The simple fact is we won't know anything until the players start executing like the coaches and the players expect. It could have been the scheme, but we don't know for sure because the players did not play well. I have a feeling that even if they played great, and the coaches called a perfect game, ASU would have score at least 21. All I ask is that the D doesn't make the same mistakes. If they show no improvement in tackling, assignments, and adjustments, I will start to worry. I'd still give him a couple of more games before I lose faith, but I'd start to worry.
Nick Saban repeatedly said he coached to the abilities of the players he had, which is why the same coach had the high-flying offense of 2001 and the grind it out offense of 2004. Bo Pellini, OTOH, currently comes across as, "I have my system and I'm going to do it my way, regardless of the talent I have to work with here." That's so...so...Tepper-esque it's scary.
I'm just thankful that Saban didn't change his system after getting torched over and over again in 2000 and 2001, as well as in a few games in 2002. I even happoier that he found 2 cornerbacks that could finally make the system flourish by moving TD and CW to corner. Wonder what our defense would have looked like for the past 2 and a half years without those 2 guys? The only changes I really see Pelini making his trying to find better blitzers, I doubt he changes his philosphy much at all, coaches just don't do that. We blitzed Cameron Vaughan 6 times Saturday from my count tonight and he didn't come real close on any and got kind of close once. We also did a corner blitz 4 times and ASU through quick outs to that WR all 4 times, it was as if Keller knew what was coming. Hopefully he was just a quick thinker. One thing good about what Bo said in that article was he blames himself and the coaches instead of the players or saying that it takes 5 years to install the system. Just think, LSU vs USC in the Rose Bowl with the number 116 and 115 ranked pass defenses in America. :yelwink2:
THE ONE RAY OF HOPE IN THE ARTICLE: Said safety Jessie Daniels: “It’s much easier to execute when you have so much less to think about. We made a lot of mistakes Saturday, but if we execute this defense the way we’re supposed to, we’ll be fine. The guys really like playing it.” Ainge will come into Tiger Stadium & pick this defense apart if they lay back and allow the underneath and short passing routes like ASU did for 58 minutes. If LSU is getting punked by the Vols early in the game, LES BETTER GET A FIRE HOSE AND GIVE LITTLE BO TEPPER A HIGH COLONIC, until his worthless schemes can be seen streaming from his ears.
Thank God Pelini isn't going to make wholesale changes after one game. You have to stick with your system, not hit the panic button like half of you guys. I'm glad the coaches don't listen to the fans, if they did it would be a complete meltdown once the team ran into any adversity. I'll bet LSU ends up having one of the top 3 defenses in the SEC by years end. Their is too much talent on the defensive side of the ball for a man with Pelini's reputation to screw it up.
We as LSU fans act like the sky is falling. Come on guys it was 1 game. It is not fair to judge a defense after one game. I myself was very pissed off with the scheme after the ASU game, but I know it will get better. We have been spoiled with Saban and now we act like we will be perfect all the time. We won't be move on. This defense will be fine. It won't be top 10, but it will be good enough to win us games. The most important thing is this defense can stop the run. If you can't stop the run you can't win in the SEC.
I have never liked these soft, simple defenses. Saban's defense was torched a few times, but it was always a pressure defense. Instead of bend, but don't break defense, it was don't bend. I love seeing that, and I think it has a very good psychological effect on the opposing Offense knowing that you're being attacked play after play after play. I think if Saban ran this new zone scheme against Georgia while he was here, they would have shredded this defense.
USC gave up huge yardage to Hawaii. I don't hear anyone flushing their season down the toilet. The same people b*tching about a 1st game performance complain that pre season polls are unfair.
I did not watch the game but did USC give up that yardage in the begining or towards the end when the scheme and personel changed? Just wondering. USc has never claimmed to have the top defense but it would seem to me to be the later.
