HOOVER, Ala. — The 2003 pre-season All-Southeastern Conference football team conducted at the SEC’s Media Days was released on Thursday morning and includes six LSU student-athletes on its two teams. LSU was also picked to finish second in the Western Division by the media.
LSU will be featured along with Auburn in the morning session (8:30 – 10:30 a.m.) of the conference’s “Kickoff 2003” media days which take place at the Wynfrey Hotel in Hoover, Ala.
The LSU Tigers will be represented by head coach Nick Saban, along with defensive lineman Chad Lavalais and offensive lineman Stephen Peterman.
Kickoff 2003
Quotes from LSU coach Nick Saban, Chad Lavalais and Stephen Peterman
Head Coach Nick Saban
“I would like to thank all the print media on a marvelous job through years of helping enhance tradition of SEC football. What you do contributes to that in a very positive way. Conduct from the programs to the fans, the players to the fans. I thank you for that. At LSU we’ve had outstanding off season. Few off the field problems, a very good year academically, a good off season spring practice and summer conditioning program. Feel good about team’s attitude and where we are.”
“Number one question mark is what will the identity of our team be. Last year not finish season like we’d like. Had a great start. Had injuries and adversity to overcome but didn’t have the competitive character to get it done. Hopefully this year have character and attitude you need. That comes from the individual players. I get asked about leadership all the time we’ve had a lot of good leadership. But sometimes the players can hide and depend on the leadership to get them to do their jobs. Something you don’t want to happen.”
“We had two plays that exemplified this. We won a game on the last play of the game at Kentucky, the Bluegrass Miracle. We had another individual player with 30 seconds to go in game against Arkansas them 80 yards to go and no timeouts, gets the ball thrown over his head. A mental error allowed the football demons to snatch the Arkansas game away and the opportunity to go back to the SEC championship game.”
“I know we’ll look at paper and say this many offensive players back, this many defensive players, but if you saw Seabiscuit, that was the smallest horse with the least ability that won the most races because of what was inside. That was competitive character. The horse had ability but won on heart and character. In our league with all the good teams, all the parity the difference is not what comes out on paper, but the team that can sustain over the long haul with consistency. That will come from the individual players that make that team character and that’s the no. 1 thing that is a challenge for our team this year. Hopefully we can remember what it felt like in the Arkansas game in the locker room in Little Rock after we lost that game. A contributing factor to what type of aggressiveness we come back with.”
“This is best OL we’ve had since I’ve been there. Feel good about QB position. Matt Mauck has continued to show total rehab, 100 percent able to do all the things that all the other players on the team have done. Had a good spring practice, continued to develop and make improvement over the summer. Feel good about his ability to feature the explosive players we have at receiver, mainly Devery Henderson, Michael Clayton and Skyler Green. Last year every game we played except Arkansas the highest rated quarterback efficiency won the game, and that was an option team.
Turnover ratio vs. big play ratio, the other most significant stat in winning and losing, when have a QB that can play with consistency to deliver those player, the only question we have on offense, we do not have a really experienced, proven running back. Addai has all the ability he needs. Carey has all ability that Domanick Davis had as third down change of pace player, They have the ability but haven’t had the opportunity.”
“On defense decent up front, up middle linebacker and safety are two areas we need to improve. The young players we’ve recruited, will have some opportunity to contribute at these positions. Hopefully will add depth to our team at all positions. Have some questions with specialists. Have our punter back but kicker is gone. Domanick Davis was dominant return guy for three years, ability of that guy changes field position so much. We’ve had pretty good special teams, and I think with speed we have that will continue.”
On change in coaching staff
“I think this past year we had three coaches turn over. We’ve been very fortunate to have outstanding staffs. We have a system whether offense, defense or academic support, that we use, that when we hire someone, we put them into the system. I’ve hired a couple of special teams coaches and they end up thinking we’re going to do their special teams. I’m not hiring you to reinvent the wheel. We’re hiring you to teach our players our system, to be a part of our recruiting system. I think that approach helps the continuity and does not minimize the importance of the parts. We’ve had tremendous assistant coaches, and I feel very good about the staff right now, probably as strong a staff as we’ve had all the way around. We’ve been able to keep our core people in place, our coordinators, and that’s really helped.”
On Western Division
“When we look at our opponents for next year, we play Georgia, Fla., South Carolina on other side, all good football players, fact that Auburn 19 starters coming back, Arkansas 19, Alabama 17 or something, a couple of teams on our side that have a tremendous amount of very good football players coming back. Common sense they will have good teams this year. It is really is easy to identify a lot of good teams. Not real easy to identify dominant teams. Because of the parity in the league.”
On a playoff
“I look at a playoff system in two ways. How does it affect the players. How does it affect the game. The current bowl system is really important to the future of college football. The one great thing we have in college football, don’t have in high school or the pros, some 28 to 30 teams that get an opportunity for their players to get positive reinforcement for their efforts. Creates a tremendous amount of revenue. Changing that would not be a positive for college football. I’ve always said pick two or four teams from the current bowl system we have, have one game where have a national championship after bowl season. If had a playoff system similar to other divisions, would destroy the bowl system we know it in college football. I don’t think that would be good for college football.
In our league to win it, have to play 12 games, SEC championship game and then a bowl game, a 14-game season, that’s a lot of ball, we spread it out, have a couple of bye weeks, it’s a lot of ball for young guys to play. Adding numbers wouldn’t help it. I would only be for extension to play a championship game. Take the example for 1997. Michigan and Nebraska were co-national champs. After the bowl games, why don’t they play. The other thing I’m for is take the money from the game and give it to the players. Give every student athlete 200 a month to spend so their quality of life improves.”
On Michael Clayton
“We would rather not play Michael Clayton on both sides of the ball unless we feel we need to play him on both sides. He has the ability to contribute on both sides. We played him both sides in Texas game and he got tired. He was only playing in nickel then. If he does play both ways we’ll define his role and try to limit it. I don’t think that’s a trend with coaches. I think players want to play both ways. They think it’s status. In some cases if they can help the team nothing wrong with that.”
On QB play
“Don’t know if you need a great QB to win a national championship but your QB has to fill a role that compliments the rest of the players on the offensive team. A guy that runs the offense, doesn’t turn the ball over, makes good decisions Joe Montana was the most frustrating guy I ever played against. He was little, he looked slow and didn’t look strong. But he was accurate, made great decisions, no matter what you did on defense it was wrong, he fixed it and put his team in position. He was not most talented, not most physically gifted. That’s what you have to have on a team.”
On OL Play
“When have good offensive line, if you have good skill players, you can make big plays. But your ability to be consistent, minimize sacks, minimize bad plays, run the ball always a need to run the ball .. to create balance, when have a good offensive line, better opportunity to create balance. Feel good about that part of our team.”
On identifying players
“I think that would be a good thing. Would give information to fans. Not do it to embarrass the players. But in basketball, they say who made the foul, doesn’t embarrass the players. In hockey they put the guy in the penalty box. Put him on TV for 2 minutes. Would give better information to everyone. It takes us three plays to figure out who the penalty was on.”
On Peterman
“Stephen Peterman has been really consistent player for us, Played DE, TE, offensive guard, now play left guard. Bright guy. Great football instincts. Has toughness, tenacity the way he goes about playing the game. Physical player. Can’t say enough good things about his leadership qualities. One of four guys who have started who have lot of similar characteristics. That’s what will make our group.”
On Recruiting approach
“It’s relatively the same. Recruiting is like dating. I know lot of people in this room think getting a date in south different than getting a date in the north. In both those cases it’s about giving people attention, making them feel like they’re wanted and needed. Those are fundamental things. We use the same system of evaluation and same system to recruit that we did in prior places.”
On new practice rules
“I feel we have contributed to this whole change. Last year Va. Tech had a game before we played them. They wanted to move to Sunday for TV. Not had 2 a days ever at LSU, always went 2-1 2-1, largely because in our weather players need more time to recover, always tried to have 2 meals, 2 rehydrations between every practice. Developed a lot of medical evidence that it was positive for players. We had a lot less injuries. We sent the NCAA all this data this year they changed the whole country to very similar system. Better for players to practice 2-1 2-1, not better for freshmen to not come in early. Will try to split our guys to still give the freshmen undivided attention.”
On Defensive Play
“I’m not happy coming out of spring, Didn’t tackle well, didn’t play aggressively or strike them at the line. All the things that have been trademarks of type of defense we want to play, we weren’t good enough at. Had some guys who were injured, some of the leadership been accustomed to in past wasn’t present, that’s why we’re trying to put the responsibility on every player to affect how he plays, so that we get more consistency especially on that side of the ball. We need to improve in that area (leadership).”
On SEC coaches summer
“Ron Zook had a dangerous accident. I should get the award for being clumsy man of the year. I think thing I learned from my accident was I been on and off back of my boat a million times, take it for granted that we don’t need to be careful, I was fortunate there were other people around, the respect you have when you’re around water, should be lessons that hopefully people can learn from my accident, falling off boat, waking up under 8 feet of water. People ran from another part of dock and came over, I was bubbling to top. I feel fortunate there were other people around. Would like everyone to emphasize the lessons to be learned from the experience.”
On Media access
“Important to give media access to practice but certain things you do as a team that aren’t for public information. If we were going to run a certain reverse, I would not want to read about it in the paper. What we try to do is provide access 2 or 3 days a week for the first 1/3 of practice in individual drills, then not have media access past that. In my experience, all had some kind of policy that was kind of 50-50 in terms of access and non-access. Is our policy unreasonable?”
On playing a true freshman QB
“I think I’ve always said that when it comes to freshmen, it’s usually their maturity level that determines whether they can play as freshmen, not all about athleticism and ability. Can it be done, I think absolutely, would it be difficult, no question about it. Most important thing about freshmen is to get them not to focus on the results that they’re getting but to focus on the process they have to go through to become better players. I think they get it, but they get it in different increments of time. Some guys understand it coming in, some see it quickly and understand, some it takes to mid-season, some it’s next year.”
On Matt Mauck
“Setting his feet is not a problem. Endurance is not a problem. Is he more susceptible to re-injury? That question I can’t answer.”
LSU Offensive Lineman Stephen Peterman
On team’s expectations
“When we went to Atlanta a couple of years ago and played in the conference championship game, it was my best feeling as a college football player. Just the atmosphere at that event was awesome. When we stepped off the bus, all our fans were there to support and be behind us, and we are working very hard as a team this year to get that feeling back. It’s our driving force heading into camp, and I can’t wait to get things started.”
On Coach Nick Saban
“Coach Saban has always done everything that he thinks is the best for both the team and our individual strengths. Because of this, he has earned all of my respect. Without him, none of us could be able to be in the situation we are in. I have come a long way under his tutelage, and I owe everything I have accomplished to him.”
On team strengths
“I think our biggest strength this season is a very good offense, and Coach Jimbo (Fisher) has done a good job preparing us for this season. We had a great spring as an offense. We also have a very good defense this year, and their coaches have done a very good job getting them ready. Football is such a team sport that we are all going to have to work and play well together to accomplish our goals. In the past, it seems that we have had a better offense at the beginning of the season, and, at the end of the season, the defense was ahead of the offense. We just have to play together to have a very good season like we want and are capable of having.”
LSU Defensive Tackle Chad Lavalais
On Preseason Polls
“I talk to my friends on the team about it. It’s good motivation. Basically, it’s just pre-season hype and that’s all. You have to step up and play the game no matter what they say. It’s good to be a pre-season pick, but it’s just hype.”
“I play my butt off all season, all four quarters. I get hit by 600 pounds every Saturday night. I have mud in my face, but win or lose, I walk out of there with a smile on my face.”
On LSU Fans
“When everything is going good, it’s loud. Our fans can be the best in the world. Our fans are great when we are doing solid. Nobody wants to come to Tiger stadium and play then. But when we are doing bad, you don’t want to be there. It’s tough to play when the fans are down on us.”
2003 PRE-SEASON ALL-SEC TEAM
(As voted on by members of attendees at SEC Football Media Day, 78 total voters)
* – Ties
FIRST-TEAM OFFENSE
| Pos. | Name | School | Ht. | Wt. | Class | Hometown |
| TE | Ben Watson (65) | Georgia | 6-3 | 255 | Sr. | Rock Hill, S.C. |
| OL | Shawn Andrews (69) | Arkansas | 6-5 | 330 | Jr. | Camden, Ark. |
| OL | Wesley Britt (53) | Alabama | 6-8 | 315 | Jr. | Cullman, Ala. |
| OL | Justin Smiley (44) | Alabama | 6-4 | 302 | Jr. | Ellabell, Ga. |
| OL | Antonio Hall (33) | Kentucky | 6-5 | 302 | Sr. | Canton, Ohio |
| C | Ben Wilkerson (47) | LSU | 6-4 | 300 | Jr. | Hemphill, Texas |
| WR | Michael Clayton (67) | LSU | 6-4 | 200 | Jr. | Baton Rouge, La. |
| WR | Fred Gibson (58) | Georgia | 6-4 | 196 | Jr. | Waycross, Ga. |
| QB | Eli Manning (59) | Ole Miss | 6-5 | 218 | Sr. | New Orleans, La. |
| RB | Carnell Williams (68) | Auburn | 5-11 | 204 | Jr. | Attalla, Ala. |
| RB | Shaud Williams (34) | Alabama | 5-8 | 182 | Sr. | Andrews, Texas |
FIRST-TEAM DEFENSE
| Pos. | Name | School | Ht. | Wt. | Class | Hometown |
| DL | David Pollack (75) | Georgia | 6-3 | 278 | Jr. | Snellville, Ga. |
| DL | Antwan Odom (48) | Alabama | 6-5 | 273 | Jr. | Bayou LaBatre, Ala. |
| DL | Chad Lavalais (35) | LSU | 6-3 | 289 | Sr. | Marksville, La. |
| LB | Karlos Dansby (77) | Auburn | 6-5 | 235 | Sr. | Birmingham, Ala. |
| LB | Dontarrious Thomas (67) | Auburn | 6-4 | 238 | Sr. | Perry, Ga. |
| LB | Tony Bua (45) | Arkansas | 5-11 | 218 | Sr. | River Ridge, La. |
| LB | Brooks Daniels (38) | Alabama | 6-2 | 198 | Sr. | Jasper, Fla. |
| DB | Corey Webster (59) | LSU | 6-0 | 197 | Jr. | Vacherie, La. |
| DB | Rashad Baker (51) | Tennessee | 5-11 | 185 | Sr. | Camden, N.J. |
| DB | Keiwan Ratliff (50) | Florida | 5-10 | 178 | Sr. | Columbus, Ohio |
| DB | Guss Scott (31) | Florida | 5-11 | 195 | Sr. | Jacksonville, Fla. |
FIRST-TEAM SPECIALISTS
| Pos. | Name | School | Ht. | Wt. | Class | Hometown |
| PK | Billy Bennett (64) | Georgia | 5-8 | 175 | Sr. | Athens, Ga. |
| RS | Derek Abney (73) | Kentucky | 5-10 | 175 | Sr. | Mosinee, Wisc. |
| P | Dustin Colquitt (52) | Tennessee | 6-2 | 196 | Jr. | Knoxville, Tenn. |
SECOND-TEAM OFFENSE
| Pos. | Name | School | Ht. | Wt. | Class | Hometown |
| TE | Ben Troupe (12) | Florida | 6-4 | 262 | Sr. | Augusta, Ga. |
| OL | Stephen Peterson (30) | LSU | 6-4 | 325 | Sr. | Waveland, Miss. |
| OL | Michael Munoz (23) | Tennessee | 6-6 | 305 | Jr. | Mason, Ohio |
| OL | Travelle Wharton (19) | South Carolina | 6-4 | 315 | Sr. | Fountain Inn, S.C. |
| OL | Shannon Snell (13) | Florida | 6-4 | 310 | Sr. | Tampa, Fla. |
| C | Scott Wells (20) | Tennessee | 6-2 | 300 | Sr. | Spring Hill, Tenn. |
| WR | Chris Collins (19) | Ole Miss | 6-2 | 190 | Sr. | Gloster, Miss. |
| WR | Carlos Perez (5) | Florida | 5-11 | 193 | Sr. | Hoboken, N.J. |
| QB | David Greene (14) | Georgia | 6-3 | 230 | Jr. | Snellville, Ga. |
| RB | Cedric Houston (28) | Tennessee | 6-0 | 215 | Jr. | Clarendon, Ark. |
| RB | Ronnie Brown (23) | Auburn | 6-1 | 223 | Jr. | Cartersville, Ga. |
SECOND-TEAM DEFENSE
| Pos. | Name | School | Ht. | Wt. | Class | Hometown |
| DL | DeMarco McNeil (28) | Auburn | 6-2 | 300 | Sr. | Prichard, Ala. |
| DL | Jesse Mitchell (19) | Ole Miss | 6-1 | 277 | Sr. | Moss Point, Miss. |
| DL | Vincent Burns (12) | Kentucky | 6-2 | 264 | Jr. | Lake Park, Ga. |
| LB | Freddie Roach (23) | Alabama | 6-2 | 237 | So. | Killen, Ala. |
| LB | Kevin Burnett (19) | Tennessee | 6-3 | 235 | Jr. | Carson, Calif. |
| LB | T.J. Mawhinney (19) | Miss. State | 6-1 | 235 | Sr. | Madisonville, La. |
| LB | Caleb Miller (14) | Arkansas | 6-3 | 220 | Sr. | Sulphur Springs, Texas |
| DB | Lawrence Richardson (28) | Arkansas | 5-10 | 188 | Sr. | Galveston, Texas |
| DB | Ahmad Carroll (22) | Arkansas | 5-11 | 190 | Jr. | Atlanta, Ga. |
| DB | Kentrell Curry (22) | Georgia | 6-1 | 198 | Sr. | Toccoa, Ga. |
| DB | Dunta Robinson (12) | South Carolina | 6-0 | 185 | Sr. | Athens, Ga. |
SECOND-TEAM SPECIALISTS
| Pos. | Name | School | Ht. | Wt. | Class | Hometown |
| PK | Brent Smith (10) | Miss. State | 5-10 | 203 | Sr. | Byhalia, Miss. |
| *RS | Damien Gary (2) | Georgia | 5-10 | 178 | Sr. | Athens, Ga. |
| Kwane Doster (2) | Vanderbilt | 5-11 | 188 | So. | Tampa, Fla. | |
| P | Donnie Jones (23) | LSU | 6-3 | 217 | Sr. | Baton Rouge, La. |
SEC PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
(Tabulated on a 1-2-3-4-5-6 scale, 78 total voters)
SEC CHAMPION
(Six voters did not have a champion selected)
Auburn (45), Georgia (12), Tennessee (10), LSU (6), Ole Miss (2), Florida (2), Arkansas (1).
| Eastern Division (First Place Votes in parenthesis) |
||
| 1. | Georgia (42) | 124 |
| 2. | Tennessee (30) | 138 |
| 3. | Florida (6) | 207 |
| 4. | South Carolina | 349 |
| 5. | Kentucky | 356 |
| 6. | Vanderbilt | 464 |
| Western Division (First Place Votes in parenthesis) |
||
| 1. | Auburn (60) | 105 |
| 2. | LSU (13) | 162 |
| 3. | Arkansas (2) | 278 |
| 4. | Alabama (1) | 303 |
| 5. | Ole Miss (2) | 332 |
| 6. | Mississippi State | 458 |