Les Miles Finally Has Had Enough: Ryan Perrilloux Gone

I was rather critical of Les Miles earlier in the month for his less than harsh punishment(s) of star quarterback Ryan Perrilloux. But today, Miles finally had enough and kicked the blue chip quarterback off the team for good. On one hand I applaud Miles, but on the other, I wonder what the heck took him so long to do this?

From the beginning we all knew that Perrilloux was no saint. Let’s look at some of the trouble he has been in while being at LSU:

1. Late 2006 - Perrilloux was questioned by federal officials for his role in a counterfeiting ring being investigated in his hometown of LaPlace. Perrilloux had tried to pass two counterfeit $20 bills at a LaPlace area convenience store. He was never arrested, but performed community service work.

2. May 2007 - Cited by Baton Rouge Police for attempting to enter a downtown casino with false identification. He was not 21 at the time. Punished for the summer (Ouch!). Reinstated for fall practice.

3. October 2007 - Perrilloux was in a barroom brawl near the LSU campus. He was questioned by Baton Rouge Police but not arrested. Miles suspended him for the Nov. 3 Alabama game, however, and he did not make the trip to Tuscaloosa, Ala. He re-joined the team two days after the game.

4. January 2008 - Skipping classes and team meetings. Miles suspended him from the team, yet allows him to go to the White House with the team to be honored by President Bush. He is one of the few members of the team to shake the President’s hand. The suspension was lifted late during the Tigers’ spring drills.

I can see giving a person a second chance, but he had a history of bringing trouble with him, and part of the blame has to go to Miles and the LSU staff. They knew what they were getting into when recruiting Perrilloux, yet looked the other way to get a superstar on their team. Well guys, you got your National Title, so everything is alright.

There is no doubt that Perriloux will try and transfer to another program, but what program would want to take a chance on a kid like this? I know there is one or two out there, but I believe he will end up in the ranks of the FCS Subdivision. He would be too much of a distraction to only be able to have for one year for an FBS team to take a chance on him.