Reuters U.S. Sports Schedule at 2 PM EDT on Friday, Aug. 29
Aug. 29 (Reuters) - Reuters U.S. sports schedule at 2 PM ET on Friday: - - - - The duty editor is Steve Ginsburg, 202-898-8427 - - - - TENNIS Federer, Sharapova highlight Day Five at U.S. Open NEW YORK - Seventeen-time grand-slam winner Roger Federer and French Open champion Maria Sharapova share spotlight during Day Five of U.S. Open at Flushing Meadows. (TENNIS-OPEN/ (WRAPUP 2, TV, PIX), moving shortly, by Larry Fine and Steve Keating, 600 words) - - - - GOLF McIlroy in hunt for fourth win of 2014 NORTON, Mass. - World No. 1 Rory McIlroy launches his bid for fourth PGA Tour victory of season in opening round at TPC Boston, venue for second of PGA Tour's four lucrative FedExCup playoff events. Swede Henrik Stenson defends title he won by two shots last year. (GOLF-PGA/ (PIX), expect by 2200 GMT/6 PM ET, 400 words) - - - - NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE Seahawks not satisfied with one title RENTON, Wash. - Day after Super Bowl, head coach Pete Carroll challenged his players to admire their trophy, and then hit reset button to focus on 2014. If exhibition play counts for anything, it appears Seattle Seahawks again have tunnel vision. (FBN-SEAHAWKS-NEWS, moved, The Sports Xchange, 500 words) Browns' offense, QB enter season as question marks BEREA, Ohio - Time runs out on the Cleveland Browns to get it together as offensive unit, and quarterback Brian Hoyer takes first unit to Pittsburgh next weekend as unknown. (FBN-BROWNS-NEWS, moved, The Sports Xchange, 510 words) Beyond Brady, Pats' offense in flux FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - New England has two constants - Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. While that is great starting point as proven by unmatched run of division success, rest of the puzzle is incomplete until proven otherwise. (FBN-PATRIOTS-NEWS, moved, The Sports Xchange, 578 words) Realistic Vikings: Undefeated, unsure EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. - Forward-focused Minnesota hopes its perfect exhibition record means something, but Vikings have been down this road before. (FBN-VIKINGS-NEWS, moved, The Sports Xchange, 585 words) Bengals calculated plotting playoff success CINCINNATI - Since training camp began five weeks ago, everything Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis has done -- from canceling Oklahoma drill to giving veterans periodic days off to squeezing reins on injured players even when they are medically cleared - has been done with one thing in mind: get to opener in Baltimore as healthy as possible. (FBN-BENGALS-NEWS, moved, The Sports Xchange, 1,300 words) Eagles appear ready to defend NFC East title PHILADELPHIA - Not everything went right for the Eagles this offseason, but Chip Kelly and Philadelphia appear to be favorites in NFC East entering 2014 season. (FBN-EAGLES-NEWS, moved, The Sports Xchange, 531 words) Redone Dolphins get opening reality check DAVIE, Fla. - It is not about bullying, locker room conduct or counsel when Miami hosts New England on Sept. 7. While Dolphins will take clean slant, no matter outcome, Week 1 will be used as gauge of how far Dolphins progress since last season's tumult and offseason full of changes. (FBN-DOLPHINS-NEWS, moved, The Sports Xchange, 578 words) Banged-up Colts short on repair time INDIANAPOLIS - Short-handed due to injuries in defensive backfield and offensive line, Indianapolis Colts are sure to pay close attention during roster cuts with eye on next week's opener. (FBN-DOLPHINS-NEWS, moved, The Sports Xchange, 578 words) Falcons to use RB committee FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. - When they face New Orleans Saints in season opener, Falcons will present running by committee. (FBN-FALCONS-NEWS, moved, The Sports Xchange, 583 words) Protecting QB first priority for Rams EARTH CITY, Mo. - Even before quarterback Sam Bradford suffered torn knee ligament in third exhibition game, difficult division and challenging schedule had many wondering just how good this team can be. (FBN-RAMS-NEWS, moved, The Sports Xchange, by Howard Balzer, 830 words) Cowboys' Jones, Bryant unable to reach deal Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and receiver Dez Bryant conducted contract talks but did not reach agreement. Bryant, entering final year of his rookie deal with $2 million base salary, says he plans to end talks next week. (FBN-COWBOYS-NEWS, moved, The Sports Xchange, 300 words) NFL roster moves Cuts will be deep as each NFL team begins trimming from 75-man roster to its final active roster of 53 players by Saturday. (FBN-NEWS, expect multiple versions, The Sports Xchange) NFL Roundup Latest news and notes from around league. (FBN-NOTEBOOK, expect by 2200 GMT/6 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, 450 words) - - - - COLLEGE FOOTBALL Jacksonville State at Michigan State EAST LANSING, Mich. - Defending Big Ten and Rose Bowl champion Michigan State kicks off season in "Friday Night Lights" fashion, hosting Jacksonville State. (FBC-MICHIGANSTATE-JACKSONVILLESTATE-FIRSTLEDE-WRITETHRU, expect after 2330 GMT/7.30 PM ET kickoff, The Sports Xchange, by Dana Gauruder, 400-word first lead, 750-word write-through) - - - - MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL Cardinals confident Lackey will deliver When St. Louis Cardinals dealt for John Lackey at July 31 non-waiver trading deadline from Boston Red Sox, it was as much about shaking things up as adding front-line starting pitcher. (BBO-CARDINALS-NEWS, moved, The Sports Xchange, by John Perrotto, 800 words) A's protest 10-inning defeat ANAHEIM, Calif. - Howie Kendrick turns out to be hero for Los Angeles Angels - unless Oakland A's manager Bob Melvin gets his way. (BBO-ATHLETICS-ANGELS-NEWS, moved, The Sports Xchange, by Joe Haakenson, 400 words) THE SPORTS XCHANGE covers all MLB games. Key matchups highlighted below: Nationals at Mariners SEATTLE - Two top pitchers on baseball's top pitching staffs square off in opener of three-game series in Seattle, where Felix Hernandez and Mariners await Jordan Zimmermann and Washington Nationals. (BBO-MARINERS-NATIONALS-FIRSTLEDE-WRITETHRU, expect first version after 0205 GMT/10.05 PM ET first pitch, The Sports Xchange, by Scott M. Johnson, 400-word first lead, 800-word write-through) Athletics at Angels ANAHEIM, Calif. - Left-hander Jon Lester is acquired by Oakland Athletics for games like this one - head-to-head pairing with division-leading Los Angeles Angels' right-hander Jered Weaver. (BBO-ANGELS-ATHLETICS-FIRSTLEDE-WRITETHRU, expect first version after 0205 GMT/10.05 PM ET first pitch, The Sports Xchange, by Joe Haakenson, 400-word first lead, 800-word write-through) - - - - NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION NBA Roundup Latest moves and news from NBA. (BKN-NOTEBOOK, expect by 2200 GMT/6 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, 350 words) - - - - NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE NHL Roundup Latest moves and news from NHL. (HKN-NOTEBOOK, expect by 2200 GMT/6 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, 350 words) - - - - AUTO RACING Stewart: Tragedy with me 'forever' Tony Stewart reads statement but does not take questions in his first public comments since dirt-track race in upstate New York where Stewart's car struck and killed 20-year-old Kevin Ward. (CAR-SPRINT-NEWS (UPDATE 1), expect by 2245 GMT/6.45 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, by Amanda Vincent, 500 words) Drivers rally to support Stewart Kevin Harvick says he is excited to have his friend and teammate Tony Stewart back at track. (CAR-SPRINT-NEWS, moved, The Sports Xchange, 314 words) NASCAR notebook HAMPTON, Ga. - Latest news and notes from around track at Atlanta Motor Speedway. (CAR-SPRINT-NOTES, expect by 2300 GMT/7 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, special from NASCAR Wire Service, 425 words) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying HAMPTON, Ga. - Coors Light Pole Qualifying from Atlanta Motor Speedway. (CAR-SPRINT-NEWS, expect after 2310 GMT/7.10 PM ET scheduled start, The Sports Xchange, special from NASCAR Wire Service, 425 words) - - - - NORTH AMERICAN SPORTS Roundups of off-field developments in major North American professional sport leagues. (Expect by 0000 GMT/8 PM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 400 words)
