Roddick picks U.S. Open tuneup over Olympics

Andy Roddick will skip the Beijing Olympics, choosing instead to focus on preparing for the U.S. Open by playing in the Legg Mason Tennis Classic.

“My goal every summer is to win the U.S. Open,” Roddick said in a statement released by Legg Mason organizers. “I have won the Legg Mason Tennis Classic three times and feel defending my title in Washington best prepares me for another Grand Slam title.”

The Washington tournament runs Aug. 11-17, the same dates as the Olympic tennis event. The U.S. Open begins Aug. 25.

Roddick lost in the third round at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

PRO FOOTBALL

Giants sign Carr to back up Manning

Quarterback David Carr signed with the New York Giants in a move that gives the Super Bowl champions an experienced backup who, like Eli Manning, was a No. 1 pick.

Terms were not disclosed for Carr, 28, who was released by Carolina after the season.

Ted Sundquist was let go as general manager of the Denver Broncos, with Coach Mike Shanahan saying in a statement that it was time for the organization to move forward and look at new directions.

The Atlanta Falcons re-signed Joey Harrington, 29, one week after waiving the six-year veteran quarterback. . . . The Detroit Lions re-signed unrestricted free-agent cornerback Travis Fisher, 28, to a three-year contract. . . . The Oakland Raiders agreed to a one-year, $2-million contract with wide receiver Drew Carter, 26, who last played with Carolina. . . . The Tennessee Titans agreed to terms with receiver Justin McCareins, 29, returning him to the team that drafted him in 2001. . . . Banned Olympic sprint champion Justin Gatlin performed for NFL scouts during the University of Tennessee’s pro timing day.

WINTER SPORTS

Miller, Vonn slowed in bid for rare double

Soft snow conditions wiped out the downhill races at the World Cup Finals in Bormio, Italy, costing Bode Miller and Lindsey Vonn the chance to increase their leads in their strongest events and -- with three races left -- giving the competition hope of catching them.

Miller and Vonn are leading the overall standings in their quests to become the first male and female American skiers to win the coveted crowns in the same year since Phil Mahre and Tamara McKinney in 1983.

Miller has a 169-point lead over Switzerland’s Didier Cuche. Vonn is 157 points ahead of Germany’s Maria Riesch.

Jennifer Hudak won with a score of 40.20 in a World Cup freestyle skiing halfpipe at Valmalenco, Italy.

SOCCER

Five Cuban players apparently defect

Five players from Cuba’s team that tied the U.S. on Tuesday in a qualifying game for the Beijing Olympics have disappeared from the Tampa, Fla., hotel where the squad was staying and are believed to have defected.

The five include standout goalkeeper Jose Manuel Miranda and defender Yenier Bermudez, the team’s captain, according to ESPNDeportes.

Also unaccounted for were defender Loanni Cartaya Prieto and midfielders Erly Garcia Baro and Yordany Alvarez.

-- Grahame L. Jones

The U.S. women beat Denmark, 2-1, in Portugal to win the Algarve Cup for the sixth time. Natasha Kai and Abby Wambach scored for the U.S.

Mexico confirmed that it will play China at Qwest Field in Seattle on April 16, Argentina at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego on June 4, and Peru at Soldier Field in Chicago on June 8.

-- Grahame L. Jones

JURISPRUDENCE

Jarrett’s blood test exceeded legal limit

Police records show Carolina Panthers receiver Dwayne Jarrett’s blood-alcohol level was .12 when he was arrested on a driving while impaired charge early Tuesday in Charlotte, above North Carolina’s legal limit of .08.

A hearing was continued until April 11.

Green Bay Packers linebacker Nick Barnett, 26, reached a plea bargain that could reduce one misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct and dismiss another in a disturbance at an Appleton, Wis., bar last June.

Former Detroit Lions defensive end Robert Porcher, 38, will be sentenced April 3 in Bloomfield Township, Mich., after pleading no contest to assaulting his former wife.

The charge is punishable by up to 93 days in jail and a $500 fine.

MISCELLANY

Mackey easily captures second straight Iditarod

Lance Mackey won his second consecutive Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, completing the 1,100-mile journey to Nome, Alaska, in just under nine and a half days.

Connecticut has responded to NCAA concerns that its women’s basketball office may have violated NCAA rules by arranging a private tour of Bristol-based ESPN for then-top recruit Maya Moore in October 2005.