Associated Press
NFL
WASHINGTON ó Had enough of the he-said, he-said rancor between the NFL and players? Donít expect it to go away anytime soon.
The outcome of the leagueís first work stoppage since 1987 could be decided in court; the first hearing on the playersí request for an injunction to block the ownersí lockout was scheduled for April 6. In the meantime, there probably will be more of the same as Monday, when Kevin Mawae ó president of the NFL Players Association, the now-dissolved union ó accused the league of spreading ěcomplete falsehoods and complete lies.î
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, on the same conference call as Mawae, said the ownersí final offer Friday ěwas all a front.î
ěI think it was all a show, with no real intent to get a deal done, other than just to say they made a proposal ó that was no different than anything else that they proposed over the last couple years, couple months, couple weeks,î said Brees, a named plaintiff in the playersí antitrust lawsuit against the league.
Brees and Indianapolis Colts center Jeff Saturday, also a member of the playersí executive committee, complained that the players were not given enough time to assess and ask questions about the proposal owners made Friday morning.
ěIt just seems odd you would wait until Friday to put out a 20-point proposal, when each point has a number of different details in it,î Saturday said.
MLB
SAN FRANCISCO ó A judge has granted the media access to detailed questionnaires that prospective jurors fill out before testimony begins in the upcoming Barry Bonds perjury trial.
U.S. District Court Judge Susan Illston on Monday granted media requests about the questionnaires, which assist the judge and lawyers in seating a jury.
But Illston will keep the jurorsí names confidential until the end of the trial, saying sheís concerned the media and public will attempt to interact with jurors if their names are disclosed. Any such communication could cause a mistrial.
The trial is set to begin March 21 and is expected to last at least two weeks.
The former San Francisco Giants star is accused of lying to a grand jury in 2003 when he said he never knowingly took performance-enhancing drugs.
NCAA BASKETBALL
MINNEAPOLIS ó Minnesota coach Tubby Smith says he expects to be back at Minnesota next season.
Several reports on Monday said Smith was close to replacing John Pelphrey at Arkansas. Smith appeared on his weekly radio show on WCCO-AM Monday night and was asked if he expected to return.
Smith said, ěYes I do.î
The coach said he is continuing to work on a two-year extension with athletic director Joel Maturi. Smith has wanted a new practice facility ever since he arrived in 2007, but the school has not been able to raise the necessary funds to make that happen yet.
Smith just wrapped up a disappointing fourth season in Minnesota. The Gophers lost 10 of their last 11 games and did not receive a bid to the NCAA or NIT tournaments.
NHL
PITTSBURGH ó Penguins center Sidney Crosby returned to the ice on Monday for the first time since missing 29 games with a concussion. But if youíre looking for the Pittsburgh captainís return date, itís still anyoneís guess.
ěI have no clue,î Crosby said. ěIím not thinking too far ahead as far as a time frame. I just want to get better. This is part of the way to do that. Iím just kind of taking that step and seeing how it goes.î
Crosby, who last played on Jan. 5 in an 8-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning, practiced in full gear for about 15 minutes at the Consol Energy Center. It was a light workout. He participated in a skating drill around some cones, and took a few shots on net, as well.
ěIíve had some good days here the last few, and I was able to get on a bike and exercise a bit. I didnít have any symptoms doing that,î Crosby said. ěI was given the opportunity to skate, the doctors said I could give it a try and see how I feel. So I did that today, and weíll see moving forward how it goes.î
IHRA
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ó IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard said the seriesí $5 million challenge has attracted plenty of interest from drivers in other circuits interested in taking on the open-wheel professionals.
Bernard said Monday that some 15 drivers or their representatives have contacted him since IndyCar offered $5 million in February to any driver who beats the seriesí best in their championship race in Las Vegas.
He says overtures have come from NASCAR, Formula 1, Supercross and Rally.
ěSome of the names are fantastic,î said Bernard, who didnít reveal any specific candidates. ěI think people will be surprised on who wants to drive it.î
The season-ending championship race will be held Oct. 16 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the finale of a 17-race schedule with points going toward the title.