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.