LOVE: After Further Review
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| Shoe has changed foot in Jefferson-Lee dynamic
LSU quarterbacks Jarrett Lee (12) and Jordan Jefferson (9) will go through pre-game warm-ups together again Saturday morning for the first game since January’s Cotton Bowl (photo by Jon Roy).
By BEN LOVE
Tiger Rag Editor
You gotta love LSU fans.
At a recent speaking engagement, I was reminded of an old adage about Tiger faithful. It’s the one that goes: “A perfect season for LSU fans is one where the team goes undefeated, wins the national championship and the coach gets fired.”
It’s a pretty good joke. It’s also the truest thing I’ve ever heard.
No matter how high the program has climbed or how much things look to be on cruise control, there will always be a sizeable segment of the LSU fan base that thinks the sky is falling. They may even be small in number, but the outspoken voices of the partially paranoid few echo throughout the state, reminding all that at least for some, winning’s not enough.
The latest Chicken Little moment to hit the Bayou is Jordan Jefferson’s reinstatement to the undefeated top-ranked LSU football team.
And, right on cue, the malcontent militia has come dashing out of the woodwork, firing musket rounds of “He shouldn’t be back on the team” and “We’re gonna mess up all that team chemistry.”
I call baloney.
So much so that I’m going to take a blow-by-blow look at the three biggest complaints I’ve heard surrounding Jefferson’s return, and then I’ll systematically shoot them all down.
He disgraced the team. He shouldn’t be allowed back.
This is the weakest argument of them all. Les Miles has a track record of allowing players who have picked up misdemeanor charges to continue playing, with the latest example being Terrence Toliver’s altercation outside of Fred’s Bar in March 2010.
At that time, LSU’s wide receiver was cited for public intoxication, disturbing the peace and interfering with a police officer, all misdemeanor charges. Toliver was even tased for his behavior that night. Yet, one heartfelt apology in front of a podium later, and Toliver was right back on the squad that spring, practicing with the team despite a broken hand.
Couple this precedent with the fact that Jefferson has, in effect, already been suspended four games, and the LSU quarterback has more than paid the price for violating curfew and, subsequently, picking up a misdemeanor summons. After all, if violating curfew was that big of a crime, shouldn’t there be roughly half of the team that’s suspended?
Jarrett Lee’s playing too good. LSU doesn’t need Jefferson.
While I understand where this gripe comes from, I’m still not buying it. Jefferson has played in 32 games during his LSU career, starting 27 and winning 20 of those. So, in my mind, the question becomes: How could it possibly hurt to have the most experienced back-up in the country?
There’s no question Lee should remain the starter and take the vast majority, if not all, of the snaps, but it’s not exactly uncommon for quarterbacks to suffer injuries as seasons unfold. Lee himself already sustained an ankle sprain in the Northwestern State game. And imagine where LSU would’ve been in the second halfs of the Alabama, Florida and Tennessee games last year without having Lee as an alternative option. There’s nothing to be lost by adding a veteran presence under center, even if Jefferson’s role has changed (more on this in a bit).
Jefferson’s return is going to ruin the team’s chemistry and the offense’s identity.
This might be the one I’ve heard most, and I have one simple request for those who kneel at the altar of this theory. Consider that the changes we’ve seen thus far with the offense – a more dedicated commitment to the run, more continuity by formation and less multiple offenses, as well as better play-calling and timing on passing plays — are more a by-product of a coaching shuffle than a player shake-up.
What we’ve seen with the LSU offense through four games in 2011 is Miles and Greg Studrawa being on the same page. Studrawa has been on Miles’ staff for five years now, and the two clearly share a like-minded philosophy on how to win football games. It starts on the ground. That’s something Miles and former coordinator Gary Crowton never saw eye-to-eye on. There always had to be a passing flair or at least the ability to show they could pass for Crowton.
With this new regime orchestrating the offense, they could care less. The obvious motif has been “We’re gonna run it, and if you can’t stop it, we’re just gonna keep running it.” Plugging Jefferson into that new game plan, even if just on a spot-duty basis, won’t ruin the offense’s identity. He may not be able to accentuate the passing game the way Lee has, but that’s why Lee will remain the starter.
As for dividing the team, I can’t see that happening, either. Every game this season, cornerback Mo Claiborne (among others) has chalked up a big “9″ on his bicep, clearly a nod to Jefferson. Despite what much of the public may think about Jefferson, he’s well-liked and received by his teammates. I don’t believe that will change.
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Now that I’ve taken the baton from Lewis Unglesby and played football lawyer for Jefferson post-Grand Jury, it’s a good time to take stock of just how much the situation at quarterback has changed for LSU in a year’s time.
After the West Virginia game last September, the Tigers were still searching for answers in the passing game. And that’s putting it mildly.
Jefferson had just submitted a foul performance, completing only 10 his 22 passes for 75 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions against the Mountaineers, and LSU needed a Patrick Peterson punt return for six just to float its boat in the scoring department.
The next two weeks, Lee, Jefferson’s backup, came in and delivered knock-out punches versus Tennessee and at Florida. Lee led last-ditch drives with LSU trailing in both contests, and his play, particularly in the passing game, pushed Miles to deploy a full-blown dual-quarterback system. Lee came in at the start of each game’s third series, and Miles went with the hot hand.
Still, while Lee became more prominently involved in the offense, he was still the clear No. 2. Jefferson started every game, and played almost exclusively under center in the team’s final three games versus Ole Miss, Arkansas and Texas A&M.
Fast-forward to late September 2011, and the shoe has definitely moved to the other foot.
Lee takes the field in Tiger Stadium Saturday as the unquestioned starter against Kentucky. He enters the game with six touchdowns against one interception to his credit this Fall. He has completed 64.4% of his passes (56 of 87) through four games. And he has thrown at least one touchdown in each game while also spreading the wealth, completing passes to 12 total receivers.
Jefferson, fresh off his recent big day on Wednesday, re-enters the fray fighting for second-team honors.
Now he’s the one who will start every game on the sideline. Now he has to compete each week in practice as if he’s the starter, all the while knowing he’s more of a reliever. Now he has to get accustomed to coming into games off the bench. Most importantly, now he’s the one who has the chance to show he’s as good of a teammate as Jarrett Lee has been the past few seasons.
My take is if Jefferson can do that than LSU’s chances of raising the crystal ball in January just went up.
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Editor Ben Love covers LSU football and men’s basketball for Tiger Rag. Reach him at ben@tigerrag.com.
Great article, Ben. I suspect you will be roundly criticized by many of the Lsu fans. Instead of cheering an injustice, they seem disappointed by a just outcome. Frankly, I don’t expect too many people in your field to step up and say that they dropped the ball. But they did. All of you. This NEVER should’ve been a felony, and he NEVER should’ve lost his job (Jefferson). Lee has played well enough to keep the job, but it’s important to note that LSU has the 98th ranked passing offense in college football. The best team that LSU has played, the most physical and only SEC team, held the Lsu offense to 19 points with one touchdown. He is NOT Tommy Hodson, and his performance has not been any better than Jefferson’s last 4 games in 2010. IF you look at the numbers, Lee’s first 4 games this year line up pretty evenly with Jefferson’s last four. Furthermore, as you astutely pointed out, LSU has finally switched to a Power I rushing attack with hard play action, maximum protection and fewer options for the quarterback. There’s no reason to think that Jefferson will not also benefit from this package, much like Lee.
Look, I have no problem with Lee remaining the starter. I believe that he’ll get hurt, or gunshy when we start playing more teams that are physical and have a talent level on the field closer to LSU. The wins against Oregon and WVU look good on paper, but those teams are undersized and outmanned by Lsu. The praise of Lee collectively by the beat writers lends me to believe that many don’t understand football at all.
The fact that Brad Wing and Zach Mettenberger both have misdemeanors against them, one pending (wing) leads me to no other conclusion then the fanbase simply hates Jefferson. Is it because he’s black? I don’t know. I know that the majority of LSU fans SHOULD be ashamed. A great injustice has been overturned. Only in Baton Rouge is that a cause for worry. Only in Louisiana. Take a bow everyone.
One more thing, LSU fans, I was in front of this story from the start. I knew it was a shakedown all the way out here in California. I told anyone who would listen that the BRPD was railroading this kid. Not ONE beat writer took the “angle” that a man is innocent until proven guilty. Not ONE of them suspected that Jefferson was entitled to due process. Everyone simply accepted the story of Mr. Lowery and the info. fed to them by the BRPD.
As a result, if LSU fans want to be upset about this, then they should place the blame squarely on the shoulders of the BRPD, and the local media. You only heard one side of this story right up to the arrest. The police wasted money, time and manpower investigating a simple bar fight. Not one media person looked to separate the broken back injuries from the charges against Jefferson. Even now, Guilbeau, a writer for your publication still mentions the broken bone under Lowery’s nose, and the witnessess alleging Jefferson kicked him, while never pointing out Lowery’s arrest in Florida, his restraining order, etc. Noone has given Jefferson a fair shake as an innocent man. Forget about football. Luckily, the Grand Jury got it right.
Jordan Jefferson deserves the opportunity to rejoin this team and compete for the job he never should’ve lost. HIs last game, he accounted for 3 touchdown passes and one running touchdown. He also threw an INT. He was 10-12 against Alabama, and had his best game as a college player against Ole MIss (I believe). He played fair against Arkansas, but like I said up there. His last four games, he played just as well as Lee has in his first four. Plus, those four opponents were a lot better collectively than the four LSU has played so far. Alabama, Arkanasas and A & M are all better teams top to bottom (meaning not just skill players like Oregon’s James, and Thomas but the lines and depth of those teams). The Oregon game was a joke. They are not that good and play in a lousy conference.
Finally, those idiots at BRPD have now CLOSED their investigation, not even pursuing an arrest for the most severe injuries in the case involving the other three “victims”. Pretty clear that everyone was out to get Jefferson. Mission accomplished.
This is a team that will win with a power rushing attack, great defense and great special teams. The quarterback position is interchangeable. I know that forward pass stimulates all you primitives, but to beat Alabama, LSU is going to need the “ugly throwing” quarterback. Just like last year against Alabama, he’s proven himself against the best defenses in college football.
The major problem is Jefferson cannot thow a decent pass under pressure - just the opposite of LEE
As long as Jefferson doesn’t see a snap in a meaningful game, I’ll be happy. The second he comes in against a real time (Bama), I’m going to lose it.
I think you hit the nail on the head Ben when you ask whether Jefferson will prove to be as good of a teammate (in a back-up role) as Jarret Lee has been for 4 years. If he and his close friends on the team don’t do anything to undermine Lee; this can only have a positive effect on the team. It certainly makes LSU better from a football talent standpoint. We’ll see. I fully expect Jordan Jefferson to handle it all like he should; putting the team first. I think Les Miles knows his players and will be sure that everyone understands and accepts their roles. If this situation is handled wisely, this damned strong football tean will be even harder to handle now.
Jason, you are not the only one who has defended JJ throughout this ordeal. I think he kicked the guy; but I think he was just reacting to a crazy violent little jerk who started the whole thing. BRPD did a terrible job with this “case” from the beginning; focusing on going after Jordan Jefferson, instead of pursuing the truth. I welcome JJ back as an LSU Tiger. But Jarret Lee has earned the starting job on and off the field. I completely disagree with the part of your post belittling Jarret Lee’s performance to date.
Wayne and Brennan. Prepare yourselves. LSU will use Jefferson in the red zone and he will get several snaps a game. I wouldn’t be surprised if he plays Saturday, provided LSU gets a big enough lead. You can be upset, but then your’e questionging the winningnest coach in LSU history, a guy with 4, 11 win seasons, and a guy who’s built a team that seems almost two deep at every position. This helps LSU. IF you want to question Coach Miles, be my guest.
Jason played the race card
Way to fall directly into the “malcontent militia” category of fans Wayne and Brennan.
The FEAR is that JJ will get back to the starting position over a better QB. I am not saying it is right or wrong just that is the FEAR! And it is a fear in many peoples minds because they feel like Les picked JJ over an obviously better JL before… why not again!
I have one plea to all tiger fans. Wait for a negative before acting like it has happened already. Complaining about something that mght not even happen only hurts recruiting. Maybe not a lot but you must admit that it can’t help recruiting.
A bunch of recruits will be at the Florida game. If JJ steps on the field cheer him or remain silent, don’t boo even if booing is justified (which it isn’t) it will send the wrong message to those recruits.
Ben the opening joke describes a portion of the fan base perfectly. You’re right on all of your points, Jefferson’s addition will make the team better. As for Jason’s comment about race being involved in the backlash is absurd!!!! This fanatical fan base would cheer for a chinese black woman at QB as long as she’s winning.
Thank you, Ben for writing and publishing this article!!!!! and to Jason Thomas for ALL his comments! I have said repeatedly that this was a failure or a set-up by the BRPD, and it is astounding how many people do not understand the idea of “alledged” and innocent until PROVEN guilty and how many journalists do not use either! Jarrett Lee & Zach Mettenberger, like over 1/2 of the LSU team, broke curfew and went to bars that fateful night, yet people have attacked Jordan for doing this as being unfit and not a leader, but they have not even acknowledged that these other QBs did the same! (neither have they publicly!) Jordan Jefferson absolutely deserves to be reinstated to the team and he WILL play! People will boo and act like idiots and think that they are justified, but they are the “losers” that don’t know it. Some of us will cheer him on just as we did Jarrett Lee when he was geting booed (by these same idiots!) I have been attending LSU games since 1958 and I have been through all the ups, downs, hates, wins, losses, good times and bad ,but one thing remains the same…there will always be another game, another year and another team ! What it is …is FOOTBALL and LSU does it better than some sometimes and not so on other times. As to Wayne…you need to go watch the 55 yd. TD pass from JJ to Rueben Randle in the N. Car. game ‘10 and all of the Cotton Bowl ‘10. Also, go check how many great passes got dropped by the failures of the receivers last year! Also, to him and Brennan, go watch the 83 yd TD QB sneak JJ ran against Tenn ‘10 (J Lee could not do that if his soul depended on it , EVER!! Grow up gents, LSU has great players in all positions with their special talents and Les Miles is going to run the team according to his amazing expertise and not by your lack of it, Thank God! GEAUX JJ & JL & ALL THE TIGERS!!
carollct,
It’s nice to not feel alone. Thanks for your comments. And you’re right about Jefferson, people forget about his game against Auburn in 08, and Alabama before he got hurt, his game against Alabama last year when he went 10-12 against the best defense in college football.
Is he an accurate passer like Lee, NO. But he’s also 6′5 240, can run like the wind, AND what some of you don’t seem to get, HE CAN STRETCH THE FIELD HORIZONTALLY, preventing the defense from loading up at the line of scrimmage.
Regardless, I want LSU to win no matter who the QB is. I will cheer for any starting quarterback at LSU. I only want the fan base to educate themselves and stop spewing HATE towards their own players.
BTW, during my angry rant this morning I neglected to credit Ben Love with defending Jefferson’s position. While I’d of liked to have heard and seen more from him, he did offer the only alternative article I saw detailing all the problems with Andrew Lowery and Olivia Long as witnesses and alleged “victims”.
It’s only natural for people to write closer to their bias. I don’t expect any less. If I were to write about Jordan Jefferson, I’d stress that he ran for 7 touchdowns last year and 600 yards, both are single season records for a quarterback at LSU. However, I’d have to admit that he only threw 7 touchdown (3 in the last game) and 10 interceptions. But that’s a FOOTBALL story.
IF ANY LSU player gets arrested the fanbase and the media should always assume innocence. That’s the hallmark of due process and the legal system in our country. When the Kangaroo court of public opinion takes the media report, and assumes that Jefferson is a criminal, a “thug”, a malcontent, it speaks very poorly of us as a people. I don’t know if he kicked the kid or not. I’m not sure what happened. I do know without question it never should’ve been CONSIDERED a felony charge. It’s pretty clear that Lowery is a hothead and a thumper, and with his lawyer’s revelation that he’s pursuing a civil case, I’m assuming this was about money all along. It’s a shame noone at the BRPD felt the need to question employees at the bar, or the football players that came forward saying that Jefferson wasn’t involved. They simply ran with Lowery’s story.
Frankly, there should be an investigation into THIS investigation and protocol at the BRPD. Their leaks, incompetence, and waste (see bagging shoes) will hopefully remove any “elected” officials in that department.
wow the comments and dislikes people have for jefferson it really hurts my heart ….the kid plays good ball against great sec.. teams ……and has won !!!!!!but they boo and bash him,showing prejudice …. lsu fans wont be satisfied until kids stop coming to lsu again….and we will be the kentucky and vandy of the sec …. a nick saban wont be back to save the program again by .keeping all the louisiana talent here at lsu.. these kids see this…. good luck in recruiting when fla comes to town when 90% of the kids lsu is recruiting will be there and u boo one of your own(jefferson)when he touches the field … because his skin color ……..then look around at the recruits skin color ……….it makes a good story the kid(lee) comes back after throwing so many interceptions and win it all for the team …….but lets wake up sec play is about to start better d lines that will force third and long where he will have to throw the ball long …….then we will see… mr I-N-T pic 6 again ……. play the better qb
Great article Ben. I agree that if JJ can handle being #2 This will not effect team chemistry.
Jason, why the race card?
I have read all the comments, but there is something missing. Lee and Jefferson or both Seniors and will be getting most if not all the snaps in practice. Both will also receive all the playing time in games. What about LSU’s future, that will be in the hands of Mittenberger?? I sure would like to see him get into games in a mop up role, after all I not sure a want a #1 QB next year with no time under center in a SEC game.
seriously, will you guy’s kill the skin color thing!!!!!!!! It’s 2011 for Heavens sake! Some people probably do care about skin color, I do admit that, but it show’s on both sides of the spectrum. Look at how many falcon fans hate Matt Ryan, and still cheer for Vick. In either case, Lee has done a decent job so far. I still think he throw’s off his back foot too much, and he seems to play in fear sometimes, which may catch up to him deep in sec play. But I don’t feel JJ should reclaim the starting job because the team has a bit chemistry with Lee and they’re winning. Jefferson has had some terrible games in the past, but he as well has played lights out at times as well. Between the two of them neither has outplayed the other in my opinion. Whether it be poor development on the coaches part or just poor recruiting at the qb position, LSU should be able to have a Heisman candidate type player behind center. Maybe Mett will come in next year and give us that. Until then, my heart will continue to beat for LSU football, and I will cheer and pull for whoever is taking the snaps. Go Tigers!!!!!!!!!
OMG J Thomas!!! ….Sorry I don’t mean to sound like a 16 year old
schoop girl…but you must be my long lost twin or something?!? You
said everything I feel!!! The only difference of opinion I have is
concerning the race card. LSU fans (luckily only a vocal minority of
them) will turn on any given player, white or black. Hell, a few
years ago most of the same idiots who are now cursing JJ, and
fawning over Lee…were booing as loud as they could over Lee!!!
Other than that you are spot on!!!!
I have been really nervous about this game since hearing that Jordan was back but after reading these post I think that having him back in the lineup and putting him in the game in certain situations will only help us get another National title. We will be a force to be reckoned with!!
Bama will be a handfull. LSU will beat the crap out of the Gators. The nat. champ will be crowned Nov. 5th.