SAN ANTONIO ? The New Orleans Saints will return to Louisiana in 2006, that much seems certain. Exactly when and where they will play games gets a little fuzzier.

The owner says maybe as early as September in the hurricane-ravaged Superdome.

The NFL commissioner says, “It’s too early to say … “

The two made separate statements Friday about the team’s future, and while both were upbeat, Paul Tagliabue was far more cautious in setting a timetable or even a site for the Saints’ first game back home.

“There are a lot of things yet to be accomplished to make it more than a one-year arrangement,” he said after meeting with Saints players and coaches for about five hours. “There are a lot of chicken-and-egg decisions. It’s a complicated situation.”

Asked whether the New Orleans market could support an NFL team long-term, he said, “We think it can, but it’s not a slam-dunk.”

Earlier Friday, owner Tom Benson released a memo that said not only were the Saints hoping to be back in the dome in the fall, they were returning to their Louisiana practice complex next month.

“Today we are very pleased to advise our entire organization – coaches, players and staff – that we will be returning to Metairie in January,” he said. “We are working in Louisiana to play as many games as possible in the Superdome, which may be ready in September.”

Tagliabue wasn’t so sure that was a realistic target and wouldn’t rule out more games in San Antonio in 2006.

“It’s too early to say whether the games will be played at the dome or in Louisiana,” Tagliabue said.

However, at a news conference in Metairie, Benson said SMG, the company that manages the Superdome, told him the stadium could be ready to play host to football as early as Sept. 15.

Bill Curl, a Superdome spokesman, called the projection “not totally conclusive, but within the realm of possibility.”

“It probably won’t be absolutely complete, but we could be able to safely and comfortably accommodate a capacity crowd,” he said.

NFL

Ex-Ram Snow seriously ill

St. Louis – Former Rams receiver and current broadcaster Jack Snow was in critical condition Friday suffering from a staph infection.

The 62-year-old Snow was at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Hospital spokesman Jason Merrill said he could not discuss details of the illness.

Rams spokesman Duane Lewis said Snow became ill in November. He was getting better, but was hospitalized last week.

Lewis said Snow’s family was with him at the hospital. He believed Snow’s son, San Francisco Giants first baseman J.T. Snow, was among them.

NBA

Lakers’ Bryant suspended

New York – Kobe Bryant was suspended for two games without pay Friday for elbowing Mike Miller in the throat. During Wednesday’s 101-99 loss to Memphis, the Lakers guard was called for a flagrant foul with 8:24 to play for elbowing Miller. After the game, Bryant was unapologetic. He had been gashed over his left eye in the second quarter when Miller pushed him in the face with his hand; the cut required three stitches.

“Any player that was going to come down the lane at that point in time, I was going to let him know that he just can’t walk through there,” Bryant said.

Bryant is scheduled to serve his suspension Sunday, when the Lakers play host to Utah, and Tuesday, when Los Angeles plays at the Jazz.

BASEBALL

Marlins sign Helms, Olivo

Miami – The Florida Marlins signed infielder Wes Helms and catcher Miguel Olivo to one-year contracts Friday. The 29-year-old Helms hit .298 with four home runs and 24 RBIs in 95 games last season with the Milwaukee Brewers. He batted .381 as a pinch hitter, with 16 hits in 42 at-bats. The 27-year-old Olivo split last season between the Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres. He began the year with the Mariners and batted .151 with five home runs and 18 RBIs in 54 games, and he hit .233 with three homers and 21 RBIs in 24 games with Triple-A Tacoma.

Arizona adds Byrnes

Phoenix – Outfielder Eric Byrnes has agreed to a one-year, $2.25 million contract with Arizona. Byrnes, 29, slumped to a .226 batting average in a nomadic 2005 season that had him playing for Oakland, Colorado and Baltimore. In 2004, Byrnes hit .283 for Oakland with 20 home runs and 73 RBIs. Byrnes, who has a home in nearby Scottsdale, has a career .259 average in four-plus major-league seasons.

HOCKEY

U.S. women fall to Canada

St. Paul, Minn. – Caroline Ouellette scored two goals to help Canada beat the United States, 4-2, Friday night for its eighth victory in nine games in the pre-Olympic series between the women’s hockey powers.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

UCLA kicker charged

Los Angeles – UCLA placekicker Justin Medlock was charged with felony driving under the influence of alcohol in connection with a Dec. 10 accident in which a woman was seriously injured. The 22-year-old junior was charged with one count each of DUI causing injury and driving with .08 percent blood alcohol causing injury. Each of the counts alleged that Medlock had caused great bodily injury to 20-year-old Hannah Jun, a member of the UCLA golf team.

Minnesota back declares

Nashville, Tenn. – Minnesota running back Laurence Maroney will forgo his senior season and enter the NFL Draft in April, a decision he announced after the Golden Gophers lost to Virginia in the Music City Bowl on Friday. The junior was a third-team All-American this season and finished 2005 by rushing for a school record 1,464 yards despite splitting time with Gary Russell in the backfield.

MPC CEO apologizes

Boise, Idaho – The CEO of MPC Computers apologized to Boston College defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka on Thursday for making fun of his name during a banquet before the Eagles’ bowl game against Boise State.

At a banquet Monday night before the MPC Computers Bowl between the Eagles and Boise State, Mike Adkins read a list of the top 10 things Boise and Boston have in common, including, “No one in either city can properly pronounce Mathias Kiwanuka.”