FOOTBALL
Claiborne’s option not picked up
The Dallas Cowboys are not picking up the fifth-year option of Morris Claiborne’s rookie contract, making the injury-plagued cornerback eligible for free agency after the 2015 season. The sixth pick in the 2012 draft will not participate in offseason workouts and likely won’t be ready for the start of training camp because of the torn patellar tendon in his left knee that kept him out of 12 games last season. A story on the team’s website Monday revealed the expected move. Morris would have been guaranteed about $11 million in 2016 had the Cowboys picked up the option. Dallas used its first-round pick in last week’s draft, No. 27 overall, on cornerback Byron Jones from Connecticut. Claiborne started 15 games as a rookie in 2012, when he had 43 tackles, one interception and eight passes defended. He played 10 games, starting seven, in 2013 when he had 24 tackles and an interception while dealing with a hamstring issue. The other Cowboys first-round picks from 2010-2014 have all made the Pro Bowl: receiver Dez Bryant and offensive linemen Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick and Zack Martin.
San Francisco 49ers fullback Bruce Miller has been charged with misdemeanor vandalism after he was investigated in a domestic case stemming from an argument with his girlfriend that led to his arrest March 5. The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office announced its findings Monday. The district attorney says that “while original reports indicated that Miller may have pushed his girlfriend from his parked car, an investigation into the alleged assault was inconclusive.” Miller, 27, has been away from the 49ers during the offseason workout program at team headquarters in Santa Clara. He received a three-year contract extension last year, and had been engaged to be married. Jim Demertzis said the prosecution intends to ask the court that Miller undergo the type of counseling that will make an incident like this less likely to occur in the future. A key run-blocker, Miller had 18 catches for 189 yards and 2 touchdowns last season for the 49ers, who went 8-8 and missed the playoffs for the first time in four years.
The Buffalo Bills have signed free agent defensive lineman Alex Carrington (Arkansas State). Carrington returns to the team that selected him in the third round of the 2010 draft. Carrington played for the Bills in 2010-2013 before joining the St. Louis Rams in 2014. Carrington has 54 tackles and 4 sacks in 5 seasons, mostly as a backup. He earned a starting job with the Bills in 2013 before a torn quadriceps ended his season after three games. The signing gives the Bills added depth and experience on the defensive line as the team transitions to a 3-4 scheme under new coach Rex Ryan. The Bills did not select any defensive linemen in the draft. Carrington also is a presence on special teams. He set a Bills record in 2012 by blocking six kicks (four field goals, two extra points).
HOCKEY
Devils hire new GM
After a 28-year run, Lou Lamoriello is stepping down as the New Jersey Devils general manager and handing the job to Ray Shero. The 72-year-old Lamoriello announced the change Monday, noting that he will remain as president of hockey operations. He said he has considered stepping down for a while and that he was not forced out by ownership after missing the playoffs the past three seasons. Lamoriello has led the Devils since 1987, guiding them to three Stanley Cup titles, five Eastern Conference titles and nine division championships in 21 playoff appearances. Shero, 52, was let go as the Pittsburgh Penguins general manager last May. The Devils received permission from the Penguins to talk with Shero, but they were not compensated for the hire. Shero will run the team, and he will be in charge or hiring a new coach, said Lamoriello, noting that Shero will report to him. Shero served as the Penguins general manager for eight seasons, winning the 2009 Stanley Cup, two consecutive Eastern Conference titles in 2007-08 and 2008-09 and had three first-place division finishes. Lamoriello fired coach Pete DeBoer in December, and he then ran the team with the help of Adam Oates and Scott Stevens.
Sidney Crosby scored a goal as Canada beat host Czech Republic 6-3 at the ice hockey world championship on Monday in Prague, and the United States bested defending champion Russia 4-2. It was the third victory in three games for both North American teams and Sweden equaled their record by routing Latvia 8-1. Last year’s runner-up Finland blanked Norway 5-0 for its second victory. Canada tops Group A with nine points, while the Czechs have four. The young U.S. team leads Group B in Ostrava with nine points, three more than Russia, and plays Belarus next on Thursday.
TENNIS
Murray wins in Munich
Andy Murray won his first clay-court title on Monday when he overcame Philipp Kohlschreiber 7-6 (4), 5-7, 7-6 (4) in the rain-delayed final of the BMW Open in Munich. The top-seeded Murray was the steadier player in the decisive tiebreaker and clinched the close match when Kohlschreiber sent a backhand long on Murray’s second match point. The final was rained out on Sunday, with former two-time Munich champion Kohlschreiber leading 3-2 on serve, and postponed until Monday. Murray was in his first final on clay and won his 32nd career title, a welcome boost ahead of the French Open — the second Grand Slam of the season that is played on clay. The Scot, ranked No, 3 in the world, became the first British man to win a title on clay since Buster Mottram in 1976.
Serena Williams needed just 58 minutes to beat fellow American Sloane Stephens 6-4, 6-0 and reach the third round of the Madrid Open. The top-ranked Williams broke Stephens four times and saved both break points she faced to secure her 25th consecutive victory. She will next face the winner between Victoria Azarenka and Ajla Tomljanovic. Williams remained undefeated in 2015, with her last loss coming in round-robin play at last year’s WTA finals. Earlier, Caroline Wozniacki powered past Christina McHale of the United States 7-5, 6-0 to reach the third round of the Madrid Open.
GOLF
McIlroy, Spieth together
The match that didn’t happen in San Francisco will be available in stroke play at The Players Championship this week. Match Play winner Rory McIlroy and Masters champion Jordan Spieth are in the same group for the opening two rounds. McIlroy is a four-time major champion who stretched his lead at No. 1 in the world with his victory Sunday in the Match Play Championship. Spieth is No. 2 in the world. He was eliminated before the weekend at the Match Play. Jason Day is the third member of that group. Tiger Woods is competing for the first time since he tied for 17th in the Masters. He was in the same group as U.S. Open champion Martin Kaymer and Adam Scott. Kaymer in the defending champion at The Players.