City pays tribute
A grateful city said goodbye to Bill Walsh on Friday by making sure his name will stay forever linked to the field at Candlestick Park.
Hundreds gathered there to celebrate Walsh, who died of leukemia on July 30 at 75. Friday’s service included a gospel choir singing “Amazing Graze” and a video recounting Walsh’s achievements.
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom told the crowd the field at Monster Park would be named after Bill Walsh, although the name of the stadium won’t change.
“He shared his action, he shared his passion, and he made our lives better,” Newsom said.
Several of the players key to Walsh’s three Super Bowl championships with San Francisco – Jerry Rice, Steve Young and Joe Montana – attended the event.
“He helped us climb the mountain to the championship,” Young said. “He made us all feel like champions.”
Montana said before his death, Walsh asked him to tell the players how much he loved them.
“But I don’t think he knows how much we loved him,” Montana said. “On behalf of all the players, Coach: We love you and are going to miss you.”
Jones barred from wrestling
The Tennessee Titans got a court order that prohibits suspended cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones from participating in wrestling.
Jones was scheduled to make his debut with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling on Sunday in a pay-per-view event titled “Hard Justice.
Bengals’ Irons not an ironman
Rookie running back Kenny Irons of the Bengals will be out for the season after tearing a knee ligament during an exhibition game at Detroit.
On the field
Jets 32, Falcons 16: At East Rutherford, N.J., thrust into the starting quarterback job while Michael Vick is away from the team and facing federal dogfighting charges, Joey Harrington led one scoring drive in his three series but it wasn’t enough as Atlanta lost to New York in the preseason opener for both teams.
Jets backup Kellen Clemens was also impressive, going 16 of 22 – including nine straight completions during one stretch – for 174 yards and three touchdowns.
Buccaneers 13, Patriots 10: At Tampa, Fla., New England opened the preseason with a loss to Tampa Bay.
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady started and was in for 13 plays, while receiver Randy Moss sat out as expected with a sore hamstring that’s slowed him during training camp.
Jeff Garcia worked two 3-and-out series in his debut at quarterback for Tampa Bay, which won on Matt Bryant’s 32-yard field goal as time expired.
Rams 13, Vikings 10: At Minneapolis, Kevin Lovell’s second field goal of the game, a 40-yarder as time expired, gave St. Louis a victory over Minnesota. Rookie Brian Leonard scored on a 10-yard touchdown run in the first half for the Rams.
Dontarrious Thomas returned his second interception of the night 82 yards early in the third quarter for the Vikings’ lone touchdown.
Ryan Longwell pulled a 42-yard field goal wide left, fumbling a chance to give Minnesota the lead at the 3-minute mark.
Bills 13, Saints 10: At New Orleans, Saints head coach Sean Payton had Drew Brees dropping back with play-action fakes or rolling out from a variety of formations, and the Pro Bowl quarterback completed 12 passes to seven receivers for 118 yards on only two offensive series.
Both drives stalled inside the Buffalo 30, and new kicker Olindo Mare made one of two field goals as the other was blocked.
Rian Lindell’s 54-yard field goal, which might have been good from 10 yards farther out, gave Buffalo the lead for good with 3:23 to go.