LSU begins practice with added strength across lines

By David Moorman  |   Friday, August 08, 2008  |  Comments( 1 )

LSU Tigers
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With LSU having begun practice this past week, it seems the strong only get stronger.

The Tigers return all but one offensive lineman from last year’s BCS national championship-winning team, and the defensive line appears stout, too, even with the departure of All-America tackle Glenn Dorsey. Compensating for the loss of Dorsey, now a Kansas City Chief, was the presence of two players who missed most of last season.

Ricky Jean-Francois served a team-imposed suspension for all but the last two games of 2007, but it was his performance in those contests that raised expectations for this year. Jean-Francois was the defensive MVP in the Tigers’ 38-24 victory over Ohio State in the BCS title game, and having the junior tackle for an entire season should pay handsome dividends.

Back on the field for the first time since early last season was senior tackle Charles Alexander, who missed most of '07 with a torn ACL in his right knee. Before he went down in the fourth game of the year, Alexander had made an impact with six tackles and two quarterback hurries, including a career-high four stops in one contest. Alexander was limited in what he could do during spring practice, but now that he has returned to complete health, he should make his way back into the starting lineup.

Add to that acclaimed senior ends Kirston Pittman and Tyson Jackson, and the Tigers promise to be powerful up front.

Jackson and Pittman are among 36 preseason candidates for the Ted Hendricks Award, given annually to the best college defensive end. Their nomination is based heavily on last year’s performances. Pittman led LSU with 13 tackles for losses, including eight quarterback sacks. Jackson topped the team with 15 quarterback hurries and was second with 10 pass breakups.

Pittman also is a candidate for the Lott Trophy, awarded both for on- and off-field efforts.

Jackson, meanwhile, is in the running for the Chuck Bednarik Award, given by the Maxwell Football Club to the college defensive player of the year.

Of course, the Tigers will need to be strong across the lines given the uncertainty at quarterback and their revamped linebacker and secondary corps.

The quarterback race remains an open-ended derby among junior Andrew Hatch, redshirt freshman Jarrett Lee and true freshman Jordan Jefferson. Although head coach Les Miles has spoken well of all three, no one has stepped forward and established himself as the leader yet..
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About David Moorman

Dave Moormann is an award-winning journalist, who has covered LSU athletics since 1980. He began his coverage with the Baton Rouge Advocate, where he was a writer and editor from 1980-98. In 1996, he authored a book on the history of LSU football entitled, "Fighting Tigers Handbook: Stories, Stats...
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