Manning prepares to play in 2015
In a meeting with general manager John Elway and and several Denver Broncos officials, quarterback Peyton Manning told them that he is in good health and will be ready for the 2015 season.
Manning was flown to Denver by the Broncos on Thursday for the meeting
and expressed his desire to return, ESPN reported Friday.
According to the report, Manning underwent his own medical exam administered by elite trainer Mackie Shilstone in New Orleans and was given good marks in workouts and tests. The quad injury that bothered Manning during the latter stages of the 2014 season has healed.
Manning’s contract requires him to have a formal physical exam. Keeping Manning on the roster at the league’s March 9 deadline will guarantee a $19 million contract for 2015.
Reds’ closer agrees to deal
The Cincinnati Reds and left-handed closer Aroldis Chapman avoided arbitration Friday by agreeing to a one-year contract.
Chapman reportedly will earn $8.05 million. He had filed for $8.7 million and the Reds had offered $6.65 million.
Chapman had a base salary of $5 million last season as part of the six-year, $30.25 million contract he signed in January 2010 following his defection from Cuba.
Knicks owner defends response
Knicks owner James Dolan said his vitriolic response to an email from an angry fan was “tit for tat” and he knows he should not have responded that way.
Speaking Friday during a charity event at All-Star Weekend, Dolan said the critical email from 73-year-old fan Irving Bierman “caught me at the wrong moment and I responded sort of like tit for tat. I knew I shouldn’t have done that, but I did it anyway because it made me angry. It was a personal, hateful attack.
“Basically it’s over and we’ve got All-Star Weekend. I’d love it if we all just focused on that.”
Colts’ Bradshaw cited for pot possession
Indianapolis Colts running back Ahmad Bradshaw was cited for marijuana possession last week in Ohio, according to a report Friday.
Bradshaw was ticketed after a traffic stop in Preble County, Ohio, on Feb. 5, according to WDTN-TV in Dayton, Ohio. He was scheduled for a Feb. 17 court date, WDTN reported.
Bradshaw has suffered through two injury-plagued seasons with the Colts. A neck injury ended his season after three games in 2013, and he suffered a broken leg in the 11th game last season. He finished 2014 with 425 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Bradshaw, 28, is scheduled to become a free agent next month.
Lions’ Fairley found not guilty of DUI
Detroit Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley was found not guilty of DUI on Friday in Mobile, Ala.
Fairley instead was found guilty of reckless driving and fined $500, WKGR-TV reported.
Fairley, 27, was arrested in May 2012 after being stopped for driving more than 100 mph in Alabama. The state trooper who arrested him testified that Fairley failed three field sobriety tests, but Fairley’s fiancée testified he had imbibed just one drink that night, hours before the traffic stop.
This was the second positive result for Fairley in a legal case stemming from 2012. He had a charge of marijuana possession dismissed in December of that year.