Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas did not report to training camp as he seeks a contract that would make him the highest-paid receiver in the NFL. There are media reports that Thomas is looking for a deal that would pay him 20-million dollars a year. The voice of the New Orlean Saints, Zach Streif, doesn’t expect it will be a long holdout as the two sides are close to a new deal. But Streif says Thomas’ absence will help the Black and Gold build depth at wide receiver, which the team lacked last year…
cut 14 (13) “…impact”
Thomas has performed as one of the best receivers in the NFL over the last three years.

LSU announces it will sell beer and wine this season to fans over the age of 21 in the general seating areas at Tiger Stadium. A new SEC policy approved in the Spring gave the schools the option to sell beer and wine in public areas. LSU Senior Associate athletics director Robert Munson says this is something Tigers fans have been waiting for…
cut 3 (10) “…this fall”
Munson says a variety of domestic and imported beer as well as red and white wines will be available at most concession stands. The school has yet to decide how much it will cost.

The LSU basketball team has released its non-conference schedule. The 2019-2020 season gets underway on Friday November 8th at home against Bowling Green. The Tigers will host Nicholls, UNO and Northwestern State in the non-conference, while travel to V-C-U, U-S-C and Texas. The contest against the Longhorns will be part of the SEC-Big 12 Challenge in January.

Today is reporting day for the Saints as the first training camp practice is set for tomorrow, but star wide receiver Michael Thomas is a no-show. Thomas has one year left on his rookie contract, but he’s reportedly looking for a new deal that would pay him 20-million dollars a year, making him the highest-paid receiver in the country. ESPN’s Mike Triplett believes a new deal eventually gets done…
cut 10 (11) “…around him”
Thomas holds the record for most receptions through a player’s first three years with 321.

LSU announces it will sell beer and wine this season to fans over the age of 21 at concessions stands in the general seating areas at Tiger Stadium. A new SEC policy approved in the Spring gave schools the option to sell beer and wine in public areas. The school has yet to decide how much a beer or chardonnay will cost you.

LSU President F. King Alexander has heard the feedback concerning the conditions of some buildings on campus while opening a new $28 million dollar football operations center.
Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The LSU basketball team has released its non-conference schedule. The 2019-2020 season gets underway on Friday November 8th at home against Bowling Green. The Tigers will host Nicholls, UNO and Northwestern State in the non-conference, while traveling to V-C-U, U-S-C and Texas. The contest against the Longhorns will be part of the SEC-Big 12 Challenge in January.

The Saints report for training camp today with expectations of repeating as NFC South champs. But ESPN Saints reporter Mike Triplett says like with every team, the Black and Gold has some question marks. Triplett says his biggest concern with this team is the defensive line. New Orleans lost end Alex Okafor in free agency and defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins is starting training camp on the physically unable to peform list after tearing his Achilles tendon in the playoffs. Triplett says that puts all eyes on second-year pro, Marcus Davenport….
cut 11 (11) “…quickly”
The 22-year-old notched 4.5 sacks last season, but battled a midseason toe injury.

The Saints have reportedly signed 10-year veteran defensive end Ziggy Hood. He played in 12 games last season, splitting time between the Redskins and Dolphins. The former first round pick has 14 career sacks.

LSU has been known as a school that receives more donations for its athletic programs then its academic programs. But LSU System President F King Alexander says that’s changing, thanks to the school’s aggressive one-point-five billion dollar push for donations….
cut 9 (11) “….doing both”
Alexander made the comments at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the school’s new 28-million dollar football operations building that was paid for by private donations. He says the latest numbers show that 70-percent of the donations coming to the school are for academics, while the other 30-percent is for athletics.

Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson has reportedly landed the most lucrative shoe deal for a rookie in NBA history. It reportedly suprasses 100-million dollars. The previous record was LeBron James’ seven-year 87-million dollar with Nike in 2003.

And former LSU Tiger Josh Gray has signed a two-way deal with the Pelicans.

Today the media toured the new $28 million dollar football operations building at LSU as part of a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Athletic Director Scott Woodward says his goal is to see LSU have the best of everything.
Cut 3 (09) “…here at LSU.”
Even though there’s been some backlash against the lavishness of the facility compared to the bad shape of some academic buildings, Woodward says most of the feed back has been positive.

The Saints report to training camp tomorrow. Mike Triplett covers the Black and Gold for the Saints says one of the new additions to watch is Latavius Murray who will attempt to replace running back Mark Ingram…
cut 30 (11) “…if needed”

2-guard JJ Redick has officially signed his two year deal with the Pelicans, guaranteeing the young team one of the best shooters in the league, and a player known for his skills as a mentor and culture builder. The 35-year-old Redick, who has never missed the playoffs, could have had his pick of the litter in free agency, but he didn’t hesitate when New Orleans called…
Cut 16 (17) “…momentum.”
Redick recently finished a stint in Philly where he posted a career-high 18 points a game while shooting nearly 40 percent from 3.

D-1 Baseball’s Kendall Rogers reports that U-L Lafayette head baseball coach Matt Deggs plans to hire former two-time major league baseball all-star B-J Ryan as his pitching coach. Ryan is a former Ragin Cajun who played for several seasons in the majors with Toronto and Baltimore.

Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson has signed a multi-year apparel deal with Jordan Brand, whose parent company is Nike. The terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the former Duke star is reportedly receiving 75 million dollars.

J-J Redick says he decided to sign with the Pelicans because he likes the momentum the franchise has been building since David Griffin took over as the team’s executive vice president of basketball operations. The 35-year-old three-point specialist agreed to a two-year, 26.5 million dollar deal and has no problem being a mentor for the young guys on the roster….
cut 18 (17) “….action”
Redick gained a reputation for embracing the role of a mentor during his later years in Orlando.

The Saints report for training camp tomorrow and defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins will start camp on the physically unable to perform list. Rankins continues to recover from a torn Achilles tendon suffered in the Saints playoff win over Philadelphia on January 13th. If Rankins remains on the PUP list when the regular season starts, he’ll be forced to miss the first six games.

LSU baseball played Texas last March, the Tigers football team will travel to Austin in September and now it’s being reported the basketball team will play the Longhorns on their home floor as part of the S-E-C-Big 12 challenge. The game will take place on January 25th according to C-B-S Sports College basketball insider Jon Rothstein.

D-1 Baseball’s Kendall Rogers reports that U-L Lafayette head baseball coach Matt Deggs plans to hire former two-time major league baseball all-star B-J Ryan as his pitching coach. Ryan is a former Ragin Cajun who played for several seasons in the majors with Toronto and Baltimore.

The Saints report for training camp tomorrow and defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins will start camp on the physically unable to perform list. Rankins continues to recover from a torn Achilles tendon suffered in the Saints playoff win over Philadelphia on January 13th. If Rankins remains on the PUP list when the regular season starts, he’ll be forced to miss the first six games.

LSU baseball played Texas last March, the Tigers football team will travel to Austin in September and now it’s being reported the basketball team will play the Longhorns on their home floor as part of the S-E-C-Big 12 challenge. The game will take place on January 25th according to C-B-S Sports College basketball insider Jon Rothstein.

D-1 Baseball’s Kendall Rogers reports that U-L Lafayette head baseball coach Matt Deggs plans to hire former two-time major league baseball all-star B-J Ryan as his pitching coach. Ryan is a former Ragin Cajun who played for several seasons in the majors with Toronto and Baltimore.

Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson has signed a multi-year apparel deal with Jordan Brand, whose parent company is Nike. The terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the former Duke star is reportedly receiving 75 million dollars.

Another former Duke star, J-J Redick, spoke with reporters yesterday about signing with the Pelicans. He joins a growing Duke contingent in the Crescent City with newly acquired forwards Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson, along with side existing bench players Jahil Okafor and Frank Jackson…
cut 17 (19) “….real”
Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffen says targeted Redick in free agency because his veteran presence can help set the tone for the young team.

LSU football coaches and players are impressed with their new 28-million dollar football operations building that features a new locker room, cafeteria and players lounge. Meanwhile, LSU mass communications professor Bob Mann says there are several academic buildings in the need of repairs, especially the library…
cut 13 (10) “…being pumped out”
LSU’s new ops building was paid for by private donations.

Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson has signed a contract to endorse Nike’s Jordan Brand of sneakers. Williamson chose Nike over Adidas and Under Armour, even though he broke his Nike sneaker in a game against North Carolina last February.

And Williamson has decided not to participate in the USA Basketball training camp that takes place next month in Las Vegas.

At Sun Belt Media Day, UL-Lafayette Coach Billy Napier says Levi Lewis enters preseason camp as the starting quarterback. Lewis appeared in every game last season, getting a chance to play every fourth drive. Napier says they are still waiting to see if transfer Brayden Hawkins will be eligible to play this season. Hawkins transferred in from Maryland and he’ll join several other quarterbacks who are competing for playing time.

The Saints report for training camp on Thursday. Will Pro Bowl wide receiver Michael Thomas have a deal done by then. Yahoo Sports reports the Saints are offering a contract that will pay Thomas 18 to 19 million dollars a year, while Thomas is reportedly looking for 20-million a year.

And former LSU star Odell Beckham Junior told G-Q magazine that he felt disrespected when the Giants traded the star wide receiver to the Browns. Beckham says the Giants have been a losing a franchise lately and he’s the only reason why the team still appeared in prime time games.

Not everyone is elated with the 28-million dollars in renovations done to LSU’s football operations building. The money from private donations has resulted in a new locker room that includes pods so a player can take a nap in their locker space, a first-class nutrition center, players lounge and much more. On social media, several people including one LSU professor pointed out that the library on campus is in need of repairs, but a building that opened in 2005 has already received an extensive renovation.

The Saints report for training camp on Thursday. Will Pro Bowl wide receiver Michael Thomas have a deal done by then. Yahoo Sports reports the Saints are offering a contract that will pay Thomas 18 to 19 million dollars a year, while Thomas is reportedly looking for 20-million a year.

And former LSU star Odell Beckham Junior told G-Q magazine that he felt disrespected when the Giants traded the star wide receiver to the Browns.

It’s year two of the Billy Napier era at U-L Lafayette. Napier led his team to a Sun Belt Western Division championship last year and at Sun Belt Media Day in New Orleans he discussed what needs to happen for the program to take the next step…
cut 30 (22) “…specialists”
ULM coach Matt Viator discussed finishing strong after ending last season with back to back losses…
cut 19 (19) “…care of itself”

The unveiling of LSU’s renovated football operations and performance nutrition center has created a feisty debate on social media, with several current and former players defending the 28-million dollar private investment. The players new lockers feature pods that can fold out, so an athlete can get a little shut eye. But many are questioning the need for an improved facility while the school’s library continues to fall apart.

Yahoo’s Charles Robinson reports the Saints have offered Michael Thomas a new deal that would pay him 18 to 19-million dollars a year. But Thomas wants to be the first receiver in the NFL to earn an average of 20-million dollars per year. The 26-year-old is entering the final year of his contract that will pay him just one-point-two million dollars.

Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson will not attend the USA Basketball training camp in Las Vegas next month. Williamson was expected to part of a 10-member team to compete with others who are looking to make the USA Team that will compete in the FIBA World Cup.

At Sun Belt Media Days, U-L Lafayette Coach Billy Napier says Levi Lewis begins the season at the top of the depth chart at quarterback…
cut 28 (22) “…on people”
As a passer last season, Lewis was 37 of 59 for 585 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions.

In Monroe, the Warhawks finished 6-and-6 last season, but did not receive a bowl bid. ULM Coach Matt Viator says the two losses at the end of the season are providing motivation…
cut 29 (21) “…enough plays”

LSU believes it has set the standard with its renovated football operations building that includes a new training room, players lounge, cafeteria and locker room. Equipment manager Greg Stringfellow says each player’s locker features a pod as a chair that folds out into a bed, allowing a player to take a nap
Cut 3 (11) “…resting.”
Stringfellow says no other college football program in the country has a locker room where you can actually lay down and get some rest. He says to have that and a first-class nutrition center should help maximize a player’s efficiency
Cut 5 (11) “…perform.”
The renovations cost 23-million dollars and were paid for by private donations through the Tiger Athletic Foundation.

LSU announces it will retire the jersey of men’s basketball all-American Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf. The jersey will be retired during a game in the upcoming season. The Gulfport, Mississippi, native was named a first-team All-American in 1989 and 1990 and he’s the only freshman in college basketball history to average over 30 points per game.

Former major leaguer Lee Smith is now in the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. The Bienville Parish native came from the small town of Castor, which has about four-hundred people in it. He finished with 478 saves. Two of his best seasons were in the early 1990s with the Cardinals, where he saved 47 and 43 games in back-to-back seasons.

At Sun Belt Media Day in New Orleans, Ragin Cajuns coach Billy Napier announced that starting center Cole Prudhomme underwent surgery after tearing his A-C-L late in spring practice. Napier says they’ll make a determination in September on whether Prudhomme will play this season or red shirt. Third-year sophomore Shane Vallot is a top candidate to replace Prudhomme.