After the Spring: The quarterback situation still to be decided
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Hatch, Lee deliver solid competition in a Perrilloux-less spring.
by Matt Reynolds
Tiger Rag Assistant Editor
(photo of Andrew Hatch (14) by J. Sam Frake)
The first remark by LSU coach Les Miles after last Saturday’s spring game was, “I felt like the spring game was incomplete and not exactly what we wanted.”
This statement could be taken a number of ways, but it is probably a safe bet to assume the absence of troubled quarterback Ryan Perrilloux might have had something to do with the fragmentary nature of the spring finale.
To look at the quarterback situation at LSU this spring, it’s best to just look at #11 like he has already left LSU and gone on to bigger and better or terrible and worse things. You have to take away the fact that he is actually still on the team, because in all actuality, he wasn’t a member of the LSU football team this spring.
There were, surprisingly, two other realistic options that competed against each other the this spring despite the constant circus that surrounds Perrilloux. And much to the contrary of local expert analysis, neither of the quarterbacks have the bubonic plaque and will force LSU to drop their football program.
Jarrett Lee, a redshirt freshman from Texas, is without a doubt the natural quarterback. The son of coach, Lee has the quick release that coaches love, and is what some might call “highly coachable”.
Lee’s numbers were solid in the spring game, going 7-of-13 for 181 yards and two touchdowns, but down let the numbers completely fool you. 110 of Lee’s yards, came on just two plays. One, an electric 53-yard scat by Richard Murphy after a screen pass. Two, a good ball thrown by Lee that was scooped up by Demetrius Byrd for a 57-yard touchdown effort.
Andrew Hatch understands the playbook better than Lee according to Miles at this point. That was hard to determine in just a spring game, but it is for certain that Hatch looked better in sustaining an offensive drive down the field.
The Harvard transfer had the better of the two outings Saturday, throwing 13-of-17 for two touchdowns and an interception. He doesn’t look as good throwing the football as Lee, but his mobility in and out of the pocket and his decision making on the field was impressive.
Still, when Miles is asked about who is ahead of the other after the spring the answer is still the same: Neither.
Hopefully this summer the picture of the quarterback spot is a little clearer. But now, after the completion of spring workouts, an important question still stands.
Who will quarterback the defending national champions in 2008?
OK I know that alot of people have trouble with letting Perrilloux back on the team with the trouble that has surrounded him off the field, but the fact remains that LSU is weak in the QB position without him. Jarred Lee and Andrew Hatch are good, but from what I seen at the spring game, they are inconsistant. Lee has ok accuratcy and Hatch is alittle mobile. I think that all three need to prove to Miles that they can handle this position very soon because receivers need to have their timing down with whom ever is gonna take the QB position. If we want to be at least desent on offense then Perrilloux would be the best choice, although if you keep giving him rope then he will more than likely hang himself if history is any indicator. If Miles is gonna make an example out of him, then LSU fans better prepare for a rebuilding year on offense.