SB Nation - Russell Shepard

LSU's DeAngelo Peterson Still Baffled By Championship Game Offense

Jason Kirk — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:30:33 -0000

The LSU Tigers didn't get much of an offense going against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the BCS National Championship Game, famously not crossing the 50 until late. Instead of working from their standard offense, the Tigers went all-in on an unfamiliar, option-heavy attack apparently inspired by Georgia Southern's frisky showing against Bama.

Tight end DeAngelo Peterson, who's working out at the Senior Bowl, still isn't sure where that title game plan came from:

"The game plan was to spread the ball out, get the ball to me, get the ball to Rueben (Randle), let Russell (Shepard) run the ball every now and then, give the ball to our running backs. In that game, Russell played like two plays, Rueben had like one ball, I had one ball. I think they went away from the game plan."

Peterson is expected to be picked in the later rounds, hopefully by a team that doesn't run the triple option, I think.

Les Miles Denies Arguing With Players Before BCS Title Game

Matt Watson — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 02:50:18 -0000

Did several LSU players, including T-Bob Hebert and Russell Shepard, approach Les Miles before the BCS title game asking that quarterback Jarrett Lee start over Jordan Jefferson? That's the rumor going around Baton Rouge, apparently, which also alleges that Miles was angered by the request, benching Hebert and Shepard as a result.

Given how poorly Jefferson played, it's not surprising the rumor exists, but Miles denied the confrontation occurred during a press conference Tuesday. From USA Today:

"Not at all," Miles said when asked if there was any truth to the circulated story. "We took the field just like we always have. There's never been any issue prior to a game. There has never been a player-coach interaction before or after a game that was negative."

Miles was also asked about losing top QB recruit Gunner Kiel to Notre Dame:

"There's a guy in the Midwest that's staying close to home. I understand that very much," he said. "This recruiting class will still be the style of class that we've had in years past."

For more, check out LSU blog And The Valley Shook.

LSU Wide Receiving Corps Not The Happiest Place In The World

Jason Kirk — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:35:30 -0000

A day after LSU Tigers receivers coach Billy Gonzales took the Illinois offensive coordinator job, former pupils Terrence Toliver and Russell Shepard decided to burn a Twitter bridge or two. Shepard fired on his way out of Baton Rouge, while Toliver did so from a distance, as he's already on a NFL practice squad roster:

@TToliver80 I regret not declaring for the draft my junior year thinking that I could have a better year but no that didn't happen

@LSUShep10 But out of those 14 catches I still had 4 touchdowns you guys trying to talk down on me gives me more reason to leave.. I Can't believe this

Shepard, who missed two games due to suspension, mustered only 190 yards on the year, though that was good enough to rank third on the run-first team. Toliver, having just concluded his rookie year with the Detroit Lions, caught nary a pass in 2011. His senior year at LSU, Toliver tallied 579 yards.

At least Odell Beckham is still happy? Maybe? Somebody please check on Odell Beckham?

For more on the suddenly turbulent Tigers, visit LSU blog And the Valley Shook.

Oklahoma State Vs. LSU? Mike Gundy Lobbies, SEC Players React

Jason Kirk — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 15:20:58 -0000

After the Oklahoma St. Cowboys astounded the Oklahoma Sooners to conclude their case for the BCS No. 2 spot, coach Mike Gundy shifted into politician mode. Here's curiously unembeddable video of his postgame punditry, and here's a quick transcript:

People have to decide whether they want to see a 9-6 game or a 39-36 game. This is the opportunity for people to find out how good the defense is in the SEC. We'd love to have that challenge. I think our defense is better than what people say. Last week, I said Alabama should be there. There's no question Oklahoma State should be No. 2 right now. No question.

LSU and Alabama players, you'll be shocked to learn, didn't quite agree with Gundy. Here's Russell Shepard:

@LSUShep10 Bra we would #smash OKST......they coach better calm down.

And here's Brad Smelley:

@bradsmelley I have no time for Mike Gundy. Dude just claimed Ok state would score 35 points on LSU..pass me what your drankin coach

@bradsmelley Every1 can argue up and down about this, but if we lost to a 6-6 Vandy team this yr, we would be out of the NC game picture #truth

Trent Richardson, a reflective gent:

@TRENTRlCHARDSON Oklahoma St is doing their thing out there #Respect Either way it go, we had a great season #NoRegrets

Then again, at least one former Bama national champ is just a little bit worried:

@Mark_Ingram28 Dang I didn't know OK state was whoopin them boys like that... Uh oh

Widely unpopular things are going to happen Sunday, and any outcome besides LSU losing in New Orleans will be held aloft forever as proof of injustice. Which, of course, it will be.