Ok. I need someone to go back through all the footage of the last two seasons, pull out every play with JJ running the option, and put together a highlight video. Please get that to me by EOD tomorrow. I will review and get back to y'all with my assessment of its effectiveness.
Now, I ain't defending that damn play; I hate it and wish we'd burn that page from our playbook. However, to be fair, I remember Chuck rattling off a pretty damned decent run against bama* on it last year. But I guess even a stopped clock is right twice a day. Of course, that was probably the only time last year that it worked, so that's probably why I remember it.
IMO, you should only run the option if you literally base your entire offense off of it. Navy and Georgia Tech aren't afraid to commit 100% to using that as the only play, and maybe sneaking a tight end out and throwing a pass. However, they use the triple option and have a fullback, running back, and quarterback that could sleepwalk and run the plays. They have the timing down, the footwork, everything. The QB can tell where openings in the defense will be once the play develops. He can see it before snapping the ball. The offensive line knows where to go, who to block, when to pull, when to release on a block, etc. It's all timed so that a fullback can literally run up the middle and gain 30 yards. It happened many times with Navy against Maryland. LSU doesn't run it enough to have that level of expertise. They don't run it every play, all game, every year. I would say that they should run it if: A) There's an inexperienced linebacker on the other side that will commit to the pitch, allowing the QB to run by. B) Jefferson can see an opening in the defense with a blitz call, CB too far, etc. However, without the practice running it in all situations, there's no way you would know to run it. Jefferson is using his practice time trying to perfect everything, and there's not enough time to be able to do it. It's not a knock on JJ at all. I'm a big supporter. But you can't reasonably be a great option QB without giving up the passing game. Ricky Dobbs looks horrible throwing the ball. But his offense can march down the field, and he's still a great leader and sets up a lot of great play calls.
wasn't Lee quarterbacking on that play? I might get roasted for this but i think JLee runs the option better than Jefferson.
I think if the questions was " LSU doesn't seem to be good at the option" Les might have answered differently. But who knows these things..
There aren't many coaches who are going to throw their starting QB under the bus. Spurrier has come close a few times though.
