KLSU Sports Interview With LSU Cornerback Morris Claiborne

I caught up with LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne after practice for a quick interview for 91.1 KLSU fm. 


Morris walked me through his interception versus Tennessee, what Patrick Peterson told him about the interception and his thoughts on not facing Cam Newton against Auburn on Saturday.


CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW.


Listen to the "LSU Pregame Tailgate Show" Friday at 11:30 am and "Out of Bounds" Sunday night at 6 pm CT on 91.1 KLSU fm or www.klsuradio.fm. Follow KLSU Sports on Twitter @KLSUsports. 



Past Interviews Include:
LSU Punter Brad Wing
Former Saints Running Back Deuce McAllister 
LSU Cornerback Tharold Simon 
LSU Center T-Bob Hebert & Safety Eric Reid

What the LSU Tigers Are Missing This Season

The LSU Tigers are missing this.
Photo via ATVS

The LSU Tigers are missing the most electrifying part of their football team from the last few years


I'm not talking about Patrick Peterson. Sure "PP7" provided the some of the most exciting moments in LSU history, but "TM7" and the rest of the secondary are making due without their leader.

Stevan Ridley, Charles Scott and Jacob Hester were the bruising running backs Tiger fans have known to come and love. Ridley may have scored a job and season saving touchdown for Les Miles against Tennessee with bad blocking. Scott led the SEC in touchdowns in '08 and Hester was the most popular offensive player on the '07 National Championship Team. But Spencer Ware, Michael Ford and Alfred Blue are beginning into their groove now.


I'm not talking about Kelvin Sheppard, Matt Flynn, Josh Jasper, Demetrius Byrd, Drake Nevis, Gary Crowton, Glenn Dorsey, Ali Highsmith, or any other player/coach from the last few seasons either.


The LSU Tigers are missing close, nail-biting, "Lucky Les Mad Hatter Wizardry" finishes to games this year.

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LSU Cornerback Tyrann Mathieu Deserves Heisman Recognition

Mathieu has scored twice this season.
Photo via Nola.com

TIGER STADIUM -- Logic can be simple. 


The most dominant player on the No. 1 team in the country deserves Heisman recognition. 


Tyrann Mathieu has been the most dominant player for LSU this season. LSU is the No. 1 team in the country. Thus, he deserves Heisman recognition. 


"You can't deny he is one of the best players in college football," said LSU linebacker Ryan Baker. 

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Tharold Simon Should Start Next Season Over Tyrann Mathieu

Read my latest column for 91.1 KLSU fm on why Tharold Simon should start next season over Tyrann Mathieu by clicking here.

True Freshman Defensive Backs Shine in Cotton Bowl

Mathieu makes plays. Period.
Photo by Nola.com

If somebody would have told me the LSU defensive backs would have had a big game versus Texas A&M, that wouldn't have surprised me. The Tigers have Patrick Peterson, the best college defensive back since Charles Woodson.

The funny thing is Peterson didn't have a great game. Aggies wide receiver Jeff Fuller, who Peterson told me after the game will have a great future in the NFL, caught seven passes for 84 yards. Fuller must have forgot he was playing against the Thorpe and Bednarik Award winner.

But Peterson had others pick him up. The three that shined the brightest were all true freshman.

It all starts with Tyrann Mathieu, who won defensive MVP of the Cotton Bowl. He was all over the field making plays for LSU. Mathieu finished with seven tackles, two forced fumbles and once interception.

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Patrick Peterson -- Cotton Bowl Postgame

Patrick Peterson talks about his future after LSU's 41-24 victory over Texas A&M in the 75th Annual Cotton Bowl.

Three Things to Look For -- Cotton Bowl Prediction

I've heard all about it.
Photo via onemansblog

Dallas Cowboys Stadium? For a bowl game? Three days after attending the Sugar Bowl?

Yes Please.

I can't wait for the Cotton Bowl. LSU will be playing Texas A&M for the Tigers last tackle football game of this season. Here are three things to look for...

1) How does LSU deal with Texas A&M's impact players?

The Aggies have won six straight games since junior Ryan Tannehill took over at quarterback. His top target, junior receiver Jeff Fuller, will have his hands full with Patrick Peterson. 

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Peterson Rakes In Postseason Awards

PP7 carried the LSU offense to begin the year on ST
Photo via Nola.com

LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson has swag, a lucrative professional football future and some serious speed. Peterson was phenominal for the Bayou Bengals this season.


But he now has some serious hardware to show for it.

Peterson was named the SEC Defensive and SEC Special Teams Player of the Year earlier this week. Tonight, he won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's best defensive back and also won the Chuck Bednarik Award for the nations best defensive player at the College Football Awards on ESPN.

PP7 was the first defensive back to win the award since Charles Woodson won it in 1997. 

Peterson, who never fails to come up with a great quote, said in his acceptance speech that he knew a Tiger had to win in it. Auburn's Nick Fairley and Clemson's Da'Quan Bowers were the other nominees, both teams playing on teams who's team mascot is a Tiger.

LSU head coach Les Miles was in Orlando to support Peterson at the awards show. Auburn's Cameron Newton also won multiple awards tonight, including the Maxwell Award for the nation's best all-around player.

Hide ya kids, Hide ya wife people, PP7 lived up to his preseason hype.

Jasper, Peterson -- LSU vs Arkansas Postgame

LSU kicker Josh Jasper speaks about onside kick attempt after LSU's 31-23 loss versus Arkansas.



LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson talks after LSU's 31-23 loss versus Arkansas.

Chavis, Peterson Speaks After Alabama Victory

LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis talks about his team's defensive performance against Alabama.



Patrick Peterson speaks after LSU's 24-17 victory over Alabama.

Three Things to Look For -- LSU versus Alabama Prediction

I can't tell who won here
Photo via SI.com

We know what's at stake, let's get into the good stuff.

Here are three things too look out for...

2) Julio Jones versus Patrick Peterson, Round Three

This is actually Part II from my column earlier this week about the matchup.

Jones and Peterson have different seasons this year. Peterson started off with a bang as he dazzled many with his abilities to return punts. But these last couple of games have been tough for Peterson, as he has struggled tackling in the open field against Auburn and Tennessee.

Jones has been solid throughout the season, but hasn't had a game until his last against Tennessee that would really stand him out from other receivers. Against the Vols, Jones caught 12 passess for 221 yards.

I think the two will cancel each other out. Jones will make some catches on Peterson but none for big yardage. Peterson is going to jam him early so he knock him off his stride and get him off rhythm. Expect Alabama to run Jones on some short patterns and use his size as his advantage.

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Claiborne, Taylor Prepares for Alabama

Peterson vs Jones -- Part I

Peterson vs Jones = Classic
Photo via al.com

I can't wait.

I just can't freaking wait.

Patrick Peterson versus Julio Jones.

Russell Shepard said these are two of the best players in the SEC.

The matchup between these talented juniors is what I live for, especially me being a fan of the National Football League. I say this because it will probably be the last time these guys will face each other on Saturdays.

Peterson has nothing to hide regarding the matchup between the two.

"I'm going to be amped up. Julio versus Peterson, Round 3," Peterson said with a big grin on his face.

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Players Get Ready for Alabama

Flattering isn't it?

Photo via Bossip.com

LSU will welcome in the Alabama Crimson Tide for their biggest home game of the season Saturday. Both teams are looking to stay alive in the SEC West and BCS National Championship picture.

Today, "Lunch w/ Les" was filled with plenty of questions for Les Miles regarding the talented Alabama offense. I would jot down some quotes, but the wonderful people at LSU Sports has the whole conference verbatim on the official site. 

Here are some news and notes I found interesting from the LSU players from interviews today...

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Peterson Prepares for Jones

Patrick Peterson comments on Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones.

Jefferson, Peterson -- Auburn Postgame Pressers

Jordan Jefferson comments on the two quarterback system after LSU's tough 24-17 loss versus Auburn.



Patrick Peterson says there is still hope in LSU's season after a tough 24-17 loss to Auburn.

Defending Cameron Newton -- LSU vs Auburn Prediction

Is Newton the best player in college football?
Photo via BleacherReport

LSU has faced their fare share of mobile quarterbacks this season and have superb in defending them. But when the Tigers face the Tigers, they will be facing a whole new animal.

Cameron Newton is "not your average" quarterback. Many thought another Tim Tebow wouldn't come for at least a decade, but college football fans are seeing that Newton is special.


LSU's "not your average" cornerback Patrick Peterson knows is too.


"6-6. He's running about... I'm going to say a 4.4 (forty-yard dash), strong arm. What else can you say?"

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LSU vs Auburn Preview -- Bayou Bengals Thoughts on Cam Newton

On Saturday, the LSU defense will have their hands full with Heisman candidate Cam Newton. LSU have had success defending mobile quarterbacks, so this week at HKT we will break down those games and what the Bayou Bengals need to do to shut down the hottest player in college football.

Here are Patrick Peterson, Jarrett Lee and Stevan Ridley's thoughts on Newton. Later this week I will share what Kelvin Sheppard, who many consider the quarterback of the defense, thinks about the gunslinger. (Or you can visit the YouTube page and watch it now.)



LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson talks about the LSU secondary and Auburn Heisman hopeful Cam Newton.



LSU quarterback Jarrett Lee talks about what makes Auburn quarterback Cam Newton special.



LSU running back Stevan Ridley talks about Auburn quarterback Cam Newton and getting ready to play in the plains.

Three Things to Look For -- LSU vs McNeese State Prediction

Good football teams run good fake field goals
Photo via Miami Herald

LSU Football is undefeated. They played two of the best games of the SEC season over in as many weeks and now has received much national attention.

But the national media aren't sold on the Tigers as a real national title contender because of how they have been winning. Yet if LSU remain unblemished, they will remain in the Top 10 of all polls.

LSU welcomes in the 2-3 McNeese State Cowboys to Tiger Stadium. Here are three things to look for...

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Texas Connection Leads LSU in 33-29 Victory, Tigers Now 6-0

Photo via Fox Sports
Does this shot remind you of the Byrd catch versus Auburn in '07?

Is LSU really atop the SEC West? Can Christopher Nolan write a script better than this season for LSU? Am I in "Limbo" right now? 

The answers are yes, no and maybe/probably so. But the only answer that matter is the first one, as the Tigers defeated the Florida Gators in "The Swamp" 33-29.

The Tigers move to 6-0 on the season, and will have McNesse State next Saturday night in Tiger Stadium. LSU moves up three spots in the AP Top 25 to No. 9, with Auburn and Alabama right in front of them at No. 7 and 8 respectfully.

And even though "Lucky Les" had to pull another rabbit out of his hat to win it at the end, the game shouldn't have been that close. LSU is a better football team than Florida and Saturday night proved it.

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