Associated Press
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Chad Ochocinco’s next stop is New England after an offseason in which he had a soccer tryout, rode a bull, took a spin in a race car and waited to be traded.
That wait ended on Thursday when the outspoken wide receiver was dealt to the Patriots, a team coached by Bill Belichick, who closely monitors, and tries to control, his players’ public comments.
A person with knowledge of the trade said the Patriots obtained the colorful Ochocinco from Cincinnati and that he agreed to a new three-year contract. It was not known what the Bengals received in return.
The person spoke Thursday on condition of anonymity because neither team had announced the trade. The deal was first reported by ESPN.
It was the second major move by the Patriots, who earlier in the day obtained Albert Haynesworth, the disgruntled Washington Redskins defensive tackle, for a fifth-round draft pick in 2013.
KOLB TO ARIZONA
PHILADELPHIA — Kevin Kolb is a No. 1 quarterback again.
The Philadelphia Eagles have traded Kolb to the Arizona Cardinals for cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a second-round pick in 2012.
Kolb began last season as the heir-apparent to Donovan McNabb in Philadelphia, but he went down with a concussion in the opener, losing his job to Michael Vick in the process. The Cardinals have been looking for an answer at quarterback since Kurt Warner retired following the 2009 season.
“Ultimately Kevin was the guy that we had the highest grade on, that we felt was the best fit for what we’re trying to get accomplished as far as a fit with our offense, where he was age-wise, what he had done in the league,” Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt said. “That was our target.”
RACING
INDIANAPOLIS — Crown Royal wants to take its shot in a new NASCAR venue.
On Thursday, the distiller said it had agreed to become the new title sponsor of the Brickyard 400. Track and company officials did not provide financial details, saying only that it was a multiyear contract.
This year’s Brickyard 400 is scheduled for Sunday.
Starting in 2012, the race will be renamed the Crown Royal “Your Hero’s Name Goes Here” 400 at the Brickyard. The company plans to hold a contest to select the fan’s name that will be incorporated into the title, as it did previously at Richmond.
“We’ll continue to look for ways to partner with Richmond as we move forward, but at this time, we’re focusing on the Brickyard,” said Heather Boyd, the company’s senior brand manager. “The NASCAR community has always been very important to Crown Royal and has been very loyal to our business. We’re still trying to figure out how to engage that moving forward.”
Overall, though, Crown Royal is expected to reduce the amount of money it spends in Sprint Cup next season.
GOLF
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Tiger Woods finally gets back to golf next week at the Bridgestone Invitational, ending an 11-week break to heal injuries to his left leg.
Woods used his website to announce his return on Thursday. He posted on his Twitter account that he’s “feeling fit and ready to tee it up at Firestone next week. Excited to get back out there!”
It marks the third-longest layoff of his career, only this time Woods returns with as much uncertainty about his future as ever. Along with questions about the strength of his left knee and Achilles’, Woods embarks on his latest comeback with a different caddie, and without guarantees he will be eligible for more than two weeks.
US SENIOR OPEN
TOLEDO, Ohio — Olin Browne has circled the globe playing professional golf for the past 27 years. He knows it takes a lot more than 18 holes and a lucky shot to win a major championship.
“Are you ready to give me the trophy today?” he asked an observer who wondered why he was so nonchalant about leading the U.S. Senior Open by two shots. “That’s why.”
Browne eagled two holes in a five-hole span coming down the stretch and finished with a 7-under 64 Thursday to take the top spot on a hot and humid day at Inverness Club.
NBA
TULSA, Okla. — Kevin Durant says he is “about 50-50” on playing overseas if the NBA lockout lasts.
The league scoring champion from the Oklahoma City Thunder hopes the work stoppage is settled in time for a full season, but says he’ll “have to think about” playing elsewhere if that doesn’t happen.
Durant says he has been working on his game during his time off, but took a break from that to attend the WNBA game between Tulsa and Chicago on Thursday night. Speaking at halftime, he called himself a “basketball fanatic” who enjoys watching the women’s game.