BATON ROUGE — The LSU football team had a busy day on Friday as the Tigers held their first practice as an entire unit with a morning workout followed by the school’s annual Media Day during the afternoon.
Friday’s only practice session had the Tigers going in full pads for the first time. It was also the first time the team practiced as an entire group since the beginning of camp.
“We had a nice long go,” LSU coach Les Miles said of the Tigers’ first full squad workout. “We were very physical; it was a lot of full line. We installed short yardage today, and at the end of the practice in the heat of the day we ran, and we ran hard.
“The defense thrived in the heat, and in my opinion had a great day. They also thrived in the run (defense), and the offense fought through it, which is what they’re supposed to do. We’re not ready to play a game, there is no way we’re ready to play a game, but if we work like we did today, we will be ready to play and certainly have the opportunity to play well as the season goes forward.”
Following an afternoon of meetings, the Tigers, along with Miles, co-defensive coordinators Doug Mallory and Bradley Dale Peveto, and offensive coordinator Gary Crowton met with members of the media.
Among the biggest attractions of LSU’s annual media event, which attracted close to 150 members of the media, were quarterbacks Jarrett Lee and Andrew Hatch, all-America defensive end Tyson Jackson and preseason all-America offensive guard Herman Johnson.
Other highlights of the media session were posed pictures of the biggest and smallest scholarship players on the team in Herman Johnson (6-foot-7, 375 pounds) and running back/return specialist Trindon Holliday (5-5, 164); a group picture of LSU’s two-sport athletes (Holliday ? football/track, Chad Jones ? football/baseball, Ricky Jean-Francois ? football/track, and Jared Mitchell ? football/baseball); and group pictures of the siblings on the squad (Chad Jones and Rahim Alem; Brett and Trey Helms, and the Taylor trio ? Curtis, Brandon and Jhyryn.
Saturday will be another full day of work for the Tigers as LSU will have two practices starting with workout in full pads at 8:30 a.m. The Tigers will practice in shells (shorts and shoulder pads) during the afternoon.
The Tigers will cap their first full week in camp with a stretch-and-stride session on Sunday morning followed by Fan Day at the River Center in downtown Baton Rouge during the afternoon. Doors to the River Center open at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday with autographs with the football team going from 2:30 to 4 p.m.
August 8, 2008
An interview with:
COACH MILES
COACH MILES: Welcome to all you media folks that don’t cover us every after practice. But it’s a great day, it’s a nice time to reflect on where we’ve been, really, since last spring maybe and the summer, for you guys that don’t get to see us.
I think we came into camp in really good shape. We’ve really taxed them, we’ve run hard and I think that they’re really up to speed and ready to, at this point, to hit it pretty hard.
I like the direction that the camp is going. We came into camp looking just really just five practices looking for a quarterback that might step out, and I think we’re in the same position that we’ve been. I think that really all three quarterbacks have ability, and I can tell ya that certainly Lee and Hatch are guys that have been through it a little longer and understand it a little bit better, but I think Jordan Jefferson also has ability and is one of those guys that will take snaps yet this fall.
I think the offensive line is a strength. It’s, certainly, a very capable group. There again, they’re just getting their legs underneath them. This was our first day in pads, but I like how it’s going. I think the you know, it’s interesting, we lose a quality running back from a year ago, and I feel like we have plenty of talent there, but I want to see the leadership emerge. I want to see who it’s going to be.
And it’s still very much running back by committee, kind of as it’s been, but, you know, I it will be interesting. I kinda think Charles Scott may have a great year, maybe Richard Murphy. I even like Stevan Ridley. Stevan Ridley had a nice, early camp. And Keiland Williams is unmentioned but certainly very talented.
So I like our position at running back. I think Quinn Johnson at full back is a big horse, man. I can tell ya right now that I look forward to those things that we can do with him. He’s a receiver out of the backfield, good ball carrier and certainly a powerful, powerful blocker. Wide receivers are veteran, they look veteran, we’re really in good shape there with Byrd and LaFell and Toliver and some of the newcomers that have emerged so and some of the old guys, the Mitchells, both Chris and Jared that are certainly very capable.
I like the position that the offense is in. We may make changes there with Gary Crowton, and he’s done a great job with us in the time that he’s been here, and I think we’re benefitting by the fact that we’re multiple enough in formation and in scheme that we can use all the guys that we have. Trindon Holliday will probably take the most snaps he has in the last five practices than he did through all the two a days a year ago, so offensively I think we’re in great shape.
As I say that, I know there are a number of LSU Olympians that are off representing our country, and several times quietly I have said to Trindon, “We wish that you were there, but we’re glad that you are here,” and I think that’s honest, and I think that he enjoyed the pursuit.
Defensively the guys that we thought that might challenge from the underclass appear to me have had really early camps that show you that they have all the ability that you hoped. I think Patrick Peterson and Brandon Taylor are both guys that really have had exceptional early camps, but we’re a ways out from making any determination there, but I can tell you that the competition will be the deciding factor.
Defensive line, I think anytime that you start practice in helmets and not shoulder pads and full gear it’s just difficult to see, you know, where your defensive line and your offensive lines are. Well, we’ve just now in the last three days had two practices in shoulder pads and this was our first day in pads, and I enjoyed the way the defensive line and the offensive line kinda went after it.
So I like where we’re at in the defensive line. I think the group as a whole are coming to the line of scrimmage well and will be difficult to move the football against. I like our linebackers. I think Darry Beckwith has had a very good camp to start. There is a lot of the season a lot of challenges that the season offers a linebacker or a defense, and if you look at the number of formations, the number of offenses and what we ask of our guys.
You have to have speed and skill, and you have to be a bright player and a physical player and play well in space, and I think that we have that at linebacker, and I think Jerry Beckwith has certainly provided good leadership and, again, is, you know, having a great camp. We would look forward to him this fall.
The defensive coordinators and the defensive side are doing a good job. I think there is a very short, not a very small learning curve between the two, but they work extremely well together. I think the defense is benefitting from the fact that the calls are the same, that the attack is the same, that the strategy and the view and virtually the defense is the same. I think our guys, I think our players enjoy that.
They’re comfortable with, you know, the direction that the defense is going, I certainly am. Special teams, Colt David got himself a little bit of a tweak, is not doing a lot of kicking right now, but Josh Jasper stepped in there and is certainly providing us with some kicking, and hopefully we’ll get Colt back in short order.
I think we’ve made some improvement, and I enjoy the fact that Joe Robinson has jumped into teams and really, you know, his touch and his feel is making a difference, I think, to our kickers and our punters, and a little bit in scheme. So I think we’re off to a good start on teams.
We’ll punt like we have, we’ll kick field goals like we have, and occasionally if the situation presents itself we’ll fake it, so just the way it goes. Today’s practice was a big practice. You know, we got had two in shells and shoulders, and that told you a little bit about your team.
What was a standard work ethic on our football field when we have pads on, that appeared today, you saw it today. We had a nice long goal, we were very physical, it was a lot of full line, a lot of we installed short yardage today, and at the end of the practice in the heat of the day we ran, and we ran hard.
The defense thrived in the heat, and in my opinion had a great day and thrived in the running, and the offense fought through it, which is what they’re supposed to do. So, you know, we’re not ready to play a game, there is no way we’re ready to play a game, but if we work like we did today, we will be ready to play and certainly have the opportunity to play well as the season goes forward.
Injuries, real quick. I mentioned Colt David, again, it’s a short term issue, all these are, really, Brett Helms has himself a calf contusion, and Charles Alexander has a soft tissue injury, but nothing that should keep us out. So I like the position we’re in. Any questions?
Q. Coach, the quarterback situation, does there have to be a clear cut winner or is there a possibility of going to a two quarterback system?
COACH MILES: I really think that it might well it’s difficult for a young guy like Jefferson to come in here and accommodate the offense and, I don’t know that I see them exactly the same. I think that he’s improved. He’s much more seasoned, ready to play in games.
Q. Yes, Coach, the national championship last year, do you think there are still things you need to improve on?
COACH MILES: ’07 was last year. And the issue is the things we have been doing since we’ve gotten here, how we practice, the work ethic, who we are, how our game week unfolds, how we pursue teams, defense, and offense, that’s what to me is going to sustain our program. Not the look in outcomes, but necessarily what is our process.
And I think this team understands. I’ve got to be honest with you, I may have questioned whether they understood it until today. I liked today. Today was one damn good practice, and, again, it was not what I wanted. We threw some incompletions.
For this program to have success, certainly, we will pursue excellence and take ’em one game at a time. That App State team is awfully good, and I promise you when I go to I get up in the morning and I think about today and I think about things that need to get fixed, I think about our opponents, that certainly is the first one.
Q. Les, I know you’ve never been shy about tackling in camp and really in any practices, but particularly when you have a team like Appalachian State that has a dangerous quarterback as they have and some teams need to play their way into good, live tackling, maybe two or three games into the season, is there more of an angle on live contact knowing that you’re going to see the kind of offense that is going to make you game ready out of the shoot?
COACH MILES: I think our live contact happens every day. I think live tackling certainly is really looking we’re looking at five opportunities of actual live tackling and really only three, you know, scrimmage events that will involve live tackling. It’s an athletic tackle on their guys, certainly the quarterback. I think you’re right, we start every practice with a pursuit drill.
We start every practice with tackling drills, and it’s a circuit that we go through. Again, that will not change, but there is greater view on that quarterback if he were to scramble out there and to be able to hem him in.
Q. Les, were you lucky or good last year? In that same vein, if you were lucky, do you feel you will be gambling as much this year without as many seniors as you had last year?
COACH MILES: I think the things you do as a coach is you make calls based on the talent and the situation, and it’s tough sometimes. And then I’ll leave the rest to the guy upstairs. But I don’t I can’t tell you right now that I have in me any calls. We might go for things more this year, and likely less. Like the way I answered that? You guys could all write that differently, couldn’t you?
Q. Les, talk about the punting game and the status of the punter and your punt receivers.
COACH MILES: We have great competition there, Brady Dalfrey has come in, he has the liveliest leg, he knocks the tar out of it. Thus far in camp we’re pleased with the progress that he’s making, but I think Josh Jasper is a guy that can come in there and compete as well, and I look forward to our I think we may have more fast guys to run down underneath that punt maybe with some of these freshmen and red shirt sophomores or freshmen that are ready to get on the field a little bit more.
I look forward to both punters, and I look forward to seeing a fast, physical coverage team, you know, heading down the field.
Q. (No microphone.)
COACH MILES: Punt returners? Oh, I’m really I think Patrick Peterson is a guy that’s caught some balls for us. I think that Chad Jones is going to be better than he’s been and there are some other guys that we’re looking at. We put Holliday back there and certainly with his opportunities, and one look at him and one of these days he’ll feel real comfortable, and we’ll be as excited as we can be to have our to have him as our punt returner as our kick returner, so same guys.
Q. When you started the conference you were talking about leadership and you didn’t mention any names. Are there any names that you would like to mention at this time, as far as team leaders?
COACH MILES: I think Tyson Jackson and Darry Beckwith on defense, Pittman, some of our veterans are stepping up, and in a day like today where it was a taxing practice, you could see they had that. I liked Tremaine Johnson on the offense today. He was vocal, and he played hard. You know, he I liked Charles Scott. I think he’s a guy who comes to practice every day and is not necessarily a vocal leader but a physical kinda watch me I’m going to practice hard kind of guy.
I think that kind of leadership is key. But Brady Dalfrey certainly has been awfully good on teams, Colt David has not missed a thing. I think we’ve got a pretty widespread leadership to be honest with you. That’s the way it’s got to be, for us to understand, you know, the pitfalls of a long season and the ability to pick one another up, you need, really, deep leadership.
Q. Les, you glanced over the running backs. I guess Keiland’s name you didn’t mention. Are you and the staff waiting for him to have that attitude adjustment where he fills into the player that everybody thinks he can be?
COACH MILES: Keiland has a tremendous up side and hopefully it will be brought out in this year, or more plays in this year you’ll see it. But I don’t know if anybody is waiting. I think there is a lot of competition going on there, and I think it’s a position that will bring out the best in that group, and certainly Keiland has as much talent or more as any.
Q. Coach, you mentioned a few young guys at the defensive back position and you mentioned Patrick Peterson. What have you been seeing not just from the young guys but all the defensive backs as far as their strengths?
COACH MILES: Jai Eugene has had a nice camp thus far, Chris Hawkins, would be the two veterans that would be key. I think Phelon Jones, another incoming freshman, Ryan St. Julien, another guy, Ron Brooks, so we’ll have plenty at corner. We just need to make sure we get the best guys to the field fast.
Q. Coach, you have 4 out of 5 offensive linemen returning this year, starters. Talk about the importance of having continuity at the offensive line position, especially when the quarterback position has inexperience.
COACH MILES: Anytime you bring a new starter to the mix, it’s imperative that the strength of the offense help that quarterback. One of the strengths certainly is the offensive line. I like the idea that the running backs are veteran, the tight end is veteran, the full back, and the receivers are veteran. If you want to look at it, I think it’s probably a great position for a newcomer at quarterback to get comfortable and understand that the guys that are around him are all capable.
Q. Coach, who do you look to fill or how do you fill the shoes left by Glenn Dorsey from last year?
COACH MILES: You know, you don’t necessarily fill the shoes. If you had a guy as good as Glenn Dorsey, he would have played last year. But what happens is the veterans that played around him, and the Charles Alexander that steps in, the rookie, Ricky Jean Francois that steps in, really you expect that maybe that defensive line would be more productive as a group than Glenn.
Glenn led defensive line. If you take Kirston Pittman, he should play better, Tyson Jackson will have a better year. I think the two guys inside, you know, Marlon Favorite, Charles Alexander, Jean Francois, I think those guys have the ability to be very, very good inside. So that’s what you do. Glenn Dorsey was a great person and an outstanding player. He didn’t play in the second half of the championship game in the SEC.
He gave us everything he had all year long as a person; he had a great game in the championship. How do you fill those shoes? I don’t know what you do.
Q. (No microphone.)
COACH MILES: (Nodding) Honestly, hey! What I said goes, I swear! I mean, honestly.
Q. Coach, after winning the national title last year, obviously that’s what every program strives for. After that have you talked to other coaches that have won a national title and how they come back the next year?
COACH MILES: I’ve watched lots of NFL teams and NBA teams, talked to some coaches, and I’ve found a common thread there that will benefit us, and it’s basically doing what you do.
Process who we are, making sure that you don’t change the recipe on a team that’s had success not only in one year but in many years. That’s where we’re at. Today’s practice, I saw more of that. Today’s practice, this day, I saw more of that. I think that has to be, as we pursue the season there have to be all days that really remind us of who we are.
Q. (No microphone.)
COACH MILES: I didn’t. I left that one out. I thought you might steer me in the wrong direction. Curveball.
Q. Coach, a lot of people say that it’s impossible for a true freshman to play quarterback in the SEC, game is too fast, teams are too good, even Peyton Manning split time. What’s your assessment?
COACH MILES: Peyton Manning? He was a starter. Split time? I mean, so half the time he was a starter? So when he went onto the field he was not the starter? There isn’t any question that you would love to red shirt your freshmen class. Today’s football doesn’t allow you to do that.
The ability to put your best team on the field may now involve a guy that comes in from high school. You have to get him ready, be smart, can’t give him too much, can’t overload him, but, you know, let’s see what they got.
Q. Coach, I remember speaking to a player a few years ago, and he went through the same thing, that his offensive line had a lot of input and check off and things like that. How much are you going to count on Brett Helms, Tremaine Johnson to help the quarterback make that transition with check offs and such?
COACH MILES: You know, I’ve been fortunate in my time to have offensive line guys that were so bright that they really knew the checks, protection and/or run checks as well any. Brett Helms is that guy, and he’ll turn around and cue in the line and the quarterback and help tremendously.
So there’s you know, being in sync with that group up front, if you have a very confident veteran line, it makes playing quarterback a lot easier. I mean, even just going to the practice snap, where, you know, the center basically if you make the check you’re heading the wrong direction, he’s going to stop the play and head you in the right direction.
Then the correction becomes immediate. It’s not even 30 seconds later after you’ve run the wrong play, it’s before you ran the wrong play, it’s a tremendous advantage to have a veteran group.
THE MODERATOR: We have time for one final question.
Q. (No microphone.)
COACH MILES: Well, he’s in my opinion he throws the football well, you know, he doesn’t quite know where he’s throwing it just yet, but he’s got an aggressive mind, he wants to learn. He is a good quarterback, has a good quarterback demeanor. He’s not going to judge himself too quickly, he’s going to allow himself the opportunity to learn it, and he’s going to pursue excellence, it appears to me.
I like his athleticism, he certainly has good speed and solid instincts, so I think it’s too early for me to say that I can remove the field or that opportunity from him.
I am fortunate to have two veterans on our staff that are very capable on the defensive side of the ball, and they were in on every strategic meeting that took place in our defense a year ago, and I’m going to bring ’em up. They’ll both be here, split time, you divide the time, but very comfortable with their shared responsibilities.
They’re doing a really good job, they work hard and they’re players’ coaches. Doug Mallory will have responsibility of the calling of the defense, and really most responsibilities will be shared thereafter. Doug, why don’t you come up first and Brad, you’re next.
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