Sports in brief: Belichick disparages ex-video assistant
New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick lashed out at the team’s former video assistant Friday, saying in a televised interview that Matt Walsh was a low-level staffer who was fired for “poor job performance”
“There’s not a lot of credibility,” Belichick said in an interview broadcast on “CBS Evening News.”
Belichick acknowledged that he violated NFL rules prohibiting filming opponents signals but said there was no intent to hide what he was doing.
“I made a mistake,” he said in the interview. “I was wrong. I was wrong.”
That rationale has already been rejected by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who fined the coach $500,000 and docked the Patriots $250,000 and their first-round draft pick.
“NFL owners could opt out of their agreement with the players union next week, leaving open the possibility of a 2010 season without a salary cap.
“Penn State coach Joe Paterno said he feels fine after going to the hospital this week to be treated for dehydration in Austin, Texas.
Golf
Byrd leads at AT&T
Jonathan Byrd took advantage of soft fairways and receptive greens at TPC Sugarloaf, shooting his second straight 6-under-par 66 to take a three-stroke lead in the AT&T Classic at Duluth, Ga.
Kenny Perry and Ryan Palmer shot 69s and were tied for second.
“Andy Bean and Mike Goodes shot 7-under 65s to share the first-round lead in the Champions Tour’s Regions Charity Classic in Hoover, Ala.
“Second-round play at the LPGA’s Sybase Classic in Clifton, N.J., was suspended because of unplayable conditions. Tournament officials rescheduled the second round to today and reduced the tournament from 72 holes to 54.
Miscellany
Busch earns pole
Kyle Busch continued his dominance with a flawless qualifying effort to capture the pole for tonight’s NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Concord, N.C.
“Matt Crafton survived a wild finish to win his first Craftsman Truck Series race at Concord, N.C. It was Crafton’s first win in 178 career starts.
“Serena Williams withdrew from her quarterfinal match at the Italian Open in Rome with a back problem, and older sister Venus Williams was beaten by defending champion Jelena Jankovic.
“A steroids test for filly Eight Belles has come back negative.
The test results showed no traces of steroids in the filly, who was euthanized after placing second in the Kentucky Derby after breaking ankles in her front legs.
“Rick Nash scored the go-ahead goal to put Canada in the title game of the world hockey championships with a 5-4 win over Sweden at Quebec City. On Sunday, Canada will face Russia, which advanced to the final with a 4-0 shutout of Finland.
“Peter Laviolette will be back for a fifth season coaching the Carolina Hurricanes of the NHL.
“Natalie Coughlin broke her American swimming record in the women’s 100 freestyle while finishing second at the Santa Clara Grand Prix at Santa Clara, Calif. Coughlin finished in 53.39 seconds. Australian Cate Campbell won in 53.30.