LSU football Coach Brian Kelly says talented cornerback Denver Harris is handling some personal matters and could return to the team this weekend. Harris has not been at practice this week and was not there Monday when a team photo was taken. Harris was suspended on two different occasions at Texas A&M last season, but when available, he played very well.

Junior defensive tackle Maason Smith has been in and out of practice this week, but Kelly says it’s nothing serious…
cut 17 (10) “….any joints”

Two former LSU Tigers matched up on the mound last night when Toronto hosted Philadelphia. Phillies right-hander Austin Nola got the best of Blue Jays ace Kevin Gausman as Philly won nine to four. Nola struck out seven in five innings for his tenth win, while Gausman allowed seven runs.

The Saints begin two days of joint practices with the Chargers in California today. Recently signed Jaylon Smith is looking to lock down a starting spot at linebacker. Demario Davis and Pete Werner are expected to be the other two starting linebackers. Smith was signed last Friday, but he expects to get up to speed quickly…
cut 20 (11) “…take long”
Smith is 28-year-olds and played in 13 games with the Giants last season. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 2019 with the Cowboys.

LSU men’s basketball released its preseason schedule and the Tigers will open the season by hosting Mississippi Valley State on November sixth. Matt McMahon’s team will also host Nicholls, Southeastern, Northwestern State and Kansas State on December ninth. LSU is also participating in the Charleston Classic and will play Texas in Houston on December 16th.

We’re 18 days away from the start of the highly anticipated LSU football season, and here in the Tigers final week of camp, quarterback Garrett Nussmeier told the media why he decided to finish what he started in Death Valley. There was no shortage of speculation that he’d transfer since he’d be backing up Jayden Daniels, but Nussmeier set the record straight…:
CUT 16 (09) “that I’m in”
Cornerback Duce Chestnut also spoke to the media. Before Chestnut played for LSU, he was with Syracuse, but always had his eyes on the Tigers…:
Cut 19 (11) “on tv”
The Top 10 matchup between LSU and Florida State in Orlando kicks off at 6:30 pm Sunday, September 3rd.

ESPN is reporting the Saints have released wide receiver James Washington as the team prepares to Sunday’s preseason road game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Washington played just 26 snaps in the Saints’ preseason opener against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday and saw just two targets. He was one of only two active Saints receivers who didn’t record a catch.

The New Orleans Pelicans inaugural NBA in-season tournament schedule has been announced in the upcoming 2023-24 season which includes all 30 teams. The in-season tourney will consist of two stages, Group Play and the Knockout Round. Teams were randomly drawn into groups of five within their conference based on win-loss records from last season. The Pels will match up against the Dallas Mavericks, the Denver Nuggets, The Houston Rockets and the LA Clippers in Group play beginning Friday November 10th.

The Saints are signing former LSU star running back Darrel Williams, according to a report from Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football. The Marrero native, who spent 4 years with the Tigers and was a teammate of Leonard Fournette, spent his first 4 seasons with the Chiefs and has played 57 games with 7 starts in his career, rushing for 1,014 yards and 11 touchdowns.

LSU has received its best preseason AP ranking since 2016, coming in at number 5. The Tigers are also number 5 in the coaches poll released earlier this month. In the AP, Georgia comes in at the top spot, Michigan is number 2, followed by Ohio State then Alabama. The last time The Tigers were ranked higher was in 2012 when they were number 3, and they were number 5 in 2016. Florida State, which LSU opens the season against September 3rd, came in at number 8. That’s the first top 10 opener for the Tigers since 2011.

LSU returns to practice today and star safety Greg Brooks Jr., who has been dealing with vertigo, should be back. He says he’s seen great things from his young teammates…:
Cut 16 (12) “about that”
LSU’s defense is more experienced than last year, and Brooks says that fall practice has been more about improving rather than getting situated.

The Ragin Cajuns had their first scrimmage of preseason camp Monday, and second-year coach Michael Desormeaux is pleased to see how Ben Wooldridge is performing as the team’s starting quarterback. Desormeaux says Wooldridge, who is recovering from a torn ACL, is moving around well and is set to return. Wooldridge says he’s got a lot to work on.
Cut 19 (12) “to do it”
UL-Lafayette will open its 2023 season on September 2nd when it hosts Northwestern State.

New Orleans’ new quarterback Derek Carr’s offense dominated in the Saints first pre-season game of the season, coming away with a 26-24 victory over Kansas City. Carr threw a touchdown pass on his opening series completing six of eight passes for 70 yards during his only drive. He says it feels great with his new team…:
CUT 18 (08) “that scenario”
The Saints took an early 17-0 lead with nearly all of the first team taking snaps, but Coach Dennis Allen said things just went downhill from there…:
Cut 16 (10) “executed very well”
The Saints travel to face the Chargers next this Sunday night in pre-season game number 2.

In Sunday’s final of the US Women’s Amateur, LSU’s Latanna Stone walked away a runner up in one of her sport’s most prestigious events. The graduate student from Riverview, Florida missed several short putts at the Bel Air Country Club in LA, preventing her from closing the gap on Megan Schofill after a mid-match run of birdies put the graduate student from Auburn in command on her way to the win.

Two members of the LSU Men’s golf team – Connor Gaunt and Alex Price – are set to begin stroke play on this morning at the 123rd U.S. Amateur at the historic Cherry Hills Village Golf Club in Colorado.

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”
LSU kicks off the season September 3rd versus Florida state in Orlando.

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.