The Death Of "3rd and Chavis": Youth Gone Wild

John Chavis is one of the most respected defensive coordinators in the SEC.  He has long been the head of defenses that produced the likes of NFL talents Al Wilson, Albert Haynesworth, Jabari Greer, John Henderson, and Jarrod Mayo just to name a few.  He has been the defensive coordinator for Tennessee squads that have won a national championship, two SEC championships, and have been ranked top 5 in the SEC in total defense 10 times.  Chavis’s defenses have been steady if not spectacular year in and year out, yet his controversial “mustang” package, and infamously low 3^rd down percentage, has given rise to the infamous moniker “3^rd and Chavis”.  A moniker which has followed him to LSU in his first season as the head man on defense. 

Chavis recently responded to his media critics, pointing out the fact that his defense had a 75% percent success rate when the opponent was facing a 3^rd and long situation or more precisely, a situation where the offense needed to gain 6 or more yards.  In fact, Chavis, himself, pointed out that an 80% success rate would rate in the top spots nationally.  Chavis did, in fact, also acknowledged last year’s squads deficiencies in 3^rd and short although he would not give the statitistics. 

In 2010, however, Chavis just might finally be able to shed the infamous “3^rd and Chavis” tag, as his defense is loaded with speed at almost every position, and a secondary that has the potential to be considered the best unit in the SEC, if not the entire country.  This secondary, if they live up to the immense potential, will allow a front seven loaded with raw speed and ability to run wild.  In fact, by mid season, expect the youth movement to be in full swing and wreaking havoc on SEC offenses every Saturday.

With 6 days leading up to the kickoff of the much anticipated North Carolina game in the Georgia dome, the tigers defense has been picked and prodded ad nauseum.  We know their names, their stats, their recruitment star level, their speed, their favorite foods, and their mother’s maiden name.  Everyone has an opinion on who’s going to be starting, who’s going to be key reserves, and just how John “Chief” Chavis is going to utilize his abundance of talent on route to the gauntlet known as an SEC schedule, but let’s take a look ahead to one key date, Saturday October 2^nd, 2010. 

This particular Saturday is probably the most anticipated game of the year for John Chavis, as it would be for any coach who is about to face his alma matter and former employer for the first time.  This Saturday on the hallowed grounds of the true “Death Valley”, is the date I expect John Chavis to unleash a new starting lineup against his beloved Tennessee Volunteers.  My reasoning for this is not due for spite by Chavis against a Volunteers team that is still picking up the pieces from the wake of the Lane Kiffen vacation (after all, one year is not an era).  More precisely, this is a Saturday that, like a good gumbo, would have allowed time for seasoning.  By kickoff time against the Volunteers, these young players will have already gained valuable experience against the likes of North Carolina, Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, and West Virginia. 

The rebounding Volunteers will be the perfect sacrificial lamb to unveil the new lineup of blazing speed, especially since it’s one week before the trip to “The Swamp” to face the rival Florida Gators.  In effect, I propose that the tweaked starting lineup will be as follows:

DE’s:  Sam Montgomery, Barkevious “Kiki” Mingo

DT’s: Drake Nevis, Josh Downs

SLB: Stefoin Francois

MLB: Kelvin Sheppard

WLB: Ryan Baker

CB’s: Patrick Peterson, Morris Claiborne

FS: Craig Loston

SS: Brandon Taylor

Although not much different, than originally projected.  The insertion of Mingo, Montgomery, and Loston into full time starting roles will pay dividends for years to come, and also allow LSU to match up to the speed of even the fastest spread offenses.  This defense along with an improved running game will be the reason for a return to Atlanta in 2010.  It will also be the nail in the coffin of the dreaded “3^rd and Chavis” tag as Chavis will be able to leave Claiborne and Peterson on islands as he lets Mingo and Montgomery loose on the ends with their blazing 4.5 speed.  Unfortunately, for the Volunteers, expect “the Chief” to exact a little revenge with his new toys, and expect LSU to rise to the top of the SEC defenses for years to come.