Mathieu Wants to Stay?

It's possible that NICKNAME REDACTED wants to stay.

Now, LSU has not been real enthused to release all of the details of his violations of team rules. In fact, we never got official confirmation that last year's suspension was for a drug violation. LSU's official drug policy states that a player is suspended for 15% of the remaining games for a second violation, and suspended a full year for a third violation.

It has been theorized that this was NICKNAME REDACTED's fourth violation of the drug policy, which would require him to be kicked off the team. This reads into the comments that Miles didn't make the decision, Alleva did. However, that is just speculation, and it is possible this is the third violation of the drug policy, meaning a full year suspension is required. LSU just went the extra step and told him to leave the team because that's what is best for both parties. Just move on.

But according to Joe Schad, and that's a big red flag right there, Mathieu wants to stay if at all possible. If this is his third violation of the drug policy, and he's willing to seek drug counselling and sit out the full year, I would love to have him back for his senior year. I think it shows that he has realized that sheer scale of his mistake and a desire to make things right.

I admire that. I really do. He doesn't want to be remembered as some kid who threw it all away. No one wants to be the second coming of Cecil Collins.

But I don't think it will work out that way. A year is a long time, and the NFL draft is going to seem like a pretty appealing option in 2013. Go to McNeese, play great, and put this behind you as one of the indiscretions of youth. Know who else got busted for pot in college? Warren Sapp. He turned out okay. Not saying that Mathieu is Sapp, but a college kid smoking pot is hardly earth-shattering news.

It's probably best that he moves on and puts this behind him. Make people forget about the drugs and the poor judgment. It may not even be possible for him to come back, if this was the fourth violation, which is also entirely possible. But if there is a possibility, and he is willing to truly make amends, particularly by entering counselling, than I would love to have him come back.

People make mistakes. College aged kids make even more mistakes than the rest of us. He doesn't deserve a second chance, as this would be more of a fourth chance. But if he wants that chance, it would be great if the school allowed him to pursue that option.

Who wouldn't like a happy ending?

I just don't think it's going to happen.

UPDATE: Kleinpeter at The Times Pic says sources tell him it's not happening. Wishful thinking at best, folks.