Things I Worry About: Football Edition

by Richard Pittman on Oct 30, 2009 6:26 AM CDT in Football Comment 20 comments

More photos » Rogelio V. Solis - AP

I worry about lots of things. Some of the things I worry about are actually important. Some of things I worry about relate to football. None of the things I worry about are both important and related to football. Worrying about football is fun. Worrying about your clients is much less fun, but is motivational.

Anyway, let's talk about the things that worry me, as they relate to LSU football:

1. Defensive Tackle Depth: The LSU coaches have made the tactical decision to go through the whole season playing only 4 defensive tackles, with a 5th getting playing time when the game is already decided. Every other defensive tackle on the roster either moved to defensive end (Lavar Edwards), moved to offensive line (Cordian Hagans), got hurt before the season started (Akiem Hicks), or is redshirting (Chris Davenport). It is a scary proposition to have such a thin unit at defensive tackle, especially when one of the ones you're using is Charles Alexander, who has never stayed healthy for a whole season. Except for a midseason injury to Josh Downs, we haven't been burned by this strategy yet, but there's still almost half a regular season to go.

2. Jordan Jefferson: The kid is still learning. I know this is beating a dead horse, but I sure wish it would have been possible to redshirt him last year. He's a sophomore and he still looks like a little kid with a baby face and gangly features. I want to bring him home and feed him some red beans and rice. He'll eventually fill out and physically mature, but I think we are sure going to wish we still had him on the roster in 2012. That's not a knock against Chris Garrett, who appears to have great promise as a QB. I just think Jordan Jefferson has the potential to a late bloomer and to become outstanding, but he could do so a little bit too close to the time he graduates for comfort. As of right now, he is still a work in progress. He played his best game against Auburn, but it remains to be seen if that is an aberration or a leap forward.

3. The Injury to Derek Helton: OK, he wasn't exactly booming 50 yarders with regularity, but he was getting good hang time on punts, and there has been no threat of a big return on us with him punting the ball. He actually ranks 10th in the league in punting average, but is only 4 yards behind 2nd in the league (Georgia's punter booms it). Josh Jasper can punt the ball just as far down the field, I am sure, but I would hate to see LSU give up a big return at a key time.

While I have more worries, that's all I really have time for this morning. I have to leave a little early, and I slept a little late (5:30am). What worries you?

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I like our damn strong football team

Have a great day.

by Gas_House_Gorillas on Oct 30, 2009 9:05 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The DT depth issue

can be offset by running some three man fronts. I have seen the team do this on occasion this year.

Gregatron is not responsible for any of the crap he just wrote.
St. Louis vegetarian blog

by Gregatron on Oct 30, 2009 9:58 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The O-Line

It just seems that unit hasn’t gelled this year. LSU has been defined in prior seasons by an aggressive defense and a power running game that just wore down opponents and held onto the ball to win close games. I’m afraid that if we can’t establish a running game, the defense and passing game isn’t going to be able to keep bailing us out.

CHAD JONES! WOOOO!!!!

by The Bengal on Oct 30, 2009 10:00 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm only worried that it might be cold Nov 28.

My pregame beer might freeze, forcing me to turn to bourbon much earlier than usual.

by artiger on Oct 30, 2009 10:25 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I worry about drinking too much next weekend

For me, 2:30 away games are a recipe for disaster.

by shelby924 on Oct 30, 2009 11:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Clowns

They scare the hell out of me. I worry one may show up to a game. It would freak me out.

Other than that, I worry about our o-line. It’s getting better, but wow, how could it not?

Fake Pundit. Real Fan.
http://www.andthevalleyshook.com

by Poseur on Oct 30, 2009 10:36 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Can't sleep...clown'll eat me...can't sleep...clown'll eat me...

I don’t trust people who aren’t afraid of clowns.

And I’m still concerned about the playcalling.

by Billy Gomila on Oct 30, 2009 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Clowns and puppets still creep me out to this day..

At the end of the day

by Mikeno on Oct 30, 2009 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just can't help myself

CHAD JONES! WOOOO!!!!

by The Bengal on Oct 30, 2009 3:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bengal I take back every nice thing I've ever said about you!

by Billy Gomila on Oct 30, 2009 3:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would not at all be surprised

if a clown shows up at tomorrow’s game.

by Nearl on Oct 30, 2009 10:40 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I know...

… I’m dreading Halloween. If you are considering dressing as a purple and gold clown… go to hell. Do not pass go, do not collect $200, go directly to hell.

Fake Pundit. Real Fan.
http://www.andthevalleyshook.com

by Poseur on Oct 30, 2009 12:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You coming to Fox & Hound?

’Cause if you are, I know what my costume is going to be!

CHAD JONES! WOOOO!!!!

by The Bengal on Oct 30, 2009 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m worried about who our running back is going to be next year. Charles Scott, Keiland and Holliday(fwiw) are all leaving. We will have Ridley, R. Murphy coming off knee surgery, and some red shirted freshman in Ford and that other kid.. For this reason, I don’t get why we are redshirting Ford. Maybe Seastrunk signs..? Otherwise, we’re not real strong back there. Clowns are fine. There’s nothing wrong with a good clown.

by nepomo on Oct 30, 2009 1:35 PM CDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

Why..

the concern for the red-shirt on Ford. He wasn’t going to see any time this season anyway, so why waste a season of eligibility? We will have average depth going into next season at the RB spot. There will be at least 3 guys projected to be RBs signing come NSD.

I’m more concerned with who will man the TE spot when RD leaves. Will D. Pete fill out enough to man that spot on the regular? And will there be anyone behind him on the depth chart who could contribute?

Clowns are fine. There’s nothing wrong with a good clown.

Clowns are the Devil Bobby.

At the end of the day

by Mikeno on Oct 30, 2009 3:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Isn't Dickson's little brother a Tight End?

He’s a verbal commit in this class. I imagine he’s the heir apparent after Peterson graduates.

CHAD JONES! WOOOO!!!!

by The Bengal on Oct 30, 2009 3:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Alligators are ornery cause they got all those teeth and no toothbrush.

If ford were a potential superstar a la seastrunk, I might agree with you, but kids like him come around pretty often in LA. So, in my mind, losing a year of his eligibility isn’t that big a deal. I’d trade a year of eligibilty for some experience going into next year when wr ate going to be a bit anemic at rb. Work through the kinks now. Learn how to pick up blitzers in front of 90,000 fans now…versus a tulane. So next year, he’s not going up the learning curve when we need him to be producing. Cause if it’s not ford it’s Murphy or ridley, and I don’t see Murphy getting it done. So , let’s hope ridely shows up..

by nepomo on Oct 30, 2009 9:59 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs