Bryant, mother make joint appearance
DALLAS, July 24 (UPI) -- Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant and his mother, who claimed he assaulted her, appeared together Tuesday, issuing a statement saying they "love each other."
Angela Bryant called police July 15 saying the Cowboys receiver grabbed her, ripped her T-shirt and bra, pulled her hair and slapped her across the face with a cap, a police affidavit said.
In a 911 call to police she was heard to say: "I can't keep letting him do me like this. I'm tired. I'm going to put an end to it today."
Dez Bryant was arrested after the alleged incident, but prosecutors said Monday Angela Bryant had declined to press charges.
The two appeared together Tuesday in the office of attorney Royce West, who read a statement from the pair, The Dallas Morning News reported.
"They are here together today to show they do love and support each other, just as much as they did before the incident a week ago," West told reporters. "But like all families, the Bryants have disagreements."
The attorney added, "Dez and his mother believe this is a family matter that can be worked out through counseling."
Neither of the Bryants spoke to reporters at the news conference.
Predators match Flyers' offer for Weber
NASHVILLE, July 24 (UPI) -- Nashville Tuesday matched a $110 million offer sheet from Philadelphia for Shea Weber, keeping the restricted free agent defenseman with the Predators.
Weber's new contract with the Predators is for 14 years -- the third-longest in the history of the league and the richest ever awarded in the 14-year history of the franchise.
"In tendering an offer sheet to Shea Weber, we were trying to add a top defenseman entering the prime of his career," Flyers General Manager Paul Holmgren said. "With Nashville matching our offer, we wish Shea and the Predators all the best."
Weber, a second-round draft pick of the Predators in 2003, has served as Nashville's captain since 2010. The 26-year-old has registered 99 goals and 164 assists over his seven NHL seasons.
He notched 19 goals and 30 assists in 78 games last season.
Reports: Browns sign 1st round picks
CLEVELAND, July 24 (UPI) -- First-round picks Brandon Weeden and Trent Richardson have signed four-year contracts with the Cleveland Browns, multiple reports indicted Tuesday.
Quarterback Weeden, the 22nd overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft from Oklahoma State, signed a deal estimated to be worth $8.1 million, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer reported.
The newspaper said Weeden wanted all four years to be guaranteed, but settled for full guarantees for three of them and a partial guarantee on the fourth.
He is expected to become the Browns' starting quarterback right away.
The team reached a four-year, $20.4 million, fully-guaranteed contract for Richardson, an all-American running back from Alabama, ESPN reported.
The top-rated prospect was taken by the Browns with the third overall pick in the 2012 draft.
His contract includes a $13.6 million signing bonus, the broadcaster said.
Bulls don't match offer, Asik to Rockets
HOUSTON, July 24 (UPI) -- Restricted free-agent center Omer Asik joined Houston Tuesday after the Chicago Bulls failed to match the Rockets' three-year, $25.1 million offer sheet.
Asik signed the Rockets' offer sheet Friday in Chicago after meeting with Rockets Coach Kevin McHale in Las Vegas, the Chicago Tribune reported.
The 7-foot, second-year front-courtman averaged 3.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game in 66 games for the Bulls last season.
Asik helped lead Turkey to a silver-medal-winning performance at the 2010 FIBA World Championships.
"We are excited to add Omer to our roster," Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey said. "Omer has proven to be a defensive force at every stop in his career -- in the Turkish league, in FIBA's World Championships and EuroBasket competitions, and of course for the past two years for the Chicago Bulls."
"We have decided not to match Houston's offer sheet for restricted free agent Omer Asik," Bulls GM Gar Forman said. "It was a difficult decision because Omer did a nice job for us."
The Rockets also announced Tuesday they had waived guard E'Twaun Moore.
