The NFL is reportedly cutting its preseason schedule to two games, week one and week four. Each team would play one home game and one on the road. ESPN reports training camps are set to begin around July 28th, but the first preseason games will not be played until August 20th to the 24th. The reason for the restructing of the preseason is so that players can get in better football shape since offseason conditioning programs were canceled.

Four-star prospect Naquan Brown from Vriginia Beach, Virginia is the latest player to commit to LSU as he joins the Tigers 2021 recruiting class. Brown is a six-foot-three, 205 pound outside linebacker-slash-defensive end. Tennessee, Michigan, Penn State and TCU are some of the other teams who offered Brown.

Louisiana Tech football coach Skip Holtz is grieving over the loss of his mother. Beth Holtz, the wife of hall of fame coach Skip Holtz, has died at the age of 83 after a long battle with throat cancer.
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Pelicans guard Jrue (Drew) Holiday will travel to Orlando to finish out the season with his teammates inside the bubble. Holiday’s wife, Lauren Holiday, is pregnant with the couple’s second child and if you recall, Lauren had a brain tumor removed during her first pregnancy. But Jrue says everyone is healthy, so he’s ready to battle for a playoff spot. Holiday also thinks its worth re-starting the season, despite all of the challenges. He says the time inside the bubble will be a chance for the team to bond even more.

And ESPN reports it will cost over 150-million dollars for the league to complete the season and hold the playoffs at the Walt Disney Resort. The league projects a one-billion dollar revenue loss because of the coronavirus.

LSU pitcher Ben McDonald, second baseman Todd Walker and shortstop Alex Bregman have been named to the ESPN Greatest All-time College Baseball Team. LSU leads the nation with three players on the team. All three players were two-time All-Americans.

The Pelicans are 30 days away from returning to the court in Orlando and head coach Alvin Gentry hopes he’s on the sidelines coaching his team. Gentry is a 65-year-old cancer survivor, so according to the C-D-C he’s at the beginning of the high-risk category for severe illness from COVID-19. Gentry says the players battled for him during the season and he wants to return the favor…
cut 20 (28) “…this situation”
A league-appointed doctor will have to clear Gentry in order for him to be on the sidelines.

Pelicans Executive Vice President David Griffin says three Pelican players tested positive last week for coronavirus. They are in isolation and getting tested daily. But Griffin does not expect any players on the New Orleans roster not to go to Orlando. The 22 NBA teams that will be in the bubble will travel to Florida next week.

Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reports there are some NFL teams thinking about traveling for road contests on the day of the game and then flying back. Former LSU Tiger and Chiefs All-Pro Safety said on Twitter heck no to that idea.

LSU linebacker Marcel Brooks has told the Athletic his decision to enter the NCAA transfer portal is because of family. Brooks was expected to play a big role on the Tigers defense in 2020, but it appears he’ll look to continue his college career at a school closer to his Dallas home.

And in a decision that should surpise no one, the minor league baseball season has been canceled because of COVID-19 pandemic.

New Orleans Pelicans executive vice president David Griffin said today that three Pelicans players tested positive for COVID-19 last week. The unidentified players are in self-isolation and are tested daily. They need to have two negative tests before they can play. The 22 NBA teams that will resume their season in Orlando, must turn in a roster by the end of tomorrow. Griffin does not expect any Pelicans player not to play. 65-year-old head coach Alvin Gentry, who is a cancer survivor, also said he plans to be in Orlando with the team. But Griffin says Gentry’s status is to be determined.

ESPN announced today that former LSU defensive lineman Marcus Spears will appear daily on NFL Live when the network relaunch’s the show in August. The sports network also says Spears has signed a new multi-year ESPN extension. The Baton Rouge native says it’s a pinch myself moment to talk NFL five days a week.

LSU linebacker Marcel Brooks has told the Athletic his decision to enter the NCAA transfer portal is because of family. But he didn’t elaborate in an article written by Brody Miller. Brooks was expected to play a big role on the Tigers defense in 2020, but it appears he’ll look to continue his college career at a school closer to his Dallas home.

Former LSU safety Eric Monroe has reportedly decided to transfer to Texas Tech. Monroe was a highly rated defensive back out of the Houston area. In three seasons at LSU, Monroe had 21 tackles, most of those tackles occurred during his redshirt freshman season.

The Monroe News-Star reports Ruston High School has suspended football workouts for two weeks after a player tested positive for coronavirus.

When the NBA season resumes there will be five teams within four games of each other trying to get that final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Memphis currently occupy the eighth seed in the West, but hot on the Grizzlies trail are Portland, New Orleans, Sacramento, and San Antonio. Memphis and the Trail Blazers have the hardest schedules left, while the Pelicans have the easest. Six of the eight teams that the Pels will play have a losing record. Whoever gets the eighth seed in the West, will likely play the Lakers in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. L-A is reportedly close to signing veteran J-R Smith.

Several major-league players will not play in 2020 because of health and safety concerns surrounding COVID-19. The World Series champion Nationals will not have first baseman Ryan Zimmerman or pitcher Joe Ross. Arizona pitcher Mike Leake says he’s not playing and the same for Rockies outfielder Ian Desmond.

LSU announces that senior pitcher Matthew Beck from Alexandria will wear number eight in 2021. The number eight jersey is given each season to the upperclassmen who exemplifies the spirit of LSU Baseball through his leadership and dedication to the program. Beck has been a solid pitcher out of the bullpen for the Tigers, posting a 9-1 record with a 2.66 ERA in 77 career appearances.

Louisiana Tech says eight of its players are competing in summer league action across the South. Cole McConnell, Logan McLeod, Jack Payne, Ben Brantley, Joseph Carbone, Adarius Myers, Kyle Crigger, and Manny Garcia are getting a chance to play after a shortened 2020 season.

Former LSU safety Eric Monroe has reportedly decided to transfer to Texas Tech. Monroe was a highly rated defensive back out of the Houston area. In three seasons at LSU, Monroe had 21 tackles, most of those tackles occurred during his redshirt freshman season.

LSU athletics director Scott Woodward previously said a decision will be made in July on whether fans will be allowed inside Tiger Stadium to watch football games this season. But a professor at the LSU School of Public Health says the COVID-19 risk is too high. Epidemiologist Edward Trapido told LSU’s student newspaper the Reveillie that he would not recommend fans at LSU games this year. One of his colleagues, Susanne Straif-Bourgeois, calls it a logistical nightmare. An LSU spokesperson says the school remains hopeful that fans will be allowed in Tiger Stadium, but a lot still has to be determined with respect to COVID.

LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade is welcoming his players back on campus for voluntarily workouts, but he’ll do so in stages. Five players were expected to report today, another four or five players will return to campus on July 13th and the rest of the team will arrive at the end of July.

LSU announces that senior pitcher Matthew Beck from Alexandria will wear number eight in 2021. The number eight jersey is given each season to the upperclassmen who exempilfies the spirit of LSU Baseball through his leadership and dedication to the program. Beck has been a solid pitcher out of the bullpen for the Tigers, posting a 9-1 record with a 2.66 ERA in 77 career appearances.

Louisiana Tech says eight of its players are competing in summer league action across the South. Cole McConnell, Logan McLeod, Jack Payne, Ben Brantley, Joseph Carbone, Adarius Myers, Kyle Crigger and Manny Garcia are getting a chance to play after a shortened 2020 season.

Several major league players have made the decision not to play in 2020 because health and safety concerns surrounding COVID-19. The World Series champs will not have first baseman Ryan Zimmerman or pitcher Joss Ross, and Arizona pitcher Mike Leake says he’s not playing as well.

Mandatory individual workouts will begin this week for the Pelicans as they get to resume their push for the playoffs when the season restarts in Orlando on July 30th. New Orleans will face the Utah Jazz on July 30th and the rest of the schedule features games against the Clippers, Grizzlies, two games against the Kings, the Wizards, Spurs and Magic. Based on current win-loss records, the Pels are the only team in Orlando who has a schedule against teams with a combined record below .500.

LSU sophomore linebacker Marcel Brooks has reportedly entered the NCAA player transfer portal. It’s unknown why Brooks is looking to leave LSU. Brooks showed flashes last season as a freshman and he was expected to have a significant role in Bo Pelini’s new four-three defense.

Cam Newton has found a new job in the NFL. The Patriots have signed the former NFL MVP to a one-year contract.

LSU epidemiologist Edward Trapido with the LSU School of Public Health tells the Reveille he would not recommend that fans watch games inside Tiger Stadium this season. One of Trapido’s colleagues, Susanne Straif-Bourgeois, calls it a logistical nightmare. LSU spokesperson Ernie Ballard says the school still hopes fans will be allowed in Tiger Stadium, but a lot still has to be determined by where we are as a state with respect to COVID.

In Webster Parish, offseason workouts have been shut down at all Webster Parish schools because of multiple positive coronavirus tests among student-athletes.

On the PGA Tour, Dustin Johnson won the Travelers Championship in Connecticut yesterday as he finished one shot ahead of Kevin Streelman. Johnson finished at 19-under par for his 21st PGA tour title.

Denny Hamlin held off Kevin Harvick at Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania. It’s Hamlin’s fourth victory of the season.

It’s still unknown how many NFL fans will be allowed inside stadiums this year, but the league has made the decision to prohibit anyone from sitting in the first eight rows. The Saints say they are already in the process of working with affected season-ticket holders. NBC Sports reports the NFL will sell advertising on the lower rows of seats this season.

NFL owners held a virtual meeting yesterday and they are still planning for training camp to start in late July. But the Hall of Fame Game between the Steelers and Cowboys on August sixth in Canton, Ohio has been canceled. The 2020 Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremonies have been postponed to 2021.

Saints Safety Malcolm Jenkins calls the NFL a nonessential business and he’s not comfortable playing until the coronavirus risk is eliminated. Jenkins made his comments on CNN where he is now a paid contributor.

Ragin Cajuns athletics director Bryan Maggard has reportedly received a five-year contract extension. He’s been the school’s AD since 2017 and during that time he’s seen coach Billy Napier bring the football program to new heights. He’s also had to deal with the untimely death of baseball coach Tony Robichaux and now the coronavirus pandemic.

ULM has announced football coach Matt Viator has signed a two-year contract extension that will keep him on the Warhawk sidelines through the 2022 season. The extension reportedly does not come with a raise in pay. The USA Today reports that Viator’s base salary is 390-thousand dollars and he can receive 50-thousand dollars in bonuses.

Bethune-Cookman is leaving the MEAC and they’ll join the SWAC, giving the Southwestern Athletic Conference 12 schools. It’s also the second school from Florida to join the SWAC in the last month. Florida A-and-M is also leaving the MEAC from the SWAC. Both schools will join the SWAC for the 2021-22 sports season.

Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins said on C-N-N today that football is a nonessential business and the coronavirus risk would have to be eliminated for him to feel comfortable playing football this season. Jenkins says he also doesn’t want to put his parents at risk of getting sick.

LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine says for high school football practice to start, Louisiana has to be in phase three of its reopening and it’s disappointing to see the increase in coronavirus cases. Bonine says they will not flip the fall sports season with the spring sports so that football can be played during the academic year. Bonine says there also no plans to push back the football season. That’s because they want to hold the Prep Classic December 11th and 12th.

The NFL’s Hall of Fame Game between the Cowboys and Steelers on August sixth in Canton, Ohio has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony has been postponed to 2021.

ULM has announced football coach Matt Viator has signed a two-year contract extension that will keep him on the Warhawk sidelines through the 2022 season. The extension reportedly does not come with a raise in pay. The USA Today reports that Viator’s base salary is 390-thousand dollars and he can receive 50-thousand dollars in bonuses.

Former McNeese baseball player and head coach Todd Butler has returned to his alma mater and will serve as the school’s new Senior Associate Athletics Director. Butler will oversee ticketing and game promotions operations, work on fundraising and serve as a liaison to the athletic corporate sponsorships. Butler earned his degree from McNeese in 1991 and was the head coach of the Pokes from 2001 to 2003. His last job was as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Missouri.

In girls high school basketball…former LSU star Temeka Johnson has been named the new head coach at John Curtis, replace Barbara Farris, who accepted an assistant head coaching job at Stetson. Johnson is leaving as head coach of McKinley in Baton Rouge.

LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine says in order for high schools to play football in August and September, the state needs to enter Phase 3 which allows for contact sports. Bonine says they will not flip the fall and spring sport seasons in order to make sure football gets played during upcoming the academic year. He says schools in approximately 23 of Louisiana’s 64 parishes have reported COVID-19 cases.

NFL owners will reportedly hold a zoom meeting tomorrow to discuss social justice programs, workplace diversity and preparations for the 2020 season.

Four-star offensive lineman Garrett Dellinger from Clarkston, Michigan, has committed to LSU. He’s rated as the 12th best offensive tackle by 24-7 sports. Dellinger is the first offensive lineman in the Tigers 2021 recruiting class.

Forbes reports that the state, New Orleans officials and the Pelicans made a bid to the NBA for the league to restart its season in New Orleans. Games would be played at the Smoothie King Center and players would stay at the Hyatt downtown. But sources say the league never seriously considered the city’s proposal.

A bill that places an eight-percent tax on net revenue from online fantasy sports contests is heading to the governor’s desk after it received final legislative approval. The money would generate about 375-thousand dollars a year. River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot says all of the money will go towards funding early childhood education…
cut 29 (02) “…committed to do that”
In 2018, voters in 47 of the 64 parishes legalized fantasy sports betting. Residents in parishes who voted for it have been waiting for lawmakers to pass the tax component in order to win cash prizes with fan duel and draft kings. Supporters say if the governor signs the bill, Louisiana residents would be able to play online fantasy sports contests this football season.

Two members from the Saints Super Bowl team will be inducted into the team’s hall of fame later this year. Offensive guard Jahri Evans and safety Roman Harper were both drafted in 2006 and were starters when the Black and Gold won the Super Bowl a few years later. Saints Coach Sean Payton says Evans and Harper were great players and had a tremendous impact in the lockerroom
Cut 17 (19) “…at safety”
Evans is one of the most decorated offensive linemen in franchise history. In his eleven seasons with the Saints, he was named to five All-Pro teams, including four consecutive first-team honors from 2009 to 2012.

The LHSAA executive committee meets today to discuss plans for fall sports and how they may handle any COVID-related delays or cancellations. Executive director Eddie Bonine says he remains optimistic they can get the seasons started on time.

Major League Baseball announces it will have a 60-game regular season that will start on July 23rd or 24th. Players will report for a second spring training on July 1st, most likely at the team’s home ballpark. The National League will have the designated hitter and in extra innings, a runner will start the inning standing on second base.

ULM athletic director Scott McDonald has told the News-Star that the Warhawks are still set to kick off the football season on September fifth versus Caly Poly at Malone Stadium. Grambling President Rick Gallot also told the News-Star that for now the Bayou Classic is still scheduled to be played in the Superdome.