Louisiana State led the SEC in scoring and total offense with 33.7 points and 417 yards per game in 2006, but the offense was still the focal point of spring practice and remains the primary concern entering the 2007 season.

That's what happens when you lose a starting quarterback and two highly regarded receivers, an offensive coordinator and two other offensive assistants.

With quarterback JaMarcus Russell passing up his final year of eligibility to enter the NFL draft, senior Matt Flynn and sophomore Ryan Perrilloux spent the spring competing for the starting job. While Flynn emerged from the spring with a slight edge, due mostly to his experience, the starting job will not be determined until August.

"We're going to need both of them, I can tell you that," Louisiana State coach Les Miles said. "We're not going to just pass through the season without the ability to use both quarterbacks. So we'll see."

The Tigers could also use more dependable receivers following the loss of standouts Dwayne Bowe and Craig Davis, but senior Early Doucet spent the spring performing like a go-to receiver.

The offense also spent the spring adjusting to a new offense. Offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher left LSU for a similar job at Florida State, offensive line coach Stacy Searels left for the same job at Georgia and receivers coach Todd Monken joined the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars, so Miles reshaped the offensive staff by bringing in veteran offensive coordinator Gary Crowton from Oregon along with offensive line coach Greg Studrawa from Bowling Green and receivers coach D.J. McCarthy from UCLA.

Crowton's offenses have a history of passing the ball abundantly and effectively but the Tigers still have a lot to learn about the way he operates.

"There's much more to see," Perrilloux said. "We have the whole offense to put in. We still have to learn it, we don't have it down pat yet."

-- LB Ali Highsmith (leg), OG Will Arnold (ankle) and DT Glenn Dorsey (leg) sat out spring practice with pre-existing injuries while S Curtis Taylor suffered a shoulder injury in the spring game. Coach Les Miles said he did not expect Taylor' injury to carry over into the preseason. That's good news for Taylor and LSU considering the Tigers have lost two four-year starters at safety, LaRon Landry and Jesse Daniels.

-- TE Keith Zinger missed most of last season with a stomach ailment but came back strong in the spring, giving the Tigers anther key element in the running game.

SPRING MOVERS:

OL Lyle Hitt and Carnell Stewart -- The Tigers went into the spring looking for two new starters on the right side of the offensive line and appear to have found them in Hitt, a sophomore right guard, and Stewart, a senior right tackle. "I think Lyle Hitt and Carnell Stewart both have shown real improvement and advances," Miles said. "Certainly they're going to have to continue, but I think both guys give us the opportunity to win." Redshirt freshman Matt Allen also played well at guard and could be a key contributor in the fall.

DEs Tyson Jackson and Tremaine Johnson -- Jackson and Johnson took big steps in the spring and give LSU, along with DE Glenn Dorsey and tackles Charles Alexander and Marlon Favorite, one of the SEC's best defensive lines.

WR-RB-KR Trindon Holliday -- Offensive coordinator Gary Crowton has big plans for this little guy, a 5-5, 159-pound lightning bolt who will be used as a receiver, tailback, slot back and return specialist.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I like the word struggle. It is a much more appropriate word than anything else. I like our quarterbacks. Both have things to learn. But both showed skill and ability running the offense." -- LSU coach Les Miles on the competition between Matt Flynn and Ryan Perrilloux.

2007 OUTLOOK: After finishing the 2006 season with seven consecutive wins and an impressive win over Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl, the Tigers return 14 starters and 46 letter winners. Coach Les Miles' critics insist he's still winning with former coach Nick Saban's recruits so the time has come for Miles to prove himself as the Tigers' head coach.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: LSU started over in the spring with three new offensive coaches, including coordinator Gary Crowton, and three big holes to fill at quarterback and receiver. Senior Matt Flynn and sophomore Ryan Perrilloux continue to compete for the starting quarterback job and Early Doucet has shown the ability to be a go-to receiver, but the Tigers are still waiting for receivers to step up. The offensive line returns three starters and some talented backups who appear ready to step up while the backfield will continue to rely on a number of backs, including Keiland Williams, Charles Scott, Richard Murphy and Jacob Hester.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: The Tigers return eight starters from a defense that led the SEC in scoring and total defense. The foundation is strong with the return of three defensive line starters, led by an All-America candidate in senior tackle Glenn Dorsey. Add returning starters Ali Highsmith, Darryl Beckwith and Luke Sanders at linebacker and the Tigers may have the SEC's best front seven. Cornerbacks Jonathan Zenon and Chevis Jackson return but the Tigers must replace LaRon Landry and Jessie Daniels, two four-year starters at the safety spots. The coaches appear to be confident they've found the right replacements in junior free safety Curtis Taylor and senior strong safety Craig Steltz.

SCOUTING THE SPECIAL TEAMS: The Tigers will attempt to use speedy sophomore Trindon Holliday in a number of roles, including return specialist. Now they must replace Chris Jackson, who punted and kicked last season. Junior Colt David has game experience on extra points and kickoffs but the punting job is still open.

ROSTER REPORT: Senior Alley Broussard has been productive in the past but has never fully bounced back from a knee injury suffered in 2005. He played a limited role in 2006 and spent part of this past spring in Miles' doghouse. "All he has to do is what best for himself and this football team and he will be fine," Miles said. "He is certainly talented and if he does the right things from this point forward he can have a great fall."

Most of the backs provided their share of positives in the spring but it was Murphy, a redshirt freshman, who stood out because of his ability to create big plays in the running game. "I think he really understands what we're doing as much as most (of the starters)," Miles said. "I think he's really looking forward to competing to play."

Sophomore Jared Mitchell spent the spring moving back and forth between wide receiver and outfielder and participated in eight of LSU's 15 spring practices.

Three weeks after the completion of spring practice Miles dismissed freshman defensive back Troy Giddens, freshman offensive lineman Zhamal Thomas and sophomore offensive lineman Kyle Anderson from the team. Anderson was arrested Monday and charged with second-degree battery while Giddens and Thomas were arrested and charged with simple burglary.