In brief: Dolphins release veteran LB Thomas
If Zach Thomas decides to play a 13th NFL season, it will almost certainly not be with the Miami Dolphins.
Thomas, a seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker and one of the most popular and productive players to wear a Dolphins uniform, was released Thursday, the biggest move yet in Miami’s massive rebuilding project.
“Suspended NFL player Adam “Pacman” Jones settled his last pending criminal charge in with an Alford plea that the prosecutor said makes the cornerback a convicted felon. Jones was charged with obstructing a police officer two years ago in Georgia.
“The NFL is asking federal court to vacate a judge’s ruling allowing suspended quarterback Michael Vick to keep $16.5 million in bonuses.
“Indianapolis Colts president Bill Polian said he does not expect perennial Pro Bowl receiver Marvin Harrison, Defensive Player of the Year Bob Sanders or former sacks champion Dwight Freeney to be ready to start training camp in July.
College sports
NCAA turns down Cincinnati quarterback
The NCAA turned down Cincinnati quarterback Ben Mauk’s request for another season of eligibility, a major setback for the Big East team that finished with a No. 17 ranking.
“A football squad with a history of off-field problems will join other Florida State sports teams on self-imposed probation for two years, and some teams will lose scholarships because of an academic cheating scandal.
Miscellany
Seles officially retires from tennis
Monica Seles officially retired from tennis, five years after she played the last match of a career that included nine Grand Slam singles titles and was interrupted at its height when she was stabbed in the back during a match.
“Chuck Heaton, a prolific columnist and Cleveland Browns writer in his 60 years at The Plain Dealer and father of actress Patricia Heaton, died after a short bout with pneumonia. He was 90.
“At Goyang, South Korea, former world champions Pang Qing and Tong Jian rallied to beat fellow Chinese Zhang Dan and Zhang Hao and take the pairs title at Four Continents.