I 14A - The Michigan Daily - SportsTuesday - September 2, 2003 -a RML iE Ready to Roar? b ALLEN PARK (AP) - Olandis Gary was play- ing in an exhibition game against the Detroit Lions less than a week ago. On Monday, he was in a Lions uniform. The running back was traded from Buffalo to Detroit for an undisclosed draft pick over the week- end and reported to the Lions practice facility in time for Monday morning's practice. "Everything has been going pretty fast in the last few days," Gary said. "It never entered my mind on Thursday that I was going to be a Lion, but that's what the NFL is all about. You have to learn to adjust in a hurry or you will be out of the league." Getting Gary became a priority for Detroit when starting tailback James Stewart separated his shoul- der in Thursday's game. Within minutes, Lions presi- dent Matt Millen was talking to his Buffalo counterpart about acquiring the fifth-year back. "We didn't want to end up short-handed like we did at that position last year," he'said. The Lions already were familiar with Gary, who came to town as a free agent last winter before sign- ing with the Bills. He spent his first four seasons with Denver. "His years with the Broncos give him a head start on learning our offense, but he's still got a lot to do," Lions head coach Steve Mariucci said. "He's in good shape, so we will work him through the week before we make a decision about how much we can use him." STEEL TOUGH: The Pittsburgh Steelers tried to put on the appearance that Monday was like any other day of practice. Obviously, it wasn't. Players huddled in groups of two and three in the locker room, talking quietly, the verbal by-play that normally precedes every practice noticeably absent. There was no laughter, no cross-the-room yelling about the past weekend's college scores. Clearly, someone was missing - someone important. No one went near Joey Porter's locker, often the gathering spot for the defense and the noisiest area in an almost never quiet room. The Steelers know the All- Pro linebacker and their vocal leader will play again but they don't know when, and they are still struggling with the news that he was shot over the weekend. "It was a tragic incident," Pro Bowl receiver Hines Ward said. "We're handling it as it comes and hope- fully get a better chance of understanding it when Joey gets back" Porter was standing outside a Denver sports bar following Saturday night's game between his alma mater, Colorado State, and rival Colorado when he was struck by a bullet that entered his left buttocks and lodged in his right thigh. Police say he was an innocent bystander during what may have been a gang-related shooting. The injury is not career-threatening, but will side- line him for an indefinite period. Porter was released Monday from a Denver hospital and flew back to Pittsburgh to be examined by the Steelers' doctors. STILL IN THE NEST: All-Pro center Barret Robbins survived the Oakland Raiders' final cuts Sunday, 4 THE MICHIGAN DAILY CRITICS' PRESEASON PICKS *bold denotes Super Bowl champion Lions Record Gennaro Flice 5-11 Jim weber Lions MVP AP PHOTO After six years with the San Francisco 49ers, head coach Steve Mariucci enters his first season with Detroit. He already suffered a setback with the injury of James Stewart, who is expected to miss the first month. keeping his roster spot despite playing behind Adam Treu and Matt Stinchcomb in the preseason. The Raiders trimmed 15 players from their roster, but Robbins wasn't among them. Oakland's starting center since 1997 thought earlier in the week he would be cut. "I had some conversations (Saturday) that pretty much led me to believe that I would be here," Rob- bins said. "It's been a tough couple of weeks, but we rode it out and had faith that whatever happened would be the right thing for us, my family and I." The Raiders suspended Robbins hours before the Super Bowl after he left the team for a well-publi- cized drinking binge. He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and underwent treatment for alcoholism during the offseason. Robbins also had surgery on his right knee, which was slow to heal. He reported to camp 30 pounds over- weight, and he sat out the first four days of workouts. He's still working with the backups, but Robbins is sober and getting treatment for his illnesses. His knee also is nearly back to full strength. NFC Champion AFC Champion Surprise Team League MVP Breakout Player Best uniforms ever Worst uniforms ever Probability of Tupac's rumored "resurrection" on Sep. 13 The Defensive Line Philadelphia Miami New Orleans Donovan McNabb Ashley Lelie Raiderettes 6-10 Joey Harrington Tampa Bay Denver Carolina Ricky Williams Jake Plummer Throwback Tampa Bay I Throwback Tampa Bay Current Seattle 110 percent Stop it. Let him R.I.P. THANK YoU U. FOR A WoMpEPU. SPRING I4AD FOS r.**(,4 , I WAA TnRY EN~oYEP WORKING WITH4 EACHI ANDP EVERY c*Eof YOU AND AP M4CIATE YOUR HAM WO.rqNS ;COW N'T HAV, EENf A Ca ASvu IT WAS WITHOXa - oYU! gold bond cleaners Quality Dry Cleaning and Shirt Service 332 Maynard St. across from Nickels Arcade Field leads 'M' cross country in 5K open 4 By Ryan Sosin For the Daily The Michigan women's cross country team began its Big Ten title defense Sat- urday at Buhr Park in a 5K open hosted by Eastern Michigan. A large crowd braved the first brisk morning of the year to watch the Wolverines claim three of the top five spots in the meet. The Wolverine runners managed to stay together in the middle of the pack for most of the race, before a late push would earn Michigan three top-five fin- ishers. As the runners entered the final 1,000 meters, sophomore Arianne Field (19:23) and senior Anna Jones (19:33) pushed toward the front of the pack, fin- ishing second and fourth respectively. Freshman Erin Webster (19:26), who was running unattached, split Field and Jones by taking third place. "Erin Webster ran excellent on Satur- day," Jones said. "I think she turned a lot of heads and surprised a lot of people." Sophomores Lesley Jurasek (19:54), Laura Brosius (19:58) and Amy Baker (19:59) stuck together in the middle of the pack, securing the 11 through 13 spots for Michigan. Rounding out the pack of Wolverines, sophomore Jessica Wagner finished 19th and junior Erika Flannery (21:47) crossed the line in 26th. Redshirt freshmen Jackie Gaydos (19:49) and Rachel Ward (20:30), along with Webster, also competed unattached for the Wolverines. The non-scored event was a warm- up for the Wolverines, who are look- ing to build on last season's No. 15 national ranking. "(We are) definitely looking at the Big Ten Championship again, and (to) go to Nationals again," said Field. The race could prove a good jumping off point for a team that lost only one senior. The Wolverines were also with- out senior captain Andrea Parker and last year's Big Ten Freshman Of The Year, Rebecca Walter, for the race. The pair sat out the race so some younger runners could get a look in competition. Rain stops 40 668-6335 668-7017 I matches at U.S. Open NEW YORK (AP) - Roger Federer stood on the court at Arthur Ashe Sta- dium, hitting tennis balls to scattered fans in the stands equipped with umbrellas, hats and parkas. The Wimbledon champion would point to a section and smack a ball to the appointed spot, displaying the same accuracy as when he plays for real. Unfortunately for ticket-holders, though, that was about the extent of the action during the day session at the U.S. Open on a rainy Monday. Only two matches even got under way before being suspended. Jennifer Capriati took a 6-2, 3-2 lead in her fourth-round encounter against U U un u e mu ue moreU taiEELrii