NEW ORLEANS — The “piano man,” Joey Harrington, has landed a new gig in the birthplace of jazz. He’ll be playing third fiddle behind Saints starting quarterback Drew Brees and backup Mark Brunell.

Harrington signed with the Saints and participated in his first practice Friday at the team’s suburban training center, a day before the Saints were set to leave for Sunday’s game at Denver.

“When I say it’s going to be a great fit, I think it’s in all areas,” Harrington said. “You’ve got the weapons, so you’re going to win some games. You’ve got a great coach who knows how to use them and you’ve got two great quarterbacks here. ... That’s the biggest thing forme now is just to take a step back, get my feet under me and learn the best that I can. See what it’s like to be on a team that wins some games.”

Harrington, a standout at Oregon also known for his talent as a pianist, has spent six seasons in the NFL since being drafted third overall by Detroit in 2002. He played for Miami in 2006 and for Atlanta last season.

He appeared in 12 games for the Falcons, completing nearly 62 percent of his passes for 2,215 yards, seven touchdowns and eight interceptions.

“I’ve obviously had a few bumps along the way,” Harrington said. “Some mistakes I made and some I couldn’t control. They’ve all been learning situations. I think here it gives me the chance to learn from somebody who’s done it well in Drew the last four or five years.

“I was hoping for a situation like this. So I couldn’t be happier.”

Barnett appeals fine

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Packers linebacker Nick Barnett said Friday he would appeal the second fine he received in as many weeks from the NFL.

Barnett was fined $7,500 earlier this week for a helmet-to-helmet contact on a hit of Detroit quarterback Jon Kitna in the last game.

“I know they’re trying to protect the players, but at the same time, we’re trying to play football,” Barnett said. “Do I think mine is an official fine? I don’t think I hit him hard enough with my helmet.”

Barnett was fined $7,500 last week for a horse-collar tackle of Minnesota quarterback Tarvaris Jackson in the Packers’ opener Sept. 8.

The sixth-year player from Oregon State also forfeited his paycheck for the first week of the season as punishment for violating the NFL’s personal-conduct policy. Barnett was charged with two misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct for an incident at an Appleton, Wis., nightclub in the offseason last year, but later reached a plea deal with prosecutors.

AUTO RACING

Gordon to start on pole

DOVER, Del. — Jeff Gordon is looking for small victories.

Winning the pole at Dover International Speedway was a nice one to get.

The four-time Cup champion took the top spot with a lap of 157.061 mph Friday, a sorely needed lift as he tries to snap his season-long winless drought and make a big move up the Chase for the championship standings.

Gordon is 11th in the points race, 99 points behind co-leaders Carl Edwards and Jimmie Johnson.

Seven Chase drivers will start in the top 11 of Sunday’s race. Denny Hamlin starts third, Greg Biffle fifth, Clint Bowyer sixth, Matt Kenseth eighth, Dale Earnhardt Jr. 10th, and Kyle Busch is 11th.

Mark Martin turned a lap of 157.054 and starts second.

BASEBALL

OSU, Ducks to meet in Portland

PORTLAND — The Civil War is coming to Portland.

Oregon’s new baseball team will play Oregon State at PGE Park on March 28 and 29.

The first game of the three-game series will be played at PK Park in Eugene on March 27. It will be Oregon’s first Pacific-10 Conference game in baseball in 28 years.

Oregon State leads the all-time series 150-144. The Beavers were Oregon’s last baseball opponent in 1981 when the program was dropped.

Oregon’s season opens on February 20 at St. Mary’s in California. The Ducks open PK Park on February 27 against defending national champion Fresno State.

Oregon State won national championships in 2006 and 2007.

TENNIS

Spain takes 2-0 lead

MADRID, Spain — Andy Roddick lost to David Ferrer in five sets, giving Spain a commanding 2-0 lead Friday over the defending champion United States in their Davis Cup semifinal.

The fifth-ranked Ferrer defeated No. 8 Roddick 7-6 (5), 2-6, 1-6, 6-4, 8-6 before a near-capacity crowd of 21,000 at the Las Ventas bullfighting arena.

Earlier, top-ranked Rafael Nadal gave the hosts the early advantage with a 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 win over Sam Querrey.

Spain, which hasn’t lost a clay-court Davis Cup series in nine years, could secure its sixth Davis Cup final appearance today when Fernando Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez play Americans Mike Bryan and Mardy Fish in doubles.

BASKETBALL

NBAsuspends Miles

NEW YORK — Boston Celtics forward Darius Miles has been suspended without pay for 10 games for violating the terms of the anti-drug program at the end of the 2007-08 season.

Miles’ suspension will begin with the first game of the 2008-09 regular season for which he is eligible and physically able to play. Miles has missed the past two NBA seasons because of knee injuries. He has averaged 10.6 points and 5.2 rebounds in his career.

The 26-year-old was selected third overall by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2000 draft.

He signed with the Celtics last month after being released by Portland.