LSU lost more than just 10 talented senior starters from its 2007 national championship team. The Tigers also lost some of their best leaders, character guys who showed the way as LSU overcame two three-overtime losses and an early 10-0 deficit in the 38-34 win over Ohio State in the BCS National Championship Game.
The best example was defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey. It's impressive enough that Dorsey swept the Lombardi, Outland and Nagurski awards and earned consensus All-America honors, but Dorsey also won the Lott Trophy, given annually to the defensive player with the best combination of athletic excellence and personal character.
Now Dorsey is gone, along with proven players such as running back Jacob Hester, quarterback Matt Flynn, receiver Early Doucet, linebacker Ali Highsmith, safety Craig Steltz and cornerbacks Chevis Jackson and Jonathan Zenon.
"It's a different team, and to pretend that it's not is a mistake," said Les Miles, who enters his fourth season at LSU. "The good fortune of that is there are members on that team who have had great experience, who understand what a run is about, who understand playing in tight quarters, tight games and looking to make plays in those situations. But it's going to be a new cast."
At the same time, the Tigers do return 44 letter winners and 12 starters, led by linebacker Darry Beckwith, defensive ends Kirston Pittman and Tyson Jackson, defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois, center Brett Helms, receivers Brandon LaFell and Demetrius Byrd, offensive tackle Ciron Black, offensive guard Herman Johnson and tight end Richard Dickson.
The most significant area of concern is at quarterback, with heir apparent Ryan Perrilloux suspended indefinitely for violating team rules and no other quarterback on the roster with any game experience.
"When you come off a year where you achieved what we have, it is really an advantage," Miles said. "It is not the same team, but the experience was certainly a tremendous one. The attitude has been great. The weight room attendance has been good and the work there is as good as it has ever been. The guys understand what they just achieved. I think this team is very hungry to build off of the success that we were just a part of."
Copyright (C) 2008 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
Well Miles finally did it. He gave Perriloux chance after chance. I'm just glad he stood up for the team and kicked him off the team. A bit dissappointed as I am, it needed to be done. How many of you have heard that he wouldn't do it? I herd it plenty of times. Frankly I was gettign tired of it. I don't know what the final staw was, but I'm glad it's soon to be over and we
I guess asking now is as good a time as any. Who would you like to see starting for LSU to start the season Andrew Hatch or Jarrett Lee? I personally would like to see what Hatch can do. If he came from Harvard he has to be smart, I hope that translates on the field. If it doesn't then use a combo of both. I hope Lee is as good as they say he is.
Pokes, Colonels, and Demon boosters, You guys need to open up the checkbook. Perriloux could be the missing piece. Look at it this way, you go to the playoffs the next 2 years and the kid will dominate. Let's face it, there isn't much to do in Lake Charles, Thibodaux, or Natchitochess so more than likely he'll go elsewhere to cause trouble. So the trade off is a littl
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What went wrong with Ali H. not getting drafted. How can he go from being mentioned as a first rounder to not getting drafted at all. Did I miss something? I'm hoping that I just overlooked him getting picked. Please shed some light on this.
While surfing the web I happened across this contest for season tickets. As much as I like watching football my wife would not be happy if I were to enter and win. I figured my football breathren who live in the SEC might like a shot at the tickets.
