For LSU football, No. 18 signifies leadership and hard work.Former LSU quarterback Matt Mauck and former running back Jacob Hester both wore the number during their years as Tigers, and Hester passed the number on to junior tight end Richard Dickson.Now, Dickson is doing what he can to help the Tigers chase another BCS National Championship.”[Hester] had been joking with me and asking me to wear it a few times,” Dickson said.He said Hester began speaking to people associated with the team and asked him again.”He asked me seriously if I wanted to wear it,” Dickson said. “I said I’d do it.”Dickson said he is glad to wear the number and is adjusting to his new role with the team.”Last year at this time I’d only have like four catches,” Dickson said. “I got more than four, but I am blocking more. That is more my responsibility this year, and I am fine with it.”Dickson has accepted the responsibility and is part of an offensive line that has allowed junior running back Charles Scott to become the nation’s seventh-leading rusher with 535 yards.”Even thought Richard is probably the smallest tight end in college football he might be the best blocking tight end,” Scott said. “He is always sound, knows his assignment and he keeps the younger guys on point too.” Redshirt freshman quarterback Jarrett Lee said Dickson just comes “each and every day with his head screwed on right.””Each and every day he just comes to work hard,” Lee said. “When you see that it just makes you want to work harder.”  Although he is blocking more this season, Dickson ranks third on the team with eight catches for 94 yards. His lone touchdown came when he covered the ball after a fumble by Brandon LaFell on the 1-yard line in the second quarter against Mississippi State, and was credited with a receiving touchdown.”Right place at the right time,” Dickson said. He said LaFell and his teammates believed Dickson should have been credited with a touchdown earlier in the game but he was ruled down at the one yard line.”[LaFell] said he was assisting me,” Dickson said with a smile.He said LaFell was appreciative of him for making such a heads-up play.”You got to be aware when things like that happen.” Dickson said. Dickson’s awareness hasn’t gone unnoticed by his teammates.”I haven’t seen too many blocks were he hasn’t dominated the block,” said senior fullback Quinn Johnson.  “You always know what your going to get. It is a big plus having him on the team.”LSU coach Les Miles said Dickson’s best game came against Auburn. He finished with only one catch for 16 yards, but “absolutely dominated the line of scrimmage,” Miles said, allowing the Tigers to rush for 178 yards.   “When he gets in the flow of receiving and blocking he really adds to our offense,” Miles said.Dickson said he is content with his role on the team but is willing to do whatever it takes to help the Tigers win. “I’d go the rest of the season without catching the ball if we win another national championship,” Dickson said. “Really it is just whatever I can do to help the team out.”—-Contact Amos Morale at [email protected]