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Despite the separate off-the-field incidents involving draft picks Gosder Cherilus, Jordon Dizon and Kalvin Pearson, Detroit Lions coach Rod Marinelli said he likes what he sees from the team so far, in terms of their attitudes, as well as how they look, physically.

Marinelli gave his "state of the Lions" address after the first day of training camp Wednesday, and the third-year coach sounded as optimistic as ever.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Armando Galarraga carried a perfect game into the seventh inning, Miguel Cabrera drove in three runs and the Detroit Tigers beat the Kansas City Royals 7-1 Wednesday to complete a three-game sweep.

Galarraga retired the first 18 batters before David DeJesus led off the seventh with a single to right on a full-count pitch. To that point, the 26-year-old rookie right-hander had allowed just two fly balls to the outfield and struck out six.

He wound up allowing a run in the seventh on three singles and a walk, but left the bases loaded. Galarraga (8-4) was replaced by Casey Fossum in the eighth, after lowering his ERA to 3.27 while striking out a career-high seven against just one walk.

Mike Itchue | MLive.comThe Detroit Lions' seventh-round draft pick, safety Caleb Campbell, learned that he won't be able to play for the team because of a change in Army rules.

Detroit Lions coach Rod Marinelli thought the only problems he might have going into Thursday morning's first practice of training camp was the absence of his top two unsigned draft picks -- Gosder Cherilus and Jordon Dizon.

As it turns out, the Lions definitely will be without another rookie -- seventh-round draft pick Caleb Campbell.

The Lions were informed Wednesday that the Army policy of allowing cadets to play professional sports was recently superseded by a subsequent Department of Defense policy. As a result, Campbell must report back to West Point for further orders.

Marinelli talked to Campbell on Wednesday and said, "Obviously, he's disappointed.''

AP File PhotoFormer AHL standout Darren Haydar has a signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Red Wings.

The Red Wings have signed right wing Darren Haydar to a one-year, two-way contract for $525,000. He'll most likely bolster their depth in Grand Rapids, filling the role that Mark Hartigan had last season.

Haydar (5-9, 170) had one goal and seven assists in 16 games with the Atlanta Thrashers last season and has appeared in 22 games in parts of three seasons in the NHL.

"He's a high-end American Hockey League depth type of player,'' Red Wings assistant general manager Jim Nill said. "We're set with 12 solid forwards. The 13th, 14th and 15th spots are open. We're looking for some healthy competition (in training camp). We just want to add some depth and it's important to have those types of players.''

AP File PhotoDrew Naymick is Michigan State's all-time leader in blocked shots.

EAST LANSING -- There came a time during Drew Naymick's Michigan State basketball career when coach Tom Izzo questioned his passion for the game.

After all, during his five years at MSU the brainy Naymick graduated early with a bachelor's degree in business management, earned a master's in finance and had to take doctoral courses to remain in the program. He appeared destined for the business world.

But, maybe Naymick -- never the most demonstrative or outspoken player ever to wear a Spartan uniform -- was simply misunderstood by his former coach.

Contrary to what many believe, the Detroit Lions do have a plan, says MLive Lions Insider Tom Kowalski. Though everything's not gone according to plan, head coach Rod Marinelli has players who buy into his system, and who he knows he can count on to be mentally tough.

With players who finally reflect his own personality, it's time for the Lions and Marinelli to step up.

AP PhotoGreg Norman finished third at the British Open and now has an invitation to play in the PGA Championship.

TROON, Scotland -- Greg Norman says he has until Thursday to decide whether to accept an invitation to play in the final major of the year, the PGA Championship.

Norman's third-place finish at the British Open at Royal Birkdale has given him a place in the field for the PGA at Oakland Hills outside Detroit Aug. 7-10.

"The PGA have extended an invitation to the PGA Championship and I haven't confirmed or denied what I'm going to do yet," Norman said Wednesday on the eve of the Senior British Open at Troon. "That's four weeks in a row, and I already have something else on my schedule then.

AP PhotoDetroit's Placido Polanco watches his solo home run leave the park Tuesday night against the Kansas City Royals. The Tigers won the game, 7-1.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kenny Rogers frustrated the Kansas City Royals for six innings Tuesday night, and then reliever Fernando Rodney dominated them.

Rogers got the 7-1 win for the Detroit Tigers, but didn't return after the two-hour, 20-minute rain delay that came while he was warming up in the seventh inning.

Rodney warmed up just before midnight as a small band of enthusiastic fans left from the crowd 22,074 chanted, "Let's go Royals!"

Matt Millen

ALLEN PARK -- With his team on a seven-year losing streak, Detroit Lions president Matt Millen knows fans aren't interested in hearing a pep talk or rallying cry for the upcoming season.

Millen, who has been at the helm all seven of those years, has a lot of confidence in the ability of the Lions to succeed this season. He understands, though, fans are going to be skeptical about his optimism.

"I think our fan base is a pretty knowledgeable fan base, so I think they'll believe their eyes,'' Millen said. "I think this a great football town, I've said that a million times. I think the more they can see and the more they get a feel for this group, they're going to like what they see. That's my opinion. They'll make their own decisions.''

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Todd Jones likes to say he gets the job done with "smoke, mirrors and luck." It's the self-deprecating humor he injects with reporters, realizing he doesn't have the blazing fastball or intimidating out-pitch many closers possess.

But Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland knows how Jones has accumulated 320 career saves to rank 14th all time, set the Detroit record with 235 and has converted 18-of-20 opportunities this season.

AP PhotoThe Detroit Lions must show marked improvement – especially on defense – in Rod Marinelli's third year as head coach.

ROD MARINELLI
2008 Scouting Report

Going into this third year as head coach, nobody expects Rod Marinelli to reconstruct the 2000 Baltimore Ravens, but he must show some progress with Detroit's defense. The Lions were ranked dead last in 2007 in total yards and points.

A defensive specialist trained in the Tampa Two scheme, Marinelli can't just show some improvement, but he's got to take a huge step forward. And Marinelli doesn't have many excuses this time around. He's got the coaching staff he wants, the schemes he wants and he's got the players he wants.

AP PhotoDetroit Shock assistant coach Rick Mahorn, center, pushes Los Angeles Sparks' Lisa Leslie to the ground during a melee in the closing seconds of their game Tuesday.

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) -- Candace Parker wanted to focus on all of the good parts of the Los Angeles Sparks' win over the Detroit Shock.

Unfortunately, it will be the final 5 seconds that everyone else is going to remember.

Parker was one of three players ejected along with Detroit assistant coach Rick Mahorn after an ugly scuffle with 4.6 seconds left in Los Angeles' 84-81 victory.

AP PhotoAn approximate view of what Chicago's Wrigley Field will look like for the outdoor Winter Classic is seen Tuesday. Historic Wrigley Field will host its first winter event in 39 years on New Year's Day when the National Hockey League stages its second outdoor Winter Classic.

CHICAGO (AP) -- Dustin Byfuglien remembers the fun he had playing outdoor hockey as a kid in Minnesota.

The 23-year-old Blackhawks right winger will get a chance to relive the experience -- at least for a day -- when Chicago hosts the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings on New Year's Day at baseball's Wrigley Field.

AP File PhotoFormer Central Florida running back Kevin Smith, the Detroit Lions' third-round pick, agreed to terms Tuesday and will report to camp Wednesday afternoon.

The Detroit Lions have agreed to terms with seven of their nine drafted rookies, according to MLive.com Lions Insider Tom Kowalski.

The Lions' first-round pick Gosder Cherilus, a tackle from Boston College, and second-round choice Jordon Dizon, a linebacker from Colorado, remain unsigned.

Defensive end Cliff Avril, a third-round draft pick, and six other rookies --including Central Florida running back Kevin Smith and Florida State defensive tackle Andre Fluellen -- are under contract and are scheduled to report Wednesday afternoon at the Allen Park practice facility.

Press Photo/Lori Niedenfuer CoolTom and Lupe Izzo stroll the Lake Michigan beach north of Grand Haven during a rare early July vacation. Daughter Raquel, who will turn 14 in August, and son Steven, 8, enjoy quality time with their parents. Izzo, who runs the men's basketball program at Michigan State University, left a few days later for a 10-day, five-city recruiting blitz.

As storm clouds opened, skipper Tom Izzo made a beeline to a marina on Spring Lake, happy to find a safe port amid torrential rain and wind.

Izzo, wife Lupe and their two children emerged from the boat soaked but safe.

Quality family time? For a man who seemingly spends more hours on the road than home, any time together is ideal, even when the weather isn't. The boat, incidentally, is a loaner; Izzo doesn't have time to maintain one.

The Detroit Lions were not aware that Jordon Dizon had been arrested for drunken driving several days before they selected him in the second round of the NFL draft.

"We do all the background checks right up to the draft and none of that came through,'' Millen said.

A source close to the situation said that Dizon's arrest might not have been "in the system'' because it wasn't processed immediately.