Miles Puts Tigers Through First Spring Workout
A new cast of players took the field for LSU on Friday as the Tigers opened up spring drills here at the Charles McClendon Practice Facility.
LSU is coming off a 12-2 overall record in 2007 as the Tigers claimed the school’s second BCS national title in the last five years. In three years under head coach Les Miles, the Tigers have posted a combined mark of 34-6.
Friday’s workout was the first of 15 practice sessions between now and April 5 for the Tigers. LSU will conclude its spring drills with its annual spring game, which is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 5.
LSU’s first workout of the spring had the Tigers working out in shorts and helmets under partly cloudy skies. The Tigers will practice in shorts and helmets again on Saturday morning.
“We had a good workout,” Miles said following the practice. “The players looked like they were having a good time. We got about as much work in as you can in a shorts and helmet practice.”
It’s been less than two months since the Tigers last practiced something that Miles attributed to the quick start by the players on Friday.
“We got up to speed pretty fast,” Miles said. “It’s been less than two months since we last practiced and played a game. The players did a nice job of getting back into the flow and picking things up.”
Miles complimented the player of quarterbacks Andrew Hatch and Jarrett Lee, who are both going to split reps with the No. 1 offense this spring.
“Both Andrew and Jarrett did a nice job,” Miles said. “Right now for those two it’s about getting comfortable under center, in the huddle and getting adjusted to a new role on the team.”
Miles also said that he’s looking forward to watching the competition at the cornerback position on defense and the right tackle spot on offense. Sophomores Jarvis Jones and Joseph Barksdale are expected to compete for the starting job at right tackle, while Jai Eugene, Chris Hawkins, Phelon Jones, and Ron Brooks are among those players in the mix at cornerback.
Miles said he will use the spring as an opportunity for his squad to put last year behind them and to develop their own identity.
“It’s the natural progression of a team,” Miles said. “We had a great experience as a team last year, winning the national title. But that was last year. This is now a different year with different players and this team must develop its own identity.”
See more at www.lsusports.net
