Rocky Mountain News

HomeSportsMore Sports

Finish line, September 12

Published September 12, 2007 at midnight

Report: NFL might punish Patriots

The NFL reportedly is considering punishing the New England Patriots for spying on the New York Jets in their opener.

ESPN.com, citing league sources, reported Tuesday that commissioner Roger Goodell has determined the Patriots violated league rules Sunday when they videotaped defensive signals by the Jets' coaches.

But the report also said the Patriots have not yet presented their case to the league.

The report said Goodell is considering severe sanctions, including docking the Patriots "multiple draft picks."

In other NFL moves:

Quarterback JaMarcus Russell arrived in the Bay Area to sign a record rookie deal with the Raiders and end the longest holdout in more than two decades by the league's top pick.

Defensive end Bryce Fisher, a former Air Force athlete, was traded by the Seahawks to the Titans after serving as a starter in Seattle for two seasons.

Quarterback Charlie Frye was traded by the Browns to the Seahawks for a sixth-round draft pick, raising rookie quarterback Brady Quinn to No. 2 on the depth chart.

The Redskins signed receiver Reche Caldwell, who led the Patriots in receptions last season.

The Panthers signed tight end Christian Fauria, a former University of Colorado athlete, and released cornerback Curtis Deloatch.

Rams defensive tackle Claude Wroten was suspended without pay for four games for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.

SHOCK LEADS SERIES Katie Smith scored 22 points to help the defending champion Detroit Shock beat the Phoenix Mercury 88-83 and take a 2-1 lead in the WNBA finals.

PACER ARRESTED The Indiana Pacers saw another player land in legal trouble with the arrest of forward Shawne Williams on marijuana possession and other charges, the third time in less than a year that players have made the police blotter.

GREEKS ADVANCE Greece clinched a berth in the quarterfinals of the European Basketball Championship with an 85-67 win over Portugal. Croatia advanced despite an 83-70 loss to Russia. Spain beat Israel 99-73.

REED CLEARED Houston Rockets forward Justin Reed was cleared of misdemeanor marijuana charges because others submitted affidavits claiming the drugs, his attorney said.

WRIGHT RISES Kyle Wright again is the University of Miami starting quarterback, passing Kirby Freeman on the depth chart.

COACH HOSPITALIZED Duquesne men's basketball coach Ron Everhart is expected to remain hospitalized until Friday after having a small portion of his colon removed.

SUIT DROPPED Rutgers women's basketball player Kia Vaughn withdrew a slander and defamation lawsuit she had filed against Don Imus and CBS Radio, among others.

MILLER OUT Vancouver Canucks defenseman Aaron Miller, a former Avalanche player, will undergo minor abdominal surgery.

DAVENPORT WINS RETURN Lindsay Davenport's first singles match in nearly a year was a winning one, an overpowering 6-2, 6-2 victory over fifth-seeded Eleni Daniilidou at the Bali Open in Nusa Dua, Indonesia.

DOMINGUEZ TAKES STAGE Cuban rider Ivan Dominguez won the first stage of the inaugural Tour of Missouri, a 85-mile circuit beginning and ending in Kansas City's Country Club Plaza district.

ARGENTINA ROLLS Argentina moved closer to the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals with a 33-3 victory over Georgia.

U.S. center Paul Emerick received a five-week ban for a dangerous tackle Saturday on England flyhalf Olly Barkley.

England captain Phil Vickery, cited for tripping Emerick when the American was about to set off for the tryline, was suspended for two games.

FERGUSON ATTACKED Manchester United soccer team manager Alex Ferguson was attacked at a London train station and sustained injuries to his leg.

HUNTER HIRED Shawn Hunter, a former Avalanche executive, has been hired as president and chief executive officer of Major League Soccer club Chivas USA.

North Korea, U.S. tie in opener

CHENGDU, China - The United States allowed two goals while leader Abby Wambach was off the field - one on a blunder by goalkeeper Hope Solo - then rallied for a 2-2 tie in its opener at the Women's World Cup soccer tournament.

Wambach scored the first U.S. goal but had to leave the field to receive stitches for a gash to her head.

That's when North Korea capitalized for a 2-1 lead. Heather O'Reilly scored in the 69th minute to gain the tie.

The top-ranked Americans, trying to regain the title they won in 1991 in China and 1999 at home, extended their unbeaten streak to 47 games.

Playing in the toughest of four groups, they put pressure on themselves heading into games against third-ranked Sweden on Friday and Nigeria on Tuesday.

In another match, Aya Miyama scored her second goal of the game off a 30-yard free kick with five seconds left, rallying Japan to a 2-2 tie against England.

Back to Top

Search »