Despite the loss of Ryan Perrilloux, the 2008 LSU offense will not be all that dissimilar from what it was in 2007. While Perrilloux was the only quarterback with any real experience (Andrew Hatch did see some mop-up duty a time or two last season), the rest of the offense is loaded with experience and talent at every other position.
Coming off of a national championship year is never easy—just ask the 2004 LSU football team. Doing so with little, to no experience at quarterback is even tougher. Again, cite the 2004 squad.
Andrew Hatch, the Harvard transfer, enters his junior year with the only in-game experience the quarterback position can boast of.
Jarrett Lee, the highly-touted recruit from Texas, enters his redshirt freshman year ready to compete for the starting job.
The positive thing is that both Hatch and Lee have the same amount of experience in offensive coordinator Gary Crowton's system. The other positive is that Perrilloux had the same amount of experience.
It remains to be seen whether Hatch or Lee, or both for that matter, will excel in Crowton's offense. However, one thing is certain—the skill players surrounding these guys are not without experience, or talent for that matter.
As much as I don't want to, I would be remiss not to mention the cliche that rings true with so many new quarterbacks. You know the one. All Hatch or Lee has to do is manage the game and not make mistakes.
I would not say it if it wasn't true. Granted, LSU's road schedule is tough, and at some point one of these guys will have to make a play somewhere. But for the most part, managing the game will be the main priority.
Who gets the start to open the season? Hatch would be the easy choice, but Lee will get every opportunity to become the starting quarterback once practice starts in August.
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Either way, I expect both guys to rotate in and out of games, much like Matt Flynn and Perrilloux did a year ago.
I spoke of the other skill positions that look to aid in the maturing process of both of these young quarterbacks. Where LSU lacks in experience at quarterback, they more than make up for it at just about every other offensive position on the field.
To start, look no further than the guys who will be lining up in the backfield. The LSU rushing attack netted 3,000 yards rushing for the season in 2007, and all but one of the guys responsible returns in 2008. LSU will have to replace Jacob Hester, but the guys returning are more than capable.
Keiland Williams is LSU's leading returning rusher, having rushed for 513 yards and six TDs in 2007. Williams is a power rusher with a slashing-type mentality. He looks to round the corner more than take it up the gut, but when he gets the corner, watch out, because his speed is lights out.
A perfect contrast to Williams is Charles Scott. Scott is a straight-ahead runner who no doubt will be looked upon to pick up the tough yards that Hester did so many times last season. Both Scott and Williams showed versatility as well, combining for 21 receptions and three TDs a year ago.
The two guys who complement the guys listed above are Richard Murphy and Trindon Holliday.
Murphy is perhaps LSU's most versatile running back. He can run between the tackles, split out as a wide receiver, and catch the ball out of the backfield. His talent did not go unnoticed in 2007, as he was used more and more as the year progressed.
Holliday is not your prototypical running back. Standing at only 5'5'' and weighing in at 159 pounds, Holliday will be used primarily in end arounds and reverse plays. Expect a trick play or two with him as well, like the well known "hidden Holliday trick."
LSU's wide-receiving corps will once again be among the best in the SEC. While running the ball figures to be LSU's main focal point for 2008, this group of receivers will be ready to make plays when called upon.
Demetrius Byrd and Brandon LaFell combined for nearly 1,300 yards, 85 receptions, and 11 TDs in 2007. Terrance Toliver had a solid freshman campaign in 2007, hauling in three TDs and averaging 25 yards per catch. He and Byrd will look to make big plays down the field, while LaFell will be looked upon to make the tough catches over the middle.
A perfect safety valve for both Hatch and Lee will undoubtedly be TE Richard Dickson. LSU's best-known secret is no more, especially after his performance in the BCS National Championship Game.
However, with the speed on the ends, Dickson should still be able to find some very favorable matchups over the middle of the field in 2008.
Rounding up my look at the 2008 LSU offense is the men in the trenches. LT Ciron Black and LG Herman Johnson may be the fiercest left side LSU has seen in quite some time. Black has been a starter since his freshman season and should be a preseason All-America candidate.
Brett Helms returns at center in 2008. His experience, leadership, and toughness will be key this season. Rounding up the right side of the offensive line is RG Lyle Hitt and RT Joseph Barksdale. Together these five guys look to pace another solid rushing attack and protect the two young, inexperienced quarterbacks.
The 2007 LSU offense was good. It was Gary Crowton's first year. The 2008 version could possibly be better. It won't be easy. But, as an LSU fan, it should be a fun year to watch on the offensive side of the ball.
Join me next time (whenever that may be) for a look at the 2008 LSU defense.
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about 1 month ago
Good article. I think LSU has a lot of talent on offense for sure. It is interesting comparing them to the '04 team. Coming off a title, losing their starter at QB but returning a lot of talent.
There is no way that this year's offense will be as good as last year's though. How many times did Jacob Hester convert a 3rd or 4th down? That guy was huge. Not to mention you had Early Doucet and two quarterbacks better than either one you have now.
I think Lee will have to be the guy if LSU is to win the West...what do you think?
from about 1 month ago
Theoretically, you would have to say that Lee should be the guy because he was a highly touted recruit. Common sense would tell you that he should be able to overtake a Harvard transfer. But, if both guys know the offense, they will both do fine. But, eventually I think he needs to be the man to step up and make the throws in big situations against the quality oppoenents we face.
about 1 month ago
I was about to say the same thing justin, no way this year's offense will be as good as last years. Of those 3000 rushing yards you mentioned over 1500 of them on not on this years team. Your QB situation is up in the air at this point. I don't expect a 20 TD season from either one they way Flynn and Russell did the last two years. They lost to guys from the O-line, both QBs, best RB, and best WR, so there will be a dropoff.
Your biggest concern should be the defense. You lost 3/4 of your secondary, not to mention two starting LB (one was an all american) and of course Dorsey left.
In my opinion I see LSU finishinig 8-4, give or take a game.
from about 1 month ago
As far as the o-line, they only lost one starter, Carnell Stewart. Both lines are being touted as among the best in the SEC this year. The left side may be the best in the conference.
Hester was a beast last year, but LSU has a history of replacing running backs. In 2005, Joseph Addai greatly improved and had nearly 1,100 yards from scrimmage and 10 TDs. He got drafted in the spring. That same year, Hester had about 150 yards. That year, we had a brand new starting QB in Russell and relied on Addai.
When we had a new starter last year, we relied on Hester and he did the job.
This year a combination of Charles Scott, Keiland Williams and Richard Murphy will be more than enough to get the job done. Look for Charles Scott to get the tough yards and Murphy to be an Addai-like back who's good at rushing and receiving while getting key first downs.
According to Blue Ribbon when leading off about the d-line, "Dorsey may be gone after sweeping all of the national awards a defensive lineman can win, but it's possible the Tigers will be even better on the defensive line in 2008."
Harry Coleman should do a fine job replacing Steltz. He did well when Steltz got injured in the first quarter against OSU. Chad Jones will play a lot. He got significant time as a freshman last year.
My biggest concern defensively is at corner. They are talented but young.
about 1 month ago
You should really worry about your defense. Last years National Championship team gave up 26.8 points a game to SEC opponents. And it's hard to believe this years defense will be better.
from about 1 month ago
LSU's defense had injuries across the board on the D-line. Charles Alexander missed the entire season. Dorsey was nicked up a majority of the year. And perhaps the best D-lineman, Ricky Jean-Francois, was suspended most of the year due to academic problems.
We have two tough corners to replace, no doubt. But last year's defense was one of the worst defenses I have seen at LSU since the Lou Tepper days. I don't expect that to happen again this year.
from about 1 month ago
0, 16, 24, 27,24,34, 24, 28 in regulation. that's 22 pts per gamein the SEC and they allowed 19 pts per game for the season. overtime can severley inflate the score and not be indicative of a team's scoring defense. UK had 27 pts at the end of reg and 43 at the end of 3 OT's. just like ark had 28 and then had 50 after 3 OT's. That's like adding on two games of scoring with teams starting from the 25 each time. it's an unfair stat.
look it up, LSU was second in scoring defense to AU last season and 1st in total defense in the SEC. i'll take that every year.
now i'm going to try to respond to things i've heard throughout this discussion...
------i think hatch and lee will split time. i think crowton likes the fact that he has two different QB's that the defense will have to prepare for. unless one really shines, i think you'll see them rotate.
------so far as the losses on the team. people say we lost a lineman. next to the encycolpedia entry "addition by subtraction" you'll see carnell stewart's name. quite easily one of my least favorite players ever at LSU. he's the demetrius hookin of the OL. he had one good game last year, the NC.
------people say we lost doucet and yes that's a big injury but dude was injured for more than half the year. granted he made the biggest play of the year (bama 4th down catch) but LSU did ok without him.
-----of the losses, CB bothers me the most. lots of inexperience at corner. safety will be fine and i think ost of the nation will be scratching their heads when seeing the DL still dominating. i can't wait for that. the LB's werent that stellar last year, probably the weakest link on the squad imo. if the unit can avoid injuries (beckwith in particular) they should be fine.
i've said it before, i'll say it again. LSU has been wonderful on 3rd down conversions the past few years with flynn and russell.
that will change this year and it will equal more losses. the tigers drop 3 or so this year.
about 1 month ago
I suggest all of you watch the SEC Championship game and imagine Hatch or Lee in RP's place. I say LSU still wins. Though RP was the MVP on a second look he was not really responsible for the win. It was Gary Crowton's management of RP and game scheme. I think LSU will surprise some nay sayers and as mentioned if the new QB's manage the game, play within themselves and progress normally the first few games LSU will be ever bit the threat that the SEC West is made of. From top to bottom I believe this team is better than the 2004 team.
about 1 month ago
There is a difference between the 2004 team and this years team at QB: Marcus Randall came into 2004 having thrown for nearly 1600 yards since joing the team with 9 TD and 6 Int. Hatch and Lee combined have only thrown for 1 pass completion.
I'd feel better if i had seen Hatch play at all before.
The 2004 LSU Tiger went 9-3 and I'm pretty sure that's the year they beat kentucky on a hail marry. So expect a similar type season in terms of wins and losses this year.
about 1 month ago
the hail mary kentucky game (otherwise known as the "bluegrass miracle") was in 2002.
LSU's 3 losses in '04 were @ AU, @ UGA, and the bad end of a hail mary in the cap one bowl vs Iowa.
from about 1 month ago
I will go ahead and just start calling you Double A, cause you are my backup.
about 1 month ago
like the battery or like arn anderson???
from about 1 month ago
I'd say both.
Good call on the Arn Anderson. Beautiful!
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