Here's LSU's 2007 Preview from Rivals, free on the front page. http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?SID=1144&CID=694175 They give our D lots of props...only a month left til kickoff!! :geauxtige
Good article, very in depth. They were full of deep insight about younger guys or those who haven't played much, guys like LaFell, Mitchell, and Murphy, Nevis, Aubrey, Taylor, and McCray.
ok, below is the grading of the units taken from this article. i agree it's pretty spot on although i woulda graded flynn B or B- (lack of exp) and the PR a C and KR a B+. i'm also one of these nervous sorts who starts chomping his nails for every fan that sprouts up and says "we're going to the NC this year, no doubt." if you're one of those fans then please answer the following so i can feel a little more optimistic. 1) do you agree with these rankings or are they too low. and 2) if you do agree with these rankings, do you think this team is good enough to end up in the BCS title game. i want to cross over to the we're not gonna lose a game side, please convince me!!!! Grade the units: QB: B-plus: Flynn has looked impressive in his infrequent opportunities - aside from the time he was rushed into duty after Russell got hurt in a 2005 SEC championship game loss to Georgia - but he's too untested to warrant a higher grade. RB: A: Perhaps no school in the nation has so many talented running backs on its roster. WR: B: Doucet gives LSU a legitimate All-America candidate, but the Tigers have too many questions elsewhere in the receiving corps. OL: B: LSU has plenty of talent here, but the Tigers also have plenty of questions. Can Arnold stay healthy for a full year? Will Carnell Stewart make a successful transition from defensive line to offensive tackle? What's the backup plan if starting left tackle Ciron Black gets injured? Grade the units: DL: A: Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson give LSU the nation's top defensive tackle and one of the SEC's best pass rushers. LB: A: There's no real superstar in this group, but Highsmith and Beckwith lead a talented and deep group of upperclassmen. DB: A-minus: LSU has a pair of exceptional cornerbacks, but the hole created by Landry's departure keeps the Tigers from getting an 'A' at this spot. Grade the units: K: C-plus: Colt David has gone 12-of-18 on career field-goal attempts, but he's only 3-for-7 from 40-plus yards. P: C: Senior Patrick Fisher must improve his consistency as he attempts to replace Chris Jackson. PR: B: Chevis Jackson averaged 6.7 yards per return last year. Holliday could take over this spot if he can overcome his fumbling problem. KR: A-minus: Doucet and Holliday give LSU a potentially dynamic duo here.
im not one of those fans, but my arguments for higher ratings would be: Grade the units: -he's a senior. -looks like the OL will be better than last year. -while not the nfl prospect that JR was, you could argue that flynn will be a better college qb---basically, he's more accurate and will make less mistakes because he lacks the gunslinger mentality. RB: A: Perhaps no school in the nation has so many talented running backs on its roster. -hester is a great WR. -TE will be used under crowton -arnold is healthy. any player can get injured so unreasonable to lower grade for this reason. -everyone has OL depth issues. Grade the units: DL: A: Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson give LSU the nation's top defensive tackle and one of the SEC's best pass rushers. LB: A: There's no real superstar in this group, but Highsmith and Beckwith lead a talented and deep group of upperclassmen. -no mention of steltz. because of him, the pass coverage may be better than last year. this may also translate into the elusive turnover. if this team creates turnovers, then no opponent has a chance. -3 for 7 is too small of a sample size. if he'd made one more it'd be the same % as total. -wont need FGs, especially long ones. well, ok.
Have to disagree. To when a National Championship it will be near impossible for us to have poor field goal kicking.
haha, yeah. i tried to edit my post so i dont look 100% retarded by using "when" but apprently that function hates me. so anyways, this is what i was going to put.
Florida won it last year with their kicker, Chris Hetland going 6/15 on FG's, so its not too farfetched. Just as long as Colt continues to be money up to 40 and 50/50 beyond that, I think we should be fine.
I think a big key to LSU's sucess this year will be Trindon Holiday and the new kickoff rule... The kick is being moved back 5 yards, which will decrease the number of touchback significantly... also could mean lower kicks as kickers try to get more distants... either way, it adds up to more returns for the mighty mite...
