Control

Control: To exercise authoritative or dominating influence over, to adjust to a requirement, to prevent the spread of.

One would be a fool to suggest that a college football head coach with a record of 113-42 does not have control of his programs. Proof is in the pudding; if it ain't broke don't fix it. All of these are nice clichés, however, Coach Les Miles is on a very slippery slope. His 2013 margin for error is extremely razor thin after 2 consecutive seasons, as the team as faltered. And what has brought him so much success, his stubborn control, has not fully worked in the past several campaigns. Thus Miles is conducting an extreme departure from what has made him who he is during his coaching tenure at LSU.  The strange thing is that Les Miles has been so predictable lately, the unpredictability we all knew and loved that led into some serious success in the past has vanished. Whether it be a blindfolded over the back pass to a placekicker, consecutive fourth-down attempts or going for the touchdown with seconds left at home for the victory, the Mad Hatter knows how to shock and awe. But lately when not getting the good old Mad Hatter weren't getting somewhat resembles Mr. Safety hatter .  And you know what, for the most part it has worked. The keep away, field position war, with the ball on the ground has proven to be extremely successful for the Tigers no matter who the opposition was in the regular season. However, that same conservative, boring Big Ten, run at no end mentality has caused colossal failures in the postseason, most notably: the Alabama championship game.  So just when you think Les has gone soft and placid, he goes in hires his old buddy can Cameron to  take over the offense. Miles will "supposedly" change the game plan mindset.  Let me explain.

John Chavis’ assembles dominating defenses year-to-year in Baton Rouge .  Now he does have a good crop to choose from but what he does with that crop makes him elite. But keep in mind, the LSU offense, while much ridiculed, does its part by playing field position constantly, chewing on the clock but more importantly putting LSU's defense in favorable positions to get after it. Just because the offense doesn't put more points on the scoreboard doesn't mean Coach Miles boring offensive game plan doesn't fit the entire “big picture” of how to win ballgames, as it does. Though this model has prohibited this team to win the big enchilada, all being versus the nation’s elite. His seat is not hot however Miles sees the writing on the wall and is going back in the phone booth to get the Mad Hat back. In comes Cam Cameron.

If you listen to The Tim Fletcher Show on Monday Wednesday and Fridays, you frequently will hear my skepticism of new offense of coordinator Cam Cameron ug.He did get just fired from Baltimore, who later won the Super Bowl. He sucked as a head coach. He is a good coordinator though. A noted control freak who puts a ton of pressure on his quarterback and star skill position players. Although, I'm not arguing anything with that, as LSU needs a new direction, and criticism. Can pre-madonna Zac Mettenburger, handle the pressure? But most importantly, will Coach Miles stay true to his word when the game is on the line?  That my friend is the number one question going into the season. The Flagship University has bent over backwards hiring new offensive coordinator's year in and year out to no avail, to help the offense get over the slumps (not hump), yet Miles keeps going back to small ball. So does it really matter who they bring in at offense coordinator? According to the national media and most Bayou Bengals, the answer is yes because Cam Cameron is different. Not only was he an NFL head coach he also is in Miles extreme inner circle as being a groomsman in his wedding. So maybe they are correct when the populous says this is a different hire.

Coach Miles did say LSU will be up-tempo and stretch the field as much as possible in 2013. He has given control, for now, to his old pal coach Cameron. The best case scenario for this offense in 2013 is to put up leads against elite opponents early and then kick back and let the defense do what it does best. The worst case will be that this young defense will be left on the field too often, whether it be from offensive turnovers or from lack of offensive production, which will allow other teams to get back in the game. If the Defense tires, it will be a rough season in Baton Rouge. Bottom line is that LSU's defense has been the reason their record has been so damn good the past several seasons, but to beat Goliath   , smash football mouth wins, with a sprinkling of explosive offensive game plays & execution. LSU has lacked the explosive game plays and execution which hopefully Cam Cameron will provide. We will see very shortly how this new system works, however I still am skeptical and I fully believe Les will be Les. The Mad Hatter will still meddle in the offensive game plan when the game is on the line, bank on it! I foresee Les secretly takes over and will somehow pull out another major upset WIN in 2013, when LSU’s season is on the line after a loss.  Coach Cam will be marginalized on the sidelines once again and takes another coaching gig in 2014. Though publicly, neither will ever admit it.  Only to see, wimpy team playing, Ohio State and Louisville skate to the championship.  And Miles saves face once again, as he re-claims control.

Think I’m wrong? We’ll see.

Eh Hardy Out!!!