Reuters U.S. Sports Schedule at 2 PM EDT on Thursday, July 17

Reuters

July 17,(Reuters) - Reuters U.S. sports schedule at 2.30 PM ET on Thursday: - - - - The duty editor is Steve Ginsburg, 202-898-8427 - - - - NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE TRAINING CAMP PREVIEWS - NFC WEST, AFC WEST Coming next week: Rankings, previews by division The Sports Xchange will staff all NFL training camps beginning next week NFL Camp Preview: Cardinals focus on LBs, O-Line TEMPE, Ariz. - As if being in the same NFC West division as powerhouses Seattle and San Francisco weren't enough, the Arizona Cardinals have a sizeable list of concerns to confront when they begin training camp practice July 26 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (FBN-CARDINALS-NEWS, moved, The Sports Xchange, 1,340 words) -- NFL Camp Preview: 49ers roll call - Davis? SANTA CLARA, Calif. - While most the offseason talk was about quarterback Colin Kaepernick's big new contract, the San Francisco 49ers will focus on more problematic issues when they start training camp practice on July 26 at their Santa Clara complex. (FBN-49ERS-NEWS, moved, The Sports Xchange, by Chris Biderman, 1,543 words) -- NFL Camp Preview: Williams a big factor at Rams camp EARTH CITY, Mo. - It is a frequent refrain any time the prospects for the St. Louis Rams are discussed. Yes, it is often said, the Rams should be improved and the influx of quality young players since Les Snead became general manager and Jeff Fisher became head coach in 2012 has been impressive. (FBN-RAMS-NEWS, moved, The Sports Xchange, by Howard Balzer, 1,510 words) -- NFL Camp Preview: Super Seahawks say they are improved RENTON, Wash. - When the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks get back in action with their first training camp practice July 25 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, they will not hear or fear those naysayers who whisper this is a team that has only one way to go -- down. (FBN-SEAHAWKS-NEWS, moved, The Sports Xchange, 1,190 words) -- NFL Camp Preview: Broncos open camp with key defenders sidelined ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - When training camp begins at their team facility with the first practice set for July 24, the Denver Broncos defense could still be defined as much by who is not on the field for every period of practice, as by the players that are on the field. (FBN-BRONCOS-NEWS, moved, The Sports Xchange, 1,535 words) -- NFL Camp Preview: Chiefs out to avoid letdown KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Recent NFL history is littered with stories of teams that made the journey from the basement to the higher floors in the league's building in just one season. The Kansas City Chiefs made that move in 2013, going from 2-14 the year before, to 11-5 and a spot in the AFC playoffs last season. (FBN-CHIEFS-NEWS, moved, The Sports Xchange, 1,395 words) -- NFL Camp Preview: Raiders like vibe heading to camp ALAMEDA, Calif. - There were no grand proclamations or postseason predictions, but there was a definite vibe to the Oakland Raiders' offseason unlike the previous two under general manager Reggie McKenzie and coach Dennis Allen. (FBN-RAIDERS-NEWS, moved, The Sports Xchange, 1,402 words) -- NFL Camp Preview: Chargers see sunny 2014 forecast SAN DIEGO, Calif. - As the San Diego Chargers prepare for their first training camp workout on July 24, they hope to sustain and improve the momentum they had at the end of last season, when they made a surprise playoff appearance. (FBN-CHARGERS-NEWS, moved, The Sports Xchange, 1,156 words) -- Giants expect RB Wilson to be cleared New York Giants running back David Wilson is expected to be cleared at his July 21 exam, owner John Mara said. Wilson had a season-ending neck injury in Week 5 last year and underwent surgery this offseason, but was not cleared for contact as he expected prior to minicamp. (FBN-GIANTS-NEWS, moved, The Sports Xchange, 380 words) -- Pro Football Hall of Fame presenters announced Former NFL coaches Marv Levy and John Madden are repeated presenters for 2014 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees, and New York Giants pass rusher Michael Strahan picked a fellow broadcaster to call him to the stage in Canton. (FBN-NEWS, expect by 4 p.m. ET, The Sports Xchange, 350 words) - - - - COLLEGE FOOTBALL Saban claims Alabama in 'rebuilding situation' One thing is new about Alabama this offseason -- the Crimson Tide is learning how to handle beginning the year coming off of consecutive defeats, a lopsided loss to Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl on the heels of the "Kick Six" gut punch in the Iron Bowl. That prompted coach Nick Saban to label 2014 a rebuilding situation. (FBC-ALABAMA-NEWS, The Sports Xchange, 980 words, moved) -- Richt: Second place no fit for Georgia Second place is not a fit for Mark Richt and Georgia, even after the Bulldogs finished third in the SEC East division last season and with the task of replacing four-year starter Aaron Murray. "We're not cheering about being No. 2," Richt said. (FBC-GEORGIA-NEWS, moved, The Sports Xchange, 597 words) -- Ole Miss graduating from whipping boy status It's good not to be Steve Spurrier's whipping boy at SEC Media Days. Ole Miss and coach Hugh Freeze were the target of a Spurrier zinger two years ago when the South Carolina coach answered a scheduling question by saying he'd like to play the Rebels every year. (FBC-MISSOURI-NEWS, moved, The Sports Xchange, 630 words) -- Media: Alabama to win SEC Alabama is the preseason favorite again in the Southeastern Conference. (FBC-ALABAMA-NEWS, PIX, moved, The Sports Xchange, 325 words) - - - - NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION Owner: Wolves want to retain Love Kevin Love, the hottest NBA commodity available as free agency options dwindle, remains with the Minnesota Timberwolves and owner Glen Taylor hopes to keep the All-Star in the fold. (BKN-TIMBERWOLVES-NEWS, moved, The Sports Xchange, 435 words) -- Bledsoe breaks off talks with Suns; Rockets on horizon? Contract talks with restricted free agent guard Eric Bledsoe broke off Thursday, but the explosive two-way player is not short on options. (BKN-SUNS-ROCKETS-NEWS, moved, The Sports Xchange, 300 words) -- Kings, Pistons rekindle Josh Smith talks Josh Smith remains the subject of ongoing trade talks between the Detroit Pistons and Sacramento Kings. (BKN-KINGS-PISTONS-NEWS, moved, The Sports Xchange, 375 words) -- Raptors keep Vazquez, bury hatchet with Jones The Toronto Raptors officially announced free-agent forward James Johnson has re-signed. Financial terms of the two-year deal were not disclosed, but the deal is reportedly worth $5 million. Guard Greivis Vasquez also signed a two-year contract reportedly worth $13 million. (BKN-RAPTORS-NEWS, moved, The Sports Xchange, 375 words) - - - - GOLF British Open, Royal Liverpool Golf Club (to 20) Gunslinging McIlroy and Woods steal Hoylake show HOYLAKE, England - Golfing gunslingers Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods sprayed Royal Liverpool with a barrage of birdie bullets to steal the show midway through the opening round of the 143rd British Open. (GOLF-OPEN/ (UPDATE 3, PIX, by Tony Jimenez, moved, 770 words) See also: British Open first round leaderboard, (GOLF-OPEN/LEADERBOARD, moved) -- Slow start, then returning Tiger lights up the Open HOYLAKE, England, - "Glad you could make it Tiger", one fan shouted as the 14-times major champion marched off the first tee of the Royal Liverpool course in search of a fourth British Open title. Another one was not so generous as the 38-year-old Tiger Woods made a hash of a bunker shot minutes later. (GOLF-OPEN/TIGER, UPDATE 1, PIX, by Martyn Herman, moved, 780 words) -- American tyro English soaking up links adventure HOYLAKE, England - Young American tyro Harris English looked like a kid with a brand new toy at Christmas after launching his British Open campaign with a level-par 72 at Royal Liverpool. The 24-year-old was simply purring about his adventures on the Hoylake links and already looking forward to taking up the challenge again in Friday's second round. (GOLF-OPEN/ENGLISH, INTERVIEW, PIX, by Tony Jimenez, moved, 620 words) -- Perfect Thursday...now McIlroy wants to avoid fright day HOYLAKE, England - Fridays have become fright days for Rory McIlroy this year, with a series of inexplicable second-round meltdowns, but he hopes to break the curse this week at the British Open. McIlroy produced a scintillating first-round 66 at a baking Royal Liverpool course on Thursday to top the leaderboard - a position he has become accustomed to. (GOLF-OPEN/MCILROY, PIX, by Martyn Herman, moved, 519 words) -- Woods wants the sound of silence HOYLAKE, England, - British Open organisers warn spectators about mobile phone use after three-times champion Tiger Woods was distracted during his opening round 69 at Hoylake. (GOLF-OPEN/PHONES, moved, 367 words) - - - - MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL Deadline shopping: Buy or sell? The Sports Xchange outlines the trade deadline stance for all 30 MLB teams with two weeks to go before the non-waiver date. (BBO-NEWS, expect by 5 p.m. ET, The Sports Xchange, by Rick Kaplan, 2,800 words) -- Prospect watch: Early look at future of all 30 teams The Sports Xchange glances ahead at the top prospects for every team, with future stars and likely callups under the microscope. (BBO-NEWS, expect by 5 p.m. ET, The Sports Xchange, by Rick Kaplan, 3,100 words) - - - - NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Sabres, Ennis complete five-year, $23 million deal The Buffalo Sabres signed forward Tyler Ennis to a five-year deal reportedly worth $23 million Thursday. His new salary cap number of $4.6 million will put him behind only Matt Moulson ($5 million) among Buffalo forwards. (HKN-SABRES-NEWS, moved, The Sports Xchange, 100 words) - - NHL Roundup The latest moves and news from the NHL. (HKN-NOTEBOOK, expect by 6 p.m. ET, The Sports Xchange, 350 words) - - - - AUTO RACING NASCAR Next drivers take center stage Past and future NASCAR Next program drivers, such as Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott, are proving the program's value. (CAR-SPRINT-NEWS, moved, The Sports Xchange, special from NASCAR wire service, 700 words) - - Schumacher's wife offers hope for the future HOCKENHEIM, Germany - Michael Schumacher's wife Corinna thanks fans of the Formula One great for their support through the dark days of his fight for life after a skiing accident and offered hope for his future recovery. "Now we are facing a phase which will presumably take a long time. We trust that - as for so many years in F1 - time will be Michael's ally in the fight," she said in a message published in the program for Sunday's race. (MOTOR RACING-PRIX/SCHUMACHER (PIX), moved, 190 words) - - - - CYCLING Kristoff too strong for Sagan on Tour stage 12 ST ETIENNE, France - Norway's Alexander Kristoff claimed his maiden Tour de France victory when he beat Peter Sagan in a sprint to prevail in dominant fashion on the 12th stage, a 185.5-km ride from Bourg en Bresse. (CYCLING-TOUR/ (PIX, UPDATE 1), by Julien Pretot, moved, 470 words) - - Frustrated Sagan 'too strong' to win on Tour de France ST ETIENNE, France - Being too strong, and both feared and respected for it, can be a weakness on the Tour de France, Slovakian prodigy Peter Sagan has discovered. He has managed eight top five finishes, including four second places, but after 12 stages he has yet to cross the finishing line first -- thanks, he says, to his rivals' defensive tactics. (CYCLING-TOUR/SAGAN (PIX), moved, 400 words) - - - - NORTH AMERICAN SPORTS Roundups of off-field developments in the major North American professional sports leagues. (Expect by 0000 GMT/8 PM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 400 words)