Tigers get back to work
e_SDLqThe reality of it is, at different times, there’s a change of speed and a freshness that’s brought to the line of scrimmage with a back that comes off the bench who understands what to do and understands the game — but, frankly, is fresh.” LES MILES, LSU coach
Back to work.
Christmas break has ended for the LSU football team, which returned for their first post-holiday practice Monday night as the Tigers drew closer to their Jan. 9 showdown with Alabama in the BCS National Championship Game.
Everyone was back, coach Les Miles said — and perhaps with a little extra beef in tow.
“I checked some weights,” Miles said. “There was some leftover turkey and some healthy stuffing that was kind of reminiscent of the meals that were eaten over the break. But there was a nice, healthy sweat acquired today, and that’ll happen again tomorrow (Tuesday), as well.”
The team continued to work primarily on “LSU versus LSU,” as the coach put it, practicing for the sake of self-improvement, rather than working on a game plan geared toward the Crimson Tide.
Asked if there were a certain day when the Tigers begin game-week-style practices, with Alabama specifically in mind, Miles said: “No. I think we’ll probably have some pieces of every practice (that are) good versus good, just for kind of the speed of the game.”
So, no fiery speeches just yet? No motivational catch phrases?
Not now, Miles said. Motivation for a game like this is important, he conceded. But at least for the moment, it’s probably more important to focus on the regular practice routine.
After all, Miles said, no one has to remind his players about the date (Jan. 9), site (Mercedes-Benz Superdome) or opponent (Bama), much less the stakes.
When your team prepares for one game with the national title on the line, well, it doesn’t take much for players to stay motivated.
“The reality of it is, it’s in every newspaper,” Miles said. “It’s on most bowl games ... waiting for the Tigers and Tide to play. There’s always a natural (reaction): ‘Hey, we’re involved in that game.’ So I think there’s some motivation that needs to play a responsible part of this calendar, but I don’t know that you don’t need to let them practice for a while.”
RB ‘freshness’ a plus
In past seasons, with tailbacks like Jacob Hester and Stevan Ridley on the roster, Miles was more than happy to rely on a clear-cut No. 1 rusher.
This season, of course, has been a little different, with Michael Ford (755 yards), Spencer Ware (700) and Alfred Blue (539) often splitting time and the late-season emergence of freshman Kenny Hilliard (320).
Together, they’ve not only given LSU an array of skills, Miles said; each runner also given the offense a little extra spark.
“The reality of it is, at different times, there’s a change of speed and a freshness that’s brought to the line of scrimmage with a back that comes off the bench who understands what to do and understands the game — but, frankly, is fresh,” Miles said.
Asked if Hilliard could play more in the title game than he did Nov. 5 against Alabama, when he had 2 yards on two carries, Miles replied: “We like Kenny Hilliard.
“I think he’s more prepared to play in this game than he’s been.”
Specialists no surprise
With the losses of Josh Jasper and Derek Helton, LSU’s kicking specialists were something of a question mark as this season began.
Except, perhaps, to Miles, who said he’s not surprised with the play of place-kicker Drew Alleman and punter Brad Wing.
Alleman, of course, scored all of LSU’s points in the team’s 9-6 win over Bama in the regular season, and Wing’s punting played a central role in that game as well, altering field position in the Tigers’ favor.
“They’re some guys there that, like the rest of this team, have a want and desire to compete and are very ambitious, and wanted to be in a game like we’re in,” Miles said. “It didn’t just happen by accident.”
Lagniappe
The BCS title game will be LSU’s fifth game on artificial turf this season, but Miles said he’s not sure it gives a fast team much of an edge. “I don’t know that it’s noticeable,” he said. ... With a month to prepare for one game, Miles said the team spends at least some time on out-of-the-ordinary situations, such as free kicks or field-goal returns. “With any time frame, that you try to dress up. That happens,” he said. ... Asked if he believes it’ll be a special feeling for QB Jordan Jefferson, a Destrehan High graduate, to play his final college game in the Superdome, Miles replied: “I think there’s a want to do well in that city for the entire team.”