We are ten days away from when the Saints report for training camp. NFL Analyst Mike Detillier says there’s question marks on the offensive and defensive lines for the Black and Gold this season. Detillier says on the o-line, who will replace left guard Ben Grubbs, who was traded to Kansas City…
cut 18 (15) “…tackle spot”
Detillier says on the defensive line, will we see the group that played well in 2013 or the one in 2014 that underperformed.

Sun Belt Media Days are taking place today in New Orleans. Ragin Cajuns running back Elijah McGuire was named the preseason Sun Belt Conference offensive student-athlete of the year.

The LSU athletic department announces they’ve transferred ten million dollars over to the unviersity that will be used on academic and research initiatives on the Baton Rouge campus. Since 2012, the athletic department has given at least seven million dollars to the university, so LSU President F King Alexander says the additional dollars are welcomed on the heels of a challenging budget year.

In the NBA…the Pelicans were eliminated from the Las Vegas Summer League Tournament as New Orleans was defeated by Phoenix 93-87. Bryce Dejean Jones had 25 points and Seth Curry had 21 in a losing effort.

The team has announced the re-signing of free-agent forward Luke Babbit. The former 2010 first round pick started 19 games for the Pels last season and averaged 4 points a contest, but shot 51-percent from three-point range.

In NASCAR, Kyle Busch was the winner at the the New Hampshire Motor Speedway. That’s the second straight win for Bush.

The Saints report to training camp at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, in ten days. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says a big question mark heading into the season is the defensive line, which didn’t play nearly as well as it did two years ago…

cut 17 (19) ” from em”

Detillier says there’s also question marks on the Saints offensive line.  The Saints first pre-season game is August 13 at Baltimore.

The Sun Belt Conference Coaches Preseason Poll has been released and UL-Lafayette is picked to finish second overall in the league.  The Ragin Cajuns will kick off their season August 5th by traveling to Lexington to take on SEC foe Kentucky.

In NBA Summer League play, the Pelicans five game winning streak ended in the tournament semi-final round as they lost to the Phoenix Suns 93-87.  The Suns’ first-round draft pick Devin Booker lead all scorers with 31-points.  Bryce Dejean-Jones led the Pels with 25, followed by Seth Curry’s 21.  This is the first time the Pelicans have ever advanced to the semi-final round of the NBA Summer League Tournament.

Bill Arnsparger, who guided the LSU Tigers to an SEC title in football in 1986, has passed away at his home in Alabama. Arnsparger was the head coach of the Fightning Tigers from 1984 to 1986, compiling a record of 28-8-and-2. Arnsparger also had a great run as an assistant coach in the NFL as his teams made the Super Bowl six times. Arnsparger was 88-years-old.

Former LSU all-american Aaron Nola will make his Major League debute tomorrow as the Philadelphia Phillies take on the Tampa Bay Rays. Philadelphia picked Nola in the first round last year and he’s quickly moved up the Phillies minor league system.

Bill Arnsparger, who guided the LSU Tigers to an SEC title in football in 1986, has passed away at his home in Alabama. Arnsparger was the head coach of the Fightning Tigers from 1984 to 1986, compiling a record of 28-8-and-2. Arnsparger also had a great run as an assistant coach in the NFL as his teams made the Super Bowl six times. He was the defensive coordinator of the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins.

Three LSU Tigers have been named to the preseason All-SEC first team. They are sophomore running back Leonard Fournette, offensive lineman Vadal Alexander and defensive back Jalen Mills.

In a poll of the league’s head football coaches, Georgia Southern is picked to repeat as Sun Belt champions. UL Lafayette received three first-place votes and finished second in the voting. ULM was selected seventh in the 11-team preseason poll.

Former LSU all-american Aaron Nola will make his Major League debute on Tuesday as the right-hander will get the start for the Philadelphia Phillies. Philadelphia picked Nola in the first round last year and he’s quickly moved up the Phillies minor league system. He was 10-4 with a 2.39 ERA in 18 starts in Double-A and Triple-A this season.

The SWAC’s head football coaches and sports information directors have picked Grambling State to win the West Division. Southern has been projected to finish in second place. Grambling is the favorite to win the West, even though they don’t have one player, who is first team All-SWAC offense or defense.

Former McNeese State basketball star Edmond Lawrence has passed away at the age of 62. The seven-footer was a four-time All-Southland Conference selection from 1973-76. Lawrence is the school’s all-time leading rebounder and shot blocker and he’s ranked second on McNeese’s all-time scoring list. “Big E” as he was nicknamed went on to play for the Harlem Globetrotters.

Three LSU Tigers have been named to the preseason All-SEC First team and they are running back Leonard Fournette, offensive lineman Vadal Alexander and defensive back Jalen Mills. Fournette was also on the second team as an all-purpose player and a third teamer as a return specialist.

UL Lafayette running back Elijah McGuire is one of 50 oplayers on the 2015 Walter Camp Player of the Year Watch list. The junior from Houma rushed for 12-hundred yards and 14 touchdowns last season.

The SWAC is having its football media day today. Grambling State has been picked to win the Western Division, while the Southern Jaguars are expected to finish in second place.

And Conference USA needs to find a new commissioner. Current commish, Britton Banokwsky is leaving the league to become the executive director fo the College Football Playoff Foundation, which is the organization’s charitable arm.

Former LSU pitcher Aaron Nola has received the call to the big leagues. The Phillies plan to start their former first round pick on Tuesday when Philadephia hosts Tampa Bay at Citizens Bank Park. Nola is 10-and-4 with a 2.39 ERA in 18 starts between stops on the Double-A and Triple-A minor league levels.

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association announces it has finalized a four-year agreement with the officials association, which means high school sporting events will go on as scheduled this fall. LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine says this is an agreement that needed to be done and he’s happy they were able to take the final step.
cut 13 (08) “of fall sports”
The LHSAA says the agreement results in raises for officials in seven sports, including football. The deal still needs to be approved by state principals during their January meeting.

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association announces it has finalized a four-year agreement with the officials association, which means high school sporting events will go on as scheduled this fall. The deal still needs to be approved by state principals during their January meeting. LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine says the agreement also allows for the establishment of a sports officials sub-committee to discuss future negotiations for fee schedules and other items…

cut 15 (06) “and so forth”

This agreement prevents a threatened work stoppage by Louisiana High School Officials Association referees and gives raises for officials in seven sports, including football.
In NBA Summer League play, the Pelicans improve to 4-0 after a 97-81 win over the Washington Wizards. Seth Curry finished with a game high 26 points for the Pels. Curry is the leading scorer in the Las Vegas Summer League. The Pelicans next face Golden State Saturday night.

The Pelicans have also announced the signing of former Alabama star Alonzo Gee. The free agent guard played for Denver and Portland last season, averaging 4.5 points a game.

Camping World, the nation’s number one retailer of RV’s, RV accessories, and RV-related services, has picked up the title sponsorship of the Independence Bowl. Independence Bowl Chairman Kyle McInnis says this agreement means the I-Bowl has a solid partner for several years…

cut 26 (11) “doesn’t happen”

McInnis says the sponsorship will last through the 2019 game.

UL-Lafayette standout running back Elijah McGuire has been named a candidate for the 2015 Doak Walker Award. The award is presented annually to the nation’s top college running back. The junior from Houma rushed for over 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. McGuire was previously named to the Paul Hornung Award and Maxwell Award watch lists. The Doak Walker Award will be handed out December 10th.

In a poll of media members, the LSU football team was picked to finish third in the highly competitive SEC West. For the Tigers to win the toughest division in football, they need better play out of the quarterback position. Coach Les Miles thinks they’ll get that…
cut 11 (09) “…more evident”
Last year’s starter, Anthony Jennings, is one of three players who is suspended from the team. But Miles is optimistic they’ll be able to return. The mad hatter is also counting on a big season from running back Leonard Fournette…
cut 9 (13) “…in the weight room”
And Miles says freshman running back Derrius Guice is OK, after passing out while preparing for the upcoming season. Miles expects some tests will be done on Guice.

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association announces it has finalized a four-year agreement with the officials association, which will prevent a work stoppage by referees. The LHSAA says the agreement results in raises for officials in seven sports, including football.

Camping World is the new title sponsor of the Independence Bowl. The Hammond based company is the nation’s number one retailer of RV’s, RV accessories, and RV-related services. Independence Bowl Chairman Kyle McInnis says they are excited that the game is being sponsored by a large national company…
cut 15 (09) “….great partnership”
McInnis says the sponsorship will last through the 2019 game. This year’s game will be played on December 26th in Shreveport.

And the Pelicans have announced the signing of former Alabama star Alonzo Gee. The free agent guard played for Denver and Portland last season, averaging 4.5 points a game.

LSU Coach Les Miles expressed plenty of optimism about the upcoming season during his talk today at SEC Media Days in Hoover. When asked about the three suspended players, including Quarterback Anthony Jennings, Miles says he anticipates they will return…:
CUT 10 (10) “legal process”
Running back Derrius Guice collapsed at the football practice facility last night and Miles says they don’t know what the incoming freshman’s ailment is but he’s undergoing tests at a hospital in Baton Rouge.

Miles says they expect to still use two quarterbacks, Jennings and Brandon Harris and their play has improved…:
CUT 1 (09) “more evident”

The Media has picked LSU to finish third in the West, Alabama to win the West, but Auburn to win the overall SEC title.

The Steve Gleason Act is heading to President Obama’s desk for his signature. Former Saints player Steve Gleason, who has A-L-S, pushed this legislation after he learned that Medicare funding for speech generating devices was significantly scaled back. US Representative Steve Scalise of Metairie…:
cut 14 (10) “that voice”
The measure will make these devices more accessible to people who have ALS.

After stellar seasons in sports, Louisiana Tech says they’ve reached a record for donations made to its athletics program…:
CUT 11 (05) “for that”
Senior Associate Athletic Director Marco Borne says these massive donations point towards Louisiana Tech positioning itself for another outstanding year in sports and in the classroom. Tech football won a bowl game in December and the men’s basketball team just won its third straight regular season conference championship.

LSU Athletic Department Officials are so far not commenting on the condition of freshman signee tailback Derrius Guice who was seen leaving the football operations building in an ambulance Wednesday after collapsing according to sources. Coach Les Miles is expected to give an update today at SEC Media Days. Guice is 18 and was ranked as the No. 2 prep tailback in the nation out of Catholic High by Rivals.com.

Louisiana Tech announces a record for donations made to LTAC, which is the organization that helps fund the school’s athletic programs. The school says during the 2014-2015 fiscal year, 1.1 million dollars was donated to LTAC and the athletic department received another 1.5 million dollars in unrestricted donations. Senior Associate Athletic Director Marco Borne…:
CUT 1 (06) “program”
Tech football won a bowl game in December and the men’s basketball team just won its third straight regular season conference championship.

The Steve Gleason Act is heading to President Obama’s desk for his signature. The legislation is named after former Saints player Steve Gleason, who has A-L-S. The measure will make speech generating devices more accessible to people who battle this disease that impacts the brain’s ability to control muscle movement. US Representative Steve Scalise of Metairie…:
CUT 13 (08) “other people”
Gleason pushed this legislation after he learned that Medicare funding for these type of devices was significantly scaled back.

The SEC Network announces plans to run a new Storied documentary on Bo Rein who suddenly died in a plane crash before he ever coached his first game at LSU. The Tigers hired Rein at the end of the 1979 season in hopes of revitalizing the program. Rein died in the plan crash in January 1980 on the way home from a recruiting trip. The title of the documentary is “The Bo You Don’t Know” and is slated to run in September.

LSU’s SEC opener is September 12th at Mississippi State. The Bulldogs are once again led by Louisiana native Dak Prescott, who led the Bulldogs to a 34-29 win over the Tigers last season. State head coach Dan Mullen says Prescott has improved in getting rid of the football…
cut 18 (22) “…the chains”
While Prescott is back, the Bulldogs have to replace seven starters on offense and eight on defense.

LSU Sports Information Director Michael Bonnette says defensive tackle Travonte Valentine is no longer on the football team. Valentine didn’t play at LSU last season, because of eligibility issues.

Louisiana Tech has been picked to repeat as West Division champs in a preseason vote conducted by a panel of media members that cover Conference USA schools. After winning the West last year, Tech brings back running back Kenneth Dixon, safety Xavier Woods, cornerback Adarius Barnes and safety Kentrell Brice, while also adding former Florida quarterback Jeff Driskell. Rice is picked to finish in second place in the West, and UTEP in third place. Western Kentucky is favorite in the East.

The Biletnikoff Award Watch list came out today. LSU’s Travin Dural from Breaux Bridge is on that list. So is Louisiana Tech receiver Trent Taylor, who had nine touchdowns last season. ULM wide receivers Rashon Ceaser and Ajalen Holley are both on the list.

And it’s been announced that the SEC Storied Documentary on former LSU football coach Bo Rein will air on the SEC Network on September 15th. Rein was hired in December 1979, but never coached a game, as he died in a plane crash a few weeks later.

LSU Sports Information Director Michael Bonnette has confirmed reports that Tigers defensive tackle Travonte Valentine is no longer on the football team. The blue-chip recruit is reportedly taking his talents to Arizona Western Community College. Valentine didn’t play last season because of eligibility issues and he spent the spring on academic suspension.

LSU’s former defensive coordinator John Chavis will return to Baton Rouge on November 28th, when LSU hosts A&M. Aggies Coach Kevin Sumlin says Chavis leaving Baton Rouge for College Station is just another chapter in a spicy rivalry between the two schools…
cut 17 (17) “…the field”
Sumlin believes the hiring of Chavis will make them a tougher team physicall and mentally.

Louisiana Tech has been picked to repeat as West Division champs in a preseason vote conducted by a panel of media members that cover Conference USA schools. After winning the West last year, Tech brings back running back Kenneth Dixon, safety Xavier Woods, cornerback Adarius Barnes and safety Kentrell Brice, while also adding former Florida quarterback Jeff Driskell. Western Kentucky is favored to win the East Division, while last year’s CUSA champ, Marshall, is picked to finish second in the East.

The Biletnikoff Award Watch list came out today. LSU’s Travin Dural from Breaux Bridge is on that list. So is Louisiana Tech receiver Trent Taylor, who had nine touchdowns last season. ULM wide receivers Rashon Ceaser and Ajalen Holley are both on the list.

At the Major League Baseball All-Star game last night, former LSU Tiger DJ LeMahieu went 0-for-2 at the plate as the National League lost to the American League six to three in the midsummer classic.