1. First off, coudn't be happier for to have Les Miles represent this school. NOBODY, and I repeat NOBODY could have or would have handled that situation with the class and dignity that he handled it with. Can't imagine being in his shoes and having his children and family surrounded by that everyday and being able to walk through it with that sort of class. Les Miles is a winner and the best MAN in college football, period.
2. The LSU athletic department had their obvious hiccups through this, and yes it is a shame, but ESPN has proven once again how sad and pathetic they are. They have created yet another HUGE distraction for our football team by creating and spreading rumors about Les Miles that have been proven to be false. ESPN is scared to see how powerful LSU can be if they fulfill their potential, and I firmly believe that.
3. This love from the fans tonight was much needed and much deserved. This honeymoon will be nice, but make no mistake about it, Les Miles has a TON of work to do if he is going to save his job through the length of his current contract. 3rd or 4th place in the west, with losses to Bama and Arkansas every year, and a putrid offense for yet another season is not acceptable at $4 million a year.
4. LSU better capitalize on this momentum in recruiting very quickly. All the attention and momentum is on us now, but it will fade very quickly when all eyes turn to the college football playoff that we will not be participating in.
5. If Miles keeps Bradley Dale Peveto on staff, he obviously does care about getting fired during or after next season. He's been terrible in every role we've given him (sans his recruiting efforts in the state of Georgia) and somehow still has a job. Miles must cut that weight.
6. A new OC will not help this offense long term and anyone who believes it will has not been paying attention. HOWEVER, in seasons where we've had first year OCs under Miles, our offense has been very good. 2007 was Crowton's first year, we had a great offense. 2011 was Stud's first year, we had a very productive (not great, but productive) offense, and in 2013 in Cameron's first year we had the best offense we've ever had. Bring in a new OC next year with an experienced Harris, the best RB duo in the nation and some athletic receivers and a good returning OL and we can put together an offense capable of winning the SEC. It will go to shit the very next year, but next year is our window.
7. The lack of DL depth and SEC caliber linebackers on this team is alarming. Chavis takes a lot of that blame, but its time for Steele and Orgeron to make use of their reputation as recruiters and get some players in that front 7 who can play at this level.
8. If you've given up on Brandon Harris, you are insane. He's had his rough moments, but at the very least he's shown an ability at times to make some big league throws and has the best arm we've seen here since Jamarcus Russell. Keep faith in #6, he's going to be a stud.
9. If we keep the pitch dive play in our offense, we will never get to where we need to be. There is nothing you have to respect on that play when it comes to play action. As a linebacker and safety, you see the play and you attack with no sense of retribution. Notice how many people meet Fournette at the line of scrimmage everytime we run that play. There's a reason for that. File this under the same theme as Peveto: If Miles insists on keeping it, he insists on having his job security come into question.
10. If you think Miles will "run this program into the ground" you are a fool. He's too good of a recruiter and motivator to ever be a loser. However, with only ONE top 5 finish in the final polls over the last 8 seasons (2011), you have to question whether he's a champion. You've been given a second chance Les Miles, and as Tom Hanks character in Saving Private Ryan says...."EARN THIS!"
2. The LSU athletic department had their obvious hiccups through this, and yes it is a shame, but ESPN has proven once again how sad and pathetic they are. They have created yet another HUGE distraction for our football team by creating and spreading rumors about Les Miles that have been proven to be false. ESPN is scared to see how powerful LSU can be if they fulfill their potential, and I firmly believe that.
3. This love from the fans tonight was much needed and much deserved. This honeymoon will be nice, but make no mistake about it, Les Miles has a TON of work to do if he is going to save his job through the length of his current contract. 3rd or 4th place in the west, with losses to Bama and Arkansas every year, and a putrid offense for yet another season is not acceptable at $4 million a year.
4. LSU better capitalize on this momentum in recruiting very quickly. All the attention and momentum is on us now, but it will fade very quickly when all eyes turn to the college football playoff that we will not be participating in.
5. If Miles keeps Bradley Dale Peveto on staff, he obviously does care about getting fired during or after next season. He's been terrible in every role we've given him (sans his recruiting efforts in the state of Georgia) and somehow still has a job. Miles must cut that weight.
6. A new OC will not help this offense long term and anyone who believes it will has not been paying attention. HOWEVER, in seasons where we've had first year OCs under Miles, our offense has been very good. 2007 was Crowton's first year, we had a great offense. 2011 was Stud's first year, we had a very productive (not great, but productive) offense, and in 2013 in Cameron's first year we had the best offense we've ever had. Bring in a new OC next year with an experienced Harris, the best RB duo in the nation and some athletic receivers and a good returning OL and we can put together an offense capable of winning the SEC. It will go to shit the very next year, but next year is our window.
7. The lack of DL depth and SEC caliber linebackers on this team is alarming. Chavis takes a lot of that blame, but its time for Steele and Orgeron to make use of their reputation as recruiters and get some players in that front 7 who can play at this level.
8. If you've given up on Brandon Harris, you are insane. He's had his rough moments, but at the very least he's shown an ability at times to make some big league throws and has the best arm we've seen here since Jamarcus Russell. Keep faith in #6, he's going to be a stud.
9. If we keep the pitch dive play in our offense, we will never get to where we need to be. There is nothing you have to respect on that play when it comes to play action. As a linebacker and safety, you see the play and you attack with no sense of retribution. Notice how many people meet Fournette at the line of scrimmage everytime we run that play. There's a reason for that. File this under the same theme as Peveto: If Miles insists on keeping it, he insists on having his job security come into question.
10. If you think Miles will "run this program into the ground" you are a fool. He's too good of a recruiter and motivator to ever be a loser. However, with only ONE top 5 finish in the final polls over the last 8 seasons (2011), you have to question whether he's a champion. You've been given a second chance Les Miles, and as Tom Hanks character in Saving Private Ryan says...."EARN THIS!"
