Football season shows early signs of innovative tactics
With all apologies to the Grateful Dead – “but what a short, strange trip it’s been” – so far. In the first few weeks of the 2013 football season, we’ve already seen some strange, crazy and even spectacular things emerge.
It didn’t take the LSU Fighting Tigers long to display its new aerial assault offense. New offensive coordinator Cam Cameron has certainly had a profound impact on the Tigers’ offense and in particular quarterback Zach Mettenberger. After helping lead LSU to season opening victory over the TCU Horned Frogs, the senior quarterback set a school-record with five TDs two weeks ago versus UAB, and at the time he’d connected on 32-of-51 passes for 533 yards and an Southeastern Conferencebest six scores in two games. Just watching Mettenberger throw the football you can see how much he’s improved under Cameron’s tutelage.
Mettenberger’s improved passing has helped receiver/returner Odell Beckham Jr. emerge as one of the nation’s best. After the UAB game, Beckham led the nation in all-purpose yards with 603, which is an average of 251.5 per game. His 331 all-purpose yards against UAB ranked third in school history and eighth in SEC history. Beckham’s 109-yard (officially 100) touchdown return of a missed field goal was one of those sports feats rarely ever seen. I’ve seen it done before both in the National Football League and in the Canadian Football League but can’t remember ever seeing one in the college ranks. And, if you were like me and watching the game on ESPN U, you got an incredible perspective of the return from the end zone camera.
The emergence of the LSU aerial attack has left some, including yours truly, somewhat concerned about the lack of the Tigers’ traditional power rushing game under head coach Les Miles. Alfred Blue has shown glimpses of his ability prior to a season-ending knee injury in 2012. Terrence Magee had a showcase game in the win over TCU but was relatively quiet against UAB. Controversial running back Jeremy Hill got his first carry of the season against UAB, and it went for a touchdown. Hill has all the tools to be a stellar back in the SEC but has to get back into “football shape” if he’s going to regain his starting spot. Kenny Hilliard looked good in a backup role versus the Blazers. LSU and Cameron will need to find a good balance of run and pass if the Tigers are going to contend for the SEC title and national championship.
With the success of the LSU offense it has taken some of the onus off the young Tiger defense. Despite seemingly losing its entire defense to the NFL, the Tiger defense appears to be getting better and better with each game. I believe even the harshest critics of defensive coordinator John Chavis would agree he’s done an incredible job with his defensive unit particularly after losing so many talented players.
My brother Phil compiled a list for me of players who should still be playing at LSU had they chosen to stay in Baton Rouge. Could you imagine how stout the Tiger’s defense would be with this list of starters and backups?
LE – Barkevious Mingo, SR; Jemauria Rasco, JR LT – Michael Brockers, SR; Anthony Johnson, JR RT – Bennie Logan, SR; Ego Ferguson, JR RE – Sam Montgomery SR; Jordan Allen, JR SLB – Tahj Jones, SR; Kwon Alexander, SO MLB – Kevin Minter, SR; Lamar Louis, SO WLB – Lamin Barrow, SR; Deon Jones, SO LCB – Tyrann Mathieu, SR; Jalen Mills, SO SS – Craig Loston, SR; Micah Eugene, JR FS – Eric Reid, SR; Ronald Martin, JR RCB – Tharold Simon SR; Jalen Collins, SO That’s a pretty impressive lineup, one I’m sure any defensive coordinator would love to have.
The waving wheat probably doesn’t smell so sweet these days in Stillwater, Okla., and not likely in Baton Rouge for that matter. Sports Illustrated released an in-depth, fivepart series titled “The Dirty Game,” which details alleged major improprieties that occurred in the Oklahoma State University football program from 2001-11. That period of time includes the four years Miles was the head coach of the Cowboys (2001-04). Much of the allegations of improprieties surround assistant coach Joe DeForest, who was the special teams and secondary coach under Miles, then associate head coach under current OSU coach Mike Gundy. DeForest is now on Dana Holgorsen’s staff at West Virginia.
Who knows what the fallout will be from this scandalous report, but I’m sure it has to be very disconcerting for Miles and the LSU Athletics Department. Miles and LSU were penalized by the NCAA for violations that occurred with assistant coach D.J. McCarthy and his recruitment of defensive tackle Akiem Hicks. If Miles is implicated by the NCAA in some past improprieties at OSU, the situation could turn very ugly, quickly.
Look what happened at Ohio State with former coach Jim Tressel, who led the Buckeyes to the 2002 BCS National Championship and compiled an 81 percent winning percentage in Columbus. After winning four Division I-AA National Championships at Youngstown State, Tressel got into some trouble with the NCAA after a player admitted receiving improper benefits. He would again run into issues with the NCAA over improper benefits while at Ohio State and eventually was forced to resign.
And to think it’s only the first few weeks of the season!
Charlie Cavell may be reached at ccavell12@hotmail.com.
