PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2005: QBs JaMarcus Russell and Matt Flynn -- Russell shared the starting job with senior Marcus Randall and showed plenty of potential when he wasn't turning the ball over and missing turnovers. Russell played exceptionally well in the fourth quarter of the Capital One Bowl and Flynn also showed some positive signs in the bowl game, but someone needs to step up and become a dependable, consistent playmaker and leader.

RBs Alley Broussard, Joseph Addai and Justin Vincent and WRs Dwayne Bowe, Skyler Green and Craig Davis -- With players such as these six, and more, the Tigers return the best talent and depth in the skill positions of any SEC West team.

Safeties LaRon Landry and Jesse Daniels -- It will be tough to replace cornerbacks Corey Webster and Travis Daniels, but the return of Landry and Jesse Daniels in the middle gives the Tigers a good foundation in the secondary.

INJURY IMPACT
After an outstanding season as a punt returner in 2003, Skyler Green entered the season as LSU's most experienced receiver, but a nagging ankle injury took several weeks to heal and prevented Green from being at his best, as both a returner and receiver. ... True freshman WR Xavier Carter emerged as a regular member of the playing rotation but missed the final three games of the regular season with a broken collarbone. ... LSU coach Nick Saban will always wonder if he should have had senior center Ben Wilkerson on the field for the final play of a 24-7 win over Vanderbilt. Wilkerson suffered a season-ending knee surgery on the final play and LSU had to scramble to replace him by shifting players to different positions over the last four games. The injury may also hurt Wilkerson's draft status, but it didn't prevent him from earning All-SEC and All-America honors.

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