If Russell is declared the starter "from now on," we definitely will lose a football game because of this. Did you see how many balls were overthrown by him tonight? How about the three times he was under pressure and just threw it up for grabs? He is a RS freshman who just played in his VERY FIRST GAME. He is talented, but he has a lot of learning to do. A lot of growing up and a lot of things to find out that you can't find out in practice. And along the way, his youth and inexperience will almost certainly cost us a ballgame or two. So brace yourself.
I really think people should lay off Randall. I'm not saying I necessarilly want him starting at QB, but he is a good guy, and I don't think he's nearly as "dismal" as your still inebriated minds are thinking. He didn't play well tonight. Okay, he didn't. I agree. HOWEVER, did he once have the time sitting in the pocket that Russell had on his good passes? Russell got WAY better protection than Randall, and I'm not saying that's the only reason he did better, but come one. The first 2 drives of the second half, when Russell was getting pressure, he looked no better than Randall. And somehow everyone seems to have forgotten completely about his almost game costing overthrow of a wide open Green in the endzone. You can't honestly say that Randall wouldn't have done much better had he had the time that Russell had. Russell made some great plays, but they came after the Oregon State defense was running out of gas, and weren't getting as much pressure on him. And if you don't believe me, wait until you're sober and rewatch the game. I'm not saying that Russell isn't a better QB. And I'm not saying I want Randall to start again. That's a decision for Saban to make, and we should all just shut up and trust him. He should have earned our trust to make the best decision. But regardless of what happens, Randall is a good guy, whose given a lot to this program, who kept his mouth shut under Mauck, and waited for his turn to play, and I don't think it's fair to call for his head after the first half of the first game of the season (against a much better team than any of us were expecting, I might add). Give the guy a break. He might have blown his shot to start, but there's no point to rip the guy up. And one final thought. For anyone reading this, there is no excuse for booing your own QB, and calling for the backup when your team is on the field. Do you really think that Saban is going to base his decision on the QB on what a bunch of drunk fans are screaming? I understand the frustration, and the hype surrounding JR, and the fact that he's supposed to be the QB of the future, but don't boo your own team. It shows a complete lack of faith in Saban, and it hurts the team. It's just pathetic. Whoever is on the field deserves respect and support.
I absolutely agree that the booing is counterproductive and plain STUPID, when the going gets tough. I believe Randall would be playing much better next game,as he has shown in the past. This has been a learning experience for him too. He didn't get many breaks in the first and second quarter with the tremendous pressure he got from OSU's defense, and the ineffective running game as well as offensive line. His throw to Bowe for the touchdown that was called back was a beauty in the first quarter. Can't anyone give him any credit for that? I am sure Saban gave him credit in his mind for the final Randall touchdown, after being benched for almost the entire second half. He is still part of the team and will continue to contribute, and at the same time allow JR time to get more polished. ________ LovelyWendie
Credit for a QB draw? Ok, WOO FRICKEN' HOO! Russell is ALREADY BETTER than Randall. It is blatantly obvious. We give him the starting job and get him ready for SEC play. Period. And, it means ZERO that Marcus Randall is a nice guy. I feel sorry for him from a personal perspective, but he is NOT an adequate QB. Period (again). Russell is a winner. The Tigers are now on our way to reaching their potential. Thankfully, we did not have to lose a game to realize who the QB is. But, it was way too close for comfort.
I'm not trying to knock the coach, or slight an LSU player, but let's face the facts. There was absolutely no spark on the offense with Randall on the field. Mind you, I really wanted him to break out and become the leader of this team. But he just doesn't have "it". Russell seems to have it. The poise, the confidence, the knack. Nick really needs to work this guy more with the first team so they can get used to his throws. I feel with more snaps, especially with Ark State coming in, Russell will settle in and the offense will gain more confidence in him.
It ain't time to cut **** ... LSU has 3 QBs that can play ... Randall is the starter until Jimbo tells Nick otherwise. Period. End of story. So the kid came out and stunk it up due to incredible pressure to perform and poor play calling ... **** happens ... you want to demote Jimbo and have Dooley call the plays and make the offensive gameplans ... :dis: Randall came back in the 2nd half and made some great plays too. Russell will get his playing time ... and he deserves a bigger role as he continues to perform ... and develop ... that keeper and stretch for two was impressive ... I support whatever decision the coach makes ... which will be that the best man for the job ... in their opinion ... goes in the game. If it's a platoon system ... who are we to argue ... As for this freak storm and monsoon ... LSU and Randall seemed snakebit ... from the start with Green's fumble and giveaway ... IT WAS NIGHTMARE IN OXFORD PART II ALL OVER AGAIN ... there's a thread starter for you ... run with it ... remember how Mauck started that game????????????????????? what a night and truly humbling experience ... Saban said a lot of his players needed to develop maturity and get their mindset right ... Maybe an incredible wake up call like this game was what they needed. ISLTL said it best ... and thank god for a win
I truly wanted Marcus to have a good game and a good season. LSU does not need a first round pick at QB to win National Championships as long as they continue to play defense the way that they are capable. Tonight it looked to me that Randall was terrified to make a mistake and had a dazed and confused look on his face. In his defense the play calling was suspect in the first half with the conditions on the field. It was my opinion up to this point that Randall had excelled over JaMarcus but tonight has lead me to believe that JaMarcus is a much better "game player" than Randall. I am sure that he is a good guy but the collegiate football season is only 11 games and I want the best player on the field. I thought that JaMarcus looked much more confident and able in his first chance to get playing time than Randall looked after 5 years. If Nick Saban says that Randall is still the starter than I trust in his judgement but right now I think that JaMarcus should start the next game.
You are right Russell did not look anything like a star or nearly finished product, he looked very much like a redshirt freshman seeing his first college action. However the sad part is even as green and inconsistant as he looked he still played a much much better game than the 5th year senior. The future may be very bright for us at QB but the present looks very very shakey at best.:geaux: :lsug:
