http://www.thenewsstar.com/article/20090831/UPDATES02/90831009/1006/SPORTS
BATON ROUGE – Can’t wait to see all the varied personnel groupings that LSU coach Les Miles and offensive coordinator Gary Crowton will throw at Washington Saturday night on ESPN. Kickoff is not until 9:36 p.m. central time, so have the Seattle’s Best brewing so you don’t miss anything.
There could be a lot of substituting, particulary as the score gets out of hand in LSU’s favor, which will happen. Washington was 0-12 last season. Look for multiple personnel groupings to feature quarterback/tailback/receiver Russell Shepard in various roles.
“We’ll play him at quarterback,” LSU coach Les Miles said at his first weekly press luncheon on Monday. “We’ll play him at wide receiver, possibly at running back. What he does with his feet certainly make him special, has great ball skills, can catch it. And he can throw it. We’re going to give him a limited menu in the throws, but he’ll have the opportunity to do those things. I’m not certain exactly what situations he’s in. We haven’t scripted the game plan just yet. But I can tell you that we look forward to getting him some snaps.”
Quarterback Jarrett Lee, meanwhile, will not be in any planned script unless starter Jordan Jefferson gets hurt.
“There’s not any plan right now to play a quarterback other than Jordan Jefferson except for only specific situations with regard to call and play,” Miles said.
Translation: Jefferson will start and play most of the game, depending on how lopsided the score becomes. Shepard will play quarterback but only in spot duty.
Lee is still considered the No. 2 quarterback, though, because if Jefferson cannot play, Lee would take over with Shepard continuing in his situational role as he grows into the position.
Who will Washington’s defense focus on when Shepard and Trindon Holliday are in the game at the same time?
Monroe News Star
8/31/09
