Saints Coach Sean Payton calls himself a big dummy for saying 2020 will be Drew Brees’ final season. Payton said on ESPN’s “Get Up” that Brees has announced he’s coming back for his final season. But yesterday Payton told reporters on a conference call that he misspoke…
cut 19 (20) “…mentally”
Meanwhile, Payton, scouts and the rest of the front office are preparing for the upcoming draft working out of Dixie Brewery in New Orleans east. Teams are not allowed to use their own facilities because of the COVID-19 outbreak. Payton says they only have a handful of people at the brewery and they communicating with many others through video conferencing.

Court records show LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron filed for divorce from his wife Kelly on February 26th. Orgeron says that he and his wife separated on February 24th. Ed and Kelly have been married for 23 years and have twin boys who were born in 1998.

The NCAA has extended the recruiting dead period through May 31st. So that means no unofficial or official visits for high school or transfer prospects. So a lot of the players in the transfer portal might have to make a decision on a school without ever physically visiting the school.

LSU A-D Scott Woodward says nothing has changed with basketball coach Will Wade’s employment. The H-B-O documentary the Scheme aired the FBI wiretap of Wade talking with a federally convicted middleman about the strong offer to get guard Javonte Smart to sign with LSU.

Golf Digest is reporting the 2020 Open Championship scheduled for Royal St. George’s in July will be canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Saints Coach Sean Payton called himself a big dummy today when speaking to reporters on a conference call. Payton said he misspoke when he said on ESPN that Quarterback Drew Brees would be playing in his final season in 2020. The coach says nothing has changed with Brees, and that the 41-year-old is taking it year-by-year.

LSU Athletics Director Scott Woodward says nothing has changed with basketball coach Will Wade’s employment. The H-B-O documentary the Scheme aired the FBI wiretap of Wade talking with a federally convicted middleman about the strong offer to get guard Javonte Smart to sign with LSU. Woodward says they are aware of the documentary and they’ll continue to cooperate with all reviews into the matter. A Sports Illustrated report says NCAA investigators watched the documentary and took notes.

You will not be able to watch Wimbledon this year. The big tennis event at the All England Club has been canceled for the first time since 1945.

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said previously that he hoped the NBA could re-start its season in mid-May. But Cuban said today on ESPN’s Get Up he has no idea on when teams can return to the court. Cuban says the only thing he knows is that they’ll put safety first and they will not take any chances.

In college sports. the NCAA has extended the recruiting dead period through May 31st. So that means no unofficial or official visits for high school or transfer prospects. So a lot of the players in the transfer portal might have to make a decision on a school without ever physically visiting the school.

And here’s a nice gesture, Texas Rangers outfielder Shin-Soo Choo will give each minor leaguer in the Rangers organization one-thousand dollars during this shutdown. Major League Baseball ahs said that minor-league players will get 400-dollars a week through May 31st.

Also, the London Series, between the Cubs and Cardinals in mid-June has been canceled.

Based on the comments Saints Coach Sean Payton gave during an appearance on the ESPN show “Get Up,” 2020 will be the final season for quarterback Drew Brees. The future Hall of Famer signed a two-year contract last month, but that second year is voidable. Payton said on the ESPN show that Brees is coming back for his final season.

There will be 14 playoff teams instead of 12 next season as the owners voted to add another team from each league to the postseason. Only the number one seed will receive a bye and there will be three games on Saturday and three more on Sunday during wild-card weekend. The league also says a 2020 schedule will be released before May 9th. It usually comes out in mid-April.

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron told an ESPN Baton Rouge radio station that he doesn’t think the season will be delayed. Coach O believes the curve in cases will flatten by summer.

LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine says a decision to cancel spring sports seasons has not been made, but with the governor extending the stay at home order through April, it means no games could be played until May at the earliest. The association’s executive committee meets next week and a decision could be made then.

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.

ESPN reports the NBA and its players’ association are discussing scenarios for withholding up to 25-percent of players remaining salaries in a league escrow if regular-season games eventually are canceled. The association is looking at various options to re-start the regular season, possibly playing all games in Las Vegas or another location.

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.