Environmental expert named senior planner
January 16, 2012
Richard N. Bollinger
January 19, 2012OK, so we’ve now had nine days to digest LSU’s loss to Alabama.
Even with that time, only one thing comes to mind n what a nightmare.
The Tigers were outwitted in strategy and outclassed in talent and were beaten unmercifully up and down New Orleans.
It pains me to say it. I’m a loyal LSU alum who bleeds purple and gold in every ounce of my body.
But that was a drumming n an absolute, unquestioned beating of the highest order.
If such a beating took place down the road and on Bourbon Street, it would have been labeled assault.
The Tigers couldn’t move the football on offense. Some of it was play calling. And while we’re talking about play calling, I’d like to announce that it makes me want to puke every time I see Jordan Jefferson run the option.
Oh yeah, I also get a migraine every time I see the Tigers run a bubble screen, as well n a sharp, piercing pain that penetrates my temples. You know, sort of like how Alabama penetrated those screens and consistently blew them up for losses of two and three yards per pop.
But LSU wasn’t much better defensively against the Tide and were unable to keep up with Alabama’s short passing game.
Seriously n those words were coming out of my mouth.
LSU couldn’t stop Alabama’s PASSING game. Not Trent Richardson. Not Eddie Lacy.
Freggin A.J. McCarron and his band of Joe-Blow receivers (with Marquis Maze copping out of his second-straight LSU game; yes I am hinting he is scared) stumped the Tigers’ defense.
The very same A.J. McCarron who didn’t stump anyone else during the season is the one who stumped LSU in the grandest stage of college football.
OK, OK, with all of that said, let’s make a pact and agree to flush this past Monday out of our systems entirely.
Let’s instead look ahead to the future, shall we?
The picture you all are seeing now should appear awfully bright. The Tigers figure to have a ridiculously strong team next year.
Start on offense and let me remind you that Spencer Ware, Michael Ford, Kenny Hilliard and Alfred Blue will all be back in the mix n and that’s just at halfback.
The Tigers will also return the majority of their offensive line and all of their receivers, as well (if Rueben Randle opts to return to LSU instead of the tempting NFL Draft).
Those returnees will also benefit from a second year under offensive coordinator Greg Studrawa’s scheme. Any coach will tell you that the biggest progression in sports is made in between one’s first and second year within a system.
OK, so the elephant in the room is quarterback. I already know n you don’t have to tell me.
Zach Mettenberger will be the guy LSU turns to under center barring some crazy, unforeseen circumstances.
The giant, lanky quarterback has little college experience and until he does, I understand people will have doubts.
But to those nay-sayers, let me please say three things:
First, Mettenberger had beat out Georgia All-Conference quarterback Aaron Murray during his time with the Bulldogs n a sign the kid can play.
Secondly, he won a National Championship at the JUCO level, posting some ridiculous statistics. Sure, JUCO is JUCO and that’s not exactly something to sell your soul over. But he also had JUCO receivers and JUCO linemen, too, so it wasn’t a total mismatch.
Lastly, the rising junior may be unproven, but what exactly did Jarrdon Lefferson (my way of making Jefferson and backup Jarrett Lee into one, miserable heap of quarterback) prove during their time at LSU?
The answer is not a whole heck of a lot.
Offense aside, the biggest source of excitement in 2012 will be LSU’s defense.
The Tigers already had the second-best statistical unit last season.
The vast majority of that group will return n seven starters will be back, including Sam Montgomery, Eric Reid and Kevin Minter.
Oh yeah, the Honey Badger, Tyrann Mathieu, will also be back. I don’t know about all of this, “He takes what he wants,” stuff, because I doubt he would choose to take such a butt whooping on such a grand scale, but Mathieu is a game-changing performer and undoubtedly one of the best players in America. Like the offense, LSU will also be reaping the benefits of another under the same system as defensive coordinator John Chavis figures to be back. Under his watch, the Tigers have gotten better defensively every season.
With Alabama losing seven and possibly up to nine defensive starters, it’s definitely safe to assume the Tigers will have the best defense on paper in 2012.
As we all saw last Monday, that is still what wins championships in college football.
So continue to pout if you wish, but I’m just here to tell you the future is bright.
That’s more than most teams can say.
