Leg injury may cause 'Skins PK to retire
ASHBURN, Va., Sept. 10 (UPI) -- Washington Redskins placekicker Brett Conway, who has had to deal with serious injury before, may be forced to retire because of a torn quadriceps muscle in his right leg.
Conway, 27, suffered the injury Sunday in the Redskins' season-opening win over the Arizona Cardinals.
He was told at a team meeting Monday about how serious the injury was.
"The MRI shows a lot of tears, probably the worst I've had," the 27-year-old Conway told the Washington Times, clutching the envelope containing the bad medical news. "The hardest thing is finding out why this keeps happening. My hip (which kept him out of the final three preseason games) is coming along fine, but I was putting pressure on myself to get ready by the first game and I might have overcompensated and affected the quad."
Steve Spurrier, who won his NFL coaching debut, already has said that Conway is headed for injured reserve, which will end his season even if his recovery allows him to kick again.
"I would be speculating if I said that (about being placed on IR), but probably [that is the case]," Conway said.
Conway, 27, has a history of quadriceps injuries and missed the Redskins' final three games of the exhibition season because of a hip flexor injury. Also, a similar injury led to his release by the team in 2000.
He admits that the latest injury could end his career.
"I've got a lot of emotions going on right now," Conway said. "I've had some great times here. Eventually, you're going to have step down and not kick anymore. This might be it."
The Redskins will be auditioning a number of replacements this week as they prepare for next Monday night's NFC East battle with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Kearse has successful foot surgery
NASHVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 10 (UPI) -- Veteran defensive end Jevon Kearse, one of the best and most intimidating players in the National Football League, Monday underwent surgery to repair the broken bone in his left foot.
He suffered the injury in Sunday's regular season opening victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. While chasing elusive quarterback Donovan McNabb on the Eagles' second play from scrimmage, Kearse was hurt as he hurdled teammate Henry Ford.
X-rays revealed a fracture of the fifth metatarsal bone in the foot. He later watched from the sideline wearing a boot on his foot and holding crutches. Later, an MRI confirmed the fracture.
"Jevon's surgery was successful," said Tennessee Coach Jeff Fisher. "I actually saw some pictures. The screw (fusing the bone) went in without any problem. The doctors felt very good about it."
Fisher said again that his troops will have to get adjusted to being without the heart and soul of their defense while he is in recovery and rehab.
"It can be somewhere around 6-8 weeks," Fisher was asked how long "The Freak," as he is called, will be on the sidelines. "There was not a serious fracture. The screw was placed in there just to stabilize it and speed up the healing process. He was very pleased with that. We're just going to have to get through it until Jevon comes back. There's a chance we may make a roster move at some point this week, but we're going to continue to discuss it."
Kearse's replacement, Carlos Hall, a seventh-round draft pick out of Arkansas, made an immediate impact, collecting three sacks, seven tackles and a forced fumble. Fisher indicated Hall is very likely to draw much more attention in the future.
"I think people will be as concerned with Carlos as they will be with Kevin," Fisher said. "It's one of those deals - if we can get penetration up front like we did (against Philadelphia) and we're active up front at the tackle position, then the production obviously is going to continue to increase at the end."
The Titans are hoping that Kearse will play again on Oct. 27 at Cincinnati, if all goes well.
"We've learned to overcome injury loss and we're going to have to overcome this one," Fisher said.
Tennessee next plays on Sept. 15 at Dallas.
Report: Suter to retire from Sharks
SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept. 10 (UPI) -- San Jose Sharks defenseman Gary Suter, who won a Stanley Cup and an Olympic silver medal, Tuesday reportedly will announce his retirement.
Citing a team source, the San Jose Mercury News reported late Monday night that Suter will end his 17-year career.
Suter, 38, spent the last four seasons with the Sharks and led the team's defensemen in scoring in 2001-02 with six goals and 27 assists. Plagued by injuries during his first season in San Jose, he was one of four Sharks to play every game last season.
He also won a silver medal with the United States at the Salt Lake City Olympics, appearing in all six games and picking up an assist.
One year after playing at the 1984 Sarajevo Olympics, Suter broke into the NHL with the Calgary Flames. He spent 8 1/2 seasons there, winning a Stanley Cup in 1989.
Acquired by the Hartford Whalers on March 10, 1994, he was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks the next day. After four seasons with Chicago, he signed with the Sharks as a free agent but missed all but one game in 1998-99 following three elbow surgeries and a procedure to correct an irregular heartbeat.
Suter twice was nominated for the Masterton Trophy for perseverance and dedication to hockey. He totaled 203 goals and 641 assists in 1,145 NHL games.
Stars owner selling team
DALLAS, Sept. 10 (UPI) -- After winning a championship and appearing in back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals, Dallas Stars owner Tom Hicks says he is ready to sell the team.
Hicks, who also owns baseball's Texas Rangers, has hired J.P. Morgan Securities to explore and manage the sale of the Stars and his 50 percent interest in Center Operating Company, which operates American Airlines Center.
"As much as I love hockey and the Stars, I have met and exceeded the goals I set six years ago," Hicks said in a statement. "After much thought and private discussion with my family, I have decided this is an appropriate time to become a one-team owner rather than a two-team owner."
His announcement comes just over two months after he shelled out $45 million over five years to sign prized free agent Bill Guerin away from the Boston Bruins. In December 2000, he paid All-Star baseball shortstop Alex Rodriguez a whopping $252 million over 10 years to sign with the Rangers.
Despite possessing one of the largest payrolls in the NHL, the Stars missed the playoffs last season for the first time since 1996.
Dallas won the first Stanley Cup in franchise history in 1999, then returned to the Stanley Cup Finals the following year before losing to the New Jersey Devils in six games. Last year, the team moved from Reunion Arena to the American Airlines Center.
"We under-promised and over-delivered on our part of the public-private partnership," Hicks said. "Dallas fans and taxpayers have a first-class building, and the teams have an opportunity to be excellent every year. The move from Reunion catapulted the Stars and (NBA's) Mavs into an elite status."
Hicks' Southwest Sports Group purchased the Stars in 1996 for $84 million. J.P. Morgan refused to specify a proposed sale price, saying only that the Stars are among the NHL's leading franchises.
Torn ACL ends year for Stanford TE
PALO ALTO, Calif., Sept. 10 (UPI) -- Starting tight end Brett Pierce suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee lasr Saturday against Boston College and will be lost for the remainder of the 2002 season.
Pierce, who started his 13th consecutive game Saturday, injured his knee early in the first quarter. He will undergo surgery in the near future.
Pierce caught 19 passes last season for 258 yards and three touchdowns and was considered one of the best tight ends in the Pacific-10 Conference. The junior from Vancouver, Wash., will be eligible for a medical redshirt, meaning he still will have two years of college eligibility remaining.
The Cardinal play San Jose State on Saturday.
La Salle hoops coach gets contract extension
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 10 (UPI) -- La Salle University Tuesday extended the contract of men's basketball coach Billy Hahn through the 2007 season.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
In his inaugural campaign last season, Hahn led the Explorers to a 15-17 record and a berth in the Atlantic 10 Conference tournament semifinal.
"Billy has obviously did a fine job in his first season," said La Salle Director of Athletics Tom Brennan. "We have been most impressed with his overall leadership and not just on the basketball court. He has really connected with the entire La Salle community and all of its areas."
Hahn previously served as an assistant for 12 years under Gary Williams at the University of Maryland before coming to La Salle.
The Explorers begin their 2002-03 campaign on Nov. 22 when they host Delaware.
Sampras, Agassi not on U.S. Davis Cup team
NEW YORK, Sept. 10 (UPI) -- U.S. captain Patrick McEnroe Tuesday announced that Todd Martin and Mardy Fish will join Andy Roddick and James Blake next week in its semifinal tie at France on Sept. 20.
Sampras won his 14th career Grand Slam crown Sunday, beating Andre Agassi, 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 in the title match at the U.S. Open. Sampras played for the U.S. in its quarterfinal tie with Spain in April and lost to Alex Corretja, 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, before Roddick clinched the win for the Americans with a 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 rout of Alberto Martin.
"We've got obviously the youth movement and the old war horse in Todd Martin, who has always been there, is looking forward to taking the doubles court and, who knows, singles if necessary," McEnroe said. "We're certainly excited about going over to Paris and accepting this challenge."
Roddick, who turned 20 on Aug. 30, is 7-0 in Davis Cup singles matches, which is the best start by any American Davis Cup player since Agassi won his first seven Davis Cup singles matches in 1988-89.
The United States has won a record 31 Davis Cup titles, but its last came in 1995. That year, Sampras accounted for all three points in a 3-2 victory over Russia in Moscow.
"I think I had a very, very good discussion finally with Pete last night," McEnroe said Tuesday. "Obviously, he's exhausted and sky high in some ways after what he did in thrilling all of us at the U.S. Open, what both he and Andre did. I think Pete needs some time to digest what he wants to do, whether that means not to play the rest of this year, whether that means maybe not even playing again. I think he's just worn out. I certainly understand that."
Blake, 22, and Martin, 32, defeated Alberto Martin and Juan Balcells in the tie with Spain.
France's team consists of Arnaud Clement, Sebastien Grosjean, Fabrice Santoro, who all were on the 2001 squad, and Michael Llodra.
The Americans and French will be playing on the clay of Roland Garros, which is the site of the French Open, for the first time in 70 years.
France's nine Davis Cup titles are tied with Britain for third, 18 behind Australia.
The other semifinal is between Russia and Argentina and also begins on Sept. 20 on an indoor carpet in Moscow.
The final will be held Nov. 29-Dec. 1.
T'Wolves ink Nesterovic
MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 10 (UPI) -- Rasho Nesterovic Tuesday accepted a one-year qualifying offer from the Minnesota Timberwolves, making him eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Financial terms were not disclosed. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that Nesterovic turned down a multi-year deal from the Wolves to sign the qualifying offer that was worth $2.44 million.
According to the report, the Slovenian center rejected an offer believed to be around $30 million over seven years because he has concerns of his long-term role with the team.
Nesterovic, 26, played in all 82 games last season, averaging career highs of 8.4 points and 6.5 rebounds per contest.
In four seasons, he has averaged 6.3 points and 5.1 rebounds in 239 games.
The Timberwolves has also signed guard Igor Rakocevic, a member of the Yugoslavian National Team, which captured the gold medal at the World Basketball Championships on Sunday. He
averaged 5.0 points in six games during the tournament.
The T'Wolves' second-round pick of the 2000 draft averaged 8.0 points in 18 minutes per game in six contests for Minnesota's summer league team in July.
"Igor is a young player who has continued to develop his skills while playing in Europe," said Timberwolves Vice-President of Basketball Operations Kevin McHale. "We feel as though he
will be able to come in here and give us some quality minutes in the backcourt."
Rakocevic averaged 17.7 points and 2.1 assists per game last season for KK Budeonost Podgorica in Yugoslavia.
