College: Louisiana State
Conference: Southeastern
Columnist: Jeff West
Name # Ht Wt Speed Pos Class Game Notes
Joseph Addai #10 600.0 210 4.44 HB 2006 - Addai reinjured his bruised ankle early in the game. He did return a couple times as a blocker, but never got involved in the game. (INCOMPLETE)
Skyler Green #5 510.0 195 4.42 WR 2006 - Green didn't do a whole lot. He caught one short pass and had a very short gain on a reverse. He had a lot of opportunities as a punt returner, as Alabama was forced to punt seven times, but he only returned one for one yard. Green has allowed the other receivers to outplay him on the field to the point where Russell rarely looks his way. He'll still get some interest on draft day, but he's sliding. (VERY NEGATIVE)
LaRon Landry #30 602.0 187 4.48 S 2007 - Landry played a very solid game. I was especially impressed with his range, covering wideouts on deep routes and chasing halfbacks sideline to sideline. He played very tight coverage (too tight at one point, where he was flagged for pass interference in the endzone). He played a very quiet, mature game in the first half, despite the fact that Bama was outplaying LSU. In the second half he turned the emotion on and became one of the inspirational leaders on defense, twice getting to Croyle on blitzes up the middle - one was a sack, the other forced a poor throw. (POSITIVE)
Cameron Vaughn #46 603.5 235 4.56 LB 2006 - It's interesting, I look at the box score now and am surprised to see that Vaughn was the second leading tackler on the team. Sure, I noticed that he assisted on some tackles, and was generally around the ball, but he wasn't an impact player by any means. He played a solid game, but didn't do anything spectacular. He was beaten pretty badly by a TE on a pass play that resulted in a pass interference call on Landry, who had to lend help over the top despite the man coverage. (NEUTRAL)
Justin Vincent #25 510.0 219 4.42 HB 2007 - Vincent has gotten things back together in recent weeks. He looks slimmed down from the beginning of the season where he flat-out looked fat. He showed a good burst through the holes and ran with power, brushing aside any weak tackle attempts. He handled the swing pass with dexterity, setting up blockers and making defenders miss with a powerful cutback. He only averaged about 2.5 yards a carry, but that's all he could manage against a very tough Bama defense. He did score the only TD in regulation for LSU. (SLIGHTLY POSITIVE)
Andrew Whitworth #76 607.0 325 5.24 OT 2006 - Whitworth was matched up against Mark Anderson most of the night. In the running game, Whitworth was able to lock Anderson up and blow him off the line of scrimmage. His power was no match for Anderson. Whitworth also did a reasonably good job in pass protection against the smaller, quicker Anderson, keeping him from disrupting the play. He gave Russell plenty of time to throw the ball. (POSITIVE)
Kyle Williams #95 602.0 295 4.85 DT 2006 - By far the best game from a defensive tackle I've seen in years! Williams was a beast. Of course, part of his success can be attributed to the fact that he was lining up directly over the inexperienced, overmatched back-up center (Taylor Britt) for the Tide. But Bama quickly realized that Britt couldn't handle Williams and gave him help. Williams used outstanding leverage, strength, and speed to fight through double teams and harrassed Croyle all night. When Croyle was able to get a swing pass off quickly before the rush got to him, it was Kyle Williams hurrying to the sideline to make the tackle. Williams' line for the night was 5 solos, 6 assists (leading the team with 11 total tackles), 2.5 sacks, and 4 hurries. Williams even went in motion as a fullback on LSU's only offensive TD in regulation. Apparently Williams also delivered an effective halftime speech and the team rallied around him in the second half. This was a game that was watched by a LOT of scouts and Williams really improved his stock. (VERY POSITIVE)
Claude Wroten #98 603.0 293 5.03 DT 2006 - Part of the reason Williams was able to play so well was because Bama couldn't ignore Claude Wroten, who has been playing marvelously all season. Tonight was no exception. Wroten, too, was frequently in the backfield. He has amazing quickness and uses that to shoot the gap before the offensive linemen have a chance to get into position to stop him. Wroten moves very well for a DT and could be used as a 3-4 DE as well (or even a 4-3 DE in a pinch) because of his athleticism. (POSITIVE)
JaMarcus Russell #4 605.5 250 4.82 QB 2007 - Russell played a good game. He uses his athleticism to get out of the pocket to buy time, or even to scramble for a first down on a broken play, although no one would ever mistake him for Vince Young. He's a bit of a plodding runner. Russell has as big an arm as they come. He can throw it 60 yards with little more than a flick of the wrist. He appears to have really settled down and is calm in the pocket. He doesn't make many mistakes. He still needs to work on his consistency, but he's definitely improved and played well against the toughest defense he may ever face in college. (SLIGHTLY POSITIVE)
Melvin Oliver #90 603.0 277 5.1 DE 2006 - Oliver was fairly well held in check during the first half, but really came on in the second half and took advantage of increased attention to Williams and Wroten to do some damage himself. He was able to beat Capps to the inside with good leverage and to the outside with strength and quickness to put pressure on Croyle. On running plays, he was able to get off the block and force plays to the outside. On plays designed to run between the tackles, Oliver held the point of attack and forced the runner to change his plans. (SLIGHTLY POSITIVE)
Dwayne Bowe #80 603.0 220 4.55 WR 2007 - Dwayne Bowe has become Russell's go-to guy. Bowe is a big target at 6' 3" and uses his body well to shield the defender. On one play, Bowe ran a short crossing pattern. Anthony Madison was on his outside hip the entire way, but couldn't get around Bowe to get between him and the QB. Bowe made the catch and Madison couldn't defend it. Bowe also keeps working and working, knowing his QB has the ability to buy time, and always seems to find a seam or a hole for Russell to throw to. (POSITIVE)
Nate Livings #71 605.0 313 5.58 OG 2006 - Livings struggled some, especially in the first half. He was able to get some good push in the running game and opened some holes for Vincent. He proved a little less competent in pass protection, not reading stunts quickly enough to get into position. (NEGATIVE)
Chris Jackson #41 511.0 159 N/A K 2007 - Jackson punted very well, averaging 45.0 yards on six punts, including a long of 53. He was consistent with his distance and hang time and put four punts inside the 20 (including a few that were downed inside the 5). As a kicker, however, Jackson struggled. He hit from 42, but missed at 43, 47, and 49. He had enough leg for all of them, but pushed or pulled them well wide. (Punting: POSITIVE / Kicking: VERY NEGATIVE)
Alley Broussard #22 600.0 230 4.5 HB 2007 - DNP - Out for the season and will return in 2006.
Others to watch:
Craig Davis (Junior WR) - Other than Bowe, Davis is the only WR who really did anything against Bama. Davis made a couple very difficult catches on low balls (both were reviewed: one was ruled a catch, one was not allowed, though it was a great effort by Davis nonetheless). Davis, at 6' 2" has good height and has the speed to get open. He catches the ball cleanly with his hands. He and Bowe form a dangerous duo. If Early Doucet and Xavier Carter can get things together, LSU will be scary next year.
Rudy Niswanger (Senior C) - Niswanger is likely the smartest player on the field. He is also a big physical center with very good strength. At 6' 5", however, he is somewhat a liability at center as he is unable to get the proper leverage and, because of this, is susceptible to the bull rush. When he is able to pull, he is very effective as he can set up the defender and control him early with his long arms. But in close quarters, he gets pushed around some.
Chase Pittman (Junior DE) - Pittman definitely benefits from having Oliver, Wroten, and Williams on the same line, but he's a talented player in his own right. He has very good quickness and speed for a player his size (6' 4" - 265#). He was able to get leverage on the OT and beat him wide and inside on a few occasions. He's also a decent run stopper who can hold the point of attack and shed blocks to make the play.
Ronnie Prude (Senior CB) - Prude has tons of ability and experience. He is an outstanding special teamer. But as a CB, he's wildly inconsistent. On one play he'll look like a shutdown corner covering an accomplished wideout, or he'll make a great tackle for loss on a running play, then the next play he'll be out of position and watching the ball go to the man he was supposed to be covering. He's the type who, with his potential, and LSU CB pedigree, will wind up in someone's camp next summer. If the coaches can teach him, he'll be a great FA signing.
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College: Alabama
Conference: Southeastern
Columnist: Jeff West '
Name # Ht Wt Speed Pos Class Game Notes
Mark Anderson #47 605.0 253 4.79 DE 2006 - Anderson is quick off the snap and has some good pass rushing moves, but when you are lined up against someone like Andrew Whitworth, you know you're in for a long day. Whitworth consistently overpowered Anderson and took him out of the play. On one occasion, Anderson rushed wide, used a little shoulder fake shake-and-bake and got past Whitworth to put pressure on Russell. Overall, though, a long day for Anderson. (NEUTRAL)
Brodie Croyle #12 603.0 205 4.72 QB 2006 - The offensive line and the wideouts left Croyle out to dry. He got no help from the interior line, especially first-time starter at center, Taylor Britt. Not only was Britt unable to keep Wroten and Williams out of the backfield, he had lots of trouble with shotgun snaps, sending nearly all of them back too low. Croyle appeared a bit skittish in the pocket for the first time this season. He was throwing off balance quite a bit and missed a couple open receivers when he overthrew them deep. Croyle also had seven catchable balls dropped on him by his wideouts and tight ends. Croyle still made some nice throws and threaded the needle over the middle on a couple occasions. (SLIGHTLY NEGATIVE)
Roman Harper #41 601.0 197 4.54 S 2006 - Harper played an outstanding game. He made all the secondary calls and he and his teammates were rarely out of position. Harper provided good pass coverage and played a good centerfield. He is a solid tackler who is a major contributor on run defense. He also plays and produces on special teams. Harper never is the guy in the spotlight, but chances are, when the tackle pile is emptying, he'll be near the bottom of it. (POSITIVE)
Anthony Madison #9 509.0 180 4.47 CB 2006 - I love the way Madison plays. He's a very aggressive corner who is only limited by his size. Early in the game he anticipated a throw, but guessed wrong and the play went for about 40 yards before being called back for a lineman holding on the play. He'll need to control his aggressive nature at times to prevent being beat like that. Madison was the Tide's leading tackler with 6 solos and 3 assists. Some of those tackles were on Dwayne Bowe, right after he made the catch, but most of them were in the running game where Madison would shoot between would-be blockers to trip up the ball-carrier. (POSITIVE)
Charlie Peprah #26 511.0 195 4.52 S 2006 - Peprah played a relatively quiet game. Early in the game he missed an easy tackle when he lowered his head, and lead blindly with his shoulder, trying to make the big hit. The RB, with his head up, saw it coming and nimbly side-stepped the attempted hit. Peprah has to worry more about wrapping up than jacking up the runner. Towards the end of the game, Peprah showed much better technique when tackling Doucet after a short catch, preventing him from getting to the endzone. All-in-all, Peprah played a smarter game than I've seen him do in the past. (SLIGHTLY POSITIVE)
Fred Roach #8 602.0 240 4.74 LB 2006 - Roach didn't play one of his better games. He had his moments, but was not the playmaker he normally is. Of course, many of the running plays never made it beyond the line of scrimmage, so that prevents the LB from getting involved. Roach had one play in particular where he guessed the right gap on a goal line run. Roach saw the hole, leaped toward it, but with his athleticism, he leaped right over top of the ball-carrier and was unable to reach down to grab him. Otherwise, Roach filled well and played well in coverage. He breaks up a lot of passes, but needs to work on turning those PDs into INTs, as one went right through his hands against LSU. (NEUTRAL)
DeMeco Ryans #35 602.0 232 4.65 LB 2006 - Ryans is an outstanding read-and-react player. He uses his great speed to run down plays from behind or to get into the backfield and make the ball-carrier change direction. While Ryans was only credited with 4 assisted tackles, he disrupted many more plays and sent the ball-carrier away from him into the waiting arms of another Tide defender. Ryans is able to manipulate blockers and shed them once he sees which way the runner is going. He's one of the top OLB prospects this season. (SLIGHTLY POSITIVE)
LeRon McClain #33 601.0 260 N/A FB 2007 - The more I see of McClain, the more I'm convinced he's the next great FB prospect. McClain just blows people up once he lays into them. He has excellent quickness and great technique. He gets under the defender and jams him right below the shoulder pads, driving him backward and opening wide holes for the RB. McClain is also very dangerous catching balls out of the backfield. He has excellent hands and runs with power, dragging tacklers as he gains additional yardage. He even surprised me with a nice little stutter step that faked out a CB who fell down and couldn't make the tackle. (VERY POSITIVE)
J.B. Closner #74 604.0 290 5.20 C 2006 - DNP with broken leg. His presence was clearly missed.
Kenneth Darby #34 5110.0 210 N/A HB 2007 - Darby continues to impress me as a runner. He has good size and can run with power, shaking off attempted arm tackles with ease. Darby also excels in open space where is able to change direction and re-accelerate before the defender has a chance to realize what happened. Taking a handoff, Darby is patient to let his blockers work and then uses excellent field vision to locate a hole and burst through it. The LSU defense is a tough one to run on, but Darby topped 100 yards with an average of 5.0 per carry. (POSITIVE)
Others to watch:
Glen Coffee (Frosh RB) - Good combo of size and speed. He only had one run (14 yards) and one reception (40 yards), but the reception was the last play of regulation and Coffee nearly wound up in the endzone before getting tackled with no time left on the clock. Will be an outstanding back-up to Darby next season and then will carry the load after that.
Tim Castille (Junior FB) - Bama has two good junior FBs. Castille isn't as good a blocker as McClain is, but is a much better runner. Castille only had one carry, but it was for a 15-yard gain on a crucial 3rd down that led to the Tide's only TD of the game.
Simeon Castille (Soph CB) - The younger brother of Tim the fullback is a rangy CB with good speed and improving skills. Castille had an outstanding play where Bowe had a step on him and Russell threw the pass high enough that only Bowe could get it. As Bowe got his fingers on it, Castille was able to get a hand in and knock the ball out of Bowe's grasp. (Picture below)
DJ Hall and Keith Brown (Soph WRs) - These two form a great duo. They both have good height, with Hall being a bit faster and Brown being a bit more physical. They've both been forced to get more involved with the injury to Prothro and have outplayed Matt Caddell, who was the more heralded soph WR coming into the season. Both of them catch the ball with their hands and are willing (and fairly effective) blockers. And both of them need to improve their focus and limit dropped balls.
Antoine Caldwell (Frosh OG) - Weighing in at under 300 pounds, Caldwell is very susceptible to the bull rush and had a lot of trouble with the LSU defensive tackles. Where Caldwell really shines is when he's given the opportunity to pull. He has excellent footspeed and is a devastating lead blocker when he gets into open space. He's just a freshman though, so there will be plenty of time for him to spend in the weight room and learning technique. He'll be a great OG one day.
Wallace Gilberry (Soph DE) - Gilberry played a really good game. He was able to get penetration through the right side of the LSU offensive line. He played a smart game, staying at home on a reverse and making a great play on it. He appears to have bulked up some and is really getting more effective in run stopping.
Juwan Simpson (Junior WLB) - Simpson was playing an outstanding game, being an active player on run and pass defense. As a backside backer, he stayed home on an early reverse attempt and was in position to make the tackle when the ball-carrier came back to his side. He injured his ankle in the second half and got it taped with the hope of returning, but his replacement (Junior OLB Terrence Jones) came in and was very productive in his stead, so Simpson remained on the trainer's bench.
Simeon Castille makes an outstanding defensive play on Dwayne Bowe.
Just hours before the game (from L-R) Coach Les Miles, LT Andrew Whitworth, DT Kyle Williams, and QB Jamarcus Russell visit with a young LSU fan who was recently diagnosed with cancer.
Photos courtesy of University of Alabama and Louisiana State University. Thanks!
