Newsmakers
Arrested Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane was charged with attacking a cab driver in his hometown, a beating that police said was triggered when the driver did not have 20 cents in change to give the player and his cousin. Buffalo, N.Y., police said Kane, 20, and his 21-year-old cousin, James Kane, had apparently caught a cab from the city’s downtown nightclub district at about 4 a.m. Sunday. The cab driver suffered cuts to his face and his glasses were damaged, police spokesman Michael DeGeorge said. Moves The Detroit Lions have signed linebacker Spencer Smith and released Curtis Gatewood. Rookie safety Louis Delmas, a second-round selection, did not practice because of a nagging knee injury that has sidelined him for several workouts. Detroit coach Jim Schwartz said safety Daniel Bullocks will have his knee examined by Dr. James Andrews. After missing 2007 with a knee injury, Bullocks started 15 games last season for Detroit.
In charge Make no mistake: Head football coach Steve Spurrier is in charge of South Carolina’s offensive attack. “I’ll be responsible for the playcalling, how’s that?” Spurrier said. For many Gamecocks fans, that’s just what they wanted to hear. A season ago, Spurrier’s decision to let son Steve Jr. take on more of the game preparation and playcalling set off concern the 64-year-old coach might be ready to hang up his visor for good. Competing Looking to take the lead in the quarterback competition, Brady Quinn threw a 51-yard touchdown pass on his first play in the Cleveland Browns’ scrimmage. Quinn made a play-action fake, then threw a long arcing pass to Lance Leggett, who beat two defenders to run under the ball a couple of steps into the end zone at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Quinn and Derek Anderson are in a heated competition to become the Browns’ starting QB.
Agreed Rookie cornerback Malcolm Jenkins has agreed to terms on a five year contract with the New Orleans Saints. Jenkins was the Saints’ first-round draft pick, taken 14th overall, and has missed the first 10 days of training camp, including the club’s scrimmage Saturday. Jenkins made a career-best 57 tackles during his senior season at Ohio State. The Saints did not release financial terms.