Offensive line, quarterback questions swirl halfway through LSU football fall camp

The LSU Tigers are about at the halfway mark of fall camp preparing for the 2017 season.  Coach Ed Orgeron has kept the media away to date.

There have been two “preseason games” or scrimmages, and Coach O has met with the media after both, made his comments and dripped out some “unofficial” statistics.

It is hard to measure the progress of the team from the outside. I think that is what Coach Orgeron wants as he prepares his team.  He is certainly not the first coach to be secretive about his team.

The progress made will only be measured starting on September 2 when the Tigers take on the Cougars of Brigham Young. That is true whether we see more of practices or not.

However, I have tried to read between the line of comments by Orgeron and his players.  Like others in the media, I also have a way or two to get some other information. The skinny? This team has a lot of talent and find no reason to be alarmed by the numerous roster changes, except on the offensive line which is a legitimate concern going forward. All teams have attrition in personnel when a new head coach takes over. The cupboard is not bare in Baton Rouge.

The offensive line situation though has ALMOST replaced the quarterback as the number one topic on the internet, radio and television. The transfer plans of Lindsey Scott Jr. do not come as a surprise, but the news helps keep the quarterback topic on the front burner.

The questions of how many and who will get into the BYU game at quarterback will swirl until game time.  I think everything is on the table as possible.

Orgeron keeps saying that senior Danny Etling is the starting quarterback, however, there is not a game on the schedule this week. True freshman Myles Brennan began taking some snaps with the first unit early in camp and did so again in last Saturday’s scrimmage. Word is the young man out of St. Stanislaus is impressive.

Who will be the starter on September 2?  That is the BIG question. It is likely Etling but I do not know the answer for sure. However, one of my favorite quotes of all time is “expect the unexpected,” courtesy of Bear Bryant.  We will just have to wait and see.

The second half of the fall camp will be more interesting than the first half.  The first game on the schedule expedites many things, including preparation and competition.

Orgeron indicated that the media may be allowed in for some of the practice sessions as of August 21. Maybe, maybe not. Again, when it comes to the 2017 Tigers, we will just have to wait and see.