NFL: Imprisoned wife of slain former Panther to be released

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Associated Press
RALEIGH ó The North Carolina woman convicted of fatally shooting former Carolina Panthers running back Fred Lane is scheduled to be released from prison.
Department of Correction spokesman George Dudley said Monday that Deidra Lane is expected to leave the Raleigh Correctional Center for Women at 9 a.m. today.
The 33-year-old Lane served about six years in prison for voluntary manslaughter in the 2000 death of her estranged husband.
Fred Lane played with the Panthers for three years and had been traded to the Indianapolis Colts before his death.
During her trial in 2003, prosecutors described Lane as an abusive woman who killed her husband for insurance money. Defense attorneys described a battered wife who killed in self defense.
PANTHERS
CHARLOTTE ó A court date for former Carolina offensive lineman Jeremy Bridges on an assault charge has been postponed for a second time because of bad weather.
Less than a week after the Panthers released Bridges to clear salary-cap space, his hearing was postponed when Mecklenburg County District Court closed after several inches of snow fell in Charlotte.
Bridges was arrested on Dec. 7 and charged with two counts of simple assault and battery and one count of communicating threats.
SEAHAWKS
T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Seattle have agreed on a five-year contract, according to media reports.
REDSKINS
WASHINGTON ó Jason Taylor’s disappointing turn in the nation’s capital came to an end when he was cut by the Redskins for refusing to commit to the team’s offseason workout program.
The Redskins wanted to add a workout clause to Taylor’s hefty contract, but the 34-year-old defensive end declined. The clause would have required Taylor to take part in 25 days of offseason workouts.
JETS
NEW YORK ó It was just a few minutes past midnight last Friday morning when Bart Scott’s phone rang and his two dogs started barking.
The former Baltimore Ravens linebacker had some unexpected visitors sitting in a car in his driveway: New York Jets coach Rex Ryan, defensive coordinator Mike Pettine and secondary coach Dennis Thurman.
“I thought it was the most hilarious thing in the world,” the Jets’ new linebacker recalled with a laugh Monday. “I am happy that they did not get out of the car and get bit by my dogs. When I heard my dogs barking, I thought they were out chasing deer or something. When Coach Thurman called me and said, ‘Come on out, man, and get these dogs,’ it was the funniest thing in the world.”
The three Jets coaches were on a late-night recruiting trip to Scott’s home in Owings Mills, Md., just as the NFL’s free agency period began. Ryan, Scott’s former defensive coordinator with the Ravens, made it clear he wanted the linebacker to be the centerpiece of New York’s defense.
The Jets opened their wallets for the imposing 28-year-old linebacker, signing him to a six-year, $48 million deal later that day.
49ers
SANTA CLARA, Calif. ó Kurt Warner is being courted by a division rival of the Arizona Cardinals.
The San Francisco 49ers sent a private jet Monday for the two-time MVP quarterback, who traveled from Phoenix to the team’s training complex for a physical exam and a meeting with top brass.
Warner became a free agent when he didn’t re-sign with the Cardinals. They offered a two-year, $20 million contract to Warner, but he is seeking a deal worth at least $14 million per season.
DOLPHINS
MIAMI ó Defensive end Vonnie Holliday was released after four seasons with the Dolphins, who have lost three defensive starters this offseason.
Holliday, 33, started 15 games for the AFC East champions in 2008 and led the team’s defensive linemen with 46 tackles.
Miami has already lost free safety Renaldo Hill and cornerback Andre Goodman, who both signed with Denver as unrestricted free agents.
BRONCOS
DENVER ó Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall faces a possible suspension even though a disorderly conduct charge stemming from a fight with his fiance was dismissed in an Atlanta court.
Municipal Judge Clinton Deveaux dismissed the case after Marshall and his fiance, Michi Leshase Nogami-Campbell, both of whom were charged with disorderly conduct, refused to testify against each other.
Despite being in the clear from a legal standpoint, the Pro Bowl receiver might still be disciplined for repeated violations of the league’s personal conduct code, which gives commissioner Roger Goodell the authority to punish players.
* ENGLEWOOD, Colo. ó Denver signed linebacker Andra Davis as it continues to revamp its defense.
TITANS
NASHVILLE, Tenn. ó Tennessee agreed to terms with receiver Nate Washington and defensive tackle Jovan Haye, both free agents.
Haye, a four-year veteran, spent the majority of the past three years with Tampa Bay after beginning his career with Carolina.
LIONS
ALLEN PARK, Mich. ó Detroit signed free agent receiver Bryant Johnson to a three-year contract, adding the former first-round draft pick to complement rising star Calvin Johnson.
CARDINALS
TEMPE, Ariz. ó Arizona signed free agent safety Keith Lewis to a two-year contract.
The team also announced it had re-signed punter Ben Graham to a two-year contract and backup QB Brian St. Pierre to a one-year deal.
PATRIOTS
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. ó New England signed tight end Chris Baker, who played seven seasons with the New York Jets.
The Patriots also re-signed offensive lineman Russ Hochstein.
BENGALS
CINCINNATI ó Linebacker Darryl Blackstock agreed to stay with the Bengals.
PRO BOWL
HONOLULU ó The state tourism board will reconsider the NFL’s offer to return the Pro Bowl to Hawaii in 2011 and 2012, a bid that was voted down last week.