Vandebilt survives, moves to the quarterfinals
November 20, 2012Cause of deadly rig fire unknown
November 20, 2012
Saints
Quarterbacks – With the running game sizzling and a big lead for most of the game, Drew Brees was able to have a workmanlike game against a pitiful Oakland defense. Solid effort – it always is from Brees.
Grade: A
Halfbacks – Remember months ago when we said New Orleans would have far more success in the standings if they committed to running the football? It surely looks like that was home run hit for me – there’s no question that the Saints are more difficult to guard when they have a sound rushing attack.
Grade: B+
Receivers – This group would have gotten a better grade if not for Lance Moore’s awful end zone dancing for one of his touchdowns. That was just absolutely embarrassing.
Grade: B
Offensive line – Drew Brees didn’t get sacked and the Saints gashed Oakland on the ground at will. The Saints’ offensive line earned its keep in a huge way in this one.
Grade: A
Defensive line – The occasional pressure on Carson Palmer was nice, but who the heck is Marcel Reece? Likewise, why the heck is he rushing for 100-plus yards? That shouldn’t happen.
Grade: C+
Linebackers – I will be the first person to admit that Jonathan Vilma had a fairly solid game Sunday. Sure, he was nowhere near his old level of output, but he had a few nice plays and never stuck out like a sore thumb – that’s more than he’s done in any other game this season.
Grade: B
Defensive backs – When Roman Harper is making plays in the secondary, you know you’re having a great day. Sure, Carson Palmer had 312 yards passing, but a lot of those came in prevent situations late in the game.
Grade: B+
Special teams – Memo to Joe Vitt – when Darren Sproles returns from injury, leave Travaris Cadet returning kicks for the Saints. Just like Sproles, Cadet takes the ball out of his end zone. Unlike Sproles, Cadet actually gets beyond the 20-yard-line occasionally.
Grade: A
Coaching staff – Against a Raiders team that was humiliated last week, the Saints figured to have a tough time in this cross country trip. They didn’t. The Black and Gold’s offense continues to sizzle, while the defense continually improves. Unfortunately, the Wild Card picture looks gloomy, but who knows what might happen the remainder of the season.
Grade: A
Overall – This game was pretty much over as soon as it started – that’s something the old Saints would have done. New Orleans has recovered from its 0-4 start. The biggest issue the team faces now is trying to remain flawless in the final six games with pretty much no margin for error.
Grade: A-
LSU
Quarterbacks – Zach Mettenberger threw two interceptions, yes. But one was on a poor route by Jarvin Landry and another was on a deep pass 50 yards down the field. The Tigers’ junior made all of the big throws late to push LSU past a pesky Ole Miss team.
Grade: B
Halfbacks – Jeremy Hill was not going to be denied against Ole Miss, pushing forward for 77 yards on the afternoon with three touchdowns. Also don’t forget about Spencer Ware, who was a difference maker in both the backfield and as a receiver.
Grade: A
Receivers – The LSU receivers did a serviceable job against a depleted and overmatched Ole Miss secondary. This grade would be higher if not for an egregious fumble by Jarvis Landry. Hold the ball with more than your forearm next time, bro.
Grade: C+
Offensive line –The offensive line problems that LSU experienced early in the season are largely a thing of the past. The Tigers’ young and talented group had another solid showing against an ambitious Rebels’ front.
Grade: B+
Defensive line – Take away a fluke 58-yard run from Bo Wallace and Ole Miss’ rushing game would have been largely grounded by LSU’s defense. Don’t believe the run was a fluke? Fair enough. But explain why Wallace had just 54 yards for the game, despite a 58-yard run?
Grade: B
Linebackers – Against a spread offense with the power of Ole Miss’, linebacker play is pretty important. By and large, the Tigers did a good job limiting short passes and bringing ball carriers to the ground. The few lapses came from another position (which will be roasted later).
Grade: B+
Defensive backs – OK, two things. The first is why can’t the LSU defensive backs guard a hitch and go pattern? Ole Miss ran that same route successfully close to a half-dozen times. Secondly, when an LSU defensive back is beaten, where on the planet are the team’s safeties? Eric Reid has been a flop for most of this season. He should strongly consider returning for a senior season.
Grade: D
Special teams – I have absolutely no faith in Drew Alleman from any distance beyond 35-yards. Brad Wing had a magnificent day, though.
Grade: B+
Coaching staff – I don’t have an opinion about the job the LSU coaching staff did Saturday. Ole Miss cares much more about this rivalry than the Tigers do, so it’s somewhat understandable that they always outkick their coverage when playing LSU. But if anyone at home wants to see Les Miles finally show some emotion, please check out the video of his press conference on YouTube. The dude completely lost his marbles.
Grade: B
Overall – I would like to urge all of the LSU fans to calm down. Yes, LSU was a 21-point favorite against Ole Miss. But that line was stupid – the number was way too high from the get-go. The Rebels always give LSU all that it can handle – especially at home. Likewise, they aren’t a bad football team. They almost beat Texas A&M, too. They, of course, beat Alabama two weekends ago.
Grade: B+
Nicholls
Quarterbacks – Landry Klann had some good and some bad moments against the Lions, tossing for 211 yards with a touchdown. The kid deserves sympathy – he has absolutely no time to throw the football.
Grade: C+
Halfbacks – Marcus Washington wasn’t dominant by any means. But he also didn’t exactly have the largest holes in the history of football either.
Grade: C
Receivers – The Nicholls receivers had a pretty solid day, recording a handful of 30-plus-yard receptions against the Lions’ defense. The team unfortunately couldn’t turn the offensive success into points.
Grade: B
Offensive line – Allowing five sacks and mustering just three yards per carry rushing is what makes a football team 1-9. The Colonels need a lot of work with their linemen.
Grade: D
Defensive line – The Lions didn’t gash Nicholls on the ground often, but they were able to steadily get three-and four-yard runs to keep the team in manageable down and distance situations. It sure didn’t feel like the Lions rushed for 160 yards when the game ended, but they did.
Grade: C
Linebackers – Jordan Piper will be missed – the kid is a true joy to watch. He had another solid night of football in his final game in Thibodaux.
Grade: B
Defensive backs – Southeastern’s passing offense was held largely in check by Nicholls’ defensive backs. The Lions completed fewer than 50 percent of their passes and had just 163 passing yards. Nicholls also picked off a pass in the game.
Grade: B+
Special teams – When you’re a bad football team, you almost have to win special teams to muster a victory. Allowing a kick return for a touchdown isn’t exactly what we call winning special teams. Neither is allowing a fake field goal to be cashed in for a touchdown. Both plays are unacceptable for a losing football team.
Grade: D
Coaching staff – Give Nicholls credit – they never quit and played until the final whistle against Southeastern. But moral victories and pats on the back are things that only 1-9 teams take pride in. The Colonels need to be better all-around.
Grade: C
Overall – Barring an absolute miracle against Oregon State, the Colonels will finish with one win for the second-straight season. If you talk to the average Nicholls’ fan, he/she will likely tell you about the bright days in the program’s future. Those days may indeed be reality. But I’d like to see more urgency within any team that has won just two total games in two years. Part of the problem is a lack of expectation.
Grade: D
LSU defensive lineman Lavar Edwards makes a tackle on Ole Miss halfback Jeff Scott. The Tigers survived a scare from the Rebels on Saturday, but earned a close, six-point victory. The Tigers are now 9-2 on the season and have BCS bowl ambitions.
