It's obvious to alot of people that Jamarcus Russell is the more talented of the 2 Quarterbacks and everybody keeps wondering why the almighty Nick Saban wouldn't learn and start him. Some people say that Nick is stubborn. I say that Nick is far more intelligent than you want to give him credit. The year after a National Championship, and Nick knows that if there were ever a time, this is the time to let a game or two past you in order to sort necessary things out. So, why start Marcus Randall all year? Because Jamarcus isn't doing what he needs to do to become the team leader. Saban wants Jamarcus to step up and BECOME the team's leader, not just be put into the position. As long as Marcus starts, Jamarcus has to earn his way onto the field by showing positive things in practice and putting in the extra effort. I have the feeling that Nick feels if we were to just start Jamarcus, he wouldn't feel the pressure that is put on him now. Sure, he would have other pressure - the pressure to succeed with 90,000+ fans watching. But now he has both of those pressures, and come next year, or possibly later this year, we will see the reason for all of this. For he will be a GREAT Quarterback here at LSU. Come next year, this team won't be in search of leaders. All of them will of had to rise to the occassion. And I think Nick Saban knows that this is a growing year for our guys(wether he wants it to be or not). A year for them to mesh, to get timing down, to gain trust & admiration for each other. I am far from throwing away this season, as I look forward to the growth of all of our young players. But fear not, the nation shall feel our wrath again.
Nice post, I agree with everything you said. There are several freshman out on the field this year, something that most teams rarely have to deal with. It just happens that we had alot of seniors last year and this team needs to learn for the remainder of the season how to come together and play as one unit. If this happens, the SEC is screwed because we're back in action.
