Ryan Pontbriand, regarded as one of the NFL’s premier long snappers, signed a four-year contract extension Tuesday with the Cleveland Browns, a deal that will keep the specialist with the club through 2011. Former Browns coach Butch Davis was laughed at when he used a fifth-round draft pick (No. 142 overall) in 2003 to select Pontbriand, who played at Rice.
LB Trotter signs 1-year deal with Bucs
Four-time Pro Bowl linebacker Jeremiah Trotter signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Tuesday, two weeks after he was released in a surprise move by the Philadelphia Eagles. It was not immediately clear how the 30-year-old middle linebacker, one of the leaders of the Eagles for most of the past decade, fits into coach Jon Gruden’s plans.
Del Mar Stable Notes – Day 40 – Saturday, September 1
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Nownownow Wins $80,000 With Anticipation/P.G. Johnson
Nownownow raced to his first career victory, beating Zee Zee by three lengths in the $80,000 With Anticipation/P.G. Johnson Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on Friday. Under Julien Leparoux, the 2-year-old son of Whywhywhy ran 1 1-16 miles on the outer turf course in 1:41.26, paying $14.60, $5.70, and $4.70 to win.
Yeley to drive No. 96 for Hall of Fame Racing in 2008
J.J. Yeley had a long list of teams interested in signing him after he lost his job at Joe Gibbs Racing, but Hall of Fame Racing wasn’t mentioned as one of them.
Brad Keselowski cleared to race; signed by Earnhardt to finish season
Brad Keselowski has no lingering effects from his frightening accident at California Speedway and was cleared to race this weekend in Richmond.
Parker’s 36 lift France over Italy
Tony Parker scored 36 points Tuesday, leading Group D leader France past Italy 69-62 and handing the Olympic runner-up its second loss at the European championship. Pau Gasol had 26 points and nine rebounds to lead world champion Spain over a stubborn Latvia side 93-77 in Sevilla, where Croatia (1-1) beat Portugal (0-2) 90-68 in another Group B game.
Celtics sign 2nd-round pick Glen Davis
Glen Davis, a second-round draft pick out of LSU, signed with the Boston Celtics on Tuesday. Davis, a 289-pound forward, was selected 35th overall and was acquired by Boston from Seattle. He averaged 12 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in five summer league games.
4 indicted in Antoine Walker robbery
A grand jury indicted four men in the armed robbery of Miami Heat forward Antoine Walker. Two of the men had been charged previously in the robbery of another NBA player. Prosecutors say 28-year-old Antoine Larkins; Demorris Hill, 25; Phillip Allison, 28; and Gregory Reedfields, 23, broke into Walker’s Chicago home June 9 and bound Walker and a relative with duct tape.
Predators sign F Langfeld to 1-year deal
The Nashville Predators signed forward Josh Langfeld to a one-year deal Tuesday. Langfeld, 30, spent last season with Detroit where he played in 33 games with the Red Wings and 38 with its AHL affiliate, Grand Rapids. He scored 32 points for Grand Rapids. He has 32 points (9 goals, 23 assists) in 141 career NHL games and has played five seasons with Ottawa, San Jose, Boston and Detroit.
Veteran C Turgeon expected to retire
Pierre Turgeon is expected to end his 19-season NHL career by announcing his retirement Wednesday. The 38-year-old is to meet with the media at agent Bob Sauve’s office in Laval, north of Montreal. Turgeon, an unrestricted free agent, was expected to retire after groin and calf injuries limited him to only 17 games last season with the Colorado Avalanche.
Clemens to get cortisone shot in elbow
Roger Clemens will have a cortisone shot Wednesday on his ailing right elbow and is confident he will be able to pitch for the New York Yankees again this season. Clemens’ start was cut short after four innings Monday in New York’s 7-1 loss to Seattle, and he had an MRI exam after the game that the Yankees said revealed inflammation of the right elbow.