Jordan Jefferson Produces 25 Witnesses; BRPD Stuck on One

Its getting more and more obvious that Jefferson was not directly involved in the altercation, but would reinstating him at this point in the season really be the best thing for him?

I’m wondering if if Jefferson should wait for the outcome of the case, whether it makes it to court or eventually gets dismissed (which I see as unlikely), and plead to the NCAA for another year of eligibility based on extenuating circumstances. Now, I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t know any more (and likely less) than Joe Blow next door about how the NCAA operates, and based on the fact that he was violating curfew, tradition or not, it may not even be an option. I just don’t know. What I do know is that he has not practiced with the team since his suspension, and would be unlikely to get the starting job back until late in the season, if at all. As much as Jefferson likely deserves to be fully reinstated, I can’t see demoting Lee when he has done everything asked of him and done well as the starter. In fact, unless he was on a serious workout and individual practice regimen, he may even be relegated to 3rd string, at least for the time being. Obviously if pleading to the NCAA isn’t an option then just being reinstated to the team would be preferable and some small form of exoneration, but I don’t see things going back to the way they were with Jefferson as starter. There’s been too much water under the bridge at this point.

My opinion on the situation is that Jefferson and Johns are being wrongfully prosecuted in this instance, but CLM and LSU in general can’t really give them any more than moral support because they were in fact breaking team rules at the time. I think Jefferson is likely innocent of the alleged kicking transgression, but he was still violating curfew and hence violating team rules. Sure, a majority of the team was out there as well doing the same damn thing, but they didn’t become embroiled in legal issues while breaking curfew and were most likely “seriously reprimanded” during that week’s practice drills. Jefferson would have suffered the same thing if that was all that transpired. In my experience with “traditions” like this, a blind eye is turned to the team rule transgression, but if something serious happens while partaking in this “tradition” (i.e.- you get in trouble or get caught) you’re pretty much on your own. CLM did wait until arrest warrants were filed to suspend Jefferson and Johns. I don’t see how he could do much more.

I am also seriously curious as to whether it would be possible for Jefferson to plead his case to the NCAA for another year of eligibility. Does anyone know if this is likely or even possible?

but under NO circumstances should he be allowed to start. I really don’t even want to see him rotate. We have been a much more established offense with one starting quarterback. We seem to have more of an identity with Lee starting. I just don’t think it is worth sacrificing for the sake of bringing Jefferson in on plays just for his scrambling capabilities. If Miles is even considering either of the situations mentioned, I would rather Jefferson just stay off the team.

So, the QB that was deemed by the coaches to be the best chance for us to win in the spring and fall during open competition, who was hailed by all the media as vastly improved and poised to have his best year ever, should be benched permanently because we seem to have an identity with Lee?

I doubt very highly that JJ will be handed the job back on a silver platter, nor should he be. However, I don’t doubt for a minute that he will be allotted significant play time to get him back in the mix and he will have an opportunity to earn his spot back or be the #2 in case something happens to JLee and that’s as it should be.

Is it lost on everybody that we have a new OC, more importantly a QB Coach? I think there are more things that have changed with our offense other than JJ in prison stripes.

Has anyone watched Maryland? I’ve watched them twice and was in awe of the familiarity of the blazing stupidity of it all. GC is a wonderful play designer, and his calling will work in spurts and until the opponents catch on. Look at their Red Zone scoring and compare it to our last three years. Now look at ours this year, and red zone is actually JLee’s weakness so far.

The difference isn’t the QB, its the organization of the offense and the flow of the play calling. Any of our top three QBs would be 3-0 right now, the question becomes who is ready to withstand the pressure Florida, Bama and R-Kansas is going bring at us?