Hundreds of cyclists join Lance Armstrong for bike ride in LA’s Griffith Park

LOS ANGELES — Lance Armstrong has finished an hour-long bike ride that attracted several hundred cyclists to Griffith Park in Los Angeles.

Playing games in Cleveland, Mangini tries to keep a secret not worth keeping

If it weren’t for the NFL’s new Twitter policy that has, for the time being, silenced even Chad Ochocinco, we’d probably know for sure by now the question that has transfixed the NFL: Who will line up under center on Sunday for the Cleveland Browns?

Bengals WR Chad Ochocinco hints that he’s got a tweet surprise for NFL in the season opener

CINCINNATI — Chad Ochocinco is working on a tweet surprise for the NFL.

Uh, oh, T.O.: Owens suggests he’s not a big fan of Bills no-huddle offense

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — As if the Bills offense doesn’t have enough worries these days, Terrell Owens says he’s not a big fan of the new no-huddle attack.

Bengals WR Chad Ochocinco hints that he’s got a tweet surprise for NFL in the season opener

CINCINNATI — Chad Ochocinco is working on a tweet surprise for the NFL.

AUTO RACING PACKAGE: Fans, drivers get chance to connect by tweeting and then meeting

JOLIET, Ill. — Hours before the race, under a large white tent in the midway at Chicagoland Speedway, things are already moving along briskly at Vision Racing’s “tweetup.”

Iverson tweets he’s going to Memphis; reported agreement to 1-year deal

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Allen Iverson will be a fan attraction for the Memphis Grizzlies — from the very beginning.

Ohno awaits a dance of another sort: a bid to make 3rd Olympic short-track speedskating team

MARQUETTE, Mich. — The soul-patched one still glides low around the ice, powering past his rivals in the turns.

NFL 2009: Bengals’ chances of rebounding from 4-win season depend upon Palmer’s health

CINCINNATI — Carson Palmer is sure of one thing.

Grizzlies owner, staff meet with Allen Iverson as sides move closer to completing deal

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The owner of the Memphis Grizzlies and the team’s staff met with Allen Iverson on Monday, moving closer to a deal bringing the veteran guard to a young team.

Giants middle linebacker Antonio Pierce excused from practice for personal reasons

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Middle linebacker Antonio Pierce missed the New York Giants’ practice Monday for personal reasons.

Briton attempting to be 1st woman to row solo across Pacific finishes trip’s 2nd leg

SYDNEY — A British environmentalist attempting to become the first woman to row alone across the Pacific Ocean has completed the second leg of her journey, arriving safely in the tiny South Pacific nation of Kiribati.

Titans: Still bitter over missed chance at Pittsburgh, see champs as chance for fast start

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans know last season is long gone and Thursday night’s NFL season opener with Pittsburgh is the start of the chase for a new championship.

Michigan and Notre Dame flex some muscle and provide some relief while OU aches

Desperately in need of a good start to the season, Notre Dame and Michigan played like powerhouses and provided a respite for their beleaguered coaches. Oklahoma, meanwhile, might have bigger problems than Sam Bradford’s shoulder.

Seahawks cut S Brian Russell, keep K Olindo Mare; CB Marcus Trufant to miss first 6 games

SEATTLE — Cornerback Marcus Trufant will miss the first six games for the Seahawks. And veteran safety Brian Russell is gone, about to be replaced by 35-year-old Lawyer Milloy.

Colt? Chase? How about neither? Brennan hurt, Daniel says he’s cut as Redskins trim roster

ASHBURN, Va. — The winner between the ex-Heisman Trophy contenders battling for the Washington Redskins third-string quarterback job? Try “none of the above.”

Bills fire offensive coordinator Turk Schonert after dismal preseason

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills coach Dick Jauron is committed to sticking with the no-huddle attack entering the regular season — just not with the offensive coordinator who spent the year installing it.

‘Time to wait’ as Redskins brain trust debates cuts; 53-man roster to be set by Sat

ASHBURN, Va. — Friday was a fretful day for the 30 or so Washington Redskins considered to be on the bubble.

US Open prohibits players from tweeting during game breaks

NEW YORK - US Open officials have banned players from sending Twitter messages during the short breaks in their games, saying the “inside information” could help gamblers improve their odds.

The postman always wrings twice: Post-Wimbledon, Roddick gets support, advice from everywhere

NEW YORK — Everyone, it seems, wanted to talk to Andy Roddick about his loss to Roger Federer in last month’s epic Wimbledon final: the 16-14 fifth set, the 77 total games, the Centre Court crowd chanting the American’s name afterward.

As the NFL Turns: Will somebody please show mercy and end this soap opera of a preseason

Do his teammates like him? Do they really, really like him?

In note of far more than 140 characters, US Open players warned about tweeting

NEW YORK — Watch what you tweet.

‘I used to never look at numbers’: Serena Williams accumulating Grand Slam titles

England pacer Anderson robbed of his mobile phone

LONDON - England fast bowler James Anderson has had his new mobile phone stolen from him.

The 27-year-old bowler was celebrating with teammates in London on Sunday night after they put Australia to the sword at the Oval.

Pitino lashes out about woman in sex scandal’s accusations in newly released police video

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A seething Rick Pitino said he could stay on the sidelines no longer.

Gaining an Edge: Seahawks give Edgerrin James 1-year contract; fellow RB T.J. Duckett released

Agent says Seahawks give Edgerrin James 1-year contract; fellow RB T.J. Duckett released

RENTON, Wash. — The agent for Edgerrin James says the league’s leading active rusher has signed a one-year contract with the Seattle Seahawks.

Person briefed on situations says Heat F Beasley being treated for depression in Houston

Carolina Panthers mum on Pro Bowl LB Jon Beason’s left knee injury

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers entered training camp with a new defensive coordinator, a more aggressive scheme and plenty of motivation in the locker room to erase memories of their late-season slide in 2008.

Russell Downing of Britain wins Tour of Ireland, Armstrong abandons in heavy rain

CORK, Ireland — Lance Armstrong pulled out of the Tour of Ireland in heavy rain during the final stage Sunday.

From iPhone to yours: Bengals backup QB’s company helps athletes build their own social nets

CINCINNATI — A small icon of Chad Ochocinco’s smiling face is the doorway to the receiver’s latest media venture.

Lance Armstrong finishes in main group in opening stage of 3-day Tour of Ireland

WATERFORD, Ireland — Lance Armstrong finished in the main group of riders Friday in the opening stage of the three-day Tour of Ireland, his first race since his third-place showing in the Tour de France.

College football programs offer ticket deals, boost promotions to offset economy’s damage

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Brandon Drzewicki will travel from suburban Chicago to Michigan State, his alma mater, for most football Saturdays this fall — but only because he got a sweet deal offered exclusively to recent alumni.

NY Knicks Nate Robinson arrested in Bronx for driving with suspended license

NEW YORK — New York Knicks player Nate Robinson was arrested Tuesday for driving without a license.

Lance Armstrong joined by hundreds on bike ride in Glasgow after invite on Twitter

GLASGOW, Scotland — Lance Armstrong brought traffic to a standstill Tuesday after issuing a Twitter invitation for Scottish cyclists to join him on a casual bike ride.