The Saints held their first padded practice today and still no Honey Badger. Tyrann Metheiu remains absent from training camp with what appears to be an excused absence. Head Coach Dennis Allen says there’s no timetable on Mathieu’s return.

Alvin Kamara’s scheduled court hearing in Las Vegas on a felony battery charge was postponed for another 60 days. Kamara is accused of punching another man eight times during a fight at a Las Vegas casino.

Running back Mark Ingram is competing in his 12th NFL training camp. At the age of 32 he’s the NFL’s second oldest running back…
Cut 18 (21) “ …anytime soon”

A shortstop set to transfer from Vanderbilt to LSU, instead is turning pro. Carter Young has signed with the Baltmore Orioles organiziation for a reported one-point-three million dollars just ahead of today’s 4 o’ clock deadline. He was selected in the 17th round by Baltimore, despite hitting .207 for the Commodores this past season.

Louisiana Tech announces it will hold a fall fan fest on August 13th at the Thomas Assembly Center. Players and coaches from football, soccer, and volleyball will be available from noon to 2 PM that day to sign autographs and take pictures with fans.

La Tech also announces it received 5-point-six million dollars in donations, the highest dollar figure since fiscal year 2017 with the exception of disaster relief efforts. Tech athletics that support for the women’s teams grew significantly. The money will help pay for new lockers for women’s basketball, new uniforms and a batting cage for softball.

The Saints held their first padded practice this morning. Head Coach Dennis Allen says this is there chance to get a true evaluation of the players…
cut 27 (27) “….little bit”
Through the first few practices, the Saints defense has been getting the better of the offense. Newly acquired wide receiver Jarvis Landry says the Saints secondary has a lot of depth and they are versatile…
cut 17 (15) “…make plays”

The NBA is mourning the loss of a legend with the passing away of Bill Russell at the age of 88. Russell was born in West Monroe, but moved to to California at the age of eight. Russell won two NCAA championshipsat University of San Francisco, a Gold Medal and eleven championships 13 years with the Boston Celtics. Russell won the NBA MVP five times and is the first Black head coach in any major sport and won two NBA Championships as a coach in 1968 and 1969. Russell was also one of the few athletes who spoke out against racism during the 50s and 60s.

Catholic High 5 five star wide receiver Shelton Sampson Jr. will announce his college of choice on Saturday and he’s narrowed his choices to four schools: LSU, Alabama, Florida State and Texas A&M. Sampson is the No. 4 wide receiver in the nation and the No. 3 player in Louisiana.

4 star offensive tackle Tyree Adams has committed to LSU football. He is the No. 13 prospect in Louisiana and the No 20 offensive tackle in the nation according to 247Sports Composite.

An NBA Legend from North Louisiana has died. Monroe native Bill Russell, who won 11 NBA championships in 13 years with the Boston Celtics, has passed away at the age of 88. Russell won the NBA MVP five times and is the first Black head coach in any major sport. Born in Monroe before his family moved to California when he was 8, Russell was also one of the few athletes who spoke out against racism during the 50s and 60s.

Catholic High 5 five star wide receiver Shelton Sampson Jr. will announce his college of choice on August 6th, and said on Instagram he’s narrowed it down to four schools: LSU, Alabama, Florida State and Texas A&M. Sampson is the No. 4 wide receiver in the nation and the No. 3 player in Louisiana.

4 star offensive tackle Tyree Adams has committed to LSU football. He is the No. 13 prospect in Louisiana and the No 20 offensive tackle in the nation according to 247Sports Composite.

The pads come on for the first time today at Saints training camp. Through the first four days of practice, the defense performed better than the offense. Saints wide receiver Jarvis Landry says the defense is competing at a high level:
Cut 16 (18) “our DNA”
Preseason for the Saints kicks off on August 13th versus the Texans.

LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson continues to work the transfer portal adding Air Force right handed pitcher and catcher Paul Skenes. Skenes was named a first team All American by D1 Baseball and collegiate Baseball this season.

Saints coach Dennis Allen says tight end Taysom Hill has injured his ribs and will be out for a little bit. Hill missed the spring workouts to recover from surgery on his left foot.

Much of the media attention at Saints training camp is on the offense, who now has a healthy Jameis Winston and Michael Thomas, plus the additions of receivers Chris Olave and Jarvis Landry. But Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan says the defense will take this team where it wants to go…
Cut 18 (23) “ …championship defense”
Saturday’s training camp practice is open to the public. For fans wanting to attend a practice check out the Saints website.

LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson announces the signings of five Division one transfers. Right-handed pitcher Christian Little of Vanderbilt, North Carolina state third baseman Tommy White, Vandy shortstop Carter Young, UCLA Pitcher Thatcher Hurd and Air Force pitcher and utility player Paul Skenes, who earned first team All-American honors last season. Also Young was a 17th round draft choice by the Orioles, but decided to play at LSU instead.

The Northwestern State Demons men’s basketball team signed this week Florida prep hoops star Hansel Enmanuel. His stats make him a standout, yes…but also amazing is he has only one arm. Coach Corey Gipson…
cut 5 (08) “…is related”
Enmanuel is six-foot-four and during his senior season, he averaged 26 points, eleven rebounds, seven assists and three blocks a game.

Saints Coach Dennis Allen says he’s been impressed with quarterback Jameis Winston’s leadership during the first few days of training camp. Winston has better receivers to throw to this season with free agent addition Jarvis Landry and the selecting of Chris Olave in the draft. There’s also the return of Michael Thomas. Thomas has caught over 500 passes in his career and in the last season he was healthy, he was named the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year. Winston is looking forward to working with Can’t Guard Mike…
Cut 17 (14) “…gonna happen”

Over in Tampa Bay, Buccaneers pro bowl center Ryan Jensen went down with a knee injury and the fear is that he tore his ACL and will miss the upcoming season. The 31-year-old center agreed to a three-year 39-million dollar contract in March.

An All-American at Air Force announces he’s transferring to LSU to play baseball for the Tigers. Right-hander Paul Skenes was the Mountain West Conference Co-Pitcher of the Year with a 10-3 record and 2.73 ERA in 15 starts as a sophomore. He can also slug. At the plate Skenes hit .314 with 13 homers and 38 RBIs.

Northwestern State men’s basketball has signed Hansel Emmanuel, who is featured in a Gatorade Commercial, dunking, even though his left arm was amputated when he was six years old. Demons Coach Corey Gipson says it’s clear that life challenges have made the three-star recruit even more determined…:
CUT 4 (08) “that guy”
Enmanuel is 6’4″ and in his senior season he averaged 26 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 block a game.

Jameis Winston is getting ready for his second season as the starting quarterback for the Saints. Winston recognizes he has more weapons around him this season
Cut 16 (15) “….beautiful thing“.
Still no Tyrann Mathieu at Saints training camp as he’s been excused by the team to deal with a personal matter. Saints defensive end Marcus Davenport remains on the physically unable to perform list, but has been seen trying to get himself back in shape after offseason shoulder surgery.

According to league sources Zion Williamson contract extension with the Pelicans contains a weight clause. His weight and body fat percentage must reportedly stay below 295 or his guaranteed money is reduced. The Pelicans have listed Williamson’s weight at 284 pounds.

An All-American at Air Force announces he’s transferring to LSU to play baseball for the Tigers. Right-hander Paul Skenes was the Mountain West Conference Co-Pitcher of the Year with a 10-3 record and 2.73 ERA in 15 starts as a sophomore. He can also slug. At the plate Skenes hit .314 with 13 homers and 38 RBIs.

Mike the Tiger could soon be coming to a theatre near you. Brooke Thorington has more about the feature film that’s in the works.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Saints have their star wide receiver Michael Thomas back. The NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2019 is practicing earlier than expected this training camp after missing all of last season with an ankle injury. Thomas says he’s ready to win some games for new head coach Dennis Allen….
cut 17 (16) “….front of me”
Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan says a healthy Thomas brings endless potential to the offense.
cut 30 (22) “…even more”

At Sun Belt Media Days, second-year ULM Coach Terry Bowden says he’s expecting to go to a bowl game. The Warhawks are coming off a four and eight season, but Bowden says he has a more mature football team this year and a better idea who will start against Texas in the season opener…
cut 19 (16) “….and defensively”
ULM opens Sun Belt play on September 24th against the Ragin Cajuns, who are picked to win the league’s western division. U-L Lafayette Coach Michael Desormeaux told the Daily Advertiser he hopes to name a starting quarterback by August 22nd. Sophomore Chandler Fields and Junior Ben Woolridge are battling to replace three-year starter Levi Lewis.

Outfielder Gavin Dugas says he’s coming back to LSU for a fifth season. The Houma native suffered a thumb injury last season and hit .306 in 39 games.

Saints training camp is underway and the big story is the return of star wide receiver Michael Thomas who missed all of last season with an ankle injury. It’s a big moment for the team and Thomas who has been battling an ankle injury since week one of the 2020 season…
cut 16 (16) “…D-A win some games”

How many games will the LSU Tigers win? Hard to say considering all of the new players Coach Brian Kelly has brought in. Meanwhile, the long-time Midwestern says he’s getting acclimated just fine to the South….
cut 13 (11) “…down here”
That’s Kelly speaking to the Baton Rouge Rotary Club.

At Sun Belt Media Days, second-year ULM Coach Terry Bowden says he’s expecting to go to a bowl game. The Warhawks are coming off a four and eight season, but Bowden says he has a more mature football team this year and a better idea who will start against Texas in the season opener…
cut 19 (16) “….and defensively”
ULM opens Sun Belt play on September 24th against the Ragin Cajuns, who are picked to win the league’s western division. U-L Lafayette Coach Michael Desormeaux told the Daily Advertiser he hopes to name a starting quarterback by August 22nd. Sophomore Chandler Fields and Junior Ben Woolridge are battling to replace three-year starter Levi Lewis.

Outfielder Gavin Dugas says he’s coming back to LSU for a fifth season. The Houma native suffered a thumb injury last season and hit .306 in 39 games.

The Saints do not have to worry about wide receiver Michael Thomas being on the physically unable to perform list as he was on the practice field for the first day of training camp. Thomas, who missed all of last season, says it was great to be out on the field with his teammates…:
Cut 16 (16) “D-A win some games”

LSU Head Football Coach Brian Kelly addressed the Baton Rouge Rotary Club Wednesday. He said he knows there are high expectations of him from such a passionate fan base, and he plans to use his tried and true method in coaching the Tigers…:
CUT 15 (12) “laughter”

At Sun Belt Media Days, First year Ragin Cajuns Coach Michael Desormeaux is excited about the quarterback battle that will play out during preseason camp. Desormeaux says Chandler Fields and Ben Woolridge are looking to replace Levi Lewis…:
Cut 18 (20) “want to compete”

At Conference USA Media Days, Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Coach Sonny Cumbie is looking to get the program back on track again after a three and nine campaign last season…:
Cut 20 (16) “ practice one”

The first practice of Saints training camp is in the books and the big development is that wide receiver Michael Thomas was on the practice field. He did everything but full-team drills after missing all of last season.

Safety Tyrann Mathieu has been excused from the beginning of training camp to handle a personal family matter. Head Coach Dennis Allen expects a big season from the Honey Badger and he says free-agent addition Marcus Maye is back after tearing his achilles last November
Cut 19 (29) _“…that room”

First year Louisiana Tech football coach Sonny Cumbie is participating in his first Conference USA Media Day today in Arlington, Texas. The league is changing as Southern Miss, Marshall and Old Dominion have left for the Sun Belt, while North Texas, UTSA, Rice, Charlotte, UAB and Florida Atlantic will leave after this school year. Cumbie says he’s still excited about the direction of the conference….
cut 20 (24)
Conference USA will add Jacksonville State, Liberty, and New Mexico State next summer.