Bennati takes lead in Tirreno-Adriatico (AFP)

March 12th, 2010

Daniele Bennati of Liquigas, seen here in 2008, won the third stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico on Friday after a 159km ride from San Miniato to Monsumanno Terme(AFP/Diego Tuson)AFP - Daniele Bennati of Liquigas won the third stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico on Friday after a 159km ride from San Miniato to Monsumanno Terme


Vonn wins super-G, overall World Cup title (AP)

March 12th, 2010

Lindsey Vonn of the United States shows the trophies of the alpine ski, Women's World Cup super-G  and downhill discipline titles, in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, Friday, March 12, 2010. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)AP - Olympic downhill gold medalist Lindsey Vonn capped a historic season with her third straight overall World Cup title on Friday.


Contador retains lead of Paris-Nice as Sagan bags stage (AFP)

March 12th, 2010

Italian Liquigas cycling team's Slovakia's Peter Sagan (left) celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the 157 km and fifth stage of the 2010 Paris-Nice cycling race run between Pernes-les-Fontaines and Aix-en-Provence. Astana star Alberto Contador retained the leader's yellow jersey(AFP/Pascal Pavani)AFP - Liquigas racer Peter Sagan won the fifth stage of the Paris-Nice race on Friday, a 157km ride from Pernes-les-Fontaines to Aix-en-Provence, as the 20-year-old notched his second success of the week.


Ligety wins giant slalom title; Janka gets overall (AP)

March 12th, 2010

Ted Ligety of the United States holds up the trophy of the alpine ski, Men's World Cup giant slalom discipline title, in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, Friday, March 12, 2010. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)AP - Ted Ligety of the United States won the World Cup giant slalom title Friday and Carlo Janka became the first Swiss man to earn the overall title since 1992.


Childress testifies at Williamses’ drug lawsuit (AP)

March 12th, 2010
AP - Vikings coach Brad Childress says he is "absolutely not" the source who leaked the positive results of a doping test involving two of his players two years ago.

Leach deposition begins in lawsuit vs Texas Tech (AP)

March 12th, 2010
AP - Former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach began giving sworn testimony Friday in the lawsuit he filed against the school after he was fired for allegedly mistreating a receiver suffering from the effects of a concussion.

Bayern to miss Ribery, Gomez for Freiburg (AFP)

March 12th, 2010

Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich will be without Germany striker Mario Gomez and French midfielder Franck Ribery, seen here in 2009, for Saturday's visit of Freiburg.(AFP/DDP/File/Juergen Schwarz)AFP - Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich will be without Germany striker Mario Gomez and French midfielder Franck Ribery for Saturday's visit of Freiburg, the club announced Friday.


Bing hopes to lure Detroit Pistons back downtown (AP)

March 12th, 2010
AP - Detroit Mayor Dave Bing would like to lure the Pistons back downtown, where they played when he was on the team.

Browns sign TE Ben Watson to multiyear deal (AP)

March 12th, 2010

FILE - This Dec. 12, 2007, file photo shows New England Patriots tight end Benjamin Watson talking to reporters during a media availability in the locker room at the team's football facility in Foxborough, Mass. The Cleveland Browns have signed free agent tight end Ben Watson to a multiyear contract. Watson spent the past six seasons with the New England Patriots. Watson visited the Browns on Thursday, March 11, 2010,  along with quarterback Jake Delhomme and running back Justin Fargas. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia, File)AP - The Cleveland Browns filled a gaping offensive hole, signing free agent tight end Ben Watson to a multiyear contract.


Moya holds off qualifier to advance at Indian Wells (AFP)

March 12th, 2010

Carlos Moya of Spain returns a backhand to Tim Smyczek of the United States during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, California. Moya won 7-6 (9/7), 7-6 (7/5).(AFP/Getty Images/Harry How)AFP - Carlos Moya withstood a determined challenge from qualifier Tim Smyczek in the first round Thursday at Indian Wells, the tournament where he seized the world number-one ranking in 1999.


Jimmer Fredette scored 45 in BYU’s win over TCU (AP)

March 12th, 2010

BYU's Jimmer Fredette celebrates a basket against TCU during an NCAA college basketball game at the Mountain West tournament in Las Vegas on Thursday, March 11, 2010. Fredette scored a record 45 points. (AP Photo/Laura Rauch)AP - Jimmer Fredette wanted to be aggressive and get to the free throw line.


Wenger rules out Real Madrid switch (AFP)

March 12th, 2010

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, seen here in February 2010, insists he would reject any offer from Real Madrid to take charge at the Bernabeu.(AFP/File/Paul Ellis)AFP - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists he would reject any offer from Real Madrid to take charge at the Bernabeu.


Brewers’ speedy new CF Gomez working on swing (AP)

March 12th, 2010

Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Carlos Gomez dives in an attempt to catch a baseball off of the bat of Colorado Rockies Dexter Fowler in the fourth inning of a Cactus League spring baseball game in Tucson, Ariz., on Saturday, March 6, 2010. Fowler got a double on the play. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)AP - Carlos Gomez is into fast things. The Brewers center fielder quickly jumps from subject to subject and lists a bevy of hobbies that include watching world class sprinters and shooting guns at firing ranges.


Football Hall of Famer, TV star Olsen dies at 69 (AP)

March 12th, 2010

FILE - This 1964 handout provided by NFL photos,  shows the Los Angeles Rams defensive front four, known as the 'Fearsome Foursome.' from left to right are Lamar Lundy (85), Merlin Olsen (74), Rosey Grier (76), and Deacon Jones (75).  Olsen, a Pro Football Hall of Famer and former television actor,  died early Thursday, March 11, 2010, at a Los Angeles hospital. He was 69.(AP Photo/NFL Photos) ** NO SALES **AP - Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen, who helped form one of the NFL's greatest defensive lines before embarking on a successful career in television, died Thursday after a battle with cancer. He was 69.


UConn’s Calhoun says he will sign a new contract (AP)

March 12th, 2010

Connecticut head coach Jim Calhoun looks on during the second half of a game against St. John's in the first round NCAA college basketball game at the Big East Conference Championships Tuesday, March 9, 2010  in New York. Connecticut lost the game 73-51. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)AP - Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun said he intends to sign a new contract with the school he has led to two national championships.


Kansas State, Kansas romp in Big 12 quarterfinals (AP)

March 12th, 2010

Kansas State guard Rodney McGruder (22) and Oklahoma State forward Marshall Moses (33) battle for a rebound during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big 12 tournament Thursday, March 11, 2010, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)AP - Kansas State is one win away from getting one last shot at its archrival.


Benitez stays positive despite defeat at Lille (AFP)

March 12th, 2010

Liverpool forward Fernando Torres (right) vies with Lille's defender Franck Beria during the UEFA Europa League match at the Lille metropole stadium in Villeneuve-d'Ascq. Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez praised his side's attitude despite seeing them fall to a 1-0 defeat at French side Lille in the away leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.(AFP/Philippe Huguen)AFP - Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez praised his side's attitude despite seeing them fall to a 1-0 defeat at French side Lille in the away leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday.


Man convicted in slaying of Broncos cornerback (AP)

March 12th, 2010

FILE - This April 24, 2005,  file photo shows Darrent Williams smiling as he holds a Denver Broncos' jersey bearing his name during a  news conference at the team's headquarters in Denver. Jurors have reached a verdict in the trial of a man charged with murdering Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams. The decision was expected to be read in court shortly. Defendant Willie Clark was taken to the courtroom Thursday, March 11, 2010,  to hear the decision. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski, File)AP - The group of Denver Broncos players arrived at the Safari nightclub to celebrate New Year's Eve and was whisked inside by bouncers. One of the dozens of people waiting in line to get in — an alleged Tre-Tre Crips gang member — took exception.


Three of top 4 seeds bumped in Big East quarters (AP)

March 12th, 2010

Villanova head coach Jay Wright reacts to a call during the second half of a quarterfinal-round NCAA college basketball game against Marquette at the Big East Conference Championships, Thursday, March 11, 2010, in New York. Villanova lost the game 80-76. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)AP - It was a bad day to be a favorite at the Big East tournament.


Canada’s McKeever turning focus to 3rd Paralympics (AP)

March 12th, 2010

FILE - In this Dec. 22, 2009 file photo, visually-impaired Paralympian Brian McKeever from Canmore, Alberta, races in the 50-kilometer event at the Haywood NorAm and Olympic Trials in Canmore. McKeever is turning his focus to another Paralympic Games less than two weeks after having his Olympic dreams dashed. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Jeff McIntosh)AP - Brian McKeever is turning his focus to another Paralympic Games less than two weeks after having his Olympic dreams dashed.