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Miles promises tough spring for LSU
By BRETT MARTEL AP Sports Writer
Published: Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 6:49 p.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 6:49 p.m.
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Les Miles walked into a lounge next to his office and stood behind an empty chair.

"I don't want to sit down," Miles began. "I'm fired up."

LSU's head coach then outlined a plan for spring practice in which his primary goal appears to be remaking his running game into a menacing force that gains yards on most plays and at the very least leaves defenders battered, bruised and worn out.

"We've got to run the football better. There's no mistake there. We all understand that," Miles said. "We're going to run it with more attitude and I think our football team will be better for it."

Miles, now heading into his sixth season with LSU, said the coaching staff is introducing new drills during the coming five weeks that will emphasize toughness.

"We've kind of rethought things," Miles said. "The practice schedule will involve some changes and one that will review competition and physical play and one-on-one drills ... you know, man-on-man.

"The view of physicality and the view of running the football has got to change. I've always felt like football teams win because they're tougher and more physical."

Last season was one of the Tigers' worst in the past decade for running the football. LSU finished with 1,576 yards rushing in 2009. When the Tigers won a national title two seasons earlier, they rushed for 2,998 yards.

Pressure is beginning to mount on Miles, who has presided over an era of high expectations. LSU went 9-4 last season and 8-5 a season earlier. Had Miles taken over a losing program, those results might have been acceptable. In each of his first three seasons, however, he won no fewer than 11 games - winning a national title in the 2007 season - which made the past two seasons look like a period of decline.

The Tigers open spring practice Friday and Miles took time on Wednesday at LSU's football operations building to discuss his hopes for what is a key period to see who might slide into starting roles vacated by players who have either used up eligibility or - like safety Chad Jones - left to enter the NFL draft.

In 2010, competition at running back will be wide open with the departures of seniors Charles Scott and Keiland Williams. Miles said Stevan Ridley, Richard Murphy and Michael Ford appear to be the top three now.

Ridley, who had a serious knee injury in the spring of 2009, returned to action in the latter portion of last season after Scott broke his collarbone. He rushed for 140 yards and three TDs on only 45 carries.

One player who won't focus on running back, or quarterback, for that matter, is Russell Shepard. The dynamic sophomore will be a receiver, Miles said, in order to maximize his playing time.

"He's all at wide receiver in his mind and he'll get ball-handling and running back play as a sidelight to his receiver's position," Miles said. "It gets him on the field every down."

Shepard will join senior Terrence Toliver and sophomore Rueben Randle in a deep and talented receiving corps.

Miles is looking for better play at fullback, with Dominique Allen, Richard Dugas and Thomas Parsons in the mix.

The offensive line will have some new faces, including 6-foot-7, 336-pound redshirt freshman Josh Williford, "who just cannot be kept out of the lineup," Miles said.

Miles also highlighted 6-foot-5, 258-pound Chase Clement's potential emergence at tight end.

On defense, Miles expects a lot of competition at defensive end and linebacker.

Junior college transfer Kendrick Adams, a 6-foot-5, 252-pound end, is showing signs of being ready to start right away. Miles was impressed by Adams during recent offseason "coaching sessions," which do not resemble practice but test players' stamina and ability to think while tired.

"He's really quick, really fast, really athletic," Miles said. "He went through these coaching sessions without much difficulty, which really tells you a lot about his maturity and his ability."

Lavar Edwards and Chancey Agheyere, who rotated in at end last season, also are back, while Lazarius "Pep" Levingston likely will be moved to the interior defensive line with Drake Nevis.

Senior Kelvin Sheppard returns at middle linebacker. Starters at either outside spot in LSU's 4-3 scheme remain unclear. Stefoin Francois and Lamin Barrow appear to be in the mix, and Miles has high hopes for Ryan Baker, who has stood out on special teams.

Miles said the top two cornerbacks appear to be Patrick Peterson and Morris Claiborne. Jai Eugene is being switched to safety, where Craig Loston also will compete for snaps after returning from a hand injury.

In the return game, Miles sees the top candidates as Peterson, Shepard and Randle.

One position that does not appear up for grabs is quarterback. Miles said he was eager to see how junior Jordan Jefferson would "reap some of the reward of his experiences" as full-time starter in 2009.

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