As expected the Cincinnati Bengals selected quarterback Joe Burrow with the number one pick in the 2020 NFL draft. Burrow becomes the third LSU Tiger to be picked number one, JaMarcus Russell and Billy Cannon are the other two. The Heisman Trophy winner says he’s ready to go to work in the Queen City…
cut 17 (10) “…this city”
Later in the first round, four more LSU Tigers were drafted. With the 20th overall pick, Jacksonville took linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson, wide receiver Justin Jefferson went two picks later to Minnesota. The Ravens used their 28th pick to take Patrick Queen and running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire was taken with the 32nd pick by the Super Bowl champion Chiefs. The second and third rounds of the draft get underway at 6 PM tonight.

The Saints surprised many by using their first-round pick to take center Cesar Ruiz out of the University of Michigan with the 24th overall pick of the first round. Coach Sean Payton says they went into the draft wanting to pick an interior offensive lineman…
cut 30 (20) “…guard flex”
Payton also thinks last year’s starting center, Erik McCoy, could also move over to guard. Starting left guard Andrus Peat signed a five-year contract in this offseason, so you have to wonder what this means for starting right guard Larry Warford who is entering the final year of his contract.

Looking at what other teams in the NFC South did. The Panthers drafted Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown, The Bucs traded up to take offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs and the Falcons picked Clemson cornerback A-J Terrell.

The Saints believe they are ready for the N-F-L draft which will look a lot different this year. Commissioner Roger Goodell will read off the draft picks from his home in New York and Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis will work out of his own home, while using video teleconferencing to stay in touch with head coach Sean Payton and other front office personnel.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Saints did not bring in any players for personal workouts. Loomis says some of the virtual pro days that players put together are useful…
cut 19 (25) big picture”
The Saints have the 24th pick in tonight’s first round.

Tonight will be a big night for LSU football as at least four members of the 2019 national champs will be selected in the first round of the NFL draft. Football analyst Mike Detillier says Joe Burrow will be the first pick and Justin Jefferson, K’Lavon Chaisson and Patrick Queen will also go in the first round. Detillier says safety Grant Delpit could also be a first-round pick, even though his production fell off last season because of injuries…
cut 16 (16) “….hurt Grant”
Detillier says the Saints could use their 24th overall pick to take former LSU linebacker Patrick Queen. Former Tigers cornerback Kristian Fulton could also be a first-round pick.

Former All-American Louisiana Tech cornerback Amik Robertson will hear his name called tomorrow night in either the second or third round.

Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis, head coach Sean Payton, and the team’s top scouts will communicate with the league office and each other from their own homes for tonight’s NFL draft. Loomis says he’s planned for internet and power outages…
cut 18 (22) “…the league”
The Saints have the 24th pick in tonight’s first round. New Orleans also has picks in the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth rounds.

ESPN reports that Payton has told the players there will not be a virtual offseason training program. The coach who has recovered from COVID-19 reportedly told the players to take care of their families, but show up in July for training camp in great shape.

Tonight will be a big night for LSU football as at least four members of the 2019 national champs will be selected in the first round of the NFL draft. Football analyst Mike Detillier says Joe Burrow will be the first pick and Justin Jefferson, K’Lavon Chaisson and Patrick Queen will also go in the first round. Detillier says safety Grant Delpit could also be a first-round pick, even though his production fell off last season because of injuries…
cut 16 (16) “….hurt Grant”
Detillier says the Saints could use their 24th overall pick to take former LSU linebacker Patrick Queen. Former Tigers cornerback Kristian Fulton could also be a first-round pick.

Former All-American La Tech cornerback Amik Robertson will hear his name called tomorrow night in either the second or third round.

The Bengals are expected to select former LSU Q-B Joe Burrow with the number one pick in tomorrow night’s N-F-L draft. If that’s the case, Burrow will play for a franchise that has not won a playoff game since 1991. LSU Coach Ed Orgeron says Burrow will look forward to the challenge in making Cincinnati a winner
Cut 16 (25) “…at Cincinnati”
A Cincinnati television station is reporting the Bengals have already informed Burrow that they will select the Heisman Trophy winner with their number one pick. And there’s a billboard up in Baton Rouge that has an image of Burrow thanking LSU and Louisiana.

In a time of great uncertainty, the Independence Bowl has been able to agree to a title sponsorship agreement with Radiance Technologies out of Huntsville, Alabama. If the I-Bowl is played in December, it will feature Army versus a team from the PAC-12. Radiance Technologies CEO Bill Bailey says they’ve been looking for the right opportunity to increase their brand awareness nationally and they found it with this partnership…
cut 20 (22) “…Independence Bowl”

Saints Coach Sean Payton has told his players that the team will not conduct an offseason conditioning program. He told his guys in a Zoom Call to take care of your families, health and show up for training camp in July in the best shape of your life.

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron says he’s tired of watching television and is ready to get back to work. He’s optimistic the Tigers will be back on the practice field in August and says his projected starting quarterback, Myles Brennan, is doing what he can to prepare…
Cut 18 (22) “…is here”

Saints Coach Sean Payton has reportedly told his players they are not having an offseason program, even if the NFL allows teams to work out at their facilities. According to ESPN’s Dianna Russini, Payton is not scheduling any virtual workouts or online meetings, he’s asked his players to show up in July for training camp in the best shape of your life.

Alabama-based Radiance Technologies has agreed to be the title sponsor of the Independence Bowl for the next five years, giving the bowl game in Shreveport stability for the first half of this decade. Independence Bowl Foundation Chairman Frank Auer says Radiance is a technology solutions provider of the highest caliber
cut 19 (22) Radiance Technologies”

The LSU Board of Supervisors is scheduled to meet tomorrow to approve contract changes for several assistant football coaches, including offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger who will get a 200-thousand dollar raise and the play-caller will make one-million dollars in 2020.

Former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow is set to be the number one pick in tomorrow night’s first round of the N-F-L draft. There’s a small chance that Cincinnati doesn’t take the Heisman Trophy winner. Tigers Coach Ed Orgeron expects Burrow to have an outstanding career…
cut 17 (14) “…great player”
Orgeron spoke with reporters on a videoconference. Coach O also said he’s optimistic fall camp will start in August and he would love to see the Saints take an LSU player in the first round. Patrick Queen and Grant Delpit could be available when New Orleans selects with the 24th pick.

The LSU Board of Supervisors will approve several changes to the contracts of football coaches when they meet tomorrow. LSU’s coaching staff will make 13.5 million dollars in 2020, up from 10-point-six-million dollars last year.

Alabama-based Radiance Technologies has agreed to be the title sponsor of the Independence Bowl for the next five years, giving the bowl game in Shreveport stability for the first half of this decade. Independence Bowl Foundation Chairman Frank Auer says Radiance is a technology solutions provider of the highest caliber
cut 19 (22) Radiance Technologies”

CFP executive director Bill Hancock tells ESPN there are no plans to change the format of the four-team college football playoff or adjust how the teams are chosen.

The NCAA also announces that players who are ejected for targeting will no longer have to leave the field. Also, the playing rules oversight panel says instant replay officials should make a decision within two minutes unless it’s an exceptionally complicated call. Also, players will be able to wear the number zero this season.

Ragin Cajuns Athletics Director Bryan Maggard tells the Advocate that he hopes they can find a way to play 12 regular-season college football games with fans in the stands, even if that means pushing the start of the season to October and November.

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron held a zoom call with reporters today and he’s hopeful his team will be in camp in August…
cut 29 (29) “…get ready”
Orgeron says he’s ready to go and joked he’s been watching too much television.

There’s big news today involving the Independence Bowl…
cut 30 (17) “…Independence Bowl”
Radiance Technologies is an employee-owned small business owner based in Huntsville, Alabama. The company serves the Department of Defense, national intelligence community and other government agencies in the areas of cybersecurity, systems engineering, and integration.

The Saints have never drafted an LSU player in the first round. That could change this year as five former Tigers could be selected in the opening round. Coach Ed Orgeron says he would love to see it…
cut 28 (14) “…doing it here”
Some draft analysts have former LSU linebacker Patrick Queen going to the Saints with the 24th pick.

Big news for the Independence Bowl as they have reached an agreement with Radiance Technologies who will serve as the title sponsor for the football game for the next five years. Radiance Technologies is a contractor that provides cybersecurity, systems engineering and integration to the Department of Defense, national intelligence community and other government agencies.

Saints Coach Sean Payton has donated his plasma so that it can be used to treat hospital patients who are trying to fight off COVID-19. Payton tested positive for the coronavirus on March 19th and suffered from a low-grade fever, body aches, and chills. He never had respiratory symptoms. Some doctors are using convalescent plasma to treat coronavirus patients because their antibodies in the plasma can help fight off the virus.

ESPN reports the NFL tested its virtual draft on Monday and there was a minor hiccup at the start, but everything went smoothly after a two-and-a-half minute delay.

LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade said on the LSU Sports Radio Network they are only one more big body away from being an elite team next season. The Tigers have signed seven new players, including five-star shooting guard Cam Thomas and UCLA transfer Shareef O’ Neal, the son of former LSU great Shaquille O’ Neal. Wade says starting forwards Trendon Watford and Darius Days have put their names in the draft, but can return. Wade says they have a pretty good idea of what they will do.

Tim Floyd told ESPN Radio in Baton Rouge the Chicago Bulls were interested in hiring him as their head coach after Michael Jordan and Company just completed a record 72-win regular season and the franchise’s fourth NBA championship. Floyd eventually became the Bulls head coach after Chicago completed its second three-peat.

In a memorandum to baseball operations employees around the game, commissioner Rob Manfred said he fully anticipates baseball will return this summer, but difficult to say when they’ll resume the season.

Saints Coach Sean Payton has donated his plasma so that it can be used to treat hospital patients who are trying to fight off COVID-19. Payton tested positive for the coronavirus on March 19th and suffered from a low-grade fever, body aches, and chills. He never had respiratory symptoms. Some doctors are using convalescent plasma to treat coronavirus patients because their antibodies in the plasma can help fight off the virus.

Former Saints tight end Mark Campbell tells WWL radio that he spent 17 days battling COVID-19. He says his condition did not improve until he took a drug that is commonly used to treat malaria.

ESPN reports The N-F-L tested out its virtual draft on Monday and there was a hiccup early, resulted in a two-and-a-half-minute delay for the Bengals to make the first pick. But Broncos president of football operations John Elway says after that delay, the rest of the draft went smooth.

LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade said on the LSU Sports Radio Network that they are only more big body away from being an elite team next season. The Tigers have signed seven new players, including five-star shooting guard Cam Thomas and UCLA transfer Shareef O’ Neal, the son of former LSU great Shaquille O’ Neal. Wade says starting forwards Trendon Watford and Darius Days have put their names in the draft, but can return. Wade says they have a pretty good idea of what they will do.

Former Riverside standout Jared Bulter has decided to put his name into the NBA draft pool. The six-foot-three, All-Big 12 guard averaged 16 points a game last season for Baylor.

Tim Floyd told ESPN Baton Rouge the Chicago Bulls were interested in hiring him as their head coach after Michael Jordan and Company justed completed a 72-win regular season and the franchise’s fourth NBA championship. Floyd eventually became the Bulls head coach after Chicago completed its second three-peat. But Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman were gone by then.

The N-F-L draft gets underway Thursday and the Saints have the 24th pick in the first round. Many mock drafts have New Orleans selecting Oklahoma linebacker Kenneth Murray. Mike Triplett covers the Black and Gold for ESPN and says Murray and LSU’s Patrick Queen would bring more athleticism to that position…
cut 18 (24) “….the draft”

New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas says they would like to sign former LSU Tiger Jamal Adams to a long term deal, but until that happens they’ll listen to trade offers. The All-Pro safety has two years left on his deal.

The expectation is for Cincinnati to take Joe Burrow with the first pick in Thursday night’s NFL draft. Former NFL great Peyton Manning told ESPN he recently spoke to Burrow and Manning warned Burrow his rookie season could be a rough one, but the future Hall of Famer said he learned a lot while taking those lumps. Manning’s Colts went from 3-and-13 in his rookie season to 13-and-3 the next year.

LSU men’s basketball reportedly receives a commitment from seven-foot center Josh Gray from Connecticut. If he signs, he’ll join an eight-man recruiting class that already features three members that are six-foot-eight or taller. Gray is listed as a three-star prospect who averaged 10 points, nine rebounds, and two blocked shots a game.

The Ragin Cajuns have reportedly received a verbal pledge from six-foot-six guard Devin Butts from Macon, Georgia. He played in six games last season for Mississippi State. He’ll have to sit out next season, unless the NCAA changes its rules to allow for immediate eligibility. A vote on that is expected soon. Butts averaged 28 points a game at Stratford Academy as a senior.