McNabb to go into broadcasting
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Former Philadelphia and Minnesota quarterback Donovan McNabb is pursuing a career in broadcasting, Sports Business Journal reported.
The former Philadelphia Eagles' star remains unsigned after his release last month by the Minnesota Vikings, but he is "close to agreeing to a network job," the Journal said in a Twitter posting Sunday, adding McNabb, 35, has "signed with agent Mark Lepselter for broadcast work," a reference to Lepselter's MAXX Sports & Entertainment.
The company lists McNabb as a client and identifies him as "Analyst, NFL Network," the Philadelphia Inquirer reported
Steelers' Wallace back with first team
PITTSBURGH, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Pittsburgh Steelers wideout Mike Wallace is back practicing with the first-team offense after holding out the entire pre-season.
The receiver told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette he felt at home in the team's new offense under first-year offensive coordinator Todd Haley.
"He didn't make any mistakes in the no-huddle drill, so he looked good," quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said, although he claimed not to know how much Wallace will play in the team's opener, a rematch against Denver, who defeated the Steelers in overtime of a wildcard playoff game last season.
The Steelers were eliminated on the first play of overtime when former Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow threw an 80-yard touchdown pass to end the game.
It remains to be seen how much of an immediate impact Wallace, who caught a career-high 72 passes for 1,193 yards and eight touchdowns last season, will have on the Steelers' new-look offensive attack.
"I'm sure this week will kind of determine that, how's he practicing, how's his wind? He's not going to play every single play, no one ever does. I think he'll be in there quite a bit, though," Roethlisberger said.
Wallace will play out the season under the $2.7 million one-year tender the Steelers gave him in the off-season. The team as a rule does not negotiate contracts during the season, the Post-Gazette noted.
Isner, Querrey set for U.S. Davis Cup team
GIJON, Spain, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- World No. 10 John Isner and 28th-ranked Sam Querrey have been tabbed to play singles for the United States in its Davis Cup semifinal against Spain.
Isner is 5-3 in Davis Cup singles matches, including wins this year over No. 1-ranked Roger Federer and sixth-ranked Jo-Wilfried Tsonga as the U.S. team defeated Switzerland and France to get to the semifinals.
U.S. captain Jim Courier will have twin brother doubles specialists Bob and Mike Bryan for the third match in the best-of-five series. Bob Bryan is 20-2 and Mike Bryan is 21-2 in Davis Cup play.
Spain will be without No. 3-ranked Rafael Nadal, who has tendinitis in his left knee. But the defending Davis Cup champions will have world No. 5 David Ferrer, 12th-ranked Nicolas Almagro, Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez.
As expected, Spain has chosen a red clay court for the series, to be decided Sept. 14-16 in Gijon, Spain. Ferrer is 14-0 in Davis Cup play on clay and Almagro is 7-1.
The winner of the Spain-United States semifinal advances to the 2012 Davis Cup title series Nov. 16-18 against either Argentina or the Czech Republic.
UConn's Olander sprains his ankle
STORRS, Conn., Sept. 4 (UPI) -- University of Connecticut Huskies basketball player Tyler Olander sprained his ankle in a pickup game, team officials said.
The 6-foot-9 junior center has been seen walking around campus with a boot on his foot. The injury stemmed from a pickup game with teammates Thursday and is expected to cause Olander to sit out basketball-related activities for two to three weeks, the Hartford Courant reported.
Given that the season doesn't start for several months, the team is taking a cautious approach to the injury.
"We're taking it slow because of the timing," assistant coach Glen Miller told the Courant. "There is no need to rush."
