That Shreve-Times Guy: RS being moved to WR

PodKATT

Why does it always have to be Guilbeau?

LSU moves Russell Shepard to wide receiver | shreveporttimes.com | Shreveport Times

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clair

LSU moves Russell Shepard to wide receiver | shreveporttimes.com | Shreveport Times

Dude simply can't throw the football. This is not a big surprise.

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locoguano

Mistake if you ask me... He seems to be a natural at runningback.. no reason he can't beef up and be a Reggie Bush sized guy...

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lsu99

I like the move and think they'll still get him a few touches out of the backfield. Use him like Harvin or Felix Jones and get him out in space.

lsudolemite

Just as well if Les has no intention of letting him throw the ball. Doesn't mean he couldn't do the occasional trickeration like that halfback read play Keiland did a couple of times.

In addition, Miles said the "Wildcat" formation that frequently featured Shepard last season would not be much of a priority in the 2010 season.

"We'll eventually get to 'Wildcat' some time during this spring," he said. "I don't know to what extent we'll run it and how big a piece it will be, but we'll have a look at it. There'll be some of those experiments."

My first impression is this is a smart move. Get back to the basics with a focus on solid fundamental play at the position instead of throwing random sets and formations at the wall to see if anything sticks. You have to walk before you can run.

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JohnLSU

It's unrealistic to expect see a true freshman throw the ball. If Shep's career at QB at is over, that's a pretty impressive coup by the LSU coaches, because I was under the assumption that Shep came to LSU because we'd let him be a QB--that we were stuck having to let him train to be a QB. Yeah, he could possibly have been the next Charlie Ward at QB, but Charlie Ward didn't see the field until he was a junior. By wasting time practicing at QB instead of at WR and kick/punt returner...Shep didn't get to see the field as much as he would of had he been a WR since the beginning. Another thing that was worrying me was that he'd have to beat out JJ and Chris Garrett (meaning he might not be starting QB until he was a senior... and even then he might not be the sole QB starting). I'm very pleased that the LSU coaches convinced Shep to give up on being a QB. Big win by the coaches, and big win for Shep's college career (and pro future), IMO.

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JohnLSU

When the OP titled this thread "solely to WR" he meant that Shep is done at QB. Even the article he cited said that Les said "He'll [still] get...running back play." 5 foot, 5 inch Trindon Holliday was a listed as WR for LSU, and he got carries, didn't he? 6 foot, 1 inch Shepard will also get carries... think Percy Harvin or Dexter McCluster (both WRs that got a great deal of carries). The problem was that, unlike Percy Harvin or Dexter McCluster, we had to train Shep as a QB as well. Now we don't have that problem. So now, in addition to carrying the ball like Shep already does, he will also be a receiver (and hopefully a kick and/or punt returner as well).

"This gets him on the field every down," Miles explained. "When you're at (situational) quarterback, it's very difficult to be on the field every play. So if he starts with base at wide receiver, then...it allows us to play him [more]...the opportunity to give him the ball will be easier."

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clair

combine all that with a Florida coach on staff now and I agree.

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JohnLSU

Florida coach or no Florida coach, would be no different. Any coach would give him both carries and receptions if they weren't stuck having to train him at QB. But I do wonder if Gonzales was a big help to the coaches in talking Shep into give up on being a QB. "Russell, I coached Harvin for 3 years and you remind me of him...and I'm telling you... you are missing out by not moving to WR like the other coaches would like you to do... I agree with them that moving to WR would be a much better move for your college career and your future in the Pros."

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Bandit88

The beginning of the Russell Shepard era at LSU. My only question is can he run routes well enough to be a legitimate WR. If so, he'll be deadly.

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"I have a fairly strong feeling that his career for the most part will be wasted at LSU."

Forum member discussing Russell Shepard's future at LSU, January 26, 2009.

http://lsutigerbait.blogspot.com

Bandit88

No it's not. True freshmen QBs play all over the NCAA. It's not the norm, but it's commonplace enough not to be "unrealistic".

Shep got a shot at QB because Les Miles promised him he'd get a shot at QB. He didn't pick it up enough in practice to be trusted in games to throw (and Lord knows the offense was bad enough that he'd have gotten his shot if he'd been good enough).

One reason Miles recruits so well is that he follows through - with Perrilloux among others. And now with Shepard. Love him, hate him - Miles has actual integrity. Not commonplace in a man at his level of his game, IMO.

I bet we see something similar with Fobbs over the next few years. He gets his shot at WR, as promised. If he lights it up, fine. But there's a lot of talent there, and more coming in next year. I wouldn't be surprised to see him at CB, as the coaching staff intended, after he gets a real shot at WR.

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"I have a fairly strong feeling that his career for the most part will be wasted at LSU."

Forum member discussing Russell Shepard's future at LSU, January 26, 2009.

http://lsutigerbait.blogspot.com

pjnchamps

I just wonder how did he take it because he could've went to Texas to be a WR and was suppose to actually get a shot at LSU. He should be a great WR though.

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lsudolemite

It's unrealistic to expect a third or half of his snaps to be pass plays as a true freshman. Shepard never had a single one. Not one. That goes beyond simply being a true freshman, it suggests that the rumors about the coaches not being thrilled with his passing ability have a lot of truth to them.

Ah, but you assume that there actually was an offensive plan in place last season. The stats would argue otherwise. And as little as he saw the field in 2009, not only have you wasted time practicing at QB, but also a year of eligibility that could have been spent grooming him for a WR role. But hindsight is 20/20 and that's all water under the bridge, and now's the time to make the move. I thought Shep also made it clear from the beginning that if the coaches felt it would be best to use him at WR he'd have no problem with it, so I don't know if it's as big of a feat by the coaches as you say.

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clair

the kid was barely a +50% passer in HIGH SCHOOL.

I said from when he was signed that I didn't think he would ever be a college QB -- at least not a good one, anyway.

He just is not an accurate passer. Nothing against the kid, but he is a skill player.

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LEGACY TIGER

RS has said from the moment he decided on LSU he didn't really care where or how he was used as long as he got to play. As fans this is great news we've all been looking for Miles to figure out how to use his explosive talents, and now he has.

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tirk

yeah im ecstatic les is going to use him much like percy harvin.


i have more faith in the next stimulus package. the best possibility for that was if he put him at RB where he would be forced to get touches. not so much now.

lafell couldnt even get but a couple touches a game. how the hell is RS going to get balls thrown to him. hes small and JJ isnt exactly drew brees.

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LaSalleAve

yeah but you have to remember that JJ was one of the most efficient passers in the SEC last season, primarily because they didn't throw the ball downfield, but i don't think there will be a problem with designing plays to get Shep the ball, we still have those inside screens, and out routes, and the comebacks that they like to run.

tirk

i guess. les is going to have to take the lead of this team. not just depend on his coaches on gameday. if he understands the urgency of the situation we might be ok. if its the same lost les it doesnt matter who he puts where.

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geauxtigs

I'm for whatever it takes to get Shep in the game on just about every offensive snap. I like this move. Shep has proven he can catch the ball and with his running skills he'll get the yards after catch. And if they use him on offense in some Percy Harvin type role, that's great too. Just get him involved in game. If he wasn't going to work out as a QB then this is a great option for both Shep and the team.

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HatcherTiger

This is not big news to anyone who knows college football. It was predicted by many here form the get go. In my opinion, this is a good thing for LSU AND for RS!

One question, is he really 6' 1" ? Doesn't appear to be that tall to me but I could be wrong.

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Swerved

I've said this many times now. There's a reason they won't let him throw a pass..

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“In the beginning, the universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry, and been widely regarded as a bad move."

LaSalleAve

is he a better passer than Keiland Williams?

Swerved

From what I saw at scrimmages, not really.. He seemed to know where he should throw it, just couldn't get it there.



And for the record, Williams isn't exactly a great passer. That (lucky) pass in the GA Tech game was underthrown and probably should have been picked off. That said, it was one of my favorite plays.

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“In the beginning, the universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry, and been widely regarded as a bad move."

red55

I think it is obvious that Shepard will see some time at running back and will run a lot from a slot receiver lineup. I will not be shocked to see him at wildcat quarterback in the red zone from time to time, either. But his NFL future is at receiver and its good for him to get into that mind set.

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LaSalleAve

Keiland threw a touchdown against Auburn, did he throw one against GT? i cant remember, i guess my point was, why not have the guy throw at least 1? But...... i guess now it would be more of a surprise if he did throw one.