Sports Briefs

August 19, 2008 10:26 am

— MSU offensive coordinator has surgery
STARKVILLE (AP) — Mississippi State offensive coordinator Woody McCorvey has undergone surgery and is expected to be out of action for about a week.
The school did not disclose what kind of surgery McCorvey had. The procedure took place Monday.
McCorvey is expected to be back on the field when the Bulldogs begin game-week preparation next Monday for the Aug. 30 season opener against Louisiana Tech.
Head coach Sylvester Croom says McCorvey told him last Thursday of a physician’s recommendation to have the surgery done.
Croom says McCorvey is expected to make a full recovery.
Golden Eagles complete 19th practice; final summer workout today
HATTIESBURG — The Southern Miss football team completed their 19th practice of fall camp Monday afternoon, working out for two-and-a-half hours in full pads.
The team returned to the Joe P. Park practice facility to work 23 periods including fundamental and team work as the temperatures reached into the mid 90’s through most of the practice.
“It is the time of camp where everyone is a little beat up, tired and sore,” head coach Larry Fedora said. “We are having to push through and try and get better each day.”
The Golden Eagles will return to the practice field tomorrow for the final practice of this season’s fall camp. The team will take Wednesday off from practice for the first day of classes.
Southern Miss will move into their game week schedules for Thursday and Friday’s practices.
The team will hold a mock game and the final scrimmage of 2008 on Saturday. All practices and scrimmages are closed to the public.
Saints sign former Pro Bowl safety
METAIRIE, La. (AP) — The New Orleans Saints have signed former Pro Bowl safety Lance Schulters.
Schulters, 33, joined the squad on Monday, making New Orleans the latest stop in a career that has included stints with San Francisco, Tennessee, Atlanta and Miami.
He was selected for the Pro Bowl in 1999 while playing for San Francisco. Although Schulters has not been a starter during his last two seasons, head coach Sean Payton said the veteran’s experience could be valuable.
“He’s a guy we feel like understands the position well,” Payton said. “He’s got good ball skills so we’re bringing him in not just for a camp body. I’m anxious to see him play and see what he’s got and to see if there’s a fit for us.”
Payton said Schulters could play either free safety or strong safety.
“He gives us some experience and some versatility,” Payton said. “That’s really the first thing we saw and he’s in pretty good shape.”
Schulters was one of several players the Saints invited to their suburban New Orleans training headquarters for workouts, including defensive tackle Anthony “Booger” McFarland, a former LSU standout who has won Super Bowls with the Indianapolis Colts and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
However, Schulters was the only player signed and Payton said no other acquisitions were imminent.
To make room for Schulters on the 80-man training camp roster, the Saints waived long snapper Ryan Senser.
Spiraling Braves swept by Giants
ATLANTA (AP) — Barry Zito had one of his best starts of the season, leading San Francisco over Atlanta.
Zito (7-15) allowed five hits in seven innings, combining with Keiichi Yabu and Sergio Romo on a seven-hitter. Zito pitched out of trouble, stranding two runners each in the third, fifth and seventh.
The major league leader in losses, Zito has won just 18 of 58 starts since signing a $126 million, seven-year contract with the Giants before the 2007 season.
He improved to 97-5 in his career when receiving four or more runs of support, including 12-1 with the Giants. San Francisco has scored one run or none in 24 of his starts.
San Francisco pitched its ninth shutout, one shy of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the NL leader. Aaron Rowand homered and drove in two runs.
Atlanta has lost six of seven and was outscored 47-22 during a seven-game homestand.
Jorge Campillo (7-6) gave up five runs and seven hits in 6 2-3 innings.