From a legal stand point... the cops and DAs are used to dealing with bar fights all the time. They will get that part sorted out and those that threw punches that hurt people will get punished like they should. The "Football" issue is a problem with Team Leadership (as i see it). These guys knew they had a curfew, went home so the coaches could check them in for the 10:30 curfew. Then after the coaches left, a large number of the leaders on this Team decided it was a good idea to sneak out and go to a bar. The leaders decided that Coach Miles did not know best, they did what they wanted too. Not very good team leadership. That poor leadership will show during the season if it is not fixed now. I live in a glass house and should not throw rocks. When i played ball we came in for curfew check then snuck out to go to the bars. But we were not a very good football team. Just my $.02. Leadership is an issue this year if T-Bob and JJ are Leading.
Excellent observation. I don't think any of the players that broke curfew can expect to be named team captain for any game this year.
I agree with you Red, but I do not think "naming" a captain for a game is the issue. I think you have overall leadership issues. You have a star freshman WR following the actions of the star senior QB and OL. That influential freshman is following the senior leaderships actions, not their empty words they utter in front of the coaches or cameras. I hope that poor leadership does not cost that talented freshman his chance to play for LSU. That would be sad. You have Miles (and previous seniors) talking about the young guys learning from the OLD Guys; Building on tradition. LSU had great leaders the last couple years (Sheppard, Doucet etc...) but who is leading this team now? What kind of character guys are leading this team? Talent wise this team will win a lot of games. But to win the SEC west you have to have some luck and strong leadership in the face of adversity. Maybe this team has it. But the actions by a large number of "team leaders" Thursday night point in another direction. Some new players will have to step up and lead by example and i have faith they will sort them selves out. Just a shame the team had to wait till 14 days before the first game to figure this out. Adversity can make you stronger. I hope that is the case here. Geaux Tigers
I agree with the premise of your post. We need to see some PLAYERS take ownership of the team from a leadership position. But there was no "star senior OL" implicated to my knowledge. I'm assuming you're talking about Davenport? He's neither star nor senior. Hell, he just became OL.
I was speaking of T-Bob. Miles carried him to Destin for SEC Media Day. He is looked to as a leader on offense as is JJ. You have an influential freshman who assumes this is how he is supposed to act (sneaking out after the coaches check curfew) because the leaders on the team are doing it. Kind of like voluntary work outs. If all of the leaders are showing up for voluntary workouts and giving 100% you figure hey, this is what is expected out of me. I only mentioned T-Bob, JJ and Landry because their names we made public by LSU.
The fight is just a by product of being out late. There is a lot of talk that the players did not start the fight. The repercussions of the fight will get worked out the same whether the players were breaking curfew or not. My issue is with the older guys who should know better and a complete disregard for the coaches orders.
Jefferson's father, John Jefferson, said his son told him he left before the fight started and is upset at the perception he was involved. He said Jordan Jefferson told him several teammates have vouched for his innocence, unsolicited, to Miles. He said Jefferson was in his apartment when teammates called and asked him to join a group of players who had gone out. "Jordan said he went over there for about 30 minutes in his jeans and slippers," John Jefferson said. "He said he saw an altercation about to happen and told the guys with him 'Let's roll.' "I'm a little ticked at him that he went at all. He's the face of the team. All the coaches are saying the players who were there are coming to them and saying 'Jordan didn't even throw a punch,' and at one point Jordan was saying 'Y'all chill out,' and then he rolled out. He didn't want to have anything to do with it." I know that the backup is always the best guy for the job, but this close to the opener, I don't want JJ to be on the bench unless he fails in action. That said, I'm hoping what his dad is saying turns out to be true. I'm also hoping that, whatever the outcome, this shakes the team to the core in a positive way. If they realize that their shot at a national championship is in jeopardy because of the actions of others, they might give more themselves, expect more from each other and all perform better. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. :geaux:
Gotcha. I was assuming you were talking about the 4 that are going to be questioned...but yeah, TBob was there, too...from what everyone's saying.
My problem isn't the fight, it's the fact that they broke curfew, and lied about it. Jordan Jefferson is a senior captain, and now he has gotten a sophomore and a freshman involved as well. And now 4 people are in the hospital. I think Miles should come out and suspend Jefferson indefinitely, and also suspend the other 3 for 4 games. I'm sorry but JJ should be the sacrificial lamb in this. He is the senior "leader" who Coach damn near lost his job because of. Miles has put his faith, confidence, and above all LOYALTY, in Jordan Jefferson and JJ spit in Miles face.
