So what if it’s August and he’s missing his two top receivers and his starting left tackle? Drew Brees is already showing off his Pro Bowl form for the New Orleans Saints. The same cannot be said of the Kansas City Chiefs, whose murky quarterback picture was only muddied further Thursday night as Brodie Croyle struggled and a nearly perfect Brees led the Saints to a dominating 30-7 victory.
After an unhappy training camp with the New York Jets, Pete Kendall got what he wanted: a new team and a new contract. The Washington Redskins acquired the veteran offensive lineman Thursday from the Jets in a trade, hoping he’ll fill a hole at left guard. New York will receive a fifth-round pick in 2008 or a fourth-rounder in 2009, depending on how many snaps Kendall plays this season.
Horse races across Australia were abandoned Saturday as racing and veterinary officials attempted to stem an outbreak of equine influenza imperiling the nation’s racing industry. The moves followed the discovery of the highly contagious virus in 11 non-racehorses at the Centennial Park complex adjoining Sydney’s Royal Randwick racecourse.
After trailing the field through most of the race, Miss Shop moved up to win the $400,000 Personal Ensign Stakes by three lengths over Unbridled Belle at Saratoga Race Course on Friday. Miss Shop made her move on the outside under Javier Castellano to run down the tiring Sugar Shake, who led until the quarter pole.
Kasey Kahne won the pole at Bristol Motor Speedway on Friday, edging rival Dodge driver Juan Pablo Montoya for the top starting spot.
The fight between NASCAR and AT&T heated up Friday when the telecommunications giant refused to use a paint scheme or logos on Jeff Burton’s car at Bristol Motor Speedway.
David Wells made it official Friday, signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the rest of the season. Wells’ agent, Gregg Clifton, said late Thursday the parties had reached a tentative agreement and the 44-year-old left-hander would pitch Sunday night against the Mets in New York. The Dodgers made room for Wells by designating right-hander Brett Tomko for assignment.
Brad Thompson, struggling with command and his temper since being moved out of the St. Louis Cardinals’ rotation, was demoted to Triple-A Memphis on Friday. Todd Wellemeyer was activated from the 15-day disabled list from a sprained right elbow, and will assume Thompson’s role as a right-handed reliever.
A Cleveland Indians minor leaguer was suspended 50 games Friday for violating baseball’s minor league drug rules. Juan Valdes, an outfielder for single-A Mahoning Valley of the New York-Penn League, tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance. Valdes is the 25th violation this year, the 22nd under the minor league program.
