Les Miles: The Madhatter (VIDEO)

LSU Tigers Les Miles "The Madhatter" Myspace Layout #6

4K LSU Layouts Goteamfan.com | Myspace Video

Cleveland Brown shock Saints 30-17 (VIDEO)

Last year it was the New Orleans Saints that caught teams by surprise, throwing care to the wind and dialing up all the gadgetry allowed on the gridiron.
The Cleveland Browns showed the world champs how it was done Sunday, amassing a whole 200 yards of offense and winning, going away, 30 -17, in the Super Dome.
Drew Brees had four interceptions, including two brought back for touchdowns by linebacker "Killer" Bowens.
Even former Saint Scott Fujita caught one of Bree's errant passes.
The Saints offense, going weeks now without Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas, is anemic, incapable of any ground game and a desparate passing attack.
The only good news? Safety Darren Sharper is back after missing the first six games, and receiver Marques Colston finally surpassed 100 yards receiving and caught a touchdown.
But can the Saints still win the division?

Auburn takes 24-17, runs over LSLU 10-23-10

LSU couldn't pass the ball at all, but found a way to tie it early in the 4th quarter. But the only problem was, Auburn had this Super Man-type guy by the name of Cam Newton.
Perhaps you've heard of him? Ran through LSU like syrup down a pancake -- and back up again.
The Auburn Tigers also exposed LSU's fragile two-quarterback system, and more importantly, LSU coaches' lack of confidence it it.
With the game on the line, LSU simply couldn't throw down field. Even when they tried, with Jordan Jefferson, looking off the safety, prize receiver Terrance Toliver dropped the ball, at least twice.
Auburn will be No. 1 by the end of the Sunday, guaranteed.
LSU? They probably are looking at a three-loss season, which in retrospect, is a great year.

Louisiana's Frustrated Residents (VIDEO)

IT'S AUBURN WEEK: Can the Bayou Bengals Corral Cam Newton?

For Bayou Bengals fans, no other LSU game incites the raw emotion that Auburn week does.

I mean, it's tiger vs. tiger for goodness sakes. Auburn is one of those rivalries where you really do hope the other team does well when they don't play each other. LSU fans never want to play a weak or sad Auburn team, and I'm sure real Auburn fans feel the same way about LSU.

This year both come into the contest undefeated with Auburn coming off a 63-point outburst. Luckily their defense can give up as many.

Auburn's coach sees it another way.

"Defensively, I keep using the word resilient," Tigers coach Gene Chizik said in a recent interview. "Here's what I like about our defense: They keep fighting. They're into the game.

When these two squads are at their best and loaded with talent, there is nary a college football game in the land that can boast two fine war machines so often in the middle of the season.

The memorable finishes have been plenty, and this year promises to be just as good.

Of late LSU, or should I say Les Miles, has owned Auburn winning 4 out of 5 matchups. The one he lost? A 7-3 debacle ruined by bad officiating, but I digress.

For the record, Cam Newton looks even scarier than Tim Tebow did three years ago. Of course, we won that one.

LSU's Miles questions preparedness after McNeese game

Drew Brees speaks out against bullies (VIDEO)

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees recently taped an anti-bullying message. Last year the Saints bullied a few people by the name of Kurt Warner, and Brett Favre, on the way to their first ever Super Bowl championship title.

LSU Tigers set for McNeese

The LSU Tigers, No. 9 in the polls, are licking their chops at their first true cupcake of the season: McNeese State.



The Tigers have won every game this season in a different fashion: A last-second defensive stand, winning drives, clock mismanagement, you name it.
But they have won.
It has not been pretty, but LSU -- in the five years that coach Les Miles has been there -- has not been terribly efficient with the football.
JaMarcus Russell routinely left 10 to 21 points out on the field, and they still only lost two games in his final two years.
But things have changed. A little.
LSU is in prime position to make a serious championship run, if they can get by the AAA powers: Auburn, Alabama and finally, Arkansas.
Now, with Auburn on the horizon, the Tigers can sharpen up some things against McNeese (and even expand their offensive package) and get ready to go up to Alabama.

Saints Are Banged Up, Bruised Up

The Arizona Cardinals are a good team, but last week's 10-point victory over the Saints exposed how banged up New Orleans is rather than how awesome the Cards are.

Drew Brees, with a gimpy knee, is struggling mightily without his two starting running backs, Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush.

The screen plays that used to go for big gains have been null and void for the past two games.

The deep ball, which used to be a staple of the New Orleans offense, is gone.

Coach Sean Payton doesn't seem to worried about it all, according to a recent interview.

"You know how this league is. It's week by week," Payton said Monday. "Do I think we can play better? Yes. That's the thing that's encouraging; that's the thing that gets you here and started on the next plan and that's the thing that keeps you driven and motivated. We don't have to identify it as anything other than a setback. Any time you lose a game, we feel like it's disappointing, but what's most important is what you do about it."

Marques Colston showed up last week, but for most of the season he's been a nonfactor.

The defense is missing at least three starters, including Tracy Porter and Darren Sharper. Despite this, they are playing decent football, holding the Cards without a touchdown, except for a freaky fumble.

So, what's killing the Saints? Turnovers.

Brees had three of them Sunday. Against the Carolina Panthers they had two of them.

If we fix that, we'll be back on track.

LSU's dramatic fake field goal over Florida (VIDEO)

The ball wasn't supposed to bounce on the ground.
But it bounced LSU's way. Again. LSU's 33-29 win @ Florida will go down in SEC lore and propelled the Bayou Bengals to No. 9 in both polls.

LSU edges Florida, 33-29

"Jarrett Lee! Jarrett Lee! Jarrett Lee!"

After weeks of hearing boos from the LSU faithful -- despite an undefeated record --- the Fighting Tigers on Saturday heard cheers seconds after a thrilling come-from-behind victory over the No. 14 Florida Gators.

The two-quarterback system of Jarrett Lee and Jordan Jefferson operated wonderfully and efficiently, giving the Gator defense fits.

LSU stumbled at times, most notably Jefferson's interception in the first quarter that allowed Florida to score their first touchdown. Again in the second half, Patrick Peterson, muffed a kickoff.

But LSU overcame it. More importantly, coach Les Miles got a huge monkey off his back after last week's debacle (still a win) against Tennessee. It was the first time he actually outcoached somebody too. 
Urban Meyer literally couldn't guess right against the Tigers as Miles hit him with Lee for a spell then Jordan for a span.
In the process, LSU may have discovered lightning in a bottle for their until-now anemic offense.

And that's saying something.

LSU vs. Florida: A Tale of Two Quarterbacks

Having resigned itself to a two-quarterback system from here on out, the 5-0 LSU Tigers are hoping one of them -- near-sighted Jarrett Lee or the numb-armed Jordan Jefferson -- can emerge with a hot game to win in Gainesville.

LSU with nary a loss and five wins over BSC opponents (which no other team in the country can say) can expect to crack the top 10 with a win.

If Florida comes out victorious, look for the Gators to lick their chops at another chance to take down Alabama in the SEC Championship Game and a shot at a national title.
LSU coach Les Miles has been lampooned for the whole seven days since his team squeezed by an undermanned and ultimately unprepared Tennessee team. But Miles, bumbler as he is, is not a wobbler.
Gators coach Urban Meyer, after losing to Alabama in the SEC Championship Game last year, quit then changed his mind. 
And you wonder why the teams play so wishy-washy?
Lord knows what he'll do at season's end.
At any point, someone has to win this game. And a quarterback has to find his way.
LSU 21-FLA 20

Saints injuries just keep mounting

Saints quarterback Drew Brees has a brace on his knee.
Safety Darren Sharper was out even before the season started after undergoing surgery.
Running back Reggie Bush has a broken leg.
Pierre Thomas has knee and ankle problems.
Oh it goes on and on, that's just the big names.
The latest broken Saint? Safety Tracy Porter had knee surgery and will miss up to four weeks.
Can the Saints continue to compete with injuries mounting like they are?
Saints coach Sean Payton says it looks like the New Orleans has slowed down, but actually the defenses they are facing are dictating the way the Saints attack.
"Certainly we see people getting a little softer in their coverages and yet we still constantly are paying attention and looking for ways to get an optimum look to get behind the defense," Payton said in a recent interview. "But sometimes there are plays that when they come out of my mouth and Drew (Brees) calls them in the huddle, all of us are (thinking) 'shot' and then it ends up being a dump-off or a check-down. 

The Gulf Spill Isn't Over Yet

This poignant and plain-sung folk song captures the sentiment of the millions of Gulf Coast residents that have been affected by the Gulf Oil Disaster. While BP and federal talking heads have scaled back tremendously, the very livelihood of men and women of the sea is at stake. But it ain't over.

Credits: Holt Webb - writer/photographer & publisher of
The Vanishing America Project
http://vanishingamerica.net

Saints survive Carolina Panthers, 16 -14

Saints new-old kicker John Carney probably didn't think he would be needed so urgently in a so-called "high-powered" offense, but the only thing high-powered about the New Orleans Saints these days is their kicking game.
Against the fiesty Carolina Panthers squad, the Saints had to scratch and claw to hang on Sunday, 16- 14 as rookie quarterback Jimmy Clausen almost pulled off an upset before regressing badly during his team's final few plays.
For sure, the Saints were undermanned. Actually the Saints are hurtin' bad. Both starting running backs are out. Two safeties are out as well. A hodge-podge of offensive players did what they could but two early turnovers made this game a nail biter.
Drew Brees played a great game, but the Saints receivers, most notably Devery Henderson, couldn't hang on to the easy ones, and when they did they couldn't take the tough shots the Panther defenders gave them without losing the football (Lance Moore).
Still, the Saints had Carney, who hit three huge field goals. In the process, he showed the NFL why a decent kicker -- no matter the age -- is so valuable.
It was ugly, but a win is a win.

LUCKY STRIPES: How LSU beat Tennessee, 16- 14 (video)

A two-headed quarterback: Say what you want about Jarrett Lee, and this blog has said plenty, but he can  actually move the ball. A sweet 47-yard bomb in the fourth quarter got LSU near the goal line with a chance to take the lead before the last-second theatrics. Jordan Jefferson's mobility, really his 89-yard juant on the first play from scrimmage, had to make the Vols at least think twice about him every time he snapped the ball. The only thing is, LSU, as well, had to think twice about it everytime he had the ball.

LSU's front four: Drake Nevis and the boys up front absolutely carried the Bayou Bengals Saturday evening. If not for a goal line stand, a turnover on downs and numerous blitzes on third down, Tennessee quarterback Matt Simms carves the secondary up like a turkey. LSU's line held its own going largely without starting defensive end Sam Montgomery who suffered a chop block early in the 1st quarter. Also, starting end Ken Adams was out. So, given that LSU's D-line was at 50%, they did excellent.

Referees: Let's be honest. Jordan Jefferson and a befuddled coaching staff all had to stare in horror as the final seconds clicked off the clock on Saturday. The game was over, and Tennessee players joyously celebrated. But a referee -- one referee-- the one that was supposed to make sure each team had only 11 men on the field, courageously, miraculously said the unsayable "Hold up. This game aint over." As a result, I'd like to buy the man a drink, if somebody could get me his name. Matter fact, I've got him -- and his immediate family -- at Chimes next time he's down that way, if he wants. LSU lucked out. Plain and simple.

LUCKY STRIPES

LSU BEATS Tennessee, 16 -14 IN WACKIEST GAME EVER

Some how some way, LSU beat the Vols in the craziest game in Tiger Stadium history.
Les Miles did all he could to give the game to the Vols, but, as fate would have it, Tennessee's coach is as bottom-tier as LSU's. Who would have thunk it?
Thirteen players on the field on the last play? And what referee would have even called that?
Think about it: The game is done, over. And a zebra stops the hoopla to deliver the sweetest news to Tiger fans since boiled shrimp went for half price?
Seriously, the Tennessee Volunteers deserved to win this game: Let me say that again, and louder.
THE VOLUNTEERS DESERVED TO WIN THIS GAME.
LSU didn't. Let's be honest.
The LSU Tigers manhandled the Tennessee Tigers through three composite quarters but still were losing 14-10 with 10 minutes to go in the game.
Jordan Jefferson continued his three-game slump and even made worse decisions than the previous three games, if that's possible.
Backup quarterback Jarrett Lee may have taken the starting spot of Jefferson in the process, sparking LSU to a first down inside the 10 midway through the fourth quarter.
But he then threw LSU's final interception.
Tennessee quarterback Matt Simms struggled mightily against a steady barrage of blitzes by the LSU defense, but he finally settled down and started to pick the secondary apart.
After being down 7-0, the Vols scored the next 14 points, and even missed a field goal.
LSU's defense outplayed itself, but was simply on the field too long.
After the game, Miles shouldn't thank his coaching staff, or even his players. He should thank whatever voodoo priestess through the dust his way.

Will Panthers Catch Saints Sleeping?

Drew Brees has a sore knee. Pierre Thomas has a shaky ankle. We all know Reggie Bush is out for a while, and yet it's still game on.
The Saints, one week after losing a close one to the Falcons, better pick themselves up off the mat quick. The Carolina Panthers come to town.
While their record is 0-3, New Orleans would be foolish to sleep on a team that has had the best running back tandem in the league for three years now. And the Saints have yet to stop that run attack.
Jonathan Stewart and Deangelo Williams single-handedly almost beat the Saints last year and have spit their season series in recent years.
As for the Panthers, coach John Fox is on the hot seat despite losing his franchise quarterback (who should have been gone a few years ago, but he's a Louisiana boy so I'll go easy on him).
Saints coach Sean Payton is watchful of the Panthers, for good reason.
"You have to pay close attention to the weapons," said Payton in a recent interview. "You have to look closely at their two halfbacks, to the experienced offensive line, Steve Smith. From a defensive perspective you study closely the scheme and what they do. It varies with who's behind center, but most importantly is identifying where the threats are and making sure that you know where those guys are on every play. If Clausen is able to hand off with success,  that changes his job description for the game."