Seattle might catch heat for Owens’ first practice Seattle might catch heat for Owens’ first practice ADVERTISING RENTON, Wash. — The Seattle Seahawks said Thursday they violated the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement by allowing Terrell Owens to practice in shoulder
Seattle might catch heat for Owens’ first practice
RENTON, Wash. — The Seattle Seahawks said Thursday they violated the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement by allowing Terrell Owens to practice in shoulder pads during his first on-field practice.
The team said it unintentionally committed the violation and that Owens should have just been in a shell and not shoulder pads during his debut practice on Wednesday.
League spokesman Greg Aiello said in an email that the league is gathering facts. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram first reported the possible violation.
The CBA states that players have a three-day acclimation period during the preseason after signing: “Day 1 is for the physical and meetings. Day 2 and 3 the player may participate, but only in helmet and shells or a padded shirt. Day 4 and for the rest of camp is in full pads.”
Owens signed Monday, making it his first day. He attended meetings and a walkthrough on Tuesday and was in full pads for Wednesday’s practice.
It’s unclear if the team will face any discipline.
NHL prepared for lockout if no deal by Sept. 15
NEW YORK — With time running out on NHL labor talks, commissioner Gary Bettman cautioned Thursday that the league is prepared to lock out its players if a new collective bargaining agreement is not reached by Sept. 15, when the current deal expires.
“Time is running short and the owners are not prepared to operate under this collective bargaining agreement for another season, so we need to get to making a deal and doing it soon,” Bettman said after the two sides met at the league headquarters.
When asked if Sept. 15 is a hard deadline, Bettman said, “Our efforts are going to be devoted to trying to make a deal.” He then reiterated his previous statement that owners aren’t prepared to operate under the current system.
Saying a “wide gap” still existed between the two sides on numerous issues, Bettman added the potential for a lockout is something the NHL Players’ Association has been aware of for much of the past year.
Judge: Suit over megamall premature
HACKENSACK, N.J. — A judge has dismissed part of a lawsuit filed by the New York Giants and New York Jets to halt a megamall in New Jersey’s Meadowlands, although the teams can still file legal challenges.
The teams claim the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority violated a 2006 agreement when it allowed developer Triple Five Group to expand the complex beyond its initial design without the teams’ approval.
The teams claim the complex, called American Dream, will cause massive parking and traffic problems on game days.
In Thursday’s ruling, the judge said it’s too early to consider the matter because the sports authority hasn’t given the project final approval.
Marquette reports potential hoops violation
MILWAUKEE — Marquette has reported a possible rules violation involving its men’s basketball program to the NCAA, athletic director Larry Williams said Thursday.
The nature of the violation was not disclosed.
“Recently, during the athletic department’s normal course of business, we discovered information regarding a possible NCAA rules violation involving our men’s basketball program,” Williams said. “Marquette University takes these matters seriously. Upon learning the information, we followed established protocols and reported the matter directly to the NCAA.”
Williams said the school is conducting a joint review with the NCAA and has no further comment.
Marquette coach Buzz Williams is 96-45 in four years as coach, including 46-26 in Big East play.
Judge: Davis’ personal calls to remain private
RALEIGH, N.C. — A judge has decided that former North Carolina football coach Butch Davis won’t have to release records of personal calls from his own cellphone, which he had used to conduct job duties.
In a memo to attorneys for both sides Thursday, Superior Court Judge Howard E. Manning Jr. granted Davis’ request for a protective order preventing that personal information from being made public.
However, Manning wrote that public officials can’t use personal phones to “evade” the state’s public records laws and said an “eyes-only review by counsel” of the job-related calls in the records is “reasonable.”
It’s unclear whether those records would be reviewed by just the attorneys or the media outlets involved in a public-records fight with the university regarding information about the NCAA’s investigation of the football program.
Nadal drops out of Cincinnati
CINCINNATI — Rafael Nadal dropped out of the Western & Southern Open on Thursday because of a knee problem that also forced him to miss the Olympics.
Nadal pulled out of the London Olympics because of a sore left knee, missing the chance to be Spain’s flag bearer in the opening ceremony.
He won the French Open for a record seventh time at the start of the season, but has been bothered by a problem with the tendon in the knee for weeks. He lost in the second round at Wimbledon and hasn’t played since then, dropping out of the Olympics and the Rogers Cup this week.
The Masters event in suburban Mason begins on Sunday. Nadal will be the only man ranked in the Top 10 who’s not in the tournament.
Murray withdraws from Rogers Cup
TORONTO — Andy Murray withdrew from the Rogers Cup because of a knee injury Thursday, the latest top player to pull out of the rain-delayed tournament.
The Olympic gold medalist hurt his left knee Wednesday night during the opening match against Flavio Cipolla. Murray was scheduled to face Canadian Milos Raonic in the third round Thursday night in the event where all singles play was wiped out by rain.
“Normally when I move on to hard courts, I have 10 days or so practicing and you feel things like this, but you can work around it by doing the right training and what not,” Murray said. “I don’t want to go full out and possibly do any more damage. That was why I decided not to play.”
Vinci routs Ivanovic at Rogers Cup
MONTREAL — Roberta Vinci routed former champion Ana Ivanovic 6-0, 6-0 Thursday at the Rogers Cup.
The 28th-ranked Vinci needed only 45 minutes to eliminate 12th-ranked Ivanovic and advance to the third round of the hardcourt tournament. Ivanovic won the Rogers Cup in 2006.
Carla Suarez Navarro upset Sabine Lisicki 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, while No. 10 Marion Bartoli advanced with a 6-1, 6-3 win over Shuai Peng.
Also, Aleksandra Wozniak upset No. 18 Jelena Jankovic 6-2, 6-3. The 55th-ranked Wozniak, who was 0-4 against Jankovic, dominated the baseline duel.
Indians fire pitching coach Scott Radinsky
CLEVELAND — One day after snapping an 11-game losing streak, the Cleveland Indians fired pitching coach Scott Radinsky.
Ruben Niebla was named an interim replacement Thursday before Cleveland opened a four-game home series against Boston.
Cleveland also put designated hitter Travis Hafner on the disabled list with a sore lower back and recalled infielder Jason Donald from Triple-A Columbus.
The Indians were outscored 95-36 during the losing streak, leading to the coaching change. Radinsky had been praised for his work as bullpen coach the previous two years. He took over as pitching coach this season when Tim Belcher stepped down.
Hawaii to practice at Pearl Harbor for week
HONOLULU — Hawaii’s football team is moving its fall camp to Pearl Harbor for a week.
Team officials said Thursday it would run its practices from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickham, with base personnel invited to attend.
The Warriors opened camp Aug. 2 and return to the university’s campus Aug. 20.
Hawaii’s first game is Sept. 1 at USC.
From wire sources
