11/05/24
January 11, 2012
Bobby Hebert Defends Confronting Les Miles: Former NFL quarterback Bobby Hebert, now a radio host in New Orleans and the father of an LSU player, was unapologetic about the way he questioned LSU coach Les Miles after the BCS title game. Hebert's monologue disguised as a question: "Did you ever consider bringing in Jarrett Lee? Considering that you weren't taking any chances down the field -- now, I know Alabama's defense is dominant, but come on, that's ridiculous. Five first downs! I'll tell you the fans' standpoint: How can you not maybe push the ball down the field and bring in Jarrett Lee? So what if you get a pick-six? I know the pass rush of Alabama. But not pushing the ball downfield, considering you have (receivers) Rueben Randle and Odell Beckham Jr. -- there's no reason why five first downs. You have a great defense, but that's ridiculous. ... Do you think you should have pushed the football more downfield?"
The rant would have been more appropriate on Hebert's radio show and not in the post-game press conference. But those are certainly legitimate questions, and ones I think many LSU fans have. Considering that part of LSU's advantage in the game in Tuscaloosa was bringing in Jordan Jefferson when Alabama had game-planned for Jarrett Lee (with LSU having some success in running the option with Jefferson), perhaps Lee would have been a good change of pace when Alabama had clearly game-planned for Jefferson. Hell, anything would have been preferable to the offensive showing LSU had on Monday night.
posted by holden at 10:05 AM on January 11, 2012
The way Hebert asked the question is bush league. You don't have to be a trained journalist to figure out the proper way to pose a question in a sports press conference. Les Miles was remarkably patient with him.
posted by rcade at 10:13 AM on January 11, 2012
Was Hebert stumping for Les Miles' job? He was worse than some of the TV lawyers, editorializing rather than just asking a question. His rant brings to mind the old quote about 'a little knowledge is dangerous'. Your gunslingin' days are over, Hebert, acquire the common sense needed to do your job in a proper manner.
posted by mitchigan at 10:52 AM on January 11, 2012
I wish Hebert had gone off on Dan Hawkins instead of Les Miles. He'd have gotten what was coming to him.
posted by beaverboard at 11:49 AM on January 11, 2012
The rant was poor form. But as an observer who thought Miles should have put Lee in during the 3rd quarter, I think Herbert's questions do hold merit.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 12:28 PM on January 11, 2012
I like Hebert, and the few times I've heard his show doesn't make this surprising. I think you're seeing what happens when you combine his rooting interest with having a son on the team.
But it doesn't bother me. I'm glad he called him on it.
posted by justgary at 03:18 PM on January 11, 2012
Hebert's style was out of line but the premise was not. I watched the game and thought it was the worst coaching performance I had ever seen in a college football game. It is one thing to be dominated by another team physically or talent-wise, but to go into a game with the number 1 ranked team in the country and not be able to do anything offensively to slow down the defense, or counteract their pass rush is ridiculous. While I watched LSU late in the game down by 15 still trying to rush the ball, I was just laughing. I mean even a hail mary or some trick play or fake something would have at least demonstrated some desire to win successful or not. They appeared to be trying not to loose by a bigger margin, which didn't work either.
posted by Atheist at 03:19 PM on January 11, 2012
Is There Smoke? Is There Another Reason Why LSU Lost?
posted by ColdChef at 07:24 PM on January 13, 2012
The whole point of the coach's news conference is to hear what the coach has to say, not the rant of a fan/parent. What purpose does that rant serve anyway except to make Hebert feel better?