QB Schaub traded to Texans
HOUSTON, March 22 (UPI) -- Quarterback Matt Schaub was traded Thursday from the Atlanta Falcons to the Houston Texans for draft considerations, including a swap of first-round selections.
Atlanta will receive two second-round choices and will move from 10th to eighth in the first round of this year's NFL draft as part of the agreement, the Houston Chronicle reported.
The newspaper said Schaub agreed to a six-year, $48 million contract with $7 million guaranteed.
Schaub served as a backup to Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick for three seasons and completed 84-of-161 passes for 1,033 yards with six touchdowns and six interceptions in his 38 career NFL games.
He was a third-round choice of the Falcons in the 2004 draft.
The deal gives Houston a quarterback corps of Schaub, David Carr, Sage Rosenfels and Bradlee Van Pelt. Carr has been the team's starter but is reported to be out at Houston.
"Matt is our starting quarterback," Texans General Manager Rick Smith told the Chronicle. "Everybody here appreciates the contributions that David has made to this franchise and to this city. We are working with his representatives to find another place for him. He'll be excited about his opportunity and we all wish him the very best."
Duke's McRoberts declares for NBA draft
DURHAM, N.C., March 22 (UPI) -- Duke sophomore forward Josh McRoberts, a second-team all-conference selection, said he was making himself eligible for June's NBA draft.
McRoberts, a 6-foot-10, 240-pound forward, was Duke's second-leading scorer this past season with a 13-points-per-game average. He led the team in rebounds (7.9 per game), blocked shots (2.5 per game) and field goal percentage (50.2 percent).
McRoberts was a second team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection and the only player in the NCAA to average at least 10 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 3.5 assists per game this season.
"I am extremely grateful for the opportunities that I have had here at Duke," McRoberts said. "This was a difficult decision, but I feel it is the best one for me and my family at this point in time. I will miss Duke, the coaching staff and my teammates but it has always been goal of mine to play in the NBA."
Braves' Catcher McCann gets new contract
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., March 22 (UPI) -- All-Star catcher Brian McCann has signed a six-year contract extension worth some $27.8 million with the Atlanta Braves, the team announced Thursday.
McCann, a 23-year-old in just his second full season in the major leagues, could earn as much as $29.8 million if all incentives in the deal are met, his agent said. The deal runs through the 2012 season and there is an option for 2013.
McCann led the Braves in hitting last year and established himself as one of the game's best catchers and was selected for the National League All-Star team.
He hit .333 and added 24 home runs and 93 RBI in 130 games. Over 189 games in the major leagues -- 130 last season -- he has a batting average of .317 with 29 home runs and 116 runs batted in.
"We are delighted to have reached this agreement with Brian McCann," said Braves Executive Vice President and General Manager John Schuerholz. "This is a significant and meaningful development for the Atlanta Braves. It demonstrates the extremely high regard we have for Brian's ability, character and leadership."
Santos leads at Portugal golf tournament
SANTA CRUZ, Portugal, March 22 (UPI) -- Ricardo Santos shot a six-under-par 66 Thursday and owns a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Madeira Islands Open stop of the PGA European Tour.
Santos, a professional golfer for just more than a year, was just ahead of Notah Begay II and Peter Baker, who each shot 67. Four golfers were tied at four-under 68 but darkness halted play with several others still on the course.
The 24-year-old Santos, who started on the back nine Thursday, dropped birdie putts on five consecutive holes -- the last two on the back and the first three on the front -- to move to the top of the leader board. He made it six birdies in eight holes by beating par on the fifth hole.
Baker had a chance to tie Santos for the lead but bogeyed No. 17 to fall back by a stroke. Begay played bogey-free golf in notching his 67.
