Redskins and Cowboys on Thanksgiving
IRVING, Texas, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Washington Redskins Coach Steve Spurrier gets his first taste of one of the NFL's best rivalries to highlight Thanksgiving Day.
Spurrier gets his first crack at the Dallas Cowboys as the Redskins try to snap a nine-game losing streak against their bitter NFC East rivals.
Spurrier already has an understanding of the rivalry. When he was introduced as Redskins coach on Jan. 14, he showed his flamboyant nature, wasting little time in calling out the Cowboys.
"I've already told (owner) Daniel Snyder that the first game ball I'm going to give him is after we play the Dallas Cowboys," Spurrier said. "I've learned that's a game that the fans really want to win, and I'll do my part to see that's a game we win."
That had to be music to the ears of Snyder and Redskins fans, who have watched the Cowboys dominate the bitter rivalry in recent years.
Since becoming Redskins owner in 1999, Snyder has yet to taste victory against boisterous Dallas owner Jerry Jones, with his team losing all six games. The Redskins have not beaten the Cowboys since a 21-16 home win in October 1997.
Being in Dallas on Thanksgiving has not been kind to the Redskins, who are 0-5 on the holiday. Washington also lost at Detroit on Thanksgiving in 1973.
The Cowboys have participated in 34 Thanksgiving games since 1966, posting a 21-12-1 record, but they have lost four of their last five games on the holiday.
Washington (5-6) is in third place in the NFC East, one game in front of Dallas.
Meanwhile, the New England Patriots conclude a busy stretch. For the second time in three seasons, the Patriots spend the holiday in Detroit, where they meet the Lions.
It will be the fifth game in 25 days for the reigning world champion New England Patriots, who are tied with the New York Jets for second place in the AFC East, one game behind the Miami Dolphins.
New England will be looking for a better result than in 2000, when they suffered a 34-9 loss at the Pontiac Silverdome.
Since 1934, the Lions have played 62 Thanksgiving Day games and are 32-28-2. New England is 0-2 on the holiday, also losing in 1984 at Dallas.
Lions ink Greer
ALLEN PARK, Mich., Nov. 27 (UPI) -- The Detroit Lions have signed free agent cornerback Donovan Greer to the active roster to add depth to their defensive backfield.
No terms of Greer's contract were disclosed.
The 5-9, 178-pounder is in his sixth NFL season. He has played in 49 games, four of them starts.
Greer originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent with the New Orleans Saints on April 25, 1997 out of Texas A&M. He was later released by the Saints only to be signed by the Atlanta Falcons two days later on Aug. 28, 1997.
While with the Falcons, Greer played in six games throughout the 1997 season and recorded one tackle on defense and five tackles on special teams. He was released by the Saints on Aug. 24, 1998 only to be signed by the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 9, 1998. He was inactive for his first two games, but played in the last 11 regular season games, recording two starts at cornerback.
Greer spent three seasons with the Buffalo Bills (1998-2000). He played in 40 games, registering 49 tackles, 19 special teams tackles, 16 passes defended, one interception, and one fumble return for 18 yards.
He was released by the Bills on March 2, 2001, and later signed with the Washington Redskins on April 20, 2001.
After signing with Redskins, Greer played in two games during the 2001 season, only to be placed on the reserve/injured list on Sept. 26, 2001, after sustaining a knee injury. He was released by the Redskins on June 21, 2002.
Thomas Jones done for 2002
PHOENIX, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- As expected, Arizona Cardinals running back Thomas Jones is done for the 2002 season.
On Saturday, the Cardinals learned that Jones could not play because he suffered a broken right hand at his home.
It is yet another blow for the Cardinals, who also have lost leading wide receiver David Boston, kick returner-receiver MarTay Jenkins, and starting offensive tackle Anthony Clement to season-ending injuries over the last few weeks.
Jones' injury occurred when he banged the back of his hand on the edge of a countertop as he reached for the telephone last Friday night. He is expected to undergo surgery sometime in the near future.
The nature of Jones' fluke injury is especially frustrating for the Cardinals (4-7), who have lost five straight after getting off to a surprising 4-2 start.
Jones, the seventh overall pick in the 2000 draft out of Virginia, started all nine games he played in this season, rushing for 511 yards and two touchdowns on 138 carries. He also caught 20 passes for 113 yards.
He rushed for a career-high 173 yards in a Sept. 15 win at Seattle.
Wednesday, the Arizona Republic reported that Jones also could lose close to $150,000 in salary because he was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list rather than on injured reserve.
Teams are not obligated to pay players who are sidelined by non-football injuries, but it is not clear how Arizona will handle the matter.
Second-year player Marcel Shipp replaced Jones in last Sunday's 41-20 loss to Oakland and rushed for 135 yards and a touchdown.
He has rushed for 495 yards 85 carries this season.
Holtz gets contract extension
COLUMBIA, S.C., Nov. 27 (UPI) -- South Carolina football coach Lou Holtz, who entered the season 10th on the all-time wins list, has signed a one-year extension that restores his contract to a five-year deal lasting through 2007.
The move comes despite a sub-par season in which the Gamecocks scored just 51 points while losing their last five games.
"The university is committed to Coach Holtz and members of his fine coaching staff," said President Andrew Sorensen. "He is an invaluable asset of the university and our football program. I look forward to his leadership and his continuing commitment to the development of our student-athletes, both on and off the field."
Holtz, who earns $800,000 a year, according to The State newspaper, is 22-25 in his four seasons at South Carolina, including a 5-7 mark this past season, his 32nd as a coach.
After a two-year hiatus following an 11-year stay at Notre Dame, Holtz returned to the sidelines in 1999 and oversaw an 0-11 Gamecocks squad.
He quickly turned things around, guiding South Carolina to Outback Bowl victories over Ohio State in 2000 and 2001 before taking a step back this season.
Holtz, 65, began his coaching career with William & Mary in 1969. Fourth on the active wins list with 238, he also is the only coach to lead six different programs to bowl victories.
"Coach Holtz has turned around the Carolina football program, leading it to outstanding success, including consecutive New Year's Day bowl victories over Ohio State," said South Carolina Athletics Director Michael McGee. "We have every confidence under coach Holtz's leadership, the football team's progress will continue next year and beyond."
Maggette sidelined by knee injury
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Los Angeles Clippers forward Corey Maggette, who has been having the best season of his career, will be sidelined 4-6 weeks with torn knee cartilage.
The Clippers have placed Maggette on the injured list. He will undergo an arthroscopic procedure in the next two days to repair torn cartilage in his right knee.
Starting at small forward in place of the injured Lamar Odom, Maggette was averaging a career-high 14.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per contest in 14 games this season, his fourth in the NBA out of Duke, and third with the Clippers.
Maggette experienced swelling in the knee during a win over Detroit on Nov. 3. An MRI taken the following day showed a slight cartilage tear, but Maggette chose to continue playing.
"I think he pushed it to the point of losing his effectiveness," said Coach Alvin Gentry. "And one thing about Corey, if he says he's hurt, then he's really hurt."
He is the latest member of the Clippers to spend time on the injured list. In addition to Odom, guard Quentin Richardson was activated from the IL last week.
"It's the same way we'll approach it without Lamar," Gentry said. "We can sit here and whine about it, but that's no good. Injuries are a part of the game."
To replace Maggette on the roster, the Clippers activated rookie forward Melvin Ely, the 12th overall pick in the 2002 draft, who went on the IL on Oct. 28 with a sprained left foot.
Indians name Buddy Bell bench coach
CLEVELAND, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Former Colorado Rockies manager Buddy Bell is back on the coaching staff of the Cleveland Indians as bench coach.
The announcement was made Wednesday by rookie manager Eric Wedge.
Bell has been with the Indians since May as a consultant. He played in 987 games with the Indians from 1972-78, and served as infield coach under Mike Hargrove in 1994 and '95.
During his 18-year playing career, Bell was a five-time All-Star and won six Gold Gloves. He was fired as manager of the Rockies on April 26 after a 6-16 start.
The Indians also announced that Joel Skinner will return to his job as third base coach. Skinner held the job last season before being promoted to interim manager following the firing of Charlie Manuel.
Hitting coach Eddie Murray, first base coach Jeff Datz, and pitching coach Mike Brown all will return next season.
Robby Thompson, the bench and infield coach last season, has taken a position as a special assistant to the general manager.
Wunsch comes to terms with White Sox
CHICAGO, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- The Chicago White Sox have agreed to terms with lefthander Kelly Wunsch on a one-year contract.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
Wunsch, 30, who missed 1 1/2 months with inflammation in his left rotator cuff, went 2-1 with a 3.41 ERA in 50 relief appearances for the White Sox last season. He held opponents to a .230 batting average, and gave up just two earned runs in his last 21 outings.
The 6-5 Wunsch is especially tough on lefthander hitters because of his sidearm delivery. He is 10-5 with a 3.98 ERA in 166 appearances over three major league seasons.
He allowed just two runs in 15 innings over his final 21 appearances after July 23. During that stretch, Wunsch recorded 17 straight scoreless outings from July 23-Sept. 19, allowing seven hits and 11 walks while striking out 14.
Wunsch is the third arbitration-eligible member of the White Sox to agree to terms. Lefthander Jim Parque and Todd Ritchie are eligible for arbitration, while designated hitter Frank Thomas was the only one to file for free agency.
Brewers ink Machado
MILWAUKEE, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- The Milwaukee Brewers have avoided arbitration with Robert Machado, signing the reserve catcher to a one-year contract.
Machado, 29, batted .261 with three homers and 22 RBI in 73 games for the Brewers and Chicago Cubs last season. He was acquired from the Cubs on June 9 for minor leaguer Jackson Melian.
Machado, who reportedly earned $277,500 last season, owns a .237 batting average with nine homers and 55 RBI in 198 major league games for the Brewers, Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Seattle Mariners and Montreal Expos.
He could nab the No. 1 job behind the plate after the trade of Paul Bako to the Chicago Cubs.
Cubs get Bako from Brewers
CHICAGO, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- The Chicago Cubs have acquired catcher Paul Bako from the Milwaukee Brewers for a minor league player to be named.
Bako, 30, batted .235 with four home runs and 20 RBI with the Brewers last season. He was acquired from Atlanta on March 20, and had a .991 fielding percentage.
Bako will join his sixth team in as many years. He has a .245 batting average with 13 homers and 102 RBI in 398 career games.
The Cubs also acquired catcher Damian Miller from Arizona for two minor leaguers on Nov. 13.
The player is expected to be infielder Ryan Gripp, unless he is selected in the Rule 5 Draft on Dec. 16.
Gripp, a 1999 third-round pick, batted .232 with 10 homers and 49 RBI in 116 games with Double-A West Tennessee of the Southern League last season. If he is selected in the Rule 5 draft, the Brewers will get another player.
Miami ceases to exist in WNBA
MIAMI, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Team owners of the Miami Sol Wednesday made the franchise the second in the WNBA from Florida looking for a new home.
The team is owned by the NBA's Miami Heat, who cited a need to concentrate on their NBA operations. They announced they will not continue the operating agreement with the Heat, ending the team's stay in South Florida.
"We have greatly enjoyed our WNBA experience, especially our relationship with our players and fans, and continue to believe the women's pro game has a bright future, but our plans are to redirect our energies to our other business interests," said Heat President of Business Operations Eric Woolworth.
The Heat Group has elected not to assume ownership of the team as part of the WNBA's recent restructuring.
The Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel reported Wednesday that the Sol has spent about $2 million a year during its three-year existence and has yet to turn a profit.
The Orlando Miracle last month announced plans to relocate. The WNBA is owned collectively by NBA franchise owners.
Where the Sol will go is uncertain. San Antonio is being added to the league next season and several franchises, including the Detroit Shock and Utah Starzz, have been rumored to be relocating there.
"We are very optimistic about the new market and new ownership prospects that our restructuring plan has created and hope to announce shortly our plans with respect to our cities for 2003 and beyond," said WNBA Commissioner Val Ackerman.
Miami was 15-17 last season, and came within one game of making the playoffs.
