The 2009 LSU Fighting Tiger Defense Getting Back on Track

(Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)

Well, it's that time of year again.

The time of year you get to thinking how your team will shape up this fall under the big lights in the most crucial games of the season.The time when preseason magazines dub the nation's best and worst, and often give very talented teams no respect.

Ah, no respect.

Something the LSU defense has suddenly, after just one year, become accustomed to hearing. The defense which was torched for 50 points, more than(insert gasp) one game. The defense which couldn't stop running backs such as Knowshon Moreno and Glen Coffee, among other backs who took it to LSU's front four.

The secondary couldn't even cover guys like Julio Jones and Percy Harvin. The teams that once feared the smashmouth, nightmarish LSU defense now have yawned at it and thrown a couple of touchdowns against it.

So just what is it going to take to get the bengal tiger D back on track again and out of the Dangerfield quotes?

First is the fact that the tigers have John Chavis at DC. Chavis didn't have much talent to work with at UT, and Eric Berry was the only star player on the Vols defensive front. Chavis is expected and already has brought a new attitude to the LSU D.

An attacking, relentless style that reminds many of the way Pelini's defenses were. We should ALL pay attention to how much improvement Chavis' arrival on the LSU coaching staff makes.

Adding heralded secondary coach Ron Cooper out of USC was a plus also. LSU's secondary is as talented as Cooper has worked with, and coach cooper worked with some very talented secondaries at USC.

In comes Brick Haley, a former defensive line coach from the Chicago Bears, to try and shore up a line that was constantly burned or held back from the quarterback last year. Haley will get a hungry tigers' line ready for action.

So what position shall we start with? How about the line! The tigers have a relatively talented bunch coming back, led by  senior Rahim Alem, and tackles Drake Nevis and Charles Alexander, along with under-achieving(so far) Al Woods.

Alem is a speed rushing DE who will always be near the qb.Nevis is an aggressive player, much like a bowling ball at 6'1 300. Charles Alexander adds depth and experience, being the oldest player on the line, and Al Woods is a man-child who, if he plays to his potential, could leave offensive tackles in the dirt.

Defensive end Pep Levingston is an athletic end with lots of strength, and sophomore Sidell Corley is one to watch for this year as well. One who could be making waves is defensive end Chancey Aghayere, a former standout end from Texas.

The tigers might have to rely on guys like Lavar Edwards, Chase Clement, and Cordian Hagans for depth. The freshmen, guys like Josh Downs, Chris Davenport, DE Sam Montgomery, Michael Brockers, JC Transfer Akiem Hicks, and Benny Logan could all be used to some degree and probably will be.

Grade the line?

The tigers have some experienced starters coming back, but if someone gets injured, the backups are thin, and this could hurt the tigers. I give them a B- for good players, but lack of depth.

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