The Saints lacked a big receiver on their roster, so they turned to an old friend to get one. Sean Payton’s Denver Broncos traded six-foot-five, 210 pound pass catcher DeVaugn Vele (Deh-VAWN VAY-lay) to New Orleans for a fourth round pick in 2026 and a seventh round pick in 2027. Last season Vele caught 41 passes for 475 yards and three touchdowns in his first season in the NFL.

UL Lafayette has named its starting quarterback for the 2025 season. Former five-star and Lafayette’s own Walker Howard has been named the starter after beating out Daniel Beale and Lunch Winfield. Coach Michael Desormeaux (DEZ-er-moe) says that Howard earned the job

Cut 19 (20) “…really excited.”

LSU coach Brian Kelly wants to be more explosive in the punt return game this season…

Cut 17 (17) “…single time”

Zavion Thomas averaged less than five yards a return last season.

For the first time, Louisiana has a college football show to call its own. Louisiana Public Broadcasting is launching two new shows this season – Game Notes, which is a weekly preview show which airs at ten every Saturday morning, and Post Game Notes, which airs at six Sunday evening. The show is hosted by Victor Howell, who says the show is all about Louisiana college football.

Cut 10 (09) “…State of Louisiana.”

The new series begins tonight at seven with the Fall Preview Special.

The Saints are the only team in the NFL that has yet to decide on a starting quarterback for the regular season. Coach Kellen Moore says the battle between Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough is really, really close. The preseason finale is Saturday against Denver.

Southern kicks off its season on Saturday against North Carolina Central and Coach Terrance Graves says they have not settled on a starting quarterback.

The Ragin Cajuns will reportedly start former LSU Tiger and Ole Miss Rebel Walker Howard at quarterback for the season opener against Rice.

LSU has a battle ongoing for starting right tackle. Coach Brian Kelly says freshman Carius Curne is battling with redshirt freshman Weston Davis…

Cut 18 (11) “….compeitition there”

There are only a few more days left to enter The Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation’s Premier Season Ticket raffle. The raffle offers one lucky fan the chance to win tickets to over 500 South Louisiana’s top sporting events. Jay Cicero, the CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, says the proceeds will help the foundation continue to host major events.

Cut 14 (12) “…of Louisiana.”

A raffle ticket costs 100-dollars and a winner will be announced on Sunday. Go to GNO-sports-dot-com for more information.

Former LSU Coach Ed Orgeron was on Tiger Rag Radio last night talking about his desire to coach again. Orgeron says his three sons are in the coaching profession and he would like be on the sidelines again…

Cut 4 (09) “…got it done”

Orgeron received 17-million dollar buyout as part of his firing from LSU in 2021. The payments on that buyout come to an end at the end of 2025.

After two preseason games, Saints coach Kellen Moore is not ready to name a starting Q-B for the regular season opener. Moore says Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler both did some good things on Sunday against Jacksonville…

Cut 20 (18) “…responsibilities”

Moore says the competition is really, really close.

According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, former St. Thomas More star Walker Howard will start at quarterback for the Ragin Cajuns when they kick-off the season on August 30^th against Rice.

LSU women’s basketball will host Kim Mulkey’s alma mater Louisiana Tech in New Orleans on December 13^th in the first game of a doubleheader. The LSU men will take on SMU in the second game.

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LSU football coach Brian Kelly says there are still starting jobs to be won on the offensive line at left guard and right tackle. It looks like last year’s starting center, DJ Chester, is playing a reserve role…

Cut 19 (19) “…in the game as well”

You could win season tickets to LSU football, basketball, baseball, and Saints and Pelicans games, and much more by buying a $100 raffle ticket for the Greater New Orleans Foundation Premier Season Ticket Raffle. Jay Cicero says the winner will be selected Sunday…

Cut 15 (13) “…to Louisiana”

Go to the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation’s website to purchase a raffle ticket.

Some news and notes on LSU football…linebacker Harold Perkins was not at practice yesterday. He reportedly had a personal day. Fellow linebacker Whit Weeks was limited. Backup quarterback Michael Van Buren has an injured throwing hand. He was seen wearing a splint at practice.

Former LSU quarterback Rickie Collins from Woodlawn High School in Baton Rouge was named the starting quarterback at Syracuse last spring, but he’s already lost that job before the season started. Notre Dame transfer Steve Angeli will open the season as Q-B 1 against Tennessee.

In an interview with Barstool Sports, former LSU coach Ed Orgeron say he’s starting to get that itch to coach again. Orgeron just turned 64 years old and he’s currently living in Miami and his three boys are also in the coaching profession. Orgeron also says Texas quarterback Arch Manning reminds him a lot of Joe Burrow, after watching Manning at a Texas practice. Coach O will be a guest on Tiger Rag Radio tonight at 6:30.

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The Saints had limited success on offense against Jacksonville on Sunday, but wide receiver Mason Tipton had the best performance out of any player. Tipton caught 6 passes for 100 yards. Tipton says he is more comfortable playing in his second season in the league…

Cut 16 (15) “…right now.”

The ULM  Warhawks are nine days away from their season opener against Saint Francis. Freshman running back D’Shaun Ford came into Monroe as the second highest rated player in ULM history. Vincent says he sees massive improvement from the Opelousas native.

Cut 19 (16) “…he’s doing.”

Eleven days until the season opener and LSU continues to tinker with its offensive line. During the portion of practice viewed by the media on Monday, Paul Mubenga was running with the first team over DJ Chester at left guard and freshman Carius Curne was starting at right tackle over Weston Davis.

We’ll hear more about the makeup of the offensive line when Coach Brian Kelly meets with the media later this morning. We do know that Virgina Tech transfer Braelin Moore will start at center. Kelly loves what he’s seen from Moore…

Cut 18 (18) “….into place”

In an interview with Barstool Sports, former LSU Coach Ed Orgeron says he’s starting to get an itch to coach again.

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The Saints return to practice today following Sunday’s 17-17 tie against Jacksonville in the second preseason game of the year. Quarterback Spencer Rattler was able to run a successful two-minute drill to tie the game after throwing a touchdown to Dante Pettis and converting on the two-point conversion. Wide receiver Mason Tipton says he was impressed with how Rattler managed the offense.

Cut 17 (19)  “…some plays.”

Joe Burrow threw for a touchdown pass and Jayden Daniels ran for a touchdown as the Bengals defeated Washington  31-17 a preseason game last night.

McNeese has named Texas Tech transfer Jake Strong as its starting quarterback for the season opener on August 30^th against Louisiana Christian.

It was a rough first half to watch, but it was a good ending as Spencer Rattler led the Saints on a game-tying drive in the final minutes and the second preseason game of the year ended in 17-17 tie versus Jacksonville. Coach Kellen Moore liked how Rattler responded from a fourth quarter interception to throw a touchdown with 21 seconds left…

Cut 13 (17)  “..situation was.”

Rattler threw for 199 yards and he also rushed for 19 yards. Tyler Shough started at quarterback and was 9 of 12 for 66 yards. He operated the Saints on four drives and only produced three points. But the rookie says he’s feeling comfortable in the offense…

Cut 29 (19) “…really big”

The quarterback battle continues into the third and final preseason game on Saturday at home against Denver.

LSU football coach Brian Kelly is known for developing and producing top-level talent at the offensive line position. And Kelly is expecting big things from his new starting o-line…

Cut 16 (19) “…well together.”

Louisiana Tech is learning a new defense from first-year defensive coordinator Luke Olson. Sophomore linebacker Jadon Mayfield is a big fan of the new defensive scheme…

Cut 19 (17) “….this defense”

Spencer Rattler made a strong statement to be the Saints starting quarterback this season by bouncing back from a fourth quarter interception to lead New Orleans on a game-tying drive in the final minutes to force a 17-17 tie against Jacksonville.

Rattler threw for 199 yards and he also rushed for 19 yards. Rattler connected with Mason Tipton several times on the game tying drive and Tipton finished with 100 yards receiving. Rattler on his performance…

Cut 14 (14) “…big time today.”

Tyler Shough started and led the offense for four drives in the first half. Three of the drives ended with punts and one drive ended with a field goal. Coach Kellen Moore is not ready to make a decision on a starting quarterback for the season opener.

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LSU ranked 107^th in the country in rush offense last season, but Coach Brian Kelly says the 2025 Tigers are committed to running the football…

Cut 17 (19) “…on you”

You can make an argument LSU was not committed to running the ball last season. They rushed the football 373 times last year, while they threw it 534 times.

Louisiana Tech is learning a new defense from first-year defensive coordinator Luke Olson. Sophomore linebacker Jadon Mayfield is a big fan of the new defensive scheme…

Cut 19 (17) “….this defense”

The Saints wrapped up their trip to California with a joint practice against the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday. The Rams were able to get some pressure on the Saints young quarterbacks. Starting center Eric McCoy says it benefited them to practice against the Rams…

Cut 21 (21) “…slow start”

The Saints will be back in New Orleans this weekend and they will host Jacksonville on Sunday afternoon in the Superdome.

The Pelicans will be featured on national television just two times as the 2025-26 NBA schedule has been released. It might be difficult for New Orleans to get off to a good start. They play seven of their first ten on the road, starting with the season opener on October 22th in Memphis. The home opener is two nights later against San Antonio.

LSU is just about two weeks away from the season opener against Clemson. ESPN Baton Rouge sports talk show host, Charles Hanagriff, says this Tigers team has more depth, especially on the defensive line…

Cut 15 (14) “….this year”

South Florida transfer and Defensive tackle Bernard Gooden has been impressive during preseason camp.

The Saints defense did not have much depth at the cornerback position last season. The Saints took multiple defensive backs in the draft including rookie cornerback Quincy Riley out of Louisville. Riley says it has been a surprisingly smooth transition to the pro level.

Cut 17 (21)  “…new so.”

The New Orleans Saints are battling injuries already this season with two key starters expected to be out a few weeks, offensive guard Trevor Penning and cornerback Alontae Taylor. Tight end Juwan Johnson has a long injury history in the league and he says he wants to prioritize his health to become more available.

Cut 16 (21) “…and winning.”

Johnson had six catches in yesterday’s joint practice with the Rams. Los Angeles provided a good test for the Saints offense as the Rams defense had success putting pressure on quarterbacks Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough.

The Saints will be back in New Orleans this weekend as they will host Jacksonville on Sunday. No word on who will start at quarterback.

One of the developments at fall camp for LSU is that former Lafayette Christian star and sophomore Ju’Juan Johnson is getting more reps at running back. ESPN Baton Rouge radio host Charles Hanagriff says it will be interesting to see how they utilize Johnson this season…

Cut 14 (15) “…with him”

Former LSU star Dylan Crews got off the injured list yesterday and helped the Nationals beat the Phillies three to two. Crews went 1-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base.

Aaron Nola will make his return to the mound on Sunday for Philadelphia. Nola has missed the last three months with an ankle injury.

The Pelicans schedule is out. Just two games slated for national television and it might be difficult for New Orleans to get off to a good start. They play seven of their first ten on the road, starting with the season opener on October 22th in Memphis.

The Saints will hold a joint practice with the Rams this afternoon in Carson, California. Coach Kellen Moore says it will be a good test for his team…

Cut 28 (10) “…are ones”

After today, the Saints will return to New Orleans where they’ll host Jacksonville on Sunday in preseason game number two.

LSU cornerback Ashton Stamps enters his junior year with the Tigers as one of the most experienced returners. LSU has had trouble with safety play the past few years but Stamps the addition of veteran safeties in the portal are already helping the group’s play.  Stamps says it is important to build a bond off the field so that it translates to effective communication on Saturdays.

Cut 16 (20) “…things happen.”

ULM football is just two weeks away from its opener at home against Saint Francis. Head coach Bryant Vincent is known for being run-heavy. The Warhawks added South Alabama transfer running back Braylon McReynolds this offseason. McReynolds says even though there’s competition at running back, he brings specific strengths to the room that others may not have.

Cut 19 (21) “…everybody better.”

The Pelicans will host the Lakers and Grizzlies as part of the NBA’s in-season tournament. Those games will be in November. New Orleans will also play the Clippers and Mavericks on the road. The full regular-season schedule comes out today.