NFL: In Boston, Will McDonough writes that the arrest
of Patriots TE Ben Coates, who pleaded innocent to domestic
abuse charges yesterday, "may become a test case" for NFL
Commissioner Paul Tagliabue's new Violent Crime Policy,
which allows him to "take action against any employer of the
NFL involved in violence off the field." But Patriots Owner
Robert Kraft, who "has become one of the most powerful
owners in the NFL," will make it a "tough call for Tagliabue
if he pleads for leniency" (BOSTON GLOBE, 7/28)....ESPN's
Andrea Kremer reported on the league's rookie symposium.
Cardinals rookie DL Andre Wadsworth said after the event,
"If we didn't have this, I know the percentage of people
getting in trouble would be higher" (ESPN, 7/27).
NHL: In Canada, Lance Hornby writes that the NHL's six
Northern franchises are "watching the plunging Canadian
dollar with alarm, as it reached another low" of US$.6651
yesterday. Maple Leafs Assistant to the President Bill
Watters: "The only good thing you can say is that we're not
paying salaries until autumn" (TORONTO SUN, 7/28).
OTHER NOTES: Turner Sports analyst Doc Rivers, on the
NBA lockout: "Ultimately, let's say it does take five
months, let's say it takes a year -- ultimately, the players
have to blink. ... I personally don't believe that there
will be one game missed" ("The Mike Lupica Show," 7/27).
....About 50,000 attended the IRL's VisionAire 500 at
Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday night, which was "about
25,000 less than during last year's inaugural IRL event" at
the track (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 7/26).
