This might be the perfect scenario for any pro sports team: The Pittsburgh Penguins’ core players remain implausibly young, yet seem to get better nearly every day. Sidney Crosby, already a league MVP, scoring champion and two-time 100-point scorer, is only 20. (Sid’s not quite a kid any longer, but he’s still too young to frequent taverns in most places.) Jordan Staal, a gifted scorer, is 19, yet…
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP)– Safety Rodney Harrison has returned to a New England team that didn’t miss a beat without him. Harrison was suspended for the first four games of the season for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances, reportedly by using human growth hormone. In his absence, the Patriots went undefeated, winning each game by at least three touchdowns.
Quarterback Jake Delhomme and linebacker Dan Morgan were held out of practice Wednesday as the Carolina Panthers began preparations for Sunday’s game at New Orleans. Running backs DeShaun Foster (team decision) and Nick Goings (concussion) also missed the workout. Delhomme hasn’t thrown since straining his right elbow against Atlanta on Sept.
Thru n’ Thru set a quick early pace and held on for a three-quarter length win over Queen Amira on Wednesday in the $57,000 allowance feature for fillies and mares at Belmont Park. Thru n’ Thru, trained by Bob Baffert, ran the six furlongs on the firm turf in 1:08.13 for her third win in five career starts.
By Bruce Martin PA SportsTicker Contributing Editor
Jimmie Johnson still doesn’t understand the rule that gave Greg Biffle a victory at Kansas Speedway, even though three other cars crossed the finish line before the race winner.
Right-hander Steve Trachsel, and lefties Will Ohman and Sean Marshall were dropped by the Chicago Cubs for their first-round playoff series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Rookie right-hander Kevin Hart, who pitched at Double-A Tennessee this season, was among the 11 pitchers picked Wednesday for the Cubs’ NL division series roster.
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu and nose tackle Casey Hampton, forced out of the Arizona game with injuries, are expected to play Sunday against Seattle. “All indications are that they will be fine,” coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday. The Steelers aren’t as certain about four-time Pro Bowl receiver Hines Ward, who missed only his fourth game in 10 seasons Sunday because of a sprained knee.
Tom Brady has thrown 13 touchdown passes, Randy Moss is breaking receiving records and the New England Patriots are unbeaten. Coach Bill Belichick’s reaction? “It could be better.” The Patriots (4-0) took a day off Tuesday after beating the Cincinnati Bengals 34-13 the night before to remain one of the NFL’s four unbeaten teams.
KANSAS CITY, Kansas (Ticker) – For all but a few drivers in Sunday’s NASCAR Nextel Cup LifeLock 400 at Kansas Speedway it was not a good day to be in “The Chase.”
