All 90 players were present for the Saints first practice of training camp yesterday. If the Saints want to return to their winning ways after the team’s first losing season since 2016, they’ll need a big season from new quarterback Derek Carr. Carr signed with the Saints in March after nine seasons with the Raiders, and the vet has been adjusting to the offense. He says he understands the importance of his role…

Cut 17 (20) “…here to do.”

Four-star cornerback Cai Bates announced his commitment to LSU over Alabama, Florida St, and Tennessee. The 6-foot-1 Bates becomes the 20^th commit for the Tigers twelfth-ranked 2024 recruiting class.

LSU also signed two-time Sun Belt champion sprinter Myles Thomas. Thomas brought home both the 100-meter and 60-meter title in his first year at Arkansas State.

The LSU football season is just around the corner as players are set to report next week. The Tigers won’t have time to start slow as they begin the season with a preseason top-10 matchup against Florida State. Games like that are won in the trenches and Coach Brian Kelly lies what he has on offensive and defensive line…

Cut 20 (21)  “…outstanding player.”  

Zion Williamson and his family are facing a lawsuit from Ankr PBC, a tech company out of California. The suit alleges Williamson and his family failed to repay $1.8 million of a $2 million loan given as part of establishing a marketing relationship. Williamson’s step-father Lee Anderson is the central figure of the suit as he acted as Zion’s business manager and requested $150,000 up front to explore a possible business partnership with his stepson.

The Saints have their first practice of training camp today with numerous position battles to play out as the season approaches. One group to watch will be the running backs with new additions free agent Jamaal Williams and third round pick out of TCU Kendre Miller. Alvin Kamara’s future has been uncertain as he faced legal action following an altercation in a Las Vegas club, but now that charges have been resolved Saints GM Mickey Loomis says they’re still waiting to hear from the NFL…

Cut 17 (18) “…as you’d like.”

The NFL’s conduct policy and suspension lengths have been wildly inconsistent, but many believe Kamara will face up to a six-game suspension. Head coach Dennis Allen…

Cut 21 (09) “…part of that.”

The Sun Belt conference held their football media day yesterday at the New Orleans Sheraton. The Cajuns were picked to finish third in the Sun Belt West under second-year Head Coach Michael Desormeaux. The school also had one selection to the first team All-Sun Belt team in junior tight end Neal Johnson. Desormeaux says he’ll be an important leader on his young team…

Cut 18 (19) “…be huge.” 

Offensive lineman AJ Gillie was also voted to the all-conference second team. The Ragin’ Cajuns will kick off their season September 2 against Northwestern State.

UL-Monroe was picked to finish seventh of the seven team division. Wide receiver Tyrone Howell is the Warhawks only representative on the All-Sun Belt team after getting a second team nod. They’ll kick off against Army.

The Saints began training camp today as they prepare for their first season under new quarterback Derek Carr. Head Coach Dennis Allen coached Derek Carr his rookie season in Oakland. He says the biggest difference after nine seasons in the NFL is of course in his confidence, but Allen says he’s also noticed changes in just his short time in New Orleans…

Cut 18

The team will take the practice field for the first time tomorrow.

Southern has been picked to win the SWAC West in the preseason poll despite having just three first team All-SWAC selections. Defensive Lineman Tahj Brown and Defensive Back Jordan Carter represent the Jaguars on defense while Kicker Joshua Griffin leads the special teams.

The Saints can expect to see some familiar faces return to the practice field tomorrow. After being a limited participant in OTA’s, Head Coach Dennis Allen says Michael Thomas is set to make a full return just like he promised…

Cut 19

Also returning will be 2022 first round pick Trevor Penning. After being selected 19^th overall, Penning suffered a toe injury in training camp that sidelined him for the first 11 weeks last season. The Northern Iowa Product started the final game of the season at left tackle, where he’s expected to fight for the starting role this offseason, before exiting with a foot injury. Allen says he’s worked hard to rehab over the summer…

Cut 20

The Saints begin training camp today and they’ve started off with some veteran additions. New Orleans native and former LSU guard Trai Turner signed to a one year deal. The 30 year old has spent nine years in the league the majority of which were with the panthers where he was a 5 time Pro Bowl selection. The Saints also welcomed back tight end Jimmy Graham on a one year deal. The Saints 2010 third round pick spent five seasons in New Orleans as one of the NFL’s best tight ends alongside Drew Brees before being traded to Seattle. Graham hasn’t played since 2021 when he was with the Chicago Bears.

After Tulane’s first ever American Athletic Conference Title and a Cotton Bowl victory over USC last season, the Green Wave have been chosen as the 2023 favorite in the preseason media poll. Tulane received 20 of the 34 possible first place votes. The Green Wave completed the greatest single season turnaround in college football history last year, improving from 2-10 in 2021 to 12-2. They’ll return 14 starters including quarterback Michael Pratt, who passed for over 3,000 yards and 27 touchdowns and added 10 touchdowns on the ground a year ago. Tulane is followed by 2022 Conference-USA champs UTSA with 9 first place votes.

The Southland Conference held its media day yesterday. Northwestern state got off to a hot start last season, beginning 4-0 in conference games. After losing the final two games of the season, the Demons finished with the programs first winning season in conference play since 2010 and the irst time under sixth-year head coach Brad Laird. They finished a game behind co-champions Southeastern and Incarnate Word but Laird says the experience will help them this season…

Cut 19 (13) “…make it happen.” 

The Demons were picked to finish fifth in this year’s preseason poll.

The Sun Belt, Conference USA and SWAC hold their media days today. The Cajuns are picked to finish third in the Sun Belt West, ULM is picked to finish seventh in the seven team division. Louisiana Tech is picked to finish fourth in the nine team league.

The NFL season is just around the corner as the Saints begin training camp Tuesday. The last two years have been disappointing for the black and gold as they struggled with coaching and quarterback changes. Nola.com’s Luke Johnson says the Saints have been historically unlucky with injuries, starting a record 58 players in 2021 and 49 last year…

Cut 13 (13) “…win the division” 

New quarterback Derek Carr and the return of a healthy Michael Thomas have the Saints as the division favorites this year.

New Orleans worked out former LSU Tiger and 5-time Pro Bowl guard Trai Turner today.  The 30 year old New Orleans native has started 118 games in the NFL most recently with the Commanders allowing just 2 sacks and getting penalized 4 times on 431 snaps in pass protection last season. They also hosted Jets defensive end Kyle Phillips who’s played in 29 games over three seasons in New York recording 65 tackles.

Former Saints defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson was carted off the field at practice today. An MRI showed the Lions safety suffered no structural damage and will be day-to-day moving forward.

UL-Lafayette was picked to finish third in the Sun-Belt West in the 2023 preseasons coaches poll. The Cajuns had one first team all-conference selection in tight end Neal Johnson and offensive lineman AJ Gillie was named to the second team. ULM was picked to finish last in the division and wide receiver Tyrone Howell was the lone pick to the all-conference second team.

Southeastern head coach Frank Scelfo spoke to media during Southland Media Day today. The Lions were picked to repeat as conference champions in the preseason poll but Incarnate Was just two points behind in second. Southeastern alson led the conference in all-Southland team selections but Scelfo says he doesn’t expect this season to be easy, and that’s a good thing…

Cut 16

The Saints report for mandatory training camp tomorrow. With Tom Brady’s retirement, New Orleans is the favorite to win the NFC South this year, but with Carolina and Atlanta improving over the offseason it’s no sure thing. One of the many question marks for New Orleans will be its defensive line. With the departure of Marcus Davenport, David Onyemata, and Shy Tuttle, Luke Johnson, who covers the Saints for the Advocate and Nola.com, says New Orleans will rely on contributions from new additions…

Cut 14 (12)  “.marks there” 

The Saints have had one of the top defenses in the NFL the last few years under Dennis Allen, and it’s been led by the trenches. Carl Granderson and Cameron Jordan are expected to start on the edge while second round pick Isaiah Foskey and former first-rounder Payton Turner fight for a spot in the rotation. Another key battle to watch will be between Paulson Adebo and Alontae Taylor fighting for the starting corner spot alongside Marshon Lattimore.

The Saints are hosting five-time Pro Bowl guard Trai Turner for a visit today. The 30 year old New Orleans native has started 118 games in the NFL most recently with the Commanders allowing just 2 sacks and getting penalized 4 times on 431 snaps in pass protection last season.

Former Saints safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson went down with an apparent right leg injury at practice today. The 2019 draft pick was carted off the field and will undergo further testing to evaluate the extent of the injury.

LSU has received a commitment from four-star linebacker Tylen Singleton from Many. He’s six-foot-one, and weighs nearly 210 pounds. Singleton’s verbal pledge gives LSU 19 commitments for its 2024 recruiting class. Singleton told 24-7 sports that everybody from Louisiana dreams about playing for LSU.

Defending Southland Champs Southeastern Louisiana University was picked to defend their title in the 2023 preseason poll. The Lions received nine first place votes, narrowly ahead of UIW’s 7, and finished just two points higher than the Cardinals. Southeastern also led the league in All-Southland Conference selections with 17. McNeese was picked to finish third in the conference just three points ahead of Nicholls who is predicted to finish 4^th.