Analysis: It’s time for NSU to win
September 12, 2012
Week 2: Highlights, scores and stats of Tri-parish prep games
September 12, 2012
LSU
Quarterbacks – We’re only two rounds into a 12-round fight, and I’m already willing to say that Zach Mettenberger is worlds better than both Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee. Some of the throws he made Saturday were just filthy. His 12-of-18 stat line would have been even better if not for five clear-cut drops.
Grade: A
Halfbacks – Alfred Blue, Michael Ford, Kenny Hilliard and Spencer Ware busted Washington in the gut to the tune of 242 rushing yards on 52 carries. We’re up to four down, 26 to go now on the official Kenny Hilliard 30 Touchdown Club.
Grade: A
Receivers – The LSU receivers were the lone negative in an otherwise wonderful day for the Tigers. Drops plagued various members of the group, and no one really separated themselves from the inferior Huskies’ secondary.
Grade: C
Offensive line – One week after allowing Zach Mettenberger to be peppered by North Texas’ pass rush, the Tigers’ offensive line kept their quarterback clean. That feat is doubly impressive when one considers that the unit was playing without its left tackle, Chris Faulk, who is out for the season with a knee injury.
Grade: A
Defensive line – For 85 percent of Saturday’s game, Washington had negative yards rushing. They got a few cheap yards late, but allowing 26 rushing yards on 24 carries is still nothing to be ashamed of.
Grade: A+
Linebackers – The youthful LSU linebackers got a stiff test by Washington’s short passing game. There were a few lapses here and there, but overall, this group held firm.
Grade: B+
Defensive backs – LSU misses Tyrann Mathieu’s explosiveness. But I truly believe they are a better team in coverage now. Jalen Mills and Jalen Collins are very, very good down the field.
Grade: A
Special teams – This group would have earned an A if not for Odell Beckham’s fumble. But Brad Wing is truly amazing. A 60-plus-yard punt into a stiff 12 mph wind? Aussie, Aussie, Aussie.
Grade: B
Coaching staff – One week after utilizing a bland, vanilla offensive game plan, the Tigers opened up against Washington and showcased its vertical passing game. LSU is not a passing juggernaut by any means. But just having the ability to make plays through the air is such a pleasant change.
Grade: A
Overall – It’s hard to do more than LSU did Saturday against Washington. The Huskies are a good team – a bowl team from 2011 that returned many of its starters. But none of that mattered to LSU, who bruised the PAC 12 foe early and often in a complete bruising.
Grade: A+
Saints:
Quarterbacks – Fans will blame the team’s defense for this loss. Rightfully so – they were pretty bad. But Brees also orchestrated five three-and-out drives in the team’s first eight possessions. Don’t be fooled by the garbage stats he accumulated late in the game – Drew wasn’t his usual self in the opener.
Grade: C-
Halfbacks – All last season, I had to hear from Saints fans that my stance on Mark Ingram being a bust was too harsh and he was about to breakthrough. After a six carry, 15-yard masterpiece against the Skins, I believe a few more people have come over to my side.
Grade: F
Receivers – Lance Moore, Jimmy Graham and Marques Colston all had solid days. The Saints just didn’t have the football long or often enough to make it matter.
Grade: B+
Offensive line – The Saints’ running game was non-existent – so much so that they just quit trying to utilize it in the second half. Combine that with the fact that Brees was running for his life for most of the game, we’re left wondering just how big a loss Cark Nicks actually will be.
Grade: D
Defensive line – The Saints’ defensive line didn’t shine by any means. But they weren’t nearly as awful as the team’s linebackers or secondary. By way of a grading curve, they’ll get a passing mark.
Grade: C
Linebackers – The Redskins utilized a short, screen-based offense very similar to the one Washington used on LSU. Watch how the Tigers defended the spread attack and then watch the Saints’ effort. The grade will speak for itself.
Grade: F
Defensive backs – I don’t even need to explain. Anyone who watched the game or cares about the Saints knows the obvious – this unit is straight terrible.
Grade: F
Special teams – Two things stood out to me about this group. The first is that the guy (the 12th man on the field) who haplessly jogged off the field before the Redskins punt, which forced a penalty, should be released. The second is Darren Sproles runs kicks out of the end zone, even if they are nine yards, two feet and 11 inches deep.
Grade: C+
Coaching staff – No disrespect to the man because I know he’s thrust into an impossible situation, but Aaron Kromer is no Sean Payton. When a team has its fourth option (Payton, Parcells, Vitt) calling the shots, it will show on Sunday. The players just don’t respect this guy like they do Payton.
Grade: D
Overall – The Saints have one of (if not the) worst defenses in the NFL. If that doesn’t get fixed fast, this could be a long season. Drew Brees is magical, but he can only do so much. Asking him to score 40 points a game is a bit much. Whatever wrongs the Saints had in the opener better become rights in a few days, because the Panthers’ offensive strengths all align with those of the Redskins.
Grade: F
Nicholls State
Quarterbacks – Saturday was supposed to be a coming out party for Landry Klann. He failed to impress, slinging two picks and accumulating fewer than 100 passing yards.
Grade: C-
Halfbacks – LaQuintin Caston was solid for the Colonels on the ground. He was the only offense the team had all game.
Grade: B
Receivers – It’s always hard to grade receivers when a team can’t run the football consistently or protect the passer. We’ll give the Colonels a pass – for now.
Grade: C+
Offensive line – The Colonels didn’t block well against South Alabama – not by any means. Their unit is youthful and inexperienced. It’ll be interesting to see if they can turn things around.
Grade: C
Defensive line – Nicholls’ defensive line was stout on Saturday, limiting South Alabama to just 2.4 yards per carry, while recording three sacks. The Colonels had a lot of problems on Saturday. Very few of those rode with their defense.
Grade: B+
Linebackers – Jordan Piper played like a warrior, returning from an offseason injury to pile up 12 tackles. He’s going to have a stellar season within the Colonels’ stout defensive group.
Grade: B
Defensive backs – Nicholls didn’t allow a passing touchdown and limited South Alabama to just 169 yards passing in 30 attempts. It’s hard to fault anything about the way these guys played.
Grade: B+
Special teams – Andrew Dolan boomed a 48-yarder for the Colonels – that’s a plus. Likewise, Cory Kemps was solid punting the ball. The problem is Kemps was punting every fourth play within Nicholls’ offense. That has to change.
Grade: C
Coaching staff – Nicholls’ defense looked terrific and held South Alabama to just nine points, despite being on the field for almost the entire game. The Colonels’ offense simply needs to be better, though. Charlie Stubbs is an offensive-minded guy. It’s time to fix these problems.
Grade: C
Overall – I’m being hard on Nicholls because I truly believe South Alabama is a team that was ripe for the taking on Saturday. But the truth is the Colonels haven’t competed this fiercely against a FBS school in quite some time. Improvement was made, no doubt. But that game was theirs for the taking and they just couldn’t quite pull it off.
Grade: B-
The LSU football team energizes itself before Saturday’s win against Washington. The Tigers earned high marks in a dominant victory.
