INSIDE SLANT
The two things that seemed to define LSU's 2008 season were the interceptions that Jarrett Lee threw that were returned for touchdowns -- seven in all -- and the inconsistent play on defense.
The Tigers seemed to have addressed both issues quite well in their spring session.
Jordan Jefferson, who started the final two games as a true freshman last year, established himself as the No. 1 man at quarterback going into the fall, and the defense seemed to play with a renewed enthusiasm.
Jefferson was 8-for-10 passing for 97 yards in the spring game and didn't throw an interception.
The defense forced five turnovers in the spring game, with linebacker Perry Riley and cornerback Patrick Peterson coming up with interceptions to go along with three fumble recoveries in combined statistics for the intra-squad matchup.
"I think in the spring we made key advances in significant areas," coach Les Miles said. "We're not ready to play a game just yet, but we're well under way."
Offensively, the Tigers have special players in running back Charles Scott and receiver Brandon LaFell.
Scott was fourth in the SEC in rushing with his 90.3-yards-per game average and scored 18 rushing touchdowns, best in the league.
LaFell was the No. 3 receiver in number of receptions per game (4.85) and No. 2 in receiving yardage per game (71.5). The Tigers will return 13 starters -- seven on offense, six on defense -- from last year's 8-5 team. If the defense continues to improve, they should be back in double digits in victories in 2009.
NOTES, QUOTES
--Senior Harry Coleman, who was listed as a safety the last three years and was a starter in the secondary in 2008, got a look at Sam linebacker during spring practice, and it appears the switch will become permanent. Coleman played linebacker in high school. "He's a very physical guy who will enjoy playing up front," coach Les Miles said. "He can tackle and we need an extra linebacker-type of body with all of the spread offenses we're going to see."
--Sophomore QB Jordan Jefferson completed eight of his 10 passes for 97 yards in the spring game and said afterward how he felt more comfortable after playing as a true freshman in 2008. "This year I understand the playbook more and I'm able to bring more to the table than last year," he said. "I had a couple improvements that I worked on."
SPRING MOVERS:
QB Russell Shepard -- The February signee who enrolled early finished off a fine spring by going seven of 12 passing for 70 yards. There has been speculation he could be moved to another spot in the fall, but coach Les Miles said, "Keeping him at quarterback is probably the best." At least for now. Shepard has enough talent that the Tigers want to find some place for him on the field. He was the only quarterback not wearing a green jersey (preventing contact) in the spring game just to see how effective he could be.
LB Jacob Cutrera -- Cutrera steps in for Darry Beckwith in the middle and is coming off a strong spring. He had two starts in 2008 and had 33 tackles in all.
C T-Bob Hebert -- Hebert was limited in the spring after recovering from knee surgery, but he finished strong. The sophomore appears to be the leader to take over at center, where Brett Helms, who had 39 career starts, and his backup, Ryan Miller, depart.
P Derek Helton -- The junior college transfer solidified a bid to take over punting chores for Brady Dalfrey. Punting for both teams in the spring game, he averaged 39.2 yards on five punts and had two dead inside the 20-yard line. Coach Les Miles praised the hang time Helton got with his kicks.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We certainly have had greater quarterback play than we had last fall. I believe that's happened. I believe our quarterbacks are going to play with more confidence and give us ability there." -- Coach Les Miles, after LSU played in the spring with returnees Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee and newcomers Russell Shepard and Chris Garrett.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
2009 OUTLOOK: LSU had a disappointing year in 2008 with some embarrassing losses to Florida, Georgia and Ole Miss and a near loss to upstart Troy, but the rout of Georgia Tech in the Chick-fil-A Bowl shows the potential of the two-time BCS national champions.
The inconsistency on defense should be solved by the appointment of John Chavis as defensive coordinator after the co-coordinator approach of last season. With 13 starters returning, the potential is there for the Tigers to get back in the conference title race.
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: The Tigers have two key playmakers returning in WR Brandon LaFell and RB Charles Scott. QB Jordan Jefferson, who started the last two games as a true freshman, should benefit greatly from his experience. The Tigers have depth at the position with sophomore Jarrett Lee and freshmen Russell Shepard and Chris Garrett. The return of LT Ciron Black is a big bonus up front, where two new starters must be found at guard and center.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: Six starters return, but only one of them is up front, where three new starters must be found to go along with DT Charles Alexander. One of them figures to be DE Rahim Alem, a ferocious pass rusher. The other lost starters are LB Darry Beckwith and FS Curtis Taylor. With Harry Coleman moving from safety to linebacker and senior Jacob Cutrera (two starts in 2008) in the middle, plus returning starters Perry Riley and Kelvin Sheppard, that takes care of the situation at linebacker. But that leaves a spot in the secondary at strong safety to fill.
SCOUTING THE SPECIAL TEAMS: Both P Brady Dalfrey and PK Colt David are gone, but the Tigers found a replacement in the spring for Dalfrey with junior college transfer Derek Helton. PK Josh Jasper made two field goals last year and can also punt. Trindon Holliday is a threat to break runbacks all the way in handling both punts and kickoffs.?
ROSTER REPORT:
--CB Patrick Peterson, who started the final four games of 2008 as a true freshman, finished off the spring game with a 69-yard interception return for a touchdown.
--TE Richard Dickson, a returning starter, didn't play a snap in the spring after having two minor postseason surgeries (hand, knee). He had 31 catches last year and has had 63 receptions over the last two seasons.
--DB Phelon Jones, who was a redshirt freshman and appeared in nine games in 2008, has decided to leave the program. According to a news release from LSU, he will finish the spring semester before transferring.
Previous Report: 03/26/2009
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