The veterans for the Saints report for training camp today as New Orleans begins the post-Drew Brees era. ESPN reporter Mike Triplett says for the Saints to repeat as NFC South champs, they need members of the 2020 draft class to really develop this year, guard Ceasar Ruiz, linebacker Zach Baun and tight end Adam Trautman in particular…
cut 18 (15) “…a little while”
In an effort to add some depth at wide receiver with the likelihood that Michael Thomas will miss the first few weeks of the regular season, the Saints reportedly signed veteran Chris Hogan. Hogan made a name for himself with the Patriots. For his career he’s caught 216 passes for 18 touchdowns. Hogan was playing lacrosse for the Whipsnakes when he got the call from the Saints.

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The Pelicans have reportedly pulled off a big trade with the Memphis Grizzlies as they acquire center Jonas Valanciunas, while Steven Adams and Eric Bledsoe head to Memphis. The two teams also swapped draft picks, so Memphis gets New Orleans tenth pick, while the Pels get the Grizzlies 17th pick. Memphis also receives a protected first-round selection in 2022. Valanciunas is known as a tough post player who averaged a double-double this past season, 17 points and 13 rebounds a game.

LSU swimmer Brooks Curry has won a gold medal as he helped the U-S four-by-100 freestyle relay team to a vicotry. Curry had the first leg for the squad in the prelims, as they won that heat. He didn’t swim in the finals, but still gets a medal for what he did in the prelims. Curry is the first Olympian swimmer in LsU history to take home a gold medal.

And Texas and Oklahoma have officially informed the Big 12 they play to leave the conference in 2025. The two schools are seeking an official invitation from the SEC.

Texas and Oklahoma have formally told the Big 12 they plan to leave that conference when their grants of media rights deal expires in 2025. It’s now expected that the Sooners and Longhorns will try to join the Southeastern Conference. 24-7 sports college football writer Brandon Marcello says money is behind the move, plus major conferences are looking to split away from the NCAA…
cut 15 (14) “…differently”
Texas A-and-M is the only SEC school to voice opposition to Texas joining the SEC.

The Saints have reportedly signed veteran cornerback Brian Poole to a one-year deal. He’s primarily a slot corner and the 28-year-old has seven career interceptions. He’s spent the last two seasons with the Jets after spending his first three years with Atlanta.

The Pelicans have a big draft ahead of Thursday night’s draft. New Orleans has reportedly sent Steven Adams, Eric Bledsoe, plus this year’s 10th and 40th pick along with a protected first-round pick in 2022 to the Grizzlies for Memphis Jonas Valanciunas. New Orleans also gets the 17th and 51st picks from this year’s draft. Valanciunas is coming off a career-high 17 points and 13 rebounds a game this past season.

Brooks Curry became the first LSU swimmer to win a gold medal as he helped the four-by-100 meter freestyle relay team to victory at the Summer Games in Tokyo. Curry swam the first leg of the prelims and finished with a time just under 49 seconds.

Curry did not swim in the Finals, but all swimmers who participate in the prelims or the finals receive a medal. LSU Associate Swim Coach Stephen Mellor says with the Summer games getting pushed back a year, Curry took advantage…
Cut 11 (12) “…that team”

Texas and Oklahoma have announced that they are leaving the Big 12 for the Southeastern Conference, which would make the SEC a 16-member league. 24-7 sports college football writer Brandon Marcello says this might mean the end of the Big 12.

Cut 13

This could make the SEC even more dominant as one of the premier conferences in college athletics.

The New Orleans Saints and Caesars Entertainment have announced a 20-year, exclusive naming rights deal that rename the stadium as the Caesars Superdome.  The Caesars Superdome will host Super Bowl LIX in 2025.

LSU swimmer Brooks Curry has won an Olympic gold medal as a member of the 4 x 100 meter freestyle relay team.  Curry swam in the preliminaries and his team finished first in their heat.  He was replaced for the final by Caeleb Dressel, but all swimmers who participate in prelims or finals receive a medal.

LSU cornerbacks Elias Ricks and Derek Stingley Jr. have both been named to the Jim Thorpe award watch list.  The Thorpe award is presented each year to the best defensive back in college football.  Also, LSU linebacker Damone Clark was named to the Butkus Award watch list, presented to the best linebacker in the country.

The U-S Men’s Basketball team lost for the first time in Olympic competition since 2004 as France closed the game on a 16 to 2 run to win 83-76. Former Pelican Jrue Holiday led the U-S with 18 points. This was not an elimination game however, so team USA’s gold medal hopes are still alive.

Former University High golfer Patrick Reed has been added to the USA Golf team after Bryson DeChambeau tested positive for COVID-19. A positive COVID test has also knocked Spain’s Jon Rahm out of the Olympic golf tournament.

Former LSU star Aaron Nola was on his game yesterday as he allowed four hits and struck out nine in 8.2 innings as Philadelphia held on for a two-to-one win over Atlanta.

Texas and Oklahoma are expected to inform the Big 12 today they are leaving and will not renew the contractual agreement that binds conference members until 2025. This is the first official step in the Longhorns and Sooners anticipated move to the SEC…
cut 14 (09) “….makes sense”
That’s 24-7 sports college football writer Brandon Marcello who says money is behind what would be a huge shakeup in college athletics. Starting in 2024, SEC schools are expected to receive about 68-million dollars a year when their new TV deal goes into effect. Big 12 schools received about 35-million dollars from their TV deal this year.

The Saints are reportedly signing veteran cornerback Brian Poole to a one-year deal. He’s played for the Jets the last two seasons and intercepted three passes in 25 games. His biggest strength is as a slot defender.

The U-S Men’s Basketball team lost for the first time in Olympic competition since 2004 as France closed the game on a 16 to 2 run to win 83-76. Former Pelican Jrue Holiday led the U-S with 18 points. Kevin Durant was held to ten points and there are rumors he may join France’s team next time around.

Former University High golfer Patrick Reed has been added to the USA Golf team after Bryson DeChambeau tested positive for COVID-19. A positive COVID test has also knocked Spain’s Jon Rahm is also out of the Olympic golf tournament.

The U-S women’s gymnastics team has advanced to the finals, but a shaky performance had them finishing behind Russia in the qualifying round.

Former LSU star Aaron Nola was on his game yesterday as he allowed four hits and struck out nine in 8.2 innings as Philadelphia held on for a two-to-one win over Atlanta. The Phillies are four games back of the Mets for first place in the N-L East.

The Saints will reportedly not have star-wide receiver Michael Thomas for the start of the season, because he’s recovering from undergoing ankle surgery last month. The NFL Network’s Ian Rappoport reports recovery from the surgery is an estimated four months, which means Thomas will likely miss several games. Saints analyst Mike Detillier says Thomas’ absence will make it difficult for both Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston who are trying to replace Drew as the starting quarterback…
cut 10 (11) “…wide receiver”

And it looks like Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC will really happen. There are multiple reports that say the Longhorns and Sooners will inform the Big 12 on Monday they are leaving that conference, which will allow them to begin official discussions with the SEC. Insiders say a move to the SEC would not happen until after their Grant of Rights expires in 2025 so they don’t have to pay a 70-million dollar plus exit fee.

The U-L Lafayette football team is picked to win the Sun Belt West after winning ten games last year. But Coach Billy Napier says this is a new season and he has a different team on his hands…
cut 20 (19) “….rookie group”
Napier says his team is fully healthy heading into the start preseason camp.

Alabama is once again picked to win the SEC West. That’s according to the SEC preseason media poll. Texas A-and-M is picked to finish second, LSU third. Over in the SEC East. Georgia is the preseason favorite, followed by Florida and Kentucky.

Cornerback Derek Stingley Junior and kicker Cade York are the lone LSU Tigers on the preseason all-SEC first team.

The N-F-L Network reports Saints star receiver Michael Thomas will miss the start of the regular season after undergoing surgery in June to repair ligaments in his injured ankle. Saints analyst Mike Detillier says Thomas has not been able to fully recover after injuring his ankle in the 2020 season opener…
cut 9 (09) “…do the surgery”
Recovery from the surgery is an estimated four months, which means Thomas will likely miss several games.

The SEC Media preseason poll was released today and LSU is predicted to finish third in the SEC West. Alabama is the favorite to win the West, Texas A-and-M is expected to finish second. Georgia is the preseason favorite in the East.

And Chip Brown of 24-7 sports is reporting Texas and Oklahoma are leaving the Big 12 for the SEC and will inform the Big 12 of their decision on Monday. Brown reports the Longhorns and Sooners plan to stay in the Big 12 until 2025 when their league’s grant of rights expires.

Southeastern Louisiana is the preseason favorite to win the Southland football title based on the league’s preseason poll. The Lions return senior quarterback Cole Kelley, who won the Walter Payton award last spring which goes to the best player in the FCS. Lions Coach Frank Scelfo says the team’s motto for this season is to be bold…
Cut 16 (14) “…make it happen.”
The Lions received eight first-place votes, while Nicholls received four first-place votes and is expected to finish in second place. The Colonels are coming off a spring season where they went four and three. Coach Tim Rebowe believes his team has learned from that experience
Cut 17 (13) …guys know.”
McNeese has been picked to finish fourth, while Northwestern State is projected to finish fifth in the six-team conference.

The NFL is warning teams they will have to forfeit a game if they can’t play because of a COVID outbreak involving unvaccinated players. And if there is no game, players on both teams will not get paid. Former LSU Tiger and Tampa Bay running back Leonard Fournette tweeted Thursday afternoon, Vaccine I can’t do it….That tweet was deleted a short time later.

Louisiana Tech will have a good battle for starting quarterback when the Bulldogs begin preseason camp. Aaron Allen and Luke Anthony took most of the snaps last season, but Anthony suffered a major leg injury in the final regular-season game. Coach Skip Holtz says Anthony had another surgery in June, which is when he went out and signed Austin Kendall…
Cut 18 (21)”…experience.”

A day after news broke that Texas and Oklahoma were looking at joining the SEC, the Big 12 held a videoconference yesterday involving athletic directors and university presidents, but Texas and Oklahoma did not participate. The Big 12 says any school that withdraws from the league has to give at least 18 months’ notice and pay a huge exit fee, an estimated 76-million dollars apiece according to ESPN.

ULM football coach Terry Bowden made his first appearance at Sun Belt Media Days. Bowden understands he has a big job in front of him after the Warhawks went winless in 2020…
Cut 19 (25) “..another job.”

The Pelicans have made it official, announcing Willie Green as their new head coach after spending the last two seasons as an assistant coach for the Phoenix Suns. He’ll have an introductory press conference on Tuesday.

The NFL has reportedly told teams that if a game can not be rescheduled due to a COVID-19 outbreak among unvaccinated players, the team with an outbreak will have to forfeit the game. The NFL got every game in last year, despite a vaccine not being available for players.

Alabama Coach Nick Saban says his football team is close to a 90-percent vaccination rate and he’s hopeful his unvaccinated players will get the shot. Saban says there are two factors to consider before a player gets vaccinated…
cut 18 (21) “….a team”
Saban is showing no signs of slowing down as he’ll turn 70 years old this season.

Southeastern Louisiana is the preseason favorite to win the Southland football title based on the league’s preseason poll. The Lions return senior quarterback Cole Kelley, who won the Walter Payton award last spring which goes to the best player in the FCS. Lions Coach Frank Scelfo says the team’s motto for this season is to be bold…
Cut 16 (14) “…make it happen”
The Lions received eight first-place votes, while Nicholls received four first-place votes and is expected to finish in second place. McNeese has been picked to finish fourth and Northwestern State fifth in the six-team conference.

The Joint Budget Committee has approved a new naming rights deal for the Superdome. The iconic stadium is now the Caesars Superdome as a result of a new 20-year naming rights deal worth an estimated 138-million dollars. The Saints say that money will go towards Dome renovations.

LSU sophomore wide receiver was named to the Fred Biletnikoff Award watch list on Thursday. The Biletnikoff Award is presented annually to the best receiver in college football.  The New Iberia, LA native caught 45 receptions for 735-yards and five touchdowns during his true freshman season in 2020.

Name, Image, and Likeness has been a focal point at SEC Media Days and reports say that Alabama quarterback Bryce Young is closing in on one million dollars worth of endorsements.  Alabama coach Nick Saban says he’s not sure how NIL will impact the locker room.

Cut 17

the Houston Chronicle’s report that Texas and Oklahoma have reached out to the Southeastern Conference about joining the S-E-C. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey would not confirm or deny the report.

Southeastern Louisiana is the preseason favorite to win the Southland Conference for the 2021 football season.  The Lions received eight first-place votes and 48 total points to garner the top spot in the poll.  Nicholls follows closely in second with four first-place votes and 43 points.  The Lions also led the way with 16 total selections on the preseason all-conference teams, including senior quarterback and reigning Walter Payton award winner, Cole Kelley.

Frank Wilson, and the McNeese State Cowboys look to right the ship and return to the FCS playoffs for the first time since 2015. Defensive end Isaiah Chambers returns after finishing fourth in the voting for the Buck Buchanan Award and leading the league in sacks (7.5) and TFL (14.0).  McNeese is led on offense by quarterback Cody Orgeron and they will play LSU this fall.

Former Florida State Coach Bobby Bowden who is the father of current ULM Coach Terry Bowden has disclosed he has a terminal medical condition. The 91-year-old says he’s prepared for what is to come and is at peace.

S-E-C Media Days in Birmingham received a charge of energy with the Houston Chronicle’s report that Texas and Oklahoma have reached out to the Southeastern Conference about joining the S-E-C. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey would not confirm or deny the report. Texas and Oklahoma officials are also not saying anything. Texas A-and-M athletics director Ross Bjork says they want to be the only SEC program in Texas.

Vaccinations, N-I-L, and college football playoff expansion have been big topics at S-E-C Media Days. Mississippi State Coach Mike Leach supports a proposed 12-team playoff and supports even more teams than that…
cut 19 (15) “….look forward to it”
SEC Media Days wrap up today.

State lawmakers held a veto session to overturn the governor’s veto of a bill that would prohibit transgender individuals from playing on girls’ sports teams in Louisiana if they are biological males. But the House failed to execute the override as they came up two votes short of the supermajority needed in the lower chamber. Governor Edwards has said the bill is in search of a problem that does not exist and it could cost the state major sporting events…
cut 15 (12) “…conventions”
The L-H-S-A-A says its policies would prevent a transgender individual from participating on a girls sports team.

Former Florida State Coach Bobby Bowden who is the father of current ULM Coach Terry Bowden has disclosed he has a terminal medical condition. The 91-year-old says he’s prepared for what is to come.