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SPORTS – No. 1 pick Cam Newton signs deal with Panthers (AP)

Jul 302011

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – No. 1 draft pick Cam Newton has signed with the Carolina Panthers and has arrived at training camp.

The team announced Friday evening that he had signed a deal and was attending team meetings. The Panthers also said on Twitter that the quarterback “had officially signed on the dotted line.”

Bus Cook, Newton’s agent, told the The Associated Press via a text message Friday night that the deal was for four years and “$22 million-plus.”

Newton was seen Friday evening driving into the back lot of the Richardson Physical Activities Building and entering the offices that serve as team headquarters for Carolina’s training camp at Wofford College.

Panthers coach Ron Rivera had said earlier Friday that he expected the former Auburn quarterback to be at Wofford when Carolina held its first practice session on Saturday. Also earlier Friday, general manager Marty Hurney said the sides were making good progress on an agreement.

The Heisman Trophy winner may be the biggest financial casualty of the NFL lockout.

The new collective bargaining agreement sets a rookie wage scale for first-year players. Last year’s No. 1 draft pick, Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford, signed a six-year, $78 million contract with the St. Louis Rams last summer. Newton would’ve been in for a likely even better payday if not for the lockout.

At Auburn, Newton took snaps out of the shotgun in a spread offense where he had opportunities to run and pass for big yardage. He threw for 30 touchdowns and rushed for 20 more in the Tigers’ 14-0 title-winning season.

Newton will have to move under center and scramble less in offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski’s offense

“I don’t think it’s going to be a problem for me. I think it’s just timing more than anything,” Newton said last May. “Just repetition as far as me knowing what I have to do, knowing the assignment, the alignment and what everybody’s doing on that particular play.”

Newton has had Chudzinski’s playbook since April 29, when a judge temporarily lifted the lockout. Panthers receiver Steve Smith said he was impressed with Newton’s skills he saw during private workouts the two have had before labor peace was reached.

Another Panthers rookie from Auburn, receiver Darvin Adams, called Newton a “natural born leader.”

Newton will be looked at to bring stability to a position where the Panthers struggled greatly last season. Carolina was last in several NFL categories and finished with the fewest points in team history.

Rivera said Newton would battle for the starting job with the quarterbacks in camp, last year’s starter Jimmy Clausen and Tony Pike. General manager Marty Hurney didn’t rule out bringing a veteran quarterback to add depth during camp.

Newton was the focus of an NCAA investigation. The governing body ruled that his father, Cecil, had sought money from Mississippi State when Cam Newton was being recruited out of junior college. The quarterback signed with Auburn and was deemed eligible after a one-day suspension when the NCAA’s reinstatement staff found he didn’t know about the pay-for-play scheme. He was cleared to play in the SEC and national championship games.

___

AP Sports Writer David Brandt in Jackson, Miss. contributed to this story

SPORTS – Charges dropped against Brandon Marshall’s wife (AP)

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Jul 302011

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – South Florida prosecutors have dropped charges accusing the wife of Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brandon Marshall of stabbing him.

The Broward County State Attorney’s Office said Friday it would not pursue an aggravated battery charge against 26-year-old Michi Nogami-Marshall. A charge of violating pre-trial conditions is also being dropped.

Nogami-Marshall was arrested in April after Marshall was stabbed in the abdomen during a domestic dispute. He was treated and released from the hospital the next day.

Nogami-Marshall would only say that she acted in self-defense. Marshall told police that he slipped and fell onto broken glass from a vase. Police found no blood on the broken glass and charged Marshall’s wife with the stabbing.

SPORTS – Colts expect QB Manning to miss start of camp (AP)

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Jul 302011

INDIANAPOLIS – The pain in Peyton Manning’s neck will keep him off the practice field early next week.

Indianapolis still isn’t sure how long it will take to get back the four-time MVP.

Colts coach Jim Caldwell said Friday the Colts will be cautious with their franchise quarterback, who had neck surgery in May, and will not push him too hard. Camp opens Monday at Anderson University.

“Obviously, he’s not ready right now, but nobody works harder and is more dedicated than him,” Caldwell said. “When he’s ready, we’ll turn him loose.”

Caldwell did not provide a timetable for Manning’s return though he did say he expected Manning to report to camp — if he has a contract.

It’s the second time in four years the Colts will open camp without Manning.

In 2008, Manning missed all of training with an infected bursa sac in his left knee, which required two surgeries. He struggled during the first half of the season, but led the Colts to nine straight wins to make it back into the playoffs.

He also had neck surgery in March 2010 but recovered and did not miss any practices at camp.

The only other time Manning has missed even a portion of training camp was in 1998, when he was out one week before signing his first contract.

Teammates said they aren’t concerned that Manning won’t be throwing right away.

“I’ve told him to be as cautious as he needs to be because the last time I checked, we don’t count preseason games,” Pro Bowl center Jeff Saturday said. “I can tell you this, there’s not a player that works harder than he does.”

The questions about Manning’s health have been increasing ever since he had the surgery.

In June, Archie Manning, Peyton’s father, said his son’s rehab wasn’t going as quickly as expected. A month later, at the family’s annual passing academy, Peyton Manning barely threw and said he was being cautious with his rehab because lockout rules prevented him from working out with Colts team trainers.

Last week, team owner Jim Irsay acknowledged Manning might not be ready when practices begin Monday, a position he reiterated just hours after the lockout ended.

“You don’t want him doing too much too soon and you don’t know on recoveries,” Irsay said. “A lot of times eight weeks is enough. But to get a full recovery, it’s going to be a little longer in this case.”

While the trainers are monitoring Manning’s progress, Caldwell said the coaches have not had a chance to see Manning and he’s not sure when they will.

Manning is still locked into negotiations for a long-term contract that could keep him in Indy for the rest of his career. In February, the Colts tagged Manning as their exclusive franchise player, meaning he would make about $23 million this season if he signed the one-year offer.

Until he signs one or the other, Manning couldn’t practice anyway.

Irsay has promised to make Manning the highest-paid player in league history, but even he acknowledges that’s a very high price with a salary cap slated at $120.3 million. Indy hopes that by lowering Manning’s salary cap number, they will be able to sign more of their free agents.

But that’s not necessarily what Manning wants.

“While I appreciate Jim Irsay offering to make me the highest-paid player, I told him I’d rather he save that money and keep whoever it is . . . Joe Addai, Charlie Johnson, whoever that may be,” Manning told The Indianapolis Star on Friday night.

Manning also said he wanted a deal completed by Sunday or earlier.

The team confirmed Friday that it had agreed to new deals with kicker Adam Vinatieri and safety Melvin Bullitt. On Thursday, the Colts also lost linebacker Clint Session to Jacksonville, which signed him to a five-year deal worth more than $29 million.

Indy also signed its first draft pick, fourth-round choice Delone Carter, a running back from Syracuse. His agent, Hadley Engelhard, said Carter signed a standard four-year deal with league minimum base salaries.

The Colts are still trying to re-sign two key veterans: running back Joseph Addai and left tackle Charlie Johnson, two players who would help protect Indy’s biggest investment.

“We’ve been in a lockout, and when you think about that, it’s very difficult to get that (Manning’s deal) done in two, three days,” Caldwell said. “It’s going to take a couple days, and it will be done at some point in time. When it is, we’ll be ready to go.”

Manning isn’t the only player the Colts have been getting medical checks on.

Pro Bowl tight end Dallas Clark has been cleared for full participation and will wear a splint on the wrist he injured last fall, the team said. Other key players cleared to practice are receiver Anthony Gonzalez (knee), tight end Brody Eldridge (knee), cornerback Kelvin Hayden (neck) and cornerbacks Jerraud Powers (foot, arm) and Kevin Thomas (knee).

The team also said that receiver Austin Collie has not shown any lingering symptoms of the two concussions that forced him to finish last season on injured reserve. He is expected to be a full participant in practice next week.

“I feel good, I’m excited to get back into it,” Collie said. “At this point, everything is great.”

Except, of course, the status of Manning.

“Whenever he’s ready, he’ll come back,” Caldwell said. “He gets himself ready faster than most people.”

SPORTS – Stars come out for 2014 World Cup qualifying draw (AFP)

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Jul 302011

RIO DE JANEIRO (AFP) – The countdown to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil starts Saturday when FIFA holds the preliminary draw for the 20th edition of the world’s top sporting event.

In all, some 200 countries will have ploughed through 824 qualifiers for the right to claim one of 32 berths at the extravaganza in three years’ time.

In the run-up to the draw, to be held at Rio’s Marina a stone’s throw from the famed Copacabana Beach, FIFA president Sepp Blatter promised that “Brazil and FIFA will together offer an exceptional World Cup in 2014. Brazil is the country of football.”

But first, the teams have to qualify — save for the hosts and five-times champions.

Brazil will join France, Germany, Italy and Mexico in hosting the event twice while the tournament will be the second in succession to be held in the southern hemisphere after South Africa 2010.

A number of big names from the Brazilian game — past and present — will attend Saturday’s event.

They include Ronaldo, former Brazil coach Mario Zagallo, Zico and also current starlet Neymar, while pop star Ivete Sangalo and composer Daniel Jobim will look to ensure the event goes with a swing.

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff is also expected to be on hand.

FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke will conduct the draw in a city which two years after the competition will host South America’s first Olympic Games.

South America last hosted the World Cup at Argentina 1978, since when Brazil have added two crowns to take their haul to a record five, Italy have added a pair to lift their tally to four and Germany have recorded a third, while France and Spain have both joined the winners club.

The African and Asian game has also come on leaps and bounds with Ghana making the last eight last year, following Senegal in 2002 and Cameroon in 1990, while Japan reached the second phase last time out.

Since Brazil was awarded the event in 2007, questions have been asked, as was the case with South Africa, as to whether the huge country of 190 million will have its venues ready and security in place in time for the big kickoff.

For now, the hosts, qualified by dint of staging the event, have three years to finalise their plans — which include a multimillion dollar revamp of the mythical Maracana Stadium in downtown Rio.

Valcke said Thursday that the Maracana will host the final — though a senior FIFA spokesman later indicated the decision must still be ratified by the organisation in October.

In South America itself, the qualifying formula is simple – everyone plays each other in an 18-game programme with four guaranteed places available – as well as Brazil – plus one via the playoffs held at the end of the two-year process.

Elsewhere, most notably in Europe, the process has to be broken down into smaller groups whose composition will be revealed Saturday.

Europe, which will have nine seeds, will be awarded 13 places with 53 teams competing in the qualifiers comprising eight groups of six and one group of five.

The group winners will qualify along with the eight best runners-up going into four two-legged playoffs with the winners advancing.

Asia had 43 teams scrapping for four or five berths, the last one decided through a playoff, and Africa will have five berths available for 52 teams from a continent yet to land the ultimate prize.

A total of 35 North, Central American and Caribbean (CONCACAF) teams were fighting for three guaranteed plus one play-off berth, while Oceania’s best finisher from 11 countries will get a place only via a play-off.

Come the actual finals, 12 cities from an original pool of 17 candidates will host matches.

SPORTS – Phillies acquire Pence from Astros (AP)

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Jul 302011

PHILADELPHIA – Hunter Pence is adding his big bat to a pennant race.

Philadelphia is counting on its latest All-Star acquisition from Houston to do what Brad Lidge and Roy Oswalt did before him — help take the team with the best record in baseball deep into the postseason.

The Phillies made another deadline splash Friday night, acquiring Pence from the Astros for a package of highly rated prospects.

“I think every competitor at the highest level wants to be in a pennant race, wants to be in a World Series,” Pence said in Milwaukee, where the last-place Astros lost 4-0 to the Brewers. “I’m pretty lucky now I get to jump on board with one of the best teams, and hopefully have an opportunity to do that.”

The NL East-leading Phillies got the right fielder and cash from Houston for three minor leaguers and a player to be named, shoring up their lineup as they try to make it back to the World Series for the third time in four years.

“He’s a guy that I think our fans will take to very well,” Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said.

Amaro is developing a knack for pulling off big deals right before baseball’s non-waiver trade deadline. He acquired ace left-hander Cliff Lee in 2009 and right-hander Oswalt last year.

“Hopefully he comes in, fits in and helps us,” Lee said.

Oswalt helped pitch the Phillies to the NL championship series last year. Before the 2008 season, the Phillies got Lidge from the Astros and he went 48 for 48 in save opportunities and led them to a World Series championship.

Houston general manager Ed Wade traded Pence, Oswalt and Lidge to the Phillies. Wade, of course, preceded new Hall of Famer Pat Gillick and Amaro as Philadelphia’s general manager. The joke in Philly is that Wade put together a better Phillies team from Houston than he ever did when he ran the team.

Wade said the Astros had to decide if Pence was a player to build around, or if he could get enough top prospects to help build the team into a future contender.

“The goal remains the same,” Wade said. “It’s to get good and stay good, and in order for us to do that it may entail some short-term sacrifices here.”

The 28-year-old Pence began the day with a .309 batting average, 11 homers and 62 RBIs. His best season was last year when he hit 25 homers with 91 RBIs and batted .282. He made his major league debut with the Astros in 2007.

“I’m really looking forward to just trying to be a part. Give it my heart and soul like I always do,” Pence said. “One thing I try to take pride in is hustle, grind and preparation. It’s really cool to be wanted like that.”

Houston nabbed two of Philadelphia’s top prospects in first baseman Jonathan Singleton and right-hander Jarred Cosart. But the Phillies managed to hold onto talented outfielder Domonic Brown.

The 19-year-old Singleton was batting .282 with nine homers and 47 RBIs for Class-A Clearwater. He was selected by the Phillies in the eighth round of the 2009 draft.

The 21-year-old Cosart was 9-8 with a 3.92 ERA in 20 games, 19 starts, for Clearwater.

Rebuilding Houston also got 25-year-old righty Josh Zeid, who was 2-3 with two saves and a 5.65 ERA in 21 games, 11 starts, for Double-A Reading.

Amaro said the Phillies were able to stay under the luxury tax. He also refused to say he was done dealing before Sunday’s deadline.

“Right now, I’m very comfortable with our ballclub,” he said.

Pence comes with a favorable contract situation; Philadelphia can bring him back with relative ease for each of the next two seasons. His age and contract made him more appealing to the Phillies than a slugger like Carlos Beltran, traded Thursday from the New York Mets to the defending World Series champion San Francisco Giants. Beltran is a free agent at the end of this season.

“I don’t like rentals,” Amaro said. “I don’t believe in those.”

The Phillies have needed a righty batter with pop since Jayson Werth signed with the Washington Nationals over the winter. Manager Charlie Manuel said Pence would bat fifth Saturday against Pittsburgh and play right field.

He’ll provide some protection for Ryan Howard, allowing Shane Victorino to move into second in the lineup. Chase Utley and Raul Ibanez, who join Howard as the Phillies’ top home run threats, are all lefties.

“See you tomorrow Philadelphia,” Pence posted on his Twitter page.

Pence wears No. 9 — meaning he could take Brown’s job and his uniform number. The Phillies have to make a roster move Saturday and Brown could be demoted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Brown knows it could be same organization, new uniform by Saturday night.

“I just hope I’m here and not in Triple-A,” he said. “I’m not really concerned, but I would like to be here.”

SPORTS – Ochocinco, Haynesworth to Pats; Bush, Kolb traded (AP)

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Jul 292011

There goes Albert Haynesworth, heading from Mike Shanahan’s Redskins to Bill Belichick’s Patriots — where he’ll be joined by New England’s other big pickup Thursday: Chad Ochocinco.

Reggie Bush? The Saints sent him to the Dolphins. And the Kevin Kolb saga ended the way pretty much everyone expected, with a trade from the Eagles to the Cardinals.

NFL clubs made a move a minute Thursday — and those big-name deals were only the beginning.

Day 3 of the compressed, post-lockout offseason also included more contract agreements and plenty of cuts, which teams were finally allowed to start announcing at 4:01 p.m. ET. Among the players getting released were Vince Young by the Titans, Nate Clements by the 49ers, and Jake Delhomme by the Browns.

In the first dramatic example of how the new labor deal’s rookie salary system will affect elite players, No. 2 overall draft pick Von Miller got $21 million guaranteed over four years from the Denver Broncos. The No. 2 pick in 2010, Detroit Lions defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh, signed a five-year deal worth $40 million guaranteed and as much as $68 million overall.

Broncos football chief John Elway tweeted, “We have agreed to terms with our 1st round pick, LB Von Miller. Can’t wait to get him on the field.”

The man widely regarded as the best available player in free agency, Nnamdi Asomugha, didn’t pick a team yet. But another top cornerback, Johnathan Joseph, agreed to terms with the Houston Texans, according to a person with knowledge of the deal, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the signing hadn’t been announced.

Belichick has had success reining in outspoken, do-it-my-way players such as receiver Randy Moss, and now New England’s coach gets two more guys who fit that description in defensive tackle Haynesworth and receiver Ochocinco.

All the Patriots gave up for Haynesworth was a 2013 fifth-round pick. By shipping the defensive tackle to New England, the Redskins rid themselves of a two-year distraction and fiasco of a free-agent signing — Haynesworth was guaranteed a then-record $41 million in the seven-year, $100 million contract he got in the early hours of free agency in 2009. On the same day, he infamously declared: “You’re not going to remember Albert Haynesworth as a bust.”

Hmmmmmm.

Haynesworth played in only 20 games for Washington, making 6 1/2 sacks, and was in constant legal trouble away from the field. Last season, he feuded with Shanahan and was suspended for the final four games for conduct detrimental to the club.

A person with knowledge of the Ochocinco deal told the AP he agreed to a new three-year contract with the Patriots. It was not known what the Bengals received in return.

In the Kolb deal, Philadelphia received cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a 2012 second-round draft pick from Arizona, which was in need of a starting quarterback. Kolb had lost the Eagles’ No. 1 QB job to Michael Vick and wanted a chance to lead a team.

Kolb, who turns 27 next month, reportedly will get a $63 million, five-year contract with the Cardinals. Rodgers-Cromartie, who went to the Pro Bowl in 2009, will play opposite four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Asante Samuel in Philadelphia, shoring up a pass defense that struggled last season.

The Dolphins finalized their trade for Bush by negotiating a new two-year contract for nearly $10 million with the running back. New Orleans gets reserve safety Jonathon Amaya in the swap, which also involves an exchange of draft picks.

“Change is never easy but I look forward to building something special in Miami and can’t wait to embark on this new journey!” Bush wrote on Twitter.

New Orleans replaced Bush with free-agent running back Darren Sproles, who told the AP on Thursday night he had agreed to a four-year contract with the Saints.

In other transactions Thursday:

_Five-time Pro Bowl kicker David Akers agreed to a deal with San Francisco, leaving Philadelphia after 12 seasons. Akers told The Associated Press on Thursday that his contract with the 49ers is for three years.

_Kansas City released longtime star guard Brian Waters, who made 149 starts in 11 seasons for the Chiefs and went to five Pro Bowls. Waters said he plans to continue playing.

_Chicago traded tight end Greg Olsen to Carolina for an undisclosed 2012 draft choice. A first-round draft pick in 2007, Olsen has 194 catches for 1,981 yards and 20 touchdowns in his career, but Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz prefers blocking tight ends. Olsen finished 2010 with his lowest totals in receptions (41) and yards (404) since he was a rookie.

The Bears also agreed to a five-year contract with punter Adam Podlesh, who comes to Chicago from Jacksonville to replace Brad Maynard, whose contract expired after 10 years at Soldier Field.

_San Diego released receiver Craig Davis, cornerback Donald Strickland, linebackers LB Brandon Lang and Jyles Tucker, and tight end Kris Wilson.

_Linebacker Clint Session left the Colts but stayed in the AFC South when he agreed to a five-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars worth slightly more than $29 million, with $11.5 million in guaranteed money.

_Dallas made official nine cuts, many of them leaked previously. Gone are tackle Marc Colombo, guard Leonard Davis, receiver Roy Williams, running back Marion Barber, placekicker Kris Brown, offensive linemen Robert Brewster and Travis Bright, linebacker Kelvin Smith and receiver Troy Bergeron.

_Buffalo agreed to a four-year contract worth about $15 million with Brad Smith, the versatile receiver-running back-kick returner who was a force in the wildcat formation with the Jets.

_In addition to officially releasing quarterback Delhomme, Cleveland terminated the contract of linebacker Eric Alexander and waived tight end Tyson DeVree. Delhomme, 36, was signed to a two-year contract a year ago and played in only five games.

_Atlanta agreed to a one-year contract with linebacker Mike Peterson, who started 13 games last year with the Falcons, making 79 tackles, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and forcing one fumble.

_Minnesota released starting safety Madieu Williams, who spent three seasons there but was largely a disappointment after signing a big-money deal to come over from Cincinnati in 2008. He was due to make $5.4 million this season.

The Vikings also released defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy and receiver Freddie Brown.

_The Redskins added free-agent defensive end Stephen Bowen, whose agent announced the deal on Twitter. Bowen played five seasons with the Cowboys; he had 1 1/2 sacks in nine starts last year.

_Philadelphia put defensive end Brandon Graham (left knee) and offensive tackle Winston Justice (left knee) on the physically unable to perform list. Also, wide receiver Jeremy Maclin and cornerback Samuel were excused from training camp for personal reasons.

_Linebacker Justin Durant is leaving Jacksonville for Detroit; receiver Rashied Davis also agreed to join the Lions after six years in Chicago.

_New Orleans left tackle Jermon Bushrod agreed to a two-year deal to remain with the Saints. He’s been a key part of Drew Brees’ pass protection.

_Daryn Colledge, the starting left guard for the Super Bowl champion Packers, agreed to a five-year deal with Arizona. Colledge started 76 games over five seasons for Green Bay.

_Linebacker and special teams standout Matt McCoy is returning to Seattle after agreeing to a one-year deal.

___

AP Pro Football Writers Barry Wilner, Rob Maaddi and Arnie Stapleton, and AP Sports Writers Howard Ulman, Steven Wine, Chris Duncan and Brett Martel contributed to this report.

SPORTS – Woods to end 3-month layoff at Firestone (AP)

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Jul 292011

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Tiger Woods finally gets back to golf next week at the Bridgestone Invitational, ending an 11-week break to heal injuries to his left leg.

Woods used his website to announce his return on Thursday. He posted on his Twitter account that he’s “feeling fit and ready to tee it up at Firestone next week. Excited to get back out there!”

It marks the third-longest layoff of his career, only this time Woods returns with as much uncertainty about his future as ever. Along with questions about the strength of his left knee and Achilles’, Woods embarks on his latest comeback with a different caddie, and without guarantees he will be eligible for more than two weeks.

Woods last month fired Steve Williams, who caddied for Adam Scott at the U.S. Open, then angered his boss by working for the Australian again at the AT&T National without seeking permission.

The Golf Channel reported Thursday night that Bryon Bell, a childhood friend and president of Tiger Woods Design, would caddie for him at the Bridgestone Invitational. Bell has caddied for Woods three times — a win at the 1999 Buick Invitational, a tie for second at the Buick Invitational when Woods gave him a chance to help defend, and a tie for second in 2003 at the Disney Classic when Woods gave Williams the week off for a car race in New Zealand.

Mark Steinberg, Woods’ agent at Excel Sports Management, declined to confirm Bell would be on the bag, saying in a text message that “no long term been discussed yet as he just decided tonight he was fit and ready to go next week.”

Bell would bring a level of familiarity to Woods, although Bell was implicated during Woods’ sex scandal as allegedly arranging travel for one of his mistresses.

Woods has plunged to No. 21 in the world — his lowest ranking since Jan. 26, 1997 — and has gone more than 20 months since last winning the Australian Masters on Nov. 15, shortly before he was exposed for having multiple extramarital affairs that led to divorce.

He last played May 12 at The Players Championship, when he withdrew after going 6 over on the front nine because of recurring pain in his left leg. He has said he would not compete again until he was fully healed.

How long he lasts might depend on more than just his leg, however.

By missing three months, including the last two majors, Woods has gone from No. 81 to No. 133 in the FedEx Cup standings. Only the top 125 players qualify for the opening round of the playoffs at The Barclays, likely leaving him only the Bridgestone Invitational and the PGA Championship next week to make up ground. Otherwise, he would have at least five weeks off without being able to play on the PGA Tour.

At least he is returning to a friendly course — Woods has won seven times at Firestone, matching the most he has won on any course as a pro. However, he was at his low point on the course in the Bridgestone Invitational last year when he finished 78th in an 80-man field. Before that, Woods had never finished out of the top five.

Woods missed the second half of the 2008 season following reconstructive knee surgery, then sat out five months after crashing his car into a fire hydrant on Thanksgiving night in 2009, changing his career on and off the golf course. His image shattered, he lost four major corporate endorsements and still has not found an endorsement for his bag. He was divorced in August 2010, and he left IMG when the management company did not renew Steinberg’s contract.

On the course, Woods has lost the aura he built while becoming the sport’s most dominant figure in the last 40 years. He remains stuck on 14 majors — the last one was in the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines — and he nearly missed the cut the last time the PGA Championship was played at Atlanta Athletic Club in 2001.

SPORTS – Patriots get WR Ochocinco in trade with Bengals (AP)

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Jul 292011

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Chad Ochocinco’s next stop is New England after an offseason in which he had a soccer tryout, rode a bull, took a spin in a race car and waited to be traded.

That wait ended on Thursday when the outspoken wide receiver was dealt to the Patriots, a team coached by Bill Belichick, who closely monitors, and tries to control, his players’ public comments.

A person with knowledge of the trade said the Patriots obtained the colorful Ochocinco from Cincinnati and that he agreed to a new three-year contract. It was not known what the Bengals received in return.

The person spoke Thursday on condition of anonymity because neither team had announced the trade. The deal was first reported by ESPN.

It was the second major move by the Patriots, who earlier in the day obtained Albert Haynesworth, the disgruntled Washington Redskins defensive tackle, for a fifth-round draft pick in 2013.

The relationship between Belichick and Ochocinco, with extremely different public personas, is unexpectedly warm.

“I like Chad,” Belichick said before last year’s season opener between the teams. “I like him as a player. I like him as a person. I like his enthusiasm and the fun he has with football, and I like how he competes on the football field. I have a lot of respect for that.

“An odd couple, but in the end I think we have a lot of things in common.”

They grew closer during Pro Bowl practices.

“It became a relationship beyond just a football player and a coach,” Ochocinco said. “He became a friend of mine. He has a lot of respect for me in my game and I have a lot of respect for him in everything he’s done as a coach.

“We just became really close and fond of each other’s work. He’s one that I look up to tremendously, one that I’ve never played for, but I show the same respect as if he was my own head coach.”

Now Belichick is his coach.

Ochocinco, who caught 12 passes for 159 yards and a touchdown in a 38-24 Patriots win last year, provides another option for Tom Brady, who has been without a deep target since the Patriots traded Randy Moss to the Minnesota Vikings after four games last season. In 10 seasons, all with the Bengals, Ochocinco has 751 catches for 10,783 yards and 66 touchdowns. He has made the Pro Bowl six times.

But when the Bengals drafted wide receiver A.J. Green in the first round in April, it became likely that Ochocinco would be released, traded or told to take a large pay cut.

The trade follows a one-year partnership with wide receiver Terrell Owens. Ochocinco dubbed the pair “Batman and Robin.” They combined for 139 catches and 13 touchdowns, but the Bengals were 4-12.

Ochocinco joins a receiving corps that includes Wes Welker and Deion Branch, along with tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, both coming off outstanding rookie seasons.

With the lockout over, it’s back to football for Ochocinco, who may have to negotiate for Hernandez’s No. 85 jersey.

Wearing a helmet and standard protective vest, Ochocinco rode a 1,500-pound bull named Deja Blu on May 14 on the Professional Bull Riders circuit. He earned $10,000 for making it out of the chute but was bucked off after just 1.5 seconds with no apparent injury.

On June 30, he rode in a race car at the Atlanta Motor Speedway with Jeff Burton, who estimated he reached speeds of 150 to 160 mph.

Earlier in the offseason, Ochocinco had a soccer tryout with Sporting Kansas City of Major League Soccer. Last year he was one of four finalists on the Dancing With the Stars television show.

Under Belichick, though, it’s all football — and Ochocinco has been outstanding at that

He’s exceeded 1,000 yards receiving in seven of his 10 seasons, including an NFL-high 1,369 in 2006. Last season, he had 67 catches for 831 yards and four touchdowns.

Belichick now must work Ochocinco into the offense — and get used to his prolific use of Twitter.

Ochocinco was fined $25,000 by the NFL for using the social media network during a preseason game, apologized and has followed the guidelines since.

Four days before last year’s opener against Cincinnati, Belichick was asked if he follows Ochocinco’s tweets.

The coach smiled, and joked, “I don’t do Twitter or MyFace or any of that stuff,” a takeoff on MySpace and Facebook.

Now he can communicate with Ochocinco in person.

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