LSU football polishing depth chart in spring

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Change is in the air in Baton Rouge with the LSU football team.


After losing more than 10 underclassmen to the NFL Draft and replacing an offensive coordinator, the Tigers have been hard at work throughout the month with their annual spring football drills.


With the practice period nearing completion, LSU coach Les Miles said the Tigers are focused on improving their roster with August 31’s season opener with TCU coming sooner than most realize.

“Spring is always a time where you have to evolve your talent,” Miles said. “Our guys must get better. … It’s never how you start. It is always how you finish. You want to make sure you are doing all of the things that will make you a good team.”


Defensively, LSU’s biggest focus is restocking their cupboard.


With names like Kevin Minter, Barkevious Mingo, Sam Montgomery, Eric Reid, Tharold Simon and Bennie Logan gone from last season’s unit, the Tigers are left searching for replacements at virtually every position within the unit.

But Miles pointed at returnees like defensive tackle Anthony Johnson, linebacker Lamin Barrow and defensive backs Craig Loston, Jalen Mills and Jalen Collins as bright spots on a unit that the coach expects to thrive.


“I think we will be a real quality defense overall,” Miles said.


Offensively, LSU returns a lot of its skill players from the 2012 season.

But the man calling the shots for the Tigers is different this year in Baton Rouge.


In the offseason, the Tigers hired former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron.


He replaces former coordinator Greg Studrawa, who shifted back into his previous position as LSU’s offensive line coach.

Miles said that the transition from Studrawa to Cameron has been sometimes rough on the team because of the different style the coach brings to the table.


But in the long haul, Miles believes the move will pay big dividends for LSU.


“I think we will improve consistently,” Miles said. “You can be short sided and feel that you will see the difference tomorrow. That might be a little early. But you can also go to the backend of spring and we’ll see how we are playing. I think that will be something that you see. … I can’t imagine there being any issues.”

One of the biggest jobs Cameron will undertake in his stint at LSU will be improving senior quarterback Zach Mettenberger.


Mettenberger had an up-and-down junior season under center for the Tigers, slinging for 2,609 yards and 12 touchdowns with seven interceptions in 2012.

Miles said he expects to see Mettenberger improve in his final season.

“Anytime you are in the second year as a starter, your concepts are different,” Miles said. “You look to the receiving core and you want to make them better. You look to the passing attack and want to make it better. … We would expect that leadership component and his ability to play better will show.”

What should aid Mettenberger’s progression is a plethora of weapons at his disposal.

The Tigers return featured back Jeremy Hill, junior Kenny Hilliard and 2012’s opening day starter Alfred Blue in the backfield.

Blue returns after tearing ligaments in his knee early last season.

Before the injury, he was off to a dominant start, rushing for more than 100 yards in each of LSU’s first two games of last season.

“I think he will be ready to go,” Miles said. “That is some very good news for us.”

On the edges, the Tigers also return elite weapons like Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham from last season’s attack.

Miles said he cannot wait to see what Cameron can do with the Tigers’ players during his first season in the SEC.

“I think Cam will take our better players and devise those things that give them the opportunity to have touches,” Miles said. “In the NFL, that was the case. He had tight ends that he wanted to see get the ball. He had running backs that he wanted to see get the ball. Here, we have a nice receiving core. There will be a quality balance to the attack.”

All of the Tigers’ spring efforts will lead to late August’s season opener against TCU – a game that will be played in Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas and broadcast on a nationally televised audience on ABC.

Miles knows a ton of work needs to be done before LSU can take the field against the Horned Frogs.

But he said the right steps are being taken to get the team prepared for that game and the annual SEC grind.

“You make every practice count,” Miles said. “You want them to get into the flow of the game. Certainly, there is a lot to accomplish. We are by no means in a position to predict a grand season. But this is the style of team that if they work hard and do the things they are capable of doing, they will be like other teams that have gone through here and compete for a title.”

LSU sophomore halfback Jeremy Hill pushes for yardage during last year’s game with Ole Miss. The Tigers’ ball carrier is one of many weapons that are back on LSU’s offense that is now being coached by former NFL coordinator Cam Cameron. LSU coach Les Miles said he likes the progress the offense has made under Cameron so far this spring. 

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