NFL ROUNDUP \ News and notes

Eagles: Sen. Arlen Specter backed off a threat to have a Senate subcommittee investigate whether the NFL and the Eagles violated antitrust laws in their handling of Terrell Owens. Specter, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said he talked to lawyers in the Department of Justice about the issue. "I think it's more a matter for them than us because we've got ... a lot of matters which take precedence over this for our own time," said Specter, R-Pa. On Monday, Specter said it was "vindictive and inappropriate" for the league and the Eagles to prohibit the All-Pro wide receiver from playing and prevent other teams from talking to him, and he might refer the matter to the subcommittee. He added that he was "not a supporter of Terrell Owens."
Seahawks: The NFL denies telling the Seahawks that officials erred when they ruled two Giants touchdown receptions complete in Seattle's 24-21 overtime win. Seattle coach Mike Holmgren said Monday that the league took the rare step of admitting officiating mistakes in the game Sunday. The league said in a statement released Tuesday that reports that it told the Seahawks of officiating mistakes on the two touchdown receptions were inaccurate. "Our officiating department never discussed with the Seahawks the Amani Toomer touchdown reception, which was properly called," the statement said. "The Jeremy Shockey touchdown catch at the end of the first half was not overturned because the referee determined that there was insufficient visual evidence to reverse the call." The Seahawks said Tuesday neither Holmgren nor the team had further comment on the matter. A league official declined further comment Tuesday.
Lions: Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo was sad and disappointed that his best friend, Steve Mariucci, was fired. "If I try to take my friend hat off and put on my coach hat, I feel that he received a lot of unfair treatment," Izzo said in a statement. "As saddened as I am, no one deserves to go through what he has in the last month. I can't wait to help him move on to bigger and better things. As I tell my team, outside influences can have an impact without really knowing what's going on. I honestly believe outside influences were a factor here." Izzo and Mariucci became close friends growing up in Iron Mountain, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. They attended Northern Michigan together in the mid-1970s. Gary O'Hagan, Mariucci's agent, declined to comment on what's next for Mariucci, who was fired Monday with more than two years left on his $25 million contract. O'Hagan also wouldn't address speculation that Mariucci will replace John L. Smith, who O'Hagan said he also represents, as Michigan State's football coach.
Rams: Coach Mike Martz wants to return to the field after missing the last six games with a heart ailment. Martz said Tuesday he would ask his doctor for permission to return to his job. The Rams are 3-3 under interim coach Joe Vitt since Martz stepped down in October with endocarditis, a bacterial infection of the lining of the heart. "This is the best I've felt," Martz told TV station KMOV. "And when you feel this good, you feel like you should be working." Martz said he last saw his doctor a week ago, but hasn't set up an appointment that he hoped would clear him to return. Martz has made several appearances at Rams Park since stepping down and said he felt much better in recent weeks. Still, the news caught team officials somewhat by surprise. "Our response is until he is cleared medically, any type of conjecture is premature," team spokesman Duane Lewis said. Martz is 56-37 in six seasons with the Rams, leading them to a Super Bowl in 2001 and serving as offensive coordinator for the franchise's only Super Bowl championship in 1999. Martz has been in San Diego, where he has a home, but is expected back in St. Louis later this week.
Super Bowl: The Rolling Stones will take a brief break from touring to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show. The Rolling Stones are currently touring North America to promote their latest album, "A Bigger Bang."
Player moves: Nate Webster was activated off the physically unable to perform list, giving the Bengals more experience at linebacker. Webster tore the patella tendon in his right knee last season and had surgery. The sixth-year veteran joined the Bengals last year as a free agent from Tampa Bay. The Bengals opened a roster spot by waiving second-year linebacker Larry Stevens. The Bengals also announced that rookie center Ben Wilkerson will remain on the injury list for the rest of the season. ... The Jaguars placed backup linebacker Jamie Winborn on injured reserve because of a knee injury. The Jags activated rookie running back Rich Alexis from the practice squad to fill Winborn's roster spot. They also signed quarterback Nate Hybl to the practice squad and waived wide receiver Fred Stamps from the practice squad. ... The Raiders claimed cornerback Lenny Walls off waivers from the Broncos and placed safety Reggie Tongue on injured reserve. Walls, who began the season as one of Denver's starting cornerbacks, was placed on the reserve-injured list with an injured groin Nov. 1. That meant he had to be waived as soon as he recovered, which happened Monday. ... Tampa Bay kicker Matt Bryant's status for this week's game against New Orleans is uncertain because of a sore right hamstring, prompting the Buccaneers to sign Todd France to the practice squad. Bryant was injured on the opening kickoff Sunday in a 13-10 loss to Chicago. He kicked a 27-yard field goal in the first quarter, but missed a 29-yarder that would have tied the game with less than three minutes remaining.
Associated Press