Just watched the post-game interview. CLM says he blames himself for the way LSU started the game. Specifically, he talked about handcuffing the QBs when it was clear that Troy was stacking the box. Other things he said: Lots of praise for LaFell as a "self-made" player. Said he thought JJ did a great job but clearly could not generate the kind of comeback that was necessary. Only Lee had the ability to do that, and luckily he did it. Said Chad Jones played a phenomenal game. Mentioned Danny McCray and also mentioned T Toliver on offense. Mentioned Dixon as well. Mentioned Mallory in terms of adjusting the defense. Notably did not mention Peveto, but I'm not sure if that says much since Mallory is the man in the press box. Mentioned Crowton positively. Bottom line: Miles does not seem to be throwing Peveto/Mallory under the bus, which won't surprise most of us. But the question remains - after the season, who will be DC? I'm guessing he whittles down to one. Guess we'll see.
If he is picking one out of the 2 stooges, he'll pick Mallory easily. Without question. But my guess is it will be someone from the outside.
i think it was good to bring JJ in to let Lee cool off and calm down after a bad drive and it shook things up. I also saw some improvement in Lee's decision making, i.e. throwing the ball away when nothing was there.
i dont care what anyone says les miles brought us a national championship in the sec les miles is the coach who might be made fun of by the guys in the forum when starting out but he is the type of guy to build a program around
Les should hold himself accountable. Doing so is one of the reasons that he's a very good coach. I have never in my life seen a team come out as flat and ice cold as this LSU team did Saturday night. Like zombies. They were not ready to play football. It's the coach's job to get his team ready to play. I know they left their hearts out the on the field after Alabama, but that happens in this game. Les did not have them ready to play and he knows it. Les ought to put Nick's "24-hour rule" back in place. Football is an emotional game. You can't let yourself get too high or too low or you can't play football effectively. Your emotion must be balanced and focused. Les needs to address this and I suspect it is being done.
I think that it's admirable of Les to take the blame here, but I put it on the players. Absolutely zero tenacity in the first half. The defense seemed behind on every route, the D line was at a stand still, and our O-line wasn't creating the lanes it had before. Much Kudos to JJ and JLee for their performances in the second half. This was the Jarrett Lee that we saw against Auburn, and it bodes well for his future. Two more areas that I saw good things: 1) Terrance Toliver was finally seen making plays and living up to his hype and 2) Some of the lesser-played secondary members were great in coverage in the second half(Brandon Taylor, Phelon Jones, etc.). :tigerhead Geaux Tigers.
Three things that I attribute to coaching. The confused defense. They stood around with hands in the air at the snap for 3 quarters. That many guys not knowing the play is coaching. Maybe too many coaches :wink wink: Jarrett Lee playing schizophrenic at QB. I have never seen a QB who looks like the worst QB you have ever seen and turn around to be one of the best you could hope for. Play calling and scheme is the problem I see here. Looking very unprepared in the 1st half. The slow starts are the fault of the coaching staff overall. LSU is notorious for slow starts since Miles took over so it is a fundamental philosophy that needs to change. Player wise some of it can be attributed to being young and others to decision making. Chad Jones...he is a great player but he takes himself out of position too much by trying to make a big play. He made up for it but he got school so many times last night. I'd tell him to look at Chris Hawkins. Although he had a few against him also you didn't hear his name as often in coverage after a catch. Jarrett Lee...what can I say that hasn't been said? Decision making is his biggest drawback. He tried throws a peewee QB could see were bad, threw away balls that he shouldn't have but then turns around and makes a veteren NFL pass and tosses away a pass when he was in deep doo doo. One of those throw aways in the 4th actually got him applause from the die hard fans left. 1st time I ever saw that. Brandon Lafell...The guy needs glue on his fingers. He bobbled another last night that should have been an INT if the two DB's hadn't run into each other, taking themselves out of the play. He did a phenominal job otherwise but those bobbles scared the crap out of me. Demetrious Bird...drops. His only fault that I can see. Several times this season he's had one in his hands to keep a drive alive and it bounces off the turf. He seems to be out of position in some instances but I can't tell if it was a bad throw or if he wasn't where he was supposed to be. I don't think it is a bad toss every time. The defense as a whole need to wrap up a tackle. Quit trying to bump the guy to the ground or bounce around trying to knock the ball away.
definately the sign of a good coach. He always has my respect, even when I sometimes question his game plan. I do like the way he rotated Lee and JJ. he gave JJ some good quality play and let Lee sit and think about where his head should be in the game.
I said this about the slow starts last year and drew heavy criticism. I wonder if Miles has looked at this? I think our WR's problems are frustration and suprise. Byrd and Lafell were pretty good with Flynn. I dont think they have found theirgroove or gelled with JL. Coaches always say play your position and thats what they NEED to do, but we all know how human tendancies are. Play down to the level of your peers. Byrd and Lafell's drops misses might be Mental. Defense has too many ARM tackles, correct, not wrapping up.
