It was announced this week that LSU star quarterback Ryan Perrilloux will return to the team despite a recent suspension for missing classes and workouts.
Perrilloux is immensely talented and will be the starting quarterback this season. Without Perrilloux, LSU will be a weaker team who will win fewer games and might even attract fewer fans. LSU Football Coach Les Miles must realize the implications for his program to enter the season without Perrilloux.
Due to his misconduct, Perrilloux is a distraction and a major problem for the LSU football team. Before being suspended in February for missing team meetings and classes, Perrilloux was suspended for a nightclub brawl and for illegally trying to board a casino with a fake license. He was also linked to a federal investigation into a counterfeiting ring.
With his track record of trouble, Perrilloux, despite great talent, has been nothing but trouble for LSU. Ideally, he should be treated like any other player. Of course it is good to give players a second chance if they show true remorse for making a mistake, but a fourth chance? It is clear that the same level of consideration would not be given to a back-up cornerback or a punter.
Perrilloux has obviously been given special star treatment. Unfortunately, this sends the wrong message to youngsters everywhere, which is basically, if you have enough talent, you can get away with anything.
If possible, there should be the same standard for regular players and stars. The LSU Coach must know what is best for his team and according to reports; this decision is popular with Perrilloux’s teammates. But what happens when another player gets into trouble? Will Miles give him such special treatment? If not, will there be dissension on the team if another player is treated more harshly than Perrilloux?
It is difficult to play Monday morning quarterbacking to a coach that just won the national championship, but Miles seems to have made a questionable decision in this case. By allowing Perrilloux to survive his fourth brush with trouble, Miles has created a double standard and given Perrilloux too much consideration. In my view, no other LSU player would have been treated with such kid gloves.
This decision is not the type of tough love that Perrilloux obviously needs. At some point, the young man will come to understand that there are consequences for his misdeeds. So far, that is a message that has not been received, but, one day, possibly in the NFL, it will be a message that Perrilloux will finally understand.
Jeff Crouere is a native of New Orleans, LA and he is the host of a Louisiana based program, “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 7:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 7 till 11 a.m. weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore. For more information, visit his web site at www.ringsidepolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com.
Why can't we have players who have some character? Like the old Yankees teams in the '50s and '60s. Well......... read Jim Bouton's "Ball Four" - I do not think worse of guys like Mickey Mantle, they're just human, that's all. In our country we place a great deal of importance (and advertising dollars) on sports, so it is only natural for some athletes to be prima donnas and feel that the rules do not apply to them. Heck, they’re just mimicking our “super star” politicians who place themselves “above the rules.” Written by kpf
on 4/1/2008
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You guys do not give a guy like Les Miles enough credit. He hasn't had the great win-loss record on the field because he doeesn't know how to handle problems. I can remember players going back 40+ years at LSU that had rules infractions of various sorts. These problems have to be delt with on an individual basis - looking at the facts and circumstances. To do less would be unfair to the team and the individual involved. Les Miles has stated in the past that he will work with a player as long as the player is being honest with the coach about what happened and that Miles believes he can correct with discipline. As far as we know, Perilloux has met and is still meeting these 2 criteria. It's up to coach Miles to make such decisions. He doesn't need nor does he want our help in dealing with such matters. I agree with him and I am very willing to leave such matters in his hands (as if I have a choice). Miles is a man of character, why wouldn't we trust him to handle this well. Look what he has done for the team and school. Written by Bill
on 3/29/2008
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LSU would have been better off if they'd never recruited the thug to start with. Then they might have another quarterback who has some character to go with his talent. Written by
on 3/29/2008
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I have seen great programs fall. Very few times is the reason due to the other teams's programs improving to dominate theirs, but it is usually a chink in the armor that is caused by internal problems. This could be it. HOw long did it take OKLAHOMA to put their program back together after the Switzer years. Rules. Rules. Rules. What rules. oh, yeah, Dallas after SWitzer, They are still trying to put Dallas back together. Should a coach bite the bullet, and hope to develop some one in the next year or two, or has he got to role the dice and hope the star does not come back to bite him in the bullet. Who needs spring training anyway? Haven't the star players been saying that for years. Written by An old, old old coach football coach
on 3/28/2008
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Any time you give your star a 2nd a 3rd a 4th chance, guess what you got to give every member on the team a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th chance. Let's face it. stars get privileges. I have not seen many coaches who have the guts to take a stand. If LSU star ends up a role model, then great. But I have not seen it happen too many times. NOt 4 times anyway. Every player on the team knows now "lets go out partying, lets do something crazy, let's break the team rules. We have four more chances. Just think now instead of being able to enjoy next season the coaches are going to have to worry about the star every night of the week. I guess that is why you are paid millions. But we the fans have caused it all. It is all about winning. Respect is not part of the progarm. we respect winning. Just check the winning programs in Louisiana in high school. WE HAVE TO DOUBLE RESPECT THE FEW COACHES IN LOUISIANA WHO WIN BIG AND PLAY BY THE RULES, BUT THEY ARE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN. hiG SCHOOL COACHES WILL MAKE GOOD COLLEGE COACHES BECAUSE THEY HAVE DONE WELL IN THE RECRUITING WARS. come on, coach, we are with you, win or win all the way. I do hope the others get the same chances, but if they do, watch out, WHEN THAT STARTS THE PROGRAM WIL START FALLING APART. Written by BOBBY
on 3/28/2008
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Well said Jeff. Maybe the new motto of LSU should be, "if you have enough talent you can get away with anything". Prediction: Les Miles will regret the decision to give this man another (4th) chance. There is no way Perriloux will go an entire year without embarrasing the coach and the school again. Written by poboy1
on 3/28/2008
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Perrilloux has the opportunity to be one of this best quarterbacks in college football next season; if he can stay out of trouble. Everyone performs at a higher level when there is serious competition for their job. As things now stand he believes the job is his and LSU has no other options. Provide him with the best contender possible for his position and it will hopefully give him the motivation to turn things around. Written by john
on 3/28/2008
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No, I think that is very democratic on the part of LSU to do so. I mean after all, where in the world would we be without that "Seperate but equal" clause?????????? I read somewhere that bigotry was a close kin to hypocricy.......... And there are a lot of hypocrites wandering around those hallowed halls............. Written by Who do you do why do LSU.......uh, LSD?
on 3/28/2008
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Bad move bringing him back. Sends the wrong message to the rest of the team. I had more respect for Les Miles, now I wonder. Written by Tony G
on 3/28/2008
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It was announced this week that LSU star quarterback Ryan Perrilloux will return to the team despite a recent suspension for missing classes and workouts. 
