While its wait and see on whether LSU’s offense will turn the corner this season, the Tigers defense is expected to be one of the tops in the SEC again this season. Safety Grant Delpit is expected to lead the way. Linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson on what makes Delpit a great teammate…
cut 17 (29) “….like that”
Chaisson spoke with the media on Saturday, but on Sunday, Chaisson and cornerback Kristian Fulton were not on the practice field during the portion open to the media. Also missing, true freshman offensive lineman Kardell Thomas.

Louisiana was in the spotlight on Saturday in Canton, Ohio for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductions. Three men with strong ties to Louisiana were enshrined. Former Destrehan star Ed Reed’s bust really shows off his iconic facial hair and long hair on his head. Reed was born in Charity Hospital in New Orleans and later moved to St. Rose. He says that’s where it really began for him…
Cut 15 (14) “…interceptions.”
Former LSU stars Johnny Robinson and Kevin Mawae were also inducted.

An estimated 12-thousand fans watched the Saints practice last night at Tulane’s Yulman Stadium. Quarterback Drew Brees was intercepted a couple of times, once by rookie Saquan Hampton and cornerback Eli Apple had the other pick.

In Bossier City, the U-S Women’s volleyball team qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics with a straight-sets win over Argentina.

Preseason camp is underway for LSU. Coach Ed Orgeron says he will be heavily involved in coaching the defensive line, especially with D-Line coach Dennis Johnson in a wheelchair after severely injuring both of his knees while playing basketball. Orgeron wants an aggressive defensive line
Cut 28 (10) “…that staff ”
LSU’s first game is August 31st against Georgia Southern. The Eagles suspended their quarterback today. Shai (Shy) Werts has been arrested on a charge of cocaine possession.

ESPN is reporting that the Pelicans will play on Christmas Day. New Orleans will travel to Denver as the league looks to feature Zion Williamson on what is a big day for the Association. It’s also been reported that Anthony Davis will make his first return trip to the Big Easy on November 27. A-D will be wearing a Lakers jersey.

Induction ceremonies are Saturday night for the 2019 Pro Football Hall of Fame class and three of the inductees have strong connections to Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

ESPN is reporting that the Pelicans will play on Christmas Day. New Orleans will travel to Denver as the league looks to feature Zion Williamson on what is a big day for the Association. It’s also been reported that Anthony Davis will make his first return trip to the Big Easy on November 27. A-D will be wearing a Lakers jersey.

LSU’s first practice of preseason camp is this afternoon. Coach Ed Orgeron says for LSU to accomplish its goals, they have to play better on the offensive and defensive lines. Orgeron says a big battle at camp will be at nose tackle between Tyler Shelvin and Apu Ika
Cut 14 (11) “…going to be a battle.”
Orgeron says it’s wide open on who will be the starting left guard and it remains to be seen who will be the Tigers top tailback and field goal kicker. LSU opens the season August 31st against Georgia Southern.

Eagles Coach Chad Lunsford announced this morning that starting quarterback Shai (Shy) Werts has been suspended after he was charged with cocaine possession during a traffic stop on Wednesday. Werts was named to the All-Sun Belt Second team last season as he helped Georgia Southern compile a 10-3 record.

Eight individuals will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this weekend and three of them have strong ties to Louisiana. Former Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed went to Destrehan High School. His defensive coordinator at Destrehan and current Wildcats head coach Stephen Robicheaux says it’s a well-deserved honor…
cut 6 (9) “..another level”
Also going into the Hall, former LSU standouts Kevin Mawae and Johnny Robinson.

Saints receiver Michael Thomas is back with his teammates after a brief hold out that ended when he signed a five-year, 100-million dollar contract. Thomas says he sure got antsy being restricted to just studying film on his Ipad…
cut 16 (13) “….championship”

Can’t Guard Mike is back in Black and Gold after a short training camp holdout led to him becoming the highest-paid receiver in NFL history. The 26-year-old grabbed a five year, 100-million-dollar contract to set the new record. After breaking the record for most receptions through a player’s first three years, he’s confident he’s worth every penny.
Cut 15 (11) “…competing.”
Thomas caught 321 passes during his first three years in the league.

The Atlanta Falcons lost in the Hall of Fame game last night falling to the Denver Broncos 14-10. The new rule that allows challenges of pass interference calls was used. Broncos cornerback Linden Stephen was called for a 43-yard defensive penalty and after a review, the call was upheld.

Hall of Fame Ceremonies are Saturday. Louisiana natives Ed Reed, Kevin Mawae and Johnny Robinson will be inducted.

Junior center Lloyd Cushenberry and sophomore linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson have been awarded the number 18 jersey at LSU. Since Cushenberry is an offensive lineman, the rules do not allow him to wear a jersey number in the teens, so he’ll have a number 18 patch instead on his number 79 jersey.

LSU’s first practice of preseason camp is this afternoon. Coach Ed Orgeron says for LSU to accomplish its goals, they have to play better on the offensive and defensive lines. Orgeron says a big battle at camp will be at nose tackle between Tyler Shelvin and Apu Ika
Cut 14 (11) “…going to be a battle.”
Orgeron says it’s wide open on who will be the starting left guard and it remains to be seen who will be the Tigers top tailback and field goal kicker.

And in the coaches poll, LSU is ranked sixth. Clemson is number one, followed by Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma and Ohio State.

LSU Football players are reporting and the Tigers are ranked sixth in the coaches preseason poll which was released today. Fans are buzzing about the addition of former Saints assistant Joe Brady, who’s been tasked with improving an offense that’s ranked as one of the worst in the SEC. Tiger Rag assistant editor Tyler Nunez.
cut 30 (09) “…offense.”
Brady is LSU’s passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach. Nunez says there are other areas of the team to keep an eye on…
cut 29 (10) “..replace that”
Michael Divinity is one linebacker that’s expected to have a huge impact. One player who won’t be at camp, four-star linebacker Donte Starks, because of academic issues.

Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas was back on the practice field after signing his 5-year, 100-million dollar contract which makes him the highest-paid receiver in the NFL. But how long will that contract remain a record. Atlanta’s Julio Jones and Dallas’ Amari Cooper’s contract are near their end and could eclipse what Thomas is making.

Louisiana High School Athletic Association Executive Director Eddie Bonine says the new Louisiana Select Association has no standing within the LHSAA. Bonine says it’s not on par as other sub-groups like the Louisiana High School Coaches Association. In a statement, Bonine also expressed disappointment with the formation of the L-S-A when schools are being surveyed on their thoughts regarding unification. L-S-A leaders say they needed to organize in order secure venues for their championship games.

Wednesday was the Major League Baseball trading deadline, former LSU Tiger Alex Lange was traded by the Cubs to the Detroit Tigers organization.

After a brief training camp holdout, Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas is expected to be back on the practice field this morning at the team’s training facility in Metairie. Thomas and the Saints agreed to a five-year, 100-million dollar contract, 61-million in guaranteed money. The 26-year-old is the highest-paid receiver in NFL history.

LSU reports for fall camp today and one of the position battles to watch is at tight end. The Tigers need to replace starter Foster Moreau, who is now with the Oakland Raiders. Tiger Rag Assistant Editor Tyler Nunez says a few players will have a chance to fill that void…
cut 12 (11) “…with them”
One player who won’t be at camp, four-star linebacker Donte Starks, because of academic issues. And Orgeron announced two-sport star Maurice Hampton will work out at safety during preseason camp.

Louisiana Tech and ULM also report for preseason camp today. The Warhawks return 14 starters from a team that went 6-and-6 last season. ULM is hoping redshirt freshman running back Isaiah Phillips can be an explosive option out of the backfield for them.

Nicholls senior quarterback Chase Fourcade is one of 25 players on the STATS FCS Walter Payton Award Watch list. The 2018 Southland Player of the Year is one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the country.

Louisiana High School Athletic Association Executive Director Eddie Bonine says the new Louisiana Select Association has no standing within the LHSAA. Bonine says it’s not on par as other sub-groups like the Louisiana High School Coaches Association. In a statement, Bonine also expressed disappointment with the formation of the L-S-A when schools are being surveyed on their thoughts regarding unification. L-S-A leaders say they needed to organize in order secure venues for their championship games.

The Saints and Michael Thomas have reportedly agreed to a new contract that makes him the highest-paid receiver in NFL history….
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

The LSU football team reports for preseason camp tomorrow with expectations as high as they’ve been in several years. Coach Ed Orgeron has told his team not to have a big head…
Cut 12 (11) “…that’s it.”

Now that the LSU football program has a renovated 28-million dollar football operations building, basketball coach Will Wade is looking for donors to step up again, to help pay for a 15-million dollar renovation to the school’s basketball practice facility. Wade says the basketball team needs its own weight room and an improved locker room…
cut 18 (23) “…pulling away”
Wade says so far they’ve been able to raise a quarter of what is needed.

In a statement released to the media, LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine says it’s unfortunate that the Lousiaina Select Association organiziation has formed as his office has been directed by the LHSAA executive committee to try and return the association to a resemblance of itself prior to the split of public and private schools. The L-S-A was organized to help select schools secure sites for championship events.

The Saints and Michael Thomas agree on a massive contract that will pay him five-years, 100-million dollars, which would make him the highest-paid receiver in NFL. Thomas led the NFL with 125 catches this past season and no other player in NFL has caught more passes in his first three seasons. The Voice of the Saints, Zach Streif, says Thomas is worth the investment.
Cut 4 (08) “…in the the city” .”
Thomas has been a training camp holdout, but is expected to rejoin teammates at practice tomorrow.

Speaking of practice, LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade is hoping private donors will step up and help build a new practice facility for his program. Wade says he’s looking for the same type of efficiency for his basketball players that the football team is getting with its new facility…
cut 17 (09 “…the year”
Wade says the upgrade to the basketball facility will be 15-million dollars.

LSU Coach Paul Mainieri says they are giving pitching coach Alan Dunn some additional technological support. Injuries to the pitching staff prevented the 2019 team from living up to its preseason number one ranking. Mainieri says they are in the process of converting one of their batting cages into a pitching lab that will help with development and look for red flags when it comes to possible injuries
cut 20 (23) “kind of things”
Mainieri says Jaden Hill, who missed of the season due to elbow soreness, will start throwing again on August 11th.

Now that LSU football has its newly renovated operations building, LSU basketball coach Will Wade says the Tigers basketball practice facility needs a major upgrade. Wade says he’s met with Tiger Athletic Foundation officials and they’ve raised about 25-percent of what they need
Cut 16 (13) “…with our time”
LSU’s basketball practice facility opened in 2010. But Wade says it doesn’t have a weight room or office space for coaches. He would also like to improve the players’ locker room. Wade says the upgrade will cost 15-million dollars.

Former LSU star Travin Dural is back with the Saints. The Black and Gold released Dural in June after not playing in 2018 due to an injury. Coach Sean Payton says after they released him, they knew there was a chance Dural would be back.

During his annual summer press conference, LSU baseball coach Paul Mainieri explained why he decided to make a change with his hitting coach. Sean Ochinko was replaced in favor of Eddie Smith, who helped Tulane break several offensive American Athletic Conference records last season. Mainieri says Smith has an impressive gameplan on how to develop hitters…
cut 19 (22) “great addition”
The Tigers will begin fall ball on September 29th and open the regular season at home in February against Indiana. The Hoosiers played in a regional last season. LSU will also host the national champs during SEC play. Vanderbilt will travel to the Box, the dates of that weekend series has not been set.

LSU athletics director Scott Woodward wants to change the transfer policy which has provided the academic side with millions of dollars generated by athletics. From 2012-to-2017, LSU athletics sent nearly 50-million dollars to the university. Woodward says it’s dangerous for a school to rely on recurring money from athletics
cut 30 (07) “…doing
That’s Woodward’s thoughts in an exclusive interview with Tiger Rag Magazine.

At Saints training camp, former Breaux Bridge and LSU wide receiver Travin Dural was on the practice field for a tryout. The Black and Gold released Dural a month ago. Free-agent running back Robert Kelley is also reportedly trying out for the Black and gold. He’s a New Orleans native who went to O-Perry Walker and Tulane University. Kelley has been spent time on the Redskins roster for three seasons.

Private high schools also known as “select” schools form a new organization within the Louisiana High School Athletic Association to help coordinate their efforts to host their own championship events in football, basketball, baseball and softball. Catholic High of Baton Rouge athletics director JP Kelly is the Interim CEO of the Louisiana Select Association…
Cut 10 (10) “…sports.”
Last January, LHSAA member principals voted to allow select schools to host their own championship events at venues separate from the public schools.

LSU football has received its first commitment for the 2021 class, four-star Texas defensive end Landyn Watson. He’s six-foot-three, 240-pounds and he’s rated as the 11th best weak-side defensive end in the country.

LSU basketball walk-on Will Reese has left the program so he can focus on his education. Reese was a two-sport star at Anacoco and led the school to back-to-back state titles in basketball in 2015 and 2016. Former Southeastern Guard Parker Edwards is expected to take Reese’s spot on the roster.