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AP PhotoDetroit Shock assistant coach Rick Mahorn pushes Los Angeles Sparks' Lisa Leslie to the ground during a melee in the closing seconds of their game on Tuesday.

NEW YORK — The WNBA swiftly suspended the Detroit and Los Angeles players and Shock assistant coach Rick Mahorn for their role in a skirmish at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

Shock forward Plenette Pierson was suspended Thursday for four games, the harshest penalty, for initiating and escalating the altercation.

Mahorn was suspended for two games as were Shannon Bobbitt and Murriel Page of the Sparks.

Mike Itchue | MLive.comThe Detroit Lions made changes to their offensive attack, and the differences are apparent after just one practice, according to MLive Lions Insider Tom Kowalski.

First impressions of Lions training camp ...

First things first. These observations are being made on just one practice so please keep that in mind.

• You can already see some changes in the running game by the individual drills that are being performed. In one of the drills, the linemen and tight ends are sharpening their fundamentals in backside (or offside) cutting in the running game. Because the players won't be cutting during team or 9-on-7 drills, it has to be done in the individual segment with practice dummies

First-round draft pick Gosder Cherilus inked a five-year contract worth slightly less than $15 million, but $8.9 million of that will come in guaranteed dollars. The bonuses will be paid out over the first two years of the deal.

Cherilus, who was the 17th overall pick in the draft, is likely to earn more than $12.5 million over the life of the contract with the rest of it coming in the form of incentives, including some Pro Bowl bonuses.

The Lions did not put linebacker Ernie Sims (shoulder) on the Physically Unable to Perform list but they are going to take it slow with him. In the padded morning practice, Sims did not take any repetitions in the teams drills but did participate in the seven-on-seven drills.

Alan Warren | The Ann Arbor NewsU-M's Marques Slocum talks about looking forward to playing for the first time in two years during media day at the University of Michigan on Monday, August, 6, 2007.

CHICAGO - As Big Ten media days get underway, the University of Michigan football program released its roster for the 2008 season and one name was missing; Marques Slocum.

Coach Rich Rodriguez will get an opportunity to explain the absence this afternoon when he addresses reporters at the Hyatt Regency, but it wouldn't be surprising if Slocum's career in Ann Arbor is finished.

ALLEN PARK -- As the Detroit Lions kick off training camp this morning, here are some storylines worth following:

1. Sign here, please
The skinny: The Lions signed first-round pick Gosder Cherilus late Wednesday and still haven't signed second-rounder Jordon Dizon. Lions COO Tom Lewand called Dizon's signing imminent.

Cherilus, a right tackle, and Dizon, a middle linebacker, didn't look all that impressive in mini-camp, so it's important both get to work. Cherilus needs to improve his footwork, while the smallish Dizon needs to bulk up while proving he can handle the physical demands of being an NFL tackler. Expect both of them to push for starting jobs as camp progresses.

CHICAGO - A year ago, the University of Michigan football team was the toast of the Big Ten's preseason media days.

The Wolverines were picked to win the league title by reporters who cover the conference. Mike Hart and Chad Henne were on the verge of becoming the school's all-time leading rusher and passer, respectively. And coach Lloyd Carr was entering what many thought would be his final season.

In 2008, all the affection is being showered on Michigan's archrival, Ohio State.
As the Big Ten media days begin, the conference announced this morning that the Buckeyes - not surprisingly - are the preseason pick to win the league championship, followed by No. 2 Wisconsin and No. 3 Illinois.

AP File PhotoDetroit coach Rod Marinelli said Takeo Spikes would play strongside linebacker if the Lions are able to sign him.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions lost one linebacker Wednesday, but are hoping to add another very quickly.

The Lions were informed that rookie seventh-round draft pick Caleb Campbell, a linebacker from Army, would no longer be eligible to pursue a football career. While the Army had a policy in effect since 2005 that allowed cadets to pursue a pro sports career, a recent Department of Defense policy has superseded that.

"Caleb is no longer eligible to play for the Detroit Lions,'' Lions coach Rod Marinelli said. "Nobody likes surprises, but you've just got to salute and move on. We checked as recently as last week and we were assured everything was fine. But that's the deal and we'll move on.

AP File PhotoAccording to court transcripts, Lions first-round pick Gosder Cherlius placed another bar patron in a choke hold and dragged him across a dance floor.

ALLEN PARK -- It hasn't been the most pleasant offseason for Detroit Lions coach Rod Marinelli, a good, honest man full of the best intentions, in his righteous effort to fill the team's roster with people of high character.

In spite of those efforts, the hits just keep coming.

The latest and most unfortunate hit occurred a few hours before Marinelli stepped to the podium Wednesday afternoon at team headquarters and attempted to sound an optimistic bugle call on the eve of the opening of training camp.

AP PhotoDetroit's Miguel Cabrera drove in 10 runs during the Tigers' three-game sweep of the Kansas City Royals.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Detroit Tigers took care of business on their road trip after the All-Star break, going 5-2 in Baltimore and Kansas City, where they completed a sweep of the Royals on Wednesday.

The next bit of business is a three-game weekend series at Comerica Park with the first-place Chicago White Sox. Detroit trails them by 5 1/2 games, and is only three games behind the second-place Minnesota Twins.

Detroit manager Jim Leyland acknowledged that this weekend's series can have an impact on the stretch run, but didn't want to make too much of it with more than two months remaining in the season.

AP PhotoThe Lions' first-round draft pick, Gosder Cherilus, is expected to be on the field for the team's first training camp practice.

Gosder Cherilus, the first-round draft pick from Boston College, missed the first team meeting of training camp Wednesday night, but he didn't miss much else. According to his agents Greg Diulus and Ralph Cindrich, Cherilus has agreed to terms on a five-year contract with the Detroit Lions and is expected to be on the field for the team's first training camp practice Thursday morning.

Cherilus will start camp as the No. 2 right tackle to veteran George Foster but is expected to be in competition for the starting job by the end of camp.

Despite the separate off-the-field incidents involving draft picks Gosder Cherilus, Jordon Dizon and Kalvin Pearson, Detroit Lions coach Rod Marinelli said he likes what he sees from the team so far, in terms of their attitudes, as well as how they look, physically.

Marinelli gave his "state of the Lions" address after the first day of training camp Wednesday, and the third-year coach sounded as optimistic as ever.

AP PhotoDetroit starter Armando Galarraga delivers a pitch against the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday. Galarraga didn't allow a hit until the seventh inning of the Tigers' 7-1 win.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Detroit Tigers starter Armando Galarraga said Kansas City Royals fans let him know what was going on when he returned to the dugout after all those 1-2-3 innings.

Galarraga said, "After the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, they would shout, 'Hey, you've got a no-hitter!'"

He realized they were trying to jinx him, but he didn't care. There is electricity in the air when a pitcher has a no-hitter, and, in this case, a perfect game, going into the later innings.

Mike Itchue | MLive.comThe Detroit Lions' seventh-round draft pick, safety Caleb Campbell, learned that he won't be able to play for the team because of a change in Army rules.

Detroit Lions coach Rod Marinelli thought the only problems he might have going into Thursday morning's first practice of training camp was the absence of his top two unsigned draft picks -- Gosder Cherilus and Jordon Dizon.

As it turns out, the Lions definitely will be without another rookie -- seventh-round draft pick Caleb Campbell.

The Lions were informed Wednesday that the Army policy of allowing cadets to play professional sports was recently superseded by a subsequent Department of Defense policy. As a result, Campbell must report back to West Point for further orders.

Marinelli talked to Campbell on Wednesday and said, "Obviously, he's disappointed.''

AP File PhotoFormer AHL standout Darren Haydar has a signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Red Wings.

The Red Wings have signed right wing Darren Haydar to a one-year, two-way contract for $525,000. He'll most likely bolster their depth in Grand Rapids, filling the role that Mark Hartigan had last season.

Haydar (5-9, 170) had one goal and seven assists in 16 games with the Atlanta Thrashers last season and has appeared in 22 games in parts of three seasons in the NHL.

"He's a high-end American Hockey League depth type of player,'' Red Wings assistant general manager Jim Nill said. "We're set with 12 solid forwards. The 13th, 14th and 15th spots are open. We're looking for some healthy competition (in training camp). We just want to add some depth and it's important to have those types of players.''

AP File PhotoDrew Naymick is Michigan State's all-time leader in blocked shots.

EAST LANSING -- There came a time during Drew Naymick's Michigan State basketball career when coach Tom Izzo questioned his passion for the game.

After all, during his five years at MSU the brainy Naymick graduated early with a bachelor's degree in business management, earned a master's in finance and had to take doctoral courses to remain in the program. He appeared destined for the business world.

But, maybe Naymick -- never the most demonstrative or outspoken player ever to wear a Spartan uniform -- was simply misunderstood by his former coach.