Clarion-Ledger from Jackson, Mississippi • Page 22

6C The Clarion-Ledger Wednesday, June 11,1 997 Greene keeps Panthers irrdark Uncle Sam, Saints both want Leshinskt 2 about his plans to attend camp Th Associated Press "He understands their position," Englehard said'. ski y- it From Wirs Service Reports NEW ORLEANS Saints coach Mike Ditka has spent the past four months seeking players who are willing to make a commitment. Free-agent tight end Ron Leshinski, a four-year starer at the United States Military Academy, is willing to help Ditka climb the mountain, but his country comes first Beginning Aug. 1, Leshinski belongs to the Army for two years. The plan calls for Leshinski to go to training camp with the Saints for two weeks, then report to Fort Sill, on Aug.

1. In February, Leshinski will be reassigned to Fort Hood, Texas, to finish his obligation. In order to retain Leshinski's rights, the Saints will place him on the league's reservemilitary status. Thus, he will not count against the Saints' roster. "That's the way it looks right now," Leshinski said.

"I'll have to sit down with (Saints) management and discuss all the details later. Right now, I just want to prove to them that I can play football." Leshinski's agent, Hadley Engelhard, is petitioning the Army to extend the amount of time that Leshinski can spend in training camp in La Crosse, Wis. Englehard tried to get Leshinski released from his military commitment altogether. But after clearing the first six stages of protocol, Army officials rejected Englehard on the seventh and final stage. CHARLOTTE, N.C.

The Carolina Panthers concluded a voluntary minicamp Tuesday without 1996 NFL sack leader Kevin Greene, who is spending the offseason seeking a new contract and pursuing a pro wrestling career. Greene was the only signed veteran on the Panthers' roster who missed all nine practices in the camp, but because attendance was not required, he will not be fined for his absence. That could change today, however, when the defending NFC West champions begin a three-day camp at which attendance by all players is mandatory. Should Greene miss any of the five sessions scheduled in that camp, the Panthers could fine him $1,562 per day, the maximum allowed by league rules. "He's going to be fined if he doesn't show up," general manager Bill Polian said.

"That's it. Period. "He made a commitment four years ago to his country and to the United States Military Academy, and he's fa-ing to honor it." "1 Leshinski, at 6 feet 2, 248 pounds, played tight end and fullback in the Cadets' Wishbone offense and was regarded as a premier trap blockers. Last season hje caught a career-high 17 passes for 259 yards and three touchdowns. If not for the military commitment, a team likety would have taken Leshinski in the middle rounds of the April draft.

But he went undrafted. The Saints were among the first teams to contact Ee shinski after the draft and eventually signed him tb-'S one-year, $131,000 contract. Three sign: The Saints signed three players to new contracts on Tuesday. Jake Delhomme, Louisiana's alU time passing leader during his career at Southwestern Louisiana, will be the fourth quarterback when the Saints report to training camp next month. Delhomme, along with cornerback William Strong, signed a one-year contract with no option.

Fourth-round pick Keith Poole signed a three-year, no option contract. We'll take the appropriate steps." The Panthers signed Greene to a two-year deal in May 1996 that pays him a base salary of about $1 million per season and gives him a chance to add another $600,000 through performance incentives. After Greene recorded 14V4 sacks last season and was named a starter to the Pro Bowl, his agent, Leigh Steinberg, asked the Panthers about reworking the contract. "I've had some talks with his people, who have been cordial," Polian said. "He's got a contract and he has to honor that contract.

I've made that clear to them and they understand that Now, if he chooses not to, there are consequences to that And those are the consequences that hell face. He's welcome to make whatever decision he wishes." The Associated PressFile Photo Carolina's Kevin Greene (right) may not be smiling after today. Steinberg has not returned repeated telephone messages left by The Associated Press since the voluntary camp started June 2. Greene, meantime, has been keeping himself busy on the pro wrestling circuit. DGB Classic Tickets Available here! Independence Bowl to lose major sponsor Clubs, Bags, Shoes More I June 6th-1 4th XaSSSJSLs lascouth oi jacKson.

mc. I 4760 1-55 North, Jackson 60 1 -982-4653 Commercial Inventory Sal Roof Clearance Lights Trailer Towing Chrome Wheels Loaded oven 100 7 DIESEL Z. TRUCKS TO CHOOSI FROM plus Harper, who helped the Dallas Cowboys win two Super Bowls before becoming an unrestrict-i ed free agent in 1995, was entering the third season of a four-year, $10.66 million contract thjk was to pay him $1.95 million in 1997. The Bucs envisioned him being the big-play, receiver Tampa Bay has never had, but Harper! was slowed by injuries and only had 65 catcfjes for 922 yards and three touchdowns in two yeajSj, The low point of Harper's stay with the Bucs occurred last season when a trainer accidentally. cut off the tip of one of his fingers.

He lost his. starting job late in the season and finished wit; 19 receptions for 289 yards and one TD. jj 49ers: San Francisco, seeking to replace-, Jeff Wilkins, signed veteran placekicker Gary, Anderson to a one-year contract Tuesday worth, $275,000. Anderson converted 25 of 29 field goals and all 40 point-after attempts with Philadelphia in-1996. He ranked 11th in scoring and fifth in accui, racy.

He will compete with Jon Baker and ftee, agent rookie Ryan Longwell for the starting job, Wilkins, an unrestricted free agent, signed; a four-year contract with St. Louis in March. Auburn: Auburn coach Terry Bowdenjsj knee operation went smoothly Tuesday and feej should make a full recovery, his surgeon said. il Dr. Larry Lemak performed the microscopic outj patient surgery at HealthSouth Medical Centewn Birmingham to correct torn cartilage in Bowdenify right knee.

He discharged Bowden before noon. Lemak said the Auburn coach should quickly and resume his normal activities very soon." From Wire Service Reports Poulan-Weed Eater, which has sponsored the Independence Bowl since 1990, will drop its support following the 1997 game. "Let's face it, there are much better times of the year to be promoting Weed Eater trimmers or Poulan chain saws than in December," said Glen Krupica, the executive director for the Shreve-port, bowl. Poulan-Weed Eater, which recently merged with two companies to form Frigidaire Home Products, is the third-longest title sponsor of a bowl game behind Federal Express (Orange Bowl) and Jeep-Eagle (Aloha Bowl). The Independence Bowl, which operated without a sponsor in the years after its founding in 1976, gained ground nationally because of the sponsorship, Krupica said.

During Poulan-Weed Eater's sponsorship, the Independence Bowl increased its television ratings and payouts to teams, Krupica said, and also had increased attendance. The bowl can survive without a sponsor, officials said. They hope to replace Poulan-Weed Eater quickly, however, and are talking to several sponsors. Steelers: Kordell Stewart is expected to win Pittsburgh's starting quarterback job. Now he's being paid accordingly.

Stewart, a 1995 second-round draft pick from Colorado who has been a backup quarterback-wide receiver-running back for the Steelers, was given a new contract Tuesday that pays him $9 million over four years with a $2.65 million signing bonus. "I've been very fortunate to be on this team," Stewart said, particularly because he has played several roles. "That carried over to me having an opportunity to also be a quarterback more last year. This year, hopefully, I'll have the opportunity to do the same thing." Redskins: Washington continued to rebuild its defense Tuesday, signing San Diego Chargers veteran lineman Chris Mims. Mims, who signed a one-year, $300,000 contract, will replace Sterling Palmer at left defensive end.

Palmer was released last week. Mims, a former first-round draft pick, was released by the Chargers in April after the team signed Philadelphia defensive end William Fuller. Mims, 26, battled weight problems while in San Diego and had off-the-field legal and financial troubles. Eagles: Jon Harris became the first of this year's first-round draft picks to come to terms as Philadelphia announced Tuesday the defensive end from Virginia signed a five-year contract. Terms of the agreement were not released.

The 6-foot-7, 280-pounder replaces William Fuller, a Pro Bowl selection the last three years who left the Eagles in the free-agent market for San Diego. Harris was a surprise first-round pick for draft analysts. Buccaneers: Tampa Bay cleared about $1 million under the salary cap Tuesday by releasing wide receiver Alvin Harper after two disappointing seasons with the Buccaneers. AMFM CD player Sliding rear window Airbag Cast Aluminum Wheels Pwr steering Pwr breaks rebate to dealer 1st payment plus security deposit plus tax title Cruise, Air Conditioning, Electric Windows, Camper Pkg, AMFM Stereo. Spare Tire and Wheel, unrome Hear step Bumper, 7.3 Power Stroke Diesel.

Stk 71714. $245795 Brown: Picks up his first victory since May 25 From 1C game losing streak at San Francisco. Johnson got some big help. On his first pitch, he hit a foul popup to shallow right that first baseman J.T. Snow dropped for an error.

After two balls and three pickoff attempts, Johnson hit his fifth homer of the season, giving Florida a 3-0 lead. "The wind seemed to be blowing in toward the plate," Snow said. "When the ball was up, I was under son said. Brown's teammates started avoiding him in the middle of the game. "They were pretty quiet," he said.

"They all kind of moved back from the fifth inning on, and gave me some space." VanLandingham didn't allow a hit until Johnson's two-run homer, which started a seven-run inning and helped Florida stop its nine- FATHER'S DAY SPECIALS SALE PRICES GOOD WED. 611 -SAT. 614 NEW Bar-Top Video Poker it. It seemed like it took off toward; the outfield, but I should have; caught it." San Francisco, 11th in the league in batting entering the game hit only three balls out of the infieHS fly outs by Hamilton in the fourthj and seventh and by Barry Bonds in" the eighth. "He had great stuff today," Hamilton said.

"It helps when you ahead of the hitters like he did. way his ball moves, it's difficult take an aggressive hack." Brown, who led the major leagues-j with a 1.89 ERA last season, not won since May 25 at San Diego. In his previous start, he allowed a hits in seven innings in a 6-0 the New York Mets on June 5. In the start before that, he gave up- a 529-foot homer to Andres raga the longest in the majors this season in an 8-4 loss to Colorado. He allowed seven runs nine hits in five innings, his woreti.

outing since signing with the Mar1H lins after the 1995 season. UiOJ "There's been a lot of ground balls that have found their wayE through recently," Brown saLdii "This was nice." He needed just 99 pitches againsjt the Giants, throwing 68 strikes, rj went to three balls on just two bat- ters, striking out Jeff Kent on a 32 pitch in the second and getting Bonds to ground out on a 3-2 pith in the fifth. "He had his sinker back. It was moving all over the place," Marlins manager Jim Leyland said. "This" was a dominant no-hitter.

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