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Chat Reel: Randy Rosetta -- Nov. 16
Advocate sportswriter Randy Rosetta participated in a live chat Monday. Here's a transcript:
Kevin (Baton Rouge): Randy, Being around the team as much as I imagine you are, what is you feeling about their maturity? Does this group have good leadership? Better than last years team who collapsed after the Alabama loss? It just does not seem like we have a lot of leadership this year.
RR: Kevin --
I think there's better leadership than last season and much better chemistry. The leadership took a hit with Charles Scott going down, but I think there's not as much playing for stats and NFL Draft status with this group as there was last season.
Kevin (Baton Rouge): Randy, Being around the team as much as I imagine you are, what is you feeling about their maturity? Does this group have good leadership? Better than last years team who collapsed after the Alabama loss? It just does not seem like we have a lot of leadership this year.
Ben (Baton Rouge): Randy, do you think LSU will ever play to its potential again under Les? The teams these past 2 years have not been fun to watch (painful at times), especially knowing the athletic potential of our players. It seems like the coaches always say "We're so close" or "we can play better" but then they don't. For example Keiland Williams only got 15 carries and was obviously dominating and then after the game Les says "we couldn't get him the ball enough." I've backed Les, but I truly don't understand a lot of the coaching strategy the past 2 years and it's frustrating to see our $4million man get outcoached by Derek Dooley
RR: Ben --
I think there was plenty of potential met in 2007, so to answer your question, it's already happened. The last two years have been transitional years, no doubt, in large part because of the precarious situation at quarterback. I hate the fact that QBs get so much credit and too much blame, but it applies here because the situation was designed for Ryan Perrilloux to be the figure head of Gary Crowton's offense for two seasons.
I'm always careful about throwing the word potential around because I'm not a huge recruitnik. I heard Doug Moreau give the best explanation of recruiting I've ver heard Friday morning on the radio. Basically he said the five-star and four-star and three-star labesl applied are based as much on what a player has done as potential and sometimes those two things don't always mesh. Sometimes a five-star player peaks in high school and is never as good when he gets to college and sometimes a two- or three-star player blossoms and winds up being a star.
As for when the coaches say 'we're so close' or 'we can play better,' what else would you want them to say? John Brady had a habit for speaking his mind and being honest about players and their potential and usually got lambasted for it.
Scott (Decatur, Ala.): randy, does the media have access to any coaches other than miles after the games? was just wondering if crowton has been made available and if so what has been the attitude/feel from both sides (media/crowton). Thanks
RR: Scott --
We do at times, especially if it's a day game and there's not such a big rush -- for them and us -- to get home. The last time I spoke to Crowton was after the Georgia game. He tends to be pretty elusive during the week. Chavis is the exact opposite, very each to get in touch with and willing to talk no matter what's happened the week before. Take that for what it's worth.
I will follow that up by saying Crowton seems like a very good guy who doesn't hide from speaking his feelings when you can get to him.
Patrick (Northern Virginia): Randy, it's not the boos for Jarrett Lee but in the play calling. We were running the ball, but pass routes kept being called. Miles said he couldn't give the ball enough to Williams. Why couldn't he - just stop passing the ball and give another to Williams, Shepard, etc. Right?
RR: Patrick --
I think the boos were a mixture -- some at Lee some at playcalling and some at the offense just not clicking.
Contrary to popular belief, Gary Crowton calls the plays and, with very few execptions, Les Miles doesn't over rule him. They might discuss the direction at halftime and during the week, but Miles ha sa very strong reputation as a coach who lets his assistants coach.
You could argue the other night was a game when he should've stepped in and put his foot down. But he said today there was some commitment to seeing what Lee could do.
On that point, I go back to my first answer and say there were opportunities to do so earlier this season.
Herb (Vancouver, Wash.): Randy: Look at the facts. Ole Miss 42 Tennessee 17 LSU 24 La Tech 16 La Tech 23 first downs LSU 15 LSU only 2 of 9 third down conversions Time of possession La Tech 36 LSU 23 Is there any possibility that the Tigers can avoid a thorough butting whipping? We are looking at a Gaynell Tinsley team from the early 50's.
RR: Herb --
First, comparative scores are worth less than what you pay for the Advocate these days, especially since the price got bumped to 75 cents.
Of course there is a way to avoid a whipping, and that's if LSU comes out and plays like it did against Auburn and most of the day against Alabama -- especially on defense. Keep in mind, Ole Miss has yet to play back-to-back good games this season. They have been as erratic as LSU.
And I'll repeat these numbers again: LSU is 8-2 right now, Les Miles is 50-13 in five seasons, if this team wins its last two it will be the fourth time in five years the Tigers win 10 or more games and he had led the team to four straight convincing bowl victories. In short, just because the sky might've seemed a little gray the other night doesn't mean it's falling.
Jeremy (Ruston): Randy, I know Miles isn't going to give a straight answer but, is Jefferson going to be ready Saturday vs Ole Miss?
RR: Jeremy --
I think degrees of ready come into play.
My thinking is Jordan Jefferson needs to play, period, whether he's 100 per cent or not. Both because he's LSU best quarterback and because he needs to show his teammates and coaches he's tough enough to play hurt.
Jonathan (Baton Rouge): Randy, How are we not able to have a quarterback prepared enough to 'convincingly' beat La Tech? I'm not bashing Lee. I'm more concerned with our coaching. Where do you place the blame? Miles? Crowton?...both?
RR: Jonathan --
I think Lee was prepared scheme-wise and fundamentally/mechanically. And he knows the offense as well as any of the quarterbacks on the roster.
I think his confidence was so shattered by what happened last season that it's at the point where it won't recover here. I think Lee would be best served by a change of scenery in a program where he fits better and doesn't have the baggage he has here.
As for blame, Gary Crowton is his position coach and the one who spends more time with him than anyone else. Logically, he should have a very good feel for what Lee is or isn't capable of, and thus what plays and scheme he would've felt best with. So if there's any blame needed to be directed, it should be in Crowton's direction.
There is also some fault in not getting Lee into earlier games this season to A. Get his feet wet this season; and B. Give the LSU coaches an idea of what they could expect from Lee.
Larry (Plano, Texas): We have great recruiting classes... Why can't we get a great QB??
RR: There was one on campus until May of 2008 who was supposed to be the two-year starter. Because of Ryan Perrilloux's presence, some recruits were scared off and when Jimbo Fisher was here, he preferred to not have QBs stacked up on the bench. This staff has fixed that, but there is still a void because of Perrilloux.
That's all for today. We'll try to do a bonus chat Friday as Gary Laney, Scott Hotard, Scott Rabalais and I make our way to Memphis for the game. Check back for details.
