Beloved former Saints Lance Moore and Pierre Thomas are set to be inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame this September. During a Thursday press conference, the pair reminisced on their careers, both starting as undrafted rookies and eventually becoming Super Bowl champions. Running Back Pierre Thomas says he’ll never forget his touchdown in the Super Bowl…
Cut 16 (20) “right then and there”
Thomas’ TD followed the legendary onside kick recovery to begin the second half.

The Saints have signed a veteran running back. Twenty-seven-year-old Terrance West has reportedly signed a one-year deal. He’s played for the Browns and Ravens and rushed for 18-hundred yards in five NFL seasons.

Shreveport native and former LSU golfer Sam Burns is among a group of golfers who are tied for sixth place after shooting a one-over par, 71 at the first round of the US Open. There’s a four-way tie for first place. Dustin Johnson highlights that group, who shot a one-under par 71. Tiger Woods rough day, shot a 78.

Ouachita sophomore Abby Allen has been named the Class 5A Softball Most Valuable Player. Allen hit .505 with 13 home runs and 48 for the Lions last season.

LSU signee Cade Beloso is the Class Five-A Most Valuable Player of the Yearin Baseball. The John Curtis star hit .489 with 13 home runs and 37 RBIs as the Patriots won their second straight Division One state championship.

Two important members of the 2009 Super Bowl team will be inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame in September. The franchise announced today running back Pierre Thomas and wide receiver Lance Moore are the latest inductees into the Hall. Moore had that critical two-point conversion in the Super Bowl win versus Indianapolis and spoke about that journey at a press conference today….
cut 30 (26) “…got a chance”
Moore is the Saints fifth all-time leading receiver with 346 catches and Thomas is fourth on the team’s career rushing list.

Many are calling it common sense legislation from the NCAA. The governing body of college sports has decided that football players can play up to four-games and still have that count as a red-shirt season. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says LSU Coach Ed Orgeron previously said he was in favor of this rule, because it can provide more depth…
cut 19 (19) “…burning redshirts”
And starting October 15th, college athletes will have the opportunity to transfer to another school, and their current college or coach can’t block the move.

Sports Illustrated reports LSU defensive back Kristian Fulton has filed an appeal to get his two-year suspension reduced in half, so he can play this season. Fulton allegedly used another person’s urine as his own in a February 2017 drug test. Fulton’s attorney says new evidence has been uncovered dealing with the handling of Fulton’s test sample.

The Saints cancelled their final minicamp practice, which was scheduled to begin today at 11 AM. NFL teams do that to reward the players for a good offseason. The Saints will return for training camp which starts in late July.

The NCAA has eased the restrictions that have been placed on college athletes when it comes to transferring. Under the new rule, student-athletes no longer have to get permission from their current school or coach if they want to play at another school, even if it’s in the same conference. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says it’s a good move by the NCAA as schools shouldn’t control where a person gets an education….
cut 18 (16) “…you want”
The other rule change will allow football players to play up to four games and still receive a red-shirt, which gives them another year of athletic eligibility.

LSU players Zach Watson, Zack Hess and Antoine Duplantis have been added to the USA National Team. They will play for Paul Mainieri, who is coaching the squad this summer. The USA team will play 16 games in 22 days against a Minor League All-Star team and international teams from Chinese Tapei, Japan and Cuba. Mainieri says it will be a fun experience.

Benton’s JD Stephens has been named the Class 4A Baseball Coach of the Year. Stephens led the ninth-seeded Tigers to a state title. The Four-A player of the year is Teurlings Catholic’s Peyton Lejune, who was 11-and-3 on the season with a 2.10 ERA. T

he Four-A softball coach of the year is Deridder’s Todd Schulz. The Dragons won its first state title in April and the player of the year is Parkview Baptist’s Annmarie Peavy, who hit .521 with 10 home runs and 62 RBIs.

In major league baseball…the Houston Astros go after their eighth straight win this afternoon when they wrap a series in Oakland. The World Series champs are a half game back of Seattle for first place in the A-L West. The Mariners begin a four-game series against Boston today.

Two big new rule changes from the NCAA. Starting October 15, college athletes will have the freedom to transfer to any university they want without fear of being blocked from their current school or coach. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says the new transfer rule will give players more freedom…
Cut 17 (17) “go anymore”
The other big rule change allows Division One football players to play in up to four games without losing a year of eligibility.

In 2016, LSU football was scheduled to play South Alabama. But that game never happened, because the Tigers had to rework their schedule because of Hurricane Matthew. Well, LSU and South Alabama will finally play each other in 2024 in Tiger Stadium.

Three LSU baseball players have been picked to play for team USA this summer, outfielders Antoine Duplantis, Zach Watson and pitcher Zack Hess. All three players were selected in the Major League Baseball Draft, but they are expected to return to LSU next season. Paul Mainieri is coaching team USA and they are getting ready for a 16-game schedule over a 22 day period against teams from Chinese Tapei, Japan and Cuba.

Benton’s JD Stephens has been named the Class 4A Baseball Coach of the Year. Stephens led the ninth-seeded Tigers to a state title. The Four-A player of the year is Teurlings Catholic’s Peyton Lejune, who was 11-and-3 on the season with a 2.10 ERA. The Four-A softball coach of the year is Deridder’s Todd Schulz. The Dragons won a 4A title in April and the player of the year is Parkview Baptist’s Annmarie Peavy, who hit .521 with 10 home runs and 62 RBIs.

And Grambling has announced that former Florida tight end Kalif Jackson has signed with the Tigers. Jackson can play this season and he’ll have two years of eligibility left.

Saints running back Mark Ingram is back with his teammates for a three-day minicamp after not participating in O-T-As. Ingram says reports indicating he’s staying away from the club’s offseason workouts, because he wants a new contract are false….
cut 17 (16) “…my own”
Ingram is entering the final year of his current deal and he’s suspended for the first four games for violating the league’s P-E-D Policy.

FIFA announced that the United States, Mexico and Canada will co-host the 2026 World Cup and games will be played at 10 locations in the United States. New Orleans is not a finalist to be a host city, but Dallas and Houston are. And the 2018 World Cup kicks off tomorrow in Russia.

The Pelicans will begin summer league action on July 6th in Las Vegas against the Toronto Raptors. New Orleans also has scheduled games against Miami and Detroit to complete pool play. The Pels will play a minimum of five games, featuring a roster of first and second-year players.

LSU men’s basketball team’s non-conference schedule is out and it features a contest versus St. Mary’s and the game will be played in Las Vegas on December 15th. Coach Will Wade’s team will also visit the Cougars in Houston on December 12th and they could take on the defending national champs, Villanova while playing in a tournament outside of Orlando. Louisiana Tech, ULM, Southeastern and Grambling are in the in-state schools that will play at LSU in the Maravich Center.

And in college football….the Daily Advertiser reports kicker Stevie Artigue and tight end Chase Rogers’ status for the upcoming season is uncertain because of injuries. A school spokesperson says they will be re-evaluated in the fall.

Saints running back Mark Ingram was on the field for the first day of a three-day minicamp at the team’s training facility in Metairie. The Pro Bowler will miss the first four games of the regular season for violating the NFL’s policy on performance enhancing drugs. Ingram has faith the young running backs on the roster can carry the Black and Gold in his absence…
cut 16 (17) “….come back”
Ingram has been away from the team during the offseason, but he says it has nothing to do with his contract. The rusher is entering the final year of his deal.

Veteran running back Jamaal Charles will reportedly visit with the Saints today. Former Saints running back Tim Hightower could be another veteran option, he’s working out with the team during this minicamp.

The Pelicans summer league schedule has been released. The Pels will begin play on July 6th at 2:30 versus the Toronto Raptors in Las Vegas. The team will feature Cheick Diallo, who averaged five points for the Pels last season and former Duke combo guard Frank Jackson, who is trying to make the team after undergoing three surgeries on his right foot.

The LSU men’s basketball team’s non-conference schedule is also out. The Tigers will have home games versus Louisiana Tech and Memphis in mid-November and could play defending national champion Villanova at the AdvoCare Invitational in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. The Tigers will also face St. Mary’s in game that will be played in Las Vegas.

U-L Lafayette, the Sun Belt regular season champs, will open conference play by hosting Arkansas State at the Cajundome on Arkansas 3rd. ULM will host Little Rock on that night. No more men and women doubleheaders in league play.

Legislators are attempting to work out a deal in principle for a revenue plan before the special session begins on Monday. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Small business optimism has reached its highest level in 34 years.  That’s according to the National Federation of Independent Business, who surveys its members regularly. NFIB state director Dawn Starns says they are now hoping for tax reform in Louisiana as lawmakers consider what to do with the state sales tax, which is currently at 5%. It’s set to drop to 4-percent after July 1st. Legislators are considering whether to renew a third or half a penny of a temporary one-cent sales tax.

Cut 7 (03)  “..help everybody.”

Starting in September, travelers through Baton Rouge Airport can expect more destination options with the addition of Florida based Via Airlines.  The airline, which has been in business for over a decade, will now provide direct service to Austin, Texas and Orlando, Florida.  Airport spokesperson Jim Caldwell says both cities’ service will fly on Mondays and Thursdays, and Austin will get a third flight day on Fridays, as they expect a high demand for business travel to the capital city of the lone star state.

Cut 14 (09)  “…great weekend destination.”
Via Airlines will start the new nonstop flights on September 13.

US Senator John Kennedy is calling on Governor John Bel Edwards to step down due to his handling of the state’s fiscal cliff. Kennedy sites the legislature’s inability to find a long term solution to the budget crisis come down to a lack of leadership from Edwards. The Republican called for the Lt. Governor to take over the state.  Edwards’ Spokesperson Richard Carbo says “Sen. Kennedy’s absurdity knows no limits, and Gov. Edwards isn’t going to be distracted by childish comments or letters from our junior senator.”

The Saints three-day mandatory minicamp begins today and as long as the rain holds off, they will be open to the public at the team’s training facility in Metairie starting at 11 AM. First round pick Marcus Davenport is expected to be on the field, even though he’ll reportedly undergo thumb surgery once the mini-camp concludes. Running back Mark Ingram is also expected on the field. He’s been away from the team as he enters the final year of his contract and also faces a four-game suspension for violating the league’s policy against performance enhancing drugs.

Rivals-dot-com now ranks Dunham’s Derek Stingley as its top player of the 2019 recruiting class. The Baton Rouge product will announce his school of choice on June 20th. LSU is considered one of the favorites.

LSU outfielder Daniel Cabrera has been named a Freshman All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. Collegiate Baseball Magazine also had Cabrera on their freshman All-American squad. The Baton Rouge product hit .315, with eight home runs and 54 RBIs.

LSU recruit Levi Kelly has signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Coach Paul Mainieri predicted the right-hander from Florida would sign after he was selected in the eighth round last week.

The field is set for the College World Series as Texas Tech, Arkansas, Texas and defending champion Florida all punched their tickets for Omaha yesterday. The Gators did it in dramatic fashion as Austin Langworthy hit a walk-off home run in the 11th inning. The ball hit the glove of Auburn right fielder Steven Williams before it went over the wall. It gave the Gators a three to two victory and a SEC record fourth straight trip to the C-W-S.

Arkansas had an easier time of it yesterday as the Razorbacks routed South Carolina 14-4 as Eric Cole had three hits, including a home run and scored five times as Arkansas will visit Omaha for the first time since 2015.

Also yesterday, Texas Tech topped Duke six to two and Kody Clemens hit another home run as Texas beat Tennessee Tech five to two.

Saints defensive end Marcus Davenport will reportedly undergo thumb surgery after the team’s three-day minicamp concludes on Tuesday. A source told ESPN’s Mike Triplett that the surgery is not a big deal for the first round pick, who should be ready for the start of training camp.

The Saints minicamp begins tomorrow. Running back Mark Ingram is expected to be present as he’s been away from the team during the Saints off-season training schedule.

LSU’s 2019 football recruiting class has moved into the Top 10 after receiving a commitment from cornerback Marcus Banks. The three-star prospect from Houston visted LSU this past weekend. He becomes the second commitment of the 2019 recruiting class. The other is four-star prospect Maurice Hampton from Memphis.

And Rivals-dot-com now ranks Dunham’s Derek Stingley as its top player of the 2019 recruiting class. The Baton Rouge product is expected to announce his school of choice on June 20th.

LSU outfielder Daniel Cabrera has been named a Freshman All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. Collegiate Baseball Magazine also had Cabrera on their freshman All-American squad. The Baton Rouge product hit .315 with eight home runs 54 RBIs.

LSU recruit Levi Kelly has signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Coach Paul Mainieri predicted Kelly the right-hander from Florida would sign after he was selected in the eighth round last week.

Texas became the fifth team to reach the College World Series as the Longhorns took down a very good Tennessee Tech team today in Austin. Texas hit two solo home runs today for a 5-2 win over the Golden Eagles, who finished their season with a 53-12 record.

Tonight, SEC teams will battle it out in Super Regional Action. At six o’ clock, Arkansas hosts South Carolina. And in Gainesville, Auburn faces defending national champion Florida. The Tigers defeated the Gators 3-2 on Luke Jarvis’ game-winning single in the ninth inning.

The Advocate newspaper reports Saints first round pick Marcus Davenport will need surgery on this thumb, but should be back in time for training camp. Davenport will also hold off on getting the surgery until after this week’s minicamp, which is open to the public Tuesday through Thursday at the team’s training facility in Metairie.

LSU has received a verbal pledge from a cornerback out of Houston. Marcus Banks chose the Tigers during his visit to Baton Rouge this past weekend. He also has scholarship offers from Alabama, Texas A-and-M and Texas. He’s rated as the 37th best cornerback in the nation by 24-7 sports. Banks gives LSU two cornerbacks in its 2019 recruiting class. The other is four-star prospect Maurice Hampton from Memphis. LSU is also hoping to land the nation’s number one cornerback, Derek Stingley from Dunham High School in Baton Rouge. He’s will announce his college choice on June 20th.

College football insider Brett McMurphy reports we can see three more bowl games added to the schedule for the 2020 season. One in Chicago that would be played at historic Wrigley Field and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina looks like they are getting a bowl game too. Conference USA and the Sun Belt could be tie-ins for the bowl game at Myrtle Beach. The third bowl game destination has not been decided.

The Ragin Cajuns have agreed to a home-and-home series with Rice for 2022 and 2025. The two schools haven’t played each other in football since 1989. UL Lafayette will play in Houston in 2022, and the Owls return the trip in 2025.

Four college baseball teams have reserved their spot in the College World Series, four others can punch their ticket today. Oregon State, North Carolina, Washington and Mississippi State is in after a wild 10-6 victory over Vanderbilt in 11 innings last night.