Aftermath Thoughts
by Billy Gomila on Jan 10, 2012 12:00 PM CST
in Football
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PrintIt's extremely grey and overcast here in Baton Rouge. Appropriate, since the past 12 hours sounds like some sort of trauma out of an Edgar Allen Poe story. I'm not sure what's worse. The headache, the pit in my stomach, the bewilderment of the reality or the sense of futility. A season that should feel great now feels empty. Like something we should all be glad to be rid of and eager to forget. Which is stupid, because I don't care who you are, undefeated regular seasons and SEC titles are things you should always want to remember. But if this is how it ends, what's the point?
Sure, it occurred to me that LSU could lose this game. Hell, it played out somewhat similar to what I told you all to watch for. But not like that. The party wasn't supposed to end when an 18-wheeler plowed through the center of it.
Right now everybody's angry and lost. Trying to find someone to blame. As usual, there isn't one person or one thing.
- But if we're going to start somewhere, start with the Tiger offensive line. Defensively, Alabama did exactly what I thought they would do. They sat with their safeties back on the hashes and played zone underneath, sure to erase any deep routes, and dared LSU to run the football. And the line simply couldn't get any push. For the entire game Bama's defensive line had the offense playing on their own side of the line of scrimmage, and the linebackers had completely freedom to chase down ball-carriers.
- That said, the coaching staff still completely abandoned its bread-and-butter play, the inside zone-toss. If it was run more than twice I'd be surprised. They spent too much time trying to get the short pass and option game going. The former has never been Jordan Jefferson's forte, and the latter got no traction.
- Speaking of Jefferson, he's getting the bulk of the blame, and while I still think the o-line was a bigger culprit, he was still pretty awful. On the option he was timid, trying to get the corner too often instead of attacking the end man to take him out of the play with the pitch. On the pass, he was too hesitant early and pressing late.
- I'm not sure Jarrett Lee would have made much of a difference with the offensive line and running game struggling that much, but at a certain point you just have to try something different.
- I can't kill the defense, given that they spent most of the night out on the field and kept Bama out of the endzone despite some very bad spots. But credit Jim McElwain for a great gameplan of short passes on first down to get the Tigers playing back on their heels. Ryan Baker in particular probably had the worst game of his career. Missing tackles and getting lost in coverage.
- The d-line tried, but even they got worked over too many times. Four different times Alabama was in second and 10 or longer, a clear running situation for this team, and was still able to rush for five yards or more. Michael Brockers and Barkevious Mingo made some nice hustle plays, but usually after they got blown off the ball.
- Overall, the team just looked completely listless. Something I haven't really seen out of an LSU team since the 2008 Troy game. No aggression. From anybody. They all just kept looking around like they were waiting for somebody else to make a play. And when the whole team does that, a play never comes.
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Black-out
I wish this game was on a Saturday night, so I could have drank myself into a state of “Black-out”.
question about LSU's offensive strategy
rewatching the game this morning i noticed that jordan jefferson’s one long run – the 17-yard scramble in the fourth quarter – came on a bama blitz. quite a few folks have noted that kirby smart didn’t call many blitzes last night.
how likely is it that lsu game planned for this defense and was caught off guard when it never really materialized?
SB Nation's The Historical: Because all those games way back when matter.
I have no idea what the gameplan was
LSU completely abandoned the plays that had been the most successful for them this season. Of course if your O-line is getting worked over, few plays really do work. Josh Chapman had PJ Lonergan on his ass almost all night.
Writer (and a handsome one at that),
And the Valley Shook
by Billy Gomila on Jan 10, 2012 12:15 PM CST up reply actions
there seems to be a lot of disparaging of jefferson
but i think one of the achievements of the LSU coaching staff this year was finding ways to utilize the limited skill sets of the quarterbacks. the improvement in their performance, it seems to me, wasn’t as much a step forward in jefferson and lee’s game but revamping the offense to limit the chance their weaknesses would hurt them.
alabama countered tha last night by putting LSU in a position that the quarterbacks had to put the game on their backs to win the game.
SB Nation's The Historical: Because all those games way back when matter.
People will always jump on Jefferson
And he deserves some of it, but LSU lost this game up front first and foremost.
Writer (and a handsome one at that),
And the Valley Shook
by Billy Gomila on Jan 10, 2012 12:36 PM CST up reply actions
"LSU lost this game up front first and foremost"
This. When you don’t block all night, nothing will work.
"The 2011 Tigers, on the field at least, are boring. See target, swing war club, rinse the brains and skull fragments off and repeat." - Billy Gomila
by Curtis Bleaux on Jan 10, 2012 1:29 PM CST up reply actions
Hard to block when you're on your ass.
"If you can't always do right, you can always do what's left"
Jefferson deserves most of it
The online wasn’t good either, but JJ was beyond terrible. He put up a historic game in its awfulness. It wasn’t just that he failed to gain yards, he also frequently made terrible decisions, made even worse throws, and put himself in a position to fail. His pitches were awful, failing to make the defender commit — that’s not on the line, that’s on Jefferson. JJ refused to throw downfield, even when he had time. That’s one him. And his one sort of completion downfield, a 15-yard pass to ODB, was an incredibly off target pass that he was trying to throw through a wall. Even his biggest completion was a terrible play.
I think you are underselling just how awful Jefferson played. The low point was yelling at Ware after the interception. You’re the leader, take some responsibility to your teammates, especially because the pick WAS his fault.
Fake Pundit. Real Fan.
And The Valley Shook!
I self-indulgently tweet @ATVSPoseur
by Poseur on Jan 10, 2012 1:43 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs
were you surprised by that?
JJ constantly blames teammates. I’ve never seen him point to himself after a mistake.
Alabama fans, ask yourself this question: Is this who you want representing your University and your fanbase?
"Been saying it for six f**king years now...That g**damn hurricane just wasn’t big enough." - Outsidethesidelines, Manager, RollBamaRoll.com
http://www.rollbamaroll.com/2011/12/3/2607240/sec-championship-game-open-thread#
outsidethesidelines@gmail.com
Yep
I’ve never been on the “Lee is definitely >>> JJ” wagon…..though I have thought in years past Lee should have played more. JJ had his strengths and had his good moments as a Tiger. But he has always looked and acted like a crybaby when things aren’t going well. He thumps his chest and raises hell when he throws a TD pass, even in the receiver just made a great play. He’s always had a tendency to express with his body language on bad plays “What are you doing, man?” I’ve never liked it about him, and frankly, as pissed as I am about yesterday, I’m at least relieved we don’t ever have to see him or Lee in LSU jersey’s ever again.
The worst era of pocket presence in LSU football is finally over. Come on Krags, do your thing with Mett and Kiel.
by MikeDeTiger on Jan 10, 2012 2:52 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
That was pitiful
and for that crap alone it makes me wonder ( though not seriously believing it ) that the team may have quit on him just to prove a point ( allowing those sacks )
I mean its hard for a team to let the leader yell and blame them when HE is screwing up. Shameful.
I respect LSU as much as I hate them… But that made me so mad and I was glad to see him sacked for such attitude
by lastmilefire on Jan 10, 2012 3:50 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I'm sorry, Jonno. This is off-topic, but I had to respond to your sig.
First, OTS speaks for no one but OTS. He certainly doesn’t represent the fan base. I happen to like him and find him funny most of the time, but I am more than capable of expressing my own views. Second, you say that as though some LSU players weren’t every bit as bad or worse. I’m from and live on the Gulf Coast. I remember Katrina vividly. The only hurricanes I like are the ones that stay in the middle of the Atlantic and fizzle out into nothing, with a nice tropical storm or two for Bermuda so they can refill their cisterns.
Still, I have to ask you, since you’re all about tastelessness: Was it or was it not a classless move for Will Blackwell to blame the refs for the loss on Monday? I honestly want to know.
I will put an asterisk next to an Alabama Crimson Tide "fake national title" the second one is given. That day has not and will never come. But to be fair, I'll give you 1941 if you give me 1945 and the Missing Ring of 1966.
by NewAnachronism on Jan 11, 2012 2:21 PM CST up reply actions
I don't think I'm underselling anything
This team has been built all season to minimize the quarterback. If the run game ain’t working, nothing else is going to. I do agree that at some point you have to TRY Lee, but putting this all on JJ would be like Bama fans putting the first loss all on their kickers.
Writer (and a handsome one at that),
And the Valley Shook
by Billy Gomila on Jan 10, 2012 1:57 PM CST up reply actions
But we didn't minimize him
JJ was the focus of our offense, and he kept playing worse the more he called his own number. And we didn’t really throw the ball that much, and I’d wager half his throws were quick screens.
He was the focal point of the awful offense. I agree the line wasn’t good either, but JJ was historically bad last night.
Fake Pundit. Real Fan.
And The Valley Shook!
I self-indulgently tweet @ATVSPoseur
by Poseur on Jan 10, 2012 2:02 PM CST via Android app up reply actions
I'm not saying he wasn't
But if the offensive line isn’t blocking, NOTHING is going to work.
Writer (and a handsome one at that),
And the Valley Shook
by Billy Gomila on Jan 10, 2012 2:07 PM CST up reply actions
It goes back to the Crowton offense
If a player can’t execute a play and the play keeps getting called, is it the player’s fault or the coach’s?
Writer (and a handsome one at that),
And the Valley Shook
by Billy Gomila on Jan 10, 2012 2:08 PM CST up reply actions
JJ couldn't execute any play
The play calling was poor, but JJ’s execution was worse. He failed to make one good throw all night. He had no touch whatsoever
Fake Pundit. Real Fan.
And The Valley Shook!
I self-indulgently tweet @ATVSPoseur
by Poseur on Jan 10, 2012 2:15 PM CST via Android app up reply actions
Neither could the O-line.
Writer (and a handsome one at that),
And the Valley Shook
by Billy Gomila on Jan 10, 2012 3:41 PM CST up reply actions
Historically bad is an understatement!!!
Worse yet, he does not appear to have the first leadership quality. His demeanor from my view on the couch appeared to be one of defeat after the 3rd straight 3 and out. This loss is really tough to swallow. Losing is bad enough but in this manner it’s horrible.
Deserves got nothin' to do with it...
Blaming Ware for the interception was unconscionable
I don’t care if he was benched for poor play but he sure as hell should have been benched for that. He made one of the stupidest decisions I’ve seen by a QB since that time Jared Lorenzon got turned around and threw the ball backwards over his own shoulder, then he has the audacity to bitch at Spencer Ware? I’ve always thought the “JJ is a poor leader” stuff was overblown but last night he did his damndest to prove it right.
Don't Panic.
by 4.0 Point Stance on Jan 10, 2012 2:36 PM CST up reply actions
rec'd poseur.
Somebody said last night was the worst LSU offensive performance ever. That’s nonsense. But it may well have been the worst QB performance in a national championship game.
His play was complete garbage the whole game – and then he blamed his teamates for his screwups.
yeah, I was hoping he would come out focused as compared to the uga game...
but when he just looked the same. Pressure got to him and he was rattled from the start. The whole offense was out to lunch also—false start penalties and starting at 1st and 15 against a good D always suck. Thanks for all he did, but he was never going to lead the Tigers to victory last night. I heard someone on the radio saying that he got to the point at looking at the rush, certainly was not going to pull the trigger. Defense played their hearts out but were exhausted by the third.
Reporter: What would you say a Greg Studrawa offense is like? Stud:
"Attack and be very physical…fly around…attacking, come after you and come after you and come after you…." Me: I love this answer.
GET TO THE RIM HEAT (and SKY)! ATTACK THE PAINT!
lift weights, look forward to spring ball, recruit
Reporter: What would you say a Greg Studrawa offense is like? Stud:
"Attack and be very physical…fly around…attacking, come after you and come after you and come after you…." Me: I love this answer.
GET TO THE RIM HEAT (and SKY)! ATTACK THE PAINT!
I think you're in denial Billy
An ESPN sideline reporter scooped that Saban/Smart prepared 100% for Jordan Jefferson. That means almost 100% for running. LSU played right into Bama’s strength, all it took was for a Saban adjustment against the option, and viola, they are almost run/JJ proof.
Now, the first part of the season we had a winning recipe – pound the ball downhill, even if for short yardage, wear the opponnent down, and strike opportunistically with passing. Our passing capability was not great but reliable. We abandoned that. Miles abandoned being stubborn with the run in favor of being stubbon with a guy whos not a great passer when he replaced Lee with JJ. LSU played right into Bama’s strength, run defense.
Do you remember what you taught us in first part of the 2010 season Billy? That the enemic passing game was underpinned by the running game and that the running game needed to be established first to give a boost to the passing offense? Sure enough when Ridley started producing, the passing game picked up a little. The opposite effect has happened with LSU at the tail end of the season. Take out our passing capability and now defenses can hone in on the running game.
I’ve always been delusionally loyal to Miles, and I even accepted his decision to play JJ over Lee after the first bama game, but last night his ‘leash’ got a little shorter as I think that that was the wrong move.
by tomsmail on Jan 10, 2012 12:28 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
I'm telling what I saw
Bama didn’t stack the box. They didn’t have to. That was their gameplan, and I even predicted as much. Play cover-two and try to make LSU grind out long drives. But if you can’t block the front seven, you won’t even grind out first downs.
People focusing on JJ/Lee miss the big picture. Neither one of them would have gotten the job done with that blocking.
Writer (and a handsome one at that),
And the Valley Shook
by Billy Gomila on Jan 10, 2012 12:34 PM CST up reply actions
a big part of why that may have been what we noticed on the Geaux Show
alabama’s dominating nose guard, jesse williams, was hurt early in the nov. 5 contest and the ability of the defensive line was limited as well. he was full speed last night and, while he didn’t show up on the TOL or sacks total, that was a big reason the rest of the defense was able to execute as well as it did.
SB Nation's The Historical: Because all those games way back when matter.
Absolutely Agree
Bama did not stack the box, they played their reugalr defense with 2 safeties deep. The running game was there for the taking, but our O Line completely failed. Not many QB’s can make plays with a nonexistent running game and horrible blocking.
And the blocking doesn’t just extend to the Oline, I counted numerous times when our RB’s completely failed in pass protection. We were letting people run free all night. Just can’t win games with blocking like that, no matter who your QB is
by WhoDatSaintsLSU on Jan 10, 2012 12:40 PM CST up reply actions
OK, I think the big picture is this...
With JJ in the game, what is the percentage of total plays which are option run or pass play versus inside run? I think its more than 50% but you can correct me if I’m wrong.
With Lee in the game, what is the percentage of total plays which are option run or pass plays versus inside run? I think its less than 50%.
My point is JJ is sucking up good run plays from the pool of opportunities. Pass blocking has never been LSU’s OL strength – it’s always been run blocking, so why not play to those strenths? You say Lee would have broken like glass, but paradoxically with more running plays to establish the run game, the pass game gets a little easier, and I think Lee would have been the better choice for the available pass plays anyway into zone coverage. I’m not dumping the game on JJ. I simply think he was the wrong choice by Miles.
p.s. I disagree with you but I love reading you’all. ATVS is the best.
one important difference in terms of the option
is that game with georgia southern came after the first lsu contest. not only did the tide get a week of preparation for a triple option team they learned first hand how a team that runs it well can hurt you.
SB Nation's The Historical: Because all those games way back when matter.
You're focusing too much one one guy
This was a team loss.
Actually the line’s been pretty damn good at pass-blocking this season, so I don’t really get where you pulled that from. The option in general hasn’t been a huge part of the team playbook either. On average LSU probably runs it 5 times a game or so. But IT not working wasn’t THE one problem. There wasn’t one play that DID work really. Inside, out, nothing. Because the OL was getting pushed back, the linebackers were swarming and the WR’s were getting beaten by the corners. The safeties were back all game.
Writer (and a handsome one at that),
And the Valley Shook
by Billy Gomila on Jan 10, 2012 1:29 PM CST up reply actions
I have no idea what game you all were watching
but last night, the safeties were flying up in run support. They would start out in a cover 2 look and the moment they read run, they were up to the line of scrimmage. Bama would overload our strong side with the LBers flowing in the direction on the snap and backside backer coming hard.
That’s why ( coupled with poor WR blocking on the corners ) when we ran the cough ‘speed’ option we were so over matched – you had the playside ILB flowing on the snap, the effective ’end’’ sitting on the QB, and the safety flying up like he had a rocket in his ass.
On inside runs, the strong side safety flying up basically gave you the 8th man in the box – you’ve now got 6-7 guys ( 1/2 TEs ) at the point of attack to block 7-8 defenders, with the 3 down linemen making a pile.
How do you stop that? For the I formation runs, if you only had an athletic TE to pop behind the safety / LBers or run a backside slant from the WR… oh wait… For the option, one way would be to run a real triple option – the dive play would have been there all night long. If you really want to get to the outside, run the Florida jet sweep option they use to run with Percy – dive option with a fast WR coming in motion across the formation for the pitch… if only we have a guy like that, perhaps our own lil Percy Harvin… oh wait…
We could have pushed WRs down the field and see if their LBers could cover our smaller guys like Blue or Ford in space with in/out option routes to the flat or middle of the field… but we didn’t. We could have ran the TE up the middle of the field or a few smash combos like Bama did… but we didn’t. We could have spread the field and called a few more QB draws or roll outs… but we didn’t.
In other words, it looked like Gary Crowton was calling our offense, because (1) we abandoned everything that was our offensive identity that might work and (2) we failed to let our guys use their talents to beat their guys (I’d pay money to see Hightower try to cover Blue on a simple option route out the backfield).
The defense gets no pass in this – there were 5 FGs, 1 missed, and another blocked. That’s 7 times they were on our side of the field and most of those were the result of them moving the ball. Two plays killed us – waggle and a simple smash combo ( twins, outside WR runs an out, inside runs a post over the top of the outside WR ). How hard is it to get a guy to cover the TE or to back out into a zone / move the safety over to the twins side?!?
All those coaching awards need to be trashed because this game fell on the head of the coaches with a poor gameplan, poor playcalling, and poor / no adjustments.
I'm with X
Bama was committing everybody to the LOS, run blitzing with impunity. Every option run seemed to run into about four defenders on the outside. That’s not blocking, that’s Bama overloading its defense to the edges. Which we never adjusted to.
Fake Pundit. Real Fan.
And The Valley Shook!
I self-indulgently tweet @ATVSPoseur
by Poseur on Jan 10, 2012 1:45 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I'm sorry y'all, but that isn't the case.
Barron and Lester were back on the hashes.
And Xan, they did actually try a counter or two, but those got blown up as well. Thing is, if you’re not using your base runs there’s nothing to counter off of.
Writer (and a handsome one at that),
And the Valley Shook
by Billy Gomila on Jan 10, 2012 1:55 PM CST up reply actions
I'm with Billy on this one
Most of what I remember was Bama playing in base D. Yes, the back 7 reacted to running plays……what defense doesn’t when the play is going? The only difference might be Alabama’s secondary is faster and more athletic than the average D.
I agree with X that there was plenty we didn’t try or adjust to. But I can’t bring myself to believe it would matter. We’ve seen it time and time again, from our own team playing outmatched teams (Oregon springs readily to mind)…….if your O-line is getting its ass handed to it by the defensive front…..especially only THREE D-linemen……it doesn’t matter what you do. You’re going to lose. I don’t really care what LSU tried. We lost in the trench, and it was over.
yeah
that’s pretty much what I figured. On several of the option plays, I distinctly remember seeing a S up in support after the snap.
I agree xanathol
I’d add that last night, our penchant for running every play through Jefferson – pass, runs, etc. finally caught up with us. I have never understood why, with all of the great, fast athletes we have, he is the only guy that keeps the ball on so many snaps. He’s just not that good of a runner.
I'll loosely challenge that notion
We’re obviously in a world of hypotheticals right now, but if LSU had a QB to challenge deep, that keeps the LB’s on their heels, and potentially, it gains traction for the OL to get some push. Jefferson’s inabiilty to challenge deep, combined with his awful accuracy (I still remember the completion to Beckham on the sideline, in the open zone of the cover 2 … great catch by Odell, awful pass) was arguably as big a reason as to why the Bama front 7 could key up on reads and just forget about everything else, knowing the DB’s would clean up any fluke play that got behind them.
I'm not saying Jefferson not taking a shot
Or not trying Lee to get the passing game going wasn’t a mistake. I’m just saying that Bama wasn’t stopping the run because they were stacking the box.
Writer (and a handsome one at that),
And the Valley Shook
by Billy Gomila on Jan 10, 2012 3:42 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Broke down the offensive game last night & compiling the data
I stopped after the possession prior to TR’s TD run – game was over after that.
So far, I’ve counted 11 plays out of ~45 ( counting penalty plays ) that had 8 men in the box, be it safety moving up or CB in tight ( no wideout on that side ). That’s significant.
At this point in the game, we ran 1 optional counter ( zone right, FB blocked backside for cutback ) and we ran our bread & butter inside toss only once as well ( for a nice gain too ).
15 runs
-———-
1 Dive
1 FB Zone
1 Inside Toss
1 Option Dive
1 Zone Read
1 Zone Counter
2 OT
2 Dive Fake Pitch
5 Speed Option
Yes, HALF of our runs where to the FB position or in the speed option.
I’m going to do a full workup of formations & plays ( there aren’t that many… ) but here’s something to make you sick – we left two TDs on the field. Everyone knows about the bad throw to Landy, but when JJ hit OBJ on a stop & go, he missed Dlo running down the field with absolutely no one in his zip code.
They came up some, but they still bailed
Just because they flash up, doesn’t mean they stayed there. Lester and Barron even blitzed a time or two, and came up on slot receivers. But a cornerback playing in tight isn’t stacking the box, that mean’s he’s in zone, which furthers my point. It’s not like LSU was only lining one WR out there on every down. There’s a reason Bama’s top 6 tacklers were their starting linebackers and cornerbacks.
Otherwise, we have the same point. the gameplan was crap — my second point above even mentions that the offense completely abandoned what has been it’s base plays the entire season (especially the inside toss).
It seeems like the coaches so believe in the “Bama can’t stop the option” meme that they built the entire gameplan around it.
Writer (and a handsome one at that),
And the Valley Shook
by Billy Gomila on Jan 11, 2012 3:08 PM CST up reply actions
Actually no - I am not counting those plays where they bailed
I have notes on each and every offensive play – formation, motion / shifts, defensive look, pre-snap defensive adjustments, actual defense ran, what play and what happened on the play. They only bailed out a couple of times.
My point is, we were often running into 8 men in the box ( yes – box – I am not counting a defender head up or outside a slot WR, but did count a ‘split the different OLB’ once ) and were short on blockers. on top of that, they did a few run bliztes on some of more obvious run formations and just made a mess. Worse part may be that if we run the plays correctly (option) or stick to normal plays ( zones, zone counters, inside toss ), I think we still get good yardage a lot of times.
I’ll hopefully blog my breadown tonight, complete with pictures!
I think we have different definitions of "stacking the box"
If you think somebody covering a slot receiver is involved. Look, if have shots that definitely show the safeties creeping up and staying up in run support, by all means, and I’ll agree with you.
But I saw what I saw.
Writer (and a handsome one at that),
And the Valley Shook
by Billy Gomila on Jan 11, 2012 6:44 PM CST up reply actions
I just posted my breakdown
complete with timestamps you can use in the ESPN3 replay to find the start of a series.
I did not say an OLB covering a slot – I specifically said I did NOT count that. But I did count an OLB who split the difference between the end of the line of scrimmage and a slot WR. Its a very common alignment, putting a LB still close enough to the line for run support yet in a better position to take away a slant.
Ex.
That’s splitting the difference, and yes, that’s still considered in the box ( as opposed to lining up on the slot ) – pretty common knowledge stuff.
The most common (6 times) way we faced 8 men in the box was by our own formations. Ex:
And that’s ok since we have 8 blockers ( 5 OT + 2 TE + FB ) on 8 defenders, but then we’d do something stupid… like run a FB dive with the fake pitch ( poorly faked, might I add ) – that basically left us with 8 defenders on 7 blockers, not to mention running the FB right into the middle of all those defenders.
Anyway, it you want to see more or the play-by-play descriptions ( that detail when a DB came up, if they bailed, etc ), my post is up now.
I appreciate all your work
But I’m not even sure what you disagree with me on anymore. The gameplan was awful, the blocking was awful, and the quarterbacking was awful.
LSU’s problems in the run game had far, FAR more to do with awful, AWFUL play selection and bad blocking than anything the defense was doing.
Writer (and a handsome one at that),
And the Valley Shook
by Billy Gomila on Jan 12, 2012 2:56 PM CST up reply actions
Just the statement that there weren't 8 in the box
that’s all! We’re all good!
It still wasn't the main reason the run wasn't working.
I’ll stand by that.
Writer (and a handsome one at that),
And the Valley Shook
by Billy Gomila on Jan 12, 2012 5:58 PM CST up reply actions
In denial
I agree Bama did to us what we did to every opponent this season made them one dimensional…once they stopped our run game they made jj beat them with his arm and we all know how efficient a passer he is, not saying Lee would have done any better but maybe he could have stretched the defense so we could go to our strength running the ball.
by LsuTgrs on Jan 10, 2012 6:05 PM CST via Android app up reply actions
I'm not arguing that they didn't stop the run
They clearly did. They didn’t do it by stacking the box. They did it with their front seven kicking the offensive line’s ass.
And I’m not arguing that Jefferson didn’t suck ass. Because he clearly did. But so did the offensive line and gameplan, and on this team those two things have mattered more than the quarterback for what, three years now?
Writer (and a handsome one at that),
And the Valley Shook
by Billy Gomila on Jan 10, 2012 6:21 PM CST up reply actions
Agree with toms mail
when we go with Jefferson, Bama can scheme for the run. I saw the defensive line up Billy. Bama consistently had 9 guys within 5 yds of the line. The safeties were back. Cover 2 is easy to beat with a decent QB. Zone coverage is easy to beat with a decent QB. Do we need to block better, Yes. Even as late a 7 minutes to go, we finally had trips to the right. Our line handled the rush and Jarvis Landry was wide open. JJ held it, held it, held it and got sacked. That play was a touchdown.
Jefferson played the option poorly. He never made the linebacker/end commit. His guy made the tackle two or three times.
Jefferson and the LSU offense played exactly like they did in the first half against Georgia. Can our coaches not figure out that they need to scheme differently. Can they not figure out that they have to get someone else ready to go. We had 5 weeks. After three series we knew where this game was going. I saw it on December 5th. And several other times with JJ at QB. JJ had a half a dozen to 10 good halves of football in his 4 years at LSU. I know JLee is a below average QB as well.
Mettenberger is not. We pissed away Western Kentucky and Ole MIss getting Jefferson ready. Fine, Mettenberger should have had two full halves and JLee should have gotten enough time to get back on track.
How many times am I going to have to repeat myself about Jefferson sucking?
I’m pretty sure I’ve said it like 8 times in this thread.
Writer (and a handsome one at that),
And the Valley Shook
by Billy Gomila on Jan 11, 2012 2:54 PM CST up reply actions
you can keep on doing it as long as you want
but you can’t make everyone agree with you Billy.
Aside from all of the other issues – having Jefferson in often makes it easier for the opponent to prepare to stop our offense, because they have no reason to respect or fear the deep ball.
Thing is, I'm not disagreeing with anybody
I said Jefferson was terrible, I said Lee should’ve been tried. Just because I think the OL play was bigger factor and that under those circumstances, doubt that Lee could’ve made much of a difference, are in no way positives towards Jefferson.
Writer (and a handsome one at that),
And the Valley Shook
by Billy Gomila on Jan 11, 2012 3:29 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
O line play should shoulder most of the blame
I really don’t think JL would have had any success since he plays like he’s made out of glass and the pass rush would have made him panic and probably make the same mistakes he made in the first game. Though I do agree you should try anything new when things are going that bad.
O line was absolutely domitaed all game. I was shocked at how they dominated PJ, Blackwell, and Hurst…just made them look like pee-wee players. Our playcalling was also very questionable, but I think the coaching staff also panicked when they saw how terrible our Oline was playing. They called plays thay we have not ran all year, and didn’t call a lot of plays that have been very successful all year (I only remeber the zone toss once, and it resulted in a first down). But I think they thought the only chance to beat them was on the outside, hence the high number of screen plays and short “out” routes. The staff just simply did not think we would be able to run between the tackles by the way our Oline was playing up to that point. The Oline was absolutely dominated on almost every snap, which makes it very hard to utilize our inside power running game.
Our Def played their asses off, and I know they gave up a lot of yards, but holding a team to 15 points (not counting the last TD since the game was clearly over by then and we just gave up) should give you a great shot at winning the game. Their QB played lights out, and their WR’s made some unbelievable catches. But overall, I was extremely proud of the DEF.
Still a great season, and a lot to look forward too in the future. Hopefully we can get a little better QB play in the next couple years between Mettenberger and Kiel. I just hope the rumors of Miles to Tampa Bay are not true…………
by WhoDatSaintsLSU on Jan 10, 2012 12:34 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
I agree. I can't see Lee or much play-call tweaking making any real difference.
The way the OL was being blown up, what do you do? Throw deep…how? I prefer Lee 2:1 to JJ because he threatens deep (stylistically). But he has never learned to step into the pocket, and last night there was no pocket to step in. he would have been crushed, and then picked multiple times. 15 pts is doable in 5:00. Add a few pick-6s and you have no chance.
The coaches shit themselves when they realized the OL was in trouble. JJ was the worst I can recall. He completely eviscerated the core of an option play by pitching before making the DE/LB/S commit – every fucking time! Shep should be pissed he was not allowed to run the wildcat if we were going to rely on getting outside.
Miles’ was too confident in the outcome of Nov 5. Saban’s arrogant ass even knew he had to adjust or lose. He threw, and threw, and threw, holding the best RB in the nation on a short chain. Miles and crew did not develop Plan B, C or D. When A failed, the entire team knew they were screwed – even Herbie and douche bag could see it on the sidelines.
"They play violent football at risk of injury for their team and for their school. The gift that I'm given is to be allowed to be on the sideline with them and coach them." Les Miles
by ZimmZimmZalaBimm on Jan 10, 2012 4:06 PM CST up reply actions
when the defender keying the QB is able to tackle the pitch man
UR DOING IT WRONG JJ! A;LKSDJFKL;AJSDF;LKJASDFKL;JASDF;LKJASDFO[IWQETN;JQWERFG O[IQDFOEAVAEL-9AS09A-0SDFGM;ASDG;24[5y24[52q4p=s]ef\xdfbsd
p,fwe=\ten,wa
b
fdsz1zI[HASDG.M,AA’DFOVBI[OFSDV’MSDF MJKKLOOPL.AaA10sw
/punchingkeyboard
by haveagreatday on Jan 10, 2012 4:31 PM CST up reply actions
once again
i think this is where the experience with the georgia southern triple option helped alabama tremendously.
SB Nation's The Historical: Because all those games way back when matter.
I agree . . .
. . . with this take and most of what has been said (that I’m smart enough to understand).
I’m a JJ supporter and I was disgusted by him looking at Spencer Ware as if he’d done something wrong after that ridiculous attempt at a shovel pass when he had running room and Ware out there to make a block for him.
We did some things to beat ourselves last night, but I don’t think that can explain the dominance. It’s hard to believe that the prep (or lack thereof) alone could have made as big a difference as I saw last night. Alabama did what it wanted to do when it wanted to do it and how it wanted to do it.
All of which begs the question in my mind: Was 11/5 a fluke? The stats from that game gave the lie to ’Bama’s protestations that it beat itself. However, last night – as someone already said, convinced me that, at least last night, Alabama was the FAR SUPERIOR team. Playing on a completely different level.
Any body ever heard of a roll out pass or moving the pocket?
We actually ran one roll out pass. JJ had allay to throw and somehow crossed up O Beckham and missed him.
Once again we had five weeks plus Western Kentucky and Ole Miss. We cannot get Zm ready? We cannot blitz JLee so many times in practice that he finally gets it?
I do not think our coaches are stupid. I think they knew they had a loser in JJ during the UGA game. I think they knew after the first couple of series against Bama.
There is/was more going on than meets the eye. The LSU rivals site “Tiger Bait” gives a sniff of something.
Miles and staff screwed this pooch
Miles and staff were beat before this game began. Saban’s ability to game plan is with out question
far and above that which we saw Monday night by Les Miles .Miles sucked in his basic concept that JJ gave us some here to fore unseen advantage. When this failed to work Les and staff didn’t appear to haveany answers for poor OL play, non existing passing attack,or lack of QB production. It seemed as Les felt that it was his plan and I’m sticking to it.Personaly I am not so mad as I am ashamed of the lack of preparedness I witnessed in this game.
I know the other thread was for bitching
but this was a piss-poor showing for a group of OL players who claimed they were disappointed with their Nov. 5 performance and were out to redeem themselves. They really couldn’t have played worse. I know Alabama’s line is good, but damn, I don’t even think the 2009 line had any games that bad. It was more than being outclassed. It was compounded by lack of focus and intensity. I don’t mean to detract from what Bama did, but I saw what I saw, and that was clearly a lackluster effort up front…..for which they deserve to lose. If you can’t get up for the ******** national championship game, you don’t deserve nuthin.
I’ve always been even keel about Miles. I’ve definitely never been on the wagon that always wants him gone, but I’ve also never really been on the rush to defend him that it seems the ATVS sight often takes. I’m not going overboard with my reaction to the game, but after last night I don’t mind saying a lot of my faith in him is gone. I considered him a great bowl coach, but realistically, we simply outclass most of our opponents, and it’s really showed up in bowl games. We didn’t outclass Penn St or Alabama, and we couldn’t win those games (and no….the mud in the PSU game is NOT an excuse because both teams were playing in it). For all the player blame to go around, this was first and foremost a crap job by the coaches, and it starts with Les. He’s got some rebuilding to do in my mind before I will be delusionally optimistic when we play a team of equal caliber. Fortunately for Miles, he recruits so well that we rarely play a team of equal caliber.
Pretty much agree Billy
Like I said before, I’d have put Lee in but at that point I’m really conceding the game to lofting hail mary’s.
Neither QB is very good, and neither could have done anything behind our awful line play last night and with a lame duck offensive gameplan.
Several years from now when Mett as won a natty, I think we’ll look back on the 4 years with Jefferson and Lee not with disappointment but with admiration for what this staff was able to accomplish with those two kids. They just aren’t capable college QBs.
Alabama fans, ask yourself this question: Is this who you want representing your University and your fanbase?
"Been saying it for six f**king years now...That g**damn hurricane just wasn’t big enough." - Outsidethesidelines, Manager, RollBamaRoll.com
http://www.rollbamaroll.com/2011/12/3/2607240/sec-championship-game-open-thread#
outsidethesidelines@gmail.com
I'll tell you what I'm gonna look back on
is the fact that the most talented QB on the team was sitting on bench all year long when he could have been getting ready all season for this game.
Jeff and Lee had their chances, it was always obvious for the last four years we played around them. Why not play Mett? Because he’s a 3rd yr SO?? It’s an insult to the rest of the team to not play the player with the most upside. If Mett has a great year next year (and I think he will, and won’t Randle be glad), we’ll all wonder why in the world he didn’t play this year like we wonder why PP7 didn’t return kicks and punts the minute he stepped on campus.
That kept running through my head last night
“Is Mettenberger really appreciably worse than this? Because if so we are screwed”
Don't Panic.
by 4.0 Point Stance on Jan 10, 2012 8:10 PM CST up reply actions
Keep your heads up Tiger Fans
You have a great team produced by a great program. There is no doubt that LSU will be in the elite of college football for some time to come. We all knew this game would be decided by who executed their game plan the best. Last night it was the Tide. LSU is a formidable opponent and we respect that. Looks like you guys will be loaded next season too so I look forward to seeing you in November ’12.
The team...
Did not care. I cannot imagine why. I cannot imagine why they played like that.
2011 #1 LSU 13-0 SEC Champions
Me either
If anything, I thought LM would have this team emotionally ready to play, Very very disappointing to see the demanor of all of our players
by WhoDatSaintsLSU on Jan 10, 2012 2:42 PM CST up reply actions
They cared.
But as a player, you realize something is hopeless, just like we did. From the first fumble on 3 and 2, we were in trouble and they knew it.
no, a bunch of them didn't show up
with this team, there is no way they should have thought after that first fumble, oh no, we can’t win. That’s ridiculous.
My take
is definitely the O-line’s display of….. I don’t know what. And just an overall lack of intensity all night from most Tigers. Especially in a Louisiana facility. Just inexcusable. I don’t mind losing, I hate getting you a** kicked. Ours was kicked from start to finish, offensively.
"The 2011 Tigers, on the field at least, are boring. See target, swing war club, rinse the brains and skull fragments off and repeat." - Billy Gomila
One thing
Overall, the team just looked completely listless.
I think it was pretty clear that the players were disappointed they had to play Bama again. They just didn’t care. Not that I’m bashing them, because I felt the same way, but the coaches were just unable to motivate this team. And if Miles can’t motivate a team, then the team is just unmotivatable. Bottom line is we were screwed as soon as the rematch was announced. I’m not sure anything would have helped us last night.
BTW, anyone seen SouthernMan? I’m worried he might have jumped off a building.
Alabama fans, ask yourself this question: Is this who you want representing your University and your fanbase?
"Been saying it for six f**king years now...That g**damn hurricane just wasn’t big enough." - Outsidethesidelines, Manager, RollBamaRoll.com
http://www.rollbamaroll.com/2011/12/3/2607240/sec-championship-game-open-thread#
outsidethesidelines@gmail.com
It felt like the players were all looking at each other
And thinking “okay, so when is somebody else going to make a play.” Instead of looking to do it themselves. Even Mathieu was just looking around like “somebody else do something.” And he NEVER does that.
Special teams was crap as well, if I didn’t mention that. Biggest shock of all. No tackling or blocking on returns.
Writer (and a handsome one at that),
And the Valley Shook
by Billy Gomila on Jan 10, 2012 2:01 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
This is it.
No idea how to explain it, but they all looked beat and hoping for a flash in the 2nd QTR. They did not look like that Nov 5, so why now? I don’t believe they were scared, or gave up, they have proved beyond a doubt they will take on all comers. But something went wrong in the week of prep that got them off-kilter.
"They play violent football at risk of injury for their team and for their school. The gift that I'm given is to be allowed to be on the sideline with them and coach them." Les Miles
by ZimmZimmZalaBimm on Jan 10, 2012 4:11 PM CST up reply actions
My theory is that too many of the players...
may have had it in their heads that they could lose the game and still be considered national champions, so they didn’t bother giving it 100% preparation that they did before the November game. I think this is at least part of the reason why the team came out looking flat. Alabama, on the other hand, knew they had to win convincingly to prove they belonged there, and you could see it in their play.
Despite that poll that came out last week saying that some of the voters would consider giving LSU the #1 vote no matter what, the AP voters have shown historically that they will not vote for the loser of a bowl game.
by Uncle Mo's Family Feedbag on Jan 10, 2012 2:06 PM CST up reply actions
I felt differently
It seemed to me that they were super hyped to play in the game. Eric Read ( reed ?) said that the two best teams are playing !
I thought they would be hungrier for sure seeing as how they were on the verge of something ridiculous ( being such a phenomenal season )
I was shocked by what I saw play out. I will say this though… Whenever a team beats bama they tend to hold a nasty nasty grudge… So i was beyond shocked by the first game results.
by lastmilefire on Jan 10, 2012 3:57 PM CST up reply actions
Kirby Smart mentioned...
on a on-field postagme video on al.com that he was surprised at what the LSU offense was showing. He said that they were showing things he had never seen and he thought that the new stuff was what hurt LSU. And that they were not comfortable with it. I wish he could have gone into more detail but no luck.
Roll Tide and Vamos United!
they definitely did not look comfortable
they were also playing really tight, fumbling the snap, false starts, you name it.
by haveagreatday on Jan 10, 2012 2:48 PM CST up reply actions
Announcers mentioned
that Jefferson was running the option out of a different formation than usual- guess he normally runs it from the gun?
'There are two pains in life. There is the pain of discipline and the pain of disappointment. If you can handle the pain of discipline, then you'll never have to deal with the pain of disappointment,'- Nick Saban
This is exactly what I thought happened
Our OCs said to themselves, “well Bama has figured out our offense since they’ve seen it. So we have to make up a new offense and install it in a month.” Which they decided to base on bubble screens and short slants. What a terrible idea. Crowtonesque one would say.
Don't Panic.
by 4.0 Point Stance on Jan 10, 2012 8:11 PM CST up reply actions
Not just BASED on bubble screens, short slants, and the option…but that’s ALL it was. You can’t continually attack the field horizontally without trying to establish something either deep or in the middle to switch it up.
This goes back the offense abandoning it’s basics, which is the between-the-tackles runs.
Writer (and a handsome one at that),
And the Valley Shook
by Billy Gomila on Jan 11, 2012 7:03 PM CST up reply actions
I will say this as well...
I know this is making lemon out of lemonades crap. But I don’t think I have ever seen such an opportunity to be motivated and focused through the off-season than what you guys have right now. If there is any decent leadership on your team and the coaches do their part, you guys should be absolute monsters next year.
Roll Tide and Vamos United!
I think I've finally nailed down
why this feels like more than just a loss and the ruin of the first perfect season in my lifetime. I just realized that this feels so crappy—in part—because the trademark of this team wasn’t present yesterday. The focus, drive, and fight. LSU teams have not always had that. In some ways, this was the best LSU team ever, and their results on the field showed. This wasn’t the most talented team, at least in the starters……I’m comfortable with saying that quite a few of the 2007 starters were more talented than these guys. But this is the deepest team I’ve ever seen. So many guys to throw out there in waves, and there’s never any dropoff. But more importantly they’ve also been the most focused team I’ve ever seen. This team did not fool around with inferior opponents like 2007 did. Hell, like MOST lsu teams have. These guys ate inferior opponents for lunch without breaking a sweat. They gutted out a win on the road against the one team that could match them player for player. They made the the toughest schedule in CFB history look easy.
But that drive, that intensity that defined this team was absent last night. And so they were just left with the plain ‘ol kids. Which is no small thing, granted. But honestly, I reiterate that I believe I’ve seen more talented LSU teams. Without that killer instinct edge, we just didn’t have what it took. It was so odd to watch a team devoid of the very thing that got us there. I have a feeling the offensive players will never, ever forget this game. This one is gonna sting for years to come. Some of them might come back and the team might go gangbusters and win it all next year. But not against this Bama team. This Bama team is done. The majority of their team is gone. These kids will never get a chance to re-do last night. It’s a small consolation, in a way, knowing that on the whole our team was younger than Alabama (and that by extension, it was remarkable we beat them in their house the first time). But it sucks as a fan to know we can never take this loss out on them. Yeah, we can beat Bama again, but not THIS Bama team, which I’ve repeatedly identified as the best Tide team I’ve seen in my lifetime.
The other thing that royally sucks is this is forever going to justify the PR campaign out of Tuscaloosa since Nov. 5, and the battle cry of every website out there covering sports. That the “best” team didn’t win the first time……that Alabama “dominated” that game but simply lost on the scoreboard. That just wasn’t true. It was a close game and the stats bore that out. But this ass-kicking will forever erase that previous effort in cfb fans’ minds, and history will always remember that first game as “the fluke” and believe Barrett Jones’ spiel about restoring order.
At least Jones is coming back next year. We can still kick his ass and set him straight on the “order” of things.
Exactly
we’ll never know if last night was the fluke or Nov 5th, because last night, we didn’t show up. While Bama was saying it before the game, we can honestly say it after the game – we beat ourselves a lot worse than Bama beat us.
So… when’s the ‘redo’? We get a mulligan too, right?
This could go on forever
Don't Panic.
by 4.0 Point Stance on Jan 10, 2012 8:12 PM CST up reply actions
I think that's what's the most stunning.
The guys just didn’t show up. Like this was some third-tier bowl or something. Never would I have ever seen that coming.
Writer (and a handsome one at that),
And the Valley Shook
by Billy Gomila on Jan 10, 2012 3:44 PM CST up reply actions
Two different games in my opinion.
Both LSU and Bama made a lot of mistakes in their losses, while both made the plays to win in their wins.
"The same things win today that have always won, and they will win years from now. The only difference is the losers have a whole new bunch of excuses why they don’t win or can’t win."-Bear Bryant
(12-4)+2=12 hoping for a +1
Robot Chicken Star Wars should be canon.
by the thin red line on Jan 11, 2012 1:16 AM CST up reply actions
Get ready for 2012
The sun will come out tomorrow
bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow
there’ll be sun
Just thinkin’ about tomorrow
clears away the cobwebs and the sorrow
till there’s none.
I watched the same game you watched. I’ll hear the same bullsh*t about LSU being on the decline (sound familiar?) as you will. But I know that things will be good again. Hopefully, the frustration of the Jefferson/Lee era will make way for a new era of QB consistency. Hopefully, the team will learn from its mistakes and enter this offseason with a new fire. The 13 wins still count. The SEC championship still counts. And November 5th wasn’t a fluke.
They didn’t beat us. We beat ourselves (really really badly).
But as fans, it’s our job to be excited about the new season, and to remain delusionally optimistic no matter what.
Tomorrow! Tomorrow!
I love ya, tomorrow!
You’re only a day away.
Geaux Tigers!
Jrlz rhymes with Charles.
My Tumblr- cfbinbadmspaint.tumblr.com
wait a minute ...
Are you talking about winning because of QB play rather than in spite of it? Is this a thing that teams do? Please sweet merciful hey-zeus, just this once can we have a total badass quarterback?
by haveagreatday on Jan 10, 2012 3:44 PM CST up reply actions
You had Jamarcus like 5 years ago.
Don’t get greedy. The last great QB at Alabama was Joe Namath.
Oh believe me
Whatever dark god we sacrificed our firstborns to in exchange for our one year of Jamarcus Russell playing great, we have paid our penance, and over again. That debt is cancelled. In fact, for what we just lived through, we must be on the karmic quarterback upswing at last.
by pennybackLSU on Jan 10, 2012 7:16 PM CST up reply actions
kenny stabler
respectfully disagrees.
SB Nation's The Historical: Because all those games way back when matter.
And his defense attorney thanks you.
I will put an asterisk next to an Alabama Crimson Tide "fake national title" the second one is given. That day has not and will never come. But to be fair, I'll give you 1941 if you give me 1945 and the Missing Ring of 1966.
by NewAnachronism on Jan 11, 2012 2:34 PM CST up reply actions
If it's any consolation...
… LSU was on the giving end of this depressed feeling all season. Now you know how us Dawgs felt in early December.
Good luck in the offseason.
What do you thing about the tweets?
Shep pissed he only played 3 plays.
Blackwell saying Bama was calling cadence and causing the problems early.
Lee saying he has ever heard anything about why he can’t play anymore. (not a tweet, TP)
Strange stuff from this team. So I ask: Did Miles lose some ground with the team last night?
"They play violent football at risk of injury for their team and for their school. The gift that I'm given is to be allowed to be on the sideline with them and coach them." Les Miles
by ZimmZimmZalaBimm on Jan 10, 2012 4:17 PM CST reply actions
Clever
Blackwell saying Bama was calling cadence and causing the problems early.
Dirty, but very clever. I think you can actually be fined pretty heavily for this in the NFL.
A haiku, by Deadpool: I hate broccoli / And think it totally sucks / Why is it not meat?
Eh usually the refs are on top of this sort of thing
But the refs completely swallowed their whistles last night. Literally zero “judgment” calls made – PI, holding, hands to face, nothing. The only penalties they called were offsides and false starts, except for the one fluky kick catch interference call (which they kinda blew by calling a Personal Foul. wtf?). They were letting them play.
Don't Panic.
by 4.0 Point Stance on Jan 10, 2012 8:14 PM CST up reply actions
I think kick catcher interference is only when...
contact interferes with the catch. Christion Jones was hit after he caught the ball so i think it counts as a late hit thus a personal foul but you may be right.
IF WE DONT FIRE THRUSTERS NOW
WE WONT BE ABLE TO ESCAPE THE DERP HORIZON AND BE SUCKED INTO THE DERP SINGULARITY!!!~~Kleph
by RedTideRising on Jan 10, 2012 8:18 PM CST up reply actions
Kick catch interference is 15 yards anyway.
'There are two pains in life. There is the pain of discipline and the pain of disappointment. If you can handle the pain of discipline, then you'll never have to deal with the pain of disappointment,'- Nick Saban
Yes and both offsides and delay of game are 5 yard
And if the offense gets a delay of game, and the ref says “offside” I would still say they blew the call. Wouldn’t you?
Don't Panic.
by 4.0 Point Stance on Jan 10, 2012 9:35 PM CST up reply actions
Well, yeah
but that would be fouls on two separate teams. In this case, they were right. He didn’t interfere with the catch, he got called for unnecessary roughness for hitting a player who had made a fair catch signal. Interference would have been getting in his way, making it difficult to catch in the first place. This is obviously molehill stuff anyway.
'There are two pains in life. There is the pain of discipline and the pain of disappointment. If you can handle the pain of discipline, then you'll never have to deal with the pain of disappointment,'- Nick Saban
Reuben Randle, OBJ, and Blackell
All expressed anger in interviews that Lee did not play. Randle said he thought Lee could have helped stretch the field. Terrance Tolliver and Brandon LaFell both tweeted about how awful the coaching was.
by Jason Phillips on Jan 10, 2012 8:06 PM CST up reply actions
where did you see this from randle and OBJ?
makes me wonder if randle is gone…
It sounds like the locker room was a lot more divided than we thought…I wonder if that has something to do with the cause of the offense’s bad play against Arkansas and Georgia, or if the divided locker room is a result of the bad offense in those games.
I have a hard time believing that the locker room was divided the whole time
And we’re only seeing it now. This team has been too tight-knit and too close this season for this to be some long-running thing coming to surface.
Writer (and a handsome one at that),
And the Valley Shook
by Billy Gomila on Jan 10, 2012 8:38 PM CST up reply actions
Agree.
Not that y’all care about my two cents today, but that sounds like some fanspeak and pretend drama.
'There are two pains in life. There is the pain of discipline and the pain of disappointment. If you can handle the pain of discipline, then you'll never have to deal with the pain of disappointment,'- Nick Saban
yeah, me too Billy. It doesn't make any sense
but neither did the team’s play last night…
It is more likely that the players were simply venting frustrations because of the loss.
Yeah it's interesting how twitter is changing sports media
I know it’s been around for years but this is the first year players & sportswriters have really made full use of it. It’s providing this immediate, unfiltered access to the players with no interference from the media or the athletic dep’t.
It also gives an outlet for seemingly grown men who take joy in gloating at miserable 18 and 19 year olds to do so directly, which is as execrable as it is incomprehensible.
Don't Panic.
by 4.0 Point Stance on Jan 10, 2012 9:46 PM CST up reply actions
I know most of Shep's tweet is just venting
but it is just so damn passive aggressive. When Dylan Favre was bitching about Mullen’s QB decisions on twitter, the first thought I had for Farve was “You need to HTFU, son.” I am a bit conflicted on Shep’s tweet though because I think he is probably right, not so much that he should have gotten more reps (maybe he should, no way to know) but in the broader sense that LSU continued with a game plan that was clearly not working.
by haveagreatday on Jan 11, 2012 10:33 AM CST up reply actions
Scout.com
Name of article is “Lee left sitting on sideline.” http://louisianastate.scout.com/2/1147266.html
by Jason Phillips on Jan 10, 2012 11:33 PM CST up reply actions
Blackwell said,
"Jarrett won nine games and we did very well in those nine games," Blackwell said. "I feel like he throws the ball a little bit better than Jordan, but on the other hand Jordan runs it a little better than Jarrett. It’s kind of a pick your poison deal.
While Randle said, " "I felt like Jarrett could have come in and helped us a lot," Randle said. "But it’s up to coach."
Beckham stated, " "They just kept going with (Jefferson)," Beckham said. "It is what it is. I honestly couldn’t tell you."
by Jason Phillips on Jan 10, 2012 11:38 PM CST up reply actions
I wonder if Lee wishes he had transferred after the 08 season......he probably could have had a couple successful seasons as a starter somewhere else.
But, what the players are saying, really makes me nervous about some of their attitudes going into next season.
A haiku, by Deadpool: I hate broccoli / And think it totally sucks / Why is it not meat?
If Mett is the real deal and he can lead the passing game all will be forgotten next year.
We’re only hearing this stuff because we lost, badly.
Alabama fans, ask yourself this question: Is this who you want representing your University and your fanbase?
"Been saying it for six f**king years now...That g**damn hurricane just wasn’t big enough." - Outsidethesidelines, Manager, RollBamaRoll.com
http://www.rollbamaroll.com/2011/12/3/2607240/sec-championship-game-open-thread#
outsidethesidelines@gmail.com
Exactly
If there had been this big riff on the team there’s no way it plays the way it did for 13 games. People get caught up in the emotions of the moment. Players are no less immune to it than anybody else. Hell fans are doing it now. But there were 13 games before this one, and there will be at least another 13 next season.
Try to keep that in mind.
Writer (and a handsome one at that),
And the Valley Shook
by Billy Gomila on Jan 11, 2012 8:28 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I know, it's a knee-jerk reaction
But what happened to Texas in 2010 terrifies me.
A haiku, by Deadpool: I hate broccoli / And think it totally sucks / Why is it not meat?
Well, for starters we're actually losing 2 of the worst QB's any major program has had to rely on
And not Colt McCoy.
Writer (and a handsome one at that),
And the Valley Shook
by Billy Gomila on Jan 12, 2012 8:08 AM CST up reply actions
Not me. I can't forget this at all, ESPECIALLY if Mett is the real deal.
I’m just gonna be angrier that he wasn’t played this yr with two, well-proved below avg QBs holding back what could have been one of the greatest teams of all time.
I don't know, but
I heard Lee packed up his stuff and left for his home in Texas today. No idea if that’s true or not. Anybody heard anything about that? I do know Shep was upset about only being in for 3 plays. I’m sure about the latter, but not the former. If both are true, does that start to look dicey with our potential Texas recruits? Honestly, if I were Lee, I’d do the same thing. Not in a “pitch a fit” kind of way…..but I’d just be done. I’d be happy to get the majority of my LSU experience behind me and move on to whatever’s next. Shep…..doesn’t have great hands, but they’ve never even tried to use him in a Percy Harvin-ish role, which would demand so much of his catching ability. I’ve really think that the cumulative offensive braintrust of the past few years has found creative ways to waste extraordinary talents in Randle and Shep, for the most part. I know poor QB play hurts Randle, but with what we were running this year, some short slants and sweeps for Shep should have surfaced one or two times per game. He’s an athlete meant to play in space, yet we try to send him down the field like he’s Early Doucet or just keep him on the sideline because “he doesn’t fit the plan.” It boggles my mind.
Unlike most here, I never wanted Texas A&M in the SEC…..not that the powers that be asked me. I only see the potential to hurt our Houston area recruiting, but if Lee and Shep are visibly unhappy, and kids can see their history of misuse, I’ve got to wonder if it will have any affect on recruiting that area.
See above post.
Writer (and a handsome one at that),
And the Valley Shook
by Billy Gomila on Jan 11, 2012 8:28 AM CST up reply actions
I put Shep's failure on him.
They have tried him in many formations, routes, and positions – and that lack of consistency is surely part of the problem. But he is not Percy Harvin. He is one of those players that just does not make the jump needed to compete on the next level. He fumbles, he can’t catch, he apparently can’t play QB, and is not SO fast as to present the mismatches Harvin did. Good kid, but a bust overall.
"They play violent football at risk of injury for their team and for their school. The gift that I'm given is to be allowed to be on the sideline with them and coach them." Les Miles
by ZimmZimmZalaBimm on Jan 11, 2012 8:57 AM CST up reply actions
couldn't have said it better myself.
We are 3 years into the Shep saga, and 2.5 offensive coordinators haven’t been able to feature him…
Sooner or later you have to face the fact that the problem isn’t the coaching.
Alabama fans, ask yourself this question: Is this who you want representing your University and your fanbase?
"Been saying it for six f**king years now...That g**damn hurricane just wasn’t big enough." - Outsidethesidelines, Manager, RollBamaRoll.com
http://www.rollbamaroll.com/2011/12/3/2607240/sec-championship-game-open-thread#
outsidethesidelines@gmail.com
Having said that however...
I still think we under utilize the jet sweep.
Alabama fans, ask yourself this question: Is this who you want representing your University and your fanbase?
"Been saying it for six f**king years now...That g**damn hurricane just wasn’t big enough." - Outsidethesidelines, Manager, RollBamaRoll.com
http://www.rollbamaroll.com/2011/12/3/2607240/sec-championship-game-open-thread#
outsidethesidelines@gmail.com
Shep was never used right, period.
The jet sweep should have always been employed at least as decoy, and it would have been better for stretching things from sideline to sideline versus that stupid 5 minute long pass or JJ’s abysmal option.
Are you seriously considering
Crowton a good example of a coordinator who knows WTF he’s doing?
And as much as I like Stud, he WASN’T the OC LSU went after. He was a bandaid when Krag had to step down. Now, he did a good job for the most part this year with addressing the cluster**** Crowton left us with, but I never saw anything to make me think “offensive genius.” Obviously, at LSU, you don’t have to be. You just need a good plan and the kids to be motivated to execute it. However, you can’t deny that Shep does not fit into what LSU ran this year. Fine, LSU doesn’t have to change for a kid, but my point stands if that’s the case….Shep is a somewhat wasted recruit.
His drops issues don’t have anything to do with an offense that doesn’t/can’t feature him a couple times a game. He’s not as bad as Zimm makes him out. He doesn’t have the hands or the skill set to be a deep receiver, but he HAS done well in some specialized plays. And back when we were running them, it was behind a much less effective line than we’ve got now. Those plays would do even better now than they did then. If you don’t think Shep can catch some short slants even……well then, we have very different opinions about how inadequate his skills are.
by MikeDeTiger on Jan 11, 2012 11:19 AM CST up reply actions
Look, nobody's defending Crowton
But Shepard has to own his issues as well. By his own admission, and from several beat reporters, he hasn’t always been the best at preparing mentally or studying, plus he created his own mess with the NCAA this summer.
I’ve been a big proponent of using him more in the running game myself, but his own issues have been the biggest reason for his lack of success as a receiver. He still has a year to make an impact though.
Again, 13 games before Monday, 13 after it. Everybody’s grieving but some of us need to back away from the cliff.
Writer (and a handsome one at that),
And the Valley Shook
by Billy Gomila on Jan 11, 2012 11:31 AM CST up reply actions
I was not trying to overstate his failure
just trying to keep it short. BUT. He has missed many a pass, even in short routes fumbled on some of those plays he made, etc. He has not been given the chance to get any experience really, but with so many top end talents on the team, you just wont get many tries after a drop or fumble, or 2 yrd gain. he will get his shots next year, if he can earn them.
"They play violent football at risk of injury for their team and for their school. The gift that I'm given is to be allowed to be on the sideline with them and coach them." Les Miles
by ZimmZimmZalaBimm on Jan 11, 2012 11:41 AM CST up reply actions
WOW! Just checked Shep's Twitter
and he is saying he has a big decision to make…? I hope he means chicken or steak, because I can’t see a single NFL team being able to use him as is. He has to develop a signature skill. I just can’t fathom him trying to leave.
"They play violent football at risk of injury for their team and for their school. The gift that I'm given is to be allowed to be on the sideline with them and coach them." Les Miles
by ZimmZimmZalaBimm on Jan 11, 2012 11:49 AM CST up reply actions
We'll never know now, I guess
Shep just tweeted that he’s “got to do what’s best for him and his family.” I can’t see him trying to go pro (or I wouldn’t, if I were him.) A transfer?
by pennybackLSU on Jan 11, 2012 1:55 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions
I'm sorry
but if Lee left and packed his stuff good riddance. You want to be on a team or you want to be a selfish crybaby? Life is hard. Lee will have to deal with that one day. Unless he keeps running. If somebody like a QB packs up & leaves b/c he didn’t to play here’s hint- that’s not leadership either.
"The 2011 Tigers, on the field at least, are boring. See target, swing war club, rinse the brains and skull fragments off and repeat." - Billy Gomila
by Curtis Bleaux on Jan 11, 2012 12:51 PM CST up reply actions
Take it easy
None of what you just said describes how Lee has acted the last 4 years.
Neither do the rumors about him throwing a fit.
Writer (and a handsome one at that),
And the Valley Shook
by Billy Gomila on Jan 11, 2012 1:49 PM CST up reply actions
Let me reiterate
that’s just something I heard. I’m trying to find out from people here if anybody has heard anything along those lines or if it’s just BS. My bringing that up was in no way, shape or form intended to mean it DID happen or that I think it happened.
C'mon Curtis.
He never said a bad word about the program. Lee isn’t selfish or a crybaby. You have never seen him having a temper tantrum like JJ has on every bad play. Did you watch any of the interviews?
Asked to reflect on his time in Baton Rouge, Lee – who was benched long ago and could have transferred during two different offseasons – still wouldn’t manage to let a negative thought slip out of his mouth.
"It has been a wild ride, but it’s made me a better player and a better person, so I don’t regret any of it," he said. "Obviously this wasn’t what I imagined coming out of high school and how I thought it would play out, but I went to a National Championship in 2007 and have been to a National Championship here.
"I know a lot of it didn’t work out, but it’s been a fun ride. I love this program and love these guys I have been with."
In the end, with the team’s star receiver and the most decorated offensive lineman stepping up and singing his praises, the love for Lee shined through for a final time.
How is that being selfish or a crybaby?
by Jason Phillips on Jan 12, 2012 8:48 AM CST up reply actions
He's saying Lee's a crybaby if he reacted the way it's been rumored
I don’t think anybody with a brain actually believes any of those rumors. I think its all just Humanoids projecting their own frustrations onto the situation.
Writer (and a handsome one at that),
And the Valley Shook
by Billy Gomila on Jan 12, 2012 8:52 AM CST up reply actions
That kid did nothing but be a team player.
If JJ was clearly better than him, you could understand his benching. But one game of running some plays that worked because it caught the defense off-guard should not have qualified JJ as the starter. We had a good thing going with run, play action passing, and JJ coming to run a few plays and for whatever reason, they threw it in the trash.
Thanks
Some people are poor at executing offense, others are poor at reading, I guess.
but if Lee left and packed his stuff. Going to have to work on that reading in the offseason…
"The 2011 Tigers, on the field at least, are boring. See target, swing war club, rinse the brains and skull fragments off and repeat." - Billy Gomila
by Curtis Bleaux on Jan 12, 2012 3:21 PM CST up reply actions
Wouldnt put too much into what Blackwell says
He has had a really bad attitude saying Bama didnt belong in the game, there was bad officiating, bad coaching ect. He even stomped on a bama players hand at one point. I would say it’s just more whining.
IF WE DONT FIRE THRUSTERS NOW
WE WONT BE ABLE TO ESCAPE THE DERP HORIZON AND BE SUCKED INTO THE DERP SINGULARITY!!!~~Kleph
by RedTideRising on Jan 10, 2012 8:10 PM CST up reply actions
When was the hand stomp? That would be alarming to me from a solid guy.
His issue was Bama was honest. Everyone knows the stats on rematches, and he voiced a defensible position.
"They play violent football at risk of injury for their team and for their school. The gift that I'm given is to be allowed to be on the sideline with them and coach them." Les Miles
by ZimmZimmZalaBimm on Jan 11, 2012 8:58 AM CST up reply actions
I wouldn't use the word "stomp,"
but he undeniably stepped on Mark Barron’s hand.
It can be argued whether or not it was intentional, but he did shift all of his weight onto that foot (and Barron’s hand).
Audemus jura nostra defendere
Every day we make it, we'll make it the best we can.
by animalcracker on Jan 11, 2012 11:06 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
LSU fan here
That’s bush league from Blackwell. Definitely looked intentional.
by Gas_House_Gorillas on Jan 11, 2012 11:40 AM CST up reply actions
Yep. That looked intentional. Ejection would be warranted.
"They play violent football at risk of injury for their team and for their school. The gift that I'm given is to be allowed to be on the sideline with them and coach them." Les Miles
by ZimmZimmZalaBimm on Jan 11, 2012 11:43 AM CST up reply actions
Defense!!
If it wasn’t for the defense we would have really gotten our butts whipped, I give them 2 thumbs up for bending and not breaking giving up 21 points when Bama was on our side of the field all night, 5 field goals could have easily been 5 touchdowns. Imagine 42 to 0.
by LsuTgrs on Jan 10, 2012 6:36 PM CST via Android app reply actions 1 recs
Agreed. Hell, 15 pts into the 4th is doing your job.
"They play violent football at risk of injury for their team and for their school. The gift that I'm given is to be allowed to be on the sideline with them and coach them." Les Miles
by ZimmZimmZalaBimm on Jan 11, 2012 8:59 AM CST up reply actions
I am an Alabama fan
and I have to say that I hate that you feel the loss took away the season. I don’t. What LSU did this year was monumental. I can’t with any authority say that they played the hardest schedule ever because I’m too lazy to look it up but surely there hasn’t been a harder road to the BCS NC game. That squad was one of the best I’ve ever seen.
On a side note, it is pretty standard for SEC fans to talk about how awful other fans are. LSU gets a bit of flack on that subject. A splinter of my wife’s family is in Baton Rouge. Every year the visiting side makes the journey to Baton Rouge or Birmingham, with or without tickets, to watch the game together. Our LSU relatives have the season ticket package that gives them away tickets too. I have been the red dot in the visitors section of Bryant-Denny several times. With the exception of one idiot who thought Saban could hear him (“What you gonna do now Nicky?” every incomplete pass) I’ve never had a better time in that stadium. On November 5th, after missing two field goals, my brother-in-law and I sat while the rest of the stadium stood as we tried for a third attempt. We just couldn’t watch. We had been talking to everyone around us since before the game. The woman behind us, a very nice homemaker from Baton Rouge with strong opinions on when a corner blitz is appropriate, patted us on the back. She said, “Hey! You made it!” I hope she realizes that despite the last game, LSU 2011 was a team for the ages.
I’m in the mix for the tickets next year (there are only four). I haven’t been to a game in death valley yet, but if I get in, I promise not to yell “What you gonna do now Les?”
Great season. Worthy opponent.
If it were up to me, I'd blitz on offense too.
Sorry, man
But that’s just it……we were NOT a worthy opponent last night. That’s why the sting of the game. I don’t think a single one of us would have felt good about a loss in any fashion, but I can say with authority it would have felt better than the entire offense embarrassing itself. It’s frustrating to know that they did not even put up a fight. I understand that will not sit well with Bama fans, who may think I am (we are) refusing to give Alabama credit. That’s not really it. Alabama played a whale of a defensive game. A lesser team might have let us score a little, who knows. But anybody who watched us play this year would have seen that there was a complete lack of organization, plan, and intensity from the offense last night. They played WAY below their regular season level, and indeed, didn’t even run the same ********* offense as the regular season. Would it have been enough? Who knows……we had a pretty rough go in November, there’s no guarantee that a good effort would’ve gotten us the win again. But sadly, there was little for Alabama’s stellar defense to defend. And that is what sucks. Several teams would have beat us last night. It was NOT a good effort, and it was a all-timer of an egg laid. First team in the BCS to be held to 0? 5 first downs for the game? Sorry doods……Bama is good, but they’re not THAT good. Again, I don’t think any kind of loss would’ve made us happy, but there’s something to be said for knowing you gave it everything you had and coming up short. That is, in a way, at least palatable.
As it stands, it further accentuates the state of cfb in how nobody cares about conference champs anymore. Nobody will really remember 2011 as the season LSU won the SEC. It’ll just be another year Alabama won a national title as far as mainstream media goes. Hell…..I haven’t even seen or heard of any Alabama fans who feel in the least bit empty about NOT winning the SEC. They got another NC and that’s all they really care about. It’s just the state of the game these days. This game is also going to cement the extremely erroneous notion that Alabama somehow dominated the first game but just lost on the scoreboard. That simply wasn’t the case, and anybody who ever combed through the stats would have seen it. Yet this second game is just going to validate that in the minds of the masses.
And then there’s the unrequited tie-breaker. We don’t get a rematch. Look how different the first and second games were. Can anybody really say that a third game wouldn’t be, yet again, very different? It really seems to me that Bama fans think 11/5 was a fluke, 1/9 proved it, and that nobody could question who’s the best team. I think one would have to be delusional to think Alabama played anywhere near as poorly the first time as we did the second time. I know Tide fans felt like they left some things on the field, and that’s understandable, because it’s true. But so did LSU. Basically what Alabama fans were upset about was that they didn’t play the perfect game. Ok, granted. But neither did we, and neither does any team, EVER. But the Tide’s effort in game 1 doesn’t even come close to comparing what our team just went out and did. But, we don’t get a rematch. No chance to prove “Hey, that was a fluke.” 1-1, but one counts more than the other. It’s a bitter pill to swallow.
I appreciate the nice words, and yes, this season was overall the best season I’ve ever experienced as a Tiger fan. But its the WAY it ended, and how history is bound to remember it, that sucks the life out of it. Five years from now, nobody will remember “a team for the ages” or LSU’s ruthless path through a ruthless schedule. They’ll just remember the giant egg laid “when it mattered most,” never remembering that on 11/5, that game supposedly mattered most.
As for your comments about the schedule, I have researched it, and at least from a Final AP rankings perspective, there was a good case to be made for “Toughest Schedule ever.” I posted my findings in the Fanposts section (two different pieces), if you want to check the data. And it wasn’t just that we played through that schedule, it was HOW we played through it, like it was just another creampuff MAC schedule. Only Alabama matched us and took us to the wire. And that was kind of cool, because this was perhaps the best Bama team I’ve seen in my life…..the defense for sure, at least. In fact, 2011 is still going to be in the record books for game-time ranked opponents, and still achieved a rather impressive feat with Final Rankings. But they needed the extra Top 10 win to really break away from “small handful of elite all-time schedules” into something no one had ever achieved before. And of course, we needed the win for anybody to give a damn about that schedule. Unfortunately, nobody will ever care about a one-loss non-NC team and what they played through. And the schedule is not likely to break like that for us again in our lifetimes. It’s pure happenstance that our ooc slate this year played out like it did, and that so many SEC teams showed up so high in the rankings.
by MikeDeTiger on Jan 10, 2012 11:43 PM CST up reply actions
I'm a Boise St fan here with some interesting thoughts, hopefully they'll cheer you up
Thought # 1
Their was a time, long,long, ago, when they use to Crown the National Champions before the Bowls. I have always thought that to be a little premature, and it never made any sense, until now.
After LSU rambled through their season, and ended up undefeated when nobody else did, I thought to myself, this team deserves the Crown right now, and lets just have some Bowls. For the first time, I really didn’t think a team had anything else to prove, and it was early Dec. Then I knew why they used to do it that way. Going undefeated during a season, with a game every week is a lot harder than healing up and focusing on one team for a month. Its like being in a race, and building a substantial lead, only to have to stop on the last lap and let every body take a breather, and then sprint to the end.
Its frustrating enough in NASCAR, but their reasoning is safety. It would never happen in a foot race.
Thought # 2
Alabama actually did not win anything official last night. What they won was a fictitious, mythical BCS make believe championship. It looks pretty in a show case, but it only a prize you get from a bunch of voters, much like figure skating, and cheer leading squads.
Thought # 3
However, while feeling the understandable blues, of losing a glorified unnamed bowl, that is sponsored by nothing more then a bunch of greedy, college pillaging, and plundering, crooked sleazeballs, LSU did actually win the NCAA sanctioned, true, and undisputed SEC Championship, which is presently, “the most coveted” College Football Championship there is. Furthermore, LSU rolled the Tide, at their home on their way to an actual Title. Nobody can dispute that.
Thought # 4
While Bama fans are all running around, proudly beating their chest (with a few exceptions), yelling, we won, we won, we won, like they actually have something to be proud of. The rest of the Nation is scratching their head in dismay at this once proud football program’s, inability to understand, that by accepting this years Crystal ball, they have selfishly shamed and tarnished its once meaningful image. If every bodies opinion, means nothing to Alabama, then by all means, have fun trying to knock the tarnish off that thing.
Thought # 5
Or Alabama, how about you care what most people are thinking, show some integrity & demand a co-Championship ball be made up for Oklahoma St. That would be whats right.
If they refuse, IMHO, you should get a camcorder, a bucket of paint, (Crimson if you will), go out into your parking lot, and paint “THE BCS SUCKS” in big letters on it, and with the camera rolling, SPIKE THAT CRYSTAL BALL right on the BCS. More people would enjoy that, than enjoyed watching that game last night. You’d redeem yourself too.
Either hand that ball back to LSU, who already earned it, or share it with OSU. All kidding aside, just do whats right Alabama, and quit hiding behind the BCS. Their making you look bad.
If you ever wanted to see Boise St play...may be a good chance. Love em or Hate em, they are always interesting; and now, no matter where you live, "They're Coming To Your City"
by astrosmurf on Jan 10, 2012 11:31 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
Althought your post was to belittle Alabama,
You also gave a giant middle finger to LSU. I said this once Tiger fans, last night wasn’t a measure of what your team really is. That wasn’t your best shot. Alabama had more to play for it seemed like. You guys will be at the top of the polls next year, you have a young team with a lot of talent. I can’t say that i’m your biggest fan, but I respect what you guys put on the field every time.
"There are 40 rules all Schrute boys must learn by age 5. Rule #17- There are 3 things you never turn your back on--- Bears, men you have wronged, and a dominant male turkey during mating season."
by Aaron.50cal on Jan 11, 2012 12:06 AM CST up reply actions
Hey Aaron.5, It figures you see it that way. Gee, what a surprise!
Actually, I’m trying to keep you Alabama guys from allowing the BCS scammers from belittling you and making you look bad.
As I said, LSU “is” the undisputed SEC Champs, not Bama. They only won a hand full of votes, but whatever….Not National recognition, or we wouldn’t be having this conversation.
If you ever wanted to see Boise St play...may be a good chance. Love em or Hate em, they are always interesting; and now, no matter where you live, "They're Coming To Your City"
So Alabama isn't National recognized by the polls
as National Champs? Also, LSU is the SEC Champs. Yes.
"There are 40 rules all Schrute boys must learn by age 5. Rule #17- There are 3 things you never turn your back on--- Bears, men you have wronged, and a dominant male turkey during mating season."
by Aaron.50cal on Jan 11, 2012 12:47 AM CST up reply actions
What's funny is
pollsters started awarding the MNC after the bowls when they felt Bama had jobbed the system in order to win one.
Y’all keep changing the rules, we’ll keep winning trophies.
Audemus jura nostra defendere
Every day we make it, we'll make it the best we can.
by animalcracker on Jan 11, 2012 12:22 AM CST up reply actions
So, if I'm understanding you right, they changed the system because you were shady before? Wow, why doesn't that surprise me.
Do you have a link on that story?
If you ever wanted to see Boise St play...may be a good chance. Love em or Hate em, they are always interesting; and now, no matter where you live, "They're Coming To Your City"
Isn't BSU on probation?
"There are 40 rules all Schrute boys must learn by age 5. Rule #17- There are 3 things you never turn your back on--- Bears, men you have wronged, and a dominant male turkey during mating season."
by Aaron.50cal on Jan 11, 2012 1:03 AM CST up reply actions 3 recs
HAHAHA
Yeah, we were shady because people kept voting our team #1.
'There are two pains in life. There is the pain of discipline and the pain of disappointment. If you can handle the pain of discipline, then you'll never have to deal with the pain of disappointment,'- Nick Saban
Your lack of historical college football knowledge
is to be expected, given your Boise State fanhood, but please try to keep up.
Alabama won multiple “national championships” in years that they did not end up winning the bowl game. The reasoning was identical to what you posited in your initial comment (albeit without so many commas): they’ve proved they deserve it, now let’s just “have some bowls.”
In 1973, they did just that. Bama went undefeated during the regular season but lost 24-23 in a classic to Notre Dame. That was enough for folks to want the rules changed.
Congrats on your Maaco Bowl victory.
Audemus jura nostra defendere
Every day we make it, we'll make it the best we can.
by animalcracker on Jan 11, 2012 7:28 AM CST up reply actions 3 recs
Wow Master, I'm merely a grasshopper. Please enlighten me.
If you ever wanted to see Boise St play...may be a good chance. Love em or Hate em, they are always interesting; and now, no matter where you live, "They're Coming To Your City"
I've tried.
I recommend Google.
Much of your 5-point post is refuted by history itself. Other parts are incredibly funny to hear from a Broncos fan, including the running down of the “fictitious, mythical BCS make believe championship” that Boise State fans have longed for so publicly.
Audemus jura nostra defendere
Every day we make it, we'll make it the best we can.
by animalcracker on Jan 11, 2012 11:00 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Duelly noted,
An as a passionate college football fan first, I recognize your awareness of the game, and humbly apologize for any jagged remarks I mistakenly made.(to all)
I’m generally extra humorous, and when I sometimes leave that familiar mood due to passion causing events(NCG), I can occasionally get caught up into behavior not becoming of my personality.
I have the highest respect for both your teams, and even though its no excuse, I was merely trying to cheer up the Tiger fans, as I would have tried to do for Bama fans, if the tables were turned.
Ya, know I do know what to say. This is actually a rare but unique moment in sports history, that I believe we all will remember. Both teams have bragging rights this year. From an outsider looking in (and I don’t profess knowing how y"all see things) I see it as a kind of draw. A 2 =1 deal.
LSU won the “Big Game” thats 1, Then they won the SEC Title, thats 1, Alabama then won the National Championship, thats kind of a 2, So when all said and done, y’all in a way, ended up even. OK, I tried. Congrads to all, and good luck next year. I’ll be watching.
Oh, news just in, it seems we now have a little SEC connection. Florida just picked up one of our coaches. Uh, oh! Just kidding (-;
If you ever wanted to see Boise St play...may be a good chance. Love em or Hate em, they are always interesting; and now, no matter where you live, "They're Coming To Your City"
Translation: I pissed you off, and you pwn'd me in response. Let's be friends.
I’m thinking of a sentence that ends with “and the horse you rode in on.”
I will put an asterisk next to an Alabama Crimson Tide "fake national title" the second one is given. That day has not and will never come. But to be fair, I'll give you 1941 if you give me 1945 and the Missing Ring of 1966.
by NewAnachronism on Jan 11, 2012 2:51 PM CST up reply actions
Wow.
I honestly didn’t believe that level of stupidity existed outside of Lee County, AL. Fact: The SEC’s commissioner pushed hard for a +1 playoff in 2008, and the only conference who bit was the ACC. Fact: The BCS is a result of an agreement among the various conferences, and everyone knew the rules going into this season. Fact: You’re butthurt because your Boise State team lost to a creampuff and, as a result, you went to a no-name bowl. That sucks, but so does your team. Fact: The Smurf Turf should be destroyed because it’s a fucking eyesore. Fact: Your opinion is far more worthless than a bag of burning shit. Enjoy never winning a national title.
I will put an asterisk next to an Alabama Crimson Tide "fake national title" the second one is given. That day has not and will never come. But to be fair, I'll give you 1941 if you give me 1945 and the Missing Ring of 1966.
by NewAnachronism on Jan 11, 2012 2:48 PM CST up reply actions
Came across this on the Auburn site...
This loss I think is so embarrassing… they can’t ignore it. I think LSU falls apart next season from the shame. And I think we see the decline of the mad hatter. He’s just mad. Not a genius. He totally underwhelmed this game. Saban had him from the opening kick off.
by WhoDatSaintsLSU on Jan 10, 2012 11:54 PM CST reply actions
Cue the ...
“Come at me Bro!” image for the Aubie poster. We are not a team that wholly depends on a Cam Newton type of player. We are a more complete team than that.
I think the SEC should be very scared about what we could potentially put on the field next season. This embarrasing asswhupping could, if properly used, be the banner upon which next season’s team could rally behind. “This mission, should you choose to accept it will self destruct in five seconds. . .”
Booing = farting. Booing can’t come with caveats and neither can farting. . .You drop that bomb and it’s going everywhere, spreading out evenly across the kill zone. You can try and blame it on someone or something else, but no one is buying. Just don’t do it. - tigerarchitect (2011)
by Purpletiger006 on Jan 11, 2012 5:49 AM CST up reply actions
This could go either way.
The team that loses the national title game does poorly the following season. On the other hand, there was the 2008 Bama team that lost the SECCG, and was dominant on their way to an SEC and BCS championship the following year. The good news is you’re not Texas, so you can’t blame this on Colt McCoy getting hurt. I think that, more than anything, it’s going to come down to coaching, not so much on X’s and O’s, but on getting through to these players. How well and quickly can they help them recover? The only people who know are in Baton Rouge. For what it’s worth, I hope you’re right. Also, the Mission Impossible movies sucked.
I will put an asterisk next to an Alabama Crimson Tide "fake national title" the second one is given. That day has not and will never come. But to be fair, I'll give you 1941 if you give me 1945 and the Missing Ring of 1966.
by NewAnachronism on Jan 11, 2012 2:56 PM CST up reply actions
Oregon did alright this year
They would have been in the ‘ship again if they hadn’t played LSU.
A haiku, by Deadpool: I hate broccoli / And think it totally sucks / Why is it not meat?
Who said anything about the movies?
Just because the movies sucked doesn’t mean you have to belittle one of the wonders of broadcast TV.
Booing = farting. Booing can’t come with caveats and neither can farting. . .You drop that bomb and it’s going everywhere, spreading out evenly across the kill zone. You can try and blame it on someone or something else, but no one is buying. Just don’t do it. - tigerarchitect (2011)
by Purpletiger006 on Jan 12, 2012 11:53 AM CST up reply actions
Fair enough.
Being in my 30s, I’m too young to remember the TV show.
I will put an asterisk next to an Alabama Crimson Tide "fake national title" the second one is given. That day has not and will never come. But to be fair, I'll give you 1941 if you give me 1945 and the Missing Ring of 1966.
by NewAnachronism on Jan 12, 2012 4:00 PM CST up reply actions
Sorry, I can finally post. I've gone through the steps of grief. I am at acceptance.
My biggest question now isn’t for the team or coaching staff. The question is for me-Am I one of those that the announcers refer to as “The Tiger faithful”. Yes, yes I am. Geaux Tigers! Great season! Can’t wait till next year.
"The more important the game, the more sincere the contact." Les Miles
by lsufanfrommobile on Jan 11, 2012 9:02 AM CST reply actions 4 recs
Rec'd
Whole lotta offseason in front of us.
Writer (and a handsome one at that),
And the Valley Shook
by Billy Gomila on Jan 11, 2012 11:10 AM CST up reply actions
neither can we
and the alabama game in tiger stadium better damn well be under the lights.
SB Nation's The Historical: Because all those games way back when matter.
by kleph on Jan 11, 2012 11:53 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
The biggest problem with this debacle....
Is that beatdown’s like this can push a program into a downward slide that radiates through the the recruiting, the university community, the alumni/fanbase and even the media…
We are on the cusp of becoming a true national power for the first time in the history of the program and have stumbled horribly at the most critical moment…
So horribly, that even the most ardent fan has to wonder if we are really as good as we thought…
The answer is that of course we are, but even the lowliest team on our 2012 cheescake schedule is now saying to themselves… “The Tigers can be had”
That may or may not be true depending on how the program answers this Waterloo…
I think they will rise up and repeat the success of 2011 and this time next year, finish what they started…
I don't buy all of that
This program had rough years in 2008 and 2009 and came back. I don’t buy that one loss is going to ruin everything.
Guys, this is what I’m talking about. Everybody is coming apart at the seems on just about every site I’ve been reading. Coming up with crazy conspiracy theories that I would be embarrassed to repeat. And I’m not saying everything is fine, and this is “just another loss.” Obviously it’s a big deal. But please try to keep in mind that LSU responded from 08/09 to go 11-2 in 2010 and 13-1 this season. That’s an upward trend.
Writer (and a handsome one at that),
And the Valley Shook
by Billy Gomila on Jan 11, 2012 9:20 PM CST up reply actions
I don't disagree with you
but look at what you stated – came back from 2008 & 2009 season to go 11-2 in 2010. Pretty much everyone expected the crystal this year and we have good reason to expect to compete for it next year. The fear, I think, is that disappointments like this ( be it a bad loss or lackluster season ) can take a year or two to recover from.
Guys, one loss is not going to be any program's undoing.
If you’ve learned anything from the last few years, I would hope it’s that.
Writer (and a handsome one at that),
And the Valley Shook
by Billy Gomila on Jan 11, 2012 9:31 PM CST up reply actions
Message Board Syndrome
this is how people react overseas with soccer clubs. The entire paradigm hinges on the previous result. It’s a ridiculous byproduct of the microwave/message board/info age generation.
"The 2011 Tigers, on the field at least, are boring. See target, swing war club, rinse the brains and skull fragments off and repeat." - Billy Gomila
by Curtis Bleaux on Jan 12, 2012 3:24 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah, Billy!!!
Longtime lurker, and I am not about to spam this website with the blog I just wrote about this, but enough beating ourselves up.
Time to love LSU again and say screw Bama! If I go to someone’s house and beat them in front of their wife and children, aren’t they going to have a lot more motivation to beat me down when they see me again? Our coaches and team came out flat against a team they had already proven themselves against. They lost the NCG, but it was one bad game out of 14, even if it was the most important one. In the grand scheme of things, so what? We are still LSU, Miles is still our coach, we’re returning tons of starters, we have a multifaceted quarterback, and the skies are the limit. CHILL OUT.
by Keep a level head and screw Bama on Jan 12, 2012 10:25 AM CST reply actions
QB debacle
finally caught up with us, and frankly we should have seen it coming. The GA game scared me to death—5 completions the WHOLE GAME. And the whole time, the “experts” kept saying the offense was better. I never got it, but delusion took over and I hoped.
The truth is the writer from Gannett was right—the offense was better with Lee as the starter, and JJ as the change up.
I'll say it on this post again
If Mett plays great next yr (or even above average), we’ll never get over this one.
I seriously don't think
Drew Brees would’ve made a difference back there. When the playcalling, coaching, and O-line are all tanking in one epic showing, better QB play isn’t going to bail you out.
by MikeDeTiger on Jan 12, 2012 2:11 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Drew Brees
can hit open receivers.
The first pass JJ threw down the field against GA was an indication of his limitations. JJ underthrew Randle in what would have been a TD.
Everyone keeps talking about we should have thrown down the field. Not sure that was really an option with JJ. He’s a running QB that wasn’t a very good runner.
If you don't, that's your problem.
Writer (and a handsome one at that),
And the Valley Shook
by Billy Gomila on Jan 12, 2012 2:54 PM CST up reply actions
Personally, I'm not going to live in the past.
Writer (and a handsome one at that),
And the Valley Shook
by Billy Gomila on Jan 12, 2012 2:54 PM CST up reply actions
I'll never get over Macho Grande
"The 2011 Tigers, on the field at least, are boring. See target, swing war club, rinse the brains and skull fragments off and repeat." - Billy Gomila
by Curtis Bleaux on Jan 12, 2012 3:27 PM CST up reply actions
I'll never get over Nachos Bell Grande.
I will put an asterisk next to an Alabama Crimson Tide "fake national title" the second one is given. That day has not and will never come. But to be fair, I'll give you 1941 if you give me 1945 and the Missing Ring of 1966.
by NewAnachronism on Jan 12, 2012 4:02 PM CST up reply actions
This is also one of those games
That you didn’t do anything well & that you did it so poorly, the coaching staff may watch the film & then just “throw it away” b/c it’s so bad you can’t even learn from it.
"The 2011 Tigers, on the field at least, are boring. See target, swing war club, rinse the brains and skull fragments off and repeat." - Billy Gomila
by Curtis Bleaux on Jan 12, 2012 7:27 PM CST up reply actions
I don't understand
how someone’s performance next year has any relevance on what they would or wouldn’t have done this year.
"The 2011 Tigers, on the field at least, are boring. See target, swing war club, rinse the brains and skull fragments off and repeat." - Billy Gomila
by Curtis Bleaux on Jan 12, 2012 3:27 PM CST up reply actions
I'm simply saying
that Mett could not have been worse than what we had this year. And if he plays great next year, I don’t believe it will be because he became a better player than them in one off-season.
The fact that we had an unbelievable team this year with below average QB may have been what we had to work with…but was it all we had to work with?
Actually, yes, he could have been worse
b/c apparently Lee was so great there was this big boo hoo fest form portions of the fanbase when he didn’t play.
It could always be worse. Just like it always could be better. But to speak in those kind of certitudes is nothing but speculation in reality.
"The 2011 Tigers, on the field at least, are boring. See target, swing war club, rinse the brains and skull fragments off and repeat." - Billy Gomila
by Curtis Bleaux on Jan 12, 2012 3:48 PM CST up reply actions
I don't think it could've been much worse
than what JJ did in the NC.
You're right
Having a #3 guy who played very little this year & with limited practice reps thrown into the national title game against a fierce defense that was overwhelming our blocking game all night long, surely it couldn’t have been worse. I clearly forgot that Mettenchrist is INT proof. Or would’ve definitely stopped at 1 INT. What was I thinking?
Seriously, if you don’t think it could’ve gotten worse than 11 for 17 with 1 INT, yardage aside, you need to think a little harder. It could’ve been 7 for 17 with 3 INTs & 39 yards. 7 for 17 is worse than 11 for 17, 3 INTs are worse than 1 INT, 39 yards is worse than 53 yards. See how it could be worse? Thanks, see you later.
"The 2011 Tigers, on the field at least, are boring. See target, swing war club, rinse the brains and skull fragments off and repeat." - Billy Gomila
by Curtis Bleaux on Jan 12, 2012 7:10 PM CST up reply actions
Oh & of course one of those was a pick 6
So 28-0 is also worse than 21-0. It could’ve been worse. K thx bai
"The 2011 Tigers, on the field at least, are boring. See target, swing war club, rinse the brains and skull fragments off and repeat." - Billy Gomila
by Curtis Bleaux on Jan 12, 2012 7:13 PM CST up reply actions
I kid!
But seriously, it could’ve been worse. Anybody who thinks otherwise is just trying to fix something after it can’t be fixed.
"The 2011 Tigers, on the field at least, are boring. See target, swing war club, rinse the brains and skull fragments off and repeat." - Billy Gomila
by Curtis Bleaux on Jan 12, 2012 7:16 PM CST up reply actions
We didn't cross midfield
And scored 0 points. Obviously I guess he could throw a bunch of pick sixes, but I heard Trevor Matich say it best after the game, he said at halftime he was talking with someone and LSU needed to “fail a different way.” You gotta try something else if you can’t cross midfield.
No, not fixing in hindsight.
I’m talking about player/talent evaluation and looking ahead. And in the QB position, we got a real problem here.
I’m not saying play Mett in NC cold turkey. I’m simply saying that he probably should have been playing all year.
And when I say it couldn’t have been worse than a record-setting, all-time worst performance of no scores and ONLY CROSSING THE 50 ONE TIME BY HALF A YARD, I think I’m on pretty solid ground.
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Team Name = Eliminated from SEC Tournament
| West | Conf | Overall | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | W | L | |
 |
19 | 11 | 42 | 14 |
|
16 | 14 | 39 | 17 |
| 7 Mississippi St. Bulldogs |
16 | 14 | 34 | 21 |
|
14 | 16 | 34 | 22 |
|
13 | 17 | 30 | 26 |
| |
9 | 21 | 21 | 34 |
| East | Conf | Overall | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | W | L | |
|
18 | 11 | 39 | 15 |
| 4 Kentucky Wildcats |
18 | 12 | 41 | 15 |
| 3 Florida Gators |
18 | 12 | 40 | 16 |
| 5 Vanderbilt Commodores |
16 | 14 | 29 | 25 |
|
14 | 15 | 31 | 24 |
|
8 | 22 | 24 | 31 |
