During an interview on ESPN’s morning television show “Get Up”, Saints Coach Sean Payton said 2020 will be Drew Brees final season. Brees signed a two-year contract earlier this month, but the final year on the deal is voidable. Payton says back-up Taysom Hill views himself as a starting Q-B and so do the Saints.

NFL owners voted today to expand the number of playoff teams to 14, one additional team from each conference will get in the postseason. The team with the best record in each league will get a first-round bye. So on wildcard weekend, there will be three playoff games Saturday and three more Sunday.

And the NFL’s president and general counsel Jeff Pash said today it’s there expectation that the season will start on time, with fans in the stands, despite the global coronavirus pandemic. They plan to release a full schedule by May 9th.

The H-B-O documentary “The Scheme” airs tonight and we are expecting to hear the FBI wiretaps that reportedly feature LSU basketball coach Will Wade talking with middleman Christian Dawkins about payments for recruits. Dawkins has been convicted for helping to funnel thousands of dollars between college basketball programs and recruits. So far Wade and LSU have avoided an NCAA investigation, but LSU beat reporter Glen Guilbeau of the USA Today Network says that could change after tonight’s documentary airs…
cut 17 (20) “…court of law
The documentary airs at 8 PM.

NCAA President Mark Emmert announces that he and his top executives will take a 20-percent pay cut as a result of lost revenues. Last week the NCAA announced that its distribution to Division One schools this year will go from 600 million dollars to 225 million dollars.

The NCAA has voted to give all spring student-athletes an extra year of eligibility because the coronavirus pandemic canceled their season. LSU athletic director Scott Woodward says he’s glad the NCAA saw the wisdom of passing this through, but it will be expensive, however, it is worth it. Louisiana Tech baseball coach Lane Burroughs says it’s a great decision for their seniors and juniors. So spring sports teams can expand their rosters beyond the current scholarship limit and the NCAA will leave it up to each school to decide how much current seniors will receive in financial aid if they decide to come back for another year.

Could 2020 be the final season for Saints Quarterback Drew Brees? Coach Sean Payton was on ESPN’s Get Up show and gave this quote. The unique situation with our team and our quarterback Drew Brees is he’s announced he’s coming back for his final season. Brees recently signed a two-year contract, but he could certainly walk away from the game after one season.

The NCAA Division One Council has voted to give all spring student-athletes an extra year of eligibility because most of their seasons were canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. LSU athletic director Scott Woodward says he’s glad the NCAA council saw the wisdom of passing this through, but it will be expensive, however, it is worth it. The decision means spring sports teams can expand their rosters beyond the current scholarship limit and the NCAA will leave it up to each school to decide how much current seniors will receive in financial aid if they decide to come back for another year.

Former Saints kicker Tom Dempsey has tested positive for coronavirus. Dempsey’s daughter told the New Orleans Advocate that her father contracted the virus at the Lambeth House senior living center, which has reported a number of cases. The 73-year-old is also battling Alzheimer’s e and dementia, but his daughter says he is doing okay.

The F-B-I wiretap that reportedly has LSU basketball coach Will Wade discussing a strong offer made to a recruit is expected to air tonight on an H-B-O Documentary titled “The Scheme.” Wade missed the NCAA Tournament last year because of the FBI wiretap scandal but was reinstated in May. LSU beat reporter for the USA Today Network Glen Guilbeau spoke to one of the writers of the documentary
Cut 16 (18) “…that is new”
Christian Dawkins was the man at the center of the FBI’s investigation into college basketball corruption and he’ll be telling his story in the documentary.

Saints president Dennis Lauscha says the 450-million dollar renovation of the Superdome continues despite the coronavirus outbreak.

In a podcast on the Saints website, General Manager Mickey Loomis says he’s surprised the team was able to re-sign defensive tackle David Onyemata and left guard Andrus Peat. Onyemata inked a three-year deal and Peat agreed to a five-year deal. Loomis says Peat’s greatest asset is his versatility…
cut 17 (25) “…in his part”

It was a sad weekend when it comes to deaths from the coronavirus. Former Saints Quarterback Bobby Hebert lost his 81-year-old father Bobby Hebert Senior. Former LSU wide receiver and track star Orlando McDaniel died at 59-years-old.

The NCAA Division One Council is scheduled to vote today on whether to allow another year of eligibility for spring sports athletes who had most of their seasons wiped out by the coronavirus pandemic. SEC Associate Commissioner Herb Vincent says they want what’s best for student-athletes, but this is a complex issue…
cut 30 (19) “…were leaving”

ESPN is reporting that the SEC is allowing its football coaches to have two hours of virtual instruction and video conferencing per week. That includes film review. It’s an attempt to make up for the loss of spring football. But ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit says he would be shocked if we have an NFL or college football season this fall.

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees and his wife, Brittany, are pledging five-million dollars so that 10-thousand meals can be served per day throughout Louisiana. Brees spoke today NBC’s Today show about his generous gesture. The interview ended with co-host Hoda Kotb, a former New Orleans T-V anchor tearing up and needing a moment to compose herself.

LSU A-D Scott Woodward tells the Advocate it’s way too premature to speculate on whether the coronavirus pandemic will wipe out the upcoming college football season. Sun Belt Commissioner Keith Gill doesn’t want to speculate either, but options are being discussed including games with no fans. ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit says he’ll be shocked if we have football in the fall.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has sent out a memo to teams that the draft will take place April 23rd to the 25th. Despite objections from Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis who favors delaying the draft.

Pelicans Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffen appeared on a podcast that you can hear at Pelicans-dot-com. Griffen says expects the Pels will finish out the regular season, which will allow fans to see the conclusion of what’s been an encouraging first season with the new-look team…
cut 18 (25) “…is”

Major League Baseball will hold a draft, but it might be only five rounds long and it could be postponed until July. Something to think about for LSU baseball stars Daniel Cabrera and Cole Henry, who are eligible for the draft, but also could return to LSU for another season.

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees and his wife, Brittany, are donating five-million dollars so that 10-thousand meals can be served per day throughout Louisiana. The Second Harvest Food Bank, Ochsner Health Systems, Walk-Ons, Jimmy Johns, Smalls Sliders and Waitr will join together to deliver the food. Brees said on an Instagram post that let’s all do our part, maintain hope and get through this together.

LSU A-D Scott Woodward tells the Advocate it’s way too premature to speculate whether the coronavirus pandemic will wipe out the upcoming college football season. Sun Belt Conference Commissioner Keith Gill was asked the same question and said he doesn’t want to speculate either, but options are being discussed including games with no fans.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has sent out a memo to teams that the draft will take place April 23rd to the 25tth. Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis is in favor of delaying the draft so scouts and personnel people can perform work they normally do, but can’t because of travel restrictions.

Pelicans Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffen appeared on a podcast that you can hear at Pelicans-dot-com. Griffen says expects the Pels will finish out the regular season, which will allow fans to see the conclusion of what’s been an encouraging first season with the new-look team…
cut 18 (25) “…is”

Major League Baseball will hold a draft, but it might be only five rounds long and it could be postponed until July. Something to think about for LSU baseball stars Daniel Cabrera and Cole Henry, who are eligible for the draft, but also could return to LSU.

Saints QB Drew Brees commits $5 million dollars to help feed Louisiana residents who are struggling financially as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Second Harvest Food Bank is one of the recipients of this generous donation, and President and CEO Natalie Jayroe calls Brees a true Saint.
Cut 12 (09) “…can’t be understated.”
Brees says he’s also working with Ochsner Health System, Walk-Ons, Jimmy Johns, Small Sliders and Waitr to prepare and deliver over 10,000 meals per day throughout Louisiana.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and about 100 of the league’s top-earning executives are taking a 20-percent pay cut as the league remains on hibernation. The players are receiving pay through April 1st, but the NBA has yet to commit to paying players beyond that date.

Today was supposed to be opening day for Major League Baseball. Commissioner Rob Manfred told ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt he’s still optimistic that the season will begin in mid-May, but they will not have a 162-game schedule. You might see some seven-inning doubleheaders.

And Major League Baseball will reportedly push its draft back to July and it could be shortened. Some owners have wondered if there should be a draft at all in 2020, because of cash-flow issues. But M-L-B and its players’ association are discussing a draft that’s five or ten rounds long and a large portion of the signing bonus could be deferred until July 2021 and 2022.

Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis is one of several GMS who would like to see the NFL draft pushed back. But the league still plans on holding the draft a month from now.

Saints coach Sean Payton says he’s been cleared by doctors after testing positive for COVID-19 last week.

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees announced on Instagram today that he and his wife are pledging five million dollars to various causes to help Louisiana residents impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. Brees says the donations will help pay for 10-thousand meals per day throughout Louisiana for as long as it takes. Brees ended his message by saying let’s all do your part, maintain hope and get through this together.

Brees is not the only professional athlete in Louisiana who has donated money to help out those who have lost paychecks as a result of the economic shutdown. Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson volunteered to cover a month’s pay lost by Smoothie King Center workers. In a podcast that can be heard at pelicans-dot-com, Pels owner Gayle Benson, says it’s a terrific gesture…
cut 14 (09) “…young man”

Today was supposed to be opening day for Major League Baseball. Commissioner Rob Manfred told ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt he’s still optimistic that the season will begin in mid-May, but they will not have a 162-game schedule. You might see some seven-inning doubleheaders.

Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis is one of several GMS who would like to see the NFL draft pushed back, so the teams can gather more info on the players. But the league still plans on holding the draft a month from now.

Saints coach Sean Payton told WWL Radio last night that’s he’s been cleared by doctors after testing positive for COVID-19. Payton says over a week ago he felt flu-like symptoms and developed a low-grade fever. He’s now feeling better but remains quarantined.

Safety Vonn Bell is moving on from the Saints as he reportedly agreed to a three-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals. Last year, Bell led the NFL in fumble recoveries with five, even though he missed the last three regular-season games with a knee injury. His departure seemed inevitable after the team signed Malcolm Jenkins.

Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson’s teams may be shut down, but she’s busy trying to help those impacted by COVID-19 through her Community Assistance Fund. Benson donated one million dollars to the fund and says she’s inspired by the amount of charity and solidarity she’s seeing in New Orleans.
Cut 13 (09) “…come back.”

Saints coach Sean Payton told WWL Radio last night that’s he’s been cleared by doctors after testing positive for COVID-19. Payton says over a week ago he felt flu-like symptoms and developed a low-grade fever. He’s now feeling better but remains quarantined.

Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis is one of several GMS who would like to see the NFL draft pushed back, so the teams can gather more info on the players. But the league still plans on holding the draft a month from now.

The Saints have reworked cornerback Janoris Jenkins’ contract which has resulted in the veteran receiving a two-year contract extension. His new deal also gives New Orleans more salary-cap flexibility this year.

Former Saints safety Vonn Bell has reportedly agreed to a three-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals. He led the NFL in fumble recoveries last year with five, even though he missed the last three regular-season games with a knee injury.

Today would have been opening day for Major League Baseball. Commissioner Rob Manfred told ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt he’s still optimistic that the season will begin in May, but they will not have a 162-game schedule. You might see some seven-inning doubleheaders.

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban hopes NBA can return in mid-May. Cuban says he came up with that projection by talking with the CDC and other places.

Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Joe Burrow has tweeted out a video message asking everyone to follow the directions of the government as we fight the COVID-19 pandemic….
cut 30 (35) “…go Tigers”
Burrow is set to become the N-F-L’s number one pick when the draft takes place from April 23rd to the 25th. There’s a push by general managers to move the draft back, but the N-F-L says they are not postponing the draft.

Former Saints safety Vonn Bell has reportedly agreed to a three-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals. The Black and Gold drafted Bell in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft out of Ohio State. This past season, he had 89 tackles, five passes defensed, one interception and two forced fumbles.

The head baseball coach for seventh and eighth graders at Lusher Charter School in New Orleans has died while on a ventilator with COVID-19 symptoms. Cornell Charles also known as Coach Dickey was also a varsity assistant baseball and football coach and the longest-tenured coach on Lusher’s staff. NOLA-dot-com says Charles was in his 50s and was awaiting the test results on whether he had the coronavirus.

A former football player from Scotlandville High School in Baton Rouge died Tuesday night inside his apartment in Pullman, Washington. 22-year-old Bryce Beekman played football for Washington State. Law enforcement went to his apartment because they reportedly received a call concerning “breathing problems” with an individual. The local coroner has not released any other details.