Sports Blog: What interests you about LSU spring practice?

LSU and Tulane renew their baseball rivalry tonight. Glen Davis and John Brady were at odds Monday about Davis' status for Wednesday's game at Auburn. Yet, the most read sports story on our site today (by a 5-to-1 margin over the No. 2 story) is the first day of LSU spring football practice.

So what will you keep an eye on as you read the practice stories in the next month? Will you watch the development and status of Matt Flynn and Ryan Perrilloux the most? What about the transition to offensive coordinator Gary Crowton after seven seasons of Jimbo Fisher? Maybe the progress of the defensive ends and safeties after the exodus of Chase Pittman, LaRon Landry and Jessie Daniels? Or is there something else about the Tigers that concerns or excites you?

Give us your thoughts and concerns about the Tigers as they begin the first preparations for the 2007 season.

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Interesting piece in Sports Illustrated this week about the competition between JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn for the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft. Russell appears to be the choice of the Oakland Raiders, who hold the top spot, while Quinn makes his case to go first.

That Russell appears to be the No. 1 pick at this point is old news. But there's two months left until the draft and no one thought last year that the Houston Texans would pass on Reggie Bush to take Mario Williams. Also, Georgia Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson grabbed everybody's attention at the NFL combine by running a 4.35 in the 40-yard dash with borrowed tennis shoes.

Still, Russell's powerful arm fits in with Oakland managing general partner Al Davis' philosophy of a vertical passing game, so it's hard to see the Raiders passing him up.

-- Rich Loup, 2theadvocate.com Sports Editor