Dattitude with Jim Derry

With just 4 days remaining until the start of Saints camp, it’s time for the expert to join our show to answer some of the big questions: Can the offensive line actually be one of the team’s strengths? Who will step up behind Alvin Kamara at RB? Is Rashid Shaheed ready for the next step? What about Bryan Bresee on defense?

WWL Radio football analyst Mike Detillier joins host Jim Derry to discuss all these topics and more on Friday’s Dattitude Podcast (Ep. 391) presented by Evangeline Securities.

Mike also will offer a prediction for the NFC South and what he thinks about the odds to win the SEC. Also, he discusses the importance of LSU’s opener against Clemson on Aug. 30. Gabe Henderson is back, and he talks UFC in New Orleans and his best value plays in college football.

With just 6 days remaining until the New Orleans Saints open their 2025 training camp, despite the low expectations, most fans are excited about new Coach Kellen Moore and all the changes that are set for this season.

But what should we expect? Is a losing season – or even a 4- or 5-win type of campaign OK if there’s improvement each week? Host Jim Derry has fun with WDSU-TV sports anchor Fletcher Mackel on Wednesday’s Dattitude Podcast (Ep. 390) presented by Evangeline Securities, as the pair breaks out the crystal ball.

Also, Jim picks Fletcher’s mind on the Pelicans and if the odds seem low for 2025-26. Will Willie Green make it through the season as coach? Will Zion Williamson not only stay healthy but take the next step in his career as a veteran? What are the chances of the playoffs?

Before we can talk about what the Saints might do in the immediate future, we want to take a look at the past and see if there are any similarities for the starting point of Coach Kellen Moore.

The past five coaches to start a season as the team’s head coach – Dennis Allen in 2022, Sean Payton in 2006, Jim Haslett in 2000, Mike Ditka in 1997 and Jim Mora and 1986 – all were very different. Is Moore like any of those guys? Can he do anything similar to what Payton and Haslett did in finishing 10-6 with multiple playoff games?

Host Jim Derry is ready to ask Saints historian Jim Rapier, who just happens to be a former Times-Picayune sports writer. It’s all fun looking back on Monday’s Dattitude Podcast (Ep. 389) presented by Evangeline Securities, and Gabe Henderson has a very unusual fact to present when it comes to the potential signing of quarterback Tyler Shough and his fellow second-round draft picks.

We’re back! And following our summer break, we’re diving right into the most important questions Saints fans have just 11 days away from the start of training camp.

Those include: Who will win the starting quarterback job? Tyler Shough or Spencer Rattler? And will the winner be a long-term solution, or will the team be back in the same boat next year? What about depth at running back behind Alvin Kamara? And is there enough at wide receiver?

Host Jim Derry brings on our local expert to answer those questions, as Louisiana’s “Beat Writer of the Year,” Luke Johnson, joins Friday’s Dattitude Podcast (Ep. 388) presented by Evangeline Securities. Gabe Henderson also is back from his vacay to weigh in on the Saints and offer his thought of the day.

Once again, LSU has done its thing thus far in the College World Series, but there’s still a long way to go. Can the Tigers get past Arkansas on Wednesday night and avoid playing a do-or-die game Thursday to make the CWS championship bracket? Why is that extra important for LSU?

Host Jim Derry gets answers from WWL-TV sports director Doug Mouton on Wednesday’s Dattitude Podcast (Ep. 387) presented by Evangeline Securities. Doug also has ideas on Kade Anderson, Bear Jones and Jay Johnson, among other Tigers.

Also, the duo will spend some time talking about where the Saints are just one month before camp begins, and why Doug is ecstatic over the breath of fresh air Coach Kellen Moore has brought. Lastly, Jim has a mini-farewell before summer vacation begins for Dattitude.

NOTE: The show will take a break and return on Friday, July 11.

The LSU Tigers were dominating on Saturday night in their College World Series opener vs. Arkansas. Well, maybe we should say pitcher Kade Anderson was dominating. Can Anthony Eyanson do something similar Monday night vs. UCLA, and how important is it the Tigers remain in the winners’ bracket?

Host Jim Derry has a nice chat with Advocate and Times-Picayune LSU beat writer Koki Riley on Monday’s Dattitude Podcast (Ep. 386) presented by Evangeline Securities. They’ll also talk about an interesting stat in which the Tigers are nearly unbeatable if they score a certain amount of runs, and is Coach Jay Johnson about to step into Skip Bertman territory?

Jim also has thoughts on the importance of the Saints signing running back Cam Akers and whether he will play a role for this team. Lastly, Gabe Henderson has a few things he wants to talk about and his opinion on Akers, who is a former Houston Texan.

While the outlook from media pundits on the upcoming season for the New Orleans Saints is a bit bleak, the fans seem to be relishing in the fact that at least it’s different. And with a new regime under Coach Kellen Moore and a new quarterback – either Tyler Shough or Spencer Rattler – there is plenty to be positive about.

Host Jim Derry brings in FOX-8’s Garland Gillen for his take on both the Saints and LSU, which enters their quest for College World Series Title No. 8, on Friday’s Dattitude Podcast (Ep. 385) presented by Evangeline Securities.

We know Tigers fans will secure another Jello Shot Challenge at Rocco’s in Omaha, but will the pitching be the key for Coach Jay Johnson? Can the hitting follow up with a similar performance as they did in the Super Regionals last weekend? Lastly, Gabe Henderson has some thoughts on the incredible Stanley Cup Finals and the College World Series.

Who will be the primary backup to Alvin Kamara in the RB room, and is Spencer Rattler taking the lead on Tyler Shough during Saints minicamp? Meanwhile, LSU baseball is on their way to Omaha as they will try for their eighth national championship.

It's a jam-packed Wednesday edition of Dattitude (Ep. 384) presented by Evangeline Securities. Jim shares his experience from the Super Regionals in Baton Rouge this past Sunday, and Gabe Henderson also has thoughts on the College World Series.

While the current state of the New Orleans Saints quarterback room is up for debate, what isn’t is the standing of the franchise if one were to put together a list that encapsulates this entire century to date. It’s not if the Fleur de Lis are in the top 10, but where? And are they top 5 with Drew Brees, Aaron Brooks and Derek Carr?

Jim Derry and Gabe Henderson have some fun with their first “Dat List” on Friday’s Dattitude Podcast (Ep. 383) presented by Evangeline Securities. Interestingly, their lists are very similar except in a few spots. They go into detail on their top 12 and have fun interacting with the live audience.

Also, we ask a nearly impossible question: “How could a baseball team possibly go 59-0 through an entire season?” Luckily, there is someone who can answer that question, and it’s LSU-Shreveport coach Brad Neffendorf, who just guided the Pilots to a perfect season and a NAIA World Series. He shares his thoughts and experiences from the past few months and some vignettes.

So it didn’t quite go as smoothly as fans of the LSU Tigers baseball team would have hoped in the Regionals, but it worked out in the end and the team is two wins away from Omaha and the College World Series. How will they fare in the Super Regionals against West Virginia, and what are the keys to victory?

LSU beat writer for The Times-Picayune and The Advocate, Koki Riley, joins host Jim Derry on Wednesday’s Dattitude Podcast (Ep. 382) presented by Evangeline Securities, as they also rehash Monday’s victory over Little Rock.

Jim also talks to Loyola second baseman Brandon Mooney, who might have been the best college baseball player no one heard of this season. Oh, and the Wolf Pack’s – and his – underdog story is well worth the listen. In Jim’s unofficial ‘Last Word,’ he celebrates a very special 40th anniversary for Saints fans.