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Tigers gear up for scrimmage

By RANDY ROSETTA
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Aug 18, 2007

LSU wrapped up two-a-day work Friday with the two sessions serving as final preparations for a full-scale scrimmage today at Tiger Stadium.

Coach Les Miles said he “liked (Friday’s) practice” and seemed eager to see how his team will handle the final scrimmage of the preasason.

“There will be some impressions made during the scrimmage,” Miles said. “We are trying to get the players in the right spots and evaluate where they are and how they can help us.”

Two players were back in the spots they’ll man for real in 12 days when LSU opens the season at Mississippi State.

Quarterback Matt Flynn resumed throwing after resting his arm for two days, while defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey was back at work in the afternoon session as he contends with a tender hamstring.

Miles said the only player who will miss today’s scrimmage for sure is backup linebacker Jacob Cutera, who was injured in a scrimmage last Saturday. Miles was doubtful that senior offensive lineman Will Arnold would take part in the scrimmage.

Tempers flare
Miles spent a few minutes delivering a rather animated sermon to the offensive linemen — first the entire group at first and then freshman Joe Barksdale in a one-on-one skull session.

Moments later he said there had been a scuffle between an offensive lineman and a defensive lineman that he called typical toward the end of training camp.

“There was a little camp problem you have occasionally, a fist fight or two,” Miles said. “It happens. You control that and take that anger and keep a handle on it and take it into prep for our opponents.”

Miles declined to identify the combatants involved, although Barksdale seemed agitated as he spoke to Miles.

Miles recalled a similar fracas toward the end of camp two years ago between center Rudi Niswanger and defensive tackle Kyle Williams — two of the team’s closest friends that season.

“You go against a guy every day for 20 practices, you get a little annoyed,” Miles said. “I think we’re all looking forward to playing an opponent. It’s normal camp issues.”

Part-time security work
Freshman safety Chad Jones spent time early in both practices Friday working with the running backs, but he isn’t planning a major move.

Instead, Jones could see time as a punt returner, and the drills he participated in were a chance for coaches to see how well he protects the ball.

“He’s thinking about returning a punt or doing some of those things, so we were talking about ball security maybe he hasn’t had to have to this point,” Miles said. “If he goes back to return a punt some time, we want to make sure he’s got some ball security.”

Could Jones also factor into the offensive game plan?

“I think there’s a chance, but he’s doing awfully well on defense and we’d hate to slow his progress,” Miles said.

Jones is competing for playing time at strong safety and could be the Tigers nickel or dime back in passing situations.

His role became clearer earlier this week when he did not sign a contract with the Houston Astros and said he’s committed to playing football and baseball at LSU.

Miles said he Jones’ decision wasn’t a major surprise.

“As the days pass, you realize he’s really more comfortable here,” Mile said. “As he reported I really felt pretty confident that he was going to be with us.”

Flynn, then who?
With Flynn entrenched as the starter at quarterback, the battle for the No. 2 spot is between sophomore Ryan Perrilloux and freshman Jarrett Lee — the only other QBs on scholarship.

Perriloux is the most logical backup, with two years of experience and a taste of of laying time last season. But Miles wasn’t ready to make that commitment Friday.

“I don’t know that I’m ready to say that at this point,” he said. “He’s been really good in camp and he’s doing some things awfully well. I think we’ll wait for that announcement later on.”

Broussard bound for D-II
The Daily Times newspaper in Florence, Ala., is reporting today that former LSU running back Alley Broussard did not show up as expected Friday to join the University of North Alabama football program.

Instead, the newspaper reports that Broussard has decided to play this season for Missouri Southern State in Joplin, Mo.

The Daily Times reported more than once, most recently Friday, that the school expected Broussard to transfer to North Alabama, a perennial Division II powerhouse.

Broussard could not be reached for comment Friday.

Missouri Southern State competes in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association, a 10-member conference of D-II schools in Missouri and Kansas.

2theadvocate.com | LSU Sports | LSU Notebook for August 18, 2007 -- Baton Rouge, LA

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