Miles considering Jefferson at quarterback

• By RANDY ROSETTA
• Advocate sportswriter
• Published: Oct 27, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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The panic button hasn’t been pushed by the LSU offensive coaches just yet, but they certainly know where it’s at.

Because the Tigers haven’t established consistency at arguably the most important spot on the field, there appears to be a strong possibility that the quarterback position could go through some flux starting this week.

In the aftermath of LSU’s 52-38 loss to Georgia that, for all intents and purposes, slammed the door on any chance of a national championship repeat, LSU coach Les Miles spoke about the QB spot from a variety of different angles Sunday.

Asked late in his weekly Sunday session with reporters if redshirt freshman Jarrett Lee would remain the starter, Miles said “That would be my guess.”

It’s not much of a stretch, though, to forecast that Lee will share time this week more than he has since he claimed the starting job after leading the Tigers to a come-from-behind triumph at Auburn on Sept. 20.

Against Georgia, sophomore Andrew Hatch took his most snaps since leaving the Auburn game with a concussion. But Hatch may not be Lee’s only competition. Miles said it’s likely that true freshman Jordan Jefferson could be in the equation.

Miles wouldn’t firmly commit to Jefferson getting on the field, saying he will talk this week to the former Destrehan star, who his coach said is “physically ready to play.”

Even cryptically, though, it sure sounded like Miles is leaning seriously in Jefferson’s direction.

“Thinking might well change, but we might look at the young freshman yet again,” Miles said. “I think that’s probably a sound thought — something we need to do.”

Jefferson has taken one college snap, an option run near the goal line against Mississippi State, and he dinged his right shoulder on that play. Since then Jefferson has remained inactive and Miles has said there was thought given to seeking a medical redshirt.
But Lee’s ongoing inconsistency and a season that now has to be aimed in a different direction may facilitate the transition to Jefferson, at least to some degree.

Lee passed for a season-best 287 yards and three touchdowns against the Bulldogs, but struggled mightily before generating most of those statistics. He threw three interceptions, each one costing the Tigers dearly.

Two of the picks were returned for touchdowns by middle linebacker Darryl Gamble — including the first snap from scrimmage, allowing Georgia to take a 7-0 lead with only 20 seconds gone.

The other interception was quietly just as disastrous.