Orioles sign Johnson, avoid arbitration
BALTIMORE (AP) — The Baltimore Orioles and right-hander Jim Johnson have reached a one-year contract, avoiding arbitration.
Johnson agreed to a $2,625,000 deal on Tuesday.
Pitching exclusively out of the bullpen, the 28-year-old went 6-5 with nine saves and a 2.67 ERA in 69 games last season. He finished second among AL relievers in innings pitched.
The Orioles have four players still in arbitration: center fielder Adam Jones, second baseman Robert Andino and right-handed pitchers Brad Bergesen and Jeremy Guthrie.
Alabama adds two to coaching staff
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Alabama has hired Doug Nussmeier as offensive coordinator and brought Lance Thompson back to coach outside linebackers.
Nussmeier directed Washington’s offense the past three seasons. He replaces Jim McElwain, who left to become head coach at Colorado State after helping the Crimson Tide win its second national championship in three years.
Nussmeier worked with quarterback Jake Locker, a first-round pick by the Tennessee Titans.
Washington’s offense scored 57 touchdowns and 431 points last season, the second-highest totals in school history behind only the 1991 national championship team. Sophomore Keith Price broke school records for passing touchdowns (33), completion percentage (66.9) and passing efficiency rating (161.9).
Thompson also coached outside linebackers for Alabama in 2007 and 2008 before spending three seasons at Tennessee.
Pacman pleads guilty to disorderly conduct
CINCINNATI (AP) — Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones pleaded guilty Wednesday to a misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct.
Jones entered the plea in Hamilton County Municipal Court just as his non-jury trial was scheduled to begin. A second misdemeanor charge of resisting arrest was dismissed in a plea agreement with prosecutors.
Judge Brad Greenberg ordered Jones to serve a year of probation, complete 50 hours of community service and pay a $250 fine plus court costs. Jones could have received a maximum jail sentence of 30 days.
Jones, 28, was accused in court documents of being disorderly, shouting profanities and trying to pull away as officers arrested him at a downtown bar in July.
At the time, Jones was on probation in Las Vegas in connection with a 2007 no contest plea to a strip club melee that left three people wounded. He was ordered in November to perform an additional 75 hours of community service for violating that probation with the Cincinnati arrest.
Jones apologized in court to police for his conduct and said he realized that he “could have handled it a whole lot better.” The judge told Jones that he did not know how “someone with your ability risks your career with this type of behavior.”
Assistant City Solicitor Karla Burtch said Jones repeatedly approached officers “aggressively.”
Jones said he was just trying to protect his fiance.
“This is unprofessional behavior,” Greenberg said. He told Jones that if he wanted to be regarded as a professional, “you need to act like one at all times.”
Neither Jones nor his attorney would comment after court.
Bengals spokesman Jack Brennan said Jones “handled this issue in a responsible manner, and we support both the legal system and his efforts to put this behind him.”
The NFL did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
