PHOENIX - On the eve of NFL free agency, the Arizona Cardinals released running back Beanie Wells after four injury-plagued seasons.
A first-round pick in 2009, Wells showed flashes of the brilliance he had at Ohio State, but has only played one full season - his rookie year. Wells eclipsed 1,000 yards and scored 10 touchdowns in 2011, but was limited to 234 yards and eight TDs in eight games last season due to a turf toe injury.
The move leaves the team thin at running back, with even more injury-plagued Ryan Williams the main returner. Among the possible targets for the team under newly promoted general manager Steve Keim is Reggie Bush.
• Minnesota sent receiver Percy Harvin to Seattle for the Seahawks' first- and seventh-round draft picks this year and a third-rounder in 2014. Harvin, 24, who badly sprained his ankle Nov. 4 and suffered from migraines, will join ex-Viking Sidney Rice in Seattle. "The best all around player ... you'll ever see! Goes to Seattle! I feel like I just got kicked in the stomach. Several times!!!" MVP Adrian Peterson of Minnesota posted on Twitter.
• Baltimore traded WR Anquan Boldin to San Francisco for a sixth-round draft pick. Boldin, 33, helped the Ravens beat the 49ers in the Super Bowl with six catches for 104 yards and a TD. "Anquan was a big part of this football team, a big part of this offense," Baltimore QB Joe Flacco said.
• The Giants let Victor Cruz enter restricted free agency, placing a first-round tender of $2.879 million on the receiver.
• Cornerback DeAngelo Hall was cut by the Redskins, a casualty of the team's NFL-imposed salary cap penalty of $18 million.
• The Broncos released nine-year veteran linebacker D.J. Williams, freeing up his $6 million salary in 2013. Denver also cut third-string quarterback Caleb Hanie.
• The Jets signed quarterback David Garrard to back up - and provide a challenge to - starter Mark Sanchez.
Arizona State
New Sparky sparks controversy
PHOENIX - Arizona State administrators are getting backlash from students and alumni who dislike the new version of Sparky the Sun Devil, the school's mascot.
After the makeover, Sparky now has big eyes and bulging muscles - features that focus groups said are more kid-friendly.
However, there's been criticism aplenty on social media, and the campus newspaper said the new Sparky looks like the "kind of villain that scares the hell out of you as a child and haunts your dreams."
The student government might conduct a referendum on Sparky next month. ASU President Michael Crow said a senior university administrator will meet with students to discuss the situation.
Local sports
UA men 7th in San Diego tourney
The Arizona men's golf team sat seventh with a 19-over 595 after the first two rounds of the San Diego State Classic, 21 strokes behind leader and host San Diego State.
UA's Dylan Healey (72-76) and Erik Oja (76-72) are tied for 22nd at 4-over 148, 10 strokes behind leader Grant Forrest of San Diego. Play continues today.
• The Pima College women's tennis team (7-3) overcame three tiebreakers to defeat Glendale (Calif.) 8-1 in its California tournament opener. In No. 2 singles, Kari Emery (Flowing Wells) won 6-3, 3-6, 10-8.
MISCELLANEOUS
US women rally to tie Sweden
The U.S. women's soccer team, facing former coach Pia Sundhage for the first time, came from behind to tie Sweden 1-1 Monday on Alex Morgan's 56th-minute goal and advance to the Algarve Cup final in Portugal for the 10th time in 11 years.
The Americans, who extended their unbeaten streak to 28 games, will play Germany in Wednesday's title game.
• In Indian Wells, Calif., defending champ Roger Federer beat Ivan Dodig of Croatia 6-3, 6-1 in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open, with the Swiss tennis star tweaking his back near the end. A 4.7 magnitude earthquake struck at 9:55 a.m. near Indian Wells. "It was quite scary for a second there," Federer said.
• Washington tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence Saturday in Seattle.
• In cycling, defending champ Vincenzo Nibali took the overall lead from Chris Froome in Italy's Tirreno-Adriatico race. Peter Sagan won the next-to-last stage.
Includes material from a news release
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