Fast Break

NFL

Hawks will face Heisman winner

Rookie quarterback Troy Smith will make his first start Sunday when the Baltimore Ravens visit the Seattle Seahawks.

With Kyle Boller missing his second consecutive day of practice because of lingering effects from a concussion, including headaches and sensitivity to light, Ravens coach Brian Billick confirmed Thursday that Smith will take his place.

Billick acknowledged that Smith, last year’s Heisman Trophy winner at Ohio State, may also be in the season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers because of Boller’s injury.

Smith will be the third quarterback to start for the Ravens this season. Steve McNair started six of the first nine games, but struggled with injuries and ineffectiveness and was placed on injured reserve on Dec. 3.

Baseball

Mariners, Silva finalize deal

Pitcher Carlos Silva and the Seattle Mariners finalized a $48 million, four-year contract.

The 28-year-old right-hander was 13-14 last season for the Minnesota Twins with a 4.19 ERA – better than every Mariners starter other than hard-throwing Felix Hernandez.

Seattle likes that Silva pitches deep into games, generally stays low in the strike zone with a sharp sinker and walked just 36 batters in 202 innings last season. He joins a Seattle rotation that includes Hernandez, Miguel Batista and Jarrod Washburn.

Track and field

Lagat will defend Wanamaker Mile

Bernard Lagat, who last summer became the first man to capture gold medals at both 1,500 and 5,000 meters at the World Championships, will return to defend his Wanamaker Mile title at the 101st Millrose Games.

Lagat will be challenged by Australia’s Craig Mottram, who last year battled Lagat in a Wanamaker duel that came down to the final lap.

Lagat, a Kenyan-born American who competed for Washington State University, and Mottram will be among the headliners on the Madison Square Garden track on Feb. 1.

With his fifth victory last year (2001, 2003, 2005-07), Lagat moved into a tie for third-most Wanamaker titles.