LSU may be better off without Perrilloux

By David Moorman  |   Tuesday, June 24, 2008  |  Comments( 1 )

LSU Tigers
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans!

As much talent as Ryan Perrilloux possesses, LSU may be better off that it dismissed the junior quarterback -- now with Jacksonville (Alabama) State -- from the team back in May.

Perrilloux had the skill to excel, as he showed when he started in place of an injured Matt Flynn for the 2007 Southeastern Conference championship game and earned Most Valuable Player honors. Perrilloux guided the Tigers to a 21-14 victory over Tennessee, which propelled LSU into the BCS title game and, ultimately, the national championship.

Too often, though, Perrilloux was a disruptive influence with his teammates. He had been suspended three times earlier before head coach Les Miles finally threw Perrilloux off the team shortly after spring practice.

His infractions included being questioned in a federal probe into counterfeiting and trying to board a Baton Rouge, La., casino boat while underage and using his older brother’s driver’s license. He missed spring practice while serving out a suspension before finally being tossed for an undisclosed violation of team rules.

Perrilloux’s questionable decision-making spilled onto the field and limited his playing time as a sophomore. He was earmarked as the starter in 2008 before his indiscretions cost him his position on the team.

That leaves LSU with two virtually inexperienced quarterbacks in sophomore Andrew Hatch and redshirt freshman Jarrett Lee. Lee is said to be the more physically gifted of the two, but Hatch certainly has the intellect to succeed given that he is a Harvard transfer. Both did well in the spring game. What’s more, they are surrounded by talent and depth and need only to get the ball into the hands of LSU’s many playmakers.

The Tigers' strength may be their offensive line, which lost only one starter from last year’s team. LSU should to be a run-oriented club, with juniors Keiland Williams and Charles Jones as well as sophomore Richard Murphy ready to step out of the shadow of the departed Jacob Hester. All three averaged better than 6 yards per carry while combining for 15 rushing touchdowns last season. Given what the Tigers have coming back, they figure to be fine without the one who won’t be return.

Ultimately, one has to think either Hatch or Lee will fare well as a member of one of the nation's most talented offenses. Perrilloux, although gifted, simply wasn't worth the trouble for LSU.
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans! (1)

About David Moorman

Dave Moormann is an award-winning journalist, who has covered LSU athletics since 1980. He began his coverage with the Baton Rouge Advocate, where he was a writer and editor from 1980-98. In 1996, he authored a book on the history of LSU football entitled, "Fighting Tigers Handbook: Stories, Stats...
read more
Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report