Jets rescind offer to free-agent DT Suh
ORLANDO, Fla. — Ndamukong Suh won’t be joining the New York Jets.
Acting owner Christopher Johnson said Sunday the team has rescinded its offer to the free-agent defensive tackle.
Johnson was vague on reasons for the move, admitting that it “didn’t seem to be in keeping with our long-term plan.”
Suh said the Jets made the largest offer, something Johnson couldn’t confirm. The owner said he discussed the offer to the former Detroit and Miami player with general manager Mike Maccagnan, “and I think our thinking changed a bit. It was a pretty high offer; all these good guys will be a lot of money.”Johnson, who is in charge of the team while his brother and primary owner Woody Johnson serves as ambassador to the United Kingdom, was not part of the process when Maccagnan made the original offer to Suh.
“Saying I stepped in is somewhat overstating the case,” Johnson said. “Looking into what our plan is, it was apparent to the two of us that this didn’t work.”
Suh, 31, is a five-time Pro Bowler who was released by Miami at the start of free agency.
The Jets did sign former Washington wide receiver Terrelle Pryor, who had a disappointing season in Washington while hobbled by an ankle injury after signing a one-year, $6 million deal. He finished the year on injured reserve and had ankle surgery, ending the season with just 20 catches for 240 yards and one touchdown.
PRO FOOTBALL Mara: Beckham not on market
New York Giants owner John Mara said the team does not have Odell Beckham Jr. on the trading block but stopped short of saying the controversial star wide receiver is an untouchable.
Mara, in Orlando, Fla., for the NFL meetings, said he is not angry with Beckham, who recently was seen in a video in bed with a woman and what appeared to be white powder, though the timing of the video and its content is uncertain. He is disappointed with his player.
Mara noted “it’s too often he allows himself to be put in bad situations and uses bad judgment.”
Beckham “knows what we expect of him and now it’s up to him,” Mara added before saying everyone on the Giants could be part of trade talks.
“We certainly are not shopping him,” Mara said.
TENNIS Venus rebounds to dodge defeat
Venus Williams squandered an early lead, fell behind late and then overcame three match points to rally past Kiki Bertens 5-7, 6-3, 7-5 in the third round of the Miami Open at Key Biscayne, Fla.
Williams blew a 5-0 lead in the first set and was down 5-3 in the third set. She then swept the final four games, holding serve at love for the victory.
When Williams slammed a forehand winner on the last point, she spun with a grin in celebration, her fist leading the way.
Williams, 37, a threetime champion seeded No. 8, next will face No. 11 Johanna Konta, the defending champion who advanced with a 6-2, 6-1 win over No. 22 Elise Mertens.
In men’s play, No. 5 Juan Martin del Potro extended his winning streak to 13 matches by eliminating No. 26 Kei Nishikori 6-2, 6-2, and No. 2 Marin Cilic swept Vasek Pospisil 7-5, 7-6 (4).
GOLF Stricker prevails, heads to Houston
Steve Stricker pulled away on the back nine at Fallen Oak in Biloxi, Miss., to win the Rapiscan Systems Classic for his second consecutive PGA Tour Champions victory.
Stricker, 51, closed with a 4-under-par 68, birdieing all four par-5 holes. He finished at 11-under 205 for a three-stroke victory over Billy Andrade (69).
Stricker won the Cologuard Classic three weeks ago at Tucson, Ariz., for his first victory on the 50-andover tour. He tied for 12th the next week in the PGA Tour’s Valspar Championship. And now he carries his momentum to the PGA Tour’s Houston Open, which begins Thursday.
In other news:
• Eun-Hee Ji had a hole-in-one to dramatically finish off Cristie Kerr and the other challengers in the Kia Classic at Carlsbad, Calif.
With her lead cut from four strokes to one, Ji aced the 156-yard 14th with a 7-iron to push her advantage to three. Ji shot with a 5-under 67 at Aviara for a two-stroke victory over Kerr (68) and Lizette Salas (69). Ji finished at 16-under 272.
The 31-year-old South Korean earned $270,000 and two Kias — a Sorento for the hole-in-one and a Stinger for the victory.
• Brice Garnett completed a wire-to-wire victory in the Corales Puntacana Resort and Club Championship at Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, for his first PGA Tour title. Garnett closed with a 2-under 70 for a four-stroke victory over Keith Mitchell (67). Garnett finished at 18-under 270.
MOTOR SPORTS Vettel captures opener in F1
Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel captured the Australian Grand Prix at Melbourne, holding off his hard-charging Mercedes rival Lewis Hamilton in a dramatic start to the new Formula One season
Vettel finished the race a full five seconds ahead of Hamilton, who had made several late attempts to catch the Ferrari but fell just short for the victory.
Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen finished third, denying Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo a chance to become the first Australian driver to stand on the podium at the Australian GP. In other news: • The NASCAR Monster Energy Cup race at Martinsville Speedway was postponed until Monday because of inclement weather. Rain and light snow started falling Saturday afternoon and continued into the night, creating dangerous driving conditions on nearby roads and leaving little chance of getting the track cleared and dry enough to race Sunday. There was no qualifying session for the Cup race because of a wintry mix that moved through the Virginia area and halted the truck race after 23 laps Saturday. The truck race will resume at 10 a.m. Monday, followed by the Cup Series race at 1 p.m.