Bruschi Walks, Talks After a Mild Stroke

New England Patriot linebacker Tedy Bruschi suffered a mild stroke but is walking, talking and in good spirits, the team said Thursday.

Bruschi, 31, experienced temporary numbness, blurred vision and headaches Wednesday night and was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

“It has been determined that these symptoms were the results of a mild stroke,” team spokesman Stacey James said. “Tedy is in good condition, and, as always, his spirits are high. He is walking and talking normally and stressed that he would like to thank everyone for keeping him and his family in their thoughts and prayers.”

The Patriots said Bruschi could be released as early as today.

A nine-year NFL veteran, Bruschi is the centerpiece of the Patriot defense that helped the team win three of the last four Super Bowls, including a 24-21 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Feb. 6.

On Sunday, Bruschi played in his first Pro Bowl. A second team Associated Press All-Pro selection, he ranked second on the team with 128 tackles and tied for second with three interceptions.

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The San Diego Chargers used their franchise tag on quarterback Drew Brees, who led them to their first playoff berth in nine seasons and was the NFL’s comeback player of the year.

Brees was tagged as a non-exclusive franchise player, meaning he can still negotiate with other teams. Should Brees receive an offer from another team, the Chargers can either match the offer or receive two first-round choices from that club as compensation.

As a non-exclusive franchise player, Brees received a one-year contract offer of just more than $8 million, the average of the top five salaried quarterbacks from last season. Brees has said he would like a long-term contract from the Chargers.

The team’s quarterback situation is complicated, though, because San Diego obtained Philip Rivers in a draft-day deal with the New York Giants and gave him a $40-million contract.

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Former Dallas Cowboy coach Dave Campo joined the Jacksonville Jaguars as assistant head coach and secondary coach. Campo, 57, spent the last two seasons as Cleveland’s defensive coordinator.

Tennis

Top-ranked Roger Federer beat practice partner Stanislas Wawrinka, 6-1, 6-4, at the ABN Amro tournament to reach the quarterfinals in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

In other matches, third-seeded Tim Henman topped Michael Llodra, 6-4, 6-1, and Thomas Johansson beat fifth-seeded Joachim Johansson, 6-4, 6-4.

Robby Ginepri became the first quarterfinalist in the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships by beating sixth-seeded Mardy Fish, 6-1, 7-5, at Memphis, Tenn. He will next meet top-seeded Andy Roddick.

Jan Michael Gambill and second-seeded Tommy Haas also advanced, with Gambill beating Iraki Labadze, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (3), and Haas defeating Kevin Kim, 7-6 (4), 6-3. Anthony Dupuis advanced after Vincent Spadea retired because of a shoulder injury in the second set.

In women’s play, third-seeded Meghan Shaugnessy beat Yoon Jeung Cho, 6-1, 6-2.

Top-seeded Amelie Mauresmo beat Mary Pierce, 6-4, 6-1, to reach the quarterfinals of the Diamond Games in Antwerp, Belgium.

Second-seeded Anastasia Myskina outlasted Tatiana Golovin, 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-4, and fourth-seeded Alicia Molik rallied past Magdalena Maleeva of Bulgaria, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7).

Alberto Martin beat seventh-seeded Mariano Zabaleta, 7-6 (6), 6-4, to advance to the semifinals of the Brazil Open in Salvador, Brazil.

Jurisprudence

Former Colorado Avalanche player Steve Moore filed a lawsuit against Vancouver Canuck forward Todd Bertuzzi, who pleaded guilty to assault after slugging Moore in the head from behind during an NHL game last season.

Moore’s attorney, Lee Foreman, said in a statement that the lawsuit filed Tuesday in Denver District Court accused Bertuzzi of civil conspiracy, assault, battery and negligence.

Bertuzzi pleaded guilty to criminal assault and was given a conditional discharge in December, more than nine months after the attack during a game in Vancouver. He faced up to 18 months in prison. He also was suspended indefinitely from the NHL.

Moore has not completely recovered from the broken neck and concussion he suffered. The Avalanche did not re-sign Moore, who is an unrestricted free agent.

Tennessee Titan safety Tank Williams was arrested and charged with driving under the influence after police said an officer saw his car make a rolling stop at a downtown Nashville intersection.

Police said Williams, 23, agreed to a blood-alcohol test and registered 0.08, the minimum reading for intoxication under Tennessee law.

Miscellany

Junior featherweight Daniel Ponce De Leon suffered his first defeat, falling to 24-1 with 23 knockouts, when he lost a unanimous decision to Celestino Caballero (21-2, 15) at the Avalon in Hollywood. In the semi-main event, bantamweight Johnny Gonzalez (27-4, 24) beat Adonis Rivasa (28-6, 13), also on a unanimous decision.

Auburn football Coach Tommy Tuberville signed a seven-year contract that will pay him $2 million this year and increase by $200,000 each successive year. Last season, he led the Tigers to a 13-0 record.

Clint Stoerner threw four touchdown passes at Dallas to lead the Desperados (3-1) to a 42-28 victory over the Orlando Predators (3-1) in the Arena Football League.