• Albuquerque 7, Zephyrs 5
Game keys: Jesus Feliciano and Andy Green hit back-to-back home runs to open the game for the Zephyrs, but the Isotopes rallied to win. Green hit a two-run homer in the second for a 4-1 lead, and Feliciano added an RBI single in the third. Albuquerque rallied with six runs in the sixth, including a grand slam by Andrew Beattie off reliever Eude Brito that tied the score. Brett Hayes followed with a line-drive home run to left to give the Isotopes the lead.

• Anderson bright spot for Tulane
Andre Anderson had three touchdowns in Tulane's scrimmage Wednesday.

• Brown has taken little time off
It's hard to think of Saints left tackle Jammal Brown as a developmental project, because he received so much attention and recognition early in his career.

• COOL RUNNINGS
BEIJING -- Usain Bolt again shocked the world and shattered a world record at the Beijing Olympics on Wednesday.

• Depth is beauty of U.S. team
All those perceived warts look a lot like beauty marks these days.

• GOLF
--- Aces ---

• Harris making his presence felt at DT
Saints defensive tackle Orien Harris has quickly made himself known among his coaches and front-office personnel, putting together statistics that even he did not think he would have through two preseason games.

• Helping reawaken City Park golf seen as dream opportunity
On Aug. 29, three years to the day after Hurricane Katrina rearranged the face of New Orleans, a new day will dawn at City Park.

• LOUISIANA OLYMPIC NOTEBOOK
BEIJING

• LSU SPECIALIST
BATON ROUGE -- Talk about your tough encores.

• NEWS IN BRIEF
--- NFL ---

• PERSISTANCE PAYS OFF
Jeremy Williams is a wide receiver.

• Salmen's Scott picks Central Florida
R.J. Scott, the St. Tammany Parish boys basketball player of the year as a junior last season, has committed to Central Florida.

• The Hornets' new uniforms seem a mix of something old, something new, something borrowed and Creole blue
Hugo seems to be sporting a snarl, teal has been replaced by "Creole blue" and pinstripes, which the team debuted in the NBA two decades ago, have returned to the new-look Hornets uniforms unveiled to a large gathering of season-ticket holders and sponsors Wednesday afternoon.

• AIMING HIGHER
Statistically, and aesthetically, if anyone appears to be ready for the regular season to begin, it's Saints quarterback Drew Brees.

• BRIEFS
--- Wave once again works out in rain ---

• BRIEFS
--- Miles satisfied with ---

• Go ahead, bet 'The House' anchors LSU's line
BATON ROUGE -- For Herman "The House" Johnson, the largest baby delivered in Louisiana, further growth is apparently possible.

• Kropog grows into larger role with Wave
They don't call Tulane's Troy Kropog "Baby" any more.

• LOUISIANA NOTEBOOK
BEIJING

• Nixon trying to regain form to help Mets
Thirty-four-year-old Trot Nixon has been through his fair share of injuries during his 12-year major-league career.

• OH NO, LOLO
BEIJING -- By the third hurdle, Lolo Jones had caught her competition. By the fifth hurdle, she was in the lead. By the eighth hurdle, she was pulling away from the field in the final of the 100-meter hurdles at the Beijing Olympics.

• Quarter-horse racing stirs memories
You do not have to tune into the Beijing Olympics to watch sprint races.

• ZEPHYRS 9, IOWA 5
Game keys: The Zephyrs' Andy Green hit a grand slam in the second inning. . . . Leading 6-2 in the fourth, Abraham Nunez homered and Ryan Church hit an RBI double.

• Lingering shadow cast over remarkable feats
The hardest thing about the Olympics these days isn't to win a single-Games record eight gold medals, or to run the 100-meter dash in a world-record 9.69 seconds, or to compete, and medal, as an elite swimmer at the age of 41.

• LSU football notes
--- 'Oh, my aching back' common QB refrain ---

• LSU TIGHT ENDS
Player | Ht. | Wt. | Class

• LSU TIGHT ENDS
BATON ROUGE -- When the LSU board of supervisors met last spring to vote on a raise for Coach Les Miles and other athletic department matters, a smattering of football players came to say thank you.

• MONDAY'S ZEPHYRS GAME
CUBS 2 at ZEPHYRS 1

• Outfielder Church battles to get back to Mets
New York Mets right fielder Ryan Church was having a breakout season in his fifth year in the majors, hitting .307 with 10 home runs in the team's first 57 games.

• Paul again a key contributor in another rout by U.S. men
BEIJING

• ROOM WITH A BOO
With the boos still ringing in his ears two days later, beleaguered Saints cornerback Jason David agreed with his harshest critics Monday.

• Saints notes
--- Even DT Young's dog can't avoid injury bug ---

• Track turnaround music to U.S. ears
BEIJING -- At 8:55 p.m. Monday, the Star-Spangled Banner finally played at National Stadium.

• TULANE TIGHT ENDS
Player | Ht. | Wt. | Class

• TULANE TIGHT ENDS
The ideal tight end blocks like an offensive lineman and catches passes like a wide receiver, but last season Tulane's tight ends focused on blocking.

• CATCHING FLAK
he Saints' preseason loss to the Houston Texans on Saturday night emphasized the struggles and injuries of a defense looking to improve, and the setback at the Superdome was surprising for Saints Coach Sean Payton.

• Cubs pick up sixth consecutive win against struggling Zephyrs
The Zephyrs crippled any hopes of reaching the playoffs by losing their sixth consecutive game to the Iowa Cubs on Sunday at Zephyr Field.

• FAIR GROUNDS QUARTER-HORSE MEET
When: Wednesday through Sunday

• Island breeze: Jamaica sweeps women's 100
BEIJING -- Yeah, mon, there's a new world order in sprint racing.

• LOUISIANA NOTEBOOK
BEIJING

• LSU WIDE RECEIVERS
BATON ROUGE -- Brandon LaFell knows all about football's ups and downs, having experienced them personally in 2007.

• LSU WIDE RECEIVERS
Player | Ht. | Wt. | Class

• Media consultant Fleischer to visit
Former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer will meet with the Saints today as a media relations consultant.

• Quarter horses champing at bit
Quarter horses, those muscular animals bred to run fast for short distances, will be flashing their speed at the Fair Grounds in a five-day meet beginning Wednesday.

• TULANE WIDE RECEIVERS
Player | Ht. | Wt. | Class

• TULANE WIDE RECEIVERS
Brian King isn't a flashy wide receiver who is going to do back flips after he scores a touchdown.

• Vilma going full speed, gearing up for Week 1
Each week in the Times-Picayune this summer, new Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma will let fans get behind the scenes with a first-person journal about his experiences.

• Where does Phelps rate out of pool?
No sooner had Michael Phelps left the Olympic pool clutching an eighth gold medal, than an streak by the name of Usain Bolt was grabbing his first, running the fastest 100 meters ever in the incredible time of 9.69 seconds.

• Blazing Bolt burns up track in 100 meters
BEIJING -- Move over, Michael Phelps . . . and make it fast.

• BRIEFS
--- Defense impressive during scrimmage BATON ROUGE -- LSU's first full-scale scrimmage went about as expected for a team with a strong defense and questions at quarterback. ---

• Deuce takes good first step
In the days leading to Saturday night's preseason game against the Houston Texans, Deuce McAllister talked about returning to the running form he displayed in 2003-05, the period when he was considered one of the NFL's top running backs.

• Former LSU standout Lee cruises into 100 semifinals
BEIJING -- On a day of disappointing performances by Louisiana athletes at the Bird's Nest, Muna Lee carried the torch.

• GEARHEAD: Two-way radio
Hand-held two-way radios are a wise investment for anglers, hunters and other outdoors folk. The latest generation have ranges of more than 30 miles over flat land and open water. These radios also have alert signals that mimic animal calls, a nice touch for hunters. Prices for long-range models start around $60 per pair.

• HOUSTON, PROBLEMS
It took two giant leaps in the end zone by two of the Saints' brightest stars, but New Orleans' starters managed to head into halftime Saturday night with a lead.

• Jones fretting over lost recruits
Tulane baseball coach Rick Jones didn't sleep well Friday night. In fact, he said, he didn't sleep at all.

• LSU ranked No. 7 in AP poll
BATON ROUGE -- LSU isn't going to start this football season where it finished the 2007 campaign, but the Tigers certainly are within striking distance of returning to the top.

• Newman's Luquette gives LSU nod
LSU may have lost a quarterback, but it gained a catcher.

• Newman's Luquette gives LSU nod
LSU may have lost a quarterback, but it gained a catcher.

• N.O. pass defense not in top form
Cornerback Jason David may have been singled out by the fans in the Superdome on Saturday night, but it was a rough night for the entire Saints' passing defense as they fell to the Houston Texans 31-27.

• Saints' David answers burning question
The only place left for the Saints to put Jason David is the bench. Given all we've seen, what other conclusion is there to draw?

• Same old story: offense on target, defense shaky
Let's see if I have this correct about the Saints opening act of 2008 before the home crowd:

• Schaub too sharp for Saints
Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub put on quite an exhibition against the Saints before calling it a night Saturday at the Superdome.

• THE HIGH FIVE
For many Louisiana residents, going outdoors means going on a bicycle ride. About a third of the state's residents ride bicycles, a majority of them older than 18, a survey of outdoor recreation preferences reported to the Louisiana Legislature a few years ago.

• Tigers still shuffling RBs
BATON ROUGE -- When the Southeastern Conference coaches selected preseason teams, they saw only Georgia's Knowshon Moreno as a better tailback than LSU's Keiland Williams.

• TULANE NOTES
--- Ponce De Leon gets start in scrimmage ---

• Williams just glad to be playing
Damaged goods.

• Zephyrs keeping proper mindset
On Tuesday the Zephyrs were coming off a four-game sweep of Memphis, and were sitting four games out of first place with 21 remaining to play.

• READY TO DIVE IN
Call it the Phelps Phactor, or simply Phelps Phever.

• Bolt lightning fast; ex-LSU sprinter shines
BEIJING -- Usain Bolt dominated the scene, and former LSU sprinter Richard Thompson arrived on it.

• Breaking Amercian records not enough for Louisiana's Farris
BEIJING -- Kendrick Farris enjoyed the best performance of his career Friday, but it still wasn't good enough to earn a medal in the weightlifting competition at the Beijing Olympics.

• CUBS 1 vs. ZEPHYRS 0
Game Keys: Bobby Scales ripped a two-out single in the sixth to drive in the game's only run, and Iowa (74-52) completed a four-game sweep at Principal Park in Des Moines on Friday. Mike Burns pitched eight shutout innings, allowing four hits to earn his eighth win. Ruddy Lugo made his first start for the Zephyrs (61-66) since retuning from the Mets, and he pitched six innings, allowing one run on five hits. In the sixth, Andres Blanco led off with a double, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on Scales' single. Michael Wuertz pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn his second save. It was the fastest game of the season for the Zephyrs, finishing in 1 hour, 51 minutes.

• Hearing in Grant's case continued
Saints defensive end Charles Grant was scheduled to appear in court Thursday in Early County, Ga., for the arraignment in his involuntary manslaughter case, but the hearing has been continued.

• Martin's Fontana casts lot with SMU
Blue-chip offensive lineman Joey Fontana of Brother Martin spent much of this week narrowing his list of potential college destinations to three.

• Pargo signs with Russian team
Free-agent guard Jannero Pargo, the Hornets' sixth man the past two seasons, signed Friday to play with Russian team Moscow Dynamo, according to his agent.

• Retif is knocked out of Mid-South Regional
Retif Oil's stay in Enid, Okla., was short and not too sweet.

• Saints, Deuce eager for some answers
The Saints' running game likely will be incomplete again tonight. But the cast of characters should include a player who has been planning a comeback for almost a year -- Deuce McAllister.

• The starting QB spot at LSU is up for grabs. Andrew Hatch, Jarrett Lee and Jordan Jefferson are scrambling for position
BATON ROUGE -- Can a football team be great without an established quarterback?

• Tigers scheduled to hit the airwaves
BATON ROUGE -- Reigning BCS champion LSU will get to show its wares on CBS at least four times this season, including a prime time matchup with the Florida Gators, according to the CBS schedule released Friday.

• Tulane's starting quarterback, Kevin Moore, has shown signs all along that he'll be comfortable as team leader
To be successful, a quarterback can't just walk the walk. He's got to talk the talk, too.

• Wave agrees to alter '09 schedule again
The realities of modern college scheduling are hitting home for Tulane.

• CARRYING MORE THAN FOOTBALL
BATON ROUGE -- Richard Murphy came to LSU as a blue-chip football recruit who had recovered from a serious knee injury. He also arrived an orphan.

• READY TO DIVE IN
Call it the Phelps Phactor, or simply Phelps Phever.

• Bolt lightning fast; ex-LSU sprinter shines
BEIJING -- Usain Bolt dominated the scene, and former LSU sprinter Richard Thompson arrived on it.

• Bush likely won't face Texans
Reggie Bush will likely miss Saturday night's preseason game against the Houston Texans to rest his sore left knee, but he doesn't seem concerned about the injury.

• CUBS 6 vs. ZEPHYRS 3
Game Keys: GAME KEYS: Micah Hoffpauir continued roughing up Zephyrs pitchers with another homer to lead Iowa to a third consecutive win over New Orleans on Thursday. New Orleans struck first with a run in the first on a Raul Casanova RBI single. Hoffpauir tied the game with a solo home run. After New Orleans re-took the lead, Iowa got another solo homer -- this one from Bobby Scales to lead off the fourth. The Cubs took the lead in the sixth on a squeeze bunt to score Scales from third. Iowa took a 4-2 lead, and the Z's scored a run in the eighth to pull within a run, but left the bases loaded. New Orleans starter Jon Niese allowed four runs in seven innings to take the loss, while Mitch Atkins improved to 7-0.

• Defense comes in waves as Team USA stifles Greece
BEIJING -- In three Olympic contests, the U.S. men's basketball team remains unchallenged and undeterred.

• Ellis facing the hype as Saints' No. 1 pick
As Reggie Bush stepped before a phalanx of cameras the other day, you could anticipate the questions.

• FISHING REPORT
Inshore saltwater

• Hornets pass 10,000 for season tickets
For the first time since the Hornets moved to New Orleans in 2002, the team has sold more than 10,000 season tickets and is close to selling out the entire lower-bowl area of the New Orleans Arena.

• IS THIS REALLY SUMMER?
Motor out to The Pen near Lafitte these days and you'll see something extraordinary: lots of bass boats.

• Moore named Tulane's starting QB
Tulane Coach Bob Toledo has been saying all summer, "If the season started today, Kevin Moore would be our starting quarterback."

• Prep football going prime time
Louisiana's state high school football championships will be televised live this season, the first time in the history of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association it will allow live telecasts of the title games in the Superdome.

• Retif grounds out in its opener
Retif Oil batters played pepper with the left side of the Tupelo (Miss.) Post 49 infield Thursday, and the result was a long first day in the American Legion Mid-South Regional tournament at David Allen Memorial Ballpark in Enid, Okla.

• RUNNING FROM BEHIND
BEIJING -- If the United States is going to overtake China's commanding lead in the Olympic gold medal count it will start today when the track and field competition begins at the National Stadium.

• Soth steps down as head of Fair Grounds
Randy Soth, who in almost four years as Fair Grounds president oversaw a meet moved to Bossier City after Hurricane Katrina slammed the New Orleans facility, directed an extensive rebuilding project, planned the return of racing to the city and took charge of the introduction of slot machines to the track, is stepping down.

• Texans seeking attitude shift
The Houston Texans have not turned the corner yet under third-year Coach Gary Kubiak, but they seem to be going in the right direction.

• Thomas sidelined after arm surgery
Saints defensive tackle Hollis Thomas had surgery Thursday morning on his right triceps muscle and is expected to sit out at least two months, according to Saints Coach Sean Payton.

• UNO is set to return to Lakefront Arena
NEW ORLEANS -- UNO is making a grand return to Lakefront Arena in 2008-09, and some of the best programs in college basketball will help them return.

• Americans drop baseball opener
BEIJING -- In an eight-team, round-robin tournament, it's tough to bounce back from any early defeat.

• 'A PLEASANT SURPRISE'
From a second-floor balcony at the Saints' practice facility Wednesday morning, Houston owner Bob McNair watched his Texans go through their paces under third-year coach Gary Kubiak.

• Augustus now playing prominent role for U.S.
BEIJING -- It doesn't get much better than this for Seimone Augustus.

• CUBS 5 vs. ZEPHYRS 1
Game Keys: Iowa starter J.R. Mathes pitched eight solid innings, allowing one run Wednesday night at Principal Park. The Cubs offense rolled early, scoring three runs on five hits in the first. Iowa added a run in the fifth and a run in the seventh. Cubs slugger Micah Hoffpauir, the PCL Hitter of the Week, stayed hot hitting a two-run homer in the first and scored three runs. Hoffpauir has five home runs in his last six games. Mathes held the Zephyrs offense to five hits in eight innings and earned his seventh win of the year.

• Freshman Chris Asumnu has shown coaches on and off the field that he deserves major playing time this season.
Before he had ever put on a Tulane uniform, freshman defensive tackle Chris Asumnu had made a strong impression.

• GOLF
--- Fore!Kids Foundation awards scholarships ---

• LSU's Lee back in action
BATON ROUGE -- LSU quarterback Jarrett Lee returned to practice Wednesday after missing two days of workouts.

• Mandeville, John Curtis to play in Texas
There are ways to jump-start a season, and then there is the "The Showdown."

• N.O. makes cut in quest to land women's Final 4
New Orleans' bid to become the first city to host three women's Final Fours took a major step forward Wednesday when it was named one of eight finalists for one of the events from 2012 to 2016.

• Saints' first practice back comes with a twist
The Saints had many visitors waiting for them when they returned to their practice facility in Metairie on Wednesday. And those visitors had quarterback Drew Brees energized.

• TAKE YOUR PICK
They will forever be linked, Mario Williams and Reggie Bush. The guy who was picked No. 1 in the 2006 NFL draft and the guy who got passed over.

• Ursuline's Plaisance transfers to Vandebilt
Ursuline's Theresa Plaisance, a 6-foot-3 center who entered the season as one of the top junior basketball prospects in the state, has transferred to Vandebilt Catholic, Terriers Coach Kathy Luke said Wednesday.

• A HANDLE ON THINGS
On Sunday night, while wrestling with an uncooperative soup can lid, Tulane senior quarterback Scott Elliott managed to slice open his right thumb, necessitating 11 stitches and keeping him from throwing for 10 days to two weeks.

• CUBS 15, ZEPHYRS 6
Game Keys: Iowa scorched the Zephyrs bullpen by scoring 12 runs in the eighth inning to overcome a 5-3 deficit at Principal Park in Des Moines. . . . Iowa sent 16 hitters to the plate and had nine hits in the inning to snap the Zephyrs' four game win streak. . . . The Cubs led 2-0 before the Z's scored three runs in the seventh to take the lead. Iowa tied the score in the bottom of the seventh. New Orleans scored a pair of runs on a Valentino Pascucci double to take the lead. . . . Andy Green had three hits for the Zephyrs. Iowa's Andres Blanco had four hits and four RBIs.

• DT Delery chooses Tulane
Tulane's commitment total continued to grow Tuesday as did that of Jesuit.

• Foundation in place, but work not done
JACKSON, MISS. -- The Saints' 2008 training camp, at least the Millsaps College version of it, is done, but the work continues.

• Hornets' preseason includes two at home
Two games at international venues in Berlin and Barcelona and two in the New Orleans Arena highlight the Hornets' preseason schedule released Tuesday.

• LSU's Beckwith eager to tackle leading role
BATON ROUGE -- LSU senior linebacker Darry Beckwith was only waiting for the opportunity, the first full squad practice day, which was Friday.

• Phelps rates somewhere between Tiger and Tarzan
"You're supposed to be a sports writer," my wife Deedy once told me, "so you better not let anyone know you can't swim."

• Safe bet Harper will be Saints' No. 1 safety
All we know for sure about who is going to be where in the Saints' secondary is Roman Harper.

• State officials to review policy
To Jerry Meaux, two pressing issues face the Louisiana State Racing Commission: acting on nationally accepted model rules for equine veterinary practices and the health and medication of horses, and improving backstretch security.

• Three-point stance gives Coach K options
BEIJING -- A few days before the U.S. men's Olympic basketball team's first game, Coach Mike Krzyzewski was asked how many minutes reserve forward Carlos Boozer should expect to play.

• Tigers getting up to speed
BATON ROUGE -- LSU held its first scrimmage of the preseason Tuesday, and Coach Les Miles pronounced himself satisfied with the results while also bemoaning a handful of turnovers and penalties.

• Even Houser amazed by long career
JACKSON, MISS. -- Kevin Houser doesn't have to be perfect. Just pretty close to it.

• Hahnville forfeits seven games
Hahnville's football team forfeited seven games from the 2007 season for using an ineligible player.

• LSU QB Lee skips practices with leg injury
BATON ROUGE -- Redshirt freshman quarterback Jarrett Lee, locked in a battle for the starting job at LSU, missed both practices Monday due to what Coach Les Miles characterized as a leg injury that is not serious.

• Safety Francois steps out of bounds
BATON ROUGE -- LSU Coach Les Miles said Monday redshirt freshman safety Stephoin Francois, who prepped at East St. John, was facing "some discipline problems with the team" and has not practiced since Friday.

• Saints happy to be leaving Millsaps
JACKSON, MISS. -- Training camp at Millsaps College ended on a punt to a player who won't make the club.

• SWEEPING SETBACK
BEIJING -- Danielle Scott-Arruda has been down this road before.

• THE MINUS TOUCH
JACKSON, MISS.

• TOWERS OF STRENGTH
BEIJING -- Lisa Leslie doesn't need to look far to see the future of U.S. women's basketball.

• Tulane lining up to prove a point
If a team wants to have an effective running game, having a strong offensive line usually is a requirement. And if that team averages 201 yards rushing per game, the running backs and the offensive line usually get some recognition.

• A LONG RECOVERY
For nearly three years, Pan American Stadium languished in disrepair and red tape after Hurricane Katrina.

• CAMP CONFIDENTIAL
A.M. PRACTICE: 78 degrees.

• Early returns show crowd of candidates
JACKSON, MISS. -- Saints Coach Sean Payton mentioned special teams immediately after Thursday night's preseason opener, then again back at Millsaps College on Saturday.

• Learning patience, seeing the big picture
Each week in the Times-Picayune this summer, new Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma will let fans get behind the scenes with a first-person journal about his experiences.

• More Paul needed to get U.S. show on the road
The game the world was awaiting turned out to be less of a competition, more of a mismatch.

• NEWS IN BRIEF
--- TENNIS ---

• Nicks plays 'What's my line?'
JACKSON, MISS. -- Saints rookie Carl Nicks is not sure what position -- or how much -- he will be playing by the time the regular season starts.

• Saints' McKenzie bending the rules
JACKSON, MISS. -- There are rules to the injury game, too. Apparently, though, the guidelines are ones Mike McKenzie has no intention of adhering to.

• SUPERPOWER PLAY
BEIJING -- They came bearing red flags, painted faces and Yao Ming jerseys.

• ZEPHYRS 3 at REDBIRDS 0
Game keys: The Zephyrs' pitching staff limited the Redbirds to four hits in its PCL-leading 12th shutout of the season. The Z's used Eude Brito as a spot starter, and the lefty worked four shutout innings and allowed one hit. Jose Santiago allowed two hits in four scoreless innings for the win. Ivan Maldonado pitched the ninth for his third save. . . . New Orleans scored a run in the fifth inning with a two-out RBI single by Anderson Hernandez. Raul Casanova hit a solo homer in the sixth. Winners of seven of their past nine games, the Z's are 5 ½ games behind first-place Oklahoma.

• BACK FOR MORE
BATON ROUGE -- LSU football coaches, teammates and fans could forgive Kirston Pittman for playing the 'What if?' mind game during the dog days of August camp.

• BACK IN A BIG WAY
After three years away from the game, O'Neill Gilbert figured he was through with football.

• 'BIGGER THAN LIFE ITSELF'
BEIJING -- It takes something special to give NBA All-Stars goose bumps.

• Blue Chip DE picks Central Florida
Glen Oaks defensive end Deon Simon, a member of The Times-Picayune Preseason Top 25 Blue Chip list, has committed to Central Florida.

• Bowen confirms he's staying with Hornets
The Hornets might lose a backup point guard, but they're retaining an energy bench player for the upcoming season.

• Bush exercises caution in later session
JACKSON, MISS. -- Saturday afternoon's practice was supposed to include the most complete version of the Saints' roster since training camp started, with several players previously bothered by nagging injuries expected to participate.

• CAMP CONFIDENTIAL
A.M. practice: 85 degrees.

• 'CUP' RUNNETH OVER
The Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup coming to Breton Sound Marina in Hopedale on Friday through Sunday includes more than fishing. The event will feature a daily tailgate party with local food, music, children's activities and sports-related exhibits as well as the popular "Splash Dog" contest where dogs compete for the longest water jump.

• Delta Journal: mosquito fern
The tiniest fern in the world is alive and well in New Orleans. The mosquito fern (Azolla caroliniana) is a small, floating plant species that may cover the surface of still waters much as does duck weed. The name mosquito fern derives from the belief that mosquitoes cannot lay their eggs in water covered by the diminutive plants.

• Mehlhaff kicking himself
JACKSON, MISS. -- For anybody who had seen Saints rookie Taylor Mehlhaff kick in college or practice, Thursday's game had to be surprising.

• NEWS IN BRIEF
--- NBA ---

• Outside gear: The swivel
One of the most important items in any tackle box also is one of the smallest: The swivel. When attached to a line above any lure or tackle designed to move while in the water, swivels can prevent line twist -- an aggravating and damaging side effect of circular motion by terminal tackle. Swivels come in all grades, from the simple, inexpensive model shown here, to the more durable, but expensive, ball-bearing models, but costs rarely exceed $3 per pack of a dozen.

• Pair of linemen are chosen captains
One of the biggest achievements a player can receive is to be chosen captain by his teammates -- something Tulane offensive lineman Michael Parenton and defensive end Reggie Scott can now attest to.

• Regulations, conditions favor duck hunters
Louisiana waterfowlers got a double dose of good news last week: the state Wildlife and Fisheries Commission announced another duck season based on the liberal 60-day, six-bird limit, and state biologists said wintering waterfowl habitat across much of the state is in excellent condition.

• Star-studded audience sees U.S. women cruise
BEIJING -- If Friday's spectacular opening ceremony at the Beijing Olympics wasn't enough to convince Seimone Augustus and Sylvia Fowles that they are on the world's grandest stage, then Saturday morning certainly was confirmation.

• Upcoming outdoors events
CYCLING

• Why lie? Fishing now all about selling stuff
They say all fishermen lie. But the new generation of professional tournament anglers are putting the lie to that saying, at least when it comes to them. The most commercialized fishermen of all time no longer fib about what they're doing out there on the water.

• Work awaits Hatch, Crowton
BATON ROUGE -- At media day Friday, LSU's roster was handed out, from jersey No. 1, belonging to wide receiver Brandon LaFell, all the way down to No. 99, that of defensive tackle Marlon Favorite.

• ZEPHYRS 3, REDBIRDS 2
Game keys: New Orleans starter Jon Niese allowed two runs in six innings and improved to 3-0 in three starts for the Zephyrs. Neise allowed five hits and struck out five. . . . Jesus Feliciano singled home Abraham Nunez in the seventh inning to break a 2-2 tie. . . . Tim McNab had two scoreless innings of relief, and Nate Field got his 12th save. . . . Anderson Hernandez tripled in the first inning and scored on a Chris Aguila sacrifice fly. The Z's added a second run on a Raul Casanova RBI single in the sixth.

• ZEPHYRS STATS
Through Friday's games

• CHINA WOWS WORLD with opulent Olympic opening ceremonies
BEIJING

• Awestruck Fowles enjoying ride
BEIJING -- As she surveyed the scene in the main media center at the Beijing Olympics, Sylvia Fowles understood how far she'd come -- literally and figuratively -- from her hometown of Miami.

• East St. John duo picks S. Alabama
East St. John teammates Bryson James and Romelle Jones have made verbal commitments to play football at South Alabama.

• Jefferson could play this season
BATON ROUGE -- When Ryan Perrilloux used up his last chance at LSU it left a hole at the top of the LSU quarterback chart.

• NEWS IN BRIEF
--- NBA ---

• Opening show also has gold-medal standards
Another opening.

• PATIENCE A VIRTUE
BATON ROUGE -- As far as LSU offensive coordinator Gary Crowton was concerned, the most important quarter last year's quarterback Matt Flynn had was the second at Alabama. As it happened, that was Flynn's worst.

• Peterson poised for quick contributions
BATON ROUGE -- Some freshmen, a team preparing to defend its national championship has the luxury to redshirt. Some freshmen, even a team in that position can't sit.

• Saints so-so in their area of most concern
We raved about quarterback Drew Brees and congratulated receiver Robert Meachem after the Saints' triumphant preseason debut Thursday night in Arizona, and deservedly so.

• Tigers starters still trying to prove worth
BATON ROUGE -- As a general rule, the first players to go through a drill in practice are the starters, and so far, Chris Hawkins has been one of those at cornerback and Harry Coleman one at safety.

• Tulane feels it has something to prove
Last season, Tulane volleyball coach Liz Kritza thought her team was good enough to make it into the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history.

• Wave welcomes reprieve from heat
After decrying his team's conditioning last season as the worst he'd ever seen in his 40-plus years of coaching, Tulane Coach Bob Toledo might have been expected to be wanting a typical early-August practice -- temperatures in the mid-90s and humidity-laden conditions -- for the Green Wave's first day of preseason drills just to test out if things have improved.

• BAYOU TO BEIJING
BEIJING -- Their dreams were spawned in sweaty gyms, on crumbling asphalt tracks and atop the choppy waters of Lake Pontchartrain.

• Editor's pick
SEIMONE AUGUSTUS

• Anderson ready to roll as Wave's featured back
A year ago at this time, Tulane's Andre Anderson was an unknown fourth-team running back slated to be redshirted and destined to carry only 14 times after he was pressed into duty.

• Butler receives break in case
Hornets forward Rasual Butler can avoid prosecution for felony weapons charges in Dade County, Fla., if he successfully completes four pre-trial conditions arranged by his attorneys and the district attorney's office in Miami.

• Duck season dates proposed
The state Wildlife and Fisheries Commission on Thursday recommended a 60-day, six-bird duck season that features early openings, closed hunting on canvasbacks and limited hunting for scaup (dos gris).

• Favre has time to make his presence felt in Gotham City
Broadway Brett.

• First full-go practice has nostalgic ring
BATON ROUGE -- Junior wide receiver Brandon LaFell still remembers that day two years ago, the one before his first full-contact practice at LSU when All-America safety LaRon Landry approached and flashed the sort of leadership and camaraderie only the great teams possess.

• FISHING REPORT
FISHING REPORT

• Holliday's speed dial now is set to football
BATON ROUGE -- For the second consecutive August, football won out over track for Trindon Holliday.

• Hotard rallies, tops Brennan in boys 16
Third-seeded John Hobie Hotard rallied to defeat top-seeded Cole Brennan 3-6, 6-4, 6-2, to win the boys 16s singles title in the Louisiana State Clay Court Junior Open Championships at the New Orleans Lawn Tennis Club.

• PASSING GRADE
GLENDALE, ARIZ. -- For Drew Brees, it was just another night at the office.

• SUCCESS IN NUMBERS
The old salts of coastal Louisiana fishing will tell you the most important skill to master is "finding fish."

• Thomas, Stecker make early case
GLENDALE, ARIZ. -- With running back Deuce McAllister out of Thursday's game and Reggie Bush limited like many other starters, it was the perfect opportunity for another rushing duo to prove something to the Saints.