| Sports Briefs: Michael Vick starting prison time early
RICHMOND, Va. — Michael Vick got a head start on a possible long prison stretch, surrendering three weeks before he was to be sentenced for his involvement in a bloody dogfighting ring.The disgraced Atlanta Falcons quarterback surrendered to U.S. marshals in what his lawyer said was another step in his public repentance."From the beginning, Mr. Vick has accepted responsibility for his actions, and his self-surrender further demonstrates that acceptance," Billy Martin said in a statement. "Michael wants to again apologize to everyone who has been hurt in this matter, and he thanks all of the people who have offered him and his family prayers and support during this time."Vick pleaded guilty in August to a federal dogfighting conspiracy charge after his three co-defendants pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with authorities.Federal sentencing guidelines suggest he could expect to serve a year to 18 months, but Vick, who has admitted bankrolling the Bad Newz Kennels, faces a maximum of five years in prison.He’s scheduled to be sentenced Dec.
NFL Notes
MIAMI -- Ricky Williams' latest comeback lasted one game. The Miami Dolphins running back will miss the rest of the season with a torn chest muscle, according to his agent, Leigh Steinberg. Williams was hurt Monday at Pittsburgh, when he played in his first game in nearly two years. He returned following a 1 1/2 -year suspension for his latest violation of the NFL drug policy. He played for the Toronto Argonauts during the 2006 season. The team was off yesterday, and a spokesperson for the Dolphins said they had no comment on Williams' status. Williams was injured in the second quarter after he fumbled. After being tackled, he was accidentally stepped on while chest-down on the ground. Williams finished with 15 yards in six carries, and the Dolphins lost 3-0 on a last-minute field goal. CARNEY LATEST CHIEFS KICKER KANSAS CITY, Mo.
Lamentable referee was unfair, declares McLeish
NO MATTER how long he remains in management, it is unlikely any refereeing decision will cause Alex McLeish as much anguish as the controversial award of the free-kick to Italy which led to Scotland's European Championship exit just before 7pm on Saturday. "Lamentable, just lamentable," said McLeish, shaking his head in a mixture of bewilderment and residual anger some 45 minutes later. The crushing disappointment of Christian Panucci's winning goal, headed home from Andrea Pirlo's set piece as the Group B qualifier entered stoppage time, was still etched on the face of the Scotland manager as he conducted a daily newspaper briefing inside the Hampden tunnel. .
Groban Gets Oprah Bounce, Jordin Sparks Doesn't Fly
The Grinch might be stealing Christmas from music retailers, but thanks to Josh Groban and Oprah, there's still some singing in Whoville. For the sales week kicked off by Super Tuesday—the release date before Thanksgiving when record labels typically schedule their big guns—the figures were abnormally bad, with only one Top 10 bow and a seven-week-old album topping the charts. Still, that album, Groban's Noël, can thank last week's performance on The Oprah Winfrey Show for driving it past Alicia Keys and into the number one spot. Noël crowned the Billboard 200 by selling 405,000 copies for the week ended Sunday, according to SoundScan numbers released today. The holiday disc, featuring Groban's take on "Silent Night," "O Come All Ye Faithful" and other wintery classics, originally debuted in the 10 spot in mid-October.
US fans were misled about Beckham - Pele
Soccer legend Pele believes American fans were misled about what David Beckham could bring to Major League Soccer. Amid great fanfare, the former England captain was presented by the Los Angeles Galaxy in July, but his greatest impact has been on ticket sales and merchandise. Pele believes Beckham's introduction was "very, very bad" as it raised expectations about what the former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder could produce on the pitch. "They announced him as a scorer of goals," Pele said. "He isn't a goal scorer. That was a mistake." After playing an exhibition match in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Wednesday night, Beckham said "everybody in the world knows I'm not a goal scorer. "The Galaxy wouldn't have come out and said that," Beckham said. "Like I said, everyone has got their own opinions.
Just what is wrong with English football?
England has the wealthiest soccer league in the world, with matches screened across the globe and business tycoons from the United States, Russia and Asia lining up to own the clubs. So why can't England put 11 Englishmen on the field to succeed on the international level? Steve McClaren became the latest coach to pay the price Thursday, getting fired after England's 3-2 loss at home to Croatia meant the team failed to qualify for the 2008 European Championship. While the likes of World Cup champion Italy, Germany, Spain, France the Netherlands and Portugal will be out to try to take the title away from Greece, England's stars - including David Beckham, Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen - will have to watch the games on TV. The Football Association now has plenty of time to search for a coach who can lift the nation credited with establishing the modern game to the same level.
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