View From Bennett Avenue

Synthetic marijuana? I am too old to have encountered that in my day. But I hope the three Lousiana State football players--Tyrann Mathieu, Therold Simon and Spencer Ware--enjoyed themselves with it. Supposedly those players failed a drug test. I don't know. I do know that they have been suspended and that is huge with the Tigers Bowl against Auburn taking place this Saturday.
But I write this post to chastise members of the media for idiotic reporting. No, I am not angry that LSU has not confirmed the failed tests. Stories like these come out one way or another and if the regular press ignored them waiting for full evidence, they would have nothing to report. This is especially true with college programs that are usually tight-lipped. Do you think Auburn would ever admit to a knowledge of payment to Cam Newton's father, if indeed some member of their family paid him? No. Head coach Les Miles does not have to tell us why he is suspending these players. My problem is with the presentation. Mathieu, who has been over-hyped all season--is justifiably the lead here. But ESPN and CBS and others continue to write that "stars" Mathieu and Ware and another guy have been suspended. And that is where I--and Therold Simon's mom--beg too differ.
For one thing, LSU is winning because they hit you with a wave of tall guys, some of whom are quite big, who are all fast. With AA CB Patrick Peterson departed to the NFL, they entered the season devoid of stars. The only player to make Phil Steele's preseason all conference first team was CB Morris Claiborne, who had heretofore been known as the other guy opposite Peterson. But as LSU climbed the polls, ESPN had to create a superstar--how dare a team win a team sport as a collective! And so Mathieu became a Heisman candidate for his brilliant play early on and his nickname, the Honey Badger, became almost a mantra for Erin Andrews and others. But Mathieu, like the entire LSU D, is a bit too much hype. Good, yes, but not great. LSU has played four SEC games and has been fortunate to face backup QBs versus Florida and Tennessee and struggling (against everyone) QBs for Kentucky and Mississippi State. Yes they made some plays against Oregon, but the Ducks offense is not as good away from Eugene and had to deal with fumbles and injuries. The only other good offense they faced--that of West Virginia--torched them for 533y. I am sorry, but no great defense allows 533y, even if it was on the road and with a big 4th Q lead.
But Mathieu has become a star. Fine. And Ware is a solid player who leads a bevy of talented backs. He is no star, however. Meanwhile, ESPN had better put on the tapes of Simon before they continue to disrespect him. He is 4th on the team with 29 tackles and is first in passes broken up and defended. The team's sole pick of Oregon QB Darron Thomas? By Simon of course who had a big game that day. Meanwhile, Bleacherreport mentioned that he may or may not be an NFL prospect, despite being 6'3 and a playmaker as a sophomore. What his future NFL plans have to do with the story I cannot tell you.
So, report stories. But please get to know the players you supposedly cover.