Swann Files $3.5-Million Grievance

Eric Swann has filed a $3.5-million grievance against the Arizona Cardinals concerning the way he was released.

Swann’s agent, Steve Zucker, said Saturday that the defensive end contends he was injured when Arizona released him last month and therefore should not have been let go.

Swann, now with the Carolina Panthers, has arthritic knees and has undergone seven knee operations during his career.

“When a player is injured he should not be released, and if he is, he is entitled to compensation,” Zucker said.

The action means the Cardinals automatically must set aside $1.75 million--half the amount Swann is seeking--until the grievance is resolved. The money counts against Arizona’s salary cap.

“It’s a Management Council issue,” Cardinal spokesman Paul Jensen said. “All comment should come from them.”

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Former Green Bay Packer and San Francisco 49er cornerback Craig Newsome has pleaded guilty to two charges related to prescription drugs and is to enter a league drug program. Newsome, 28, of La Crosse, Wis., entered the pleas Friday in La Crosse County Circuit Court.

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Kurt Warner was back in MVP form for St. Louis, producing a quick touchdown on his only drive in a 31-17 victory over visiting Oakland.

Isaac Bruce and Warner connected for a 26-yard score with 9:31 left in the first quarter

Raider kicker Sebastian Janikowski made a 46-yard field goal, but missed a 35-yard attempt.

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Ryan Leaf, making his first NFL appearance in 20 months, led a two-play touchdown drive that ended with Terrell Fletcher’s two-yard scoring run as San Diego opened its exhibition season with a 23-20 victory at San Francisco. Leaf was seven of 12 passing for 103 yards and a touchdown. But he also had an interception and two fumbles--and two of the turnovers led to 49ers field goals.

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Rodney Thomas’ one-yard touchdown in the second quarter turned out to be the game-winner as Tennessee defeated Kansas City, 14-10, at Nashville. Elvis Grbac was nearly perfect for Kansas City, completing eight of nine passes for 63 yards, including a 16-yard touchdown to Tony Gonzalez on the opening drive.

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Doug Brien’s fourth field goal, a 49-yarder as time expired, lifted the New Orleans Saints to a 25-24 exhibition victory over the Minnesota Vikings at Minneapolis. Vikings receiver Randy Moss injured his left shoulder in the first half and left the Metrodome in the fourth quarter for an MRI exam.

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Shannon Sharpe caught a touchdown pass in his Baltimore debut, and the Ravens opened their preseason by defeating visiting Philadelphia, 16-13. Matt Stover snapped a tie with a 42-yard field goal with 2:43 to go, and Anthony Poindexter sealed the win with an interception.

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Chris Fuamatu-Ma’afala, seemingly the forgotten man in Pittsburgh’s backfield, scored the Steelers’ only touchdown and set up Kris Brown’s winning field goal with a 50-yard run in a 13-10 comeback exhibition victory over the visiting Miami Dolphins.

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Shaun Alexander, drafted to give veteran running back Ricky Watters some help, scored two touchdowns in his Seattle debut as the Seahawks defeated Indianapolis, 28-16, at Seattle.

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In the battle to replace quarterback John Elway, Gus Frerotte threw two touchdown passes in the Denver Broncos’ 31-17 exhibition victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Brian Griese, the other player vying for the starting job, threw a first-quarter touchdown pass for Denver’s first points.

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Tony Graziani threw two short touchdown passes--a four-yarder to Brian Finneran and a three-yarder to Maurice Smith--as the Atlanta Falcons defeated the Dallas Cowboys, 20-9, in an exhibition game at Tokyo.

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Mark Hartsell, trying to get back into football after missing the last three seasons, guided Chicago to 10 third-quarter points in a 20-8 exhibition win over the New York Giants at East Rutherford, N.J.