November 23, 2018
HOLIDAY WISHES
I hope everyone had a terrific Thanksgiving. And, let me ally any concerns about Jon Fine.—I had plenty to eat yesterday…
Since Turkey Day has passed, now is an ideal time to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday season!
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Assistant Basketball Coach and Head Swimming Coach at Central High
(EDITOR’S NOTE: PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THIS ARTICLE WAS SUBMITTED BY SCOTT ON TUESDAY. THUS, IT WAS WRITTEN BEFORE THE THURSDAY NIGHT NEW ORLEANS-ATLANTA GAME.)
The opponent makes a difference. Just remember that when you are tempted to think, “Why didn’t my team do ___ against so and so?”
The narrative this week has been that LSU’s offense went back to what worked against Georgia and that is why the offense was so productive against Rice. That sounds great and Coach Orgeron even supported that argument, but I am not buying it. LSU’s success on offense was playing Rice’s defense.
Against Rice, LSU involved the tight end in the passing game. The reason LSU didn’t use the tight end against Mississippi State, Alabama, and Arkansas was the LSU could not block the defensive lines of those three teams. The tight end was being used to help protect the quarterback.
As good as Payton, Brees, Thomas, and the Saints are on offense, the reason the Saints are breaking record on offense is the offensive line and running game. If LSU figures out the issues on the offensive line, the offense will be just fine.
Texas A&M’s defensive line is going to test LSU like Miami, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Miss. State, and Alabama. The other narrative this week was that LSU was effective because they went back to being up tempo. Again, that sounds great, but I fail to see how tempo helps on offense like LSU when they are in second and long. You are not going to rush to the line after a negative play on first down just get to third down. The key was not the tempo, the key was having success on first down.
For LSU to have success on first down, they need to execute and be creative. I had suspected for a while we would see Jontre Kirklin in the Wildcat formation. Unfortunately, he fumbled against Rice, so that has likely been scrapped for now. Still, LSU did use Edwards-Helaire earlier in the season and could bring it back with him. I would be shocked if LSU is able to run the ball against A&M without doing something that forces them to account for more than just the tailback in the formation.
The offense is going to need help to beat the Aggies. The defense will need to set the offense up with some short fields, the special teams has been very solid, but hasn’t made a big play in a while. Most teams need to create big plays to win.
Against Miami, LSU created a few turnovers and got a few long runs. A couple of key turnovers against Auburn and a long pass play was the difference. The formula held true against Georgia and Mississippi State as well. For LSU, to pull one more upset Saturday, I suspect the formula will have to remain the same.
Meanwhile, my biggest concern for the Saints is that they are peaking too soon. My mind cannot comprehend how the Atlanta offense that blew through the Saints defense earlier this year suddenly can’t score. I have a much better understanding of why the Saints defense has actually started stopping teams as opposed to bending and hoping the other teams makes a mistake.
I hate to sound like I am bragging, but Rankins, Okafor, and Jordan are causing havoc. When Davenport gets back, things can only get better. The Saints are not giving up explosive plays, and that compliments the offense. The offense gets off to fast starts and eats up clock. The Saints are playing with a lead. With the offense rarely going three and out and Morestead booming the ball when the Saints punt on rare occasions, the opponent has to drive the field to score.
Still, it is not realistic to think the domination of the last couple weeks will continue. Playing on a short week against a division opponent is always difficult. Hopefully, the Saints can stay hot and make it a Happy Thanksgiving.
HEY REF
Dennis Dearie is taking this week off.
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