Kearse, Bruce and Neal among cuts by NFL teams

Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Jevon Kearse, St. Louis Rams wide receiver Isaac Bruce and San Diego Chargers fullback Lorenzo Neal were released Thursday as NFL teams maneuvered their rosters to get ready for the start of free agency.

Kearse was in the middle of a $66-million, eight-year deal signed in 2004 that made him at the time the highest-paid defensive end in NFL history.

Bruce, the last player remaining from the Rams’ 1995 move from Los Angeles, was a second-round draft pick in 1994.

The 35-year-old receiver is among the NFL career leaders with 942 receptions for 14,109 yards and 84 touchdowns.

He was the Rams’ second leading receiver last season with 55 catches for 733 yards and four touchdowns.

Neal, 37, was among three veterans released by the Chargers, who also parted with safety Marlon McCree and right tackle Shane Olivea.

New England linebacker Tedy Bruschi agreed to a multiyear contract with the Patriots. Dallas re-signed left tackle Flozell Adams and announced that veteran linebacker Zach Thomas had officially joined the team after being released last week by the Miami Dolphins.

GOLF

Donald shoots 64 and leads by one over Davis

Luke Donald shot a 64 for a one-shot lead over Brian Davis and a two-shot edge on Matt Jones after the first round of the Honda Classic at Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Donald posted the lowest round at a Honda since Padraig Harrington shot a final-round 63 to win in 2005 at Mirasol.

Lorena Ochoa shot a six-under 66 at Tanah Merah to take a one-stroke lead in the HSBC Women’s Champions at Singapore.

TENNIS

Henin is eliminated in quarterfinals at Dubai

Justine Henin lost in the quarterfinals of the Dubai Tennis Championships in the United Arab Emirates, falling to Francesca Schiavone, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (4). Henin had won 17 consecutive matches in Dubai.

Schiavone will play Elena Dementieva, who defeated Ana Ivanovic, 5-7, 6-3, 6-3, in a semifinal.

Fourth-seeded Lindsay Davenport swept Caroline Wozniacki, 6-0, 6-2, in the Memphis Championship quarterfinals.

David Nalbandian beat Potito Starace, 6-3, 6-3, and advanced to the semifinals of the Mexican Open at Acapulco.

MISCELLANY

ESPN hires Knight as a studio analyst

ESPN announced that Bob Knight will appear as a studio analyst leading to and during the NCAA tournament.

Knight is scheduled to begin his new job March 12 during the conference tournaments.

The story The Times’ Bill Plaschke wrote about Ricky Rosas, the developmentally disabled teen who serves as a special assistant to USC Coach Pete Carroll, has been selected as one of the top 10 features of 2007 in the over-250,000 circulation division by the Associated Press Sports Editors. Plaschke also was named as one of the top 10 columnists in the division. Winners will be announced next month.

International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge said that allowing women ski jumpers into the 2010 Winter Olympics would dilute the medals given to others.

Rogge said there are only about 80 women ski jumpers in the world, and the sport has not yet reached the IOC’s standard for being included in an Olympics.

Channel 4 sportscaster Fred Roggin, who has also worked in sports talk radio at 1540 and 570, will join 710 ESPN as a regular contributor to the “Steve Mason Show” beginning Tuesday. Roggin will be on the show at least three times a week.

Brazil playmaker Kaka, FIFA’s world player of the year, signed a two-year contract extension with AC Milan until June 2013.

Curlin had an easy time winning his 4-year-old debut in Dubai. The 2007 horse of the year had a perfect trip in rolling to a 2 1/4 -length victory in the $175,000 Jaguar Trophy Handicap.

Reigning Olympic 100-meter gold medalist Justin Gatlin has filed a brief with the Court of Arbitration for Sport outlining the appeal of his four-year ban for doping violations.

Australian standout swimmer Jodie Henry won’t defend her 100-meter freestyle Olympic title in Beijing because of a muscle imbalance in her pelvic area.

Five-time WNBA All-Star Tamika Catchings has agreed to a contract that will keep her with the Indiana Fever through 2011.

The WNBA Board of Governors approved the sale of the Seattle Storm to a local ownership group.