As soon as Ed Orgeron was named LSU interim head football coach, he quickly came up with a motto for the remainder of the 2016 season – “One team, one heartbeat.”

Those words are on a sign in the team room of the Tigers’ football facility. On Tuesday, Orgeron informed members of the media about a new phrase for the 2017 campaign.

“’Full measure’ is our theme now,” said Orgeron at his pre-spring practice press conference. “Are you going at full measure or are you going to compromise? We are going to build on the way we practice. We believe in the way we practice.”

Orgeron brought a fast tempo to LSU’s on-field work when he replaced Les Miles following last season’s Auburn game. Orgeron also reduced some of the practice time in favor of work in the film room and the meeting room.

“We worked hard this offseason in competition,” Orgeron said. “We want the players to get out of a comfortable zone and give everything they have. We’ll have the same tempo as last year and the same expectations.

“With a day’s rest between practices, we may go slightly longer at practice. Sometimes, we ‘ll go after it and sometimes we’ll get off of them some.”

There are four position areas which will need to find some new starters for the 2017 season – wide receiver, defensive line, inside linebacker and secondary. Orgeron did not offer much insight other than to indicate the position coaches will determine who gets playing time.

DJ Chark is the one definite starter at wide receiver. Three returning scholarship wide receivers caught passes last year – Russell Gage, Dee Anderson and Drake Davis. New wide receivers coach Mickey Joseph has the task of finding productive pass catchers.

“Mickey Joseph is a high-energy guy,” Orgeron said. “He loves being a LSU Tiger. Mickey is a fundamentalist and a players’ coach. The wide receivers love to be around him. We need the young players to develop.”

Orgeron pointed out that the Tigers lost five players from their defensive front seven – ends Davon Godchaux and Lewis Neal, outside linebacker Tashawn Bower and inside linebackers Kendell Beckwith and Duke Riley. All of them were seniors except for Godchaux, who left early for the NFL.

The projected starters are Christian LaCouture and Frank Herron at end, Michael Divinity at outside linebacker and Devin White and Donnie Alexander at inside. Reportedly, Alexander will be limited during spring drills because of a shoulder injury although Orgeron said that he has been practicing.

“Christian is quicker than he was last year,” Orgeron said. “Christian will play where Davon played. Frank Herron has to come along. We have to be able to replace Neal and Godchaux. Neal was a guy who could play the run and rush. If you can rush the quarterback with four guys, you don’t have to blitz.”

The Tigers lost three starters in the secondary – cornerback Tre’Davious White, safety Jamal Adams and nickel back Dwayne Thomas. The returning starters are cornerback Donte Jackson and safety John Battle. LSU could use an improved season from cornerback Kevin Toliver.

“We did a tape for each player of his 15 best (plays) and 15 worst (plays),” Orgeron said. “It is something NFL teams do. I sat in when the players met with the coaches. Kevin can be an excellent football player. He has to be more consistent.”

Orgeron refused to name Danny Etling as the starting quarterback. However, it is obvious it would be a shock if he was not No. 1 at the position.

“Danny has had an excellent offseason,” Orgeron said. “He is clearly the leader right now. He’ll probably be the leader. But, we’ll give the other guys a chance.

“Before I became head coach, I ran the scout team offense. Lindsey Scott is a good quarterback. He was the scout team quarterback last year. The scout team quarterback the year before was Danny Etling. I see the same things in Lindsey that I saw in Danny. Lindsey is right up there.”

It now appears that a decision on a tenth assistant coach will not be made until December. Orgeron said that he will divide up special teams units’ responsibilities among five assistants – Tommie Robinson, Jeff Grimes, Dennis Johnson, Joseph and Corey Raymond.

“We’ll split up special-teams duties between the assistants,” Orgeron said. “(Former New Orleans Saints special teams coordinator) Greg McMahon is our special teams analyst. He cannot be on the field and he cannot be in the meeting room. He can only coach the coaches.”

Outside linebacker Arden Key is still away from the team because of personal reasons. Orgeron mentioned three players as competing for Key’s position during spring drills – Andre Anthony, Ray Thornton and Sci Martin.

Orgeron confirmed that two players would miss spring drills – offensive lineman Will Clapp and fullback John David Moore. Orgeron admitted that Clapp will see some time at center when he returns. Orgeron named Donavaughn Campbell and Garrett Brumfield as players competing for a starting guard spot.

The first day of spring practice is Saturday. The Tigers will practice on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays until the spring game on April 22. LSU will take off 12 days during April when the school is on spring break.

“We have an excellent football team, but we have holes to fill,” Orgeron said. “There are no superstars, no MVP. Everybody has his role. It is still one team, one heartbeat.”