On Saturday, the halfway point of spring practice, the football team conducted its first major scrimmage.
After the Tigers completed the 85-play scrimmage, coach Les Miles said he has a better understanding of where the team is and where it needs to be.
“It’s spring,” Miles said. “It’s not exactly what you want, but some guys had some aggressive hits and some had some great runs.”
Cornerbacks Jonathan Zenon and Daniel Francis were singled out by Miles as two of several players to make big hits on the day, but he said he was particularly pleased with the offensive line’s improved play.
“The offensive line played better today,” Miles said. “At the center-quarterback exchange there were some problems, but those problems are fixable.”
The Tigers’ offensive line will have at least three new starters when the Tigers open the season against Louisiana-Lafayette on Sept. 2, including sophomore Brett Helms, who is in the midst of making the switch from the guard to the center position.
Miles said Helms could be snapping the ball to quarterback JaMarcus Russell soon, since Russell is close to being back to normal after a separated shoulder and wrist injury.
“JaMarcus is doing a soft toss now, so it’s really just a matter of time before he’s throwing the football.” Miles said.
Taking snaps during the scrimmage in Russell’s absence were red-shirt freshman Ryan Perrilloux and Peach Bowl MVP Matt Flynn.
“Both quarterbacks have played well, but I think Matt Flynn is a little ahead of Ryan at this point.” Miles said. “Ryan’s improving, but it takes time at quarterback.”
Whichever quarterback that lines up under center will have a new recipient in the bubble screen that was run so many times by receiver Skyler Green.
The 5-foot-5-inch, 165-pound Trindon Holliday, who doubles as a sprinter on the track team, has drawn praise from Miles and is considered the player to land the role.
“I like this little Holliday,” Miles said “He’s going to be exciting to watch and be a great weapon for us.”
Holliday, who enrolled in LSU in the spring semester as a grey-shirt, has drawn some comparison to Green, who returned four punts for touchdowns in his LSU career.
“He might be a little faster than Skyler,” Miles noted. “In fact, he may be the fastest guy in the country at 60 yards.”
The Tigers will practice today before finishing out the second half of spring practice, which will culminate with the spring game on April 1.
“We’ve laid the foundation, and now we have to improve on our execution.” Miles said of the first two weeks in spring drills. “Now, its time for us to play well, not just get it right. You’ll see more aggressive defensive play and hopefully better tackling.”
 
Contact Jeff Martin at [email protected]