LSU took its turn at SEC Media Days yesterday, and got peppered with questions about the new offense, and just who will run it in August. Matt Doyle has the story.
Voicer 3 (32) “I’m Matt Doyle”

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey says there are no plans to change the current 6-1-1 football schedule format, which means LSU’s annual game against Florida will continue.

Former LSU standout Alex Bregman put on a good show at last night’s Major League Baseball All-Star game but came up one dinger short of advancing to the semi-finals and lost to Cubs slugger Kyle Schwarber. Schwarber lost to Bryce Harper in the finals as the Nationals right fielder made a furious rally to win in front of his home fans.

Tonight is the Major League Baseball All-Star game. Bregman will play for the American League All-Stars, while Baton Rouge native Aaron Nola will pitch for the National League All-Stars.

Saints defensive lineman Mitchell Loewen played hero over the weekend as he was the first person to respond to a silver SUV that drove off the fourth floor of a parking garage onto a nearby street in New Orleans. Loewen gathered several others and they flipped the SUV over and helped the driver get out of the vehicle. Loewen says last year he also helped a woman who drove off the road along a highway in Alabama.

The Pelicans have officially added Elfird Payton and Julius Randle to their roster. Randle will fill the void left by DeMarcus Cousins’ departure, while Payton has a chance to be the starting point guard, a spot once held by now Los Angeles Laker Rajon Rondo. New Orleans Head Coach Alvin Gentry says they expect Payton to play well in their uptempo offense and that’s what happened when he was traded to Phoenix last season…
cut 29 (21) “…the basket”

The Pelicans fell to 2-and-1 in Summer League Action yesterday with a 105-97 loss to Detroit. Pels will now get ready to play a Summer League playoff game. An opponent or date hasn’t been decided.

Former LSU star Aaron Nola won his league leading 12th game of the season last night as the Phillies defeated the Mets 3-1 in the second game of a doubleheader. Nola allowed just one hit in seven shutout innings and also supplied the offense with a bases clearing double…
cut 30 (16) “…three run double”
That audio is courtesy of NBC Sports Philadelphia. Nola now has 6 RBIs during his career.

Former McNeese State Head Basketball Coach Dave Simmons has seen his career return to Natchitoches. He’s been named an assistant to Head coach Mike McConathy at Northwestern State. Before a 12-year run as head coach at McNeese, Simmons was the lead assistant at Northwestern when they made two trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2001 and 2006.

The Pelicans have officially announced they’ve signed free agents Elfrid Payton and Julius Randle. The six-foot-nine Randle will replace DeMarcus Cousins and New Orleans Head Coach Alvin Gentry says he’s a player they’ve always liked…
cut 30 (22) “…I really do”
The Pelicans also announced they are bringing back guard Ian Clark.

The Pels dropped to 2-1 in Summer League action with a 105-97 loss to Detroit. Cheick Diallo had 25 points in a losing effort and Trevon Bluiett was just two of six from three-point territory.

The Saints announce training camp will start July 25th at the team’s training facility in Metairie. The first practice open to the public will July 28th.

Former LSU pitcher Aaron Nola is now the only 12-game winner in the National League after striking out 10 as the Phillies beat the Mets three to one in the second game of a doubleheader. Nola also smoked a bases clearing three-run double to supply the only offense for Philadelphia, who ended up splitting the doubleheader with the Mets.

Former LSU Tiger and 2011 NCAA Champion golfer John Peterson’s PGA Tour maybe over. Peterson said if he wasn’t able to retain his PGA Tour conditional status he would call it a career. Peterson performed well this past weekend the Greenbrier but didn’t earn enough points to keep his conditional status.

Former McNeese State men’s basketball coach Coach Dave Simmons is returning to Northwestern State as he’s been named assistant head coach at the Natchitoches school. The 58-year-old Simmons was the lead assistant at Northwestern State from 1999-2006 and helped the Demons reach the NCAA Tournament twice.

The Saints will have players report to training camp on Wednesday, July 25th and the first practice is the next day at the team’s training facility in Metairie. The Black and Gold will put on the pads for the first time on July 28th and that’s the first training camp practice that’s open to the public. On Sunday, August 5th, the Saints will hold an open practice at Tulane’s Yulman Stadium that will include a fan festival on-campus.

Former LSU running back Leonard Fournette says he wants to be about 11 pounds lighter than he was during his rookie season, when the Jaguars report for training camp next month. Fournette told the Florida Times-Union he wants to weigh 224 pounds. The New Orleans native says that was his playing weight at LSU.

Former Saints cornerback Brandon Browner is facing numerous charges after he allegedly broke into a woman’s home in California, threatened to kill her and fled with a 20-thousand dollar Rolex watch. Police say Browner had a previous relationship with the victim. Browner last played in an NFL game with the Saints in 2015.

Lafayette native’s Daniel Cormier is the second fighter in UFC history to hold two championship belts simultaneously as he won the heavyweight championship on Saturday night. At 39-years-old Cormier says he doesn’t have many fights left in him, but he’ll get into the Octagon to face Brock Lesnar, especially if the price is right…
cut 10 (13) “….and be done”
Cormier says he’ll only fight Lesnar if he’s clean. Lesnar is currently serving a one-year suspension for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs.

In major league baseball…former LSU stars Aaron Nola and Alex Bregman have been named as All-Stars and will play in the mid-summer classic on July 17th in Wastington D-C. Nola has eleven wins for the Phillies and Bregman has hit 17 home runs.

The Pelicans announced today the free agent signings of Elfrid Payton and Julius Randle are official. Also the team, announced they are bring back Guard Ian Clark, which was reported last week.

Former LSU stars Aaron Nola and Alex Bregman are heading to the Major League Baseball All-Star game for the first time. Nola, who has won 11 games for the Phillies, is a reserve with the National League All-Star team. Bregman is a reserve on the A-L squad and he’s hitting .284 with 17 home runs and 57 RBIs. The All-Star Game is Tuesday July 17th in D-C.

Yesterday in Major League Baseball…Bregman’s 12-game hitting streak came to an end but the Astros defeated the White Sox two to one. While the Rangers blanked the Tigers 3-0. Shin-Soo Choo’s on-base streak is up to 47 games after reaching on an infield single in the ninth inning.

The Pels face the Pistons this afternoon in NBA Summer League Action. New Orleans is 2-0 thanks to the hot shooting of Trevon Bluiett, who had 24 points in a win over the Raptors on Friday and had 26 points in an easy win over the Heat on Saturday. He’s 12 of 18 from three-point territory.

Former Saints defensive back Brandon Browner has been arrested in California on kidnapping, burglary, false imprisonment and a violation of a restraining order charges. Authorities say the ex NFL star broke through a locked window of a home and physically harmed and threatened to kill the victim inside the residence. Police say Browner stole a 20-thousand dollar watch before leaving. Browner apparently has a prior relationship with the person in question. The L-A native won Super Bowls in Seattle and New England, but was unproductive in his one season in New Orleans in 2015.

Lafayette native Daniel Cormier won the UFC Heavyweight title on Saturday night by knocking out Stipe (Steep) Miocic (Me-oh-sich. Cormier also owns the Light Heavyweight Championship as well. Cormier says his next fight will be against Brock Lesnar, which could be a big pay day for the former Olympic wrestler.

World Cup Resumes tomorrow with semi-final action, France faces Beligum and it’s England versus Croatia on Wednesday.

The LSU football program has received a verbal commitment from four-star linebacker Donte Starks out of John Ehret High School in New Orleans. Starks also had offers from Alabama, Auburn, Georgia and other SEC schools. He’s ranked as one of the top inside linebackers in the country and LSU now has 19 commitments for 2019 and the class is ranked third nationally behind Alabama and Texas A-and-M.

Prized LSU signee Brice Turang has signed with the Milwaukee Brewers. The shortstop from California was taken in the first round by the Brewers and he reportedly receives a three-point-four million dollar signing bonus. It was always considered a long shot for Turang to end up on campus.

The Pelicans are reportedly brining back point guard Ian Clark as he’s signing a one-year, veteran’s minimum cntract. Clark was one of the team’s top guards off the bench last season as he averaged seven points and two assists in 74 games. His role grew on the team after DeMarcus Cousins went down with a torn Achilles tendon in January.

Five-time World Champion Brazil was defeated on Friday in Russia as Beligum advances to the semi-finals with a two-to-one victory. Beligum will make its second semi-final appearance in World Cup history. Earlier in the day, France scored an early goal and defeated Uruguay two to one.

In quarterfinal action on Saturday, Sweden takes on England, while Russia faces Croatia.

Back to the NBA….Tony Parker is reportedly leaving San Antonio after 17 years as he’s signing a two-year contract with the Charlotte Hornets. Parker played in just 55 games last season, averaging eight points and four assists a game. Parker is the Spurs all-time leader in assists with 6.829. He’s also only the third player to play at least 17 seasons with one team before playing with another. Karl Malone and Hakeem Olajuwon are the other two.

And it appears Carmelo Anthony’s time in Oklahoma city is coming to an end. There’s a report the Thunder are looking to trade Anthony or buy out the rest of his contract. He’s owed nearly 28-million dollars next season. Houston is reportedly interested in the 34-year-old, who averaged a career low 16 points a game last season.

Former LSU star Aaron Nola won his 11th game yesterday as Philadelphia defeated Baltimore four to one. Nola allowed one run and seven hits in his fifth straight decision. The Phillies have won four in a row and they trail NL East leading Atlanta by one and a half-games.

In Chicago, former LSU star Louis Coleman gave up a couple of runs in relief and the Cubs defeated the Tigers five to two. Chicago remains one game back of Milwaukee for the division lead in the NL Central.

Also yesterday, Houston rallied back from a four-run deficit to beat Texas five to four in ten innings. Alex Bregman was 1-for-4 with an RBI as the Astros have won eight straight over their in-state rivals. Houston also gained a game on Seattle in the American West as the Mariners lost to the Angeles seven to four. The Astros lead for first place is 1.5 games.

LSU Pitcher Zack Hess was very sharp last night in the United States 1-0 win over Japan. Hess started and threw three shutout innings and struck out four. But a rain delay of an hour and eight minutes ended his night.

The Ragin Cajuns softball program has signed a graduate transfer from Texas A-and-M. In three seasons at College Station, Keeli Milligan hit .339, scored 130 runs and stole 105 bases.

In college football….Georgia’s projected starting quarterback Jake Fromm broke his non-throwing hand in a boating accident on Monday. Fromm’s hand was reportedly fractured when a rope toeing his friend behind the boat came down on his hand. Bulldogs Coach Kirby Smart told ESPN the injury was insignificant and Fromm has already resumed throwing. LSU hosts Georgia on October 13th.

It’s another off-day at the World Cup in Russia. Quarterfinal play begins tomorrow. France faces Uruguay and Brazil will battle Belgium.

The Pelicans roster for 2018-19 looks much different today after a wild day of NBA free agency. In a matter of a few hours, Rajon Rondo and DeMarcus Cousins left the Pels and signed one-year contracts with the Lakers and Warriors respectively. But New Orleans has replaced them with forward Julius Randle, who played really well for the Lakers in the second half last season. And former Ragin Cajun Elfrid Payton has signed a one-year deal and he’ll look to replace Rondo. Pelicans beat writer Scott Kushner of the Advocate says Payton is a poor shooter, but can handle the ball and play solid defense…
cut 10 (12) “…either”
The 24-year-old Payton signed a one-year, 2.7 million dollar contract with New Orleans. The 23-year-old Randle signed a 2-year, 18 million dollar contract with a player option to opt out in year two.

A month from today, the LSU Tigers will report for August camp. Ohio State transfer quarterback Joe Burrow will finally get a chance to practice with his new team. But offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger says the coaching staff still has high hopes for the other three scholarship quarterbacks on the roster….
cut 18 (19) “…his legs”
On the defensive side of the ball, linebacker Devin White and cornerback Greedy Williams have been named pre-season All-Americans by Sporting News. White led the SEC in tackles last season, while Williams intercepted six passes a year ago and held opposing quarterbacks to a 22.9 passer rating when targeted.

In World Cup Action today….England eliminated Columbia as they won on penalty kicks 4-3. The game ended in a 1-1 tie. England will play Sweden in the quarterfinals, who beat Switzerland 1-nil.

Big changes in the Big Easy as the Pelicans roster has been restructured during NBA free agency. Veteran point guard Rajon Rondo went to L-A, and All-Star Center Demarus Cousins is heading to Golden State. They’ve been replaced by former Ragin Cajun point guard Elfrid Payton and six-foot-nine forward Julius Randle. Pelicans beat writer Scott Kushner for the Advocate says it’s definitely a mixed bag for Pels fans, but could really pay off.
cut 9 (11) “proven guys”
Many NBA fans and analysts are already proclaiming Golden State as the champions of the 2018-19 season with the addition of Cousins, which gives the Super Team five All-stars.

When the Saints host the Eagles in November, Philadelphia will wear their home green jerseys. That’s because Eagles Coach Doug Pederson reportedly beat Saints Coach Sean Payton in a game of golf that needed a three-hole playoff to decide.

LSU’s Devin White and Greedy Williams have been named pre-season All-Americans by Sporting News. White led the SEC in tackles last season while Williams intercepted six passes a year ago and held opposing quarterbacks to a 22.9 passer rating when targeted.

Don’t expect many players on LSU’s offense to land pre-season teams, but Offensive Coordinator Steve Ensminger believes he has a lot of talented skill position players to work with…
cut 17 (07) “…the football”
Ensminger says instead of relying on a couple of running backs in years past, they will have more a running back corp by committee. He also expect to see a lot of three wide receiver looks.

A new Sports Illustrated report says the wife of LSU Head Coach Ed Orgeron, Kelly Orgeron, had a near death experience in May 2017. Kelly Orgeron was born with scoliosis and had two major surgeries last year. But during the first surgery, a surgeon hit her colon, causing her stomach to swell, which required an additional surgery and another three weeks in the hospital. The story by Ross Dellenger also discusses her battle with depression.

A shocking night in the NBA last night as four-time All Star DeMarcus Cousins is leaving the New Orleans Pelicans for the NBA champion Golden State Warriors. Cousins reportedly agreed to a one-year, 5.3 million dollar contract. The All-Star center ends up playing in just 65 games for the Pels over two seasons. Cousins says he never received an offer from New Orleans.

Rajon Rondo is also done in New Orleans. The veteran point guard has agreed to a one-year, nine million dollar contract with the Lakers.

But the Pelicans have signed 23-year-old big man Julius Randle to a two-year contract, worth a reported 18-million dollars. The former Kentucky star had his best season as a pro last year with the Lakers as he averaged 16 points and eight rebounds in 82 games. The six-foot-nine, athletic, playmaker has missed just nine games over the last three seasons.

LSU Offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger is staying busy this offseason installing an offense that will be put into motion when players report a month from today. Ensminger says the important message they are trying to get through to players is simple.
Cut 16 (16) “…or a safety.”

A new Sports Illustrated article says the wife of LSU Head Coach Ed Orgeron, Kelly Orgeron, had a near death experience in May 2017. Kelly Orgeron was born with scoliosis and had two major surgeries last year as neurosurgeons inserted rods and screws into her lumbar spine and hips. But during the first surgery, a surgeon hit her colon, causing her stomach to swell, which required an additional surgery and another three weeks in the hospital.