Quarterback questions remain for LSU

Posted 8:45PM on Sunday 2nd April 2006 ( 19 years ago )

BATON ROUGE, La. - LSU wrapped up its spring practice this weekend with one big question still unanswered who will be the starting quarterback this fall? JaMarcus Russell, the starter last season, has not lost that spot because injuries had him sidelined in March, coach Les Miles insisted. But Peach Bowl hero Matt Flynn and former East St. John prep star Ryan Perrilloux will get a closer look in August. ``We have a guy that's won 10, a guy that's won one and a bright young quarterback that's pressing the group,'' Miles said. ``It'll be difficult not to start with JaMarcus somewhere sometime, but I think you also can see those two guys played enough to warrant playing time and well have to operate with a little more competitive basis.'' With Russell, who had offseason surgery on his left (non-throwing) shoulder and right wrist, watching, Flynn completed 12 of 26 passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns, and Perrilloux hit 11 of 26 for 145 yards and one score in the final scrimmage. All three scoring strikes went to Dwayne Bowe, who caught seven passes for 135 yards. Miles is more concerned about finding players where the starters aren't returning. Nowhere was that more important than on the defensive front. Miles was pleased with 6-foot-2, 284-pound Glenn Dorsey, who locked up one of the two tackle slots. While there was no clear-cut leader at the other tackle and left end position, Miles said Charles Alexander and Marlon Favorite are the front-runners inside, and Ricky Jean-Francois and Tyson Jackson lead at left end. ``Glen Dorsey stepped up,'' Miles said, naming Dorsey and Bowe spring's most outstanding players. ``He's going to be a great leader and a tremendous player for us inside.'' Skyler Green's departure also made kick returning a question mark. Chevis Jackson had a 70-yard punt return to the 13-yard line, Trindon Holliday returned a kickoff 66 yards and Daniel Francis was caught on a shoestring tackle on what could have been another big return. ``Those three are all very tough, hard-nosed runners,'' Miles said. ``I think our return game is going to be good.'' Converted fullback Jacob Hester was spring's star runner, though with the experienced runners expected return and the arrival of prep stars Keiland Williams, Richard Murphy and Charles Scott, his future may be at his old position. ``His role has always been a modified role, the ability to carry the ball a little bit more and be a receiver out of the backfield, and he can do that both from fullback and at tailback for us,'' Miles said. ``It will be fun to see maybe as many as 11 or 12 starters return to action for the start of our season. It's pretty nice and pretty comfortable to see that we have a good football team, and when you add those guys who weren't in uniform today and throw in a couple of freshmen that will add depth and speed in certain situations to our game, it will be a pretty strong football team to start the season.'' Information from: The Advocate, http://www.theadvocate.com (Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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