GeauxTo
09-12-2005, 01:08 PM
DandyDon's Analysis of the game...
I was not happy with the performance of LSU's defense Saturday night, but I not ready to compare Bo Pelini's defense to Lou Tepper’s. I do believe that Bo Pelini will need to work overtime the next two weeks to correct some weak links in the defensive secondary and the linebacker position. Before I suggest what I would do, I want to say that I was very impressed with Arizona State quarterback Sam Keller, ASU wide receiver Derek Hagan and ASU tight ends Zach Miller and Jamaal Lewis. Keller is a three-step drop quarterback with a big, strong offensive line in front of him for protection. In my opinion, Keller is going to put up big numbers throwing the football against several teams this season including USC in early October. It is very hard to blitz a quarterback like Keller who has a quick release and only takes a three-step drop. In my opinion, one of the reason Keller was so successful throwing the ball against LSU's cornerbacks was because LSU was playing zone defense and playing eight and 10 yards off of the receivers. I would have liked to seen the LSU cornerbacks play tight man-to-man coverage at the line of scrimmage against the wide receivers and use a safety to cover the TEs. Sam Keller threw for 445 yards against LSU's defense and had LSU receivers not dropped six passes JaMarcus Russell's passing yardage would have been more impressive than Keller's.
The LSU pass defense Saturday night brought back memories of the Georgia game last season at Georgia, and the Capital One Bowl game against Iowa last January. If I were the defensive coordinator at LSU I would experiment the next two weeks in practice with Jessie Daniels at cornerback and Craig Steltz at strong safety. I saw Daniels play cornerback at Breaux Bridge High and I believe he has the speed and talent to play cornerback in college. I thought that Craig Steltz was very impressive Saturday night in the second half of the game. I would also take a long, hard look at Sammy Joseph at one cornerback position. I would also experiencement with Jacob Hester at the Will linebacker position. I believe that the coaching staff needs to find a spot on the field for Hester.
While I was not happy with the play of the defensive backs and linebackers, I was very pleased with the play of the defensive line and all the other positions, especially special teams. All of Chris Jackson's kicks went deep into the end zone and that was a major improvement over the last two years. LSU special teams also blocked a field goal and a punt that were returned for touchdowns. Colt David, in his first game as a Tiger, split the uprights on all five of his extra point attempts. David is a 5'10", 170 walk-on from Grapevine, Texas.
The LSU offensive line had a few breakdowns that can be corrected and JaMarcus Russell failed to pick up a couple of blitzes. I believe Russell will improve at this each game he plays. Russell also threw behind receivers two or three times in that game and Shyrone Carey missed a couple of blocks in the backfield that led to a couple of sacks. LSU receivers dropped at least six very catchable passes and I doubt that the wide receivers will drop that many passes again in a single game the remainder of the season.
I believe that Arizona State is one of the three best teams on the 2005 schedule. I believe that Tennessee and Florida are probably a little better than ASU on defense, but we play Tennessee and Florida at home and that will be an advantage for LSU. Speaking of Tennessee and Florida, the two teams will meet Saturday at the Swamp. I predict Florida to win a nail biter because the game is being played at Florida.
Many noticed a big difference on the sidelines between Nick Saban and Les Miles. The difference between the two coaches is like night and day. Miles is a mild-mannered coach on the sidelines and during practice, while Nick Saban is a wild man on the sidelines and on the practice field.
I was not happy with the performance of LSU's defense Saturday night, but I not ready to compare Bo Pelini's defense to Lou Tepper’s. I do believe that Bo Pelini will need to work overtime the next two weeks to correct some weak links in the defensive secondary and the linebacker position. Before I suggest what I would do, I want to say that I was very impressed with Arizona State quarterback Sam Keller, ASU wide receiver Derek Hagan and ASU tight ends Zach Miller and Jamaal Lewis. Keller is a three-step drop quarterback with a big, strong offensive line in front of him for protection. In my opinion, Keller is going to put up big numbers throwing the football against several teams this season including USC in early October. It is very hard to blitz a quarterback like Keller who has a quick release and only takes a three-step drop. In my opinion, one of the reason Keller was so successful throwing the ball against LSU's cornerbacks was because LSU was playing zone defense and playing eight and 10 yards off of the receivers. I would have liked to seen the LSU cornerbacks play tight man-to-man coverage at the line of scrimmage against the wide receivers and use a safety to cover the TEs. Sam Keller threw for 445 yards against LSU's defense and had LSU receivers not dropped six passes JaMarcus Russell's passing yardage would have been more impressive than Keller's.
The LSU pass defense Saturday night brought back memories of the Georgia game last season at Georgia, and the Capital One Bowl game against Iowa last January. If I were the defensive coordinator at LSU I would experiment the next two weeks in practice with Jessie Daniels at cornerback and Craig Steltz at strong safety. I saw Daniels play cornerback at Breaux Bridge High and I believe he has the speed and talent to play cornerback in college. I thought that Craig Steltz was very impressive Saturday night in the second half of the game. I would also take a long, hard look at Sammy Joseph at one cornerback position. I would also experiencement with Jacob Hester at the Will linebacker position. I believe that the coaching staff needs to find a spot on the field for Hester.
While I was not happy with the play of the defensive backs and linebackers, I was very pleased with the play of the defensive line and all the other positions, especially special teams. All of Chris Jackson's kicks went deep into the end zone and that was a major improvement over the last two years. LSU special teams also blocked a field goal and a punt that were returned for touchdowns. Colt David, in his first game as a Tiger, split the uprights on all five of his extra point attempts. David is a 5'10", 170 walk-on from Grapevine, Texas.
The LSU offensive line had a few breakdowns that can be corrected and JaMarcus Russell failed to pick up a couple of blitzes. I believe Russell will improve at this each game he plays. Russell also threw behind receivers two or three times in that game and Shyrone Carey missed a couple of blocks in the backfield that led to a couple of sacks. LSU receivers dropped at least six very catchable passes and I doubt that the wide receivers will drop that many passes again in a single game the remainder of the season.
I believe that Arizona State is one of the three best teams on the 2005 schedule. I believe that Tennessee and Florida are probably a little better than ASU on defense, but we play Tennessee and Florida at home and that will be an advantage for LSU. Speaking of Tennessee and Florida, the two teams will meet Saturday at the Swamp. I predict Florida to win a nail biter because the game is being played at Florida.
Many noticed a big difference on the sidelines between Nick Saban and Les Miles. The difference between the two coaches is like night and day. Miles is a mild-mannered coach on the sidelines and during practice, while Nick Saban is a wild man on the sidelines and on the practice field.