LSU football chat - Live Blog Live Blogging

LSU football chat

(08/22/2008)

11:53

Kevin Spain, T-P:

Welcome to our weekly LSU chat everyone. We'll be going live with Times-Picayune beat reporter Jim Kleinpeter shortly. Go ahead and start submitting your questions for Jim.

Friday August 22, 2008 11:53 Kevin Spain, T-P

12:03

[Comment From JIMMYJIMMY: ]

Hi Jim, with only 1 week left before the start of the 08 season, who are the projected starters at linebacker and who has impressed the most at camp?

Friday August 22, 2008 12:03 JIMMY

12:06

Jim Kleinpeter, T-P:

Hey, Jimmy, nice name. Darry Beckwith is back in the middle and will be flanked by two Georgia boys, Perry Riley and Kelvin Shepherd as starters. There won't be a lot of talent dropoff there talent wise but these two haven't played a full game. Shepherd has been impressive. He's probably faster than Ali Highsmith, whom he is replacing. Jacob Cutrera is the only experienced backup and will back up all three.

Friday August 22, 2008 12:06 Jim Kleinpeter, T-P

12:07

[Comment From DFunkDFunk: ]

Who is the "sleeper" for LSU this year?

Friday August 22, 2008 12:07 DFunk

12:10

Jim Kleinpeter, T-P:

Easy one. Richard Murphy, the running back. Fans got to see glimpses of him and he is an exciting, explosive runner. Not as big as Charles Scott and Keiland Williams, but bigger than Trindon Holliday (who isn't?). Murphy is capable of going all the way even on off-tackle runs and is a good receiver.

Friday August 22, 2008 12:10 Jim Kleinpeter, T-P

12:10

What is the most important game on LSU's schedule this season?
Auburn

( 70% )

Alabama

( 3% )

Georgia

( 10% )

Florida

( 3% )

Ole Miss

( 3% )

Appalachian State

( 10% )

Friday August 22, 2008 12:10

12:10

[Comment From RayRay: ]

With Lee out still, I'm worried about the QB position depth. How is Jefferson looking, becuase we don't have a true #1.

Friday August 22, 2008 12:10 Ray

12:12

Jim Kleinpeter, T-P:

We see very little in practice but Jefferson clearly has the strongest arm. That said, it's not enough to get him in. How much he plays depends on how quickly he grasps the offense. Miles seems to think he could get more significant playing time later in the season. All three quarterbacks are learning. I expect the offense to be conservative early on no matter who is pitching.

Friday August 22, 2008 12:12 Jim Kleinpeter, T-P

12:13

[Comment From Kevin FranceKevin France: ]

Will Trindon be returning kicks and punts? How many touches a game will he get?

Friday August 22, 2008 12:13 Kevin France

12:15

Jim Kleinpeter, T-P:

Trindon is going to get more touches than last year. I've seen some plays where they throw it short to him and let him wiggle around. Because of inexperience at quarterback, you won't see long throws downfield. They will continue to use him as a running back and kickoff returner. I think they want him to be the punt return guy and his name is mentioned every time, but Chad Jones is No. 1 there as far as I can tell.

Friday August 22, 2008 12:15 Jim Kleinpeter, T-P

12:16

[Comment From River GroupieRiver Groupie: ]

Give us some scoop on Destrehan's Jordan Jefferson and Jai Eugene!

Friday August 22, 2008 12:16 River Groupie

12:19

Jim Kleinpeter, T-P:

Jefferson gets good marks from Miles for his ability to understand what they are doing, but I'd say they are spoon feeding him right now so he doesn't get overwhelmed. Miles has complimented his running ability which is a good sign that he's not afraid to make decisions. Eugene has been working hard since the day after the BCS title game and also is getting good reviews. He's getting a lot of heat from the freshman Patrick Peterson, who may end up starting somewhere or being the nickel corner.

Friday August 22, 2008 12:19 Jim Kleinpeter, T-P

12:19

[Comment From batonrooogbatonrooog: ]

Just how good is Ricky Jean-Francois?

Friday August 22, 2008 12:19 batonrooog

12:21

Jim Kleinpeter, T-P:

You saw him last year. He didn't play all year and dominated the two games he did play in. He's pretty fired up about playing this season. As good as Glenn Dorsey was, RJF could be better. His teammates are amazed at how quickly he gets off the ball. He consistently beats them in that respect. He's been very humble but coaches consider him a leader. If he has a big year, LSU will be lucky if he doesn't opt for the NFL.

Friday August 22, 2008 12:21 Jim Kleinpeter, T-P

12:22

[Comment From SeveSeve: ]

If LSU comes out 3-0 (which they will) and than goes 0-2 to make it 3-2 midway thru the season, is the season doomed with 2 conference losses?

Friday August 22, 2008 12:22 Seve

12:25

Jim Kleinpeter, T-P:

Not doomed. Heck, they won the national championship with two losses last year. The Auburn game will be a path indicator. If they win, LSU is in the driver's seat for the SEC title game. If they lose, behind the 8 ball. This is a very difficult schedule by any standard, especially considering the road trips they have. Going 0-2 to start conference play, with a loss to Mississippi State, would be very difficult to recover from.

Friday August 22, 2008 12:25 Jim Kleinpeter, T-P

12:25

[Comment From tailgatertailgater: ]

So, the schedule is brutal. But, it seems to be tough for all the SEC teams. Who is your favorite in the East/West and overall?

Friday August 22, 2008 12:25 tailgater

12:27

Jim Kleinpeter, T-P:

I know Georgia is a logical choice, but I like Florida to win the East. They don't have that No. 1 albatross around their necks and you can bet they haven't forgotten the TD celebration by Georgia last year. Georgia has too many difficult road games. At Auburn, LSU and South Carolina. In the West, even with QB questions, I like LSU. I think LSU will beat Auburn and win the West with two losses, and play Florida in theSEC title game.

Friday August 22, 2008 12:27 Jim Kleinpeter, T-P

12:28

[Comment From derickderick: ]

Out of the three running backs murphy, williams, and scott who will have the most impact on the team?

Friday August 22, 2008 12:28 derick

12:30

Jim Kleinpeter, T-P:

Murphy is a game changer, like Marshall Faulk. Each of the backs has a distinctive style that is needed and different times. Scott and Williams are better power runners. This versatility is what makes LSU difficult to defend. But Murphy's ability to score on any play will open up other areas of the offense and as the season goes on, opposing defenses will have to adjust to him.

Friday August 22, 2008 12:30 Jim Kleinpeter, T-P

12:32

[Comment From BillBill: ]

A couple of friends at the scrimmage said that Lee was the best quarterback. When do you think we will hear who will get the start?

Friday August 22, 2008 12:32 Bill

12:34

Jim Kleinpeter, T-P:

Miles said no one will know until the game. Based on my experience, it's going to be Hatch. Who starts is not really that important. I think all three will play in the opener or at least the first two games. The coaches need to see how each one responds in a real game. Hatch is simply the best bet because of his age. He's more likely to stay poised and with all the offensive talent LSU has, that's about all the QB needs to do for LSU to be successful.

Friday August 22, 2008 12:34 Jim Kleinpeter, T-P

12:34

[Comment From JulioJulio: ]

Crowton ran a pretty diverse offense last year. You see any changes due to the inexperienced QBs? If so what might they be?

Friday August 22, 2008 12:34 Julio

12:38

Jim Kleinpeter, T-P:

I see fewer long downfield throws. They are risky, but Crowton will have to call a few of those to keep defenses honest. I see a lot of slants, throws to the tight end and the the backs. With inexperienced QBs, defenses are going to blitz a lot to force them into quicker decisions. They only way to combat that is to attack downfield. It's kind of a circle argument. Early in the season the offense will be conservative and then the Auburn game it will open up.

Friday August 22, 2008 12:38 Jim Kleinpeter, T-P

12:39

[Comment From SeveSeve: ]

I hate saying this but I think Florida will be the toughest game as it was last year. I see them going undefeated until we play them. How do you think the Gators look with T-Bow returning and can LSU win in FLA?

Friday August 22, 2008 12:39 Seve

12:42

Jim Kleinpeter, T-P:

Florida will be the toughest game to win, but every year when LSU plays Auburn its just a knock down drag out game. I think given a year of tape to look at, teams, LSU included, will come up with better ways to deal with Tebow. That offense still presents a lot of difficult problems. They will be making changes to it too. There is no way Florida can get away with letting Tebow run it as much as he did last year. If other Gatgors step up, they will be really tough to stop. I don't see LSU winning that game.

Friday August 22, 2008 12:42 Jim Kleinpeter, T-P

12:43

Kevin Spain, T-P:

Jim, I'm thinking we've got some coaches voting in our poll. Only a coach would pick the Appalachian State game as being most important. Because it's the next game. I'm sure you've heard that a few times on a football beat.

Friday August 22, 2008 12:43 Kevin Spain, T-P

12:43

[Comment From adamadam: ]

What are your thoughts about a playoff for Division I football?

Friday August 22, 2008 12:43 adam

12:47

Jim Kleinpeter, T-P:

It's not as simple as everyone wants to make it. The powers that be have to think about how much it will change college football and do they want it to change. There is a lot of hypocrisy on both sides. I don't have a problem with some kind of four team deal at the end of the season. But if it gets beyond that, college football might need to revamp the schedule and go back to 10 games. I'm torn on the issue. I like the tradition, but it make be time to break a few eggs and make a better omlet.

Friday August 22, 2008 12:47 Jim Kleinpeter, T-P

12:47

[Comment From jackblackjackblack: ]

Who will be the punter this season?

Friday August 22, 2008 12:47 jackblack

12:49

Jim Kleinpeter, T-P:

By all indiciations, Brady Dalfrey. He's a walk-on with a strong leg, but it could end up being a two-man job with Josh Jasper handling shorter kicks. Dalfrey is actually one of the few Nick Saban recruits left over.

Friday August 22, 2008 12:49 Jim Kleinpeter, T-P

12:51

[Comment From DavidDavid: ]

Why do I have to pick up the sports page once a week and read about Ryan Perrilloux. He gets more press from being a trouble maker and spoiled rotten athlete, then other athletes that are making a contribution to thair team and society.

Friday August 22, 2008 12:51 David

12:54

Jim Kleinpeter, T-P:

Perrilloux is a good athlete who threw away an opportunity. By all accounts, his teammates liked him enough but got tired of his antics. Sports is about many things and one of them is redemption and that's why there is some interest. He gets some press, but not more than the guys who didn't screw up.

Friday August 22, 2008 12:54 Jim Kleinpeter, T-P

12:54

[Comment From ChazChaz: ]

LSU did not defend well against a running QB Arkansas and Ole miss) last year, have the co D coordinators made any changes to improve our D against the spread?

Friday August 22, 2008 12:54 Chaz

12:56

Jim Kleinpeter, T-P:

Well, the Ole Miss QB gained yardage on scrambles and that happens to the best defenses. The Arkansas QB who ran well was Darren McFadden. They don't have him any more. But your point is well taken: running QBs are a reality now. Everyone is doing it because it gives the defense an 11th man to account for. In the old days, defenses rarely had to account for the QB as a runner. Now the defense has to be ready. Like I said before, don't expect Tebow to run it as much.

Friday August 22, 2008 12:56 Jim Kleinpeter, T-P

12:57

[Comment From oldlinemanoldlineman: ]

Do you think the strength of the offensive line will help the offense with the inexperience at QB?

Friday August 22, 2008 12:57 oldlineman

12:58

Jim Kleinpeter, T-P:

Absolutley. That would be a difficult thing to have an inexperienced line and inexperienced QB. They will help to settle the QB down and have it in the back of the minds that they have got to keep the defense off the QB. Good WRs and RBs will help the QB also.

Friday August 22, 2008 12:58 Jim Kleinpeter, T-P

12:59

[Comment From JulioJulio: ]

From a leadership, emotional, and mental standpoint compare the 07 team to this team. Do they have the "character" to overcome adversity as last year's team?

Friday August 22, 2008 12:59 Julio

1:02

Jim Kleinpeter, T-P:

Its a favorable comparison. You have many of the same faces, but the 07 team has been through a full season and this one hasn't. Leadership will emerge during the tough times and that's when you'll know the answer. How does this team handle adversity? Helms, Beckwith, Jackson and Pittman are all well-respected players who watched last year's leaders and appear to have taken up the mantle. I don't see LSU having a problem with leadership this year or even the next few years.

Friday August 22, 2008 1:02 Jim Kleinpeter, T-P

1:02

Kevin Spain, T-P:

Well, folks, that's it for this week. Thanks for joining us, and sorry for those of you who we didn't get to your question. Come back next Friday at noon for our weekly LSU chat and send it in again.
Join us tomorrow at 5:30 for a pre-game chat with Saints beat writers Mike Triplett and Teddy Kider as the Saints play the Cincinnati Bengals in a preseason game at Paul Brown Stadium.
Then our next chat will be Tuesday with Tulane beat reporter Ted Lewis to talk about the Green Wave.
Thanks again.

Friday August 22, 2008 1:02 Kevin Spain, T-P

1:02