Sports Briefs

Vols’ Malik Jackson
to miss time with knee

KNOXVILLE (AP) — Tennessee senior defensive tackle Malik Jackson has sprained his right knee.
Coach Derek Dooley said after the Volunteers’ practice on Friday that Jackson likely would miss a couple of weeks of fall practice.
Jackson is the only returning starter among Tennessee’s defensive linemen and linebackers. He transferred from Southern California to Tennessee before the beginning of the 2010 season and switched from defensive end to tackle midway through the season.
The 6-foot-5, 270-pound Northridge, Calif., native led the Vols with 11 tackles for loss and had five sacks and 48 tackles while playing in every game in 2010, starting 12. He forced a fumble, had a fumble recovery and returned an interception 44 yards.

’Bama DT Sentimore leaving for Gulf Coast

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Alabama defensive tackle Darrington Sentimore is transferring to a junior college.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College defensive coordinator Steve Davis said late last week that Sentimore is set to report early this week.
Sentimore is the seventh Crimson Tide player to leave the program since last season. He was indefinitely suspended for unspecified violation of team rules in June.
Sentimore was expected to compete for a spot in Alabama’s playing rotation after recording nine tackles, four quarterback hurries and a forced fumble last season.

Prosecutors offer deal
in MTSU murder case

MURFREESBORO (AP) — Prosecutors have made an offer to the woman accused of killing a Middle Tennessee State basketball player who was her roommate.
Defense attorney Joe Brandon Jr. said it is his duty to communicate any offer to client Shanterrica Madden, but it is hard to give any serious consideration to this one.
Brandon said the offer would have the 19-year-old Madden plead guilty to first-degree murder in the March stabbing death of Tina Stewart. Madden has said she acted in self-defense during a fight. She has pleaded not guilty.
Brandon said he doesn’t believe prosecutors can make out a case for first-degree murder.
A plea hearing is set for Aug. 23.
If no deal is reached by that time, the judge will set a trial date.

Ex-Titan defender
decides on retirement

NASHVILLE (AP) — Former Tennessee Titans linebacker David Thornton has decided to retire after nine seasons in the NFL.
Thornton said in a statement released by his foundation Friday that his passion for the game has not wavered but he feels his decision to retire is the right thing for him. He thanked his former coaches and said he hopes to remain connected to football during retirement.
Thornton had 809 tackles, five sacks, five interceptions, 11 forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in 121 games. He missed the 2010 season recovering from hip surgery.
Published in The Messenger 8.8.11

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