The NFL approves a new rule that prohibits players from leaping over the line of scrimmage to block field goals and extra points. If you remember last season, the Saints lost a tough game against Denver when they had an extra point blocked when the Broncos Justin Simmons hurdled over the center and got his hands on the kick and it was return for two points.

At the NFL owners meetings, when asked about acquiring Patriots restricted free agent cornerback Malcolm Butler, Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis said they are kicking the tires and that’s the way to describe it. Loomis also believes the Saints can remain a high powered offense, even though they traded away Brandin Cooks. He points to the Jimmy Graham trade a couple of years ago.

The Pelicans ended a three-game road trip last night with a 108-100 loss to Utah. New Orleans is back in action on Wednesday as they host Dallas. Just eight games left in the regular season and the Pels are 4.5 games back of Portland for the final playoff spot in the West.

At Alex Box Stadium tonight, LSU hosts Tulane. Tigers Coach Paul Mainieri expects a spirited contest…
cut 18 (15) “…of the game”
Tulane won both match-ups between these teams last year.

Also tonight, McNeese, who is undefeated at home this season, hosts the Ragin Cajuns and ULM travels over into Lincoln Parish to visit Louisiana Tech. The Bulldogs are struggling, while the Warhawks have won three of their last four.

Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham reports new LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade is close to hiring former North Texas head coach Tony Benford as a new assistant coach. Benford was recently fired by North Texas. He’s been an assistant at Marquette, Nebraska, Arizona State and New Mexico. In his career, he’s recruited and coached 11 NBA draft picks.