No surprise as LSU head football coach Ed Orgeron says Danny Etling remains his starter at quarterback, but the battle to be his primary back-up continues. Orgeron says all of the quarterbacks on the roster have shown flashes…:
Cut 16 (20) “in the spring”
The Tigers came in at #13 in Sports Illustrated’s preseason Top 25 Wednesday.

Look out! Former LSU Football Coach Les Miles will be in the TV spotlight this upcoming football season. The Mad Hatter returned to Twitter last night and said he’ll be covering some of his favorite teams this fall. He told the Baton Rouge Advocate that he doesn’t think there is any question that he could call LSU games, and root for every guy he recruited.

It’s gameday! Saints fans get to sit in front of their TV tonight to watch the Black and Gold take on Cleveland in the first preseason contest of the 2017 season. Kickoff is set for 7pm. The NFL transactions wire indicates veteran tight end John Phillips has fully recovered from the injury that forced him to miss the first two weeks of training camp. The Saints also waived wide receiver Jordan Williams-Lambert with an injury designation and signed former USC receiver De’Quan Hampton.

In preseason action last night, Texans rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson shined in his debut, completing 15 of 25 passes for 179 yards in Houston’s 27-17 loss to the Panthers.

Alex Bregman and the Houston Astros dropped Game 2 to the Chicago White Sox last night, 7-1. Bregman fell in the batting order to #7 after the Stros activated George Springer from the disabled list to his usual leadoff spot.

The New Orleans Pelicans released their preseason schedule on Wednesday and will only play one home game which will be against the Chicago Bulls on October 3rd.

LSU football coach Ed Orgeron speaks to the media tonight and we’ll get an update on injuries. Because of regular camp injuries, LSU started three freshmen along the offensive line for the first scrimmage on Saturday. Quarterback Danny Etling says Saahdiq Charles, Edward Ingram and Austin Deculus did well despite the lack of college football experience…
cut 18 (20) up as well”
Etling says Lloyd Cushenberry has been at center the last couple of days as they’ve been taking it easy with Will Clapp, who had shoulder surgery in January.

Former Florida and South Carolina Head Coach Steve Spurrier took a shot at LSU while speaking at the Independence Bowl Foundation’s annual kickoff luncheon in Shreveport today. Spurrier said you can have good ball players and still not win football games….LSU fans know about that. Spurrier’s last game on the sidelines was against LSU, a 45-24 loss to the Tigers in Baton Rouge.

The NCAA says Grambling State will not have to vacate its 2011 SWAC Football Championship. An internal investigation determined Grambling’s athletic program used ineligible players in eleven sports from 2010 to 2015, but it has determined that the 2011 championship team didn’t use ineligible players so the title will not be vacated. Grambling went 8-4 that season and beat Alabama A-and-M in the championship game.

LSU Senior Quarterback Danny Etling likes the progress the Tigers are making during preseason camp. The Bayou Bengals are in training camp mode for the rest of this week and next and then school starts on Monday August 21st. Etling says the goal is to get better every day..:
Cut 16 (19) “game plans”
The Tigers kickoff against BYU in Houston’s NRG Stadium on September 2nd.

The LSU Baseball team released its 2018 schedule, and fans were excited to see the opening weekend series’ to begin the season first against Notre Dame, then Texas — both at Alex Box Stadium. The Tigers have a total of 37 home games, including SEC series against Missouri, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Arkansas and Alabama.

In other LSU baseball news, junior outfielder Brennan Breaux is leaving the program and will transfer to UL-Lafayette, LSU coach Paul Mainieri told Tiger Rag on Tuesday.

New Orleans Pelicans star Anthony Davis held his two-day camp for kids ages 7-15 at UNO Monday and Tuesday. The four-time All-Star told reporters he was asked some weird questions by the kids, even joked about one asking if he was going to Boston. He said it was hard to ignore the trade rumors this summer that have speculated about his potential departure from New Orleans, but added if he doesn’t hear anything from Dell Demps or his agent, he ignores it.

LSU head basketball coach Will Wade added transfer Randy Onwuasor “On-woo-AH-sor“. The 6’3 guard averaged 23.6 points per game for Southern Utah last season.

17 year old Lafayette native Armand Mondo Duplantis finished 9th in the pole vault final at the world championships in London Tuesday. Sunday he became the youngest male athlete to earn a spot in the final at worlds, but saw his season end when he missed three times yesterday.

The Saints did not practice today as they are two days away from the preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns. But a depth chart has been released. Adrian Peterson and Mark Ingram are listed as co-starters at running back. It’s unclear how much they’ll play against the Browns, along with quarterback Drew Brees.

Tiger Rag Magazine is reporting outfielder Brennan Breaux is transferring to UL Lafayette. The Lafayette native struggled to get regular playing time in Baton Rouge and hit under .200 during his college career.

The 2018 LSU baseball schedule came out today and the Tigers will host Paul Mainieri’s former employer, Notre Dame. The Bayou Bengals will also host Texas February 23rd to the 25th. Hawaii is also coming to Baton Rouge for a weekend set from March 9th to the 11th. The Tigers will play at UL Lafayette on March 7th and at Southeastern Louisiana on February 28th. In the SEC, they host Missouri, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Arkansas and Alabama.

Contract details are out for new LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade. His six year deal will pay him 15 million dollars a year that’s two-point-five million a season. The 34-year-old will be one of the highest paid basketball coaches in the SEC. Wade is also eligible for bonuses based on performance on the hardwood and in the classroom. The contract also does not include a buyout.

LSU basketball has added Randy Onwuasor from Southern Utah as a graduate transfer. The six-foot-three guard from California was the fifth leading scorer in Division One last season as he averaged nearly 24 points a game. He also averaged six rebounds and three assists a contest.

SWAC champion Grambling State is ranked 21st in the preseason FCS coaches poll after going 12-and-1 last season. McNeese is receiving 34 votes, Southeastern Louisiana is getting seven adn Nicholls has six votes.

McNeese Quarterback James Tabary is one of 42 players named to the 2017 Watch list for the CFPA FCS National Performer of the Year Trophy. The New Orleans native is coming off a record breaking sophomore season as he become just the second player in school history to throw for over 3,000 yards in a season.

The Baton Rouge Advocate has released details of the contract for new LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade. He received a six-year deal worth 15-million dollars. That mean’s he’ll make two-and-a-half million dollars a year. And the contract does not include a buyout.

It doesn’t look like former LSU Tiger Jalen Collins has much of a future left with the Atlanta Falcons. The cornerback has received a second suspension for violating the NFL’s policy against performance enhancing drugs. Collins will have to miss the first ten games of this season. He served a four-game suspension last year. Falcons Coach Dan Quinn says Collins missteps could cost him a roster spot.

Broward County officials in Florida are investigating domestic abuse claims against Miami Dolphins receiver and ex-LSU standout Jarvis Landry. But Landry’s girlfriend says Landry would never, ever do anything to harm her or anyone else. She admits the couple had a vocal disagreement.

The Saints first preseason game is Thursday night at Cleveland and it’s unkown how much action Quarterback Drew Brees, running back Adrian Peterson and other veterans will play in that game. If they do see game action, don’t expect to see much action.

Ragin Cajuns Head Coach Mark Hudspeth says backup defensive back Jam Williams will miss the rest of the season because of a leg injury. Hudspeth also says potential starting linebacker Ferrod Gardner is expected to miss some time with a foot injury.

Ruston baseball star CJ willis has changed his verbal commitment from Ole Miss to LSU. Willis hit .388 with three home runs last season.

Miami Dolphins’ star wide receiver Jarvis Landry out of LSU is under investigation for battery, according to sources. The alleged incident took place in a Fort Lauderdale apartment earlier this year, multiple outlets say, and it involves Landry’s girlfriend. She released a statement through a publicist saying there was never any concern “for my well-being” and that Landry “would never, ever do anything to harm me or anyone else.”

Falcons coach Dan Quinn said today former LSU star Jalen Collins’ second suspension for a violation of the league’s policy on PEDs has caused a “broken” trust that could cost the cornerback his job. He added no decision had been made at this time. Collins participated in Monday’s practice after his 10-game suspension to open the season was announced on Sunday.

The Saints will be facing Brock Osweiler in Thursday’s preseason opener against the Browns. Osweiler was chosen over several other QBs, and is an important stage in the competition for the starting job.

New Orleans has re-signed former long-snapper Justin Drescher and have added kicker Patrick Murray. Drescher had been New Orleans’ long snapper since the latter part of the 2010 regular season before being let go this past offseason.

USA Today has released its 2017 conference projections, and Coach O and LSU are expected to have a great season. The Tigers are picked second in the West, with a projected 10-2 overall record and 6-2 conference record.

Louisiana Tech is picked to win the C-USA West with a 8-4 overall record and 6-2 in conference.

UL-Lafayette got 7th place in the Sun Belt with a projected 5-7 record overall, and 4-4 in conference action.

Armand “Mondo” Duplantis, a soon-to-be-senior at Lafayette High School, became the youngest athlete to reach the men’s pole vault final at the world championships Sunday in London. The 17-year-old was one of 8 competitors to clear 18 feet, 8 and a quarter inches in the qualification round. Duplantis now has the opportunity to participate in the 12-man final tomorrow.

LSU announces they are building a statue of the school’s lone Heisman Trophy winner, Billy Cannon. Cannon led the Tigers to the national championship title in 1958. The 80-year-old credits the erection of the statue to the work of his former teammates, Warren Rabb and Jimmy Fields and Athletic Director Joe Alleva….
cut 4 (10) “…fantastic”
Alleva says Cannon is largely responsible for the emergence of big-time football at LSU.

A marquee player from one of the top high school football programs in the state has committed to Alabama. All-purpose back Slade Bolden chose the Crimson Tide over TCU. He plays several positions for the Rebels, but he’s expected to be a slot receiver for Nick Saban. Bolden was an all-state selection in both football and baseball last season.

Morten Andersen will be the second kicker to be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday. The Saints drafted Andersen in 1982 and he had 13 successful seasons in New Orleans. He’s still the team’s all-time leading scorer and the all-time points leader in NFL history.

At Saints camp, Five-foot-seven Tommylee Lewis is fighting for a roster spot. The second-year wide receiver from Northern Illinois caught seven passes last year. Lewis is also hoping to become the team’s primary punt returner…
cut 18 (14) “…great compeitition”

The Rain Cajuns men’s basketball team will begin a week-long trip to Cuba on Monday. Coach Bob Marlin’s team will play three games in Havana and participate in a couple of clinics for young children.

The LSU Athletic Hall of Fame Committee has decided to honor football legend Dr. Billy Cannon with a statue of him on the Baton Rouge campus. Cannon says having a statue of him at his alma mater was the farthest thing from his mind. He hopes it looks like he did in his glory days, young with a lot of hair….
cut 5 (09) “…present him”
Cannon won the Heisman Trophy in 1959 and led the Tigers to a national championship in 1958.

All purpose back Slade Bolden of West Monroe High School has committed to Alabama. Bolden plays a number of positions for the Rebels, quarterback, running back, wide receiver and defensive back. He’s listed as a three-star prospect and some compare him to Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman.

In major league baseball…Alex Bregman went three for four with a run scored and an RBI but the Astros lost their third straight as the Tampa Bay topped Houston five to three.

Former Saints kicker Morten Andersen will become the second kicker in history to be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on saturday. The native of Denmark is the leading scorer in NFL history. The Saints selected Andersen in the fourth round of the 1982 draft and and finished his 25-year career with 2,544 points and 565 field goals made.

At Saints camp, starting left guard Andrus Peat is entering his third season. Peat says he’s trying to help out first round pick Ryan Ramczyk, who could be the starting left tackle for the injured Terron Armstead…
cut 17 (15) “…that aspect”
Peat says at first he didn’t feel comfortable at guard, but now he enjoys playing the position and is up to 325 pounds.

After missing all of last season while recovering from his third torn ACL injury, Saints edge rusher Hau’oli Kikaha (ha-OH-lee key-KAH-hah) is ready to make a big impact on the Black and Gold defense. He’s battling with veteran Alex Okafor for starting weak side defensive end. Kikaha says he’s making progress…:
Cut 16 (20) “we’re advancing”
Yesterday’s practice, day 7, was moved indoors due to weather, but Coach Sean Payton said the intensity was still there and he liked what he saw..:
CUT 25 (10) “this tape”
The Saints open preseason action at the Browns Thursday.

The LSU football team will start the 2017 season at No. 12 in the Coaches Preseason Top 25 poll. Alabama is No. 1, then Ohio State, Florida State, USC and Clemson round out the top five. The AP Top 25 comes out August 21st.

The LSU Athletic Hall of Fame Committee has unanimously approved a proposal that a statue honoring football legend Dr. Billy Cannon be erected on campus. The Baton Rouge native was the winner of the 1959 Heisman Trophy as a halfback, and led the Tigers to the 1958 national championship. Details about the design and construction of the Billy Cannon statue will be announced in the coming months.

The Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium was dedicated during a ceremony that included the unveiling of a life sized likeness of the Saints and Pelicans owner, just before the Hall of Fame Game between Arizona and Dallas. Benson gifted $10 million in November 2014 towards the building of the stadium. In that first taste of football for fans this season, the Cowboys edged the Cardinals 20-18.

Offensive lineman Maea Teuhema has been granted his release from the LSU football team and will transfer to another school. Teuhema was suspended for a violation of team rules and Head Coach Ed Orgeron said earlier this week that the two-year starter was dealing with academic issues.

With Teuhema no longer on the team, Lloyd Cushenberry from Dutchtown High School has the first chance to take Teuhema’s starting spot at right guard. Starting left guard Garrett Brumfield says Cushenberry has been waiting for his chance after taking a red-shirt last season….
cut 17 (15) “…you need him”
LSU is ranked 12th in the coaches poll, which came out today. Alabama is number one, followed by Ohio State, Florida State, USC and Clemson.

At Saints training camp, Head Coach Sean Payton talked about how running back Mark Ingram could be a bigger part of the passing game this season…
cut 30 (20) “…as a runner”
The 27 year-old has caught 96 passes over the last two seasons. He had four touchdown catches last year.

The Saints announced today that they’ll hold their training camp practice on Sunday at Tulane’s Yulman Stadium. It will get underway at 7 PM and it is open to the public.

The Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium was dedicated today in Canton, Ohio. The facility is named after Benson, because he donated 10-million dollars to the building in 2014. The first preseason game of the year will be played there tonight as the Cowboys take on the Arizona Cardinals.