“Heroes get remembered but legends never die,” said Babe Ruth in the classic children’s film The Sandlot (1993).
There are twenty-four seniors parting ways with arguably one of the best Bayou Bengal squads to play in Death Valley since LSU has played football in Southeastern Conference.
Scanning the roster reveals many special players besides the remarkable senior class.
Twelve senior full-time starters (five on offense, six on defense and one from special teams) led the Tigers to a 6-0 start, before falling to Kentucky in triple overtime at Lexington. With no off-week to heal and rest, the seniors finished their 2007 campaign wining the next six out of seven, earning a much-needed month's rest before the BCS championship. The rest is history.
What do tiger fans have to look forward to in 2008? The defense suffers a big loss, bidding farewell to Pittman, Dorsey (All-American), Highsmith, Jackson, Zenon and Steltz (All-American), leaving a hole in the Tenacious Tiger unit not easily replaced. This group combined for 440 tackles (50 percent of the team's total), 19 of the 37 sacks, and 15 of the teams 23 interceptions, spearheading a top-five overall Tiger defense.
The purple and gold welcome back the BCS defensive MVP Ricky Jean-Francois, Tyson “Predator” Jackson, SEC All-Freshman Chad Jones, and the lethal Curtis Taylor patrolling the secondary. They will all be taking on bigger roles. Look for big things out of blue-chip recruit Patrick Johnson, who has lightning speed and good size to help replace the coverage Zenon and Jackson provided. Write down the name Chancey Aghayere, because he is also sure to make an impact.
However, what will the impact be of losing Bo Pelini to Nebraska?
Parting with the likes of Jacob Hester, Early Doucet, and Matt Flynn brings a mist to a tiger fan's eye. Will Arnold and Carnell Stewart created the holes for the sure-handed Hester to amass over 1,000 yards and 12 TDs, and blocked for Flynn to air it out to Doucet.
But unlike the defense, the offense has more play-makers returning than leaving Death Valley. Ryan Perrilloux goes into the off-season the favorite to lead the Tigers in 2008. Surrounded by pure speed in the backfield and wide-out spots, Tiger fans should be salivating at the chance to watch this offense next year.
The highlight crew of Keiland Williams, Demetrius Byrd, Tridan Holliday and Charles Scott all return to amass major yardage behind the likes of Herman Johnson, Ciron Black and Lyle Hitt. New comers Chris Tolliver and Matt Branch will give Perrilloux two more great options to throw too when he is not picking up yardage with his legs.
Looking ahead provides potential promises for the Tigers and their followers. So what if the targets are on their backs? LSU has new senior leaders following a mold. A top-ten recruiting class. A devoted coach.
Will the Tigers from 2007 be heroes or legends? That's a question for history More importantly, will the squad in 2008 live up to their predecessors' lofty statures?
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