The heat is on to locate a starting quarterback to replace big Rohan Davey. The obvious fill in while looking on paper seems to be sophomore Matt Mauck. Fans may recall how Mauck came in for an injured Davey in the SEC Championship Game versus Tennessee, who by the way was fighting for a chance to play for all the marbles out in Pasadena last fall, and pulled out all of the running stops to defeat the Vols. In accordance, he was given MVP honors for his accomplishments that December day. Mauck joined the Tigers a year ago after playing baseball in the Chicago Cubs organization for three years after being a sixth-round draft pick in 1997. Battling for starting duties at QB will also be young Marcus Randall. The situation became quite competitive through out the spring. The final decision on a starter may have been made when Randall went down in the spring game with your more than common knee injuries. Coaches do anticipate him being back for the fall campaign. Apparent is how much less throwing talent there is from what LSU worked with over the last few seasons. Both have good arms, but the decision-making skills will require some more repetitions. Assuming LaBrandon Toefield heals in time for this season, LSU has a serious weapon in the running game waiting, which should take a ton of pressure off of the passing game. Keep an eye on the speedster Joseph Addai, one of coach Nick Saban's prized recruits from the phenomenal class of two seasons ago. Early comparisons of Kevin Faulk have been heard around the Baton Rouge campus. The receivers have a great group of play makers beginning with the big two: Michael Clayton and Jerel Myers. Gone are days of highlight reels displaying Josh Reed breaking games open as he opted for early exit to the NFL. The depth still far from bare. Tiger faithful are hopeful that the front line will be much improved with three starters returning to the lineup. Don't expect huge gains to be made, but this unit is capable of opening enough room for the big guns to zip through. The tight end position will downgrade as talent goes. Both of the top players at the spot have exited, although the consensus was that the position underachieved last season even though Robert Royal now will have his name called on Sundays.

Images of LSU's secondary last year are burned into the memories of Tigers fans. Burned is the operative word, as the Tigers could never seem to shake the propensity to give up big plays, from the opener through the Sugar Bowl. This upcoming season, the Tigers have more guys that possess better ball skills. Coaches have commented that the defensive back unit made the most improvement during the off-season. How much better could be the tale of the tape come fall. The linebackers may be the thinnest area on the team depth-wise. Two of the starters, Bradie James and Jeremy Lawrence, are as steady as they come in the SEC. The largest nominations for any LSU player in terms of All American status will come in the form of James. Already on a few short lists of top players, Bradie decided to return for his senior year and was practicing well after moving over to the weak side spot vacated by Trev Faulk, until he surrendered an injured kidney in a scrimmage. Looks like the leader of the defense should be fine, but his leadership his crucial. Overall, LSU finished ranked 10th in the SEC last year in total defense. Should those totals hold up again in 2002, a repeat as the conference champion just is not going to happen.