Pennington looks fine
Chad Pennington looks like a quarterback ready to reclaim his job.
Playing in a game for the first time since undergoing a second major operation on his right shoulder, Pennington worked two series in the New York Jets’ 16-3 preseason loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Friday night at Tampa, Fla.
The oft-injured seventh-year pro completed 9 of 14 passes for 54 yards and lost a fumble when he was sacked early in the second quarter.
More important for the Jets, his surgically repaired shoulder withstood the first hits he’s taken since Week 3 of last season.
Rookie Bruce Gradkowski threw second-half touchdown passes of 11 yards to Paris Warren and 2 yards to third-round draft pick Maurice Stovall for Tampa Bay, which pulled its first-team defense after Pennington kept them on the field for a few more plays than the Bucs would have liked.
Lions 20, Broncos 13: At Detroit, Rod Marinelli’s debut as coach of the Detroit Lions got off to a good start. Each of Detroit’s quarterbacks – Jon Kitna, Josh McCown and Dan Orlovsky – led scoring drives and Detroit’s defense caused three turnovers.
Jay Cutler had a solid debut for the Broncos. The 11th pick in the draft was 16 of 22 for 192 yards and a touchdown.
49ers 28, Bears 14: At San Francisco, Alex Smith looked sharp, good news for the 49ers. Brian Griese looked just as good for the Bears – and that might be bad news for Rex Grossman.
The 49ers had the league’s worst offense and defense last season, but they were up 17-0 when Smith left after going 16 for 21 with no interceptions.
Griese, signed in the off-season to provide a veteran alternative to the injury-plagued Grossman, led two long TD drives capped by scoring passes.
Giants 17, Ravens 16: At Baltimore, Steve McNair produced a touchdown on his first series with the Ravens, then took a seat as his new team lost on the final play.
The Giants scored 10 points in the final 9 minutes and Jay Feely kicked a 29-yard field goal as time expired.
Falcons 26, Patriots 23: At Atlanta, Michael Koenen, who handled the punting and kickoff duties last season, appears ready to take on another job after booting four long field goals, including a 40-yarder as time ran out.
Rookie D.J. Shockley guided the Falcons on a late 14-play, 56-yard drive.
In the courts
Retired New York Giants defensive tackle Keith Hamilton was sentenced to three years probation for beating his son. The sentence was anticipated as part of a plea deal reached in April when Hamilton pleaded guilty to endangering the 12-year-old, admitting he had used corporal punishment. Police say Hamilton hit his son with an electric cord and surge protector, picked him up by his throat and elbowed him in the chest on Feb. 1 after seeing poor grades on a report card.
•The domestic violence trial for Pittsburgh Steelers rookie wide receiver Santonio Holmes in Columbus, Ohio, has been moved to Aug. 24. Holmes is charged with assaulting LaShae Boone, mother of one of his three children, in June.
Browns’ Hallen retires
Veteran offensive lineman Bob Hallen, who was being counted on by the Cleveland Browns to replace the injured LeCharles Bentley at center, informed the club that he has retired. Hallen, who left the team earlier this week, sent a letter to the Browns saying he was done with pro football.