UNDATED (AP) - The Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers
were without key players as they worked out yesterday in
preparation for Super Bowl 45. Packers receiver Donald Driver sat
out because of a thigh injury, while linebacker Erik Walden missed
the workout because of an ankle sprain. Steelers center Maurkice
(MAHR'-kees) Pouncey got treatment for his sprained left ankle
during Pittsburgh's workout, and defensive end Aaron Smith didn't
participate in scrimmages as he tries to return from a torn triceps
muscle.
DALLAS (AP) - Another disagreement has developed in the ongoing
NFL labor situation, this time over franchise tags put on players.
The league is telling clubs they can place that designation on
players whose contracts are expiring, even if there's no new
collective bargaining agreement to replace the one that ends March
3. The union is telling agents the NFL is wrong about that.
NEW YORK (AP) - The Clippers' Blake Griffin is going to his
first All-Star game, and Kevin Garnett matched an NBA record with
his 14th straight selection as one of a record-tying four Boston
Celtics selected for the midseason event. Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce
and Ray Allen will accompany Garnett, who equaled Jerry West,
Shaquille O'Neal and Karl Malone for the most consecutive
selections. The Celtics joined the 2006 Detroit Pistons as the only
teams to have four players picked as reserves by the coaches.
NEW YORK (AP) - New York Yankees lefty Andy Pettitte will
announce his retirement at a news conference later today. Pettitte
spent 13 seasons with the Yankees and three years with the Astros,
going 240-138 with a 3.88 ERA. He's the all-time leader in
postseason victories, pitching to a 19-10 mark with a 3.83 earned
run average.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) - Four players share the first-round lead
at the Phoenix Open. Bill Haas, Jason Bohn, Tom Gillis and Tom
Lehman (LAY'-mihn) each opened with 6-under 65's. Lucas Glover,
Chris Couch and Ben Crane are one shot back, one ahead of a sextet
that includes Phil Mickelson.
