November 3, 2023
GOD BLESS ISRAEL, UKRAINE AND THE USA!!!!
SEASON FINALE!
Tonight’s Denham Springs HS Football game at Walker HS comes your way at 6 o’clock with Sport n Center Yellow Jackets Warm-up on Family Radio, 91.9 FM and on the net at Jon Fine Productions.com. Josh Ward, Mitch Covington and Jon Fine are on the call.
ESTEEMED GUESTS
Sport N Center Yellow Jackets Warmup features an interview with Denham Springs HS legend Butch Wax
Small’s Sliders Half-Time report will include an interview with DSHS Baseball coach Trave Hopkins (Coach Hop).
TK PODCAST
Check out "Talkin Sports with TK" hosted by Tommy Krysan. Available on all major platforms including: Anchor, Tune In, Spotify, Iheart, ApplePodcasts and many more! Email for link: tommykrysan@gmail.com Connect on Social Media: Tommy Krysan - Facebook, Instagram, YouTube!
THE WIZARDRY OF OS
I can’t help but reference the over-referenced quote from “The Godfather”, “Every time I am out, they keep pulling me back in.” If I could have found the remote quicker, I was going to turn the Saints game off on Sunday.
It started with Pete Werner over-running his gap to give up a big run. The defense was going to force a field goal until rookie Brian Bresse lined up wrong on the field goal giving a first down. And then, the Colts ran a very simple bootleg from 1984 and the Saints completely busted the coverage giving up a touchdown.
The Saints answered, but it felt hollow for two reasons. First, the Saints should have been leading 7-3. Second, the Colts answered and after a fumble, took a 17-7 lead. That is when I decided I had enough of this team, but I was slow on the draw, and before I knew it the offense looked explosive. The defense got a 3 and out, and Shaheed struck again to give the Saints the lead.
Of course, that spurt kept me engaged and the Saints went on to win. The Falcons lost, and as we thought going into the year, the NFC South is one of the worst divisions in football. The Saints remaining schedule got even easier with the injury to Kirk Cousins, and “they have pulled me back in.”
I still think the defense is average. The defensive backs are above average. Demario Davis still has it (did you see him in pass coverage?). I just wish Peyton Turner or Marcus Davenport would have worked out. I wish Isaiah Foskey looked like a steal in the draft. Since none of those have worked out (at this point), the defensive line is good, but not anywhere near disruptive enough.
In reality, my hope coming into the year was that the offense would carry the team. That is where I have the dreaded hope that will likely crash and burn in a week. Miller, Williams, and Kamara at running back were great to see for the first time together in a game. A great balance of runners with slightly different skills. All three were used in a way that showed their skills, especially Kamara who caught option routes on the run with a chance to gain yards after the catch. You throw in Taysom as a runner and the Saints ground game is salty.
Shaheed is either going to continue to catch deep balls or he should open the middle of the field for Juwan Johnson, Michael Thomas, and Chris Olave. Of course, Olave can still be more effective.
I think one of the main triggers of this outburst was using Taysom Hill as a quarterback instead of a Wildcat running back. Just one pass downfield, one bootleg with the run/pass option and the defense is no longer just sitting on quarterback power.
Knowing my beloved Saints, there will be 3 season ending injuries, 3 turnovers, and another 12 penalties this week. I know it is coming, but I will also be watching.
Speaking of offense, can LSU outscore Alabama? I know this is the worst Alabama offense in
I cannot remember how long. While they might not be what we have come to expect, LSU’s secondary is anything but whole.
Coming into the season, the two deep included Zy Alexander, Duce Chestnut, Greg Brooks, and Denver Harris. None are available this weekend or in the near future. I fully expect more soft coverage trying to limit the big plays. While that might be the safe approach, I am hoping LSU finds ways to pressure Milroe without leaving large lanes for him to scramble.
The Alabama quarterback is most effective outside the pocket, though he wants to prove he is a passing quarterback, so he hangs in there and is reluctant to run. But when he does, look out. While they are very different quarterbacks, Milroe is the closest quarterback to KJ Jefferson that LSU has seen since. Arkansas has been so bad on offense they fired their offensive coordinator. LSU could not stop Arkansas. Most of the damage was because Jefferson constantly found ways to break the pocket. It might be against the grain, but rushing 5 or at least rushing 4 that are not always the expected 4 could be the best way to disrupt the Alabama offense.
Regardless of how the defense plays, this game will come down to the LSU offense against the Alabama defense. As much as Tiger fans love to focus on the quarterbacks in the last two Tiger wins over the Tide, the victories have been anchored by the ability to run the ball. In 2019, Burrow was amazing in the air, but when LSU had to have it, Edwards-Helaire gained 103 yards (5.2 per carry) and Burrow had 64 yards on 4.6 per carry.
Last year, Josh Williams had 54 yards on 7.7 per carry, Emery gained 26 yards on only 5 carries and Daniels averaged 5.3 per carry for 95 total yards. Diggs, Daniels, Williams, and the offensive line have to get that kind of production to convert third downs and stay out of 2nd and long situations.
The good news is that LSU’s offense is always good enough to keep them in the game. Hopefully the defense can scrape and claw for just long enough to allow the offense to get a lead and play with a lead. No lead will be safe. I think I would rather watch this game as a casual college football fan instead of a LSU fan. Oh well. Geaux Tigers, Beat Bama!
DENHAM SPRINGS HS FOOTBALL RADIO BROADCASTS ARE A JON FINE PRODUCTION ON FAMILY RADIO, 91.9 FM, BATON ROUGE and on the net at JonFineProductions.com.
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