This article was copied from the Times-Picayune Sports Desk Log.
Miles pleased with practice pace
Friday, September 16, 2005
By Jim Kleinpeter

BATON ROUGE – The LSU football season is dragging along for Tiger fans, with no game today and one in three weeks.

But first-year coach Les Miles liked the pace on the practice field Friday as the third-ranked Tigers went through a two-hour, 20-minute workout. They go again this morning and have Sunday off before beginning Tennessee game week Monday.

“(It was) good work; the tempo is what you want for an off week,” said Miles. “We scrimmaged some young guys; they got some snaps. We played for some running, and the defense won. The offense ran a little extra, which is what you want.”

LSU spent part of the day prepping for Tennessee, based on the scout team's dressing in orange jerseys. Miles said the fifth-ranked Vols' game with No. 6 Florida today will give him a better indication of what they might do Sept. 24.

“We have a general idea what they are going to do,” he said. “The Florida game will give us a little better look at what they are going to give us. Still, it’s game week, and everyone makes their own adjustments. Game two against a very good opponent, we’ll see more.”


INJURIES: Wide receivers Dwayne Bowe, Craig Davis and Early Doucet sat out Friday’s practice with injuries, as did DT Claude Wroten. Tight end David Jones worked out in a green jersey (no contact).


LODGING ISSUES: While Tennessee continues to look for a hotel for the trip to Baton Rouge, the Tigers may also be without their standard Friday night lodging. LSU normally stays at the Lod Cook Conference Center on campus, but that hotel has been booked with evacuees and relief workers. LSU officials aren’t sure what the team will do. Tennessee might fly in to Baton Rouge the day of the game and fly back immediately afterward. CLUBBING: One of the reward systems Miles brought in is the Tiger Club. Players who exhibit championship play throughout the week of practice and game get to wear “Tiger Club” jerseys at practice. More than 50 players wore them, because Miles made the award to the entire special-teams unit that participated in the two blocked kicks.


HIGH AND DRY: Miles said JaMarcus Russell’s performance was strong from start to finish against Arizona State, save for a couple of incorrect checks and the fumble that occurred when the ball slipped out of his hand on a pass. “He needs to make sure his hands are dry,” said Miles. “We had just called a timeout and made a first down; he should have dried his hands.”


MOTOR HOMERS: To improve the housing situations for the game with Tennessee, additional motor-home passes will go on sale today at 10 a.m. at the LSU ticket office. A parking lot near the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine will be made available for the motor homes, but automobile parking will not be available there this season. Passes can also be purchased online at www.LSUsports.net or by phone at (225) 578-2184.