Digest: Steelers make noise with surprising signings

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH — The Steelers, normally one of the quietest teams in NFL free agency, suddenly are one of the busiest.

They made a pair of surprise moves by re-signing safety Ryan Clark and bringing back wide receiver Antwaan Randle El a day after signing two backups who excel on special teams, safety Will Allen from the Buccaneers and wide receiver Arnaz Battle from the 49ers.

There's more, too: They're also bringing in offensive tackle Jonathan Scott, who played the last two seasons in Buffalo under new Steelers line coach Sean Kugler.

* PITTSBURGH — Attorneys for the woman who accuses Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger of sexual assault say she did the right thing by going to police, and they are asking for privacy.

Atlanta-based attorneys Lee Parks and David Walbert released a statement to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette saying the woman is assisting police and that they ask the media "to respect her privacy, keep her name out of the press and allow the family space and time to heal."n NEW YORK — Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum wouldn't comment directly about reports the team is helping Antonio Cromartie with his paternity payments, but said they're working with him to "give him his best chance to be successful."

The NFL Network first reported that the Jets were advancing their new cornerback $500,000 to help clear up paternity issues.

The 25-year-old Cromartie has fathered seven children by six women in five states. He has a court date scheduled for later this month in California.

* EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings have signed kickoff specialist Rhys Lloyd.

Lloyd handled kickoffs for the Carolina Panthers the last two seasons, leading the NFL with 30 touchbacks in 2008. He had 21 touchbacks last year, tied for fourth-most in the league.

* EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — After six years backing up Peyton Manning in Indianapolis, Jim Sorgi will get a chance to do the same for Peyton's brother Eli.

The New York Giants signed Sorgi to a one-year deal, and he will compete with second-year man Rhett Bomar for the Giants' backup quarterback job.

* CINCINNATI — Terrell Owens headed to Cincinnati on Tuesday to see if the Bengals are interested in adding him to their stalled-out passing game.

The 36-year-old receiver tweeted on Tuesday that he was on his way to meet with team officials. Receiver Chad Ochocinco has been lobbying for the Bengals to sign Owens since the end of last season, when the Bengals' passing game lacked a deep threat.

* MIAMI — Nose tackle Jason Ferguson has been re-signed by the Miami Dolphins, even though he faces a suspension for the first eight games of this season.

* BALTIMORE — Michael Vick says the Philadelphia Eagles exercised their 2010 option on him, meaning the quarterback will receive a $1.5 million roster bonus sometime this week. That doesn't necessarily guarantee he'll return to the Eagles for another season.

He is due $5.25 million in salary next season. With Donovan McNabb and backup Kevin Kolb still in the fold for the Eagles, there has been speculation that the Eagles might try to trade Vick.

* KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chiefs have signed free agent running back Thomas Jones, who was the NFL's third-leading rusher.

* NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Linebacker Will Witherspoon, who was released by the Eagles last week, has visited with the Titans.

* CLEVELAND — The Browns released one-time Pro Bowl quarterback Derek Anderson one day after they acquired Seneca Wallace.

BASEBALL

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Twins suddenly have a glaring concern about closing games for the first time since Joe Nathan took over in 2004.

Tests on Nathan's right throwing elbow have revealed a significant tear in the ulnar collateral ligament, an injury that could require season-ending Tommy John surgery.

* PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Two-time All-Star Hank Blalock has agreed to a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays.

* SURPRISE, Ariz. — The Texas Rangers have acquired right-hander Edwar Ramirez from the New York Yankees for cash.

* NEW YORK — Mets shortstop Jose Reyes has an overactive thyroid and is expected to remain in New York while the results of additional blood tests are used to determine his treatment.

* VIERA, Fla. — Top draft pick Stephen Strasburg made his spring training debut for the Washington Nationals, pitching two scoreless innings against the Detroit Tigers.

Strasburg's four-seam fastball was consistently measured in the 97-98 mph range, and he struck out two batters. He threw first-pitch strikes to only two of the eight batters he faced.

NHL

* PHILADELPHIA — Simon Gagne's power-play goal broke a third-period tie as the Flyers rallied for a 3-2 win, their franchise-record 15th straight victory over the New York Islanders.

* MONTREAL — Scott Gomez had a goal and two assists, and Mathieu Darche scored twice to lead the Montreal Canadiens to a 5-3 win over Tampa Bay.

* DETROIT — Jarome Iginla and Rene Bourque scored 1:31 apart in the third period, lifting Calgary to a 4-2 win over Detroit.

The Flames moved into eighth place in the Western Conference and pushed Detroit to ninth.

* ST. PAUL, Minn. — Cory Stillman scored the winning shootout goal and Florida held the Minnesota Wild to a franchise-tying low 11 shots in a 3-2 win.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

NEW YORK — The first Pinstripe Bowl will be played at Yankee Stadium on Dec. 30.

The game will include the No. 3 team in the Big East and the No. 6 school in the Big 12, excluding Bowl Championship Series participants.

* COMMERCE, Texas — Texas A&M-Commerce coach Guy Morriss has apologized for applauding his players for removing campus newspapers from their racks because of a story about the program.

Morriss had told campus police the actions by his players was "the best team-building exercise we have ever done." On Monday, the former Kentucky and Baylor coach apologized for a "lapse in judgment" and said the comment was made facetiously.

Police were investigating the disappearance of newspaper editions that included a front-page article about two football players being arrested on drug charges.

A&M-Commerce athletic director Carlton Cooper said the Division II program would pay for the reprint of the missing edition and that coaches and players would distribute it.

* NEW YORK — Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick says the possible expansion of the Big Ten could create changes in major college football that force the Fighting Irish to give up their football independence.

* AUSTIN, Texas — The NCAA has given Texas and Maryland a one-year reprieve from a new rule that limits off-campus football recruiting by a coach designated as the head coach-in-waiting.

That will allow Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp and Maryland offensive coordinator James Franklin to fully participate in the critical spring evaluation period in April and May.

BOXING

DALLAS — About 41,000 tickets have been sold for the fight between Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey at Cowboys Stadium on Saturday night.