Clarett’s Appeal Seeks Quick Reversal of Ruling

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg asked the NFL on Wednesday to file a response by this morning to running back Maurice Clarett’s appeal of a lower court’s decision that would bar him from Saturday’s draft.

Clarett’s lawyer, Alan C. Milstein, said he expected Ginsburg to rule before Saturday on the former Ohio State running back’s eligibility.

Clarett, former USC receiver Mike Williams and several others declared themselves available for the draft after a federal court ruled that the NFL could not ban them because they had not been out of high school long enough.

The U.S. 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday issued a stay on the lower court’s ruling that the NFL cannot force players to wait three seasons after leaving high school before becoming eligible for the draft.

Clarett has been out of high school for two years. He led Ohio State to the national championship as a freshman, but was declared ineligible for his sophomore season for accepting money from a family friend and lying about it to investigators.

Williams, a sophomore, hired an agent and declared himself available for the draft after Clarett won a favorable ruling in federal court.

Ginsburg is not bound by a Saturday deadline. She could make a decision herself or refer the case to the entire Supreme Court. She also could rule that Clarett should be included in the draft or that he should be banned, or she could instruct the NFL to hold a supplemental draft.

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Archie Manning doesn’t want his son, top quarterback prospect Eli, to be taken by San Diego with the first pick of the NFL draft. General Manager A.J. Smith said that Eli Manning’s agent, Tom Condon, relayed Archie Manning’s concerns during a phone call.

Condon also said Archie Manning feels the New York Giants would be a better fit for his son, Smith said.

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St. Louis Coach Mike Martz said there’s a chance that quarterback Kurt Warner could stay with the team.

Martz has decided to go with Marc Bulger as the starter.

Warner’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, maintained that his client will be released after June 1.

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Tight end Shannon Sharpe, 35, will return to Denver for at least one more season. Sharpe is the NFL’s career leader in receptions (815) and yards (10,060) at his position.... Baltimore cornerback Corey Fuller was charged with holding high-stakes card games at his Tallahassee, Fla., house, the site of a shootout this year. He was released on $5,000 bail.... Quarterback Brock Huard, released by Indianapolis last month, was signed by Seattle.

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Associated Press contributed to this report.