Parcells: Owens flap worse from outside
DALLAS, Jan. 26 (UPI) -- Former Dallas Cowboys Coach Bill Parcells says the problems with wide receiver Terrell Owens weren't as bad as they seemed from the outside.
In his first remarks since retiring from the Cowboys after four seasons, Parcells said at a Dallas news conference he tried to make it work between the two as best he could and avoided sideline blowups.
"It was nothing I felt was insurmountable or we never had to draw a line in the sand," he told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "Now, it wasn't perfect. And it wasn't as problematic as it was portrayed."
Parcells, who went 34-32 with the Cowboys, including two playoff losses, admitted this was the toughest coaching job he's ever had, partly because of the instability at quarterback. But, he thinks Tony Romo will do well next season.
No tailgating at the Super Bowl
MIAMI, Jan. 26 (UPI) -- Fans that planned to show up early at the Super Bowl in Miami on Feb. 4 to enjoy a little tailgating are in for a nasty surprise: It's banned.
For Bears and Colts fans, there's no grilling allowed, no coolers, with or without beer, and, unless you have tickets for the big game, you won't be able to get near Dolphin Stadium, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel said.
Cars heading into the stadium parking lots will be screened. Among the items banned are containers, coolers, backpacks, bottles, banners and noisemakers.
About 70,000 fans are expected to attend Super Bowl XLI, but only 11,000 stadium-side parking spots are available.
If they want to park near the stadium, ticket holders can buy special permits in advance, ranging from $60 to $325 per vehicle.
Boston Red Sox finally sign J.D. Drew
BOSTON, Jan. 26 (UPI) -- The Boston Red Sox signed right-fielder J.D. Drew to a five-year contract Friday, a published report said.
Financial terms of the deal were not released, but the Boston Globe said the contract would pay Drew $70 million through 2011.
Drew had a stellar 2006 season hitting .283 for the Los Angeles Dodgers while playing in a career-high 146 games with 20 home runs and 100 RBI. The only concern was reconstructive surgery on his right shoulder in September 2005. Drew hits left-handed and signing at the baseball Winter Meetings was delayed until he passed a physical.
"I was fully aware of what was going on, talking to Scott (Boras) and (General Manager Theo Epstein), Drew said in a conference call Friday. "There were some minor issues contractually and they would be worked out."
Boras is Drew's agent.
Drew, 31, was a first-round pick by Philadelphia in the 1997 baseball draft. He has a career .286 average with 162 homers and 509 RBI in nine seasons with St. Louis, Atlanta and Los Angeles.
Green, Goosen are co-leaders at Doha
DOHA, Qatar, Jan. 26 (UPI) -- Richard Green and Retief Goosen were co-leaders Friday after two rounds of the European Tour's Qatar Masters at Doha.
Goosen, who led the event after the first 18 holes Thursday, shot 4-under-par 68 in the second round. Green caught him after shooting a 7-under 65.
They have an overall score of 11-under-par 133.
"I birdied the second hole, but then lost my concentration on the fifth and suddenly I wasn't making anything," Goosen said on the tour's Web site. "But there are 36 holes to be played and a lot can happen. I just need to get a good round in (Saturday) and make a few putts."
Australia's Nick O'Hern (69) is alone in third place at 9-under 135.
Defending champion Henrik Stenson of Sweden (68) is tied for fourth with 1999 British Open champion Paul Lawrie (67) of England, Wen-Chong Liang (67) of China and Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez (70) at 8-under 136.
