Nicklaus Might Skip Masters

Jack Nicklaus had planned to squeeze in a few trips to Augusta National this month, making sure his 65-year-old body was fit and his game was good enough to compete in the Masters.

Now, the Masters is the last thing on his mind.

“I think with what’s happened to us in our family, my time is going to be spent in much different ways,” Nicklaus said Monday in Jupiter, Fla., in his first public comments since his 17-month-old grandson drowned in a hot tub. “That’s the most important thing right now. And I think it will be the most important thing for a long time.”

Nicklaus said his chances of playing the Masters are “between slim and none,” although he plans to be at Augusta National for the champions dinner, maybe even the par-three tournament.

He still would like to play the British Open at St. Andrews in July since this is his last year of eligibility and because his son, Steve, wants to caddie for him.

It was Steve Nicklaus’ son, Jake, who drowned a week ago.

If Jack Nicklaus doesn’t play the Masters, it would be only the third time since he first played in 1959. After hip replacement surgery in 1999, he missed 2002 because of lingering back problems.

Pro Football

Cornerback Samari Rolle agreed to a six-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens, who last week lost Gary Baxter to the Cleveland Browns.

In 2000, Rolle intercepted seven passes to anchor a Titans defense that went 13-3 and lost in the AFC divisional round to the Ravens. Rolle was limited to a career-low 12 games last season because of an injured left knee that required arthroscopic surgery. He finished with one interception and 28 tackles.

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San Diego Charger General Manager A.J. Smith was given a three-year contract extension through 2009.

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Safety Kenoy Kennedy was about to board a flight to Miami to continue his free-agent tour, but had second thoughts. He returned to the Detroit Lions’ practice facility and signed a contract while the team was introducing another new player: tight end Marcus Pollard.

Kennedy, best known as a hard hitter, has played his five-year career with the Denver Broncos. Pollard spent his first 10 seasons with Indianapolis.

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Running back Rudi Johnson signed a one-year contract to stay with the Cincinnati Bengals. Johnson, who set a team mark last season with 1,454 rushing yards, will get $6.3 million.

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The Miami Dolphins signed two-time Pro Bowl player Kevin Carter to a five-year deal. A 10-year NFL veteran, Carter spent the last four seasons with Tennessee but was released by the Titans in a salary-cap move.

Hockey

NHL Players’ Assn. Executive Director Bob Goodenow agreed to a new round of talks, in response to the request NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman made late Friday. The two were expected to attend the meeting, the day and place for which was not announced.

The two sides have not talked since a frantic session on Feb. 19, which came three days after Bettman canceled the 2004-05 season.

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The Stanley Cup will be on display in Long Beach Arena’s atrium when the Ice Dogs play the Alaska Aces Saturday at 7 p.m. and the Las Vegas Wranglers Sunday at 5 p.m.

Volleyball

The Assn. of Volleyball Professionals and Outdoor Life Network announced an agreement to have the cable network broadcast semifinals from each of the 14 beach volleyball events in 2005.

NBC will show live broadcasts of the finals from five AVP events this year, and Fox Sports Net will broadcast the others.

Miscellany

Tom Boonen of Belgium won the first stage of the Paris-Nice cycling race in Chabris, France, and six-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong was 44th. Erik Dekker of the Netherlands is the overall leader; Armstrong is 70th overall.

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Musher Ramy Brooks, of Healy, Alaska, took an early lead in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Brooks, 36, is running his 11th Iditarod.

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USC Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Matt Leinart is among the 10 finalists announced for the Sullivan Award, given to the nation’s top amateur athlete.