 122 rushes.
6. He ranked OUTSIDE the top 100 in passing yards per game. I can't even tell you his rank out of the 120 FBS schools because the rankings don't post beyond 100.
7. Of the 19 SEC QB's rated for 4th quarter efficiency in 2010, Jefferson was 16th.
8. Of the 15 SEC QB's rated for 3rd down efficiency in 2010, Jefferson was rated 13th.
9. Amongst QB's, Jefferson was ranked 9th in the SEC in yards per play at 5.6.
So tell me what this guy brings to the table...
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
Misty Mountain Beat Down
Another road trip. Another beat down.
LSU essentially blew out WVU twice, once in the the first half which ended 27-7. Then again in the second half, after the Mountaineers cut the lead to 21-27, LSU ran off three straight TD's starting off with Mo Claiborne's 99 yard KOI return.
Lee was fantastic again. His QB rating is 30 points higher than Jefferson's mark last year and with one more TD pass ties Jefferson's total from ALL of last season. This offense is fun to watch which I haven't been able to say for years.
The defense OVERALL was nothing special Saturday. There were way too many missed tackles and Smith passed for over 400 yards. However, Tyrann Mathieu did say after the game that the field was very slippery which may explain some of the poor tackling. WVU was going almost exclusively to three step drops which makes it very difficult to pressure the QB. Regardless, LSU kept the WVU recievers in front of them and didn't give up many big plays against a very good offense. Remember, WVU is ranked 3rd nationally in passing offense, 24th in total offense. Geno Smith is very talented and the Mountaineers were playing at home.
The one thing the defense did do was make big plays, none bigger than Mathieu's leaping tip of a Smith pass which he then grabbed out of the air and returned to the 1. The Tigers were +4 in the turnover department picking off Smith twice. The run defense was also stout as usual giving up only 70 yards on 22 carries.
The Tigers get Kentucky at home this weekend for the first meeting between the schools since LSU's triple OT loss in 2007. Expect another efficient performance on offense and a defense looking to improve off last week's effort. Bad news for the Wildcats.
LSU 45 - UK 13
LSU essentially blew out WVU twice, once in the the first half which ended 27-7. Then again in the second half, after the Mountaineers cut the lead to 21-27, LSU ran off three straight TD's starting off with Mo Claiborne's 99 yard KOI return.
Lee was fantastic again. His QB rating is 30 points higher than Jefferson's mark last year and with one more TD pass ties Jefferson's total from ALL of last season. This offense is fun to watch which I haven't been able to say for years.
The defense OVERALL was nothing special Saturday. There were way too many missed tackles and Smith passed for over 400 yards. However, Tyrann Mathieu did say after the game that the field was very slippery which may explain some of the poor tackling. WVU was going almost exclusively to three step drops which makes it very difficult to pressure the QB. Regardless, LSU kept the WVU recievers in front of them and didn't give up many big plays against a very good offense. Remember, WVU is ranked 3rd nationally in passing offense, 24th in total offense. Geno Smith is very talented and the Mountaineers were playing at home.
The one thing the defense did do was make big plays, none bigger than Mathieu's leaping tip of a Smith pass which he then grabbed out of the air and returned to the 1. The Tigers were +4 in the turnover department picking off Smith twice. The run defense was also stout as usual giving up only 70 yards on 22 carries.
The Tigers get Kentucky at home this weekend for the first meeting between the schools since LSU's triple OT loss in 2007. Expect another efficient performance on offense and a defense looking to improve off last week's effort. Bad news for the Wildcats.
LSU 45 - UK 13
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
A Plea for the Status Quo
Regardless of what happens in the Grand Jury hearing the Jordan Jefferson case, I don't want the guy back. I know, that's not very PC or very nice. If he's innocent why should he be off the team? If he didn't do anything wrong, why should he be punished?
Because it's not about him, it's about the LSU football program. Ask yourself, would it be in the best interest of the LSU football program for Jefferson to be reinstated?
In my opinion, no it would not.
This team has performed very well thus far and has stayed focused on the task at hand. Lee has done a good job of running the offense and minimizing negative plays. He is the clear cut starter at the most important position on the team. How many times did we hear last season, "LSU is a very good team, but Jordan Jefferson is the quarterback..."?
Bringing Jefferson back would bring a plethora of distractions and internal divisions. If he came back the first question for Miles would be, "who is starting at QB?" No matter the answer to the question, there would be some negativity, externally and internally. Fairly or not, Jefferson has been a lightening rod for criticism on this team. Were he to be put back on the field I have no doubt many fans would have a negative reaction. Last season a caller to Miles' radio show asked the coach if Jefferson had naked pictures of him. Cat calls and general disgust would only increase. There would also be locker room division, some players and coaches supporting Lee and others Jefferson.
If Lee loses a game, no one will be saying, "had Jefferson been playing, we would have won that game." But should Jefferson come in and play poorly leading to an LSU defeat, you can be assured EVERYONE, LSU fans, the media and the players would be second guessing Miles decision.
Finally, the Shady's incident won't go away. There will be a civil suit that keeps this story alive throughout the season. Jefferson's presence will keep that cloud hovering over this team.
Maybe I'm not as worried about Jefferson being on the team as I am about him actually seeing the field. Maybe i just don't trust Miles' to make the right calls on this. I just don't think I could stand to watch Jefferson in all his incompetence run that option play one more time.
Because it's not about him, it's about the LSU football program. Ask yourself, would it be in the best interest of the LSU football program for Jefferson to be reinstated?
In my opinion, no it would not.
This team has performed very well thus far and has stayed focused on the task at hand. Lee has done a good job of running the offense and minimizing negative plays. He is the clear cut starter at the most important position on the team. How many times did we hear last season, "LSU is a very good team, but Jordan Jefferson is the quarterback..."?
Bringing Jefferson back would bring a plethora of distractions and internal divisions. If he came back the first question for Miles would be, "who is starting at QB?" No matter the answer to the question, there would be some negativity, externally and internally. Fairly or not, Jefferson has been a lightening rod for criticism on this team. Were he to be put back on the field I have no doubt many fans would have a negative reaction. Last season a caller to Miles' radio show asked the coach if Jefferson had naked pictures of him. Cat calls and general disgust would only increase. There would also be locker room division, some players and coaches supporting Lee and others Jefferson.
If Lee loses a game, no one will be saying, "had Jefferson been playing, we would have won that game." But should Jefferson come in and play poorly leading to an LSU defeat, you can be assured EVERYONE, LSU fans, the media and the players would be second guessing Miles decision.
Finally, the Shady's incident won't go away. There will be a civil suit that keeps this story alive throughout the season. Jefferson's presence will keep that cloud hovering over this team.
Maybe I'm not as worried about Jefferson being on the team as I am about him actually seeing the field. Maybe i just don't trust Miles' to make the right calls on this. I just don't think I could stand to watch Jefferson in all his incompetence run that option play one more time.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Addition by Subtraction
Not since 2007 have I left a "body bag" game feeling so good about the Tigers. LSU took care of business with crisp execution and smart play, no flopping around, no struggling with a clearly inferior opponent. Versus McNeese last season, Jefferson finished with a QB rating of 91. Last night, Lee went 9 for 10 with 133 yards and a TD. Lee had a QB rating of 234. Lights out!! No way LSU is so efficient with Jefferson.
The past two weeks, the offense has shown a clear identity and solid productivity. How many times over the last few seasons have we seen delay of game penalties? Last second time outs to avoid a delay of game? Substitution violations? LSU's QB looking lost? None of that this season. Lee is on his way to having a very good season.
Did Mettenberger look great? I know it was Northwestern State, but good players come out and execute against inferior opponents. I was really pleased that the staff allowed Mettenberger to throw the ball. He finished 8 for 11 with 92 yards and 1 very nice TD pass to Kadrone Boone.
The defense was fantastic. LSU held the Demons to -4 yards rushing and 95 yards of total offense. LSU rotated guys in all night yet was suffocating throughout.
Next Week
Mississippi State lost a heart breaker Saturday at Auburn. MSU's QB, Chris Relf, was stuffed at the 1 yard line as time ran out. Now the Bulldogs must turn around on a short week and host LSU on Thursday night. The Tigers were able to rest key players and get plenty of reps for some younger players. Spencer Ware, who I expect to get 20 plus carries against MSU, only toted the ball 6 times against NWSU.
This will be another big test for Lee. Thursday will be his first true road game start since October 18, 2008 at South Carolina. I think his confidence will continue to grow as the Tigers get victory number three this season. Expect plenty of Ware and Ford and enough Lee to keep the chains moving. LSU's defense will match up well against State. The Bulldogs only managed 7 points against LSU last season.
LSU 33 - MSU17
The past two weeks, the offense has shown a clear identity and solid productivity. How many times over the last few seasons have we seen delay of game penalties? Last second time outs to avoid a delay of game? Substitution violations? LSU's QB looking lost? None of that this season. Lee is on his way to having a very good season.
Did Mettenberger look great? I know it was Northwestern State, but good players come out and execute against inferior opponents. I was really pleased that the staff allowed Mettenberger to throw the ball. He finished 8 for 11 with 92 yards and 1 very nice TD pass to Kadrone Boone.
The defense was fantastic. LSU held the Demons to -4 yards rushing and 95 yards of total offense. LSU rotated guys in all night yet was suffocating throughout.
Next Week
Mississippi State lost a heart breaker Saturday at Auburn. MSU's QB, Chris Relf, was stuffed at the 1 yard line as time ran out. Now the Bulldogs must turn around on a short week and host LSU on Thursday night. The Tigers were able to rest key players and get plenty of reps for some younger players. Spencer Ware, who I expect to get 20 plus carries against MSU, only toted the ball 6 times against NWSU.
This will be another big test for Lee. Thursday will be his first true road game start since October 18, 2008 at South Carolina. I think his confidence will continue to grow as the Tigers get victory number three this season. Expect plenty of Ware and Ford and enough Lee to keep the chains moving. LSU's defense will match up well against State. The Bulldogs only managed 7 points against LSU last season.
LSU 33 - MSU17
Sunday, September 04, 2011
Duck Hunt
Searching the web, I was hard pressed to find anyone picking the Tigers to win this weekend. As usual, the bloggers, writers and talking heads all fall in love with flashy QB’s, speedy running backs and flavor of the month coaches. But once again, line play dictated the outcome of a matchup of heavy weights.
Oregon’s vaunted running game racked up only 95 yards on 28 carries. The Ducks averaged 286 yards a game last season. But with three new starters versus LSU’s extremely talented defensive front, Oregon could not run the ball with any consistency. On the other side, LSU’s offensive line gradually began exerting itself eventually leading to three rushing touchdowns and 175 yards. Again the Ducks only returned two of the defensive front seven.
Turnovers certainly played a role in the game with LSU finishing plus three in that category. But the Tigers were able to convert behind a solid and experienced offensive line.
Jarrett Lee didn’t play great, but he did what the coaches asked of him. He converted on some key plays and didn’t kill LSU. There were a number of drops and he had a really nice deep completion to Beckham called back by a penalty. The big thing was no interceptions. (Here is a great link on Lee if you are a stats geek like me.) Hopefully as he season progresses he will become more confident and grow under Kragthorpe’s tutelage. With Jefferson out of the picture, Lee will get the vast majority of reps and work.
Tyrann Mathieu is a flat out ‘Balla.’ He just makes plays.
What you saw Saturday in Dallas is Miles’ vision of LSU football, running out of the I-formation, play action passes, three wides sprinkled in and plenty of action for the tight-ends. LSU’s goal is probably to have 180 yards passing and 220 yards rushing per game. With a fantastic defense and good special teams, the Tigers can win a lot of games with that formula.
Thursday, September 01, 2011
Pre-Season Random Mussings
*Would love to comment on The Jefferson Thing but can't.
*I like Florida State and Alabama in the National Title game. Noles are ready in their second year under Jimbo and Alabama returns so many linemen on both sides of the ball.
*Surprise Team: West Virginia
*Flop Team: Stanford
*The Heisman Trophy is the most over hyped and overrated award in sports.
*Three games I most want to watch this season: LSU v. Alabama, Oklahoma v. Florida State, Nebraska v. Penn State.
*TV analyst I like the least: Craig James (I'm not alone either)
*TV analyst I like the most: Chris Spielman
*TV Play by Play guy I like the most: Sean McDonough
*Three things I am most interested in this upcoming season:
1. How does the fallout from scandals at USC, UNC, Ohio State and Miami affect these team's seasons?
2. Can the SEC make it 6 straight?
3. Will Les Miles ever learn that his use of the word, "want" is dramatically incorrect and makes him look like a boob?
"Now, in terms of the issue of clocking it, certainly there was every want to win that game."
*I like Florida State and Alabama in the National Title game. Noles are ready in their second year under Jimbo and Alabama returns so many linemen on both sides of the ball.
*Surprise Team: West Virginia
*Flop Team: Stanford
*The Heisman Trophy is the most over hyped and overrated award in sports.
*Three games I most want to watch this season: LSU v. Alabama, Oklahoma v. Florida State, Nebraska v. Penn State.
*TV analyst I like the least: Craig James (I'm not alone either)
*TV analyst I like the most: Chris Spielman
*TV Play by Play guy I like the most: Sean McDonough
*Three things I am most interested in this upcoming season:
1. How does the fallout from scandals at USC, UNC, Ohio State and Miami affect these team's seasons?
2. Can the SEC make it 6 straight?
3. Will Les Miles ever learn that his use of the word, "want" is dramatically incorrect and makes him look like a boob?
"Now, in terms of the issue of clocking it, certainly there was every want to win that game."
- LSUSports.net Nov 23, 2009
SEC East
1. South Carolina
2. Georgia
3. Florida
4. Tennessee
5. Kentucky
6. Vanderbilt
*Cocky and the Bulldogs mix it up in Athens the second week of the season. Obviously the winner will have a huge leg up on the East race. South Carolina gets a nice warm up in week one against East Carolina while Georgia will play a tough opponent in Boise State. It will be tough for Georgia to maintain that emotional intensity two weeks in a row. BTW: Marcus Lattimore is a stud.
*Florida is extremely young on the offensive line. Expect trouble against the tougher teams on the schedule.
*Tennessee is going to play a number of close games this season. Don't be surprised to see a few upsets.
*Between UK and Vandy, look for one to get to 6 wins and a bowl game.
2. Georgia
3. Florida
4. Tennessee
5. Kentucky
6. Vanderbilt
*Cocky and the Bulldogs mix it up in Athens the second week of the season. Obviously the winner will have a huge leg up on the East race. South Carolina gets a nice warm up in week one against East Carolina while Georgia will play a tough opponent in Boise State. It will be tough for Georgia to maintain that emotional intensity two weeks in a row. BTW: Marcus Lattimore is a stud.
*Florida is extremely young on the offensive line. Expect trouble against the tougher teams on the schedule.
*Tennessee is going to play a number of close games this season. Don't be surprised to see a few upsets.
*Between UK and Vandy, look for one to get to 6 wins and a bowl game.
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