Waiting to contribute

• By RANDY ROSETTA
• Advocate sportswriter
• Published: Oct 16, 2008 - Page: 1C - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

• Print
• Email
• Save
• Reprints
• Twitter
• Share

• Del.icio.us
• Digg
• Facebook
• Reddit
• 

Like almost every other sport, there’s only one ball to go around in football and no shortage of highly skilled players believing they should get the ball.

And in the rigors of the Southeastern Conference where almost every game is of the hold-your-breath variety, there’s not a lot of wiggle room to spread the ball around to as many playmakers who want it.

So even for a team loaded with offensive talent like LSU, only a handful of players are supplying the large share of the offensive load.

That leaves a lot of high-profile players patiently waiting in the wings.

Through five games, tailback Charles Scott has carried the ball 83 times. The remaining 86 carries have been spread among 11 players.

Among the receivers and tight ends, three players have combined to snare 59 of LSU’s 90 completions,  763 of the Tigers’ 1,124 passing yards and eight of 10 touchdown catches.

Brandon LaFell has 29 receptions for 407 yards with three TDs, Demetrius Byrd has hauled in 16 catches for 226 yards and three scores and Richard Dickson 14 receptions for 130 yards and two TDs.

Eight other players have divided 21 receptions for 361 yards and two TDs.

Fans and media have clamored for Trindon Holliday and his world-class speed to be a bigger part of LSU’s scheme.

Likewise, there have been questions about why the two running backs Scott was projected to split time at tailback with — Richard Murphy and Keiland Williams — have carried only 17 times apiece.

Among the receivers, Chris Mitchell has emerged as a go-to threat in the No. 3 slot with six catches and the other two touchdown grabs. His role is also solidified by his status as the best blocking receiver.

Mitchell’s development has limited the snaps and the subsequent effectiveness of talented sophomore.

The bottom line so far is hard to argue against: LSU ranks second in the SEC in total offense (406 yards per game), third in rushing offense (181.2) and fourth in both passing offense (224.8) and scoring (32.6 points per game).