BILLINGS, Mont. — A Colorado man who trafficked cocaine in partnership with former Denver Broncos running back Travis Henry has been sentenced to 37 months in federal prison.
James Mack of Bow Mar, Colo., was arrested along with Henry last October. They were charged with moving up to 11 pounds of cocaine between Colorado and Montana.
The pair pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy charges in April. Two other charges were dropped.
At Friday’s sentencing hearing in Billings, U.S. District Judge Richard Cebull recommended that Mack enroll in a drug treatment program while in prison; and said he must serve five years of probation after his release.
Henry was cut from the Broncos four months before his arrest. He was sentenced on July to 15 to 36 months in prison.
Lions and Rams trade
ALLEN PARK, Mich. — The Detroit Lions have traded wide receiver Ronald Curry to the St. Louis Rams for defensive tackle Orien Harris.
The deal Friday marks the second time each player has changed teams in recent months.
Curry was signed by Detroit as a free agent in April after he was released by Oakland, where he spent his first seven NFL seasons. Harris was traded to St. Louis by Cincinnati on May 6 after appearing in 14 games for the Bengals last season, his third in the NFL.
Curry has 193 career catches and 13 touchdowns, and could start immediately for the Rams.
The 6-foot-3, 300-pound Harris has 14 career tackles since being drafted in the fourth round by Pittsburgh in 2006. He has also spent time with Cleveland, Buffalo and New Orleans.
Eagles tap McDermott
PHILADELPHIA — Sean McDermott has replaced Jim Johnson as the Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive coordinator, two days before the team opens training camp.
The 68-year-old Johnson took an indefinite leave of absence in May to continue treatment for a cancerous tumor on his spine. It’s uncertain whether he’ll return to the team in any capacity.
McDermott, 35, will be introduced at a news conference today. He ran the defense in Johnson’s absence after serving as secondary coach last year.
McDermott originally joined the Eagles in 1998 as a scouting administrative coordinator, and has served in various roles as an assistant on the defensive staff.
McDermott has big shoes to fill. Johnson is widely regarded as one of the top defensive masterminds in the game. He’s known for his aggressive, attacking style and his defenses have played a major role in the team’s success over the last decade.
Last year, the Eagles finished third in total defense and fourth in points allowed. They advanced to the NFC title game for the fifth time in 10 seasons.
Johnson spent two seasons in the NFL as a player with the Buffalo Bills in 1963-64. He began his coaching career at Missouri Southern in 1967, and was the secondary coach at Notre Dame when the Fighting Irish won the national championship in 1977.
Johnson spent the last 23 seasons coaching in the NFL, including 10 years as Philadelphia’s defensive coordinator.
Bengals, fans settle 2004 lawsuit over tickets
CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals will pay almost $250,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by fans who claimed they were being forced to buy tickets they didn’t want.
The suit settled this week was filed in 2004 by fans who agreed to buy club seat season tickets costing $1,250 to $2,600 but lost enthusiasm as the team continued to struggle.
Those wanting to cancel the tickets were told they would have to pay through 2009. The fans said the original ticket information didn’t note any obligation to pay through 2009.
The fans will split $50,700, with no one receiving more than $2,600 and most getting just $100. Their attorneys will get $175,000.
The Bengals didn’t immediately return a message seeking comment Friday.
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