The Best of Les Miles--today's press conference.

Thought I'd share some quotes from today's (Monday) weekly press conference from Coach Miles. The entire Q&A can be found at LSUsports.net (Please don't ask for the link 'cos of computer problems. Thanks.)

Opening statement...
“We recognize this league as a dominant league to play in, and certainly we are looking forward to returning to league play. In terms of injuries, Jordan Jefferson returns to practice today. We’re excited to get him back and throwing and moving around. Richard Dickson should return to practice today. I suspect T-Bob Hebert will return to practice today. We thought Dickson hurt his knee, but we found out later he tore something in his thigh, so it was very sincerely a thigh contusion. When I tell you stuff like that, sometimes I’m deceptive, but sometimes I’m right to the point.

“I felt like the offense was spotty at times."

“Jarrett Lee is our second-team quarterback and competing like heck. He goes into the game and does not play well and certainly not as well as he would like to play. He was 7-of-21 for a little over 100 yards and a touchdown. He was our quarterback that piloted the team that won the game. He’d like to play better. I think he understands how to, but again, we’re fortunate that he competes and fights for us. I think you’ll find that he’ll play better as we go forward."

On if it’s possible we’ll see Jarrett Lee play this weekend... “I think the good news is Jarrett had the experience that he had last Saturday. Now, I think he’s more prepared to step onto the field if need be.”

On not converting third and one or fourth and one opportunities...“I think we’re probably less than we’d like to be in those short-yardage positions and tries. I can tell you that it seems to be a variety of reasons. It’s not necessarily the line, the fullback or the ball carrier. It’s an opportunity to mishit occasionally."

On coming out flat against Louisiana Tech...“I think there is a reality to how you play football. There is no way to go onto the field less in any way. You have to go onto the field to play with an intensity, a want and a fire, and if you don’t have that, you can play any team that wants it, and it can be a very, very dicey situation."

On how difficult it is to change the game plan with a quarterback struggling...
“It’s something that you have to have the flexibility to do, and fortunately, Saturday night we had the ability to control the ball on the ground as well, but we’d certainly like to have some of the plays in the air back, and certainly Jarrett would too."

On throwing the ball six times in a row when the offense was struggling in the third quarter...“We certainly like to get him (Lee) on track and going as well. With LaFell, Toliver, Randle and R.J. Jackson, there are some really talented guys out there, and the want to get them the ball certainly is there."