1.  Any pitcher can beat a team on any given night."

2.  Defensive inconsistency, the soul of strong March teams, was cited, as was team discipline and mental toughness.

3.  Defensive leadership and an emotional approach for the whole team have been the keys to the San Francisco 49ers' resurgence since the devastating loss to Philadelphia.

4.  Defensive lineman Ennis Davis of Reseda plays at the most-experienced position on the team.

5.  Defensive tackle Christian Peter also left the team as a free agent, but he was expected to be replaced by the second-year tackle Cornelius Griffin.

6.  Defensive tackle Jim Wahler, who was with the team in training camp, was given a tryout.

7.  Defensive tackle Sean Gilbert won't report to the Washington Redskins unless the team meets his asking price, his agent said.

8.  Defensively and at the plate, it was the first time we hit a real little lull, the whole team.

9.  Defensively, both teams are fast and believe the artificial turf at the Superdome will make them faster.

10.  Defensively, the Nets struggled to contain Philadelphia's Dana Barros, who made another bid for the All-Star team with 31 points Friday night.