Lee says he could have helped LSU in BCS title game
e_SDLqI felt, if I was given the opportunity (in the BCS championship game), I could have come in and done things to help. I don’t know what happened. ... There were some players and plays that could have helped us win.” JARRETT LEE, former LSU quarterback
A simple paper sign stuck to a bus stop shelter outside the Mercedes-Benz Superdome the day of the BCS championship game spoke for a sizeable, vocal number of LSU football fans:
It read, “Thank you, Jarrett.”
A fan at a recent LSU basketball game was spotted sporting a purple and gold button that read, “Jarrett Lee MVP.”
Later this month, Lee will be co-grand marshal of the Krewe of Zeus’ Feb. 20 Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans with former Tiger teammate T-Bob Hebert.
Lee has heard and seen a lot of the affirmation and adulation, and frankly it’s taken him aback just a little bit.
“I’m definitely very proud and appreciative of what people have been saying and all those good things,” Lee said. “Each day at LSU I tried to give it my all and work hard.
“I’m definitely proud to be an LSU Tiger.”
Perhaps never before in the history of LSU football has one player gone from being so vilified to so beloved as the former Tigers quarterback — some of it because he didn’t play more than for what he did.
Jeered as a redshirt freshman in 2008 for throwing seven interceptions returned for touchdowns, Lee was LSU’s starting quarterback for the Tigers’ first nine games last season, all LSU wins.
But after throwing two interceptions in the then No. 1-ranked Tigers’ Nov. 5 showdown at Alabama, Lee was relegated to a backup role behind fellow senior Jordan Jefferson in LSU’s final five games. He threw just five passes total in those games, getting on the field only to take a knee in the Southeastern Conference Championship Game against Georgia.
Most galling to a strong and vocal contingent of LSU fans is that Lee didn’t get on the field at all in the Tigers’ 21-0 loss to Alabama in the BCS championship game. Jefferson went the whole way and struggled, as LSU managed just 92 yards total offense and crossed midfield just once.
Lee repeated quotes he gave while participating in an all-star game in California that he was frustrated by not getting in the BCS title game.
“I felt, if I was given the opportunity, I could have come in and done things to help,” Lee said. “
“I don’t know what happened. Obviously, the coaches had a reason for doing what they did. As a player, you have to respect that. But there were some players and plays that could have helped us win.”
But Lee again denied widespread rumors that there was some sort of altercation or fight before the BCS championship game that divided the team.
“All that stuff, the rumors about a confrontation before the game, all that’s false,” Lee said. “We were excited. We had a great game plan. But give credit to Alabama.
“I was involved in the game plan. I felt we had a great game plan going in, but it didn’t work out for us.”
Adding fuel to the pro-Lee fire was the way he performed in two all-star games last month.
In the Casino Del Sol All-Star Game on Jan. 16 in Tucson, Ariz., Lee was 13-of-18 passing for 176 yards and two touchdowns.
Five days later, Lee was in Carson, Calif., playing in the AstroTurf NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. He played only sparingly, completing just 3-of-6 passes for 36 yards but with a touchdown.
“They were great experiences, great opportunities,” Lee said of the all-star games. “I really enjoyed going out there to play with athletes from around the country. I learned a lot.”
Aside from a little golf — Lee was recently in town playing at the University Club with former LSU and current Green Bay Packers quarterback Matt Flynn — Lee is spending most of his time preparing for LSU’s pro timing day in March and the NFL draft in April.
Lee also said he has plans to head back out to California, to San Diego to train with George Whitfield, a quarterbacks coach who helped Cam Newton work on his mechanics after leaving Auburn last year.
“He’s well respected around the (NFL),” Lee said. “I’m going to absorb as much as I can.”
As for the heir apparent to Lee and Jefferson, rising junior Zach Mettenberger, Lee said he has high hopes.
“No question, this is Zach’s team,” Lee said. “He’s going to do great. I’m looking forward to him doing well and taking over.
“This will be a very special football team. I think he’s going to come in and take control and lead the team to the national championship (game) again. I know they can do it.”