Manning Jr. mum on assault charge
Ricky Manning Jr. joined the Chicago Bears on Monday, a day after the cornerback was arrested on suspicion of assault following a fight at a restaurant in Los Angeles.
“Unfortunately, I can’t talk about any legal business,” Manning said during a conference call after the Carolina Panthers declined to match the Bears’ offer sheet. “I was advised by my agent that I can’t talk about any legal business or what happened Sunday morning. But when things are sorted out, I’ll be more than happy to tell my side of the story so you can find out what happened.”
Manning, a 25-year-old restricted free agent, signed a five-year, $21 million offer sheet with the Bears last Friday after three seasons with Carolina. A Panthers spokesman said the decision not to match the offer was unrelated to Manning’s arrest.
Manning was arrested early Sunday after he allegedly hit a man in the face at a Denny’s restaurant in the Westwood section of Los Angeles near UCLA, said officer Mike Lopez, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Department.
Vick reaches settlement
A woman who charged in a lawsuit that Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick knowingly gave her a sexually transmitted disease has agreed to an undisclosed resolution of the case, his attorney said Monday.
When asked if the details of the agreement between Vick and the woman, Sonya Elliott, would be disclosed, attorney Lawrence Woodward said: “The only comment I’ve got is the case has been resolved.”
Elliott, a 26-year-old health care worker, claimed she tested positive for herpes after unprotected sex with Vick in April 2003.
Around the league
Colts Pro Bowl linebacker Cato June signed a one-year, $1.57 million contract Monday.
His agent said June still wants a long-term deal with the Colts.
“The guy’s a young, ascending Pro Bowl player, and it would be in the team’s best interest to get a deal done as soon as possible,” Brian Mackler said. “If they don’t, then there are 31 other teams that will value what Cato does.”
June, who had five interceptions in 2005, became a restricted free agent last month and drew a lot of interest from other NFL teams, Mackler said.
June has “a strong desire to stay in Indianapolis,” Mackler said. “But you need two to dance. … They haven’t approached us about doing a long-term deal.”
•Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Manchester United owner Malcolm Glazer was released from a hospital Monday, eight days after the reclusive Palm Beach businessman suffered a stroke.
Glazer, 77, has impaired speech and mobility in his right arm and leg, one of his sons said in a statement.