NY turns down Burress' request for work release

Former New York Giants Super Bowl star Plaxico Burress has come up short in his bid for work release during his two-year prison sentence in a gun case, a denial that could keep him behind bars until at least next spring, prison officials said.

The state Department of Correctional Services said the nature of his November 2008 crime merited turning down his request for a work furlough, which would have let him spend some portion of his time free and working. Burress can appeal the decision but otherwise can't reapply for a work furlough until June 6, 2011, the date he comes up for potential full release if he gets time off for good behavior.

"The serious and negative impact illegal guns have on the community coupled with (the) dangerous nature of the weapon discharging in a public place renders him unsuitable for work release," the agency said.

Burress' lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, didn't immediately return a telephone call seeking comment.

For now, the wide receiver remains in protective custody, because of his notoriety, at a prison in the central New York community of Oneida.

Pro baseball: Nats' Strasburg to have Tommy John surgery Friday

Washington Nationals rookie ace Stephen Strasburg will have Tommy John surgery on Friday to rebuild his injured right elbow, an operation that is expected to sideline him for 12 to 18 months.

The ligament replacement surgery will be in Los Angeles and performed by Dr. Lewis Yocum, with Nationals team doctor Dr. Wiemi Douoguih assisting.

"He is dealing with it like a professional," Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said before last night's game against Florida. "He's very determined to get it done and start the process."

Strasburg will begin his recuperation the day after the surgery, recovering at the Scripps Clinic in his hometown of San Diego.

More pro baseball: Overbay does not have a concussion

Toronto first baseman Lyle Overbay does not have a concussion, but is feeling as if he did.

Overbay was out of the lineup for the fourth straight game because of post-concussion symptoms. He did resume on-field work before Toronto played at Tampa Bay and hopes to play again in the next few days.

Overbay was hurt last week when he collided with Blue Jays pitcher Brian Tallet. After having no problems for a couple days, Overbay was taken out of last Friday's game because he was not feeling well.

Pro football: Saints' Sharper still hoping to play vs. Vikings

All-Pro safety Darren Sharper says his goal remains to be ready to play against the Minnesota Vikings in the Sept. 9 regular season opener, even though he hasn't practiced yet this preseason.

Head coach Sean Payton says he's not sure when Sharper will return to practice, but says he won't travel to Tennessee for tomorrow's preseason finale.

More pro football: Seattle sends CB Wilson to Baltimore

The Seattle Seahawks have traded starting cornerback Josh Wilson to the Baltimore Ravens for a conditional 2011 draft pick.

The move came just as the Seahawks were wrapping up practice, a practice that Wilson participated in.

Wilson spent his first three seasons with the Seahawks after being a second-round pick out of Maryland in 2007. Wilson started 23 of 28 games the last two seasons and took both of his interceptions a year ago back for touchdowns.

Pro hockey: Weight set to return to Islanders

New York Islanders captain Doug Weight signaled his return in June when he agreed to a one-year contract, a deal that general manager Garth Snow described then as "in essence, done."

After the lengthy hiatus that followed, Weight's deal — worth $850,000 with the potential to earn more through team bonuses — was completed yesterday.

The 39-year-old, who joked that he fell off the face of the Earth for six weeks this summer while back home in Michigan, will return to the Islanders after season-ending surgery in March to repair a torn rotator cuff and labrum on his left shoulder.

Weight, who played through those injuries for most of last season, said his shoulder feels the best it has in years. Because of his aggressive rehab, he's also had more time this offseason than any to focus on his entire body while getting back into shape.

More pro hockey: Chelios, 48, retires, takes job with Red Wings

With his family seated in front of him, former Detroit Red Wings defenseman Chris Chelios announced his retirement from the NHL at Joe Louis Arena.

Chelios, 48, tried to thank as many people as possible in the speech he prepared, but he strayed from it several times. He had to pause a few times while speaking about his wife and children.

"The only tough part was the family part," Chelios said afterward. "Seeing the kids, I thought, would loosen me up a bit.

"It's an emotional moment. The hockey part was easy, mostly because I'm going to be remaining with the Red Wings. Had it been a farewell speech — I think it was a little tougher when I said good-bye two years ago, because I realized I wasn't going to be a Red Wing."

More pro hockey: Oilers G Khabibulin gets 30 days in Ariz. DUI case

Edmonton Oilers goalie Nikolai Khabibulin has been sentenced to 30 days in jail stemming from his Arizona drunken-driving conviction.

The four-time All-Star received the sentence in Scottsdale City Court. He also was fined $5,100 and must enroll in an alcohol-treatment program.

He was ordered to report to jail Saturday, but that could be delayed because he's appealing his sentence.

The 37-year-old played for Phoenix from 1996-99 and still has a home in Paradise Valley. He was pulled over in his Ferrari on Feb. 8, after the car was clocked at 70 mph in a 45 mph zone.

Police said an officer smelled alcohol and Khabibulin was arrested after a field sobriety test.

College football: NCAA denies Masoli's waiver to play in 2010

The NCAA has denied Mississippi quarterback Jeremiah Masoli's request for a waiver that would allow him to play immediately, meaning the former Oregon standout won't be eligible until 2011.

Mississippi officials announced plans to appeal the ruling, with a response expected in less than one week.

"I'm just shocked and disappointed," Masoli said. "I've done everything I can to follow the rules."

Mississippi athletic director Pete Boone said the decision was "subjective" and expected a successful appeal.

"There is no question in my mind Jeremiah is in the right place," Mississippi coach Houston Nutt said. "We're in the people-helping business. I want to plead with that subcommittee. He's done nothing but what he's supposed to do."

Masoli transferred to Mississippi after being kicked off Oregon's team after two run-ins with police.

More college football: BYU going independent

BYU is going independent in football, after all.

BYU says it is leaving the Mountain West Conference and will go independent in football while joining the West Coast Conference in all other sports in the 2011-2012 school year.

BYU had an agreement to join the Western Athletic Conference in everything but football earlier this month, but that fell apart when the Mountain West Conference invited Nevada and Fresno State to leave the WAC for the MWC.

College basketball: UNCW, Moss cut ties after reaching settlement

North Carolina-Wilmington and former men's basketball coach Benny Moss have cut ties.

School officials said that they have reached a financial settlement with Moss. In January, he was removed as coach and was reassigned within the athletic department midway through his fourth season leading the Seahawks.

Moss resigned the new position effective yesterday.

Moss was 41-74 at UNC Wilmington and was 23-45 in Colonial Athletic Association play.

The Seahawks have since hired former North Carolina player and ex-Tennessee coach Buzz Peterson.

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