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.

The LSU football team is starting to get over the injury bug. Coach Ed Orgeron says All-American strong safety Grant Delpit practiced yesterday for the first time in a week…
cut 30 (30) “….offensive line”
But Orgeron says true freshman guard Kardell Thomas suffered what appeared to be a serious injury and he expects the former Southern Lab standout to be out awhile.

The LSU basketball team will play the Dominican Republic in an exhibition game today as part of the Tigers 10-day visit to Spain. Dominican Republic is ranked 18th in the FIBA World poll.

Today the state bond commission is scheduled to vote on the financing plan for the $450 million overhaul to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington ”

The Saints will hold a joint practice with the Chargers today in California.

The Falcons have signed former LSU quarterback Danny Etling, one day after he was released by the Patriots.

The Southland Conference will hold a beach volleyball championship in 2020. U-N-O, Nicholls and Southeastern Louisiana have programs, with S-L-U beginning its first competitive season in 2020.

Three key players on LSU’s defense missed practice yesterday. Kristian Fulton, Grant Delpit, and K’Lavon Chaisson were not spotted during the media viewing portion. Delpit has missed six straight practices, Chaisson has missed seven and Fulton has missed six practices over the last week. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says it’s not time to panic yet…
cut 30 (25) “…these guys”
Coach Ed Orgeron will speak with reporters following today’s practice. We are 17 days away from the season opener against Georgia Southern.

The Saints will have a walkthrough at their training facility in Metairie today and then it’s off to Los Angeles for a pair of joint practices with the Chargers starting on Thursday. The Black and Gold will enjoy the cooler temperatures, with high temperatures in the 80s as compared to what the south Louisiana heat offers.

Former LSU quarterback Danny Elting’s time with the Patriots has ended. New England converted the signal-caller to wide receiver this training camp, but he only saw two snaps in the preseason opener and he was released yesterday.

Former LSU Tiger DJ LeMahieu smacked his 19th home run of the season on the first pitch he saw in the first inning as the Yankees went on to beat the Orioles eight to three.

UL-Lafayette men’s basketball has released its non-conference schedule. The Cajuns will host McNeese, Southeastern and travel to Louisiana Tech. They will also visit TCU, Arizona State and will also play two games in Las Vegas versus U-C Irvine and Detroit Mercy.

One of the big position battles at LSU camp is at nose tackle, where Tyler Shelvin is battling with freshman Apu Ika from Salt Lake City. Senior defensive lineman Breiden Fehoko gives his take on the position battle
Cut 16 (28) “…of view”
ESPN’s list of 50 best college football players for 2019 has three LSU players on it. Safety Grant Delpit comes in at number four, cornerback Kristian Fulton is at 32nd and linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson is at 36.

The Saints are off today. They fly out to the west coast tomorrow where they’ll compete against the Chargers in a couple of joint practices and then face the Chargers in a preseason game on Sunday. Undrafted rookie receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey caught a touchdown pass in the preseason opener and Coach Sean Payton calls the former Texas Longhorn a work in progress…
cut 30 (13) “…away from the defender’

Former LSU quarterback Danny Etling could not cut it as a wide receiver and the Patriots have released the former seventh-round draft pick. New England was looking to see if Etling could be another Taysom Hill.

The Cajuns have received a verbal commitment from three-star defensive back Caleb Anderson from East Feliciana High School. Also Catholic High of New Iberia’s Trey Amos gave a verbal pledge to Billy Napier. Amos plays Q-B for the Panthers, but he’ll play cornerback in college.

Governor Edwards says talks are progressing on a new lease deal with the Saints that would keep the team in New Orleans for another 30 years. In conjunction with that is a 450-million dollar plan to renovate the Superdome…
cut 28 (09) “…short period of time”
The State Bond Commission will consider a financing proposal on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the Saints leave tomorrow for Los Angeles where they’ll hold a couple of joint practices with the Chargers. Coach Sean Payton…
cut 30 (14) “…our league’
The Saints and the Chargers will also face off in a preseason game on Sunday in L-A.

LSU’s offensive line is a question mark heading into the 2019 campaign. At times last season, the o-line underperformed. Tigers defensive end Breiden Fehoko likes what he sees with that unit this year…
cut 17 (17) “…reckon with”
In Saturday’s scrimmage, LSU’s defensive line produced five sacks, but LSU’s o-line was missing some second teamers.

Former LSU quarterback Danny Etling has reportedly been waived by the Patriots. Etling was working out as a receiver in training camp.

Northwestern State quarterback Shelton Eppler has been named to the F-C-S National Performer of the Year Trophy watch list. Eppler threw for 2,639 yards and 26 touchdowns in nine games last season.

And the Ragin Cajuns have received a verbal commitment from three-star defensive back Caleb Anderson from East Feliciana High School.