Late-summer questions, late-summer answers

Williams traded, but path to MLB remains about the same
August 8, 2018
Transfer back bolsters Colonels’ playmaking
August 8, 2018
Williams traded, but path to MLB remains about the same
August 8, 2018
Transfer back bolsters Colonels’ playmaking
August 8, 2018

School is back in session this week and there is not a person on earth happier about that than me!

No offense, kids, but during summertime while you guys are playing Fortnite, ol’ Uncle Casey is over here working, but yet I have nothing fun to report on because school isn’t in session.


With school back, it means that we have football.

With football, it means that my job gets fun again.

When my job gets fun again, well, that means that I can continue to tell the amazing stories of the talented people in this amazing area.


So in spirit of a new season, I decided to open up the mailbag and have a fun, late-summer Q&A.

Here goes!

Q: Who will take snap one for LSU this fall? (Asked by Nick, Galliano)


A: Do not believe Coach Ed Orgeron when he tells you that this is a quarterback competition in preseason camp. I have eyes and ears in the LSU locker room and also in the camps of a couple of the players. Barring injury, suspension or a huge swing in momentum that no one is forecasting, Joe Burrow will be LSU’s quarterback against Miami. Burrow has a powerful arm, which fits the personnel that LSU will have on the field this season. He also has experience, which is something that neither Myles Brennan, Lowell Narcisse or Justin McMillan have. Burrow will be the guy and the leash will be fairly long. I don’t think he came to LSU to be a backup. He knows what he’s here for.

Q: Where will Jakhi Douglas end up? (Asked by Reed, Houma)

A: Your guess is as good as mine, buddy! I visited with him this past week and I got the sense that his only focus right now is on his team. People locally don’t realize this because of how much Jakhi’s recruiting has exploded, but he’s still just a JUNIOR. He has this season and then a full offseason, then another season to play. So while I do think that he and his family are enjoying the process and seeing all those offers roll in, I think everyone knows that time is still on the young man’s side.


Q: Who will win the American League and the National League? (Asked by Ken, Thibodaux)

A: I am glad I got a baseball question this week, because the pennant chase is really good this year! In the American League, I have to go with the Boston Red Sox, because I think that’s one of the most complete, well-rounded teams we’ve had in the MLB in quite some time. They have aces in their rotation, which is a must in the playoffs. They have depth in the bullpen — another must. And they have the most exciting offense that the sport has seen in the past 20 years since steroids were taken out of the game. I have a hard time thinking someone will beat them 3 out of 5 times or 4 out of 7 times. In the National League, it’s wide open. I will throw a dart out there and say the Dodgers. I think Manny Machado makes them a different team.

Q: What do you make of LeBron signing with the Lakers? (Asked by Ron, Houma)


A: It’s a little bit surprising to me, and I’ll tell you why. The idea that LeBron would go to Hollywood is not new. This has been floated around and rumored for years. But the way it all played out is very surprising to me. I thought that LeBron’s commitment would come as part of a package, which would feature a couple other superstars going to Los Angles to form a tandem. But it hasn’t quite worked out that way, has it? LeBron is a Laker, yes. But he’s also surrounded by unproven young players and stop-gap has-beens the team signed in the offseason. That part surprises me — the fact that LeBron would leave Cleveland and the weak Eastern Conference to go to the Lakers without a full army beside him.

Q: Who will win the PGA Championship this week? (Asked by Travis, Houma)

A: I don’t know much about the course, so I can’t give as accurate of an answer as I’d like to give. From what I understand, the course is long, but the fairways are relatively wide, so it sounds like being a big hitter will be a plus. Knowing just that and little more, I will offer up Dustin Johnson as my pick. It’s a cop-out. He’s the No. 1 player in the world. But when he’s on, that dude is just so, so good.


Q: Is the Justin Williams trade good or bad for Justin? (Asked by Gus, Thibodaux)

A: His path to the Major Leagues is about the same. Both organizations have a lot of outfield depth. But I think that being in St. Louis, as opposed to being in Tampa, is night and day different and is better for Justin — 10-fold. The Cardinals are a first-class organization — one of the best in baseball, if not in all of professional sports. They have good fans, they’re well-run and they’re always in the hunt. The Rays are the opposite of all of those things. They’re a joke. They have no support, no funding and a ballpark that’s falling apart. Oh yeah — and they’re in the AL East with the Red Sox and Yankees. Being a Cardinal is better than being a Ray. Any baseball player would attest to that.

Q: Give us a pick to win district in the local districts. (Asked by Ross, Larose)


A: OK, in the Class 5A District, I pick Destrehan, though I think Terrebonne will scare the heck out of everyone they play. In Class 4A, I have a sneaky feeling that Vandebilt is going to be really good, so I guess I will take them, though I can easily see South Lafourche, Assumption or E.D. White challenging until the end, as well. In Class 1A, I’ve learned not to bet against West St. John. that’s a machine. They’re one of the best-run programs in the entire state of Louisiana.

Q: Who is the best prep football player that you’ve ever seen in person? (Asked by Martin, Houma)

A: You know, I’m always the guy who is fussing young reporters about being prisoners of the moment and favoring guys in the present as opposed to guys in the past. But with that said, my answer to this question is a young man who graduated last year — Hahnville halfback Anthony “Pooka” Williams. I didn’t believe the hype about this kid. I saw his lack of size and thought that there was no way he could possibly be as good as people made him out to be. So I found out first hand. My dad and I went to their Quarterfinals Playoff Game with Covington in Boutte last fall. I was amazed. In the open field, the kid is simply not able to be tackled. He has a rare ability to be elusive, while also still being exceptionally fast, which is what makes him special. Before Pooka, my top guy was either Ryan Perrilloux or maybe Jarvis Landry. Heck, Ed Reed was pretty darned good, too!


Now, for a non-sports question or two!

Q: Do you play Fortnite? (Asked by James, Raceland)


A: I do. I started recently as a way to know what the heck my oldest nephew was doing with 50 percent of his life. I was a hater initially, but I have to admit — it’s actually a pretty fun game. The idea that 100 people from around the world are all in the same space at the same time and are all seeking the same assets and survival is pretty neat. I will never be as into it as the younger people are, of course, but I enjoy it every once in a while.

Q: NetFlix shows? (Asked by Donna, Larose)

A: I love our readers, because I love that you guys know me well enough to know that you can ask me non-sports questions and still get my attention. I have 4 shows for you — two on NetFlix and two on Amazon Prime. Folks don’t realize this (I was one of them until recently). But if you have Amazon Prime, you’re automatically subscribed to a huge video vault that they own, which is awesome. On NetFlix, I go with Person of Interest and Glow. Both are awfully good, though different genres. On Amazon Prime, I go with Eastbound and Down and also Dude You’re Screwed. One is a sports comedy and the other is a survival show. They all have me hooked.


Q: The key to making those amazing smoked meats you’re always posting on social media? (Asked by Chris, Houma)

A: The key is to get my dad to cook them! I am a professional eater, but I’m no professional smoker. He gets the credit for all that. But jokes aside, I think he’d tell you that the key is in the seasoning and also to stick with what works. He watches cooking videos quite often and replicates what the pros do. It works quite well for us here at home.

LeBron James


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