Happy bye week, guys. This week worked out perfectly for me with a little less content because my five-month old was home all week with an ear infection and it's hard to get a whole lot accomplished when he's home and wanting to be held, but he's better and back at daycare now.
Y'all sent in some really good questions this week and did my best to answer all of them I think.
Would be interesting, for me, to find out more about the staff. If possible? Any snippets on their experience at LSU? Nothing that would not be intrusive on their personal life; but, how are they settling in. Are they happy to be here? What's it like behind the scenes, in Tigerland?
That would take a lot of digging and interview requests through LSU to give you really good answers on that, perhaps after the season it's a request I can make, but I'll tell you this: it feels like this group is enjoying the season more than the last few years and the players AND recruits love this group of coaches and staffers. It feels like they're setting themselves up to be together for a while.
What does this team need to improve on to beat Bama?
Limit special teams errors, start fast, continue playing Jayden Daniels like the previous two games and spy Harold Perkins on Bryce Young the entire game. Perkins literally might be the difference maker for me in this one if he can hit Young early and often.
Reports on Bech and Emery? Any word on Dellinger's return and what effect does this have on the O-Line regarding players moving position?
Jack Bech has been dealing with a strained back but will be back to face Alabama. John Emery on the other hand, well, he's day t- day, per Brian Kelly, with an Achilles issue. Major Burns should also be back for Bama. Garrett Dellinger still had a brace on his right knee dealing with an MCL injury during pregame of Ole Miss, but Kelly has said the expectation would be he'd be back for Bama. I think we'll know on Monday.
Has Julian Sayin set an announcement date?
The five-star quarterback has not set an exact date but it still feels like a decision will be coming soon with LSU and Bama battling it out. I still think LSU leads. Joe Sloan will be at his game tonight and then here's the other thing: Nick Saban and Alabama offered 2024 QB Walker White LAST night. What's that say? I could be putting in a FutureCast today or tomorrow.
Have the players talked about the difference in the nutrition and strength and conditioning programs?
A few have. The main difference I've gathered from hearing people talk or doing my own research is the way it's planned out and not wasted energy. I've heard a player describe it as less taxing on the body but still getting the same amount of work in. For example, you don't have to kill yourself doing XYZ exercise and risking injury when you can do an ABC exercise and get the same results. I think that way of thinking and planning, plus the way Kelly has them practicing has helped limit those injuries we saw last season. Whatever the strength and conditioning program is doing is working because LSU has looked great late in games and not gassed at all.
Either of the two RB commits plan to enroll early?
I'll find out. Don't have an answer on this just yet but will get back to y'all.
How is Maason Smith progressing from his injury? Will he be able to participate in spring practice?
From everyone that I've spoken to around Maason, all is good right now. He's in good spirits and on track and doesn't seem to be any complications. As far as spring ball, I still think it's too early to know exactly. That's going to be determined with his rehab process and how that goes. Spring ball will be right around the 6-month mark of the injury so there's a possibility but would really have to see how he does further into the rehabbing process.
Has Quency Wiggins been playing, I haven’t noticed?
His first game was against Mississippi State when he played special teams. He was coming back from a Lisfranc injury that week. He has logged one assisted tackle against New Mexico. I believe the plan is to redshirt him this season.
Did Kelly change the #7 tradition to being the best player from Louisiana???
I can't recall if he actually said it would strictly be for Louisiana's best player or not. I guess we'll find out next season when Boutte is in the NFL. Perhaps we should go ahead and give it to Harold Perkins now?
Y'all sent in some really good questions this week and did my best to answer all of them I think.
Would be interesting, for me, to find out more about the staff. If possible? Any snippets on their experience at LSU? Nothing that would not be intrusive on their personal life; but, how are they settling in. Are they happy to be here? What's it like behind the scenes, in Tigerland?
That would take a lot of digging and interview requests through LSU to give you really good answers on that, perhaps after the season it's a request I can make, but I'll tell you this: it feels like this group is enjoying the season more than the last few years and the players AND recruits love this group of coaches and staffers. It feels like they're setting themselves up to be together for a while.
What does this team need to improve on to beat Bama?
Limit special teams errors, start fast, continue playing Jayden Daniels like the previous two games and spy Harold Perkins on Bryce Young the entire game. Perkins literally might be the difference maker for me in this one if he can hit Young early and often.
Reports on Bech and Emery? Any word on Dellinger's return and what effect does this have on the O-Line regarding players moving position?
Jack Bech has been dealing with a strained back but will be back to face Alabama. John Emery on the other hand, well, he's day t- day, per Brian Kelly, with an Achilles issue. Major Burns should also be back for Bama. Garrett Dellinger still had a brace on his right knee dealing with an MCL injury during pregame of Ole Miss, but Kelly has said the expectation would be he'd be back for Bama. I think we'll know on Monday.
Has Julian Sayin set an announcement date?
The five-star quarterback has not set an exact date but it still feels like a decision will be coming soon with LSU and Bama battling it out. I still think LSU leads. Joe Sloan will be at his game tonight and then here's the other thing: Nick Saban and Alabama offered 2024 QB Walker White LAST night. What's that say? I could be putting in a FutureCast today or tomorrow.
Have the players talked about the difference in the nutrition and strength and conditioning programs?
A few have. The main difference I've gathered from hearing people talk or doing my own research is the way it's planned out and not wasted energy. I've heard a player describe it as less taxing on the body but still getting the same amount of work in. For example, you don't have to kill yourself doing XYZ exercise and risking injury when you can do an ABC exercise and get the same results. I think that way of thinking and planning, plus the way Kelly has them practicing has helped limit those injuries we saw last season. Whatever the strength and conditioning program is doing is working because LSU has looked great late in games and not gassed at all.
Either of the two RB commits plan to enroll early?
I'll find out. Don't have an answer on this just yet but will get back to y'all.
How is Maason Smith progressing from his injury? Will he be able to participate in spring practice?
From everyone that I've spoken to around Maason, all is good right now. He's in good spirits and on track and doesn't seem to be any complications. As far as spring ball, I still think it's too early to know exactly. That's going to be determined with his rehab process and how that goes. Spring ball will be right around the 6-month mark of the injury so there's a possibility but would really have to see how he does further into the rehabbing process.
Has Quency Wiggins been playing, I haven’t noticed?
His first game was against Mississippi State when he played special teams. He was coming back from a Lisfranc injury that week. He has logged one assisted tackle against New Mexico. I believe the plan is to redshirt him this season.
Did Kelly change the #7 tradition to being the best player from Louisiana???
I can't recall if he actually said it would strictly be for Louisiana's best player or not. I guess we'll find out next season when Boutte is in the NFL. Perhaps we should go ahead and give it to Harold Perkins now?
