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We knew it was coming
OK, time to go back to some campaign promises.
Unfortunately, the statements made by LSU head coach Les Miles and offensive coordinator Greg Studrawa hold about as much substance as most politicians on the campaign trail.
At LSU's Media Day on August 7, Miles had these statements:
"Offensively, the quarterback, (Zach) Mettenberger seems like he's getting better every day and continues to improve that chemistry. I think he's really working with our receivers and I think that group is tightening it up. I like the addition of Rob Bolden. I feel like the guy has taken some snaps in some big time games. We're still a ways away from knowing exactly what to call it and how to run it, but it's coming and we enjoy him. I think Stephen Rivers also is competing extremely well behind Zach (Mettenberger), so it looks like our quarterback position is better."
And these golden nuggets from Studrawa:
"I love running the football because to me it is how you control the game. When you can physically control someone up front and have the ability to do whatever you can do, it helps your offense and defense. It also helps in time possession and things like that. It's a three-part game and we don't have to light up the world, just play smart football and not turn the football over. I think you'll see play action with different two tight end sets which gets back to involving Chase (Clement), Tyler (Edwards), Nic Jacobs and Travis Dickson. Those are four guys I really like in two tight end sets because you can run the ball outside and get play action and nakeds by getting Zach out of the pocket and giving him more options.
"I think we want to do more of those things and get more of those 1st-and-10s and 2nd-and-medium to get the long rage passes which is where you'll get more of those. In third downs it will be more drop backs, and we will let Zach do his thing but still get him involved in first and second down passing and also taking advantage of play action. Zach has the confidence to zip that ball and make those throws, which is what we want to see."
On the commitment to throwing the ball ...
"We added periods in practice with a play action period, deep ball period and a period specifically to create those situations for Zach and the receivers."
On Zach Mettenberger's confidence ...
"The vertical passing game is part of anyone's passing game but that is where we have struggled. Two shots yesterday where we had (Odell) Beckham and Jarvis Landry come down the middle one time, and if you stand in the end zone it looks like it's covered. In the past we check it down, but Zach zipped it right in there through the linebackers and were 60-yard touchdowns. Before, we would never have thrown those balls because it would have been a struggle. That kid sits back there and he will make that throw because he has the confidence to do it. (Russell) Shepard and those kids are excited now because he (Mettenberger) has the confidence to make those throws which is what has the young guys so excited."
Fast forward two months -- MALARKEY!!!!!
OK, first of all I understand the effect the injuries and losing Tyrann Mathieu and Tahj Jones has had. And I can understand about being a little hesitant about Mettengberger at this stage.
But other guys have stepped up and there are other guys needing to step upu. It's tough to win on the road on the road in the SEC at any time, but when you are playing three freshmen offensive linemen, it's tougher. So you make adjustments. You still don't play not to lose.
You don't send Terrence Magee in the game on third down inside the 10, set him deep in the backfield and try to surprise Florida with a jump pass. Miles said later he wasn't fond of that play. HELLO! That's why you make the big bucks.
You don't continue to drop passes, have stupid mistakes (hitting someone after the whistle or lining up wrong of having 12 people on the field) and you don't run the same predictable offense. And where in the world is Russell Shepard?
And now along comes South Carolina.
Take the kid gloves off Mettenberger and throw the ball on first down for a change. Don't put him in tough situations.
Despite the devastation in The Swamp, all is not lost. A win over South Carolina and getting to the Alabama game unbeaten can still have LSU in great shape to make a serious run at a BCS spot.
But at this stage that is a lot easier said than done. You can't do anything about injuries. But there a lot of other things going on that are controllable. And right now those things are out of control.
The Tigers have put themselves against the wall. And you don't have to watch too many Harrison Ford, Matt Damon, Denzel Washington, Bruce Willis or Clint Eastwood movies to know when you back is against the wall, it's time to come out firing and being the aggressor.
Opening night: October 13. |
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