Bledsoe Reportedly to Sign With Cowboys

Drew Bledsoe was released by the Buffalo Bills on Tuesday and within hours, according to several reports, agreed to a deal with the Dallas Cowboys.

Bledsoe’s reunion with Coach Bill Parcells, who drafted the quarterback No. 1 overall and guided him to the Super Bowl in New England, was first reported by Dallas-Fort Worth television station KTVT and later by the Dallas Morning News.

Bledsoe, agent David Dunn and Cowboy owner Jerry Jones did not immediately return phone calls from Associated Press.

The Bills announced plans to release Bledsoe last week, and the Cowboys were prepared with an offer right away.

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The Seattle Seahawks signed quarterback Matt Hasselbeck to a six-year deal and named running back Shaun Alexander their franchise player.

In addition, General Manager Bob Ferguson resigned as part of an executive house-cleaning.

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Receiver Jerry Porter re-signed with the Oakland Raiders, agreeing to a five-year deal worth close to $20 million and freeing the club to designate cornerback Charles Woodson as its franchise player again.

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Indianapolis designated Edgerrin James its franchise player.... Linebacker Julian Peterson was designated San Francisco’s franchise player for the second season in a row.... Kicker Adam Vinatieri was designated New England’s franchise player.... Jacksonville designated Donovin Darius its franchise player for the third consecutive year.... Pittsburgh failed to designate wide receiver Plaxico Burress as its franchise player, all but assuring he will become a free agent March 2.... San Diego released receiver-returner Tim Dwight after four injury-marred seasons.... Philadelphia signed veteran tight end James Whalen to a two-year contract.... Dallas cut defensive end Marcellus Wiley and center Gennaro DiNapoli.... Baltimore released wide receiver Kevin Johnson.... Chicago released quarterback Jonathan Quinn.

Tennis

Marat Safin lost to Nicolas Kiefer, 7-6 (2), 6-4, in the opening round of the Dubai Open at Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Also, Tim Henman beat Greg Rusedski, 4-6, 7-6 (7), 6-4.

Wayne Arthurs beat fourth-seeded Taylor Dent, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4), to advance to the second round of the Tennis Channel Open at Scottsdale, Ariz.

Earlier, top-seeded Tommy Haas withdrew because of flu.

College Football

USC quarterback Matt Leinart accepted the first Manning Award in New Orleans.

The award will be presented annually to the nation’s top quarterback by the Nokia Sugar Bowl.

Dave Watson has joined USC’s coaching staff as a graduate assistant. Watson, 28, will assist with the offensive line. Watson was a defensive lineman at Minnesota and Western Illinois.

UCLA Coach Karl Dorrell, whose Bruins will open spring football practice today, added recruiting coordinator to the duties of running backs coach Eric Bieniemy.

UCLA’s staff will conduct a free coaching clinic for high school coaches before Saturday’s practice. The clinic will be in the Acosta Center from 8 a.m. to noon. For more information, call (310) 206-6615.

Miscellany

The NHL will allow league personnel to take part in the upcoming world hockey championships even if the lockout that canceled the season continues.

That leaves the door open for Wayne Gretzky to lead Team Canada at the tournament, set for April 30 to May 15, should he choose to.

Lewis Palmer (Colo.) middle schooler Jackie Cromer was presented with the Flo Hyman Youth Award.

The Flo Hyman Youth Award was created to recognize a female athlete who exemplifies dignity, spirit and commitment to excellence in sport.

Passings

Former heavyweight boxer Jimmy Young, who beat George Foreman and fought Muhammad Ali and Ken Norton in the 1970s, has died of heart disease at Philadelphia. He was 56.

Young compiled a 35-18-3 record with 12 knockouts during a career that spanned from 1969 to 1990. Young lost a championship bout to Ali on April 30, 1976, although some boxing experts disputed the decision.