In Sports from United Press International

Report: Lions to hire Mariucci

ALLEN PARK, Mich., Feb. 4 (UPI) -- The Detroit Lions are expected to name Steve Mariucci, who had a 60-43

record in six years with the San Francisco 49ers, their next head coach.

The hiring could be announced either Tuesday or Wednesday.

The Detroit Free Press is reporting that Executive Vice President Tom Lewand and Mariucci's agent, Gary O'Hagen, have reached agreement on all the significant points of a five-year contract worth between $3.5 million and $4 million annually.

The Lions issued a statement Monday afternoon which stated that a deal was not yet in place, but that an agreement could be reached Tuesday.

"While there was significant progress, no deal has yet been finalized that would make Steve our next head coach," said Lions spokesman Bill Keenist.

Mariucci, 47, born and raised in Iron Mountain, Mich., became the immediate front-runner for the job when Millen, the Lions' President and Chief Executive Officer the last two years, fired Marty Mornhinweg as coach on Jan. 27.

Lions owner William Clay Ford had announced on New Year's Eve that both Millen and Mornhinweg would return in 2003, despite Detroit's 5-27 record in their first two seasons, but when San Francisco fired Mariucci on Jan. 15, Millen decided to seize the opportunity to hire Marriucci, and fired Mornhinweg less than two weeks later.

Millen wanted Mariucci to coach the Lions two years ago, but was unable to lure him out of San Francisco. Instead, he settled for Mornhinweg, Mariucci's offensive coordinator from 1997-2000.

The Lions have interviewed only Mariucci for the job. That has drawn strong criticism from civil rights attorneys Johnnie Cochran and Cyrus Mehri.

The NFL mandates that franchises interview minority candidates for head coach and high-ranking front office positions.

"The Lions have seriously threatened to undermine and potentially violate the new NFL minority hiring policy approved by team owners in December," Cochran and Mehri said in a statement. "Prior to conducting a single interview, General Manager Matt Millen essentially crowned Steve Mariucci as the Lions' new head coach. He might well have put up a sign at Lions headquarters reading, 'Head Coaching Vacancy: Minorities Need Not Apply.'"

According to the Detroit Free Press, the Lions approached five minority candidates, including former Minnesota Coach Dennis Green and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Tim Lewis, but they were rejected because Mariucci was the obvious front-runner.

Sherman Lewis, who was named the Lions' offensive coordinator last month, denied a report that he interviewed for the job.

The hiring of Mariucci figures to be a popular one with Lions' fans. Detroit has not made the playoffs since 1999. Mariucci took the Niners to the postseason four times in six years.

However, after winning the NFC West title with a 10-6 record and

leading the Niners to the second-greatest comeback win in playoff history in the wild card round, Mariucci was fired three days after a 31-6 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the divisional playoffs.

The Niners claimed Mariucci wanted to expand his role in the organization and add the title of Vice President of Football Operations, a claim Mariucci has denied.

Mariucci upset the Niners' front office last winter by openly campaigning for a contract extension through the media. He then talked with the Buccaneers about becoming their coach and general manager. He hesitated when it came time to accept the job, and Tampa Bay ultimately made a trade for Jon Gruden.

In Detroit, Mariucci will take over a team that is in a rebuilding mode after finishing 2-14 and 3-13 in two years under Mornhinweg. However, the Lions at least appear to have a building block in quarterback Joey Harrington, the third overall pick in the 2002 draft. They own the second choice in April's draft of 2003.

One of Mariucci's closest friends is Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo, who grew up with Mariucci in Iron Mountain. Mariucci starred as a quarterback at Northern Michigan, leading the school to an NCAA Division II championship in 1975.

He served as quarterbacks coach with the Green Bay Packers under Mike Holmgren from 1992-95, and was the coach at the University of California in 1996.

Long-term deal for Elam

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Feb. 4 (UPI) -- Despite being about $15 million over the salary cap, the Denver Broncos Tuesday locked up three-time Pro Bowl placekicker Jason Elam to a five-year contract.

Financial terms were not disclosed, but Elam reportedly will make $9 million over the length of the deal.

The Broncos designated Elam as their franchise player last season, obligating them to pay the average of the top five players at his position, a one-year tender worth $1.24 million.

Elam, 32, again was eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on Feb. 28 before signing the multi-year deal.

"We felt very confident throughout this process that we would eventually come to an agreement on a new contract for Jason," said General Manager Ted Sundquist. "Jason's production speaks for itself, and we wanted to be able to fairly compensate him, while also being mindful of the challenges of putting together an entire roster."

Elam has spent his entire 10-year career with the Broncos and is their all-time leading scorer with 1,193 points. He has converted 78 percent of his field goals (261-of-333), and his NFL record of 371 consecutive extra points was snapped Nov. 24 in a 23-20 overtime loss to Indianapolis.

Elam is best known for tying Tom Dempsey's NFL record for the longest field goal, kicking a 63-yarder in an Oct. 25, 1998 game against Jacksonville.

"Jason has been a valuable member of this team with his consistent and clutch kicking over the last 10 years," Sundquist said. "We're very happy that he will continue to play a key role in our plans to put together a championship team."

Elam was a member of Denver's back-to-back championship teams in 1997 and '98, and ranks first in total field goals since he was drafted in the third round in 1993.

Last season, Elam converted 26-of-36 field goals and 42-of-43 point after attempts for 120 points, ranking second in the AFC.

Report: Robbins has bipolar disorder

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- Pro Bowl center Barret Robbins of Oakland has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a chemical imbalance of the brain.

Through ESPN, the cable sports network, his agent, Drew Pittman, Monday released a prepared statement along with Robbins' wife, Marissa, in which the player expressed "remorse and deep sadness" for the events surrounding his absence in Super Bowl XXXVII last month.

Robbins missed several team functions the day before the game and was barred by Coach Bill Callahan from playing in the 48-21 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

According to the statement, Robbins currently is in an unidentified hospital receiving treatment for the condition. Pittman offered no estimate as to how long Robbins will remain hospitalized.

Bipolar disorder affects a person's ability to comprehend and reason, and often is accompanied by irrational behavior including the use of alcohol and other substances. Pittman's statement said that alcohol was involved in Robbins' case.

"Obviously this is a tragic situation for everyone involved," Pittman said. "Barrett worked his entire life to be able to play in the Super Bowl and the Pro Bowl, and he missed those opportunities."

The San Francisco Chronicle reported details from a San Leandro, Calif., businessman, Cartier Dise, who said he spent part of the day before the Super Bowl trading tequila shots with a despondent and suicidal Robbins.

An outraged Marisa Robbins told the Contra Costa Times last week, "I was so furious at how quick (teammates) were to jump on (her husband), 'Oh, he was just partying.' That showed a total lack of compassion."

Monday night, Frank Middleton told the San Jose Mercury News that, although he would reassess his feelings after meeting with Robbins, he doesn't regret his comments.

"At the time, nobody knew anything about anything,'' Middleton told the paper. "The way it looked to us was he just didn't show up. I've known the guy for two years, and nobody told us anything about anything. All of a sudden he's manic depressive because he goes missing."

Robbins, who has a history of depression and bipolar illness, was a key cog in helping give Rich Gannon enough time to direct the NFL's best offense this season. He was selected to his first Pro Bowl in 2002, but did not play in Sunday's game in Honolulu.

The Raiders have yet to make any formal decision regarding Robbins' status with the club. Callahan said last week that he still considered Robbins a member of the team.

Pittman admitted that Robbins was "publicly embarrassed," and said the football future of the center is uncertain.

"Currently, Barret's primary concern is getting well and getting a handle on his condition," Pittman said. "The Raiders have not made any decisions regarding his employment as they, too, are more concerned with his well being as a person."

Several Raiders' players were highly critical of Robbins' actions. After the Super Bowl, guard Mo Collins said, "whatever rock he came up from under, he can stay there."

The New York Daily News reported last week that Robbins was on a suicide watch.

Fizer done for season after knee injury

CHICAGO, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- Chicago forward Marcus Fizer, who had emerged as an effective scorer off the bench, will miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL in his right knee.

Fizer met Monday with team orthopedic surgeon Dr. Ira Kornblatt, who confirmed the diagnosis of an ACL tear in the knee that will require surgery. There was no immediate word on when the surgery will take place, but Fizer is expected to need at least six months of rehabilitation.

"He's handled everything like a pro and worked so hard," Bulls Vice President of Basketball Operations Jerry Krause told the Chicago Tribune. "I feel bad for him. And I feel bad for us too. This takes away one of our best players. I think he would've been Sixth Man of the Year."

The 6-8 Fizer was placed on the injured list Saturday with what was originally diagnosed as a right knee sprain. He suffered the injury in Chicago's 107-94 loss at Portland on Friday.

A 2000 first-round draft choice of the Bulls, Fizer was averaging 11.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. He had been playing well of late, scoring at least 16 points in five of the Bulls' previous seven contests, including 17 on Friday.

Jenifer suspended at Virginia

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Feb. 4 (UPI) -- University of Virginia guard Keith Jenifer has been suspended from the men's basketball team by Coach Pete Gillen.

In a prepared statement, released by the school's Sports Information Department, the suspension is indefinite for "conduct detrimental to the team."

That was as far as the statement went, but the Richmond (Va.) Times-Dispatch reported that the suspension likely is tied to a fight Jenifer had with a fellow student.

The paper reported that, on his weekly radio show Monday night, Gillen said Jenifer, a sophomore who lost his starting job last month, would remain suspended "until we get more information on the situation. More information has to be brought forward to see exactly what happened."

The paper said a source indicated Jenifer recently had an altercation with another student near the school's campus, and that a spokesman for the Charlottesville (Va.) Police Department will release more information Tuesday.

The paper also reported that Jenifer was visibly upset on the sideline on Jan. 23, when the Cavaliers knocked off highly-regarded ACC foe Wake Forest, a game televised nationally by ESPN2.

Two nights earlier, they were thrashed, 73-55, by in-state rival Virginia Tech. Gillen changed his starting lineup for the Wake Forest game, and Jenifer was benched.

The 6-3 native of Baltimore has started 14 games and played in all 19 of the Cavaliers' games thus far this season. He leads the team in assists with 104 (5.5 apg.), and is averaging 5.6 points and 3.5 rebounds per contest.

This is the second suspension for Jenifer, who was held out of U.Va.'s first exhibition game in November for an undisclosed violation of team rules.

Virginia (12-7, 3-4 in the ACC) plays ACC leader and No. 10 Maryland (6-1, 14-4) Thursday night at College Park.

Reports: Unhappy Schott sues Reds

CINCINNATI, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- Former Cincinnati Reds owner Marge Schott has sued her former team over the location of her seats at the club's new stadium.

The new stadium, which is called the Great American Ball Park, opens this season. Schott has told a judge in Hamilton County (Ohio) Common Pleas Court she is suing because the team's new owners did not approve her request for a private box.

She told the Cincinnati Enquirer that she was promised a private box and 21 premium seats next to the field.

In the suit, she names the Great American Insurance Co., which owns Schott's former majority share and owns the stadium's naming rights, and is chaired by Carl H. Lindner.

The Cincinnati Post reported Schott asks that the court determine the seats she is entitled to in the new stadium. She said the 1999 sale agreement guarantees her use of the premium-section seats.

The team responded in a prepared statement.

"Not only are these benefits not included in the agreement, but they are greater than any benefit provided to any other Reds owner," the statement said. "We are confident that the matter will be resolved quickly in our favor by the court."

The Post reported the lawsuit said she had use of a private box at the Reds' old stadium, Cinergy Field, and 21 seats that were grouped together in the premium section near home plate. In the new ballpark, her seats are scattered about the stadium and are at the back of the premium section.

The first game in the new stadium is scheduled for March 31 against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Padres ink Lockhart

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- Keith Lockhart, who has carved out a niche for himself as a quality utility player, has signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres.

Financial terms of the deal, which includes an invitation to spring training, were not disclosed. Lockhart made $600,000 with the Atlanta Braves in 2002.

Lockhart, 38, hit .216 with five homers and 32 RBI in 128 games last year. He is a career .261 hitter with 41 homers and 260 RBI over nine seasons.

Lockhart played in 27 games with the Padres in 1994. The native of Whittier, Calif., has appeared in 917 major league games with San Diego (1994), Kansas City (1995-96), and Atlanta (1996-2002), batting .261 with 41 home runs and 260 RBIs over nine years in the majors.

He is scheduled to join the Padres in Peoria, Ariz., for spring training. Pitchers and catchers report to camp on Friday, Feb. 14. Position players report on Feb. 19, with the first full-squad workout the next day.

Merloni, Red Sox come to terms

BOSTON, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- Infielder Lou Merloni avoided arbitration with the Boston Red Sox Monday when he agreed to a one-year contract.

No financial terms were disclosed, but the Red Sox submitted a $450,000 offer in arbitration. Merloni sought $625,000 after making $290,000 last season.

Merloni, 31, hit .246 with 12 doubles, four homers, 18 RBI, and a .332 on-base percentage in 84 games for Boston last season. That included a .321 batting average against lefthanded pitchers.

He played every position last season but pitcher, catcher or centerfield, and made 47 starts at second base.

Merloni, a native of Framingham, Mass., is the last of the Red Sox players eligible for arbitration. He is a career .271 hitter in 258 career games with Boston.

According to the Boston Herald, he joins Trot Nixon ($4 million), Benny Agbayani ($610,000), and Doug Mirabelli ($805,000) as arbitration-eligible signees this offseason.

Carrara, Dodgers come to terms

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers have avoided arbitration with Giovanni Carrara, signing the veteran reliever to a one-year contract worth $790,000.

Carrara, who turns 35 in March, had asked for $880,000 in arbitration. The Dodgers offered $725,000.

The native of Venezuela was 6-3 with a 3.28 ERA and one save in 63 appearances last season. The righthander spent three weeks on the disabled list in August with a strained right forearm.

The 6-2, 210-pounder is 12-4 over the last two years with a 3.22 ERA and one save.

The Dodgers have no other players eligible for salary arbitration.

Goldie Bateson dies at 87

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Feb. 4 (UPI) -- Goldie Bateson, who was regarded as one of the best golf instructors in the country, died Saturday, the LPGA Tour announced Tuesday.

She was 87.

Bateson, a former LPGA Tour member, died in Brookfield, Wisc., after a short illness.

Born in Milwaukee, Bateson joined the tour in 1954, but made her name in instruction. She was recognized as the LPGA National Teacher of the Year in 1965, and achieved Master Professional classification 13 years later.

During the LPGA's 50th anniversary celebration in 2000, she was recognized as one of the LPGA's top 50 players and teachers. In 2002, she was inducted into the LPGA Teaching and Club Professional (T&CP) Hall of Fame.

"Goldie was a brave, courageous person who inspired many people," said LPGA T&CP National President Patti Benson. "She was such a strong contributing force to the LPGA T&CP division. She loved the LPGA so much and gave her all to the game."