Defensive Backs Preview

The talent in the defensive backs is as good as ever. Chad Jones will be permanently at free safety where he played in high school. I have heard multiple things about the Strong Safety position. I have heard the hard-hitting Ron Brooks from special teams, then I have heard Brandon Taylor too. So I guess we will have to wait until Saturday and see. Corners are pretty solid. Last year's starter Chris Hawkins is back (and hopefully with better pass protection). Then last year's freshman Patrick Peterson has been named the next best defensive star. He will start at the other corner.

Grade: B The fact that there isn't a defined strong safety is the only reason for the B. There is lots of speed here and a butt load of talent.

Real Deal: Patrick Peterson, Believe the hype. He is that good, hence why the kid was my freshman...

Starters: FS Chad Jones, SS Ron Brooks (??), CB Patrick Peterson, CB Chris Hawkins

Wide Receivers/ Tight End Preview

Every year LSU has top-notch wide receivers, it's how the Tigers have the name wide receiver U. LSU returns senior Brandon LaFell who passed up the NFL Draft to return. With him is Terrance Tolliver, a junior that is wanting to have a break out season. I am quite depressed that Tim Molton is injured though :(. Of course you have true freshman Rueben Randle that will be seeing immediate playing time. Then you have seniors, RJ Jackson and Chris Mitchell who really haven't seen much playing time but will be in the rotation. I have also heard that Russel Shepard will play at wide receiver so that should be interesting...
At tight end, Richard Dickson is back, nuff said there.

Grade: B+ Since LaFell hasn't been the most consistent receiver, and he is the only one with serious playing time. But there is some serious talent in this group.

Real Deal: Rueben Randle- He was the number recruit for a reason, people...

Starters: WR: Brandon LaFell, Terrance Tolliver, Rueben Randle TE: Richard Dickson

Running Backs Preview

Starting today I will preview a position a day for the upcoming season. The positions will go in order of the strength in my opinion. (So the best position first.) I will say my projected starters, the breakout player (The Real Deal), and give a grade for the position.

To say this isn't the Tigers strongest position this year would be a sin. LSU returns one of the best backs in the nation in Charles Scott who passed up the NFL Draft for his senior year. He will be splitting time with senior Keiland Williams. Adding some diversity to the backfield is Trindon Holliday who is ummm fast (understatement of the year). You also have rising start Richard Murphy, a back with quick feet that makes you miss so bad, you look like middle school player. Fullback could be a concern since Quinn Johnson left, but with so much depth at running back, it really shouldn't be a problem. Look for freshman Dominique Allen to see some playing time and running backs Charles Scott and Steven Ridley to take some snaps there as well. James Stampley is on the depth-chart but I am not buying that just yet (don't shot me if I am wrong).

Grade: A-, If we had a true experienced fullback, the running backs would have gotten bonus points. With Charles Scott leading, this group is among the best in the country. Also Scott is considered a wild card by some people for the Heisman.

Real Deal: Steven Ridley- I saw this guy once, and I know he is going to be A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! Watch and see my friends...

Starters: RB; Charles Scott FB; Steven Ridley or James Stampley

LSU #11 in AP Preseason Poll

Can you feel it? Football season is almost here, 12 days eh? Let the upsets, disappointments, and "I told you so"s begin. The AP always starts the season with their poll. LSU is at #11. To sum up the SEC, Florida is #1, Alabama #5, Ole Miss #8, and Georgia #13.

Craig Loston Cleared to Play

LSU star recruit Craig Loston has been cleared to play by the NCAA. The safety was unable to practice with the team since a course he took online was not accepted by the Clearinghouse so he had to retake the class in a classroom. 

Happy Birthday Jordan Jefferson!

The only reason I know it's his birthday is that he is my friend on Facebook and it shows up. 

But here is an article about Jefferson rising as a leader on the offensive side of the ball. It does make me feel better since there were none of these about Hatch or Lee last year...

Jefferson Named a Future Quarterback Star

Scout.com has a list of the nation's next 30 quarterback stars and guess who is #6??? LSU's own Jordan Jefferson. Click the title for the jump to the full list...

SEC banning Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, and Youtube from Games

Apparently, the SEC is banning all people from updating their Twitter, Facebook, and Myspace pages during game "to protect the networks' game rights". You can't video parts of the game and post them either. My question is how in the heck are you going to enforce that, honestly? I am rolling on the floor laughing over the power the SEC thinks they have....

Brandon LaFell make WR Rankings

Brandon LaFell pops up in Rivals.com Rankings today on the Wide Recievers list at #9.

Charles Scott makes Preseason Running Backs Rankings

Rivals.com does their little position rankings which started yesterday with Running Backs and of course Charles "I'll run you over, make you cry, then laugh about it" Scott made the list at #7.

Commitment #22: Travis Dickson

If you are wondering if the latest recruiting is related to Senior tight end Richard Dickson, you are correct. It is his little brother, and beastliness must run in the family. Travis is a tight end as well, a four star one to be in fact from Ocean Springs, MS. Everyone and their mom gave him a scholarship offer, but he is a smart one and chose LSU. He is 6'3", 235lbs so about the size of his brother. The Dickson legacy continues....

The Most Interesting Prediction I Have Ever Seen

From Sunday's Advocate:

And Gary Danielson, the No. 1 color analyst on CBS’ SEC telecasts, might’ve made a lot of LSU fans smile when he predicted an LSU-Florida national title game.

Danielson’s reasoning was the strength of the SEC, with four teams in the preseason top 10, and he projected that LSU would beat Florida, Alabama would beat LSU and Florida would beat Alabama in the SEC Championship Game. That would pit Florida against an LSU team that he proposed would have a strong enough resume to warrant a rematch with the Gators in Pasadena.

Black, LaFell, Scott all being Watched

Maybe the LSU Police should stop changing traffic after football games and watch out for Tiger football player, because 3 more are being watched. I know that was corny and I am having way to much fun but that is what back to school time does to me.

Scott was placed on the watch list for the Doak Walker Award for the nation's best running back along with 44 others.
http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=27815&SPID=2164&DB_OEM_ID=5200&ATCLID=204769359

LaFell is on the Biletnikoff Award list for the best wide receiver. He is one out of 37 for that one. Trivia: Can you name the last LSU player to win this award???
http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=27815&SPID=2164&DB_OEM_ID=5200&ATCLID=204773163

Ciron Black is on the watch list for the Outland Trophy. The award is given tto the best interior lineman. Trivia: Last player to win that one??
http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=27815&SPID=2164&DB_OEM_ID=5200&ATCLID=204773214

Chavis restoring LSU to defensive dominance

John Chavis and the defense are ready to start the season, are you?? Here is a pretty cool article about Chavis coming to BR and what he has done. I have to admit I am super stoked to see this year's defense. I have a feeling it is going to kick some major SEC butt.

LSU ranked #9 in Coaches' Poll

The coaches' put LSU at the #9 spot in the pre-season USA Today poll. Florida got the number one spot, Alabama at #5 (which is the biggest overrated BS ever), Ole Miss is 10, and to round out the SEC Georgia is 13. Anyone notice that LSU plays all of them. and 3 of the 4 are away games. Cupcake schedule right?? NOT!

Jefferson Named to O'Brien Watch List

Who saw this coming? Not me. Jordan Jefferson was named to the O'Brien Watch List along with 32 other NCAA Quarterbacks. The O'Brien Award is given to the best quarterback in college football annually.

Another Reason to Love Ciron Black

He may clear the path for Chuck the Truck's next touchdown, have class at SEC Media Days, and stay for his senior season, but this has to be the best reason to love Ciron Black. I remember hearing this story during the BCS National Championship, but it has seemed to grow. Ciron Black befriended a young cancer patient before the Tigers' 2007 National Championship and has stayed in touch with him since. The full story is through Sports Illistruated's Andy Staples.

Dickson is being Watched

No, Richard Dickson doesn't have a stalker, well not that I know of. But he is on the Watch list for the John Mackey Award which is given to the nation's best tight end every year. Dickson is entering his senior season and it is sure to be a good one.

Fun Fact: Richard's younger brother also plays tight end in Dickson's hometown of Ocean Springs, MS and he is being recruited by LSU.

Commitments #20 and #21

#20 Dexter Blackmon: Blackmon is a defensive lineman from Selma, Alabama who can play both end and tackle. He doesn't have much information on his Rivals profile which is usually what I use as my source. Tiger Rag has an article about him, but I am too lazy to read it. :)

#21 Spencer Ware: Now this guy is a beast and an half. Ware is duel threat quarterback that will most likely play running back at the college level. I have read that he is looking to play baseball as well which LSU is known for its two sport athletes. Ware is from up in Cincinnati, Ohio and was highly recruited by northern schools.