BATON ROUGE — LSU football head coach Les Miles addressed the media on Monday for his first “Lunch With Les presented by Subway” press conference. Watch the on-demand video for free in the Geaux Zone now.
LSU Head Coach Les Miles
Opening Statement …
“It is nice to start a season. I felt like our camp was a very physical one, our guys had a great attitude and played hard and worked hard to improve. I think we all look forward to playing an opponent, and certainly going to the Georgia Dome with our fans and playing a quality North Carolina fan is a great way to start the season. I can tell you that our team has been told that around 25,000 LSU fans will join us in the dome and we can’t wait. Our team enjoys when the purple and gold files into a stadium that we are playing in. Our push certainly is to play an LSU style of football. That involves a quality running game, a very capable throwing game, a defense that flies to the football and tackles, and special team units that are dominant with great speed in coverage and great speed on those that can return kicks. That is our plan is to play LSU football.
“I recognize that North Carolina has some NCAA issues, but I can only tell you that we are planning to play their best players and playing a quality football team. Whoever is there will certainly be representing a very good, well coached and well prepared football team and our team is looking forward to that endeavor. We have enjoyed playing in the Georgia Dome. We have had great experiences there and really look forward to that continuing. North Carolina has a good defense averaging only about 270 yards of total offense allowed to their opponents and only averaging 17 points allowed to an opponent. They are very sound and solid. They don’t do a lot, but what they do they do very well. There are some very talented players on their team, and you can see that this team’s defense will match up very comfortably to a number of defenses in our conference. They have guys that will be drafted in very significant spots and very athletic guys up front, and that will be certainly a very challenging part of their team for our offense. Their offense features big and fast backs. They run the football with a great play-action attack off of that, and they will give misdirection with reverses. It is a very capable offense.
“The key certainly for us is to play representative of how we worked. We have worked hard to get better and worked hard to improve. Our football team is looking forward to playing hard and enjoying that opportunity as we go forward. As I look at this team it is a very close bunch of guys. They are guys that are committed to being together and work hard while enjoying each other’s company. They were a team that wanted this game and looked forward to playing on national television to start it out. I look forward to taking this team to the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, it is going to be fun and I think our guys will respond with a great showing.”
On the emphasis to get more plays per game …
“It is going to be based on execution. The more that you have first downs, the more that you move the chains it stands to reason that the longer your drives the more plays you get. If we can run the football more efficiently and if we can throw it more efficiently you are going to find that your offense is more capable of getting more plays, so that is our push.
On how many positions are still not set …
“It may be as high as three. We know who the guys that are going to play at those positions are, and we know they will play significant football, but who will take the first step it may be as high as three.”
On which young players is he looking forward to seeing …
“In those young guys that you would want to follow, there is a number to be honest. Sam Montgomery is a guy that I look forward to watching, and Kendrick Adams is another. One of the guys that I have enjoyed watch and prepare is Tyrann Mathieu. I just think he is one of those very young and talented guys that can step on the field and play and play tough. This two-a-day camp we have probably scrimmaged more because of the young team than we have in the past, and some of the plays he made in live tackle were pretty special plays. I think there are a number of those guys and I think this team will mature very nicely.”
On if Jarrett Lee played well in the scrimmages to compete for a starting position …
“I think Jarrett Lee has really improved in both scrimmage and drill play. I think he had a really strong summer and has real support of his teammates. Jordan Jefferson is a much better quarterback than he was a year ago, and if Jarrett (Lee) was competing with just the guy that started with the Tigers a year ago it would be different, but Jordan (Jefferson) is better. I think he will look forward to playing this Saturday and hopefully the differences will be seen.”
Media Question/Answer:
On the youth offensively…
“The reality is if you look at it last year quickly, we were ahead in every game but one in the fourth quarter, so the opportunity to finish is certainly what we’re after. Secondly, we are young; there’s no question about it. There will be some guys that step onto the field that you’ll watch play for years and years and years and years. The good news about a youthful and enthusiastic team is they learn fast, and they play well. The one thing we’ve done here is we’ve recruited pretty well, and our guys put on their process board, basically the call to action that the players put in front of them everyday, and it says this about youth – play big, play like Tigers. It’s not about playing young. That’s really our push. I recognize we have some young guys. Those young guys are capable and looking forward to playing.”
On if prepares for North Carolina’s scheme or those players who may or may not play due to NCAA violations…
“Again, it probably benefits us best to focus on where they are most capable, and that’s what we are going to do. We are going to see their best players playing against us and preparing a game plan for that. I don’t think it’s changed much. Until I see a starting lineup or until I get firm information, I don’t think there is much news.”
On if he feels North Carolina will run the same schemes regardless of who is playing for them…
“The scheme is not going to change. They are too successful to change scheme based on players, and I think they’ll be very similar to what they’ve been. Maybe they’ll use a little more ‘Wildcat’ than they have, but again, that’s all speculation.”
On Offensive Coordinator Gary Crowton moving down to the field and Wide Receivers Coach/Passing Game Coordinator Billy Gonzales moving to the press box on game day…
“I think you’ll find that coach Crowton will still be in the press box and have the ability to be on the field or along those lines.”
On the safety position opposite of starter S Brandon Taylor…
“I think Jai Eugene certainly gives us a guy who is awfully quality and understands the scheme and can make plays back there. He communicates extremely well. I think there is an opportunity for some of our young guys to develop and bigger, more physical guys. In the running game, that may be an advantage. I think Craig Loston, Eric Reid and a number of guys may well step in there and play some.”
On if he’s picked a starter for the other safety position…
“No.”
On if he has a plan for QB Jarrett Lee in the North Carolina game…
“I think we’ll have a plan for him if he goes into the game. There are some things that he does very, very well, and frankly, he may have a small piece that will be his. I think it’s a little early to speculate whether he’ll be in the third series or the eighth series or whenever it is. I think Jordan Jefferson certainly is our starter at this point, and we’ll go forward from there.”
On if all four RB’s – Stevan Ridley, Richard Murphy, Michael Ford and Spencer Ware – will receive carries in the game…
“I think the veteran guys certainly have separated themselves some from the younger guys, but there is some talent there in that young group that frankly we might want to let get on the field and just let them carry the ball and spell some of these veteran backs. I think you can look forward to seeing a carry or two mixed around, but I think you’ll see Ridley and Murphy getting the lion’s share.”
On the true freshmen having opportunities to play early…
“I think at wide receiver we recruited what were two second-team spots. Those guys there are not only good but fit a spot that really gave us some advantages. I think that young secondary is special. I think some of those safeties and corners deserve to be on the field and frankly may go by some of the veterans.”
On young LB’s Lamin Barrow and Kevin Minter…
“Lamin is again, getting better everyday. He’s a guy that learns quickly, and he’s a very big, physical linebacker that will fit very comfortably in the kind of game that we’ll have to play. I think Kevin Minter, again, at Mike backer is a 230-plus (pounds), very athletic and very physical linebacker and can step in and play there as well. Depending on where you put Kelvin Sheppard, there’s an opportunity for both of those guys to see a lot of game time.”
On if he’s made a decision on who will start in place of the injured LB Ryan Baker…
“No.”
On his impressions of UNC head coach Butch Davis over the years…
“I think that if you follow his career, certainly he’s done a great job anywhere he’s been. He’s a very good coach. I remember being with the Dallas Cowboys and hearing stories about an old staff that he was once on. I have great respect for what he’s accomplished both in the college game and in the NFL. Again, every stop that he’s had, he’s had success.”
On saying that last year’s offensive line was the best he’s ever had at LSU…
“I never said that. I said that if they develop and came together, they had the opportunity to be the best.”
On how he classifies this year’s offensive line…
“I think they are more physical. I think they are a little bit younger but maybe more athletic. I like this line, and this line is working hard and coming together. I think again, I mentioned chemistry, and I think that this offensive line has real chemistry.”
On the offensive line cutting back on the number of sacks allowed and the defensive line recording more sacks…
“I think we’ll have a number of pass rushers that may provide us with a little bit more speed than in the past. On the offensive side, I think there will be a number of things. If we run the football better and the quarterback doesn’t hold onto the ball for any length of time and trusts his preparation and his reads and gets it out of his hand, and then, the offensive line needs to protect better, so if we do those things, we’ll be fine.”
On Patrick Peterson‘s ability as a return man…
“We think that Patrick has very good ability there, and we could put in a Morris Claiborne, Russell Shepard or a Ron Brooks, guys that, in my opinion, can step back in there and provide a great return or field the ball very well and get the amount of yards that the return is blocked for. I think Patrick Peterson is a very exceptional return guy. He has not done it in a college game yet, but he has great ball skills and makes you miss. He has great speed. He’s physical, so I hope that he starts fast, and we can have him there for every game.”
On if the quarterback situation has been more competitive than he thought it would be…
“I think that Jarrett Lee has improved really throughout the summer. As we return to practice, he’s gotten better and better. Jordan Jefferson has gotten better as well. I think both quarterbacks are taking a run at being that starter, and that provides for great competition in that room. I think both guys are getting better, and I think it’s a very healthy, competitive situation.”
On making corrections from last year…
“I think you probably saw that in the meeting we had a couple of days ago where we let the team leaders speak. I think that was really a sentiment that was shared by a room, maybe a little bit of an edge or a little bit more ambitious and a little bit more urgent. I think they’ve prepared that way. I think they’ve gotten better very significantly over the last couple of weeks.”
On preparing for North Carolina QB Tyler Yates…
“He’s a head-sy guy. He throws the ball well. Frankly, the offense is tailored to his ability, so I think that those things are things that he’s capable of performing well in. I don’t think that they ask him to do things that he’s not capable of doing.”
On Jordan Jefferson‘s maturation…
“We’re asking him to do very similar things that we asked him to do a year ago. I think he’s more capable this year of doing them. I think that there will be some changes in the offense. I don’t know that it’ll be something that you’ll pick up on from the stands. Hopefully it will be more productive, and we’ll be able to execute at a greater level, but I think it will be very similar.”
On whether it’s fair that he has a reputation for being loyal to veteran players in terms of playing time…
“I think the want to play the best player and the want to play that player that you trust will play well is something every coach has, but the want to play the best player certainly overrides any natural bias. You want to give your team every opportunity to win. I think that these young players here are exceptional and fit any coach’s criteria about getting them to the field. They’ve shown very quickly that they’re capable, they’re physical and they’re mature. There are some surprises in that freshman class, to me, that is ready as they are to play, but they are ready to play.”
On what he sees as the advantages or disadvantages to opening the season versus a ranked opponent…
“You can look at it from any number of ways. I look forward to playing a best team, and the fact that your team has had to prepare for that burden, that responsibility to play and play well against a very quality team, hopefully it will get our offense, defense and special teams prepared fastest and quickest. The ability to step onto the field with a ranked opponent really kind of tells you where you’re at, and it’s a great mark for where you are at the end of preparation of the two-a-days and at the start of the season. I think it’s a great opportunity for us to come out and raise our level of play and start fast. That being said, anybody can pick the number of advantages when you start against a lesser opponent.”
On his ideal run-to-pass ratio offensively…
“I’d like to be in neutral downs. A guy that runs the football a little bit more than 50 percent of the time in neutral downs. There are certain advantages to running the football in short yardage and certain advantages in certain areas of the field and certain advantages at certain times in the game to eat the clock, control the game and control the opponent. All of those things have the ability to skew what would be and could be great season stats at the end, but on first and 10, I like to be a little bit more run than pass, but I like for them to have to defend both.”
On DEs Sam Montgomery and Ken Adams…
“I think our defensive ends that will take the field have really earned spots and have shown the ability to get to the passer, shown greater quickness and shown greater range. Sam Montgomery, as a redshirt freshman, gave us headaches on offense, and we couldn’t wait to get him to the other side of the field. Certainly when the spring hit, it was only a matter of time before he became our starter and currently is that. Certain guys have a youthful ability to forgive their mistakes and to go on, and that’s healthy, and then, there are those very few guys who came in to play very, very dominant football right away and take the natural mindset that this play really counts. That was Sam, and I look forward to seeing Sam and for that matter, Kendrick Adams. Both of those guys I think you’ll find we’ll make you smile.”
On the veteran running backs coming off injury…
“Both are physical backs. I think both are elusive. Murphy, certainly at 210 (pounds) or thereabouts, and Ridley at 235 or thereabouts, possess different characteristics upon contact, but both guys are responsible, understand their assignment, look forward to contact, look forward to running for yards after contact and handle the ball well. Their goal is to be the most successful running back tandem that we’ve had, but I think that’s a great challenge to them. Certainly I’d like to see them be that.”
Player Interviews
On UNC’s defensive scheme…
“They have great depth from top to bottom. They’ve got a lot of players that have played a lot of football even though they didn’t start. They have eight or nine guys on that defense that have played in 30 plus games, and that is really unheard of. They’ve got a lot of players that can play football.”
On changes in preparation for the upcoming season…
“I’ve kind of been cleaning everything up. For the past week and a half we’ve really kind of put together a scheme and put together the type of things that we want to do. This week has been taking some stuff in and putting some stuff back out. At the same time we’re preparing to play a really great ball team.”
On Coach Miles’ comments about him making a big jump from last year…
“It’s encouraging. I came into camp with the determination to being a leader for this team and making sure I do everything I need to do to get this offense to where we want it to be. Hearing that from Coach Miles has let me know that he’s seen the work that I am doing.”
On the importance and attention put on the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game…
“It’s the opening game of college football. Anytime you have the opening game coming up it’s going to be a big game. I think it’s a lot of excitement coming from Baton Rouge along with how the team’s been playing the past two years. There are a lot of fans that are excited about the upcoming season and we’re also excited to see how we play against a big time defense in North Carolina. It’s going to be two good teams going at it. The game is being played in Atlanta, so there is no home field advantage. It’s going to be on national TV, so there is going to be a lot of people watching it. First game of college football and you know everyone is waiting for kickoff to come.”
On biggest question the team needs to answer on Saturday…
“Our offense as a whole is the biggest question on our team. I’m not going to single out anyone or a position. I say our offense as a whole. We have to come out there and produce. We’ve got to put some points on the board. LSU has always had the defense that has been pretty dominant, but our offense has been slacking the past few years. The offense needs to come out and do what they are supposed to do this game.”
On being a veteran in the backfield…
“I’m ready to go. This is the opportunity I’ve been waiting for a long time. I’ve got to go out there and do my job. My job is to go out there and get the hard yardage. The three and four yards a pop that people see and say, ‘that’s a small run,’ but moving the chains is what matters. Those rushes are halfway to first down for us. That is my role and I have to get that tough yardage. I got to get this running game ready to roll because at anytime you can break one. It’s been a long wait for me. I’m a redshirt junior and they’re finally calling on me to play.”