Saints star wide receiver Michael Thomas was not present for today’s first training camp practice as he’s seeking a new contract that would pay him an annual average salary of 20-million dollars, which would be the highest in the NFL for a receiver. General Manager Mickey Loomis wouldn’t say they are close to agreeing on a new contract with Thomas, but he says they are not far off. Loomis says some negotiations take longer than others
Cut 18 (25) “of it”
Saints defensive end Cam Jordan says he’s not worried about Thomas missing camp, until Drew Brees is worried about it.

Louisiana Tech says they plan to rebuild J-C Love Field at Patterson Park in the same location as the old facility, which was severely damaged by an EF 3 tornado in April. Bulldogs baseball coach Lane Burroughs calls it great news. But a new J-C Love field will not be ready by next season, so the Bulldogs baseball team will have to play home games at off-campus sites. No timetable has been determined for construction on a new baseball, softball and soccer complex.

New Ragin Cajuns Baseball Coach Matt Deggs has finalized his coaching staff. Deggs has hired former two-time Major League Baseball All-Star B-J Ryan to be U-L Lafayette’s new pitching coach. Ryan pitched for the Cajuns in 1997 and 1998 and went on to play eleven years in the big leagues. Anthony Babineaux stays as the associate head coach, Jeremy Talbot also remains as the recruiting coordinator and Jake Wells continues to be the hitting coach.