Sports briefs 3/5/04

College

Southern Illinois University men's basketball player Jamaal Tatum has pleaded guilty to breaking a window at a police station. Tatum, a freshman point guard, was sentenced to 200 hours of community service and 18 months of court supervision after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge of criminal damage to property.

Colorado announced sweeping changes to its football recruiting program, ordering that recruits be under the strict supervision of parents or coaches. Players will no longer host recruits, campus visits will be limited to a single night's stay and visits to bars, strip clubs and even private parties will be prohibited. Recruits also will visit the school only during the offseason so coaches and athletes will have more time to focus on them, university president Betsy Hoffman said. Hoffman said the guidelines are believed to be the strictest in the nation.

Football

The Seattle Seahawks signed free-agent defensive end Grant Wistrom to a multiyear contract. Wistrom -- after his first six NFL years with the St. Louis Rams -- signed a six-year deal that includes a $14 million signing bonus. Wistrom, 27, had 7 1/2 sacks for the Rams last season, 41 1/2 for his career. Wistrom was generally regarded as the second-best defensive end in this year's free-agent pool behind Jevon Kearse, who agreed to a $66 million, six-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Clinton Portis-for- Champ Bailey deal was finally completed between the Washington Redskins and the Denver Broncos. It gives Washington a prime running back -- Portis -- for Gibbs' offense in return for the shutdown cornerback -- Bailey -- coveted by the Broncos. It's the first NFL trade exchanging two players coming off Pro Bowl seasons since the Chargers traded quarterback John Hadl to the Rams for defensive tackle Coy Bacon after the 1972 season.

Golf

Tiger Woods has the $3 million appearance fee at the Dubai Desert Classic. Little-known Bradley Dredge of Wales has the lead. Woods had a long and frustrating day at Dubai on Thursday, and was at even-par through 12 holes when the first round was suspended because of darkness. The start of tournament was delayed by fog, and about half the field failed to finish the round. Dredge shot an 8-under 64. David Howell of England was three back after a 67.

Chris Smith shot a 7-under 65, closing with a double bogey on the beefed-up 18th hole, to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Ford Championship at Doral. Joe Durant opened with a 66, and Phil Mickelson, Retief Goosen and Scott Verplank were two shots back.

Hockey

The Phoenix Coyotes acquired goalie Brent Johnson from St. Louis on Thursday in a deal that sent well-traveled center Mike Sillinger to the Blues. Johnson, 26, had been plagued by inconsistency, and lost his starting job late last season when the Blues acquired Chris Osgood. Johnson cleared waivers in January and reported to Worcester of the American Hockey League, where he had a 2-2-2 record with a 2.30 goals-against average in eight games. He was 4-3-1 in 10 games with St. Louis this season, with a 2.43 goals against average.

-- From wire reports