AP’s preseason top 25 is out, and LSU football ranks 13th. Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne says the AP has the Tigers ranked out of the Top 10 because of concerns over the defense that ranked at the bottom last year…
Cut 9 (11) “…last year.”
LSU’s offense is expected to be good this season. Based on what the media has seen at practice, Chris Hilton seems poised to have a breakout season. Hilton caught 13 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns last season. The former Zachary star says he’s been working on his pass-catching….
Cut 16 (19) “… so yeah.”

The Saints were winners in their first preseason game of the year on Saturday night edging out the Arizona Cardinals 16-14 in Glendale, Arizona. Quarterback Derek Carr led the Saints for two series to start the game, but the drives didn’t result in any points as he went 2 of 6 for 12 yards. But Carr was glad to see some game action…
Cut 19 (20) “…what it is.”
The Saints were scheduled to have joint practices with the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday and Friday in Irvine, California, but the 49ers backed out, because they have too many injuries. The two teams are still set to play a preseason game against each other on Sunday in San Francisco.

The Saints were winners in their first preseason game of the year on Saturday night edging out the Arizona Cardinals 16-14 in Glendale, Arizona. Quarterback Derek Carr led the Saints for two series to start the game, but the drives didn’t result in any points as he went 2 of 6 for 12 yards. But Carr was glad to see some game action…
Cut 19 (20) “…what it is.”
The Saints were scheduled to have joint practices with the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday and Friday in Irvine, California, but the 49ers are backed out, because they have too many injuries. The two teams are still set to play a preseason game against each other on Sunday in San Francisco.

Six-foot-six senior defensive end Sai’vion Jones says the defense is a motivated group after being ranked among the worst defenses in FBS. He says he’s been seeing improvement throughout camp…
Cut 18 (13) “…huge step.”
LSU’s defensive players say defensive coordinator Blake Baker wants the defense to physical and not scared to make a big play.

Louisiana Tech co-defensive coordinator Scott Parr provided an update on Saturday on the progress of starting quarterback Jack Turner…
cut 20 (14) “…said a lot”
The Bulldogs kick-off the season on August 31st at noon.

The Saints are back in southern California after winning their preseason opener 16-14 in Glendale, Arizona against the Cardinals. The play of the backup quarterbacks highlighted the game.

Second-year veteran Jake Haener took over in the second quarter and completed 9 of 13 passes for 107 yards. Rookie Spencer Rattler played the entire second half and completed 9 of 17 passes for 70 yards and led the Saints on a game-winning drive in the final seconds that ended with a Charlie Smith 37-yard field goal. Coach Dennis Allen liked what he saw from both Heaner and Rattler…
Cut 20 (20) “…two players.”
The Saints will have joint practices against the 49ers this week and will visit San Francisco on Sunday night.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Running back Josh Williams is back for his sixth season at LSU. He was actually on the scout team when the Tigers won the national championship in 2019. Williams, who already has two degrees, talked about his decision to come back for a sixth and final year…
Cut 17 (29) “…finish strong.”

Former LSU Q-B Jayden Daniels was impressive in his preseason opener on Saturday as he led the Commanders on a touchdown drive in his only series of action. Daniels was two of three for 45 yads and completed a 42-yard pass. Daniels completed the drive with a three-yard touchdown run.

The Saints will face the Cardinals in the preseason opener for both teams on Saturday night. It remains to be seen if quarterback Derek Carr and some of the other key starters will play.

Even if Carr does play, expect the two main back-up quarterbacks on the roster to see plenty of snaps in the upcoming three preseason games, Jake Haener and rookie Spencer Rattler. Coach Dennis Allen on what he’s looking for….
cut 18 (16) “…operated”
On the defensive side of the football, Ross Jackson Host of the Locked on Saints Podcast says he’ll be watching the defensive line…
cut 14 (13) “…as well”

The LSU Tigers landed a commitment on Friday from an in-state receiver. Speedy wide out Phillip Wright the Third gave his verbal pledge to the Tigers. The Destrehan star was previously committed to Michigan, but de-committed last week. Wright is five-foot-11, 175 pounds and he’s the third wide receiver commitment in the Class of 2025.

LSU also landed a commitment on Thursday from a four-star safety out of Nashville. CJ Jimcoily is the third defensive back to commit to LSU for the Class of 2025 in the last month.

Former LSU track star Sha’Carri Richarson won her first gold medal Friday as she took the baton on the final leg in the four by 100 and raced past the compeition to cross the finish line first. It’s the second medal for Richardson, who won the silver in the Paris Games in the 100 meters. The Summer Olympics come to a close on Sunday.

The Saints will play their first preseason game Saturday night against the Arizona Cardinals. These next three exhibition games are huge for guys trying to make the team, like undrafted free agent guard Kyle Hergel. The former Boston College lineman from Toronto will attend his first NFL game on Saturday…
cut 16 (10) “….forward to it”
Saturday will also mark the Saints first game with the new kick-off rules. The alignment is much different as the kick-off team will no longer have a long running start before they take on their first blocker. Coach Dennis Allen is interested to see how it works in a game setting…
cut 17 (17) “…advantage of it”
Kick off tomorrow is at 7 PM.

A four-star safety out of Tennessee has committed to LSU. C-J Jimcoily chose the Tigers over Alabama, Stanford, Tennessee, Michigan and Ole and others. He’s six-foot-three, 205 pounds and the Nashville native is the third defensive back to commit to the Tigers from the 2025 class.

The Pelicans say they will hold training camp in Tennessee from October 1st to the 6th at Belmont University. The team is holding training camp in Nashville, because their practice facility in Metairie is being renovated.

The Sun Belt Conference has announced league schedules for men’s basketball. The Ragin Cajuns will tip off Sun Belt play on December 18th against Appalachian State, last season’s regular season champs. ULM will begin league play at home on December 21st against Old Dominion. The Warhawks will travel to Lafayette on January 11th and a week later, the Cajuns will return the trip to Monroe.

The Saints have signed linebacker Pete Werner to a three-year contract extension worth more than 25-million dollars. The former second-round pick was entering the final year of his rookie-contract, now he’s locked up through the 2027 season. Coach Dennis Allen says they see Werner as a cornerstone piece to the future of the defense.

The Saints leave tomorrow for Saturday’s preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals. Coach Dennis Allen says the staff will discuss tonight whether Derek Carr of any of the starters will play…
cut 15 (20) “…what we want to do”
Allen also provided an update on the development of Trevor Penning, who is trying to win the starting right tackle position…
cut 30 (10) “…everyday”
Penning has been facing Chase Young in practice.

The LSU football team took today off for preseason camp as it is a recovery day. Yesterday, we heard from co-offensive coordinator Joe Sloan, who will call plays this season. LSU has added a few more rushing plays in the playbook and blocking schemes as they can no longer rely on a quarterback rushing for more than one-thousand yards. Sloan says he’ll lean on an experienced offensive line to lead the rushing attack…
cut 17 (21) “…we’re gonna do it”

Four-star safety C-J Jimcoily has committed to the LSU Tigers. He’s six-foot-three, 205 pounds and the Nashville native chose the Tigers over Alabama, Stanford and Tennessee. Jimcoily is the third defensive back to commit to LSU in the last month. All three of these committed DBs are six-foot-one or taller.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting the Saints have signed 25-year-old linebacker Pete Werner to a three-year contract extension worth a maximum of 25-million dollars. 17.5 million dollars is guaranteed. Werner has looked good in training camp and is coming off a season in which he had a career high 93 tackles.

This could be a break out season for LSU running back Kaleb Jackson. The sophomore carried the ball 31 times as a freshman last season and rushed for 165 yards and four touchdowns. Co-offensive coordinator Joe Sloan says Jackson is bigger this season and he’s also smarter…
cut 18 (18) “…complete running back”
Jackson added another 10 pounds during the offseason and he’s listed at 235 pounds.

LSU outfielder Ashton Larson has played well this summer and he’s been named the Most Outstanding Position Player for the Chatham Anglers int he Cape Cod League. Larson hit .316 with an on base percentage of .788.

Louisiana Tech running back Marquis Crosby is one of 89 college football players on the 2024 Comeback Player of the Year Award Watch List. The Hattiesburg native missed nearly all of last season with an injury after rushing for 918 yards and nine touchdowns in 2022.

Crosby is also on the Doak Walker Award watch List, which goes to the nation’s top running back. So is Ragin Cajuns standout Dre’lyn Washington, who rushed for 515 yards and two touchdowns last season.

Joe Sloan takes over play-calling duties for the LSU Tigers after serving the last two seasons as the quarterbacks coach. Sloan was promoted to co-offensive coordinator along with Cortez Hankton, when last year’s O-C, Mike Denbrock, went back to Notre Dame. Sloan says it’s a group effort when it comes to running the offense
Cut 16 (19) “… they can execute.”
Tackle Will Campbell and receiver Kyren Lacy both have said it’s a different offense this year. The Tigers are using different blocking schemes so that the running backs can lead the run game this year, not the quarterback.

Also, wide receiver Chris Hilton who was used mainly as a deep threat last season and has been running more underneath routes and he’s lined up as a slot receiver.

All Pro Safety Justin Simmons visited the Saints yesterday at their training camp facilities in southern California. Simmons spent eight years with the Broncos and was a second team All-Pro selection four different times, including each of the past three seasons. Simmons had 70 tackles, three interceptions and eight passes defensed for Denver last season, but was released for salary cap reasons. Tyrann Mathieu is set to start at one of the safety positions. Johnathan Abram, Jordan Howden and Will Harris are battling for the other starting spot. Coach Dennis Allen…
cut 26 (25) “…at there”
The Saints first preseason game is Saturday night in Arizona against the Cardinals.

The improvement of the LSU defense is a must during preseason practice in order for the Tigers to get into the 12 team playoff. Young cornerbacks PJ Woodland and Ashton Stamps have been making plays, which is a good sign for a secondary that really struggled last season. Coach Brian Kelly says he’s still looking for more consistency…
Cut 19 (11) “…championship level play.”

The Ragin Cajuns have a new defensive coordinator in Jim Salgado. U-L Lafayette cornerback Cedric Anderson says Salgado is not the only new addition that will make their defense better this season…
cut 30 (14) “….very well”
U-L Lafayette opens the season by hosting Grambling on August 31.

All Pro Safety Justin Simmons visited the Saints today at their training camp facilities in southern California. Simmons spent eight years with the Broncos and was a second team All-Pro selection four different times, including each of the past three seasons. Simmons had 70 tackles, three interceptions and eight passes defensed for Denver last season, but was released for salary cap reasons. Tyrann Mathieu is set to start at one of the safety positions for the Saints. Johnathan Abram, Jordan Howden and Will Harris are battling for the other starting spot.

ULM Quarterback General Booty says a lot of team bonding is taking place as the team gets ready for its season opener against Jackson State….
cut 29 (21) “…each other”

After five days of preseason camp for LSU, three guys have emerged as the Tigers top receivers. They are Kyren Lacy, Chris Hilton and CJ Daniels, the transfer from Liberty University. At practice, the coaching staff is rotating in several other receivers with the first team and Coach Brian Kelly explains why…
Cut 17 (24) “…some time.”
Backup tight end Mac Markway has decided to enter the transfer portal, but it looks like the Tigers have some good depth behind starting tight end Mason Taylor. Ka’Morreum Pimpton and Trey’Dez Green have been impressive in the first few days of camp.

After a day off yesterday, the Saints return to the practice field today as they prepare for Saturday’s preseason opener against Arizona. New Orleans has released a depth chart for the game. It shows Chase Young and Carl Granderson as co-starters at right defensive end. Wide receiver Mason Tipton remains on the bottom of the depth chart, despite having an impressive camp and Jake Haener is listed as the number two quarterback ahead of rookie Spencer Rattler.

WGNO-TV Sports Director Ed Daniels, who suffered a heart attack, while covering Saints training camp in Southern California is back in New Orleans. Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson paid for a medevac flight so that he can be in a New Orleans hospital.

The Pelicans are reportedly moving on from Bally Sports and will air their locally produced games on Gray Television channels, which will allow more people to watch their games for free on over-the-air TV. Play-by-play voice Joel Meyers and color commentator Antonio Daniels will continue calling Pelicans games.