By SCOTT RABALAIS
Advocate sportswriter
Published: May 26, 2007
The preseason feel-good buzz is building for the LSU football team. Just recently the first preseason mag, Lindy’s, hit the local newsstands and proclaimed the Tigers No. 2 behind only USC, virtually a lock to be everybody’s No. 1 going in.
But the buzz comes with a nagging headache that just can’t be rubbed away from the temples.
That headache’s name is Ryan Perrilloux.
Since before he showed up on campus, Perrilloux has been touted as a savior.
Now Ryan just looks like he needs saving. His latest misadventure: allegedly trying to climb aboard a local riverboat casino bearing his brother’s ID.
The offense is a misdemeanor. Still, given Ryan’s record, LSU coach Les Miles suspended him indefinitely. Suspended, but not permanently cast off.
Taken on a case-by-case basis, Perrilloux’s misdeeds don’t add up to a “fireable offense,” despite some calls for Miles to cut him loose.
OK, so he tried to sneak into a casino. He isn’t the first. He’s been cited for numerous traffic violations and reportedly faces a court date for one next month. Who out there hasn’t had a traffic ticket? Sure, his name has come up in a federal counterfeiting investigation.
Well … that happens. If you’re Tony Soprano.
Some have said Perrilloux should have stuck with his commitment to Texas, that he’d be the starting quarterback there now. Sorry, but I haven’t seen anything so far that proves he would have beaten out Colt McCoy.
The truth is, Perrilloux has a lot of proving to do.
He still has a chance. Miles obviously isn’t ready to jettison the wearisome young man, but clearly Ryan’s hope is down to its final few threads. If this were baseball, he’d be facing an 0-2 count.
Miles is taking heat for kicking three players off the team earlier this year on charges of burglary and assault, but playing favorites with a potential star player. The difference is, Perrilloux hasn’t committed a felony.
But the steady drumbeat of brushes with the law and damn fool decisions has to be mighty disturbing for Miles and anyone who cares about LSU football — and roots for Ryan to lead the Tigers to big things one day.
There’s no doubt any longer that Matt Flynn will be the starter Aug. 30. But Perrilloux is one play away from inheriting the job, something that looks less appealing with each new mess he gets into.
Next year, Flynn will be gone. This will be Perrilloux’s team to lead. So far, he has shown zero leadership qualities. Just a penchant for making mistakes that leave one to question whether his maturity will ever match his alleged talent.
He keeps this up, we might never get to see whether he will fulfill his so far untapped potential. A new freshman, Jarrett Lee, is coming. There will be another after him next year. Nothing is guaranteed.
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