S-E-C athletic director’s reportedly have agreed to a 10-game conference only football schedule this season. Sports Illustrated reports the league’s presidents will have the final say and they are expected to discuss the matter today, but might wait until next week to vote.

LSU Coach Ed Orgeron made a virtual appearance before the Baton Rouge Rotary Club and talked about how his team has been preparing for the season, while trying to avoid a coronavirus outbreak…
cut 17 (16) “….the country’

The NBA restarts its season tonight inside the Walt Disney World Bubble near Orlando. The Pelicans will face the Utah Jazz at 5:30 PM and Zion Williamson is a game time decision after returning to practice this week.

The Saints are still going through the coronavirus onboarding process. Players, coaches, executives and staff members are going through extensive COVID-19 testing. Physicals are scheduled for this weekend, if testing goes well. Even though there was no offseason conditioning program, Coach Sean Payton expects the players will be in great shape
cut 19 (24) “…livelihood”
Payton also says despite efforts to promote social distancing and wearing masks inside the team’s training facility, he expects there will be games that will not be played this season because of outbreaks that occur within a team.

Sports Illustrated’s Ross Dellenger reports that the SEC athletic directors support the idea of a ten-game conference-only football schedule. Dellenger has learned SEC presidents will meet virtually tomorrow to consider the proposal. But a vote might wait until next week.

The ACC has announced that its schools will play a 10-game conference schedule starting the week of September seven to 12. Notre Dame will be part of that conference schedule and will be eligible for the ACC Football Championship game. ACC schools can also play one non-conference game, but the game must be played at that school’s home state.

Pelicans Coach Alvin Gentry says Zion Williamson will be a game-time decision tomorrow when New Orleans restarts its season versus Utah. Williamson practiced for the first time yesterday after leaving the NBA bubble to attend to a family emergency. Gentry says the team’s medical staff will determine if Williamson will play.

Saints players are getting tested this week for the coronavirus. The players will need to test negative for COVID-19 three times in a four-day period. If they do, they will undergo a physical this weekend. Even though there was no offseason conditioning program, Coach Sean Payton expects the players will be in great shape
cut 19 (24) “…livelihood”
Payton also says despite efforts to promote social distancing and wearing masks inside the team’s training facility, he expects there will be games that will not be played this season because of outbreaks that occur within a team.

Saints players have reported for training camp, but it will be a few days before they can get on the field. They have to pass three COVID-19 tests in four days in order to get inside the building. Because the pandemic hit right before the start of free agency, the coaches have yet to see the new players they acquired on the field. General Manager Mickey Loomis says they are anxious for that to happen…
cut 30 (28) “…training camp”
Saints Quarterback Drew Brees has told Yahoo Sports that he’s training himself not to lick his fingers because of COVID-19.

LSU announces it will use mobile ticketing for the 2020 football season. So that means LSU is moving away from physical tickets, instead the tickets will be sent to aticketholders digital wallet on their smartphones. The school says this will allow for faster delivery of tickets, contactless transactions at gates and more flexibility for ticketholders. It’s still unkown if fans will be allowed to watch games inside Tiger Stadium. Ohio State has made the decision to limit capacity at 20-percent and no tailgaiting.

Pelicans rookie sensation Zion Williamson returned to practice yesterday after completing four-days of quarantining. Coach Alvin Gentry says Williamson did some light stuff and it’s unknown if he’ll play tomorrow when the season re-starts with a game against the Utah Jazz. And the NBA says zero of its players have tested positive for coronavirus ouf of the 344 tested at the Orlando campus since the last results were announced on July 20th.

Saints players have reported for training camp and they are going through the process of passing three COVID-19 tests in four days before they are allowed inside the team’s training facility in Metairie. General Manager Mickey Loomis was asked during a zoom press conference about what would happen if a cluster of coronavirus cases hit a team…
cut 29 (22) “…comes along”
Two Saints players have made the decision not to play this season. Back-up tight ends Cole Wick and Jason Vander Laan. Wick reportedly has asthma.

Former LSU Quarterback Joe Burrow is a very rich man suddenly after signing a four-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals worth 36-million dollars. And the deal includes a 24-million dollar signing bonus.

Pelicans rookie sensation Zion Williamson returned to practice yesterday after completing four-days of quarantining. Williamson left the bubble for eight days to attend to an urgent family matter. Coach Alvin Gentry says Williamson did some light stuff and it’s unknown if he’ll play tomorrow when the season re-starts with a game against the Utah Jazz.

Former Pelican and Lakers All-star forward Anthony Davis is dealing with an eye injury after getting poked in the eye. He’s listed as day-to-day. The Lakers face the Clippers tomorrow.

Former LSU Tiger Sylvia Fowlers is the WNBA’s new all-time leading rebounder. Fowles has 33-hundred rebounds.

Veterans on the Saints reported for training camp today but it will be a few days before they get on the field. Players must pass three COVID tests during a four-day period before they can enter the team’s training facility in Metairie. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says the Saints are positioned well to handle this unique season
Cut 16 (25) “…have to handle.”
Players have the option to not play this season. Saints tight end Cole Wick is one of has decided to opt out. Wick was on the Black and Gold’s practice squad last season.

Former LSU Quarterback Joe Burrow has reportedly signed a four-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals worth 36-million dollars. And the deal includes a 24-million dollar signing bonus.

There’s some good news for those hoping we will see high school football this fall. The LHSAA will allow schools to hold seven on seven practices starting on Monday, but you can’t have more than 25 players involved in one group. Players can wear shoulder pads on August sixth and teams will be allowed to do more activities in larger groups once the state moves into phase three.

The Pelicans completed their three-game scrimmage schedule in Orlando with a 124 to 103 victory over the Milwaukee last night. New Orleans went 5-0 in the preseason, 3-0 in its scrimmage games and on Thursday they’ll restart their season by facing the Utah Jazz. Coach Alvin Gentry said today that he expects Zion Williamson will practice with the team tomorrow as his quarantine period comes to an end. Once they see him back on the floor, they’ll make a determination on whether he’ll play on Thursday night.

Veterans on the Saints report to training camp today. In order for them and the rookies to get inside the team’s training facility, they will need to test negative three times during a four-day period. The NFL and its players’ association have agreed to an extensive list of health and safety protocols and players will be tested often. But NFL analyst Mike Detillier says there will be hiccups along the way and players will still test positive
Cut 17 (17) “…in the NFL”
Players opting out of the 2020 season because of COVID concerns. ESPN is reporting Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower and safety Patrick Chung have decided they are not playing. Saints tight end Cole Wick is also out.

Today is LSU football coach Ed Orgeron’s 59 birthday. He spent this morning doing his usual Tuesday morning segment on ESPN Radio in Baton Rouge with Jordy Culotta and T-Bob Hebert. Orgeron said if camp started today, his starting offensive line would consist of Dare Rosenthal at left tackle, Ed Ingram at left guard, Harvard transfer Liam Shanahan at center, Chasen Hines at right guard and Austin Deculus at right tackle.

The Louisiana High School Atheltic Association has made the decision to allow schools to begin official football practices on Monday. No contact is allowed, but seven on seven scrimmages can take place and there can not be more than 25 players involved. The LHSAA says once the state moves to phase three, football teams will be allowed to do more.

In their final scrimmage before the NBA restarts its season, the Pelicans defeated the Bucks 124 to 103 last night to go 3-0 during their scrimmage games. J-J Redick led the way with 20 points as he drained four three-pointers.

Veterans for the Saints report for training camp today, but before they are allowed inside the team’s training facility, players have to test negative three times during a four-day period. Then a slow ramp will begin shortly after that and padded practices will not start until August 17th. No preseason games this year and NFL analyst Mike Detillier says that will make it tough to find potential contributing players on other teams…
cut 18 (29) “..that now”

You can declare the Pelicans champions of the non-regular season. New Orleans was 5-0 in the preseason and the Pels went 3-0 in scrimmage games inside the NBA restart bubble. Last night, New Orleans beat Milwaukee 124 to 103. J-J Redick had a big third quarter, scoring all of his 20 points in that quarter. Zion Williamson did not play as he quarantining after leaving the bubble. It’s unknown if he’ll play in Thursday’s first seeding game against Utah,.

Louisiana High School Athletic Association executive director Eddie Bonine has told schools they can begin seven-on-seven scrimmages on Monday even though the state is in phase two. The players can wear helmets, but no pads as there will be no contact, and groups of 25 will be allowed. But Bonine says the state will need to get into Phase Three and establish a positive trend as it relates to the virus to move into full contact, scrimmages, jamboree, and then games.

The Saints announced today that the team has signed its four member draft class, including first round pick, offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz, from Michigan. The veterans are set to report for training camp tomorrow, but they must test negative for COVID three times over a four day period, before they are allowed inside the team’s training facility in Metairie.

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees continues to give back to the community. The Brees Dream Foundation has made a five-million dollar donation to Ochsner, so that the health system can build community health centers in underserved communities in New Orleans and Baton Rouge. In March, Brees and his wife donated five million dollars so that meals can be served to families impacted by COVID-19.

The Pelicans have their final scrimmage tonight versus San Antonio before the season re-starts on Thursday. Zion Williamson is back after attending to a family emergency, but he’s in quarantine, so he’s expected to return to the court tomorrow or Wednesday.

Two Major League Baseball games will not be played tonight because of a COVID-19 outbreak involving the Miami Marlins. Miami was scheduled to host Baltimore tonight for their home opener, but the Marlins remain in Philadelphia after several players and a couple of coaches tested positive for COVID-19. Over the weekend, Miami won two of three from Philadelphia and the Phillies were set to host the Yankees tonight. That game will not be played, so they can scrub down the visiting the clubhouse. Major League Baseball owners held a regularly scheduled conference call today, but there was no talk about cancelling the season.

Even if there is a season, will Asros Ace Justin Verlander take the mound again? Verlander is dealing with a forearm strain and he’ll be re-evaluated in two weeks. There was a report that Verlander would miss the rest of the season after pitching last Friday. Tonight the Astros host Seattle.

Also Texas Rangers pitcher Corey Kluber has a grade two tear of his shoulder muscle and he’ll miss four weeks. Surgery is not expected.

NFL players report for training camp this week and plan to kick-off the regular season on time. But what about college football?…
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart

The NFL and college football are watching what is going on with M-L-B and the Miami Marlins. Eight Marlin players and two coaches have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total to 14 cases involving the team in recent days. Miami’s home opener tonight has been postponed.

The Saints and other NFL teams begin training camp tomorrow. ESPN reports that according to new protocols, a player who contracts the coronavirus through “high-risk” activity away from team facilities can face team discipline and might not even get paid when in quarantine.

The Brees Dream Foundation has donated five million dollars to Ochsner so that the healthcare system can build health centers in underserved communities in New Orelans and Baton Rouge. In March, Brittany and Drew Brees donated five-million dollars to help feed families impacted by the COVID-19 shutdown.

The New Orleans Pelicans have their final scrimmage game tonight before the re-start. The Pels face the Bucks tonight at 7 PM in a game that can be seen on Fox Sports New Orleans. Zion Williamson can begin practicing with the team tomorrow after returning to the bubble last week. The Pels re-start the season on Thursday against Utah.

We’re 40 days away from the first full Saturday of college football games and there’s doubt the season will start on time. Two teams in the Big 10 are in quarantine, Rutgers, and Michigan State, but there are many programs that are reporting very few cases. College football insider Brett McMurphy says there’s a concern for community spread when students return to campus…
cut 14 (09) “….live in a bubble”
The PAC-12 and Big 10 have already made the decision to play conference only football schedules this season. The SEC has said they plan to make a decision in late July. So with this being the last week in July, we are expecting a decision soon.

Former LSU star Jamal Adams got his wish as the New York Jets traded the All-Pro safety to the Seattle Seahawks. The Jets got a big haul in return that includes first-round picks in 2021 and 2022. Adams has one more year left on his contract.

NFL training camps are set to open this week as the league tries to begin its season in the middle of a pandemic. ESPN reports that according to new protocols, a player who contracts the coronavirus through “high-risk” activity away from team facilities can face team discipline and might not even get paid when in quarantine.

Clippers shooting guard Lou Williams is in a ten-day quarantine after the NBA learned Williams went to an Atlanta strip club during an excused absence from the Orlando, Florida, campus. That means he’ll miss two games when the season re-starts including Saturday’s game against the Pelicans.

New Orleans has its final scrimmage game tonight before the re-start. The Pels face the Bucks tonight at 7 PM in a game that can be seen on Fox Sports New Orleans. Zion Williamson can begin practicing with the team tomorrow after returning to the bubble last week. The Pels re-start the season on Thursday against Utah.

The Major League Baseball got underway this weekend, but four players from the Miami Marlins have already tested positive for COVID-19.