We are 11 days away from seeing LSU’s new offense take the field when the Tigers kick off the 2019 campaign by hosting Georgia Southern. Coach Ed Orgeron has said the Tigers will have more of a spread attack and they want to ball out of quarterback Joe Burrow’s hands quickly. But wide receiver Justin Jefferson says they have plenty of guys who can run deep routes too
Cut 16 (12) “…this season”
On paper it appears LSU is deep at the wide receiver position. Jefferson returns as the leading receiver. Ja’Marr Chase and Terrace Marshall are expected to have more of an impact.

Nicholls star wide receiver Dai’Jean Dixon is in trouble with the law. Thibodaux police say the 20-year-old was arrested on Saturday with intent to distribute marijuana charges. Last season Dixon caught 53 passes for 753 yards and seven touchdowns. Nicholls says they are cooperating with law enforcement on this issue.

The Saints came from behind to beat the Chargers on Sunday, but Coach Sean Payton was not happy with the sloppy play of his offense in the first half. Payton on correcting the mistakes that were made….
cut 30 (30) “…same way defensively”
New Orleans will visit the New York Jets in the preseason game number three on Saturday.

The Little League team from River Ridge stayed alive in the Little League World Series last night with a 10-0 victory over a team from Minnesota. The Eastbank All-Stars will play again Wednesday morning against the winner of a contest between New Jersey and Rhode Island.

After spending a good part of last week in California, the Saints are back in Metairie. New Orleans defeated the Los Angeles Chargers in preseason action Sunday and third-string Q-B Taysom Hill played well. And through two preseason games, Hill has completed 19 of 29 passes for 216 yards and three touchdowns. During the television broadcast on Sunday, Coach Sean Payton told the announcers that Hill reminded him of Steve Young. He expanded on that comment with reporters on Monday…
cut 30 (26) “…business we are in”
Hill and the Saints are back in action on Saturday when they face the New York Jets.

In LSU’s last scrimmage, freshman John Emery led all running backs with 68 yards on 11 carries. Wide receiver Justin Jefferson played with Emery at Destrehan High School and calls Emery a special back…
cut 18 (21) “….as well”
The A-P preseason poll came out yesterday and the Fighting Tigers are ranked sixth. Clemson is number one, Alabama second, Georgia third, Oklahoma fourth and Ohio State fifth.

Nicholls is ranked 11th in the FCS coaches poll, but star wide receiver Dai’Jean Dixon has been arrested on a charge to distribute marijuana. Thibodaux police say 84 grams of marijuana were found in his vehicle over the weekend.

LSU is ranked sixth in the A-P preseason poll. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says five teams on LSU’s schedule are ranked in the Top 16, but the expectations are much higher this year, even though the schedule is as tough as last year…
cut 11 (11) “…six”

LSU has announced the hiring of Bill Johnson as the team’s defensive line coach. Johnson fills in for Dennis Johnson, who badly injured his knees in a pickup basketball game. Bill Johnson was the Rams defensive line coach the last two season and before that he was with the Saints from 2009 to 2016. Coach Ed Orgeron says Bill Johnson has a long track record of coaching and developing top defensive linemen…
Cut 16 (16) “…to have em”

The Saints coaches have been evaulating the tape from yesterday’s 19-17 victory over the Chargers in preseason action. The first half did not go well as New Orleans fell behind 17-3, but third string Q-b Taysom Hill led the Black and Gold on a big second half comeback. But second-string quarterback Teddy Bridgewater’s performance was forgetable as he completed just five passes for 40 yards and there was an interception. Coach Sean Payton says Bridgewater was sick and he didn’t get much help…
cut 30 (11) “…the game”
The third preseason game of the year is Saturday at the New York Jets.

At the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvannia, the team from River Ridge will play tonight against Coon Rapids, Minnesota. The Louisiana team kept its World Series title hopes alive by beating Salem, Oregon three to two Saturday night. First pitch is at 7 PM on ESPN.

The Saints fell behind 17-3 in preseason action yesterday but rallied for a 19-17 win over the Chargers. Teddy Bridgewater was ineffective, but Coach Sean Payton says the back-up Q-B is battling an illness. Taysom Hill led the comeback as he threw two touchdown passes. New Orleans is at the New York Jets on Saturday.

LSU comes in at number six in the AP preseason poll which was released today. A big question mark for the Tigers is on the offensive line, where true freshman guard Kardell Thomas could be done for the season as he needs surgery on his injured ankle. Coach Ed Orgeron is still looking for someone to step up at left guard. Senior Adrian Magee started two games at that position last year and they are also trying to get Chasen Hines healthy after offseason knee surgery…
cut 17 (19) “….we’ll see”

Louisiana Tech held a scrimmage on Saturday. Here’s what Coach Skip Holtz saw….
cut 30 (22) “…defensive football team”
The Bulldogs open the season against Texas on August 31st.

Despite criticism, U-L Lafayette Football Coach Billy Napier says he still wants his scholarship players to give 50-dollars annually to the Ragin Cajun Athletic Foundation, which raises funds for the athletic department. Napier says his goal is to create a culture where players are grateful for the opportunity
Cut 13 (12) “…college education.”
Napier says if a player can’t afford the 50 dollars or has a problem with giving money to the R-C-A-F, he’ll cover the cost.

Saints Coach Sean Payton says the Black and Gold still has a lot to work on after watching his team come from behind to beat the Chargers 19-17 in preseason action on Sunday. New Orleans had a couple of turnovers in the red zone and Teddy Bridgewater was 5 of 12 for 40 yards and an interception. Taysom Hill led the comeback as he was 11 of 15 for 136 yards and two touchdowns.

In a scrimmage on Saturday, LSU starting Q-B Joe Burrow threw for 160 yards and a couple of touchdowns. Backup Myles Brennan threw for 260 yards and a touchdown. Coach Ed Orgeron says the coaches are impressed with Brennan’s development…
cut 18 (18) “….believe that”
LSU’s season opener against Georgia Southern is 12 days away.

U-L Lafayette football coach Billy Napier is facing criticism for asking his scholarship athletes to give 50-dollars to the Ragin Cajuns Athletic Foundation. Napier says giving 50-dollars is a nice gesture to support a foundation that makes the student-athlete experience great….
cut 14 (12) “….their opportunity’
Napier says if a player can’t afford the 50 dollars or has a problem with giving money to the R-C-A-F, he’ll cover the cost.

LSU has added another top 50 wide receiver to its 2020 recruiting class as Rummel pass catcher Koy Moore announced his commitment to the Tigers during his 18th birthday party celebration at a restaurant in Kenner. He’s six-foot-one, 175 pounds and 24-7 sports ranks him as the 45th best receiver nationally.

The Saints will have closed practice today in Costa Mesa, California after holding two joint practices with the Chargers. Tomorrow, New Orleans will face the Chargers in a preseason game. Starters are not expected to play much. Cornerback Marcus Lattimore is entering his third season and he wants to avoid the slow start that he had last year…
cut 30 (16) “…big for me”
Tomorrow’s preseason game starts at 3 PM.

LSU will hold a scrimmage today. Coach Ed Orgeron has said he wants to give a long look at the younger players on his roster. Spotted at practice yesterday, new defensive line Bill Johnson, who is taking the place of Dennis Johnson who suffered serious knee injuries in a basketball game.

Second-year U-L Lafayette football coach Billy Napier is facing criticism for requiring scholarship athletes on his team to donate 50-dollars a year to the Ragin Cajun Athletic Foundation. Athletics director Bryan Maggard told the Advocate that it’s only optional. Napier says the hope is that if student-athletes are introduced to donating to the R-C-A-F in college, they will continue to do so after graduation. He says if they can’t afford the 50-dollars, he’ll pay for it for them.

The Louisiana Select Association says it will hold its four state championship football games between December 5th through the 7th. That’s the weekend before the non-select schools will hold their title games at the Superdome. L-S-A C-E-O, J-P Kelly, also says that three of the four divisions have waived their rights to host a championship game, which means title games for those divisions will be played at a neutral site, possibly on a college campus.

LSU football will hold its second scrimmage of fall camp tomorrow. Sophomore linebacker Damone Clark from Southern Lab High School was the leading tackler in last week’s preseason game and Coach Ed Orgeron says Clark is pushing Jacob Phillips and Patrick Queen for one of the starting inside linebacker spots
Cut 16 (12) “…linebacker”
Outside linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson was back at practice yesterday after missing more than a week with an undisclosed injury. On the offensive line, Adrian Magee and Donavaughn Campbell are the starting guards, while Damien Lewis, Chasen Hines and Kardell Thomas are out with injuries.

The LSU men’s basketball team lost in an exhibition game to the Dominican Republic 92-88. Emmitt Williams had 28 points and nine rebounds for the Tigers.

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees says the new helmets that the NFL is requiring players to wear are super comfortable, but they look weird. Brees says he had trouble adjusting to the helmets because the protective gear looks more like something an astronaut would wear…
cut 30 (35) “…this year”
The Saints have a joint training camp practice with the Chargers today in California. New Orleans will face Los Angeles in a preseason game on Sunday.

The Saints will go up against the Chargers again today in preparation for their preseason game on Sunday in Carson City, California. Saints Quarterback Drew Brees says it’s good to go up against another team…
cut 30 (22) “…up the competition”
Saints wide receiver Keith Kirkwood was in full pads yesterday. He had missed the last eight practices with an undisclosed injury. He did not participate in team drills. Running back Alvin Kamara and wide receiver Michael Thomas were also in pads but did not go through team drills. Today’s practice will begin at 10 AM pacific time.

LSU’s Michael Divintiy who started at outside linebacker last year is set to start at inside linebacker this season. Coach Ed Orgeron says Jacob Phillips, Patrick Queen and Damone Clark are competing for the other inside linebacker spot. Orgeron expected Phillips would take on a bigger role with Devin White’s departure…
cut 17 (19) “…of plays”
LSU outside linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson returned to the practice field yesterday after missing eight straight practices. All-American safety Grant Delpit practiced for a second straight day. And LSU is reportedly on the verge of hiring former Saints defensive line coach Bill Johnson. Johnson would take the place of Dennis Johnson, who can’t be on the sidelines after badly injuring both of his knees in a basketball game.

The Louisiana Bond Commission has approved a 450-million dollar financing plan that will pay for upgrades to the Superdome. Superdome Commission Chairman Doug Thornton says the renovations will improve an iconic facility…
cut 8 (12) “….annual basis”
Renovations will begin after this football season and take four years. The upgrades include expanded concourses, more concession stands and replacing the pedestrian ramps with escalators and elevators.

The Superdome Commission, the Saints, and the state will provide the funds to get the project done. Governor John Bel Edwards says getting the financing plan approved will help secure a deal that will keep the Saints in New Orleans for another 30 years.

Meanwhile, the Saints are out in California holding a couple of joint practices with the Chargers and then they’ll face Los Angeles in a preseason game on Sunday.

LSU freshman offensive guard Kardell Thomas will reportedly miss the next two months because of an ankle injury suffered in yesterday’s practice. Thomas was the nation’s number one offensive guard in the 2019 recruiting class. He was not getting reps with the first team, but Coach Ed Orgeron has been encouraged by his development.

Orgeron is reportedly bringing in former Saints defensive line coach Bill Johnson to coach the LSU Tigers D-Line. Current defensive line coach Dennis Johnson is in a wheelchair after badly injuring both knees while playing basketball.

ESPN reports former Pelican and current Lakers center DeMarcus Cousins suffered a serious knee injury while working out in Las Vegas. Doctors fear the four-time All Star tore his ACL. It would be Cousins third major injury since tearing his Achilles while playing with the Pelicans in 2018.

LSU basketball lost to the Dominican Republic 92-88 in an exhibition game in Spain. Sophomore forward Emmitt Williams led LSU with 28 points.

LSU All-American Safety Grant Delpit returned to practice after missing six straight practices, but the Tigers suffered another injury as freshman guard Kardell Thomas went down. Coach Ed Orgeron said after practice the injury could be serious and there’s a report out today that says Thomas will miss two months.

Fellow freshman Trey Palmer returned to practice this week after being held out because of a minor injury. Orgeron says the former Kentwood star has been impressive to watch…
cut 30 (22) “…impressed with him”
LSU will hold its second scrimmage of fall camp on Saturday.

The NFL Players Association has issued a work stoppage guide to help players prepare for the possibility of a strike or lockout following the 2020 season. The NFL and its players’ association have been discussing a new collective bargaining agreement, but little progress has been made. Sources say both sides are confident a work stoppage can be avoided. The current C-B-A will expire in March 2021, but if talks break down, a work stoppage in 2020 could be possible.

The State Bond Commission has approved a 450-million dollar financing plan to pay for renovations to the 44-year-old Superdome. The state will spend 90-million dollars on the project, the Superdome Commission 210-million dollars and the Saints will put up the rest. Saints President Dennis Lauscha…
cut 6 (08) “…150-million”
Renovations would begin after this football season and take three to four years to complete.