Nicholson is latest Bengal behind bars

May 19, 2007

NFL
Linebacker A.J. Nicholson was arrested on a domestic violence charge yesterday, the first arrest of a Cincinnati Bengals player since commissioner Roger Goodell cracked down on misconduct last month. Nicholson already was one of nine Bengals players arrested during a nine-month span, turning the team into a prime example of player misconduct. Police in nearby Taylor Mill, Ky., arrested Nicholson after a woman called 911 yesterday afternoon to say she had been assaulted by the second-year player . . . Chicago Bears defensive tackle Tank Johnson said he's ready to accept whatever punishment Goodell gives him for his recent off-field problems that included a two-month stint in jail. "I feel like whatever sanction he imposes, I'm man enough to take it and I know that once I get back on the field, that chapter of my life is closed," Johnson said . . . Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs, upset at being tagged the franchise player, was an expected no-show at Chicago's minicamp . . . Miami Dolphins coach Cam Cameron, speaking publicly about Ricky Williams's latest drug relapse for the first time, said nothing has changed regarding the suspended running back's status, but added, "I will not allow our fans to be let down by people that are not on our roster -- not again." . . . Brett Favre said he never meant to disparage his teammates when he complained recently about the Packers' front office and its inability to complete a trade for receiver Randy Moss . . . Veteran receiver Keyshawn Johnson visited with the Tennessee Titans but said he has no timetable for when he hopes to have a deal.

Linebacker Junior Seau was scheduled to visit with the Patriots yesterday to take a physical for team officials. Seau was expected to sign a one-year contract to return to the club if he passed the physical. In other news, the Patriots have spoken with representatives for veteran free agent linebacker Chad Brown, although Brown's agent said yesterday an agreement has not been reached.

MIKE REISS

Baseball

White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen unleashed a profanity-laced outburst on a morning radio show in Chicago after the host questioned why starting catcher A.J. Pierzynski wasn't in the lineup for the interleague opener against the Cubs. "Ozzie called up and after he swore the first time, I asked him nicely to take it easy. He swore again and that's when it blew up," WSCR-AM host Mike North said. Guillen, on the way to Wrigley Field, phoned from his car . . . Rangers third baseman Hank Blalock will have surgery to remove a rib Monday and could be out up to three months. Team officials said he had been diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome, which affects the nerves that pass through the shoulder into the neck. The two-time All-Star was hitting .285 with five home runs and 16 RBIs . . . Twins reliever Jesse Crain will miss the rest of the season with a torn labrum and rotator cuff, leaving him unavailable for at least eight months . . . The Yankees hope to announce next week whether righthander Carl Pavano will need surgery. Pavano might require a reconstructive elbow operation, which would sideline him through most of next year.

Miscellany

Heat guard Dwyane Wade is recovering from surgery this week on his left shoulder and knee, operations he opted to have the same day to speed up his return to the court. Miami coach Pat Riley has said Wade -- who averaged 27.4 points this season -- might need six months to recover . . . NBA Coach of the Year Sam Mitchell agreed to a new contract with the Raptors, The Canadian Press reported. The Canadian Press, citing an unidentified source close to the negotiations, said an announcement could come Tuesday. The 43-year-old Mitchell led the Raptors to a 47-35 record . . . Rafael Nadal extended his record winning streak on clay to 80 matches by defeating Fernando Gonzalez, 6-4, 6-4, to reach the semifinals of the Hamburg Masters. Roger Federer also reached the semis, but struggled to beat David Ferrer, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 . . . Iditarod musher Ramy Brooks was suspended for two years and placed on three years' probation for abusing his dogs . . . Dale Earnhardt Jr. said he's had preliminary talks with potential employers since announcing last week that he was leaving DEI, his late father's company, at the end of the season. Earnhardt wouldn't reveal whom he has spoken to so far . . . Unbeaten Irish middleweight John Duddy recovered from a cut over his right eye early in the fight to earn a unanimous 10-round decision over Dupre Strickland at the Beacon Theater in New York.