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.

The Saints are scheduled to report for training camp on Tuesday and camp is expected to start on time as long as players agree to changes to the CBA, which is expected. ESPN and the NFL Network report the N-F-L P-A has already voted unanimously to the changes, which include reducing the maximum training camp roster size to 80, new health and safety protocols and it keeps the salary cap where it’s at for this season. Any revenue losses would be spread out over the next four years. The Saints have also announced the cancellation of their four preseason games.

LSU freshman Arik Gilbert has been named Gatorade Male High School Athlete of the Year. He’s the first tight end to win the award. Gilbert caught 104 passes for 1,860 yards and 15 touchdowns last season as he led Marietta High School to a state championship in Georgia last year.

After winning three games last season, expectations are not high for Northwestern State to have a big season on the football field this year. The Southland Conference preseason poll has the Demons finishing 10th in the eleven team league. Northwestern will start a new quarterback, but Coach Brad Laird says he has three talented players that can win the job
Cut 16 (23) “…leadership standpoint.”

The Southland Conference announced today that member schools will not start their volleyball and soccer seasons until at least September 1st. McNeese took it a step further by announcing its volleyball and soccer teams will only play against conference teams this year.

Major League Baseball’s 60 game regular season schedule is off and running after the Yankees and Dodgers won last night. The rest of M-L-B gets underway today with 14 games. There are nine former LSU Tigers on opening day rosters.

LSU standout cornerback Derek Stingley Junior is on the Paul Hornung Award Watch List, which goes to the most versatile player in major college football. Stingley will be a lockdown corner for the Bayou Bengals this season and he’s also a dangerous punt returner.

ULM’s Josh Johnson and Ragin Cajuns Quarterback Levi Lewis are on the Maxwell Award Watch List. The Maxwell Award goes to the best player in college football. Johnson is also a preseason candidate for the Doak Walker Award, which goes to the nation’s top running back. Lewis is also on the Davey O’ Brien Award preseason watch list after throwing for three-thousand yards and 26 touchdowns last season.

LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine says they are discussing their options for a fall sports season based on the guidelines that have been established by the state legislature and BESE. Bonine also says it’s important to get school started and then figure out the athletics part…
cut 30 (12) “….format”
Bonine has said the state needs to move beyond Phase 3 of its reopening for high school football games to be played.

A shortened Major League Baseball season is underway as there were two games last night that saw Yankees and Dodgers both win last night. There’s a full slate of games today. There are nine former LSU Tigers on Major League Baseball rosters.

In college football news, the Pac-12 is reportedly planning a ten-game conference-only football schedule that would start on September 19th.

Nicholls has shared the Southland conference title the last two seasons and they are picked to finish third this year. Senior linebacker Evan Veron says he wants to complete his collegiate career with an outright Southland title
Cut 18 (14) “…all ours”
Northwestern State has been picked to finish in tenth place after winning just three games last season. But the Demons have one of the best linebackers in the Southland in Ja’Quay Pough. Pough has told his teammates to have fun this year…
cut 17 (21) “….fall into place”
Northwestern’s first game is versus U-I-W on September 3rd.

The Pelicans had an easy time cutting down the Brooklyn Nets last night in their first scrimmage since entering the NBA’s bubble in Orlando. Brandon Ingram had 12 points in 11 minutes in a 99-68 win. There’s still no timetable on when Zion Williamson will return as he attends to a family matter. The Pels say Williamson has been getting tested daily for COVID-19 and does plan on rejoining the team. New Orleans next scrimmage game is Saturday night versus Denver.

The Sun Belt announced today that the start of the fall sports season has been postponed until September 3rd. The league says the delay will give schools more time to implement protocols for a safe return to competition.

The shortened Major League Baseball Season begins tonight with the Nationals hosting the Yankees and the Dodgers taking on the Giants. Washington star Juan Soto has tested positive for COVID-19, so he’s out.
The Ivy League, Patriot League, the MEAC and SWAC have made the decision to postpone the start of their football seasons. But Southland Conference Commissioner Tom Burnett says they plan to play in the fall…
cut 20 (10) “…lies’
Nicholls needs a new season-opening opponent as they were set to play Mississippi Valley State. Louisiana Tech will face Houston Baptist in its home opener. They will take the place of Prarie View A-and-M.

In an open letter to parents and student-athletes, LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine says there are no plans to cancel fall sports and they are committed to a safe start for fall sports…
cut 10 (12) “…format”
Bonine has said the state needs to move beyond Phase 3 of its reopening in order for high school football games to be played.

The Pelicans had an easy time cutting down the Brooklyn Nets last night in their first scrimmage since entering the NBA’s bubble in Orlando. Brandon Ingram had 12 points in 11 minutes in a 99-68 win. Zion Williamson did not play as he remains away from the team attending an urgent family matter. The Pels say Williamson has been getting tested daily for COVID-19 and does plan on rejoining the team, but there’s no timetable for his return.

Louisiana High School Athletic Association executive director Eddie Bonine has sent a letter to parents and student-athletes letting them know they have no intention of canceling fall sports, unless the pandemic dictates it’s not safe to play. Bonine says they are committed to conducting fall sports…
cut 9 (12) “…safe manner”
Bonine also says in the letter that the LHSAA will adhere to all standards set forth recently by the state legislature and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Southland Conference Commissioner Tom Burnett says they are planning to proceed with the upcoming football season as scheduled. Burnett says they expect a full slate of games will be played on Labor Day weekend. Burnett says university presidents and athletic directors continue to meet and the health and safety of the student-athletes is their top priority…
Cut 18 (15) “…looking at that”

Earlier this week, the SWAC decided to move its football season to the spring. That left Louisiana Tech without an opponent for its home opener as they were set to play Prairie View A-and-M. The Bulldogs have announced they will play Southland member Houston Baptist instead.

The Sun Belt announced today that the start of the fall sports season has been postponed until September 3rd. The league says the delay will give schools more time to implement protocols for a safe return to competition.

The Pelicans had a successful return to the court last night in the Walt Disney World Bubble, beating Brooklyn 99-68 in a scrimmage game. Brandon Ingram had 12 points in eleven minutes and hit three three-pointers. New Orleans made 13 three-pointers as a team. E-Twaun Moore had 14 points and hit two three-pointers and Nickeil Alexander-Walker also had 14 points. The Pels also provided an update on rookie Zion Williamson, who has been away from the team for a week to attend to an urgent family matter. The franchise says Williamson fully intends to rejoin the team, but there’s no timetable on his return. Also, Zion is getting tested daily for COVID-19.

The NFL says if there are fans allowed inside stadiums this year, they will be required to wear masks. The Saints have not made a determination on whether fans will be allowed in the Superdome.

The Southland Conference is planning for its football season to begin on time, but obviously they are monitoring the situation as coronavirus cases continue to rise in Louisiana, Texas, and Arkansas. Commissioner Tom Burnett also did not rule out the possibility of fans at games…
cut 19 (17) “…their states”
The Southland also released its preseason poll. Central Arkansas is the preseason favorite. Nicholls is picked to finish third, Southeastern Louisiana fourth, McNeese fifth, and Northwestern State tenth place.

LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine has written an open letter to parents telling them that there are no plans to cancel fall sports unless schools are closed for the pandemic like they were last spring.