It was the type of move a player usually tries late in a long practice. The right situation presented itself in a game for Columbus’ Rick Nash, however, and it will undoubtedly be a staple on all the highlight shows. Nash scored in his fifth straight game, this one an almost indescribable goal on a shot between his legs, and the Blue Jackets beat the St.
In the World Series opener, Colorado manager Clint Hurdle watched a reliever walk three straight batters with the bases loaded. In Game 2, a pair of walks doomed the Rockies. “Well, it’s disappointing,” Hurdle said after a 2-1 loss to Boston on Thursday night. “It puts you in positions you don’t want to get into.
The San Diego Chargers worked out, waited and wondered Thursday where and when they will play their next game. With their home stadium being used as an evacuation center for people fleeing wildfires in the San Diego area, the Chargers went through what coach Norv Turner called “one of our best practices of the year.” At about the same time, San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders said Qualcomm Stadium…
Alex Smith is ready to find out whether he’s the solution to the San Francisco 49ers’ offensive woes. The quarterback will start Sunday against New Orleans, returning from a four-week absence because of a separated shoulder. Smith went through his second full day of practice Thursday, leading the first-teamers through workouts with no discomfort.
A hearing to determine whether suspended NFL cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones will face trial for his alleged role in a strip club melee has been postponed. “Both sides have agreed to put it off,” Manny Arora, Jones’ lawyer, said Thursday. “I’d imagine they’re still investigating the case, and we’re working on our part of the case.” Jones had been scheduled to appear at a preliminary hearing Monday,…
The Minnesota Vikings signed punter Chris Kluwe to a six-year deal Thursday, extending his contract through the 2013 season. Kluwe leads the NFL with 18 punts inside the 20 this season and has averaged 44.2 yards in the first six games. He would’ve been a free agent after this season. “I’m glad to have it done,” Kluwe said.
Defensive tackle Corey Simon retired from the NFL on Thursday after trying to resume his career with the Tennessee Titans, saying practice and games started wearing on his body again. Simon, who was sidelined by Indianapolis last year on the non-football illness/injury list, confirmed that he had dealt with polyarthritis in 2006.
Todd Bouman signed a one-year contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday, giving them a backup quarterback while David Garrard recovers from an ankle injury. Bouman, a 10-year pro who has six career starts, signed for the veteran minimum of $720,000. The 35-year-old Bouman has played in 42 games with Minnesota, New Orleans and Green Bay.
Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas will miss Sunday’s game against the Giants in London because of whiplash from a car accident. Tests showed no other symptoms besides the whiplash, Miami coach Cam Cameron said Thursday, but doctors recommended Thomas rest and not travel. He was not at practice. “Obviously, that’s unfortunate,” Cameron said.
Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma missed practice for the second straight day Thursday with a knee injury that could sideline him for New York’s game against Buffalo — or longer. Coach Eric Mangini remained typically tightlipped when discussing the injury, which caused the one-time Pro Bowl linebacker to be removed from the game for a stretch last Sunday at Cincinnati.
