July 16, 2020
TODAY’S COLUMNS: Scott explores recent innovators in sports and turns to LSU Football’s areas that are question marks
Dennis brings up an important question for hs football
Jon discusses athletes speaking out about racism
Please scroll down below.
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO ONE AND ALL AS WE TRY TO MAKE OUR WAY SAFELY THROUGH THE PANDEMIC. WE STAND WITH THOSE THAT ARE PEACEFULLY PROTESTING AGAINST POLICE BRUTALITY AND RACISM.
LSU, SAINTS AND MUCH MORE
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HULLABALOO HOORAY
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WE THANK YOU FOR DOING YOUR UTMOST TO PATRONIZE SPONSORS OF OUR PROGRAMMING. THIS HELPS US TREMENDOUSLY IN SUSTAINING OUR WEEKLY LINE-UP AND WILL ASSIST US IN ADDING MORE PROGRAMS IN THE FUTURE. KINDLY MAKE AN EFFORT TO LET SPONSORS KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT IT THROUGH US.
THE WIZARDRY OF OS
People hit it big when they see an opportunity where others don’t.
The Patriots are the best. Belichick had his defensive backs physically disrupt the timing routes of receivers to great success with the best example being the 2003 AFC Championship when Ty Law had 3 interceptions. They forced a change in the rules.
Last year, the Patriots used a loophole in the clock rules to burn time without running a play. Instead of punting, they took a delay of game then a false start to take 90 seconds off the game clock. The Titans used the same loophole against the Patriots in the playoffs, and this offseason the loophole was closed.
John Calipari was the first and best in college basketball to take advantage of the “one-and-dones.” The conventional thinking had college coaches wanting to keep players for as long as possible to generate chemistry and develop players. Calipari saw the opportunity to have a roster filled with extremely talented players and created systems to teach them how to play together quickly.
Saban established his presence at Alabama and kept it going by taking advantage of Alabama’s commitment to winning to hire analysts. Hiring analysts allowed him to increase the size and quality of his coaching staff beyond the limit of “on field” coaches.
Increasing the size and efficiency of running a college program through the hiring of analysts is one of the ways Orgeron has returned LSU to the top of college football. Another way has been with the incredible success LSU has had with graduate transfers. The only program who has had as much success is Oklahoma at quarterback.
One of the most challenging aspects of recruiting is determining the ability of an 18 year old and how that will translate to the SEC. Many coaches can sell their schools, but the problem is they choose the wrong players to convince.
Graduate transfers are around 21 years old and have already played college football. In the case of LSU, it is not a stretch to say LSU football would not be where it is today without the impact of grad transfers.
Two year ago, LSU was good. They won with defense, tremendous special teams, and an amazing turnover margin. That formula only worked because of grad transfer Cole Tracy. In the season opener against Miami, he made field goals LSU hadn’t made in years and that comfort allowed Orgeron to manage that game differently than if LSU had a sub par place kicker.
Tracy’s kick won the Auburn game. The biggest win of the year was over Georgia and he made 5 field goals in that game. He allowed Orgeron to make decisions that played to the strength of the team.
All I need to say is Joe Burrow, and surely the point is made.
Looking toward this year, I feel comfortable saying that Oregon and staff is going to have to be 2 out of 2 again for LSU to have another great season.
Certainly, LSU will have to replace Burrow, but at least Myles Brennan has been around and has some experience. At center, LSU played Lloyd Cushenberry for two straight years at the only position that touches the ball every play. He didn’t have a backup last year, and the person listed as the backup transferred. Cushenberry was the one player LSU could not afford an injury and luckily he stayed healthy.
The next player on the depth chart came to LSU as a nose tackle. He switched to offensive guard as a true freshman, and was hurt all last year. When he has played at center, his snaps have been subpar. The other contender for the position was undersized as a true freshman and Orgeron does not bring his name up in interviews.
Enter Liam Shanahan, grad transfer from Harvard. If he can come in and do what Tracy did at place kicker, it changes the complexion of the offensive line.
The quarterback on defense is the middle linebacker. LSU lost both starting inside linebackers from last year’s team. Inside linebacker is also a position lacking depth. Marcel Brooks transferred. LSU has only two players, Damone Clark and Micah Baskerville with any experience.
Enter Jabril Cox, a grad transfer from North Dakota State. He could have entered the NFL draft and likely would have gone in the first 2-3 rounds. If he can come in and be like Burrow for the defense, lookout.
These are two extremely important positions where LSU had no depth or experience. One position on either side of the ball where true freshmen rarely help (Alabama had to play very talented true freshman at inside linebacker last year and suffered for it). The list of juco players that have contributed to LSU is very small.
Fortunately for Tiger fans, Orgeron has been quick to utilize and has been very accurate choosing the right grad transfers that not only complete the roster, but take the team to another level.
HEY REF
Is anyone paying attention? I can’t recall the last time I turned on my TV or read my newspaper where anything else but the COVID-19 pandemic was mentioned. We are in “unchartered” waters so to speak and there’s nowhere where we can turn to for guidance in our fight with this killer. I’m no scientist, doctor or expert in diseases to offer any kind of advice so I won’t even get my soapbox out.
But what could be taking up most of my time? Besides sitting down with a few area coaches to get their thoughts with what’s right and what’s wrong with the sad state of affairs between the coaches and the officials there is one huge “gorilla” in the room. I haven’t heard anything nor have I read the first sentence asking the question “will they be there if/when a high school football season starts”? Again I’ll ask “is anyone paying attention”?
When I started working high school games in the Baton Rouge area, back in those prehistoric days, it was understood by each member of our crews that the fans in the stands didn’t buy tickets to watch us throw a yellow rag and blow a whistle. So, nobody needs to get full of himself, you’re here to do a job. We’re expected to be on the field at least an hour before kickoff. The first time my crew was running late and I started to get nervous somebody said “they can’t play without us”.
I’m retelling that story since nobody has asked “will the officials be ready when a season starts”. If that question was asked thirty years ago I’d answer “I’ll be there”! I haven’t taken a formal survey of my fellow officials so I have no way of knowing if they’ll work this season. Many will but there are many of us that won’t gamble with our health and will have to sit out the season. For once we must put ourselves above all else. We do this simply because it is the right thing to do.
This official has already answered that question. Due to a massive infection in my lower spine, one in which I was very lucky to survive, it left me with a compromised immune system so I’ll be very far away from the sidelines on Friday nights. I’m not the only official that’ll have to make that decision. I’ve no clue if the LHSAA has even contemplated a shortage of QUALIFIED officials to work any type of season they may try to have in 2020. There’s a national shortage of officials and it’ll only get worse if states try to play without a guarantee that the health of the officials is part of their decision whether to play fall sports. And with that said this writer knows you can’t guarantee anyone’s health especially when the game being played and officiated consists of constant bodily contact.
If 2020 has a football season this fall then games will probably be called with smaller crews of three or four officials. For some strange reason I’m looking for the LHSAA to mandate the game officials be certain the players don’t have a temperature, oxygen levels are acceptable, etc. I say this because the LHSAA (and most associations countrywide) consider football officials as independent contractors as a way to keep from offering health insurance and other benefits. If that happens then we better get ready for an increase in lawsuits claiming associations didn’t assign a complete crew of qualified officials causing an increase in player injuries. In a perfect world we wouldn’t have to figure lawsuits as being a part of high school sports. But reality mandates officials must carry a million dollar policy to cover claims made by a player’s parents.
To get around the shortage of game officials some schools will have to re-do their schedules and play on Thursdays, Fridays and/or Saturdays. Where there’s a will there’s a way. Just one question parents should ask themselves; “would it be so terrible for once to concentrate on getting Lil’ Johnny an education”? Stay tuned, this ride is going to get very bumpy… …
Till next week…
FINE IDEAS
Jon,
The other day I was watching the NFL Network, Mr. Silver ( I believe was his last name) from Sports Illustrated was on. This is where I have to say I rarely agree with him even on sports. But, he was on with a panel, speaking on the current riots going on. Mr. Silver take this discussion to a different place, he stops short of calling the POTUS a racist. Now coming from a white guy, he sounds like pandering. Why can’t we talk about sports. Why do people like Mr. Silver have to hijack everything. Can we please have a few places where we can escape and come together for a few hours.
Maybe I’m the crazy one, But I hope not
Mundy
Corpus Christi
Mundy,
Thanks for your letter. We need more people who read FINE IDEAS to provide feedback.
It is hard for me to comment on this particular commentator on this show, because I did not see it. I can, however, use this letter as a catalyst for this week’s column.
Sports and politics/race/racism have been linked throughout time. Harken back to Jesse Owens winning gold medals in the Olympics in front of Hitler. Jackie Robinson breaking the color line in Baseball. Muhammad Ali being banned from boxing for his political views. The Russian referees giving their country 3 opportunities to win Gold over the United States in Basketball. The murdering of Israelis at Munich. Why were Blacks not given an opportunity to be head coaches, GMs or NFL quarterbacks? Blacks not being given a chance to play sports in colleges, largely in the South. Chris Jackson sitting for the national anthem. Colin Kaepernick taking a knee.
Fast forward to the present time, we have the uproar created by the George Floyd murder in Minneapolis—including professional athletes taking a stand and Washington dropping the Redskins as their nickname. Plus, the return of sports in 2020 is steeped in politics. The successful return of sports this year will largely be affected by how society is doing with the Caronavirus.—This issue is largely based on whether society, en masse, decides to wear masks, which has been politicized.
I’m all for athletes, coaches and commentators using their platform to address these issues. Many are clearly sports related. The others, that are not, transcend sports. One would be racism in society.
In fact, I’ll use my platform. Here are some thoughts:
The killing of George Floyd and other recent deaths at the hands of police are senseless killings. Our police departments need to be reformed. This is an insidious problem that needs to be eradicated.
There is clearly institutional, systemic and generational racism that have often been an insurmountable barrier for advancement/achievement by Blacks.
The Redskins name change is a step in the right direction. The name, Redskins, itself, and the imagery of the team are racist in nature. It is a shame that owner Dan The Fan Snyder has come to the plate only because of pressure put on him by corporate sponsor and minority owner Fed Ex and by other corporate sponsors. But, at least, a racist nickname will be changed. Next up the Cleveland Indians and the Ole Miss Rebels?
There is a flip side to all of this that needs to be addressed. And I’d like to see more athletes speak out about these issues:
The number of Black on Black murders dwarfs the amount of people of color being killed by the police. That is not to say that police brutality is acceptable. These are mutually exclusive issues. As expressed previously, police brutality needs to be eradicated. Promptly. This is independent of the problem of Black on Black murders.
The number of Black families where the main caretakers are mothers or grandparents is staggering. The lack of involvement by absentee Black fathers is at the root of this issue.
Although the messenger was wrong as Bill Cosby is a disgraced public figure, his message has some validity. Cosby preached personal responsibility and the lack of such in poor Black communities.
In a nutshell, a white person born into a stable middle-class family today has, all other things being equal, a much better chance of having a successful/productive life than a Black person born into a fatherless family in a poor Black community. Part of this is due to racism or the results of past racism. Part of this is due to self-inflicted wounds in the Black Community. This overall disparity in the level of opportunity in white and Black society needs to be rectified by society as a whole, with assistance from the Black community itself. Athletes speaking out and getting directly involved is a good thing. We need a lot more of it.
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