Raiders don't pass up Culpepper

Football
Free agent quarterback Daunte Culpepper signed a one-year contract with the Raiders yesterday, giving Oakland a backup plan for unsigned top draft pick JaMarcus Russell. Culpepper worked out in the afternoon before a gathering of Raiders scouts and coaches, and coach Lane Kiffin announced the signing shortly after the team completed practice. Culpepper, who was released by Miami July 17, said the Raiders "are giving me the opportunity to compete for the starting job," yet acknowledged that part of his role in Oakland will be helping Russell "get ready to take over for the future." . . . The Bears and defensive tackle Darwin Walker agreed to a five-year, $25 million contract, two days after the team acquired him in a trade with Buffalo . . . Jaguars center Brad Meester broke a bone in his right ankle during practice Monday night and will be sidelined at least eight weeks after having surgery today . . . Frank Gore, the 49ers' Pro Bowl running back, broke a bone in his right hand during Monday's practice and might miss the preseason. He could return to noncontact drills wearing a cast . . . Cowboys receiver Terry Glenn is expected to miss two weeks after having arthroscopic surgery today on his right knee . . . An MRI on Redskins left tackle Chris Samuels revealed a grade 2 sprain of his right MCL, meaning he will likely miss the entire preseason . . . The sporting goods company Rawlings said it was ending its relationship with Falcons quarterback Michael Vick because of dogfighting conspiracy charges.

Cycling

German authorities said they have received documents from doping expert Werner Franke that he claims show Tour de France winner Alberto Contador was involved in doping. Franke said he has documents from last year's Operation Puerto doping investigation in Spain which show that Contador, a Spaniard, had taken HMG-Lepori as a testosterone booster and an asthma product called TGN. Contador said Saturday his name mistakenly turned up in the Puerto file, and that cycling's governing body corrected the mistake . . . The Astana cycling team will not race in the four UCI Pro-Tour races in August following the doping scandal involving Alexandre Vinokourov at the Tour de France . . . Cristian Moreni, who tested positive for testosterone at the Tour de France, will face the Italian Olympic Committee's antidoping prosecutor next week.

Hockey

The group of businessmen bidding to buy the Predators -- and likely keep them in Nashville -- is close enough to finalizing its offer that a letter of intent giving the group exclusive negotiating rights could be signed today. The businessmen working with Predators owner Craig Leipold would like to complete the purchase before the season starts. "This is not a final purchase-and-sale deal," group member Herb Fritch said. "It's the first significant concrete step toward getting there." . . . The Senators and center Chris Kelly avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a $1.26 million, one-year contract. Kelly set career highs last season with 15 goals and 23 assists . . . The Rangers avoided an arbitration hearing by agreeing to terms with forward Marcel Hossa on a one-year contract worth $780,000 . . . The Sabres and defenseman Nathan Paetsch agreed to a three-year deal.

Miscellany

Police found evidence of cocaine and drug paraphernalia at former major league pitcher Rod Beck's home in northeast Phoenix when he was found dead June 23. A police report released yesterday indicated evidence in several places at the former Red Sox reliever's house, including the bathroom and the master bedroom in which the 38-year-old Beck was found by his personal assistant, who told officers that Beck "used cocaine on a daily basis." Police also found a loaded semiautomatic handgun in a bag containing numerous glass bowl pipes and torch lighters . . . John Otness's RBI single in the top of the ninth inning gave the Portland Sea Dogs a 4-3 win over the Bowie Baysox in the Eastern League . . . According to his agent, forward Chuck Hayes and the Houston Rockets have agreed on a four-year contract . . . The Connecticut Sun had their way with the Chicago Sky, getting 18 points from Katie Douglas in a 74-56 win in Uncasville, Conn. In other WNBA games, Phoenix edged Houston, 76-74; Los Angeles beat New York, 73-63; San Antonio stopped Detroit, 84-79; Indiana dropped Washington, 66-57; and Sacramento defeated Seattle, 78-74 . . . Funeral services for Wake Forest basketball coach Skip Prosser, who died of an apparent heart attack last week, were held in Winston-Salem, N.C. . . . Erik Vendt of North Easton knocked off American record-holder Larsen Jensen in the men's 1,500-meter freestyle during the first night of the US National Swimming Championships in Indianapolis . . . Top seed Andy Roddick fired off 18 aces and beat Tomas Zib, 6-4, 6-2, to reach the third round of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic in Washington . . . Tony Stewart was fined $25,000 and docked 25 points by NASCAR for cursing during his television interview after his win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. NASCAR also docked car owner Joe Gibbs 25 points . . . Antonio Grillo (68) of Farm Neck Golf Club and Josh Salah (73) of Bass Rocks Golf Club are at even-par 144 heading into today's final round of the Massachusetts Junior Championship at Crumpin-Fox Club in Bernardston . . . Brent Wanner of Orleans shot rounds of 70 and 66 and finished at 8-under 205 to win the Rhode Island Open at Green Valley Country Club in Providence . . . Kyle Gallo (Timberlin) slipped to a 72 at Lake of Isles Golf Club in North Stonington but still leads the Connecticut Open by two shots at 5-under 139.