After a poor showing in the preseason opener, the Saints will get back to work on Saturday afternoon as they’ll resume training camp at the Greenbrier. Coach Sean Payton says cutting down on penalties will be a point of emphasis…
cut 29 (21) “…work to do”
Improving the defense is also on the to-do list for the Saints. The first unit couldn’t stop the Ravens in a 30-27 loss on Thursday night.

Jim Harris has been named as the first executive director of the Ragin Cajuns Athletics Foundation, which is the official fundraising arm for UL Lafayette. Harris most recently worked at South Florida, where he was successful in raising cash.

LSU football coach Les Miles has not made any players available to talk with the media this week. The mad hatter says he’s trying to limit distractions as the team prepares for a scrimmage inside Tiger Stadium on Saturday night…
cut 30 (12) “….and day dream”
Miles says Brandon Harris will take the initial snaps with the first team when the scrimmage starts. Quarterback is the big concern for the 2015 Tigers, but so is depth on the defensive line. Miles likes how defensive tackles Greg Gilmore and Frank Herron are coming along…
cut 18 (11) “….really good”
On Sunday, don’t forget it’s fan day, a chance to meet with players and coaches. It gets underway at five o’ clock at the Maravich Center.

It was not a good debut for the Saints, who lost to Baltimore 30-27 in last night’s preseason opener. The defense was supposed to be better this year, but the starting unit allowed Baltimore to march down the field for an 80-yard touchdown scoring drive to open up the game. The Saints also committed 16 penalties.

If you’re looking for a positive. The young quarterbacks played well. Ryan Griffen threw for 112 yards and one touchdown and Garrett Grayson was 8 of 12 for 87 yards. Drew Brees did not play in this one, we’ll see if he gets any action in preseason game number two, which is August 22nd at home against the Patriots.

Saints cornerback Brandon Browner was carted off the field during last night’s game. But according to Mike Triplett of ESPN.com, Browner is fine, but it’s unclear how long the injury will keep him on the sidelines. Browner left the game after taking a hit to his right knee. Dannell Ellerbe also left the game with an injury. It’s been reported he re-aggravated a toe injury.

The battle for starting quarterback at LSU is getting the most headlines during the Tigers preseason camp. Brandon Harris appears to have the lead in that battle over Anthony Jennings. Another position battle is at field goal kicker. Colby Delahoussaye was the place kicker for much of the 2014 season, but struggled late in the year. Coach Les Miles says Trent Domingue from Mandeville is battling Delhoussaye for that role…
cut 17 (18) “….it’s still Colby’s job”
The Tigers will hold a scrimmage tomorrow and then Sunday is fan Day.

Jim Harris has been named the new executive director of the Ragin Cajuns Athletic Foundation. Harris will lead fundraising efforts as UL Lafayette is in the middle of a 115-million dollar athletic facilities upgrade. The program has been without a chief fundraiser the last two years.

Penalties plagued the Saints as they dropped their preseason opener last night to the Baltimore Ravens 30-27. The Black & Gold were flagged 16 times last night for a total 143 yards. Saints Head Coach Sean Payton says the teams 16 penalties did not help their cause…

cut 24 (17) “get cleaned up”

The Saints look to bounce back next Saturday when they take on New England at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

Former Louisiana Tech star IK Enemkpali met with reporters after his first practice with the Buffalo Bills and apologized to the Jets organization. Enemkpali was released from the Jets after breaking the jaw of quarterback Geno Smith in a locker room fight. He said it was never his intention to hurt anybody. Enemkpali added he’s grateful the Bills gave him a chance.

LSU Coach Les Miles says quarterback Brandon Harris continues to take snaps with the first team as the Tigers get ready for the 2015 season. Miles continues to say both Harris and Anthony Jennings are getting better. But don’t expect him to make a big announcement on who will be the starter against McNeese State…

cut 16 (20) “always secondary”

There is a concern going into the season about depth along the defensive line.

Former Southland Conference defensive player of the year, Bryan Smith, will be one of five former Cowboy athletes to be inducted into the McNeese State athletics Hall of Fame this year. Smith holds the school record for career sacks with 31.

The Saints kick-off the preseason tonight against the Baltimore Ravens. Quarterback Drew Brees will likely play one or two series, but it’s a big game for several wide receivers who are trying to make the team. Brandin Cooks and Marques Colston are the likely starters. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says Brandon Coleman is trying to be that number three wide out…
cut 18 (13) “…impressive”
Kick-off is at 6:30.

Former Louisiana Tech star IK Enemkpali met with reporters today after his first practice with the Buffalo Bills. He apologized to the Jets organization and said it was never his intention to hurt anybody. Enemkpali added he’s grateful the Bills gave him a chance, following his release from the Jets for breaking the jaw of quarterback Geno Smith in a locker room fight.

LSU Coach Les Miles says he ran his team through a 30 to 35 play scrimmage today at the team’s practice facility. Miles says he likes how the passing game is coming along and its just not the quarterbacks who are getting better….
cut 29 (13) “…our guys”
Miles says Brandon Harris was the quarterback who took the snaps with the first team.

Louisiana Tech football announced today that it will open the 2019 season at Texas. The Bulldogs will also visit Clemson in 2022 and kick-off the 2017 season at home against Northwestern State.

Former Southland Conference defensive player of the year, Bryan Smith, will be one of five former Cowboy athletes to be inducted into the McNeese State athletics Hall of Fame this year. Smith holds the school record for career sacks with 31.

It’s gameday for the Saints as they open the preseason campaign by playing the Ravens in Baltimore. NFL Analyst Mike Detillier says for players on the bubble to make the roster, they’ll need to make plays on special teams…
cut 17 (17) “…return game”
A big position battle in camp is at wide receiver as there are a dozen wide outs trying to make the team. Kick-off is set for 6:30.

The Pelicans 2015-16 NBA schedule is out and Anthony Davis and company will appear on national television 21 times, including on opening night and Christmas Day. New Orleans will visit the defending champion Warriors on TNT on October 27th to tip-off the season. The Pels travel to Miami on Christmas Day. Lebron James and the Cavs make their lone trip to the Big Easy on December fourth.

According to the Baton Rouge Advocate, LSU wide receiver Travin Dural along with his cousin, Randall Menard, rescued a woman, who was trapped in an overturned vehicle. The incident happened last month in Dural’s hometown of Breaux Bridge. Dural and his cousin were able to open a rear passenger door, so that the woman was able to get out.

Louisiana Tech football announces they’ll play Texas in 2019. The game is scheduled for August 31st that year in Austin. It will be the first meeting between the two schools on the gridiron. It’s been reported the Bulldogs will get one-point-one million dollars to play the game.

Former Bulldog star IK Enemkpali is now a Buffalo Bill. The Bills claimed him off waivers after he was released by the Jets after breaking the jaw of quarterback Geno Smith with a punch in the locker room.

UL Lafayette held its first scrimmage of fall camp and quarterbacks Brooks Haack, Jalen Nixon and Jordan Davis each directed the number one offense on scoring drivers. Freshman Keenan Barnes caught two TD passes.

Louisiana Tech head coach Skip Holtz calls former Bulldog defensive end IK Enemkpali a leader, who was involved in community service in Ruston. Holtz made the comments in response to the Jets releasing Enemkpali after he punched New York quarterback Geno Smith in the face in the locker-room, fracturing his jaw. Holtz says he hates that this happened to IK….
cut 30 (06) “…your life”
But it looks like Enemkpali has caught on with another team as there’s multiple reports saying the Bills have claimed IK.

The LSU football team is about a week into fall camp and the players are saying they feel comfortable in what new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele is teaching them. Defensive end Tashawn Bower…
cut 29(09) “…trying to do”
Bower says a big emphasis is putting more pressure on the quarterback.

The Saints first preseason game is tomorrow night as they visit the Baltimore Ravens. These preseason games are big for the players who are on the bubble to make the roster, like safety Vinnie Sunseri. Sunseri has been able to get more reps, because fellow safety Jairus Byrd remains on the physically unable to perform list…
cut 18 (19) “…really easy”
Kick-off tomorrow in Baltimore is at 6:30.

There’s been a very strange court room sketch released today of Patriots quarterback Tom Brady who appeared in federal court as part of a deflategate hearing. In the background of the sketch, it appears LSU’s Les Miles, wearing his customary white hat, is sitting behind Brady. Miles even noticed and went on twitter to say he’s been busy at LSU, and he was not in the court room.

Louisiana Tech football coach Skip Holtz says he hates what happened to former Bulldogs defensive end IK Enemkpali. Enemkpali has been cut from the New York Jets after he threw a punch in the locker room that broke the jaw of starting quarterback Geno Smith. Holtz says he had a positive experience with Enemkpali when he coached him in 2013…
cut 30 (15) “…he was a leader”
ESPN’s Chris Mortenson says Enemkpali could face discipline from the NFL as a result of the incident.

At LSU….the Tigers will practice twice today.

And the Ragin Cajuns will hold their first of three closed scrimmaages today at Cajun Field. Coach Mark Hudspeth says he likes the toughness he’s seen from his team.

The Saints’ first of four preseason games is tomorrow night when they visit Baltimore. Many NFL fans have suggested there should only be two preseason games. But Coach Sean Payton says guys like, former Saints running back Pierre Thomas, may not have made the team in 2007, if there were only two preseason games…
cut 17 (20) “…two game exposures”
Kick-off tomorrow night is at 6:30.

The NBA schedule will be released at five o’ clock today. There’s already been reports the Pelicans will play at Miami on Christmas Day and open the season by playing the defending champs, the Golden State Warriors, at Oracle Arena on October 27th.

No practice today for the Saints. That’s because they are getting ready for tomorrow night’s preaseason game at Baltimore. It’s the first of four exhibition games and Coach Sean Payton is glad they have four preseason games before it starts for real

cut 16 (15) “four is perfect”

Thursday’s preseason game is important for players like safety Vinnie Sunseri, who is on the bubble to make the team.

Former Louisiana Tech star IK Enemkpali has been released by the New York Jets after sucker punching quarterback Geno Smith in the locker room and fracturing Smith’s jaw. Smith is expected to miss six to ten weeks and Jets coach Todd Bowles called the situation very childish. Enemkpali was drafted in the sixth round by the Jets in 2014. Reports indicate the altercation was over money.

The Steelers have signed former Saints kicker Garrett Hartley, who appeared in two games with Cleveland last year.

The LSU men’s basketball team is on its way to Australia. The Fighting Tigers will play five exhibition games in three cities against teams featuring professional players. Point guard Josh Gray is not on the trip, because he played in a game that wasn’t sanctioned by the LSU compliance office.

Former University High Basketball star Skylar Mayes has recommitted to LSU. The six-foot-three point guard led the Cubs to two straight Class 3-A titles and he’ll play his senior season for Findlay Prep in Las Vegas.

Pelicans star forward Anthony Davis is in Las Vegas attending a two-day mandatory minicamp in hopes of making the 2016 Olympic basketball team. Before beginning his NBA career, the 22-year-old earned a gold medal in 2012 serving as a backup for Team USA.

ULM announces four people will be added to their athletics hall of fame during a ceremony in October. Going into the hall are former wide receiver Vincent Brisby, former baseball star Andy Davis, the voice of the Warhawks, Frank Hoffman and Larry Saulters, who played basketball at Northeast and is the program’s career leader in assists with 398.

Former Louisiana Tech star IK Enemkpali has been released by the New York Jets for sucker punching quarterback Geno Smith in the locker room and fracturing Smith’s jaw. Smith is now expected to miss six to ten weeks and Jets coach Todd Bowles called the situation very childish. Enemkpali was drafted in the sixth round by the Jets in 2014. There are reports the altercation was over money.

The Saints held their final training camp practice today before Thursday’s preseason opener at Baltimore. Head Coach Sean Payton on what the first preseason game of the year means for his team…
cut 27 (06) “…veteran players”
It doesn’t look like running back CJ Spiller will play in the preseason opener as he’s been sidelined because of an undisclosed injury. It’s reported that the injury is not considered significant.

One other NFL note…the Steelers have signed former Saints kicker Garrett Hartley, who appeared in two games with Cleveland last year.

The LSU men’s basketball team is on its way to Australia. The Fighting Tigers will play five games in three cities against teams featuring professional players. Point guard Josh Gray is not on the trip, because he played in a game that wasn’t sanctioned by the LSU compliance office.

Former University High Basketball star Skylar Mayes has recommitted to LSU. The six-foot-three point guard led the Cubs to two straight Class 3-A titles and he’ll play his senior season for Findlay Prep in Las Vegas.

ULM announces four people will be added to their athletics hall of fame during a ceremony in October. Going into the hall are former wide receiver Vincent Brisby, former baseball star Andy Davis, the voice of the Warhawks, Frank Hoffman and Larry Saulters, who played basketball at Northeastern and is the program’s career leader in assists with 398.

The Ragin Cajuns football team is practicing in full pads and quarterbacks Brooks Haack, Jalen Nixon and Jordan Davis each took turns with the number one offense during team drills.

The New Orleans Saints final practice of the week is today then they’ll fly out Wednesday to Baltimore for Thursday’s preseason game against the Ravens. They started the second week of training camp with a full pads practice at the Greenbrier in West Virginia and worked for a little over two hours. Coach Sean Payton says he likes what he’s seeing..

cut 16 (14) “pretty well”

Payton says these first two weeks of training camp are about getting everyone up to speed.

ULM Athletic Director Brian Wickstrom isn’t leaving Monroe — at least not anytime soon. Wickstrom had been a candidate for the AD job at the University of Akron but says he withdrew his name from consideration Monday afternoon. Wickstrom came to ULM in July 2013 after spending three years as the Athletic Director at the University of California-Riverside.

LSU went through the first full squad practice of the fall and the battle for the starting quarterback position is far from over. Coach Les Miles said that sophomore Brandon Harris continues to get the first snaps, but if it will be he or Anthony Jennings that will start on September 5th against McNeese has not been decided…

cut 18 (09) “to evolve”

Jennings started 12 games for the Tigers a year ago, passing for 1,611 yards and 11 touchdowns. Harris played in nine games with one start last year as a true freshman. He threw for 452 yards and six touchdowns and added another 159 yards and three scores on the ground.

LSU has sold out of season tickets for the 12th straight football season as 74,350 season tickets have been purchased for this year’s home schedule. This ties the school record set last year when Tiger Stadium was expanded to seat over 100,000 fans.