Much of the attention during Saints training camp has been on the battle for starting quarterback between Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston. There hasn’t been much talk about the defense. Safety Malcolm Jenkins is entering his 13th season and likes what he sees…
cut 30 (30) “…this year”
The Saints host Jacksonville for the second preseason game on Monday.

The Saints say if season ticket holders decide not to be vaccinated against COVID or get tested 72 hours prior to a home football game, they will not be able to get a refund for their tickets. The Saints are also not giving season ticket holders the opportunity to opt-out like they did last season.

LSU has been waiting for former five-star running back John Emery to emerge as a real threat on offense. Last season the former Destrehan star only rushed for 378 yards and three touchdowns. Emery says he’s motivated to have a big junior campaign…
cut 19 (16) “…very successful so”
LSU is 17 days away from its season opener at UCLA. And because of a local ordinance, fans will be required to wear masks while they watch the game in the Rose Bowl.

Former LSU star Jamal Adams is the highest-paid safety in the NFL after signing a four-year contract extension worth up to 70-million dollars.

The Pelicans finished the Summer League undefeated as New Orleans defeated the Timberwolves 87 to 59. Six-foot-seven forward Naji Marshall had five points, ten rebounds, and ten assists.

The Saints have told a New Orleans TV station that if season ticket holders decide not to be vaccinated against COVID or get tested 72 hours prior to a home football game, they will not be able to get a refund for their tickets. The Saints are also not giving season ticket holders the opportunity to opt-out like they did last season.

Tulane University announced last week that fans will need to be vaccinated or test negative 72 hours before attending one of its football games this season. Athletic Director Troy Dannen tells Sports Illustrated only 27 of their season-ticket holders requested refunds and they’ve sold well over 27 new season tickets in the last five days.

The Pelicans are reportedly close to bringing back reserve shooting guard Josh Hart. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowksi says Hart is on the verge of signing a three-year, 38-million dollar contract with New Orleans. The 26-year-old averaged nine points and eight rebounds a game last season and is also known for his defense.

LSU’s offensive line lost the battle of the trenches in the first scrimmage of preseason camp based on what Coach Ed Orgeron said. So this week, the Tigers o-line is working on fixing those issues. Senior offensive tackle Austin Deculus…
cut 19 (19) “….would so”
The strength of LSU this season is its defensive line, based on the veteran presence, depth and up and coming players on the Tigers roster. Senior defensive lineman Neil Farrell expects big seasons from sophomore Jaquelin Roy and freshman Maason Smith….
cut 18 (11) “…this year”

LSU Quarterback Max Johnson says after the defensive line had success in the team’s first scrimmage of preseason camp, the offense is working on communicating the protections better so they know where the pressure is coming from. During his Zoom interview with the media, Johnson was also asked about the advice he’s getting from his Dad, Brad Johnson who played in the NFL for 15 years and won a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Bucs…
cut 17 (17) “…you can be”

The Saints have trimmed their roster down from 90 to 85 players. Cornerback Prince Amukamara, kicker Brett Maher, running back Stevie Scott the third, defensive end Noah Spence and tackle Kyle Murphy were all let go. Maher’s release means the Saints are searching for a kicker again.

For the first time in conference history, the Sun Belt has two teams ranked in the preseason A-P poll. Coastal Carolina, who is coming off an undefeated regular season, is ranked 22nd, while the Ragin Cajuns are ranked 23rd.

U-L Lafayette had its first scrimmage of preseason camp this past weekend and Coach Billy Napier says freshman running back Montrell Johnson had a good day, but it wasn’t all good when it came to the offense…
Cut 20 (19) “…next week”

Tulane University announced last week that fans will need to be vaccinated or test negative 72 hours before attending one of its football games this season. Athletic Director Troy Dannen tells Sports Illustrated only 27 of their season-ticket holders requested refunds and they’ve sold well over 27 new season tickets in the last five days.

LSU starting Quarterback Max Johnson says the Tigers offense needs to address some communication issues after the defensive line reportedly had its way in the team’s first scrimmage of preseason camp…
Cut 16 (15) “…work on that”
LSU is 18 days away from its season opener against UCLA.

After a day off yesterday, the Saints return to the practice field today as they get ready for preseason game number two versus Jacksonville on Monday. It was a good preseason opener for running back Tony Jones Junior who had 120 yards from scrimmage in the loss to the Ravens…
cut 28 (17) “…next week”
Jones played in one game last season after finishing his college career at Notre Dame in 2019.

The Ragin Cajuns are ranked 23rd in the AP preseason poll. It’s the first time U-L Lafayette enters a season ranked in the Associated Press’s top 25. Coach Billy Napier says his team will have 12 opportunities this season to prove they should remain ranked…
Cut 19 (14) “…its potential”
The Cajuns will open the season by visiting 21st ranked Texas.

The Pelicans are reportedly close to bringing back back-up shooting guard Josh Hart. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowksi says Hart is on the verge of signing a three-year, 38-million dollar contract with New Orleans. The 26-year-old averaged nine points and eight rebounds a game last season and is also known for his defense.

The Pels play their final Summer League game tonight when they take on the Timberwolves at 6:30 in Las Vegas.

Two Louisiana teams are in the preseason A-P Top 25 poll. LSU is ranked 16th, while the Ragin Cajuns are ranked 23rd. U-L Lafayette faces Texas in the season opener on September fourth. The Longhorns are ranked 21st.

LSU Coach Ed Orgeron says the Tigers defensive line played well in the team’s first scrimmage of preseason camp on Saturday. Strong play from the defensive line means the o-line didn’t have as good of a day. Orgeron has confidence new offensive line coach Brad Davis will have the group ready for the season opener…
Cut 17 (28) “…in camp”

After one Saints preseason game, Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston are still locked in a tight battle for starting quarterback. Both Q-Bs threw an interception in Saturday’s loss to the Ravens. Hill’s I-N-T came when Ty Montgomery stopped his route…
cut 19 (28) “…those things
Michael Thomas was at the game, a sign the relationship between the star wide receiver and the franchise is improving. Thomas was catching passes before the game from Winston, but Thomas had a walking boot on his surgically repaired left ankle. Coach Sean Payton says Thomas is ahead of schedule in his rehab.

Two Louisiana teams are in the preseason A-P Top 25 poll. LSU is ranked 16th, while the Ragin Cajuns are ranked 23rd. U-L Lafayette’s season-opening opponent, Texas is ranked 21st. Alabama is ranked number one, followed by Oklahoma, Clemson, Ohio State, Georgia and Texas A-and-M.

LSU’s defensive line had a good showing when the Tigers held their first scrimmage of preseason camp on Saturday. Coach Ed Orgeron says the play of ends Andre Anthony and Ali Gaye highlighted the day…
Cut 16 (16) “…pass rush”
Orgeron says starting cornerbacks Derek Stingley Junior and Eli Ricks did not compete in the scrimmage, because of what Coach O calls camp injuries. Stingley may not participate in practice at all this week.

Saints Coach Sean Payton says All-Pro receiver Michael Thomas is ahead of schedule as he rehabs from offseason ankle surgery. Thomas was at Saturday’s preseason game, a sign the relationship between him and the franchise is improving. Thomas was catching passes before the game from Jameis Winston, but Thomas had a walking boot on his surgically repaired left ankle. Winston says it was still great to see Thomas at the game…
Cut 20 (13) “…my night”
The Saints have until 3 PM tomorrow to reduce their roster from 90 to 85 players. There are reports running back Stevie Scott, defensive end Noah Spence and cornerback Prince Amukamara have been told of their release.

The Pelicans beat the Warriors 80 to 79 in overtime to go 4-and-0 in summer league action. First-round pick Trey Murphy had 22 points.

The Saints are off today following a light practice yesterday that came on the heels of Saturday’s preseason opener in which New Orleans turned it over six times in a 17-14 defeat to the Baltimore Ravens. Coach Sean Payton is not happy with the six turnovers…
Cut 18 (16)”..you know.”
Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston both put up similar numbers. Winston looked good running the two-minute offense late in the second quarter. It was highlighted by a 33-yard pass play to Juwan Johnson, who had two catches for 71 yards. Defensive end Marcus Davenport was active and rookie Zack Baun had five tackles in 31 snaps. Former Notre Dame standout Tony Jones Junior rushed had 82 yards rushing on seven carries. Jones had an 18-yard touchdown run.

LSU begins its second full week of preseason camp today and All-American cornerback Derek Singley could miss this week with what Coach Ed Orgeron calls a minor camp injury. Several players have missed time with minor injuries, including cornerback Elias Ricks and running back Tyrion Davis-Price. Coach Ed Orgeron admits all of the injuries are a bit concerning…
cut 29 (29) “…of injuries”
The preseason A-P Top 25 football poll comes out later today.

The Pelicans beat the Warriors 80 to 79 in overtime to go 4-and-0 in summer league action. First-round pick Troy Murphy had 22 points.

Full capacity will be allowed at Saints games this season, but fans will have to show their vaccination card or verified digital proof of vaccination. If you are not vaccinated, then you’ll have to have a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within the prior 72 hours to attend games. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell says showing proof is a better option versus capacity restrictions….
cut 11 (07) “….mandatory”

The Saints preseason opener is tomorrow night in Baltimore against the Ravens. Coach Sean Payton says the plan is to play both Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill and they’ll both play the following week, but they’ll switch on who will start. Payton is not expected to make a decision on a starting quarterback until after the second preseason game.

The Saints have also signed defensive lineman R-J McIntosh off of waivers from the Giants and played wide receiver Jalen McCleskey on injured reserve.

LSU Coach Ed Orgeron says senior defensive lineman Glen Logan has a broken foot and will miss an unspecified amount of time. Orgeron says it will take awhile to heal and he’ll return sometime during the season. Meanwhile, Coach O says running back Tyrion Davis Price and right guard Chasen Hines will return to practice on Monday. Orgeron also said there’s only one player on the team who has not been vaccinated against COVID-19.

LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine says they will not encourage or discourage student-athletes to get vaccinated. But if a team is unable to play a game, because of too many COVID cases that contest will go down as a forfeit.

The Pelicans have announced their 2021 preseason schedule. New Orleans will open exhibition play on October 4th at Minnesota. They will play one preaseason game in New Orleans, on October 6th against Orlando. And the Pels have a summer league game today at 5 PM against Cleveland. New Orleans is so far 2-0 in Summer League action.

With star wide receiver Michael Thomas not practicing as he continues to recover from an ankle injury, second-year pro Marquez Callaway has emerged as one of the Saints top performers during this training camp. Quarterback Taysom Hill says Callaway takes advantage of his opportunities
Cut 18 (16)”..left off.”
Callway caught 21 passes in 11 games last season.

Ty Montgomery has been looking to make the team as a wide receiver, but he had to be carted off the field yesterday after suffering an undisclosed injury.

Jameis Winston connected with Deonte Harris on a long touchdown pass play during team drills. While Taysom Hill was just one of six in team drills. New Orleans is at Baltimore for a preseason game on Saturday.

Ragin Cajuns Coach Bill Napier says newly inducted Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning spoke to his team recently. Napier says it was good for the veterans to hear Manning discuss what it takes to win a championship….
cut 19 (17) “…played on”
U-L Lafayette is ranked 23rd in the coaches poll, first time they’ve been ranked in a preason poll.

It’s been a long week for first year ULM coach Terry Bowden. His father Bobby Bowden died on Sunday and Terry returned to Monroe for practice on Monday. Terry will go back to Florida on Friday as the former Florida State coach will lie in honor at the Florida State Capitol Rotunda and then lie in repose at F-S-U’s Athletic Center. A public funeral service for Bobby Bowden will be Saturday on the campus of Samford, his alma mater.

Despite the massive uptick in COVID cases this month plans are still on for 100 percent capacity at Tiger Stadium a month from now for the home opener. There’s currently an indoor mask mandate in place in Louisiana. Director of Strategic Media for LSU athletics Cody Worsham says if there are other COVID mitigation measures put in place by the governor, the school will follow them
Cut 7 (11) “…they leave”
Worsham says 98-percent of the football players have been vaccinated.

At Saints camp, wide receiver Ty Montgomery was carted off the practice field with an undisclosed injury. Montgomery was heading into his second season in New Orleans and his eighth year in the NFL. He’s primarily been a running back, but this season he was looking to make the team as a receiver.

The LHSAA has sent a memo to schools telling them that if they are not able to play because of too many COVID cases, they will have to forfeit that contest. The high school football season kicks off the first weekend in September and the state features two of the best quarterbacks in the nation, St Thomas More’s Walker Howard and Newman’s Arch Manning. Howard and the Cougars cruised to a state title last year and he appeared on Tiger Rag Radio to talk about the challenges of winning again…
cut 18 (16) “…to go”
Howard is committed to LSU, while Manning is uncommitted heading into his junior season. Arch says he’s enjoyed the recruiting process…
cut 20 (14) “…the season”