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Dolphins end dispute by releasing Culpepper

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From Times Wire Services

Daunte Culpepper finally has what he asked the Miami Dolphins for weeks ago -- a chance to start over with a new team.

Miami released the former Pro Bowl quarterback Tuesday, wrapping up a contentious split between player and team. The move came one day before a breach-of-contract grievance filed by the NFL Players Assn. on Culpepper’s behalf against the Dolphins was scheduled to be heard, and after Miami unsuccessfully tried for weeks to trade the 30-year-old.

Culpepper, who became expendable once the Dolphins made a trade six weeks ago with Kansas City for Trent Green, said he got word from his attorneys about the release on Monday night.

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Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones is hoping his suspension doesn’t keep him out of training camp or exhibition games, his agent said.

Agent Michael Huyghue said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell never ruled out training camp or exhibition games when he suspended the cornerback for the 2007 season for his off-field conduct. Jones can have his case reviewed after the Titans’ 10th game.

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Troy Brown signed with the New England Patriots for a 15th season, giving the receiver a chance to increase his team record of 557 catches.

PRO BASKETBALL

Chinese team won’t allow Yi to join Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks’ campaign to secure the services of power forward Yi Jianlian has suffered a blow after the player’s Chinese club said they would block his move to the United States.

The seven-foot Yi, taken by Milwaukee with the sixth selection in the NBA draft last month, would “definitely not” play for Milwaukee, Tuesday’s Beijing News quoted Guangdong Tigers chief, Chen Haitao, as saying.

HOCKEY

Hurricanes acquire Cullen from the Rangers

The Carolina Hurricanes acquired center Matt Cullen -- a key piece in their 2006 Stanley Cup title run -- from the New York Rangers for defenseman Andrew Hutchinson, a prospect and a draft pick. Cullen signed a four-year, $11.2-million deal with the Rangers as a free agent last summer, finishing with 16 goals and 25 assists with New York.

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The Ducks will play their first two exhibition games against the Kings on Sept. 13 at the Honda Center and Sept. 15 at Staples Center. They will also host Phoenix, San Jose and Vancouver and travel to Vancouver and San Jose.

TENNIS

Rodionova disqualified at Ohio tournament

Anastasia Rodionova became the second player on the WTA Tour to be disqualified from a match when she smacked a ball toward fans rooting for her opponent at the Cincinnati Women’s Open in Mason, Ohio.

Angelique Kerber was handed a 4-6, 6-4, 1-0 victory.

In the 36-year history of the tour, it is believed that there has been only one other default in the main draw of a tournament, a WTA Tour spokesman said. Irina Spirlea was disqualified in 1996 at Palermo for directing abusive language at an official.

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Top-seeded Rafael Nadal returned to his favorite surface and beat Alexander Waske, 6-1, 6-1, in the first round of the clay-court Mercedes Cup at Stuttgart, Germany.... Top-seeded Nikolay Davydenko lost in the first round of the Dutch Open at Amersfoort, Netherlands, when Florent Serra rallied from a set down to win, 4-6, 6-1, 6-1.

MISCELLANY

Former NBA star Baker pleads not guilty

Former NBA All-Star Vin Baker, whose 14-year career was marred by bouts of depression and alcoholism, pleaded not guilty to drunk driving in Hartford, Conn.

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Rutgers top assistant football coach Chris Demarest was charged with assault after an altercation in a bar at Long Branch, N.J.

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Arkansas running backs coach Danny Nutt is resigning because of a recurrence of bleeding from his brain stem.

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Duke guard DeMarcus Nelson will be sidelined at least six weeks after surgery to repair a broken bone in his left wrist.... Starting forward Kalen Grimes was dismissed by Missouri, a week after the Tigers’ leading rebounder was charged with second-degree felony assault for allegedly hitting a man in the face with the butt end of a loaded shotgun.

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