>>Rams Open Training Camp
(St. Louis, MO) -- The Rams officially open training camp today at Rams Park. The team will hold its first practice at 1:50 p.m. this afternoon. With the August 7th Hall of Fame Game against the Bears cancelled due to the lengthy lockout, the Rams will instead play a scrimmage that day at Lindenwood University. The first preseason game is August 13th against the Colts.
>>Panthers Get Olsen From Bears
(Charlotte, NC) -- The Carolina Panthers acquired tight end Greg Olsen from the Bears on Thursday. The Bears will receive an undisclosed draft pick in return. A first-round draft choice in 2007 with the Bears, the 26-year-old Olsen caught 41 passes for 404 yards and five touchdowns last season.
>>Bears Release Manumaleuna, Add Spaeth
(Lake Forest, IL) -- The Bears released tight end Brandon Manumaleuna [[ man-oo-mal-ee-OO-nah ]] on Thursday and reportedly picked up former Steelers tight end Matt Spaeth. The 31-year-old Manumaleuna signed a five-year contract with the Bears before last season and played all 16 games, including 13 starts at fullback. The team said the 300-pound veteran failed a physical. NFL Network reported the Spaeth signing earlier Thursday. The 27-year-old tight end played 60 games for the Steelers over the past four seasons, making 39 starts. Used mostly as a blocker, Spaeth has scored five touchdowns on 36 career catches for 275 yards.
>>Sprint Cup Returns This Weekend
(Indianapolis, IN) -- After taking a week off, the Sprint Cup Series returns to action this weekend with the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. With seven races remaining before the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship begins, the pressure is on for several drivers hoping to make the 12-member field. Jamie McMurray won the Brickyard 400 last year. Two weeks ago at the last Spring Cup Series race, Indiana native Ryan Newman won in New Hampshire.
This race is the first one in the new "Sprint Summer Showdown" bonus program. Any driver who wins between Indianapolis and Bristol qualifies for the bonus in the Labor Day weekend event at Atlanta. If one of those eligible drivers wins the Atlanta race, then he and one lucky fan collect $1-million each. The driver's charity also receives the same amount of money.
