FOOTBALL

DOLPHINS HIRE MUELLER AS GENERAL MANAGER

The Miami Dolphins hired former New Orleans general manager Randy Mueller as their GM yesterday to help first-year coach Nick Saban rebuild the franchise, which slid to an embarrassing 4-12 last season. Mueller replaces Rick Spielman, who left the Dolphins last week after five seasons helping oversee their personnel moves.

Mueller served as a general manager for the Saints in 2000 and 2001.The Saints captured the NFC West title and earned their first-ever playoff win in Mueller’s first season with the team. He spent 17 years with the Seattle Seahawks before joining the Saints, eventually becoming vice president of football operations in 1995.

Mueller traded Ricky Williams from the Saints to the Dolphins for two first-round draft picks before the 2002 season. Williams’s agent, Leigh Steinberg, has said the former NFL rushing leader is contemplating a return to the Dolphins after unexpectedly retiring just before training camp last season.

REDKSINS AVOID COURT DATE OVER NUMBER DISPUTE

A trial between former NFL teammates over a jersey number was averted yesterday when running back Clinton Portis agreed to pay $18,000 to former Washington Redskins teammate Ifeanyi Ohalete. Ohalete will receive all but $2,000 of the $20,000 he was seeking as the balance due for a $40,000 agreement that gave Portis the Redskins jersey no. 26 last year. The case appeared headed for a trial in a Maryland District Court today.

When Portis joined the Redskins in 2004, he said he wanted the wear the same jersey number he wore for two seasons with the Denver Broncos. But no. 26 already belonged to Ohalete, and he was adamant that he wanted to keep it. Protracted negotiations led to a contract signed by Portis, Ohalete, and witness Brad Berlin, the Redskins equipment manager. It called for Portis to pay Ohalete $40,000 in three installments: $20,000 immediately, $10,000 by Week 8 of the NFL season, and $10,000 by Christmas Day. Portis paid the $20,000 up front and got his coveted no. 26. Ohalete switched to no. 30.

But Ohalete then was cut by the Redskins during training camp in August and was claimed off waivers by Arizona. Portis apparently felt Ohalete’s departure voided the rest of the contract, so he didn’t pay the final two installments.

SANDERS COMEBACK HITS SNAG

Deion Sanders’s return to the Baltimore Ravens hit a minor snag yesterday when a surgeon was unavailable to complete the cornerback’s physical. The seven-time Pro Bowler is expected to learn the results of an MRI today, according to team spokesman Chad Steele.

Sanders, who turns 38 in August, underwent minor toe surgery after playing only nine games because of toe and hamstring injuries after coming back from a three-year retirement. Before undergoing his physical, Sanders confirmed in an ESPN interview that he has reached an agreement in principle with the Ravens. The one-year contract is reportedly worth $1.5 million and could be worth as much as $4 million with incentives.

CYCLING

ARMSTRONG FINISHES IN PACK AT DAUPHINE LIBERE

Lance Armstrong finished 79th and in the chasing pack yesterday in the first stage of the Dauphine Libere, which was won by Thor Hushovd of Norway.

Armstrong is tuning up for his bid for a seventh straight title in Tour de France, which will be his final race before retirement. The Texan was fifth in the prologue Sunday and is expected to excel in tomorrow’s time trial and the mountain ascents later in the week.

George Hincapie, the prologue winner who rides for Armstrong’s Discovery Channel team, was 26th in the 139-mile stage but remained in first place overall. Hushovd, who races for the Credit Agricole team, edged Robert Hunter in a dash to the line. He was timed in 5 hours, 10 minutes, 55 seconds in a stage featuring three small climbs. Juan Antonio Flecha was third, followed by Luke Roberts and Manuel Quinziato.

Today’s stage, a 116-mile ride from Givors to Chauffailles, is similarly flat and will again favor the sprinters, with Armstrong most likely to remain safely in the main pack.

BASEBALL

BARMES OUT THREE MONTHS AFTER FALL

Colorado Rockies rookie sensation Clint Barmes will miss at least three months after breaking his left collarbone in a fall while carrying groceries, the team said yesterday. Barmes hurt himself going up a flight of stairs at home Sunday night. The 26-year-old shortstop will have surgery today. Barmes was leading NL rookies in nearly every offensive category, including batting average (.329),runs (40),hits (74),doubles (16),home runs (8), and RBI (34).

CHIPPER JONES PLACED ON DL

The Atlanta Braves placed third baseman Chipper Jones on the 15-day disabled list yesterday and still aren’t sure how long their team leader will be out. Jones left Sunday’s game in Pittsburgh when he reinjured his left foot. He was examined by Dr. Joe Chandler, the team orthopedist, on Monday and was scheduled to see a foot specialist and have an MRI on Tuesday.

COLLEGE SPORTS

SUPREME COURT REJECTS SUIT AGAINST TITLE IX

The Supreme Court refused to consider reinstating a lawsuit that accuses federal officials of discriminating against male athletes in enforcing equal opportunities for women.

Justices, without comment, rejected an appeal yesterday from the National Wrestling Coaches Association and other groups that have been fighting federal policies under the anti-discrimination law known as Title IX. At issue for the court was whether the challengers showed that the law directly caused a reduction in men’s sports and whether they should be allowed to sue federal officials.

The case involved claims that the government is forcing colleges to discriminate against male athletes because of a requirement that the ratio of male to female athletes be similar to the overall student population. Over the past two decades, the number of wrestling teams at NCAA schools has dropped from 363 to 222. Title IX has been blamed for part of the decline. In addition to men’s wrestling team cuts, other schools have dropped outdoor track, swimming programs, and ice hockey, the court was told.

– Associated Press