Tim Fletcher Show: Draft Day + La’el Collins + LSU Baseball vs. Mississippi State
What's new in Louisiana sports?
The NFL Draft gets underway with the first round of selections tonight from Chicago. Tampa
Bay has the first overall pick and is expected to take Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston.
Tennessee is slated to pick second, but Titans officials have made no secret of the fact they are
willing to trade out of the spot. Whomever ends up with that second pick, Oregon quarterback
Marcus Marriota is the likely choice.
The Saints have two picks in the first round, the 13th and 31st choices. Most pundits peg
outside rusher/wide receiver/offensive line as the most glaring needs in New Orleans.
Dallas has the 27th selection in tonight’s opening round. The consensus among draftniks: the
Cowboys either shore up their secondary or running game to help offset the loss of DeMarco
Murray.
LSU may have one, two... or possibly zero first round picks. Offensive tackle La’el Collins has
long been considered a shoein to be picked in the first round. However, his status as a person
Baton Rouge police want to question as part of their investigation of a homicide in which a 29
year old pregnant woman died but her unborn baby survived has cast a grey cloud over that
firstround draft status.
Collins allegedly had a relationship with the woman last year. NFL.com writer, Ian Rapoport
reports the former LSU Tiger had planned to submit to paternity tests after the draft, but the
situation requires urgent attention at this point.
Defensive back Jalen Collins draft stock has ebbed and flowed. Despite making just ten starts
in his college career, the former Tiger should hear his name called late in the first round tonight. ===================================================================
It was a big day for a handful of local high school seniors Wednesday, even bigger for their
parents in terms of financial obligations for college.
At Airline High School, standout pitcher Andrew Lowe inked with Ole Miss while his teammate,
the superscooping shortstop Tanner Daniel signed with Al Cantwell and LSUShreveport to
continue their respective baseball careers.
Evangel basketball stud Calvin Daniels said Nicholls State was the first school to start recruiting
him a couple of years ago. He proved loyal to that initial suitor by signing with the Colonels. ==================================================================== Consensus number one ranked LSU opens a threegame SEC baseball series in Starkville
tonight. The Tigers have won the last eight series against the Bulldogs, including a clean sweep
of the maroon last year in Baton Rouge.
Jared Poche gets the call to start for Paul Mainieri’s men this evening in the series opener while
State pegs Lucas Laster, a senior lefthander with a 43 record and 3.16 ERA to shut down
LSU.
On paper, this is a lopsided contest. LSU is among the league leaders in nearly every offensive
category and pitching statistic. Mississippi State languishes near the cellar hitting and pitching-
wise among SEC schools.
First pitch is set for 6:30pm, pregame at 6:00 and it’s all on 1130 The Tiger. =====================================================================
In the NBA playoffs last night, Atlanta regained the lead in their series with Brooklyn thanks to a
10797 win last night. Former Louisiana Tech star, Paul Millsap struggled, garnering just 10
points and 6 rebounds, but DeMarre Carroll and Al Horford picked up the slack with 24 and 20
points. Former Razorback, Joe Johnson had 18 for the Nets.
Memphis finished off Portland 9999 to advance to the second round of the Western Conference
playoffs where they will meet Golden State. ===================================================================== Break up the Astros! The American League West leaders pummeled San Diego 72 to finish a
sweep of the Padres. Former Razorback Dallas Keuchel picked up the win Houston heads
home after an 81 record on their 9game road trip.
Felix Hernandez handcuffed Texas last night in a 52 Seattle win to finish off a threegame
sweep. The Mariners ace allowed five hits and two runs in 6.2 innings of work to improve his
record to 40.
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