Sports Card Fakes

Manny in middle of more controversy

2007-10-19T01:03:00.000-07:00

Manny Ramirez has been in rare form this week. Actually, perhaps the Boston slugger's sudden propensity for entertaining a pack of reporters shouldn't seem surprising, considering little of what Ramirez does is ever predictable.

On Thursday night, Ramirez once again found himself smack in the middle of some controversy -- this time during Game 5 of the American League Championship Series against the Indians. Instead of hiding from the spotlight, though, Ramirez sported an amused grin as he lounged on a couch amidst a crowd of cameras following Boston's 7-1 victory.

The issue stemmed from a baseball that Ramirez launched well into the Cleveland night in the third inning. Believing the blast to be a home run, Ramirez trotted leisurely out of the batter's box and headed toward first base. The baseball bounced off the top of the wall and back onto the field, though, and Ramirez wound up with a long single.

Ramirez clearly didn't agree, beginning to argue with the umpires about the decision. After the game, one reporter asked Ramirez what he said to one of the umpires, at which point Boston's David Ortiz stood up from the other end of the couch and started chuckling.

"OK, OK, that's it. The interview's over," said a grinning Ortiz, causing an outburst of laughter in the visitors' clubhouse at Jacobs Field.

Ramirez smiled and remained in his seat, offering a simple explanation for his latest antics.

"I thought it was out," said Ramirez, referring to the would-be home run. "But what can I say?"

On the field, Ramirez said a lot.

With two outs and Ortiz on first base, Ramirez sent the first offering he faced from Indians left-hander C.C. Sabathia deep toward right-center field. The baseball came crashing down on top of the wall, appearing to bounce off the yellow line that sits atop the fence, according to television replays.

Ortiz sprinted around the basepaths and scored on the play to put Boston ahead, 2-1, but Ramirez remained at first, confused that he was only being rewarded a long base hit. Ramirez turned to first-base umpire Dana DeMuth and asked for a timeout, and then began pointing toward the wall and walking into the outfield.

"Whatever happens, happens," Ramirez said. "There's no pressure, man. We play hard, we try to leave everything on the field and that's it."

Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell was standing in the on-deck circle at the time, but he said it was difficult to tell where the ball landed.

"I couldn't tell. I had no idea," he said. "I heard there's a little concrete thing beyond the yellow and it looked like it might've hit that. I even saw a replay inside, and I couldn't tell from the replay, either. I'm just glad it didn't affect the outcome of the game. It would've been a shame if it did."

Ramirez then begged for an appeal to right-field umpire Paul Emmel, who jogged in to hear Ramirez's argument, as Boston manager Terry Francona emerged from the visitors' dugout. The ground rules for Jacobs Field indicate that a "fair batted ball that travels over the yellow line on top of the outfield wall" is a home run.

Considering that Ramirez's shot appeared to ricochet off the yellow line, the umpires made the correct call. Still, the men in blue convened and talked the matter over, while Ramirez and Francona stood close by. After a few minutes, the umpires held up the ruling that Ramirez had only achieved an RBI single, resulting in an eruption of cheers from the raucous crowd at The Jake.

Francona remained on the field, arguing with the umpires, but the decision stood.

"The hard thing is there's so much emotion," Francona said. "[The umpires] hustled, they talked about it, and from my understanding, even on replays it's a little bit hard to distinguish. So, seeing it live and happening quick like that, I think there's a point as a manager where you don't care if it's right, you want the run."

Ramirez also stirred up some controversy during Game 4 on Tuesday night, when he belted the third consecutive homer for the Red Sox in the sixth inning. After connecting with the pitch from reliever Jensen Lewis, Ramirez threw both hands in the air and watched the ball sail over the wall for a solo homer -- his record 24th career shot in postseason play.

On Wednesday's off-day, Ramirez engaged in a rare interview with a pack of reporters, who were quick to ask Boston's left fielder about his antics. Ramirez smiled and shrugged off his actions, saying that he wasn't trying to show anyone up by watching his home run.

"Man, I'm just happy to do something special like that," Ramirez said. "I'm not trying to show up anybody out there. I'm just trying to go have fun. If somebody strikes me out and shows me up, that's part of the game. I love it."

Ramirez didn't have a similar reaction to his hit on Thursday, but he still began jogging as if he had collected another homer. That part of the most recent Manny moment forced a grin from Lowell, who shook his head and joked some about the play after the game.

"I just want him to run when he hits the ball 380 feet, so he can get to second," Lowell said with a laugh. "Then my bloop single to right field can score a run. But he does what he wants to do. As long as he keeps hitting, he can do whatever he wants.

"He can stand on his head and talk to you guys for all I care."

No one would be surprised.

Sports Card Fakes

Beckett baffles Cleveland again, sends ALCS back to Boston

2007-10-18T23:25:00.001-07:00

He blocked out everything: the screaming crowd, Kenny Lofton's chirping, even his ex-girlfriend singing only a few feet away.

Josh Beckett, standing tall as ever on the mound, rose above it all -- October's biggest star.

Beckett dominated the Cleveland Indians for the second time and Manny Ramirez drove in the go-ahead run with a 390-foot single as the Boston Red Sox stayed alive in the AL Championship Series with a 7-1 win Thursday night in Game 5.

Back to Fenway Park they go. Just the Red Sox being the Red Sox. They have plenty of practice at these postseason comebacks.

"We weren't trying to win three games in one night," Kevin Youkilis said. "We were just going out there and fight and do whatever we had to do to win."

Youkilis set the tone with a first-inning homer off C.C. Sabathia as Boston shipped the best-of-7 series back to the heart of Red Sox Nation to continue a season nearly canned for the cold New England winter.

Clearly, Ramirez & Co. cared "We made it happen," Ramirez said.

In 2004, Boston rallied from an 0-3 deficit to win the 2004 ALCS against the New York Yankees and went on to sweep the St. Louis Cardinals in four straight for its first World Series title since 1918.

The Red Sox forced Game 6 on Saturday night, and will turn to Curt Schilling, 9-3 in 17 career postseason starts, against Fausto Carmona.

Boston still trails 3-2, but if not for Beckett, the calm, cool and cocky 20-game winner, there would be no more baseball until spring.

"Josh is unbelievable," Youkilis said. "This year has been unbelievable for him and we hope he wins the Cy Young. He's shown here in the playoffs why he should."

In the late innings, drummer John Adams, whose tom-tom beat has pulsated through a special season at Jacobs Field, slumped against his instrument as the Red Sox tacked on runs. Meanwhile, in the Boston bullpen, two relievers used water bottles to playfully bang on backup catcher Doug Mirabelli's shinguards.

The 27-year-old Beckett, who beat Cleveland in the opener, once again came through with the stakes at their highest.

The right-hander allowed only a run and three hits in the first, and only five total hits in eight innings. He struck out 11, walked one and was around the plate with almost every one of his 109 pitches.

"He's got something others don't have," third baseman Mike Lowell said. "There is a different feel for us when he takes the mound. Time and time again he comes through."

Beckett, who with each start carves his name deeper among the postseason pitching elite, is no stranger to comebacks.

In 2003, he pitched a two-hitter for Florida in Game 5 of the NLCS as the Marlins rallied from a 3-1 deficit to eliminate the Chicago Cubs. Then, pitching on just three days' rest in Game 6 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium, he allowed five hits in a 2-0 win and was picked as MVP.

If the Red Sox can win two more, he might have another trophy for his mantle.

"We know we have to do now," said Beckett, 3-0 with a 1.17 ERA this October. "This is not where we want to be, but obviously, we're inching closer to where we want to be."

The Indians missed a chance to advance to the World Series for the first time since 1997, and will have to find a way to avoid being the latest Cleveland team to come close but not win it all.

Cleveland, which hasn't won the Series since 1948, had won three straight to seemingly take control. But the Indians, trying to clinch a pennant at home for the first time, could do little against Beckett, who rarely shook off a sign from Jason Varitek and kept hitters guessing with a rocket fastball and knee-buckling curve.

"He's the best," David Ortiz said. "We were confident with him going out there. He was unbelievable. It was one of the best pitching performances I've seen."

The Indians fell apart at the seams.

Even their rock-solid bullpen cracked for the first time. Boston added three runs in the eighth on three walks, a throwing error by reliever Rafael Perez, a passed ball and a sacrifice fly.

"Beating Boston four in a row is tough to do," Indians manager Eric Wedge said.

With so much on the line, both teams were on edge and tempers flared briefly in the fifth when Beckett and Lofton screamed at each other.

Cleveland's outfielder had flipped his bat to the ground after what he thought was ball four, and when Beckett retired him on a fly, the pair exchanged words and both benches and bullpens emptied.

The two got into a similar argument two years ago, when Lofton was with Philadelphia and Beckett with Florida.

"It goes back a way," Beckett said. "Those things have a way of working themselves out."

No punches were thrown, and if Lofton was trying to rattle Beckett, he didn't.

"He doesn't like it when I take my bat and flip it," Lofton said. "He's the only pitcher who's had a problem with it. He was saying stuff I didn't like, and I said something back."

Beckett then struck out Franklin Gutierrez looking before Casey Blake singled and went to third when Grady Sizemore's single. But Beckett fanned Asdrubal Cabrera on three pitches, and the rookie smacked his bat on the plate in disgust.

For Sabathia, the Indians' ace and leader, it was more disappointment. He allowed four runs and 10 hits in six-plus innings, his third straight sub-par performance this month.

Sabathia was angry with himself following Game 1 for not being more aggressive with Boston's hitters, and when he couldn't put Ortiz away with two outs in the third, Ramirez made him pay.

A day after he rankled Red Sox fans by saying "Who cares?" if Boston were to lose, the enigmatic slugger struck back.

Ramirez sent Sabathia's first pitch to center, where Sizemore went back to the wall. But as he reached up, Ramirez's shot caromed back onto the field.

Ortiz scored easily, but Ramirez, thinking his shot was long gone, was only rounding first when the Indians retrieved the ball. Boston manager Terry Francona argued it should have been a two-run homer, but after a brief meeting, the umpires kept Ramirez at first.

Slow-motion TV replays were inconclusive, and the ground rules at Jacobs Field state that a ball must completely clear the yellow line at the top of the wall for it to be a homer.

Whatever the outcome, it was Manny being Manny -- again.

The funky, fun-loving outfielder irritated some of the Indians when he posed to admire a homer in Game 4, even though his 451-foot shot had only brought Boston within 7-3.

The Indians insisted it wasn't intentional, but the club invited country singer Danielle Peck, an ex-girlfriend of Beckett's, to sing the national anthem and God Bless America on the night her former beau took the mound.

Peck was a fill-in for another singer, but her appearance didn't seem to break Beckett's concentration.

"I don't get paid to make those (expletive) decisions," Beckett barked. "She's a friend of mine, that doesn't bother me at all. Thanks for flying one of my friends to the game so she could watch it for free."

The Red Sox went up 4-1 and chased Sabathia in the seventh. After handing the ball to Wedge, the big lefty walked dejectedly to the dugout knowing he had missed a chance to get the Indians back to the Series.

"I don't think we're going into Boston on a downer," he said. "I can live with this. I thought I made some good pitches."

Sports Card Fakes

Benches empty after Lofton, Beckett exchange words

2007-10-18T23:20:00.000-07:00

osh Beckett stayed cool when his ex-girlfriend showed up to sing the national anthem.

Didn't bother him one bit when country singer Danielle Peck performed Thursday night.

"I don't make those (expletive) decisions," Beckett said after pitching Boston past the Cleveland Indians 7-1. "Thanks for flying one of my friends to the game so she could watch it for free."

Kenny Lofton, well, that was a different story.

Beckett took exception to Lofton's antics at the plate in the bottom of the fifth inning of Game 5 of the AL championship series, screaming at him and prompting both benches and bullpens to clear. No punches were thrown and nobody was ejected, and both teams left the field after a few minutes of milling about.

Beckett stayed sharp after the brief skirmish, limiting the Indians to one run over eight innings. He struck out 11, walked one and allowed five hits.

"There was just a little verbiage back and forth. Nothing happened," Cleveland manager Eric Wedge said. "Both teams ran out, looked at each other, ran back."

Pitching to keep the Red Sox alive, Beckett was thrown a curveball before the game even started. The Indians brought Peck, an Ohio native, in to sing the national anthem and "God Bless America."

"An incredible coincidence," Indians vice president Bob DiBiasio said. "Honestly."

Peck was simply filling in for Taylor Swift, another country star who was originally scheduled to handle the singing duties.

"(Peck's) record company called and said she's got Ohio ties and we said, 'Perfect,"' DiBiasio said.

And it didn't bother him, Beckett said. Honest.

"She's a friend of mine," he said.

Sports Card Fakes

C.C. Sabathia bested by Josh Beckett, ALCS goes back to Boston

2007-10-18T23:19:00.000-07:00

C.C. Sabathia was the second-best ace on the mound. Again.

Outpitched by Boston's Josh Beckett for the second time in the AL championship series, Sabathia can only hope for a chance to redeem himself in the World Series.

Sabathia had an opportunity to help Cleveland clinch the pennant at home, but let it slip away as the Indians lost to the Red Sox 7-1 Thursday night. The Tribe will return to unfriendly Fenway Park for Game 6 on Saturday night ahead 3-2 in the best-of-seven series.

"I can live with this better than I could my last start," Sabathia said. "I thought I made some good pitches. They have a tough lineup, but I felt like I was more aggressive than I was the last time and I went after them better than I did the last time."

Sabathia struggled to find the groove that made him a Cy Young Award candidate, giving up four runs and 10 hits in six-plus innings. He walked two, hit two batters and threw a wild pitch.

"He didn't bring his best stuff and he was able to battle and give us six strong innings," catcher Victor Martinez said.

But as Cleveland's No. 1 starter, Sabathia was expected to dominate.

The left-hander looked shaky from the start, giving up a home run to No. 2 hitter Kevin Youkilis in the first. The inning would have been worse had Franklin Gutierrez not thrown out Manny Ramirez at home to end it.

Ramirez's single off the top of the center-field wall in the third made it 2-1 and was all the Red Sox needed with Beckett on the mound.

Sabathia put runners on in every inning except the sixth.

Indians manager Eric Wedge decided to stick with Sabathia - who was over 100 pitches - in the seventh, one of the few questionable moves he's made this postseason.

Wedge said he didn't want to go to setup man Rafael Betancourt for two innings after Sabathia had his best inning. Sabathia said he was feeling fine.

"He's thrown 120 pitches before," Wedge said. "It just didn't work out."

Sports Card Fakes

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman recovering from tendon surgery on left arm

2007-10-18T21:09:00.000-07:00

Talk about a tough league.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman showed up at Thursday night's game between the Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning with a cast on his left arm. Asked whether he had dropped the gloves against one of the league's enforcers, Bettman said he actually had tendon surgery on Monday.

He then joked, "It's a result of reporters asking (stupid) questions."

Bettman gave his league good grades on its opening weeks, which included a two-game series in London between Anaheim and Los Angeles. Attendance is up across the league, he said, though the Bruins had about two-thirds of the new Boston Garden filled for their home opener as they went head-to-head with a Red Sox baseball playoff game.

"We're anticipating a record year," he said.

Sports Card Fakes

Thrashers goalie Lehtonen leaves game against Rangers, may have re-injured groin

2007-10-18T21:07:00.000-07:00

Thrashers goalie Kari Lehtonen left a game against the New York Rangers in the first period Thursday night, appearing to have re-injured his troublesome groin.

After covering a shot at the side of the net with 8:30 remaining in the opening period, Lehtonen got up slowly and, bending over, skated toward the Atlanta bench. He slammed his stick against the boards in frustration before heading to the locker room.

Johan Hedberg took over in net with the winless Thrashers leading 2-0.

Lehtonen played only 38 games in the 2005-06 season, missing 2 1/2 months because of a groin injury. He passed up a chance to play for his native Finland in the 2006 Turin Olympics and trained extensively the next summer to build up his muscles.

Last season, Lehtonen played a career-high 68 games for the Thrashers, helping them win the Southeast Division and make the playoffs for the first time. He was off to a slow start this season along with the rest of the struggling team, coming into Thursday's game with 0-4 record and 4.72 goals-against average.

Sports Card Fakes

Rockets 104, Mavericks 90

2007-10-18T21:05:00.000-07:00

The Houston Rockets consider the Dallas Mavericks a main rival, though their game on Thursday night won't go down as one of their more memorable confrontations.

Yao Ming scored 19 points in 20 minutes as the Rockets beat the undermanned Mavs 104-90 in a preseason game.

The stars on both sides mostly skipped this one, especially on the Dallas side.

Dirk Nowitzki wore his uniform but didn't play, Josh Howard sat on the bench in street clothes and Jerry Stackhouse watched the game in the locker room with a stomach illness. Erick Dampier (shoulder injury) and DeSagana Diop (flu) also sat out.

Tracy McGrady played 10 minutes for Houston, all in the first quarter, and scored eight. Yao left the game for good with 4:35 left in the third quarter.

Yao is pivotal to the Rockets' transition to Rick Adelman's more up-tempo offensive style. He's already enjoying the change from former coach Jeff Van Gundy's slower, half-court system.

"I just feel full of confidence," said Yao, who also had two assists and three turnovers. "It's very simple and very easy for me."

Mike James had 17 points and Shane Battier added 14 for Houston, which used mostly reserves in the second half.

Brandon Bass, who signed with the Mavs as a free agent in July, led Dallas with 25 points and eight rebounds.

"Bass is a pretty strong guy with a good body and a lot of energy," Dallas coach Avery Johnson said. "We want him to defend and rebound. If he scores, that will be a great added benefit."

The Mavericks' starting lineup was Nick Fazekas, Maurice Ager, Eddie Jones, Darvin Ham and Devin Harris. Jason Terry replaced Harris midway through the first quarter.

Houston, meanwhile, started its regular lineup and opened with an 18-4 run, with Yao scoring 10 points and McGrady adding six in the first five minutes.

Point guard Rafer Alston said the starters have easily picked up Adelman's system.

"The starting five, we've been clicking for a while now," said Alston, who had five assists. "We know where guys like the ball, we know where guys are going to be at, we know how to play off each other."

The Rockets' lead swelled to 26-6 before Luis Scola replaced Yao with 4:36 left in the first quarter. McGrady was replaced by Bonzi Wells with 2:12 left in the quarter and was done for the night.

In the final minute of the period, Wells fed Yao for an easy dunk to put the Rockets up 30-13. Yao played the first 3½ minutes of the second quarter and was replaced by Jackie Butler.

The no-name Mavericks trimmed the lead to 57-47 by halftime led by Bass, who scored 23 points and grabbed six rebounds in the first half.

Yao started the second half, as the Rockets went back to a lineup of mostly starters. Dallas countered with a lineup of Ager, Fazekas, Jones, Ham and Jose Juan Barea.

"We played hard and tough and we can take something away from this game," Ham said. "We gave our best shot. There is not much more you can do."

Steve Francis played most of the second half for Houston. Francis signed with the Rockets in July, adding to a crowded backcourt that Adelman has to trim by the start of the season. The Rockets have 19 players on the current roster and nine are guards.

The Mavs' second-teamers closed the deficit to 74-72 late in the third quarter. Wells drove for a dunk to start a 16-4 burst that pushed the lead back into double digits. Wells scored 11.

The stars on both sides never seemed too concerned with the game's outcome. During timeouts, McGrady threw T-shirts into the crowd, while Nowitzki chuckled at the on-court entertainment.

Sports Card Fakes

Kings 105, Jazz 91

2007-10-18T21:03:00.000-07:00

Kevin Martin scored 12 of his 25 points in the third quarter, and the Sacramento Kings beat the Utah Jazz 105-91 in an exhibition game Thursday night.

Brad Miller and Francisco Garcia each added 13 points, while John Salmons, Mike Bibby and Ron Artest had 11 for Sacramento (2-2).

Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur finished with 15 points apiece for the Jazz (3-3), while Deron Williams had 12 and Ronnie Brewer 10.

The Kings trailed much of the first half but ended the second quarter with a 13-0 run, going ahead for good on a basket by Kenny Thomas with 1:41 to go. They led 53-48 at halftime and extended it to 79-70 going into the fourth period.

Martin made all five of his field goal attempts in the third quarter and the Kings never looked back.

Sacramento coach Reggie Theus rested his starters in the fourth quarter, though Artest came off the bench and scored six of his 11 points in the final period.

It was a homecoming for Thomas, who played at Albuquerque High and in college at New Mexico. He received a rousing cheer from the crowd of 7,507 during introductions, then had seven points and six rebounds in 27 minutes.

Kings owners Joe and Gavin Maloof, who grew up in Albuquerque, watched from courtside seats and signed autographs afterward. Their mother, Colleen, was honored at halftime for her family's contributions to New Mexico sports activities.

Theus, who jumped to the NBA after two seasons at New Mexico State, got a loud welcome two nights earlier in Las Cruces, N.M., when the Kings lost to Dallas, but his introduction barely caused a stir this time.

He was greeted with a subdued mix of cheers and boos.

Sports Card Fakes

Spurs 116, Warriors 111

2007-10-18T21:02:00.000-07:00

Darius Washington scored 18 points, and the San Antonio Spurs beat the Golden State Warriors 116-111 in an exhibition game Thursday night despite sitting most of their starters.

Manu Ginobili had 16 points and Francisco Elson added 15 for the Spurs.

Baron Davis, Marco Belinelli, Al Harrington and Kelenna Azubuike all had 17 points for the Warriors. Harrington also grabbed 14 rebounds.

Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Bruce Bowen were among the Spurs who didn't dress. Also sitting it out was Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who was at the AT&T Center but didn't run the show. Instead, Mike Budenholzer, his new top assistant since P.J. Carlesimo's departure for the Seattle SuperSonics, stepped in for the night.

On Golden State's side, Davis and Stephen Jackson played, but put in relatively limited minutes. Both sat out the second quarter. Monta Ellis (neck sprain) and Andris Biedrins (sprained big toe) also were out for the Warriors.

But even without the core starters, Washington and Ginobili did a pretty good job of it by themselves for San Antonio. Ginobili hit all six of his free throws and went 5-for-10 from the field in 24 minutes.

Even after Ginobili threw the ball out of bounds on a bad pass four minutes into the third quarter, causing him to clench his fists and yell, he made up for it by twisting in the lane for a layup on the next possession to put the Spurs up 69-66 with 7:19 left in the period.

Washington's 3-pointer with 5:22 to go gave the Spurs a 99-98 lead, but Golden State tied it at 109 on Mickael Pietrus' 3 from the corner. Washington, signed to the team's training camp roster, followed with six free throws in the final 40 seconds and Harrington's emphatic dunk with 15 ticks on the clock couldn't do it for the Warriors.

Golden State led 37-36 after one quarter and at halftime it was 55-54 for San Antonio. The back-and-forth first half had nine lead changes and four ties.

After being down by as many as 10, the Warriors built a small lead late in the third as Harrington scored all of his eight third-quarter points, including two 3-pointers, in the last 3:29.

The Warriors hit five treys in the quarter and headed into the fourth up 86-80. They finished 12-for-30 from beyond the arc, while the Spurs were 5-for-12.

Three other Spurs -- Michael Finley, Williams and Keith Langford -- scored in double digits.

Jackson had 11 points for Golden State.

Sports Card Fakes

Nets 110, Knicks 94

2007-10-18T20:59:00.000-07:00

Richard Jefferson scored 25 points and Vince Carter added 22 to lead the New Jersey Nets to a 110-94 victory over the New York Knicks in a preseason contest Thursday night.

It was the first home game of the preseason for the Nets in the newly named Izod Center, formerly known as the Continental Airlines Arena.

The Nets (2-1) held a 48-47 halftime lead, then blew open the game in the third quarter, outscoring their crossriver rivals 38-25 to take an 86-72 lead. Jefferson had 15 points in the quarter on 5-of-5 shooting from the floor and Carter had 11. The Nets shot a blistering 71 percent from the perimeter in the third quarter.

The Nets received 11 points from center Nenad Krstic, who is recovering from a torn ACL sustained early last season.

"He did much better than I thought he would do," Nets coach Lawrence Frank said. "He made shots and moved well in his first outing. I don't think he could have asked for a better taste than what he got tonight. He was very active out there."

Reserve Malik Allen, signed as a free agent in the offseason, also scored 11 points.

Eddy Curry scored 23 points for the Knicks (2-2) and Jamal Crawford had 22.

Both teams were without their starting point guards -- who were once traded for each other.

Nets All-Star Jason Kidd sat out after straining his lower back in practice Sunday. The team announced that Kidd received an epidural shot earlier in the day to reduce the inflammation and he is expected to return to practice sometime next week, although no official timetable was given for his return. Kidd was not at the game.

The Knicks were without Stephon Marbury. Knicks coach Isiah Thomas said before the game he just wanted to give Marbury the day off.

Knicks guard Allan Houston did not dress for the game. He is attempting a comeback after sitting out the past two seasons; he retired with arthritic knees.

Sports Card Fakes

Kobe Bryant upbeat before Lakers' exhibition game against SuperSonics

2007-10-18T20:58:00.000-07:00

Kobe Bryant appeared upbeat when he spoke to reporters before the Los Angeles Lakers faced Seattle on Thursday night in an exhibition game.

Bryant has mostly ignored the media since Lakers owner Jerry Buss stated last week that he "would certainly listen" to trade offers for the two-time defending NBA scoring champion.

When asked about his recent silent treatment, Bryant said: "Why would I need to bang my head against a wall?"

He missed some practice this week because of a sore knee, then said in his first formal interview since Buss' statement that it caught him off guard.

He repeated again on Thursday his desire to not discuss the matter.

"When I'm here, wherever I'm at, I'm ready to go," Bryant said. "It's not my job to worry about what management is doing at this point. I voiced my frustrations over the summer and I'll just leave it there."

Bryant asked to be traded 4 1/2 months ago, then avoided speaking about the Lakers until the beginning of training camp Oct. 1, when he talked more positively, saying he was looking forward to the season.

It seemed the parties had put negative feelings behind them before Buss made his comments to three beat writers last week.

Sports Card Fakes

Donaghy's gone, NBA's back, and things can only get better

2007-10-18T20:57:00.000-07:00

Even before referee Tim Donaghy became better known for making bets than calls, the NBA wasn't having a year for its scrapbook.

The new ball. Another brawl. A forgettable postseason in which the most replayed moment was probably a flagrant foul, leading to suspensions that possibly altered the best series the league had going.

"I'll say that good or bad, there were a lot of headlines about the NBA over the past year," said Knicks veteran Malik Rose, a member of the NBA players association executive committee.

Then came the worst. David Stern returned home from the lowest-rated NBA finals ever and got a visit from the FBI informing him that Donaghy was being investigated for wagering on games he officiated and providing inside information to associates to help them win bets.

Throw in accusations that teams tanked for a better chance at getting the No. 1 draft pick - who is injured and won't play this season - the sexual harassment trial ruling that embarrassed Isiah Thomas and Madison Square Garden, and ... OK, enough about the past.

Here comes the NBA again, with Kevin Garnett now in Boston, Kobe Bryant perhaps headed toward a departure from Los Angeles, Kevin Durant up in Seattle - for this season, at least - and the belief that things will get better.

"Over the years the league has made great strides in everything and they're not going to allow, the commissioner is not going to allow, any one thing to bring it down," Miami coach Pat Riley said. "It might come down for a minute, but he's always found a way to build it back up."

The San Antonio Spurs are the defending champions, sweeping LeBron James and the Cavaliers in a one-sided finals - or "foreshortened" as Stern called them.

The Spurs couldn't repeat after any of their first three titles, and it won't be easy to do so this time. Dallas and Houston will challenge them in the Southwest Division, and the Phoenix Suns added Grant Hill to a team that felt it would have beaten San Antonio in the second round last year without the Game 5 suspensions of Amare Stoudemire and Boris Diaw for leaving the bench after Robert Horry's hard foul on Steve Nash in Game 4.

And in a nice change, the East could be just as competitive. Helped by some of the West's best crossing the Mississippi, the conference that put three .500-or-worse teams in the playoffs last season looks a whole lot better.

"There are going to be six or seven teams in the West that are going to beat each other's brains out," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said.

"And the really neat thing for fans of the NBA is that in the East, I think the same thing is true, where in the past you'd say one of those two or three teams is going to be in the finals. But there are probably maybe five, six, seven teams in the East now, any one of which could be in the finals. So it could be a great season."

One of those teams is Boston, which acquired Ray Allen from Seattle and later landed Garnett when the Minnesota Timberwolves finally decided it was time to move the longtime face of the franchise.

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Durant and doom: Sonics about to begin what could be last season in Seattle

2007-10-18T20:56:00.000-07:00

Kevin Durant refutes the desperate talk here that he is the SuperSonics' savior as deftly as he launches his smooth jump shot.

"I'm not the only one on the floor playing, you know. I can't do everything," the second overall choice in June's draft said. "So I don't think it's all on me. I don't know why people are saying, 'Save the organization."'

Excuse Durant for being naive. He's 19 and only been in town a month.

SuperSonics fans are clinging to any form of hope for an NBA franchise in Seattle on the eve of a season that will be unlike any in the team's 40-year history.

The day of the opener, Oct. 31, is also the deadline owner Clay Bennett has set to either secure a new arena deal or begin relocating Seattle's oldest professional team to the tycoon's hometown of Oklahoma City for the 2008-09 season.

Happy Halloween, Seattle fans. Tricks and no treats.

Instead of trumpeting a new era featuring Durant, the team's most anticipated rookie ever and last season's national college player of the year at Texas, the Sonics are in federal court with city government.

The team is trying to get permission to have an arbitration panel rule on whether it can buy its way out of the final three years of its KeyArena lease, which NBA commissioner David Stern has called the worst in the league for a team's revenues. In response, the city has sued the Sonics.

A resolution is expected before year's end. Bennett has until March 1 to meet a league deadline to file for relocation for the following season.

Seattle appears likely to become the third city to lose its NBA team this decade. Vancouver lost the Grizzlies to Memphis in 2001, a year before the Hornets went from Charlotte to New Orleans. Before that, the league hadn't had a relocation since the Kings fled Kansas City for Sacramento in 1985.

None of those jilted cities had its team even half as long as Seattle has had the Sonics.

Stern had said this summer he believed that Seattle would find a way to keep the team, which claims the city's only major pro championship. Gus Williams, Dennis Johnson and Jack Sikma won it all in 1979.

But this month, Stern sounded far more pessimistic about the Sonics' future in Seattle

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Judge weighs Sonics lease at KeyArena

2007-10-18T20:55:00.000-07:00

Lawyers for the Seattle SuperSonics and the city of Seattle argued before a federal judge Thursday about whether the dispute over the team's lease at KeyArena should be resolved in court or in arbitration.

The arguments were technical and revolved around competing sections of the lease agreement. One says that the length of the lease is not subject to arbitration. The other says only the Sonics can go to court over the contract.

The dispute is over whether the Sonics can buy their way out of the lease scheduled to end in 2010 and move the team.

Seattle City Attorney Tom Carr says he wants the case handled by a judge rather than by arbitrators because judges make decisions and arbitrators reach compromises.

U.S. District Judge Ricardo S. Martinez said he would rule as quickly as possible.

New Sonics chairman Clay Bennett, stymied in his quest for public funding to build a new arena, issued a demand for arbitration last month. In response, the city sued, trying to force the Sonics to honor the terms of a deal reached in the mid-1990s: In exchange for $74 million in renovations to the old Seattle Coliseum, the team agreed to play all of its home games there through Sept. 30, 2010.

Among the team's complaints are that KeyArena is the smallest venue in the league and that under the lease agreement the Sonics must turn over too much of their revenue to the city. NBA commissioner David Stern has called the lease the worst for any team in the league.

The demand for arbitration states that the team has lost money every year since 1999 - more than $55 million in the last five years alone. Last season the team lost $17 million.

The Sonics began playing in Seattle in 1967 and won the city's only men's professional sports title in 1979; the Storm won the WNBA title in 2004.

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Former NBA player Keon Clark arrested by U.S. marshals

2007-10-18T20:53:00.000-07:00

A former NBA player wanted on drug and weapons charges in Illinois was arrested Thursday when U.S. marshals stopped him aboard a commercial bus heading out of Houston.

Keon Clark, who last played for the Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns, was scheduled for trial in August 2006 in Vermilion County in Illinois for possession of marijuana, two counts of possession of a controlled substance and two counts of firearm possession.

He also is facing charges of driving with a suspended license, operating an uninsured motor vehicle and DUI.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Marshals Service Gulf Coast Violent Offenders & Fugitive Task Force got a tip that the 32-year-old Clark was in the Houston area. The next day, they learned that Clark was on a bus going from Houston to Longview, Texas, said Deputy U.S. Marshal Marianne Matus.

After marshals stopped the bus in Splendora, about 34 miles northeast of Houston, Clark was arrested without incident, said Matus. Clark was being held in the San Jacinto County Jail on Thursday. It wasn't immediately clear if he had an attorney.

Clark, from Danville, Ill., was originally drafted by the Orlando Magic in 1998, but was traded to the Denver Nuggets, where he played for three years. Clark also played for the Toronto Raptors and Sacramento Kings. He played two games for Utah before being traded to Phoenix in 2004.

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Beckett's ex-girlfriend to sing at Game 5 of ALCS

2007-10-18T20:52:00.000-07:00

This was a pinch-hitter Josh Beckett probably didn't expect to see.

Country singer Danielle Peck, an Ohio native who used to date the Boston Red Sox ace, was scheduled to sing the national anthem and "God Bless America" on Thursday night for Game 5 of the AL championship series.

Beckett was set to pitch, with his team on the brink of elimination. Boston trailed the Cleveland Indians 3-1 in the best-of-seven series.

Peck was a substitute for Taylor Swift, another country star, who was originally slated to handle the singing duties.

"(Peck's) record company called and said she's got Ohio ties and we said, 'Perfect,"' Indians vice president Bob DiBiasio said.

Peck's manager, Bob Burwell, initially issued a no comment to media inquiries about the singer's relationship with Beckett through the Indians and said all interviews "will abruptly end" if their wishes aren't honored.

Later, all interview requests were politely declined.

DiBiasio said the Indians were unaware of the history between Beckett and Peck.

"An incredible coincidence," he said. "Honestly."

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Facing elimination, Red Sox lead 2-1 after 6 innings

2007-10-18T20:50:00.000-07:00

Manny Ramirez hit a long RBI single that the Red Sox argued should have been a homer, and Boston led the Cleveland Indians 2-1 after six innings in Game 5 of the AL championship series Thursday night.

The Indians led the best-of-seven series 3-1 and were trying to clinch a pennant at home for the first time. Boston ace Josh Beckett was trying to send the series back to Fenway Park.

With the score 1-1 in the top of the third, David Ortiz drew a two-out walk from C.C. Sabathia. Ramirez then hit a drive to deep center field where Grady Sizemore leaped at the wall. The ball appeared to hit the yellow line on top of the wall before bouncing back on the field.

Ramirez jogged to first base as Ortiz raced around to score, and umpires ruled the ball was in play. Jacobs Field ground rules state that a ball is a home run if it travels over the yellow line on top of the wall on a fly.

Ramirez, Red Sox manager Terry Francona and first-base coach Luis Alicea contended it should have been a homer. The umpires conferred and stood by the original call. Bench coach Brad Mills came out to escort Francona, who was becoming more animated, back to the dugout.

Sabathia stranded Ramirez by striking out Mike Lowell.

He and Beckett faced each other in a rematch of Game 1, won by the Red Sox 10-3. The Indians took the next three games.

If a sixth game is necessary, Curt Schilling will pitch in Boston on Saturday night against Fausto Carmona.

Kevin Youkilis homered for Boston in the first and Sizemore scored for Cleveland in the bottom of the inning.

Players rushed onto the field from both dugouts and bullpens when Kenny Lofton flied out to left on a 3-1 pitch in the fifth. After the previous pitch, he had dropped his bat on the plate, but umpire Gary Cederstrom called it a strike. When Lofton hit the next pitch, Beckett yelled at him. Lofton responded and, after running to first, walked toward Beckett.

There were no blows struck or ejections.

In the second, Sabathia and Beckett each walked one batter and struck out two. It was the first walk issued by Beckett in the playoffs, a span of 16 2-3 innings.

He retired the next nine hitters before singles by Casey Blake and Sizemore put runners at first and third in the fifth. But Beckett struck out Asdrubal Cabrera to end the inning then retired the side in order in the sixth.

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What appeared to be a homer turns into single for Ramirez

2007-10-18T20:49:00.000-07:00

Another day, more drama from Manny Ramirez.

Boston's quirky slugger was credited with a single for what he thought was a home run in Game 5 of the AL championship series on Thursday night.

The Red Sox slugger hit a high drive to center field on the first pitch from Indians left-hander C.C. Sabathia in the third inning. The ball was just out of Grady Sizemore's reach, and it appeared to hit the yellow line that runs across the top of the 9-foot wall before bouncing back into the field.

Ramirez, who angered some of the Indians by posing after a homer in Game 4, left the batter's box slowly and jogged up the first-base line. He tried to slap hands with Boston first-base coach Luis Alicea as he rounded the bag.

Right-field umpire Paul Emmel never signaled for a home run on the drive, which scored David Ortiz. According to Jacobs Field ground rules, a ball must travel over the yellow line in order to be considered a home run. A smudge could be seen on the yellow line where the ball hit.

"It hit the wall and bounced back," said 9-year-old Tyler Coffman, who had his glove up and ready to catch the ball if it had come over the line. "I was ready to catch, but glad I couldn't because that would have meant it was a home run for Boston."

Ramirez motioned for a timeout and was held back by Alicea as he went to talk to the umpires. Red Sox manager Terry Francona ran out onto the field to argue, and the umpires discussed the call for a few minutes before ruling it would stand and Ramirez would have to stay at first.

Replays appeared to show the ball touching the line, but not going over.

It was Manny being Manny yet again. His pose Tuesday night rubbed some of the Indians the wrong way, though Ramirez - a former Indian - said he meant no disrespect.

And when asked on Wednesday's off day whether he had confidence in the Red Sox, Ramirez said, "It doesn't happen, so who cares? There's always next year. It's not like it's the end of the world." Francona brushed off any controversy before Thursday night's game, saying he took the remarks as Ramirez trying to show the team was in good spirits.

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Peralta seeing the ball better after offseason surgery

2007-10-18T20:48:00.000-07:00

When Jhonny Peralta says he's seeing pitches better, he really means it.

The Cleveland Indians shortstop had laser eye surgery in the offseason. While his clear vision has helped his entire game, he said it's really made a difference at the plate, where he can now pick up breaking balls.

"I didn't see the breaking ball pitch too well," he said. "I tried to use contacts, and they helped a lot. But the contacts bothered me when I put them in my eyes."

Peralta had surgery on both of his eyes in January, and said he noticed a difference the first time he picked up a bat.

"I see everything real clear," he said, smiling.

His numbers in the postseason have been nothing short of dazzling. He's hitting .406 with two homers and nine RBIs, and is a large part of the reason Cleveland had a 3-1 lead over the Boston Red Sox entering Game 5 of the AL championship series on Thursday night.

Peralta said his improved eyesight - he now has 20-20 vision - also has helped him defensively because he can see catcher Victor Martinez's signs.

"There are so many other things he's done and he's worked on," Indians manager Eric Wedge said. "But I am smart enough to say that if you can see the ball a little bit better, it's probably going to help you. So I'm sure that's at least a small part of it."

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Boss and his boys chase off the guy they're looking for

2007-10-18T20:46:00.000-07:00

Joe Torre walked when the Boss told him to run, which explains why the most successful Broadway couple this side of "The Producers" is officially kaput.

Blame whoever you want. It's hard to say who underestimated whom.

There's no way Torre was hanging around for the money, and whichever Steinbrenner came up with the idea to dangle a third of his salary from last year as a performance bonus this time around shouldn't have been allowed anywhere near the negotiating table. Torre hardly needed motivating, and if the Boss & his boys had any intention of keeping him, insulting Torre was just plain dumb.

He just finished what might be his best managing job ever, which is saying something, since Torre won four World Series, six pennants and made the playoffs every one of the dozen seasons he worked in New York. The team he put on the field in April and May looked like it would have had a hard time qualifying for the Little League World Series, let alone the grown-up version.

The fact that Torre got the Yankees that far proves he still has it, all of it. He commanded respect in a clubhouse brimming with alpha males. He was revered by the veterans, and the kids he was bringing along know they'll never get a better lesson in what means to be a professional - no matter whether it's Don Mattingly, Tony La Russa, Joe Girardi or somebody else who takes over their education.

The only thing Torre lost, maybe, was the stomach to prove it one more time. That's too bad.

Remember how entertaining it was in the final season of Chicago's crumbling NBA dynasty, when management let coach Phil Jackson know that he was walking the plank, and the Bulls won one final championship to stick it to the bosses? Well, it could have been like that in New York, only with more backbiting, bigger headlines and better tabloid coverage.

Mariano Rivera would almost certainly be back, provided the money is right. Maybe even A-Rod, too, so he could play the Michael Jordan role and finally win New York's heart. Maybe Derek Jeter proposes to make up the difference in Torre's deal out of his own pocket. Then ESPN embeds a camera crew with the team next season and we get "The Bronx is Burning: The Sequel."

But no.

Instead, we get Hank Steinbrenner spouting off about winning for a few minutes Thursday on a conference call with reporters.

"The objective of the Yankees since the '20s has been to win the championship every year, just as the objective of Lombardi with the Packers was or Belichick and the Patriots," he said. "None of us think we can win the championship every year, but that's the goal. Period."

Fine.

But Torre has forgotten more about winning championships than Hank ever is likely to learn. Every owner loves the phrase "October baseball," especially when it's accompanied by the tinkling of cash registers ringing. In fact, Hank's old man probably should get royalties every time somebody introduces Reggie Jackson as "Mr. October." But the game's changed in some important ways since then.

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New Reds manager Dusty Baker keeps Dick Pole as pitching coach

2007-10-18T20:44:00.000-07:00

New Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker kept Dick Pole as his pitching coach Thursday, reuniting him with one of his top assistants from his days with the San Francisco Giants.

The 57-year-old Pole was Baker's pitching coach with the Giants from 1993-97. Pole was hired by the Reds for last season, and has already provided Baker with his insights on the pitching staff.

The Reds also extended the contracts of third base coach Mark Berry, first base coach Billy Hatcher, hitting coach Brook Jacoby and bullpen catcher Mike Stefanski.

Bullpen coach Tom Hume was not offered another contract after 11 seasons on the staff.

Baker hasn't hired a bench coach yet. Pat Kelly, who was added to the staff as bench coach when interim manager Pete Mackanin took over last July, will go back to managing the Reds' farm club in Sarasota.

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Young GM has made lasting mark on Red Sox

2007-10-18T20:42:00.000-07:00

When Theo Epstein took over as Boston Red Sox general manager five years ago, he didn't have to look very far for a model of success.

The New York Yankees might be Boston's fiercest rival, but they know a thing or two about winning.

"The goal is to play a small part in helping the Red Sox become an organization that can have sustained success," Epstein said this week. "We had been in the postseason only twice in seven years going into '03. We set a goal of trying to be a team like the Yankees or the Braves, a team which you can almost count on to be in the playoffs every year."

So far, Epstein and the Red Sox are doing a pretty good job. They ended that 86-year drought by winning the World Series in 2004, and have made the playoffs four times in the past five years.

Boston won its first AL East crown in 12 years this season and advanced to play Cleveland in the AL championship series. The Red Sox trailed the Indians 3-1 in the best-of-seven series entering Game 5 on Thursday night.

Boston was a better-than-average team when John Henry and Tom Werner led a group that bought the club in February 2002, with some of the most loyal - and die-hard - fans in sports. The Red Sox had only six losing seasons in the previous 35, and were the team most likely to challenge New York's dominance in the East.

But Henry and Werner's group spent a record $700 million for the Red Sox, Fenway Park and the team's TV network - more than double the previous high for a franchise. No one spends that kind of money for a perennial runner-up.

Just 28 when he was hired in November 2002 - then the youngest general manager ever - Epstein immediately set about shaping the Red Sox into a powerhouse. In his first few months on the job, he hit the jackpot when he took a chance on slugger David Ortiz, and bolstered the bullpen with reliever Mike Timlin. Epstein also added infielders Kevin Millar and Bill Mueller.

After the Red Sox lost to the Yankees in a seven-game ALCS in 2003, Epstein pulled off his biggest coup, talking Curt Schilling into coming to Boston. Schilling had a no-trade clause with Arizona, and initially said he would only go to the Yankees or the Philadelphia Phillies. But Epstein won him over, flying to Arizona to make his pitch over Thanksgiving dinner with the Schillings.

Epstein also signed closer Keith Foulke that offseason and hired manager Terry Francona.

The boy wonder GM hasn't been afraid to let people go, either. He sent Nomar Garciaparra to the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline in 2004 in a four-team deal that brought Orlando Cabrera and Doug Mientkiewicz to Boston.

Three months later, the Red Sox were world champs, with Mientkiewicz catching the final out.

"The most rewarding thing is to win while also setting the organization up for the future," Epstein said. "Building a real foundation for the organization through young players and through a strong scouting department, a strong player development department, so you know the winning isn't a fluke. That, hopefully, there will be more good times ahead."

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Ginn says he's ready for bigger role with Dolphins

2007-10-18T20:36:00.000-07:00

The text message from Chris Chambers showed up on the phone of his protege, Ted Ginn Jr., soon after the trade that ended their brief time as Miami Dolphins teammates.

"Keep doing what you do," Ginn quoted the message as saying.

Actually, the Dolphins expect more from Ginn than what he has done so far. That's why they judged Chambers expendable and traded him Tuesday to San Diego for a second-round draft choice in 2008.

The departure of the Dolphins' leading receiver ensures more playing time for Ginn, their top pick in this year's draft. He made only three receptions in the first six games but figures to become busier starting Sunday against unbeaten New England.

"I'm ready, man," Ginn said. "I run all day. I never stop. It's going to be fine."

While the trade created an opportunity for Ginn, it also meant the departure of his mentor. Both are natives of Cleveland, and Ginn's father coached Chambers for two years in high school.

Practice seemed strange this week without Chambers, Ginn said Thursday.

"Chris was helping me with everything," Ginn said. "One day he's here, the next day he's gone. He's still the guy I always look up to, no matter whether he's here or not."

Ginn's failure to make much of an impact so far has been one of the many disappointments for the Dolphins, who have matched the worst start in franchise history at 0-6. He played little in the first few games but will now become part of a three-man rotation at receiver with Derek Hagan and veteran Marty Booker.

Hagan, a third-round draft pick in 2006, has six catches in limited duty and is still trying to shake a reputation for dropping passes.

"It's time to step up," he said.

The trade showed the Dolphins are already thinking beyond this season. Recent improvement by the offense can continue despite the departure of Chambers, coach Cam Cameron said.

"If we're not sitting here with Ted Ginn and Derek Hagan, we can't make the move," Cameron said. "Now it's just a matter of playing the game to see if they can make the same plays they make in practice."

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Hackett's return could bring changes among Seahawks receivers

2007-10-18T20:35:00.000-07:00

D.J. Hackett spent the last month feeling like the kid constantly passed over on the playground.

Now, his pending return could be causing a shift in the Seattle Seahawks' receiving corps.

"You feel kind of like that guy that just doesn't get picked up at a pickup game or something," said Hackett, who has been out with a high-ankle sprain suffered in the opener against Tampa Bay. "I just keep waiting for that next game."

That next game could be Sunday when the struggling Seahawks (3-3) host winless St. Louis. And his return has opened some competition with Seattle's receivers.

Coach Mike Holmgren on Wednesday indicated Hackett, Nate Burleson and rookie Courtney Taylor all will get looks in practice this week at the split end position. Bobby Engram is entrenched as the flanker for now, starting in place of Deion Branch, who is out with a sprained foot. Second-year receiver Ben Obomanu is backing up Engram.

Whoever is active on Sunday will likely see playing team in the Seahawks' mulitple-receiver formations.

"I want to get Hackett back into games, and I want to give Courtney Taylor a chance," Holmgren said. "I think when he has been in there, when he has been in there, he's shown, in practice certainly, he's shown good explosion, good speed."

That doesn't mean Taylor will be seeing significant time or even be active against the Rams. But wanting to see more of the rookie is another challenge for Burleson.

Burleson had six catches for 63 yards and a touchdown in last Sunday's loss to New Orleans, but broke off a route late in the fourth quarter that led to an interception. In his previous two games, Burleson was almost absent, with a combined three catches for 17 yards.

"He's a talented man, I'll stick with that. He has a lot of talent," Holmgren said of Burleson. "Now he's got to discipline himself to do it kind of the way we want it done all of the time. Be a little more consistent that way."

Hackett beat out Burleson during the preseason for the starting nod, only to see that opportunity dissipate in the first quarter of the opener. After catching his first pass of the season, Hackett's foot was caught in the turf while trying to pivot as he was hit.

It's been a frustrating and disappointing month for Hackett, who last year wasn't active for two games early in the season, before coming on to catch 45 passes in the regular season, good for third on the team.

How much, or if Hackett will play Sunday remains to be determined. Offensive coordinator Gil Haskell wasn't expecting Hackett back until after Seattle's bye next week

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Redskins play 'What's My Line?', make Alexander 2-way player

2007-10-18T20:33:00.000-07:00

Meet Lorenzo Alexander, the NFL's newest two-way player.

"It's like going back to high school," Alexander said. "Gridiron football."

The first-year player is wearing the white jersey of the offense in practice this week, instead of his usual defense burgundy. A remarkable series of injuries has left the Washington Redskins in desperate need of offensive linemen for Sunday's game against Arizona, so they've moved the 300-pound defensive tackle across the line of scrimmage and have made him a guard.

"I've got to know the defensive stuff, too," said Alexander, who is attending the offensive line meetings while catching up on the defense's schemes in his spare time. "It'll be a full-packed weekend, as far as watching film and getting the game plan and stuff."

Alexander lined up at the first-team left guard in practices on Wednesday and Thursday, participating in the Redskins' version of "What's My Line?" Todd Wade, Casey Rabach and Stephon Heyer were all hurt in last week's loss to Green Bay, compounding the serious injuries earlier this season to Jon Jansen and Randy Thomas.

"Every day we're redoing the offensive line," assistant coach Joe Bugel said.

Bugel was asked if this week has been more painful than his recent trip to the hospital to have a kidney stone removed.

"Not quite. Not quite," Bugel said with a pained shake of the head. "But it's the first time in my 30 years to lose so many linemen."

Here's the latest of who's-doing-what, as of Thursday:

-Rabach, the starting center, did not practice again or even put on a jersey. Sidelined by a strained right groin, he appeared gimpy as he worked through some exercises with a trainer. Nevertheless, the glue of the offensive line is intent on taking the field Sunday against the Cardinals.

"I plan on playing," Rabach said. "To miss a game, I'd have to be in a lot of pain."

-Right tackle Wade (strained right groin) and left guard Kendall (sore knees and hamstring) practiced. Kendall said he was encouraged by his progress, Wade said he was confident, and both appear on pace to play.

-Backup right tackle Heyer's strained hamstring appears more serious than the other injuries. He didn't practice and appears unlikely to play.

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Walker to have surgery on right knee, expected to miss weeks

2007-10-18T20:32:00.000-07:00

Broncos wide receiver Javon Walker will undergo surgery on his right knee on Friday and will be out for "a few weeks," coach Mike Shanahan said Thursday.

Walker missed the Broncos' past two games because of swelling, but practiced Monday and Wednesday.

"Javon's not feeling very good," Shanahan said. "He'll get operated on tomorrow in Houston, so he'll be out for a few weeks."

Shanahan didn't have a precise timetable for Walker's return.

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Chiefs may be set to activate RB Priest Holmes

2007-10-18T20:31:00.000-07:00

Priest Holmes went through another impressive workout on Thursday and the Kansas City Chiefs appeared to be leaning toward activating the 34-year-old running back.

Attempting an improbable return to the NFL after being out for 22 months, Holmes had his first practice on Wednesday and coaches said they would pay particular attention to how he did Thursday.

"He was still fresh, wasn't sore," coach Herm Edwards said with a wry shake of his head. "He went through practice, had a good practice."

The Chiefs seemed to make roster room for Holmes this week when they traded Johnson's backup, Michael Bennett, to Tampa. But Edwards said he still had not made a decision whether Holmes would play Sunday at Oakland. It would almost certainly be in a limited role behind starter Larry Johnson.

"We'll wait another day and see how he feels tomorrow," Edwards said. "He ran some things on offense, ran some scout team things, too. But he looks good. He looks like a guy who's been preparing himself to play football. I don't rule anything out."

A three-time Pro Bowler, Holmes was one of the league's top running backs from 2001-05, rushing for almost 6,000 yards and scoring a then-record 27 touchdowns in 2003. His career appeared to be over when he sustained neck and spinal injuries during a game at San Diego in October 2005 and spent the next two years completely away from the game.

But he called the Chiefs shortly before they went to training camp in July and told them he had seen himself in a dream playing football again and wanted to stage a comeback.

"He's running the ball hard," Chiefs linebacker Donnie Edwards said. "When you're away from the game you really don't know. But for him it's just like riding a bike, getting the ball in his hands and seeing the defenses and making his cuts. He's feeling at home already."

The defense has been careful not to give the former Pro Bowler special treatment.

"Not at all. The first time he got the ball I kind of gave him a thump and tried to strip the ball from him," Edwards said. "He's excited. I'm really happy for him to be back on the field."

Oakland wide receiver Ronald Curry said he expected Holmes to be effective.

"His body should be fresh. He shouldn't feel like a 34-year-old running back," Curry said

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Titans' task? Protect the ball after 8 turnovers in 2 games

2007-10-18T20:28:00.000-07:00

Bo Scaife had just caught a short pass from Kerry Collins when Tampa Bay linebacker Derrick Brooks hit him, knocking the ball loose and setting off a scramble.

Tampa Bay cornerback Ronde Barber recovered the ball only to fumble himself after Titans running back LenDale White slammed into him. Tennessee receiver Justin Gage threw himself down on the ball, ending the play and keeping the ball in the Titans' possession.

"It got us some field position," Gage said Thursday. "It got us down the field farther and a new set of downs. When a play like that happens and it comes back to our side, it gives the offense confidence as opposed to a turnover that hurts our offense."

No matter if Vince Young's strained right quadriceps muscle heals quickly or if it's backup Kerry Collins at quarterback Sunday in Houston (3-3), the Tennessee Titans must find a way to hold onto the ball after eight turnovers over the past two games.

Subtract the fumble that Gage recovered, the number drops to seven for the Titans (3-2). That turnover total could have been even higher if not for a bit of luck mixed with help from replay review.

Barber thought he had two interceptions except for challenges that overturned both plays. But officials upheld an interception by Phillip Buchanon in that game when Titans coach Jeff Fisher thought the cornerback stepped out of bounds.

Fisher isn't happy with turnovers, and he said all could have been avoided.

"You have to go back and discuss them, go into detail and emphasize, as much as you can, that they don't happen again. Again, it will be a key part of this ballgame," Fisher said. "The team that can protect the ball and not give it up has got a pretty good chance of winning."

The Titans protected the ball pretty well in 2006 with 26 giveaways. In the NFL, only 13 teams had fewer.

They started off this season fairly stingy, losing the ball only five times through the first three games combined. With the struggles since the bye, the Titans now are halfway to last year's total of giveaways with 13 and 11 games still remaining.

Now, only five NFL teams have more giveaways.

"To me, we've had enough for the season already," tight end Ben Troupe said. "Hopefully, we've got all our turnovers out of the way for the season."

The Titans have gotten lots of help from the defense to erase those mistakes. They have 10 takeaways that have turned into 28 points, including two interception returns for touchdowns by Vincent Fuller

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Tampa Bay at Detroit in matchup of two improved teams

2007-10-18T20:27:00.000-07:00

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions combined to win seven games last season. Assuming they don't tie when they meet in Detroit, they'll surpass that total on Sunday.

That's the nature of the NFL. Except for the Patriots and Colts, what goes up usually comes down and vice versa.

The vice versa part is the Bucs (4-2) and the Lions (3-2).

"I try not to compare this team to last year. It's not fair to these guys," says Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden, who has combined the old (Jeff Garcia, Derrick Brooks, Ronde Barber) with the new (rookie safety Tanard Jackson) to get his team to where it is. But it's mostly old: Garcia's favorite receivers are 35-year-old Joey Galloway and 31-year-old Ike Hilliard.

"We've got a whole new football team, honestly," Gruden says. "We've got a long way to go. But we do have enough grit, enough stuff inside our building to rise up, and I know we'll be there every Sunday and compete."

Injuries have cost the Bucs running back Carnell "Cadillac" Williams and left tackle Luke Petitgout for the season. Tampa traded for Michael Bennett on Tuesday and he'll back up Earnest Graham at running back.

Gruden's Bucs are a lot more consistent than the Lions, who were awful in their two losses, both to NFC East teams.

They allowed 56 points to the Eagles and were beaten 34-3 in Washington. But they also can be explosive, as they were in a 34-point fourth quarter against the Bears. And their receiving corps - Roy Williams, Mike Furrey, Shaun McDonald and rookie Calvin Johnson - is potentially as good as any in the NFL.

Nonetheless, the Lions seem better than any Detroit team since 2001, the year Matt Millen took over as president. Entering the season, they were 24-72 in the last six seasons.

But the consistency is still absent.

"We haven't leapfrogged to another level because you can't play good one week and get throttled the next," says the senior Lion, kicker Jason Hanson. "But we have put ourselves in a position where we're playing for something, so that should be an incentive. Getting throttled two times should tell us: `You thought you were good? Take another look.' We're still a team that is scratching and clawing."

---

In other games Sunday, Atlanta is at New Orleans; Tennessee at Houston; Arizona at Washington; New England at Miami; Baltimore at Buffalo; San Francisco at the New York Giants; Kansas City at Oakland; the New York Jets at Cincinnati; St. Louis at Seattle; Minnesota at Dallas; Chicago at Philadelphia; and Pittsburgh at Denver.

Sports Card Fakes

Ravens RB McGahee has no regrets bracing for first trip back to Buffalo

2007-10-18T20:26:00.000-07:00

For all the off-the-wall, brow-raising comments Willis McGahee uttered during his four up-and-down seasons in Buffalo, there was never one he'd want retracted.

And clearly nothing has changed since the Bills rid themselves of a disgruntled player by trading the running back to the Baltimore Ravens in March.

"Regrets?" McGahee said with a giggle during a conference call with Buffalo reporters this week. "Why would I have any regrets?"

Same old Willis, playfully feigning ignorance while fully bracing for the bitter welcome Bills fans have in store when the Ravens (4-2) travel to play Buffalo (1-4) in McGahee's first trip back after scorching every bridge on his way out of town.

And even McGahee will acknowledge that.

"I left and it wasn't on a good note," McGahee said. "So they're going to be a little upset."

A little?

First, McGahee committed what Bills fans consider heresy, suggesting in an interview with Penthouse Magazine that the franchise would be better off relocating to Toronto.

Then, weeks after he was traded, McGahee painted the entire community as a cultural backwater, quoted in The Baltimore Sun as knocking Buffalo's nightlife, restaurants and women, saying he'd spend most of his down time eating at Applebee's and sitting on the couch playing video games.

McGahee insists he was misinterpreted, a familiar retort considering that's what he said in 2005 when he claimed to be the NFL's best running back as the Bills prepared to travel to San Diego and face LaDainian Tomlinson.

"That's how it is, man," he said last week. "Once something leaves your mouth, it never comes back the way you said it."

As for what he's learned, McGahee said: "Never look back. Always look forward."

McGahee can do that because he's now part of a Ravens team that has won four of five and is attempting to enter its bye week with its second straight 5-2 start. Taking over after Jamal Lewis signed with Cleveland, McGahee ranks fourth in the NFL with 525 yards rushing. He's on pace to surpass his career high of 1,247 yards in 2005.

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Still suspended, Tank Johnson will be able to practice with the Cowboys on Friday

2007-10-18T20:25:00.000-07:00

Suspended defensive tackle Tank Johnson will be allowed to practice starting Friday, which will be his first team session with the Dallas Cowboys since they signed him last month.

Johnson still has two games left on his eight-game NFL suspension for violating probation on a gun charge. Unless the suspension is reduced by commissioner Roger Goodell, Johnson will be eligible to play when the Cowboys play at the New York Giants on Nov. 11.

"It will be good to get him out on the field and get him in the meeting room too," Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said. "All I know is he's going to practice. I don't know when he's going to be able to play, or when he'll be able to play."

Johnson, who was released by the Chicago Bears after his suspension, signed with the Cowboys last month. The Bears let him go after he was picked up for speeding at 3:30 a.m. shortly after he was suspended.

He has been able to work out individually at Valley Ranch and meet with the team's player assistance staff, headed by Calvin Hill. Until now, Johnson hasn't been able to work out with the team or work with the coaching staff.

"He's a gregarious kind of guy," Phillips said. "He's ready to play, wants to play and seems excited about it. He's a pretty personable guy, so it's all positives as far as I'm concerned."

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Goodell had given Johnson permission to practice because the Cowboys have a bye week next week and won't practice much. Aiello emphasized that the suspension had not yet been lifted officially.

Johnson wasn't in the locker room when it was open to reporters Thursday before practice.

Johnson, a second round pick by the Bears in 2004, started 10 games for Chicago as it went to the Super Bowl last season.

Last December, police his suburban Chicago home and found six unregistered firearms, a violation of his probation on a charge stemming from Johnson's 2005 arrest. That came after a Chicago nightclub valet reported seeing Johnson with a handgun in his SUV. He subsequently pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge.

Two days after last December's raid, Willie B. Posey, Johnson's bodyguard, was shot and killed in an early-morning fight while he and Johnson were at a Chicago nightclub.

Johnson was suspended by the Bears for one game for being at the club. But he played in the Super Bowl as the Chicago lost to Indianapolis.

He eventually pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor weapons charge stemming from the December raid as part of a deal with prosecutors that kept him from serving more time in jail. He was ordered to serve 45 days for violating probation, which he served concurrently with the sentence on the guilty plea.

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Mangini, Jets captains meet weekly to discuss how to get things right

2007-10-18T20:23:00.000-07:00

Laveranues Coles finally put his finger on the biggest reason for the New York Jets' struggles this season.

"I might be the jinx," the wide receiver said with a chuckle. "Last year, I wasn't the captain and we actually won some games. It might be something where I might have to step down and maybe it'll change things and get it turned around."

It's going to take a lot more than that to rebound from a 1-5 start, but Coles is doing his best to keep things loose in the locker room. He regularly cracks jokes with his teammates, and drew some laughs Thursday as he wrestled with linebacker Jonathan Vilma.

There's also serious time, of course, and not only on the field. Along with the other five team captains - Vilma, Shaun Ellis, Chad Pennington, Brad Kassell and Mike Nugent - Coles meets with coach Eric Mangini after practice every Thursday to discuss issues affecting the team.

"The captains' meetings have been pretty consistent and those are important, too," Mangini said. "Sometimes guys may not want to say what they think and what they feel and they'll go to the captains and express it. That's important to be able to openly talk about what's happening and have the give-and-take."

Some aspects of the sessions have been particularly eye-opening for Coles, a captain for the first time in his career.

"I was surprised we got food," he said, laughing. "Anytime you go somewhere and get a free meal from outside the building I'm thankful."

The players like to rotate the menu for the meetings, which take place in an office at Jets headquarters.

"But Vilma likes Hooters all the time, so that's kind of been the main thing," Coles said. "He likes shrimp and crab legs, so it's been what we've been eating every Thursday."

Not so, said Vilma.

"I like the crabs and he likes the shrimp," he said. "He sometimes tries to bring pizza along."

Coles then saw Vilma looking over at him from across the locker room.

"Why you looking over here?" the wide receiver playfully yelled. "You're going to get whooped!"

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Pats RB Maroney still in question for Miami game

2007-10-18T20:22:00.000-07:00

Even though the New England Patriots are running short of running backs, Laurence Maroney says he won't jeopardize his health to return to the lineup.

Maroney has missed three straight games with a groin injury. Backup Sammy Morris filled in with a pair of 100-yard games before hurting his chest in last Sunday's win over the Cowboys.

Morris is expected to miss this week's game in Miami. Maroney said Morris' status won't affect his own.

"You've still got to know your body and know your injury," Maroney said. "Just because another person went down doesn't mean that you have to speed your (rehab) up and then hurt yourself more. Now the two of you are out for even longer instead of being patient.

"I'm still going to be patient and whatever (coach Bill) Belichick and the trainers have for me this week is what they have."

Maroney, who warmed up on the field before the Cowboys game but was not activated, said he worries about being labeled injury prone. As a first-round rookie last season he missed two games and then underwent offseason shoulder surgery.

"Coming off one injury as it is and then coming into another one, it definitely is frustrating," he said. "I just can't get rid of these things."

Maroney has rushed for 252 yards this season, averaging 4.7 yards per carry.

If Maroney can't play Sunday, third-down back Kevin Faulk is expected to see more playing time. Faulk was the Patriots' leading rusher against the Cowboys with 13 carries for 50 yards. He had only 10 rushing attempts in the first five games.

The Patriots also could turn to fullbacks Heath Evans and Kyle Eckel against a Dolphins run defense ranked 31st.

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QB throws but doesn't practice or test strained quad by running

2007-10-18T20:20:00.000-07:00

Titans quarterback Vince Young threw a little Thursday, but remained sidelined during practice by his strained right quadriceps muscle.

"He didn't run around and didn't test the leg out, but he threw the ball," coach Jeff Fisher said. "He's improving. The treatment procedures and everything are helping out. We'll see how he is tomorrow. There's a chance he could practice tomorrow. We just have to wait and see."

Fisher has said Young might be able to skip practicing and still play Sunday when the Titans (3-2) visit the Houston Texans (3-3) because of the quarterback's familiarity with an opponent he played twice as a rookie.

But the coach said it's hard to predict if Young has improved enough so far to play. The strain is an injury that could be worsened if Young returns too soon.

"It's day to day, and we will make a decision later on in the week. It could be as late as gametime whether or not he'll play," Fisher said.

Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth (knee) returned to practice along with right guard Benji Olson. Receiver Brandon Jones (knee) did not practice along with running back Chris Brown, who may be a gametime decision with a sore ankle.

Fullback Ahmard Hall (concussion) ran but did not practice. Defensive end Antwan Odom (thigh) was limited.

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Panthers rookie Beason turning heads with play at middle LB

2007-10-18T20:18:00.000-07:00

Carolina Panthers linebacker Jon Beason is everything a veteran likes in a rookie: quiet, humble and willing to learn.

Yet the first-round pick's play on the field could be too good for one veteran to keep his job.

Filling in for Dan Morgan the past two weeks at middle linebacker, Beason has taken over the team lead in tackles and his swarming style has him around the ball on nearly every play. Beason's move has coincided with a marked improvement on defense and a two-game winning streak.

Asked this week if the oft-injured Morgan will return to his starting role when he recovers from a partially torn Achilles tendon, coach John Fox was noncommittal. But in keeping with his modesty, Beason was ready to move back to outside linebacker.

"Right now, it's fun, for the time being," Beason said. "I know Dan's going to come back, and I'll just move back outside."

Maybe not.

Beason has gone from playing catch-up after missing the first eight days of training camp in a contract holdout, to working with the second team, to starting at outside linebacker to relaying the defensive signals as the middle linebacker.

Fox acknowledged it came a week too late. When Morgan was injured in the Atlanta game on Sept. 23, James Anderson was moved to middle linebacker. The coaching staff was concerned Beason didn't have all the defensive signals down and didn't want to overwhelm the 25th pick in the draft.

But when Anderson struggled, the Panthers moved Beason over - with great results. He had a team-best 10 tackles in the win at New Orleans and eight at Arizona last Sunday. The Panthers have given up just two touchdowns in the last two games.

"I think he's done an excellent job," Fox said. "We were probably a week too late doing it. But he's stepped in and I think he's gotten better each week."

So much better that it leaves Fox with a tough decision when Morgan returns. It also leaves Beason in a tough spot. He's known the fellow former Miami Hurricane since college, when Morgan would return to campus for offseason workouts.

"If it was up to me, I would hope he could play 10 more years so we could play together," Beason said. "That's one thing I was looking forward to, is being out there on the field with him, learning a lot, watching him. I've been taking notes and want to have that same mystique he has at that position."

Beason, who has 44 tackles, said he doesn't mind playing middle or outside linebacker. But his talents may best be served in the middle, and the Panthers took him in part because of Morgan's uncertain future due to multiple concussions.

"People get nicked all the time, and I would hope if I got nicked for a couple weeks I wouldn't lose my job," Beason said. "Obviously if a guy's playing well, people might consider it a controversy. But Dan's proven. He knows it far better than I do. It's not like I'm going to bring more to the table than a healthy Dan Morgan will. I think with both of us out there, we're a better defense."

Notes: The Panthers were initially supposed to practice three days during their bye week. Fox then canceled Tuesday's practice, and shortened Thursday's workout. Players were filtering out of the stadium by noon. They're off until Monday. ... RB Nick Goings is hopeful he'll be able to play against Indianapolis on Oct. 28. Goings has missed the past two games after sustaining at least the third concussion of his career.

Sports Card Fakes

Manning closing in on Unitas' franchise record for touchdowns

2007-10-18T20:16:00.000-07:00

When Lenny Moore watches Peyton Manning he sees a little bit of John Unitas on every play.

The deliberate steps, the hunched shoulders, the way Manning carries himself on the field. It's pure Johnny U., almost down to the legendary 2-minute drill.

So perhaps it's fitting that the two greatest quarterbacks in Colts history are linked in the team's record books. Manning needs three touchdown passes to break Unitas' franchise record (287), a number some people, including Moore, contend does not necessarily make Manning the better player.

"I'm happy for Peyton and I mean that in all sincerity," said Moore, a Hall of Fame running back who played with Unitas in Baltimore. "As a former player, I truly admire his ball playing. ...

"But Peyton Manning is no Johnny Unitas. The game has changed tremendously over the years, and if the game was played the way it is now, what Johnny U. would have done is unbelievable."

What Unitas did then is still amazing.

Of the top 10 quarterbacks in yards passing and the top seven in TD passes, Unitas and Fran Tarkenton remain the only vestiges to the pre-merger days.

Too young to watch Unitas play live, the 31-year-old Manning still recalls his father, Archie, citing Unitas as his favorite quarterback because of his ability to run the hurry-up offense and produce heroic comebacks.

It became the model for Peyton's era. He now relies on the no-huddle as his base offense, changes plays at the line of scrimmage - like Unitas used to in the huddle - and incorporates his teammates in much the manner Unitas did.

Back then it was revoluationary. Now it's trendy.

Even the offensive components have a familiar look. Unitas relied on an array of Hall of Fame teammates such as Moore, John Mackey and Raymond Berry, while Manning's supporting cast has included Marvin Harrison and Edgerrin James, the franchise's new career leaders in receiving and rushing.

Manning credits Unitas for "defining the position" for future generations. He once offered to wear a pair of Johnny U's trademark black hightops as a tribute after Unitas died Sept. 11, 2002. The NFL said no.

So despite the numbers, last year's Super Bowl MVP still finds it humbling and awkward to be mentioned in the same sentence as Unitas.

Sports Card Fakes

NFC champion Bears, NFC East champ Eagles look to turn seasons around

2007-10-18T20:10:00.000-07:00

Donovan McNabb and Andy Reid completely understand how a team like Chicago can go from Super Bowl to bust in only a few months.

The Eagles had the look of a perennial NFC champion until injuries and the Terrell Owens soap opera doomed them to a six-win season in 2005 and a last-place finish in the East. They never played like the team that only a season earlier was on the brink of the city's first championship since 1983 until a three-point Super Bowl loss to New England.

This season seems to be the Bears' turn to take that post-Super Bowl plunge.

A quarterback switch, a banged-up defense, and that missing hunger to get back and experience the thrill of winning that often fuels Super Bowl champs has them off to a 2-4 start.

Not even Devin Hester can return every ball into the end zone - though he comes close.

Forget a return to the Super Bowl. That trip to Arizona is looking like a long shot in the Windy City. The Bears need to worry about putting together a winning streak to jump back into the playoff picture and make the postseason for the third straight season under Lovie Smith.

"We really need this game, so it's very desperate - more than desperate," said defensive tackle Tommie Harris. "We're like at our lowest right now, so we need this game."

The Bears hoped benching Super Bowl starter Rex Grossman for Brian Griese would give them a jolt. But the once-dominant defense is in shambles and Smith even questioned their heart after last week's demoralizing 34-31 loss to the Vikings. The Bears allowed 444 yards, including 224 by rookie running back Adrian Peterson.

"I don't know if it's do or die," Smith said. "This is a game that we need to get in the worst way so we'll keep playing hard this week."

They're not the only ones desperate for a victory. The Eagles, who recovered from their Super Bowl hangover to win the NFC East last season, are at the bottom of the division.

Having won five division championships in the past six years, the Eagles (2-3) sure aren't used to chasing teams.

No Eagle is doing stomach crunches in his driveway this year to cause off-field distractions. Instead, a few questionable coaching decisions, an offense having trouble scoring inside the 20, and injuries to key stars Brian Westbrook and Brian Dawkins have slowed down the Eagles.

They beat the Jets last week, but hardly looked impressive. That didn't stop McNabb from saying this week that the NFC East championship still goes through Philly, even with the Cowboys at 5-1 overall and the Eagles at 0-2 in the division.

Sports Card Fakes

Manny ramirez and his stupid comments.

2007-10-18T16:46:00.001-07:00

Real team player here is how he feels about his team losing. Insert foot into mouth on this one and to think fans root for this guy.

"If it doesn't happen, who cares? There's always next year," slugger Manny Ramirez said when asked whether Boston can complete another comeback for the ages. "It's not like it's the end of the world or something."

Spots Card Fakes

Preview Buffalo v.s. Columbus

2007-10-18T14:23:00.000-07:00

An early break in the schedule helped rejuvenate the Buffalo Sabres. Now they hope another one does not throw them off.

Buffalo will try to extend its winning streak to four games when it hosts the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday night.

The Sabres (3-2-0) began the season by losing both ends of a home-and-home series to the New York Islanders on Oct. 5-6. Following a four-day break, Buffalo scored 18 goals while winning three straight at home in a span of five days.

Now the Sabres enter this contest after three days off. They won't get a break after the game, taking a flight to Montreal to begin a five-game road trip on Saturday night.

Last Saturday in their most recent game, the Sabres scored four times in the third period before Paul Gaustad's goal with 3.7 seconds left in overtime gave them a 5-4 win over Toronto. Jason Pominville and Jochen Hecht each had a goal and assist, and Jocelyn Thibault stopped 21 shots in his Buffalo debut as Ryan Miller's backup.

"It's the strong mentality of this club," Buffalo's Ales Kotalik said of the reigning Presidents' Trophy winners. "We have a strong group in here. We never give up, and we believe in each other and work for each other."

Another reason for Buffalo's resurgence is its power play. The Sabres are 6-for-21 with the man advantage during their winning streak after going 1-for-11 in the losses to the Islanders.

Defenseman Jaroslav Spacek has scored two of his team-leading three power-play goals during Buffalo's run, but he's expected to miss this game and Saturday's contest with a sprained shoulder suffered late in the win over the Maple Leafs.

"(Spacek's) sore," coach Lindy Ruff told the Sabres' official Web site. "He's going to be out for the weekend and then we'll just evaluate it on a day-to-day basis after that."

Miller, a 40-game winner last season, should be back in goal Friday. He is 2-2-0 with a 3.04 goals-against average and his .885 save percentage is 27th in the league.

Miller is 1-1-0 with a 3.51 GAA in two career starts versus the Blue Jackets, who are visiting Buffalo for the first time since March 2004. Buffalo has outscored Columbus 11-4 while winning the last two matchups at HSBC Arena.

The Blue Jackets (2-2-1) have been outscored 8-3 while losing both of their road games this season. At home, though, Columbus has picked up five of a possible six points after falling to Dallas 3-2 in a shootout on Wednesday.

Nikolai Zherdev assisted on goals by Rick Nash and former Sabre Jiri Novotny. Nash, though, failed to extend the shootout to a fourth round when he was stopped by Stars backup goaltender Mike Smith.

"It's really unacceptable. Good teams can finish those games and win those games no problem. We really have to learn to protect a lead, especially at home," Nash told the Blue Jackets' official Web site.

High-scoring forward Fredrik Modin was scratched by Columbus due to a groin injury and could miss this game. Modin was second on the Blue Jackets with 22 goals last season, the fifth time in his career in which he's scored more than 20.

Sports Card Fakes

Atlanta starts over after losing first 6 games, firing Hartley

2007-10-18T14:21:00.000-07:00

Welcome to opening night in Atlanta, Part II.

The Thrashers are taking a do-over, so don't even bring up the past two weeks. They're hoping a new coach, a more relaxed attitude and a few tweaks here and there will help them resemble a playoff team again.

One day after firing coach Bob Hartley, the Thrashers returned to the ice Thursday for a morning workout and a night game against the New York Rangers.

The first priority: Getting that first win.

"We're in a tough situation, but it's not critical yet," said Slava Kozlov, one of two holdovers from the last coaching change in Atlanta. "Right now, we're so tight. It's in our heads. We just need to relax and play the game. Get some excitement. Have some fun on the ice."

The Thrashers were not having much fun under Hartley, whose demise likely started with a four-game sweep by the Rangers in last season's playoffs. Then, Atlanta lost its first six games this season - two of them blowouts - which prompted general manager Don Waddell to take over as interim coach.

Every other team in the NHL had at least two wins while the Thrashers were still seeking their first.

"As I told the guys we're 0-0," Waddell said after the morning skate, "We have 76 games left to play, 38 at home and 38 on the road. We've got to go out and try to win as many games as we can."

At first glance, Waddell seemed to run a more low-key practice than Hartley, an intense, hard-nosed coach who seemed to lose touch with the veterans and only made the team more uptight as the losses piled up.

The interim coach joked around with a few players while letting assistant coaches Steve Weeks and Brad McCrimmon run most of the drills. Late in the 45-minute session, Ilya Kovalchuk and Chris Thorburn held a mock celebration after knocking the puck into the net, perhaps an indication of the more relaxed mind-set that Waddell is hoping to instill.

"From my own experience, it always helps when you make trades or change coaches," Kozlov said. "I hope it's going to take the pressure off. We're so tight right now. We cannot score. We cannot make plays. Everybody is afraid to make a mistake."

Waddell already heard from some 30 potential coaches or their agents, even getting a couple of phone calls from Europe. He hasn't put a timetable on finding a replacement, though the only other coaching shake-up in Atlanta might provide some guidance.

Curt Fraser, the first coach in team history, was fired in December 2002 after three-plus losing seasons. Waddell went behind the bench for 10 games, going 4-5-1, before hiring Hartley, who had coached a Stanley Cup winner in Colorado.

Sports Card Fakes

Magic defeat China All-Stars 116-92 in Macau

2007-10-18T14:20:00.001-07:00

Carlos Arroyo scored 25 points to help the Orlando Magic beat the China All-Stars 116-92 on Thursday in an exhibition game.

The game might have been closer if China's roster included the country's two biggest stars: Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets and Yi Jianlian, a 7-foot power forward with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Both players were busy with their own preseason schedules and couldn't fly to the game at the Venetian Resort Hotel.

"Obviously that gives them two very talented NBA-caliber guys, so the entire game changes," Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy said.

Magic center Dwight Howard scored 12 points in 13 minutes. He said the team was tired after traveling by bus and plane to Macau from Shanghai, where the Magic beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in an exhibition game Wednesday night.

"It was pretty tough, especially getting in this morning around 5:36 a.m., not being able to sleep until 8 or 9 a.m.," he said.

The China All-Stars, featuring some foreign players from the country's professional league, had a strong start, hitting three 3-pointers in the first 8 minutes.

"I think they got off to a great start," Van Gundy said. "They attacked the basket."

But the outsized Chinese went cold, and the Magic took control. Pat Garrity - who finished with eight points - sparked the run with two 3-pointers to give Orlando a 24-18 lead after the first quarter. The Magic led 64-39 at the half and were up 92-69 in the third period.

Forward Hedo Turkoglu scored 17 points for Orlando, James Augustine added 14 and Dwight Howard had 12.

Olumide Oyedeji led China with 25 points. The Nigerian center was a second-round draft pick by the Seattle SuperSonics in 2000. Wang Zhizhi added 16 points.

Orlando will play the Cavaliers on Saturday in Macau, known as Asia's Las Vegas. The former Portuguese enclave returned to Chinese rule in 1999.

Sports Card Fakes

Nuggets sign veteran guard Mike Wilks

2007-10-18T14:19:00.001-07:00

The Denver Nuggets signed veteran guard Mike Wilks on Thursday.

The 5-foot-10 Wilks has played five NBA seasons with Atlanta, Minnesota, Houston, San Antonio, Cleveland and Seattle. He averaged 3.6 points and 1.7 assists in 47 games with Seattle last season.

In 214 career games, he has averaged 2.5 points and 1.2 assists.

Sports Card Fakes

Sacramento police search home of Kings player in alleged assault

2007-10-18T14:17:00.000-07:00

Authorities are investigating allegations that Sacramento Kings player Justin Williams sexually assaulted a female acquaintance, a Sacramento Police Department spokesman said Thursday.

Team spokesman Troy Hanson said Williams has been given an indefinite leave of absence and returned to Sacramento from a road trip to New Mexico to obtain a lawyer, a step recommended by team officials.

Hanson would not say whether the team planned to suspend Williams.

"We recently became aware of a complaint involving Justin Williams that apparently is being investigated by the Sacramento police," Hanson said. "We are currently in the process of evaluating any additional information that becomes available to us."

Criminal investigators searched Williams' home Wednesday night, leaving with some items that police are evaluating, police Sgt. Matt Young said during a news conference.

Williams, a reserve center, has not been charged and is cooperating with officers, Young said.

"We are literally right in the middle of this investigation. There is a lot to be done," he said. "It's important we don't jump to any conclusions."

He added: "We are not going to rush anything."

Police launched the investigation after a local hospital advised them last Friday that a patient had reported a sexual assault early that morning. Young declined to describe the type of assault or identify the woman except to say she is in her early 20s and was an acquaintance of the Kings player.

Investigators have spoken with Williams by telephone, as well as another person who was in the house at the time the assault allegedly took place. Young declined to identify the third person.

Williams' agent, Byron Irvin, said he was informed of the search but would not disclose details.

The 23-year-old Williams is entering his second season with the Kings. He averaged five points in 26 games with the team last year.

He played his final two college seasons at Wyoming before signing with the Kings as an undrafted free agent in the summer of 2006. He was cut during the team's 2006 training camp and played with the Dakota Wizards of the NBA's Development League before rejoining the Kings last January.

Sports Card Fakes

Shaq says his legacy won't be complete without more championships

2007-10-18T14:16:00.001-07:00

If he were so inclined, Shaquille O'Neal could quit basketball right now and depart with a legacy unlike almost any other in NBA history.

He's one of the 50 greatest players of all-time. He's got four championship rings. He's been selected to 14 consecutive All-Star games; no one has been to 15 straight. And his Hall of Fame spot was secure long ago.

It's more than most players even dare to fantasize about.

And somehow, it's not enough to leave O'Neal satisfied.

So that's part of the reason the 7-foot-1 center is here, 30 minutes after the Miami Heat ended practice, working. The arc of sweat on his workout jersey is getting deeper by the minute, now stretching all the way to his waistline. Jump hooks, drop steps, baseline jumpers, over and over, all with one goal in mind.

"My legacy," he said. "Not what people write and create about me. My personal legacy, the one I want to leave for my kids. I'm not done with that yet."

Whoa.

Is he not aware of what he's done in his first 15 NBA seasons? The 25,454 points? The 11,379 rebounds? The 25.9 point-per-game scoring average? The 58 percent career field-goal percentage?

Of course he's aware of all that. But for whatever reason, he doesn't yet view himself in the same class as a Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson or Bill Russell - three of the first names that typically enter the discussion of greatest players ever.

He says another championship - or two, or even three - will change that.

"People talk about who the greatest players are and right now, my name is in a subcategory," O'Neal said. "I'm in the big-man category. See, Mike is the greatest player of all time. I want to be up there in that spoken word of players. How? Six championships. I've got four. If we can get five or six, maybe I can get in that conversation - if only for a couple of sentences."

Prognosticators, frankly, think O'Neal is nuts for thinking that way.

The Heat stumbled their way to an injury-marred 44-38 record a year ago, then got swept in the first round of the playoffs by the younger, healthier and, well, better Chicago Bulls - ending Miami's championship defense with a quick thud.

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Rookie Horford breaks out with 22 to lead Hawks vs. 'Cats

2007-10-18T14:13:00.002-07:00

Rookie Al Horford scored a career-high 22 points and the Atlanta Hawks held off a second-half rally to beat the Charlotte Bobcats 104-98 Thursday in an exhibition game.

Horford, who led Florida to back-to-back NCAA titles before becoming the third pick in the draft, added 12 rebounds for the Hawks.

Josh Childress had 19 points, Josh Smith 17 and Marvin Williams 12 for Atlanta. Anthony Johnson and rookie Acie Law each added 10.

Gerald Wallace had 34 points and 10 rebounds for the Bobcats, who were out rebounded 45-29 -- including 17-4 in offensive boards. Jason Richardson had 17 points and Raymond Felton added 13.

Down nine at halftime, Charlotte led three times in the third quarter, the last at 62-61 on a pair of free throws by Wallace with 3:15 left.

The Bobcats tied it at 76 on a layup by Richardson with 10:35 remaining in the fourth quarter, but a jumper by Williams followed by a dunk from Horford put Atlanta ahead to stay.

Atlanta center Zaza Pachulia left late in the third quarter after spraining his left knee.

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Magic defeat China all-stars 116-92 in second NBA China games

2007-10-18T14:13:00.001-07:00

Carlos Arroyo scored 25 points to help the Orlando Magic rout the China all-stars 116-92 in an exhibition game Thursday at the Chinese casino city of Macau, known as Asia's Las Vegas.

The game might have been closer if China's roster included the country's two biggest stars: Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets and the newest Chinese NBA player: Yi Jianlian, a 7-foot power forward with the Milwaukee Bucks. Both players were busy with their own preseason schedules and couldn't fly out to the game at the Venetian Macau Resort Hotel.

The China all-stars, which included some foreign players from the country's professional league, got off to a strong start in the first period, winning the tip-off and hitting three three-pointers in the first eight minutes.

But the Chinese team went cold after building a 9-6 lead, and the Magic took control of the rest of the game. Pat Garrity - who finished with eight points - sparked the run with two three-pointers to give Orlando a 24-18 first-quarter lead.

By halftime, the Magic had a 64-39 edge and they increased it to 92-69 in the third period.

Forward Hedo Turkoglu scored 17 for Orlando. Forward James Augustine added 14, while Dwight Howard had 12.

Olumide Oyedeji led China with 25 points. The Nigerian center was a second-round draft pick by the Seattle SuperSonics in 2000. Wang Zhizhi added 16 points.

The exhibition game was part of the NBA's push to build a bigger audience in China. Orlando played the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday in Shanghai. They'll match up again on Saturday in Macau, a former Portuguese enclave that returned to Chinese rule in 1999. The tiny city on China's southern coast is the only place in the country where casino gambling is legal.

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Joe Torre out as Yankees manager, rejects offer to return

2007-10-18T14:09:00.000-07:00

Joe Torre is out as manager of the New York Yankees, rejecting a substantial pay cut after the team failed to make it past the first round of the playoffs for the third straight year.

Torre turned down a $5 million, one-year contract Thursday that still would have made him the highest paid manager in baseball.

Bench coach Don Mattingly is the leading contender to replace Torre, who led the Yanks to 12 straight playoff appearances and won four World Series championships. Yankees broadcaster Joe Girardi, the NL Manager of the Year with Florida in 2006, is another top contender.

"It's a difficult day," general manager Brian Cashman said.

But it was one Yankees' fans could see coming.

After losing the first two playoff games to Cleveland, owner George Steinbrenner said he didn't think Torre would be back if the Yankees didn't advance. They lost in four games.

Torre, who took over the team to start the 1996 season, made his decision after traveling fom New York to the team's spring training complex in Tampa, Fla. He was accompanied by Cashman and chief operating officer Lonn Trost.

"It is now time for the New York Yankees to move forward," team president Randy Levine said.

Torre made $7.5 million this year, the final season of a $19.2 million, three-year contract. His new deal would have included substantial bonuses for each round of the playoffs the team reached.

"We felt we needed to go to a performance-based mode," Levine said. "We thought it was very fair. It clearly was at the top of the market, but we respect Joe's decision."

Torre led the Yankees to the postseason every year he managed them, winning the AL East 10 times. But the Yankees have gone without a Series championship in the last seven and haven't even reached it since 2003, a stretch of futility that finally prompted Steinbrenner to make a change.

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Joe Torre Managerial Record

2007-10-18T14:05:00.000-07:00

Regular Season

W L Pct Pos

1977 New York (NL) 49 68 .419 6

1978 New York (NL) 66 96 .407 6

1979 New York (NL) 63 99 .389 6

l980 New York (NL) 67 95 .414 5

l981 New York (NL) 41 62 .398 5

1982 Atlanta 89 73 .549 1

1983 Atlanta 88 74 .543 2

1984 Atlanta 80 82 .494 3

1990 St. Louis 24 34 .414 6

1991 St. Louis 84 78 .519 2

1992 St. Louis 83 79 .512 3

1993 St. Louis 87 75 .537 3

1994 St. Louis 53 61 .465 3

1995 St. Louis 20 27 .426 4

1996 New York (AL) 92 70 .568 1

1997 New York (AL) 96 66 .593 2

1998 New York (AL) 114 48 .704 1

1999 New York (AL) 98 64 .605 1

2000 New York (AL) 87 74 .540 1

2001 New York (AL) 95 65 .594 1

2002 New York (AL) 103 58 .640 1

2003 New York (AL) 101 61 .623 1

2004 New York (AL) 101 61 .623 1

2005 New York (AL) 95 67 .586 1

2006 New York (AL) 97 65 .599 1

2007 New York (AL) 94 68 .580 2

Totals 2067 1770 .539

---

Division Series

Year Opponent W L Pct

1996 Texas 3 1 .750

1997 Cleveland 2 3 .400

1998 Texas 3 0 1.000

1999 Texas 3 0 1.000

2000 Oakland 3 2 .600

2001 Oakland 3 2 .600

2002 Anaheim 1 3 .250

2003 Minnesota 3 1 .750

2004 Minnesota 3 1 .750

2005 Los Angeles (AL) 2 3 .400

2006 Detroit 1 3 .250

2007 Cleveland 1 3 .250

Totals 28 22 .560

---

League Championship Series

Year Opponent W L Pct

1982 St. Louis 0 3 .000

1996 Baltimore 4 1 .800

1998 Cleveland 4 2 .667

1999 Boston 4 1 .800

2000 Seattle 4 2 .667

2001 Seattle 4 1 .800

2003 Boston 4 3 .571

2004 Boston 3 4 .429

Totals 27 17 .614

---

World Series

Year Opponent W L Pct

1996 Atlanta 4 2 .667

1998 San Diego 4 0 1.000

1999 Atlanta 4 0 1.000

2000 New York (NL) 4 1 .800

2001 Arizona 3 4 .429

2003 Florida 2 4 .333

Totals 21 11 .656

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Joe Torre arrives at Legends Field in Tampa to meet with New York Yankees officials

2007-10-18T14:04:00.000-07:00

Joe Torre, the subject of two days of meetings involving Yankees' brass, arrived at Legends Field on Thursday for face-to-face talks with the team.

Torre traveled to Tampa from New York with general manager Brian Cashman and chief operating officer Lonn Trost. The manager was at the ballpark for about an hour, then left for the airport.

Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, sons Hal and Hank, and team president Randy Levine also were at the team's spring training complex. Torre's arrival first was reported by the New York Post.

"More meetings. We're working on it," Levine said earlier Thursday.

With nothing to announce on Torre, Cashman and Trost returned to New York on Wednesday evening. At the time, they gave no indication they would return the next day - accompanied by the manager.

"We hold Joe Torre in the highest regard and, obviously, that's why we're taking the time ... to determine what's best for us as we move forward and whether he's a part of that or not," Cashman said Wednesday.

Cashman wouldn't give any timing for a final say on Torre, whose $19.2 million, three-year contract expires Oct. 31. He said that if the decision is made to keep Torre, "then there's a negotiation. ... And that takes time. It's as simple as that."

"As long as it takes," Cashman said, "So give it the time it needs."

While the team's top officials met in Florida, some fans signed a petition Wednesday at a "Save Joe Torre" rally near Times Square in New York.

Steinbrenner did not comment - he hasn't discussed Torre's future publicly since he told The Record of Hackensack, N.J., on Oct. 6 that he didn't think he'd bring back Torre if the Yankees failed to advance to the AL championship series. Cleveland then eliminated New York in four games, the Yankees' third straight first-round exit.

The Yankees also have not yet reached out to Ray Schulte, the agent for bench coach Don Mattingly, who is the leading contender to take over if Torre doesn't return.

Cashman did indicate a subtle shift in the Yankees' power structure. Asked whether the 77-year-old owner will pick the manager, the general manager responded: "The Boss owns the franchise, so obviously, the Boss, Hank and Hal Steinbrenner are obviously the ownership group that I answer to."

Before Wednesday's afternoon meeting, there was a morning session that also included senior vice president of baseball operations Mark Newman, scouting director Damon Oppenheimer and special adviser Gene Michael.

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Entering third day of discussions, still no decision on future of Yankees manager Joe Torre

2007-10-18T14:03:00.000-07:00

Discussions on the future of manager Joe Torre entered a third day Thursday, with some Yankees' officials at the team's spring-training complex and some back in New York.

"More meetings. We're working on it," team president Randy Levine said when he arrived at Legends Field on Thursday.

New York's high command was in Florida on Tuesday and Wednesday, and owner George Steinbrenner heard advice on whether he should bring back Torre for a 13th season.

Cashman returned to New York, along with chief operating officer Lonn Trost and assistant GM Jean Afterman.

Steinbrenner, who has the final say, stayed in Florida, along with sons Hal and Hank and son-in-law Felix Lopez. The owner arrived at Legends Field shortly after 1 p.m. Thursday

"As long as it takes," Cashman said, "So give it the time it needs."

While the team's top officials met in Florida, some fans signed a petition Wednesday at a "Save Joe Torre" rally near Times Square in New York.

Cashman said that he has remained in contact with Torre.

"I talk to Joe as a friend and colleague," he said.

The Yankees also have not yet reached out to Ray Schulte, the agent for bench coach Don Mattingly, who is the leading contender to take over if Torre doesn't return.

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Rangers outright C Quiroz off 40-man roster

2007-10-18T13:59:00.000-07:00

The Texas Rangers outrighted catcher Guillermo Quiroz off their 40-man roster Thursday.

Quiroz declined the assignment and became a free agent. He went 4-for-10 with a double and two RBIs in nine games with the Rangers this season.

The Rangers have 39 players on their 40-man roster.

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Nationals will retain entire coaching staff in 2008

2007-10-18T13:56:00.000-07:00

The Washington Nationals will retain their entire coaching staff in 2008.

The team announced Thursday that pitching coach Randy St. Claire, hitting coach Lenny Harris, bench coach Pat Corrales, third base coach and spring training coordinator Tim Tolman, first base coach Jerry Morales and bullpen coach Ricardo Aponte will again be on manager Manny Acta's staff.

St. Claire, the team's pitching coach since 2003, was the only holdover from the staff of former manager Frank Robinson.

Harris began this year as the team's minor league infield coordinator and was promoted to hitting coach when Mitchell Page took a leave of absence for personal reasons.

Acta will be starting his second season in 2008. The Nationals have already exercised the 2009 option on his contract.

Also, the Nationals said that infielder D'Angelo Jimenez, outfielder Alex Escobar and left-handed pitcher Micah Bowie have elected minor league free agency.

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PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Rookie Peterson off to a sensational start for Vikings

2007-10-18T13:55:00.000-07:00

Adrian Peterson is headed home this weekend, eager to play his first game at hallowed Texas Stadium.

The NFL's leading rusher is from Palestine, a two-hour drive from the Dallas area where he grew up playing for a little league team called the Cowboys and cheering for all the stars on "America's Team."

Like Deion Sanders, Michael Irvin and Emmitt Smith.

Yes, Peterson is that young. Roger Staubach was well into retirement when he was born.

Just 22 years old, the league's latest standout running back is fresh from a 224-yard, three-touchdown performance that demoralized the Chicago defense and saved Minnesota's season for at least one more week.

"We played the Bears, and we thought they were really hard to run the ball on," Dallas coach Wade Phillips said, sounding unsure about how to slow Peterson in Sunday's game against the Vikings.

With 607 yards on only 96 carries, another 175 yards on 10 receptions, an NFL-high 31-yard average on eight kickoff returns, Peterson has been the league's most productive player over these first two months.

The scary part is his career is, of course, only six games old.

"He has the vision of a Marshall Faulk, the power of a Terrell Davis, and the speed of an Eric Dickerson. Let's pray he has the endurance of an Emmitt Smith," Sanders said during his studio commentary last week for the NFL Network.

Peterson went to the Vikings with the seventh pick in the draft because of questions about that endurance. A broken collarbone cost him seven games in his final season at Oklahoma. The year before, he missed time in four games due to a sprained ankle.

Though coach Brad Childress has chosen to use him cautiously, maintaining Chester Taylor as the starter and limiting Peterson's time to keep him fresh, there haven't been any signs that durability will be a problem for this perpetually smiling kid.

Peterson, listed at 6-foot-1 and 217 pounds, runs like he's angry at the other team. He has an upright, hard-charging style that contributed to those concerns about him staying healthy.

It's hard to hurt a guy, however, without catching him first. In that amazing game against the Bears, he scored from 67, 73 and 35 yards. He was barely - no pun intended - touched.

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Misery loves company: Cardinals, Redskins scramble to put together a lineup

2007-10-18T13:53:00.000-07:00

Joe Gibbs flashed a crooked smile when presented with the dilemma.

One team is running out of offensive linemen. The other has exhausted its supply of quarterbacks. If you, Mr. Hall of Fame coach, were a dispassionate third party, which would you rather have?

"I don't know. I just know it's probably going to make for a very interesting game," Gibbs said. "I might be excited. I'd get my hot dog and say 'Now this is going to be fun. Who's going to have the most problems?"'

Welcome to the Misery Loves Company Bowl. Arizona Cardinals vs. Washington Redskins. Two teams that are even starting to sound alike.

Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt, on having quarterbacks Matt Leinart and Kurt Warner hurt in back-to-back games: "It's obviously unusual."

Washington coach Gibbs, on having three offensive linemen hurt in the same game: "It's a very unusual situation."

Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald: "Nobody feels sorry for you in the NFL. The Washington Redskins are just licking their chops. Whenever you get a team that's banged up, you try to take advantage of it."

Redskins offensive line coach Joe Bugel: "Nobody's feeling sorry for us. Heck, everybody's laughing at us. You think the Cardinals are going 'Oh, that's terrible'? They're licking their chops; they're chopping their lips. They can't wait to get here."

Maybe these two unusual teams should simply meet at the 50-yard line before kickoff Sunday and swap a backup quarterback for an offensive lineman.

Actually, the football world might want to pay attention to this game for reasons other than laughs. This is a bigtime showdown, one of the premier games in the NFC. Recordwise, only Tampa Bay at Detroit is a better matchup this weekend.

Yeah, really.

It just goes to show how middling the conference has become. The Cardinals (3-3) are tied for first place in the West despite their .500 record, even though they were beaten 25-10 at home by Carolina last week and had to play signed-off-the-street Tim Rattay for much of the game. Whisenhunt spent the week trying to discern whether Warner would be healthy enough to play, or whether Rattay or another new face, Tim Hasselbeck, would be the quarterback of choice.

The Redskins (3-2) have been swimming in Lake Mediocrity all season. In four of their five games, the home team has been essentially favored by a field goal, which means the world at large felt Washington was interchangeable with Miami, the New York Giants, Detroit and Green Bay. Gibbs was so short on numbers up front this week he had to convert defensive lineman Lorenzo Alexander into a guard.

Nevertheless, the Redskins are favored this time by a whole touchdown, and both teams approached the game aware of its playoff implications.

"You never know. At the end of the season it might come down to you guys having similar records," Arizona receiver Anquan Boldin said. "And it might come down to a tiebreaker between the two teams. You always want to look at those games and take those games seriously."

For both teams, that means taking a long, hard look at the offensive play book. The Redskins might have to use an extra tight end to block or roll quarterback Jason Campbell out of the pocket if the line can't hold up, and Whisenhunt has to develop a simplified version of the game plan for Rattay and Hasselbeck.

As Gibbs said, it should be very interesting.

"I never ceased to be amazed at what can happen," Gibbs said. "I've never been in this situation before. It's something you've got to handle. You've got to do the best you can with it."

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Rams coach Linehan gets agitated with winless team

2007-10-18T13:52:00.000-07:00

An avalanche of little things have added up to the big hole the winless St. Louis Rams are in. That was the message players got from an agitated coach Scott Linehan at the end of practice on Thursday.

The Rams were supposed to be a contender in the NFC West in Linehan's second season after going 8-8 last year, but have been dragged down by injuries and crucial breakdowns. They're tied for the franchise's worst start, and Linehan allowed the frustration to show while stalking around during the post-practice huddle.

"He was just doing what a coach does," wide receiver Isaac Bruce said. "Sometimes you have to reprimand. Guys have to be held accountable and we need to be self-motivators."

The rant, inaudible to media perhaps 50 yards away, came a day after several players were buoyed by the return of stars Marc Bulger, Steven Jackson and Bruce to practice. Bulger will start on Sunday at Seattle after missing two games with two broken ribs, and Bruce is back after missing two games with a hamstring injury.

Jackson will likely need another week for a partially torn groin.

The Rams got another player back on Thursday, with center Brett Romberg determined to shake off a sprained ankle with an attitude Linehan could appreciate.

"Even the day I did it, I said there's no way I'm going to be missing a game," Romberg said. "I don't care how bad it is, I've got to find a way.

"I've got a lot of guys sweating for me and bleeding for me and the least I can do is give them everything I've got."

Linehan wouldn't discuss what was said after practice, saying "It was between the team and me." He did, however, belittle players feeling positive vibes from the previous day, noting that it's a bottom-line business.

"I can tell you it ain't good to lose and nobody feels good about it," Linehan said. "Team spirits will be much better once we start winning."

The Rams could easily be 2-4 and in contention in a mediocre NFC West, or even 3-3 and tied for the lead. They were short-circuited in the opener by Jackson's uncharacteristic two lost fumbles, Dante Hall's muffed punt return was a crucial mistake in Week 2 against the 49ers, and Rod Hood's 68-yard interception return was the go-ahead score two weeks ago in a 34-31 loss to the Cardinals.

Romberg said Linehan was going for a "micro" rather than "macro" managing approach, imploring players to search for any edge.

"When you're 0-6, there's always things that get highlighted," Romberg said. "We're looking for reasons to win and reasons to become successful, whether it be running to plays or finishing blocks or whatever.

"There's always something you can do, and you've got to find answers."

Bruce isn't big on speeches, emphasizing that it's up to the players to end the losses.

"You don't get to this level and need someone to motivate you. You have to be self-motivating," Bruce said. "You have to go out and pick something in particular that you want to get better at, and you have to go do it.

"If you don't, you won't be here that long."

Notes: The Rams have signed WR Travis Taylor, a former No. 1 draft pick of the Ravens in 2000, to add depth at an injury-depleted position. Drew Bennett (hamstring) was "very limited" Thursday, according to Linehan, and Hall (ankle) has been ruled out. Taylor had no catches in five games with the Raiders this year and was released last Saturday. ... S Corey Chavous, out two games with a torn pectoral muscle, had a full practice and could return to the lineup. ... DE Leonard Little did not practice because of a sore big toe on his left foot, but is expected to play.

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For Ward and Bailey, it's hit or be hit in Steelers-Broncos rivalry

2007-10-18T13:51:00.000-07:00

Hines Ward can't wait to put a big hit on Champ Bailey in the open field Sunday in Denver. Afterward, Ward will be just as glad to give his former college teammate a hug at midfield.

Ward, Pittsburgh's four-time Pro Bowl receiver, and Denver's Bailey, a seven-time Pro Bowl cornerback, can't seem to go an entire season without running into each other. The Steelers (4-1) and Broncos (2-3) play Sunday for the fourth time in five seasons, counting the January 2006 AFC championship game won by Pittsburgh.

That's fine with Ward, even if an afternoon spent being defended by Bailey is one of the most difficult any NFL wide receiver can experience.

"He has great speed, great athletic ability and can catch the ball," Ward said. "I've seen Champ catch balls one-handed. Last year he had two (interceptions) against us. I got behind him and thought I was open, but he came out of nowhere and snatched it (near the goal line)."

The two began their relationship when Georgia was recruiting Bailey and Ward was his player host for the weekend. Ward must have done something right because Bailey signed with the Bulldogs.

Both had outstanding and multidimensional careers at Georgia, Ward as a quarterback and receiver, Bailey as a defensive back who also returned kicks and occasionally ran the ball. But they've never been NFL teammates.

That's made a series of long afternoons for both players. Last season, Ward caught seven passes for 127 yards against Denver, most with Bailey nearby, but Bailey's two interceptions were pivotal in Denver's 31-20 win in Pittsburgh.

Ten months before, Ward helped keep Bailey out of the Super Bowl by making five catches, one for a touchdown during a 21-point Pittsburgh second quarter, as the Steelers won the AFC title game 34-17 in Denver.

"He knows me like I know him," said Ward, one of the NFL's best blocking receivers. "He'll tell me, `Man, don't hit me hard.' But I'm going to text him this week, wish him good luck. It's definitely special to see him on the field."

Ward also is known as one of the NFL's best on-field talkers, but he insists he has too much respect for Bailey to engage in name-calling.

"We laugh more than anything," Ward said. "It's kind of like a brother relationship. But he knows if he comes around my way, there's a chance I got to hit him. At the same time, if I come across the middle, he's going to try to tackle me. It's total respect, good gamesmanship, and I love going against him because he's one of best cornerbacks in the league."

The Broncos have lost three in a row, including a 41-3 defeat to San Diego on Oct. 7. But the Steelers are wary of a team that retains so many of the core players from that AFC championship game two seasons ago.

To Ben Roethlisberger, Bailey is the kind of game-altering defensive player who can turn even a well-thrown pass into an interception if a quarterback isn't careful.

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Texans say they want to send Vince Young fans "home sick" Sunday

2007-10-18T13:50:00.001-07:00

Vince Young won't be thinking about last year's dramatic overtime win against Houston when Tennessee faces the Texans on Sunday.

The Texans? They'll be thinking of little else and are determined not to let him beat them again.

"For him that had to be like a dream come true," Dunta Robinson said of Young's winning touchdown run. "For me it was like a nightmare that came true. We've just got to make sure that we send all the Vince Young fans home sick Sunday."

That 39-yard run in December completed Tennessee's season sweep of the Texans and didn't do much to help Houston prove it made the right decision by passing on the hometown hero to draft defensive end Mario Williams first in 2006.

Then again, Young might not get the opportunity to play hero again. He left last Sunday's game against Tampa Bay with a strained quadriceps and missed practice this week with the injury. The Titans listed him as day to day, but the Texans had no doubt they'd see him, not backup Kerry Collins, this weekend.

"He's such a competitor, you know he circles the date for this game," defensive end N.D. Kalu said. "We heard that he might be injured, but it's going to take him (having) two cut off legs before he doesn't come out for this game."

This game is the one Young wants people concentrating on.

"I don't really want to talk about that, that's in the past," Young said. "It's a whole new game. Last year is last year."

Several Texans players did talk about it and how their home crowd seemed confused whether to cheer for them or Young. Titans receiver Eric Moulds, who played for the Texans last season, said coach Gary Kubiak warned them before the game it 'may feel like an away game.'

Tennessee defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch said it was equally bizarre, but in a different way for the Titans.

"It was almost like the rest of the team, despite everybody had a hand in that win, we were all kind of spectators because Vince really took that game in his own hands and won it last year," he said.

Robinson said the reaction didn't surprise him and he expects a similar one Sunday.

"You can't get mad about that," Robinson said. "He was a high school legend when he was here and then he went to UT and was a college legend, so people know all about Vince Young and they love him. He can basically be the mayor of this city when it's all said and done."

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If rising is easy in the NFL, falling is too, especially for the Dolphins and Rams.

2007-10-18T13:48:00.000-07:00

The Miami Dolphins' slide to the bottom of the NFL began on March 8, 2002.

That's when they gave up two first-round draft picks for Ricky Williams. They got 3,225 yards rushing from him in two seasons before he "retired," then got himself suspended for marijuana use.

Now the Dolphins are 0-6, a floundering team without the solid starters those picks might have brought, and without much hope anytime soon to become the annual playoff contender they used to be, even in a league where up-and-down is the norm.

"If you look at our roster, you've got a lot of disparity," coach Cam Cameron said this week.

"There's not a lot in between. You've got a lot of young guys, and then there's a core of veteran, older guys. ... We know we've got some holes to fill. Philosophically, the philosophy of building through the draft, the only way you can do that is with draft picks."

The Dolphins are one of two winless teams.

The other is St. Louis, which won a Super Bowl after the 1999 season; went back to the title game two years later; and has been at least a playoff contender until this season, when the bottom fell out.

Their awful state is due in great part to injuries. Orlando Pace, Marc Bulger and Steven Jackson, three of their best players, have been out. But they've been fading gradually for the past few years, partly because of front-office squabbling and (see Miami) bad drafting in an eternal quest for defensive players that has turned up few of them.

Up-and-down has been a fact of life in the NFL for the 15 seasons since the advent of the salary cap.

"There are a couple of teams who seem to stay at the top and a couple of teams that seem to stay at the bottom," says Mickey Loomis, the New Orleans general manager. "Then there are the rest of us. Up one year and down the next. That's the NFL."

Loomis runs a team exemplifying that. It was 3-13 in 2005, went to the NFC title game last season, and started 0-4 this year before winning in Seattle last Sunday night.

Right now, the couple at the top are New England and Indianapolis, able to stay there because they have the game's two top quarterbacks and because they draft and sign players who fit their schemes so well. Credit the Colts' Bill Polian, and Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli of the Patriots for that.

Detroit and Arizona have been at the other end, but look this season like they're coming out of it. Miami and St. Louis have taken their place - the Rams, perhaps, for the time being and the Dolphins for a while.

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Panthers avoid numerous pitfalls in unlikely 4-2 start

2007-10-18T13:45:00.000-07:00

Kris Jenkins maneuvered his mammoth body behind an unsuspecting cameraman filming teammate Mike Rucker in the Carolina locker room earlier in the week. He waited for a few seconds, then grabbed the man's shoulders and screamed.

The startled cameraman nearly dropped his high-priced equipment, drawing a hearty laugh from Jenkins.

It was quite a contrast to less than three weeks earlier, when the Panthers were on the verge of imploding and the Pro Bowl defensive tackle was a few feet away in the same locker room, accusing his teammates of having no heart.

It was the same day receiver Steve Smith was seen screaming at offensive coaches through a sideline phone, as booing fans were streaming out of their home stadium with another dismal loss assured. With quarterback Jake Delhomme gone to a season-ending elbow injury, the Panthers were staring at a lost season.

But then coach John Fox did what he does best: rallying his players when all appears lost. He passed around his familiar us-against-the-world tonic. The Panthers somehow won two straight games on the road with a makeshift lineup that included 43-year-old Vinny Testaverde.

So as players prepared to leave for their bye weekend, the Panthers' locker room was a playful and bizarre place. Jenkins was clowning around at one end with the same teammates he had called out. On the other side, the gray-haired Testaverde was holding court after a remarkable performance in leading the Panthers to a win four days after signing.

Despite the turmoil, the injuries, the 0-2 home record and a budding quarterback controversy, the Panthers are 4-2 and tied atop the NFC South.

"I think that's a tribute to our coaches and our players," general manager Marty Hurney said. "Everybody has stepped up and done their jobs. Really, these last two games have been close, hard-fought games. Those are the types of games you have to win in this league."

The trouble is, things are about to get much more difficult. Carolina's four wins have come against St. Louis (0-6), Atlanta (1-5), New Orleans (1-4) and Arizona (3-3), which was playing a third-string quarterback.

Next up, a home game with Super Bowl champion Indianapolis. Then a trip to Tennessee. The Panthers still have to visit Green Bay and Jacksonville and host Seattle and Dallas.

If the Panthers really have heart and passion now, it'll soon be tested. Yes, they've won two straight games since their players-only meeting following Jenkins' outburst, but there are still plenty of questions.

It starts at quarterback. David Carr, signed in the offseason, took over when Delhomme went down. But when Carr got hurt, Testaverde rode in from his couch on Long Island and is now the talk of the town.

Fox made it clear from the day Carr was signed that Delhomme was his No. 1 QB. But Fox wouldn't make Carr the starter for the Indianapolis game on Oct. 28. So why has he changed his tune now that Carr's the incumbent? Does he not have confidence in a guy that's been sacked 254 times in six seasons?

Sports Card Fakes

Joe Gibbs frustrated with technical woes

2007-10-18T13:41:00.000-07:00

Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs is getting frustrated with technical glitches in the NFL's transmitter system used to call plays into the quarterback.

Gibbs said the transmitter was malfunctioning virtually the entire game last week in Green Bay, forcing the coaches to call in the plays using hand signals. Gibbs called it a "monstrous problem" because the time between plays is shorter than it used to be, and he had to burn timeouts he would have preferred to save for the final minutes of a close game.

"Not only that," Gibbs said, "I'm running around on the sidelines not thinking about the next series. I'm thinking 'How can we fix that headset problem?' Being a coach and a P.E. major, I know nothing about electronics."

Furthermore, Gibbs feels it isn't fair that one team can continue to use its transmitter even when the other team's is broken.

"I think the rule ought to be, if you can't talk to your quarterback, the other team shouldn't be able to talk to theirs," Gibbs said. "There's a tremendous advantage there."

The Redskins also have an inexperienced QB in Jason Campbell, while the Packers have Brett Favre.

Gibbs said he sent letters to the league office twice last year after malfunctions during road games, requesting the rule be changed.

"I think they've made up their mind that they're not going to do it, which I think is a big mistake," Gibbs said.

Gibbs doesn't appear to be in favor of the transmitter concept in the first place. Asked if he's concerned another team could intercept the transmissions, he laughed.

"That's a very interesting question," he answered. "Where I am today in the NFL, and where the NFL is, I've said we need a real, real good electronics coach. I have no clue. I couldn't tell you what's possible and what's not."

---

AFC SOUTH NFL'S BEST? Look through the NFL standings and only one division has every team at .500 or better. It might be time to consider the AFC South one of the league's toughest divisions.

Houston quarterback Matt Schaub, who moved to the division only this year, thinks so.

Sports Card Fakes

NHL Capsules

2007-10-17T20:44:00.000-07:00

Arron Asham's tiebreaking goal with 9:22 left gave the New Jersey Devils a 5-4 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins in a wild game Wednesday night.

Asham scored on a tap-in from just to the left of the net off a pass from Zach Parise, who had three assists. Travis Zajac had two goals, and Jay Pandolfo, John Madden and David Clarkson each had two points for New Jersey, which scored 11 goals in two games after netting only seven in its first four.

Sergei Gonchar had a goal and two assists, and Evgeni Malkin and Gary Roberts added a goal and assist each for the Penguins.

The teams combined to go 5-for-12 on the power play. The Penguins nearly scored another goal but it was disallowed due to a disputed too many men on the ice penalty. Pittsburgh also argued that Zajac's second goal shouldn't have counted because Brian Gionta fell on top of Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury in the crease.

There were also several delays when fans threw items onto the ice.

Stars 3, Blue Jackets 2, SO

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Jussi Jokinen scored in regulation and had the only shootout goal to give Dallas the victory over Columbus before the smallest crowd to watch an NHL game at Nationwide Arena.

Jokinen, who tied it 1-1 early in the first period, was the second skater during the shootout. He beat Fredrik Norrena with a deke and a backhander.

The crowd of 11,820 was the smallest announced attendance for a Blue Jackets regular-season home game.

The Stars forced overtime when Brenden Morrow converted a one-timer from the high slot with 1:11 remaining - seconds after Dallas pulled Smith for an extra attacker.

The Blue Jackets took a 2-1 lead at 8:24 of the third period on Jiri Novotny's diving jam shot after his first shot hit the post. Rick Nash added a goal and assist.

Blues 3, Blackhawks 1

CHICAGO (AP) - Keith Tkachuk had a goal and an assist, and Manny Legace stopped 28 shots to lift St. Louis to its fourth straight win.

Paul Kariya and Bryce Salvador also scored for the Blues (4-1), who got two assists from Brad Boyes.

St. Louis, which entered 2-for-21 on the power play, converted two of three attempts against the Blackhawks.

Jason Williams scored Chicago's lone goal, a fluke power-play score that stood up to a video review.

Nikolai Khabibulin made 23 saves for the Blackhawks (3-3).

Sports Card Fakes

Tkachuk-led Blues beat Blackhawks for fourth straight win

2007-10-17T20:42:00.000-07:00

Keith Tkachuk had a goal and an assist, and Manny Legace stopped 28 shots to help the St. Louis Blues post their fourth straight win, 3-1 over the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night.

Paul Kariya and Bryce Salvador also scored for the Blues (4-1-0), who got two assists from Brad Boyes.

St. Louis, which entered 2-for-21 on the power play, converted two of three attempts against the Blackhawks.

Jason Williams scored Chicago's lone goal, a fluke power-play score that stood up to a video review.

Nikolai Khabibulin made 23 saves for the Blackhawks (3-3).

Kariya opened the scoring with his first goal of the season on a power play 2:14 into the game. Kariya, who had six assists in St. Louis' previous four games, beat Khabibulin high on the glove side after taking a cross-ice pass from Boyes.

Salvador made it 2-0 at 6:31 on a shot from the left circle that sailed over Khabibulin's right shoulder

Williams' power-play goal made it 2-1 with 6:20 left in the period. His shot bounced off the back boards and landed on top of the St. Louis net. The puck rolled back over the crossbar and crossed the goal line before Legace knocked it out.

Play continued for another 1:08 before the next whistle. During the stoppage, referee Dan O'Halloran asked the NHL office in Toronto to review the play. After the goal was awarded, the clock was rolled back to the time the puck went in at 13:40.

Tkachuk made it 3-1 with a power-play goal at 5:17 of the second. Alone in front to the net, he tucked a feed from Boyes between Khabibulin's pads.

Sports Card Fakes

Jokinen lights it up for Stars in shootout win over Jackets

2007-10-17T20:40:00.000-07:00

Jussi Jokinen has several shootout moves in his repertoire. The one he picked was perfect.

Jokinen scored in regulation and had the only shootout goal to give the Dallas Stars a 3-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday night before the smallest crowd to watch an NHL game at Nationwide Arena.

Jokinen, who tied it 1-1 early in the first period, was the second skater during the shootout. He beat Fredrik Norrena with a deke and a backhander.

"I have added a couple of moves the last couple of years. That move was pretty new," said Jokinen, 16-for-26 in his NHL career. "I have one more new move, so I think I have four or five moves now. I pick the right one based on whatever goalie there is. Confidence is still the biggest thing right now."

Rick Nash, who had scored the Blue Jackets' first goal, went last in the shootout and tried a quick shot between Mike Smith's legs but had his drive blocked.

The crowd of 11,820 was the smallest announced attendance for a Blue Jackets regular-season home game.

The Stars forced overtime when Brenden Morrow converted a one-timer from the high slot with 1:11 remaining -- seconds after Dallas pulled Smith for an extra attacker. Mike Ribeiro set up behind the net and waited before saucering a pass to Morrow for his third of the season.

"Our guys stayed with it," Dallas coach Dave Tippett said. "They wanted to find a way to win. They found a way to win."

The Blue Jackets took a 2-1 lead at 8:24 of the third period on Jiri Novotny's diving jam shot after his first shot hit the post. Nikolai Zherdev dug the puck off the boards and passed to Nash, who backhanded a centering pass that Novotny was able to push toward the goal, going off the far post. Novotny, a free-agent acquisition, then dived between two Stars, extending his stick to poke the puck into the goal for his first goal for Columbus.

Nash had a goal and an assist for the Blue Jackets, and Zherdev had two assists.

"We didn't put the hammer down and we paid for it in the end," Columbus coach Ken Hitchcock said. "We had a chance numerous times in the first half of the game. When you have a 2-1 lead and are given odd-man rushes, you have to score and that's what we didn't do. It came back to haunt us."

Smith finished with 33 saves, Norrena stopped 28 shots.

"We were going through some struggles," Smith said. "Tonight was a big one for our team. It was nice to come from behind and get two points."

The teams traded goals in a span of 95 seconds early in the game.

Zherdev ended up with the puck on the boards near the blue line and slid a pass to Nash, all alone and bearing down on Smith on the breakaway. Nash hesitated and then beat Smith high on the stick side for his third goal -- and first since scoring twice on opening night.

Stu Barnes' nifty pass from the corner was on Jokinen's stick at the far post and he jammed in the shot for his second of the season at 3:17 to tie it.

Sports Card Fakes

Devils down Penguins in controversial fashion

2007-10-17T20:38:00.000-07:00

Arron Asham's tiebreaking goal with 9:22 left gave the New Jersey Devils a 5-4 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins in a wild game Wednesday night.

Sergei Gonchar had a goal and two assists, and Evgeni Malkin and Gary Roberts added a goal and assist each for the Penguins.

The teams combined to go 5-for-12 on the power play. The Penguins nearly scored another goal but it was disallowed due to a disputed too many men on the ice penalty. Pittsburgh argued that Zajac's second goal shouldn't have counted because Brian Gionta fell on top of Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury in the crease.

There were also several delays when fans threw items onto the ice.

New Jersey's third line of Pandolfo, Clarkson and Madden combined to give the Devils a 2-0 lead with two goals in a 3:12 stretch midway through the first. Pandolfo scored at 6:46 and Madden at 9:58. Each assisted on the other's goal and Clarkson earned an assist on each.

Talbot cut the Penguins' deficit to 2-1 with a pretty deflection goal from in front of Martin Brodeur off a pass from Whitney with 4:02 left in the first. Roberts tied it 1:50 later when he deflected in Gonchar's shot during a power play.

The teams traded man-advantage goals within the first seven minutes of the second -- by Gonchar and Zajac -- before the controversy began.

The Penguins appeared to take a 4-3 lead with 7:36 left in the second when Jordan Staal fed Malkin during a 2-on-0 -- but Pittsburgh was called for too many men. Defenseman Brooks Orpik made a pass from near his own net to Staal on the opposite blue line as both teams were making line changes. No whistle blew and neither referee appeared to raise his arm before the goal.

That led to several in the sellout crowd of 16,990 to litter the ice and boo throughout the ensuing power play. Just 2½ minutes later, the crowd and the Penguins were angered again when the Devils took the lead during another advantage.

With a loose puck in front of the net and a scrum forming in front of Fleury, Gionta began to fall into Fleury -- aided by two Penguins who pushed him. Zajac directed the puck into the net to make it 4-3. No penalty was called and the goal was allowed to stand.

The Penguins were later given a long 5-on-3 advantage, and Malkin scored to tie it at 4 with 1:18 left in the second.

Sports Card Fakes

Ticketmaster site for Hamilton Predators shut down

2007-10-17T20:36:00.000-07:00

t's looking more and more as though the Predators will be staying in Nashville.

The Web site for a prospective Hamilton Predators NHL Franchise has been shut down, and a group of investors looking to buy the club and keep it where it is will meet with league executives Monday, a spokeswoman said.

People who put down $500 deposits for the Hamilton Predators started receiving notices Wednesday that their money would be credited back to them. Ticketmaster's Web site said the page for the Hamilton Predators had been canceled.

A site set up by Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie was shut down after the Nashville investor group with a deal to buy the Predators pointed out that the site accepted a deposit Monday.

Balsillie's $220 million offer to buy the Predators from Craig Leipold fell through in June when Leipold and the NHL became upset with the co-CEO of Blackberry makers Research in Motion Ltd. for taking deposits in Hamilton, Ontario.

"It just hadn't had much activity," said Bo Roberts, a Nashville attorney representing Balsillie. "Frankly, it should have been taken down a long time ago."

Margie Newman, a spokeswoman for the group, said the prospective buyers will meet with the NHL's Board of Governors on Monday. That's just nine days before the investors must complete their $193 million deal to buy the Predators from Leipold or risk losing their $10 million deposit.

"I can confirm there will be a meeting, and that's about all I can say," Newman said.

A lawyer, Richard Rodier, told the Hamilton Spectator on Tuesday that Balsillie's group had not paid further attention to the site after his agreement fell through. They had received nearly 15,000 season ticket deposits and had sold 80 corporate boxes at Copps Coliseum.

Balsillie had a letter sent to Metro last week pointing out he sees Nashville as a strong hockey market and that he thought the team's arena lease was fine.

"(The) proposal speaks to the issue of Jim's view of the Nashville market," Rodier told the newspaper. "And for the Freeman group to try to spin that differently - by signing up for a deposit on a defunct Web site - is unfortunate.

"The proposal speaks for itself. We have no other comment at this time."

Sports Card Fakes

Pacers 122, Grizzlies 115

2007-10-17T20:34:00.000-07:00

The only difference between this game and Mike Conley Jr.'s dream scenario is that he didn't win.

The rookie point guard had 11 points and 10 assists in his homecoming Wednesday, but the Indiana Pacers beat Conley's Memphis Grizzlies 122-115 in an exhibition game.

Conley, who played high school ball at Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis, was the No. 4 pick in the 2007 NBA Draft after playing one year at Ohio State. He returned as an NBA player to the building where he won three Indiana state championships and grew up watching the Pacers.

"Playing against the Pacers for the first time is something I've always wanted to do," he said. "I really set myself out to try to play well and do the right things tonight."

With about a dozen family members and several former teammates in the crowd, Conley played a preseason-high 29 minutes. Memphis coach Marc Iavaroni decided not to play starter Damon Stoudamire so he could get a better look at Conley, who entered the game with 5:31 left in the first quarter and immediately got an assist on a feed to Rudy Gay.

"Today, he seemed more assertive going to the basket and getting in there," Iavaroni said.

Marquis Daniels scored 24 points, Jermaine O'Neal had 22 points and 11 rebounds and Mike Dunleavy added 16 points for the Pacers (4-0).

Gay led Memphis (2-2) with 22 points and Juan Carlos Navarro added 13. Forward Pau Gasol left the game in the first quarter with what the Grizzlies called a mild left ankle sprain and did not return.

Indiana has scored at least 97 points in each preseason game. The Pacers scored 117 in their previous game, a victory at New Orleans.

"We feel good about where we're at," O'Neal said. "We're creating a winning attitude. Our style is a lot more fun to watch because everybody's getting involved."

The Pacers shot 57 percent in the second quarter to take a 63-42 lead. Indiana led by as many as 28 points in the third quarter, but Memphis whittled that down to 93-81 by the end of the period.

Conley made a 3-pointer with 8:57 to go to cut Indiana's lead to 97-91. A steal and layup by Conley with 7 minutes left made it a 103-96 Pacers lead, but Memphis never got closer than five points the rest of the way.

Conley had 10 points and four assists in the fourth quarter.

"A couple of guys still tell me I need to slow myself down and be more patient," Conley said. "I come into the game and try to do too much, or try to get involved too quickly. I need to just settle down, and I think I did that as the game went on."

Conley said a victory would have made it a perfect return.

"That's a dream kind of game for me to get a double-double," he said. "Ultimately, I would have loved to have won the game tonight -- that's the one thing I didn't do."

Sports Card Fakes

NBA 2007-08: Team-by-team capsules

2007-10-17T20:30:00.002-07:00

A look at the 30 NBA teams as they head into the 2007-08 season, in predicted order of finish by division:

EASTERN CONFERENCE

ATLANTIC DIVISION

BOSTON CELTICS:

LAST SEASON: 24-58, missed playoffs.

STARTING FIVE: G Rajon Rondo (6.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 3.8 apg), G Ray Allen (26.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 4.2 apg), F Paul Pierce (25.0 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 4.1 apg), F Kevin Garnett (22.4 ppg, 12.8 rpg, 4.1 apg), C Kendrick Perkins (4.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.3 bpg).

KEY ADDITIONS: C Garnett (trade, Timberwolves); G Allen (trade, SuperSonics), F James Posey (free agent, Heat), G Eddie House (free agent, Nets).

KEY LOSSES: C Al Jefferson (trade, Timberwolves), F Ryan Gomes (trade, Timberwolves), F Wally Szczerbiak (trade, SuperSonics), G Delonte West (trade, SuperSonics), G Gerald Green (trade, Timberwolves), G Sebastian Telfair (trade, Timberwolves).

COACH: Doc Rivers, fourth season with Celtics, ninth season overall; 273-312.

EYES ON: Rondo. With three superstars around him, the second-year point guard has to take care of the ball and make sure all of them get it in the spots they like. And he'll have to hit open jumpers, because teams will double off him to help on others.

OUTLOOK: Getting Garnett and Allen, both perennial All-Stars, in offseason trades to team with Pierce makes the Celtics an immediate threat again in the East. But they have to stay healthy, which Allen and Pierce couldn't do last season, because there's not much talent around them.

NEW JERSEY NETS:

LAST SEASON: 41-41, eliminated by Cleveland 4-2 in second round of playoffs.

STARTING FIVE: G Jason Kidd (13.0 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 9.2 apg), G Vince Carter (25.2 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 4.8 apg), F Richard Jefferson (16.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.7 apg), F Jason Collins (2.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 0.6 apg), C Nenad Krstic (16.4 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.8 apg).

KEY ADDITIONS: F Malik Allen (free agent, Bulls), G Darrell Armstrong (free agent, Pacers), C Jamaal Magloire (free agent, Trail Blazers).

KEY LOSSES: F Mikki Moore (free agent, Kings), F Clifford Robinson (not re-signed).

COACH: Lawrence Frank, fourth season, 157-129.

EYES ON: Jefferson. Limited to 55 games last season by injury, and his scoring average dropped for the second straight season. The term "Big 3" gets used often in New Jersey, but it only fits in Boston now unless Jefferson can reach the elite level he once seemed destined for.

OUTLOOK: Favored to win the division at the start of the season, the Nets nearly traded Kidd and broke the team up at the trade deadline before a late surge got them into the playoffs. Again opted to keep the team together, and should be improved if Krstic and Jefferson can play close to a full season at a high level.

TORONTO RAPTORS:

LAST SEASON: 47-35, lost to New Jersey Nets 4-2 in first round of playoffs.

STARTING FIVE: G T.J. Ford (14.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 7.9 apg), G Anthony Parker (12.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.1 apg), F Andrea Bargnani (11.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 0.8 apg), F Chris Bosh (22.6 ppg, 10.7 rpg, 2.5 apg), C Rasho Nesterovic (6.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.1 bpg).

KEY ADDITIONS: G Carlos Delfino (trade, Pistons), F Jason Kapono (free agent, Heat).

KEY LOSSES: F Morris Peterson (free agent, Hornets).

COACH: Sam Mitchell, fourth season, 107-139.

EYES ON: Kapono. Attention on Shaquille O'Neal and Dwyane Wade got Kapono plenty of open looks last season, and he shot 51.4 percent from 3-point range to lead the NBA and earn a multiyear deal from the Raptors. Toronto loves to shoot the 3, and Kapono will be worth the money if he keeps making them.

OUTLOOK: Surprising division champions last season behind the tandem of Bosh and Ford, combined with strong performances from a number of lesser-known players from Europe. With teams now familiar with their personnel, it'll be a challenge for Raptors to stay on top. Bosh, who developed into a superstar last season, had a sore foot over the summer and must stay on the floor.

NEW YORK KNICKS:

LAST SEASON: 33-49, missed playoffs.

STARTING FIVE: G Stephon Marbury (16.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 5.5 apg), G Jamal Crawford (17.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 4.4 apg), F Quentin Richardson (13.0 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 2.2 apg), F Zach Randolph (23.7 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 2.2 apg), C Eddy Curry (19.5 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 0.8 apg).

KEY ADDITIONS: F Randolph (trade, Trail Blazers); F Fred Jones (trade, Trail Blazers).

KEY LOSSES: G Steve Francis (trade, Trail Blazers), F Channing Frye (trade, Trail Blazers).

COACH: Isiah Thomas, second season with Knicks; fifth season overall, 164-164.

EYES ON: Richardson. Was having a good year before back injury ended his season a month early. A strong defender and rebounder on a team that does neither well, Knicks need his 3-point shooting to open room on the inside for Curry and Randolph.

OUTLOOK: Had a shot at the playoffs in 2006-07 before collapsing after late-season losses of Crawford, Richardson and sixth man David Lee. If Curry-Randolph pairing works, Knicks could be a postseason team this time if they can avoid injuries. Desperate to turn the attention back to basketball after embarrassing summer that included ruling against Thomas and Madison Square Garden in sexual harassment trial.

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS:

LAST SEASON: 35-47, missed playoffs.

STARTING FIVE: G Andre Miller (13.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 7.3 apg), G Andre Iguodala (18.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 5.7 apg), F Rodney Carney (6.6 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 0.4 apg), F Reggie Evans (4.9 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 0.7 apg), C Samuel Dalembert (10.7 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 1.9 bpg).

KEY ADDITIONS: F Evans (trade, Nuggets), F Thaddeus Young (draft, No. 12) F Jason Smith (trade, Heat).

KEY LOSSES: F Joe Smith (free agent, Bulls), F Steven Hunter (trade, Nuggets)

COACH: Maurice Cheeks, third season with 76ers; seventh season overall, 235-230.

EYES ON: Cheeks. Kept his team playing hard all season after the departures of Allen Iverson and Chris Webber, even getting the 76ers to the fringe of the playoff race to earn his return this season. But with Larry Brown still sitting there as executive vice president, the questions about Cheeks' job security will return once the losses come.

OUTLOOK: Iguodala isn't far from an All-Star level and Miller is a solid point guard, but that's about it for Philadelphia. The 76ers might be the only Atlantic Division team that didn't improve over the summer, and they could pay for it this winter.

Sports Card Fakes

Pistons 119, Nuggets 110

2007-10-17T20:30:00.001-07:00

Mich. -- Jason Maxiell scored 25 points and Flip Murray added 21 to lead the Detroit Pistons to a 119-110 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night in an exhibition game.

J.R. Smith led Denver with 33 points, while rookie Bobby Jones added 26. Smith scored 18 points in the first half, including 12 in the second quarter.

Both teams rested most of their frontline players. Pistons rookie Rodney Stuckey, the 15th overall draft pick this summer out of Eastern Washington, got his first start at guard and finished with 17 points.

The Pistons led 61-55 at halftime.

Maxiell, a third-year player from Cincinnati, led the Pistons in the first half with 11 points and six rebounds. He scored 10 points in the third to spark the Pistons to a 94-89 lead heading into the final quarter.

The Pistons were without guard Richard Hamilton, who left Sunday's game against Denver in Auburn Hills midway through the third quarter after spraining his left ankle. Also out with injuries were Nazr Mohammed (sore left calf) and Amir Johnson (sprained left ankle). Chauncey Billups also sat out the game for Detroit.

Denver was without many of its top players, including Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson, Kenyon Martin and Nene. The Nuggets lost to the Pistons 109-106 Sunday, also without those four players.

Sports Card Fakes

Celtics 101, Knicks 61

2007-10-17T20:27:00.000-07:00

BOSTON -- Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen made their Boston debuts, and holdover Paul Pierce scored 22 points to lead the Celtics to a 101-61 victory over the New York Knicks on Wednesday night.

Brought in to revive the sagging Celtics after their second consecutive playoff absence, Garnett had 13 points and eight rebounds, and Allen scored 14 points before sitting out the fourth quarter. The New Big Three had seven points apiece in the first quarter as Boston opened a double-digit lead.

Zach Randolph had nine points and 12 rebounds for New York, and Stephon Marbury scored nine for the Knicks, who did not have a player score in double figures. Allan Houston, attempting a comeback after two years off, missed his only shot while playing six minutes.

A 10-time All-Star acquired in an unprecedented 7-for-1 trade over the summer, Garnett teamed with second-year point guard Rajon Rondo for the former NBA MVP's first highlight in Boston. Taking an entry pass under the basket, Garnett dished it behind his back to Rondo for the layup.

The basket gave the Celtics a 7-5 lead three minutes into the game, and they never trailed again.

Sports Card Fakes

6 Toronto players score in double figures as Raptors beat European team

2007-10-17T20:25:00.002-07:00

Jason Kapono and T.J. Ford each scored 13 points, and the Toronto Raptors beat Zalgiris Kaunas of the Lithuanian Basketball League 105-99 in an exhibition game on Wednesday night.

Jose Calderon added 12 points for the Raptors, who had six players score in double figures. Ford finished with 11 assists.

Jonas Maciulis had 24 points for the touring European team, while DeJuan Collins scored 16.

The Raptors played their first game in Toronto after a 13-day day trip to Europe. They lost their last game to Real Madrid last week.

Toronto coach Sam Mitchell hoped that loss would serve as a wake-up call for his team. This game went down to the wire, but four straight points by Carlos Delfino put the Raptors up 100-99 with 2:25 left and they didn't trail again.

The Lithuanians had several hundred boisterous fans at Air Canada center, waving the national flag and chanting.

Zalgiris Kaunas is the defending Lithuanian National League champions, an honor the team has won 14 times since the country earned its independence in 1991.

They lost to Golden State on Monday.

Sports Card Fakes

Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen make debuts for Green

2007-10-17T20:25:00.001-07:00

The Boston Celtics' new highlight video isn't a collection of great plays from their NBA-record 16 championships.

Not a series of clips from their more recent, forgettable seasons, either.

Instead, the theme was "a very eventful offseason," with scenes from the news conferences and photo opportunities where Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen - and Scot Pollard and Eddie House - were brought in to turn around the sagging fortunes of the once-proud franchise.

And it's just what crowd wanted to see.

The Celtics brought the New Big Three to the New Boston Garden on Wednesday night, introducing Garnett and Allen - and those other guys, too - to the home crowd for the first time in an otherwise meaningless exhibition game against the New York Knicks. In a deafening introduction and a first-quarter run that helped Boston open a double-digit lead, the change was immediate.

After a traveling call on his first home possession, Garnett brought the crowd to its feet three minutes into the game with a behind-the-back pass to Rajon Rondo under the basket. The 10-time All-Star drained a 20-footer from the right of the circle midway through the first and hit another two baskets before the quarter was over.

He also set picks for his new teammates and created a minor scare when he landed on Kendrick Perkins' ankle with 3:30 left in the first, but stayed in the game, playing 11 minutes, 57.4 seconds of the 12-minute first quarter. On the bench, he went over plays with his new teammates, using hand motions to show them the proper position.

Garnett had nine points and seven rebounds at the half, Pierce scored 14 points and Allen 10.

Although the building was about half-full for the exhibition home opener - the Celtics opened with games in Rome and London - Boston has sold out most of its home games this season.

And Garnett and Allen are the main reasons why.

After going 24-58 last season and missing the playoffs for the second consecutive season, the Celtics traded for seven-time All-Star Allen at the draft and then pulled off an unprecedented 7-for-1 trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves for Garnett, the 2004 NBA MVP.

Along with Paul Pierce, the New Big Three has Celtics fans excited for the first time since the original Big Three won the last of Boston's 16 NBA titles in 1986.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers pretended to be taken aback when he found the full, regular-season complement of reporters waiting to talk to him outside the locker room before the game.

"What are all you guys here for?" he asked with mock surprise. "It's an exhibition game, guys."

But the coach admitted that the excitement might even be creeping into the locker room.

"I don't know about tonight, but I hope there's excitement," Rivers said. "There should be."

Sports Card Fakes

Woman accuses NBA star Kidd of groping her

2007-10-17T20:23:00.000-07:00

A woman has accused NBA star Jason Kidd of harassing and groping her this month at a trendy Manhattan nightspot.

Kidd spokesman Scott Miranda said the accusation was "a complete fabrication and it is sad that someone would make something like this up."

The New York Police Department confirmed Wednesday the 23-year-old woman filed a complaint against another club-goer on Oct. 11, a day after she said she was harassed and groped her at the Tenjune club. The NYPD declined to discuss the case further.

A police official confirmed news reports that the woman told police Kidd approached her inside the club and, without warning, grabbed her crotch. She said when she tried to fend him off, he kept grabbing her until she was forced to leave, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation hadn't been concluded.

Investigators were reviewing security videotape and interviewing possible witnesses from the club, but had not questioned Kidd, the official added.

The Nets said they were aware of the investigation, but had no comment. There was no response to a phone message left at Tenjune.

Kidd, in the midst of a divorce, has previously denied his wife's allegations that he physically abused her and cheated on her throughout their 10-year marriage. They married in 1997 and were involved in a domestic violence matter six years ago when Kidd was playing for the Phoenix Suns. He pleaded guilty to spousal abuse, was fined $200 and ordered to take anger management training.

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Bryant returns to practice, expected to play Thursday night

2007-10-17T20:22:00.000-07:00

Kobe Bryant returned to practice after sitting out the previous three days, and coach Phil Jackson said he expects the disgruntled Los Angeles Lakers' star to play in an exhibition game Thursday night.

"Yeah, we'll probably play him, get him out there," Jackson said after practice Wednesday. "He seemed all right, sure did."

The Lakers face Seattle in Bakersfield on Thursday night in the first of six exhibition games in nine days. They lost their first two exhibition games to Golden State last week in Honolulu.

Bryant hadn't practiced since Saturday because of a sore knee. He didn't speak with reporters Wednesday, but made his feelings clear a day earlier in his only formal interview since Lakers owner Jerry Buss stated he "would certainly listen" to trade offers for the two-time defending NBA scoring champion.

"One thing I said at training camp was that I didn't want this to be a distraction," Bryant said Tuesday. "It's our understanding not to bring up the situation and not talk about it. We just wanted to keep things quiet and go about our business. It kind of caught me off guard a little bit."

It seemed the parties had put negative feelings behind them before Buss made his comments to three beat writers last week.

Jackson said it was essentially business as usual Wednesday, although Bryant wasn't involved in scrimmaging at the end of practice.

"He was extremely helpful with young players today, helping them with the offense," the coach said.

"It was good - he was out there smiling and looking good, helping guys," teammate Kwame Brown said. "He was out there working, hopefully that means he's going to play. We want him to play, we need him to play."

Brown said the Lakers haven't been distracted by the fact that Bryant missed practice the previous three days and his apparent differences with management.

"We didn't know what was going on. We thought it was his knees," Brown said. "Hopefully, they can handle that upstairs."

Derek Fisher, who returned to Los Angeles this season after two years in Golden State and one in Utah, said he wasn't sure how Bryant felt at this point and where the team stood. Fisher and Bryant began their careers with the Lakers in 1996.

"I don't know if I'd call it a distraction," Fisher said. "All we can really focus on is the guys we have right now, including him. Everyone's aware of his presence, what he brings to the team. He's such a presence."

Regarding Thursday night's game, Fisher said: "Physically if he's capable of it, I expect him to play."

Fisher said he hasn't talked with Bryant about his situation with the Lakers, saying he was reluctant to ask certain questions because of the answers he might hear.

"I'm sure for him it's tough emotionally," Fisher said. "I'd love to play with him for the rest of my career. Hopefully, whatever happens, it's for the best for everyone involved."

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C.C. Sabathia looking forward to second chance against Boston in ALCS

2007-10-17T20:19:00.000-07:00

C.C. Sabathia is happy he's getting another chance to face the Boston Red Sox.

The Indians ace wasn't his usual self in Cleveland's 10-3 loss to Boston in Game 1 of the American League championship series, giving up eight runs, seven hits and five walks in just 4 1-3 innings. He gave up three consecutive singles in the first inning, then loaded the bases in the four-run third and again in the three-run fifth.

"I was disappointed in the first game in Boston that I wasn't able to keep us in the game. That's something I've been able to do all year," said Sabathia, a strong candidate for the AL Cy Young Award after going 19-7 in the regular season.

"I didn't even give us a chance the other day, and that's something that I was definitely disappointed about," he said. "I just didn't make pitches. I didn't execute them when I needed to. I got into some tough situations, and didn't deliver."

But Sabathia's teammates have gotten him a do-over. The Indians have won the last three games, and the big lefty will take the mound Thursday night knowing he can clinch a trip to the World Series for Cleveland. Josh Beckett will pitch for Boston.

"Everybody is going to be excited," Sabathia said Wednesday. "I've been doing a pretty good job of being able to keep my emotions under control, staying even keel all year. I look to stay calm and stay in control and not try to overthrow and do so much. I think I'll be fine."

---

WHAT'S COOKIN: Colorado's Aaron Cook hasn't started since Aug. 10, but the Rockies are contemplating putting him on their World Series roster.

Cook, the team's opening-day starter, went on the disabled list Aug. 16 with a left oblique strain. He made one rehab start at Triple-A Colorado Springs in September, and when the injury bothered him again, he was shut down for the remainder of the regular season.

Cook was healthy enough to be added to the roster for the NL championship series against Arizona, but the Rockies decided not to include him.

Cook went 8-7 with a 4.12 ERA for the Rockies this season. He had a complete-game win over San Diego on July 25 in which he threw only 74 pitches.

"This will definitely be our toughest decision," pitching coach Bob Apodaca said after a team workout Wednesday.

Rockies manager Clint Hurdle would love nothing more than to see how Cook fares in a real-game setting. However, he's going to have to make the decision based on simulated games this week.

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Rockies lay out plan for getting rest and avoiding the rust

2007-10-17T20:18:00.000-07:00

Todd Helton and the Colorado Rockies returned to work Wednesday a carefree bunch.

They're going to the World Series, that's for sure. Whether they're headed to Jacobs Field or Fenway Park next week, that can wait.

The Rockies took a much-needed break after clinching their first NL pennant Monday night with their 21st win in 22 games. Helton said he spent his day off "basically sleeping."

"We didn't get home until 2 or 3 in the morning. It wasn't too easy to sleep," he said.

Helton said it's been such a whirlwind that he hasn't had time to savor what's ahead after a decade of disappointment in Denver.

"I don't even know if it's sunk in yet. It may take a little while longer," he said. "But I don't want to pinch myself. I don't want to wake up. It's a magical ride and I want to stay on it as long as possible."

The Rockies practiced for two hours in 56-degree, partly cloudy weather, their last workout until a simulated game Friday at Coors Field.

Colorado will start the World Series on the road next Wednesday. Cleveland leads Boston 3-1 in the AL championship series going into Game 5 Thursday night.

With a record eight days off, the Rockies had plenty of time to get ready. Last year, Detroit had six days' rest, then played poorly in losing the Series in five games to St. Louis.

"I've already had six or seven people bring to my attention that the Tigers had a long layoff last year and didn't play very well," manager Clint Hurdle said.

Hurdle noted that seven of the 10 teams that had to wait five days or more before the Series actually won it all.

"So, if you look for good, you'll find good. If you look for bad, you'll find bad," Hurdle said. "We're of the opinion this is an opportunity, just like any other one we've had this season. We're going to meet it. It can provide some challenges, but it's going to provide some opportunities and we'll be ready to play."

The Rockies will play simulated games of between four and eight innings Thursday through Sunday. They'll have a regular workout Monday before flying to the AL champion's city.

Sports Card Fakes

After second day of meetings, still no decision on Torre's future

2007-10-17T20:17:00.001-07:00

This business with Joe Torre is getting kind of bizarre.

After two days of much-hyped meetings, owner George Steinbrenner and the New York Yankees still won't say whether they plan to bring back Torre for a 13th season as their manager.

A person familiar with the meetings, speaking on condition of anonymity because the Yankees aren't making details public, said it was possible a decision would be made Thursday or Friday.

Cashman returned to New York, along with chief operating officer Lonn Trost and assistant GM Jean Afterman. Team president Randy Levine remained in Florida.

Steinbrenner, who has the final say, also was in Florida, along with sons Hal and Hank and son-in-law Felix Lopez.

"As long as it takes," Cashman said, "So give it the time it needs."

While the team's top officials met in Florida, some fans signed a petition Wednesday at a "Save Joe Torre" rally near Times Square in New York.

Cashman said that he has remained in contact with Torre.

"I talk to Joe as a friend and colleague," he said.

The Yankees also have not yet reached out to Ray Schulte, the agent for bench coach Don Mattingly, who is the leading contender to take over if Torre doesn't return

Sports Card Fakes

Cleveland vs. Boston

2007-10-17T20:15:00.000-07:00

History gives Josh Beckett and the Red Sox a pretty good shot. They've come back from big postseason deficits.

Then again, they didn't do it against these Cleveland Indians.

Down 3-1 in the AL championship series, Beckett and Boston will try to save their season when they face C.C. Sabathia on Thursday night. It's a rematch of the opener, the only game the Red Sox won.

"I don't think there's anyone in the league that we'd prefer on the mound for our team in this situation," Boston third baseman Mike Lowell said. "We can believe all we want, but we have to get hits off Sabathia and hold them down."

In 2004, the Red Sox ended an 86-year World Series championship drought with a four-game sweep of St. Louis. First, though, they had to overcome a 3-0 deficit in the ALCS against the New York Yankees.

The Red Sox became the first team to win a postseason series after losing the first three games.

"When you see something that's never been done before, you can believe in anything," first baseman Kevin Youkilis said. "For us, it's all about winning one game."

Only seven players from that World Series team, including David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez, are still with the Red Sox.

One who wasn't there also came back from a 3-1 LCS deficit.

Beckett started Florida's comeback in 2003 with a two-hit shutout against the Chicago Cubs in Game 5. He struck out 11 and walked one, a remarkable NLCS performance that was soon overshadowed.

Working on three days' rest, he pitched a World Series-clinching, five-hit shutout in Game 6 against the Yankees.

"It's kind of like a party in 2003," Beckett said. "It was fun. It was a bunch of young guys, and we were just out having fun."

The Marlins exceeded expectations that season. Anything less than a championship would be an emotional blow to the Red Sox and their passionate fans.

As is Rafael Betancourt cares.

"With the confidence we have playing right now, we're going to do it on Thursday," said the former Boston farmhand, now a lights-out reliever for Cleveland. "We don't want to go back. We want to finish it here."

To do that, the Indians will have to break Beckett's postseason spell.

He won the first round opener over the Los Angeles Angels with a four-hit shutout. Then he outpitched Sabathia, who said he wasn't aggressive enough, in Game 1 of the ALCS.

"I didn't even give us a chance the other day," Sabathia said. "I look to stay calm and stay in control and not try to overthrow and do so much and I think I'll be fine."

Beckett's back stiffened up on the chilly night. Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell said on Wednesday's off-day that Beckett is feeling fine and his back is not an issue.

"His bullpen (session) two days ago was as strong as others throughout the course of the season," Farrell said. "So there's no restrictions of any kind going into tomorrow."

After losing the opener 10-3, the Indians took the momentum with a 13-6 win in 11 innings at Fenway Park. They won the next two games in Cleveland behind their third and fourth starters, Jake Westbrook and Paul Byrd.

They scored seven runs in the 11th in Game 2, and another seven in the fifth of a 7-3 win in Game 4, four scoring on homers by Casey Blake and Jhonny Peralta.

"We just got hot at the right time," Sabathia said. "It doesn't matter how you play during the season. It matters how well you're playing right now."

The teams did tie for baseball's best record, 96-66, and Boston won home-field advantage by winning the season series with Cleveland.

That means nothing to Indians manager Eric Wedge.

"It's not about where we play or who we play. It's about how we play," he said. "We'd love to do it here at home, but the heartbeat and the pace and the way we play, it needs to be the same we've been doing all year."

Boston manager Terry Francona probably will make one change in his usual lineup, starting switch-hitter Bobby Kielty in right field in place of lefty J.D. Drew against lefty Sabathia.

Kielty has hit well against Sabathia and went 1-for-2 in the opener with an RBI single before the Cleveland ace left the game.

The Red Sox need to revive an offense that has scored in just two of the last 24 innings - a total of five runs.

Three of them came Tuesday night on consecutive homers by Youkilis, David Ortiz and Ramirez in the sixth inning.

"We've been in this situation before. We've got nothing to lose," Ramirez said in a rare clubhouse interview. "Why should we panic? We've got a great team. If it doesn't happen, we come next year and try to do it again."

When the nine-minute conversation ended - three minutes in Spanish, six in English - he stood up and looked around the floor.

"Now where are my shoes?" Ramirez said.

He found them, then went out to take batting practice after chuckling when he was asked for the fourth time about the comeback of 2004.

"Hey," Ramirez said. "Anything's possible."

Sports Card Fakes

Baseball postseason drags on, and so do the games

2007-10-17T20:14:00.001-07:00

he Colorado Rockies deserved better than having their magical run rewarded with an eight-day layoff.

The Cleveland Indians deserved better, too. They had momentum on their side and a chance Wednesday to knock off the Boston Red Sox at home before their adoring fans.

Problem is they didn't play. Instead, players got a night off to sample the cultural charms and nightlife of Cleveland.

Television and greed dictated that the Indians wait another day to try to finish off the Red Sox. The same elements can be blamed for the Rockies having to chill all that time before playing Game 1 of the World Series.

And, yes, that's the reason the Series will end in November if it goes seven games. The target date is Nov. 1, though there's always the possibility heavy snowfalls could move it back to, say, Thanksgiving.

That's improbable, but nothing is impossible now that baseball has given up any pretense of doing what's best for the game in an increasingly desperate effort to hang on to the few viewers who still care.

And few they are, with ratings for the National League championship series plummeting to half its previous low. When the Rockies finished off their sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks, less people were watching than were tuned into the final of the Little League World Series.

That's right, 12-year-olds with pimples on their faces proved more interesting to America than the no-name millionaires toiling for the Diamondbacks and Rockies.

The American League series is faring better, but the executives at Fox Sports must be cringing at the prospect of an Indians-Rockies World Series that could become the least-watched Fall Classic since color television was invented.

By the time it begins next Wednesday, Fox will be lucky if fans still remember who is playing. It's no surprise that "Dancing With The Stars" is generating more buzz - not to mention higher ratings - than this postseason.

Apologists will offer a lot of reasons why people aren't tuning in. The most often heard is that there are so many channels available that any sport other than the NFL is reduced to niche status.

There's some evidence of that, but it doesn't totally explain how 25 years ago half the television sets in America were tuned into the World Series, compared to just 17 percent last year.

Yes, there were fewer alternatives in 1982, but it's no coincidence that the decline in television ratings began about the same time baseball stopped playing World Series games during the day.

Sports Card Fakes

After bolting from Dolphins, Chambers gets to know Rivers

2007-10-17T20:12:00.001-07:00

Chris Chambers spent time getting to know Philip Rivers on Wednesday during his first practice with the San Diego Chargers.

That's certainly nothing new for Chambers, the wide receiver who was obtained Tuesday in a trade with the winless Miami Dolphins.

"I have a lot of experience with quarterbacks coming in and out," Chambers said. "I've had maybe 10 or 11 quarterbacks the last six, seven years, so I know how to talk to the guys. I know how to get comfortable with them at a fast pace because I've been having to do that for a long time, so I know what I have to do."

Except for getting a feel for the way Rivers throws the ball, Chambers is already pretty well versed with what's going on. Save for a nuance here or there, the Chargers use many of the plays, routes and formations the Dolphins use.

"I could pretty much just step right into the huddle and play a game," said Chambers, who also spent plenty of time with Hall of Famer James Lofton, the Chargers' wide receivers coach. "I'm game-ready."

He won't have to do that quite yet. The Chargers (3-3) have their bye Sunday, so Chambers will make his San Diego debut the following weekend at home against the Houston Texans.

Chambers played for four head coaches and six offensive coordinators during his six-plus seasons in Miami, and had 10 quarterbacks start with him.

Chambers hopes that instability - along with all the losing - is behind him.

"I felt like I haven't really been able to maximize my ability," he said. "I'm in the prime of my career right now, so it's good to be able to get with a team and hopefully stick around and build some continuity and see how good I really can be."

Chambers, a Pro Bowler in 2005, joins a team that had 11 Pro Bowlers and five All-Pros last year. His contract runs through 2009.

"These guys want to win. It feels good to be out here around a winning tradition right now," he said.

While the Dolphins are struggling under first-year coach Cam Cameron - who was San Diego's offensive coordinator the last five seasons - the Chargers have won two straight to right their early season wrongs and pull into a tie atop the AFC West with Kansas City.

"I hated to see him go," Miami defensive end Jason Taylor said. "But he won three games overnight by getting traded, and he goes to a team that has a chance."

Sports Card Fakes

Alex Smith, Vernon Davis still hoping to play Sunday for Niners

2007-10-17T20:10:00.001-07:00

Alex Smith and Vernon Davis got valuable recovery time during the San Francisco 49ers' bye week. They just don't know if they got enough to play Sunday.

The quarterback and his talented target returned to certain parts of practice Wednesday after missing most of San Francisco's last two games with injuries. Coach Mike Nolan wouldn't speculate on their chances to play against the New York Giants, but both are cautiously optimistic - perhaps Davis more than Smith.

"I'll play," said Davis, out since Sept. 23 with a knee injury. "It feels good to be back in there. The more you practice, the better and the more comfortable we're going to get."

Smith participated in individual drills and threw the ball fairly well, but wasn't put into team drills. The third-year pro had hoped to test his separated right shoulder, which was in a sling shortly after he was hurt on the third play of San Francisco's loss to Seattle on Sept. 30.

"We felt it wasn't quite ready to go today," Smith said, citing his conversations with coaches and trainers. "It's coming, though. It's always tough watching practice. I was able to do a lot of individual stuff (and) throw routes. It's better than sitting on the trainers' table."

Smith acknowledged he would need extensive practice time Thursday and Friday to be ready to start against the Giants, but wasn't certain if his shoulder would allow it. The 49ers will wear pads in Thursday's workout - Smith's first time back in pads since the injury.

"It's tough not to get the reps and then go out there and play at the highest level," Smith said.

Trent Dilfer took the first-team snaps in Wednesday's practice for the 49ers (2-3), who have lost three straight with an offense stuck near the bottom of the NFL in most statistical categories.

Though Smith was only moderately effective earlier in the year, the 49ers remain committed to the former No. 1 pick's development - and besides, they don't have a more appetizing alternative. Dilfer didn't do any better than Smith in the Niners' last two losses, including the unit's 163-yard performance against Baltimore before the bye.

And since Dilfer still is committed to mentoring Smith, he's hoping for his protege's quick return.

"He's one of the toughest guys I've ever been around," Dilfer said. "He's going to approach this thing with great intensity and great desire. He'll get back as quick as he can."

Nolan didn't name a starting quarterback, preferring to watch Smith's progress over the week. He also realizes the value of forcing the Giants to prepare for two quarterbacks with distinctly different playing styles.

"I will know more and more each day through the amount of reps that (Smith) takes," Nolan said. "Then I can get a better feel for what it is."

The coach also isn't worried about throwing Smith into the lineup against New York's vaunted pass rush, led by defensive ends Osi Umenyiora, Michael Strahan and Justin Tuck - even after the pounding that Smith and Dilfer took from Seattle's equally impressive line three weeks earlier.

"If I'm healthy, I'm healthy," Smith said. "I don't think the pass rush of the opponent's team should come into play. If I'm healthy, let's go."

Davis said he participated in every aspect of Wednesday's workout in his comeback from a knee injury that kept him out of the last two games with a sprained ligament. The former No. 6 overall pick has just eight catches for 83 yards in what he expects to be his breakout NFL season.

Though Davis struggled to get his quarterback's attention at times before his injury, he's still hoping he'll be the spark for San Francisco's struggling passing offense.

"This game, I anticipate getting a lot of balls our way," Davis said.

Sports Card Fakes

NFL reinstates Packers wide receiver Koren Robinson

2007-10-17T20:08:00.000-07:00

Koren Robinson's biggest supporter never forgot about him even as the Packers jumped out to the NFC's best record.

Now Robinson says he won't let Brett Favre, or the rest of his teammates, down.

"I'm glad I get an opportunity to redeem myself," Robinson said Wednesday night in a conference call from Houston, while traveling to see his family before heading to Green Bay.

Robinson has a final chance under the NFL's substance abuse policy after the league reinstated the wide receiver from his one-year suspension on Wednesday.

If Robinson violates the policy again, he faces a lifetime ban.

"I know this is my last chance," he said. "If I do anything to jeopardize that, I didn't deserve it in the first place."

Robinson said Favre, who has shared his own struggles with excessive drinking, checked in with him every month or so over the past year, and more frequently when the season began.

Favre has been outspoken that Robinson deserved another chance.

"To have him speak highly of me, it just motivates me to continue to do what I'm doing," Robinson said. "He also just says that he's here for me. Regardless of what happens, he'll always be here for me. That's cool. That makes me feel good, man."

Robinson said he learned about being reinstated on Sunday while attending the Panthers-Cardinals game in Glendale, Ariz. Commissioner Roger Goodell was there and sought a meeting with Robinson at the stadium.

"We had a good conversation," said Robinson, who met Goodell during the third quarter. "I could tell by his body language and his demeanor that ... it was going to be a good meeting."

Wednesday was the first day Robinson was eligible to return from his suspension, and Packers general manager Ted Thompson said the organization was grateful for the progress he has made.

"It's been a year since we've seen Koren, so our first step is to have him return to Green Bay," Thompson said. "The Packers will request a roster exemption, during which time we would see where Koren is at in terms of football shape."

Sports Card Fakes

Leftwich replaces Harrington as Atlanta's starting QB

2007-10-17T20:01:00.002-07:00

On his first day as the Atlanta Falcons' starting quarterback, Byron Leftwich felt like a kid.

"Football has been really taken away from me the last month and a half," he said. "It just seems like it's a new feeling. It's all fun again. Any time you're not out there, it's a tough situation to deal with."

Whether Leftwich can energize Atlanta's struggling offense remains to be seen. First-year coach Bobby Petrino said Wednesday that Leftwich would take over the Falcons (1-5) from Joey Harrington for the rest of the season.

"That's the big part of it," Petrino said. "We need to make a change and get something going."

The decision wasn't difficult for Petrino after the offense failed to score off three New York turnovers in a 31-10 loss to the Giants on Monday night.

Petrino indicated that Leftwich might have played against New York if he hadn't missed so much practice with a mild ankle sprain. Leftwich has shown Petrino and quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave, who worked as Jacksonville's offensive coordinator when the Jaguars drafted Leftwich seventh overall in 2003, that he understands the offense well enough.

"He's come along with it," Petrino said. "He's been here a month now. I wish he would've gotten all those reps he missed last week with the ankle injury, but the ankle feels good, and that's a good thing."

Leftwich, who went 24-20 in four years with Jacksonville, signed a two-year, $7 million contract last month after being released. In his only appearance with Atlanta, Leftwich was 2-of-8 for 28 yards and one interception after replacing Harrington in the fourth quarter of a 20-13 loss at Tennessee two weeks ago.

The Falcons are 0-1 in the NFC South heading into Sunday's game at New Orleans (1-4). Petrino, whose offense has scored only seven touchdowns with Michael Vick suspended, believes his team can still gain ground in the division.

Regardless, Petrino has seen enough of Harrington, whose statistics are respectable with a 63.1 completion percentage and a passer rating of 80.1 - despite being sacked 21 times, just four less than Jon Kitna's league-leading total with Detroit.

But Petrino believes Leftwich has more tangible assets than Harrington.

"He has a very strong arm," Petrino said. "He throws the ball deep down the field, and he just needs to be able to see it, and I have the confidence that he can put it in there. I think he'll do well."

Signed to be the backup to Vick after the Falcons traded Matt Schaub to Houston, Harrington is 24-48 as a starter with Detroit, Miami and Atlanta. The Lions drafted him third overall in 2002.

Harrington left the locker room without speaking to reporters on Wednesday, but he sounded despondent after the Giants loss.

"We were moving it just fine, and then just everything shut down," Harrington said. "I mean, everything. I missed some. We dropped some. We missed some protections. We missed some hots. It was everywhere. That's the frustrating part. You don't know where to pinpoint your efforts."

Vick, who pleaded guilty in Virginia two months ago to federal charges of bankrolling a dogfighting ring, led the Falcons to 39 wins and two playoff appearances in 66 games as a starter. He also became the first NFL quarterback to rush for 1,000 yards in a season.

Petrino decided in a staff meeting on Tuesday to bench Harrington and go with Leftwich.

"I think coach Petrino got to the point where he has enough confidence in me that I know what I'm doing now," Leftwich said. "He's giving me the opportunity to lead this football team."

Sports Card Fakes

McNabb says he would rather remain with Eagles than play for hometown team Chicago

2007-10-17T20:01:00.001-07:00

Tommie Harris already claimed he was just kidding so it was no surprise he had little to say about Donovan McNabb this time.

He said plenty in the summer, when he proclaimed the Chicago Bears would win a Super Bowl if McNabb joined them.

The Bears will get an up-close look at the quarterback when they visit the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. The odds they will get him in a Chicago uniform anytime soon appear slim, however.

McNabb said Wednesday he expects to end his career with the Eagles.

"I do believe that," said McNabb, a Chicago native. "Again, like I said, I just love being here. I love playing for the Philadelphia Eagles. I love the fans here, and you just want to continue to win and have success here."

Harris raised a few eyebrows during McNabb's charity golf tournament during the summer, when he said he would "love" to have him in Chicago and added: "If he comes to Chicago, we'll definitely win the Super Bowl." Although Harris apologized and said he was just joking, the comment was seen as a shot at Rex Grossman.

On Wednesday, Harris said, "That's under the bridge. It's gone. I cleared it up."

And McNabb claimed ignorance.

"Did he say that at my event?" he asked.

Yes.

"I really didn't hear that," he said. "I was working with the kids. I wasn't really paying attention to that. I don't know what happened."

McNabb was enjoying one of his best seasons before it ended in Week 11 last year. Then, he watched as Jeff Garcia led the Eagles to the playoffs in his absence and stewed when they drafted quarterback Kevin Kolb with their first pick. That fueled speculation that his best days were over and his relationship with the organization was eroding.

Drafting Kolb may have said more about how the Eagles feel about McNabb's ability to stay on the field than what he does on it. A 2-3 record aside, they believe they are built to win now and that hinges largely on their veteran quarterback.

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Injury to Morris may mean more work for Faulk, Eckel

2007-10-17T19:59:00.000-07:00

Laurence Maroney missed the last three games with a groin injury. Now Sammy Morris is sidelined.

The New England Patriots may be 6-0, but their record of keeping running backs healthy is less impressive.

Morris was hurt during Sunday's 48-27 win at Dallas and left the locker room with his left arm in a sling. The team said Wednesday he had a chest injury, quarterback Tom Brady said it was a shoulder and cornerback Ellis Hobbs said it was a collarbone.

The Patriots, always reluctant to describe injuries in detail, know he'll be gone for a while.

"Sammy has done a good job for us," coach Bill Belichick said Wednesday. "He's played on all four downs. He's done a good job. We'll evaluate him day-to-day like everybody else and take it from there."

Maroney, who gained 252 yards on 54 carries in the first three games, ran well in practice Wednesday but took some plays off and won't play Sunday against winless Miami.

Morris leads the Patriots with 384 yards on 85 rushes. His absence likely will provide more playing time for third-down back Kevin Faulk and rookie fullback Kyle Eckel, who scored his first NFL touchdown last Sunday after starting the season on the practice squad.

"I'm not sure what's going to happen this week, but I just have to stay prepared and keep focusing on making improvements," Eckel said. "What I try to keep myself focused on is just being prepared for any situation. Somebody goes down, 'Eckel, we need you out here, we need you there."'

Belichick may be saying that more often.

"He's obviously more of an inside runner," the coach said. "A fullback type of runner, but he's a runner."

Faulk is in his ninth season with the Patriots. His first concern when Morris was hurt was about his teammate's condition.

"But at the same time, it's getting yourself together, knowing that you're going in for him and probably going to get the bulk of the plays," Faulk said. "That's just trying to be patient and knowing what you have to do for the rest of the game."

Hobbs has an idea of what Morris may be going through.

"I've broken my collarbone three times, so I know exactly what he's feeling," he said. "I don't know exactly, but I know it's something with the collarbone."

Brady had another take on the injury.

"We'll see how his shoulder does," Brady said. "One thing that I thought was great about last week was the way that Kevin Faulk stepped in there and played against the regular defense, running a bunch of runs that he probably hasn't run in a few years, since Corey (Dillon) got here. We're going to need more of that."

Dillon retired when the Patriots didn't re-sign him after last season.

"Our backs as a group have been pretty productive for us. They all have roles and those roles might change from game to game," Belichick said. "We have confidence with whichever guy is in there."

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T.O. still wants ball, just deals differently with frustration

2007-10-17T19:58:00.001-07:00

Sure, Terrell Owens still wants the ball as much as possible.

What has changed - for now - is how T.O. deals with the frustration when he doesn't think he's being involved enough in the Dallas Cowboys' offense.

"As for me getting upset because I'm not getting the ball, going up to the coach telling him to get the ball more, all that did was get me bad publicity," Owens said Wednesday. "At the same time, it didn't get me the ball any more. So I've learned."

Owens keeps reminding himself to be patient because he knows people are watching him to see what he will do if things aren't going good.

Television cameras zoom in on the receiver even when the Cowboys' offense isn't on the field. "They try to find the most handsome guy on the sideline, and that just happens to be me," he said with a wide smile.

But even Owens knows that they're trying to see something else.

From San Francisco to Philadelphia, and even last season with the Cowboys, there have been numerous sideline outbursts by Owens. Some were directed at coaches and quarterbacks. Other times Owens loudly exclaimed "Why am I here?" to no one in particular when he was not getting passes thrown his way.

"I know you guys (media) are looking for me to blow up," Owens said. "I'm very conscious of that, but at the same time I have to realize that the coaches know that I'm on the football field. They understand that I can make plays. In order for that to happen, my number has to be called.

"There's a lot that has to go into plays being called," he said. "There's no reason to go yapping at the coach, telling him to throw me the ball. I'm just trying to do whatever I can, man. When my number's called, I try to make the plays."

Owens has 27 catches for 453 yards and four touchdowns. Those are similar to his stats at the same point last season (28 catches, 375 yards and five TDs), before he went on to lead the NFL with 13 TD catches.

"His season so far is pretty outstanding," coach Wade Phillips said. "We've got to keep going and see what happens. But we're going to feature him and try to get him the football because he's a talented player."

While Phillips' primary focus is on the Cowboys' defense, he has always made a point to get the most out of his best players. Owens is one of them, and Phillips has told his offensive coaches to do their best to get T.O. the ball.

"(The coaches) tell me that every week," Owens said. "I'm not going to gripe about anything."

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Camera nearly hitting Seahawks, play-card peek latest reasons Holmgren bemoans TV intrusions

2007-10-17T19:56:00.000-07:00

The Seahawks almost disastrously found out the billion-dollar hand that feeds the NFL can also bite back.

Early in Seattle's 28-17 loss to New Orleans Sunday night, the Saints called a timeout. As NBC went to a commercial and Matt Hasselbeck exited the huddle to confer on the sideline with Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren, the network's overhead camera crashed to the turf near the startled quarterback.

"It was real close ... I'm going to talk to my lawyer and get back to you," Hasselbeck joked later.

After momentarily righting itself, the camera again slammed onto the field, near receiver Bobby Engram. Officials delayed the game for almost 10 minutes before the network got the camera away from the field of play, parking it directly over the Seahawks' bench. Players stepped over themselves to avoid standing under it, as if it was a guillotine.

"Think of that," Holmgren said. "Unbelievable."

Later in the game, NBC's more conventional sideline camera zoomed onto Holmgren's play card. NFL coaches are so secretive about what's on that, they commonly shield their mouths with it while calling plays just so TV doesn't show them mouthing even a syllable of a call that is unintelligible to almost every viewer not named Bill Belichick.

But NBC's shot was close so clear that anyone could read Holmgren's plays from a living room couch.

"I don't even know how they do that," Holmgren said this week, sounding incredulous. "Was that the camera that almost hit Matt and killed him?

"There are not a lot of secrets. But those things they should probably tell you they're going to try do that, or ask you. ... I would rather they wouldn't do that."

Fred Gaudelli, producer for "Sunday Night Football," said when the shot appeared on his 8-inch monitor in the production truck, he couldn't read the plays. But when he and director Drew Esocoff aired the shot, they immediately saw on their 35-inch main monitor that it was too revealing. Gaudelli estimated they cut away after just 1 1/2 seconds.

For years, Holmgren was on the competition committee, a mix of team owners, general managers and coaches who consider changes to the game. He said he was one of the only voices opposing some of the more intrusive innovations networks wanted to employ.

"The television executives would bring their proposals to the committee, about sideline reporters, about access to locker rooms," Holmgren said. "The committee makeup changed over the years to the point where, at one point, I was one of two coaches on.

"It didn't take me too long to figure out that the television people, really, because of the enormous amount of money that's spent, they're asking for an opinion from the competition committee, but really all they're doing is saying, 'Listen, this is really what we want to do.'

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Bills' Everett happy to be alive, determined to continue recovery

2007-10-17T19:55:00.001-07:00

Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett feels fortunate to be alive, and is determined to continue the significant progress he's already made in the five weeks since sustaining a severe spinal cord injury.

"I have shown significant progress in my recovery," Everett said Wednesday, in a statement released by Memorial Hermann/TIRR, where the player has spent the past three weeks in rehab. "But I am also fully aware that the recovery from this type of injury I have sustained is filled with many peaks and valleys.

"While the road to recovery is long and hard, I am determined to fight through it each and every day."

The comments were Everett's first since he was hurt while making a tackle during Buffalo's season opener against Denver on Sept. 9. They came days after Everett was able to take a few first steps with the assistance of a walker, and had developed enough strength to use his feet to push himself around in a wheelchair.

Referring to those accomplishments as "great triumphs," Everett added: "I maintain a positive attitude and feel fortunate every day that I am alive and well."

Everett also thanked his family, friends, doctors and fans for their support, saying he was "deeply humbled."

Doctors described Everett's injury as life-threatening, and feared he would never walk again after he arrived at Buffalo's Millard Fillmore Hospital paralyzed from the neck down. The prognosis changed a few days later when Everett began showing voluntary movement first in his legs and then his hands.

Everett was transferred to Houston because doctors felt it was important for him to be close to his family and friends. The player makes his offseason home in Houston and grew up in nearby Port Arthur, Texas.

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Howard shows flair for big plays at linebacker for Raiders

2007-10-17T19:53:00.000-07:00

Thomas Howard has his Deion Sanders-style high step to the end zone down pat, going nearly the final 40 yards of a 66-yard return that way last week against San Diego.

"I'm still trying to look to the NFL to see what's the longest high step to the end zone," Howard said. "I think I might have broken it or maybe I'm second to Deion, who knows."

His celebration once he gets to the end zone still needs a little work to reach Prime Time level as Howard and fellow Oakland Raiders linebacker Kirk Morrison didn't seem to know whether they should chest bump or high-five after Howard's latest touchdown.

That's one of the few aspects of Howard's game that may be lacking in just his second year in the NFL.

Through six games this season, Howard has used his speed to record has 31 tackles, one sack, six passes defensed and is tied for the NFL lead with four interceptions. He has returned two of those interceptions for scores, including the one last week against the Chargers.

"The thing that's so impressive about him to me is his speed," San Diego running back LaDanian Tomlinson said. "At linebacker, the guy just can run and get to the ball. He makes plays. He can get back, he can pick the football, he can cover guys. He's really turning into one of their best playmakers on defense. If he keeps it up like this he's going to be going to the Pro Bowl."

Howard credits much of his success to the veteran leadership on Oakland's defense of players like Warren Sapp and Derrick Burgess, who make sure that he doesn't get overconfident.

"In the locker room here that I play for here they just keep me humble," Howard said. "I have to go out there and do it again every week."

Howard is closing in on some historic marks for linebackers. He is already halfway to Stan White's mark of eight interceptions for Baltimore in 1975 for the most by a linebacker since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970. He needs one more return for a touchdown to tie Derrick Brooks record set in 2002 when he helped lead Tampa Bay to the Super Bowl.

Coming out of Texas El-Paso, Howard was considered by draft experts to be an outstanding athlete who lacked the instincts necessary to be a star player. But he was able to step in and start 15 games as a rookie, recording 110 tackles and improving each week as the season went on.

Howard said he heard about the criticisms from friends and family members, but kept his focus on preparing for the draft where he was taken in the second round by Oakland.

"I didn't really buy into it too much. They have a job they have to go out there and do their job," he said. "As far as me, I have to go out there after being drafted by the Raiders, I have to come out here and execute my defense and try to get better week in and week out to become a better player."

Howard learned the game from his father, who played nine seasons in the NFL for the Kansas City Chiefs and the St. Louis Cardinals. Thomas Howard Sr. will put his Chiefs hat away this week and come to the game dressed in Silver and Black watching the son he groomed from a young age.

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Amani Toomer now Giants' all-time leading receiver

2007-10-17T19:52:00.001-07:00

Instead of complaining after failing to catch a pass two weeks ago against the Jets, New York Giants receiver Amani Toomer kept his mouth shut and worked.

It wasn't surprising. The 12-year veteran has long put the team and winning ahead of his own statistics.

The work paid off on Monday night when Toomer hauled in a game-high seven passes and a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons and became the Giants' career receiving leader with 587 catches.

The 33-year-old Toomer didn't want to say much about either breaking Tiki Barber's old receiving mark (586) or tying Kyle Rote's career touchdown reception mark of 48, noting that he plans on playing several more years.

"I definitely am playing for the enjoyment of the game," Toomer said. "But I want to look back and feel that I have accomplished something. Like I said before, when I'm done, I'll think back."

Coming off his second major knee surgery, Toomer has caught 26 passes for 306 yards and a touchdown in six games.

The one game that sticks out, though, is the 35-24 win over the Jets on Oct. 7. Eli Manning hit 13 of 25 passes in the game, but none went to Toomer. It marked only the third time since he became a starter in 1999 that he failed to catch at least one pass in a game.

"I was a little disappointed, but it's hard to get disappointed when you win," Toomer said. "Wins don't come easy in this league and having a three-game winning streak (at that point) is nothing to be upset about.

"But it's tough because I am a competitor and I want to compete all the time," he added. "It was a tough thing to go through, but that's part of being in the receiving position."

Manning said he felt bad about not getting a pass to Toomer against the Jets, but added that he didn't do anything differently this week against the Falcons.

"It is good to get him into the end zone and get him some catches," Manning said. "That is what we expect from Amani. And that is what we hope to get him every week. If the offense is going to be at our best, he is going to have to be involved and make plays for us."

Toomer expects more from himself, noting he is still working to get his left knee back in shape after having surgery on the anterior cruciate ligament in November.

"I think it usually takes about a year to get everything back," he said. "I am a couple of weeks away, so I think I am getting better and progressing."

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Titans' QB Young watches practice with strained quadriceps

2007-10-17T19:49:00.000-07:00

Vince Young looked like he was in agonizing pain Wednesday.

The Titans quarterback grimaced, put his hands on top of his head and pleaded for it to stop.

The problem? Not pain from his strained right quadriceps muscle but all the questions about the injury and whether it will force him to miss playing his hometown Houston Texans on Sunday.

"It's day to day right now. I can't just tell you I'm playing, then don't play," Young said. "It's like lying not only to my teammates but all the people in the world that want to see me as well."

Young didn't practice Wednesday, and it sounded as if the 2006 Offensive Rookie of the Year won't practice this week. Coach Jeff Fisher said an MRI on Monday showed what they expected but wouldn't say if Young could start against the Texans (3-3) without practicing.

"I would be less likely to allow him to go without practice against an unfamiliar opponent. But the decision this week is going to be purely based on his physical condition," Fisher said.

That would be very tough on a quarterback who insisted he has never missed a game because of injury, not in high school or even back to middle school.

Obviously, missing a game against an AFC South opponent wouldn't be easy on the competitive Young.

In fact, not playing in Houston, where he blew kisses to fans after running for the winning touchdown in overtime last December, seemingly would be impossible for the quarterback who has the Titans (3-2) off to their best start since 2003.

Young scolded reporters for hyping a regular season game too much.

"That's in the past now. That game happened last year. That's what everybody wanted to see. There's a whole different team over there. ... It's not all about Vince Young going against the Texans. I'm just tired of hearing that right now," Young said.

One thing is certain: Young is not accustomed to dealing with injuries. He walked out about 40 minutes into the session and watched backup Kerry Collins handle most of the work wearing a hooded sweatshirt. If his right thigh was wrapped, it couldn't be seen under his shorts.

Young hurt his leg Sunday in the third quarter of a 13-10 loss to Tampa Bay as he sprinted to the sideline on a 2-yard gain.

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Despite torn elbow ligament, Warner hopes to play at Washington

2007-10-17T19:47:00.000-07:00

Three days after he tore a ligament in his left elbow, Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner hopes he'll play Sunday at Washington.

It's too early to tell whether he will.

"Would I love to play on Sunday? Sure I would," Warner said after limited participation in Wednesday's practice. "I'm going to go forward with the idea that I can. But we've just got to weigh all the options and make sure that it's something that I can do."

Warner said doctors told him he's not risking a worse injury by playing. The biggest issue, Warner said, may be finding the right brace. Warner tried several at practice, but had trouble finding one that provided enough support for the badly swollen joint on his non-throwing arm.

He said it was most painful when he extended his arm to hand off, but that throwing isn't a problem.

"The huge key is really trying to find the right brace to really stabilize it," he said. "There are a couple of braces that the arm was just really loose. And when it's loose and it's kind of wobbling with the ligaments, you can't deal with that."

Warner's presence would help stabilize the Cardinals' offense, which is reeling from the loss of two starting quarterbacks in an eight-day span.

Warner tore a ligament trying to recover his own fumble in a 25-10 home loss to Carolina on Sunday. He was starting in place of Matt Leinart, who was lost for the season with a broken collarbone one week earlier.

The Cardinals played most of the Carolina game with Tim Rattay, an eight-year NFL veteran who had been helping his father, Jim, coach a Phoenix-area high school team. Rattay played for the San Francisco 49ers for six years before being traded to Tampa Bay, where he played in four games a year ago.

The club signed Tim Hasselbeck this week as a backup, and he and Rattay took turns running the offense on Wednesday.

The 6-foot-1, 214-pound Hasselbeck had been working in radio and television since his release by the New York Giants on Sept. 1. He appeared in two games for the Giants in 2005, but didn't attempt a pass.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt wouldn't rule out Warner or select a starter. He denied he was being vague in an effort to keep the Redskins off-balance.

"Maybe we'll go with a three-quarterback platoon this week and see if we can get that one to work," Whisenhunt said with a chuckle. "It's not so much gamesmanship. We've got to find the guy that we feel comfortable with doing what we can do.

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Former Pro Bowler Priest Holmes takes another step in comeback

2007-10-17T19:46:00.000-07:00

Priest Holmes went through a full practice Wednesday, a giant step toward what could be turning into one of the NFL's great comebacks.

Now 34 and out of football since suffering neck and spinal injuries two years ago, Holmes was cleared to practice for the first time since he shocked the Chiefs last summer and showed up at training camp.

He's been working out diligently and trimming away the 15 or so pounds he gained while staying home the previous 22 months, hardly going near a football field.

Now, he says, he's ready to resume a career that took him to three Pro Bowls and made him one of the league's most productive backs before the injury that just about everyone assumed ended his career.

"One of the things I can take from practice is I still have a lot in me," he said. "That was one of the surprising things not so much for the team to see, but also for myself to see, how well I performed."

He admitted he's not yet the athlete who had almost 6,000 yards rushing and 2,360 yards receiving from 2001-06, and in 2003 scored a then-NFL record 27 touchdowns.

"There were a few things that took me by surprise," he said. "There was one play where they sent two linebackers in on me and ... my awareness wasn't there initially. I'm seeing two guys coming at me. Which one do I take? And the better one gets a good hit on me. But I stood in there. I got my wig split. I got hit pretty hard. But I bounced back and got ready to play the next snap."

Coach Herm Edwards admits he never expected to see Holmes in uniform again. For one thing, the injury he sustained in San Diego in October 2005 was not merely career-threatening. It was possibly life-altering because doctors feared a risk of further spinal injury.

By now, Edwards says, nothing about the enigmatic running back would shock him.

"What's surprising was when he decided not to retire and said he was coming back. That surprised me," Edwards said Wednesday.

"But once he showed up, nothing else surprised me about the guy. He has great focus on what he wants to do. He wanted to attempt to come back. A lot of people probably anticipated that he would check out before now. But he didn't."

Edwards said he still did not know if Holmes would be activated for this week's game at Oakland - or, for that matter, ever.

"We'll see how he feels tomorrow. That's the whole key now, how is he going to feel tomorrow? And then the next day? Where is he going to be the next couple of days?"

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Winless Rams finally getting some players back

2007-10-17T19:45:00.000-07:00

Randy McMichael looked around the huddle in practice Wednesday and Marc Bulger, Steven Jackson and Isaac Bruce looked back at the tight end. The St. Louis Rams are still winless, but finally there is some hope.

"It's been a frustrating year, all the losing, and it seems like you're always losing a teammate," McMichael said. "We lose teammates for weeks at a time, so it will make you a little happy to see some of your guys back out there."

Bulger is back after broken ribs forced him to miss two games, a pair of losses in which backup Gus Frerotte threw eight interceptions.

Jackson and Bruce were still limited in practice, with Bruce a better bet to return this week at Seattle. Coach Scott Linehan said Jackson, recovering from a partially torn groin that has sidelined him for three games, had an "outside chance" of playing.

"He's starting to show signs of returning," Linehan said. "It's very encouraging, we talked about it as a team. We're adding players, slowly but surely."

St. Louis (0-6) has been hit hardest on offense, with backup center Andy McCollum likely to become the 23rd starter. Brett Romberg, the starting center, did not practice Wednesday and could miss the Seattle game with a sprained ankle although Linehan doesn't expect him to be out long.

"There's only so much bad luck one team can have," McMichael said. "I really don't think I've seen injuries hit a team like it's hit us every week."

Still, McMichael prefers to be optimistic and said he wasn't alone in that feeling during a spirited practice.

"The guys were all amped up and everybody was working hard and you could tell the crispness," McMichael said. "It was like everybody felt like we were 0-0 and we were starting our season from this game."

Offense, which was supposed to be the Rams' strength, instead is the weakness. St. Louis is 29th in the NFL in points and has been outscored 159-73.

Before the season, Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck expected a lot more from the Rams.

"I really thought they would be a sleeper team, potentially to go to the Super Bowl," Hasselbeck said. "To see their record where it is, is surprising."

The Rams have been hit hard on the offensive line, with linemen Orlando Pace and Mark Setterstrom out for the year and top backup Todd Steussie out half the season with a broken foot. Wide receivers Drew Bennett, Dante Hall, Dane Looker amd Bruce were all sidelined last week.

That meant unexpected playing time for return man Brandon Williams, signed last week and a prominent role for Marques Hagans, the emergency third quarterback the first four weeks, who dropped a touchdown pass.

"You never want to use it as an excuse, but we've been decimated by injuries," said Looker, who missed the last two games with a deep thigh bruise. "The backups, they can't be backups, they've got to be starters waiting to play."

The Rams haven't given up yet, with their bye week coming up after two more games. Plus they're in the weakest division in the NFC with Arizona and Seattle, both 3-3, tied for first.

"As bleak as it's been, we're only three games out of first place," Looker said. "You win this game, you're two games out and that's got to be our mindset."

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Redskins' Moss sleeps on it, gets over his awful day in Green Bay

2007-10-17T19:44:00.001-07:00

After nearly succumbing twice to tears in the locker room after a terrible game, Santana Moss did what good pros do. He went home and got over it.

"I had to really sleep on it to understand you ain't perfect, you know what I mean?" the Washington Redskins wide receiver said Wednesday.

Moss had possibly his worst game in his seven-year NFL career Sunday. Six passes were thrown his way, but he failed to record even a single reception - his first whitewash since 2002. He dropped two passes, bringing his season's total to six, second in the NFL to the eight by New Orleans' Devery Henderson.

The one time Moss had the ball in his arms, he fumbled away the game. He was stripped on a reverse, and the ball was scooped up and returned for a touchdown by Charles Woodson in the Green Bay Packers' 17-14 win.

Usually a steady, down-to-earth presence, Moss was close to a mess afterward. He blamed the loss on himself and was so upset that he didn't clearly explain why he took himself out in the fourth quarter. On Wednesday, he clarified that he did so because his hamstring was cramping - not because he was having a bad day.

"I won't ever, just because you've had a drop or two, pull myself out. That's a coward," Moss said. "I just felt like my leg wasn't feeling good. I didn't want to be out there if I couldn't go 100 percent."

Moss said he perhaps was trying to go full steam too soon after missing the previous game with a groin injury. He felt better Wednesday and took part in a complete practice, leaving Green Bay behind with the focus on the next opponent, the Arizona Cardinals.

"If you sit back and dwell on it, then you're not going anywhere," Moss said. "I always look ahead. Last week, after the game, you could see how I felt. The next day? It was (over with). I'm going to just look ahead and do what I do because I know I've done plenty of other things. I've done a lot of good to let a few unhappy plays put me down."

Moss has caught only 12 of 31 passes thrown his way this season and is part of a group of receivers that has yet to catch a touchdown pass. Those numbers might lead to a request for some receivers, but not Moss, who has been a hardworking, invaluable member of the offense since he arrived in 2005, the year he set the franchise record for receiving yards.

"That's 'Tana being 'Tana," receiver Antwaan Randle El said. "He felt he made some mistakes. He had some drops that hurt us, but he wasn't the only one."

Coach Joe Gibbs met with Moss earlier this week and gave his receiver a public vote of confidence.

"I think he is absolutely one of the best playmakers I've ever been around," Gibbs said. "He means a huge amount to this team. I'm convinced that guy will make a ton of plays for us down the stretch. I don't think anybody works harder. I'm convinced the guy means a lot to us and will in the future, too."

Notes:CB Shawn Springs played Sunday's game knowing that his father had become seriously ill. Springs has since traveled to Texas to be with Ron Springs, who is hospitalized in a coma. "We talked about it before the game," cornerback Fred Smoot said. "But he seemed to stay to focused during the game. After the game we talked a little bit more about it and he let me know he was going to go to Dallas the next morning." Gibbs said he didn't know when Shawn Springs will return. ... It's anybody's guess which players will make up the starting offensive line against the Cardinals. The first-team unit for Wednesday's practice had only one player - LT Chris Samuels - who started at the same position against the Packers on Sunday. Pete Kendall (sore knees, sore hamstring), Casey Rabach (strained groin), Todd Wade (strained groin) and Stephon Heyer (strained hamstring) did not practice. Kendall, Rabach and Wade are confident they will be able to play.

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Taylor still playing key role for Jaguars as he nears rushing milestone

2007-10-17T19:42:00.000-07:00

Fred Taylor sliced through Houston's defensive front, cut left and picked up 76 yards before getting shoved out of bounds.

Taylor joked that his run on Jacksonville's second play last week would have been a touchdown three years ago. A few minutes later, he let everyone know how he really felt.

"I've still got it," he said.

Despite his age, a couple of major injuries and the emergence of Maurice Jones-Drew, the 31-year-old Taylor is still a key part of the Jaguars. He's keeping teammates humble and hungry and helping Jacksonville (4-1) find some much-needed consistency. He's also doing his part on the field.

To date, he has 297 rushing yards and needs 190 more to become the 21st player in NFL history to reach 10,000. He could get it Monday night - don't laugh! - against defending Super Bowl champion Indianapolis (5-0). After all, the Jaguars set a franchise record with 375 yards rushing against the Colts last season.

"Anything is possible," Taylor said.

Taylor ran nine times for 131 yards against Indianapolis last December, including a 76-yarder on Jacksonville's first play that set the tone. Jones-Drew added a career-high 166 yards on 15 carries. Even seldom-used running back Alvin Pearman had 71 rushing yards.

The Jags picked up yards inside and out, controlled the clock and kept Peyton Manning & Co. on the sideline, executing the game plan to perfection in the 44-17 victory.

From that point, however, the teams went in opposite directions. Jacksonville lost three in a row and was eliminated from playoff contention; the Colts regrouped and won it all.

"The thing we really want to do is taste what Indy's been tasting," Taylor said. "They've been on top. We said Kansas City was that test, then last week we said Houston was that test. This is the test. This is the early season moment we've been waiting on. This is going to define this team a little bit more. It's going to show our character."

Taylor has shown plenty of character throughout his career. He dealt with an agent who lost him millions and a coach who refused to acknowledge the extent of his injuries; he even took on a mentoring role to Jones-Drew last season.

Although he realizes Jones-Drew will eventually supplant him in Jacksonville, Taylor doesn't feel threatened. In fact, he believes Jones-Drew's presence probably extended his career.

"I've never been the selfish type in my life," Taylor said. "I've always been the giving and sharing person. That's just me. That's my makeup. I'm not worried about a young guy pushing me out. I love competing. I love playing football.

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NFL Injury Report

2007-10-17T19:41:00.000-07:00

The National Football League injury report, as provided by the league (OUT - Definitely will not play; DNP - Did not practice; LIMITED - Limited; FULL - Full participation in practice):

Sunday

ARIZONA CARDINALS at WASHINGTON REDSKINS - CARDINALS: DNP: LB Karlos Dansby (knee), S Aaron Francisco (knee), WR Sean Morey (concussion), S Adrian Wilson (hamstring). LIMITED: T Levi Brown (ankle), DE Joe Tafoya (hamstring), QB Kurt Warner (left elbow). FULL: WR Anquan Boldin (hip). REDSKINS: OUT: G Randy Thomas (triceps). DNP: T Stephon Heyer (hamstring), G Pete Kendall (hamstring), C Casey Rabach (groin), CB Shawn Springs (player decision), T Todd Wade (groin). LIMITED: LB Marcus Washington (hamstring). FULL: WR Santana Moss (hamstring).

ATLANTA FALCONS at NEW ORLEANS SAINTS - FALCONS: OUT: T Todd Weiner (knee). DNP: DT Jonathan Babineaux (knee), DT Roderick Coleman (knee), TE Alge Crumpler (knee, ankle), RB Corey McIntyre (hamstring), LB Stephen Nicholas (ankle). LIMITED: QB Joey Harrington (ankle), CB Lewis Sanders (shoulder). SAINTS: Team did not practice.

BALTIMORE RAVENS at BUFFALO BILLS - RAVENS: OUT: DT Trevor Pryce (wrist). DNP: TE Todd Heap (thigh), LB Ray Lewis (knee), CB Chris McAlister (knee), QB Steve McNair (back), TE Daniel Wilcox (foot). LIMITED: C Mike Flynn (knee), WR Derrick Mason (knee), RB Willis McGahee (knee), T Jonathan Ogden (toe), LB Gary Still (knee), T Adam Terry (ankle), WR Demetrius Williams (knee). BILLS: OUT: DE Ryan Denney (foot), S Jim Leonhard (calf), WR Peerless Price (neck). DNP: WR Sam Aiken (hamstring), DT Kyle Williams (illness). LIMITED: CB Ashton Youboty (ankle). FULL: G Brad Butler (hip), QB J.P. Losman (knee), DT Coy Wire (knee).

CHICAGO BEARS at PHILADELPHIA EAGLES - BEARS: DNP: DT Tommie Harris (hamstring), CB Nathan Vasher (groin). LIMITED: G Ruben Brown (shoulder), DT Darwin Walker (knee). EAGLES: DNP: S Brian Dawkins (neck), TE L.J. Smith (hernia). LIMITED: T Tra Thomas (knee). FULL: G Shawn Andrews (knee), WR Reggie Brown (finger), TE Brent Celek (ankle), G Todd Herremans (knee), WR Greg Lewis (ankle), CB Lito Sheppard (knee).

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS at OAKLAND RAIDERS - CHIEFS: OUT: LB Keyaron Fox (hamstring), WR Eddie Kennison (knee). LIMITED: S Jarrad Page (hamstring), S Greg Wesley (knee). FULL: CB Dimitri Patterson (hamstring). RAIDERS: Practice not complete.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS at DALLAS COWBOYS - VIKINGS: DNP: LB Vinny Ciurciu (ankle), RB Naufahu Tahi (knee). LIMITED: QB Tarvaris Jackson (groin), DE Erasmus James (shoulder), S Dwight Smith (hamstring). COWBOYS: OUT: WR Terry Glenn (knee). DNP: CB Anthony Henry (ankle). FULL: CB Courtney Brown (biceps), S Keith Davis (shoulder), RB Oliver Hoyte (neck).

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS at MIAMI DOLPHINS - PATRIOTS: DNP: LB Eric Alexander (knee), RB Sammy Morris (chest), TE Benjamin Watson (ankle). LIMITED: CB Randall Gay (thigh), RB Laurence Maroney (groin), S Mel Mitchell (groin), G Steve Neal (shoulder), WR Donte' Stallworth (knee), LB Adalius Thomas (ankle), WR Kelley Washington (hamstring). FULL: QB Tom Brady (right shoulder). DOLPHINS: DNP: QB Trent Green (concussion), DT Vonnie Holliday (ankle), LB Zach Thomas (toe), S Travares Tillman (knee). LIMITED: TE David Martin (ankle).

NEW YORK JETS at CINCINNATI BENGALS - JETS: LIMITED: TE Chris Baker (back), WR Laveranues Coles (calf), DE Shaun Ellis (foot), QB Chad Pennington (ankle), DT Dewayne Robertson (knee), S Eric Smith (thigh). FULL: DE Eric Hicks (knee), TE Jason Pociask (back). BENGALS: DNP: LB Ahmad Brooks (groin), WR Antonio Chatman (hamstring), RB Rudi Johnson (hamstring), TE Reggie Kelly (ankle), LB Corey Mays (hamstring), LB Caleb Miller (back), S Madieu Williams (back). LIMITED: T Willie Anderson (knee). FULL: DE Jonathan Fanene (knee), LB Rashad Jeanty (shin).

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS at NEW YORK GIANTS - 49ERS: DNP: S Keith Lewis (hamstring), LB Hannibal Navies (knee). LIMITED: LB Tully Banta-Cain (ankle), TE Vernon Davis (knee), S Michael Lewis (Achilles), QB Alex Smith (right shoulder). GIANTS: DNP: WR Plaxico Burress (ankle). LIMITED: RB Brandon Jacobs (ankle), WR Steve Smith (shoulder), RB Derrick Ward (ankle).

ST. LOUIS RAMS at SEATTLE SEAHAWKS - RAMS: DNP: WR Drew Bennett (hamstring), WR Dante Hall (ankle), WR Torry Holt (knee), DE Leonard Little (toe), C Brett Romberg (ankle). LIMITED: WR Isaac Bruce (hamstring), RB Steven Jackson (groin), WR Dane Looker (thigh). FULL: QB Marc Bulger (ribs), S Corey Chavous (pectoral). SEAHAWKS: Practice not complete.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS at DETROIT LIONS - BUCCANEERS: OUT: RB Michael Pittman (ankle). DNP: DE Patrick Chukwurah (shoulder), CB Brian Kelly (groin), TE Alex Smith (ankle). LIMITED: WR Joey Galloway (team decision), DE Greg Spires (ankle). FULL: WR Ike Hilliard (shoulder). LIONS: DNP: CB Stanley Wilson (groin). LIMITED: TE Sean McHugh (hand), CB Keith Smith (ankle).

TENNESSEE TITANS at HOUSTON TEXANS - TITANS: DNP: RB Chris Brown (ankle), RB Ahmard Hall (concussion), DT Albert Haynesworth (knee), WR Brandon Jones (knee), DE Antwan Odom (thigh), G Benji Olson (team decision), QB Vince Young (quadricep). TEXANS: DNP: RB Ahman Green (knee), WR Andre Johnson (knee), WR Harry Williams (quadricep). LIMITED: K Kris Brown (left foot), CB Dunta Robinson (team decision), LB DeMeco Ryans (ankle), G Kasey Studdard (groin).

PITTSBURGH STEELERS at DENVER BRONCOS - STEELERS: DNP: DT Casey Hampton (hamstring), TE Jerame Tuman (back). LIMITED: CB Bryant McFadden (ankle). BRONCOS: Practice not complete.

Monday

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS at JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS - COLTS: Team did not practice. JAGUARS: Team did not practice.

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Browns owner Randy Lerner relishing team's solid start

2007-10-17T19:39:00.000-07:00

Randy Lerner pulled up a chair at the mammoth conference table, folded his arms across his chest and smiled.

These days, owning the Cleveland Browns isn't much of a burden.

After years of frustration and failure, football seasons filled with pathetic performances and nearly constant internal change, the Browns finally seem headed in the right direction.

They're 3-3, a surprising start for a team given little regard around the NFL.

For Cleveland's long-suffering supporters, these are times to savor.

And the intensely private Lerner, a lifelong Browns fan who inherited the club following his father's death in 2002, is enjoying them.

"It's a good moment for us," Lerner said with pride Wednesday.

The Browns aren't alone, either. With the Indians one victory away from a trip to the World Series and the Cavaliers fresh off their first appearance in the NBA finals, Cleveland's three professional sports teams are enjoying an unprecedented run of success.

Like most Clevelanders, Lerner watched Game 4 of the playoffs between the Indians and Red Sox on Tuesday night, cheering every ball and strike with his 10-year-old son, whom he said was "going absolutely berserko."

"The overwhelming emotion is a lot of pride," Lerner said.

It's the same feeling he's now having while watching his own team play. That hasn't always been the case.

Following a 34-7 drubbing at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the opener, the Browns seemed destined for another disastrous season. They started 1-5 in 2006, and a similar start would in all likelihood have led to more upheaval, including the possible firing of coach Romeo Crennel.

Lerner wasn't about to let things slide again.

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