The Saints have reportedly signed veteran wide receivers Michael Floyd and Brandon Tate. Floyd is a former first round pick of the Arizona Cardinals, but caught just 10 passes for Minnesota last season. Tate hauled in six passes with the Bills last year, but he’s also returned punts and kicks. Sean Payton has said there’s an extensive search for a returner.

The attorney for suspended LSU cornerback Kristian Fulton says the NCAA will hear Fulton’s appeal on August ninth. Fulton has reportedly been suspended for two years for tampering with an NCAA drug test. Attorney Don Jackson has expressed confidence Fulton will play this season, because new evidence has come to light.

There were 15 trades in Major League Baseball in the hours leading up to the trade deadline. One of them involved former LSU pitcher Kevin Gausman who went from Baltimore to Atlanta in a six player deal. Former Southeastern Lousiaina pitcher Wade Miley pitched seven shutout innings to help the Brewers beat the Dodgers one to nothing last night.

ULM begins fall camp today and the Warhawks enter the season with an established starter at quarterback Caleb Evans, who threw for 28-hundred yards and 17 touchdowns last season and also rushed for 13 scores. ULM Coach Matt Viator says they’ve worked with Evans on having a better overall grasp of the offense…
cut 19 (17) “…doing that”

And starting this afternoon, you can place sports bets at two Mississippi casinos, Beau Rivage in Biloxi and Gold Strike in Tunica. Executive Director of the Mississippi Gaming and Hospital Association, Larry Gregory, says they expect to see a lot of Louisiana license plates in the parking garages of those two casinos….
cut 12 (09) “…in sports then”

Rookie wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith has caught the eye of those observing Saints training camp. The former third round pick out of Central Florida has made several spectacular plays, especially on deep balls. Head Coach Sean Payton says Smith still faces a huge learning curve….
cut 30 (14) “…focused on”
No practice today for the Saints as the players get a day off. They’ll be back at it tomorrow with another morning practice that’s open to the public, but no more tickets are available to view 8:50 in the morning workout.

Former Saints special teams legend and now ALS advocate Steve Gleason and his wife are expecting a baby girl in October. A successful in-vitro fertilization procedure has led to the pregnancy. The couple’s first child, Rivers, is six-years-old. Gleason was diagnosed with A-L-S in 2011.

If you check out the latest recruiting rankings at 24-7 sports, LSU has fallen from third to eighth in the country. Georgia has moved up to number two after picking up verbal commitments from Destrehan running back John Emery and University High wide receiver Makiya Tongue. Alabama is number one, followed by Georgia, Texas A-and-M, Clemson, Oklahoma, Oregon, Ohio State and then LSU.

Louisiana Tech has received a verbal commitment from defensive end Keivie Rose from Henderson, Texas. He also reportedly received offers from Colorado State, Boise State and Arkansas State.

Louisiana Tech men’s basketball has announced its league schedule. The Bulldogs will host five fo the top six finishers in the Conference USA, including regular season champion Middle Tennessee in the second week of January. Conference play tips off with a home game against Southern Miss on December 29th.

LSU takes over the SEC Network tonight at 11:00 with a replay of the Tigers victory over UL Lafayette in last March’s spirited NIT game. LSU’s win over Florida in football last season will be shown tomorrow morning.

Rookie wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith has created a lot of buzz during the first few days of Saints training camp. The third round pick out of Central Florida has made a lot of big plays, especially on deep passes. A hamstring injury early in summer kept him from developing strength in his lower body and Coach Sean Payton likes what he sees now…
cut 30 (19) “…for him”
Bad news for another receiver trying to make an impression. Former LSU and Breaux Bridge standout Travin Dural reportedly has a broken arm. No word on how long he’ll be out.

Today at Saints camp, the defense outperformed the offense during team drills, with five interceptions.

A Team Gleason spokesperson says former Saints special teams standout Steve Gleason and his wife Michel, are expecting a child in October. The couple has one son, Rivers, who is six-years-old. Gleason was diagnosed with A-L-S in 2011. A successful in-vitro fertilization procedure will lead to child number two.

If you check out the latest recruiting ranking at 24-7, LSU has fallen from third to eighth in the country. LSU has 18 verbal pledges, but it appears they’ve missed out on Destrehan’s John Emery. The talented running back has committed to Georgia, so has University High wide receiver Makiya Tongue.

Louisiana Tech men’s basketball has released its league schedule for the upcoming season. The Dunkin Dawgs will play Southern Miss home and away and every other league opponent once through the first seven weeks. In the final three weeks, The Bulldogs will play four more conference games. The opponents will be determined based on the standings.

The Saints are looking for a return man to emerge at training camp and Head Coach Sean Payton found a humorous way to explain the wide open competition…
cut 30 (15) “…whatever”
The Saints were 25th in the NFL in punt returns last year. Ted Ginn Jr and Tommylee Lewis held down that responsibility last year, but neither player did a great job.

Former LSU and Breaux Bridge star Travin Dural has suffered a broken arm, which will hurt his chances of making the team. Dural spent last year on the practice squad and was hoping to secure one of the final spots on the 53-man roster.

Two outstanding high school football prospects from south Louisiana have committed to Georgia. One of them is Destrehan’s John Emery, who is considered one of the top running backs in the country. Four-star wide receiver Makiya Tongue from University High in Baton Rouge has also committed to the Bulldogs.

UL Lafayette football received three verbal commitments over the weekend, includine one from New Iberia’s Ja’Braylon Spencer, who is one of the top linebackers in Acadiana. West Monroe defensive lineman Dalvin Hutchinson and Southern Lab Tyler Guidry also committed to the Cajuns.

Former West Monroe linebacker John Bailey Gullat has reportedly transferred to ULM. The All-Stater originally signed with Army and he’ll be eligible to play immediately for the Warhawls. Gullat ranks number one at West Monroe for tackles over a prep career.

The Saints defense made major strides last season. From 2014-2016, New Orleans was ranked 27th or worse in total defense. Last year they ranked 17th overall. Defensive End Cam Jordan believes they can reach even a higher level this year…
cut 18 (24) “…making strides”

There are reports the NCAA has agreed to re-open the appeal of LSU cornerback Kristian Fulton. The five-star prospect from Rummel High School in Jefferson Parish has not been able to play, because he allegedly tampered with a drug testing sample. But an attorney for the Fulton family says there’s new evidence to present to the NCAA.

Dozens of softball teams from around the southeast are in Alexandria for the Dixie Girls Softball World Series, which is esimated to bring in over five-thousand visitors. Alexandria-Pineville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director Sherry Ellington says they’ve hosted this event before, but….
cut 10 (05) “…largest one so far
All nine divisions are represented at this Dixie Girls Softball World Series, which games starting Saturday and running through Thursday.

Baton Rouge-based Marucci has signed a deal with LSU to be the official supplier of bats and other equipment for the Fighting Tigers baseball team. Marucci’s CEO is former LSU pitcher Kurt Ainsworth. Marucci started out making wooden bats, and several major leaguers use their bats. Marucci now produces gloves, catcher’s gear and bags to carry the equipment.

A 46 year old record has been broken with the Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo as Guy Cenac reeled in a 208-pound tarpon. It took nearly three hours for the Houma native to get the big fish into his boat.

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees and his teammates are back at practice this morning for Day Two of training camp. Brees says he feels good about his offensive line this season…
cut 17 (21) “….good thing”
No Sean Payton at practice today. The head coach is away attending the funeral of Vikings offensive line coach Tony Sparano who died unexpectedly at the age of 56 last Sunday.

The Pelicans have announced the signing of free agent forward Troy Williams. He appeared in five games for the New York Knicks summer league and averaged 12 points and four rebounds a game. Last season, he played in 21 games with the Knicks and Rockets and averaged six points a contest.

A new high school sports season is right around the corner and the Louisiana High School Athletic Association is looking to add new officials for the various sports they govern. LHSAA Director of Officials Lee Sanders they are looking for younger refs, because the average age of officials has been on the rise the last two decades….
cut 11 (11) :”…in different sports”
For more information go to lhsoa.com. Tomorrow, about 15-hundred officials will attend a clinic in New Orleans.

All nine divisions of the Dixie Girls Softball World Series are taking place today through Thursday in Alexandria. The teams hail from across the southeast Louisiana and the city is expecting about five-thousand visitors. The tournament is open to the public, a weekly pass can be purchased for 25-dollars.

Thirty-nine-year-old Saints Quarterback Drew Brees is beginning his 18th season and remains very motivated. Brees wants to win another championship and if he stays healthy, he’ll break the NFL’s career passing yardage record. The future Hall of Famer says he’s not taking anything for granted…
Cut 16 (20) “ever have”
Brees will wear a new helmet this year, because the one he was wearing is not allowed in the NFL next season. This new helmet is designed to reduce concussions and the face mask looks different.

LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda was at the Saints first training camp practice yesterday and plans to be there again today. Aranda says he’s been talking with the Saints coaches about scheme and linebacker play.

Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones has reported to training camp as the team has decided to renegotiate his deal. The two-time All-Pro selection is entering the third year of a five year, 71-million dollar contract. The Falcons say they’ve made an adjustment to Jones’ deal without a dramatic change to their salary cap.

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association is on the lookout to recruit more sports officials. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 2 (28) ”I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Training camp is underway for the Saints who have a roster that’s built to make another run into the postseason. But with every year there are question marks. General Manager Mickey Loomis hopes they get some answers before the regular season starts…
cut 30 (20) “…for his injury”
Loomis is talking about defensive end Alex Okafor, who is trying to come back from a torn Achilles tendon.

Former Saints offensive tackle Zach Strief is the new voice of the Saints as he replaces the legendary Jim Henderson. It’s an unusual move for a new play-by-play man for a professional franchise to go from the field to the press box.

Louisiana Tech quarterback J’Mar Smith has been named to the 2018 Wuerffel Trophy Watch List, which goes tot he FBS player that best combines exemplary community service and academic achievement. Smith is coming off a season where he threw nearly three thousand yards last season.

LSU sophomore guard Brandon Rachal announced on Twitter he’s transferring from the basketball program. The former Natchitoches Central star played in 27 games last season and averaged four points and three rebounds a game. Rachal was not available for the team’s two NIT games and Coach Will Wade never explained why.

Pelicans Star Anthony Davis told CBS he was little shocked by DeMarcus Cousins decision to leave New Orleans for Golden State, but A-D says the front office kept him informed throughout the process. Davis says he’s now looking forward to finding out how they can become successful with power forward Julius Randle and point guard Elfrid Payton.

The Saints first training camp practice is today at the team’s headquarters in Metairie and there’s an optimistic feeling around the franchise. General Manager Mickey Loomis…
cut 28 (12) “…good about that”
But for the first time in 33 years, Tom Benson is not around to oversee the preparations for a new season. Head Coach Sean Payton…
cut 29 (15) “..carrying the torch”
The Saints have a new play-by-play man as former offensive tackle Zack Strief will take over for the retired Jim Henderson. It’s unusual for someone to go from player to play-by-play man for a team in one year.

LSU sophomore guard Brandon Rachal announced on Twitter he’s transferring from the program. The former Natchitoches Central star played in 27 games last season and averaged four points and three rebounds a game. Rachal was not available for the team’s two NIT games and Coach Will Wade never said why Rachal couldn’t play.

Pelicans Star Anthony Davis told CBS he was little shocked by DeMarcus Cousins decision to leave New Orleans for Golden State, but A-D says the front office kept him informed of the changes. Davis says he’s now looking forward to finding out how they can become successful with power forward Julius Randle and point guard Elfrid Payton.

Tough loss for the Astros last night as they were held to one hit in a 3-2 defeat to Colorado. Rockies center fielder Charlie Blackmon blasted a walk-off home run in the 9th inning. And for the second straight night, the A’s rallied to beat the Rangers six to five.

The Saints report to training camp today and the team will hold its first practice tomorrow morning. The Black and Gold are looking for a running back to emerge that can help fill the void when Mark Ingram misses the first four games because of a suspension for violating the league’s performance enhancing drug policy. Saints analyst Mike Detillier is calling an early favorite…
cut 16 (15) “….type runner”
Detillier says the development of first round pick Marcus Davenport and who will win the punt return duties are a couple of other camp stories to watch.

There are reports out of Atlanta that Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones will not report to training camp as he’s seeking a new contract, even though there are three years left on his current deal.

The Pelicans announce they’ve signed free agents Garlon Green and Kenrich Williams. Green is six-foot-seven and played on the Pelicans Summer League Team and averaged nine points. He played at TCU and also played professionally overseas. Williams was on the Denver Nuggets Summer League team and averaged 5 points and five rebounds a game. He’s also out of TCU and averaged 11 points and nine rebounds in three seasons for the Horned Frogs.

In college football…Tulane is picked to finish fifth in the West Division of the American Athletic Conference. Memphis is the preseason favorite in the West, while Central Florida is expected to repeat as champs in the East. The third season of the Willie Fritz era begins with a Thursday night matchup against Wake Forest.

The Astros scored six runs in the tenth inning last night and beat the Colorado Rockies eight to two. Alex Bregman hit his 21st home run in the first inning. Rough night for the Rangers. Texas blew a 10-2 lead and lost to the As 13-10.