Pro Day Rewind With Andrew Garda

It was another busy week of Pro Day workouts with some big prospects vying for positioning in April’s Draft. I attended two of these days – California’s and San Jose State’s. Let's take a look at my in-depth observations for both of those events.

MONDAY

Florida State: The Seminoles kicked off this week’s group of Pro Days and drew 26 coaches and scouts. Everette Brown, the second ranked defensive end on many analysts’ boards, put in good positional drills and added a 31-inch vertical and a 9’9” broad jump. He could be a conversion linebacker in a 3-4 scheme and many think he hasn’t reached his full potential. Certainly, the presence of linebacker coaches from the Dolphins, Jaguars and Eagles leads one to believe there is some interest in doing just that. Another player of note on Monday was cornerback Michael Ray Garvin. Garvin is primarily a kick returner and set the school record for kicks returned (35) and kick return yards (697) in one year in 2007. He ran a pair of fantastic 40s (4.24 and 4.28) and added a 36 vertical and 10’8” broad jump. A guy who can wreak havoc in the return game has some value, probably as a second day pick.

LSU: LSU's was the other big Monday event and 24 teams came–including the entire New Orleans Saints coaching staff. Defensive and offensive lines, linebacker and defensive back coaches were among the 15 position coaches who came by to watch the workout. Among the defensive players was defensive end Tyson Jackson, who by and large let his NFL Scouting Combine numbers stand. He did do the bench press (20 reps) and all the position drills. Jackson is another guy who can play tackle or end, a versatility that will make him intriguing for many teams during the first three rounds. You could tell the hard work was paying off on Monday. Offensive guard Herman Johnson has begun to get some notice and drew interest in Baton Rouge. The huge 356 pounder jumped a 26 _ vert and benched the 225 bar 24 times. Johnson needs to prove that he can put forth the consistent effort needed to succeed and it’s hard to say when he’ll go in April. Linebacker Darry Beckwith did position drills and ran the 40, turning in times of 4.63 and 4.70.

Finally, wide receiver Demetrius Byrd ran a 4.47 and a 4.5 in the 40 and added a 35 _ vertical. Byrd has great playmaking ability but he has to sharpen his route running and get stronger. It’s telling that he didn’t lift either at the Combine or Monday’s Pro Day.

TUESDAY

Boise State: Tuesday saw Boise State, a school with several interesting players, have its day in the sun. Wide receiver Vinny Perretta, who may not be big at 5’9” and just 186 pounds, showed he might have the skills to succeed anyway by putting in a great workout. His 4.48 and 4.43 times in the 40, 36-inch vertical and 10’6” broad jump were part of an impressive day in front of the 12 scouts who came, and it may be enough to get him a shot as either a late second day pick or a street free agent.

Both Perretta and fellow receiver Jeremy Childs had good days, but currently remain later round prospects who will have to get into camp and fight for a shot at a roster spot.

Another guy whose day was worth noting was running back Ian Johnson. If that name is familiar to you, it’s probably because at the end of the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, Johnson scored the winning 2-point conversion and then–because that wasn’t big enough–proposed to his girlfriend on camera right after the game. Johnson is more than just a cute story, though. While he has been tracking to go somewhere late on the second day, in part because of a lackluster senior year where he split carries with Jeremy Avery, he had a good Combine and an even better Pro Day. While he stood on most of his Combine numbers, Johnson looked good in drills and caught the ball well. He also ran a 4.24 short shuttle and a 6.86 three-cone, continuing his climb up the draft boards. Scouts will have to look closely to make sure they feel secure with his size and reasons for the Senior year dip in numbers, but those who saw him Tuesday must have left with fewer questions.

WEDNESDAY

Florida: The Florida Gators kicked off a full Wednesday of Pro Days and the top Gator of interest was wide receiver Percy Harvin, without a doubt. He did not disappoint the huge crowd of scouts, position coaches and several higher level team personnel. According to NFL.com, some of the big names in attendance included Vikings VP of player personnel Rick Spielman, Panthers GM Marty Hurney and from the Bucs, GM Mark Doninik and head coach Raheem Morris.

While Harvin stood on most of his speed drill numbers from the Combine, he did jump a 37 _ inch vertical, a 10’1” broad jump and then benched the 225 bar 20 times for good measure. And then he went out and just killed the position drills. He showed good hands, and showed very good explosion off the line. Harvin is vying for the top wide receiver slot behind Texas Tech’s Michael Crabtree and definitely threw the gauntlet down with this performance.

Someone less heralded is tight end Cornelius Ingram, who missed last season because of a serious knee injury. Ingram looked like he was completely recovered, running a 4.72 and a 4.69 in the 40, and jumping a 9’6” in the broad jump. Ingram also looked solid in position drills.

Some other athletes who performed well were wide receiver Louis Murphy, who ran a 4.45 shuttle and looked good in his position drills, and a pair of offensive tackles in Phil Trautwein and Jason Watkins. Watkins is a player who should get drafted somewhere on the second day of the draft (though his stock has been slipping of late) and he performed well in position workouts. Trautwein is more likely a street free agent, but put in a good day in Gainseville.

California: Out west, while Florida’s day was wrapping up, California’s was just getting started and I was happy to be among the credentialed media in attendance. Thirty teams were represented by 50 scouts and team officials at California's Memorial Stadium. Six were offensive line coaches.

Most of them were there for top center prospect Alex Mack and he was well worth the wait. Mack looked very good in position drills and I thought looked pretty nimble in his shuttle (5.17/5.23 times) and three-cone (7.31 time) drills. He lifted the bench 20 times which isn't great, but isn't bad either, considering his very long arms. Mack did nothing to dissuade any of his fans amongst the scouts and media present. After his position drills, Mack was escorted into a film room with representatives from three teams who broke down film and did chalk talk with him for about two hours. I know how long it was because I was waiting to interview him afterwards. He wasn’t saying who the teams were, but he told me they were quite thorough and had very specific questions for him. It also sounded like they were happy with his answers. Many there believe that Mack will not last past the first round and should be the top center off the board. Mack was very clear in telling the media present that he was willing and able to play guard as well as center. Actually, what he said was that he would pretty much do anything they wanted him to do–heck, he said he’d run routes or shag punts if they asked. That versatility and willingness will go a long way to boosting his stock, if that’s possible at this point.

Unfortunately, aside from Mack, not too many guys stood out. Linebacker prospect Zach Follett was sidelined with a bad hamstring, so only did the bench press (he racked it 21 times, one more than Mack). I saw him talking to folks from the Chiefs, Browns and Colts, and he told me the Raiders were definitely interested. While he was disappointed not to have a chance to best his Combine times, he should have a chance in private workouts. Fellow linebacker Anthony Felder also had his day cut short, as he pulled his hamstring on his first 40 attempt. While frustrated, he had already set up a workout with the Seahawks before he left.

Tight end Cameron Morrah looked great in his position drills, showing very good hands and running well, but his biggest problem may his lack of blocking skills. He said he was speaking with some teams, but declined to name anyone specifically. He also ran a 4.61 and a 4.63 in the 40, but kept the rest of his numbers from Indianapolis.

The last rookie prospect I watched closely was quarterback Nate Longshore. Longshore looked sharp in his drills, showing a nice touch and good accuracy. In a year where the quarterback class is filled with projects, Longshore could find a team willing to give him a shot and based on Wednesday, he looked like he could make it stick if they did.

Illinois: Illinois ran its Pro Day inside on FieldTurf . Offensive tackle prospect Xavier Fulton was not there, as he is still recovering from dual shoulder surgeries. While he’s still a prospect teams are interested in, there is no word on when he might schedule a workout. Cornerback Vontae Davis looked well cut and ran an outstanding 4.40 in the 40 and a 6.80 in the three cone. He also had a 37 _ inch vertical and looked very good in position drills. Defensive end Will Davis ran a 4.86 and a 4.89 in the 40, a 4.40 shuttle, a 7.15 three cone and jumped a 34 inch vertical.

Penn State: The Nittany Lions who went to the Combine left quite an impression, so teams made sure to come by and see if they were for real. Aaron Maybin is already a guy likely to go on the first day of the draft and he only added to that lofty status with his workout. Not only did he significantly improve upon his Combine 40 time by running a 4.64, he added two inches to his vertical (jumping 40) and six inches to his broad jump (10’10”). While he weighed the same as he did in Indy, he definitely performed much better with it. Wide receiver Derrick Williams, who is looking at a slot on the second day, ran a 4.47 and 4.50 in the 40, had a 9’ 7” broad jump, a 4.21 shuttle, and a 6.96 three-cone drill. Wide out Deon Butler kept everything from the Combine save his short shuttle, which he ran at 4.23. Other notables included a third wide receiver in Jordan Norwood (4.58/4.63 in the 40, 10ft broad jump), cornerback Lydell Sargeant (4.48/4.50 in the 40) and offensive tackle Gerald Cadogan, a prospect projected to go in the second or third round, bested his broad jump from the Combine with a 8’3” effort.

THURSDAY

Georgia: One of the stories of the day was quarterback Matthew Stafford, who showcased a very strong arm and pinpoint accuracy. Every team was represented in Athens, including Detroit Lions QB Coach Jeff Horton and GM Martin Mayhew, and Seahawks GM Tim Ruskell. Reports are that 70 scouts and coaches were in attendance. Stafford threw about 50 passes in his workout and apparently threw nearly all of them with a great deal of accuracy. While the workout was scripted, it had a little of everything and Stafford handled it all well, and did so in windy conditions.

Stafford wasn’t the only one performing in less than ideal conditions. Running back Knowshon Moreno was recovering from some form of illness and reportedly looked a little weak because of it. He ran a 4.60 40-yard dash and kept the rest of his workout numbers from the Scouting Combine. He looked very good in position drills, including catching the ball, and spent a bunch of time working out with Bengals coach Jim Anderson. He also reportedly solidified a workout date with the San Diego Chargers for March 30th.

Other players of note: Wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi ran a 4.51/4.54 in the 40, jumped a 10’7” broad jump and caught the ball well in his position drills. Defensive end Jarius Wynn ran a 4.94/4.97 40, a 4.66 shuttle and a 7.27 three cone drill while defensive tackle Corvey Irvin ran a 4.99/5.01 in the 40, 4.66 in the shuttle and 7.60 in the three cone. Irvin did not do the bench press, but Wynn lifted the bar 21 times.

Virginia: The most notable player at Virginia’s Pro Day was offensive tackle Eugene Monroe, widely regarded as one of the top picks–if not THE top pick–in next month’s draft. Monroe stood on all of his Combine numbers, instead just doing position drills. Still, he looked as good as advertised in the drills run by Bengals O-line coach Paul Alexander. Two other line coaches were there to see him as well. The other prospect of note would be running back Cedric Peerman who only added the shuttle to his total stats, running it in 4.47 and doing position drills. Peerman also tracks as a kick returner and might land a place on a team on the strength of that skill.

FRIDAY

Arizona State: Tempe welcomed scouts from 12 NFL teams to their workout where quarterback Rudy Carpenter ran a 4.89 and a 4.93 in the 40, while guard Paul Fanaika pulled a hamstring during his 40-yard dash. He did run the shuttle (4.92) and three cone (8.06) but how indicative it is of his skill on a bad wheel is unknown.

San Jose State: As was the case for California’s Pro Day on Wednesday, I made the trip to San Jose to attend the Spartans’ workout. It was a very efficiently run day, a credit to both the excellent staff at San Jose State and the NFL scouts in attendance. I counted 20 teams there, represented by about 35 scouts and player personnel. On top of that, both Carolina Head Coach John Fox and new Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan were there. That’s quite an achievement for a program that not that long ago was fighting to stay alive.

The day was split into two halves, the earlier portion dedicated to players from San Jose State itself, while the latter was given over to visiting players from Cal-Poly, UC Davis, Sacramento State and a few other small schools. The biggest name on the docket for the late workout was Cal-Poly wide receiver Ramses Barden, and we will touch on him momentarily.

For the Spartans, there were several notable workouts. First off, by now you have likely heard that Ryan spent a good deal of his time running the defensive line drills, focusing primarily on defensive end Jarron Gilbert. Gilbert paid very close attention to the former Ravens defensive coordinator (and his enormous Super Bowl ring) and Ryan watched him very, very carefully. Gilbert ran a 4.76 and a 4.83 in the 40, a 4.46 shuttle and a 7.60 three cone. He also had a 37 inch vertical and a 10’7” broad jump. The jump was a huge increase over his Combine jump, which he told me later was in part because he couldn’t land his jumps well in Indy. He said he was hitting 10’3” at the Scouting Combine, but kept falling. When he finally stuck it, it was a mere 9’11”. Overall, Gilbert looked very good in all aspects of his workout and more than one team representative came away impressed.

Another athlete who seemed to be a player of interest for the Jets head coach was cornerback Christopher Owens. Once Ryan was finished with the D-line drills, he headed over to where the other Jets representative stood watching Owens and fellow Spartan corners Coye Francies and safety Kyle Flynn work out. After the workout, Ryan made a point of chatting with Owens and it was clear they had talked before. It could be that if Gilbert is unavailable with the Jets’ second round pick, Owens may be a target.

As for their workouts, both Francies and Owens looked good. Each player tracked the thrown balls well and showed good hands. I thought Francies looked good flipping his hips and turning to move upfield to get under a long ball, while Owens excelled in his overall tracking, looked really smooth and didn’t miss a beat when he had to catch a ball over either shoulder. Owens had the better workout drill numbers, running a 4.41 and a 4.40 in the 40, jumping a 35 in the vertical and an even 10 feet in the broad jump.

Francies had a slight ankle injury and struggled in the 40, unable to get a clean start multiple times in both runs. Once you stumble a time or two, it gets you out of your rhythm and unfortunately, Francies’ 40 time suffered. On top of that, the scouts seemed to have a very wide range of speeds for him, some having him as fast as 4.59 or as slow as 4.69. Francies plays faster than that and I think the tape on him shows him to be a capable defender. We all get caught up in 40 times, but hopefully the scouts saw what was happening and took that for what it was. It was also a cool morning and a few people pulled muscles or cramped up and the temperature might have contributed to Francies’ blown 40 starts. All three defensive stars for the Spartans should find a home draft weekend, and I think they could all be gone on day one. Each of them captured the interest of multiple teams and should see some private workouts soon.

One player not on many radars who caught my eye was defensive end Jeff Schweiger. A transfer from USC after the 2006 season, Schweiger made the most of the attention brought to San Jose State by the top three prospects. The 6'4", 275-pound end ran a solid 4.71/4.74 in the 40, a 4.58 in the shuttle and looked very smooth in his drills. He’s likely a late second day pick or street free agent, but he’s getting attention and had already worked out for the Atlanta Falcons.

The second half of the day featured a very good workout for Cal-Poly wide receiver Ramses Barden. Barden smoked his Combine 40 time with a 4.5/4.58 and had a good effort of 10’2” in the broad jump. Barden, watched closely by Panthers Coach John Fox, looked good in all his workout drills and caught the ball very well in his position workout. Another player I am curious about after his workout was Montana State running back Demetrius Crawford. Crawford looked awfully quick in his 40 with a 4.44/4.45 (I clocked him at a 4.39) and overall looked solid in his drills. While he is likely going to find it difficult to catch on in the Draft, he might carve himself out a spot late in the Draft or as a street free agent. If he gets that chance, I think he could surprise some people, though I have to look at the film on him now that I have seen him live, albeit in shorts not pads.

Tennessee State: Twenty teams sent representatives to the workout. Center Cecil Newton had a decent day, running a 5.24 and a 5.13 in the 40, a 7.55 in the three cone, and a 4.15 in the shuttle while also doing 25 reps on the bench press, jumping a 25 _ vertical and a 8’2” broad jump. Running back Javarris Williams looked good in position drills, ran a 4.73 shuttle and a 7.26 three cone, but stood on his Combine numbers for everything else.

Of course we aren’t quite done yet, with another two weeks of Pro Days to track before the Draft and of course, that doesn’t cover the private workouts, which are going on constantly. Here are just a very few of the upcoming Pro Days we’ll be keeping an eye on this week.

Wake Forest (March 23): Aaron Curry looks to be the top linebacker taken in the NFL Draft and can probably seal the deal with a good position drill.

UCONN (March 25): Running back Donald Brown has rocketed up some draft boards. Whether he can surpass either Moreno or Wells may depend upon his performance on Wednesday.

Texas (March 25): None other than top defensive end Brian Orakpo will be working out on Wednesday, but perhaps more intriguing is wide receiver prospect Quan Cosby, whose size and age (26) are issues that could be forgotten with a good position workout.

Louisville (March 26): In a draft with this many quarterback projects, Hunter Cantwell might get someone to fall in love with him if he has a solid Pro Day and could sneak into the late part of the Draft.

Mississippi (March 26): Michael Oher will be in the running to be one of the top offensive tackle in the Draft. A good day here could make a huge difference for a group of teams in the top half of the draft who could use O-line help.

All that and more awaits us with yet another week of Pro Day action as we close in on another NFL Draft. For the latest updates, make sure you stay here...on NFLDraftbible.com.

Photo Credit: College Press Box, SEC Sports Media, College Press Box (Florida St., Wake Forest), Illinois Sports Information, Matt Brown Photography, University of California

On Location: LB Notes From Indy

LB Aaron Curry, Wake Forest:
Workout: Will be doing all drills at the combine.

LB Gerald McRath, Southern Miss:
Workout: Will be doing all drills at the combine.
Teams Met With:: Packers, Lions, Jaguars, Falcons, Texans, Bengals

LB Tyrone McKenzie, USF:
Workout: Will be doing all drills at the combine.
Teams Met With: Rams, Panthers, Bengals, Jaguars
Fells like he could play all three linebacker positions

LB Scott McKillop, Pittsburgh:
Workout: Will be doing all drills at the combine.
Teams Met With: Lions, Chargers

LB Jasper Brinkley, South Carolina:
Workout: Will be doing all drills at the combine.
Teams Met With: Titans, Patriots, Falcons, Jaguars

LB Josh Mauga, Nevada:
Workout: Will not workout here at the combine.Teams Met With: Lions

LB Marcus Freeman, Ohio State:
Workout: Will be doing all drills at the combine.
Teams Met With: Browns, Jets, Colts, Cowboys, Seahawks

LB James Laurinaitis, Ohio State:
Workout: Will be doing all drills at the combine.

LB Jason Phillips, TCU:
Workout: Will be doing all drills at the combine.
Teams Met With: Jaguars, Cowboys, Cardinals, Falcons, Raiders, Packers

LB Zack Follett, Cal:
Workout: Not going to bench, but going to do the other drills.
Teams Met With: Cowboys, Browns, Bengals, Bill, Ravens, Packers, Chargers, Raiders

LB Darry Beckwith, LSU:
Workout: Will be doing all drills at the combine.
Training: API
Teams Met With:: Chargers, Cowboys, Seahawks, 49ers

LB Rey Maualuga:
Teams Met With: Cardinals, Saints, Chiefs,

LB Brian Cushing, USC:
Teams Met With: Giants, Jets, Bucs

LB Morris Wooten, Arizona State:
Workout: Will be doing all drills at the combine.

LB Kaluka Maiava, USC:
Workout: Will be doing all drills at the combine.
Teams Met With: Lions, Raiders, Packers

LB Anthony Felder, California:
Workout: Has Hamstring issue, depending on how he feels he will make that decision.

Chik-fil-A Bowl: Georgia Tech vs. LSU

By J.J. PESAVENTO

December 31, 2008 * 7:30 * ESPN
Georgia Dome * Atlanta, Georgia

LSU and Georgia Tech enter the Chick-Fil-A-Bowl after vastly different regular seasons. The Yellow Jackets, behind one of the best running attacks in the country, rolled up a lofty 9-3 record and a No. 15 ranking. The Tigers, who have been a powerhouse in recent years, lost five regular season games for the first time since 1993 and will likely finish out of the top 25 for the first time since 2002.

When Tech Has the Ball

Don't look for anything fancy from head coach Paul Johnson and his troops. The Yellow Jackets rank third in the nation rushing the ball and considering their success this year, there is no chance they will change anything. Sophomore Jonathan Dwyer has been the leader in the ground attack for Georgia Tech this season. He rushed for 1,328 yards with 12 touchdowns during the regular season. While Dwyer was the leader, freshman Roddy Jones also had a solid campaign (658 yards, four touchdowns). Sophomore quarterback Josh Nesbitt rushed for nearly as many yards (631) as he threw for (658) in 2008. He only threw two touchdown passes but scored seven times rushing the ball. When Tech has thrown the ball, sophomore Demaryius Thomas (36 receptions, 595 yards, three touchdowns) has been the primary receiver. For the LSU defense that ranks 17th in the nation against the run, it begins up front as senior Tyson Jackson (8.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks) and junior Rahim Alem (11 TFL, 8 sacks) will lead the charge. And expect defensive backs Harry Coleman (LSU's leading tackler), Danny McCray and Patrick Peterson to help in run support. Linebackers Darry Beckwith and Perry Riley were both Butkus Award finalists this season.

When the Bayou Bengals Have the Ball

LSU has more of a balanced attack on offense than Georgia Tech and junior Charles Scott is the Tigers answer to Jonathan Dwyer. He rushed for 1,109 yards with 15 touchdowns behind an offensive line anchored by All-American guard Herman Johnson. Freshman Jordan Jefferson (277 yards, three touchdowns) has been named the starter for the bowl game but the team's leading passer, freshman Jarrett Lee (1,873, 14 touchdowns, 16 interceptions) will be available. Whoever is under center, junior Brandon LaFell (61 receptions, 903 yards, eight touchdowns) will be their top target. Senior Demetrius Byrd (34 receptions, 503 yards) and junior tight end Richard Dickson (27 receptions, 274 yards) will also factor into the air attack. Georgia Tech is no slouch on defense. Led by seniors Michael Johnson (15 TFLs, seven sacks) and Daryl Richard (10 TFLs, four sacks) and sophomore Derrick Morgan (9.5 TFLs, seven sacks), Tech ranks 12th in tackles for loss and 18th in sacks in the country. Sophomore defensive back Morgan Burnett leads the nation in interceptions (seven) and will be a concern for LSU when they throw.

Final Analysis

Georgia Tech finished the season by dropping 40-plus points on both Miami (FL) and Georgia of the SEC. LSU lost three of their final four games and allowed over 30 points in three of them. You never want to count the Tigers out, but their defense has been an issue all season and the inexperience at quarterback has to be a concern as they are facing a Georgia Tech defense that ranks in the top 25 nationally.

LSU Tigers (7-5, 3-5)
Pass: Jarrett Lee – 1.873 yards, 14 TDs
Run: Charles Scott – 1,109 yards, 15 TDs
Catch: Brandon LaFell – 903 yards, 8 TDs

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (9-3, 5-3)
Pass: Josh Nesbitt – 658 yards, 2 TDs
Run: Jonathan Dwyer – 1,328 yards, 12 TDs
Catch: Demaryius Thomas – 595 yards, 3 TDs

The CFI Prediction: Georgia Tech 21, LSU 17

Photo Credit: SEC Sports Media, Georgia Tech Sports Information

Game of the Week: #1 Alabama @ #15 LSU

By RALPH MANCINI - CFI SENIOR WRITER

A red-hot No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide (11-0, 5-0) will be determined to clinch the SEC West this Saturday. However, in order to do so, they must subdue the No. 15 Bayou Bengals of LSU (6-2, 3-2). Last year’s national champions will also be plenty motivated to claim victory as they will look to keep their hopes for a berth in the SEC Championship game alive. The 72nd meeting between these two conference rivals will take place in front of over 92,000 rabid fans at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge. Alabama leads the series 43-23-5, but LSU has won five straight.

When the Tide Have the Ball

SIMPLY SAYING THAT Alabama’s offensive line is a force to be reckoned with wouldn’t be doing it justice. Nick Saban’s crew of big uglies is considered to be the most dominant group of run blockers in the nation. Composed of three juniors and two seniors, this line features one of the nastiest and most talented left tackles in the nation in Andre Smith. Extremely powerful, Smith is also tenacious and funda-mentally sound. In fact, the Birmingham native has both the raw strength to play inside and the quickness to man the perimeter along the line of scrimmage. When he’s not busy calling out plays, center Antoine Caldwell can often be seen steamrolling second-level defenders. This massive front five allows running backs Glen Coffee and Mark Ingram to gallop through gaping holes. Coffee, in particular, is a master at waiting for his blocks to develop and dash through them with an amazing burst, which has produced long scores of 77 and 87 yards this season. Ingram is the other half of this lethal two-headed ground attack. The outstanding freshman is a hardnosed back, who can pound it inside and break some big plays on the outside with his shiftiness and perpetual motion. Both Coffee and Ingram are averaging well over five yards per carry with 15 touchdowns between them. Quarterback John Parker Wilson will never be confused with the likes of Joe Namath or Kenny Stabler, but he makes good use of the weapons around him when given enough time to throw. One of those weapons is the 6’ 4” Julio Jones. The physical receiver is athletic enough to gain separation from defenders, but is also known for making tough catches in traffic. Red-shirt freshman wide out Marquis Maze is an explosive weapon who can line in up a variety of positions while tight end Nick Walker is Wilson’s safety valve.

LSU’S SATR-STUDDED defensive line has the horses that can disrupt just about any offense. Defensive end Tyson Jackson is a fierce pass rusher who utilizes his bull-rush to apply pressure on the opposing quarterback, as well as stopping the run. At 6’5”, 292 pounds, Jackson is a physical specimen with a long wingspan, which helps tremendously when pursuing signal callers. Fellow end Rahim Alem adds an extra dosage of speed to the unit. The new starter has already notched six sacks, along with four quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles and a blocked field goal. Over at defensive tackle, Ricky Jean-Francois is an immensely gifted athlete with a remarkable first step, which enables him to quickly gain penetration. The former track star would be even better if he played with greater consistency. LSU’s lack of discipline at linebacker this year has just received a much-needed shot in the arm with the return of Darry Beckwith. The oft-injured senior is a stabilizing force who isn’t the flashiest middle linebacker, but consistently gets the job done by cleaning up everything his line doesn’t get to. Free safety Curtis Taylor has been the one defensive back to provide any sort of consistency this season. The hulking 6’3” defender hits the opposition with the force of a sledge hammer. The rest of the secondary is somewhat limited, but cornerback Jai Eugene has cheetah-like speed and will eventually turn into a big-time playmaker once he hones his coverage technique.

When the Bayou Bengals Have the Ball

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR GARY Crowton is known for employing a potpourri of trick plays and misdirection plays to throw defenses off kilter, but for LSU to have any chance to win this battle, their offense must continue riding the gravy train. Charles Scott is a 233-pound thumper who has carried the load all season long with his punishing style between the tackles. Blessed with vision, size and an excellent burst, Chuck “The Truck” has powered his way to 889 yards and 11 touchdowns. Keiland Williams may rank second on the depth chart behind Scott, but he’s far from a backup in terms of his skill set. He adds firepower and explosiveness. The unit’s north-south running style is made possible by a mammoth offensive line that averages 316 pounds. Tipping the scales at 355 pounds is the line’s most devastating run blocker Herman Johnson. The 6’ 7” guard combines intim-idating size with quick feet, which allow him to move defenders off the ball with ease. Center Brett Helms and tackle Ciron Black join Johnson to form the core of LSU’s offensive line. The Tigers may choose to expose Alabama’s run-of-the-mill corners with big-play wide outs Brandon LaFell and Demetrius Byrd. The 6’3” LaFell is a fearless competitor with speed and good hands, while Byrd is the “X” receiver who runs precise routes and regularly outruns opposing cornerbacks. Tight end Richard Dickson is a sneaky weapon with 21 receptions on the season. Les Miles’ boys have been hindered by inconsistency at quarter-back. The banged-up Andrew Hatch isn’t starter material and while Jarrett Lee has better overall skills, he can’t seem to get on track in the accuracy department. The passers have 11 interceptions between them.

THE CRIMSON TIDE have perfected the art of neutralizing top-ranked running attacks this season with a defense that’s giving up just 65.6 yards per game. Nose guard Terrence Cody is the nucleus of Saban’s impenetrable three-man front. The 365-pound colossus regularly fights off double and triple-teams on his way to dropping helpless ball carriers for a loss. Although Cody has sat out the last two games with a knee injury, he plans to suit up for this week’s SEC rivalry game. In his absence, the considerably smaller Josh Chapman has done yeoman’s work, filling in by maintaining a solid base, which has enabled him to hold his ground versus the run. Bobby Greenwood and Brandon Deadrick are large 3-4 ends, but don’t look for these run-stuffing specialists to post any gaudy sack numbers. Outside linebackers Cory Reamer and Brandon Fanney often line up across the opposing tight end or tackle to create a five-man front, which frees up space for middle linebacker Rolando McClain and weakside linebacker Don’ta Hightower, who both look to lay the wood on the ball carrier. McClain is the centerpiece and unquestioned leader of Bama’s defense. He can take on lead blocks and still make the tackle. In addition, McClain is versatile enough to serve as a pass-rushing linebacker. The sophomore is responsible for reading the offense and setting up his teammates. The other showstopper on this defense is free safety Rashad Johnson. The 6’ 0” defensive back has top-notch instincts in anticipating plays, which helps him break on the ball early versus the run and the pass. The senior’s prowess as an open-field tackler is second-to-none. It’s no coincidence that McClain and Johnson are tied for the team lead in total tackles with 58.

Final Analysis
FOR ALL THE talent along LSU’s defensive line, it simply has not been able to stop any ranked teams lately. The reigning national champions have surrendered 51 and 52 points respectively to Florida and Georgia, which leads you to believe that Bama should have no problems putting at least 27 points on the board. Look for the Tide to control the game with its vaunted arsenal of running backs. LSU’s only hope in this contest is to get off to an early lead with one or two sustained drives and a helping hand from big-play return specialist Trindon Holliday. Unless one or both of those things take place, it’ll be a long afternoon for the home team on the Bayou.

Prediction: Alabama 27 LSU 17

Photo Credit: SEC Sports Media

CFI RANKINGS: #6 LSU TIGERS

2007 RECORD: 12-2; SEC: 6-2
Won BCS Championship Game vs. Ohio St. 38-24
LOCATION: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
STADIUM: Tiger Stadium (92,400)
HEAD COACH: Les Miles
OVERALL: 62-27 (7 seasons)
AT LSU: 34-6 (3 seasons)

Oh those Tigers! The Bayou Bengals broke through last season under Les Miles and captured their second national title in five years. They did so by taking on eight ranked opponents, overcoming a pair of heartbreaking triple overtime losses, and refusing to be distracted by the Les Miles-to-Michigan rumors. Offensively, they were not as explosive in the passing game without JaMarcus Russell, who skipped his senior season to be the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft. Also falling off a bit was the defense, which was not as dominant as at was a year earlier (19.9 PPG in ’07; 12.6 PPG in ‘06). However, Tiger fans don’t care a lick--the only thing that matters in Cajun Country is that Les Miles and his team are national champs.

WHEN THE BAYOU BENGALS HAVE THE BALL

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Gary Crowton (2nd Season)
OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 5
KEY LOSSES: Jacob Hester, Matt Flynn, Early Doucet, Carnell Stewart, Ryan Perrilloux (Dismissed from Team)

It appears that former Harvard junior varsity signal caller Andrew Hatch will be the starting quarterback in game one. Who will be under center when they travel east to take on Auburn in week four is anyone’s guess. The original plan was to have duel threat phenom Ryan Perrilloux take over, but he crossed the line one too many times, leaving Hatch and red-shirt freshman Jarrett Lee to battle for the starting role. Whoever leads the huddle will be well protected. Three likely All-SEC performers man the offensive line, with junior OT Ciron Black and senior OG Herman Johnson providing over 700 pounds of protection and C Brett Helms solid in the middle. Figuring out who will get the most carries is as difficult to decipher as the quarterback situation. In Keiland Williams, Charles Scott and Richard Murphy the Tigers possess three starting-caliber SEC backs, with Murphy providing the most speed. Throw in little man Trindon Holliday, a sprinter, and they have four backs that averaged between 6.6 and 7.2 yards per carry a year ago. They also are stocked at wide receiver. Demetrius Byrd could be the top senior receiver in the nation, Brandon LaFell is a burner, and true sophomore Terrance Toliver may be their most talented offensive player. TE Richard Dickson also has some ability.

TOP PROSPECTS: 1) WR Demetrius Byrd (SR), 2) OG Herman Johnson (SR)

WHEN THE OTHER TEAM HAS THE BALL

CO-DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Doug Mallory (1st Season/4th at LSU)
CO-DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Bradley Dale Peveto (1st Season/4th at LSU)
DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 5
KEY LOSSES: Glenn Dorsey, Ali Highsmith, Craig Steltz, Jonathan Zenon, Chevis Jackson

The Tigers lose the nation’s top defensive lineman with Glenn Dorsey moving on to the league where they play for pay…but would you believe they won’t miss a beat? Just because Dorsey is no longer a Tiger does not mean those scouts have stopped coming to the Bayou. LSU is eight deep in legitimate pro prospects along the line with Bowl MVP Ricky Jean-Francois leading the way. Francois did not play until the SEC Championship game last season, so he is almost like a new addition. On the outside, Kirston Pittman was their top pass rusher a year ago and Tyson Jackson is an excellent two-way player. Junior DT Al Woods may have the most potential of all, but will have to earn his playing time. Darry Beckwith is back at the MIKE and will have two new starters flanking him, but most of their worries surround how they will replace both starting corners. True freshman Patrick Peterson (formerly Johnson) is the player creating the most buzz. They are stacked at safety with a quartet of playmakers led by FS Curtis Taylor, who brings size and speed to the defensive backfield.

TOP PROSPECTS: 1) DL Ricky Jean-Francois (JR), 2) LB Darry Beckwith (SR)

THE SCHEDULE

You remember that team from the FCS (formerly Division I-AA) that went into the Big House and upset the Michigan Wolverines a year ago? Well Appalachian St. looks to knock off a top 10 FBS team for the second straight season when they take on the Tigers. An upset is unlikely, but they could be LSU’s toughest out of conference test. The SEC opener could decide the West Division, as the Tigers visit Auburn. That contest is the biggest on the LSU schedule and kicks off a difficult five-game stretch where the Bengals play at Florida, at South Carolina, and host the Georgia Bulldogs. Three top tens teams over six weeks is a tough stretch for any team and will show what these Tigers are made of.

PIVOTAL POINT

Quarterback: The Tigers should be as good, if not better, at every position on the offensive side of the ball other than the most critical spot—quarterback. Their offensive line is among the best in the nation, their backfield as deep as any and they have more than enough playmakers in the passing game. But will it matter? That is the pressure that is on Hatch to start the season. If Ryan Perrilloux, the expected heir apparent, had stayed out of trouble off the field the Tigers could very well be the No. 1 team in the country with eyes on a repeat. But Perrilloux is not here and now, all eyes will be on the new quarterback in Baton Rouge. The Bayou Bengals will go as far as their quarterback takes them.

CFI FINAL ANALYSIS

The Tigers were the most talented team in America not only last season, but two years ago as well, and they very well may be this season as well. However, they have some questions they need to answer this year before they can be elevated to that status. Quarterback is the biggest one, but they are also breaking in several new starters on the defensive side of the ball, including a pair of unproven corners. Because of this upheaval, the Bayou Bengals will probably not repeat, but could be the most dangerous team in the nation by season’s end.

Photo Credit: SEC Sports Media