Link Gumbo 8/2/19: Lets Go Camping

Ever since the clock struck triple zeros in the Fiesta Bowl on New Year's Day, we have been waiting for this moment. The dreadful off-season is now over. The calendar reads August once again and football is back (sort of). Players reported for camp yesterday, meaning there is a lot of news to get to in today’s gumbo, so let us jump right in.

As usual, camp was opened by Coach O with a presser. The first press conference of camp will always contain some news-worthy items. The first of them being that DL Coach Dennis Johnson aka Meatball, will move up to the booth during games. Other highlights include Orgeron saying that the offensive front needs to improve and is a focus of camp and that he also wants to see improvement at the TE position.

For more on fall camp, Cody Worsham wrote a camp preview on the LSU sports website that is a good read.

Later in the day, it was announced who would be wearing the coveted 18 jersey. As it turns out two players received this prestigious honor, OLB K’lavon Chaisson and C Lloyd Cushenberry. Since Cushenberry plays a position that doesn’t allow him to wear a number such as 18, he will wear a special patch on his uniform. Chaisson will don the actual 18 jersey as he is finally healthy and looking to have his awaited breakout year.

Our own Billy Gorilla put together a projected depth chart as camp kicks off. There are still a few questions as camp begins. On offense, there is still a battle at LG between Adrian Magee and Chasen Hines. We also still need to see how the tackles shake out behind the starters Charles and Deculus and how the playing time will be divided between the teams plethora of tight ends.

As for the defensive depth chart, it is loaded with talent and the coaching staff has some tough calls to make at evert position, which in this case is a goof thing and can be filed in the ‘first world problems’ folder.

Above I mentioned the battle at LG, you may remember that LSU’s starter at that position in 2017, Ed Ingram, is still suspended due to an ongoing legal issue. A resolution may be on the horizon however, Ingram’s proceedings in court start on September 13 and if he is cleared, he may return to the team this season. Ingram’s name is still listed on the roster.

If you are interested more in what to expect from the offensive line this season, Brody Miller of The Athletic wrote a piece on what you might see ($).

The first USA Today coaches poll was released yesterday. LSU is ranked 6th. That was good for 3rd in the SEC behind Alabama and Georgia. LSU has four teams on the schedule ranked in the top 11. Alabama, Florida, Texas, and Texas A&M. The first AP Poll will come out later this month.

LSU recently passed around a survey to fans asking for some input on the alcoholic offerings in Tiger Stadium this season. While the list in the survey only included brands from the InBev conglomerate, LSU has said that they do expect to also carry some local brews during the games.

In some baseball news, The Advocate has a piece explaining how Paul Mainieri is putting together the 2020 roster with an increased focus on position players. They also wrote about the new hitting coach, Eddie Smith, and what he is bringing to the Tigers and what excites Mainieri so much about him.

As usual I like to wrap up on a personal note, so I will just say I am thrilled football is almost back. Football season brings a lot of stress but it is because we all love and care so much about this team. So I am ready to embark on this journey once again.