In brief: Seahawks, Brown settle for one-year deal

Seahawks franchise player Josh Brown has signed his tender offer worth $2,078,000 – the average of the top five paid kickers in the NFL – after the team could not reach a long-term deal with him.

The Seahawks designated Brown as their franchise player in February, to keep from losing one of the NFL’s best clutch kickers as a free agent. Another team would have had to surrender two first-round draft choices to Seattle had it signed him.

Brown won four games last season in the final seconds. Some of his teammates called him their team’s MVP in 2006.

Brown was 25 for 31 on field goal attempts during the 2006 season. He won games against St. Louis twice, Detroit and hit a 50-yarder on the final play of a win at Denver. Over the past two seasons, Brown has six game-winning kicks.

“A preliminary autopsy shows that former NFL linebacker Kevin Mitchell died of a massive heart attack.

Mitchell died in his sleep overnight Sunday at his home in Ashburn, Va., at age 36. He retired in 2003 after a 10-year NFL career with the 49ers, Saints and Redskins.

“The Cleveland Browns informed offensive guard Joe Andruzzi and his agent they plan to release the 10-year-veteran later this week.

Tennis

Nadal wins exhibition

Rafael Nadal beat Roger Federer 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (10) at Palma de mallorca, Balearic Islands, in an exhibition on a half-grass, half-clay court when the top-ranked Swiss failed to reach a forehand that took a funny bounce across the green side.

Nadal came into the match with a record 72 straight wins on clay. Federer hasn’t lost on grass in four years – a 48-match run that includes four straight Wimbledon titles.

“Australian Open champion Serena Williams pulled out of next week’s German Open because of a groin injury.

Auto racing

Stewart vows to speak up

A week after being reprimanded for comments comparing NASCAR to professional wrestling, two-time Nextel Cup champion Tony Stewart said he’ll continue to speak his mind.

Appearing at a media day promoting next month’s Citizens Bank 400 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn., Stewart said his only regret last week wasn’t going to NASCAR officials before airing the comments on his Sirius Satellite radio program.

“NASCAR fined Kevin Harvick and Jamie McMurray $25,000 each for making contact during a caution at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday.

Both drivers were also placed on probation until Oct. 3.

“Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser Jr. will drive for Foyt Racing and carry the No. 50 on his car in recognition of A.J. Foyt’s 50 years at the storied race.

Miscellany

Canada wins Group C

Rick Nash scored the winning goal that gave Canada a 5-4 victory over Slovakia and the Group C preliminary round title at the hockey world championships in Mytischi, Russia.

Sweden also remained perfect with a third straight rout, 6-0 over Switzerland.

“The NCAA’s latest academic progress report shows money pays off in the classroom, not just on the playing field. Athletic programs with the biggest budgets, such as the six BCS conferences, scored well on the latest Academic Progress Report. Those with less money did not.

“Big Sky Conference school Weber State of Ogden, Utah, was cited by the NCAA for not meeting academic progress standards in football.

“Jim Wooldridge, most recently the head coach at Kansas State for six seasons, was hired as men’s basketball coach at UC Riverside.

“Marathon record-holder Paula Radcliffe may miss the world championships in Japan this August because of a back injury that occurred during the 27 hours of labor it took to deliver her daughter Isla on Jan. 17.