Kennedy Arrested, Denies Pushing Wife

Seahawks Pro Bowl tackle Cortez Kennedy, arrested after his wife said he shoved her into a bedpost, pleaded innocent Tuesday to a misdemeanor assault charge.

Kennedy’s lawyer Jim Clark said his client would consider taking advantage of a counseling program.

“Everything’s going to be OK,” Kennedy, 27, said as he left Bellevue District Court with Clark.

A report on the arrest was carried in the Bellevue Journal-American.

Kennedy, a five-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle and mainstay of the Seahawks’ defensive line, was arrested by Bellevue police early Tuesday after his wife, Nicole, called police to their home late Monday night.

She told police she’d been sitting in their bedroom with her 10-month-old child when the 293-pound Kennedy came into the room and found her penning a man’s name into her address book. Kennedy became angry and shoved his wife, who fell back into a bedpost, police said.

Judge Linda Jacke accepted Kennedy’s plea and ordered a jury trial.

But the criminal case might be sidetracked if Kennedy chooses to take advantage of a program in which he wouldn’t be forced to plead guilty, but could accept responsibility and undergo counseling.

If he does that and completes the program, the criminal charge would be dropped after 18 months, said city Prosecutor Susan Irwin.

Smith denies blaming Warren

Seahawks running back Lamar Smith denied he deliberately seized an opportunity to blame teammate Chris Warren for the traffic accident that left tackle Mike Frier partially paralyzed.

Smith, on trial in Seattle for vehicular assault, testified that after he drove his Oldsmobile Bravada into a traffic median and power pole, he told the first police officer to arrive that he was driving.

When another officer told him Warren confessed to being the driver, Smith said, he didn’t contradict him because “I didn’t know what Chris was thinking.”

“I didn’t know why he was sticking up for me, so I just decided I wasn’t going to say anything different until I could talk to him,” Smith told the King County Superior Court jury.

That chance came at the hospital where the men were treated for injuries, and where Pro Bowl runner Warren was arrested. At that point, Smith said, he told the officers, “You’re making a big mistake.”

Harbaugh given franchise status

Indianapolis, hoping to avoid the possibility of losing quarterback Jim Harbaugh, notified the NFL that he has been designated a franchise player.

The league’s top-rated quarterback last season, Harbaugh was one of the Colts’ seven unrestricted free agents, meaning he could have signed with any other team without bringing anything in return.

As a franchise player, he still may sign with any other team, but the Colts have the right to match any offer. If he leaves, Indianapolis would receive two first-round draft picks in compensation.

Belichick may find out future today

Baltimore owner Art Modell said he expects to determine the status of coach Bill Belichick as soon as today.

Eagles re-sign Zordich

Philadelphia strong safety Mike Zordich agreed to a three-year contract that will be worth $2.6 million if he plays the third year.