Getty ImagesGiven the way LSU came out and, uh, “performed” in the BCS championship game, one would figure any talk coming out of the Tigers camp about that 21-0 shutout loss to Alabama on Jan. 9 would be pretty much kept to a minimum, especially now that some time has passed.
Les Miles took his heat for being thoroughly out-coached and inadequately prepared, but then it’s time to move on.
Almost.
Appearing on Atlanta radio station WCNN, LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson reflected on the BCS championship loss and exactly what went wrong for the then-No. 1 team in the country. The interview, which you can read HERE, is filled with pretty standard answers — “Alabama was more prepared”, “we didn’t win all three sides of the ball” and so on — but Jefferson did say he felt unsure about the game plan Miles and Co. drew up. Below is the excerpt:
“When we came in at halftime we discussed what we needed to do different as far as moving the ball and getting in a rhythm,” he told the radio station. “… You have to have certain plays for these certain types of defenses they were running. We talked about making the adjustment and the adjustment that we made wasn’t the adjustment that we needed to make to get the momentum and the rhythm going.”
Jefferson wanted to “put the ball in different passing areas, use our talent on the receiving side.”
“… We have great guys in those areas and sometimes we just wonder why we don’t use those guys,” he said on WCNN. “But we’re not the one calling the plays. We still have to go out and execute what the coaches and coordinators are calling. We can’t complain as players, but sometimes we do question that.
“It’s a learning situation for us, a learning situation for the LSU football team and I definitely expect to see us back in the championship next year.”
You could go on with a list of things that went wrong for LSU that night with Jefferson probably being at or near the top. The senior played perhaps the worst game of his career, throwing for just 53 yards — and his best completion came on a “what was he thinking?” shovel pass that landed right in the arms of Alabama’s C.J. Mosley for an interception. Jefferson looked lost the entire game.
And Jarrett Lee, who had led the Tigers throughout much of the season, didn’t even get a sniff at relieving Jefferson of his duties.
Whatever the game plan the Tigers had, it was poorly executed from top to bottom, coach to player.
In that regard, there’s some truth to what Jefferson said; it doesn’t really matter if honesty was his intent, or if it was just sour grapes. But Jefferon’s words will carry far more weight when he starts being a consistent playmaker on the field and a better decision-maker off of it.
Amazin simply amazin is what’s comin out of his mouth. With all of his dirty deeds and tomfoolery he’s goin to voice his opinion. All I can say is damn. The JJ I remember used to be more reserved when it came to airin dirty laundry, doin what he needed to in gettin things done, and all th while rememberin what it took to beat his opponent if we were lucky the previous year. But to hear him say what he is now is rather disturbin in certain respects, while granted he’s right on others. Maybe IF he is drafted by some Pro Team they’ll be able to work with him a bit more. Thanks for the good memories you gave us JJ when it was good.
suprmous says:
Feb 10, 2012 9:31 PM
Maybe IF he is drafted by some Pro Team they’ll be able to work with him a bit more. Thanks for the good memories you gave us JJ when it was good.
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You think he will be drafted as a QB?
Whether college or pro, I’m not wild about guys on my teams giving interviews. Seems like they always wind up saying something regrettable. If Jefferson were a $100 million veteran NFL QB, it might be okay for him to disagree with a coach’s call … though that’s better done in private. But it’s never okay for a wet-behind-the-ears kid to be throwing his coaches under the bus. It’s especially not appropriate when that kid caused his coaches so many off-season headaches. Miles gave him a second chance when many coaches wouldn’t have; he should keep that in mind.
Jefferson’s out of the LSU program now and hoping for some kind of NFL career. His time would be better spent trying to convince pro coaches and scouts he’d be an asset to their team. This isn’t the way to do that.
I believe I’ll just continue to root for my small-time alma mater in small-time football rather than follow some big-time jackass playing big-time football.
cometkazie: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Can’t conceive that a pro-team which has to spend money would spend money to get him as QB. Don’t wish to go into details, but…nooooooooooo!
suprmous: You said it well when Coach Miles spoke forth some things to a group of LSU fans which were very ill advised about Kiel who did not telephone or communicate with Miles and staff before he switched his committment to ND. Even more so JJ should have kept his mouth shut as well. Nothing was accomplished by him saying what he said.
All LSU’s offense coaches and staff should get jobs elsewhere and Miles should have to pick an entire new offensive staff. Thank God JJ is not going to be the LSU QB this upcoming season. The NCG cost Miles almost $1 Mil a year for the next 5 years for a total of almost $5 Mil. Poor preparation and coaching will cost most of the time, this time greatly, in more than one way. A real falloff in recruiting this year from previous years, but still filled the positions needed. Spring is coming and we will see a new QB and hopefully new offensive plan.
southernpatriots says:
Feb 10, 2012 9:55 PM
cometkazie: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Can’t conceive that a pro-team which has to spend money would spend money to get him as QB. Don’t wish to go into details, but…nooooooooooo!
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Exactly!
In so many ways.
Great article about this today in Shreveport times.
http://m.shreveporttimes.com/sports/article?a=2012120210017&f=763
Deb& So. Pats good to see you back. And thumbs up to both.
For someone who is being accused of sour grapes and hard feelings he expressed himself very politely. I actually like him a bit better now. It is easy to say the wrong plays were called, lsu failed to cross mid field until late in the fourth quarter, but he admitted that execution of the called plays was a big reason. Yes he believed wrong plays were called. Yes he says the plays that were called were not executed. I can see why they did not score. In his own words it was a learning experience. That is a very positive attitude to carry forward and catapult a team to the next level.
southernpatriots, I’ve tried my damnest to be as fair as I can and as nice as I can, considerin how some would love to have me strung up to dry. I see things and I call my shots from what I see. The fact that I know more (at times) eats a way at me and I know in my heart that it’s wrong but it wouldn’t do to bring it out into the open for more warfare. But granted mistakes have been made by me and God only knows how I’ve tried to correct em along the way only to be kept humiliated at times. Strange enuff, I’ve become more thickskinned over time and all I can say is I’m dealin with things the best I can. I just pray that the venom that spews hatred can heal over time. Life’s too damned short to stress out.
I still think that something happened before that game that got the entire team upset. As Gary Danielson pointed out on the Paul Finebaum Show a few weeks ago, LSU normally comes out for a game jumping around and all excited. When they came out for the BCS National Championship Game, though, they were standing around on the sidelines and showing no emotions at all. There has been talk of a confrontation between a few of the players and the coaches just before the team came out of the tunnel, but nothing concrete has been presented yet. Eventually, though, someone will spill the beans about what happened.
As for Jefferson’s contention about the game plan, LSU has relied on the big play all year. Most of their games last year were close or saw LSU behind for most or all of the first half, then it would be a huge play by the defense or special teams that would spark a whirlwind run by the Tigers and a 30-point lead before anyone knew what was happening. They never could get that one play against ‘Bama in either game, though they came close in the BCSNCG, and Jefferson was the one who missed on it. Early in the 3rd quarter, his receiver had split two Tide defenders at midfield and had clear sailing to the end zone, which would have made the score 12-7 at the time. Jefferson’s pass was off, though, being thrown behind his target (though it was still catchable). It’s quite possible that, had Jefferson been accurate, the play would have been the game-changer that LSU was looking for. So, Jefferson can look at himself when it comes to why LSU played as poorly on offense as they did.
I loves these folks that think putting in Lee would have made a difference. Really? Both of those QB’s(Lee and Jefferson) are garbage. Blame Les Miles for not recruiting better QB’s. He should have gotten Russell Wilson.
First, I watched every embarrassing moment of my Tigers fiasco that night and absolutely cannot figure out the game plan or why it was not adjusted. However, I also saw the “deer in the headlights” look on Jefferson’s face just like the “bad ole days” with the Crowton offense. Personally, unlike southernpatriots, I think the offensive staff did a good job with what they had to work with this year at quarterback and the strength of the running game.
I thought Miles, whom I support, did an awful job with this game. I don’t know that Lee would have done anything but I don’t believe he could have done much worse than Jefferson and deserved a chance.
The team looked uninspired for the most part. Some offensive linemen appeared to make little effort to block.
I heard from one junior student that some of the players didn’t really seem interested in the game in the time leading up to it, but that is a little hard to fathom.
Finally, all Jefferson has to offer the NFL as a QB is size and a strong arm; he has always struggled to read defenses, make progressions, and make the best choices. Also, there are a few scary similarities to one Jamarcus Russell. Tight end maybe if he can run routes, catch the ball, and learn to block. Probably 6th or 7th round choice or undrafted free agent if he is interested in tight end.
He said what most of us were probably thinking, and did so in a pretty gentle manner, but I would’ve had a big problem with this if the guy were still a member of the program–or if he wanted to remain closely linked with his alma mater.
I don’t think Les Miles is nearly the coach he’s made out to be, and called him an underwhelming hire when LSU signed him away from OSU, but the fact is his teams keep popping up as major contenders most years. Hard to argue with that kind of success, although I generally think the guy is a bad gameday coach.
The problem I had was how Jefferson threw a mini temper tantrum after every bad play. Which there were a lot of…
Title that linked to this article was “Jefferson rips….”
This kind of sensationalism is ridiculous. The guy made some pretty mellow and honest comments about players–coaches not being on the same page.
I think Les Miles’ luck ran out at the NCG. I also agree with the comment above that he is not as great a coach as he thought he was. LSU was TOTALLY dominated during the game and they didn’t even look like they should have been in a bowl game muchless the NCG. I also think Bama was clearly the best team in 2011 and they totally deserved the NC. It will be interesting to see what LSU does in the fall. I think they will lose at least two games and one of those will be another loss to Alabama.
@dcroz …
I don’t know anything about a confrontation in LSU’s locker room or any gossip of that nature. And I honestly wasn’t paying attention to their pregame routine.
But …
I was riveted to the screen for SBLV when my Steelers played the Packers. The Pack ran out bursting with energy. When the Steelers ran out, they were flat. I could feel the lack of energy through the screen.
Players feed off each other and I knew immediately we were in trouble. Although they picked up the pace somewhat in the second half, they never fully inflated. Nothing happened in the locker room–no pregame confrontations or anything. They were well-prepped for the game. They were just flat. It happens sometimes, especially after a bye. Maybe LSU was just flat. And like the Steelers against the Broncos this year, they also weren’t prepped for Bama’s game plan.
I knew there was trouble when he dropped the first snap of the game and started yelling at the center. I’d never seen that before. I could tell at that point that Jefferson was scared to death to be out there. NFL? No chance.
If Mr. Jefferson would go watch “The Wizard of Oz” then he might figure out why Coach Miles didn’t allow him to change the plays at the line of scrimmage.
Wow. I won’t even bother talking about how bad Jefferson was throughout his career and how glad I am that he’s gone. Others can do that. But how about this: Les Miles spent the last 3 and a half years sticking his neck out for JJ. Miles was criticized every which way for leaving JJ in, for sticking with him when he didn’t play well and for putting him back in after getting in fights off the field. The one man who had your back and gave you every opportunity was Les. And now you turn around and stab him in the back with the biggest sword you can. What a piece of s**t.
neovenator250: You succinctly put it in a nutshell. Great post! Thumbs up!
southernpatriots: Glad to have ya’ll back from Appalachia, ya’ll are back, right? Agree your post, as I usually do. With LSU’s offense ranked 100th last year and 60th this year, then last in practically every offensive category in the NCG, why should most of the offensive staff and coaches stay? They ought to be embarassed and leave for somewhere else, anywhere else that would have them.
I join with the many LSU posters on CFT and with all those LSU fans I know, and I am very thankful that JJ will be unable to return this upcoming season. At least we have some hope of having a pro-style QB, and taller and stronger set, quick release in Zack Mettenberger, 6-foot-5, 222-pounder. I hope we will get to see a much better offense this year. Maybe they can improve on the 60th ranked.
dcroz, you’ll never know how right you are with the first sentence of your latest post. There indeed something amiss but it’s best to let that dawg lie in peace rather than have all hell break loose. Coach was rattled as well and it showed, against everything he tried to do to hide his feelings. It hasn’t been easy being a fan lately if you’re a die in wool LSU fan and many are dealing with it in different ways. gatorsnapper, I can only hope that Zack lives up to his reputation and he shows everybody what he’s made of, i.e. the grit and determination of a leader. Here’s to a clean slate and a good season.
@alligatorsnapper – I think improving from 100th to 60th was pretty good for new offensive coaching leadership, coach Kragthorpe’s unexpected health problems, and having to work with Crowton’s leftovers. Look at Lee’s improvement and even JJ improved until lapsing back into his old ways at the NCG.
I agree and hope that with Zach M they can improved. Hopefully Les has learned that there is more to the QB position than a strong arm and big body – and, hopefully, with a real QB coach in coach Krag we can recruit.
On to spring practice!
chmba: Good point, thumbs up! My concerns were detailed by southernpatriots on postings in 2010 and early last season about the abyssmal and unimaginative offense under JJ. It was so good to see Lee at the helm and his success, which he has continued in post season games, though completely unused in the NCG.
I have viewed various videos of Zach in his JUCO days and he was impressive, but he faced no real defenses as he will face in the SEC. Coach Kragthorpe’s reason for continuing in coaching despite his illness was Zach! Coach K said he did not want Zach to face any further changes in his career at LSU and wanted the continuity, saying he was a quality man and player and was coming along very well. Coach K further said that the about 18 months of being in the LSU system when he will start his first game will help him greatly and spur his progress. I trust Coach K more than all the other coaches combined when it comes to knowing a QB, his talent and readiness. Thank God the coaches at LSU did not have to thrust him into the starting lineup without preparation. That did not work well for LSU in recent history.
Do you have any details on LSU’s recent recruit at QB, what he is capable of, etc.? Though I definitely hope LSU does not go to a 2 QB system again, it would be good to have a quality backup should the unforeseen happen.
SouthernPatriots has learned from the LSU Athletic Department they will open at one extra spring practice to the public this year. It would be good to be at that one practice which leads up to the Spring Game. SouthernPatriots has also suggested to the LSU Football dept. that they offer free caps or similar to those who attend the Spring Game. Maybe with some premiums, and great promotions, LSU might be able to eventually approach the attendance at the Spring Game as does Alabama (about 92,000!)
LSU lost to a better team. There’s no mystery about it. As usual, their fans are just being bad sports. Even when you defend their coach, they act like asses. They are what they are.
The sad thing is that most SEC fans are decent people and decent to one another. But no matter how much good sportsmanship you show to LSU, a contingent of their fans, that claim to be such good, saintly, Bible-spouting people, live to rip other fans and programs in the SEC. What goes around comes around … as it did in January.
Sorry, cometkazie … not talking about you and the sane LSU fans. Just the hater-nuts.
Deb says:
Feb 12, 2012 4:05 PM
Sorry, cometkazie … not talking about you and the sane LSU fans. Just the hater-nuts.
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It’s only a game.
I dislike them as well. They are not really fans.
@cometkazie …
Thank you. You’re a very special person. I know better than to let them get to me; it’s stupid because they only do it to get a reaction. Other than a mutually ridiculous catfight, all I did was befriend and defend the wrong people and express disappointment that they didn’t speak up for me when the time came. Because of that–and the honesty they found so refreshing when it was used on their behalf–their legion of irrational friends have been waging a lil hate war to drive me from the site. It won’t work. And I’ll try to remember you, not they, are representing LSU
No adjustments LSU made was going to effect the 2nd half of the game! Alabama was just too better of a football team and their Defense was Rock Solid! JJ needs to just stop whining and take his beating like a man.