The Saints are back at practice today getting ready for the third preseason game on Sunday against the Houston Texans. Sean Payton, who missed yesterday’s practice to be with his daughter as she reported to Pepperdine University, is back with the team today. Several players who have been out of practice because of injury, were also on the field today….cornerback Keenan Lewis, linebacker Hau-oli Kikaha (Ha-uw-lee Kee-kah-Ha) , and linebacker Ramon Humber, who has been out for awhile. Cornerback Brandon Browner continues to watch from the sidelines.

According to Fox Sports, the Saints are trying to get out of having to pay former linebacker Junior Galette some guaranteed money. The Saints apparently believe they don’t owe Galette a guaranette on his base 1.25 million dollar salary because he violated the “rep and warranty language” in his contract. Galette was released by the Saints last month and he’ll reportedly miss this season after tearing his achilles tendon in training camp for the Washington Redskins.

For what it’s worth, ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit has picked the LSU Tigers to win the Southeastern Conference. Herbie has the Bayou Bengals beating Tennessee in the SEC championship game and advancing to the college football playoff. Herbstreit believes Ohio State will repeat as national champs.

ESPN’s Outside the Lines is reporting former Louisiana Tech standout IK Enemkpali punched a man in 2011 that he thought was a woman he arranged to have sex with. The incident result in Enemkpali needing surgery and he missed the Bulldogs season opener that year against Southern Miss.

A week from tonight, the Southland Conference football season gets underway with Northwestern State hosting Southeastern Louisiana. The Demons still have not named a starting quarterback. There are four players battling for that opportunity. Coach Jay Thomas says its possible that he’ll play all four.