2B
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
INSIDE SPORTS
FRIDAY, AUGUST 27, 2004
A saving swing
Andy Hicks, Neodesha junior, lunges for the ball at the Robinson tennis courts yesterday. He said he was playing was because he watched the American tennis team during the Olympics and thought they needed help. "It's all about American loyalty," Hicks joked.
Rams look to rectify dismal preseason
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
ST.LOUIS - Don't tell Marc Bulger the NFL preseason is too long or doesn't matter.
Coming off an "embarrassing" 24-7 exhibition loss Monday night at Kansas City, the St. Louis Rams quarterback embraces having two more preseason games to get the reigning NFC West champions to some blance of regular-season form.
battle of regular teams.
"That's the only good thing that came out of the other night," Bulger said while the Rams (0-2) prepared for Friday night's home preseason game against the Washington Redskins (2-1).
"This way we can learn from our mistakes. I know it doesn't look good right now, and we're not performing well. But we have faith in each other, and we're not panicking by any stretch of the imagination."
In their two preseason losses, the
Rams have mustered just 13 points, with a patchwork offensive line offering little relief for Bulger. The Chiefs registered five sacks and relentless pressure on Rams quarterbacks.
In his first NFL season as the Rams' undisputed starting quarterback, Bulger perhaps knows better than to single out for criticism the beefy linemen between he and defenders. But he knows things have to improve quickly.
"It's not a lack of effort. We have to focus a little more. We have a lot of pride in there. Whether it's preseason or not, it'd be nice to perform well."
He said, "The bottom line is if we had 10 plays we should be able to score, and we're not executing right now.
And it'd be nice to have a healthy offensive line. Five-time Pro Bowl tackle Orlando Pace continues to be a holdout. Right tackle Kyle Turley remains out with a back injury, and his return is unclean. Backup tackle
Grant Williams played Monday despite an ankle injury. And St. Louis cut center Dave Wohlabaugh because of a hip injury.
Things appear so dire that coach Mike Martz lured two veteran offensive lineman — Chris Dishman and Tom Nutten — out of retirement. Martz said both were rounding into shape.
At 354 pounds, Dishman is 20 pounds lighter than when he first arrived in Rams camp two weeks ago. He admits, "I'm slow moving off the ball a little more than I'm used to, and I think that has to do with being overweight."
And along come the Redskins, fresh from their 17-0 feasting on the offensively challenged Miami Dolphins last weekend.
Washington held the Dolphins to just five first downs — none in the second half — and only 98 yards of offense. Washington controlled the ball for 41 minutes and rolled up 181
vards on the ground.
As on the ground,
Mark Brunell, acquired in an off-season trade to challenge incumbent Patrick Ramsey for the starting job, played four series and led touchdown drives of 63 and 43 yards. He finished 7-for-9 for 79 yards.
Ramsey, who was 3-for-8 for 41 yards, said he was taking the competition in stride.
"Mark and I are as close as I ever expected to be," Ramsey said. "The only time you really consider this being a controversy is when it's a situation where someone is upset over it."
"I don't worry about us coexisting. I've competed with guys that I didn't get along with as well as I get along with him. I'm surprised we've become as close as we have."
Ramsey gets the start against the Rams, and Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said he wouldn't decide until at least next week who will be under center when the regular season starts.
Marbury leads Americans past Spain, into semifinal
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
ATHENS, Greece - Larry Brown was right. The Americans did eventually start hitting their jump shots.
Stephon Marbury set a U.S. Olympic record with 31 points, and the team that spent the first week and a half of the Athens Games missing jumpers finally found its range in a 102-94 victory against Spain in the quarterfinals Thursday.
The Americans made 12 3-pointers and knocked the previously undefeated Spaniards out of medal contention with their best all-around performance of the Olympics.
Marbury broke the U.S. record of
30 points shared by Charles Barkley (1992 vs. Brazil) and Adrian Dantley (1976 vs. Yugoslavia).
As the teams left the court, Brown and Spain coach Mario Pesquera were pointing angrily at each other and had to be separated by their assistants.
Allen Iverson added 16 points, Carlos Boozer had 12 and Lamar Odom 11 for the Americans, who advanced to the semifinal against Argentina.
Pau Gasol led Spain with 29 points but was held to just four in the fourth quarter by a tenacious American defensive effort.
Duncan scored the Americans' first
five points and blocked Spain's first shot, but he was on the bench just 4 1/2 minutes into the quarter and stayed there for the rest of the half after picking up two fouls. The U.S. team made four of its first five 3-point attempts, and the first quarter ended in a 25-25 tie.
In a seesaw second quarter, the Americans went ahead by eight points, feeding off the defensive energy of Dwyane Wade. The United States led 44-43 at halftime despite giving up 18 points to Casol and being called for 14 fouls.
Marbury hit a pair of 3s early in the third quarter, and Brown left Duncan in after he picked up his third foul
pionter. A 7-0 run by Spain tied the game, but Carmelo Anthony ended the quarter with a 3-pointer to give the Americans a 74-67 lead.
with 5:22 left. Marbury reached 21 points — matching his total from the Americans' first five games — on a 3-pointer.
Odom drew his fifth and final foul with 5:29 left and the Americans ahead 80-73, and it was 82-78 when Marbury hit the team's 12th 3-pointer. Duncan's putback increased the lead to 87-78.
The Americans made seven straight free throws to stay comfortably ahead after Spain started intentionally fouling.
TALK TO Us
Tell us your news. Contact Danielle
Hillix or Joe Bant at 864-4858 or
sports@kansan.com
Team to scrimmage Saturday; volleyball exhibition to follow
The Kansas basketball team will hold an open scrimmage at 4 p.m. tomorrow in the Horejsi Center.
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Doors will open at 2:30 p.m. and close when the 1,300-seat athletic center is filled.
The volleyball team will follow with a 7 p.m. exhibition match against alumni players.
Both events are free to the public.
Josee Nawall
-Jesse Newell
NFL star's odd behavior continues
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
DAVIE, Fla. — Ricky Williams phoned the Miami Dolphins this week, but said his next destination will be India, not a return to the NFL.
The retired running back contacted coach Dave Wannstedt several days ago, sources close to the coach said yesterday. But Williams told The Miami Herald he had no plans to come back anytime soon.
His conversation with Wannstedt was their first since Williams called
Ricky Williams retired football player
"I didn't call them to see if I could come back. I was just causing a conversation to happen."
one week before training camp with the stunning news he was retiring.
A letter the Dolphins sent Williams last week seeking to recoup $8.6 million in bonuses paid to him prompted the latest call.
"I didn't call them to see if I could come back. I was just causing a conversation to happen." Williams told the Herald from Australia. "They sent me the letter and (my agent) told me it's in my best interests to call them."
Even if the 27-year-old Williams wanted to return, he faces a suspension for the entire 2004 season for violating the NFL drug policy. He has acknowledged testing positive for marijuana three times.
His latest reasons for retiring, including a workload he considered excessive. annoyed ex-teammates.
Williams said he planed to travel to India soon for a couple of months.
"He's acting like a bitter girlfriend," defensive tackle Larry Chester said. "He's just lashing out. I don't think anyone should pay attention to him
"It's not in my best interests to play football right now," he said.
Williams' agent didn't return calls seeking comment. Wannstedt and Dolphins general manager Rick Spielman declined to discuss the latest development in the Williams saga.
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