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2B
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2006
STANDINGS, MORE
CURTAIN CALL
NY Yankees
Boston
Toronto
Baltimore
Tampa Bay
Detroit
Chicago Sox
Minnesota
Cleveland
Kansas City
Oakland
LA Angels
Texas
Seattle
NY Mets
Philadelphia
Atlanta
Florida
Washington
St. Louis
Cincinnati
Houston
Milwaukee
Chicago Cubs
Pittsburgh
San Diego
LA Dodgers
Arizona
Colorado
San Francisco
PRO, COLLEGE
BRIEFS
Lands has serious doubts
(AP) - Embattled Tour de France
champion Floyd Landis said the way his
doping case has been handled so far
makes him doubtful that he'll be able to
clear his name.
Landis said the release of test results
to the media before he had an adequate
chance to examine them made it difficult
to defend himself. He offered no new
explanation for the elevated testosterone
levels, or synthetic testosterone, found
in his system after a stirring comeback
ride to victory in Stage 17. Speaking
about officials from both the international
cycling federation and the anti-doping
agencies, Landis added that there were
“multiple reasons why this could have
happened, other than what they’re say
ing happened” and that he “added tes
tosterone to my body in some way.”
Landis used the same word, “agen
da,” in a round of interviews a day
earlier. But he couldn't say who might be
Falcons’ wide receiver
situation reason for panic
The Falcons could take
a number of offensive
approaches now that
their wide receiving corps
resembles the kids’ table at
a family feast.
Atlanta’s lone proven vet
eran, Brian Finneran, suf
fered a season-ending knee
injury in the opening days
of camp and left behind a
group of young, unproven
players.
The Falcons have already
entertained playing cor
nerback DeAngelo’ Hall on
offense and trading for prov
en talents Jerry Porter or
Ashley Lelie. They contacted
the agent for Ricky Proehl,
a veteran and unsigned
free agent.
There is one more tact they
might consider: Petition the
NFL for a rule change out
lawing the forward pass.
Brian Finneran’s season
ending knee injury, suffered
in the opening days of train
ing camp, should not have
incited panic.
Finneran was slated as the
team’s No. 3 wide receiver
for a reason: He lacks the
physical skills and talents
to be a game-changer. He
always has Finneran went
undrafted coming out of
Villanova.
Yet without Finneran,
the Falcons lack a wideout
with proven reliability. And
their only other trustworthy
pass catcher, tight end Alge
Crumpler, is hobbling as he
recovers from two offseason
surgeries.
The Falcons deserve blame
for the situation. They
made no attempt to bolster
their group of wide receiv
American League
EAST
W L PCT GB HOME ROAD RS RA STRK LlO
66 42 .611 - 36-19 30-23 601 504 Won 1 8-2
65 45 .591 2 35-17 30-28 606 547 Lost 2 4-6
59 53 .527 9 37-23 22-30 589 549 Won 2 3-7
50 63 .442 18.5 30-31 20-32 540 632 Lost 2 3-7
47 66 .416 21.5 29-26 18-40 503 610 Lost 1 5-5
CENTRAL
W L PCT GB HOME ROAD RS RA STRK LIO
76 36 .679 - 37-17 39-19 589 439 Won 4 7-3
65 45 .591 10 34-20 31-25 625 537 Lost 2 6-4
65 46 .586 10.5 39-15 26-31 577 507 Lost 1 6-4
47 63 .427 28 26-29 21-34 594 565 Lost 3 3-7
38 73 .342 37.5 23-33 15-40 506 672 Lost 4 3-7
WEST
W L PCT GB HOME ROAD RS RA STRK LIO
61 51 .545 - 29-25 32-26 504 495 Won 5 8-2
58 54 .518 3 27-28 31-26 552 519 Won 3 5-5
56 57 .496 5.5 26-30 30-27 571 563 Lost 3 5-5
54 57 .486 6.5 29-29 25-28 521 518 Won 1 5-5
National League
EAST
W L PCT GB HOME ROAD RS RA STRK LIO
66 44 .600 - 32-22 34-22 593 499 Won 2 7-3
54 57 .486 12.5 27-31 27-26 573 583 Won 1 7-3
51 60 .459 15.5 22-29 29-31 580 573 Lost 1 3-7
51 60 .459 15.5 27-28 24-32 514 538 Lost 3 3-7
49 62 .441 17.5 26-24 23-38 513 574 Lost 2 4-6
CENTRAL
W L PCT GB HOME ROAD RS RA STRK LIO
61 50 .550 - 33-23 28-27 551 532 Won 3 3-7
57 55 .509 4.5 29-30 28-25 546 581 Lost 2 3-7
53 58 .477 8 30-26 23-32 506 524 Lost 1 5-5
52 59 .468 9 32-23 20-36 503 587 Lost 2 4-6
47 64 .423 14 25-31 22-33 465 568 Won 2 7-3
42 70 .375 19.5 28-28 14-42 502 568 Lost 2 6-4
WEST
W L PCT GB HOME ROAD RS RA STRK LlO
58 53 .523 - 28-31 30-22 504 498 Won 2 4-6
57 55 .509 1.5 32-24 25-31 572 522 Won 10 10-0
56 56 .500 2.5 27-29 29-27 562 570 Lost 1 4-6
54 57 .486 4 28-26 26-31 506 492 Lost 2 6-4
54 58 .482 4.5 31-28 23-30 521 523 Won 2 3-7
manipulating the results or the timing of
the releases. *
Nats trade Livan Hernandez
WASHINGTON (AP) - Livan
Hernandez was traded by the Washington
Nationals to the Arizona Diamondbacks
for a pair of minor league pitchers.
The 31-year-old Hernandez is 9-8
this season with a career-high 5,34 ERA
in 24 starts. The right-hander has been
hampered by a sore knee for most of
the season.
RnaKsts impress owners
NORTHBROOK, 111. (AP) - All 32 NFL
owners seemed impressed by the five
finalists for the commissioner’s job when
they finally got to see and hear them.
Nothing happened to indicate that
Roger Goodell, Paul Tagliabues No. 2
man, isn’t the overwhelming favorite to
be elected Tagliabue’s successor.
ers in the offseason. Jerome
Pathon, who made one catch
all of last year, was their
only veteran signee.
Then again, the lack of
action fits the team’s philos-
Adam Van
Brimmer
Morris News Service
back only to get burned
worse than a senior citizen
in a telemarketing scam.
So Rich McKay, the team’s
general manager, turned to
the draft. He picked Michael
Jenkins in the first round in
2004, Roddy White there in
2005. This April the Falcons
drafted Adam Jennings in
the fourth round.
All should develop into
good players. But so far, their
play has fallen well short of
their potential. White caught
29 balls in 16 games dur
ing his rookie season. And
Jenkins has a reputation - a
well-earned one for drop
ping as many passes as he
catches.
Good hands are the most
important attribute for
a Falcons’ wide receiver.
Quarterback Michael Vick
throws laser beams, and they
don’t always hit the target
between the numbers. And
each drop is another obstacle
to earning the quarterback’s
trust.
That could happen late Tuesday, but
more likely on Wednesday.
Tagliabue and Pittsburgh owner Dan
Rooney, co-chairman of the eight-owner
selection committee, both said they
believe a new commissioner was likely
to be chosen during this three-day meet
ing in suburban Chicago.
The thought all along has been that
if a commissioner is elected here it will
be Goodell, the NFL’s chief operating
officer, but if the process is extended,
one of the other four finalists could enter
the picture.
Taylor died, not suspended
ASHBURN, Va. (AP) _ Washington
Redskins safety Sean Taylor has been
fined but will not be suspended for his
no-contest pleas in an assault case in
Florida last year. The NFL announced
Taylor has been fined four 2005 game
checks - which amounts to $71,764.
Vick’s faith in Finneran
is what made the receiv
er invaluable. Finneran
catches everything. So does
Crumpler. Catch one, and
more will come. That’s why
the tight end has led the
Falcons in receptions and
yards the last two seasons.
Vick spent much of the off
season trying to build similar
relationships with Jenkins
and White. The quarterback
and his receivers worked out
together several days a week.
The receivers learned how
a human cannon launches
footballs. The quarterback
got familiar with the timing
of his targets’ routes.
Still, training camp start
ed ominously. Jenkins and
White dropped enough
balls to draw head coach
Jim Mora’s ire. The loss of
Finneran seems to have soft
ened their hands, however.
Finneran’s injury was akin
to a ringing bell that must
be answered by the wide
outs, Vick said.
“It’s changed their whole
perception of the game,
what their confidence level
needs to be and what their
job is,” Vick said. “Brian was
a guy I really relied on, that
I had a lot of trust and faith
in. They knew that. They
want to get to that point.
McKay will try and find Vick
another Finneran before the
season starts. He will likely
wait until after teams start
to trim their rosters later
this month. A few proven
veterans will be available.
In the meantime, the
Falcons can lobby for that
rule change. Passing is over
rated anyway.
ophy. Wide
receiver is
not a new
problem
for the
Falcons.
They tried
to address
it through
free agen
cy with
Peerless
Price a
few years
SPORTS
Monday’s Sports
Transactions
By The Associated
Press
■ LOS ANGELES ANGELS
-Extended their affiliation
contract with Arkansas of the
Texas League through the
2008 season.
■ TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS -
Optioned LHP J.P. Howell to
Durham of the IL. Activated
RHP Dan Miceli from the 60-
day DL. Transferred RHP Tyler
Walker from the 15- to the 60-
day DL.
■ TEXAS RANGERS - Recalled
RHP Edinson Volquez from
Oklahoma of the PCL.
Optioned LHP John Koronka
to Oklahoma.
■ CINCINNATI REDS - Acquired
RHP Ryan Franklin from
Philadelphia for cash and a
player to be named. Placed
RHP Gary Majewski and RHP
Jason Standridge on the 15-
day DL. Assigned RHP Matt
Belisle to Louisville of the IL.
Activated LHP Kent Mercker
from the 15-day DL.
■ LOS ANGELES DODGERS -
Activated 2B Jeff Kent from the
15-day DL. Placed RHP Elmer
Dessens on the 15-day DL.
■ WASHINGTON WIZARDS
- Announced they will not
match the New York Knicks'
five-year offer sheet to F Jared
JefFries.
■ NFL - Named Ray Anderson
senior vice president of foot
ball operations.
Dixson switched to offense
By Marc Weiszer
Morris News Service
ATHENS - Fifth-year
senior Dale Dixson, in line
for a starting role at defen
sive tackle after a career
sidetracked early by inju
ries, suddenly found him
self moved to the offensive
line Monday when Georgia
held its third preseason
practice.
The move was needed to
provide depth because of
the uncertain availability of
Zeb McKinzey, who rein
jured his left shoulder in
Sunday’s practice.
“I worked five years to
get where I’m at right now
so it was kind of a shock
ing thing, a sudden shock
at first,” said an emotional
Dixson, who had been com
peting with Ray Gant to
start at defensive tackle.
“I’m in the best shape,
stayed healthy two years
and was really focused
about potentially start
ing at D-tackle. It kind of
hurts but sometimes you
have to do what’s best for
the team.” The best thing
now, Georgia coaches deter
mined, was for the 6-foot-2,
305-pound Dixson to play
center and guard Georgia
is already without center
lan Smith because of a two
game suspension and were
counting on McKinzey to be
the No. 2 center if starter
Nick Jones was injured.
“Dale is a guy that has
got a big enough body and
He said it...
“I think it’s been a very
balanced and thought
ful and businesslike
process, with not a lot
of contention. There
were different points of
view, nothing out of the
ordinary.”
- NFL Commissioner
Paul Tagliabue
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Building lives, families, and communities
Monday's Major League
Linescores
By The Associated Press
Baltimore 001 000 000.1 2 0
Toronto 102 300 02x_8 14 1
RuOrtiz, BChen (4), WAbreu
(6) Byrdak (8), Britton (8) and
RaHernandez
■Tallet, Accardo (3), League (6)
and BMolina. W_Accardo 1-
0. L_RuOrtiz 0-3. Sv_League
(1). HRs_Toronto, VWells (27),
Overbay (17).
Minnesota 000 102 000_3 8 1
Detroit 002 200 41x_9 13 0
Liriano, Neshek (5), Crain (7),
Eyre (7) and Mauer
Miner, Zumaya (7), Grilli (9)
and VWilson. W_Miner 7-2. L_
Liriano 12-3. HRs_Minnesota,
Mauer (10). Detroit, Monroe
(19), Thames (21).
Los Angeles 001 110 300_6
80
Chicago 000 101 010.3 7 1
KEscobar, HCarrasco (7),
Shields (8), Frßodriguez (9) and
JMolina Buehrle, McCarthy (7)
and SAlomar. W.KEscobar 8-9.
L.Buehrle 9-10. Sv.Frßodriguez
(27). HRsJLos Angeles,
VGuerrero (24), Quinlan (6),
JMolina (3). Chicago, Thome
(34).
Texas 020 001 100.4 11 0
Oakland 102 102 10x_7 12 0
Volquez, Bauer (6), CJWilson
(7) Rupe (8) and Barajas
Loaiza, Gaudin (7), Halsey (8),
Calero (9) and Kendall. W_
Loaiza 5-7. L.Volquez 0-1. Sv_
Calero (2). HRs.Texas, Blalock
he is a very intelligent guy
and a very unselfish guy,”
coach Mark Richt said. “I
can tell you it’s not some
thing he was happy to hear
about but he was willing to
take one for the team.”
Richt said he’s not yet
comfortable with 274-pound
freshman Kevin Perez as
the backup.
Dixson hasn’t played on
the offensive line since his
freshman season at Texas’
Garland High School. Richt
gave pointers as Dixson
snapped the ball to the
coach at the - start of prac
tice.
“I have mixed feelings
right now,” said Dixson,
who has eight career tack
les and one start. “I have to
sleep on it and pray about
it. I’ll probably have a bet
ter decision once I sit down
and reevaluate things.”
Dixson said Georgia
coaches told him to try
offensive line for a week
and he could be moved
back to defensive tackle if a
freshman emerges.
“It could be a two-game
situation and go back or
by then he may feel real
comfortable and playing
extremely well and may
stay,” Richt said.
Defensive line coach
Rodney Garner said Dixson
could play both the offen
sive and defensive lines this
season.
“If he can work and focus
where he can help this team
The Original
Solunar Tables
By Mrs. Richard Alden Knight
Release week of Aug. 6-13, 2006
AM PM
Dale Day Minor Major Minor Major
8/6 Su 3:10 9:25 3:35 9:55
8 n M 4:10 10:20 4:30 10:55
8/8 T 5:05 11:20 5:30 11:50
8/9 W 6:00 0 6:25 12:15
8/10 Th 6:55 12:40 7:20 1:10
8/11 F 7:55 1:45 8:25 2:10
8/12 S 8:50 2:40 9:20 3:05
8/13 Su 9:45 3:30 10:10 3:55
© 2006 by King Features Syndicate. Inc.
THE HOUSTON HOME JOURNAL
(13). Oakland, Bradley (8), Ellis
(6).
Tampa Bay *lOl 200 000.4 12
0
Seattle 201 020 00x_5 8 0
Corcoran, Miceli (6), Harville (7)
and Navarro
Moyer, JMateo (5), Sherrill
(6) RSoriano (7), Putz (8)
and Johjima. W.JMateo 7-4.
L.Corcoran 4-3. Sv.Putz (24).
HRs.Seattle, Beltre (12), Ibanez
(23).
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Philadelphia 000 250 020.9
10 0
Atlanta 000 130 002.6 12 1
BMyers, Madson (6),
Rhodes (8), Geary (9) and
Lieberthal Hoßamirez, Villarreal
(5), WFranklin (6), Ray (7),
Mcßride (8), Paronto (9) and
McCann. W.BMyers 8-5.
L.Hoßamirez 5-5, HRs.
Philadelphia, Howard (39).
Atlanta, MGiles (9), AJones
(27).
St. Louis 520 201 003.13 171
Cincinnati 010 000 000.1 8 2
JfWeaver, Flores (7), Hancock
(8) and YMolina
Elßamirez, RFranklin (2), Coffey
(7) Mercker (8), Weathers (9)
and Valentin. W.JfWeaver 2-
2. L.Elßamirez 4-8. HRs.St.
Louis, Duncan (8), Rolen
(16), Spiezio (6), YMolina (4).
Cincinnati, Valentin (3).
offensively here in camp, we
would be remiss if we didn’t
do that,” Gamer said. “I
think we would cheat this
program if we didn’t do
that.”
Freshman defensive
linemen thrown into mix:
Garner said that “three or
four,” of Georgia’s fresh
man defensive lineman may
play this season.
Defensive tackle Ricardo
Crawford is beirig count
ed on to play this season
and the other freshmen
are defensive tackle Geno
Atkins and defensive ends
Demarcus Dobbs; Michael
Lemon, Kiante Tripp and
Brandon Wood. Garner said
two freshmen ends would
be groomed to play with one
“pretty certain,” to cross
train at defensive tackle.
This and that: Richt
said that Georgia’s quarter
back depth chart remains
the same but that chang
es could come as early as
after the first scrimmage
on Saturday. ... Redshirt
freshman safety Antavious
Coates injured his left knee
early in practice, but Richt
did not know the extent of
the injury. Coates tore the
ACL on his other knee in
high school and re-injured
it last summer. ... Offensive
guard Chester Adams and
Crawford left practice with
what were said to be cramps.
... Georgia practiced in
shoulder pads for the first
time this preseasoh.
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Aug. 11, 12, 13
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