Saints Quarterback Drew Brees and defensive back Champ Bailey were in pads at training camp today, which is a sign they are getting closer to full health. Brees and Bailey did not participate in any live team drills, but they were seen at practice moving around.

Coach Sean Payton was also more pleased with today’s practice after expressing his frustrations with yesterdays’ workout, which he called flat and sloppy.

One guy that continues to impress during training camp is rookie wide receiver Brandin Cooks. The Oregon State product says he’s coming to practice every day looking to get better…
cut 30 (14) “…the season”
The Saints next preseason game is Friday at home against the Tennessee Titans.

The quarterback battle at LSU continues as the Tigers move into the second week of fall practice. Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron expects either Brandon Harris or Anthony Jennings will eventually grab hold of the starter’s role…
cut 17 (11) “…be his quarterback’
LSU holds its first scrimmage tomorrow.

In college baseball…the schedule is set when the Tigers compete in the Houston College Classic at Minute Maid Park from March sixth to the eighth. The three teams they’ll play are Baylor, Houston and Nebraska.

Former Nicholls State player Walter Jones has been hired as an assistant coach under Colonels head coach Seth Thibodeaux.

The McNeese State men’s basketball schedule came out today. The Cowboys have 16 home games, including a match-up with the Ragin Cajuns on December sixth at the Burton Colsieum. McNeese also travels to LSU, Baylor and Mississippi State.

One of the biggest spotlights at LSU’s preseason camp has been the intense battle for the starting quarterback position. Sophomore Anthony Jennings and Freshman Brandon Harris both have stated their intentions to be the man to lead Tigers next season. LSU Offensive Coordinator Cam Cameron says regardless of who wins, everyone has to be ready to run the offense…:
CUT 16 (12) “gotta be ready”
The position is still up for grabs, and could be up until the start of the season.

In high school football news Monday….John Curtis and Evangel Christian Academy have reportedly decided to play up in the state playoffs this season. That means they’ll be in the Division One bracket, which will feature schools from the New Orleans Catholic League.

Nicholls State announced the hiring of Walter Jones as a baseball assistant coach. He’ll be the hitting coach as well as lead the outfielders and assist with the Colonels’ recruiting efforts.

Tulane Coach Curtis Johnson says former Jesuit standout Tanner Lee will likely be his starting quarterback when the Green Wave begin the season at Tulsa on August 28th.

LSU fans will be able to add a little something extra to their tailgate or football parties for the upcoming season…An LSU Jell-O mold. Emilie Fitch is the brand manager for Jell-O. She says these college team Jiggler kits are just another way fans can show how passionate they are about their team…:
CUT 4 (12) “across the country”
She said the Jell-O Jiggler kits are available at local grocery stories. Fitch says they open to expand to more through out the country if this year’s sales go well.

Saints Coach Sean Payton was not happy with today’s training camp practice at the Greenbrier in West Virginia. Payton says the ball was on the ground too much and the team seemed flat as they worked out in rainy conditions. But the head coach says they are going to play games in weather like this….
cut 30 (11) “…just function”
Quarterback Drew Brees, cornerback Champ Bailey and wide receiver Kenny Stills did not participate in team activities and running back Pierre Thomas was involved in walk throughs.

In high school football news today….John Curtis and Evangel Christian Academy have reportedly decided to play up in the state playoffs this season. That means they’ll be in the Division One bracket, which will feature schools from the New Orleans Catholic League.

For the LSU football team to have another ten plus win season, the freshmen will have to come through. One of those players is wide receiver Malachi Dupre, who is a five-star recruit from John Curtis. Dupre says offensive coordinator Cam Cameron has them believing they can have a good season, despite the youth at the skill positions….
cut 19 (14) “….of his past”
Dupre could be in the starting line-up when the Tigers play Wisconsin in Houston on August 30th.

Tulane Coach Curtis Johnson says former Jesuit standout Tanner Lee will likely be his starting quarterback when the Green Wave begin the season at Tulsa on August 28th.

ULM Coach Todd Berry has released a depth chart and it has former North Carolina State quarterback Pete Thomas as the starter. Thomas is listed ahead of Brayle Brown and Earnest Carrington.

LSU freshman running back Leonard Fournette has some lofty goals heading into the season. He told reporters at media day that he would like to rush for 1,000 yards, earn All-American Honors and be a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. Fournette was available to speak with reporters yesterday for the first time since preseason camp began and he was the star of the show. Fournette says the media attention he’s receiving both locally and nationally is not bothering him…
cut 18 (14) “….right now”
In another bit of news out of LSU, Friday it was reported that defensive tackle Quentin Thomas would miss the season with a biceps injury, but apparently the injury is not as bad as feared and Coach Les Miles indicated they hope Thomas will return soon, maybe by the first game.

Saints Coach Sean Payton was not pleased with today’s practice as training camp has resumed at the Greenbrier in West Virginia. Payton says there were too many balls on the ground and it was one of their most flat practices. Quarterback Drew Brees is still not participating in team drills, the same can be said about wide receiver Kenny Stills and cornerback Champ Bailey. But running back Pierre Thomas was back in full pads.

ULM Football Coach Todd Berry has released a three-team depth chart and six-foot-five senior Pete Thomas is lsited as the starting quarterback. Thomas is a transfer from North Carolina State. In 2013, he made six starts for the Wolfpack, completing 60-percent of his passes for 1,667 yards and four touchdowns.

Former players and coaches who knew Matt Derenbecker shocked over his death. The two-time Louisiana Gatorade Prep Player of the Year was found dead in a pool on sunday in Ponchatoula. He was only 22 years-old. He played one season at LSU and a half-season at UNO. He was one of the nation’s top recruits coming out of Country Day.

The Saints and Rams face off tonight in the first preseason game of the year. Quarterback Drew Brees is not expected to play because of an oblique injury, but first round pick and wide receiver Brandin Cooks will see some action, which has Saints fans excited.

Not much game planning usually goes into the first preseason game, but Saints tight end Jimmy Graham says they worked on blitz pick up packages as the Rams defensive coordinator is former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams…
cut 30 (12) “…for that”

Williams and Saints head coach Sean Payton received the harshest penalties as a result of the NFL’s investigation into the Saints bounty scandal. There’s still bad blood between them. Payton says their reunion tonight is not a big topic.

The LSU Tigers have reportedly lost their most experienced defensive tackle for the season. The Baton Rouge Advocate reports that Quentin Thomas from Breaux Bridge has torn his biceps muscle. Tiger Rag Editor Robert Stewart says redshirt freshman Frank Herron could be the player that sees increased playing time because of Thomas’ injury…
cut 14 (11) “….Maquedis Bain”

Iowa transfer Cody Sokol (SO-cull) is battling for the starting quarterback position at Louisiana Tech. Sokul says it’s only been a few days of practice in fall camp, but he feels comfortable with the Bulldogs offense…
cut 29 (17) “…easier on me”
Sokul is in competition with Ryan Higgins for the starting job.

The Saints will battle the Rams tonight in the preseason opener for both teams. Quarterback Drew Brees probably will NOT play, because of an oblique injury. That means a lot of playing time for Ryan Griffin and Luke McCown, who are vying to become Brees’ primary backup. McCown says tonight’s opportunity to get some game experience is important…
cut 19 (14) “…that week”
In preseason action last night…San Diego beat Dallas 27-7 and in a wild game…Cincinnati defeated Kansas City 41 to 39. Former LSU Tiger Jeremy Hill had six rushes for 36 yards and James Wright caught a nine yard touchdown pass.

The LSU Tigers had their first practice in pads today. A question mark on defense this season is at defensive tackle as the Tigers must find two new starters. But Head Coach Les Miles says there is good depth at that position led by Christian LaCouture (Lock-uh-chur)….
cut 17 (11) ‘…coming to play”
Sunday is Media Day and also Fan Day on campus.

McNeese State begins fall practice at 4:30 today. The Cowboys return 16 starters from a team that went 10-and-3 last season. Coach Matt Viator has yet to decide on a starting quarterback. Kansas State transfer Daniel Sams, Will Briscoe and Tyler Bolfing are the candidates.

The Ragin Cajuns have set the school’s record for season tickets sold. Just over 12-thousand season tickets have been bought for the upcoming season.

And the nonconference schedule is out for the LSU men’s basketball team. The Tigers will host Texas Tech, UMASS and Southern Miss.

The Saints kick off the their preseason campaign tonight against the St. Louis Rams. While fans might think four preseason games are too much, Coach Sean Payton likes the current format. He says it gives players the opportunity to rise to the occasion….
cut 18 (08) “….kicking game”
Payton hasn’t said if quarterback Drew Brees will play tonight. He’s been limited in practice, because of an oblique injury.

The LSU football team will go through its first practice in pads this morning and the entire freshman class will also compete with the veterans for the first time. Coach Les Miles says based on yesterday’s practice, the defense is ahead of the offense…
cut 16 (10) “….good defense”
Sunday is media and fan day on the LSU campus.

The NCAA Board of Directors votes to allow the five major conferences to develop their own rules . The vote clears the way for the SEC and other big conferences to provide student-athletes additional money to help cover the costs of attending college. Opponents say this will lead to a bigger gap between schools in the SEC and leagues like the Sun Belt and Conference USA.

McNeese State begins fall camp at 4:30 today. The Cowboys return 16 starters from a team that went 10-and-3 last season. Coach Matt Viator has yet to decide on a starting quarterback. Kansas State transfer Daniel Sams, Will Briscoe and Tyler Bolfing are the candidates.

The Ragin Cajuns have set the school’s record for season tickets sold. Just over 12-thousand season tickets have been bought for the upcoming season.

And the nonconference schedule is out for the LSU men’s basketball team. The Tigers will host Texas Tech, UMASS and Southern Miss, while travel to West Virginia and UAB.

LSU Football Coach Les Miles says he supports today’s vote by the NCAA Board of Directors that would give more autonomy to the five major conferences. This means schools in the SEC and other power conferences will have different rules than other Division One schools. Miles says he respects the smaller conferences like the MAC and Sun Belt, but they don’t generate the same level of revenues as SEC schools…
cut 30 (19) “…like rules”
One major change proposed by the power conferences is the ability to offer student athletes not only a scholarship but an allowance to cover expenses outside of college. Ragin Cajuns Coach Mark Hudspeth is on record against the autonomy for the power five.

Players on the defensive side of the football are learning a new defense at Louisiana Tech. Manny Diaz is the new defensive coordinator in Ruston. Diaz says learning the playbook is not the only responsiblity during fall camp. He says developing leaders is also crucial before the season opener…
cut 18 (11) “…going to strike”
Tech opens the season against third ranked Oklahoma.

The UL Lafayette athletic ticket office says they’ve sold 12,276 season tickets for the upcoming football season, which is a new record. The Cajuns home schedule begins August 30th against Southern.

The Saints preseason schedule begins tomorrow night in St. Louis against Rams. Coach Sean Payton hasn’t said if quarterback Drew Brees will play. He’s been out of pads for about a week because of an oblique injury.

The Saints travel to St. Louis for their preseason opener against the Rams tomorrow night. New Orleans will see a familiar face on the Rams sideline as former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is now coordinating the Rams defense. Williams and Saints Head Coach Sean Payton were suspended for the 2013 season as a result of the bounty scandal. Knowing that Williams can be aggressive, Saints tight end Jimmy Graham says they worked on blitz pick-up packages in practice this week.

At LSU’s fall camp, reserve quarterback Jared Foster was seen at practice wearing a walking boot. No word on how serious the injury is, as Foster looks to make the team as a third-string Q-B.

Northwestern State had its football media day and there’s a lot of optimism this season among the Demon players. N-S-U was six-and-six last season.

They are learning a new defense in Ruston as Louisiana Tech defensive coordinator Manny Diaz is trying to get his players up to speed on their responsibilities. Diaz says his players have to learn quickly, because the season opener is against third ranked Oklahoma….
cut 30 (17) “…day one”
After the game against the Sooners, Tech will visit the Ragin Cajuns.

UL Lafayette Head Coach Mark Hudspeth says he likes what he sees from senior linebacker Jake Molbert. Molbert started several games his freshmen and sophomore seasons, but was a reserve player last year. Hudspeth says he’s Molbert fan and that the Rayne native embodies what a Ragin Cajuns player is. As a right now, Molbert is set to start in the season opener.

Former LSU pitcher Aaron Nola had a successful debut in Class Double-A of the Phillies Minor league system. Nola threw five innings and allowed one run as his team won nine to two over Harrisburg.

School zones aren’t in effect any more this morning but now that the kids are back in the classroom, state police wants to remind you that you’re not allowed to use your cell phone in school zones anymore. The law went into effect last Friday. Trooper Jared Sandifer says when you’re having any type of interaction on your phone you may think that you’re focused on the road but you’re not…:
CUT 15 (07) “task of driving”
First violation is a $175 fine.

A new 14-million dollar laboratory for animal and food science research is open for business on the LSU Baton Rouge campus. LSU Ag Center Associate Vice Chancellor Phil Elzer says this will most certainly help LSU attract more students and faculty who want to perform cutting edge research…:
CUT 5 (11) “international grants”

As summer winds down and we look toward the fall, it looks like another banner year for the film industry in Louisiana. Eric Gill has the story…:
CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

Saints owner Tom Benson left training camp in West Virginia early a day after he was hospitalized due a shortness of breath Tuesday in the high altitude of the Greenbrier resort. A team spokesman says Benson had to tend to some business at the New Orleans team offices today and that he’s doing fine but he will miss Friday’s game.