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ByRichGreene rgreene@redbluffdailynews.com @richgreenenews on Twitter REDBLUFF The2014RedBluff Spartans took to the practice field for the first time Monday with an air of cautious opti- mism looming over their up- coming season. They also had a special guest instructor as former Spartans stand-out Cole McK- enzie was on hand to lend his expertise and stay in shape for future professional foot- ball tryouts. McKenzie was sporting a Jacksonville Jaguars NFL cap, the team that signed him for a brief period in July 2013. Spartans camp could pro- duce a few more prospects to follow in McKenzie's foot- steps. Returning seniors Jus- tin Nunez and Wyatt Clem- ent spent the summer touring colleges across the west coast and there's reasonable expec- tations one of both could land a Division-I scholarship by the end of the school year. Kade Lewis has continued to assert himself as the team's chief signal caller coming off of a season where he saw play- ing time in a handful of games and finished 2012 with three touchdown passes. He gained the coaching staff's confidence throughout the season and had his big- gest spotlight against Para- dise, a tough road game where he threw one touchdown and rushed for another, picking up 89 rushing yards on eight car- ries. FOOTBALL FRESHSTART Spartans open up first day of practice RedBluffSpartanscoachCoreyHeinaddressestheteamduringMonday'sa ernoonpractice. Former Red Bluff Spartan standout Cole McKenzie works out the receivers at practice. By David Ginsburg The Assoicated Press OWINGS MILLS, MD. The San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens decided it would be wise to practice without pads Mon- day. Afterward, both sides agreed it turned out well. Following two hard-hit- ting, physical days on the prac- tice field, the 49ers and Ravens worked out in shorts for around 2 hours. The drills were crisp and fast-paced, and no one got hurt. The teams dressed in full pads on Saturday and Sunday. Ravens defensive end Kapron Lewis-Moore tore his Achilles tendon on Sunday, and several other players were helped off the field, including Baltimore cornerback Asa Jackson, San Francisco guard Adam Snyder and 49ers wide receiver Quin- ton Patton. "We were moving targets," 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said. So it made sense to go eas- ier Monday. That "was an original pos- sibility, and became an obvi- ous choice as we went through the last two days," said Ravens coach John Harbaugh, Jim's older brother. "There was a lot of physical contact, including the game Thursday, so it was a smart move." After Baltimore beat the 49ers NFL TRAINING CAMP Ravens,49ersdroppadsforfinalpractice Aside from injuries, both coaches happy with experience PATRICK SEMANSKY – THE ASSOCIATED PRESS San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Anquan Boldin (81) warms up with guard Daniel Kilgore, from le , quarterback McLeod Bethel- Thompson, wide receiver David Reed and tight end Kevin Greene during an NFL football training camp practice on Monday. By Alex Pavlovic Bay Area News Group SAN FRANCISCO Ryan Braun lashed Tim Linecum's breaking ball down the third-base line. The right-hander turned quickly, and saw exactly what he expected. Pablo Sandoval had gotten a great jump and easily gloved the ball as he stepped into foul ter- ritory. He planted his feet and fired a perfect strike to first, beat- ing Braun by inches. Lincecum pointed his glove at Sandoval, as he has done so often this season. "You kind of feel like the play is always going to be made," Lince- cum said. That's a new feeling for the Gi- ants pitching staff. A year ago, Sandoval was such a defensive liability that he completed just 97 of the 137 games he started at third base. This season the eye test and advanced metrics con- firm the same thing: Sandoval is one of baseball's best defenders at the hot corner. During a madden- ingly inconsistent season for the Giants, Sandoval's glove has been golden from the team's hot April through a disappointing road trip that concluded Sunday. The timing of this defensive breakthrough couldn't be better for Sandoval, a 28-year-old who will be a free agent at the end of the year and could command a deal worth nine figures. The con- tract push hasn't been charac- terized by increased homers or a higher average, but by a renewed dedication to defense. What's been the main differ- ence when Sandoval takes his position? "Everything is different," he said, smiling. Sandoval then hit on what has always been the key to his produc- tion, or lack thereof. "I lost weight," Sandoval said. "I feel great out there. It's all the hard work I did during the offsea- son and spring training. I worked NATIONAL LEAGUE Sandoval steps his game up, defense improves Giants' pitchers no longer question Panda's ability By Michael Wagaman The Associated Press NAPA The Oakland Raiders broke training camp Monday and prepared to head south for a pair of joint practices with the Dallas Cowboys. Two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Justin Tuck isn't sure what to expect. The last time Tuck practiced against another team during the preseason it was marred by a brawl on the first play of the joint workout. That came in 2005 dur- ing Tuck's rookie season with the New York Giants when they went up against the New York Jets and wound up in an all-out melee. Tuck shook his head and smiled at the memory. "The one time we did it we went over the top, so I'm not sure I've got the right answer," Tuck said following the morning prac- tice. "We'll find out tomorrow. I don't know." The Raiders held 13 training camp practices in Napa before closing up shop. The team has tra- ditionally stayed in camp through the second preseason game but al- tered plans this year to accommo- date the trip to Oxnard. Oakland and Dallas will prac- tice together Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning. The NFL TRAINING CAMP Raiders break camp a er 3 weeks If you had to pick the unhap- piest member of the A's in the wake of Monday night's 3-2 loss to the sizzling Kansas City Royals, it would have been a tough call between Gray, Reddick and Norris. AMERICAN LEAGUE Royalswin8thinrow, take Central lead FULLSTORYONPAGEB2 The Red Bluff Bulls run at the California Junior American Legion baseball tournament came to an end over the week- end. Invited as a Wild Card, Red Bluff went 2-2in the tournament. AMERICAN LEGION Red Bluff Bulls bow out at state tournament Get your puzzles fix with the NEA Crossword, 7Little Words and Celebrity Cipher, start your day off right with your horoscope, and read the latest advice dolled out by Carolyn Hax. YOUR DAILY BREAK Fun and games inside today SEE PAGE B3 Red Bluff opens the season at Central Valley in Shasta Lake City on Aug. 29. Los Molinos opens up the same night at Williams. Corning starts its season a week later Sept. 5at Las Plumas. FOOTBALL Tehama County season openers RAIDERS PAGE 2 49ERS PAGE 2 SPARTANS PAGE 2 GIANTS PAGE 2 SPORTS » redbluffdailynews.com Tuesday, August 12, 2014 MORE AT FACEBOOK.COM/RBDAILYNEWS AND TWITTER.COM/REDBLUFFNEWS B1