ESPN- Andrew Hatch Likely Leading Quarterback For LSU

HMMMMMM!!

Let us first look at the article that is appearing on ESPN.

LSU's Hatch to get first shot at quarterback?

July 23, 2008 8:06 PM
Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Granted, I'm reading between the lines here and going on some of what I've heard out of the LSU camp the last few weeks, but I think Andrew Hatch will be the Tigers' starting quarterback in the opener against Appalachian State.

That's right, a guy who started his career on the freshman team at Harvard quarterbacking the defending national champions.

LSU coach Les Miles wasn't giving up anything about his quarterback situation Wednesday, but listen carefully to what he did say.

"The most consistent performer, the guy that makes the play, the guy that is least likely to turn it over, least likely to make poor decisions ... that will be, in my opinion, the first thing that will allow them to get on the field," Miles said.

That guy in the spring was Hatch, even though Miles has yet to come out publicly and say that he's the leader heading into preseason practice. And remember, too, that a lot can happen in those practices leading up to the opener.

Senior center Brett Helms likes Hatch's mobility.

"He's more of a runner. He's more athletic," Helms said. "He's got more speed. That's one thing he brings to the table more so than Jarrett Lee, running the ball and using the option and things like that."

Lee, a redshirt freshman, will be Hatch's chief competition for the job now that Ryan Perrilloux is playing his college football at Jacksonville State. But Helms also said not to discount true freshman Jordan Jefferson.
"He has a lot of talent, and I want to see what happens with him," Helms said of the 6-foot-4, 210-pound Jefferson. "He's a real speedy guy. I'm looking forward to seeing how it turns out in August and who's going to be the starter."

Keep in mind that Hatch has a history with LSU offensive coordinator Gary Crowton, who recruited Hatch to BYU before Crowton was fired there. Hatch wound up at Harvard and then went on his Mormon mission, but was injured playing soccer in Chile while on his mission.

When Crowton landed at LSU as offensive coordinator, he was looking for another quarterback prior to last season. The two sides had kept in touch, and Hatch decided to walk on. He's since been given a scholarship.
When it all shakes out, I wouldn't be surprised to see Hatch, Lee and Jefferson all play at some point this season.

Ok my thoughts. I think the situation is still fluid to a certain degree. I feel we shall see both LEE and Hatch and perhaps Jefferson too on the field a good bit I.

I must say I am not looking forward to the full fledged quarterback controversy we shall have during the season. No team likes to have to them. However LSU fans are very bad at these things because they love the drama which all gives me a headache. IF LSU fans were not throwing the other quarterback under the bus for their guy I could handle it. We LSU fans do not have a good track record on these things

Also lets be honest. A true Dual Quarterback system hardly works. First because it feeds the quarterback controversy. Second I think it really messes with the offensive line. I think we sawa tad of that last year. Even the line having to deal with the different cadence of wach QB's voice is problematic

I do think the ESPN reporter is right that Hatch is currently the leader. If you follow Miles TIGER tour to meet the faithful across the South and in Louisiana one gets the feeling by his statements that Hatch is in the lead

Also it is not like nothing has been happening since the Spring Game.

You can bet that both LEE and HATCH did not high tail it our Baton Rouge for the summer. They have both been in Baton Rouge doing "unofficial" things. Such as calling up their receivers and other team members and running the play book on their own. All these of course is observed from afar by the Coaches and they are picking up what the players are saying.

Still I think LEE is right in the mix. Lee is getting a tad eclipsed partly because Hatch was so ignored for so long.

We still have the long hot summer days of Pre Season practice about to start. I have huge doubts that early into practice , like Les did with Flynn last year, that Miles will march Hatch into the LSU Board of Supervisors meeting and announce him as the new Leader and number 1 QB of the LSU football team.

Still I think the ESPN guy is correct. Hatch is is the leading guy right now