Saints owner Tom Benson was taken to a hospital in West Virginia during practice today. Michelle Southern has more…
cut 2 (27) “….reporting”

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees was not in pads again today because of that oblique injury, but he was seen throwing a football during the afternoon walk-through. Coach Sean Payton is not ready to say if Brees will play in Friday’s preseason opener…
cut 30 (07) “…smart though”
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LSU freshman quarterback Brandon Harris worked out with the first-team offense this morning. Anthony Jennings worked out in the afternoon with the newcomers. Yesterday the roles were reveresed, as Jennings practiced with the vets in the morning and Harris was with his freshmen classmates in the afternoon. Neither quarterback is available to reporters, until Sunday’s media day, and Head Coach Les Miles explains why….
cut 29 (11) “…play football”

In Ruston, Head Coach Skip Holtz says redshirt freshman Ryan Higgins has an advantage over the other quarterbacks, becuase he started six games last season. But Holtz also said Cody Sokol, a transfer from Iowa, has shown he’s picking up the offense and he’s throwing the ball well.

In scheduling news…the Ragin Cajuns football program announces they’ll play at Texas A-and-M during the 2017 season. The ULM men’s basketball schedule is out. The Warhawks will visit Florida on November 21st.

It’s day two of fall camp for the LSU Tigers. At wide receiver, sophomore Travin Dural has the most experience on the college level, but he says some of the incoming freshmen are more ready to play then he was last year….
cut 30 (14) “….it showed”
Several other players have also said Malachi Dupre looks good and is ready to contribute right away.

At Saints training camp today, Quarterback Drew Brees was on the practice field this morning, but not in pads. Wide receivers Joe Morgan and Andy Tanner, along with cornerback Champ Bailey were held out today. Another wide receiver, Nick Toon, was seen leaving practice today after a play in the end zone.
Saints Owner Tom Benson left practice in an ambulance after he reportedly had trouble breathing because fo the high altitude. Team officials say it was a precautionary move and the 87-year-old is said to be fine.

Work on expanding the seating capacity at Cajun Field is ongoing. UL Lafayette Coach Mark Hudspeth says the team is practicing around the construction and that’s a good problem to have….
cut 16 (16) “….love hearing those things”
The Cajuns open the season at home on August 30th.

Louisiana Tech will hold an open practice and meet-n-greet at Independence Stadium on Friday august 15th. Practice is scheduled to run from 3:15 to 4:30 PM and following the workout, Bulldog coaches and players will be available for an autograph session.

And one college football note..Southeastern Lousiaina is third in the F-C-S coaches poll. McNeese State is at number nine. the Cowboys visits Strawberry Stadium on November 15th.

A potential starter at safety for LSU is back with the team after spending most of the summer suspended for allegedly hitting a woman near his apartment last May. Jalen Mills suspension was lifted after his charge of second-degree battery was reduced to misdemeanor simple battery. Coach Les Miles says Mills is not out of the dog house yet….
cut 1 (07) “….back with the team”
Miles added that some of the discpline will include extra conditioning.

Direct TV is the latest television provider that says they will carry the new SEC Network when it launches next Thursday. The addition of Direct TV will reportedly mean the SEC Network will be available to more than 85 million homes. The new station will first hit the airwaves August 14th at 5pm.

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees didn’t practice with the team for the second time Monday. Coach Sean Payton said Brees is day to day with an abdominal injury.

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette football team is entering the 2014 season with extremely high hopes as they return 14 starters including quarterback Terrance Broadway. The Cajuns are big favorites to win a second straight Sun Belt Conference title and head Coach Mark Hudspeth says he’s excited to see what the season will bring..:
CUT 15 (13) “our current stafff”
Hudspeth says fans are clamoring for tickets in ways he’s never seen before and promises and exciting season for the Ragin Cajun Nation.

Elsewhere, the FCS preseason coaches poll is out and Southeastern Louisiana is ranked third, McNeese State is 9th.

And former Louisiana Tech star Paul Millsap has reportedly been cut from the USA Basketball team.

For the second straight practice, Saints Quarterback Drew Brees has sat out. Coach Sean Payton says Brees suffered a strained left oblique. The QB was on the practice field at the Greenbrier report in West Virginia but was not wearing pads this afternoon when the Black and Gold returned for another day of work after a day off Sunday. Payton says Brees’ injury was “day to day” and that it would be monitored.

The East Baton Rouge District Attorney has reportedly reduced the charges against LSU junior safety Jalen Mills from felony second degree battery to misdemeanor simple battery. The charges stem from a May incident where Mills allegedly punched a woman near his apartment. DA Hillar Moore says the second degree battery charge was the arrest charge and his office believes the misdemeanor charge is appropriate after reviewing evidence and reports and witness statements.

Detroit Lions running back Reggie Bush, who started his NFL career with the New Orleans SAints in 2006, said today that at the age of 29 he’s not sure how much longer he’ll be able to play but if he gets to 15 more that would be a blessing. It’s a slight echo to what his former starting quarterback Drew Brees said last week that he’s “serious” about playing until he’s 45. Bush will be 44 in 15 years.

Today many of our state college football teams began practice including the University of Louisiana at Lafayette who are heading into the 2014 season with extremely high hopes as they return 14 starters including quarterback Terrance Broadway. The Cajuns are big favorites to win a second straight Sun Belt Conference title and head coach Mark Hudspeth said at media day today he’s very excited…:
CUT 2 (16) “most positions”
The Ragin Cajuns play Southern on August 30th.

LSU Head Coach Les Miles spoke with the media Sunday and said 103 players reported as fall training camp gets underway today. The Mad Hatter started off by saying he always loves this first meeting…:
CUT 16 (16) “if you will”
The LSU roster will kick things off today with the veterans, and some freshman, going in the morning and the other freshman will take the afternoon session. Miles says two players will not be practicing…:
CUT 17 (12) “go forward”
He says Valentine is awaiting clearance from the NCAA eligibility center. Mills is still suspended for his battery arrest in May and Miles says he’s not sure how that’s playing out but he’s not pressing the issue.

The New Orleans Saints held their Black and Gold scrimmage on Saturday and coach Sean Payton held Quarterback Drew Brees out…:
CUT 1 (16) “he didn’t go”
The Saints will practice three days this week before they take on the Rams in the first preseason game on Friday in St. Louis.

Three weeks of fall camp kick off today for the UL-Lafayette football team. Head Coach Mark Hudspeth said in a news release that summer was great and the players are in great physical condition. Practice kicks off this morning.

Louisiana Tech players also reported for camp Sunday afternoon. Head Coach Skip Holtz says all 99 players that were anticipated to show up…did all report. He said it’s always good when you can start with 100% attendance. He say he doesn’t anticipate there will be any surprises with upperclassmen or their signing class.

The annual Black and Gold Scrimmage will be held Saturday and Saints running back Mark Ingram says he’s ready…:
CUT 1 (15) “I think is important”
On an interesting note from training camp at the Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia, veteran defensive back Champ Bailey missed Thursday’s walk through and Friday’s padded practice. When asked about the absences coach Sean Payton says he doesn’t talk about injuries during training camp. After the scrimmage the Saints have a break on Sunday then preparations continue on to the preseason game happening next Friday on the road against the Rams.

Former U-High defensive end Tim Williams was one of three Alabama players suspended by coach Nick Saban according to an al.com report Friday. Neither he norm linemen Brandon Ivory or Jarren Reed were at the last practice. Williams chose Alabama after being recruited by LSU. The suspension is apparently for a violation of team rules and Saban said they can work themselves back onto the team.

LSU has released its August Football practice schedule. The team reports to campus on Sunday then it’s down to business with Varsity practice on Monday morning.

According to Klout, a San Francisco based company that measures online social influence, LSU coach Les Miles is the most influential coach on social media.

And also speaking of The Tigers, Sports Information Director Michael Bonnet says LSU has sold out of season football tickets for the 11th straight year. It’s a school record 74,350 tickets.

Former Saints Safety Steve Gleason is being inducted into his Alma mater’s athletic Hall of Fame. Washington State University announced Thursday that Gleason will be the lone member of the halls 2014 class and will be honored in an in-game ceremony during a home football game in the fall.

The Sun Belt basketball schedules are out. UL-Lafayette opens league play with a road game against Arkansas-Little Rock on December 30th.

New Orleans wide receiver Marques Colston says he’s ready for the upcoming season and he’ll continue to play at a high level. Colston, who has been in the NFL now for 8 season, is getting a lighter load at camp but the team says it’s not because he can’t do the work. The 31-year-old says he’s had to make some adjustments, but it doesn’t even feel like he’s entering year nine…:
CUT 1 (18) “getting it done”
Colston spent last season recovering from a foot injury but says camp so far this year has been a completely different experience now that he’s been able to rest and enter camp feeling healthy. Camp at the Greenbrier in West Virginia continues this morning and tomorrow before the black and gold get the day off Sunday.

The 2014 USA Today preseason college football coaches poll was released Thursday and LSU will begin the season ranked No. 13. Florida State tops the poll and Alabama is at the No. 2 spot. In all seven SEC teams are ranked. Five of the Tigers regular season opponents made the rankings including Wisconsin at No. 14. The Badgers and The Bayou Bangles meet in Houston for the August 30th season opener. LSU players report Sunday and fall camp begins Monday.

Louisiana Lafayette got 12 votes in the coaches poll, the 15th most among those receiving votes.

Speaking of the Ragin’ Cajuns, the Sun Belt basketball schedules were released Thursday. UL-Lafayette opens league play with a road game against Arkansas-Little Rock on December 30th then return to play Troy in the SBC opener on January 3rd.

In the MLB, former LSU star right-hander Anthony Ranaudo of the Red Sox is scheduled to make his major league debut in Boston against the New York Yankees today. In 21 starts at Triple-A Pawtucket, Ranaudo was 12-2 with a 2.41 ERA in 119.1 innings.

Former Saints Safety Steve Gleason is being inducted into his Alma mater’s athletic Hall of Fame. Washington State University announced Thursday that Gleason will be the lone member of the halls 2014 class and will be honored in an in-game ceremony during a home football game in the fall.

The Saints first training camp practice of the 2014 season took place this morning in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. All-pro tight end Jimmy Graham was on the practice field for the first time since agreeing to a four-year, 40-million dollar contract. Graham missed all of the off-season workouts as he stayed away from the team during negotiations for a long-term contract. Coach Sean Payton has no problems with how the sitatuion was handled.
cut 17 (21) “…this training camp”
Newly acquired safety Jarius Byrd did not participate in team drills today. He  was at practice, but he’s still recovering from back surgery. Payton says they expect Byrd to return sooner than later.

Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks have reached an agreement to carry the SEC Network when it launches on August 14th. With the addition of Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks, the SEC Network will be available to about 60-million households nationwide. But there’s still no agreement with either Direct TV or Charter Cable.

The Pelicans have officially announced the signing of guard Jimmer Fredette. The BYU product holds a career average of seven points a game and he’s shot 40-percent from three-point territory. New Orleans has also finalized a deal with former Florida Gator Patric Young. The six-foot-nine, undrafated free agent, averaged seven points and eight rebounds a game for the Pelicans Summer League team.

The Pels also have announced they’ve re-signed free agent forward Darius Miller. New Orleans selected the former Kentucky standout in the second round of the 2012 NBA draft. Last season he averaged four points a game.

The annual International Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo is underway and thousands of people are expected to descend on the coastal town to enjoy the festivities. Scott Carwile has more…
cut 1 (35) :…reporting”

The 2014 NFL season gets underway today for the Black and Gold as they hold their first training camp practice at the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. The New Orleans defense made great strides last year, but Coach Sean Payton says there’s still room for improvement, especially when it comes to turnovers…:
CUT 16 (13) “to form”
Tight end Jimmy Graham will be on the field with his teammates for the first time since the playoff loss to Seattle.

The New Orleans Pelicans announce they’ve signed guard Jimmer Fredette and center Patric Young. Fredette has a career average 6.9 points and 1.9 assists in 14.6 minutes per game over three seasons with the Sacramento and Chicago. Young averaged 8.7 points and 5.7 rebounds in 24.3 minutes per game with the University of Florida.

The Saints are settling into their temporary West Virginia home for the start of  training camp. Matthew Doyle has the story…:
CUT 2 (33) “reporting”

The annual International Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo is underway and thousands of people are expected descend on coastal town to enjoy the festivities. Anglers from across the area will compete to see who can catch the biggest fish in a number of categories. Property tax clerk for the town of Grand Isle, Bonnie Pizani (piz-annie), says there’s a lot more going on than just fishing…:
CUT 4 (12) “this year”
Grand Isle bills the rodeo, which runs through Saturday, as “the oldest fishing tournament in the United States”.

In the MLB today former LSU star right-hander Kevin Gausman will start on the mound for the Baltimore Orioles when they take on the Seattle Mariners today.

It’s reporting day for the Saints as players were expected to report to the team’s training camp facility in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. The team will prepare for the upcoming season at the Greenbrier resort. They’ll spend three weeks there. They have three brand new football fields to work on and there’s plenty of meeting rooms. The first practice is tomorrow morning.

Elsewhere in the NFL….the Falcons have signed wide receiver Roddy White to a three-year contract extension, which will keep White with the Falcons for the next four seasons. White is 32-years-old and has been named to the Pro Bowl four times, but last year he was limited by a high-ankle sprain and hamstring injury.

And former John Ehret Star Reggie Wayne showed up to Colts training camp driving a two-seat Indy Car. Wayne says he did it, because he wants Indianapolis to get off to a fast start this season. Wayne will have to prove himself this season as he’s 35-years-old and coming off an ACL injury.

Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks have reached an agreement to carry the SEC Network when it launches on August 14th. With the addition of Time Warne Cable and Bright House Networks, the SEC Network will be available to about 60-million households nationwide. But there’s still no agreement with either Direct TV or Charter.

In a poll of the league’s coaches and sports information directors, Southeastern Louisiana has been picked to win the Southland Conference. The Lions won the Southland last season and Head Coach Ron Roberts believes the Lions can do it again…
CUT 18 (19) “basis”
McNeese State is picked to finish second, Northwestern State fifth and Nicholls State is projected to come in ninth place.

The Colonels are coming off a four and eight season. Head Coach Charlie Stubbs says Nicholls goes into the season with Tuskani Figaro as its starting quarterback, but Breaux Hebert and Kalen Henderson will also compete for the job.

In Lake Charles, Cowboys Coach Matt Viator has to find a replacement for Cody Stroud, who threw for nearly 3-thousand yards and 28 touchdowns last season. Former Kansas State QB Daniel Sams goes into camp as the favorite to win the starting QB job.