The Saints will take on the New England Patriots tonight in their first preseason game of the 2016 season. The contest will be held in Gillette Stadium and kick off at 6:30. Coach Sean Payton said Quarterback Drew Brees will probably play a snap or two. NFL Analyst Mike Detillier says on the offense, the main concern is the line up front…:
Cut 18 (17) “unless you can protect Drew Brees”
This Black and Gold fan is anxious to see how the rookies perform, but he hopes to see a lot of effort from all the players…:
cut 14 (07) “I mean”

With Travonte Valentine officially part of the football program again, LSU Coach Les Miles was able to field questions about the oft-discussed ‘Mister 105’ for the first time since he dismissed the hulking defensive tackle. He says they are very optimistic that bringing him back was the right thing to do. Valentine practiced for the first time Wednesday, though he won’t be able to put on pads or participate fully until he completes the NCAA-mandated acclimation period.

In the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio, Katie Ledecky continued her Olympic quest for gold medals bringing one home in the 4×200 meter freestyle. The win increases her gold medal total to three. Michael Phelps advanced to the finals of the Olympic 200-meter individual medley as the top qualifier with a time of 1 minute 55.78 seconds. Ryan Lochte wasn’t far behind with a time of 1:56:28. The big showdown between the two is Thursday night.

The Saints will take on the New England Patriots tonight in their first preseason game of the 2016 season. NFL Analyst Mike Detillier says one of the big spots to keep an eye on with this Black and Gold team, is the defense:
Cut 16 (12) “all game long”
The contest will be held in Gillette Stadium and kick off at 6:30.

This 2016 Olympic update is brought to you by LUBA Workers’ Comp — delivering genuine dependability.

Katie Ledecky got her third gold medal of the Rio Olympics as she led the US to a win in the 4×200 meter freestyle relay.

Michael Phelps has advanced to the final of the Olympic 200-meter individual medley as the top qualifier.

In the first test for the US Olympic men’s basketball team, the Americans picked up a 99-88 win over Australia.

Meghan O’Leary of Baton Rouge will compete today in the double sculls rowing finals this morning. LSU signee Ruby Harold will compete in the women’s gymnastics all around final tonight at 7.

The hits just keep coming to LSU’s front seven. Outside linebacker Corey Thompson suffered a leg injury in practice Wednesday morning that’ll keep him out for the start of the season, according to multiple media reports. Thompson is the third member of LSU’s front seven to suffer a serious leg injury since Sunday. Starting defensive end Christian LaCouture and outside linebacker Isaiah Washington are expected to miss the entire season with knee injuries.

In other preseason NFL action tonight, Tampa Bay is at Philadelpia, Baltimore hosts Carolina.

Former Saint tight end Jimmy Graham has been activated of the physically unable to perform list by the Seahawks.

And no it wasn’t a fight says LSU. A video spread online by TMZ showing star running back Leonard Fournette and another player in an apparent brawl, is just horseplay according to team officials. They say what is captured in the video is merely an “intense game of slap boxing” and was taken out of context.

It seems like the rough news keeps coming out of LSU practice as now it appears as though, in the last 72 hours, the Tigers have taken three blows in the form of injuries — and they are all on the defensive side of the ball. The biggest of the three injuries was Senior defensive lineman Christian LaCouture – who is expected to miss the entire season. The other two other hurt players on the Tigers defense are linebackers Isaiah Washington and Corey Thompson, with Washington gone for the season and Thompson reportedly missing up to eight weeks. LSU still has several scrimmages to conduct and the Bayou Bengals first game is not until September 3 when they face Wisconsin in Green Bay.

LSU has cracked the top 5 in Sports Illustrated’s Preseason College Football Poll. The Tigers are ranked at No. 5 while Alabama is once again ranked No. 1, followed by Clemson, Florida State, and Michigan at Nos. 2, 3, and 4 respectively.

Saints Coach Sean Payton spoke today following the final practice with New England ahead of tomorrow’s first preseason game. He says he’s encouraged by what he’s seen at training camp and he expects tomorrow’s game will be a serious, competitive one…:
CUT 1 (16) “good test”
The contest will be held in Gillette Stadium and kick off at 6:30.

A video spread online by TMZ showing LSU star running back Leonard Fournette and another player in an apparent brawl, is just horseplay according to team officials. They say what is captured in the video is merely an “intense game of slap boxing” and was taken out of context.

LSU’s defense looks to have taken a major hit this week as multiple reports indicate that Senior Christian LaCouture, a starter at defensive end, could be out for the season with a knee injury. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says they’re hearing it could be a torn ACL…:
Cut 16 (10) “defensive end spot”

This 2016 Summer Olympic update is brought to you by LUBA Workers’ Comp — delivering genuine dependability.

The US women’s gymnastics team took the gold for the second straight year. Incoming LSU gymnastics signee Ruby Harrold competes for Great Britain which finished 5th in the event.

Michael Phelps won his 20th and 21st Olympic gold medals last night in the 200-meter butterfly before he and team USA dominated the 4×200 meter relay.

Meghan O’Leary from Baton Rouge advanced to the medal round in double sculls rowing.

In the first of three practices with the Patriots, the Saints got a chance to show that its focus is to turn their defense around — and certainly proved that they plan to shine. Saints quarterback Drew Brees also put on an impressive display against the Pats. Thursday night’s preseason opener is in Gillette Stadium. The scrimmage and practice with New England continues this morning.

CBS Sports released its Top 128 Preseason college football poll on Tuesday and the Tigers will start the season at No. 6.

Louisiana Tech Athletic Director Tommy McClelland unveiled planned facility improvements at Joe Aillet (pronounced eye-a) Stadium. He says the total price for the various upgrades, $18.6 million dollars, will be funded 100% through private donations…:
cut 1 (10) “impressive”

LSU’s defense looks to have taken a major hit this week as multiple reports indicate that Senior Christian LaCouture, a starter at defensive end, could be out for the season with a knee injury. But as far as a replacement, this major blow could be softened by the potential return of 340-pound former Tiger Travonte Valentine, who told 247Sports that’d he’d been cleared to begin practicing. LSU has yet to confirm this. LaCouture played in 11 games with 10 starts in his junior year.

Athlon Sports ranked the top 50 running back units for 2016 and not surprisingly, LSU earned the No. 1 spot thanks to Leonard Fournette. They said only two opponents held Fournette under 100 yards, and his 162.8-yards-per-game average was the best in the nation. Oklahoma took the No. 2 spot, followed by Florida State, Stanford and Oregon at 3, 4 and 5 respectively.

Louisiana Tech Athletic Director Tommy McClelland today unveiled planned facility improvements at Joe Aillet (pronounced eye-a) Stadium. He says the total price for the various upgrades, $18.6 million dollars, will be funded 100% through private donations…:
cut 15 (15) “impressive”
The improvements must still be approved by the Board of Regents and UL-System board.

There’s a buzz in the sports world today over the news reported by ESPN that 2007 Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow will hold a workout for Major League Baseball teams this month. He played in high school.

Fox Sports has ranked the top 20 coaches in college football for 2016, and LSU coach Les Miles finished at NO. 13. Nick Saban took the top spot.

According to multiple reports, Senior Christian LaCouture (LACK-uh-chur), a
starter at defensive end, and sophomore Isaiah Washington, a backup to
Arden Key to hybrid outside linebacker, both sustained knee injuries Sunday
— meaning they could be out for the season. As far as replacing LaCouture,
a lot depends on 340-pound former Tiger Travonte Valentine, who told
247Sports Monday that’d he’d been cleared to begin practicing — a fact LSU
has yet to confirm.

The LSU basketball team says the start time and network for its January
28th game with Texas Tech has been revealed in the fourth annual SEC/Big
12 Challenge. ESPNU will televise the game in Lubbock with tip-off set for
1pm.

Saints Coach Sean Payton says of the Hall of Fame game being cancelled that
you’d think they would have used the correct paint for the field, and that
it was a disappointing development for fans and the people who put their
travel schedule around the game. The Saints released receiver Hakeem Nicks
from the squad. Left tackle Terron Armstead is back after being taken off
the physically unable to perform list. New Orleans begins joint practices
today with the New England Patriots ahead of Thursday’s preseason action.

Former New Orleans Saint and Falcons signee Lance Moore is retiring.
Atlanta posted the news on their website. Eight of Moore’s 10 pro seasons
were played in New Orleans where he won a Super Bowl with the Saints, and
had 4,281 yards and 38 touchdowns.

Former LSU defensive tackle Travonte Valentine is back with the Tigers and has been ruled eligible to play right away, as reported by 247Sports.

This 2016 Summer Olympic update out of Rio is brought to you by LUBA Workers’ Comp — delivering genuine dependability.

Baton Rouge’s Meghan O’Leary placed second in the double sculls rowing, along with her teammate Ellen Tomek. They’ll compete in the semifinals this morning.

Also today, former LSU star Allysha Chapman, who plays women’s soccer for Canada, will take on Germany.

Incoming LSU women’s gymnastics signee Ruby Harrold, competing for Great Britain, compete’s in the team final tonight at 7.

In women’s basketball, team USA and former Tigers Sylvia Fowles and Seimone Augustus pounded Spain 103-63.

The US still leads in overall medal count with 19, including 5 gold.

In rough news for LSU, Geaux247 is reporting defensive lineman Christian LaCouture suffered a knee injury in practice.

Former New Orleans Saint and Falcons signee Lance Moore is retiring. Atlanta posted the news on their website. Eight of Moore’s 10 pro seasons were played in New Orleans where he won a Super Bowl with the Saints, and had 4,281 yards and 38 touchdowns.

The Saints have released veteran wide receiver Hakeem Nicks and activated left tackle Terron Armstead from the physically unable to perform list. New Orleans begins joint practices today with the New England Patriots ahead of Thursday’s preseason action.

24-7 sports is reporting 340-pound defensive tackle Travonte Valentine is back with the LSU Tigers and he’ll be able to play this fall. Valentine was kicked off the team 13 months ago, because of violating team rules. He’s considered the number one junior college defensive tackle in this year’s recruiting class.

After a devastating hamstring injury in the loss to Ole Miss last November, senior wide receiver Travin Dural is back healthy. Dural says it took eight months to recover, but he feels good as the team started full squad workouts today….
cut 18 (17) “…feels like”
One other LSU note…one of the top defensive backs in the country has committeed to the Tigers. Jacoby Stevens from Tennessee, also had offers from Alabama, Clemson and Notre Dame.

Louisiana Tech’s first practice of fall camp is this afternoon. Bulldogs coach Skip Holtz says his team faces several challenges, especially with the schedule…
cut 30 (18) “…open date”
Holtz has also announced that senior quarterback Ryan Higgins will not start the season opener against Arkansas after gettting arrested on a DWI charge.

In NFL news…former Saints wide receiver Lance Moore announced his retirement after a 10-year career. The 32-year-old caught 389 passes during his eight years in New Orleans.

The Saints have released veteran wide receiver Hakeem Nicks and activated left tackle Terron Armstead from the physically unable to perform list. New Orleans begins joint practices with the New England Patriots tomorrow.

Just a few days after signing with the Atlanta Falcons, wide receiver Lance Moore has announced his retirement, ending his 10-year NFL career. Moore spent seven seasons in New Orleans and played in 101 games starting in 2007. During his time in the Big Easy, he caught 346 passes for 4,281 yards and 38 touchdowns.

Reporters have not had a chance to speak with LSU Quarterback Brandon Harris yet about fall camp, but his teammates believe Harris and the Tigers passing game is ready to take off this year. Here’s Junior wide out Malachi Dupre…
cut 17 (17) “…for us’
Also Wide out Travin Dural is back healthy after suffering a season-ending hamstring injury in the loss to Ole Miss.

Louisiana Tech quarterback Ryan Higgins will not start in the season opener against Arkansas because he was arrested last Friday on a DWI charge. Coach Skip Holtz says his senior signal caller will also undergo counseling, drinking and driving education and community service.

Holtz is disappointed in Higgins’ decision to drive drunk, but he’s happy former Oklahoma wide receiver Adrian Hardy is on the roster, because of what he brings to the field…
cut 30 (21) “…on the field”
The Bulldogs first practice of fall camp is this afternoon.

Back to the Saints….the team announced they’ve signed long snapper Chris Highland and released veteran wide receiver Hakeem Nicks.

Those that had been waiting all year to catch some pro football — will have to wait another four days. The NFL canceled Sunday night’s Hall of Fame game because of poor field conditions.

This 2016 Summer Olympic update out of Rio is brought to you by LUBA Workers’ Comp — delivering genuine dependability.

Former LSU standouts Sylvia Fowles amd Seimone Augustus and the US women’s basketball team opened play in the Olympics with a record route. The Americans pounded Senegal 121-56. Fowles tied for the team lead with 15 points and 7 rebounds.

Katie Ledecky gave the US the first swimming gold of the Rio games last night in the women’s 400 meter freestyle. In the 4×100 meter freestyle, Michael Phelps picked up his 19th gold medal.

In gymnastics, LSU incoming freshman Ruby Harold – who competes for Great Britain, advanced to the finals.

So far, the US leads the medal count with 12 total.

Louisiana Tech is set to hold their first official team practice this afternoon, ahead of the season which begins September 3rd against Arkansas on the road. Coach Skip Holtz addressed the DUI arrest of starting quarterback Ryan Higgins. He says Higgins’ punishment does not include a suspension, however…:
CUT 1 (13) “situation”

LSU’s first full squad workout in full pads is this morning as the Tigers continue preparations for the season opener against Wisconsin. Many are wondering if the Tigers can greatly improve a pass offense that ranked 105th in the country last season. Junior wide receiver Malachi Dupre says the pieces are there to get it done…:
Cut 16 (11) “show it”