Despite QB quandary, LSU equipped to repeat
editor1 |Aug 23,2008
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By Jim Ralabate
PA SportsTicker College Football Editor
Most college football coaches would balk at the notion of
dismissing his team's only experienced quarterback.
Not Les Miles, who does not seem the least bit worried that
Louisiana State is about to begin its national title defense
with a former Ivy Leaguer as the No. 1 quarterback on the depth
chart.
Always known as a gambler, Miles rolled the dice in a big way
this past February when he kicked the Ryan Perrilloux off the
team for repeated violations of team rules.
Let's not mince words - Perrilloux was not a boy scout. He had
numerous run-ins with the law and eventually was cited for "not
fulfilling his obligation as a student-athlete" - whatever that
means. But he also was an undeniable talent on the football
field, as evidenced by his MVP performance in last year's SEC
championship game.
Still, Miles apparently had seen enough of Perrilloux, who would
have entered this season as the only Tiger with any significant
experience under center.
Give Miles credit for having the guts to do the right thing at
the expense of his team, which returns 12 starters from the
squad that rolled Ohio State in last season's BCS championship
game.
"The good news about this team is they've been through an
experience that will allow them to continue to develop, to
understand the work that needs to take place," Miles said. "We
really invest in what we've determined to be our process. That
process helps us identify the team."
Miles' most pressing point of business will be to identify his
starting quarterback - and the pickings are extremely slim.
The prohibitive favorite to start under center in the season
opener vs. Appalachian State is Andrew Hatch, a redshirt
sophomore who was a former walk-on transfer from Harvard.
Hatch, who attempted two passes last season, has battled for the
starting job with redshirt freshman Jarrett Lee, who figures to
see some playing time this season, and true freshman Jordan
Jefferson.
But a quarterback quandary is nothing new to Miles, who was in a
similar situation entering last season when he had to decide
between Perrilloux and Matt Flynn.
Although neither signal-caller had substantial experience, Miles
gave the nod to Flynn, and the rest was history.
Despite looking shaky in LSU's two regular-season losses, Flynn
ultimately led the Tigers to the summit of the college football
world and was named the MVP of the BCS championship game.
If history is going to repeat itself in 2008, the Tigers will
need Hatch, Lee and Jefferson to manage the offense and avoid
turnovers. But other than that, LSU is more than equipped for
the SEC gauntlet and, potentially, another national title run.
"I like what I see going on," Miles said. "I see our players
getting along. I see great chemistry."
LSU certainly has chemistry on its offensive line, which returns
four starters - including star tackle Ciron Black and massive
guard Herman Johnson. That group will pave the way for a
talented and deep stable of running backs headlined by Keiland
Williams, who averaged nearly seven yards per carry last season.
A consistent running game will be crucial to the development of
whoever lines up at quarterback for LSU, according to Miles.
"One of the strengths certainly is the offensive line," he said.
"I like the idea that the running backs are veteran, the tight
end is veteran, the fullback and the receivers are veteran. I
think it's a great position for a newcomer at quarterback to get
comfortable and understand that the guys that are around him are
all capable."
The wild card to the Tigers' offensive success could be
speedster Trindon Holliday, who stands at just 5-5 but
undoubtedly is one of the fastest players in football - college
or pro.
Also a star on LSU's national powerhouse track team, Holliday
barely missed out on making the United States' national squad
for the Beijing Olympics. Miles, for one, is happy that
Holliday is still in Baton Rouge.
"I know there are a number of LSU Olympians that are off
representing our country," Miles said. "Several times quietly I
have said to Trindon, 'We wish that you were there, but we're
glad that you are still here.'"
Another weapon that Miles still has at his disposal is a
dominant defense, which once again should be one of the top
units in the country despite the loss of Glenn Dorsey - the
fifth overall pick in this year's NFL draft.
Led by linebacker Darry Beckwith, defensive end Kirston Pittman
and defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois, the Tigers already
have arguably the deepest and most talented front seven in the
SEC.
If cornerback Jai Eugene and safety Chad Jones, both projected
starters as sophomores, can solidify the secondary, LSU likely
will not allow too many points - another thing that bodes well
for the quarterback and for the season outlook as a whole.
The Tigers' repeat hopes would look even more optimistic with
Perrilloux on the team. But the ever-confident Miles has put
the past - even last year's national title - behind him.
"The (2008 season) is where we're at," Miles said. "We're not
defending, we're not dealing with rankings. This is a brand new
year. If we're defending, come see the trophy - it's in our
trophy case. We're not defending it; it's there."
If LSU wants to add more hardware to that trophy case, it will
need consistent play from the quarterback. But Miles and Co.
have been here before.
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