Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Broncos have 9 players selected for Pro Bowl
NEW YORK
The AFC West champion Denver Broncos led the NFL with nine players selected for the Pro Bowl on Tuesday.
Quarterback Peyton Manning was picked for the 14th time. Joining Manning from the Broncos will be Ryan Clady, Chris Harris, Von Miller, Aqib Talib, Demaryius Thomas, Julius Thomas, T.J. Ward and DeMarcus Ware.
The NFC East champion Dallas Cowboys were second with six selections for the Jan. 25 game in Glendale, Arizona, site of the Super Bowl.
Tony Romo will be going for the fourth time. Dez Bryant, Travis Frederick, Zack Martin, DeMarco Murray and Tyron Smith were also honored.
For the second consecutive season, players will be selected without regard to conference in voting by fans, coaches and players.
Hall of Famers Cris Carter and Michael Irvin will serve as alumni team captains for their Pro Bowl teams.
Braves and Grilli agree to 2-year deal
ATLANTA
A person with direct knowledge of the deal tells The Associated Press the Atlanta Braves and veteran reliever Jason Grilli have agreed to a two-year contract.
The person says the agreement includes a club option for a third year. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been announced.
The 38-year-old right-hander will fill a setup role for closer Craig Kimbrel. He will help replace Jordan Walden, who was traded with right fielder Jason Heyward to the Cardinals in the offseason deal that sent starting pitcher Shelby Miller to Atlanta.
Grilli was an All-Star closer for the Pirates in 2013, when he had 33 saves. He lost his stopper job before he was traded to the Angels on June 27, 2014. He finished with a combined 12 saves and 4.00 ERA last season.
SDSU’s Polee released from hospital
SAN DIEGO
San Diego State says senior forward Dwayne Polee II has been released from the hospital and is at home resting less than 24 hours after he collapsed on the court during a game.
Spokesman Mike May says Polee had a series of tests Tuesday and is awaiting results. May says Polee can resume normal activities but has not been cleared for basketball.
The Aztecs are off until Friday, when they practice for Saturday’s home game against San Diego Christian College.
Polee collapsed midway through the first half of Monday night’s game against UC Riverside and was tended to by trainers and a paramedic for about 15 minutes before being wheeled off on a gurney. He was conscious and acknowledged the crowd by pumping his fists. He also gave his teammates fist-bumps and spoke with them.
Lions’ Raiola loses appeal, will miss game
DETROIT
Lions center Dominic Raiola lost his appeal of a one-game suspension for stepping on Chicago Bears defensive tackle Ego Ferguson.
Appeals officer Derrick Brooks, the Hall of Fame linebacker appointed by the NFL and the players’ union, upheld the suspension Tuesday.
The punishment was handed down Monday by Merton Hanks, the NFL’s vice president of football operations. The league said this was Raiola’s sixth rules violation related to player safety since 2010.
Raiola stepped on Ferguson’s right ankle Sunday while the Chicago lineman was on the ground early in the third quarter. Raiola said after the game it was not intentional, and that he talked to Ferguson and apologized.
Raiola has been with the Lions for his entire 14-year career, playing every game of every season except 2008.
Detroit plays at Green Bay on Sunday for the NFC North title.
Wire reports