Pittman indicted for felony assault

Bucs running back Michael Pittman was indicted this week by a Phoenix grand jury on two felony charges of aggravated assault stemming from a domestic dispute at his Phoenix home May 31.

Arraignment was set for June 19, according to Bill Fitzgerald, a spokesman for the Maricopa County Attorney's Office. Pittman must attend the arraignment, where he will be given a chance to enter a formal plea.

Pittman's Phoenix-based attorney, Phillip Noland, could not be reached Thursday but has said his client plans to plead not guilty.

Police say Pittman rammed his Hummer into the Mercedes-Benz driven by his wife, Melissa, after an argument. The couple's 2-year-old son, Mycah, and his 18-year-old babysitter, Kristina Hegland, also were in the car.

Tampa-based attorney Ed Brennan, who represents Melissa Pittman, said Tuesday his client had informed Phoenix authorities she would not press charges. The state of Arizona has prosecuted similar cases without the victim's cooperation.

Tempe prosecutors set a Wednesday date for a probation revocation arraignment, city prosecutor Robert Hubbard said. Pittman, 27, was placed on three years' probation after pleading guilty to misdemeanor counts of criminal damage and criminal trespass after a domestic dispute with Melissa in 2001. If Pittman's probation is revoked, he could go to jail.

The Bucs starting back, who rushed for 124 yards on 29 carries in the Super Bowl, completed the last day of organized team practices in Tampa and is off until the team convenes for training camp July 18 at Lake Buena Vista.

ROBBINS RETURNS: Center Barret Robbins participated in his first formal workout since being suspended by the Raiders a few hours before the Super Bowl. Robbins, a recovering alcoholic who has since been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, had a roller-coaster weekend in January that included a drinking binge, a trip to Tijuana and thoughts of suicide.

After a 31-day stint at the Betty Ford Center and several quiet months of recovery, he said he feels ready to repair his image - and to return to the Raiders alongside a few teammates who initially did not want him back.

Robbins said he has been fighting alcohol problems since his early teenage years, but he has not had a drink since the Saturday before a 48-21 loss to Tampa Bay.

"I had a bipolar episode," Robbins said of the night he disappeared. "It could have been stress. It was a highly stressful situation, added by alcohol abuse."

He considered suicide.

"That's obviously not a very good feeling," he said. "Having manic depression, going from mania to a depression state. Going all the way that high and in the same day ending up that low is certainly a very helpless feeling."

Frank Middleton, one of Robbins' most outspoken critics after the Super Bowl, walked into the locker room Thursday singing We Are Family.

"We're working together as a family to get past this," said Middleton, a fellow lineman and former Buccaneer. "He apologized to the team. That's all we can ask for. Once we start playing, this all is going to get behind us."

Robbins is undergoing extensive therapy and taking medication for bipolar disorder. He insists as long as he takes the medication he should be free of future episodes.

BROWNS: Team president Carmen Policy signed a five-year extension through the 2008 season.

DOLPHINS: Quarterback Josh Blankenship, an undrafted free agent out of Eastern Washington, was released. He threw 3,243 yards and 30 touchdowns last season and was the Big Sky's offensive player of the year.

GIANTS: Wide receiver Ron Dixon had knee surgery and is expected to be ready for training camp next month. He had 22 receptions for 377 yards and two touchdowns last season, all career highs

PACKERS: Contract agreements were reached with draft picks Brennan Curtin, offensive tackle from Notre Dame, and DeAndrew Rubin, receiver/kick returner from South Florida. Terms were not disclosed.

SEAHAWKS: Tight end Jerramy Stevens was sentenced to five days in Seattle jail and 40 hours of community service for violating probation with a drunken driving arrest. Two years ago, Stevens was placed on probation for misdemeanor hit-and-run property damage after he drove into a nursing home.

STEELERS: Reserve linebacker John Fiala and running back Antwon McCray were released.

- Information from Times wires was used in this report.

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