LSU coach Les Miles discussed the start of spring football Saturday with reporters on Thursday:
Q: What are your goals for the spring?
A: "We have to evolve in a number of ways. We have to evolve with personnel. We have to evolve with speed and different things. They have to identify who we are going to be and how we are going to come out of spring practice. For me, I think how the defense ended in the fall; I would like them to maintain the personality that they had. We need to discuss more turnovers. We have to create some takeaways. I think that will probably be a point of emphasis this spring.
"I want to develop the running game more specifically.
"On special teams, we'll have Chris Jackson back and certainly we'll have some talent there, but he's had the Tommy Johns surgery on the elbow so he's not necessarily going to take the first punt in the spring. It will give us the chance to develop some depth at the punting spot. It will also give some guys an opportunity with kicking off, and Colt David might expand his role in field goals and extra points. I think we are fortunate there. Chris Jackson definitely gives us the body of the kicking. That is kind of how you look at the spring. Every team I've ever been on or been around, you go into the spring with question marks in spots. Certainly the spring is the first indication of how those things may wind up.
"Offensively, with JaMarcus (Russell) not there, I think it will be fun for those two young quarterbacks to compete, get some playing time, and show how good they are. In the same way, we need to develop a really capable offensive line. We graduated a number of guys there, and I am very concerned to see how that center spot is going to be manned. I think Ryan Miller is the guy that can do it but his health has been questionable. "We will look at a number of guys there that might have the potential to play center. (Peter) Dyakowski and Brian Johnson will be playing at the tackles. Peter will be starting his first significant football play of his career. I feel Herman Johnson will step in there and take a spot. Brett Helms will have to play either the guard or the center. To me, the formulation of this offensive line and their gaining ability and cohesiveness is a real question of the offense this spring. That will be the major view.
"Of course, Alley Broussard will probably get some snaps at tailback (after knee injury). I don't know how soon, but during the spring. I think Jacob Hester will spend most of the spring at tailback. We have looked at a couple of position changes. We moved Quinn Johnson over to fullback to look at him. He and Shawn Jordan will probably be the two fullbacks for the most of the spring. We'll get a chance to see if one of those young guys can step forward and say that he deserves the playing time. I think Quinn Johnson certainly is capable, and Shawn Jordan figures that it's about time. Our wide receivers, pretty veteran, as they return we certainly will miss Skyler Green. But we'll have Dwayne Bowe, Early Doucet and Buster Davis. And Brandon LaFell for that matter, a guy who redshirted, he's getting his first live playing time this spring. I think we will be fine at receiver, and we'll continue to do some of the same of things we've done. "
Q: What about the defense?
A: "On defense, we are going to miss three guys that were starters and played extremely well for us. Now, we'll turn to Glen Dorsey, and I think Glen Dorsey will play extremely well inside for Kyle (Williams). Who's going to be the three techniques, your guess is as good as mine. There will be a number of guys to get opportunities there; Charles Alexander will certainly get the first opportunity. Again, there are a number of guys, Marlon Favorite, and you never know where Ricky Jean-Francois might end up, either at end or at three technique. We have some guys that we need to look at and they need to have great spring practices. The defensive end spots, Tyson Jackson, Chase Pittman and Ryan Willis are the three guys that we will start with. We are looking for some other guys that might play and step to the front.
"At corner we think Jonathan Zenon will be a nice place to start. We're looking for a replacement for Ronnie Prude. There's also Chevis Jackson. With both safeties coming back, been in the system for a year, we don't necessarily feel like we have to get them a lot of reps this spring. Jessie Daniels coming off a little surgery, nothing serious we don't think, but it's something that may stop him from participating early in the spring. As well as Laron Landry had a little scope, again nothing serious, but again might stop him from starting the first day of spring. It will give us an opportunity to get some depth at safety.
"The young linebackers that will be stepping to the front to start for the first time will be interesting to look at those guys. Darry Beckwith, a very talented young guy that will certainly get playing time. Luke Sanders and Ali Highsmith will very probably start. Jason Spadoni is another capable guy. With Jacob Cutrera in camp; he's had a nice winter, looks to be in great shape. He's athletic and we're fortunate to have him gets some snaps here this spring. We'll get some of those young linebackers ready to go, and the young defensive line and get some new starters. That will be the question on the defensive side."
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