Tigers phasing in A&M gameplan

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Miles brings back ‘Big Cat’ drill for early Cotton Bowl practices

By RICHARD FISCHER
Tiger Rag Assistant Editor

LSU completed its third practice of Cotton Bowl preparations Saturday, and head coach Les Miles said he likes what he has seen so far as the players begin seeing glimpses of the Texas A&M gameplan.

“We’re putting bits and pieces of the gameplan each day,” said Miles. “I think we accomplished a lot today, and I think we need to continue on that path.”

Miles said the Tigers practiced LSU on LSU for a good segment of Saturday’s practice, and he even brought back the ‘Big Cat’ drill.

“I think they realize that we need to practice well and prepare well to play well in this game,” he said.

Looking forward to A&M, the coach noted the mobility of Aggie quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who is 5-0 as a starter this season and has 12 total touchdowns.

“[Tannehill] seems to make the right plays, makes good decisions with the ball,” said Miles. “He can play well with his feet and his arm. I think he poses a different challenge to our defense.”

But the quarterback of A&M’s defense could be the player Miles fears the most.

Joker Von Miller is fresh off winning the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker with 59 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks.

“[Miller is] big, physical, yet crafty,” said Miles. “[He] understands the things he’s supposed to do. He seems to understand his gap responsibilities very well.”

Joining Miller in the A&M linebacking corps is Michael Hodges, who led the Aggies’ 3-4 defensive unit with 111 stops and earned Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week twice this year.

“It’s similar to the 3-4 that Alabama plays, but it’s not exactly,” said the coach. “I think this team is much more willing to be a 3-4 team through a variety of circumstances and situations.”

The coach noted A&M’s utilization of the zone blitz as something his offense will need to be prepared to combat in Arlington.

The Tigers will take Sunday off before getting back to work Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next week.