The NFL draft is this week as the Saints have the 24th pick in the first round on Thursday night. Mike Triplett covers the Black and Gold for ESPN and says New Orleans is in position to take the best player available
Cut 16 (18) “…player’s grade”
Many mock drafts have New Orleans selecting Oklahoma linebacker Kenneth Murray. Triplett says Murray and LSU’s Patrick Queen would bring more athleticism to that position.

The Jaguars are reportedly looking to trade former LSU running back Leonard Fournette, who still has two years left on his contract. Fournette rushed for a career-high 1,152 yards and caught a team-high 76 passes last season.

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.

Manning donated one-thousand meals for COVID-19 healthcare workers in the New Orleans area on Saturday. Drago’s Seafood Restaurant in Metairie prepared the meals. Healthcare workers at the Ochsner Hospital System, Tulane and East Jefferson General hospitals received the meals.

LSU men’s basketball has reportedly received 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.

President Donald Trump has issued guidelines on how to reopen the economy and that includes bringing sports back. The President says when sports return, fans will not be allowed inside the arena or stadium at first…
cut 30 (19) “…to be”
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell was a guest on CNN yesterday and said she understands the NFL is looking at its options, but she thinks no fans inside the Superdome is the best way to go.

ESPN reports the NFL plans to release its 16-game schedule on May ninth, but the schedule is being done to allow for flexibility. The Washington Post reports the league could close off stadiums to fans or let a certain percentage in.

President Donald Trump has issued guidelines on how to reopen the economy and that includes bringing sports back. The President says when sports return, fans will not be allowed inside the arena or stadium at first…
cut 30 (19) “…to be”
The P-G-A Tour is the first major U-S sport to announce a return. The Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial in Fort Worth, Texas will be the first event and it will run from June 11th to the 14th. The P-G-A tour plans to have an event every weekend after that, except for Thanksgiving, until December sixth.

Jazz point guard Mike Conley defeated Bulls guard Zach Lavine in the NBA’s first HORSE competition.

The Saints have announced the re-signing of running back Dwayne Washington. He’s been with the team since 2018 and was the Saints third string running back last season, but played a lot on special teams.

The Browns say the reports that they are looking to trade wide receiver Odell Beckham Junior are false. A report came out on Wednesday that discussed a potential deal between Cleveland and Minnesota involving the former LSU star.

The daughter of former NBA star and LSU legend Shaquille O” Neal has committed to play basketball for the Lady Tigers. Amirah O’ Neal is from Crossroads High School in Santa Monica, California. Her brother, Shareef, just signed with the men’s basketball team, transferring in from UCLA.

The Ragin Cajuns have added six-foot-eleven Theo Akwuba (ah-KOO-buh) to their roster. He’s a transfer from Portland who has two years of eligibility remaining. The Montgomery, Alabama native played in 52 games at Portland, started 26 games as a freshman and finished second in the West Coast Conference in blocked shots.

On the first day of the spring signing period, LSU basketball signed three players, including the son of LSU basketball great Shaquille O’ Neal. Six-foot-nine forward Shareef O’ Neal is transferring in from U-C-L-A. The Tigers have also signed six-foot-six strong forward Mwain Wilkinson from Las Vegas and six-foot-three guard Eric Gaines of Georiga. 24-7 sports ranks LSU’s incoming recruiting class as the fifth-best in the country.

A week from today is the first round of the N-F-L draft. The Saints have the 24th pick. It’s possible former LSU Tigers Patrick Queen and Justin Jefferson could available for New Orleans to take. They do need wide receivers and linebackers. Several mock drafts have the Saints selecting Oklahoma linebacker Kenneth Murray. Murray started 42 games for the Sooners and recorded 37 tackles for a loss in three seasons at O-U.

Four members of Louisiana’s Congressional delegation have been appointed to the President’s Task Force on Reopening the Economy. Getting live sports back in our lives is part of that effort. Congressman Steve Scalise is on the Task Force…
cut 30 (30) “…spread before”
Congressmen Mike Johnson and Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy are also on the task force.

Families struggling to put food on the table can go to Cajun Field in Lafayette tomorrow. Second Harvest Food Bank and United Way of Acadiana are setting up a drive-thru food distribution site from two to four PM.

Governor John Bel Edwards says it’s too early to say what kind of impact the coronavirus pandemic will have on football in the fall as he points out, it’s still mid-April. Edwards speculates that if there are college football and Saints games, the stadiums will not be full…
cut 12 (11) “…checked”
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is recommending no large events in the Crescent City for the rest of 2020, but a Saints spokesperson says it’s planning for games to be played and added it’s too important for the city.

Commissioners for the major college football conferences told Vice President Mike Pence that NCAA sporting events cannot return if campuses remain closed because of the coronavirus pandemic. Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby says the V-P expressed a hopeful and optimistic tone.

A week from today is the first round of the N-F-L draft. The Saints have the 24th pick. It’s possible former LSU Tigers Patrick Queen and Justin Jefferson could available for New Orleans to take. They do need wide receivers and linebackers. Several mock drafts have the Saints selecting Oklahoma linebacker Kenneth Murray. Murray started 42 games for the Sooners and recorded 37 tackles for a loss in three seasons at O-U.

On the first day of the spring signing period, LSU basketball signed three players, including the son of LSU basketball great Shaquille O’ Neal. Six-foot-nine forward Shareef O’ Neal is transferring in from U-C-L-A. The Tigers have also signed six-foot-six strong forward Mwain Wilkinson from Las Vegas and six-foot-three guard Eric Gaines of Georiga. 24-7 sports ranks LSU’s incoming recruiting class as the fifth-best in the country.

And the P-G-A is looking at returning to competition in May or June, with no fans.

ESPN’s Chris Fowler says there will be severe challenges to start the college football season in September. Fowler says if universities do not allow students back in the fall, then there will be no football games with fans in 2020. Fowler says based on the people he’s talking to, a college football season in spring 2021 makes more sense…
cut 30 (12) “….fall back position”
Vice President Mike Pence held a conference call with the College Football Playoff management committee this morning. C-F-P executive director Bill Hancock told ESPN that he didn’t think the V-P understood the level of difference between college and the pros. Hancock says colleges can’t quarantine athletes like pro teams might be able to. Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick called it a productive call.

The country’s infectious disease expert said today that professional sports could return this summer if the games are played in empty stadiums and teams are strictly quarantined in large hotels in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Doctor Anthony Fauci says weekly testing will also have to occur.

Saints spokesperson Greg Bensel said in a statement that the NFL franchise in New Orleans is preparing to play this season and working with healthcare professionals is part of that planning. Bensel released the statement after New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell recommended no large gatherings or festivals in the city in 2020.

The son of legendary LSU basketball player Shaquille O’ Neal is officially an LSU Tiger. Shareef O’Neal’s paperwork arrived at LSU today as he’s transferring in from U-C-L-A. Shareef O’ Neal announced in January that he’s leaving the Bruin program after averaging just two points and three rebounds during his redshirt freshman season. He averaged 28 points and 17 rebounds during his senior year in high school in Santa Monica, California.

ESPN broadcaster Chris Fowler says the idea of a college football season starting in the spring, instead of September is gaining momentum. Fowler used Instagram to inform fans of what he’s hearing. Fowler brought up the possibility of pushing the season back to November, but that might not work either…
cut 30 (10) “…disastrous”
Fowler says if the season started in February, there’s a chance testing will have come a long by then and perhaps we are closer to a vaccine.

The country’s infectious disease expert said today that professional sports could return this summer if the games are played in empty stadiums and teams are strictly quarantined in large hotels in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Doctor Anthony Fauci says weekly testing will also have to occur.

Saints spokesperson Greg Bensel said in a statement that the NFL franchise in New Orleans is preparing to play this season and they are being very proactive in working with healthcare professionals so that when they do play, the health and safety of fans, staff, players and coaches is a top priority. Bensel released the statement after New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell recommended no large gatherings or festivals in the city in 2020.

Conference USA, the Sun Belt, and American Atheltic Conference are among five major football conference commissioners asking the NCAA to relax requirements to compete in Division One. The NCAA requires Division One schools to compete in at least 16 varsity sports, but there are some schools because of finances who have already made the decision to drop certain sports programs.

24-7 sports has updated its list of the top football players in Louisiana for the Class of 2021. Terrebonne defensive tackle Mason Smith is ranked number one, followed by Lafayette Christian’s Sage Ryan.

ESPN Broadcaster Chris Fowler believes it will be impossible to have a college football season in the fall. Fowler says university leaders will have to make a decision by the end of next month whether schools will wecome students back in August. He says some schools might feel comfortable, while others will not…
cut 30 (35) “…not a strategy”
Fowler says holding the college football season in the spring is an idea gaining momentum.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is recommending that the city does not host any large events or festivals until 2021. When asked what this means for the Saints, Cantrell says she doesn’t think anyone has a clue right now. Saints senior vice president of communications Greg Bensel released a statement following the mayor’s press conference that said the franchise is preparing to play. Bensel says when they return this season, their highest priority will be the health and safety of fans, staff, players, and coaches. Bensel says they are proactive in working with healthcare professionals and in constant contact with local and state governments.

The Conference USA, the Sun Belt, and American Atheltic Conference are among five major football conference commissioners who are asking the NCAA to relax requirements to compete in Division One for four years. The NCAA requires Division One schools to sponsor at least 16 varsity sports and there are some schools because of finances who have made the decision to drop certain sports programs.

The Carolina Panthers have made Christian McCaffrey the highest-paid running back in the NFL as he’s reportedly agreed to a four-year, 64-million dollar contract. The 16-million dollar a year contract eclipses what Dallas gives Ezekiel Elliot, which is 15-million dollars a year. McCaffrey rushed for over one-thousand yards and had over one-thousand yards receiving. McCaffrey’s deal could impact what Saints running back Alvin Kamara will seek next offseason. Both players were taken in the 2017 draft. Kamara has 4.476 total yards and 38 touchdowns, while McCaffrey has 5.443 total yards and 39 scores.

The NFL and its players’ association agree to a plan that allows teams to hold virtual offseason workouts. There will be two phases of the Virtual Period program, April 20th to May 15th and a second period will begin May 15th to June 26th.

College Football Playoff Director Bill Hancock told ESPN that they are planning for a normal regular season and a playoff schedule, despite concerns the COVID-19 pandemic could delay the start of the college football season. Hancock says it’s only April and too soon to discuss what would happen if the season couldn’t start in September.

The NFL draft is a week from Thursday and it will be televised on ABC, ESPN and the NFL Network. Commissioner Roger Goodell will announce the draft picks from his home in Bronxville, New York. The draft is set to begin at 7 PM on April 23rd.

The X-F-L has filed for bankruptcy. There are no plans for the XFL to resume play in 2021 or beyond. The league suspended operations last Friday.

The mother of Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns has died due to complications from the coronavirus at the age of 58. Jacqueline Cruz-Towns has been in a medically induced coma and on a ventilator for the last few weeks. The Timberwolves say Jacqueline is her son’s number one fan.

College Football Playoff Director Bill Hancock told ESPN that they are planning for a normal regular season and a playoff schedule, despite concerns the COVID-19 pandemic could delay the start of the college football season. Hancock says it’s only April and too soon to discuss what would happen if the season couldn’t start in September.

LSU Strength and Conditioning Coach Tommy Moffit says as it stands now, the earliest LSU football players could return to campus is June 1st. He says it would take about a month to get the players ready for fall camp…
Cut 18 (22) “…the key”
Moffitt says based on what he can tell, 60-percent of the players are doing what they should be doing when it comes to staying in shape.

The NFL draft is a week from Thursday and it will be televised on ABC, ESPN and the NFL Network. Commissioner Roger Goodell will announce the draft picks from his home in Bonxville, New York. The draft is set to begin at 7 PM on April 23rd.

The X-F-L has filed for bankruptcy. There are no plans for the XFL to resume play in 2021 or beyond. The league announced last Friday it was laying offf its staff. The X-F-L was five weeks into its first season since 2001 before the coronvirus suspension.

LSU freshman forward Trendon Watford has declared for the N-B-A draft, but he will not hire an agent so he can retain his college eligibility as he goes through the evaluation process. There are mock drafts that show Watford getting selected in the second round. The Alabama native averaged 14 points and seven rebounds per game as a freshman.