Warren Moon

SARASOTA, Fla. -- It isn't unusual for Gregg Olson to be unsigned for the coming season, but there's a better explanation for it this year.Jeff Moorad, his agent, got married Feb. 9, which is enough on its own to slow negotiations. What made this special was that Moorad married the former Jan Johnson -- Olson's sister-in-law."It was an all-star wedding," said Olson's wife, Jill, who introduced the two via long distance. The guest list included several million dollars worth of athletes who are Moorad clients, including Olson, Cory Snyder of the White Sox and Houston Oilers quarterback Warren Moon.

Ravens coach Brian Billick said he doesn't expect veteran quarterback Warren Moon to make a decision about joining the team in a backup capacity until the middle of next week.Moon's agent, Leigh Steinberg, had previously said that Moon, 42, would make his decision by the end of this week, but there was no announcement yesterday.Billick said he had spoken with Moon on Wednesday, and that the future Hall of Fame quarterback had come to grips with the fact that he might have to take a backup role around the league.

The Player of the Year charity dinner scheduled Super Bowl eve by the NFL Alumni and its presenting sponsor, USF&G Corp., has been canceled because of U.S. involvement in the Persian Gulf war.According to Bruce Bosley, executive director of the Alumni organization, "This decision was not made lightly. It was guided by the dictates of reason and propriety, as we see it."In announcing the joint decision, senior vice president of USF&G Minor Carter added, "We feel badly because of the charitable aspects of this event.

PONTIAC, Mich. -- It took an end zone interception of Warren Moon's Hail Mary pass with no time left to end one of the wildest games in the Detroit Lions' Thanksgiving Day history, a 44-38 victory over Minnesota before 74,559 in the Silverdome.Quarterback Scott Mitchell threw a career high of four touchdown passes and broke Bobby Layne's 45-year-old game passing record with 410 yards.Barry Sanders rushed for 137 yards on 14 carries in the second half, including a 53-yard run that ended in a fumble and a 50-yarder that ended in a touchdown.

Select company The Jets' Vinny Testaverde, 39, became the ninth NFL quarterback to pass for more than 40,000 yards. He joined Dan Marino, John Elway, Warren Moon, Fran Tarkenton, Dan Fouts, Brett Favre, Joe Montana and Johnny Unitas. Testaverde has thrown for 40,036 yards. Toothless Tigers The Bengals fell to 0-9 all-time in Oakland. Cincinnati has beaten the Raiders just once in 13 tries on the West Coast, coming in 1988 when the Raiders were in Los Angeles. Return to form Colts' Edgerrin James had his first 100-yard rushing game since going for 106 against Dallas on Nov. 17, 2002.

Ravens quarterback Jim Harbaugh, who stands to lose his starting job if the team acquires Detroit quarterback Scott Mitchell, checked out a possible employment option by visiting the San Diego Chargers last night.The Ravens, who are trying to swing a trade for Mitchell, already have talked with Harbaugh about becoming a backup here and taking a pay cut in the process. Harbaugh said he is comfortable with that scenario. In the meantime, the Ravens have given him permission to look elsewhere.

Baseball Braves: Agreed to minor-league contract with P Steve Avery; invited him to spring training. Padres: Sold rights of 1B Joe Vitiello to Orix of Japan's Pacific League. Rangers: Agreed to one-year contracts with IF Travis Hafner, IF Carlos Pena, IF Jason Romano, IF Scott Sheldon and OF Bo Porter. Royals: Agreed to one-year contract with IF Luis Alicea, who had been with Rangers. Basketball Hawks: Placed G Brevin Knight on injured list with strained groin. Hornets: Signed G Doug Overton to a 10-day contract.

It was an unlucky Week 13 of the NFL season, enough to give division leaders triskaidekaphobia, as all six of them lost. Some of yesterday's developments:* Shaking off the rust: The New York Giants had a quarterback change forced on them. Jeff Hostetler suffered a broken bone in his lower back against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and former starter Phil Simms came on to win the game, 21-14, on a 30-yard touchdown pass with 16 seconds left. Doctors said Hostetler had not suffered any paralysis.

Joe Montana could make a habit of this.The quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers was selected yesterday as the National Football League's Most Valuable Player by The Associated Press. Montana also won the award last year.For leading the 49ers to a 14-2 record and having yet another outstanding season in his 11th season, Montana received 26 of the 80 votes from sportswriters and broadcasters who cover the NFL. Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Randall Cunningham was second with 18 votes, followed by Houston Oilers quarterback Warren Moon with 16."

Ravens run offense vs. Seahawks run defenseThe Ravens should be able to run on the Seahawks, especially with Cortez Kennedy out with an ankle injury and fellow defensive tackle Dan Saleaumua slowed by a bruised foot. The Ravens are averaging 107.4 rushing yards per game and Seattle is allowing 114.2. The key for the Ravens is to get an early lead and milk the clock with a running game.Edge -- RavensRavens pass offense vs. Seahawks pass defenseIn the past, this would have been a no-brainer, but no one knows how the receivers will play anymore since they are unhappy that the team has gone to a run-oriented offense, plus Eric Zeier is subbing for the injured Vinny Testaverde.