In New Orleans, Jeff Duncan notes the Saints "will return" to The Greenbrier resort in West Virginia for training camp -- if coach Sean Payton gets his way. The Saints' original three-year contract "ended after this season." Neither side "has said if negotiations for a new contract have been discussed." But Payton said, "It gives you a real secluded environment for a period." Duncan notes the "general thought is the Saints' success this season will dictate the location of their future camps." If they win, Payton "will get his way and the Saints will return" (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 8/18).
THE HONEYMOONER: ESPN BOSTON's Scott Lauber noted today marks one year since the Red Sox hired President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski, and the "honeymoon is not over." It is "not that everything Dombrowski has touched has turned to gold." Lauber: "Far from it." He persuaded Owner John Henry to spend $217M on P David Price, who has a 4.29 ERA. But with a "group of young All-Stars" in SS Xander Bogaerts, CF Jackie Bradley Jr. and RF Mookie Betts, the Red Sox "are enjoyable to watch again." And Dombrowski's moves have "put them in position to make the playoffs for the first time" since they won the '13 World Series (ESPNBOSTON.com, 8/17).
STAR BRIGHT: NBCSPORTS.com's Joey Alfieri noted the Stars have "become competitive again and it’s clear that the community has embraced the team and the product on the ice," and things "seemed to have changed for the better" when the Stars hired Jim Nill as GM in April '13. Nill has "done a lot to make hockey relevant in Dallas again." In '13-14, the Stars ranked 28th in average attendance at 14,658. Just two seasons later, that number is now 18,376, which is good for 15th. Credit "must also be given" to Owner Tom Gaglardi, who "bought (and saved) the team" in '11 (NBCSPORTS.com, 8/17).
