EAST: Game plan complicated for Miles

Jordan Jefferson has put Les Miles in a tricky situation.

Sure, Jefferson is just one of four LSU players interviewed Tuesday by Baton Rouge police, but the potential charging of Jarvis Landry or Josh Johns or Chris Davenport - and the suspension that likely would follow - doesn’t carry the implications that such a development in Jefferson’s case would.

Yes, many other players were on hand for the altercation outside that bar Friday morning, but at this point they are no more than curfew-breaking bystanders.

There are legal issues that trump football ones, and determinations to be reached, but Miles’ primary job right now is to get his fourth-ranked football team ready to play the third-ranked team (Oregon) in 10 days.

Jefferson is the starting quarterback, the supposed team leader, the player more than any other that Miles has stood steadfastly behind in the wake of strong, recurring criticism, both fair and unfair.

Miles has made it clear for months that it would be Jefferson, not Jarrett Lee, who replaced an ineffective Jefferson several times last season, or transfer Zach Mettenberger who Miles would trust to run his team as it embraced national title-level expectations.

It has been Miles who has talked up Jefferson, saying he has better mechanics, he’s more consistent, he’s more confident, more mature, more of a leader.

Now this. Perhaps the most challenging opener in LSU history is looming and Jefferson’s status is uncertain.

Miles said Tuesday night he would suspend or absolve the players in question regardless of the status of the police investigation if he felt he had the necessary information. But he doesn’t, and the police say their investigation could continue for another seven to 10 days.

Miles doesn’t want to prematurely judge Jefferson - who before Friday morning had an unblemished off-the-field record with the Tigers - and suspend or bench him for the sake of football continuity when Jefferson might later be exonerated.

But he can’t prepare for this opener as though Jefferson will definitely be available, then find out in the coming days that a suspension is the appropriate - or unavoidable - punishment.

So he must prepare his team to play with Jefferson and Lee playing quarterback, and also prepare it to play with Lee starting and Mettenberger waiting in the wings. That must be complicating preparations for a team whose offensive pace is complicated enough.

Miles said the ongoing investigation has left the coaches and the players “weighed down.” He said the Tigers’ preparation is being hurt by the “seriousness” surrounding practice. He understated he’s “concerned about the time frame.”

The circumstances have changed, but the wild card LSU has dealt with for the past two seasons has returned for this season’s opener.

Les Miles doesn’t know if he can count on Jordan Jefferson.

Comments

1) Comment by tigergary - 24/08/2011

I suspect that some players could be suspended or kicked off the team because of this, but those of you who seem to know everything about this case should remember the following: 1. The incident involved more people than just LSU football players. Others have also been interviewed, and some of them have retained an attorney. There is no reason to believe that police are treating the football players differently than other alleged participants. 2. It has been reported that some witness stories contradicted other witness stories. For example, it has been reported that one witness said Jefferson kicked someone in the head, and another witness said Jefferson never threw a punch or a kick. 3. Historically, judging such a case from media reports has not always resulted in accurate conclusions. 4. There have been many reports in recent years (and before) in the US of police reaching a conclusion without adequately considering all pertinent information, with the result that an innocent person was arrested. Justice is better served by thorough, careful investigation than by rushing to judgment. 5. Police have said arrests will be made after all pertinent information has been evaluated. 6. Miles has said appropriate disciplinary action will be taken when all pertinent information has been evaluated. 7. The American way is that people are innocent until proven guilty.

2) Comment by topdawg - 24/08/2011

The game plan shouldn't be complicated. Suspend the four players and move on. It's a really simple solution.

3) Comment by TENZINTIGER - 24/08/2011

Why not wait until facts come into play? You've already convicted him, waterdope.

4) Comment by KceraB - 24/08/2011

The day could be sad if you allow what happened to totally frustrate you to a point of rescinding into a feeling of demoralization. The facts are not all clear and to make accusations based on hearsay is premature. One obvious fact to me is the guy receiving the brunt of the injuries was a marine. We certainly want to do everything we can to support our men in arms, but, my history tells me a marine and alcohol is not a good mix. Not talking TV stereotypes, but actual real world experience. A marine drinking alcohol at a bar is notoriously known to start fights. It has to do with how they are trained, to be the best and the toughest in the force. Similar to football players to be the best and the toughest on the field. So the fact that a fight ensued does not surprise me. I certainly don't condone what happened and feel the bigger man would have walked away because they understood what's really important and what's at stake; talking about the football players. Whatever happens, LSU football will survive and strive to be the best on the field regardless of whose head is under the helmet. Yes it will be disappointing if the faces does not meet with the same level of expectation as others, however, this will enable others to rise to the occasion, and if need be, hopefully they will.

5) Comment by DaveN - 24/08/2011

Forget the consequences, play the qb that did not break team rules and is not involved in a criminal investigation. It's the right thing to do.

6) Comment by waterdog - 24/08/2011

This is a sad day for LSU football, possibly the worst since Rusty Dominque (?). I'm trying to find a way to support a team I have followed and loved all my life, but it's difficult to support someone that kicks another human being in the back when they are on the ground. Defending yourself against an attacker is one thing, kicking someone on the ground is another. I'm not particularly concerned about the lawyerisms of "innocent until proven guilty rhetoric" or the use of the race card. Any lawyer will tell you that more lies are told in a courthouse than anywhere else and the truth may never come out. These young men broke curfew and in the process have brought embarrassment and shame on the program. I was looking forward to this season in hopes of another championship. Now I am so disgusted I find it difficult to care about it. Character counts and it appears to be lacking among several of the LSU players.