| Read and React: Miss hits
The mock drafts had many readers wondering why their favorite college stars were missing.
Labor talks between NFL, union resume (AP)
Talks between the NFL and its players union resumed Friday afternoon, minus the rhetoric that has characterized earlier discussions. That was perhaps a sign that the sides take seriously the ramifications of beginning free agency without a new deal -- something that was seven hours away from happening before the league and the union agreed Thursday to extend by three days the start of the NFL's...
Cowboys' Glover released, Nguyen retires (AP)
The Dallas Cowboys have released defensive tackle La'Roi Glover and announced the retirement of linebacker Dat Nguyen. Glover, a 10-year veteran who signed with the Cowboys as a free agent in 2002, was cut Thursday. Glover made his sixth Pro Bowl last season, finishing with 26 tackles and three sacks.
Steelers cut Maddox, Willie Williams (AP)
Tommy Maddox, who lost his starting quarterback's job shortly after Ben Roethlisberger's arrival in 2004, was released Friday by the Pittsburgh Steelers in a long-expected salary cap move. Also cut was Willie Williams, a cornerback on the Steelers' 1995 Super Bowl team who unexpectedly became a starter again after returning to the team in 2004.
Browns extend RB Droughns' contract (AP)
Running back Reuben Droughns, who last season became the first Cleveland back to go over 1,000 yards since 1985, signed a three-year contract extension Friday. Droughns rushed for 1,232 yards last year and broke Jim Brown's record for carries in a season (309) while starting all 16 games, finally giving the Browns some consistency at the position.
Cuts may help Seahawks sign Alexander (AP)
The Seattle Seahawks cut cornerback Andre Dyson and linebacker Jamie Sharper on Thursday and got more time to work on a new contract for NFL MVP Shaun Alexander. The cuts saved the Seahawks over $6.7 million against the league's $94.5 million salary cap for 2006 and left them about $13 million below the cap for now.
Titans keep McNair for $1M through 2006 (AP)
The Tennessee Titans decided Thursday they will pay a $1 million fee to keep quarterback Steve McNair this season but allow him to become a free agent after 2006. The move means the Titans won't have to pay a $50 million option that would have extended McNair's contract through 2009, the quarterback's agent said Thursday.
Culpepper, Williams: Boat case biased (AP)
The prosecutor in the Minnesota Vikings' boat party case denied Thursday that race played any role in his decision to charge four black players and not two white men for their alleged conduct on a cruise last October. Lawyers for Minnesota Vikings players Daunte Culpepper and Moe Williams accused prosecutor Steven Tallen of racial discrimination on Wednesday.
Classic or boring?
The World Baseball Classic is a big deal, except, says Larry, in the country that gave birth to the sport.
S. Korea routs China 10-1 at WBC (AP)
South Korea beat China 10-1 in the World Baseball Classic on Saturday, closing in on a trip to the second round of the 16-nation tournament. Lee Seung-yeop homered twice, drove in five runs and finished with four hits for South Korea, which improved to 2-0 in the inaugural WBC. South Korea shut out Taiwan 2-0 Friday behind pitchers Jae-Weong Seo of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chan Ho Park of the...
Cubs' Wood to have knee surgery (AP)
Chicago Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood will have minor arthroscopic surgery on his right knee next week, general manager Jim Hendry said Friday. Wood's surgery will take place Tuesday in Los Angeles. The 28-year-old Wood had arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder last Aug. 31 and was not expected to be ready for the start of this season.
Nats OF Guillen could miss three months (AP)
Washington Nationals outfielder Jose Guillen has a wrist injury that could require surgery and sideline him for three months. Guillen was examined early Friday by a hand specialist, who diagnosed swollen tendons and a damaged tendon in the left wrist. Guillen felt discomfort during batting practice Wednesday and later told the team he thought he'd hurt himself during weight training.
Star-studded U.S. team begins workouts (AP)
America might be taking a blase attitude toward the inaugural World Baseball Classic. The players on the star-studded U.S. team certainly aren't. Team USA was focused on patriotism, pride and performance in its first workout Friday at Chase Field, formerly known as Bank One Ballpark. In their squeaky-clean white uniforms, with "USA" on their chest and an American flag on their caps, the players posed...
Schilling excels in exhibition debut (AP)
Curt Schilling struck out his first two batters of spring training. He allowed one hit in four shutout innings. And, he said, he doesn't think about the ankle that ruined his 2005 season. The Red Sox ace of 2004 who struggled with his injury most of last year was outstanding in his exhibition debut Friday, a 10-0 win over Boston College in a seven-inning game.
Venezuela likes its chances at WBC (AP)
Luis Sojo is ready to replace Ozzie Guillen as Venezuela's baseball hero. The former New York Yankees infielder watched over the first workout of Venezuela's national team Friday night and, pleased with what he saw, said his team is well-positioned to beat out its more glamorous rivals and take home the title in the first World Baseball Classic.
Marlins finally know Reese isn't missing (AP)
Florida Marlins second baseman Pokey Reese failed to show up for two consecutive days of spring training without explanation, briefly raising concerns regarding his whereabouts before he contacted his agent, the team said Friday. General manager Larry Beinfest said Reese gave no indication that he was taking time off, and for two days the team had no idea where he was.
Read and React: Miss hits
The mock drafts had many readers wondering why their favorite college stars were missing.
Labor talks between NFL, union resume (AP)
Talks between the NFL and its players union resumed Friday afternoon, minus the rhetoric that has characterized earlier discussions. That was perhaps a sign that the sides take seriously the ramifications of beginning free agency without a new deal -- something that was seven hours away from happening before the league and the union agreed Thursday to extend by three days the start of the NFL's...
Cowboys' Glover released, Nguyen retires (AP)
The Dallas Cowboys have released defensive tackle La'Roi Glover and announced the retirement of linebacker Dat Nguyen. Glover, a 10-year veteran who signed with the Cowboys as a free agent in 2002, was cut Thursday. Glover made his sixth Pro Bowl last season, finishing with 26 tackles and three sacks.
Steelers cut Maddox, Willie Williams (AP)
Tommy Maddox, who lost his starting quarterback's job shortly after Ben Roethlisberger's arrival in 2004, was released Friday by the Pittsburgh Steelers in a long-expected salary cap move. Also cut was Willie Williams, a cornerback on the Steelers' 1995 Super Bowl team who unexpectedly became a starter again after returning to the team in 2004.
Browns extend RB Droughns' contract (AP)
Running back Reuben Droughns, who last season became the first Cleveland back to go over 1,000 yards since 1985, signed a three-year contract extension Friday. Droughns rushed for 1,232 yards last year and broke Jim Brown's record for carries in a season (309) while starting all 16 games, finally giving the Browns some consistency at the position.
Cuts may help Seahawks sign Alexander (AP)
The Seattle Seahawks cut cornerback Andre Dyson and linebacker Jamie Sharper on Thursday and got more time to work on a new contract for NFL MVP Shaun Alexander. The cuts saved the Seahawks over $6.7 million against the league's $94.5 million salary cap for 2006 and left them about $13 million below the cap for now.
Titans keep McNair for $1M through 2006 (AP)
The Tennessee Titans decided Thursday they will pay a $1 million fee to keep quarterback Steve McNair this season but allow him to become a free agent after 2006. The move means the Titans won't have to pay a $50 million option that would have extended McNair's contract through 2009, the quarterback's agent said Thursday.
Culpepper, Williams: Boat case biased (AP)
The prosecutor in the Minnesota Vikings' boat party case denied Thursday that race played any role in his decision to charge four black players and not two white men for their alleged conduct on a cruise last October. Lawyers for Minnesota Vikings players Daunte Culpepper and Moe Williams accused prosecutor Steven Tallen of racial discrimination on Wednesday.
Power rankings
Who has time to bemoan North America's failures in Turin when so many NHL teams are in the playoff hunt?
'Canes tie franchise mark for home wins (AP)
Another game at home, another victory for the Carolina Hurricanes. At this rate, the franchise's record book might soon be obsolete. "It's not something we're focused on or talking about here in the room," left wing Erik Cole said. "We're just trying to win every game, and the points are the most important thing for us." Those are adding up, too.
Sabres win after raising LaFontaine's 16 (AP)
Derek Roy was happy that his first NHL hat trick came in an important victory for the Buffalo Sabres. Roy had a goal in each period, and Ryan Miller had 21 saves to lift the Sabres to a 6-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday night. Roy began the memorable night with a power-play goal in the first period, notched a 4-on-4 tally in the second, and had another power-play goal with 3.5 seconds...
Ozolinsh carries Ducks by Wild 4-2 (AP)
Sandis Ozolinsh missed the Anaheim Mighty Ducks as much as they missed him. Ozolinsh scored the go-ahead goal with 7:11 left in the third period, leading the Ducks to a 4-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Friday night. It was just the second game the seven-time All-Star defenseman has played in the NHL after missing three months because of a knee injury and his entrance into the NHL's substance...
Wild sign G Fernandez to extension (AP)
The Minnesota Wild signed goaltender Manny Fernandez to a multiyear contract extension before Friday night's game against the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. The 31-year-old Fernandez is 23-11-4 and his 2.20 goals-against average is the fifth best in the NHL. "The Wild's commitment to Manny and his commitment to the team are based upon his play this season, and his performance with the Wild ever since he...
Hemsky helps Oilers end four-game slide (AP)
Ales Hemsky's winning goal was more than athletic, it was a bit artistic. The forward beat San Jose Sharks defenseman Josh Gorges with an inside-out deke before sliding the puck between the legs of Vesa Toskala with 1:07 left as the Edmonton Oilers earned a 3-2 win on Friday night. "The kid's got unbelievable talent," linemate Shawn Horcoff said.
Canucks rally, defeat Blackhawks in SO (AP)
The Vancouver Canucks turned a shaky start into a strong finish. Markus Naslund scored the only shootout goal and lifted the Canucks to a 5-4 comeback victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night. The Canucks, who trailed 3-0 after the first period and 4-2 following 40 minutes, finally got even when Brendan Morrison scored with 6:56 left in regulation.
Flyers F Brashear suspended one game (AP)
Philadelphia Flyers forward Donald Brashear was suspended for one game by the NHL on Friday for instigating a fight with New York Rangers defenseman Darius Kasparaitis. Brashear punched Kasparaitis late in Philadelphia's 6-1 loss to the Rangers on Thursday night and tried to goad him into a fight. Kasparaitis stayed down on the ice instead of throwing punches back.
Predators' Perreault on injured reserve (AP)
Nashville Predators center Yanic Perreault will miss two to four weeks with a strained knee. Perreault was injured on a power play late in Nashville's 3-1 victory over Vancouver on Thursday night. The 11-year veteran scored his 21st goal of the season earlier in the game. Perreault has played in every Predators game this season.
Stars sign D Boucher to 3-year extension (AP)
Dallas Stars defenseman Philippe Boucher, a 12-year veteran who already has career highs in goals and points this season, signed a three-year contract extension Friday. The 32-year-old Boucher, whose contract was to expire in June, has 12 goals, including three game-winners, and 31 points in 44 games.
Jagr leads Rangers to 7th straight win (AP)
Jaromir Jagr might have finished the game instead of resting his sore groin had the score been closer. With Jagr leading a dominating night for the New York Rangers on the power play, there was no need to risk further injury. Jagr scored his NHL-leading 41st and 42nd goals and also had an assist to lead the Rangers to their seventh straight victory, 6-1 over Philadelphia on Thursday night.
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