Domanick Davis was lost to eligibility. LaBrandon Toefield decided to try his hat in the NFL Draft after dealing with numerous injuries throughout his career. Joseph Addai, a sophomore, and Shyrone Carey, a second year junior, are the two most experienced running backs the LSU football team has.
So what does it all mean?
It means for LSU’s offense to be as effective as it wants to be, the passing game may have to become more prevalent in the Tiger attack.
Junior quarterback Matt Mauck, who was knocked out for the year after spraining a ligament in his right foot against Florida last season, acknowledges the throwing game may be more important than in the past.
“The passing game has to develop,” Mauck said. “Last year, a lot of guys were young at the key positions to be able to throw the ball, and I think everybody has developed this year.”
The sprained ligament in his foot caused Mauck to have surgery and kept him out of any action for eight weeks. As of right now, the injury prevents Mauck from exploding off his right foot and running in a full sprint.
Since scrambling was one of Mauck’s strengths last season before he was hurt, one would think his production would be limited during spring practice, but Mauck said the injury has improved him as a football player.
“It was disappointing, but I think it has helped me in the long run,” Mauck said. “I have never really been a drop back passer, and this kind of forces you to work on that part of your game.”
All indications in the spring have shown Mauck has been working hard on the drop back part of his game.
After going 9-for-19 for 138 yards and a touchdown in the first spring scrimmage March 29, Mauck went 17-for-26 passing for 283 yards and three touchdowns in Saturday’s second spring scrimmage.
Mauck said not too much stock can be taken in stats from scrimmages.
“I think we did some good things,” Mauck said. “There is always something you can improve upon. In a scrimmage, your numbers are a little bit misleading. You know, it is certain situations. I mean it is somewhat game like, but it is not really game like. Even the Spring Game is more for getting out there and letting some of the guys that maybe don’t play during the year get a chance to play, and the playbook is cut down. It is meant to be somewhat game like, but it is really not.”
In Saturday’s scrimmage, Mauck was able to scramble on a limited basis and showed some elusive ability displayed last year. He feels like he is on his way to being 100 percent.
“I can do pretty well everything,” Mauck said. “The only thing is taking off like on a fast burst and sprinting or something like that. I would assume I [can come back 100-percent]. I might not be, you know, quite as fast as I was, but I think I should be close, if not as fast.”