Figure Skating

Advantage to Weir in first round

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Johnny Weir won this round. And some praise from rival Evan Lysacek.

Weir edged Lysacek in their growing on-ice rivalry Friday night, winning the short program at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. This one's not close to being settled, though, with a measly 1.35 points separating them going into Sunday afternoon's free skate.

"I hope Evan can skate well," Weir said just before Lysacek took the ice. "I hope he can get over the nerves of coming back and trying to repeat as national champion. I've had to deal with it before and it's a hard thing to do. So I hope he makes it interesting and throws all his cards on the table and skates well."

Weir scored 83.40 points, and Lysacek had 82.05. Stephen Carriere, last year's world junior champ, was third with 76.66. Weir and Lysacek's ongoing tug of war is the best thing going in skating these days. Figure skating may be pretty, but it's when things get down and dirty that fans really pay attention. The Battle of the Brians, dueling Carmens, Michelle vs. Tara/Sarah/Sasha -- whenever things get heated on the ice, it's going to get good.

Weir and Lysacek's rivalry started in the United States, with Weir winning the national title from 2004-06 before Lysacek claimed it last year. But it's gone global, with Lysacek claiming two bronze medals at the world championships. He took the bronze at this year's Grand Prix final while Weir finished fourth.

And while neither likes to admit it, knowing the other is out there has made them both better skaters.

"I have so much praise for Johnny. I don't know how he did it (be defending champion) three times," Lysacek said. "I'm learning it's extremely tough."

Especially when there's someone just as good trying to take the title away.

Weir didn't have his usual pizazz, looking very deliberate and determined as he checked off one required element after another. His triple lutz-triple toe loop combination was done with ease and control, and he was one of the few competitors who not only landed a triple axel, but did a nice one. His footwork was light and a perfect match for the music, and he had a nice touch at the end, tapping an imaginary key as the last piano note sounded.

Lysacek was pretty happy himself. He'd thought being the defending champion would boost his confidence, that he'd feel more relaxed knowing he's done this before. He was wrong.

He spent the day Friday battling his nerves, and was still shaking as he waited to take the ice. It didn't help that he botched his quadruple toe several times during the warmup, crashing so hard one time it drew a sharp "Oooh" from fans. Once his program began, he landed the quad on his feet. Unfortunately, it was on both of them, and that's a deduction. He only tacked on a double toe to complete the combination, and that's not worth as much as the triple toe he normally does. He also had a funky landing on his triple axel, brushing the boards with his skate.

But he made up for those minor errors with some intricate footwork and expressiveness that some actors would envy. Skating to "Zorro," he dueled his way across the ice with intense steps, kicks and turns. His spins were simply dazzling. He was so fast he was practically a blur, and he showed great flexibility and control as he changed edges and positions. That's not easy for any skater, let alone someone who's all limbs at 6-foot-1.

College Basketball

Comagic helps NAU top Weber State

OGDEN -- Zarko Comagic scored 18 points to help Northern Arizona beat Weber State 69-56 on Friday night in a battle of the two top teams in the Big Sky Conference. Josh Wilson added 14 for the Lumberjacks (14-6, 6-1), who avenged their three losses to the Wildcats last season including one in the league tournament championship game.

After Comagic's three-point play gave NAU a 53-41 lead with 5:36 left in the game, the Wildcats (10-9, 5-2 Big Sky Conference) made a late surge and cut NAU's lead to 58-53 with 2:17 left following a three-point play from Jamaine Nance. But Nate Geiser hit a 3-pointer on NAU's next trip down the court and the Lumberjacks made eight free throws in the final 1:05 to secure the win. Kellen McCoy led WSU with 17, while Steve Panos had 13 and Dezmon Harris had 11.

College Football

Brennan has much to prove

MOBILE, Ala. -- Colt Brennan has much to prove to NFL teams no matter how remarkable his college numbers. Besides the normal quarterback indicators like accuracy, arm strength and decision-making, Brennan also must show he can operate a prostyle offense and master the often overlooked task of collecting snaps under center.

The record-setting Hawaii quarterback will help lead the South team in today's Senior Bowl, capping a weeklong audition for NFL coaches, scouts and executives. The high-pressure circumstances would seem likely to make Brennan jittery. Instead, he was the guy often seen in the players' hotel, chatting on a cell phone or talking with reporters.

Typically with a smile on his face.

"This is a great experience for me, because I'm kind of the big question mark as far as the quarterbacks in the draft," Brennan said. "Everybody's kind of waiting to see, 'Is he a good kid? Is he a good football player?' "

Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge -- subbing for injured Brian Brohm of Louisville -- and Kentucky's Andre' Woodson will join Brennan taking snaps for the South team. Michigan's Chad Henne -- whose stock seems to have risen with his practice performances -- Southern California's John David Booty and Joe Flacco of Delaware will quarterback the North.

NFL

Redskins hire Zorn as O-coordinator

WASHINGTON -- Undecided on a head coach, the Washington Redskins at least have someone to run the offense. The Redskins hired Jim Zorn on Friday to be their offensive coordinator, according to a person familiar with the situation. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because a formal announcement had not been made.

Zorn, Seattle's QB coach for the past seven years, interviewed with Redskins owner Dan Snyder on Wednesday. The interview was prompted by Zorn's reputation as a top coordinator prospect and wasn't necessarily tied to any particular candidate in the team's search for a head coach. Zorn's hiring essentially assured the departure of Al Saunders, who ran the offense to mixed reviews for the last two seasons under coach Joe Gibbs.

The search for a head coach has proceeded at an erratic pace, with consecutive days of long interviews generating a new hot favorite interspersed with quiet periods while Snyder ponders his next move. The last known interview took place with former New York Giants coach Jim Fassel on Monday, and the owner is considering waiting until the Super Bowl has been played so that he can interview potential candidates from the Giants and New England.

Snyder has also interviewed Redskins assistant Gregg Williams, Indianapolis defensive coordinator Ron Meeks and Tennessee defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.

• Bengals' Thurman expects to learn soon whether he's reinstated: Suspended Bengals linebacker Odell Thurman expects to learn in a few weeks whether the NFL will reinstate him for next season, ending his two-year banishment.

Thurman has applied for reinstatement and should know in mid-February whether commissioner Roger Goodell will allow him back in the game, agent Safarrah Lawson said.

While Goodell weighs his case, Thurman is pursuing a federal employment complaint against the league, claiming he was given an unusually long suspension because he is an alcoholic.

"Odell is doing well," Lawson said. "He's working out, trying to get ready mentally and physically for the season."

Thurman, a second-round draft pick in 2005, showed immense promise as a rookie. He started 15 games at middle linebacker, led the team in tackles and tied the team rookie record with five interceptions.

He was suspended for the first four games of the 2006 season after skipping a drug test. The suspension was extended to the full season after he was arrested for drunken driving. He pleaded no contest and was sentenced to six days in a treatment center.

Two men in Monticello, Ga., filed a complaint alleging Thurman kicked and hit them at a party two days after he settled his drunken driving case in Cincinnati. The men later dropped their complaint, and no charges were filed.

Thurman expected to be reinstated for the 2007 season, but Goodell turned down his request shortly before the start of training camp. Goodell, who has taken a hard line on player misconduct, said Thurman could apply for reinstatement after sitting out a second straight season.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league had no comment on Thurman's case.

• Garcia replaces Favre on NFC Pro Bowl roster: Buccaneers quarterback Jeff Garcia is headed to the Pro Bowl for the fourth time, replacing Green Bay's Brett Favre on the NFC roster.

Favre, who was chosen as the starter for the annual all-star game, had said he was unsure whether he would play after leading the Packers to the NFC championship game.

Garcia signed with Tampa Bay as a free agent last winter and led the team to the NFC South title. He made three consecutive appearances in the Pro Bowl from 2000-02 with the 49ers.

Baseball

Morneau, Cuddyer agree to multiyear deals with Twins

MINNEAPOLIS -- Justin Morneau and Michael Cuddyer sat side by side, recipients of $104 million of commitment from Carl Pohlad's bank account.

For a Minnesota Twins fan base that has watched Torii Hunter and Carlos Silva leave in free agency and worried about the possible trade of two-time AL Cy Young winner Johan Santana, it had to be a welcome sight.

Morneau, the 2006 AL MVP, received the most lucrative contract in Twins history -- an $80 million, six-year deal. Cuddyer got three years and $24 million.

"It's pretty cool," Morneau said after his record deal was announced Friday. "I guess it means I'm buying all the time."

It was a boffo beginning to the team's annual TwinsFest, which brings players, fans and souvenir vendors to the Metrodome for a weekend of autograph signings, photo opportunities and interaction in preparation for the start of spring training.

"I'm happy for the fans," Cuddyer said. "There's been a lot of negative going around, obviously this offseason, with the loss of Torii and Carlos and the whole Johan situation. To have some positive light for the fans is pretty special."

General manager Bill Smith reiterated his preference to keep Santana but said the team would look at all other options if Minnesota concludes that's impossible. He added that these two contracts do not affect any other players.

"I don't think it's any great change in philosophy," Smith said.

Assistant general manager Rob Antony handled the negotiations and praised Pohlad and his sons for approving the deals during an offseason in which Hunter left for the Angels and Silva went to Seattle.

The Pohlads didn't "want this to continue to happen," Antony said.

• Galarraga cut by Rangers: Right-hander Armando Galarraga was designated for assignment on Friday by the Texas Rangers to open a roster spot for pitcher Jason Jennings.

Galarraga, who came from Washington in the December 2005 trade that sent Alfonso Soriano to the Nationals, made his major league debut with Texas late last season. He had a 6.23 ERA in one start and two relief appearances after spending spent most of the season at Double-A Frisco, where he went 9-6 with a 4.02 ERA in 23 games.

Texas has 10 days to trade or release Galarraga, or to send him outright to the minor leagues.