Falcons Name Deberg Quarterbacks Coach

Posted: June 02, 1999

After returning to the NFL as a backup quarterback with Atlanta last year at the age of 44, Steve DeBerg will again fill the role of quarterbacks coach.

The Falcons announced yesterday that DeBerg has officially joined the coaching staff.

DeBerg is familiar with coach Dan Reeves's offensive system after playing for him in Denver and serving as his quarterbacks coach with the New York Giants in 1995 and 1996.

When the Falcons were desperate for an experienced backup quarterback last year, Reeves called on DeBerg, who last played in the NFL back in 1993. DeBerg played in eight games, including one start.

He is 13th all-time in NFL history with 34,241 passing yards and is tied for ninth in completions with 2,874 in 5,024 attempts.

COLLEGES Delaware senior John Grant was named first-team Division I all-American by the U.S. Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association.

Grant, an attackman from Peterborough, Ontario, was joined on the team by Hill School grad Jim Bruder, a senior midfielder who earned honorable mention.

* Texas A&M is discussing a new contract for football coach R. C. Slocum, which likely would provide him with a significant salary increase, the school said.

NOTEWORTHY The condition of a pit-crew member injured in a crash during the Indianapolis 500 was upgraded to serious, hospital officials said.

Steve Fried is recovering at Methodist Hospital from injuries he received in Sunday's race, when he was hit from behind by Jimmy Kite's car, which had been struck by another car whose brakes had failed. Fried flipped and landed on his face, sustaining head and chest injuries.

* The MLS Miami Fusion, struggling on the field and at the gate, upgraded both areas by acquiring Eric Wynalda, the United States' leading career scorer, and Brazilian forward Welton as part of a four-team deal.

Wynalda, Welton and Colombian defender Arley Palacios were sent to the Fusion by the New York-New Jersey MetroStars, who had acquired Wynalda and Welton in separate deals earlier yesterday.

The MetroStars obtained Welton from the Los Angeles Galaxy for defender Roy Myers, and gained Wynalda's rights from San Jose to conclude an earlier deal that sent Raul Diaz Arce and Marcelo Vega to the Clash.

In exchange, the MetroStars received the ``marquee'' player allocation Miami had been owed when midfielder Carlos Valderrama was reassigned to Tampa Bay. That could wind up becoming former German national team captain Lothar Matthaeus, a 38-year-old sweeper whose career with Bayern Munich apparently is over.

* Australian IOC member Phil Coles said he would clear his name when he appears before a special panel investigating charges of ethical misconduct.

Coles said it was a ``good sign'' he had been asked to appear before the three-member panel today in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Coles has already received a severe warning from the IOC for accepting lavish travel and other incentives from Salt Lake bidders, and is under investigation for further allegations of abusing his Olympic positions.

Coles said he doesn't believe the panel will recommend his expulsion from the IOC.

* In apparent violation of his doctor's orders against heavy exercise, Boston Celtics captain Reggie Lewis was running, shooting baskets and dunking days before he died in July 1993, a former Northeastern University student said. In testimony marking the start of the defense case at the malpractice trial in Boston stemming from Lewis' death, Sean Curran told how a chance encounter at a gym water fountain four days before Lewis' death led to a one-on-one practice session with his idol.

* Gail Devers, the two-time Olympic women's 100-meter gold medalist, and Mike Marsh, the 1992 Olympic 200-meter champion, have withdrawn from Sunday's inaugural TFA Pro Championships in Uniondale, N.Y.

Organizers said Devers still was not recovered from a hamstring injury that sidelined her all of last year. The reason for Marsh's withdrawal was not disclosed.

* Mr. Prospector, who went from an undistinguished racing career to prominence as the nation's top thoroughbred stallion, died yesterday at the age of 29.

Mr. Prospector came down with the colic yesterday morning and was diagnosed with an inflammation of the membrane lining the abdomen. Acting on the advice of veterinarians, Claiborne Farm owner Seth Hancock had him euthanized at 1:25 p.m., a spokesman said.

* Glenn Patrick, brother of Pittsburgh Penguins GM Craig Patrick, was hired to coach the team's new Wilkes-Barre/Scranton farm club which will begin play in the AHL next season.

* The Flyers sent minor-league center Pat Kavanagh to Vancouver for a sixth-round pick in this month's amateur draft.

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