Saints fans must feel like Katrina put us in a parallel universe. First the Saints make a miraculous run to the NFC Title game. Now negotiations between the Saints and the State are done and Benson uttered words I never thought we'd hear. Both sides agreed Monday to toss out contract clauses that would have allowed the team to leave in 2010. Afterwards, a representative for Benson said he is "committed over the next four years
to get a long-term deal done here and to stay here forever." Somebody pinch me. I think I'm dreaming...

With LSU's 23-point shellacking of UConn and Tennessee's 36-point blowout of Ole Miss, the 2007 Women's Final Four has the makings of a scene all too familiar to both programs. Setup on opposite sides of the bracket, the Vols and Tigers could again meet this season in a high-stakes game, this time for the National Championship. The Tigers are looking very good down the stretch, and Bob Starkey has done a fantastic job as Interim coach keeping the focus on-not off-the court. Though he has publicly said he doesn't want the job, LSU would be making a mistake if they don't try to make this loyal Tiger the head coach. Starkey started at LSU as an Asst. basketball coach with Dale Brown in the 90's and deserves the opportunity to take the lead.

The LSU Spring Game is Saturday (Tix free in advance, $5 at the door) and this year they are introducing a new format to the game that I hope does well.Former LSU standouts Joseph Addai and Anthony McFarland, members of the Indianapolis Colts Super Bowl Championship team this year, will serve as guest coaches for one team, while Kevin Faulk and Jarvis Green, both 3-time Super Bowl Championships, will serve on the coaching staff for the other team. It's nice to see the alums come back to campus and help bring out the fans.

Talks for keeping the Saints in LA past 2010 have offically begun, though both sides have decided to keep the matter out of the paper until terms are finalized, unlike the mudslinging that has gone on in the past. Both sides have until March 31st to reach an agreement.

Source: 2TheAdvocate.com

The Paul Mainieri era got off to a rough but still impressive start losing 2 of 3 to USC to open SEC play last weekend. Though Pitching was good, and Waguespack made some amazing diving catches, Hitting was lackluster and continues to be the Tigers main problem. The series with UK starts at 7 p.m. tonight and continues tomorrow after the Super Tiger Bowl.

The Saga continues. Arkansas Star DE Antwain Robinson, who ranked fifth on the team in tackles last season with a total of 68 - 44 solo and 24 assists including 14 1/2 for lost yardage, was arrested at a Fayetteville Dillard's on  March 18th for shoplifting. No charges have been filied yet. I wonder what he stole?

SEC Football Arrest Counter '07: 3

Glen Davis has decided it's time to move on. At a press conference on Wednesday he announced that he has signed with an agent and will enter this years draft, officially ending his LSU career. I think he shoulda stayed another year, but at least he is going to finish out his semester and help the university with NCAA "good standing" requirements. Good luck in the NBA, Big Baby!

"Baton Rouge is not just a place that I went to school and played basketball. It is where I was born and raised. It is where my family is and it will always be in my heart. I will forever be a Tiger. I will always think fondly of my years here. I plan on finishing this school semester. Being at LSU has molded me and changed me into the man that I am today. I believe if I went somewhere else, I would not be the man I am today. With all the adversity I have been through, I feel things happen to you for a reason. I want to give credit to everybody who has molded me into the person I am today. Particularly, coach Brady and the coaching staff who have helped me along the way. They all were a part of the reason I am ready to go."

Big Baby's Final Stats

Year	G-GS	Min/Avg	FG-A	Pct.	3FG-A	Pct	FT-A	Pct	Reb	Avg	F-DQ	A	TO	B	S	Pts/Avg
04-05	30-29	876/29.2	138-269	.513	3-12	.250	127-182	.698	263	8.8	94-2	31	50	41	29	406/13.5
05-06	36-36	1144/31.8	250-505	.495	6-23	.261	163-241	.676	350	9.7	89-1	50	96	41	47	669/18.6
06-07	29-28	1016/35/0	178-368	.484	17-49	.347	139-195	.713	303	10.4	67-1	66	82	28	32	512/17.7
Totals	95-93	3036/32.0	566-1142	.496	26-84	.310	429-618	.694	916	9.6	250-4	147	228	110	108	1587/16.7

Glen Davis’ Career High Games
1. 28 -- Vs. Vanderbilt (SECT), 3/11/06
1. 28 -- Vs. Kentucky, 2/25/06
1. 28 -- Vs. South Carolina, 1/12/05
4. 27 -- At Mississippi State, 2/3/07
4. 27 -- Vs. Southern Miss, 12/28/04
6. 26 -- At Ole Miss, 2/14/07
6. 26 -- Vs. Wright State, 12/27/06
6. 26 -- Vs. Louisiana-Monroe, 11/19/06
6. 26 -- Vs. Texas (NCAAT), 3/25/06
6. 26 -- Vs. Arkansas, 1/19/05

Glen Davis’ Career Highs
Points: 28 three times
Rebounds: 18 twice
Field Goals Made: 12 vs. S. Carolina (1/12/05)
Field Goal Attempts: 20 twice
3 Point Field Goals Made: 3 twice
3 Point Field Goals Att: 5 twice
Free Throws Made: 15 vs. Louisiana Tech, 12/23/06
Free Throws Attempted: 18 vs. Louisiana Tech, 12/23/06
Assists: 6 twice
Blocks: 6 vs. Iona (NCAAT), 3/16/06
Steals: 5 vs. UL-Lafayette, 12/17/05
Minutes Played: 45 vs. Texas, 12/10/06

Source LSUSports.net

What? You honestly believed the New Box would be finished on schedual? Citing a long list of state facilities projects in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, plus the addition of 18 new suites to the design of the ballpark as the reason for the delay, Herb Vincent, LSU senior associate athletic director for external affairs, said it should be ready for practice in fall 2008 and the first pitch of the 2009 season.

Source: 2TheAdvocate.com
Photo from: MakeYourPitch.net

The Advocate is reporting that Mike V, the 17 year old live mascot of the Tigers, has offically entered the 1st stage of his retirement. This means the student mascot will no long attempt to get Mike to roar during pregame, though they will still bring him to the game and he can roar if he feels like it. This is the first step in Mike's retirement, which could last years. David Baker, Mike’s V’s personal veterinarian, said he has slowed down over the past 18 months, losing weight and muscle. But he still has a “good attitude� and that there is no reason to start thinking of getting a new tiger.

Photo from MikeTheTiger.com

....The Tigers had a second scrimmage on Friday. The team focused on 1st and 10, 3rd and short, and 2 minute drill situations. Miles said he was impressed with both QB's performance and with RB Charles Scott, who led all rushers with 67 yards.....

.....Ivan Miasel over at ESPN.com ran a great feature this week on how Flynn is adjusting to his new leadership role after standing in Russles shadow for the last few years. Flynn is at peace with the idea that he played behind the guy who is the odds-on favorite to be the first pick in the NFL draft next month. "I cannot sit here and say, 'Man, I should have been playing. I'm so much better than him.'" Flynn said, a grin playing across his face. "I can't say that."....

....LSU's Pro Day was wednesday, and much attention was paid to comments by ESPN's Todd McShay who said it was the greatest workout by a QB he's ever seen. Statistics from the workout can be found here....

Wee, Pat, and the legendary Crip discuss Pokeys resignation, early tourney action, and spring practice.

From LSUSports.net

"Glen Davis and I met yesterday (Monday) for about an hour and a half. We are going to meet again next Tuesday (March 20) and probably set up a press conference next Wednesday (March 21) at some point that will be announced by the sports information department. Glen is gathering some information. I've called the NBA. I've called some NBA scouts. Glen's also, I think, talking to some people who may or may not represent him which is legal for him to do. He's just trying to get a grip on where he is in the draft and what he's comfortable with. Next Wednesday at some point we're going to sit down and have a press conference. He'll announce his intentions and what his plans are.

"My role in this as it has been for other players that have been here is to gather information for him, present him the facts and be supportive of him in whatever decision he makes."

This is not to surprising, most juniors do contact scouts to see what their draft prospects are. This year's lackluster season has definitely hurt Davis's stock. I expect he will still be with us next season.

Yesterday the Saints signed free agent Kevin Kaesviharn to a four-year contract worth $10 million, a deal that includes a $3.25 million signing bonus. Kaesviharn had a league leading six interceptions and four sacks as a Safety for CIN last season and was one of the highest rated free agents this off season.

Though the Saints have depth a Safey, Kaesviharn could start in place of a still healing Roman Harper.

Source: ESPN.com

Kevin Kaesviharn's Stat Page

Wee lays down the details for the inaugural Geaux Show Tournament Challenge. We are hosting it at CBS, so if you signed up for NCAA MMOD you can use the same account. Brackets MUST be turned in before 11AM EST on Thursday. First place wins a brand new iPod Shuffle in your choice of colors.

Link: http://geauxshow.mayhem.sportsline.com/e
League Password: lsu1958

The dream stays alive! In a tight over-time game that lasted into the wee hours of this morning, LSU pulled a huge upset against the #22 ranked Vols winning 76-67 . In a bloody, fast paced game, LSU was dogged all night by the Vols full-court press, committing 4 turnovers in the first four minutes, 23 for the game. The game was tied at 64 with less than a minute to go. Temple ran down the court and made a layup, but a HORRIBLE call sent Tenn. to the line where JaJuan Smith missed both shots to send the game to OT. LSU will next face Ole Miss in the last game of the night, scheduled tip 8:45PM

Game Stats

It didn't take long. ESPN reports the Falcons have agreed to sign Joe Horn, who the Saints released last week. It should be made official at a press conference tonight. Adding Horn to the lineup will give Vick a serious deep target and should fit well into Petrino's new system.

I was disappointed when the Saints, who are well under the cap, let Horn go. Despite his injuries and low recent production, he was still a great threat and the face of the team when they were homeless last year. I would be very surprised if he gets booed when the Falcons come to the Dome next year.

Joe Horn's Stat Page

Source ESPN.com

UPDATE 3/08: Pokey has now said she wont coach in the NCAA
Source: LSUSports.net

Wow, didn't see this one coming.

"LSU head women's basketball coach Pokey Chatman issued the following statement on Wednesday:

"I have notified the University today that I will step down as Head Coach of the Women's Basketball program in order to allow me to pursue other career opportunities.

"I will continue to serve as head coach until LSU's participation in the NCAA tournament is concluded.  That will allow this team to successfully enter and compete in the upcoming NCAA tournament.  I will continue on contract until April 30, 2007.

"I appreciate the opportunities afforded me at LSU and the cooperation of the University in allowing me to pursue other career opportunities.

"To eliminate any further distraction from our preparation for and participation in the NCAA tournament, I will have no further comment and answer no questions on this subject.  I hope you will honor that position.

"Thank you."

STATEMENT FROM LSU ATHLETIC DIRECTOR SKIP BERTMAN

BATON ROUGE - LSU athletic director Skip Bertman has issued the following statement regarding the resignation of head women's basketball coach Pokey Chatman:

"We respect the decision that Pokey Chatman has made regarding her future career opportunities.  On behalf of LSU, I thank her for her athletic accomplishments as a player and as a coach, and for the community service work she has performed for Baton Rouge and Louisiana.  We wish her success in her future endeavors.

"In the best interests of the LSU women's basketball team as they prepare for post-season competition, I will make no further comment on Coach Chatman's decision"

Source: LSUSports.net

The Saints added to the defense today by picking up former Bengals Linebacker Brian Simmons, agreeing to a 3-year deal (terms yet to be disclosed). Simmons, who played only 11 games last year due to neck strain, was released from Cincinnati, citing salary cap issues. Simmons has started at every position in a 4-3 front at various times during his career and despite his short season still managed to make 78 tackles (41 solo) and two interceptions. If healthy, he should make a great addition to the team

Simmons Stat Page

Source: ESPN.com

Seems every off-season, SEC football players have a way of getting into trouble. This year is no exception. The 1st victim is SC QB Stephen Garcia, who was arrested twice in recent weeks for damaging a professor's car with a key and with drunkenness and failing to stop for a police officer. SC has suspended him for the semester and he will not play in their spring game.

SEC Football Arrest Counter (07-08 season): 2

Source ESPN.com

Wee and Cody give their take on early recruiting, spring practice, and baseballs' rebuilding year.