Sunday, March 11, 2007
Free agent running back T.J. Duckett has agreed to a one-year contract with the Detroit Lions.
The agreement was reached late Friday with the former Michigan State star, Lions spokesman Bill Keenist said yesterday.
The 6-foot, 254-pound Duckett played last season with the Redskins after four with the Atlanta Falcons. He had 38 carries for Washington, finishing with 132 yards and two touchdowns.
Duckett was selected 18th overall by the Falcons in the 2002 NFL draft after finishing at Michigan State with 3,379 yards. . . .
Offensive lineman Sean Mahan became the Pittsburgh Steelers' first free agent pickup of the offseason, agreeing to a five-year contract. . . .
The Oakland Raiders added another running back to their roster, agreeing to a three-year, $3.8 million contract with free agent fullback Justin Griffith. The deal with Griffith comes a day after Oakland signed running back Dominic Rhodes.
· HOCKEY: Chris Simon met with NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell, then waited to find out how long he will be suspended for his vicious two-handed stick attack to the face of Rangers forward Ryan Hollweg.
The New York Islanders forward, suspended indefinitely Friday for his retaliatory hit against Hollweg the night before, attended a disciplinary hearing at the league's offices in New York along with representatives from the team and the NHL players' association.
There was no immediate announcement of how many games Simon will miss. He was given a match penalty Thursday for deliberate attempt to injure.
· COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Clemson running back Ray Ray McElrathbey, who took custody of his 12-year-old brother last year, was suspended from the team for at least four practices because of academic concerns.
Coach Tommy Bowden said McElrathbey will return to the team after spring break if he gets his class work in order.
McElrathbey is raising his brother, Fahmarr, because of their mother's drug addiction. Bowden was asked if McElrathbey's numerous responsibilities led to academic problems.
"I think we have been awful patient in that regard," Bowden said. "We've gone above and beyond the call of duty."
· BOXING: Wladimir Klitschko retained his IBF heavyweight title, stopping American challenger Ray Austin in the second round in Mannheim, Germany.
The Ukrainian knocked down Austin 87 seconds into the round with two left hooks. The American climbed to his feet, but the referee stopped the fight.
Klitschko improved his record to 48-3 with 43 knockouts in the mandatory defense, while Austin fell to 24-4 with four draws and 16 knockouts.
· SOCCER: Cristiano Ronaldo converted a second-half penalty to give Manchester United a 2-2 draw at Middlesbrough in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup. . . .
Matteo Serafini scored three goals to give Brescia a 3-1 win over Juventus and hand the Serie B leader its second loss this season.
In Serie A, Sampdoria was held to a 1-1 tie by Cagliari.
-- From News Services
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