DAVIE, Fla. (AP) – Miami Dolphins coach Joe Philbin says the decision to release six-time Pro Bowl receiver Chad Johnson wasn’t based on any single incident and wasn’t made to send a message.
Philbin said the Dolphins simply decided the fit was wrong for both the team and Johnson.
The Dolphins terminated Johnson’s contract Sunday night, about 24 hours after he was arrested in a domestic battery case involving his wife. Johnson was released from jail on $2,500 bond earlier Sunday after his wife accused him of head-butting her during an argument.
Earlier in the week, Philbin said Johnson’s roster spot could be in jeopardy if he didn’t temper his freewheeling behavior. Johnson annoyed the coach by frequently using profanity during a session with reporters.
CORTLAND, N.Y. (AP) – The New York Jets have extensively practiced their wildcat package with Tim Tebow for the first time in front of the media during training camp.
The Jets provided a small glimpse into their plan for Tebow and their wildcat-style formation on Aug. 2 during goal-line drills, but had not worked specifically on the scheme until Monday.
The practice is closed to the public, so the media is restricted from reporting specifics about how the Jets are using the wildcat and with what personnel. But, as coach Rex Ryan has insisted, the wildcat appears it will be at least a small part of Tony Sparano’s offense with Tebow in the mix.
Sparano helped make the scheme popular again a few years ago when he was the coach of the Miami Dolphins.
UNDATED (AP) – A couple match-ups of division leaders highlight a reduced major league baseball schedule, one in each league.
Washington opens a series in San Francisco in the National League. The Nationals boast the best record in the majors at 71-44 as they make a bid for the post-season. Gio Gonzalez has been a big reason. The left-hander takes a 14-6 mark and 3.32 ERA to the hill tonight. The West-division leading Giants go with Ryan Vogelsong who’s 10-5 with a 2.27 ERA. He’s gone at least six innings in 21 consecutive starts.
The showdown of division leaders in the American League happens in New York where the Yankees host Texas in the opener of their series. The Rangers are riding a 10-3 wave that’s helped them open a 6 1-2 game lead in the West. Recently acquired Ryan Dempster takes the mound for Texas, coming off a win in which he took a shutout into the seventh and gave up three unearned runs in 6 2-3 innings. David Phelps slips into the Yankees pitching rotation in place of CC Sabathia, who’s nursing a left elbow injury while on the disabled list.
The top winning streak in the major right now belongs to Tampa Bay. The Rays try to make it seven in a row when they start a series in Seattle tonight. That runs has vaulted Tampa Bay to within five games of the first-place Yankees in the East and to the top of the wildcard standings.
Cole Hamels has been one of the few bright spots in a disappointing season for the Phillies. He’s back on the mound tonight against Miami in a meeting of the bottom two teams in the National League East. Hamels is 12-6 and is coming off a five-hit shutout of Atlanta.
Five games are set in the American League and six in the National.
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) – The NFL’s first full round of exhibition games comes to a close tonight when the Cowboys visit Oakland.
Raiders coach Dennis Allen says Terrelle Pryor will get plenty of snaps behind starter Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart. Pryor was limited to just one play last year after being taken in the supplemental draft, then sitting out a suspension for his involvement in the Ohio State memorabilia-for-cash scandal.
The Cowboys have suffered through significant injuries to the interior line, especially at center. Kevin Kowalski and Bill Nagy are out with ankle injuries and starter Phil Costa could miss the game with a lower back problem.
First round draft pick Morris Claiborne is expected to miss the game. The cornerback was out last week with a sprained knee.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Texas at N-Y Yankees 6:05 p.m.
Chi White Sox at Toronto 6:07 p.m.
Detroit at Minnesota 7:10 p.m.
Cleveland at L.A. Angels 9:05 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Seattle 9:10 p.m.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
L.A. Dodgers at Pittsburgh 6:05 p.m.
Philadelphia at Miami 6:10 p.m.
San Diego at Atlanta 6:10 p.m.
Houston at Chi Cubs 7:05 p.m.
Milwaukee at Colorado 7:40 p.m. (LISTEN LIVE on ESPN Radio 1410)
Washington at San Francisco 9:15 p.m.
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE PRESEASON
Dallas at Oakland 7:00 p.m.