The Saints practiced in the Superdome Friday ahead of its first pre-season opener tomorrow, and a fight broke out among multiple players. But Coach Dennis Allen says it wasn’t a big deal and these things happen…:
Cut 29 (22) “back to practice”

If you’re going to the game you’ll be happy to know that the New Orleans Police Department has put in plan a place to deter car burglars. The Saints can only control security for parking areas on the Superdome’s property so they asked the NOPD to increase patrols in the city for fans who park throughout downtown and surrounding areas.

The game against Kansas City kicks off Sunday at Noon.

Four LSU football players spoke with the media Friday including offensive lineman Charles Turner III. Plenty of other Tigers have been asked about what the expectations are for the team and have answered by expressing their national championship aspirations, but Turner says something different…:
Cut 30 (12) “our best every day”

The offensive line will be protecting returning quarterback Jayden Daniels and a highly touted transfer from Alabama. Wide receiver Aaron Anderson joined the team and has been getting high praise from all of his teammates that have asked about him including safety Sage Ryan.
Cut 25 (17) “…he’s that guy.”

The Saints are just days away from their preseason opener against Kansas City Sunday, but tight end Taysom Hill says he’s still unclear on his role in the offense. Originally a quarterback, Hill has played snaps at just about every offensive position and on special teams. He says he can throw, block, run, catch, or do whatever the team needs him to…:
Cut 19 (19) “stay ready”
Kickoff Sunday is at noon. Practice is being held in the Dome today.

New Orleans hosted former Pro Bowler Jaylon Smith for a workout Thursday as they continue the search for depth in the linebacker position. Smith played thirteen games for the Giants last season recording 88 tackles, one sack, and a fumble recovery.

LSU’s offense is expected to be the strength of the team under 5th year senior quarterback Jayden Daniels who threw for almost 3,000 yards and 17 touchdowns with only 3 interceptions last season. Daniels was criticized for being too conservative with the football, but LSU Offensive Coordinator Mike Denbrock says his starting QB is working on that…:
CUT 16 (18) “on the football”
The season opens September 3rd.

A 4-star running back and 5 star edge rusher pegged Thursday as the day they’d announce their commitments, and LSU got one of them, lost out on the other. Caden Durham, a top 10 ranked back out of Dallas, chose The Tigers over Oklahoma and Texas A&M. But his teammate, Colin Simmons, a top 10 overall player, chose Texas.

LSU Offensive Coordinator Mike Denbrock spoke to media today about his offense expected to take big steps forward in year 2. Much of the public attention has been on returning quarterback Jayden Daniels and top receiving threat Malik Nabers. Denbrock, though, expects tight end Mason Taylor to elevate his game this year and make big contributions for the offense…

Cut 20

Taylor went for over 400 yards and three touchdowns last season and will hope to improve as both as  pass catcher and a blocker

LSU has landed a commitment from four-star running back Caden Durham out of Dallas. The top-ten ranked back from Duncanville high school chose the Tigers over Oklahoma and Texas A&M. His teammate and 5-star defensive lineman Colin Simmons also announced his commitment to the University of  Texas over LSU

The Saints canceled the public portion of practice today due to extreme heat concerns, but that didn’t stop the team from preparing for their first game of preseason against the Chiefs coming up this Sunday. Tight end and utility player Taysom Hill says one player to watch will be tight end Juwan Johnson who’s made big steps this offseason…

Cut 19

Head Coach Dennis Allen says he expects the starters to get about 15 snaps while the backups take 25 and the third team plays the rest of the game. Kickoff is Sunday at 12:00

The search for depth in the linebacker room continues for New Orleans as the Saints hosted former Pro Bowler Jaylon Smith for a workout today. Smith played thirteen games for the Giants last season recording 88 tackles, one sack, and a fumble recovery. He also made a visit with the Raiders last week and is reported to be interested in joining Las Vegas as well. 

After a day off yesterday, LSU football returns to practice today with their large depth of running backs to choose from. Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne says LSU has eight scholarship running backs, but the three guys who could see the most carries are Josh Williams, Logan Diggs and John Emery….
Cut 18 (16) “…of depth.”
Also don’t forget about Noah Cain, who had ten touchdowns last season and Armoni Goodwin averaged nearly six yards a carry last season and he reached the end zone five times.

Louisiana Tech has announced that its women’s basketball team will still be nicknamed the Lady Techsters, but the rest of the women’s sports teams will be the Bulldogs. Athletics director Eric Wood says making this brand change is the right decision for their present and future.

The Saints continue to get ready for Sunday’s preseason opener today with another practice that will take place indoors. It was scheduled to be open to the public, but because of the heat, Coach Dennis Allen says it’s better to practice in their indoor facility…
cut 16 (05) it is right now”
Next week the Saints will be in California holding joint practices with the Chargers. There’s a report the Saints may hold training camp at another venue next year.

ULM put the pads on for the first time yesterday as they get ready for the season opener at home against Army on September second. Head Coach Terry Bowden….
cut 28 (18) “….too much”

The Saints will practice indoors today because of the extreme heat. Today was the last scheduled fan attended practice, but since they’ll be practicing inside, the fans who had tickets for today’s practice will not be able to attend.

The team is getting ready for Sunday’s preseason game at noon against the Kansas City Chiefs. Recently signed Jontre Kirklin is hoping to make an impression. The former LSU and Lutcher standout is appreciative of a chance to play for his home team…
cut 19 (09) “…play ball man”
Kirklin lost his stepfather in April as he was fatally shot. He had a try out for the Saints last year, but that was as a defensive back. Now he’s getting a look at wide receiver. This past spring, he played for the XFL’s Houston Roughnecks and caught four touchdown passes in five games. His season was cut short when he tore a pectoral muscle.

LSU Football Coach Brian Kelly says defensive line coach Jimmy Lindsey’s health condition has improved. He was hospitalized before the start of preseason camp, but Kelly said yesterday that he could be released very soon. Specifics of his illness is not known.

John Jancek moved from special teams coach to D-Line coach and Kelly says former UCONN head coach Bob Diacco is doing a good job with special teams….
cut 17 (13) “….for him”
Finding a punt returner in fall camp is a priority for the Tigers. Alabama transfer Aaron Anderson has looked like a natural handling punts. Four-star freshman receiver Kyle Parker is also getting reps and so is Gregory Clayton. Clayton handled those duties last year after several other guys failed at it.

It took just four professional games before Dylan Crews hit his first professional grand slam. Crews had four hits on the night as Fredericksburg defeated Lynchburg 11 to 2. Crews is hitting .444 in his first four games as a pro.

The preseason coaches poll is out and LSU is ranked fifth. One of the reasons why LSU is considered a top five team is because of the strength of their offensive and defensive lines. The O-line returns five players who started last year and Tigers defensive end Sai’vion Jones says the experience the group has had together is noticeable….
cut 17 (15) “….with them”
LSU practices again today and Coach Brian Kelly is set to speak at around noon.

The Saints will kickoff preseason Sunday against the Chiefs. Coach Dennis Allen says the starters will play, it’s unknown how much they’ll play. But any playing time should help new quarterback Derek Carr’s chemistry and comfort within the system. Carr and tight end Juwan Johnson have already established a noticeable connection in training camp, and Johnson says Carr is like a long-lost brother…
Cut 19 (14) “…universal everywhere.”
A couple of former pro bowlers worked out for the Saints on Monday, running back Kareem Hunt and linebacker Anthony Barr. Hunt maybe needed with Alvin Kamara set to miss three games as a result of a suspension and the Saints have already lost running back Eno Benjamin with a ruptured Achilles tendon. Barr could be needed as linebacker Demario Davis has been sidelined with a calf injury.

A fight broke out today at LSU football practice involving a number of players, punches being thrown, and players being taken to the ground. Three scuffles, appearing to be initiated by one between linebacker Harold Perkins and wide receiver Kyren Lacy, interrupted an 11-on-11 period. Wide Out Malik Nabers and defensive backs Denver Harris and Major Burns were also involved. Nabers and Lacy were sent to the locker room while Perkins didn’t play another snap following the fight.

LSU was ranked fifth in the preseason coaches’ poll. Tight end Mason Taylor… 

Cut 12 

SEC rivals Georgia and Alabama were ranked numbers 1 and 3 while week one opponent Florida St. came in at 8th. Tulane, who finished last year ranked ninth, was ranked 23rd.

Southeastern was selected No. 15 in the Stats Perform FCS Preseason top 25. The Lions are one of three teams to finish the last four years ranked in the top 25 and were picked to repeat as Southland champs this year. McNeese also received votes but did not make the top 25.

Shreveport’s Lee Hedges Stadium is likely to be closed for the rest of 2023 due to renovations. The stadium plays host to both Captain Shreve and Byrd high schools, and Tony Taglavore from the Shreveport-Bossier City Journal says this will affect more than just football…

Cut 7

The two schools will play their home games at Independence Stadium instead.

Saints Coach Dennis Allen announced today the starters will get the go-ahead for the first preseason game. Getting reps with new quarterback Derek Carr will be important but Allen says he’s got a new group that he’s looking forward to seeing play together. Quarterback Jameis Winston will of course make an appearance and Allen says you can expect to see a lot of fourth round pick Jake Haener…

Cut 16

The Saints will kickoff preseason this Sunday against the Chiefs.

Saints running back Alvin Kamara now knows he’ll miss the first three games of the season for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Kamara was charged with battery for his role in a Feburary 2022 fight in Las Vegas. He later pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of breach of peace. The 27-year-old says he definitely made a bad decision…
cut 18 (11) “…some people”
2022 was a tough season for Saints kicker Will Lutz as he was just 22 of 31 on field goals. Lutz knows he has the leg strength, consistency is what he’s searching for…
cut 21 (18) “…long ones’
Lutz has missed just three kicks this year.

Former LSU wide receiver Jontre Kirklin is getting a chance with the Saints. Kirkland played well this past spring for the XFL’s Houston Roughnecks, catching 15 passes for 253 yards and four touchdowns in five games. Kirklin was a also a standout player at Lutcher.

The Green Bay Packers have released former LSU quarterback Danny Etling. He was on the Packers practice squad all of last season.

LSU has received a commitment from four-star wide receiver Jelani Watkins. He’s from Houston and the five-foot-ten, 160-pounder also wants to run track at LSU. He’s ranked by ESPN as the 105th best player in the 2024 recruiting class.

Both Dylan Crews and Gavin Dugas hit home runs Fredericksburg yesterday. The two former LSU Tigers are playing for the Nationals Class-A team.

And Lee Hedges Stadium in Shreveport will be closed this fall for renovations, which means Byrd and Captain Shreve will have to find another venue to play football games, Independence Stadium and Northwood High School are the other options.

LSU Head football coach Brian Kelly addressed the media after their first fall practice on Thursday. Kelly is entering his second year with the team and is expecting to build off of last year’s success.
Cut 16 (09) “…to build upon.”
One of the position battles to watch is at center. Charles Turner is back for his fifth season, but Kelly says he’s being pushed by Marlon Martinez….
cut 21 (29) “….vigilante”
LSU running back John Emery joins the team today. He missed practice yesterday as he was finishing up an internship.

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission approves a plan that lowers the catch limit for speckled trout. Under the plan approved, anglers would only be allowed to catch a speckled trout that’s more than 13 inches long. The maximum size allowed is 20 inches and only two fish above that limit are allowed. Also, the total catch per angler per day would go from 25 fish to 15. LDWF Assistant Secretary Patrick Banks says this conservation plan is needed…
Cut 8 (07) “…concerned.”
Banks says the public will have the opportunity to comment on the plan and legislators could reject it, but if there are no hold ups, it could go into effect as early as November.

In recruiting, Sterlington offensive tackle Mitch Hodnett has committed to TCU. He’s a three-star prospect, listed as the 39th overall prospect per 247 sports.

LSU football reports for its first practice today and head Coach Brian Kelly will be speak to the media for the first time as well. The team had to shuffle its coaching staff after defensive line coach Jimmy Lindsey was taken away in an ambulance from the football operations building on Tuesday night.

Kelly said that Lindsey would be away from the team for an undetermined amount of time but implied his reunion by saying quote we look forward to his return to the program. Special teams coach and outside linebacker coach, John Jancek, will take over Lindsey’s roll in the wake of his absence and new defensive analyst Bob Diaco will take over Jancek’s roll.

The Saints are continuing practice today under new quarterback Derek Carr, but he is not the only new face to the Saints offense. The Saints drafted offensive tackle Trevor Penning to fill the need for the quarterback’s blind spot, and Carr is confident in his success despite just taking a few snaps.

Cut 20 (10) “…they’ve proven it.”

The Ragin Cajun begin their fall practice today with a three player quarterback battle going into camp. Chandler Fields began 2022 as the starter, and redshirt freshman Zeon Chris took snaps under center in the Spring., but head coach Michael Desormeaux says Ben Wooldridge is healthy after last year’s season ending injury and will take first team reps.

Cut 16 (16) “…he is physically”

ULM also has quarterback depth going into fall camp. Jiya Wright is taking snaps as the starter but head coach Terry Bowden thinks the QB room has plenty of talent.

Cut 18 (15) “…that position.”