BALTIMORE, CHICAGO SHOW OFF DEFENSE; RAVENS WIN 17-16
OHIO» The Ravens and Bears CANTON, honored their great linebackers, Ray Lewis and Brian Urlacher, with some defense to make them proud in the Hall of Fame game that opened the NFL’s preseason Thursday night.
Oh, there was a little spark of offense, some provided by Baltimore’s first-round draft pick Lamar Jackson in the second half of a 17-16 victory. His 7-yard touchdown pass to fellow firstrounder Hayden Hurst came after the Ravens’ defense recovered a fumble.
Chicago put together its best drive in the final minutes, and journeyman Tyler Bray connected with Tanner Gentry for a 10-yard score to cap a 92-yard march. But the two-point conversion pass fell incomplete.
Otherwise, D was the letter of the day: There were six turnovers in all — and 12 sacks, eight by the Bears.
There were no demonstrations by any players during the singing of the national anthem. All players and coaches for the Bears and Ravens stood as the NFL’s preseason began.
Manning, Woodson stop by Raiders camp.
CALIF.» Charles Woodson NAPA, took a break from overseeing his winery in the Napa Valley to visit the Oakland Raiders’ training camp Thursday. Peyton Manning was there too, while on a speaking tour. The two future Hall of Famers were all over the place, chatting with players and coaches and going over techniques as the Raiders went through their 2½-hour workout. Woodson spoke to the players during a team meeting, while Manning sat in during the quarterbacks’ meeting, watched film and offered tips.
Browns guard Zeitler sidelined with calf injury.
OHIO» Cleveland BEREA, Browns starting right guard Kevin Zeitler will miss several weeks of training camp because of a calf injury. The 28-year-old Zeitler did not practice Thursday, one day after being hurt and walking off the field with a trainer.
Avs bring back defenseman Nemeth with one-year deal.
The Avalanche is bringing back defenseman Patrik Nemeth on a one-year deal.
Nemeth ranked first on the squad with 185 blocked shots last season. He played in a career-high 68 games and had a career-best 15 points, including three goals. The 26-year-old had a plus-27 rating, which was the highest by an Avalanche defenseman since Adam Foote was plus-30 in 2002-03.
Sabres acquire Skinner in trade with Hurricanes.
N.Y.» The BUFFALO,
Buffalo Sabres acquired forward Jeff Skinner in a trade with the Carolina Hurricanes, a move that continues an offseason roster shake-up for both teams. The Hurricanes acquired prospect forward Cliff Pu and three draft picks, including a second-round selection in 2019, in the trade completed Thursday night.
Woods-Mickelson match set for Thanksgiving.
OHIO» Phil AKRON,
Mickelson confirmed a report that an exhibition match against Tiger Woods is set for Thanksgiving weekend in Las Vegas. Those are about all the details he had.
Golf.com reported last month that Woods and Mickelson, who have combined for 19 majors, 122 victories on the PGA Tour and 90 years on Earth, were contemplating a winnertake-all $10 million match.
ESPN said it would be at Shadow Creek on Thanksgiving weekend. Woods said he had nothing more to add. “We haven’t signed anything. Nothing’s confirmed,” he said.
Poulter leads at 62, with Woods 4 behind at Firestone.
Ian Poulter never had much success at the Bridgestone Invitational until he opened with an 8-under-par 62 on Thursday. That was four shots better than Tiger Woods, who plays well at Firestone all the time.
Back at Firestone for the first time in four years, Woods had his lowest opening round of the year. He shot a 4-under 66, but on a day like this, it was needed just to keep pace.