Tuesday Practice Videos

Scenes from the Ponderosa – Big Cat, DBs and the D-Line

Rising sophomore defensive end Justin Maclin, pictured left, is one of a handful of defensive linemen getting extra reps due to injuries during spring practices (photo by Jay Potter).

By BEN LOVE
Tiger Rag Editor

As the LSU football team began rounding into shape during this the final week of spring training 2011, the weather was as good as it’s been during the five-week practice period.

The Tigers were in shells (helmets and shoulder pads) outside at the Charles McClendon Practice Facility, and several Bayou Bengals were out — adding to the growing injury list — while at least one player returned.

Defensive end Chancey Aghayere (leg injury) was back in action, working with the defensive line while Lavar Edwards and Josh Downs were still out. Linebacker Stefoin Francois was still missing in action, too, as was offensive lineman T-Bob Hebert and tight end Chase Clement (broken collarbone).

What was most interesting, though, was the lack of options available at running back today. True freshman Kenny Hilliard was still out, and joining him today in the absent department were redshirt sophomore Michael Ford and projected starting fullback J.C. Copeland. (No word yet on whether those last two sustained injuries in Saturday’s scrimmage inside Tiger Stadium.)

As for the Flip Videos below, this is the first day since spring drills started that I don’t have any quarterbacks throwing. Hopefully, you’ll all still love me.

What I do have, though, is some good Big Cat drill footage and some interesting videos of both the defensive line and backfield.

In the Big Cat video, notice that today’s emphasis (particularly without full pads) was on hand placement and getting the hands inside and more or less steering the opposing player by the breast plate of the shoulder pads. In the D-Line video, check out Ken Adams (94), KeKe Mingo (49), Chancey Aghayere (87), Anthony Johnson (56) and more driving the sled then wrapping up a teammate coming off that contact. Finally, the secondary footage is pretty intriguing — mainly because Ron Cooper has them pretty much running 10-yard buttonhooks (like a receiver would) before turning around, balancing the hips, picking off a pass, then running it back toward where they came. Not many of them — save Mo Claiborne — look like natural route runners, but it’s good video to check out their hands and ability to move following an interception.

Okay … I give. Since there’s no quarterbacks throwing, I’ll also tack on every LSU fan’s favorite — video of the offense running the option! Now you really hate me, don’t you.

The quarterbacks go through drills reading the end to decipher whether or not to pitch before then doing the same on the mesh read and either keeping up the gut or handing off end to the running back. The “end” in the first part of the option drills is none other than running backs coach Frank Wilson.

Enjoy.

1. Big Cat drill: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfOdW4TwTag