Jury is out until next season. I have just as much of a reason to admire and respect Les Miles as anyone else. But when it's all said and done, loyatly remains with the school, regardless of the head coach. As much crap as LSU fans have endured throughout the 1990's, we deserve to be in the national picture. I'm not expecting championships every year, but I don't think it's unreasonable to challenge for them.

I thank Saban for bringing LSU to national prominence, no denying what he did for the program. He left, he's gone, he's at Bama, he can go pump himself. Miles continued the fight, so to speak, the previous three years; another SEC and National Championship. Hell, I was there in NO in January vs. Ohio State.

I have always given Miles the benefit of the doubt. The whole winning with Saban's players crap got old quickly, and I would be the first one raising the BS flag. It still takes outstanding coaching to get a national championship, not matter how talented a team is. And sometimes it takes a break or two in your favor.

But all of this is nothing new. We've heard it all before. Of course, message boards were not as prevelent in 1997 and 1998; many took to the radio sports-talk scene. However, the same things were said then about Dinardo. The line then was "Dianrdo is a good coach, but he's got to do something about Lou Tepper and the defense." That was in 1998. Take a look at LSU's record in 1998 and compare the statistics. I know, stats are for chumps, but there is a striking similarity.

I am in no way implying LSU should cut sling on Miles, far from it. But coaches may be hired based on past performance; they are retained based on potential for future success. That said, the jury is still out until next season. Nothing personal, but we, as LSU fans, who have weathered our fair share of demoralizing seasons, must take a realistic approach in regards to our program.

OK, deep breath, now fire away...

i cant really say that i disagree with anything you said. I think my whole problem was just the way it seems to me that this team was mismanaged this year. I know we lost RP, had to quickly go back to the drawing board and try to scramble with 2 inexperienced quarterbacks. I think alot of this could have been avoided, but hindsight is 20/20. Alot of people said that this was the year to see what Les Miles is about because this will be the year that the majority of players will be ones he recruited. We lost alot from last season. 2 experienced corners, 1 of which in Chevis Jackson that i thought was best corner to ever suit up in purple in gold other than Tommy Cassinova. Lost Dorsey, Steltz and our Linebackers are proving how valuable Ali Highsmith was to our defense. We lost our quarterback, and Hester, and i think with the loss of Early, Hester, Flynn, Dorsey and Steltz, we lost our leaders. This team seems leaderless to me. Hester was the heart and soul of this offense from a year ago, and Dorsey was the heart of the defense from a year ago. Hopefully a leader will emerge from what has been a mediocre season at best.

Look for Rahim Alem to be the heart and soul of the defense next season, and who the leader on offense will be i have no idea, but someone has to step up next season.

Whether he starts or not remains to be seen but I think RS takes a huge step in becoming an immediate leader of the team, I also think JJ might step into a role in there as well. As well I think PP and Loston may jump into that role for our defense. But we have some great talent coming back and I think we'll see a lot of leadership emerge... I don't think the players like the taste left in their mouths from the losses we've endured this season... as such I think the players will be playing with a renewed fire in them to keep another season like 08' from re-emerging.

That's as realistic as it gets... I don't see Miles being let go unless we have a worse record next season and the season after that... then I think Miles may be in the hot seat. But with the talent coming in, the current talent... ain't gonna happen.
All we need to do is make a few small changes (DC position), mold our QBs and I think we'll be back in the top 5 easy.

You're right, no doubt about it - replacing those guys was going to be a difficult task no matter how it's spun.

There is still plenty of talent on this team. Leadership-wise, can't agree with you more - there is no leadership on this team. The QB situation was a huge blow, monumental, in fact. One might expect for there to be some dropoff at that position. The defense, though...

In a certain respect, human nature comes into play. Meyer said it, Spurrier said it, hell, even Saban said it. Complacency has a tendency to surface at the most inopportune times following a championship season. I think part of that befell this team, whether Coach Miles wants to say that in public or not. Again, that goes back to your point, Lasalleave, about team leadership.

After 11 games, however, a leader still hasn't emerged. There is no doubt Alem has positioned himself as the heart and soul of the defense next season. His effort throughout the season can not be questioned. I will agree with Miles the effort has been there for all of the defense. So, how does one explain the failings of the defense the entire season? Man, it all comes down to coaching.

If the coaching approach through 11 games this year is the same as it was last season, then at what point does one change the approach? Through 11 games it's still the same issues. It can be argued that the defense has been on the downturn since the S. Carolina game last year, and to some extent, that has definitely been the case. Injuries took its toll on the defensive line last season, no doubt about it. For the most part, the D-line has been somewhat healthy this season, same for the LBs and DBs. So, if the players are not getting it or understanding it, the question has to be asked, why, after 11 games, are they still so woefully out of position?

Phat Phil Fulmer rode a National Championship at Tennessee for 10 years. Les Miles ain't going anywhere unless he wants to leave.

off years happen. player changes happen. its life. get over it. miles has given us finishes in the top 5 the past three years, including a nc.

i trust the coach to make the changes that need to be made to get the team back on track.

god forbid, the man and his players be human, make mistakes, and have poor performances. the key will be how they handle the lessons learned this year.

Nah... LSU won't let it happen here. If Miles has another 2 seasons as bad or worse as this season... he'll be chased out. The Tiger faithful will let it be known.