Football season is getting closer which means that the soundbites from Les Miles are starting to flow again. This week, the LSU coach hit the airwaves to weigh in on the upcoming seasons and dispense the traditional Les Miles vacation report.

On Saturday (5.07), 20 horses will make the annual Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs. The Swedish hockey player inspired Nyquist is the bettors’ favorite, but there are plenty of horses with more local ties in the Kentucky Derby. The field includes four colts with strong Louisiana heritage. Click on through for your guide to the contenders with NOLA roots. 

The Saints have been a defensive disaster for several years now. On Thursday, the Black n’ Gold management finally looked beyond coaching changes and more pressure on the offense. The team used the No. 12 pick in the NFL draft to snag pass-rushing, 3-technique defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins.

Ready for football yet? The Saints released their 2016 schedule on Thursday (4.14) night— and it’s a tough one. The Black n’ Gold were handed the fourth most difficult schedule (statistically) in the league.

If you've been busy festing, you might be missing the Masters. This year LSU has been a huge presence in Augusta. Alumni Smylie Kaufman has been unabashed about his Tiger pride and he’s killing it.

It’s never too early for Who Dat Nation to get ready for some football. On Thursday (4.07), the Saints released their full schedule and plans for the preseason.

The Pelicans will most likely not be making a trip to the playoffs this year. However, New Orleans hoops squad will be making a trip to China in the fall. On Tuesday (3.29) night, the NBA announced that the Pels and the Houston Rockets will face off in a pair of Asian exhibition matches.

The Crescent City Classic is all New Orleasn whihc is to say that drinking and walking are both respectable p[arts of the race. Still, the annual 10k is still a respected destination on the running circuit and pros come to compete. Saturday's (3.26) race provided some reall challenges for serious sprinters.

Almost exactly a year ago, Mark Ingram learned that he would remain a Saint. In the time since, the visibly relaxed running back has whole-heartedly embraced New Orleans. Now, he is even helping the Saints out in their effort to recruit free agent defensive tackle Nick Fairley.

As promised, Sean Payton is with New Orleans for the long haul. On Wednesday (3.23), the Saints head coach announced that negotiations are complete on his new contract.