Owings Mills, Md. ? Baltimore Ravens owner Art Modell remained hospitalized Tuesday for a mild stroke, but plans to attend the opening Friday of his 42nd training camp as an owner.

Modell was resting at Johns Hopkins Hospital on Tuesday and was expected to be released today, team spokesman Chad Steele said.

Modell

“He definitely wants to be at camp I don’t know if Mrs. Modell wants him to be there we’re just going to have to wait and see,” Steele said.

Modell, 76, was admitted to Johns Hopkins Hospital on Sunday, marking the second time in three months that the Ravens’ owner has been hospitalized for an illness.

In April, he suffered a mild heart attack at his California vacation home. Modell said he is feeling better and ready for head coach Brian Billick to open camp on Friday.

“Tell Brian I’ll be ready for gassers by the weekend,” Modell said in a statement released by the team.

Former lineman Spellman fails to appear in court

Dearborn Mich. Former NFL defensive lineman Alonzo Spellman, who has a history of psychological and legal problems, failed to appear in court Tuesday to answer charges of drunken driving and destroying property.

Spellman was arrested July 16 after Dearborn police received a report of a home invasion and reckless driving. He was released on $600 bond pending arraignment Tuesday in 19th District Court on misdemeanor charges of drunken driving, driving on a suspended license and destruction of property.

Last Friday morning, Spellman wandered in traffic in Farmington Hills, dragging luggage and saying he wanted to go to Las Vegas. He got a ride to the Greyhound station in downtown Detroit and boarded a bus.

Judge Virginia Sobotka issued a bench warrant for Spellman’s arrest. If police find him in Michigan, Spellman must post an additional $2,500 bond to be given another court date.

Spellman, 31, now lives in Buffalo Grove, Ill.

Bears ink coordinator

Lake Forest, Ill. Chicago Bears offensive coordinator John Shoop agreed to terms on a new three-year contract Tuesday.

NFL tabs 16 new refs for upcoming season

New York The NFL will have 16 new officials this season, replacing 15 who retired and head linesman Sanford Rivers, who was fired for unspecified reasons.

The league wouldn’t comment on the dismissal of Rivers, who worked the 1999 Super Bowl.

He had been in the league for 12 seasons.

National Football League spokesman Greg Aiello would say only that officials who “do not meet certain agreed-upon requirements are not retained.”

The turnover is slightly higher than the average of eight to 10 officials of the 119 who leave annually. Most retired, but they also can be dismissed for reasons ranging from incompetence to failing physicals, which include not meeting weight requirements.