Today the media toured the new $28 million dollar football operations building at LSU as part of a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Athletic Director Scott Woodward says his goal is to see LSU have the best of everything.
Cut 3 (09) “…here at LSU.”
Even though there’s been some backlash against the lavishness of the facility compared to the bad shape of some academic buildings, Woodward says most of the feed back has been positive.

The Saints report to training camp tomorrow. Mike Triplett covers the Black and Gold for the Saints says one of the new additions to watch is Latavius Murray who will attempt to replace running back Mark Ingram…
cut 30 (11) “…if needed”

2-guard JJ Redick has officially signed his two year deal with the Pelicans, guaranteeing the young team one of the best shooters in the league, and a player known for his skills as a mentor and culture builder. The 35-year-old Redick, who has never missed the playoffs, could have had his pick of the litter in free agency, but he didn’t hesitate when New Orleans called…
Cut 16 (17) “…momentum.”
Redick recently finished a stint in Philly where he posted a career-high 18 points a game while shooting nearly 40 percent from 3.

D-1 Baseball’s Kendall Rogers reports that U-L Lafayette head baseball coach Matt Deggs plans to hire former two-time major league baseball all-star B-J Ryan as his pitching coach. Ryan is a former Ragin Cajun who played for several seasons in the majors with Toronto and Baltimore.

Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson has signed a multi-year apparel deal with Jordan Brand, whose parent company is Nike. The terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the former Duke star is reportedly receiving 75 million dollars.

J-J Redick says he decided to sign with the Pelicans because he likes the momentum the franchise has been building since David Griffin took over as the team’s executive vice president of basketball operations. The 35-year-old three-point specialist agreed to a two-year, 26.5 million dollar deal and has no problem being a mentor for the young guys on the roster….
cut 18 (17) “….action”
Redick gained a reputation for embracing the role of a mentor during his later years in Orlando.

The Saints report for training camp tomorrow and defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins will start camp on the physically unable to perform list. Rankins continues to recover from a torn Achilles tendon suffered in the Saints playoff win over Philadelphia on January 13th. If Rankins remains on the PUP list when the regular season starts, he’ll be forced to miss the first six games.

LSU baseball played Texas last March, the Tigers football team will travel to Austin in September and now it’s being reported the basketball team will play the Longhorns on their home floor as part of the S-E-C-Big 12 challenge. The game will take place on January 25th according to C-B-S Sports College basketball insider Jon Rothstein.

D-1 Baseball’s Kendall Rogers reports that U-L Lafayette head baseball coach Matt Deggs plans to hire former two-time major league baseball all-star B-J Ryan as his pitching coach. Ryan is a former Ragin Cajun who played for several seasons in the majors with Toronto and Baltimore.

The Saints report for training camp tomorrow and defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins will start camp on the physically unable to perform list. Rankins continues to recover from a torn Achilles tendon suffered in the Saints playoff win over Philadelphia on January 13th. If Rankins remains on the PUP list when the regular season starts, he’ll be forced to miss the first six games.

LSU baseball played Texas last March, the Tigers football team will travel to Austin in September and now it’s being reported the basketball team will play the Longhorns on their home floor as part of the S-E-C-Big 12 challenge. The game will take place on January 25th according to C-B-S Sports College basketball insider Jon Rothstein.

D-1 Baseball’s Kendall Rogers reports that U-L Lafayette head baseball coach Matt Deggs plans to hire former two-time major league baseball all-star B-J Ryan as his pitching coach. Ryan is a former Ragin Cajun who played for several seasons in the majors with Toronto and Baltimore.

Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson has signed a multi-year apparel deal with Jordan Brand, whose parent company is Nike. The terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the former Duke star is reportedly receiving 75 million dollars.

Another former Duke star, J-J Redick, spoke with reporters yesterday about signing with the Pelicans. He joins a growing Duke contingent in the Crescent City with newly acquired forwards Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson, along with side existing bench players Jahil Okafor and Frank Jackson…
cut 17 (19) “….real”
Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffen says targeted Redick in free agency because his veteran presence can help set the tone for the young team.

LSU football coaches and players are impressed with their new 28-million dollar football operations building that features a new locker room, cafeteria and players lounge. Meanwhile, LSU mass communications professor Bob Mann says there are several academic buildings in the need of repairs, especially the library…
cut 13 (10) “…being pumped out”
LSU’s new ops building was paid for by private donations.

Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson has signed a contract to endorse Nike’s Jordan Brand of sneakers. Williamson chose Nike over Adidas and Under Armour, even though he broke his Nike sneaker in a game against North Carolina last February.

And Williamson has decided not to participate in the USA Basketball training camp that takes place next month in Las Vegas.

At Sun Belt Media Day, UL-Lafayette Coach Billy Napier says Levi Lewis enters preseason camp as the starting quarterback. Lewis appeared in every game last season, getting a chance to play every fourth drive. Napier says they are still waiting to see if transfer Brayden Hawkins will be eligible to play this season. Hawkins transferred in from Maryland and he’ll join several other quarterbacks who are competing for playing time.

The Saints report for training camp on Thursday. Will Pro Bowl wide receiver Michael Thomas have a deal done by then. Yahoo Sports reports the Saints are offering a contract that will pay Thomas 18 to 19 million dollars a year, while Thomas is reportedly looking for 20-million a year.

And former LSU star Odell Beckham Junior told G-Q magazine that he felt disrespected when the Giants traded the star wide receiver to the Browns. Beckham says the Giants have been a losing a franchise lately and he’s the only reason why the team still appeared in prime time games.

Not everyone is elated with the 28-million dollars in renovations done to LSU’s football operations building. The money from private donations has resulted in a new locker room that includes pods so a player can take a nap in their locker space, a first-class nutrition center, players lounge and much more. On social media, several people including one LSU professor pointed out that the library on campus is in need of repairs, but a building that opened in 2005 has already received an extensive renovation.

The Saints report for training camp on Thursday. Will Pro Bowl wide receiver Michael Thomas have a deal done by then. Yahoo Sports reports the Saints are offering a contract that will pay Thomas 18 to 19 million dollars a year, while Thomas is reportedly looking for 20-million a year.

And former LSU star Odell Beckham Junior told G-Q magazine that he felt disrespected when the Giants traded the star wide receiver to the Browns.

It’s year two of the Billy Napier era at U-L Lafayette. Napier led his team to a Sun Belt Western Division championship last year and at Sun Belt Media Day in New Orleans he discussed what needs to happen for the program to take the next step…
cut 30 (22) “…specialists”
ULM coach Matt Viator discussed finishing strong after ending last season with back to back losses…
cut 19 (19) “…care of itself”

The unveiling of LSU’s renovated football operations and performance nutrition center has created a feisty debate on social media, with several current and former players defending the 28-million dollar private investment. The players new lockers feature pods that can fold out, so an athlete can get a little shut eye. But many are questioning the need for an improved facility while the school’s library continues to fall apart.

Yahoo’s Charles Robinson reports the Saints have offered Michael Thomas a new deal that would pay him 18 to 19-million dollars a year. But Thomas wants to be the first receiver in the NFL to earn an average of 20-million dollars per year. The 26-year-old is entering the final year of his contract that will pay him just one-point-two million dollars.

Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson will not attend the USA Basketball training camp in Las Vegas next month. Williamson was expected to part of a 10-member team to compete with others who are looking to make the USA Team that will compete in the FIBA World Cup.

At Sun Belt Media Days, U-L Lafayette Coach Billy Napier says Levi Lewis begins the season at the top of the depth chart at quarterback…
cut 28 (22) “…on people”
As a passer last season, Lewis was 37 of 59 for 585 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions.

In Monroe, the Warhawks finished 6-and-6 last season, but did not receive a bowl bid. ULM Coach Matt Viator says the two losses at the end of the season are providing motivation…
cut 29 (21) “…enough plays”

LSU believes it has set the standard with its renovated football operations building that includes a new training room, players lounge, cafeteria and locker room. Equipment manager Greg Stringfellow says each player’s locker features a pod as a chair that folds out into a bed, allowing a player to take a nap
Cut 3 (11) “…resting.”
Stringfellow says no other college football program in the country has a locker room where you can actually lay down and get some rest. He says to have that and a first-class nutrition center should help maximize a player’s efficiency
Cut 5 (11) “…perform.”
The renovations cost 23-million dollars and were paid for by private donations through the Tiger Athletic Foundation.

LSU announces it will retire the jersey of men’s basketball all-American Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf. The jersey will be retired during a game in the upcoming season. The Gulfport, Mississippi, native was named a first-team All-American in 1989 and 1990 and he’s the only freshman in college basketball history to average over 30 points per game.

Former major leaguer Lee Smith is now in the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. The Bienville Parish native came from the small town of Castor, which has about four-hundred people in it. He finished with 478 saves. Two of his best seasons were in the early 1990s with the Cardinals, where he saved 47 and 43 games in back-to-back seasons.

At Sun Belt Media Day in New Orleans, Ragin Cajuns coach Billy Napier announced that starting center Cole Prudhomme underwent surgery after tearing his A-C-L late in spring practice. Napier says they’ll make a determination in September on whether Prudhomme will play this season or red shirt. Third-year sophomore Shane Vallot is a top candidate to replace Prudhomme.

The LSU football team had a chance to see their new home last night as 23-million dollars in renovations to the football operations building has been completed. Based on social media posts, the players could not get over their new lockers. Each one has a pod that folds out, so players can take a nap in between classes or before and r practices and workouts. Equipment manager Greg Stringfellow says the facility also contains a nutrition center and the Tyrann Mathieu players lounge…
cut 4 (12) “…and recline”
LSU will allow the media to take a tour of the new facility tomorrow.

And LSU announces that former LSU basketball star Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf will have jersey number 35 retired at a game during the upcoming season. Known as Chris Jackson during his playing days at LSU, the Gulfport, Mississippi, native was named as an All-American in 1989 and 1990 and he’s the only freshman to average 30-points a game.

Former Northwestern State basketball player Lee Smith was inducted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame yesterday. Smith pitched for 18 seasons in the majors after he found out his right arm was better than his jump shot. Smith had 478 saves, which ranks third all-time. Smith thanked his family from Castor, Louisiana for leading him into the hall.

In the majors last night, former LSU pitcher Kevin Gausman pitched very well in his first start in over a month as the Braves defeated the National seven to one. Gausman was on the Injured List with plantar fascitis and allowed five hits and one run in seven-plus innings with eight strikeouts.

The Pelicans have announced they re-signed forward Darius Miller, who averaged eight points a game last season.

Former McNeese golfer Robert MacIntyre finished in a tie for sixth place at the British Open. MacIntyre sunk a 25-foot birdie putt on 18 to finish five-under-par for the tournament. The Scotland native was on the McNeese golf team in 2014 and 2015.

LSU coaches and players had a chance to see the renovated football operations building last night and the biggest takeaway, pods at each player’s locker and the pod can be extended so a player can take a nap. Members of the media will get a chance to view the improved facility on Wednesday.

Former LSU Tiger Devin White has signed his first professional contract as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers inked the first-round pick. White is expected to be a starter as an inside linebacker in Tampa Bay’s new 3-4 scheme.

But White is mourning the loss of his horse Daisy Mae, who died from dehydration. White kept Daisy Mae at a stable near LSU’s campus and on the day he took his final final exam in December, he rode the horse to class and later in Tiger Stadium.

Sun Belt Media Day is in New Orleans. The Ragin Cajuns have been picked to repeat as West Champs, while ULM is picked to finish in third place. The Warhawks were 6-and-6 last season and return 15 starters, including quarterback Caleb Evans.

Former Northwestern State basketball player Lee Smith was inducted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame yesterday. Smith pitched for 18 seasons in the majors after he found out his right arm was better than his jump shot. Smith had 478 saves, which ranks third all-time. Smith thanked his family from Castor, Louisiana for leading him into the hall.

In the majors last night, former LSU pitcher Kevin Gausman pitched very well in his first start in over a month as the Braves defeated the National seven to one. Gausman was on the Injured List with plantar fascitis and allowed five hits and one run in seven-plus innings with eight strikeouts.

Houston won its fifth straight as the Astros completed the sweep of the Rangers with a five to three win over Texas.

The Pelicans have announced they re-signed forward Darius Miller, who averaged eight points a game last season.

And former McNeese golfer Robert MacIntyre finished in a tie for sixth place at the British Open. Shane Lowry was the unexpected runaway winner.

An Orleans Parish judge is allowing a Saints fan’s lawsuit over the ending of the NFC championship game to move forward. Judge Nicole Sheppard denied the NFL’s motion to dismiss the suit. Attorney Tony LeMon says the purpose of his lawsuit is to hold the league accountable and just because the NFL is big, does not mean they are untouchable.
Cut 9 (10) “…for civil liability.”
The judge also ruled that LeMon could get the chance to question NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and three game officials in depositions. The league is expected to appeal the ruling.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has released its speech order for the Class of 2019 Enshrinement Ceremony on August 3rd. Former LSU Tigers Johnny Robinson and Kevin Mawae will go back-to-back as they will be the second and third speakers. Former Destrehan star Ed Reed will be the sixth speaker on that night.

Media at SEC Media Days has picked the LSU Tigers to finish second in the SEC West, behind Alabama. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says LSU landed eight players on the preseason All-Southeastern Conference teams, which is why LSU is picked to finish near the top of the division standings…
cut 13 (12) “…second team”
After Alabama and LSU in the SEC West, the media projects Texas A-and-M to finish third followed by Auburn, Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Arkansas. Georgia is the favorite to win the East, followed by Florida, Missouri, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky and Vanderbilt.

The Saints first training camp practice is Friday July 26th. The Saints have announced that the practice dates on July 27th, 28th, August 3rd and August 10th have sold out. Free tickets are still available for eight practice dates.