Nearly five days removed from perhaps Maicus's most rollercoaster performance yet, I can never remember a quarterback with such little grey area of support in Tigertown. Everyone loved Tommy Hodson, Rohan, and especially Matthew Mauck. Everyone hated Jamie Howard and Marcus Randall. Josh Booty? Perhaps touted by a few racists here and there.
Hopefully I never have to image-search 'Booty' again.But no one has divided the LSU fanbase like JaMarcus. There are people like me, easily enamored with hype and pure talent from signing day on, but still stubborn to admit this talent hasn't necessarily translated to success like it should. I distinctly remember being at a Baton Rouge party in the summer of 2004, trying to figure out how Marcus Randall would be defending the title instead of a Daunte Culpepper clone with the ability to throw the football over 100 yards. "Dude, I fuckin' saw him in spring practice, JaMarcus is the fuckin' shit." And then there are folks who have been a little suspect of his decision making and ability to win big games, easily mentioning that we won the 2003 title with no arm at all, just a quarterback who managed the game and especially didn't throw two picks inside his own redzone at Florida (2004). There's really no one left on the JaMarcus Fence, indicative of how opinionated, dismissive, and greedy LSU fans have become since 2003.
Now, I present arguments for both sides, fitting as I stepped another rung onto the JR Fence this weekend:
The Bottom Five JaMarcus Moments:
Honorable Mentions:
JaMarcus gets his car stolen before the Florida game, and JR shows inexperience while getting pulled from a too-close-for-comfort Ole Miss game in 2004.
5. 2005 SEC Championship: 'Maicus ineffective, injured:
Russell was able to complete only 11 passes in the first half, in addition to a costly interception, as LSU appeared to run out of gas after an exhausting, thrilling, and meaningful regular season. The "Victory" Cigar was called from the bench as JR sustained a shoulder injury, and proved even worse, throwing an interception-for-touchdown on his first pass. Tigers lose, 34-14.
Why would Matthew complain? Dude's getting paced every night with no responsibilities. And he's probably going to get a few NFL tryouts based solely on the Peach Bowl.4. JaMarcus can't find touch, keeps Tennessee in game:
Needing a meaningful road win in 2006, The Phenom still appeared to exhibit Favre-like problems by throwing short passes too hard, creating deflections and turnovers once again. Still, there was no deflection involved in the worst throw of his career, greatly overthrowing his intended receiver and creating a 31-yard interception for touchdown. Tennessee took a 17-7 lead in their home stadium.
3. Florida 2005: Costly turnovers keep Gators in game:
The Tiger defense did everything possible to shut down the ineffective Florida offense in Urban Meyer's first season, but JR continued to relinquish the ball at key points in the game, keeping an anemic offense within striking distance. Russell finished with two interceptions and a game-changing fumble.
2. Florida 2006: Even costlier turnovers (I sense a theme here):
JaMarcus's cannon produced two deflections and subsequent interceptions, displaying how little he has progressed in terms of putting touch on the football. Also, probably a completely different game if 'Maicus didn't put the ball on the ground at a first-and-goal from the UF 1-yard line. Final turnover stats: 3 INT, 1 Fumble, 1 inability to overcome mistakes.
Take a deep breath... JR only has to play Florida one more time. 1. Florida 2004: Russell pulled for Randall:
JaMarcus's first road start in an LSU uniform produced disastrous results. Despite an efficient showing in the first offensive series, key interceptions at the Florida 25 and 10-yard lines on consecutive series not only produced a 14-0 hole for the underdog Tigers, but forced Saban to pull JR for Marcus Randall. Marcus Randall is the savior for a night, and I'm forced to begin to defend myself, in a shrimper's costume no less.
Chili? I woke up in my dorm bed with the shrimper's costume still fully on, smelling like a nutria. Bacardi Limon times twenty.The Top Five JaMarcus Moments
Honorable Mentions:
His performance off the bench vs. Iowa in the 2005 Capital One Bowl, a sterling showing against Auburn in 2005, and his engineering a game-winning drive against Florida in 2005.
5. Russell-to-Bowe I-- JaMarcus rallies LSU past Oregon State, 22-21:
In a game that featured the defending national champions slipping, sliding, and dropping their way to a potential stomach punch season opener, The X Factor was called from the bench to make his first appearance on an LSU playing field. The redshirt freshman's numbers weren't gaudy-- or impressive, even: 9 completions on 26 attempts-- but he replaced an inevitably ineffective Marcus Randall (just 5/15 in the first half) by returning to streetball roots. JR connected with Bowe on a slant pattern up the middle on the final drive to set up the same play for a thirty-eight yard touchdown. If you think Jimbo called the same play twice, you're crazy. JaMarcus improvises, Tigers win. Reportedly, Bowe told JaMarcus in the huddle, "Just give me the ball."
Wet field, purple jerseys, Beavers, Alexis Serna... just give me the damn ball.4. 'Maicus ties the efficiency record: LSU 48 State 17:
In an otherwise rainy yawner, two things stood out: the lightining at the beginning of the second half, and JaMarcus's box score. Fats Domino's niece's beau was a stupid 13-14, 272 yards, and 3 TD at halftime. He ended the game similarly: 18-20, 330 yards, 3 TD, fourteen straight completions, tying the previous team record.
3. JaMarcus-to-Early seals post-Katrina road win over Arizona State:
A crazy "home" game in Tempe, AZ, less than two weeks after Katrina paced about 30 players' houses, JaMarcus and the offense carried the defense (how far we've come), amassing 434 yards of total offense in probably the most nerve-racking game I've ever watched on TV. The fourth quarter featured 42 points, the most important seven coming from JR's pass to Early Doucet on 4th and 10 (!) for a 39-yard touchdown with 1:13 left. This was the first of many gut-wrenchlingly close victories in 2005, a year in which we really played above our abilities. So proud of this team.
Of course he had possession. Don't question it.2. Russell overcomes mistakes, leads game-winning TD drive at Neyland:
Maicus showed how far he has come since Florida 2004, making the usual big-game mistakes but showing enough maturity, toughness, and leadership to overcome them. Maybe the worst throw of his career was intercepted and returned for a touchdown at the beginning of the second half. None of that matters now, as Godzilla readily accepted the challenge, driving eighty yards, converting a key 4th-and-eight, and draining over seven minutes of game clock. JR two years ago would've never thrown the ball away on that first-and-goal; his patience paid off with a four-yard Doucet TD originally intended for Bowe. JaMarcus's line: 24-36, 247 yards, career-high 71 yds rushing, 3 TD, 3 INT. Beat chest twice, point to sky, repeat.
It looked as though the other twenty-one players on the field heard a whistle during JaMarcus's 34-yard run. I guess that's a compliment.1. JaMarcus's Homecoming: Russell leads Tigers over 'Bama in OT:
After a sputtering first half on offense, JR led the Tigers to two consecutive scoring drives after halftime, eventually sending the game into LSU's third overtime period of the season. The defense was able to hold Brodie Croyle and the 'Bama offense to a field goal, while The Chosen One, an Alabama native, paced an eleven-yard touchdown to Dwayne Bowe for the win. And, yes, Bowe was just chillaxin' on the ground when he caught the ball; I think that is secretly Jimbo Fisher's favorite play. Memorable JaMarcus moment: after Bowe caught the touchdown, Bobby Lloyd's son just placed the mouthpiece back in his facemask, beat his chest a couple of times, and pointed to the sky, thus creating my typical celebration-- in all facets of life-- for the next fifteen years or so.
Look familiar?It's definitely not a bad sign when three of your quarterback's five worst moments result in wins. So I'm climbing off the fence here. My JaMarcus love is as strong as ever.
Beat chest.
Beat chest.
Point to sky.
- P.T.
2 comments:
Dude, I like the concept of your blog, but what do you want from the guy? To say that his talent hasn't translated into success is like saying he's lost every game since he's stepped on the field. Mauck almost single handedly gave the National Championship game away man- 3 turnovers, no TDs and on;y 122 passing yards. They won in spite of him. At least Russell can make plays to erase his mistakes. I really think, and this doesn't necessarily apply to you, that people hold this guy to an unrealistic standard. There is nothing wrong with his decision making, nothing wrong with the way he plays- he competes and if he has a weakness, it's not knowing when to quit- he's always trying to make a play. It's almost as if people think that this guy is the only QB that makes mistakes in America. Brian Brohm just looked like a deer in the headlights- Russell has never been rattled, regardless of the opponent. The guy is a winner and has done so every since he stepped on the field as a redshirt freshman. He deserves way more respect than the fickle fans on the Bayou give him. They'll be very sorry when he leaves.
And that's why I love him. You make some good points, some of which I've subtly addressed throughout the season, 'anonymous.' Make no mistake, I'm in love with JaMarcus, and apparently you've just started reading.
However, there's something wrong with his decision making-- he tends to overestimate how difficult he is to tackle. He's slowly, slowly learning when to get rid of the ball, but 90% of the time, he thinks he can save a play while falling to the ground.
But, yeah, he's always been poised since Auburn in 2004. And I love the guy.
- P.T.
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