Tinker:
Different but yet the same. That is what comes into my mind as I think about all of the SEC college football stadiums, and college football teams, playing football in the South Eastern Conference today.
Down in the deep south the state of louisiana has a north and south culture way of life. That seem to blend into one solid mass of people thinking with one mind. Who travel to LSU tiger stadium cheering for the LSU fighting tigers football team.
We can take that truism across the entire southern states of America. Who are living quite different life stile, that comes together as one spirit, now famously known as the SEC. The number one college football conference in the United States.
I was but a youth when I first went to a LSU college football game. Later I completely understood what I was experiencing. The excitement of thousand of people cheering for one outcome. Victory for the LSU fighting tiger football team. Come hell or high water. The LSU tiger college football team seem to be always playing a football game against the long odds. Playing teams like Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee. Pushing from the outer edges of a SEC pecking order. Playing against the odds.
LSU was not considered a college football power in the SEC back in the day. But just one of the good college SEC football teams. LSU could beat you. But was always playing against the odds for each LSU college football season, trying to win the championship. The SEC championships mostly went to the football teams like Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia. Not so much Florida, going way back before Steve Spurrier. Auburn and Alabama played for superiority in the state of Alabama. The Alabama crimson tide was the power of the SEC from the get go. Auburn was second to Bama in Alabama, and the SEC. Georgia and Florida were the leaders college football powers playing for the state of Florida, Georgia.
Georgia had a interstate rivalry with the rambling wreck from Georgia tech. But through the year Georgia tech went their own way getting out of the SEC. The rambling wreck has never been the same. The college football power in Georgia, lives in Athens, Ga.
But the state of Florida also has Florida State, who was a all women school. Before that school started playing college football as a independent. Miami University was always going up against the gators in Florida. For the most part of the college football history in the state of Florida. The Florida gators however was considered to be the state college football power in Florida. If you wanted to go to work in the state of Florida. You went to school at Gainesville, Florida. Playing college football.
Tennessee owned the state of Tennessee, Vanderbilt was the academic genius, of that state. That was a college football stepchild to the more powerful Tennessee Vols football team. Ole Miss and Miss State lived in Mississippi. Ole Miss was the power of Mississippi for the most part. LSU owned Louisiana, who once took a back seat to the likes of Tulane, in Louisiana, for heaven sakes. But Tulane nose grew too high, So Tulane quit the SEC. And is now dying the death of a thousand cuts. Even I feel sorry for the Tulane green wave college football program these days.
Kentucky played in the state of Kentucky. Basketball is the University of Kentucky passion. South Carolina shares the state with Clemson. Tussling back and forth to be the best there. Arkansas was a SWC football team, before the hogs joined the SEC. The Dallas herald newspaper hated the Hogs for as lone as I can remember. Texas was the darling of Texas in Dallas Texas.
Now the Arkansas hogs are a real strong SEC player, fighting to win in the SEC. Texas A&M was a SWC football team. And big time member of the big 12. Playing college football in the state of Texas. Texas A&M was simply fed up with the snooty Texas longhorns double dealing. Now the Texas A&M Aggie are making a lot of big time noise, playing college football in the SEC. Missouri played for the big 12, before switching over into the SEC.
The history of the people going to all of the college football game around our country. Are becoming one of the biggest shows on planet earth. The true stories are very many. This is a newspaper story that I read back in November, 2012. I would like you to re-read it again. Something to entertain you with, over the long wait before your favorite football team play a college football game again.
-------------
Now LSU introduces Cam Cameron to the LSU fans. I like everything that I am seeing and hearing now.
Like head coach Les Miles said it best. “its better if everyone does their part.” Now we can run out of the tiger stadium chute. A solid strong college football team.
That with the rights breaks we can and will be a very hard LSU fighting tiger football team to beat.
I am very glad that coach Cam Cameron is now working for LSU. Cam looked very conformable. Also look like he will enjoy what he is about to do. So young or old LSU tiger fans can now apply their talent. Because after all, talent is talent.
The LSU football team was very close to being one of the very best college football team in all the land. Now I feel like our tiger nation can once again be true to our heritage. ( Fans of The LSU fighting tigers football team ). If there anyplace like Tiger Stadium, I haven’t seen it?
Remember when:
LSU's response to USC losing!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?----------------------------
http://www.tigerrag.com/?p=
Les Miles introduces Cam Cameron as offensive coordinator (WITH VIDEO)
Cameron meets with media for first time as LSU OC
By CODY WORSHAM
Tiger Rag Editor
Les Miles was all smiles Friday afternoon, watching his new offensive coordinator’s first press conference.
Why, I asked, when he took the stage.
“I was all smiles because I realized what Cam Cameron will do for us,” Miles said.
Miles wasn’t the only one smiling, however. Cameron, himself, expressed great excitement about returning to college football, just months after being fired from eventual Super Bowl champs Baltimore Ravens.
“I’ve seen every LSU Football game for the last eight years,” he told a crowd of reporters. “I can’t tell you how honored and thrilled I am to be a part of this program. It’s one of if not the greatest football program in this country. I’m glad to be a part of it and looking forward to do my part, and getting my family down here.”
See Video click to....http://www.tigerrag.com/
Cameron’s family might not be in Baton Rouge yet, but Friday sure seemed a family affair. Miles and Cameron have been friends since their days as assistants at Michigan in the late 80s, where they shared a windowless corner office.
“It is an opportunity of a lifetime to work with people you care about,” Cameron said. “There is no downside in my mind because the relationship trumps everything. For me and my family it doesn’t get any better than this.”
Miles said the idea to bring Cameron on struck him as soon as John Harbaugh let him go in December.
“I wanted to bring in somebody that was going to make us better,” he said. “I just didn’t want to bring in a guy. I certainly knew that when Cam became available, that there was an outside chance that he might be available to us. I sent him a text immediately, which would not be uncommon anyway because of our relationship. It fell together exactly right. How it came together benefited us. He’s made a real commitment to be here. He is not a short term thinker. He is a guy that gives vision to an amount of time.”
Cameron spoke briefly during his introductory comments about the ideas he would bring to the table for LSU’s offense. Though the Tiger offense has finished 85th, 86th, 86th, and 112th in the nation in total offense in the last four years, Cameron believes the foundation of the Tiger ‘O’ is solid, and he has no plans to make major changes.
“It’s the LSU Football style already,” Cameron said of his offensive philosophy. “It’s physical. It’s tough. It is bringing in guys that are smart and know this game and understand that there are three phases to this game and it is not just offense.”
Cameron pointed to LSU’s frequent appearance in top-five rankings of turnover margin as something he hopes to continue, and that he’ll cater the offense to the talent around.
“We can adapt to what our best players do best,” he said. “I know that’s what we’ve always done. We have a lot of options here. There is no doubt about it. We have a lot of good players. We will be doing what are guys can do best within those other things we talked about; being tough, being physical and playing extremely fast. We have guys that can do that.”
Miles backed up those comments.
“There will be an ability for him to change and restructure,” Miles said. “I think there is a need to serve the guy in our team that knows our offense. The disruption in our thinking is not something that we are looking to do. We want to use Cam’s concepts as it is appropriate and how it fits what we have done in the past. I guess what I am saying is that we have some inherent strengths. Reviewing our personal and being more efficient can rapidly make a difference offensively.”
Here is a full transcript of Les Miles’ and Cam Cameron’s comments to the media on Friday. Come back Monday for a special Q/A with Cameron from after the press conference:
COMMENTS FROM LSU COACH LES MILES AT CAM CAMERON PRESS CONFERENCE
Les Miles Opening Statement…
“I think this is a very key hire and a great day for LSU football. I think there is an opportunity to add a very fine football coach and a quality man to our staff. They style of experience that Cam Cameron brings is of someone who has been a head coach in college and in the NFL. He’s called plays, really for a career. He has a great background. Not many times you can say that one guy played basketball for Bobby Knight and coached with Bo Schemblecher. I think he will bring a lot to the table. Personally, I enjoy that fact that he and I have a lifetime relationship. One that started at Michigan, where we shared an office, and continues to stay as our families are intertwined. I think that he comes in to do and add to us and builds on what we have accomplished.
“That is not take anything away from the very positive contributions that Greg Studrawa had in the last two years as offensive coordinator. But he returns to the line where he will give us the same strength and experience with what we’ve done in the past. Steve Kragthorpe, we are adjusting his responsibilities. He is still going to give us every opportunity at an administrative task. He has great experience with football. I think with the new rules that are changing in college allowing for differing style of responsibilities by administrative personal, he is a guy that can be invaluable to us as we look forward. This is a move where we are adding and not subtracting. We are thrilled.”
On the personal relationship between Coach Miles and Cam Cameron…
“It is interesting. Somebody asked if we have gone over that. No we haven’t gone over that or a bunch of stuff. What ends up happening when you talk football and personal life over years, you understand what is a common philosophy and a common theme. What a great experience two young coaches had at Michigan. Following Bo Schemblecher around and listening to everything that he said. Be a part of a team effort, do our part and end up being part of a time at Michigan where we won five straight championships. Shared or won. It is an amazing thing how well you know somebody, but did not talk about it. You just grew in a like position. I was all smiles because I realized what Cam Cameron will do for us.”
On bringing in Cam Cameron…
“I wanted to bring in somebody that was going to make us better. I just didn’t want to bring in a guy. I certainly knew that when Cam became available, that there was an outside chance that he might be available to us. I sent him a text immediately, which would not be uncommon anyway because of our relationship. It fell together exactly right. How it came together benefitted us. He’s made a real commitment to be here. He is not a short term thinker. He is a guy that gives vision to an amount of time.”
On the new position for Steve Kragthorpe…
“First of all, Steve is in an administrative role, a non-coaching role and an off of the field position. He is going to be able to share our offense with expertise with Cam. He turns over some of those responsibilities. It is also with new rules on the horizon; it appears that there is an opportunity for him to expand into some of those spots. It would be a little in front of me to tell you that I know exactly those rules. They are up to interpretations. We just had a head coaches meeting in Birmingham. It is obvious in the room that there is a lot of indecision. What they have done, the NCAA has not only change rules but they have changed the way college football can be done. How this interpretation will affect us, it is nice to have a guy like Steve Kragthorpe. A guy who has had head coaching experience, who has run major college programs and who could be in a position to help us administratively.”
On whether Coach Cameron will be on the field or in the booth…
“I think certainly that would be up to Cam. I think that for us he might do better for us with vision from the box, but that is something that Cam will have last word on. I don’t think it makes a great deal of difference.”
On the offensive improvements…
“I guess there are some strengths that we have and I think Cam spoke to personnel abilities. In other words, what a quarterback does and what a tailback does. There will be an ability for him to change and restructure. I think there is a need to serve the guy in our team that knows our offense. The disruption in our thinking is not something that we are looking to do. We want to use Cam’s concepts as it is appropriate and how it fits what we have done in the past. I guess what I am saying is that we have some inherent strengths. Reviewing our personal and being more efficient can rapidly make a difference offensively.”
On the state of the program…
“We’ve been pretty good. Minus a minute and a half in two games, we finish out maybe a team that played in the conference championship game and maybe a team that played in the national championship. With that being said, good is not good enough. We want to be a great team. We opened a meeting yesterday to the team, and I pointed to a championship ring. The last time there was a conference champion besides last Dec. was us. This program is designed for championships. We want to be in the last game. There was a lot of great time coming up in college football. Certainly a national opportunity to see a national championship next year, but then in two years with the tournament, I think there is an open eye to wanting to play our best football then. I think this is a next level opportunity for Coach Cameron to help us. Every year starts brand new. We just spent an hour and a half on what will be our coaches’ workouts. Our team has to come to life, develop leadership and take some of the steps that other great teams around here have taken. The process is a long one, but yes without missing steps and without skipping to the end of the year, this move is designed to put us in line with a championship.”
COMMENTS FROM NEW LSU OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR CAM CAMERON
Opening Statement…
“First, I just want to say I’m honored to be a part of LSU football, and Louisiana State University. It has been a special time these last few weeks. My wife is here in town with me. We are excited to be here. The first time that comes to mind is getting to know our players. I had the chance yesterday to be a part of a team meeting. In the next three or four days I will have the chance to meet every one of these guys. A few of the offensive guys came through this morning. I’m really excited to get to know our players and I know this offensive staff. I’m really looking forward to working with these guys. I came down in the spring a few years ago. I had the chance to watch spring practice. I had a chance to bring my family to a National Championship game a few years ago. I can tell you one thing, I’ve see every LSU Football game for the last eight years. I can’t tell you how honored and thrilled I am to be a part of this program. It’s one of if not the greatest football program in this country. I’m glad to be a part of it and looking forward to do my part, and getting my family down here. Les (Miles); thanks for bringing me here. I also want to say thanks to Joe (Alleva). Joe had a huge part in this. I know other people get involved anytime someone hired from the outside. I know a lot of effort went in to getting this done. I’m greatly appreciative of that and my family is as well. I just want to thank you for doing that. We had a recruiting meeting this morning and we are off and running.”
On the current state of the LSU Football Program…
“Anytime you come into a new program in this case you have a great foundation, and a great foundation that we can build from. We want to build on what we are doing. We want to improve on what we are doing. The first thing we are doing, I need to know everything that Zach (Mettenberger) knows. I need to know everything that Stephen (Rivers) knows. I need to know everything our guys know. I’ve seen a lot of games. It’s a great system. I just want to build on it and challenge some guys to get better at some things. It is my job to adapt and adjust, and bring my experience and expertise and blend it in with what we are doing, in any level but especially the college level. We have freshmen coming in and maybe a junior-college player or two coming in. We have returning players that know certain things. We will build on what we’re doing and we will let it evolve. I think that’s the best thing in the short run so we can play well quickly, and continue to play well and then evolve and build as we go.”
On transitioning back to college football…
“How can you not be in love with the direction the college game is going. I’ve been sitting from a different view for several years now. I marvel what’s being done in college football. What a great game. It is getting better and better. It is interesting to watch the National Football League evolve now from the college game. I think that’s a neat thing. We have always felt like, Les and I as coaches, that we need to adapt. Whether you are pulling things from the NFL, or you’re on the other end pulling things from college, it’s football. The hash marks are different. There are slight differences in the rules but those are becoming more and more alike. I don’t see any major issues there.”
On the keys of returning to college football from the NFL…
“I think the bottom line is in whatever level we are, we’re teachers. My dad was a football coach. He told me at an early age, you have to be able to teach in no matter what level that is; high school, college or National Football League. I remember him telling me this when I got my first Division-I job. He said that one thing I should not forget is some of the great coaches in football are in high school, or at the Division-II level, or the Division-III level. There are great coaches at every level. We are just fortunate to be able to coach at the highest level. I have been fortunate to coach some in the National Football League. I think coaching is coaching. I think the biggest part of that no matter how you try to match this together, is having a staff that can work together, and players that want to be taught and guys that can teach it. Our offense need to represent our program and not just our offense, and how it fits within our defense and special teams and all of the things Les has brought to this program. I think teaching is the most important thing.”
On his offensive gameplan…
“It’s the LSU Football style already. It’s physical. It’s tough. It is bringing in guys that are smart and know this game and understand that there are three phases to this game and it is not just offense. We are charged on offense with taking care of the football. LSU historically and under Les’ guidance has been in the top five (in turnover margin). There is nobody winning games in this sport winning games turning the football over. Does that mean you play conservative? Absolutely not. You have to play smart aggressive football. It has to have a physical nature to it. That is the way we were raised. We are not apologizing for it. I was in an office with (Les Miles) with a few years. He’s one of the toughest men around. I know what he brings to the table. I know the mindset this team has. I know our offense is going to carry that torch as well. I think, within that, what can our players do best. It may vary from year to year. If you quarterback is a two-dimensional guy, or just a thrower or a super bright guy; we can adapt to what our best players do best. I know that’s what we’ve always done. We have a lot of options here. There is no doubt about it. We have a lot of good players. We will be doing what are guys can do best within those other things we talked about; being tough, being physical and playing extremely fast. We have guys that can do that.”
On getting back into recruiting…
“I’m thrilled to be back in recruiting. When you look at what we do as coaches and teachers, it is a relationship business. It is a relationship proposition. To get the opportunity to get back in homes and having kids come in this weekend; obviously I am excited about recruiting. We had a recruiting meeting this morning. I mentioned this to Les. Our system of recruiting here is impressive. The kids that are chosen to come her and play and get an education is not happening by accident. I was in this building yesterday. I’ve seen the academic center. You talk about a group effort. The amount of people that I’ve seen in a short period of time that are involved in bringing these young men here; I’ve never seen anything like it. I meant it when I said it. I’m excited to be a part of it. I know just like anywhere else I can do my part and I am prepared to do that.”
On working with Zach Mettenberger…
“I ran into Zach (Mettenberger) in the hall way yesterday. The one thing I wanted to let him know was I’m coming in all ears at this point. Guys that play at this level have had great high school careers and are in the fourth or fifth year. There are certain things you like to do. There are certain things you know you are really good at. Figuring out what he likes most is one the first things we are doing in this system. Then we’ll talk about why he likes that. I need to get some of the whys from him, and especially at this time in his career, do everything that he can do well. With young guys it is a little bit different. You can develop some things and expose them to more things early on, and really try to expand what they can do. That doesn’t mean we aren’t going to challenge Zach. We are going to test every limit he has and see all he can do. We are just building on what we are doing. But I think you really need his input and feedback from him. That will be the first thing that we will do. There may be a case when you have five quarterbacks. Very seldom you will have five guys that can all do the same thing. I think you owe it to your offense to allow the quarterback to do the things he does best when he’s in there. If the guys are completely different maybe it will look completely different to some degree. But the productivity still has to be the same. You have to move the football, score points and take care of the football. That’s the approach we take.”
On developing a college-level quarterback…
“Two things come to mind. I would say I learned from (Phillip Rivers and Drew Brees) as much as they learned from me. That’s what makes these things so much fun. These kinds of quarterbacks can teach you so much especially when you are communicating with them at a high level. But I think it is simple. This is what we are charged with. It is our job to develop a guy to the best of our ability. You really can’t get too far ahead of yourself in college. If you focus on becoming as good as you can be and doing the things to become the best player you can possibly be, all off a sudden they are All-Americans or heading to the Senior Bowl or winning championships in college. They get a chance in the National Football League. They work to become as good as they can be. Now they are in the Pro Bowl or they win a Super Bowl. Keeping it simple and focusing on being as good as you can be is the way. That’s what you have control over and that’s what we are charged with. That is what we will do. We like to see every kid that comes through the program, on offense especially, become as good as they can be. We will see where that takes us.”
On working with a close-friend in Les Miles…
“I would say this. The past five years working with John Harbaugh, I would not trade for anything in the world. We are still great friends to this day. When you love somebody, it is easy to look each other in the eye and know that we love each other unconditionally. We understand how things in football and things in general can play out. But it is an opportunity of a lifetime to work with people you care about. There is no downside in my mind because the relationship trumps everything. For me and my family it doesn’t get any better than this.”
On offensive play-calling…
“We have absolutely discussed it. To me it has always been a team effort. It is why we win. The head coach has a vision. He has a vision on how the game needs to be won with all three phases in mind. I think you can get in trouble when one guys thinks his phase is paramount over everyone else. With our relationship and the way Les communicates, it will be very clear what our plan is. We will obviously adjust and adapt that plan as the game goes along. But I would be crazy to not work with Les as we are putting together game plans as the game is called. He has a natural feel for the game and that’s a resource that I need personally. As an offensive coach you can get too dialed in on one certain thing that may not be in the best interest. But I know there will be communication. Whether it’s four-down territory, or how the score or clock factors in. Those are all things that will be critical input. I’m looking forward to the way we are going to work together. That’s what we talked about and that is what we will do. I think that is why we are going to be successful.”
On having Coach Greg Studrawa’s on the staff…
“I think it is a huge advantage for us and for me to have a guy who has been in my shoes and a guy that can bring expertise. (Studrawa) is a great football coach. I have known that for a long time. We will work together. That‘s the way it will be. I can lean on him in a variety of situations just like I can with Steve (Kragthorpe). I had several great conversations with Steve. I think you guys know the kind of man he is. He has been nothing but supportive. He and I will actually look at some tape this afternoon. It was his idea. It is a great staff. It is a great group of guys. I am looking forward to learning everything they know at this point, and just moving forward and getting better.”
On his coaching philosophy throughout different tenures and coaching with Les Miles at Michigan…
“In all of those experiences, fundamentals, technique and or effort and execution have been the critical components. Those are going to outlive us all in this game. There is no doubt about it. I can’t speak for Les about our time at Michigan, but I know how I see it. It was a great times for me as a young coach to grow and learn. When you can come to work and leave feeling good about yourself and feeling good about the people you are working with, and you are getting better at what you do, no amount of money can give you that. I was fortunate to have that time with Les and Coach (Bo) Schembechler. When you are a young college student you will do just about everything when you know he has your back and your are getting better, and having an opportunity to reach your goals. I turned 52 last week, but I don’t see it any differently now then when I was 22. I am a better coach. After the recruiting meeting this morning I am a better recruiter than I was two hours ago. That excites me. I know from a coaching standpoint with this staff, I think I have a great view of how it is going to play out. We have great men. They are going to sharpen me just as much as I hope I can sharpen them. I am going to lean on these guys heavily. I can since some concern. I don’t have any concern because I’m coming in with all ears. I want these men to teach me why they have been so successful so far, and how can I can help build from we are. That’s where I’m at in this whole thing.”
On his relationship with Les Miles…
“The bottom line is we are in it together. Brother fight like brothers sometimes. But we all know what is the most important thing - the team and the university. We all know how this thing goes. I’m just a part of that. I would just say in closing to have an opportunity to represent Louisiana State University and the football program is truly an honor. I want to thank all of you for today.”
Comments
Responses to “Les Miles introduces Cam Cameron as offensive coordinator (WITH VIDEO)”
TigerGumbo on February 15th, 2013 3:15 pm
I like everything that I am seeing and Hearing now.
Like head coach Les Miles said. “Its better if everyone does their part.” Now we can run out of the tiger stadium chute. A solid strong college football team.
That with the rights breaks we can and will be a very hard LSU fighting tiger football team to beat.
I am very glad that coach Cam Cameron is now working for LSU. Cam looked very conformable. Also look like he will enjoy what he is about to do. So young or old LSU tiger fans can now apply their talent. Because after all, talent is talent.
LSU football team was very close to being one of the very best college football team in all the land. Now I feel like our tiger nation can once again be true to our heritage . ( Fans of The LSU fighting tigers football team ). If there anyplace like Tiger Stadium, I haven’t seen it?
------------------------------Like head coach Les Miles said. “Its better if everyone does their part.” Now we can run out of the tiger stadium chute. A solid strong college football team.
That with the rights breaks we can and will be a very hard LSU fighting tiger football team to beat.
I am very glad that coach Cam Cameron is now working for LSU. Cam looked very conformable. Also look like he will enjoy what he is about to do. So young or old LSU tiger fans can now apply their talent. Because after all, talent is talent.
LSU football team was very close to being one of the very best college football team in all the land. Now I feel like our tiger nation can once again be true to our heritage . ( Fans of The LSU fighting tigers football team ). If there anyplace like Tiger Stadium, I haven’t seen it?
http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.
Greater New Orleans
Nothing prepares you for LSU's Tiger Stadium
By
Terrance Harris, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
on November 04, 2012
Baton Rouge - As a longtime sports writer, my idea of attending sporting events has been a little skewed.
Enlarge
Chris Granger, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
The Alabama defense lead by defensive back Dee
Milliner, bottom right, drags LSU running back Spencer Ware down in the
second half of their game in Baton Rouge on Saturday, November 3, 2012.
(Photo by Chris Granger, Nola.com / The Times-Picayune)
LSU vs. Alabama game action gallery (35 photos)
OK, I have become spoiled.
Instead of braving the elements and dealing with football-crazed
fans all on top of me while clinging tightly to a cold one, my zone has
been the sterile press box where the temperature is always comfortable,
dinner is served free, stats are delivered and yeah we get to watch the
game and the rabid fans behind the safety of shatter proof glass.
So imagine my surprise when my editors approached me on my first
day on the job a few weeks ago about attending the highly anticipated
LSU-Alabama game, but not from the press box but in the stands. They
wanted the quintessential Tiger Stadium experience story, and who better
to do it than the new guy who happens to be a Yankee.
It had been nearly 25 years since I had last attended a college
football game and sat among the common folks and that was my freshman
year at my alma mater The Ohio University. Throughout my career I have
sat in some of the greatest stadiums this country has to offer, Notre
Dame Stadium, the Rose Bowl, the Big House, the Coliseum, Kyle Field,
Neyland Stadium, Beaver Stadium and Nebraska's Memorial Stadium to name a
few.
But nobody had ever asked me to cover the game from the stands.
I said cool, but I fully expected between then and game time they
would talk themselves out of the idea. There was no such luck and the
reality of my assignment began to sink during the 90-minute drive from
New Orleans to Baton Rouge on Saturday afternoon. And it got real upon
arrival when I was handed a press pass and a ticket while standing in
front of the 89-year-old stadium.
Section 102, Row 46, Seat 21.
This was my hand and as a professional I was going to play it and I
enjoy it. Over the years, I had heard the stories about how
intimidating and loud - especially at night - Tiger Stadium is for
opposing teams. If the atmosphere didn't shake you then certainly Mike,
LSU's Bengal tiger, sitting at the southeast entrance would.
But nothing can quite prepare for you for the experience. With a
stadium-record 93,374 purple and gold clad fans - sprinkled with a
little crimson and white - jam-packed into the venue it was beyond loud.
My ear drums throbbed from beginning to end during what is fast
becoming "The Game" in college football. Tiger Stadium, aka, Death
Valley, certainly upheld the nicknames some outsiders have given it like
"Deaf Valley."
It's not just the crowd noise that makes Tiger Stadium one of the
most intimidating college football stadiums. It's the crowd itself.
Let's just say the tailgating for the 7 p.m. kickoff had begun
sometime around breakfast and you could smell the fruits of the
celebration in the atmosphere. And if your sober nose wasn't trustworthy
enough then know that your eyes wouldn't let you down.
There were grown men, many of whom are CEOs, doctors, lawyers,
dancing and gyrating in ways that would leave their clients feeling not
so secure about their business dealings. It's a wonder that many would
talk to me for the story but almost no one wanted to give me their real
names.
"I'm a diehard LSU fan and this is how we get down," one anonymous gentleman offered.
Things got a little weird in my section once word began to spread
there was a journalist working on a story among them. Some flat out
refused to talk like the two Alabama fans who were on the verge of
getting pummeled all night.
Then there was the woman, who implored on more than one occasion
that if I wanted to read good writing that I should read her daughter's
blog Sarah With a Side of Sports.
It was funny the first few times and annoying after that but I figured
the least I could do is give her daughter a little love in my personal
account.
But easily, some of my favorite moments from the night came from my
new bud Robert Sheffield. Originally, he declined to give me his name
so for the purposes of this piece he would have been known simply as the
person seated in Section 102, Row 45 and Seat 21. But he caved after my
co-worker threatened to call him Ricky all night.
Sheffield, who looked to be in his mid to late 20s, with two of the
yellow LSU towels wrapped around his head Rambo style and with a little
pint of Royal Crown tucked in his front pocket, captured the essence of
the night. He cheered and screamed at the top his lungs when the Tigers
did well.
He sulked and cursed them and came back to reality at times when
things weren't going as well on the field. Sheffield had the statement
of the night as the Crimson Tide headed toward the end zone with LSU
ahead 3-0 in the first quarter.
"Nobody said they weren't going to score," he said.
But as the Tigers' fortunes improved so did Sheffield's mood. He
insisted that I do the fist pump in support of the Tigers, which as an
objective sports journalist I am trained not to do. But I was in the
stands and as the saying goes, "When in Rome do as the Romans do." So
there was fist-pumping with my new friend until he crossed the personal
space line.
When Jarvis Landry scored on the 14-yard pass reception that put
LSU ahead 17-14 with 12:58 remaining, Sheffield decided to give me a big
old hug. Even worse he threatened to kiss me once the game was over and
the Tigers had won.
It might have been a problem had I not already known that at the
5:00 minute mark I needed to be down on the field. And since the Tigers
ended up losing when No. 1 Alabama rallied within the final minute for
the 21-17 victory his threat of a kiss would have been moot.
I would say my experience overall was much better than the
experience of the LSU fans who exited knowing they had been bested once
again by Bama and Nick Saban.
Now back to the sterility of the pressbox where I feel most comfortable.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Les Miles introduces Cam Cameron as new offensive coordinator
----------------------------http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Cam Cameron introduced as new LSU football offensive coordinato
------------------------------------------
http://theadvocate.com/sports/Recruiting
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http://bleacherreport.com/
bleacher report
Early Projections, Predictions and Rankings for the 2013 College Football Season
By (Featured Columnist) on December 18, 2012
Can Alabama QB AJ McCarron and RB T.J. Yeldon lead the Tide to another SEC championship in 2013?
Dak Dillon-USA TODAY Sports
When it comes to college football, it's never too early to start looking ahead.
Even though we're just now entering the real heart of the 2012 bowl season, it doesn't hurt to keep an eye on the future and to start preparing for what to expect in 2013.
Here's a very early and preliminary look at how all 124 FBS teams are shaping up for next season.
Even though we're just now entering the real heart of the 2012 bowl season, it doesn't hurt to keep an eye on the future and to start preparing for what to expect in 2013.
Here's a very early and preliminary look at how all 124 FBS teams are shaping up for next season.
Begin Slideshow...http://
----------------------------http://bleacherreport.com/
bleacher report
Early Projections, Predictions and Rankings for the 2013 College Football Season
By (Featured Columnist)
1. LSU Tigers
Jeremy Hill
Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Projected Regular Season Win Total: 12
LSU lacked the same type of attitude and swagger that it had during its undefeated run through the regular season in 2011. However, the Tigers still won 10 games and they were one bad defensive drive against Alabama away from possibly playing in a second straight BCS championship game.
The offense will return all the necessary pieces it takes to compete for a national title in 2013. QB Zach Mettenberger should be much better in his second year as a starter, especially since he'll have one of the deepest and most talented stable of running backs in the country, headlined by freshman Jeremy Hill and sophomore Kenny Hilliard, and two dynamic wideouts, Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry.
It will be interesting to see if Les Miles can convince many of his talented underclassmen defenders such as defensive ends Barkevious Mingo and Sam Montgomery, LB Kevin Minter, DT Bennie Logan, CB Tharold Simon and safety Eric Reid to put off the NFL to return to Baton Rouge for another run.
Even if the Tigers lose a few of their key defenders, they still have an abundance of up-and-coming future stars on defense—especially CB Jalen Mills, DT Anthony Johnson and DE Jermauria Rasco—to build another dominant unit out of.
Just like the season-opener against Oregon at Cowboys Stadium last year, we're going to find out a lot about the Tigers when they kick off the 2013 season against a very tough TCU team in Arlington on the first Saturday night of the season.
LSU lacked the same type of attitude and swagger that it had during its undefeated run through the regular season in 2011. However, the Tigers still won 10 games and they were one bad defensive drive against Alabama away from possibly playing in a second straight BCS championship game.
The offense will return all the necessary pieces it takes to compete for a national title in 2013. QB Zach Mettenberger should be much better in his second year as a starter, especially since he'll have one of the deepest and most talented stable of running backs in the country, headlined by freshman Jeremy Hill and sophomore Kenny Hilliard, and two dynamic wideouts, Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry.
It will be interesting to see if Les Miles can convince many of his talented underclassmen defenders such as defensive ends Barkevious Mingo and Sam Montgomery, LB Kevin Minter, DT Bennie Logan, CB Tharold Simon and safety Eric Reid to put off the NFL to return to Baton Rouge for another run.
Even if the Tigers lose a few of their key defenders, they still have an abundance of up-and-coming future stars on defense—especially CB Jalen Mills, DT Anthony Johnson and DE Jermauria Rasco—to build another dominant unit out of.
Just like the season-opener against Oregon at Cowboys Stadium last year, we're going to find out a lot about the Tigers when they kick off the 2013 season against a very tough TCU team in Arlington on the first Saturday night of the season.
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