Sports briefs 12/22/03

Baseball

Outfielder Jay Payton and reliever Braden Looper were among 58 players dumped onto the free-agent market Sunday after their teams failed to offer them 2004 contracts. The moves further glut a market that already has been soft -- a record 210 players filed for free agency after the World Series, and just 93 have agreed to contracts. Colorado cut Payton after agreeing to a contract with Jeromy Burnitz that guarantees him $1.5 million, and Florida let Looper go after picking up Armando Benitez for $3.5 million.

The Oakland Athletics filled two holes when they acquired veteran catcher Damian Miller and cash from the Chicago Cubs and signed pitcher Mark Redman to a three-year contract worth about $12 million. Oakland, the two-time defending AL West champion, also agreed to a one-year contract with outfielder Billy McMillon.

Colleges

Six Boise State players were ruled academically ineligible and won't play for the No. 18 Broncos in the Fort Worth Bowl against No. 19 TCU on Tuesday night. The only starter among the six ineligible players is offensive left guard Tyrone Tutogi. The others are backup defensive backs Brad Allen, Cam Hall and Terrial Hall, receiver Tony McPherson and tight end Trent Lundin.

Football

Tennessee quarterback Steve McNair started against Houston despite a cracked bone spur in his left ankle. The Titans signed Neil O'Donnell on Thursday and he and McNair worked out together before Sunday's game. Coach Jeff Fisher decided McNair was ready despite a noticeable limp.

San Francisco receiver Terrell Owens broke his left collarbone, possibly ending his career with the 49ers. Owens, who will become a free agent after the season, had one reception for 20 yards before leaving late in the first half of the 49ers' 31-28 overtime victory in Philadelphia. Owens, who did not speak with reporters, will visit doctors today to determine if surgery is necessary.

Jets left guard Dave Szott injured his left knee against New England and will undergo an MRI exam to determine the extent of the injury. Szott was hurt in the fourth quarter of a 21-16 loss Saturday night. Coach Herman Edwards said the team would know more Tuesday.

Hockey

The Chicago Blackhawks honored former player and coach Keith Magnuson with an emotional video tribute and moment of silence beforetheir game against the New Jersey Devils. Magnuson, 56, was killed in a three-car accident in Toronto on Monday. He and retired defenseman Rob Ramage were returning from a funeral when their vehicle crossed into an oncoming lane and struck a sport utility vehicle, which then was hit by another vehicle. The Blackhawks showed highlights and still photos of the rugged defensemans childhood and 11 seasons during a three-minute video montage.

-- From wire reports