LSU alum Ryan Clark makes baffling criticism of offensive coordinator Matt Canada
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How great of an offensive mind is LSU offensive coordinator Matt Canada? He managed to take “inferior talent” into Clemson’s version of Death Valley and beat the soon-to-be national champions after leading Pitt to 43 points of offense over the Tigers.
That same Clemson defense held an undefeated Alabama to 31 points on a neutral field in the National Championship Game.
Coming off a season in which he was a Broyles Award Finalist, given annually to the nation’s top assistant coach, Canada was the toast of Baton Rouge this offseason as he appeared poised to lead LSU to new heights on offense. After all, he led Pitt to so much success, the excitement of what his offense could potentially do with the elite prospects at LSU left nearly all Tiger fans excited.
Something Canada himself teased immediately after being hired by the school: “The chance to put together a high-powered offense with the athletic ability available at LSU and the leadership of Coach ‘O’ is incredibly exciting.”
Following LSU’s tough loss to Troy Saturday, opinions of Canada have quickly begun to shift. Check out this statement from former LSU standout defender Ryan Clark — who apparently believes the offense doesn’t work with superior talent:
LSU alum Ryan Clark on ESPN Radio: Ex-Pitt OC Matt Canada's offense is meant for "inferior talent so it can go to Clemson and win a game."
— Jerry DiPaola (@JDiPaola_Trib) October 3, 2017
We aren’t too sure what Clark is trying to say here but it doesn’t make much sense to us. Clearly, the offense hasn’t quite lived up to the hype but that has to do as much with the lack of talent on LSU’s roster than anything. Considering Clark suggests Canada works well with “inferior talent,” one would think the union would be working well at the moment.
It should also be pointed out that Pitt had four players from its offense drafted in the 2017 NFL Draft: QB Nathan Peterman, RB James Connor, OT Adam Bisnowaty and OG Dorian Johnson. At the rate the LSU offense is currently performing, don’t be surprised if the Tigers can’t match that number on offense in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Which would also destroy Clark’s argument. The one that didn’t really make sense to begin with.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
