NFL training camps are opening across the country. Saints players are scheduled to report to the team’s new training camp facility in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia by tomorrow Most of the players were seen rolling into town today. Coach Sean Payton and General Manager Mickey Loomis are scheduled to address the media tomorrow afternoon.

In Arizona, the Cardinals have announced former LSU star Tyrann Mathieu will start camp on the physically unable to perform list. Mathieu is still rehabbing a serious knee injury that took place last December. There is some concern that the Honey Badger will not be when the regular season starts.

Southeastern Louisiana has been picked to win the Southland Conference. That’s accoring to a poll of the league’s coaches and sports information directors. McNeese State is picked to finish second, Northwestern State fifth and Nicholls State is projected to come in ninth place.

Expectations are not overly high in Monroe for the Warhawks football team. ULM is picked to finish fifth in the Sun Belt, but head coach Todd Berry says they can surprise some people if they stay healthy…
cut 19 (17) “…be sidelined”
The Warhawks begin the season on Thursday August 28th at home against Wake Forest.

The Pelicans Anthony Davis says he’s excited about the acquisition of Omer Asik. Davis says Asik will help his game a lot, because he likes playing power forward instead of center.

College basketball….Ragin Cajuns shooting Kevin Brown told his followers on twitter that he’s transferring to UNO. Brown started 13 games for the Cajuns last season and averaged 5.5 poitns a game. He’ll be able to play right away for the Privateers as a graduate student.

We are 38 days away from the first Saturday in college football. On that day, the preseason favorites in the Sun Belt, the Ragin Cajuns will host Southern, who is expected to win the SWAC West Division. When these two teams met in 2009, 41-thousand attended the game at Cajun Field. UL Lafayette Head Coach Mark Hudspeth is expecting a bigger crowd this time…
cut 17 (20) “…to town”

The Southland Conference Media Days are being held in Lake Charles today. According to a poll of the league’s coaches and sports information directors, Southeastern Louisiana is expected to finish the league. McNeese State finished second in the polls.

Most of the Saints players will arrive today at the team’s training camp facility in West Virginia. They are required to report tomorrow and the first practice is set for Friday. Two players have been added to the roster. Nose tackle Tyrone Ezell and linebacker Marcus Thompson. Ezell played at the University of Pittsburgh, while Thompson is an undrafted free agent out of Rutgers.

Today, Quarterback Drew Brees is serving as a honorary mayor for Comfort, Texas, as a part of a promotion with Wrangler Jeans. Brees has told reports that he’s excited the Saints and tight end Jimmy Graham have agreed to a long-term contract.

Some sad news to report out of the NFL,…former Cowboys fullback Robert Newhouse has passed away. Newhouse had been battling cancer and died at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota at the age of 64. Newhouse rushed for nearly five thousand yards and 31 touchdowns and helped the Cowboys win Super Bowl 10.

In Major League Baseball Action…former Ragin Cajuns star Jonathan Lucroy hit two home runs to help the Brewers beat the Reds four to three. Lucroy’s second home run was in walk-off fashion.

Former LSU Tiger Aaron Hill drove three runs last night as the Diamondbacks beat the Tigers five to four.

And the Pelicans Anthony Davis he’s excited about the acquisition of Omer Asik. Davis says As\ik will help his game a lot, because he likes playing power forward instead of center.

At Sun Belt Media Day yesterday at the Mercedes Benz Superdome, Ragin Cajuns head coach Mark Hudspeth answered questions about being the preseason favorite to win the conference. He says he’s already told his players be prepared to receive every team’s best effort…:
CUT 16 (16) “on the road”
The Cajuns begin their season August 30th against Southern.

ULM’s season will get underway Thursday August 28th, with a home game against A-C-C member Wake Forecast. The Warhawks will also travel to three SEC schools, LSU, Kentucky and Texas A-and-M. Head Coach Todd Berry says the Sun Belt schedule will also be tough…:
CUT 18 (15) “more ready”
The Warhawks are picked to finish fifth in the Sun Belt.

The LSU freshman football player who injured his arm this week in the school’s weight room might not be able to play this season according to reports. Assistant editor of Tiger Rag magazine, Robert Stewart, says based on what they’ve been able to gather — defensive tackle Trey Lealaimatafao (Lay-ah-lah-ee-mahta-fow), punched a window at the LSU football facility…:
CUT 6 (08) “his arm”
Stewart says the six foot, 300 pound defensive tackle has a long road of recovery ahead. No word on what lead to the punching of the window.

The Saints signed a two undrafted rookies Tuesday. Linebacker Marcus Thompson and nose tackle Tyrone Ezell are on the team’s training camp roster. Thompson is from Rutgers and had 5.5 sacks last season. Ezell started 12 games and was a captain at the University of Pittsburgh last season. Meanwhile, nose tackle John Jenkins has been placed on the physically unable to perform list. Jenkins reportedly had surgery on his pectoral muscle.

The 2014 Southland Conference Football Media Day gets underway this morning at the L’auberge Casino Resort in Lake Charles. We’ll hear from our Louisiana coaches and players at Nicholls State, Northwestern St., Southeastern and McNeese. Also as part of the day’s events, the 2014 Southland Football Preseason Polls will be released this morning.

The Saints signed a couple of undrafted rookies today. Linebacker Marcus Thompson and nose tackle Tyrone Ezell are on the team’s training camp roster. Thompson is from Rutgers and had 5.5 sacks last season. Ezell started 12 games and was a captain at the University of Pittsburgh last season. Meanwhile, nose tackle John Jenkins has been placed on the physically unable to perform list. Jenkins reportedly had surgery on his pectoral muscle.

LSU freshman defensive tackle Trey Lealaimatafao has been recovering today after severely cutting his arm when he punched a window in the team’s weight room. Assistant editor of Tiger Rag Magazine, Robert Stewart, says it appears Trey has a long road of recovery ahead of him…
cut 8 (07) “….gonna have”
Trey said on twitter this has been a learning experience and he’s thankful to be alive. LSU has not said what provoked the incident.

Sun Belt Media Day took place today in New Orleans. ULM Head Football Coach Todd Berry was one of the first to stand at the podium and answer questions. Berry says the offense will have a different look now that quarterback Kolton Browning has graduated….
cut 30 (18) “…we’re excited about that”
The Warhawks were picked to finish fifth in the Sun Belt this season, according to a poll of the league’s coaches. ULM’s first game is Thursday August 28th against Wake Forest.

The LSU baseball team’s 2015 schedule is already out. It all starts with a three-game series against Kansas on February 13th. Coach Paul Mainieri says his team will be challenged right away…
cut 18 (18) “….to the wire”
LSU will also travel to Houston’s Minute Maid Park to play in the Houston College Classic. The three teams they are scheduled to play are Houston, Nebraska, and Baylor. The Tigers SEC schedule begins March 13th at home against Ole Miss.

LSU freshman defensive tackle Trey Lealaimatafao (Lay-ah-lah-ee-mahta-fow) has tweeted out he’s doing well after severely injuring his arm when he punched a glass window inside the team’s weight room. He also commented on twitter this has been a learning experience and he’s thankful to be alive. Tiger Rag Magazine Assistant Editor, Robert Stewart, says LSU has not said what led up this incident….
cut 7 (10) “…this window”
Trey is a six-foot, 300-pound defensive tackle and was listed as a backup on team’s depth chart when it was released last week at SEC Media Days.

The Sun Belt Media Days are today in New Orleans. Ragin Cajuns Quarterback Terrence Broadway has been named the Sun Belt Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. The senior completed 62-percent of his passes for 2,419 yards and 18 touchdowns.

LSU head baseball coach Paul Mainieri has a new assistant coach in Andy Cannizaro and he’s also been able to officially add 12 players to the roster. They make up the 2015 recruiting class and Mainieri says this group of power arms and very good everyday players is one of the best in the country….
cut 17 (19) “….show that”
LSU has also released its schedule for next season. It all starts with a three-game series against Kansas on February 13th.

Northwestern State says centerfielder Bret Underwood has decided to play for the Demons next season, even though he was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 20th round. Underwood hit .289 last season and led the team with 18 stolen bases. He played in 53 games last season.

The owner of a bar in Nashville says former LSU Quarterback Zach Mettenberger was sucker punched by an Alabama fan. Steve Ford says Mett was not provoking the person in any way but that the guy said “Roll Tide” and Zach said, “Good Luck with that.” That’s when the other person’s friend sucker punched the Titans draftee in the eye. He said Zach did not punch back.

Former Tulane star Andy Cannizaro has been introduced as LSU’s new recruiting coordinator and hitting coach. Cannizaro was a standout shortstop for the Tulane Green Wave in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Cannizaro has worked as a scout for the New York Yankees since 2009 and the Mandeville native is pumped up to join the purple and gold…:
CUT 16 (21) “college baseball”
LSU has also released its schedule for next season. It all starts with a three-game series against Kansas on February 13th. The Tigers will also travel to Houston’s Minute Maid Park to play in the Houston College Classic. The three teams they’ll play are Houston, Nebraska and Baylor. LSU and UL-Lafayette will play April 1st.

The owner of a bar in Nashville told a local newspaper that former LSU Quarterback Zach Mettenberger was sucker punched by an Alabama fan. Steve Ford apparently told the newspaper that Mett was not provoking the person in any way but that the guy said “Roll Tide” and Zach said, “Good Luck with that” – that’s when the other person’s friend sucker punched the Titans draftee in the eye. He said Zach did not punch back.

There was a bizarre incident in the LSU weight room yesterday with reports indicating freshman Trey Lealaimatafao (Lay-Lay-mah-tah-fow) angrily punched through a glass window tearing his muscles down to the bone. It has been confirmed that the defensive tackle signee from Texas was being treated at a local hospital Monday.

ESPN.com reports Saints safety Jarius Byrd should be healthy enough to participate in training camp when the team reports later this week at the Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia. Whether he’ll be limited or not, has yet to be decided. Byrd had back surgery earlier this year to repair a disc issue.

The Sun Belt Conference will hold its media days today in the Mercedes Benz Superdome. We’ll hear from ULM Coach Todd berry and UL-Lafayette coach Mark Hudspeth.

Ragin Cajuns Quarterback Terrance Broadway was named the Sun Belt Preseason Offensive Player of the Year Monday.

The Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame announced yesterday UL-Lafayette baseball coach Tony Robichaux is their outstanding college coach statewide for the 2013-2014 sports year. He’ll be honored at a banquet in the Superdome next month.

LSU Head Football Coach Les Miles went through the ESPN Carwash today appearing on various television and radio shows at the Bristol, Connecticut complex. Miles was asked several times about incoming freshman running back Leonard Fournette. Here’s his answer on Sportscenter…
cut 30 (13) “….one day at time”
LSU reports for fall camp on August third.

Ragin Cajuns Quarterback Terrance Broadway was named the Sun Belt Preseason Offensive Player of the Year today. The senior from Baton Rouge completed 62-percent of his passes for 2,419 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2013. Broadway is one of eight Ragin Cajuns who made the Sun Belt preseason first team. ULM had two players.

According to the Tennessean, former LSU Quarterback and Titans rookie Zach Mettenberger was sucker punched at a popular Nashville nightspot. A police report was not filed, but the owner of the Losers Most Wanted Bar and Grill on Division street says a patron went up to Mettenberger and said Roll Tide to Mettenberger. Zach reportedly said good luck with that and that’s when Mettenberger was punched in the eye. According to the bar owner, Mettenberger did not throw a punch back.

ESPN.com reports the Saints Jarius Byrd should be healthy enough to participate in training camp when the team reports later this week at the Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia. Whether he’ll be limited or not, has yet to be decided. Byrd had back surgery in late May to repair a disc issue.

LSU Baseball Coach Paul Mainieri introduced Andy Cannizaro has the Tigers new recruiting coordinator and hitting coach at a press conference today. Cannizaro had a standout college career at Tulane and has worked as a scout for the New Yankees since 2009. Mainieri says he received some good references, before hiring Cannizaro….
cut 29 (18) “…Yankees organization”

LSU Football Coach Les Miles is making the rounds at ESPN today in Bristol, Connecticut. Miles appeared on SportsCenter this morning and was asked about being picked to finish third in the SEC West. Miles says his team doesn’t pay attention to preseason rankings or polls…
cut 30 (09) “….ranking is”
Miles and the Tigers report for fall camp on August third.

The Ragin Cajuns are picked to finish first in the Sun Belt. That’s according to a poll of the league’s coaches. Finishing behind U-L Lafayette are Arkansas State, South Alabama, Troy and ULM is expected to finish fifth. The Warhawks were six-and-six last season, while the Cajuns were nine and four and finished in a tie for first place in the league. Sun Belt media day is scheduled for tomorrow.

Crews are putting the finishing touches on the Saints new training camp facility in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. The Black-and-Gold are set to report this Thursday. We’ll likely find out then, if newly signed safety Jarius Byrd will be able to practice once training camp starts. The former Buffalo Bill is coming off back surgery.

LSU has released its 2015 baseball schedule. The Tigers begin the year by hosting Kansas on february 13th. LSU will also travel to Houston’s Minute Maid Park to play in the Houston College Classic. The three teams they’ll play are Houston, Nebraska, and Baylor. The Tigers SEC schedule begins March 13th at home against Ole Miss. And they’ll play the Ragin Cajuns on Wednesday April 1st in the Wally Pontiff Junior Classic at Zephyr Field in Metairie.

Tough start on the mound for former LSU pitcher Kevin Gausman yesterday as he allowed five runs in four innings as his Orioles lost to the Oakland As ten to two. The loss drops Gausman’s record to four and three.

Former saints linebacker Jo Lonn Dunbar was arrested over the weekend in Miami Beach, Florida for allegedly getting into a fight outside of a nightclub with NBA free agent Donte Greene. Dunbar played with the Saints from 2009 to 2011 and he’s now a linebacker with the St. Louis Rams.

The 2014 Sun Belt Conference Preseason Coaches’ Poll was released over the weekend and the UL-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns football team was the unanimous choice to repeat as champions. Arkansas State was picked to finish second in the poll with South Alabama at No. 3, Troy fourth and the University of Louisiana at Monroe comes in at No. 5.

LSU Coach Les Miles will join six other coaches from the SEC today at ESPN going through the “Car Wash.” The Mad Hatter will participate in just about every one of ESPN’s daily shows including an appearance on SportsCenter, First Take and College Football live. Miles will spend nearly five hours talking about LSU football starting at 9am with an interview with ESPN.com, then he’ll appear on SportsCenter at 9:20, First Take at 9:40 then a football roundtable at 10am. Fans can get a behind the scenes look at Miles day by following @LSUfball on Twitter.

The New Orleans Saints have high hopes for the 2014 season and the excitement is just around the corner. The Black and Gold head to training camp Thursday in West Virginia.

LSU junior shortstop Alex Bregman was named the tournament Most Valuable Player Sunday as the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team defeated Japan, 6-3, to win the championship game. Bregman was one of several Tigers who have earned the distinction this summer as six of his LSU teammates have been picked to play in their respective leagues’ All Star games. They are Senior infielder Conner Hale, junior outfielders Mark Laird and Andrew Stevenson, junior catcher Chris Chinea, senior left hander Henri Faucheaux and right hander Brady Domangue.

LSU Baseball Coach Paul Mainieri is holing a news conference today and it’s expected he’ll introduce the Tigers new assistant coach, Andy Cannizaro who played at Tulane. The 2015 schedule is also expected to be unveiled today.

Former LSU baseball star Kevin Gausman suffered the loss Sunday as The Oakland As beat the Orioles 10-2. Gausman gave up 5 runs in 4 innings.

In the NBA, the Pelicans signed former Florida Gator Patric Young. He averaged 7 points 8 rebounds in summer league.

The LSU Tigers were picked by the media to finish third in the SEC West. Alabama and Auburn are projected to finish one-two, and Ole Miss is expected to finish fourth. The Rebels return nine starters on defense this season and on offense quarterback Bo Wallace is back, as this will be his third season starting in Oxford. Ole Miss Head Coach Hugh Freeze believes Wallace could have a big season….
cut 19 (22) “….what he’s doing”
LSU will host Ole Miss on October 25th.

One other LSU football note…fan day has been set for Sunday August 10th at the Maravich Assembly Center and the Carl Maddox Field House on the LSU campus.

Officials with U-L Lafayette have announced the Ragin Cajuns and the University of Tulsa have agreed to a home-and-home football series. The Cajuns are scheduled to visit Tulsa in 2017 and the Golden Hurricanes will return the trip to Lafayette in 2019. The two teams have met nine times in school history and the Cajuns lead the series five to four.

Southern has been picked to repeat as champions of the West division in the SWAC. Grambling is predicted to finish in last place. The Jaguars landed two players on the league’s preseason first team, offensive lineman Anthony Mosley and wide receiver Willie Quinn.

The Pelicans reportedly signed Jimmer Fredette, who played last season with the Chicago Bulls and Sacramento Kings. Fredette averaged nearly six points a game last season. Jimmer won NCAA national player of the year honors with BYU and was the tenth overall pick in the 2011 draft.

The Pels have also reportedly re-signed forward Darius Miller. The six-foot-eight forward was a second round pick of New Orleans in 2012. In 45 games last season, Miller averaged four points a contest.

The LSU baseball team received some good news today. Left-handed pitcher and LSU signee Mac Marshall from Georgia did not sign a professional baseball contract with the Houston Astros. Marshall who was selected in 21st round by the Astros had until four o’ clock Friday to sign a deal with Houston.