Romanowski’s Wife Pleads Not Guilty

Denver Bronco linebacker Bill Romanowski’s wife pleaded not guilty in Castle Rock, Colo., to charges she fraudulently obtained a prescription diet drug for him.

Douglas County District Judge Thomas Curry scheduled a four-day jury trial in March for Julie Romanowski, who was charged last year. Each of the eight felony counts against her is punishable by one to three years in prison and a fine of $1,000 to $100,000. She also faces a fine and up to 18 months in prison on a separate conspiracy count.

She declined comment after the brief hearing.

A Nov. 6 motions hearing has been scheduled for Bill Romanowski, meaning he probably will not stand trial until after the NFL season. He is charged with using a prescription drug prescribed for somebody else.

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Sheriff’s deputies in Immokalee, Fla., were still looking for the man who shot the brother of Indianapolis Colt running back Edgerrin James.

Cherron James, 24, was out of intensive care after undergoing surgery Monday at Lee Memorial Hospital in Fort Myers. He also told police he thinks he knows who shot him in the back, Collier County Sheriff’s spokeswoman Tina Osceola said.

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Running back Antowain Smith didn’t get his wish, remaining a Buffalo Bill after the NFL trading deadline passed on Tuesday. A Bill spokesman said no deals had been made when the 4 p.m. deadline expired.

Smith, benched for the last two games, reportedly asked to be traded after losing his starter’s job.

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Pittsburgh Steeler offensive lineman Chris Conrad is retiring, opting not to have neck surgery to repair several damaged disks.

Conrad, a 1998 third-round draft choice from Fresno State, said the surgery was risky and there was threat of complications if he reinjured the neck. Conrad began the 1999 season as the Steelers’ starting right tackle, but injured a knee after two games.