Last year was not a good year to be an LSU quarterback.The Tigers’ quarterbacks threw a combined 18 interceptions in 2008 — the second most of any team in the Southeastern Conference. The 116.6 passing efficiency was barely good enough for the sixth best in a conference of 12 teams. But with a rough season under their belts, LSU coach Les Miles said he expects more production from sophomores Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee — the team’s top returning quarterbacks.”[Quarterbacks] who step onto the field better have thick skin and be ready to play,” Miles said. “They understand it’s about their ability to be the best and not what the other guy is doing.”Jefferson is considered by many to be the favorite to start the Tigers’ season opener Sept. 5 against Washington.The St. Rose native started the final two games of the season, throwing four touchdowns and just one interception.But Jefferson had problems with accuracy throughout the season. He completed 49 percent of his passes. Senior offensive tackle Ciron Black said Jefferson has tried to be more vocal in LSU’s locker room after winning the Offensive Most Valuable Player award in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.”He’s starting to let the  childish things go,” Black said. “He’s trying to help out the new freshmen.” Jefferson said he has also been preparing his body for the upcoming season.”I’m more advanced this year,” Jefferson said. “I gained some weight, got a little bigger — [about] 218-220 pounds.” Lee’s freshman season was the opposite of Jefferson’s as the Bentham, Texas, native started his season hot and rallied the Tigers off the bench to a 26-21 road win at Auburn.But Lee’s season ended poorly as the then-redshirt freshman threw seven interceptions that were returned for touchdowns and suffered a right ankle injury against Ole Miss. The injury caused Miles to switch to Jefferson prior to the Arkansas game.Miles said he expects Lee to rebound strongly after a difficult end to the season.”Jarrett understands the aches and woes of the quarterback,” he said. “He’s here to compete.” True freshman Russell Shepard is also expected to compete with Jefferson and Lee for      playing time in the fall.Shepard was rated as Rivals.com’s No. 7 prospect in the country last season and the No. 1 dual-threat quarterback.Miles said though Shepard lags behind Jefferson and Lee in terms of his understanding of the offense, the Houston native’s athleticism will earn him an opportunity to see the field in the fall.”With a guy with that kind of skill, you’re constantly looking for opportunities to get the ball in his hands,” Miles said. The opportunities Miles referenced may not necessarily be under center. Miles said the coaching staff is focused first on utilizing the blue chip prospect at quarterback but will focus in the fall on the opportunities for him to play other positions.”I don’t think there will be anything else other than getting [Shepard] comfortable at       quarterback in practices,” Miles said, “If we choose to look at him in some other positions, we’ll decide at that point in time.”Miles said the play of Shepard and fellow freshman Chris Garrett should have fans optimistic for the future of the position.Like Shepard, Garrett enrolled early for spring practices. “The younger guys have a lot of talent,” Miles said. “And it’s going to be fun.”
 
 
 
 
—-Contact Casey Gisclair at [email protected]