Defense must lead the way for LSU

By Lee Roberts  |   Tuesday, July 01, 2008  |  Comments( 1 )

LSU Tigers
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Defense wins championships. Everyone’s heard the saying. If LSU is to win the SEC again this year, it must embody the cliché.

Last season, LSU’s defense was led by All-America defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, linebacker Ali Highsmith, safety Craig Steltz and cornerbacks Chevis Jackson and Jonathan Zenon. All of those players are in NFL training camps this summer. However, despite those losses, the Tigers should be even better on defense this season.

The Tigers return seven of their top eight defensive linemen from last year, most notably ends Kirston Pittman and Tyson Jackson. Pittman led the team in sacks a year ago, while Jackson is a preseason All-American and on the Bednarik Award watch list. In the middle of the defensive line, Ricky Jean-Francois will look to build on his breakout performance in the BCS championship game and should replace Dorsey’s production at the tackle position.

Behind the formidable defensive line, Darry Beckwith, also on the Bednarik watch list, will lead the linebackers while safeties Curtis Taylor and Danny McCray anchor the secondary. These players must step up in order to fill the holes left by the departures of Highsmith, Steltz, Jackson and Zenon.

In 2007, LSU’s defense was third in the country in yards allowed per game, but it was 20th in points per game. With an inexperienced quarterback, the defense must allow fewer points and continue to create turnovers. The Tigers forced 20 more turnovers than they gave away last season, and they need to maintain a similar edge this season.

LSU’s offense will not be as productive as it was last season because of the departures of Matt Flynn, Ryan Perrilloux, Jacob Hester and Early Doucet. Nevertheless, plenty of talent still exists on that side of the ball, but the strength of this season’s team will be the defense. How strong that defense is will determine how long the Tigers’ season lasts.
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About Lee Roberts

Born in Richmond, Va, I moved south to UNC-Chapel Hill for college and received a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. I currently live in Charlotte, NC and cover Auburn, LSU and the ...
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