You know, I've been watching this program since the Billy Cannon days, and I have to tell you, this "next man up" talk sounds nice until you're staring down a third and long against Alabama. We used to build depth over years, not months. You mention guys grinding in the system for two years. Son, back in the 80s under Coach Stovall and then Archer, a player would redshirt, learn for two more years, and then maybe see the field as a junior. That was development. What you have now is a revolving door where a kid waits two years and then bolts for the highest NIL offer if he isn't starting. The loyalty is gone. I remember watching Wendell Davis and Eddie Kennison, guys who bled purplle and gold for four full seasons. They weren't just "waiting for their shot," they were becoming part of the fabric of the team. This idea that you just plug and play is what's wrong. We lost a dynasty because we couldn't keep the Bert Jones and Tommy Hodson types for their entire careers anymore. The spotlight might be on the guys in the building, but half of them will be in another building by next spring if they don't get their way. That's not the LSU way. The LSU way was weathering the storm, building men, and winning championships with homegrown talent, not just hoping the next batch of croots pans out before they transfer.
