#6 LSU Tigers Preview
Brock Murphy |Aug 26,2008
|
|
|
 #6 LSU Tigers Preview
LSU Tigers
HEAD COACH-Les Miles
2007 Record- (12-2 [7-2 SEC])
2007 REVIEW
Last year's national champions, LSU's journey to the BCS Championship Game was not without its hiccups - two to be precise. Nationally, fans had a difficult time accepting a team with two losses playing for the country's top rank but it was fair to point out that the two losses came from a combined six overtimes (three each to Kentucky and Arkansas). The nation's third-ranked defense and eleventh-ranked scoring offense was careful with the ball and aggressive in forcing its return as the Tigers ranked second, nationally, in turnover margin (16 giveaways; 36 takeaways). With a stable of effective tailbacks, LSU made much of its hay through a grinding and implacable ground game. It seemed Ohio State's veteran defense would be up for the task and, to a great extent, it was (LSU gained sixty yards less than its season average against the Buckeyes). However, Ohio State's three turnovers proved too much and momentum-swings allowed LSU's Matt Flynn to turn four of his passes into scores (two to then-sophomore tight-end, Richard Dixon). An Ohio State team which lacked a deep threat could not recover from the big plays and LSU went on to win 38-24 and claim the national championship.
TEAM MVP
DL, Ricky Jean-Francois (6-3, 289; Jr.): A team that will have to dial in a very green quarterback features a veteran and dominate defensive line which could mitigate the mistakes the new signal-caller is destined to make. Jean-Francois was suspended for most of last season but was bowl-game defensive MVP after recording 1.5 tackles for a loss, half a sack and a blocked kick. Motivated to make up for last year's lost snaps, he has increased his size and strength. With the ability to play inside and outside on a very deep line Jean-Francois's versatility should result in high productivity this season.
OFFENSE
Quarterback
To call LSU's quarterback candidates inexperienced is to suggest the ocean is moist. At best, the Tigers will field a quarterback (Andrew Hatch) whose experience consists of two career pass attempts and one career completion. Thus was the effect of the offseason dismissal of Ryan Perrilloux, the highly-athletic heir-apparent to the graduated Matt Flynn.
Hatch (6-4, 224; So.) has been in a battle with true freshman Jordan Jefferson (6-5, 210) all fall. In the team's most recent and final fall scrimmage, the two completed a combined 16 of 30 passes for 150 yards and two scores.
After the scrimmage, Miles praised young Jefferson and hinted LSU fans may see the true freshman under center in 2008. "I like [Jefferson]," Miles said. "He continues to get better and compete, and that is very important as you go forward. As he continues that progress, he is a guy that we can look to play at times. I am pleased to a point, but there is a lot of work to get accomplished. We have to improve, but I like our effort and where we are."
Running Back
LSU will certainly miss the heart and guts of Jacob Hester, last year's leading rusher (1,103 yards; 12 TD's). However, the Tigers enjoyed one of the nation's deepest stables of tailbacks in the country last season and only Hester graduated.
Richard Murphy (6-1, 196; So.) and Charles Scott (5-11, 233; Jr.) have paced the team throughout fall practices. Murphy's fall performance has drawn consistent praise and followed-up an outstanding spring. Meanwhile, Scott's fall success was a function of inspired effort following an ankle injury he suffered this spring which kept him out of late action.
Track-star Trindon Holliday (5-5, 165; Jr.) is listed on the roster as a wide-receiver but will get more than a few carries this season. A true waterbug, Holliday's amazing quickness provides just what the doctor ordered late in games when tired defenses have just begun to lose a step.
Keiland Williams (6-1, 226; Jr.) seems lost in the mix but is a fantastic talent. He had trouble hanging onto the ball in the spring game and has been relatively quiet this fall. However, he is clearly the nation's most dangerous fourth-string tailback.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Early Doucet has been lost to the NFL but he was injured last season so the Tigers have already learned how to play in his absence. The biggest benefactor of Doucet's injury last season was Demetrius Byrd (6-3, 200; Sr.). Byrd has run a 10.3-100 in his lifetime and brings added bulk to the position this season. He caught the audacious game-winning pass against Auburn that had the whole nation questioning Coach Miles' sanity (thank goodness, for Miles, Byrd caught the pass). Byrd finished the season with 35 catches, 621 yards (17.7 ypc) and seven touchdowns.
LSU is excited to know, however, that Byrd is not the only play-making receiver to return for 2008. Last year's leading receiver (50-656; 4 TD's), Brandon LaFell (6-3, 210; Jr.) is also back as is junior tight-end, Richard Dickson (6-3, 246). Coaches have praised LaFell's leadership and route-running and Dickson's two scoring catches helped LSU win the national championship against Ohio State.
Again, Holliday is listed as a receiver and offensive coordinator, Gary Crowton, will certainly scheme to get Holliday the ball in space and let his natural elusiveness take over.
Terrance Toliver (6-4, 195; So.) is another receiver to watch this season. The staff likes his size and hands and is just waiting for his grasp of the scheme to catch up with his athleticism.
Offensive Line
LSU need only replace one starter from last season - right tackle Carnell Stewart. Crowton was high on sophomores Josepth Barksdale (6-5, 315) and Jarvis Jones, who were competing for Stewart's spot. However, Jones was dismissed from the team for undisclosed team violations in July, leaving the spot for the capable Barksdale to fill.
The rest of the line is solid, athletic and experienced. No fewer than three of the linemen have received preseason All-SEC mention, including mammoth senior guard Herman Johnson (6-7, 386), senior center Brett Helms (6-2, 278) and junior left tackle Ciron Black (6-5, 327).
Junior Lyle Hitt (6-2, 289) looks to start his second consecutive season at right guard. In thirteen starts last season, Hitt honed his skills off of 902 snaps.
DEFENSE
Defensive Line
The premier defensive tackle in the nation last season was LSU's Glenn Dorsey (he, who is now a Kansas City Chief). Yet, even with Dorsey's graduation, the Tigers' defensive line will likely be the best in the country for 2008.
Jean-Francois' return from suspension certainly eases the pain of Dorsey's loss. Again, he is capable of playing inside and outside and is incredibly athletic for his size.
Besides Jean-Francois, two other seniors (Charles Alexander and Marlon Favorite) will help hold down the interior this season. Alexander (6-3, 310) was last year's starter at tackle beside Dorsey before an injury in week three claimed his season. Favorite (6-1, 306) stepped into his place and now the two return with a wealth of experience and desire.
Al Woods (6-4, 323; Jr.) filled in very well for the few snaps that Dorsey took off last season. He recorded two sacks in his first five games.
For all the talk of tackles, though, LSU's extremely talented ends cannot be ignored. Senior Kirston Pittman (6-4, 258) returns to LSU after the NCAA granted him a rare sixth-year of eligibility (because injuries claimed both his 2005 and 2006 seasons). Pittman played in every game last season and recorded 7.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for a loss.
Expected to be Pittman's bookend this season, Tyson Jackson (6-5, 290; Sr.) returns to the line after posting 3.5 sacks, 10 quarterback hurries and 10 broken-up passes.
Linebackers
LSU lost both of its outside linebackers to graduation. Fortunately, they return inside linebacker, Darry Beckwith (6-1, 232; Sr.), whom the staff felt was playing the best football of his career when spring camp came to an end.
Perry Riley (6-1, 240; Jr.) has gotten the most snaps on the strongside while sophomore, Kelvin Sheppard (6-2, 237), has been running with the ones most often on the weakside. Riley backed up Luke Sanders last season but saw action in every game, finishing the season with 24 tackles. Sheppard played a lot of snaps last season, too, and finished with two tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles and a broken-up pass.
As former high-school teammates, Sheppard and Riley certainly have a feel for each other's play and should bring more continuity to the unit than fans might otherwise expect out of two "new" starters.
Secondary
This is the largest area of concern on the team after losing both shut-down cornerbacks (Chevis Jackson and Jonathan Zenon) and the team's leading tackler (Craig Steltz) to graduation. The three combined for 14 interceptions and 32 broken-up passes last year.
Jai Eugene (5-11, 191; So.) was Jackson's back-up last season and played sparingly in a dozen games. Eugene and junior, Chris Hawkins (6-1, 184), are expected to start this season at the cornerback spots. Hawkins had three pass break-ups in limited action last season.
Alabama's Gatorade Player of the Year in 2006, Phelon Jones (6-0, 190; RFr) will push Hawkins for the starting spot this season. Coaches have been excited about Jones' progress and the competition at that spot assures the team of talented, if inexperienced, depth.
Free safety Curtis Taylor (6-3, 204; Sr.) returns as the lone starter in the backfield. Having been named the most improved defender this past spring speaks volumes about his work ethic and sharpened skills.
Chad Jones (6-3, 215; So.) is incredibly fast and athletic for his size. He saw a lot of action last season and professes to be a much wiser player this fall. He and Harry Coleman (6-2, 205; Jr.) will see plenty of action at safety this season.
Special Teams
Last year's punter, Patrick Fisher, graduated. Senior Brady Dalfrey is the likely replacement. Coach Miles was complimentary of Dalfrey's leg power as fall camp began. Colt David returns to handle the placekicking duties although a tweaked ankle at the beginning of fall camp robbed him of some practice reps.
2008 Outlook
LSU starts off with non-conference home games against Appalachian State, Troy and North Texas. The same skill guys who beat Michigan last year are back for App. State this season so the first game is not a "gimme." Still, if the new quarterback makes puppy mistakes against that veteran team, the Tigers might find themselves in more of a battle than they hoped for to start the season. The Tigers open SEC play against Auburn and their new spread attack (not a great assignment for five new starters in the LSU "back seven"). LSU must also travel to Florida this season (the Gators will seek redemption for last season's close loss) and will host highly-regarded Georgia following a road trip to South Carolina. LSU is loaded with talent and should ripen quickly this year. Still, the SEC is stacked this season and the Tigers' schedule contains enough speed-bumps to create at least three losses. Auburn has been picked to be the best of the west. LSU will fight for that title but will probably not make it to the SEC Championship Game in 2008.
|
|
|
|
Print
E-mail
Del.icio.us
Digg
