Posted: Friday, July 10, 2009 12:05 am
NFL
Vakapuna signs with Bengals
CINCINNATI -- The Cincinnati Bengals said Thursday they have signed former BYU fullback Fui Vakapuna.
Vakapuna is the first of the Bengals' three seventh-round picks, and the fifth of the team's 11 picks, to sign. According to his agent, David Lee, Vakapuna signed a four-year deal with Cincinnati.
The fullback played for BYU in 2003 and 2006-08, rushing for 1,181 yards and 14 touchdowns. He added 189 receiving yards and four TD catches. His best statistical year was in 2006, when he rushed for 481 yards and eight TDs and had 87 yards receiving, as well as three touchdown grabs.
Vakapuna joins a Bengals team in need of help with their rushing attack, as Cincinnati averaged just 95 yards on the ground in 2008 (29th in the NFL).
Vakapuna is one of four fullbacks on the Bengals' roster. He will be reunited with another former Cougar, Daniel Coats, who played tight end at BYU and played both fullback and tight end for Cincinnati last year. Coats re-signed with the Bengals in February.
Preps
Orem High looking for a softball coach
Orem High School is currently searching for a new head softball coach. Those interested in the job should contact Joel Perkins or Robert Steele at Orem High School. The phone number is (801) 227-8765.
NBA
Marion to Mavs, Stackhouse to Griz in complex deal
DALLAS -- The way Jerry Stackhouse's contract was structured, the Dallas Mavericks knew they could parlay him into a key player for next season. As it turned out, a lot of teams benefited.
The Mavericks, Raptors, Grizzlies and Magic combined in a massive swap Thursday that included eight players, a draft pick and stacks of cash. The deal sent Shawn Marion to Dallas, Stackhouse to Memphis and helped seal the transaction that moved Hedo Turkoglu from Orlando to Toronto.
Among the other pieces: Forward Kris Humphries, center Nathan Jawai and cash went from Toronto to Dallas; guard Greg Buckner moves from Memphis to Dallas; and swingmen Antoine Wright and Devean George go from Dallas to Toronto.
Memphis also received a second-round pick and cash from Toronto and cash from Dallas. The Mavericks and Raptors both also sent cash to Orlando.
The Magic were going to lose Turkoglu anyway. After Orlando acquired Vince Carter, Turkoglu opted out of his contract and became a free agent. He'd already decided to go to Toronto, but turning his departure into a sign-and-trade glued together the rest of this complex puzzle.
"So many things were going on that I was like, 'Just sit back and wait until it happens,' " Marion said. "I'm just happy to come to Dallas."
• Cavaliers reach deal to retain Varejao: At Cleveland, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Anderson Varejao -- the energetic big man with long, curly hair known to the team's fans as "Wild Thing" -- agreed on a multiyear contract on Thursday.
Cavaliers general manager Danny Ferry announced the signing, though terms were not disclosed. The 2.11-meter (6-foot-11) center/forward from Brazil has played five years in the NBA, all with the Cavaliers.
• New Pistons coach is Cavs' John Kuester: At Auburn Hills, Mich., in his decade running the Detroit Pistons, Joe Dumars hasn't been known for showing patience with head coaches. He insists that is about to change.
Moments after introducing Cavaliers assistant John Kuester as Detroit's sixth coach in 10 years, Dumars said Thursday that Kuester "might have the most job security of anyone in the NBA."
"Bless you, Joe," said Kuester with a laugh.
Kuester replaces Michael Curry, who was fired on June 30 after going 39-43 in his first season and being swept by Cleveland in the first round of the playoffs. Detroit had reached the Eastern Conference finals in the previous six seasons under Rick Carlisle, Larry Brown and Flip Saunders.
Swimming
Phelps breaks 100 fly world record at U.S. nationals
INDIANAPOLIS -- Four months after deciding to keep swimming, Michael Phelps took ownership of a world record that had eluded him for years.
He won the 100-meter butterfly at the U.S. national championships Thursday night in 50.22 seconds, lowering Ian Crocker's mark of 50.40 set at the 2005 world championships in Montreal.
Phelps' feat came just two months after returning from a suspension that was part of the longest layoff of his career, which he considered ending when a photograph of him using a marijuana pipe surfaced.
"It really shows anything can happen if you put your mind to it," Phelps said. "It feels good to get a best time."
Wearing his usual Speedo LZR suit, Phelps led at 50 meters with a split of 23.83, just three-tenths off world-record pace. Known for his strong finishes, the 14-time Olympic gold medalist pulled clear down the stretch to beat Tyler McGill, who touched in 51.06. Aaron Peirsol was third in 51.30.
"Crock had a ton more first 50 speed than I did. That's something I've really been working on," Phelps said. "I've always been able to come home pretty strong. I finally got the front half a little bit faster. If I can get that even faster, I'll be in better shape."
Phelps currently holds individual world records in the 100 and 200 flys, 200 and 400 individual medleys, and the 200 free.
"They've all been absolutely incredible," he said.
Phelps had owned the 100 fly mark for a day at the 2003 world meet in Barcelona. But Crocker took it from him a day later, then lowered it twice more, something that has bugged Phelps ever since.
"To finally be able to get it tonight means a lot," he said.
Phelps was in the 100 fly final when Crocker broke the record in Montreal.
"That is the worst Michael has ever gotten beat," his coach Bob Bowman said.