HOOVER, Ala. – LSU is not defending its national title – not according to coach Les Miles.
“’08 is where we’re at,” Miles said Wednesday. “We’re not defending. We’re not dealing with rankings. This is a brand new year. If we’re defending, come see the trophy, it’s in our trophy case. We’re not defending it; it’s there.”
Senior defensive end Tyson Jackson shared the same sentiment.
“If we don’t, playing in this conference, we’ll be 0-11 in a heartbeat,” Jackson said. “It’s only right that we forget about it and move forward.”
Moving on from 2007 was the first among many issues Miles talked about in his opening statement at the Southeastern Conference Media Days at the Wynfrey Hotel in Hoover, Ala.
One of the next issues he discussed was a question on most LSU fans’ mind – who the Tigers’ starting quarterback will be when they open their season Aug. 30 against Appalachian State.
Miles didn’t have a definite answer for that question.
“Jarrett Lee, Andrew Hatch, both guys had good springs,” Miles said. “Both guys are learning the offense. They had an entire summer of study where the receiving core, gathered them, ran the passing that we run, really helped identify to our quarterbacks where they’re going to be.”
Miles also briefly addressed the situation regarding former LSU quarterback Ryan Perrilloux, who was kicked off the team May 3 because of disciplinary issues.
“Any time you get rid of a student-athlete, it’s not something that you enjoy,” Miles said. “I certainly wish him the very best and hope that he takes this lesson and goes on.”
But Miles spent most of his time talking about the strengths of his team, primarily the offensive and defensive lines.
Even with the loss of All-American defensive lineman Glenn Dorsey, Miles said he expects the defensive line to be one of the best in the country.
“[Dorsey] was really one of the very strongest defensive leaders that we had,” Miles said. “I don’t know that that piece of Glenn Dorsey will be replaced … But I think our front is awfully talented, and I think that as a group they may play as well statistically as that defensive front did a year ago.”
The defensive line is led by Jackson and junior Ricky Jean-Francois. Jackson was named Coaches’ preseason first-team All-SEC, and Jean-Francois was the 2008 Bowl Championship Series National Championship game’s Defensive Most Outstanding Player.
“It was very encouraging to see [Jean-Francois] play the last two games last year after the suspension,” Jackson said. “He brings a lot to our team, and I knew he could do it all along, but it will be a big boost having him to start the season.”
The defensive line isn’t the only LSU line getting attention this season. The offensive line boasts four returning starters, and junior tight end Richard Dickson is also returning.
Four of those linemen, including Dickson, earned Coaches’ preseason All-Conference honors.
Dickson, senior Brett Helms and junior Ciron Black were named to the second team, while senior Herman Johnson was named to the first team.
“We’re going to be very good,” Helms said. “Having [sophomore] Joseph Barksdale back and a better understanding of the playbook makes us much better.”
Helms said the chemistry among the offensive linemen is strong, and the unit is jelling well as a whole.
“The offensive line, they usually hang out together, and they do everything together,” Helms said. “We’ve got four guys back. We’re all real close friends.”
Even with all of the talks of LSU’s returning talent, Miles couldn’t escape questions about off-the-field issues.
Miles was asked about a recent comment he made about Alabama at an LSU rally in New Orleans.
He reportedly told fans not to get too excited about former LSU coach Nick Saban’s return to Baton Rouge on Nov. 8, saying they should not “make too much of that game, as it seems like a lot of teams in Louisiana beat that team.”
Miles was referring to the Crimson Tide’s 21-14 loss to UL-Monroe in 2007.
He was asked Wednesday what Alabama’s record would be if they played all 12 colleges in Louisiana in one season.
Miles responded by saying the quote was only in fun and not meant to be disrespectful.
“I have great respect for the University of Alabama, the history they have presented to college football, the competition that they put on every time they take the field,” Miles said. “I promise you that any fun and entertainment that I have with supporters is very respectful.”
—-Contact Robert Stewart at [email protected]