We get first billing under the Random Notes section of this ESPN guy's column. Re: Spears and Hill, and how our D is underrated. http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=feldman_bruce&id=1613128
"Random notes LSU's D-line doesn't get the accolades that some defensive lines are getting, but they look like they could be as dominant as any crew around now that Marcus Spears and Marquise Hill are healthy. The 6-4, 297-pound Spears, a former prep All-American basketball player, was slowed by an ankle injury for much of the 2002 season. Last Saturday against Arizona, he had three tackles for losses, including a sack. The 6-7, 295-pound Hill, a John Henderson-type talent, was bothered by shoulder and hand injuries last season. Together along with rugged DT Chad Lavalais, Nick Saban should finally be getting the heat he has been pleading for from his defensive front, especially when Hill is shifted to the edge on nickel and dime situations." Let me beat Chip82 et. al. to the punch: Yeah, but LSU has never faced ANYTHING like they'll face Saturday. Why, David Pollack is the greatest defensive lineman ever. He can squat, like, a million pounds and he never lets up. He comes at you every play and he'll kill you and your family if he has to. And, and, and, he's tough, and he can squat, like a million pounds, and he never stops and he's just... You get the idea.
This is my biggest concern... we have had a few DEs get to Greene more than I'd like already...although our young OL has performed well, I still worry about them getting "confused". That said..the OTs won't be overmatched in terms of size our 3 man rotation goes like this: Inman 6-7 321 (starter) Jean-Gilles 6-4 348 (starter...most experienced) Roland 6-9 317 (1st guy off the bench..tallest player at most games..looks skinny for a 300+ lber) Expect to also see Shackleford a 6-5 300+ lb true freshman playing spot duty LSUs DEs Should be a helluva test for these big fellas.