NFL begins to move game start times
NEW YORK, Oct. 24 (UPI) -- The NFL made the first change in its "flexible scheduling plan," moving the Nov. 12 Chicago Bears at New York Giants game from an afternoon to a night start.
The game is now set to begin at 8:15 p.m. EST as part of a plan to help assure that nationally televised games on Sunday nights, aired by NBC, and the late time slot on Sunday afternoon on either CBS or Fox, feature strong pairings.
The league said the New Orleans at Pittsburgh game on Nov. 12 will start at 4:15 p.m. EST as part of that change.
One game in NFL Weeks 10-15 and one on Week 17 will be shifted from daytime to night and shown by NBC. The NFL must give 12 days notice about the change, except the season's final Sunday, Dec. 31, when six days notice is needed.
Robredo drops opening-round match
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia, Oct. 24 (UPI) -- No. 2-seeded Tommy Robredo was bounced Tuesday from the first round of the St. Petersburg Open tennis tournament in Russia.
Robredo, from Spain, was eliminated by Australian qualifier Wayne Arthurs 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 in the second day of the weeklong tournament. The open's champion will earn $142,000.
Top-seeded Russian Nikolay Davydenko had little trouble, however, in his first match, dispatching France's Fabrice Santoro 6-3, 6-1.
Defending St. Petersburg Open champion Thomas Johansson, from Sweden, entered the tournament unseeded and won his first match 6-0, 6-7 (3-7), 6-3 over Canada's Frank Dancevic.
Two other seeded players on Tuesday reached the round of 16, as No. 3 Croat Mario Ancic charged past American Paul Goldstein 7-5, 6-1; and No. 7 Mikhail Youzhny handled German Rainer Schuettler 7-6 (8-6), 6-4. One other opening-round result Tuesday saw Romanian Andrei Pavel stop Croatian qualifier Marin Cilic 6-4, 7-5.
Oilers' Moreau on injured reserve
EDMONTON, Alberta, Oct. 24 (UPI) -- Forward Ethan Moreau, who injured a shoulder last Saturday, has been placed on injured reserve by the NHL Edmonton Oilers.
Moreau, the team's assistant captain, dislocated his right shoulder Saturday in a game with the Detroit Red Wings. He missed Monday's game against Phoenix.
He has one goal in seven games this season.
Moreau was the 14th overall pick by Chicago in the 1994 NHL draft. He has 117 goals and 107 assists over 685 games for the Blackhawks and Oilers. He joined Edmonton via a trade in 1999.
Roethlisberger's MRI normal after injury
PITTSBURGH, Oct. 24 (UPI) -- Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger may still be on the injured list when the team plays Oakland, the team Web site said Tuesday.
Roethlisberger had an MRI after he suffered a concussion in a 41-38 loss to the Atlanta Falcons Sunday. The results came back normal but Steelers head coach Bill Cowher said no final decision will be made on playing Roethlisberger until more tests are done later in the week. "We are very encouraged by the results," Cowher said. "We will monitor his progress as the week goes on. But again, I emphasize that we are very encouraged by where he is at as we speak today."
Cowher said that Roethlisberger's injury occurred as the Steelers' passing game was getting back on track.
"Obviously we have been throwing the ball very well and not turning it over," said Cowher. "I think that's a big thing. We have cut down on the interceptions. He has looked very comfortable. The receivers have done a good job of running crisp routes. I see us throwing the ball before guys get out of a break and that's when I know we are getting our timing back.
