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Story Archives: LSU defense
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LSU defense
So how much better is the LSU defense going to be in 2010?
Let's face it, there's no way to go but better.
Sure, Jarrett Lee had a hand in it, but the Tiger defense still allowed 52 points to Georgia, 51 to Florida and 31 points to Troy, Ole Miss and Arkansas.
Trading John Chavis, Ron Cooper and Brick Haley for Dale Peveto and Doug Mallory will also be a big bonus. I also believe there will be a lot of fresh faces on the unit.
I am concerned with the linebacker situation, while the defensive backfield as is good as any other team in the nation and may be the best ever at LSU, even better than when Tommy Casanova and Craig Burns roamed the secondary.
We'll start with the defensive line.
Some young guys have to step up and by that I mean true freshmen Sam Montgomery and Chris Davenport should be starting by the second game.
LSU's two starting defensive ends will be Rahim Alem and most likely Pep Levingston.
Alem has a lot of potential, he just needs to be more consistent. Levingston needs to get off to a good start, or redshirt freshman Chase Clement or Montgomery will be putting him on the sidelines for a while.
At defensive tackle, Charles Alexander and Drake Nevis will likely be the starters.
Alexander has been plagued by injuries along with trying to get out of Glen Dorsey's shadow.
Nevis has been an All-American on one play and out to lunch on another.
Al Wood is expected to push Nevis for the starting position in Fall practice and could very well start.
Some new names to learn will be Cordian Hagan and Michael Brocker. Lavar Edwards will be probably be moved from the outside to the inside.
At the linebacker position, Harry Coleman, Jacob Cutrera and Kevin Shepard will likely be the starting linebackers. Coleman moved from safety to outside linebacker in the spring and has great speed and is a hitter.
Ryan Baker, Ace Foyil and Perry Riley will be the backup linebackers. Baker has great speed. Redshirt freshman Kyle Prather could see some playing time.
In 2010, the linebacker position will be very, very good.
I like the starters in the defensive backfield. Patrick Peterson and Chris Hawkins will likely be the starting cornerbacks.
Jai Eugene and Brandon Taylor will be the backup cornerbacks.
Eugene scares me, but I've seen cornerbacks go from getting beat to being world-beaters in the past.
Chad Jones and Ron Brooks will probably be the two starting safeties. Brooks could start at cornerback if needed.
Headhunter Danny McCray and Karnall Hatcher will also see a lot of playing time. True freshman Craig Loston could be a starter by mid-season after surgery on his thumb, depending on if he is eligible to play as a true freshman. |
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