Bleacher Report - Articles by Carey Montz

Does Jeremy Shockey Make New Orleans Saints the NFC's Best Offense?

Carey Montz — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:49:19 -0400

In years past, from his days as a Miami Hurricane to his time spent with the New York Giants, when I heard the name Jeremy Shockey, I cringed. There was, and still is, something about him that I do not like. It is sort of weird. I am usually a fan of the cocky, just-don't-know-when-to-keep-their-mouth-shut athlete.

Then the news came out that the New Orleans Saints sent a second and fifth-round pick in 2009 to the Giants in exchange for Shockey. My first reaction, as you might expect, was one of disbelief. Phrases such as, "How could the Saints give up two picks for this ***hole!” were being uttered to friends.

The level to which I was pissed off was weird as well, due to the fact that I do not live and die with the Saints as I do with LSU. I am self-admittedly somewhat of a fair-weather fan when it comes the Saints.

I mean, I always want them to do well, and I pull for them no matter whom they play, but I don't get upset and break things like I do when I watch an LSU football game.

But then, with the help of listening to some of the opinions over the radio airwaves, I began to look at the big picture.

The Saints ranked third in total offense in 2007. In addition, they did this with virtually no running game. Deuce McAllister was lost early in the season to injury, which hindered the running game immensely.

And now, with Shockey, and hopefully a healthy Deuce, this Saints offense could be the best offense in the NFC.

Need proof?

1) It will alleviate the pressure off of Marques Colston, who saw numerous double teams last season. In his first two seasons, Colston has 168 receptions, 2,240 yards, and 19 touchdowns.

Colston may have caught the league by surprise in 2006, but his numbers improved in his second year. Some of this can be attributed to how much New Orleans threw the ball last season, but 98 receptions is 98 receptions no matter how you slice it.

Jeremy Shockey should take some pressure off of Colston, giving Brees another reliable target over the middle of the field.

2) Secondly, it will open up more space for Reggie Bush. I would imagine New Orleans is already working up offensive scenarios to get Shockey involved early in the game.

Success with Shockey early in the game will only force defenses to have to account for him at all times, thus freeing up opportunities for Reggie Bush with middle screens, swing passes, etc.

3) Drew Brees loves throwing to his tight end. Saints’ tight ends Eric Johnson and Billy Miller combined for 75 receptions in 2007.

4) The Saints will be more able to stretch the field vertically with Shockey. New Orleans does have some downfield threats in Lance Moore and Devery Henderson, but neither is the playmaker that Shockey can be.

These four things, combined with a healthy Deuce McAllister, are reason enough to believe that New Orleans will be among the league leaders in total offense once again.

LSU Defense Looks Strong in 2008 Despite Personnel Losses

Carey Montz — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:31:47 -0400

The 2008 LSU defense looks to rebound from its worst performance statistically since 2001—no easy task considering what LSU has to replace in 2008.

Gone from last year's national champions are All-American defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, safety Craig Steltz, linebackers Ali Highsmith and Luke Sanders, and cornerbacks Chevis Jackson and Jonathon Zenon.

Plenty of Tiger fans, including myself, were willing to help Bo Pelini pack his bags for Nebraska midway through the 2007 season. But what us spoiled LSU fans seemed to forget was that the 2007 defense suffered some major losses on the D-line that affected the team's play throughout the season.

First, let's start with Charles Alexander, who missed basically the entire season due to injury. Then there's Ricky Jean-Francois (RJF), who was suspended the entire regular season due to academic problems. RJF would play in the SEC and BCS Title games and make a huge impact.

Oh, and let us not forget that Dorsey played much of the second half of the season hurt due to a bad back and bad knee.

The injuries, combined with what I felt was Pelini's inability to adapt to different personnel, were what hurt the defense last season.

All that said, the season ended with LSU raising the crystal ball. Okay, so let's move on to 2008.

There's no doubt that Dorsey leaves the biggest void on defense, but ironically, I think LSU's defensive line will be every bit as good as last season, if not better. How can that be, you ask?

Well, as I stated above, Charles Alexander was out for the year. RJF did not play until the final two games of the year. And Bo Pelini will not be roaming the LSU sidelines thinking about whom he is going to add to his coaching staff at Nebraska.

Okay, I joke about the last sentence.

In 2008, the defensive line will once again be LSU's strong point. Tyson Jackson, a potential first round pick, comes back at right defensive end. Kirston Pittman, who was granted a sixth year of eligibility, will start at left defensive end.

Prior to 2007, Pittman spent much of 2005 and 2006 on the bench with injuries. When healthy, he has been a solid performer at the defensive end position for the Tigers.

Alexander and RJF will start at the defensive tackle positions. Both men had strong 2006 campaigns serving as backups and look to make a huge impact for LSU in 2008.

Behind this starting four are a number of able-bodied backups, some of whom are guys who saw a fair amount of playing time in 2007. The others are highly touted recruits vying for playing time in 2008.

The depth on the defensive line is awesome. I am not trying to speak like a homer, but it is the absolute truth. One thing that Pelini did well was rotate a number of guys in and out, giving everyone good experience against quality competition. The key backups who figure to get the most playing time are defensive tackles Marlon Favorite and Al Woods, and defensive ends Tremaine Johnson and Rahim Alem.

Senior Mike (middle) linebacker Darry Beckwith looks to rebound from a subpar junior season to lead the LSU linebacking corps. Beckwith, along with Pittman, are the returning leaders in tackles for LSU. Beckwith had 65 tackles a year ago, 6.5 for loss.

Perry Riley and Kelvin Sheppard will replace graduating seniors Ali Highsmith and Luke Sanders at the Buck and Will (outside) linebacker positions. Sheppard is probably most known for being confused for former LSU QB Ryan Perrilloux. The two shared jersey number 11 last year.

It confused many announcers as well as many LSU fans, often posing the question, "Why is Ryan Perrilloux playing special teams?" Luckily, this season we need not worry about that.

Riley and Sheppard both have to improve their games in 2008. With the injuries accrued along the defensive line in 2007, the linebacking corps struggled at times. If LSU looks to repeat as SEC, or even perhaps BCS champions, this is an area where improvement is extremely necessary.

The one area where the biggest questions arise for the 2008 LSU defense is the secondary.

The only returning starter in the secondary is Curtis Taylor. However, the talent is rich but unproven among the rest. Backing up Taylor will be Harry Coleman, who had a solid game against Ohio State.

Getting the start at strong safety will be sophomore Chad Jones. Jones follows in the mold of a Laron Landry hard-hitting safety type. Danny McCray will back up Jones. McCray needs to improve in pass coverage to get valuable playing time.

Cornerback will be the crapshoot. Jackson and Zenon were very good cover corners. Unfortunately, the guys backing them up in 2007 were not.

Looking to fill the void at corner is redshirt freshman Phelon Jones and true freshman Patrick Johnson. Johnson was perhaps LSU’s most highly touted recruit back in February.

Overall, there are some question marks for the 2008 defense. However, I do think the Tigers can improve in 2008.

A healthy defensive line will go a long way in determining how good this defense can be. Although LSU lost some key guys in the secondary, I think it too can be better, most notably at the safety position.

That's no disrespect to Craig Steltz, who was tremendous for LSU, but at times was a liability in pass coverage. I think better athletes at the safety positions will help the freshman corners transition into their starting roles.

But if this team is to improve from last season, it most look no further than its most glaring statistic—the Tigers ranked 101st in red zone scoring defense last year, something that is absolutely unheard of at LSU.

This defensive unit will be called upon this season to make some key plays, especially with the inexperience at the quarterback position. It will be no small order, but this defense must be up to the task for LSU to have the huge success that is expected of them.

LSU Football: Preview of the 2008 LSU Offense

Carey Montz — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 17:24:19 -0400

Despite the loss of Ryan Perrilloux, the 2008 LSU offense will not be all that dissimilar from what it was in 2007. While Perrilloux was the only quarterback with any real experience (Andrew Hatch did see some mop-up duty a time or two last season), the rest of the offense is loaded with experience and talent at every other position.

Coming off of a national championship year is never easy—just ask the 2004 LSU football team. Doing so with little, to no experience at quarterback is even tougher. Again, cite the 2004 squad.

Andrew Hatch, the Harvard transfer, enters his junior year with the only in-game experience the quarterback position can boast of.

Jarrett Lee, the highly-touted recruit from Texas, enters his redshirt freshman year ready to compete for the starting job.

The positive thing is that both Hatch and Lee have the same amount of experience in offensive coordinator Gary Crowton's system. The other positive is that Perrilloux had the same amount of experience.

It remains to be seen whether Hatch or Lee, or both for that matter, will excel in Crowton's offense. However, one thing is certain—the skill players surrounding these guys are not without experience, or talent for that matter.

As much as I don't want to, I would be remiss not to mention the cliche that rings true with so many new quarterbacks. You know the one. All Hatch or Lee has to do is manage the game and not make mistakes.

I would not say it if it wasn't true. Granted, LSU's road schedule is tough, and at some point one of these guys will have to make a play somewhere. But for the most part, managing the game will be the main priority.

Who gets the start to open the season? Hatch would be the easy choice, but Lee will get every opportunity to become the starting quarterback once practice starts in August.

Either way, I expect both guys to rotate in and out of games, much like Matt Flynn and Perrilloux did a year ago.

I spoke of the other skill positions that look to aid in the maturing process of both of these young quarterbacks. Where LSU lacks in experience at quarterback, they more than make up for it at just about every other offensive position on the field.

To start, look no further than the guys who will be lining up in the backfield. The LSU rushing attack netted 3,000 yards rushing for the season in 2007, and all but one of the guys responsible returns in 2008. LSU will have to replace Jacob Hester, but the guys returning are more than capable.

Keiland Williams is LSU's leading returning rusher, having rushed for 513 yards and six TDs in 2007. Williams is a power rusher with a slashing-type mentality. He looks to round the corner more than take it up the gut, but when he gets the corner, watch out, because his speed is lights out.

A perfect contrast to Williams is Charles Scott. Scott is a straight-ahead runner who no doubt will be looked upon to pick up the tough yards that Hester did so many times last season. Both Scott and Williams showed versatility as well, combining for 21 receptions and three TDs a year ago.

The two guys who complement the guys listed above are Richard Murphy and Trindon Holliday.

Murphy is perhaps LSU's most versatile running back. He can run between the tackles, split out as a wide receiver, and catch the ball out of the backfield. His talent did not go unnoticed in 2007, as he was used more and more as the year progressed.

Holliday is not your prototypical running back. Standing at only 5'5'' and weighing in at 159 pounds, Holliday will be used primarily in end arounds and reverse plays. Expect a trick play or two with him as well, like the well known "hidden Holliday trick."

LSU's wide-receiving corps will once again be among the best in the SEC. While running the ball figures to be LSU's main focal point for 2008, this group of receivers will be ready to make plays when called upon.

Demetrius Byrd and Brandon LaFell combined for nearly 1,300 yards, 85 receptions, and 11 TDs in 2007. Terrance Toliver had a solid freshman campaign in 2007, hauling in three TDs and averaging 25 yards per catch. He and Byrd will look to make big plays down the field, while LaFell will be looked upon to make the tough catches over the middle.

A perfect safety valve for both Hatch and Lee will undoubtedly be TE Richard Dickson. LSU's best-known secret is no more, especially after his performance in the BCS National Championship Game.

However, with the speed on the ends, Dickson should still be able to find some very favorable matchups over the middle of the field in 2008.

Rounding up my look at the 2008 LSU offense is the men in the trenches. LT Ciron Black and LG Herman Johnson may be the fiercest left side LSU has seen in quite some time. Black has been a starter since his freshman season and should be a preseason All-America candidate.

Brett Helms returns at center in 2008. His experience, leadership, and toughness will be key this season. Rounding up the right side of the offensive line is RG Lyle Hitt and RT Joseph Barksdale. Together these five guys look to pace another solid rushing attack and protect the two young, inexperienced quarterbacks.

The 2007 LSU offense was good. It was Gary Crowton's first year. The 2008 version could possibly be better. It won't be easy. But, as an LSU fan, it should be a fun year to watch on the offensive side of the ball.

Join me next time (whenever that may be) for a look at the 2008 LSU defense.

Alex Box is Not Dead Yet: LSU Forces Game 3, Beats UC-Irvine 9-7

Carey Montz — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 17:28:59 -0400

Okay, before I go on any further, I have to lay everything out there. LSU was losing Sunday to the UC-Irvine Ant Eaters 7-2 in the fifth inning. I had a softball game at 5:30. Based on how the Tigers were playing on Sunday, coupled with getting shelled 11-5 in game 1 of their Super Regional matchup with the Ant Eaters on Saturday, I had given up hope.

It was really hard to leave to play softball at a time like that, but the weekend's events made it a bit easier. Of course I still wanted LSU to win. And even while warming up for our softball game, I was still pacing back and forth curious to the know the score.

Then something happened that I have seen before.

LSU, trailing now 7-4 in the top of the ninth made their move. A walk and couple of base hits later, it is 7-5...NOBODY OUT! No way this is happening.

Meanwhile, our softball team is in the midst of giving up about run nine in what would become a 14 run inning for the opposing team. I didn't really care.

Then, another update from the stands. Tie game!!!! Are you kidding me?

An hour ago, this team was dead. The Ant Eaters starting pitching was too good. Their hitting was clutch. LSU's previous 23 game winning streak didn't mean squat to them.

A couple more base hits...9-7 lead for the Tigers. We now move to the bottom of the ninth.

Our mighty softball team is now losing 14-4...in the second inning. Still no worries. A minute or two passes. One out. We take the field for the bottom of the second. Two outs. We somehow manage not to give up any runs in the second after getting pasted for 14 in the previous one. Three outs. GAME OVER! See you for game 3 tomorrow night at The Box!!!

Paul Mainieri and his LSU Tigers' continue to defy baseball logic. Just two weeks ago, they were losing 4-0 to South Carolina in the ninth inning in the first game of the SEC tournament. They scored four runs in the bottom of the ninth and would eventually win 5-4 in extra innings on a Blake Dean walk off home run.

On Sunday, with their season on the line, they do it again. Five runs in the top of the ninth to score a 9-7 victory against UC-Irvine.

Now the pressure switches to the Ant Eaters. They had LSU beat. They were outplaying LSU in all phases of the game. Pitching, hitting, base running, fielding, crotch grabbing...it didn't matter. And the guys at ESPN (HEY WILL KIMMEY!) made sure you knew about it.

Without question the key for LSU tomorrow is first getting a strong effort from starting pitcher Blake Martin. Next, they have to get to UC-Irvine's starter early and often.

Thanks to the wonderful world of Digital Video Recording, I was able to come home from our eventual 21-8 defeat on the softball diamond and watch the last three innings of Sunday's game two. What I saw was Ant Eater relievers who looked nervous in the moment. Their starters were phenomenal—their relievers, not so much.

LSU has been on the brink of elimination before. Skip's great teams of the 90's staved off many elimination games and went on to win multiple national championships. I could go on and on about them, but this isn't about those teams.

This 2008 LSU Tiger baseball team deserves tons of credit. In many people's eyes, they have already achieved more than anyone thought they would.

But, in my opinion, this team is special. They don't have high profle guys, but they have a group of guys who all have one thing in common—they don't want to go home. They'd rather GEAUX BACK HOME TO OMAHA!!!