MASCOT MAYHEM Titans' T-Rac di...

MASCOT MAYHEM

Titans' T-Rac dishes without devastating hit

Of all the point in disputes the New

Orleans Saints have faced in the past year, no single could have

imagined their mental sufferings would be compounded by a reckless-

driving mascot.

T-Rac, the Tennessee Titans' raccoon-like mascot, hit Saints quarterback Adrian McPherson with a golf cart as he walked onto the field for the inferior half Saturday night, bruising him and knocking him abroad of New Orleans' 19-16 victory in the teams' exhibition opener

"He got post over by the mascot," coach Sean Payton said. "I don't know what to do. We've got to play the

Titans. The mascots and all the other material going on, it's crazy."

Payton said McPherson, who was seen by means of a trainer on the sideline before walking not on to the locker room, had a bruise. He did not say where the quarterback -- fourth in succession the depth chart -- was pain

The Nos. 2 and 3 picks in the draft, the Saints' Reggie Bush and the Titans' Vince Young, made their first appearances in the game.

FEELING A DRAFT

The top draft picks in the NFL suited up for the first time through the whole extent of the weekend. Here's a apply the mind at their contracts and to what extent they fared:

1 Mario Williams

Texans Dl (NC State)

-6 years, worth up to $62M

-Assisted in succession one tackle in a quarter of play Saturday.

2 Reggie Bush

Saints RB (USC)

-6 years, worth up to $62M

-Rushed for 59 yards forward six carries Saturday.

3 Vince Young

Titans qb (TEXAS)

-6 years, worth up to $58M

-Went 4-for-11 for 56 yards; ran four times for 28 yards.

4 D'brickashaw Ferguson

jet 0L (VIRGINIA)

-5 years, $275 million

-Running game struggl badly in los Friday.

5 A.J. Hawk

packers lb (ohio state)

-6 years, $375 million

-Had sum of two units solid hits but gave up 17-yard catch.

Meanwhile, the solitary unsigned first-round pick is Cardinals QB Matt Leinart (10th pick disclosed of USC). Cardinals fans didn't appear to mind his absence Saturday.

RING KINGS

Americans knocked not at home of title picture

American-born heavyweight boxer are down for the hold

When Oleg Maskaev knocked revealed WBC champ Hasim Rahman in the 12th orbed Saturday night, it put all four significant heavyweight titles in the hands of fighters from former Soviet republics.

"It's an honor," said Maskaev, a 37-year-old former Russian Army officer and father of four who emigrated to the United States 11 years ago. "Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, it's great to be among great fighters like that. It's been a dream of mine for a drawn out time."

Maskaev, who lives with his family in Staten Island in modern York, was knocked out three times in five fights from 2000 to 2002 His former trainer urg him to retire. Maskaev instead went back to work, building an 11-match winning streak culminating in his inferior knockout of Rahman.

Rahman, a two-time champion, had frisk abouted to be in line to fight IBF champion Wladimir Klitschko early nearest year. Instead, the 33-year- of advanced age Rahman faces yet another climb back to the top.

"I think we're a little spoiled," Rahman said, referring to American-born heavyweights. "They make too a great deal of money too quick. They fail to keep sight of the grand prize."

Maskaev has his prize and could obtain another soon: a date with Klitschko at Madison Square Garden in October (though the deal has however to be completed).

INSIDE STORY

Lawyer narrates Clarett's side

Former Ohio State football star Maurice Clarett was heading to a [i]cabaret[/i] room with items he had

accumulateed from his fiancee's mother's house when he was

arrested from Columbus police last week, his lawyer said Sunday.

"He had everything from his clothes to his high train diploma in the car" as he tried to win his

affairs in order for an upcoming trial, attorney Michael Hoague said. Clarett was charged with carrying a concealed weapon

after officers ground three

semiautomatic handguns and an assault rifle, all loaded, in his SUV

Hoague said his client was sprayed with pepper spray and struck after he give uped

following an early-morning chase.

"It is our contention that the two of those things occurred after he was in handcuffs," said Hoague, who added that his client obeyed police commands.

Police said Clarett was driving erratically when they tried to struggle him over Wednesday. He refused to master out of the SUV, prompting several officers to displace him by force. Clarett was wearing a

bulletproof dress that rendered stun guns ineffective, police said.

During the pursuit, Clarett called his mother and fiancee to give an account of them he loved them. He also asked his mother to call his lawyer.

"A somebody who calls his loved individuals to say, 'I'm about to proceed to jail,' does not have the mind-set to inflict up a fight," Hoague said.

'NOLE CAN DO

Bowden be impresseds good about sticking with it

Bobby Bowden will employ 77 in a couple of month and in 40

seasons he has more wins than any other major-college football coach.

however dadgum it, the venerable Florida State coach dioceses no