I understand what you’re saying. Although that’s not my intention, I find it’s important to create an army of images that fans can display Albineaux in ways that they feel the proudest or relate to the most. What looks bad to you might invigorate another fan. The next image of Tee Al might do the opposite. The main point being there is no one single image of the mascot.
That is actually another one of my Cayenne critiques. You can only make a pepper look cool in so many ways. An alligator on the other hand offers a much wider range of image possibilities. These possibilities create a stronger brand. And in todays college athletics, branding is as important as ever.
Every image variant of the character can accomplish the same thing, pride in the University of Louisiana.