Hummingbirds In Duck Feathers

Oregon's mascot may be the Ducks, but with their no huddle offense their pace is more similar to that of a hummingbird.  The LSU Defense has been doing drills since last Spring, to get them more accostomed to the Ducks' fast pace tempo.  The following article by Les East of the Baton Rouge Advocate describes the advanced preparation that the Tigers' defense has been through to get them ready for Darron Thomas, LaMichael James & Co.  

Oregon’s fast pace focus for LSU since spring

By Les East, The Advocate

The first game week of LSU’s season begins Monday, but the Tigers are already well into preparations for their opening opponent.

Oregon’s hurry-up offense is an even bigger attention-getter than their colorful uniforms.

The Ducks try to minimize the amount of time between snaps, and their pace can tire opposing defenders over the course of a series of downs and take a cumulative toll as a game wears on. It also leaves opponents with little time to make calls and change personnel groups.

To continue reading:  http://theadvocate.com/sports/lsu/700477-64/always-on-their-mind.html

Mobile Native Son Vince Dooley: Legendary Former Georgia Football Coach Turns Botany Enthusiast

Former Georgia Head Coach Vince Dooley and father of Tennessee Coach Derek Dooley has serioulsy remade himself following his long coaching carrer.  He has become a serious Botany enthusiast and even publishing his own book last year on the subject.  He recently visited his hometown of Mobile to check out the plant species on family property along the Mobile Delta.  Here is an article from today's Mobile Press-Register on the visit.

Pigskin Latin: Vince Dooley, Mobile-Tensaw Delta son, comes home speaking in tongues

By Ben Raines, Press-Register Press-Register
MOBILE, Alabama -- The legendary college football coach called them out from memory.
One after another, complicated names spoken in a secret code only a few understand. 

Vince Dooley gazes at the peninsula that divides Polecat Bay and the Spanish River in the lower Mobile-Tensaw Delta. As a boy, Dooley visited his mother's family in a home on the peninsula, where they raised cows, farmed vegetables and occasionally sold an alligator skin. (Press-Register/Ben Raines)

But the words slipping across Mobile native Vince Dooley’s lips weren’t football plays. They were the Latin names of plants.
Gliding through a narrow creek deep in the heart of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, the man who coached Herschel Walker and the Georgia Bulldogs to the national championship in 1980 was revealed to be a serious botanist.
To continue reading:  http://blog.al.com/live/2011/08/pigskin_latin_vince_dooley_mob.html

Jordan Jefferson and Joshua Johns Post Bond, Suspended Indefinitely From LSU Football Team

LSU senior quarterback Jordan Jefferson, 21, and sophomore linebacker Joshua Johns, 21, have been booked and released from Parish Prison after Baton Rouge police arrested them on second-degree battery counts.

Both players posted a $5,000 bond.

Jefferson and Johns have been suspended indefinitely from the football team, coach Les Miles said Friday.

To continue reading:  http://theadvocate.com/home/686220-82/lsus-jefferson-johns-post-bond.html

Pascagoula's Vick Ballard and Baton Rouge's Brandon Bolden Give Mississippi State and Ole Miss Strong Gulf Coast Based Rushing Attacks

While Mississippi State and Ole Miss each have question marks heading into this season, the running game is not one of them as they each return a quality, proven veteran in their backfield.  The Clarion Ledger came out with features today on MSU Running Back Vick Ballard of Pascagoula and Ole Miss's Brandon Bolden of Baton Rouge. 

   
STARKVILLE — The numbers were not fabricated, but Vick Ballard was still ready to defend his honor.
"I was a 1,000-yard back last year," Mississippi State's senior running back said. "I just fell a little short and I'll prove it this year."
While many questioned whether this then-junior newcomer from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College could fill the shoes of Anthony Dixon, State's career-leading rusher, Ballard went about his business.
To continue reading:  http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20110826/SPORTS030102/108260328/Ballard-says-he-won-t-fall-short-mark-again?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Home|p

When the Sept. 3 opener against BYU is here, Bolden, a senior running back, will be the focal point of the Rebels' offense. That's not news, especially after a junior season in which Bolden ran for 976 yards and 14 touchdowns.
He also caught 32 passes for three more scores, and even threw a pass. Oddly, that made him the team's leading returning rusher, receiver and passer (all three quarterbacks have never taken a snap for Ole Miss).
Bolden, who has tried his best to lead this Rebels team, is willing to do more.
"I'd go play D-line if they wanted me to," Bolden said. "Whatever helps."
For full article:  http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20110826/SPORTS030103/108260322/Held-back-Bolden-chomping-bit?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Home|s

LSU Working On "Plan B"

LSU preparing a ‘Plan B’ for Oregon

By Scott Rabalais, The Advocate

LSU’s football preparations for Oregon are like a game of shadows.

There is the plan the Tigers want to polish for their Sept. 3 opener, the game plan that includes players brought in for questioning Tuesday by Baton Rouge Police.

But if Plan A includes players like quarterback Jordan Jefferson, freshman receiver Jarvis Landry, linebacker Josh Johns and offensive tackle Chris Davenport, there is evidently a Plan B, too.

For full article:  http://theadvocate.com/sports/666390-64/lsu-preparing-a-plan-b.html

Lake Charles DB Janzen Jackson Dismissed From Tennessee Football Team

Tennessee dismisses Janzen Jackson

By Chris Low, ESPN.Com

"Our program has devoted a tremendous amount of energy, resources, support and care in an effort to help Janzen manage his personal challenges," the coach said in a statement. "I will always be there to help him as a person, but there comes a time when a player's actions preclude him from the privilege of playing for the University of Tennessee football team.
"Although I'm disappointed with this outcome, we will never compromise the long-term organizational values and goals we maintain here at Tennessee."
Full article:   http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/6891304/tennessee-volunteers-dismiss-janzen-jackson

South Alabama Football Is On The Fast Track

By Tommy Hicks, Mobile Press-Register
MOBILE, Alabama -- South Alabama's football program -- not just the team, but the program -- is ahead of schedule.
That statement has nothing to do with a 17-0 record over the first two seasons. The schedule was built for success, especially the first season, just as it included tests along the way in the second season. It's cool for USA fans to note their team has never lost a game, but it will mean a lot more if they can say that at the end of this season.
To continue reading:  http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/08/south_alabama_football_program.html

EJ Manuel Well Prepared For Starting QB Role At FSU

EJ Manuel key to FSU championship hopes

By Andy Gardiner, USA Today
In a season in which experienced quarterbacks are at a premium in the Atlantic Coast Conference, EJ Manuel stands as something of a hybrid.
The Florida State junior made only six career starts in his first two seasons. But Manuel has played in 17 games and created enough of an impression to be voted ACC preseason first-team quarterback by the media while finishing second in offensive player of the year voting.
"His body language, his demeanor, his command of the team and the respect his teammates have for him," FSU coach Jimbo Fisher said of the change he's seen in Manuel. "He understands the role he is in, and I think he is embracing it. I think our team sees him doing a great job."
For full article:  http://www.pnj.com/article/20110821/SPORTS/108210332/EJ-Manuel-key-FSU-championship-hopes?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s

Dylan Favre Still In Battle For MSU Backup QB Spot

STARKVILLE-- Sophomore Tyler Russell and redshirt freshman Dylan Favre, a former St. Stanislaus standout, are battling for Mississippi State’s backup quarterback spot. Gator Bowl MVP Chris Relf is the undisputed starter.
“I haven’t seen much (separation) in either one,” Bulldogs offensive coordinator Les Koenning said.
Read more: http://www.sunherald.com/2011/08/17/3355044/college-football-battle-of-reb.html#ixzz1VNiTwFgR

Fully Recovered From Torn Pec, Mark Barron Ready To Go For Senior Season

TUSCALOOSA. Alabama -- Mark Barron's feet launch the Alabama star safety off the grass practice field toward the twilight sky.

His arms fire up as he fully extends his body. His muscles stretch like elastic bands as he reaches toward a football sailing overhead. There's no hesitation to extend as high as gravity will allow; no reaction once he lands, other than the disappointment of missing the ball on this particular drill.

For full article:  http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/08/mark_barron_ready_to_cap_off_s.html

Pensacola's Trent Richardson Makes SI Cover For College Football's Breakout Players

Trent Richardson makes Sports Illustrated's cover

By Kevin Scarbinsky, Birmingham News al.com
Wow. Sports Illustrated has turned into Alabama's very own fanzine. This week's SI cover features sophomore running back Trent Richardson rolling through the San Jose State defense in the 48-3 season-opening win.
The cover headline: "College Football Opening Statements. Breakout Players and Programs in Week 1."
For full article:  http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2010/09/trent_richardson_makes_sports.html

Niceville Fla's Roy Finch Expecting Breakout Season For Sooners

Once 'lost,' Finch looking for more at OU

By TRAVIS DOWNEY

Daily News

Read more: http://www.nwfdailynews.com/articles/finch-42666-looking-better.html#ixzz1VDjnP8AA

Roy Finch has a lot to smile about these days.
Now a sophomore running back at the University of Oklahoma, Finch has bounced around the Sooners’ practice fields these last two weeks flashing that wide smile and easy-going nature that made him a hit with teammates even as a freshman.
“Roy loves everybody,” OU running backs coach Cale Gundy said. “That’s Roy. Roy enjoys people, he’s very social.”
Read more: http://www.nwfdailynews.com/articles/finch-42666-looking-better.html#ixzz1VDhEVIRP

Darrington Sentimore Transfers From Alabama To Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College

Things didn't quite work out for Darrington Sentimore at Alabama.  The former prized recruit was once a teammate of Jordan Jefferson in Destrehan, Louisiana where they won a state championship together.  His transfer to Mississippi Gulf Coast Comm College is very interesting.   The school is a JUCO powerhouse and has produced numerous Division I standouts.  It will be interesting to see how Sentimore develops in Perkinston.

From Al. Com:

Darrington Sentimore to transfer from Alabama to JUCO

By Izzy Gould/Tuscaloosa Bureau 

USCALOOSA, Alabama - Darrington Sentimore will transfer to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, defensive coordinator Steve Davis confirmed in email Thursday morning.

"He should be here Tuesday," Davis wrote.

Sentimore's departure is the seventh from Alabama since the end of the 2010 season. The 6-foot-3, 273-pound redshirt sophomore was competing for playing time on the defensive line. He played in 11 games last season and finished with 9 tackles before he was indefinitely suspended for undisclosed reasons.

For full article go to:  http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/08/darrington_sentimore_to_transf.html

LSU Offensive Coordinator Steve Kragthorpe Diagnosed With Parkinson's Disease

Here is an article from The Baton Rouge Advocate regarding the coaching adjustments LSU will make in response to Offensive Coordinator Steve Kragthorpe's Parkinson's Diagnosis.

LSU: First-year coach has Parkinson’s disease

Les East

Advocate sportswriter

1 Comments

The excitement of LSU’s first day of fall practice was tempered Thursday by news that first-year offensive coordinator Steve Kragthorpe has Parkinson’s disease and will relinquish some of his duties.

Kragthorpe, a former head coach at Tulsa and Louisville and a noted developer of quarterbacks, will continue as quarterbacks coach, have input into game plans, and coach from the press box on game days. But the offensive coordinator’s duties, most notably play-calling, will be assumed by fifth-year offensive line coach Greg Studrawa, who was the offensive coordinator at Bowling Green for four seasons before joining the Tigers staff.

For full article:  http://theadvocate.com/home/515272-79/kragthorpe-taking-smaller-role-for.html

South Alabama Freshmen Report Prepared And Confident

From the Mobile Press Register:

South Alabama football freshmen ready for immediate action on field

By Tommy Hicks

MOBILE, Alabama -- There doesn't appear to be many cases of freshmen jitters as the incoming group of signees arrived for physicals examinations and other pre-practice requirements Monday at South Alabama's football facility.
Veteran players will go through a similar routine today and the Jaguars' will begin work on their third season Wednesday at 8 a.m. at the team's practice field.
To continue reading:  http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/08/south_alabama_football_freshme.html