1140 Sportscast 8/3

LSU quarterback Myles Brennan has suffered a significant injury to his left arm that will require surgery due to a broken humerous bone.  The Athletic’s Brody Miller reports Brennan suffered the injury while fishing. Max Johnson is now set to be LSU’s starting Q-B. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says freshman Garrett Nussmeier is the only other healthy scholarship quarterback on the roster…

Cut 7 (10) “game 3”

St. Thomas More Quarterback and LSU commit Walker Howard is now listed by 24-7 sports as the number one quarterback in the nation for the Class of 2022. Also, the Tigers have received a commitment from North Caddo wide receiver Omarion Miller who is entering his junior season.

LSU’s Mondo Duplantis won gold in pole vaulting at the Tokyo Olympics with a vault of 6.18 meters.  He came up 1 centimeter of the world record of 6.19 meters.

After reaching a one-year deal with the Saints, former Falcons running back Devonta Smith had his first practice with the Black and Gold yesterday.  Freeman played in five games for the Giants last season, but before that he spent six years in Atlanta. The former Florida State standout has always been impressed with how Coach Sean Payton uses his running backs…

Cut 17

The Pelicans have reportedly reached a sign and trade deal with the Bulls that will send 23-year-old Lonzo Ball to Chicago and in return, New Orleans received Tomas Satoransky, former LSU Tiger Garrett Temple, and a second-round pick. Ball gets a four-year, 85-million dollar contract with Chicago.

To make up for the loss of Ball, New Orleans has reportedly reached a deal with Charlotte for Hornets guard Devonte Graham, who shot 38-percent from three-point territory last season.

 

6:45 LRN Sportscast August 3

When LSU reports for fall camp later this week, there will not be an intense competition for starting quarterback. Coach Ed Orgeron says fifth-year quarterback Myles Brennan suffered a left arm injury that will require surgery. A timeline on when he can return has not been established. That means Max Johnson will most likely be the Tigers starting Q-B when they open the season at U-C-L-A.

After reaching a one-year deal with the Saints, former Falcons running back Devonta Freeman had his first practice with the Black and Gold yesterday. The 29-year-old has rushed for over four thousand yards in his career and he has over two thousand receiving yards. Coach Sean Payton says Freeman gives them added depth and versatility at the running back position…
Cut 16 (12) “..about that.”

The Pelicans have reportedly reached a sign and trade deal with the Bulls that will send 23-year-old Lonzo Ball to Chicago and in return, New Orleans received Tomas Satoransky, former LSU Tiger Garrett Temple, and a second-round pick. Ball gets a four-year, 85-million dollar contract with Chicago.

Satoransky is six-foot-seven, 210 pounds and he averaged eight points and five assists a game last season. Temp has been in the NBA a long time and averaged eight points a game last season.

To make up for the loss of Ball, New Orleans has reportedly reached a deal with Charlotte for Hornets guard Devonte Graham, who shot 38-percent from three-point territory last season.

St. Thomas More Quarterback Walker Howard is now listed by 24-7 sports as the number one quarterback in the nation for the Class of 2022. He’s an LSU commit. Also, the Tigers have received a commitment from North Caddo wide receiver Omarion Miller who is entering his junior season.

4:45 LRN Sportscast August 2

Former LSU baseball coach and athletic director Skip Bertman have joined the thousands that have tested positive for COVID as a fourth surge of new infections continues to impact the state. Bertman and his wife have both tested positive, but they are both experiencing mild symptoms at the age of 83. They are encouraging anyone who has yet to get the vaccine to do so.

Alabama’s board of trustees approved a contract extension for Crimson Tide football coach Nick Saban. The 69-year-old will make 8-point-7 million dollars this year, an increase of 400-thousand dollars. The new contract also lasts through the 2028 season.

Some good and bad on the recruiting front for LSU, five-star safety Jacoby Matthews of Ponchatoula has decided to decommit from LSU. But the Tigers have received a commitment from Catholic High of Baton Rouge offensive lineman Emery Jones.

Lake Charles College Prep receiver Keshlon Jackson has committed to Louisiana Tech. The six-foot, 170-pounder is a three-star recruit.

Saints Quarterback Taysom Hill no longer looks as he did in the past as he slimmed down to be the starting Q-B. Hill has shown he can run the football, but he wants to demonstrate during training camp that he can get the ball down the field…
cut 16 (20) “…plays”
Hill is locked up in a quarterback battle with Jameis Winston. Both Q-Bs will not have Michael Thomas at the beginning of the season, because of offseason ankle surgery. Winston believes Thomas will come back stronger than ever…
cut 18 (14) “….Saints organiziation”

6:45 LRN Sportscast August

After a day off on Sunday, the Saints return to the practice field today. With Michael Thomas set to miss the start of the season the Saints are now thin at receiver. This could lead to running back Alvin Kamara becoming a bigger part of the passing game. Quarterback Taysom Hill says while Kamara will definitely get his touches, they plan to utilize everyone in the passing game.
Cut 17 (17) …check it down.”
The Saints have signed free agent running back Devonta Freeman. The former Florida State Seminole has played in the NFL for seven seasons, six of them for Atlanta and last year with the New York Giants. He only played in five games last season, rushing for 172 yards and one touchdown.

In football recruiting news…Ponchatoula Safety Jacoby Matthews has de-committed from LSU. He’s a five star prospect and 24-7 sports ranks him as the second best safety in the nation.

But one of the top offensive lineman in Louisiana has committed to LSU. Catholic HIgh of Baton Rouge’s Emery Jones has given a verbal pledge to LSU after also considering Florida State. He’s six-foot-five, 342 pounds and a four-star prospect. He’s rated as the 13th best prospect in Louisiana’s 2022 class.

Lake Charles College Prep receiver Keshlon Jackson has committed to Louisiana Tech. The six-foot, 170-pounder is a three-star recruit.

In Olympics news, former LSU tennis All-American Michael Venus has won bronze medal in men’s doubles. He’s the first person from LSU to win a medal in tennis and it’s the first for New Zealand.

Former LSU standout JuVaughn Harrison finished seventh in the high jump. He entered the event as the third best in the world in the high jump.

06:45 LRN Sportscast

On a 14-to-nothing vote, the SEC invited Texas and Oklahoma to join the Southeastern Conference. The paperwork says the Longhorns and Sooners will join the SEC in 2025, but some believe it will happen for the 2022 season. Tigers Coach Ed Orgeron is fine with the SEC becoming a super conference…
cut 20 (29) “…them in”
LSU has received a tight end from tight end Mason Taylor from Fort Lauderale, Florida. He’s the son of Dolphins Hall of Fame defensive end Jason Taylor.

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The Pelicans used the 17th pick in last night’s NBA draft to select Virginia’s Trey Murphy. He averaged 11 points a game for the Cavaliers last season and shot a team-high 43-percent from three-point territory. Before his lone season at Virginia, he played two years at Rice, where he averaged 14 points a game as a sophomore.

Former LSU Tiger Cam Thomas gets a chance to play with Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving. The Brooklyn Nets took the Tigers leading scorer last season with the 27th overall pick.

With Saints quarterback Drew Brees gone, running back Alvin Kamara becomes the focal point of the offense. Kamara is not concerned about the defense keying on him…
cut 17 (20) “…get at you”

4:45 LRN Sportscast July 29

The Saints held their first training camp practice today and star wide receiver Michael Thomas was not on the field and will not practice with the team for several weeks after undergoing surgery on his injured ankle in June. General Manager Mickey Loomis says Thomas tried to rehab the injury, it just didn’t work
Cut 16 (19) “…than later.”
And there’s an issue with another Saints wide receiver Deonte Harris. The punt returner was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol about two weeks ago in his hometown of Baltimore. His police report says he was traveling 77 miles per hour in a 55-mile per hour speed zone. He was also charged with negligent and reckless driving and faces a suspension from the NFL.

So what does Coach Ed Orgeron think about Texas and Oklahoma possibly moving to the SEC. Orgeron likes the idea….
cut 20 (29) “…them in”

High School football is just around the corner and fall practice will begin shortly. The rise in Coronavirus cases has many across the state wondering if the start of the season will be delayed. LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine does not expect a delay because we know more about the virus now.
Cut 9 (10) “..for that.”
Bonine also says he has confidence that coaches can keep the players safe because they had to work through the same thing last season.

1140 Sportscast 7/29

New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton is focused on training campas it begins today, but it’s possible the Superdome will not be at full capacity for the season opener against Green Bay because of the sudden rise of COVID cases in the Gulf South. Payton points to the Stanley Cup Finals that saw Tampa Bay play in front of sold-out crowds, while Montreal had limited capacity for their home games…

Cut 18 (26) “your players”

The Saints will be without star receiver Michael Thomas for training camp due to him having surgery on an ankle injury he suffered last season.

A week from today, LSU will report for preseason camp and the quarterback battle between Max Johnson and Myles Brennan can really begin. Coach Ed Orgeron says whoever wins the job, the team will be in great shape…

Cut 19 (29) “best man”

Orgeron says he may hold off on naming the starter until the week before the first game against UCLA.

The NBA draft is tonight and the Pelicans hold the 17th pick and could draft former LSU star Cam Thomas.  Ruston native and Baylor star Jared Butler is also a possibility.

6:45 LRN Sportscast July 29

The Saints hit the practice field this morning for the start of training camp. New Orleans will not have star receiver Michael Thomas for the start of the season, because of ankle surgery. Defensive tackle David Onyemata will be suspended for the first six games because of a failed drug test. Cornerback Marshon Lattimore could be facing a suspension following his arrest In May on a weapon’s charge. Plus eight starters off of last year’s team are no longer wearing the Black and Gold. But General Manager Mickey Loomis still likes the talent on this team…
cut 17 (29) “….itself”

A week from today, LSU will report for preseason camp and the quarterback battle between Max Johnson and Myles Brennan can really begin. Coach Ed Orgeron says whoever wins the job, the team will be in great shape…
Cut 19 (29) “…best man.”
Orgeron also says he supports Texas and Oklahoma’s proposed move to the SEC.

Tonight is the NBA draft and the Pelicans have the 17th overall pick. Former LSU Tiger Cam Thomas could be available when New Orleans makes its first round selection. Reserve native and former Baylor star Jared Butler is another possibility.

4:45 LRN Sportscast July 28

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron made his annual appearance before the Baton Rouge Rotary Club today where he previews the upcoming season. Orgeron says he has some veteran running backs that need to shine this season….
cut 18 (18) “…ever been”
Orgeron also says the safety position has turned into a strength by signing freshmen Sage Ryan and Derrick Davis and Major Burns transferring in from Georgia. Coach O says Burns has a chance to start, while Jay Ward will play free safety.

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association has announced Ochsner Health as the official healthcare provider of the LHSAA and Ochsner will also serve as title sponsor for the association’s championship events for the next five years.

Willie Green has officially been introduced as the head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans. Green comes to the Big Easy from Phoenix where he was an assistant under former Hornets head coach Monty Williams. Green actually played in New Orleans back in 2010 and he says it’s good to be back.
Cut 16 (18) “…here today.”
TMZ Sports reports that Pelicans center Jaxson Hayes was arrested early this morning following an alleged altercation with a police officer. Hayes reportedly tried to keep officers from entering a home in the Los Angeles area. The T-M-Z report says Hayes had to be treated for minor injuries after he was tased. The Pelicans say they are aware of the incident and trying to gather more information.

1140 Sportscast 7/28

Willie Green has officially been introduced as the head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans. Green takes over a team with a lot of young talent, including forwards Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson.  Despite the talent, the Pels missed the playoffs last season but Green calls this team a sleeping giant.

Cut 17 (16) “team go”

Green played 12 years in the NBA, including one season in New Orleans back in 2010.

The Pelicans could also make a huge offer to veteran point guard Kyle Lowry.  The Pels signing a veteran of Lowry’s magnitude could give them the type of leadership that they thrived under with Chris Paul.  Lowry will be a hot commodity and the Pelicans could be a long shot to land the all-star.

Kevin O’Connor has updated his 2021 NBA Mock Draft and has LSU shooting guard Cam Thomas going 17th overall to the New Orleans Pelicans.

LSU junior kicker Cade York has been named to the Lou Groza Award watch list.  The Groza goes to college football’s top place-kicker.  The McKinney, Texas native made over 85 percent of his field goals last season and made a career long 57-yarder at Florida, which is a school record.

With Michael Thomas being placed on the PUP list and set to miss the start of the season due to ankle surgery, the Saints have now agreed to a deal with veteran wide receiver Chris Hogan.  The 33-year-old won two super bowls with the New England Patriots during his nine-year career.  Hogan has caught 250 passes for 3,337 yards and 22 touchdowns during his time in the NFL.

The Saints have also announced they signed defensive end Kendall Donnerson and cornerback Brian Poole. Donnerson was on the Bengals practice squad last year after he was selected in the seventh round by the Packers in 2018. Poole is a former Florida Gator and in 70 career games in the NFL, he’s intercepted seven passes and has played the last two seasons with the Jets.