The LSU Offense with six returning starters, including a pair of receivers in Dwayne Bowe and Craig Davis along with quarterback JaMarcus Russell, the Tigers are once again loaded on offense. Jimbo Fisher returns for his seventh season as the offensive coordinator for the Tigers and during his six previous years in Baton Rouge, Fisher has established himself as one of the top offensive minds in the game. Despite the loss of first round draft pick in running back Joseph Addai, the Tigers appear to be in good hands in the backfield with the return of 2004 starter Alley Broussard and 2003 starter Justin Vincent. The offensive line will be anchored by veterans in Will Arnold and Brian Johnson, while Russell, along with Matt Flynn, are both proven quarterbacks who have led the Tigers to big wins during their career. Russell brings a 14-2 mark as a starter into the 2006 season, while Flynn brings a great deal of confidence after leading LSU to a 40-3 win over Miami in last year's Peach Bowl.

Quarterback

The Tigers go into the 2006 season with perhaps three of the most talented quarterbacks around. Junior JaMarcus Russell led LSU into the SEC title game a year ago before suffering a season-ending injury in the loss to the Bulldogs. Russell, who threw for over 2,400 yards and 15 scores in 2005, has a 14-2 mark as the Tiger starter signal-caller and during his two years in Baton Rouge, he's led LSU to seven fourth quarter or overtime comebacks. With Russell out of the lineup in the Peach Bowl, Matt Flynn, a junior in 2006, made the most of the opportunity, earning offensive MVP honors in LSU's 40-3 win over Miami. Flynn, in his first collegiate start, threw for 196 yards and two TDs in the win over the ninth-ranked Hurricanes. Redshirt freshman Ryan Perrilloux gives the Tigers a third quarterback with tremendous ability. Perrilloux, who is expected to compete for playing time in 2006, was one of the most heralded players to ever sign with the Tigers.

Running Back

Alley Broussard and Justin Vincent, both coming off knee injuries in 2005, go into the 2006 season fully recovered and give the Tigers a nice 1-2 punch at running back. Throw in Jacob Hester, a bruiser, who can also double as a fullback, and the Tigers have a talented and experienced backfield. Broussard, who rushed for a school-record 250 yards against Ole Miss in 2004, didn't play a down in 2005 after suffering a season-ending knee injury in fall camp. Vincent, the MVP of both the SEC Championship Game and the Sugar Bowl during LSU's national championship run in 2003, injured his knee against Miami in the Peach Bowl. Broussard and Vincent have combined to rush for 3,067 yards and 31 touchdowns since the 2003 season. Hester, who has seen most of his action as a fullback, showed promise as a tailback against Miami in the Peach Bowl, rushing for 70 yards and a score against the Hurricanes. Other players in the mix at running back for the Tigers in 2006 include a trio of true freshmen in Keiland Williams, Charles Scott and Richard Murphy.

Wide Receiver

Ranked among the best in the nation, LSU returns three wide receivers who have started during their career ­ seniors Dwayne Bowe and Buster Davis and junior Early Doucet. Bowe set an LSU record a year ago by catching a TD pass in seven straight games, while Davis has caught at least one pass in 23 straight games. Doucet bring game-breaking ability to the position and he has a flare for the big catch, proven a year ago when he hauled in the game-winner against Arizona State with just over a minute left. The trio has combined for 3,340 yards and 23 touchdowns. Redshirt freshman Brandon LaFell is a speedster who will be in the mix at wide receiver in 2006.

Tight End

Senior Keith Zinger started 11 games for the Tigers in 2005 and he returns to fill the tight end position for the Tigers. With the departure of David Jones, Mit Cole will be called on to see more action in 2006, while Doug Planchard gives the Tigers a good blocking tight end in short-yardage situations.

Offensive Line

The Tigers must replace three starters from last year's offensive line as all three of the departed players (Andrew Whitworth, Nate Livings and Rudy Niswanger) are now on NFL rosters. Leading the way up front will be senior guard/tackle Brian Johnson and junior guard Will Arnold. Arnold is a
preseason All-America pick, while Johnson enters his third season as a starter for LSU. Brett Helms moves from guard to center this year, while senior Peter Dyakowski and redshirt freshman Ciron Black both came out of spring practice listed as the starting tackles. Sophomore Ryan Miller gives the Tigers quality depth at center, while sophomore Herman Johnson can play either guard or tackle for the Tigers.

The Defense

The Tiger defense, under the direction of Bo Pelini, ranked as one of the nation's best overall units a year ago, holding opponents to on 266.8 yards and 14.2 points per game. In all, the Tigers ranked among the top 10 in the nation in four categories ­ scoring defense, total defense, pass defense efficiency, and rushing defense. Six starters, along with a handful of key reserves, return from that LSU defense that was considered one of the best in school history. Leading the way on defense for the Tigers in 2006 will be preseason All-America free safety LaRon Landry along with linebacker Ali Highsmith and defensive linemen Chase Pittman and Glen Dorsey.

Defensive Line

At first glance it may look like LSU doesn't stand a chance up front after losing three starters from the defensive line to the NFL Draft a year ago. However, the Tigers are in good hands with emergence of defensive tackles in Glen Dorsey and Charles Alexander and defensive ends in Tyson Jackson and Chase Pittman. Pittman is the lone returning starter up front for the Tigers, however, Dorsey and Jackson were both part of a defensive line rotation that had them seeing numerous snaps a year ago. Veteran Ryan Willis has seen plenty of action for the Tigers over the past three years and will once again provide quality depth on the defensive front. The addition of redshirt freshman Ricky Jean-Francois along with true freshman Al Woods, will give the Tigers a much deeper defensive line than it had a year ago.

Linebacker

On paper, the linebacker spot may look like a weakness for the Tigers with the lack of experience at the position. However, junior Ali Highsmith has established himself as one of the top linebackers in the league, while junior Luke Sanders and sophomore Darry Beckwith have made tremendous strides and figure to be more than capable of handling the starting roles. The Tigers will turn to senior Jason Spadoni and a handful of true freshmen to provide depth at the position.

Defensive Backs

Rated as the best in the nation by Athlon's Magazine, the secondary figures to be the strength of the Tiger defense in 2006. Led by preseason free safety All-America LaRon Landry, the Tigers will put a defensive backfield on the field that has combined for 72 starts (Landry 35, Jessie Daniels 24, Chevis Jackson 12, and Jonathan Zenon 3). Daniels enters his third year as LSU's starting strong safety, while Jackson will start at one corner for the second straight year and Zenon the other. The Tigers also have tremendous depth in the secondary led by safety Craig Steltz along with cornerbacks Sammy Joseph and Daniel Francis.

Special Teams

LSU's kicking game return intact as Chris Jackson and Colt David are back in 2006 to handle the punting and placekicking duties. Jackson ranks among LSU's all-time leaders in field goals, while David connected on 45-of-46 PATs a year ago. Jackson also gives the Tigers one of the best punters around as he averaged 41.5 yards a year ago. Jackson was the key ingredient for an LSU punt coverage unit that ranked first in the SEC and fifth in the nation in net punting in 2005 with a 39.0 average. For the first time in three years, LSU will have to look to a new punt return man as Skyler Green has departed for the NFL. Among the players in the mix to handle kickoff returns and punt returns for the Tigers will be freshman Trindon Holliday, senior Daniel Francis and junior Chevis Jackson.

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