Ravens, Suggs Compromise With One Year, $8.5 Million

The Baltimore Ravens have reached a compromise with franchise player Terrell Suggs, his agent said yesterday.

Suggs filed a grievance against the team in March after the Ravens tagged him with the one-year, $8.065 million linebacker tag. He was seeking to be paid the defensive end franchise designation of $8,879,000.

Now, Suggs will be paid a one-year tender worth nearly $8.5 million as a hybrid defensive end-linebacker, according to his agent, Gary Wichard. The compromise was prompted by a suggestion from Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome to jump-start stalled negotiations. . . .

Kellen Winslow wouldn't be practicing anyway, but his absence from the Cleveland Browns' organized team activities this week is notable.

Unlike minicamps, the three weeks of OTAs are not mandatory. However, players usually report so they can take part in conditioning drills and team meetings or rehab injuries.

Star tight end Winslow underwent offseason knee surgery. He also has made it clear he wants the Browns to redo his contract.

It's unclear if Winslow's absence is health related or foreshadowing a contract dispute. Coach Romeo Crennel didn't provide any insight as to Winslow's absence.

· TENNIS: In Germany, top-ranked Roger Federer eased past Jarkko Nieminen, 6-1, 6-3, to reach the third round of the Hamburg Masters, a tournament he has won four times.

Second-ranked Rafael Nadal needed to work harder to overcome Potito Starace, 6-4, 7-6 (8-6). James Blake was upset by Janko Tipsarevic, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. . . .

Maria Sharapova moved a step closer to the No. 1 ranking, overcoming some erratic moments before beating Dominika Cibulkova, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, in the second round of the Italian Open in Rome.

Sharapova is No. 2 and third-ranked Ana Ivanovic-- the tournament's top seed -- was upset by Bulgarian qualifier Tsvetana Pironkova, 6-4, 5-7, 6-2.

Fifth-seeded Serena Williams routed Alona Bondarenko, 6-2, 6-0, and No. 7 Venus Williams overcame an early challenge from Samantha Stosur before beating the Australian player, 6-4, 6-1.

· COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Quarterback Ryan Perrilloux, kicked off Louisiana State University's national championship team after repeated off-the-field problems, signed with Jacksonville State.

Perrilloux will be able to transfer and start immediately for the Gamecocks. The MVP of last season's Southeastern Conference title game won't have to sit out a year because Jacksonville State plays in division I-AA.

Jacksonville State Coach Jack Crowe said he needed an experienced quarterback after dismissing last year's starter for disciplinary reasons. The 21-year-old Perrilloux was a sophomore last season. . . .

Washington & Lee's Division III team plans to travel to France to play against a semi-pro team in June 2009.

Coach Frank Miriello said his team will use its travel abroad and game against the Paris Flash to build team cohesion while also learning about American, French and European history to earn course credit.

The Lexington, Va., school says the nine-day trip also will include visits to Paris, the cemeteries at the D-Day beaches and countryside mansions.

-- From News Services