UNDATED β The NFL says its investigation into whether the New England Patriots used under-inflated footballs in the AFC championship game is ongoing following a report Tuesday night that claimed the league found 11 balls were not properly inflated. ESPN cited anonymous league sources saying 11 of the Patriots’ 12 allotted game footballs were under-inflated by two pounds. The network did not say how that occurred.
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) β Gary Kubiak has been introduced as the 15th head coach of the Denver Broncos. Kubiak said he was prepared to remain Baltimore’s offensive coordinator after turning down opportunities to interview for two other head coaching jobs, but changed his mind after hearing from Broncos president John Elway. Kubiak spent 13 seasons either backing up Elway at quarterback or drawing up blueprints as his offensive coordinator.
DETROIT (AP) β The agent for Dominic Raiola (ray-OH’-luh) says the veteran center has been informed by the Detroit Lions that he is not part of their plans next season. Raiola has played all 14 of his NFL seasons with Detroit, starting 203 games.
HOUSTON (AP) β The Houston Astros have worked out a one-year, $8 million contract with free agent Colby Rasmus. The outfielder hit .225 with 18 homers and 40 RBIs in 104 games for Toronto last season, including 80 starts. He comes to the Astros one day after the team shipped center fielder Dexter Fowler to the Cubs.
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) β The number two seeds have won through at the Australian open, but not without some effort. Second seed Maria Sharapova came very close to becoming a second-round upset victim. Sharapova made 51 unforced errors and saved two match points in a narrow escape against No. 150-ranked Alexandra Panova, 6-1, 4-6, 7-5. Roger Federer dropped the first set, and asked for medical advice on his sore right pinkie finger, before beating Simone Bolelli 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 to reach the third round. Seventh seeded Eugenie Bouchard’s strong record in Grand Slam tournaments continues. She defeated Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands 6-0, 6-3 in 54 minutes to advance to the third round.
