LSU lost 10 senior starters from its national championship team, including seven players who were selected in the NFL draft.

It will be tough enough replacing defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, the fifth pick of the draft, as well as wide receiver Early Doucet, running back Jacob Hester and cornerback Chevis Jackson, who went in the third round, and safety Craig Steltz, who went in the fourth round.

With the way spring practice concluded, though, the toughest player to replace might be a seventh-rounder, quarterback Matt Flynn.

Junior quarterback Ryan Perrilloux, who started in LSU's victory over Tennessee in the SEC Championship game, missed the spring after being suspended for the third time in a year. He'd missed too many classes and required team meetings and weight-training sessions. Shortly after practices concluded, LSU and Perrilloux parted ways, saying he did not "fulfill his obligation as an LSU student-athlete."

That left redshirt freshman Jarrett Lee and Harvard transfer Andrew Hatch competing for the job in the spring.

Whoever plays quarterback will be surrounded by talented skill players and an offensive line with four returning starters. The defense returns only five starters but the coaches remain convinced the Tigers have plenty of talent to fill most of the new holes.

Talent is one thing but the Tigers were loaded with leaders on both sides of the ball last season, which helped them overcome two three-overtime losses and come back to win the national title.

"We don't carry the burden of defending (the championship)," Miles said. "The 2007 team was the national champion, no question. We want to compete and see how good we can be in 2008. The experience we have will certainly benefit them. They understand how hard they have to work, that everyone will be playing their best against us, as they have for several years. The motivation should be a healthy one."

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