I was unable to watch the game tonight I was at a Cowboy Mouth concert figuring it was safe to go since LSU was going to blowout Troy.. Huh.

Anyway I had to get play by play on my Blackberry and all I kept reading was Randall's pass incomplete over and over again..

Why did JR never get into the game, was he hurt or something, Sorry I am sure it has been discussed but I just got back to a computer

Thanks.

As per the Advocate....

...Saban told Randall that he would play from start to finish so he wouldn't have to worry about making a bad play and getting taken out. I guess so that he could play without looking over his shoulder. My guess, and it's just that is that the other 2 must be stinkin' it up badly, of course, Saban has been a straight shooter in his tenure at Tiger Town.

JaMarcus Russell has Rohan Davey-itis. Only he's not a 5th year senior whose won the respect of the players, overcome personal adversity, and been overlooked by previous coaching staffs.

He's a 19 year old who went into the national championship offseason and didn't put in the time and effort necessary to wrestle away the starting quarterback position. He has only had to rely on his prodigious physical talent up to this point in his life.

That will not cut it at the elite level of D-1.

JaMarcus had a sh!tty Florida game. He has putrid recognition skills. This is something that can be overcome, with proper attention to detail and focus. It is obvious that isn't happening.

Saban has said in interviews that, "people only see the highlight plays. They don't see when he's not making the right decisions in practice, and not executing or giving the proper effort in practice."

Russell-in other words-is waiting to have things handed to him. This isn't the way that Nick Saban works. Russell's physical skill alone is enough to put him head & shoulders above any player on our roster in comparison.

The problem is he has one of the single worst work ethics on the team, according to those who are close to the team. After the 8th week of the season, evidently this has still not changed. This is a tad alarming, as there are young quarterbacks progressing everywhere (Ainge ain't doin too badly @ UT, and Leak didn't do too poorly in his 1st year, either).

I think that Nick has tried going with the script. He's tried bringing someone in only when injured. I think he's tried going with programmed intervals of both. I think now he's tried to go with one guy the entire game and not waver.

This last decision has been the only one he hadn't tried so far. He has not found the right mix of success.

Russell led us to the win-with Randall's help-against OSU. Randall might have decimated mighty Auburn, but after the 14 play drive to open the game where we scored, the 15 play script for Randall before Russell's insertion was just about done. The rest is history there.

They have tried to go with the hot hand (against Georgia, but was anyone lukewarm there?), and that didn't work...

They tried to hand it over to the youngster on the road (against UF), but he played much like Davey against Auburn in his first start in '99 at home in the Cigar game. Which is to say he played like crap, and was yanked (due to injury, unlike Davey). He will not be forgotten like Davey, however.

You see, I think Saban is sending a message: I will play the best 11. But, you aren't going to make it at LSU with anything less than total effort. Randall provides effort. Russell provides sluffing off, gaffing off, and a lack of focus.

Look people...I can tell you what made Saban go with Randall, and may prevent Russell from getting another shot until next year...

The 2nd INT by Russell was a formation that the staff went over specifically against Florida. He was under orders to check out to a run play against that formation. Part of the weekly prep for the opponent. Easy, college football 101. Tape sessions. Position meetings. Practice...He knew he needed to check into the run.

He did not check off and get into the run. He knew he needed to. He lolly-gagged around in the end zone and then, on top of the read and recognition mistake he made, he threw a lazy, ill-advised pass that was intercepted.

Saban almost went into apoplexy. He's not going to deal with all those mistakes by a young player...Just ask Erin Damond, who probably would have been better than Cory Webster, but after a timeout and a sure fire call from Saban on where Manning was going to, Damond-inexplicably-drifted out of position and turned a surefire interception into a first down and an eventual win. Damond is no longer at LSU.

I'm just telling you, Russell's got maturing to do. Saban isn't going to let him make those mistakes, and then continually not try to improve on those mistakes in practice.

Even Rohan Davey made the effort eventually. Russell HAS to mature in his preparation and his decision making. His future at LSU depends on it, if you ask me.

WARNING TE YOU WILL MAKE THEM MAD IF YOU TALK ABOUT RUSSEL'S WORK ETHIC. been there done that, no one listens :dis:

News flash - you missed one hell of a game for a Cowboy Mouth concert. Randall had a career best in passing yards and completions - oh, yeah, he got the win too...

TigerEducated,

Thanks for a great post! Given what I see with my eyes, it is the only explanation that makes sense, to what is going on now. A similar post was up 2 weeks ago, and I started to believe it since then.

I have been in the "Randall's not our guy, just start Russell" camp since the Auburn game, because Russell is the future and Randall doesn't get it done with any consistency.

But it sounds like Saban's choice is only between two below average alternatives.

Your explanation makes sense. He cannot reward poor preparation, especially when it results in interceptions.

With this explanation of affairs, if I put myself in Saban's shoes, I hope I would be doing what he is doing. If he doesn't get Russell "fixed" this year, his next 2 or 3 will be much worse than if he does get his work ethic in gear.

You want to put your 11 best on the field, but this assumes they all have a proper work ethic and have put in the effort to learn the plays. Otherwise they can be a detriment to the team.

Now the only question left to me, is why not play Matt Flynn some more and get him some reps and experience for next year? We need to be prepared for Mr. Russell to never come around. And we NEED to sign a QB in this recruiting season.

Thanks,
Randall had a career day huh ?

And we beat a team that lost to Arky State by 4.
I read the box score, Troy had 150 yard of Total offense, yet puts up 17...
Also saw 3 ints, and the drives they had...

Some career day..
Well if thats the case in JR and we are stuck with Randall... HELLO SHREVEPORT.

Well, that is awfully bleak..Shreveport.

Don't worry too much about that possibility, Florida sewed that bowl up yesterday....even your buddy Trev said so.

We aren't stuck with Randall. We could still play Flynn. The coaches wasted to many snaps on getting Randall prepared and he still stunk it up. Having great stats don't mean crap if you Turn the ball over. That is was Randall does best. If he makes on TO he usually makes a couple more. Every time he throws the ball it has a chance to INT unlike other QBs in the SEC.

When we play Bama and Ark they are going to stack the line and eat Randall's lunch because they will not respect his throwing ability. Randall is a 5th year senior playing like a true freshman. I wish LSU fans would stop sugar coating his performance last night. If we weren't playing Troy Randall's 3 INTs would have cost us the game and it almost did last night.

I am also getting tired of Saban pulling a RB for the rest of the game because of a fumble but would leave in a QB who throws 3 INT. We are down to Addai being the main back and if Addai isn't in than Randall will run the ball. It was so obvious last night.

Well Shreveport may be a bit much, but before the game I was telling my wife, "We survied the gauntlet, 5 out 6 at home ,LSU will be favored should be an easy weekend for us..."
Had to comeback to beat TROY !!!!!

I like Randall think he is a great kid with a good head on his shoulders. However with him at QB.... We are just not a very good Offense, unless we happen to be playing the swamp.