LSU barely made the preseason Amway Coaches Poll as the Tigers come in at number 24. There’s a lot of question marks with this team, especially on offense. It’s unclear who will start at quarterback, there’s several unproven, young wide receivers and none of the running backs on this roster have scored a touchdown. But Coach Ed Orgeron likes the talent he has in the back field…
cut 30 (26) “…running style”
LSU reports for fall camp tomorrow and the first practice is Saturday.

Elsewhere…former LSU wide receiver Travin Dural has been placed on injured reserve by the Saints with a broken arm, so he’ll miss the season and another former Tiger, Brandon LaFell has been released by the Bengals.

Louisiana Tech begins fall camp tomorrow. J’Mar Smith returns as the Bulldogs starting quarterback after starting 13 games last season throwing 16 touchdowns and five interceptions. Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz says Smith had his share of experiences last year and that should make him better in 2018….
cut 17 (16) “…success”
Erik Link has been named the Bulldogs special teams coordinator. He has over 15 years of coaching experience on the high school and college football level. He’s been at Auburn and Iowa State.

LSU players report for fall camp tomorrow and Head Coach Ed Orgeron told the Baton Rouge Rotary Club yesterday he can’t wait to see the team’s young wide receivers. Orgeron says he’s heard a lot of good things from his quarterbacks about the guys who will be catching passes this season…
cut 30 (28) “…caught balls”
As far as quarterback goes, Ed Orgeron says he doesn’t want to play multiple quarterbacks during the games. Joe Burrow, Myles Brennan, Justin McMillan and Lowell Narcisse will battle for the starting spot when fall practice begins Saturday.

It’s reporting day for the Louisiana Tech football program as the Bulldogs have finished the last four years winning a bowl game. Tech is coming off a 7-6 season that featured close losses to North Texas, Southern Miss, UAB and South Carolina. Bulldogs Head Coach Skip Holtz says they could have had a better season last year, if they just made a few more plays…
cut 16 (09) “…we want more”
J’Mar Smith returns as the Bulldogs starting quarterback after starting 13 games last season and throwing 16 touchdowns and five interceptions.

At Saints camp, for the first time in three seasons offensive tackle Terron Armstead has been able to practice at the start of training camp. Armstead has battled hip, chest and knee injuries over the last few years and Coach Sean Payton likes how the veteran is moving around…
cut 29 (8) “…he’s doing well”
Payton says wide receiver Travin Dural has been placed on injured reserve, ending his season. He broke his arm on Sunday during practice and needed surgery.

Four-star wide receiver Trey Palmer from Kentwood High School announced his commitment to LSU today. Shea Dixon with 24-7 sports says Palmer’s decision could cause a domino effect for other high profile recruits…
cut 11 (12) “…for them”
Palmer is rated as the number one receiver in the Class of 2019.

The Saints practiced indoors today, due to field conditions outside. It was another excellent day for the Black and Gold defense, which did a good job of putting pressure on the quarterbacks. There were two new wide receivers on the field as veterans Michael Floyd and Brandon Tate have joined the team. Tate has experience returning kicks.

The big story in college football today is that a report has come out providing evidence that Urban Meyer’s wife knew about allegations that former Buckeyes assistant coach Zach Smith was abusing his wife. Coach Meyer said last week he knew nothing about it.

Today is the first day of practice for the ULM Warhawks who return nine starters on offense including preseason All-Sun Belt selection Marcus Green. Head Coach Matt Viator says they need to make sure Green gets plenty of touches this season…
cut 20 (18) “…different positions”

And LSU football coach Ed Orgeron spoke to the Baton Rouge Rotary Club today and one of the individuals in attendance claimed he was a student at Miami and asked Coach O how the Tigers plan to beat an amazing opponent like the Hurricanes in the season opener. Here’s Coach O’s response…
cut 30 (15) “…(laughing)
The Tigers report on Friday.

Big news for LSU football today, as four-star wide receiver Trey Palmer from Kentwood High School announced his verbal pledge to LSU. 24-7 sports ranks Palmer as one of the top 25 wide receivers in the country and a top ten player in the state of Lousiana. He’s also considered Alabama, Mississippi State, Arizona State and Florida. Palmer gives LSU 19 verbal commitments for the Class of 2019.

The Saints have added veteran two wide receivers to their roster, Michael Floyd and Brandon Tate. Floyd is a former first round pick by Arizona and the 28-year-old spent last season in Minnesota where he caught 10 passes for the Vikings. Tate served as a return man for the Bills last season.

Former LSU pitcher has been traded from Baltimore to Atlanta. He’s goes from the worst team in major league baseball to the Braves, who are fighting to make the playoffs in the National League. Gausman is 5-8 with a 4.43 ERA this season.

Louisiana residents can go to Mississippi to place bets on sporting events starting today. The initial casinos to offer sports betting are Beau Rivage in Biloxi and Gold Strike in Tunica. On the most recent Ask the Governor radio show, John Bel Edwards said he expects legislation next year to bring sports betting to Louisiana…
Cut 13 (07) “…in the upcoming session.”

ULM opens training camp today and the program appears to be headed in the right direction under third-year head coach Matt Viator at the helm. Improving a defense that gave up a lot of points last season certainly has the coach’s attention. Viator says health will be a key…
Cut 18 (17) “…going over there.”
ULM should be solid on offense with Caleb Evans returning at quarterback and wide receiver Marcus Green is a pre-season All Sun Belt selection.

The Saints have reportedly signed veteran wide receivers Michael Floyd and Brandon Tate. Floyd is a former first round pick of the Arizona Cardinals, but caught just 10 passes for Minnesota last season. Tate hauled in six passes with the Bills last year, but he’s also returned punts and kicks. Sean Payton has said there’s an extensive search for a returner.

The attorney for suspended LSU cornerback Kristian Fulton says the NCAA will hear Fulton’s appeal on August ninth. Fulton has reportedly been suspended for two years for tampering with an NCAA drug test. Attorney Don Jackson has expressed confidence Fulton will play this season, because new evidence has come to light.

There were 15 trades in Major League Baseball in the hours leading up to the trade deadline. One of them involved former LSU pitcher Kevin Gausman who went from Baltimore to Atlanta in a six player deal. Former Southeastern Lousiaina pitcher Wade Miley pitched seven shutout innings to help the Brewers beat the Dodgers one to nothing last night.

ULM begins fall camp today and the Warhawks enter the season with an established starter at quarterback Caleb Evans, who threw for 28-hundred yards and 17 touchdowns last season and also rushed for 13 scores. ULM Coach Matt Viator says they’ve worked with Evans on having a better overall grasp of the offense…
cut 19 (17) “…doing that”

And starting this afternoon, you can place sports bets at two Mississippi casinos, Beau Rivage in Biloxi and Gold Strike in Tunica. Executive Director of the Mississippi Gaming and Hospital Association, Larry Gregory, says they expect to see a lot of Louisiana license plates in the parking garages of those two casinos….
cut 12 (09) “…in sports then”

Rookie wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith has caught the eye of those observing Saints training camp. The former third round pick out of Central Florida has made several spectacular plays, especially on deep balls. Head Coach Sean Payton says Smith still faces a huge learning curve….
cut 30 (14) “…focused on”
No practice today for the Saints as the players get a day off. They’ll be back at it tomorrow with another morning practice that’s open to the public, but no more tickets are available to view 8:50 in the morning workout.

Former Saints special teams legend and now ALS advocate Steve Gleason and his wife are expecting a baby girl in October. A successful in-vitro fertilization procedure has led to the pregnancy. The couple’s first child, Rivers, is six-years-old. Gleason was diagnosed with A-L-S in 2011.

If you check out the latest recruiting rankings at 24-7 sports, LSU has fallen from third to eighth in the country. Georgia has moved up to number two after picking up verbal commitments from Destrehan running back John Emery and University High wide receiver Makiya Tongue. Alabama is number one, followed by Georgia, Texas A-and-M, Clemson, Oklahoma, Oregon, Ohio State and then LSU.

Louisiana Tech has received a verbal commitment from defensive end Keivie Rose from Henderson, Texas. He also reportedly received offers from Colorado State, Boise State and Arkansas State.

Louisiana Tech men’s basketball has announced its league schedule. The Bulldogs will host five fo the top six finishers in the Conference USA, including regular season champion Middle Tennessee in the second week of January. Conference play tips off with a home game against Southern Miss on December 29th.

LSU takes over the SEC Network tonight at 11:00 with a replay of the Tigers victory over UL Lafayette in last March’s spirited NIT game. LSU’s win over Florida in football last season will be shown tomorrow morning.

Rookie wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith has created a lot of buzz during the first few days of Saints training camp. The third round pick out of Central Florida has made a lot of big plays, especially on deep passes. A hamstring injury early in summer kept him from developing strength in his lower body and Coach Sean Payton likes what he sees now…
cut 30 (19) “…for him”
Bad news for another receiver trying to make an impression. Former LSU and Breaux Bridge standout Travin Dural reportedly has a broken arm. No word on how long he’ll be out.

Today at Saints camp, the defense outperformed the offense during team drills, with five interceptions.

A Team Gleason spokesperson says former Saints special teams standout Steve Gleason and his wife Michel, are expecting a child in October. The couple has one son, Rivers, who is six-years-old. Gleason was diagnosed with A-L-S in 2011. A successful in-vitro fertilization procedure will lead to child number two.

If you check out the latest recruiting ranking at 24-7, LSU has fallen from third to eighth in the country. LSU has 18 verbal pledges, but it appears they’ve missed out on Destrehan’s John Emery. The talented running back has committed to Georgia, so has University High wide receiver Makiya Tongue.

Louisiana Tech men’s basketball has released its league schedule for the upcoming season. The Dunkin Dawgs will play Southern Miss home and away and every other league opponent once through the first seven weeks. In the final three weeks, The Bulldogs will play four more conference games. The opponents will be determined based on the standings.

The Saints are looking for a return man to emerge at training camp and Head Coach Sean Payton found a humorous way to explain the wide open competition…
cut 30 (15) “…whatever”
The Saints were 25th in the NFL in punt returns last year. Ted Ginn Jr and Tommylee Lewis held down that responsibility last year, but neither player did a great job.

Former LSU and Breaux Bridge star Travin Dural has suffered a broken arm, which will hurt his chances of making the team. Dural spent last year on the practice squad and was hoping to secure one of the final spots on the 53-man roster.

Two outstanding high school football prospects from south Louisiana have committed to Georgia. One of them is Destrehan’s John Emery, who is considered one of the top running backs in the country. Four-star wide receiver Makiya Tongue from University High in Baton Rouge has also committed to the Bulldogs.

UL Lafayette football received three verbal commitments over the weekend, includine one from New Iberia’s Ja’Braylon Spencer, who is one of the top linebackers in Acadiana. West Monroe defensive lineman Dalvin Hutchinson and Southern Lab Tyler Guidry also committed to the Cajuns.

Former West Monroe linebacker John Bailey Gullat has reportedly transferred to ULM. The All-Stater originally signed with Army and he’ll be eligible to play immediately for the Warhawls. Gullat ranks number one at West Monroe for tackles over a prep career.

The Saints defense made major strides last season. From 2014-2016, New Orleans was ranked 27th or worse in total defense. Last year they ranked 17th overall. Defensive End Cam Jordan believes they can reach even a higher level this year…
cut 18 (24) “…making strides”

There are reports the NCAA has agreed to re-open the appeal of LSU cornerback Kristian Fulton. The five-star prospect from Rummel High School in Jefferson Parish has not been able to play, because he allegedly tampered with a drug testing sample. But an attorney for the Fulton family says there’s new evidence to present to the NCAA.

Dozens of softball teams from around the southeast are in Alexandria for the Dixie Girls Softball World Series, which is esimated to bring in over five-thousand visitors. Alexandria-Pineville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director Sherry Ellington says they’ve hosted this event before, but….
cut 10 (05) “…largest one so far
All nine divisions are represented at this Dixie Girls Softball World Series, which games starting Saturday and running through Thursday.

Baton Rouge-based Marucci has signed a deal with LSU to be the official supplier of bats and other equipment for the Fighting Tigers baseball team. Marucci’s CEO is former LSU pitcher Kurt Ainsworth. Marucci started out making wooden bats, and several major leaguers use their bats. Marucci now produces gloves, catcher’s gear and bags to carry the equipment.

A 46 year old record has been broken with the Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo as Guy Cenac reeled in a 208-pound tarpon. It took nearly three hours for the Houma native to get the big fish into his boat.

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees and his teammates are back at practice this morning for Day Two of training camp. Brees says he feels good about his offensive line this season…
cut 17 (21) “….good thing”
No Sean Payton at practice today. The head coach is away attending the funeral of Vikings offensive line coach Tony Sparano who died unexpectedly at the age of 56 last Sunday.

The Pelicans have announced the signing of free agent forward Troy Williams. He appeared in five games for the New York Knicks summer league and averaged 12 points and four rebounds a game. Last season, he played in 21 games with the Knicks and Rockets and averaged six points a contest.

A new high school sports season is right around the corner and the Louisiana High School Athletic Association is looking to add new officials for the various sports they govern. LHSAA Director of Officials Lee Sanders they are looking for younger refs, because the average age of officials has been on the rise the last two decades….
cut 11 (11) :”…in different sports”
For more information go to lhsoa.com. Tomorrow, about 15-hundred officials will attend a clinic in New Orleans.

All nine divisions of the Dixie Girls Softball World Series are taking place today through Thursday in Alexandria. The teams hail from across the southeast Louisiana and the city is expecting about five-thousand visitors. The tournament is open to the public, a weekly pass can be purchased for 25-dollars.