Marshall's contract with Houston ruled valid
HOUSTON - Three months in football limbo ended for Wilber Marshall on Friday when NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue ruled the All-Pro linebacker has a valid contract with the Houston Oilers.
Tagliabue reduced the draft choice compensation due the Washington Redskins for Marshall, from first and fifth-round picks to third and fifth-round picks, ruling his old team improperly interfered in the negotiations.
Marshall's talks took him to Houston but on the verge of a contract worth a reported $2.9 million, Oilers owner Bud Adams changed his mind and called off the deal. Tagliabue ruled, however, that the player and the Oilers had reached a binding agreement on June 2.
Ehlo signs 3-year deal with Hawks
ATLANTA - Craig Ehlo, an unrestricted free agent, signed a three-year contract with the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night.
Ehlo, 30, who spent the last seven seasons with Cleveland, will rejoin Lenny Wilkens, his former coach with the Cavaliers. Wilkens was named coach of the Hawks last month. Ehlo just completed his 10th NBA season, averaging 11.6 points in 82 games.
Packer linebacker Holland cleared to play
GREEN BAY, Wis. - Green Bay Packers linebacker Johnny Holland has been cleared for full contact by the neurosurgeon who performed cervical fusion surgery on him six months ago.
Holland's next go-ahead to play rests with the Packers, who must determine if he is in peak physical condition. The Packers must also sign Holland, who is an unrestricted free agent. Negotiations are ongoing.
"The only way to know he can take a hit with his head is to get him in maximum football condition and put him out there," Dr. Bob Watkins of the Kerlan-Jobe Clinic in Los Angeles told the Green Bay Press-Gazette. "There's really no other way to test it."
Locally
Weekend bowling tourney at Junction Lanes
Junction Lanes' July 4 weekend 3-6-9 tournament is open to men and women. The tourney will be held today, Sunday and Monday. Squad times are 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Handicap for women is 80 percent and 70 percent for men. The entry fee is $14. For reservations call Junction lanes, 255-6841.