There are plenty of familiar names in LSU’s 2010 secondary, but don’t expect to see a familiar style of play this season.
 
The Tigers’ secondary ranks as one of the most experienced units on this year’s team. Three of the secondary’s projected starters played extensively in 2009, with several players boasting experience at multiple positions.
 
“I feel we’re the best secondary in the country across the board,” said senior safety Jai Eugene, who spent most of his career at cornerback. “We’ve got guys who can play everywhere.”
 
The secondary will no doubt benefit from the stability that comes with returning the same defensive coordinator, a first since the 2007 season.
 
Having perhaps the best cornerback in the country certainly doesn’t hurt, either.
 
Junior cornerback Patrick Peterson, a consensus preseason All-America selection, arrived at fall camp looking more like a safety than cornerback, weighing in at 222 pounds.
 
“I want to be the most physical guy out there,” he said. “I want to show that corners don’t have to weigh 180 [pounds]. This is the best I’ve ever felt playing football.”
 
More physical play will be needed from the secondary in order to get to the elite level expected from a school that has produced standouts such as Corey Webster and LaRon Landry.
 
The Tigers grabbed 13 interceptions in 2009, a welcome improvement from the desultory 2008 unit that finished 11th in the Southeastern Conference in pass defense and routinely gave up big plays through the air. However, the 2009 season total was just the seventh-best of the past decade and nowhere near the 23 picks hauled in by the 2007 team.
 
Additionally, the defense struggled to get off the field. Opponents averaged 70 plays per game against LSU, the highest amount since 2000.
 
The Tigers’ bend-but-don’t-break mentality resulted in an impressive scoring defense that ranked No. 11 in the NCAA, but also left the Tigers dominated in the time of possession category, finishing at No. 107.
 
“We definitely have to get the ball out of opposing offenses’ hands and get our offense back on the field so they can score points,  and that’s the way we’re going to win games,” Peterson said.
 
While Peterson will spend this season under the national spotlight afforded to the game’s best players, he’ll probably receive far less attention from opposing quarterbacks.
 
His counterpart, sophomore cornerback Morris Claiborne, will likely face more throws as a result of the respect shown to Peterson.
 
“We feel very, very confident that [Claiborne] is talented enough because quite frankly, he’s shown us that in practice,” said defensive coordinator John Chavis. “He’s shown that he can be a lockdown corner.”
 
Both Peterson and Claiborne received the Toby Caston Performance Award in April for outstanding defensive performance in spring drills.
 
Their contributions haven’t gone unnoticed by teammates.
 
“I really don’t worry about looking over their way — either side, Mo’s side or Patrick’s side — because I know they’re going to do what they have to do,” said junior safety Brandon Taylor.
 
Peterson and Taylor appear to have starting spots locked down at cornerback and strong safety, respectively. Although Claiborne and Eugene are expected to fill the holes vacated at cornerback by Chris Hawkins and free safety by Chad Jones, LSU coach Les Miles left open the possibility of younger players, including redshirt freshman safety Craig Loston and true freshman safety Eric Reid, seeing the field early.
 
“This has to be the most talent I’ve ever been around since playing football,” Peterson said. “Although we’re young, guys are so confident and so ready.”
 
 
 
 
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Contact Ryan Ginn at [email protected]