Krieg, 41, Finally Retires

Dave Krieg, a three-time Pro Bowl quarterback with the Seattle Seahawks, made his retirement official Saturday.

Krieg, who joined his former team at training camp, ranks as the Seahawks’ leader in pass attempts (3,576), completions (2,096), yards (26,132), touchdowns (195), interceptions (148) and rating (82.3).

Krieg, 41, was released by the Tennessee Titans last July after the team signed Neil O’Donnell to be Steve McNair’s backup. Krieg did not go to a training camp last season, but did not announce his official retirement, hoping to catch on with another team and play in a 20th NFL training camp.

Krieg was with the Seahawks from 1980-91, the Kansas City Chiefs in ‘92-93, the Detroit Lions in ‘94, the Arizona Cardinals in ‘95, the Chicago Bears in ’96 and the Titans in ‘97-98.

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Vaughn Sanders’ one-yard run with 1:17 to play capped a 72-yard touchdown drive led by fellow rookie Chad Pennington as the New York Jets overcame four turnovers to beat the New Orleans Saints, 24-20, in an exhibition opener at East Rutherford, N.J.

The Jets converted seven of 10 third-down plays and moved the ball well all game as their three quarterbacks--Vinny Testaverde, Ray Lucas and Pennington--combined to complete 25 of 33 passes.

But the Jets fell behind, 20-17, with 4:56 to play on Chad Morton’s 77-yard punt return before Pennington, who completed 10 of 13 passes, led the decisive drive that also included Sanders’ run of 17 yards to the Saint 13.

Cameron Cleeland, the Saints’ starting tight end, suffered a torn left Achilles’ tendon in the second quarter and will be sidelined for the season.

Two other Saints, starting safety Rob Kelly and cornerback Steve Israel, suffered broken legs that might also end their seasons.

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Danny Kanell passed for two touchdowns after big mistakes by the Indianapolis Colts in the Atlanta Falcons’ 20-13 exhibition victory at Indianapolis.

The first touchdown pass, 14 yards to Brian Kozlowski in the second quarter, was set up when Colt rookie David Macklin bobbled a punt that the Falcons recovered at the Indianapolis 25.

Then, with the score tied midway through the fourth quarter, a personal foul on Billy Austin gave the Falcons the ball at the Colt 13, where Kanell passed to Brian Finneran for the winning touchdown.

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Receiver Tyrone Goodson failed his physical exam with the Green Bay Packers and will be waived by the team, probably today.

Coach Mike Sherman said Goodson, who reported a week late to camp and didn’t inform the Packers of his whereabouts during his absence, will be waived soon.

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Darnell McDonald was waived by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a day before he was charged with battery and burglary. Tampa has a zero-tolerance policy toward off-field violence.

The 23-year-old receiver was released Thursday after the club learned charges would be filed.

McDonald was arrested Friday on felony charges of aggravated battery with great bodily harm and burglary of a vehicle. He was released two hours later on $5,000 bail.

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A scrimmage between the St. Louis Rams and Titans drew a sellout crowd of 15,000 to Macomb, Ill., some of whom began showing up at Western Illinois’ Hanson Field four hours before the teams took the field for stretching and warmups, and five hours before the first play. They got to see mostly backups.