from the lsu site
Certainly no one expected the LSU passing attack to be as productive as a year ago when the main participants were three first-round NFL draft choices.
JaMarcus Russell, the top pick in the NFL draft, was replaced by fifth-year senior Matt Flynn. Wide receivers Dwayne Bowe and Craig Davis were replaced by senior Early Doucet and sophomore Brandon LaFell.
There were going to be changes in the offensive system with Gary Crowton taking over for Jimbo Fisher as coordinator. But, five games into the 2007 season, the Tigers passing game has been an up-and-down situation.
A number of factors have been cause for a passing game which has gained 217 yards per game – only the seventh highest total in the Southeastern Conference.
First, both Flynn and Doucet have been hit by injuries. Flynn injured an ankle against Virginia Tech. He has not been the same quarterback in the past two games. Doucet hasn't played since the Virginia Tech game due to a groin injury.
With Doucet being out of the lineup for the past three weeks, an inexperienced cast of receivers has been relied upon faster than desired. Mental mistakes have plagued the wide receiving corps.
Then, the offensive line has had its troubles protecting the quarterback. LSU has given up 14 sacks, all but two against Flynn. LSU and Auburn have allowed the most sacks among SEC teams.
"That's why football is the ultimate team sport," said Flynn, referring to the many components of the passing game. "Everybody has to be right on. Somebody misses just a little and the play won't work. In the passing game, everybody has to be perfect."
The absence of Doucet may be starting to have a negative effect on the offense. Expected to be the Tigers' main receiver, Doucet caught 15 passes in the first two games. Then, Doucet injured a groin the day before the Middle Tennessee game.
"Early was a big loss," running back Jacob Hester said. "He was our go-to-guy. It throws the timing of the offense off when he's not in there. Hopefully, we can get Early back this week."
It does not appear right now that Doucet may be ready to go against Florida. So, that means the other receivers will have to carry the load against the Gators.
LaFell has caught a team-high 17 passes. Jared Mitchell and Demetrius Byrd are the only other receivers with more than five catches. Mitchell has snagged nine balls and Byrd has grabbed seven.
However, the young receivers are making too many errors. LaFell blamed the receivers for some of Flynn's six sacks against Tulane.
"In the first half against Tulane, it was the offensive line," said LaFell, regarding the sacks. "In the second half, it was (receivers). Some of the young receivers weren't remembering the plays and the checks at the line.
They were so excited to be in the game that they were forgetting the check-downs. Matt had to wait for receivers coming out of their breaks. Matt's standing there waiting and then gets sacked."
LSU coach Les Miles is trying to be very patient with the new group of receivers.
"We have some young receivers growing into their spots and being comfortable with their role," Miles said. "There are some mistakes being made there.
"Certainly the mistakes are being addressed and minimized. I understand that our passing is not at the speed it was earlier in the year, but I don't think we will fall away from being very productive there."
In the first two games, Flynn completed 29 of 46 passes for 345 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Since returning from the injury, Flynn is 24-of-48 for 328 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.
"I thought we were making strides in the passing game," Hester said. "Our protection let down in the last game. When a quarterback is running for his life, he's not going to complete passes. We have to get a rhythm and Matt has to get in sync with everybody."
The LSU offensive line gave up its most sacks in years against a stunting Tulane defense. Center Brett Helms was not happy with the offensive line's performance last Saturday.
"We didn't play well as a group," Helms said. "We were missing assignments on the line. Some guys were getting beat on plays and sometimes we were making mental mistakes. We have to do a better job. Everybody has to have their minds right.
"Florida watched (Tulane) film and they're going to be coming after us. They'll be blitzing. We have to stay focused this week."
The Florida game will mark the completion of the first half of the regular season. Despite the fact that Doucet may not be available again this week, it's time for the passing game to be more efficient.
"Matt put us in position to make some plays last week," LaFell said. "The receivers have to run better routes. We have to have better ball awareness in going up to get the balls. We all have to be on the same page. At this level of competition, we should be clicking."