Bruce Collie

Pittsburgh Steeler guard Terry Long, who acknowledged he attempted suicide after flunking the NFL's steroids test, was released Wednesday from the hospital, officials said. Long told police July 24 in the Pittsburgh suburb of Franklin Park that he tried to commit suicide because he felt his career was over after the positive test. His statement to police said he tried to kill himself by swallowing "two or three sleeping pills," contradicting earlier reports he had taken rat poison.

Pittsburgh Steeler guard Terry Long, who acknowledged he attempted suicide after flunking the NFL's steroids test, was released Wednesday from the hospital, officials said. Long told police July 24 in the Pittsburgh suburb of Franklin Park that he tried to commit suicide because he felt his career was over after the positive test. His statement to police said he tried to kill himself by swallowing "two or three sleeping pills," contradicting earlier reports he had taken rat poison.

Wide receiver Jerry Rice and linebacker Bill Romanowski exchanged punches in a hot-tempered practice Monday as the San Francisco 49ers sought to shake off a sloppy performance in their exhibition opener. Coach George Seifert was forced into the role of peacemaker after a series of scuffles broke out on the practice field on a hot day at Sierra College.

As expected, free-agent kicker John Carney signed with the Rams Friday as insurance for Mike Lansford's sore right leg, and probably will handle the kickoffs Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles at Anaheim Stadium. Lansford, who will do the placekicking, said he could probably also kick off, but the Rams feared that he might further damage his right calf muscle during the game, leaving the team without a placekicker.

Bruce Collie, a 275-pound offensive tackle from the University of Texas Arlington who was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers, would probably fit in better with the Raiders. According to Harless Wade of the Dallas Morning News, Collie has a 10-inch scar on his stomach from a knifing, a scar over his right eye from a beer bottle, a scar on one cheek from another beer bottle and a scar on his foot. Yep, another beer bottle.

Wayne Fontes figures his most difficult hour as Detroit Lions coach is behind him, since it was the first hour after landing the job. After Lion owner William Clay Ford named him head coach Thursday, Fontes said he was in a daze. "I recall going down in the elevator and getting into my car," he said. "Then I guess I took a wrong turn and couldn't get out of the parking lot. I'm sure Mr. Ford was looking out his window and saw me.

With volumes already written on the rise and fall of New York Yankee owner George Steinbrenner, it came as no surprise that someone finally invoked the Bard. Ronald Blum of the Associated Press went to Shakespeare's "Coriolanus" for the crowning blow: "Like a dull actor now, "I have forgot my part, and I am out, "Even to a full disgrace. Best of my flesh, "Forgive my tyranny." Add Steinbrenner: Mark B.

Was Gene Michael surprised when he was returned as a coach of the New York Yankees in the George Steinbrenner shuffle? "The only thing that surprises me is that people are still surprised when something happens," he said. Michael put in a couple of terms as manager of the Yankees. After the second firing, he was asked if he thought Steinbrenner could manage the club. "I don't know," Michael said. "But if he ever does, I want to be the owner."

"And, at quarterback, No. 16, JOE Mon-TAN-a!" said the public-address announcer--the turning point in Saturday's NFC playoff game at Candlestick Park. Joe Montana threw four touchdown passes and had a fifth called back by a penalty on himself. Then he returned to play the second half.

The bottom line on Larry Brown is that he is a great basketball coach, and that is why the Clippers should sign him. . . . If Brown can't get this team into the playoffs, nobody can. . . . Coaches aren't the only Clipper employees who come and go. Since the Clippers moved here in 1984 from San Diego, they have had 79 players. The Lakers have had 46 during the same span. . . . A pretty fair pro football team could be assembled from those players who were left unprotected from Plan B. . . .

No one ever had to worry about Charlie Cowan. When the ball was snapped, Charlie was there. He never missed a team plane, a team bus--or a block. He was on time, in shape. He didn't make waves, just lanes for the ball carrier and time for the passer. He cleared a path for Ram runners from Jon Arnett to Dick Bass to Lawrence McCutcheon. He was knocking people out of the way the day Willie Ellison set the single-game rushing record, 247 yards in 26 carries, against New Orleans in 1971.