🏈 Russell Shepard retweets: I'm staying

[AFF]

I guess Les Miles talked the kid into staying at LSU.

He tweeted the following Friday night: "I would like to tell everyone that I had a great talk with my family and Coach Miles and I will be attending LSU for my senior season."​

http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2012/01/lsu_wr_russell_shepard_retweet.html

 

[TerryP]

That's a good move for Russell. With all the emotions running erratically over the last days I'm sure he wasn't thinking too clearly when he decided to leave.

Here's a question to ponder.

Miles has steadfastly stuck to his plan to have a passing and option type QB in the mix. Perrilloux and most recently Jefferson. Now, Russell was a dual threat quarterback recruit out of high school. His freshman year at LSU he moved from that position into the WR corps.

What does Miles do with his QB's in the spring? Closed practices giving the possibility he's working Mett and Jefferson?

 

[planomateo]

I can't help but feel that Shepard's talents were squandered at LSU. The first year they would run him outta the backfield and at least attempt to get the ball in his hands - not that it was super successful iirc, then the 2nd year they seemed to have turned him into a WR only, rarely getting the ball into his hands, now his Jr year - I honestly don't remember him doing much of anything.

So LSU has Rivers' brother, Mettenberger, Keil and as you mention Shepard as a potential - tell you the truth I kinda forgot he use to be a QB while in Houston. Maybe they go with Mett & Shepard.

Russell staying was a good move, I think another year would help improve his draft position - they just need to use him more effectively.

 

[LBS]

Him coming back had to have come with some concessions from CLM. The question is what can CLM do to build that resume for draft day.

RS may be CLM's best option for a handful of Wildcat-esque plays (getting the ball in the hands of his play maker), but having RS on the edge and one of his talented QBs in the backfield is a more viable option for the Tigers. LSU will aim to use him in many different ways (i.e. Wildcat, Returns, Receiver). RS will continue to be used primarily as a WR. Just because he payed QB years ago against High School talent does not mean that he will be CLM's go-to guy for what may be a title run. Further, dumping his collegate resume and starting a 14 game run "under center" is not a formula for success in next year's draft.

 

[TerryP]

Him coming back had to have come with some concessions from CLM. The question is what can CLM do to build that resume for draft day.

.

I disagree, and wonder myself. The disagreement comes from CLM making concessions. I don't know what he could concede. "We'll get you more touches?"

It's important to understand just how rocked that team has been the last few days. In fighting between players, snide comments from coaches to players, should I go on? At the half, that locker room needed a mortician to have any life inside.

Now, CLM does have something he can build on. It's an opportunity for Miles to say, "it's a fresh start. We've got a new quarterback, we've got the same playmakers in our backfield."

RS may be CLM's best option for a handful of Wildcat-esque plays (getting the ball in the hands of his play maker), but having RS on the edge and one of his talented QBs in the backfield is a more viable option for the Tigers. LSU will aim to use him in many different ways (i.e. Wildcat, Returns, Receiver). RS will continue to be used primarily as a WR. Just because he payed QB years ago against High School talent does not mean that he will be CLM's go-to guy for what may be a title run. Further, dumping his collegate resume and starting a 14 game run "under center" is not a formula for success in next year's draft.

Between Ware, Ford, and Blue he has plenty to run a WC type offense. I am not sure why this is even in the conversation though. He's not show a WC formation in his tenure at LSU. Spread option? Yes.

Which, brings me back to the first question. Does he have him in mind to run the spread option as well as Mett in a pro-style attack?

Miles was a fool to think a team could learn the spread option in a matter of six weeks or so. He's tried to implement it in his offense for the last four or five years now.

I truly believe it's a story to watch. It'll end up have a say in the final standings in the West next year. Mark my words. (I don't think I've ever said that online; ever.)

 

[AFF]

That's a good move for Russell. With all the emotions running erratically over the last days I'm sure he wasn't thinking too clearly when he decided to leave.

Here's a question to ponder.

Miles has steadfastly stuck to his plan to have a passing and option type QB in the mix. Perrilloux and most recently Jefferson. Now, Russell was a dual threat quarterback recruit out of high school. His freshman year at LSU he moved from that position into the WR corps.

What does Miles do with his QB's in the spring? Closed practices giving the possibility he's working Mett and Jefferson?

That wouldn't surprise me a bit. Whatever he and CLM talked about - he was either promised something (more touches, wild-tiger, whatever) or convinced of something:

According to NFLDraftScout.com, no one thought he would come out this year; consequently, he's not on any of the draft boards and there's no guarantee he'll even be drafted.

...whatever it was, many of the disgruntled LSU fans are being pulled back into the fold with Shepard's announcement to return being cited as yet another example that CLM is a genius at getting/keeping great talent.