If you’ve read my blog before, skip this first part…for you newbies, here’s a little background. I was so inspired by LSU’s big win over #1 Florida in 2007 that I wrote about it and sent it to a few folks. That turned in to pokes and prods from friends and family to start writing about every game. Well, in 2008 some friends I’ll affectionately refer to as “LACE” finally wore me down and helped me develop my blog site. I try to write a little something after each game, but this writing gig is tough when you have a “real” job, so I don’t always make my deadlines. You can view my past blogs by reading below.
Now, back to the show…
As the college football season rapidly approaches, I’ve had numerous requests to write a pre-season blog, which is cool, since it means people don’t hate what I write, but don’t they know that us “writers” can’t produce on demand? It takes inspiration, an elusive little noun that has been non-existent for some time now and only strikes when I’m falling into a deep sleep, as it did last week. How can I not be inspired with two-a-days over, scrimmages and full-pad practices underway, you ask? Maybe I’m losing a little intensity in my devotion to college football? Maybe there are other distractions in my life (namely one who probably won’t read this – more on that later)? Or, maybe it’s just that everyone else has already articled, blogged, journaled, etc. on just about every angle of our beloved Tigers. Maybe… but, do you really need to read another person’s take on Coach Chavis, Brick Haley and the revamped D? Do you really need someone else to preach to you about how fantastic it is to have an “established” QB? Do you really need me to lecture you about the promise and potential of freshman Shepard, Randle, Loston and Montgomery or the pre-season accolade-hoarding veterans like Scott, Dickson, Black, LaFell and Alem? And what about all the talent in between? If you do need to hear more about these things, you aren’t doing enough light reading. While I’ll be happy to give you my opinion on “D. all of the above,” my late night trip into dreamland inspired me to start this year’s blog season off by sharing with you what LSU football means to me. If this doesn’t get me, you and your grandma fired up for Sept. 5, nothing will.
To me, LSU football is…
…200,000 strong cooking up the ultimate pre-game meal.
…knowing that when I was given two tickets for my first trip up to the “Club Level,” that I would, without a doubt, have my dad sitting there with me.
…being thrilled that I will be there to experience my boyfriend’s first game in Tiger Stadium (if I can find tickets…).
…the smile in my heart knowing that the last LSU game my Paw Paw ever watched was the 2007 Nat’l Championship Game.
…chills at the first note of the Pre Game Salute to the North End Zone (got chills just typing that!).
…bleeding purple and gold.
…knowing that however cheesy it may be, I will always participate in the wave and cheer when the entire stadium finally catches on.
…family and friends gathered together to watch LSU vs. Anybody.
…yelling at the TV even louder, just b/c my mom hates it!
…games with my dad.
…punching my sister repeatedly when Bama’s Tiffin missed that FG at the end of regulation – and she didn’t hit me back…in fact, I think she hugged me!
…knowing that my sister would hug me if Bama missed a FG at the end of regulation to send us to OT.
…not “wasting” time tailgating my senior year in college so we could instead stand in line for hours to get a seat on the front row.
…knowing that no hurricane is going to stop our Tigers from taking the field.
…military flyovers. Scare the bejesus out of me every time. Love it.
…cursing as creatively as possible, so as to not offend the children.
…spending an entire season writing a blog about football that included critiquing the LSU cheerleaders on their inability to carry the “I” of the TIGER flag straight.
…yelling so loud for so long that I am physically drained after 4 hours.
…always itching to participate in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th down “dances” along with the band.
…getting my dad to do the “throw down” motion during the Florida game in 2007.
…61” TV and TigerVision for those cold, rainy game days.
…like him or not, Jim Hawthorne.
…standing and singing along with the National Anthem and Alma Mater…in my living room.
…knowing that after 3+ emotionally draining hours willing the Tigers to victory, win or lose, my life goes on.
…the post-game jog to the car and making it home in less than 25 minutes.
…strobe lights at the post-game tailgate.
…kids sliding down the Indian mounds using “no trespassing” signs posted around said Indian mounds.
…knowing it never rains in Tiger Stadium.
Sure the 22 players on the field and the other 100 or so players and coaches on the sideline, matter. Sure the final score, polls and playing Monday-morning quarterback matter. But, players and coaches come and go, we slide up and down the polls, and opinions are like…well, you get the picture. The thing is, year after year, LSU football is more than just a game.
GETTIN’ BLOGGY WITH IT
(shut it – I know it’s cheesy)
New (and hopefully improved) Defense
The future is bright. The coaching upgrades are pretty impressive. The talent, young and old, is equally as impressive. And last year’s chip on their shoulder is heavy. I have high expectations of this group, and I don’t think they’ll disappoint. I could name-drop here all day – Peterson, the other Sheppard, Coleman, Chad Jones! Chad Jones!, Alem, Pep, Montgomery, Woods, Alexander, Nevis, Riley, Cutrera, Mingo…and the list goes on. In my humble opinion, just as talented as last year, and with a tested coordinator…could be scary good.
“Experienced” QBs
So, some of the experience they’ve had has been pretty negative, but I am just thrilled to actually have not one, but TWO QBs with big game experience. Hopefully we’ll all be saying “O what a difference a year makes.” And hopefully, I won’t be writing about the next topic much.
Pick Six
None to write about in 2009…yet. It’s been so nice to write a blog without being out of my mind frustrated about another pick 6! Records are made to be broken…let’s hope this one stands for all eternity. However, stats from the last scrimmage had Lee throwing not one, but two INTs. No word on if they resulted in scores for the D. This is me sighing deeply and shaking my head slowly.
LBs
Interesting that several DBs have been converted to line backer. Fast seems to be the key, on the new defense and I love it. My only fear is that this swift, shifty, hard-hitting group gets too aggressive, and gives up some big plays. I guess that’s where those folks that remain as DBs (a talented group in and of themselves) comes in. Pick up the releasing TE or RB so the LBs can blitz it up. Sounds like a plan, and a good one! Looking forward to it.
Trindon
In case you’ve been living under a rock, this man is fast. All of the hype about getting the ball in Holliday’s hands (and running b/t the tackles, nonetheless) could very well be just that…hype. I would applaud the propaganda promoting how #8 is going to be an offensive factor, setting him up to continue to be the fastest decoy in history. But if the hype turns out to be fact, and he can break that one tackle, into the open field, his impact could be scary good.
Frosh
Speaking of hype, the freshmen in this class could have an immediate impact in several areas. If you listen close enough, it sounds like Shepard could play any position on the field, and probably will. Randle coming along quickly is a huge plus and Loston was counted on as having an impact before he even joined the team at practice. If you read any publication covering the Tigers you’ve heard about the various other freshmen that are sure to make an impact. Young talent…does it get any better?
T-Bob
As a co-worker pointed out, T-Bob Hebert (and former Tiger Ricky Jean-Francois) could only play for the Bayou Bengals with those names! I love that our center’s name is T-Bob! I can’t wait for him to recover a fumble just to hear his name announced by the PA!
T-Bow
Don’t hate the player, hate the game. And certainly don’t hate me – I think Tim Tebow is a great player and I am a fan. The way he announced to the Gator-nation he was returning was pretty freakin’ cool. If I am so lucky as to be in attendance at the LSU v. Florida game, I will stand up and applaud this young man for all he has accomplished and the imprint he will leave on the college game. I think it will be cool to tell my grandkids that I watched one of the most impactful players of all time come to LSU ranked #1 and LOSE…TWICE! (Do you get the futuristic optimism here folks?) In all seriousness, Tebow for Heisman.
Perrilloux
Suspended…again. Seriously dude, suspended from a D2 school? Is that even possible? That’s like getting kicked out of detention for misbehaving. You are a true waste of talent. As rough as last season was for LSU at the QB position, I stand behind and celebrate Coach Miles’ decision to rid his team of this infestation of negativity. Remember Ryan, stripes aren’t slimming…maybe you’ll go to a prison that requires orange jumpsuits...b/c folks, he IS going to end up in prison.
Football: Not So Much
Funny how when I started dating my boyfriend, Genin, the FIRST question the majority of my family and friends asked me was, “Does he like football?” instead of the typical “Is he nice/attractive/fun/employed/etc.” The above mentioned “distraction” in my life somewhat, kinda-sorta likes football, but in general…not so much – even LSU football. In fact, Genin has never been to a game in Tiger Stadium. I plan on changing that, if tickets find themselves heading my way. O, and for the record, my answer would have been yes… He is definitely nice/attractive/fun/employed/etc.
Pajama Party
Just for the record, 9:30 pm is way past my bedtime. It’s certainly way too late to kickoff a game, or more importantly the 2009 season. Due to the nocturnalness of the Washington game, I’ve deemed our watching party a PJ party. I have very high expectations that I will be able to nod off into dreamland by the third quarter, assuming the Tigers have the game well in hand by that point. Here’s hoping!
Home Schedule
I would feel the time spent writing this blog would be for naught, if I didn’t gripe, just a little, about the 2009 home schedule. Frankly, it sucks. Some may say, “Well, we do have Florida at home.” Big deal. ONE game, only one game at home that actually might possible be somewhat competitive? Sure, years past would have put Auburn as a good game, but that will not happen. Tulane, ULL, and La Tech all in one year…Puh-lease! I’m all for in-state rivalries, but had I spent thousands greasing the palms of the TAF and end up with all three of those in one season, I’d want my money back. Sure Vandy is scratching it’s way to be a contender in the East, but with what opposition…Tennessee – hardly; S. Carolina – not gonna happen; even traditionally stable UGA might find itself a rough season. Yet, we play three key SEC games on the road, two of them with MAJOR SEC West implications in Bammer and the Hottie Toddies. Poor planning? Uh, yeah, you could say that.
Did You Hear?
Ole Miss’ heralded Vaught-Hemingway Stadium has been renamed Nuttsville. Seriously, the Rebs a contender again. Nice to see it, too bad we’ll have to tarnish their silver dreams (get it? tarnish and silver, like the tea sets they’re rumored to use when tailgating? O never mind…).
Top 10 Things to Look For in 2009:
1. Much improved QB play
2. Impact of the freshmen class
3. Vastly improved defense
4. Points off turnovers
5. Steady offensive play
6. Blitzes and Sacks
7. Scott and LaFell breaking records
8. Touchdowns aplenty
9, Unity, cohesiveness, effort and spirit
10. The “I” of the TIGER flags actually upright
Predictions
I’m very bad at these. What I do predict is that LSU’s season will be more exciting and enjoyable to watch than last. With that would come a better record, and ultimately a better bowl game. Yes, I do believe we will lose a game here and there, but I do not expect to be the recipient of multiple 50 point shellackings, though we could potentially inflict one or two. This year will be an upswing for the LSU Tigers, the potential for greatness in the hands of our talented team. And really, anything could happen…
Cartoon
As a result of my recent department change, from Marketing to Compliance, my good buddy, the talented Mr. Ace, featured me in a very clever cartoon, "Complato." And then, a few weeks later, another clever cartoon. Both are below. Don't stop now, Ace, you're on a roll - TWSS!
