IN BRIEF
PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Eagles placed the franchise tag on Pro Bowl quarterback Michael Vick Tuesday.
Vick led the Eagles to a 10-6 record and the NFC East title after replacing an injured Kevin Kolb in Week 1. Despite missing three games with an injury, Vick had his best season.
He set career highs in yards passing (3,018), touchdowns passing (21), touchdowns rushing (9), completion percentage (62.6) and passer rating (100.2).
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Butler Country Club golf pro Rob McClellan and his two teammates tied for first with a 55 in the scramble tournament held Monday by the Treasure Coast Senior Tour at Santa Lucia River Club.McClellan teamed with Roy Vucinich of Moon Township and Bill Miller of Fort Wayne, Ind.Each team was comprised of a player age 49 and younger, one who was 50 to 64 and one 65 and older.McClellan and his teammates earned $425 each.
PITTSBURGH — Butler Cubs boxer Robert Osterider won his first amateur bout by a TKO 1.20 seconds into the second round over Blake Hodder of South Park Boxing Saturday at the Sokol Club.
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts are keeping Peyton Manning — no matter what it costs.Manning, the only four-time MVP in league history, was given the exclusive franchise tag Tuesday, a move that could cost the Colts $23 million next season. Team owner Jim Irsay announced the decision on Twitter.Last year, Irsay promised to make Manning the NFL's highest-paid player.
JUPITER, Fla. — St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said Tuesday first baseman Albert Pujols and his representatives are being pressured by the players' union during contract negotiations.Pujols, who can become a free agent after the World Series, had set a deadline of noon today for a new deal.Pujols has vowed to cut off negotiations once he arrives at spring training. La Russa said he thinks the three-time National League MVP is being pushed to set a new standard with his contract, and he said that's unfair to the player.
ATLANTA — All-Star defenseman Dustin Byfuglien signed a five-year, $26 million contract extension with the Atlanta Thrashers Tuesday.The 25-year-old Byfuglien would have been a restricted free agent after the season.Byfuglien, acquired in an offseason trade with Chicago, has enjoyed immediate success in Atlanta. He leads the Thrashers with 43 points and leads all NHL defensemen with 17 goals.
MADRID — Alberto Contador was cleared of doping Tuesday after the Spanish cycling federation reversed its proposal to ban him one year for a positive test at the Tour de France.Contador will keep his third Tour title and can ride in this year's race, but the International Cycling Union and the World Anti-Doping Agency can appeal the decision.
