SportsLine wire reports
April 7, 1999

BATON ROUGE, La. -- When the LSU football team returned to the practice fields Tuesday, the onlooking crowd seemed more impressed with the whirling dervish that is the Tigers' defensive line coach.

Joe Cullen jumped, screamed and practically played defensive line himself. Raspy voice and over-exuberant congratulations to his players kept the defensive line on their toes, producing several jarring hits.

Spring break left some of the Tigers rusty, namely the trio of LSU quarterbacks.

Rohan Davey was able to break out of the doldrums and ended up posting a solid practice.

"I thought his last two [practices] have been good," LSU coach Gerry DiNardo said.

Part of the troubles the Tiger QBs were having developed from learning under a new center, since All-American and four-year starter Todd McClure is now gone.

Of those being tried out, only one has previous college experience at the position.

"The young guys are struggling," DiNardo said.

The coaching staff has the whole spring to find a new starter, so concern may focus on any new schemes Bob McConnell wishes to implement. McConnell added the title of offensive coordinator to his duties as wide receivers coach earlier this spring.

Right now McConnell is responsible for coaching the offense as well as the quarterbacks and wide receivers individually.

"Down the road you have to make a decision whether this is the best," DiNardo said of the multiple responsibilities of his new offensive coordinator.

COMING AND GOING: DiNardo and his staff regained a fullback this spring as Robert Tyler finished his suspension, but lost cornerback Brandon Dale, who decided to quit the team.

INJURY UPDATE: The Tigers added some healthy bodies to the team Tuesday. Lionel Thomas and Fred Booker worked out. Joe Dimageaux is listed day-to-day. Louis Williams was out with mono, while Al Jackson and Michael Hayes were out for personal reasons.

"Guys got banged up," DiNardo said. "But nobody got hurt hurt today."

PLAY OF THE DAY: Cullen's gung-ho personality, combined with a defensive stop, set up the scenario. As the first-year Tiger coach chased down the player who had impressed him so, Cullen had to avoid an obstacle. Charles Thomas was picking himself up off the ground oblivious his coach was barreling toward him.

As Cullen hurdled his lineman, Thomas stood up, flipping Cullen to the ground. Much to his own surprise, Cullen picked himself up off the ground, congratulated his blockers and returned to his position.

QUOTABLE: "Take your time Ed. You'll be 32 years old and we'll still be talking about your potential."

--DiNardo, referring to wide receiver Ed Dangerfield, who was caught walking back to the huddle after a play ran during 7-on-7 drills.

SPRING GAME: The annual Spring Football Game will be played in Tiger Stadium, Saturday, April 24 at 6 p.m.