Monday, October 8, 2007
Earn It
Posted by Jeff Pizzo on Mon, Oct 8, 2007 at 12:42 PM
Both LSU and the Saints earned it this weekend, although both teams did it in extremely different ways. LSU came back from a 10 point 4th quarter deficit to beat Florida 28-24 in what was, in my opinion, the best damn football game I've ever seen. Follow that up with the Saints performance on Sunday afternoon, which was the complete opposite.
LSU
What transpired Saturday night in Tiger Stadium between LSU and Florida was
a game that two teams refused to lose, but one team had a raucous home crowd behind them and the extra effort to do whatever it took in order to win the game. I watched Jacob Hester essentially carry the team on his back in the 4th quarter. When he broke off a long run and barreled down a Florida defender doing so, the Tiger bench and crowd erupted. It was almost an omen of what was going to happen a few plays later. Hester seems to embody the character of the team and its coach - work hard, pretty much keep quiet and let the scoreboard say the rest. His will and effort helped provide LSU the victory on Saturday night. The five-for-five on 4th downs also helped, but the majority of those came from who? Mr. Hester.
He may not be as talented as Keiland Williams, Charles Scott and Richard Murphy, but what he does not have in "talent" he has in intelligence. Hester seems to make all the right reads, picks up blocks in pass protection and is averaging five yards per carry. So, regardless of your opinion of whether he touches the ball too much, the bottom line is Hester is productive every time he touches the ball and even when he doesn't touch the ball. When evaluating Miles' decision to use Hester as often as he does, make sure that you watch the 4th quarter of the Florida game and glance at LSU's current win/loss record. Case closed.
Next week the Tigers visit the Kentucky Wildcats in Lexington. I'm sure the phrase "let-down game" will come up this week. We'll see what transpires with practice throughout the week and what Miles says regarding injuries and such - especially with WR Early Doucet. My only hope is that against Kentucky, QB Ryan Perrilloux throws the ball while he is in the game because at the current rate, defenses know that he's running it when he checks in the game. More on this Friday.
Saints
What can be said about the Saints' situation? It's hard to fathom this is pretty much the same team that was in the NFC Championship game a year ago. I still maintain that they are really trying too hard to get that first win and the proverbial monkey off their backs. They don't play smart and just don't seem to have that swagger that they had a year ago. I'm not sure if that's coaching or confidence.
When Drew Brees says, "This is happening for a reason," I do believe in that. Everything happens for a reason and the terrible thing about that is we have no idea what the next day or game holds in store. Chip Lohmiller, er, Olindo Mare is abysmal, penalties occur too much and at inopportune times, play calling is suspect and so on. I could go on for a few more paragraphs about the current state of affairs regarding the team on Airline Drive, but I'll trust that if you're reading this, you watched what happened on Sunday in the Superdome.
We'll see what happens next week with LSU and the Saints. Two wins from both of them would be very nice. LSU, with a win, would still be undefeated and have Auburn coming into town, while the Saints would get their first win of the year. Hopefully, both teams will "earn it."
Speaking of...
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On New Orleans, the Super Bowl, the Mannings and Drew Brees
With Eli Manning in his second Super Bowl, quarterbacks from or playing for New Orleans have made quite a mark on the NFL
- Feb 2, 2012
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The Final Four and next year's Super Bowl need volunteers
The NCAA Mens' Final Four will feature a free concert series and youth outreach programs that need volunteer support.
- Jan 23, 2012
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Were 49ers fans out of hand at Saturday's Saints game?
A member of the San Francisco Chronicle editorial board says she's received letters about the conduct of 49ers fans at Saturday's playoff game against the Saints.
- Jan 17, 2012
- More »
Comments (38)
Showing 1-25 of 38
Geaux Tigers. If you can win out we'd really appreciate it, that way we won't look even more retarded than we are when we have to choose who gets to play for the title. P.S. - Can you forward this message to Cal? Thanks.
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Hey Sean and Tom, I am available for a tryout whenever you're ready. I know Brees hasn't thrown the ball backwards yet, but give him some time. And I figured since the Hornets are bringing back all of there old/busted players, this would be a good time. Honestly, could I do much worse at this point?
I have this "friend" who is very angry and has brillo hair...anyhoo, this guy thinks Les Miles sucks and Hester is terrible, yet he claims to be a fan of LSU. Should I just rochambeaux him in the nertz or is he correct?
Aaron--put me down for $20 on Sir-Bites-A-Lot in Bad Newz Kennelz Monday matinee.
Hey LSU students, thanks for all the well wishing. As you can imagine, it will take time to respond to all the messages that were sent this past week. I'll do my best. Oh, and many of you have offered colorful "suggestions" as to different "items" that you insist I should "insert" into certain "orifices" on my person. Sorry, but I can't make any promises. See y'all in '09 during my Heisman campaign.
While I just adore spirited sports fans, I must say that, as a newcomer to this city, it is odd that fans actually have hats celebrating the Division Champoinship of last season. I mean, talk about grasping for straws! I come from the #1 sports city in America (as voted by the Sporting News) - Detroit. There, nothing sort of a 'real' championship is celebrated. It is a shame the New Orleanians are so ignorant of other sports (such as hockey) or they could see how a true sports championship franchise built and rebuilt year after year and season after season. Tip to Saints fans Read all you can about the Detroit Red Wings and their pursuit of their 11th Cup! Thanks, and RECALL Nagin! (Blanco is already recalling herself)
Yeah Detroit rocks!!! Hey Nolaman, if I were you, I'd keep my mouth shut about Detroit's pro football team, cause, well, they suck. Let's go draft some receivers. Matt Millen for president!! And how much of an idiot do you have to be to bring up hockey in the south? Move to Canada where people care about that garbage. Moron.
Wearing hats that commemorate a division title or wild card is more appropriate than setting cars on fire and rioting in the streets. But hey, we're not as progressive down here in the south.
Hey NolaWoman--does declaring nuclear war on yourself and lighting things on fire after winning games constitute a 'real' championship? Gosh, we have a lot to learn down here! Maybe we can mix in throwing dead fish on to our playing fields and players jumping into stands to pummel fans so we can be a "real" sports town. p.s. Sporting News? Seriously? I can't decide if I'm shocked more that you read that over Chuncky Asses or that you can even read in the first place.
Coach Payton gave me the starting nod over Reggie this weekend in Seattle after my second carry for a first down in yesterday's game. For those of you scoring at home (or for those of you that are all alone), that makes two carries for two first downs and an 11 yards per carry average over the course of my short but celebrated Saints career. I think we can turn it around with a restructured backfield of myself and Mike Karney. The 12 game season starts Sunday in Seattle!
Hey NolaMan, If you were a hot dog, would you smother yourself in relish and eat yourself???.....I know I would. and Hey author of this blog (I think your name is Geoffrey), is there a particular reason that you didn't comment on the Cubs in your Monday morning entry?? MOSES ALEEEEEEEEEW...........A FAAAN
NolaMan--DON'T MAKE ME COME UP THERE!!! *pointing towards Detwat and flexing thighs to rip out of jorts*
The Cubs? Funny someone mentioned them here. They didn't seem like much to me. Would've been a lot more fun if the Astros would've won the division, I mean, at least we would've had some kind of competition. Guess you'll be waiting till next year. Yet again. In the meantime me and my friends will be dismantling the Rockies. Thanks for the warm-up games. Yours truly, B Dub
Daddy Donnie: may I please eat something other than cold gruel because i think i have rickets now. And why do I have to go to bed at 3pm??
