September 13, 2024
THE WIZARDRY OF OS
I am very happy the Saints looked like the team I hoped they would be, but was never going to be bold enough to predict.
The Kubiak offense is clearly a much better fit for everyone. Carr is Purdy, Kamara is McCaffery, and Tayson is Deebo. The offensive line is not asked to do as much and is aided by play action ans other plays that move the quarterback or gets the ball out quickly.
The defense is very well coached and filled with guys that can execute a system. The defensive backfield is deep enough. Chase Young was a great pickup.
Shaheed is a big time threat in the return game and Grupe is settled in now that his rookie year is behind him.
The locker room is in a great place with Carr, Jordan, Matthieu, and Davis leading the charge. The joy this team had playing on Sunday was fun to watch.
As a Saints fan though, I remember the Saints dominated Green Bay in Jacksonville in 2021. The next week they couldn’t do anything right against Carolina, and the rest of the season revealed the Saints to be an average team. Reality might be closer to average for this team for the following reasons.
First, the offensive line is still scary. Penning is still constantly getting knocked off his feet, and the depth is not there (not that anyone in the league has depth on the offensive line).
Second, the Panthers are really bad. The rest of the schedule is filled with defensive lines that will get to Carr, and quarterbacks that will make plays. Penalties in the volume New Orleans had Sunday in the opener will keep the Saints from winning close games against these teams.
Okay, I did my duty to recognize reality. That won’t stop me from basking in the glow of a great opening season beat down for the rest of the week.
As for LSU, plan A was for LSU to be a team that would run the ball effectively with power and be efficient in the passing game in order to shorten the game and protect the defense. After two weeks we are onto plan B.
It is pretty clear that however LSU planned on having a power running game going into the year is probably not going to materialize. The good news is there are many ways to get the job done. LSU showed that against Nicholls State.
The jet motion with the quick touch forward from the quarterback counts as a pass, but it is a running play that does not show up in the stats. LSU needs to continue to use Aaron Anderson and Zavion Thomas in this role to get an outside run game. The action of these receivers going in motion helps slow down pursuit and can make it easier to create holes in the middle of the line. Jayden Daniels ‘ athleticism did that the past two years and now LSU can use these two to the same benefit.
The Tigers need to also explore creative formations and personnel groups in short yardage. Maybe a “wildcat” package with Ju’Juan Johnson or a power formation with Josh Williams and Kaleb Williams will help. My point is that LSU can still manufacture a power running game without a great run blocking offensive line. The line is certainly good enough, they just need some help.
The good news is the passing game can be very good. Nussmeier has all the tools and the offensive line is exceptional in protection. The receivers are quality and the efficiency looks to be there. What we have yet to see are the explosive plays, but that can come with time as well.
In summary, I am not going to overreact to the game against Nicholls State. Overall, it was not a good performance from the defense for the first half and the first drive of the second half. LSU showed the immaturity that many other college football teams showed in week two (Notre Dame, Oregon, Alabama).
The other aspect we need to consider is that USC might be the real deal. Miller Moss was impressive against LSU. USC’s performance this week was stunning as they followed an emotional win over LSU with a shutout win at home against Utah State. Based on the first two weeks of the year, USC should be favored in every game the rest of the way. Their toughest games should be at Michigan, home against Penn State, and home against Notre Dame. Three teams that looked terrible this week.
In short, USC is looking like a likely playoff team. Clearly, LSU did not turn in the type of performance that you hope to see in game two, but that has nothing to do with what will happen this week.
I fully expect LSU to look more like the team that played against USC when they play USCe. Since I was too chicken to predict the things that could go right for the Saints to look like a good team, I will take a shot at a couple things that could go right for LSU.
Getting Zy Alexander back could have a huge impact. The safety play has been poor, and maybe Sage Ryan can help there. It is clearly his better position. On defense, LSU has to find a way to put Perkins in a more aggressive role.
While the offense might now be what we thought it would be, it can still be excellent. I like the mix of skills players LSU has and they are young.
Remember Tiger fans, there is nothing wrong with a good, effective plan B.