There are 2 ways to look at this season.

Discussion in 'The Tiger's Den' started by Pitkin Tiger, Nov 30, 2002.

  1. Pitkin Tiger

    Pitkin Tiger Founding Member

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    The optimist will see that we are 1 play (36 seconds) away from being 9 and 3. Those 3 losses were lopsided for sure, so that is as good as it could be--9 and 3. The pessimist would say we are 2 plays away from being 6 and 6---The Bluegrass Miracle and Clayton's TD against Ole Miss being those 2 plays. We ARE 8 and 4, 5 and 3 in the SEC. Things during the season have a way of evening out and this season sure did. We had the highest highs and the lowest lows, but as it turns out, we are in close range to where most preseason publications had us in the rankings---Top 20 or so. Disappointing? Yes to some degree, but much better than 3 to 4 years ago.
     
  2. Tiger Trey

    Tiger Trey Founding Member

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    It is better now...

    And I continue to think that things will get better in the years to come.

    I look at this season and conclude that we would be 10-2 or better if we would have had more depth. Some the personnel losses on this team caused us to lose games down the stretch and we had little there at the time to alleviate the void:

    Marcus Randall - Had to rehab when he could have possibly readying himself to be the starter in August. Eventually became the player we needed (imv) but it took a couple of losses before that happened.

    Matt Mauck - Out for season. Randall hadn't had enough seasoning to be the man yet. We had to invest a lot of coaching in Matt and we lost him for the second half of the year. Clausen is not an SEC caliber QB (imv). I'm interested in what Ricard, Lane, and Flynn have to offer.

    Damien James - His AWOL bit really hurt our D in the last 5 games. Jack Hunt is an inspiration, but I will always remember him as the guy who was dragged downfield seemingly 3 dozen times by BAMA RBs. DJ was a hitter who could cover and had a nose for the football. His desertion was probably the biggest blow to this team and we did not (imv) have anyone that could really take his place.

    LaBrandon Toefield - I feel bad for Toe because he never really got into football shape imv. This was one position were depth was not a problem. We will always have enough RBs. However our commitment to Toe cost us in turnovers. I wish that we could have redshirted him this year.

    There are other instances. Our DL was hobbled by nagging injuries and some guys were out there more than they should have been. This was a minor reason our defense declined.

    Injuries are a part of football and the elite programs have enough depth to remain in the Top 15 because they recruit and develop enough solid players to keep the team going when the injuries and other problems occur.

    We were #9 with a bullet after the SC game, but our lack of depth caused us to slide. Some questionable play calling here or there may have hurt, but that is part of the game as well. The best coaches often second guessed, but the ability and intelligence of the on field personnel is what wins games 90+ % of the time.

    Saban still has us on the right path.
     
  3. BigJ4LSU

    BigJ4LSU Founding Member

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    not bad for a rebuilding, injury plagued year. Not bad at all hopefully once everyone cools off they can realize this.
     
  4. EELSU1

    EELSU1 Founding Member

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    <<< Damien James - His AWOL bit really hurt our D in the last 5 games. Jack Hunt is an inspiration, but I will always remember him as the guy who was dragged downfield seemingly 3 dozen times by BAMA RBs. DJ was a hitter who could cover and had a nose for the football. His desertion was probably the biggest blow to this team and we did not (imv) have anyone that could really take his place. >>>

    If we ever needed Damien James more, it was during those last 34 seconds. He would have made a play on that 50 yarder IMO. I've thought about that a lot yesterday and today.

    But as Damien made a stupid choice, and put drugs before the team, I'm proud of the way the others stepped up.
     
  5. Tiger Trey

    Tiger Trey Founding Member

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    Not bad

    Last night was tough. As soon as the game was over I had to drive across town to pick up some tix to last night's NYRangers/Dallas Stars game (Thanx Casey). Then had to hustle downtown to watch the game. I stewed over the Tiger's loss for the entire game and was even in more of a funk when the game ended in a tie. The liquid refreshments at the arena were little help.

    But today, I still have faith that we are going to get where we want to be. Consistent recruiting and Saban's leadership will take us to the top and we will stay there for awhile. Let's remember where we were 3 years ago. We might as well have been on probation with dearth of players that we had at the end of 1999. Saban took us back to respectability with what we had on hand in no time. The last 2 regular seasons we have seen glimpses of where we can go. Thumping the Gators at the Swamp was huge regardless of Spurrier's absence. There was a lot of good on display yesterday. The table is almost set and we will be feasting soon. SECCG appearances will be nearly automatic. LSU's upside surpasses every other team in the West imv.
     
  6. red55

    red55 curmudgeon Staff Member

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    We would have killed for an 8-win season under Hallman. LSU has come a long way. I can live with this. We won't win the SEC every year, but we will be competitive and that's OK by me.

    Yes, DD should have been in the game and we should have scored a TD to put the game out of reach. Yes, the "prevent defense" gives the enemy QB too much time to find an open receiver. But it's not my job on the line, Nick is the coach and he's a damn good one.

    I don't blame Saban for one DB who blew his asignment. That makes no sense to me.
     

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