Trolling along

Like any good shrimp boat captain down the bayou in his native Larose, second year head coach at LSU Ed Orgeron knows what it is like to troll through uncertain waters.
That is what his Tiger football squad will have to do during the 2018 campaign as uncertainty over his job and over the offensive production linger around Tiger Town.
Much of the uncertainty hinges on Orgeron’s decision to replace offensive coordinator Matt Canada with Steve Ensminger. There has been much public outcry from both camps, but Ensminger does bring to the table a familiarity with the purple and gold as well as a pro-style offense that suits Orgeron’s tastes.
Other uncertainty comes from the recent decision of quarterback Lowell Narcisse and Justin McMillan to transfer from the program. McMillan was a graduate student with a scholarship, and Narcisse appeared to be the heir apparent at the position before Joe Burrow transferred from the banks of the Olentangy River at Ohio State.
Burrow, along with sophomore Myles Brennan, are the only scholarship quarterbacks at the disposal this year of Orgeron and company.
The LSU staff got a good look at both hurlers at the second preseason game that was held Saturday, August 18. According to reports, Burrow connected on 10 of 24 passes for 124 yards, one touchdown and an interception, while Brennan was 5 of 19 for 47 yards and an interception.
“I thought they threw the ball well,” Orgeron said. “They made some good decisions in two-minute situations. I thought a lot of passes were on the money but we dropped too many balls.”
He added, “I thought they both had a good week of practice. Tuesday and Wednesday was their best practice. They made a lot of connections with our receivers and I thought they really threw the ball well, but we just had some dropped passes.”
Also according to reports, “Freshman Terrace Marshall led all receives with three catches for 44 yards, including a 25-yard TD reception from Burrow. Tight end Foster Moreau caught a pair of passes for 28 yards and a host of Tigers had one reception.”
Moreau, who has Ville Platte connections, was recently tabbed to wear the coveted number 18 jersey. His grandmother was Marie F. Moreau from Ville Platte, and her dad was Darius G. Fontenot
While there is plenty of uncertainty around the offensive unit, the defensive unit returns a solid group of starters behind linebacker Devin White and cornerback Greedy Williams.
Both White and Williams were selected as Associated Press Preseason All-Americans.
Associate Athletic Director/Communications Michael Bonnette reported Tuesday, “Last year, White and Williams became the first set of players from the same team to lead the Southeastern Conference tackles and interceptions in the same year since 1993.
White paced the league with 10.2 tackles a contest and ranked No. 2 in the conference in total tackles with 133. Williams, as a redshirt freshman, topped the conference in both interceptions (6) and passes defensed (13).”
The AP also ranked LSU at the preseason number 25 slot before the season kicks off Sunday, September 2, against Miami at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.