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 will hold their first training camp practice today and fan favorite Jimmy Graham will be on the field with the Black and Gold, not as a part-time coach, but as a player. The 36-year-old Graham did not play in the NFL last season, but Coach Dennis Allen thinks he still has something left.
cut 30 (10) “…that room”
Graham caught 51 touchdown passes with the Saints from 2010 to 2014. He was traded to Seattle in the Max Unger deal and Graham never really was the same player after he left New Orleans.

The Saints have also signed former LSU Tiger and St. Aug star Trai Turner. Turner made five straight Pro Bowls from 2015 to 2019. New Orleans also added veteran offensive guard Max Garcia, who won a Super Bowl with Denver in 2015 and started seven games last year with the Cardinals.

In one month, Louisiana Tech will kick off the 2023 season with a Week Zero game against FIU at Joe Aillet Stadium. The Bulldogs are picked to finish fourth in the new look nine-team Conference USA. Tech returns four of their five starting offensive lineman and Hank Bachmeier is expected to start at quarterback after transferring in from Boise State. Coach Sonny Cumbie….
cut 20 (15) “….our offense”
Bachmeier was 20-and-9 as a starter at Boise State.

Tulane has been picked to win the American Athletic Conference. Southern has been picked to win SWAC Western Division. Grambling has been picked to finish fourth.

LSU pitcher Javen Coleman will pitch again for the Tigers next season. He was selected in the 16th round by the Dodgers, but Coleman has decided to return after going 1-and-2 with a 7.07 ERA last season in his first season back after undergoing Tommy John Surgery.

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.

Training camp begins today for the Saints. It’s year two for head coach Dennis Allen, who has reportedly added former Saints defensive lineman La’Roi Glover to his staff. The Saints Hall of Famer will work with the team during the preseason.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Saints worked out former Pro-Bowl right guard Trai Turner. The former St. Aug and LSU star is 30-years-old and could provide much needed depth at the guard position. Andrus Peat has been injury prone and Cesar Ruiz had an injury last year that cut his season short.

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.

Southeastern Louisiana is the preseason pick to win the Southland Conference. The Lions received nine first place votes in a poll of the league’s head coaches and media relations directors. UIW is picked to finish second and McNeese is picked to finish third. Cowboys Coach Gary Goff says he has a young team…
cut 17 (16) “….team as well”
Nicholls is picked to finish fourth. Colonels Head Coach Tim Rebowe…
cut 18 (15) “….of yourself
Northwestern State is picked to finish fifth in the eight 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.

The Saints report for training camp tomorrow and New Orleans is expecting a big season out of new starting quarterback Derek Carr. Carr, who spent nine seasons with the Raiders, has had his ups and downs in the NFL. He’s passed for over 4,000 yards 4 times, but has a losing record as a starter and has yet to win a playoff game. Luke Johnson, covers the Black and Gold for the Advocate and NOLA-dot-com and says much of the Saints success will hinge on his performance…
cut 15 (15) “….this year”
One of the biggest position battles at Saints camp will be the number two cornerback spot. Paulson Adebo and Alontae Taylor are battling for the starter spot opposite of Marshon Lattimore.

LSU has received a commitment from four-star linebacker Tylen Singleton from Many. He’s six-foot-one, as 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.

Former LSU Tiger Dylan Crews has signed with the Washington Nationals and his deal contains a nine million dollar bonus…
cut 27 (29) “….playing”
Crews will start in Class A and there are some analysts that believe he can reach the big leagues next year.

The media at SEC Media Days picked Alabama to win the SEC West over LSU. Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne says disagrees with the choice as he believes LSU is the better team and they’ve shown in the past they can win at Alabama…
Cut 13 (09) “…in Tiger Stadium.”
Eleven LSU Tigers are on the preseason All-SEC team, led by quarterback Jayden Daniels who is on the first-team.

One of the storylines for SEC Media Days was Ole Miss Coach Lane Kiffin expressing his concern over the current state of college football, because of loose regulations when it comes to NIL and the transfer portal. Kiffin says the best players are going to schools that have boosters with the deepest pockets….
cut 18 (09) “…their salary”

The media that covers Conference USA predicts Louisiana Tech will finish in fourth place in the nine-team league. Western Kentucky is the preseason favorite, followed by Liberty, Middle Tennessee and then the Bulldogs. Five Tech players are on the preseason watch list, offensive lineman Carson Bruno, defensive lineman Deshon Hall, wide receiver and returner Smoke Harris, defensive back Willie Roberts and offensive lineman Abe Delfin.

The reigning Southland Conference Champion Southeastern Louisiana Lions placed a league-high 17 players on the preseason all conference football teams. The Lions top two quarterbacks on their roster were first and second teams selections. Zachary Clement was a first-team selection as the former Lafayette Christian star has transferred in from Northwestern State. Eli Sawyer was the second team choice.

The SEC Media preseason poll picks Alabama to win the SEC West. It was a close vote between the Crimson Tide and LSU. Bama received 1,899 points, while LSU received 1,838. Georgia is the preseason favorite to win the SEC for a second consecutive year.

Only nine times since 1992 did the media at SEC Media Days correctly pick the team that ended up winning the SEC Title.

Eleven LSU Tigers made the preseason All-SEC team, led by quarterback Jayden Daniels who is a first-team selection, ahead of Arkansas’ K-J Jefferson and Tennessee’s Joe Milton.

Also landing on the first team from LSU, Malik Nabers, Will Campbell, Mekhi Wingo, Maason Smith and Harold Perkins.

Tight end Mason Taylor is a second team selection and offensive tackle Emery Jones and safety Major Burns are third team selections.

Ole Miss Coach Lane Kiffin held his “State of the Union” address at SEC Media Days. He criticized the issues with the current NIL and transfer portal models which he says are bad for college football. While he has no problem with players getting paid and has utilized the transfer portal himself, Kiffin says he knew it would turn into a disaster when NIL and the portal became a major part of college athletics. He says it legalized cheating…
Cut 19 (16) “…pay for play”

The NFL has issued a cease and desist order to New Orleans apparel brand DNO. The order claims brand’s staple, “Defend New Orleans” logo infringes on a league-owned trademark. The logo features a spiked skull wearing a fleur-de-lis DNO founder Jac Currie has been selling since 2003. Currie’s attorney argues the NFL has no claim to the logo to its historical significance to New Orleans. This is a battle the league has fought and lost before. In 2010 the NFL issued a similar order to local vendors before former Attorney General Buddy Caldwell had the league stand down. Currie plans to fight the order.