Raiders sign KR/WR Josh Cribbs to one-year deal Raiders sign KR/WR Josh Cribbs to one-year deal ADVERTISING OAKLAND, Calif. — The Oakland Raiders signed free agent kick returner/wide receiver Josh Cribbs to a one-year contract Wednesday, giving the team a
Raiders sign KR/WR Josh Cribbs to one-year deal
OAKLAND, Calif. — The Oakland Raiders signed free agent kick returner/wide receiver Josh Cribbs to a one-year contract Wednesday, giving the team a versatile player that could boost the offense and special teams.
Cribbs’ agent, John Rickert, confirmed the deal but declined to disclose financial terms. He said Cribbs drew interest from several teams and felt the Raiders were the right fit after a visit to the team’s headquarters last Monday.
Cribbs, who turns 30 next month, had been with the Cleveland Browns since signing as an undrafted free agent out of Kent State in 2005. He averaged 27.4 yards on kick returns and 12 yards per punt return last season but did not have a touchdown. He also had seven receptions for 63 yards.
Cribbs’ eight kickoff returns for touchdowns are tied with Leon Washington for the most in NFL history. He also has three punt returns for scores.
Orb draws rail as 1-1 favorite in Preakness
BALTIMORE — The Preakness draw was over, and trainer Shug McGaughey listed a variety of reasons why he was OK with having Kentucky Derby winner Orb starting Saturday’s race from the rail.
Then someone asked him, “If you had your choice, where would you want to be?”
Without hesitation, McGaughey responded, “The outside.”
Despite getting the inside post in Wednesday’s draw, Orb was made an even-money favorite to win the Preakness and keep alive his bid to become horse racing’s first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978.
“I saw it bounced around in the papers that we would be 4-5,” McGaughey said. “I am a little surprised that with him being even money, with the next shot was 5-1. That’s a pretty good spread.
“We’ll see what the public does. Like I always say, I wish every horse I run would be the favorite.”
The brown colt is looking for his sixth straight victory as part of the smallest Preakness field since 2007. Govenor Charlie, trained by Bob Baffert, added his name to the list Wednesday for the 1 3/16th-mile race.
O.J. Simpson testifies in bid for new Vegas trial
LAS VEGAS — His leg shackles rattling as he shuffled to the witness stand, a grayer, bulkier O.J. Simpson made his case for a new trial on armed robbery charges Wednesday, saying he was relying on the advice of his trusted attorney when he tried to reclaim mementos from his football glory days.
The former NFL running back also said his trial attorney never told him about possible plea bargains with much less prison time. And he said his attorney assured him he could not be convicted.
After more than four years in prison, Simpson seized the opportunity to recount how he and some friends confronted two sports memorabilia dealers in a Las Vegas hotel room in 2007, and how he believed he had the right to take back what he claimed had been stolen from him, including photos and footballs.
“It was my stuff. I followed what I thought was the law. My lawyer told me I couldn’t break into a guy’s room. I didn’t break into anybody’s room. I didn’t try to muscle the guys. The guys had my stuff, even though they claimed they didn’t steal it,” the 65-year-old former NFL star and actor said.
Simpson did not testify when he was tried and convicted of armed robbery and kidnapping in 2008.
He was sentenced to nine to 33 years in prison.
Ravens LB McClain retires before playing with team
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Linebacker Rolando McClain has told the Baltimore Ravens that he’s retiring from the NFL.
The 23-year-old McClain played three seasons with the Oakland Raiders before signing a one-year contract with Baltimore as a free agent on April 12.
“Rolando let me know that he plans to retire from the NFL,” Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said Wednesday. “We have placed him on the reserve/retired list.”
Ten days after signing with the Ravens, McClain was arrested in Decatur, Ala., and charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
It was the third time McClain was arrested in Decatur since 2011.
He was previously charged in a 2011 shooting, and police arrested him in January on charges of having his car windows tinted too darkly and trying to lie about his identity.
AP Source: Panthers restructure RB Williams’ deal
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Running back DeAngelo Williams has agreed to a restructured contract that ensures he’ll remain with the Carolina Panthers this season, said a person familiar with the situation.
The person spoke to The Associated Press Tuesday on condition of anonymity because the move has not been publically announced.
Williams, who turned 30 last month, is Carolina’s all-time leader rusher having amassed 5,784 yards and 43 touchdowns. Williams started 10 games last season and had 737 yards rushing and scored five TDs on the ground. He also caught two touchdown passes.
Yahoo.com first reported the new deal Tuesday.
By restructuring Williams’ contract, the person told the AP the Panthers will save $3.2 million under the NFL salary cap in both 2013 and 2014, and $3.87 million in 2015.
Trial set for former NBA player in squatting case
PHOENIX — A trial date has been set for a former NBA All-Star accused of squatting in a Paradise Valley home and then trying to list the place for rent on Craigslist.
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office said Wednesday that Chris Gatling has pleaded not guilty to two counts of theft and forgery, one count of taking the identity of another and one count of fraud.
A pretrial hearing is scheduled for June 7, according to Jerry Cobb, a spokesman for the attorney’s office. The trial will be Aug. 8
Gatling was accused of breaking into a key box and living in the home for nearly a year. A police report says the homeowners lived in California but had left the power on.
Gatling’s attorney, Michael Alarid, has said the case is a misunderstanding. He has not been willing to elaborate.
The 45-year-old Gatling averaged 10.3 points in 11 seasons with Golden State, Miami, Dallas, New Jersey, Milwaukee, New Orleans, Denver and Cleveland.
Carlos Zambrano, Phils agree to minor league deal
PHILADELPHIA — In a need of a lift in the rotation, the Phillies are taking a chance on Carlos Zambrano.
The three-time All-Star agreed to a minor league contract with Philadelphia on Wednesday and will report this week to Clearwater, Fla., for extended spring training.
Zambrano is known as much for his volatile outbursts and dugout confrontations with teammates as he is for his 132 wins over 12 seasons and a no-hitter.
With Roy Halladay and John Lannan on the disabled list, the slumping Phillies turned to Zambrano, even though he hasn’t pitched in the majors since last September with Miami.
Zambrano, 31, is 132-91 with a 3.66 ERA, including 11 seasons with the Chicago Cubs. He was 16-17 with a 4.66 ERA the last two years.
Zambrano has the right to terminate the deal if he is not added to the major league roster by July 1.
Maradona’s return home surrounded by tumult
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Diego Maradona is back in Argentina and, as usual, his return has been surrounded by controversy.
The Argentine football great arrived late Tuesday from Dubai with his new girlfriend — Rocio Oliva — on his first visit to see his new son, Diego Fernando, who was born three months ago to his former partner, Veronica Ojeda.
Several media reports on Wednesday said that Maradona, on the road from Buenos Aires’ international airport, stopped the car in the road and threw stones at photographers who were pursuing him. He is also reported to have kicked at least one photographer.
Maradona, 52, was fired as Argentina’s national coach after the 2010 World Cup and, although he remains a national hero, his stature has declined with his name often attached to erratic behavior.
Reds’ Cueto on target to join rotation next week
MIAMI — Cincinnati Reds ace Johnny Cueto is on target to rejoin the rotation next week after making his second injury rehabilitation start.
The right-hander has been on the disabled list since April 15 because of a strained muscle in his upper right arm. Barring a setback, he’ll likely start one of the Reds’ games early next week against the New York Mets, manager Dusty Baker said Wednesday.
From wire sources
