Panthers hand Steve Smith two-game suspension for training camp fracas

Si.com

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith was suspended two games by the Panthers after a training camp fight with cornerback Ken Lucas.  The fight broke out as the two starters were standing on the sidelines during a special teams drill.  Smith, whose suspension will cost him more than $200,000 in salary, faces no additional punishment from the league.  Lucas has received no punishment from the Panthers or the NFL for his role in the fight, but did get a broken nose out of the deal, so it’s not like he’s going home empty handed.

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Twins manager gets one game suspension for fans’ temper tantrum

CBC.ca

Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gardenhire was suspended one game and fined Saturday for an outburst on Thursday that led Twins fans to toss everything that wasn’t bolted to the stadium onto the field. Gardenhire was ejected in the seventh inning for arguing a third base umpire’s call that a failed bunt attempt, during which Twins batter Denard Span was hit by the pitch, was a strike.  As Gardenhire exited the field, he kicked his hat back over his head, starting the five-minute fan hissy fit.  Gardenhire was forced to miss the Twins 5-1 loss to the Cleveland Indians last night.

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Georgia celebrates new No. 1 ranking by suspending two players

Georgia coach Mark Richt has announced the indefinite suspensions of senior snapper Jeff Henson and free safety Donavan Baldwin.  Henson, who missed last year’s Sugar Bowl following a DUI arrest, was arrested again by Athens-Clarke County police on Saturday and charged with public intoxication and urinating in public.  Baldwin who was injured in a fight in Athens early Saturday morning, had already been suspended for one game as a result of a January DUI arrest.  According to Richt, the players have not been assured a spot on the 2008 team.

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Patriot OL Kaczur admits to drug smuggling “mistake”

ESPN.com

Patriots offensive lineman Nick Kaczur, who was arrested with more than 200 prescription pain pills in April has admitted that he “definitely made a mistake.”  The charges against Kaczur were put on hold after Kaczur helped police arrest Daniel Ekasala, Kaczur’s Boston drug dealer, by making three controlled pill purchases.  “It’s football season now,” noticed Kaczur.  “I’m trying to put everything behind me and concentrate on the season right now.  It’s a good thing.”  There’s no word on whether Ekasala, who faces three counts of possession of oxycodone with intent to distribute, shares Kaczur’s excitement for the start of the season.

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Goodell reinstates Favre

After a week of dragging his feet, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reinstated Brett Favre to the Green Bay Packers active roster.  Favre’s agent has confirmed that Favre plans to report to Packers camp on Monday which shouldn’t make for an awkward situation at all.

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