Davis, Stewart Are Salary-Cap Victims

Washington Redskin running back Stephen Davis and Pittsburgh Steeler quarterback Kordell Stewart were cut Wednesday, adding two attractive players to what is otherwise a lackluster free-agent class.

The Denver Broncos gave quarterback Brian Griese permission to seek a trade, and Buffalo wide receiver Peerless Price is set to accept the team’s franchise-player contract offer, then seek a trade.

The release of Davis, one of the NFL’s top running backs for the last half-decade, had been expected. If he didn’t renegotiate his contract, he would have counted $11.4 million against the Redskins’ cap this season.

The release of Stewart, who had an up-and-down career in Pittsburgh after becoming its starter in 1997, also was expected. After leading the Steelers to the AFC title game in 2001, he lost his job to Tommy Maddox early last season.

St. Louis Ram quarterback Kurt Warner received a $6 million roster bonus after attempts to restructure the quarterback’s contract fell through.

Among other veterans released were quarterback Jim Miller and offensive tackle James “Big Cat” Williams by Chicago, tight end Wesley Walls by Carolina, and linebacker Dwayne Rudd by Cleveland.

Tim McGee, the agent for Price, said his client would accept the one-year, $5.01 million tender offer rather than try to negotiate a long-term contract.

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Avenger quarterback Tony Graziani is listed as questionable but probably will play in Sunday’s Arena Football League game against the Georgia Force. Graziani sprained his left ankle and bruised his left knee in last Sunday’s 54-53 loss at Chicago.

Tennis

Virginie Razzano of France upset Lisa Raymond, 6-2, 7-6 (7) in the first round of the State Farm Women’s Tennis Classic at Scottsdale, Ariz.

In other matches, Meghann Shaughnessy and Laura Granville posted straight-set wins. Shaughnessy defeated Daja Bedanova, 6-2, 6-3, and Granville eliminated Barbara Schett of Austria, 7-6 (6), 6-1.

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Second-seeded David Nalbadian and third-seeded Gaston Gaudio were ousted in the second round of the Mexican Open. Mariano Zabaleta beat Nalbadian, 6-7 (5), 6-0, 6-0, and Agustin Calleri beat Gaudio, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (5). In women’s singles, top-seeded Elena Dementieva of Russia was upset by Shinobu Asagoe of Japan, 5-7, 6-3, 6-3.... Marat Safin was eliminated from the Dubai Open in the United Arab Emirates, losing to Spain’s Tommy Robredo, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (3).... Wayne Arthurs of Australia defeated Olivier Mutis of France, 7-6 (5), 6-2, in the Copenhagen Open.

Miscellany

Tampa Bay Buccaneer defensive tackle Warren Sapp admitted that he is the father of a 2-year-old New Jersey girl and avoided a third DNA test in a paternity case.

Chantel Adkins is suing Sapp in state Superior Court for child support for her daughter, Autumn Jade Adkins Sapp, who was born Nov. 21, 2000.

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Former Arkansas defensive lineman Jermaine Brooks pleaded guilty to four felony drug charges and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Brooks pleaded guilty in Washington County (Ark.) Circuit Court to one count of possession of marijuana, one count of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, one count of possession of drug paraphernalia, and one count of theft by receiving.

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USC fullback Brandon Hancock had surgery for a dislocated bone in his left hand and is expected to miss spring practice, which begins Tuesday. Hancock, a freshman, hurt his hand lifting weights.

Passings

Kevin O’Shea, a former San Francisco politician and a basketball standout at Notre Dame in the 1940s, has died. He was 77.

O’Shea died of a heart attack at a family gathering Friday in Sonoma County. The county coroner’s office confirmed his death Wednesday.