NFP: LSU primed fopr air show with Mettenberger?

[tenordas]

Is LSU primed for an air show with Mettenberger? | National Football Post

by Dave Miller

Mettenberger gave those in attendance at Tiger Stadium a glimpse of what the offense could look like in the fall — one distinctly different than the versions led by Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee the last few seasons.

Beginning to get giddy in anticipation...

[St.Fury]

I'm not expecting an "air show" simply on the basis that Miles likes to ground it out. However, I do expect us to be more balance and efficient in both aspects of the offense. I also expect our offense to be able to rely on either the run OR the pass game if the situation calls for us to do so.

[jbourque]

Now that we no longer have the Jefferson handcuffs (no pun intended) I hope we can open this offense up. A balanced attack is just what the doctor ordered......it's time to get away from the predictable.

[coldseat]

My head would probably explode with excitement if I see a competent passing attack out of LSU come the fall.

[Trey W.]

What's really going to kill opposing defenses is if Mett is good at Play Action. With our deep backfield, in the second and third quarter with those defenses keying on the run game, Mett fakes the ball turns and lauches one to Beckham for a 60+ yard TD, a thing of beauty.

[THENZA]

I'll believe it when I see it.
Seems like forever ago we had Jamarcus Russell throwing passes for LSU.
Since then, it's been whatever running back has been on the team longest gets the ball.

I want to believe we'll get rid of that awful 10 yard-deep pitch run we have, or maybe even stop trying the option with unathletic quarterbacks. I really do.

Les is gonna have to prove it to most of us, though.

[peresich]

Originally Posted by THENZA

I want to believe we'll get rid of that awful 10 yard-deep pitch run we have, or maybe even stop trying the option with unathletic quarterbacks. I really do.

I'll agree with you on the option for the most part. It was a decent decoy at times, but it has never been a consistent play for LSU. However, that deep pitch run that you are moaning about has been one of the most consistent plays that LSU has run for the last few years. It might not look normal, but our RBs run it well and our line blocks it well.

[socbe7]

A balanced offense means a National Championship. Plain and simple. If we would've actually prepared for Alabama and installed a game plan that they've never seen before, we would've won last year too. LSU will never be a "passing team" under Miles. All we can hope for is more balance, and that's not even 50-50. Even 55-45 will do.

Beckham Jr. is going to be the first receiver taken in the 2014 draft. He's so fluid. The position comes natural to him.

[Trey W.]

Originally Posted by peresich

I'll agree with you on the option for the most part. It was a decent decoy at times, but it has never been a consistent play for LSU. However, that deep pitch run that you are moaning about has been one of the most consistent plays that LSU has run for the last few years. It might not look normal, but our RBs run it well and our line blocks it well.

I agree, the pitch run was LSU's best running play last year and I don't think we used it against Bama in the NC game. Ware was awesome at this play with his power and vision. I was always waiting for a fake toss to the RB and a deep bomb but it never came.

[VVextreme]

Originally Posted by tenordas

Is LSU primed for an air show with Mettenberger? | National Football Post

by Dave Miller



Beginning to get giddy in anticipation...

Best to expect the run and pray for the pass with Les Miles. Fact of the matter is that he's not nearly the gambler people portray him to be. Running the ball for a few yards is simply less risky regardless of whom your QB happens to be. You burn more clock this way, reduce turn-overs and are assured of almost never getting blown out at worst. It's not a brilliant strategy, but it works as long as you have superior athletes.

But when it comes time to play teams with equal/greater talent, you're pretty much hosed as you never really practiced the more advanced aspects of football since you spent the entire time playing it safe.

Yes, Les Miles will get you wins... but you're probably not going to enjoy watching a lot of them and will run into issues the few times a year you run into an equally talented team.

[GoldRush26]

Originally Posted by THENZA

I'll believe it when I see it.
Seems like forever ago we had Jamarcus Russell throwing passes for LSU.
Since then, it's been whatever running back has been on the team longest gets the ball.

I want to believe we'll get rid of that awful 10 yard-deep pitch run we have, or maybe even stop trying the option with unathletic quarterbacks. I really do.

Les is gonna have to prove it to most of us, though.

What was awful about that isolation pitch? It was the most successful play we had this year and they consistently gained yardage from it.

[THENZA]

Yikes, I'm taking a lot of heat for that pitch comment.

When Ford ran it to the outside, it was a good play.
Ware up the middle consistently went for about 1.5 yards a carry.

Maybe that had to do with Ware's drop in production in the second half of the season. I don't know. Maybe my last memory of it is Alabama destroying Ware at the line of scrimmage.

[Maxp]

Whatever LSU's strengths on offense may be next season, I am sure Miles will under utilize them. Sucks for you guys.

[VVextreme]

Originally Posted by Maxp

Whatever LSU's strengths on offense may be next season, I am sure Miles will under utilize them. Sucks for you guys.

But yet, he'll still beat you by 3 touchdowns. Sucks for you guys.

[MLU]

Originally Posted by Maxp

Whatever LSU's strengths on offense may be next season, I am sure Miles will under utilize them. Sucks for you guys.

LSU's strengths last season were a deep stable of runningbacks running behind an experienced O-Line. Seems like he utilized their strengths pretty well to me.