LSU’s offense still stinks, in case you were wondering.The Tigers are No. 112 in total offense nationally, as they average only 295 yards per game. They’re No. 89 in rushing yards per game with 124 and they’re No. 105 in passing offense with 171 yards per contest.Offensive coordinator Gary Crowton, coach Les Miles, the offensive line, sophomore quarterback Jordan Jefferson and even former LSU quarterback Ryan Perrilloux have all had some of the blame for the poor performance levied upon them from one source or another.Some suggested playing new athletes on the offensive line, firing Crowton or even starting backup sophomore quarterback Jarrett Lee to fix the offensive woes.All these are pretty decent solutions, which could potentially be effective, but I’m here to offer my own unfeasible, unrealistic and downright foolish short-term solution to the long-term problem that is LSU’s offensive ineptitude.Jefferson should pop in a DVD of the late 1999 cinematic masterpiece “Any Given Sunday” and emulate Miami Sharks quarterback Willie Beamen.Beamen and Jefferson share some similarities.They started their careers with their respective teams as the third-string quarterback, only saw the field because of injuries and they’re both pretty athletic and mobile signal-callers. Where Jefferson and Beamen differ, however, is how they’re handling playing for a struggling offense.Jefferson is taking it all in stride, doing what the coaches want him to and toeing the party line.Beamen took the conservative play-calling, threw it in his coaches’ faces and started calling his own plays in the huddle.All Jefferson would have to do is “Pull a Willie Beamen” if he wants the offense to be more dynamic.It’s what a man who truly wants to win would do.The next time he gets into to huddle and Crowton calls his patented read option to senior running back Charles Scott, all Jefferson will have to do is ignore it and make his own play call.Beamen did it, and it worked out fine for him and the Sharks.According to his Scout.com profile, Jefferson runs a 4.63 second 40-yard dash, and I don’t see why he can’t just take things into his own hands, call plays that show off his skill set and be the most creative offensive coordinator LSU has seen in years.Jefferson could scramble and throw to his little heart’s content and not pussyfoot around with any of this “in between the tackles running game” bullhockey.Miles has reiterated in multiple press conferences his desire to establish the between-the-tackles aspect of the team’s offense, no matter how foolish it may seem. This style of “offense” is not exciting — it’s predictable, and it’s an insult to Jefferson’s athletic ability.The “running between the tackles” boat has sailed, Les. It’s time to get on board with the “Steamin'” Willie Beamen style of offense where the quarterback calls his own number 90 percent of the time and shines.A man of Jefferson’s skill set should always be throwing and running, just like the new offensive philosophy would allow.I can see it now. Jefferson taking the field, vomiting and making highlight reel play after highlight reel play just like Beamen.Jordan, this offense’s burden is solely on you now, and I’m going to talk to you directly.I know there have to be more than the two dozen plays we see weekly in the playbook, so now it’s up to you to mix and match in a way that’ll confuse the defense, show off your athletic ability and, above all, score some points.How about a designed quarterback draw where you score the touchdown yourself and take all the glory?How do bootlegs sound to you? Pretty good, huh? Tuck the ball and run if you feel like it, or toss it to one of the guys downfield.It’s all up to you. The world is your oyster.Call whatever play you want whenever you want to and then just reap the benefits of shunning conservatism in play calling.If the coaches give you any crap, just remember their hands are tied anyway. They’re too afraid to play freshman Russell Shepard, and they’re too nervous about their jobs to revisit the Jarrett Lee project.This offense and its play calling all up to you, man. It’s the way it has to be if this offense is going to see any marked improvement.Get out there, be insubordinate and just win, baby. It’s what Willie would have done.Johanathan Brooks is a 21-year-old mass communication senior from Powder Springs, Ga. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_jbrooks. –Contact Johanathan Brooks at [email protected]
Babbling Brooks: Jefferson should call own plays
October 21, 2009