Sports Desk
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

FOOTBALL
GIANTS SIGN KICKER CHRISTIE
The Giants signed veteran kicker Steve Christie yesterday, ending for the time being Todd France’s dream of playing in the NFL.
France had beaten out veterans Matt Bryant and Bill Gramatica in training camp competition. But the 24-year-old hurt his chances by badly missing a 44-yard field goal in last Thursday’s preseason finale against Baltimore. It was his only miss in five preseason attempts.
Christie and Dave Kimball, who had been in the Indianapolis Colts camp, were given tryouts on Monday. Coach Tom Coughlin elected to sign the 36-year-old Christie, who had been considering retirement, for his 15th NFL season.
Christie hit 15 of 20 field goal attempts and all 36 of his extra points last season with the Chargers. He converted all 10 of his field goal attempts from inside the 40-yard line and two of three from 50 yards and beyond.
FIEDLER WILL START FOR DOLPHINS
Jay Fiedler was named Miami’s starter for the fifth consecutive season yesterday following a six-month competition with A.J. Feeley.
Fiedler completed 20 of 33 passes for 199 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions during the preseason, staying healthy through training camp for the first time in five years. Feeley went 23-of-41 for 244 yards with no touchdowns and one interception.
VIKINGS SIGN ANDERSEN
Morten Andersen, the second leading scorer in NFL history, signed with the Minnesota Vikings yesterday, two days after being cut by Kansas City.
The Vikings released Brett Conway, who lasted just a week as the replacement for Aaron Elling. The Vikings cut Elling, a second-year player, after he struggled in the preseason. Andersen, 44, is in his 23rd season. His 2,259 career points trail only Gary Anderson, another former Vikings kicker (2,346).
STEELERS WILL START STALEY AHEAD OF BETTIS
Coach Bill Cowher finally confirmed yesterday the Pittsburgh Steelers’ worst-kept secret: Duce Staley is in at running back and Jerome Bettis is out.
The move has been considered a formality since Staley was given a $4 million signing bonus in March, but the Steelers had never made the change official and Cowher diplomatically split time between the two in exhibition games.
Staley, 29, is three years younger than Bettis, has had less wear and tear than the NFL’s no. 6 career rusher, and, unlike Bettis, can be used as a receiver out of the backfield.
The Steelers plan to use Bettis as a change-up back and in short-yardage situations.
BASEBALL
RED SOX ACTIVATE NIXON, REESE
Outfielder Trot Nixon and second baseman Pokey Reese were activated from the disabled list by Boston yesterday.
Nixon might not be an everyday player again this year because of a strained left quadriceps. He began the season on the disabled list with a slight disc herniation in his back, then strained his quad while rehabilitating the back injury.
The outfielder missed the first 63 games of the season, then went back on the DL on July 25. Reese also had been on the DL since July 25, with a strained right ribcage.
– Associated Press