LSU Quarterback Danny Etling said today he’s getting close to being a 100-percent since undergoing back surgery. Here’s Head Coach Ed Orgeron’s observations about the passing game after the first day of practice…
cut 30 (26) “…today”
Dillon is a sophomore from Pine High School in Washington Parish. He’s also expected to contribute on special teams.

Orgeron says starting guard Maea Teuhema (My-uh Tay-uma) is dealing with academic issues, so he’s not at practice. Lloyd Cushenberry from Dutchtown High School in Ascension Parish has moved from center to right guard to fill that spot.

One guy that’s looked good during the first week of camp is wide receiver Brandon Coleman, who could see more playing time this season now that Brandin Cooks has been traded. Coleman understands he needs to be a more consistent performer….
cut 25 (12) “….that now”
Coleman averaged just 11 yards a catch last season after averaging 15 yards a grab during the 2015 campaign.

During a question and answer session with season ticket holders, Jets safety and former LSU Tiger Jamal Adams said the football field is a perfect place to die. Adams made the comment after he was asked about player safety. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was part of the Q-and-A session.

Ruston’s J.D. Moore says he’s more than honored to share the number 18 jersey with fellow senior Christian LaCouture. Number 18 at LSU is synonmous with success—both on and off the field—as well as a selfless attitude. Moore says he was completely shocked to find out his jersey number was changing….
cut 20 (15) “….number 18”
Speaking of changing, five star prospect JaCoby Stevens is moving from safety to wide receiver. Head Coach Ed Orgeron explains why….
cut 30 (15) “…and help us”
Stevens had 34 catches for 689 yards and 12 touchdowns during his senior season in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

The Saints have a day off from training camp. It comes at a good time as the team’s top two cornerbacks are already battling injuries. Delvin Breaux did not practice yesterday and first round pick Marshon Lattimore had to leave during yesterday’s practice because of an unspecified injury.

One guy that’s looked good during the first week of camp is wide receiver Brandon Coleman, who could see more playing time this season now that Brandin Cooks has been traded. Coleman understands he needs to be a more consistent performer….
cut 25 (12) “….that now”
Coleman averaged just 11 yards a catch last season after averaging 15 yards a grab during the 2015 campaign.

During a question and answer session with season ticket holders, Jets safety and former LSU Tiger Jamal Adams said the football field is a perfect place to die. Adams made the comment after he was asked about player safety. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was part of the Q-and-A session.

LSU’s first practice of preseason camp was Monday afternoon. Head coach Ed Orgeron says senior quarterback Danny Etling looks healthy following back surgery…:
Cut 18 (08) “very healthy”
Orgeron says creating more turnovers is a focus on defense this year.:
Cut 19 (18) “last year”
LSU will have two number 18s on the field this season as both defensive end Christian LaCouture and fullback J.D. Moore will wear the jersey that is synonymous with success, both on and off the field.

On the heels of a study indicating 99% of former NFL players suffered the potentially fatal brain damage called CTE, former LSU defensive back Jamal Adams said in a question and answer that the football field is the perfect place to die. New York Jets first-round draft pick made the comments while talking about player safety seated alongside teammate and Louisiana native Matt Forte as well as NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Adams implied he isn’t a huge fan of NFL rules that often protect offensive players.

The Saints wrapped up their fifth practice of training camp Monday morning before a day off today. Coach Sean Payton says the team is already showing improvement day to day…:

CUT 25 (16) “better practice”
Adrian Peterson, Zach Strief and Manti Te’o all returned to the field after taking Sunday off.

LSU is holding its first preseason camp practice this afternoon. The Tigers are looking to build depth at several positions, including wide receiver. DJ Chark is the leader of this unit, but there’s a lot of inexperience behind him. Coach Ed Orgeron says he’s waiting for several guys to step up, including six-foot-three sophomore Drake Davis…
cut 25 (23) “…great work ethic”
LSU will have two players wearing number 18 this season. Defensive end Christian LaCouture was presented with number 18 jersey during the spring and fullback J.D. Moore will also wear number 18. The jersey 18 at LSU has become synonymous with success, both on and off the field.

Yesterday, the Cajuns had their first of 29 practices before the September 2nd season opener against Southeastern Louisiana. Coach Mark Hudspeth on who stood out on defense…
cut 30 (12) “…two safeties’
Louisiana Tech had its first practice of preseason camp last night at midnight. Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz says they couldn’t wait to get going…
cut 29 (19) “…to have”
Tech players will return to practice field tomorrow morning.

Ed Orgeron is beginning his first full season as LSU’s head coach and he’s excited about a lot of things, especially with his offensive coordinator…
cut 13 (12) “…the season”
For the first time ever, LSU will have two number 18s on the field. Former walk-on fullback J.D Moore will join senior defensive end Christian LaCouture as the two players who will 18, which has become synonymous with success both on and off the field.

Fall camp underway for the Ragin Cajuns as well. UL Lafayette Head Coach Mark Hudspeth is looking for someone to replace dynamic running back Elijah McGuire…
cut 29 (05) “….the table”

At Saints camp, second-year lineman David Onyemata is running with the first team at defensive tackle, opposite of last year’s first round pick Sheldon Rankins. Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen on Onyematta, who could take Nick Fairley’s place…
cut 30 (28) “….progression”

Louisiana Tech had its first practice of fall camp last night at midnight. Head Coach Skip Holtz….
cut 28 (14) “…together”
Tech is the preseason pick to make it back to the Conference USA championship game.

The LSU football team reported to campus on Sunday as the Tigers are set to open its first training camp under head coach Ed Orgeron. LSU returns 11 starters from last year’s team, six on offense and five on defense. It’s unclear who will emerge as the Tigers top wide receivers behind senior D.J. Chark. There’s also big position battles at linebacker and safety and how much has Danny Etling improved at quarterback. Coach O says he’s eager to see how it all comes together…:
Cut 14 (11) “ready to do work”
Preseason camp will be closed off to the media. Orgeron said there is a lot of things they have to get done offensively and defensively they have a lot of new guys. He said media access will return August 21st, if not sooner.

LSU head coach Ed Orgeron announced Seth Stewart is no longer part of the LSU football program after signing with the Tigers in February, and that the offensive lineman has decided to quit football.

Saints running back Adrian Peterson rested after the stretching period during training camp on Sunday, but coach Sean Payton said that they just don’t want to push him too hard…:
CUT 25 (13) “lower bodies”
Right tackle Zach Strief and linebacker Manti Te’o also rested after the stretching period of Day Four’s workout.

The Colorado Rockies have acquired former UL-Lafayette catcher Jonathan Lucroy from the Texas Rangers in exchange for a player to be named later, the teams announced. Lucroy is hitting .242 with four home runs and 27 RBIs and also has a .297 on-base percentage.

The LSU Football team reports for preseason camp tomorrow and Coach Ed Orgeron will meet with the media tomorrow afternoon. The first practice is Monday, but the media is not allowed to watch. According to the Baton Rouge Advocate, LSU appears to be the only school in the SEC to not allow the media any access to practice.

Grambling State football is vacating its 2011 SWAC championship, because the school used ineligible players during the season and in the title game. It’s part of the Notice of Allegations that’s been issued by the NCAA enforcement staff that looked at variety of sports. The school was also placed on a two-year probation, fined 5,000 dollars and the men’s basketball program and men’s track have one-year post season bans. Some of the other violations include failing to certify athletes and allowing two dozen athletes to receive expenses without meeting amateurism certification requirements.

The Saints hold their first padded practice of training camp this morning. Running back Adrian Peterson is excited…
cut 28 (10) “…about it”
Coach Sean Payton said there were a lot of mental errors at the start of yesterday’s practice. Wide receiver Willie Snead says they are still trying to shake the rust off…
cut 29 (17) “….everything”
Fellow wide receiver Michael Thomas says the Saints cornerbacks have a chip on their shoulder at this camp…
cut 30 (19) “….next step”

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees says his contract status is a non-issue. The 38-year-old is entering the final year of his deal. He’s in tremendous shape as expected. Coach Sean Payton said Brees finished in the top two in Wednesday’s conditioning test. Brees says he takes pride in staying in great physical shape…
Cut 19 (16) “keep my edge”
Meanwhile, third year conerback Damian Swann was placed on the non-football injury list for failing a conditioning test. Swann missed all of last year with a groin injury.

Former LSU star and Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Junior says he wants to be the NFL’s highest -paid player. Beckham has two years left on his rookie contract.

LSU Head Football Coach Ed Orgeron says edge rusher Arden Key will miss the first half of fall camp as he continues to recover from shoulder surgery. Orgeron says they will not know Key’s status for the regular season opener until the end of August….
cut 29 (05) “…baby steps”
LSU football players report on Sunday. Other college programs will do the same. Here’s what Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban said about playing LSU this year in an interview with Leo Honycutt on Talk 107-3 in Baton Rouge…
cut 30 (16) “good program”

College football reporter Bruce Feldman reports former Louisiana Tech head coach Jack Bicknell has been hired as an offensive line coach for the Ole Miss Rebels.

LSU Head Football Coach Ed Orgeron says edge rusher Arden Key will miss the first half of fall camp as he continues to recover from shoulder surgery. Orgeron says they will not know Key’s status for the regular season opener until the end of August….
cut 29 (05) “…baby steps”

A recent study found brain damage in 99 percent of participating former NFL players, but some are skeptical of the findings. The report says CTE occurs after repeated blows to the head, and it causes things like memory loss, depression, and dementia. Tulane Institute of Sports Medicine director Dr. Greg Stewart hopes people don’t think that everyone who plays football is going to kill themselves..:
Cut 30 (10) “in this picture”
Saints Quarterback Drew Brees says his contract is a non-issue for him as he enters the final year of his deal. Brees also doesn’t seem to be worried if the Saints start a rookie left tackle in the regular season opener against Minnesota. Ryan Ramcyk is taking the first team reps at left tackle. It appears the rookie from Wisconsin is getting the first chance to start at that position for the injured Terron Armstead, who is recovering from a torn labrum. Brees looks forward to Ramcyk developing over camp…
cut 17 (20) “….can have”
The Saints have added some depth to the offensive line with the signing of Orlando Franlin to a one-year deal. The 29-year-old started 16 games for the Chargers at guard last season.

Saints Training Camp is officially underway, and New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees was asked by reporters about this being the final year of his contract. But the 38-year-old old says it’s a non-issue for him…:
Cut 18 (18) “team win”
Coach Sean Payton said Brees finished in the top two in Wednesday’s conditioning test.

The Saints added a veteran offensive lineman to the roster Thursday by signing Orlando Franklin. The 29-year-old played left guard for the Chargers the past two seasons and started all 16 games last year.

LSU head coach Ed Orgeron announces edge rusher Arden Key will miss the first half of the Tigers’ preseason camp, at the very least. Key is still recovering from shoulder surgery and his status for the September 2nd opener in Houston against BYU is not known at this time.

There is a lot of talk this week about a new study which found brain damage in 99 percent of participating former NFL players. Jeff Palermo reports some are skeptical of the findings…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Fun events are taking place throughout Sportsman’s Paradise this weekend. In Grand Isle, the Tarpon Rodeo is underway. It’s the oldest fishing tournament in the country in its 89th year. Nine tarpon were registered on the first day. Visit tarponrodeo.org for details.