Akron, Ohio — Rickie Fowler had eight birdies and an eagle to give himself another shot at winning. Adam Scott did well enough to stay in the lead. PGA Tour rookie Keegan Bradley got in on the action late.

It seemed as if everyone was in contention Friday at the Bridgestone Invitational.

Except for the guy most everyone came to see.

On another soft day that was ripe for low scores, Tiger Woods missed a two-foot putt and didn’t make enough birdies to atone for his short-game mistakes during a 1-over 71 that left him in the middle of the pack.

He was only seven shots behind, but had 35 players in front of him at Firestone.

“Today was not very good,” Woods said.

It was good enough for Scott, except for making the putts he holed in the opening round of this World Golf Championship. He had a 70, which is never bad at Firestone in any condition.

After opening with a 62, Scott was at 8-under 132 along with Ryan Moore (66), Fowler (64) and Bradley (65). Jason Day bogeyed his last hole for a 70 and was one shot behind with Martin Laird (67) and Robert Karlsson (65).

Golf

Two-time Reno winner Taylor leads

Reno, Nev. — Vaughn Taylor’s only two career wins on the PGA tour have come at the Reno-Tahoe Open, where he’s making a bid to claim a third after a 6-under-par 66 on Friday gave him a one-shot lead over Will MacKenzie.

Taylor had an eagle and four birdies, then parred the last five holes to move to 9-under 135 at Montreux Golf & Country Club, where his victories in 2004 and 2005 make him the 13-year-old tourney’s only two-time winner.

Haas, Huston share 3M lead

Blaine, Minn. — Jay Haas often looks at the scoreboard during his round. What he saw with four holes to play Friday wasn’t the most pleasing number. Coming off back-to-back bogeys after missing short putts, Haas birdied the final four holes en route to an 8-under 64 to share the lead with John Huston after the first round of the 3M Championship. Haas also recorded an ace during his round.

NFL

Steelers sign Woodley to 6 years

Latrobe, Pa. — LaMarr Woodley didn’t groan when the Pittsburgh Steelers slapped him with a franchise tag.

He didn’t panic, either. His goal was always to remain with the defending AFC champions, and the news of the contract that will keep him in black-and-gold was so good he couldn’t keep it to himself. Rather than get some extra rest entering the second week of training camp, Woodley took to Twitter around 6 a.m. Friday morning to break the news about his six-year, $61.5 million deal.

Jags, TE Lewis agree for $35M

Jacksonville, Fla. — Marcedes Lewis went through last season, the NFL lockout and the first week of training camp without a long-term contract.

He always figured it would get done. It just took longer than expected.

Lewis signed a five-year contract worth about $35 million with the Jaguars on Friday, locking up the Pro Bowl tight end for what both sides believes will be the prime of his career. Lewis will get nearly $17 million guaranteed.

Ex-Jets O-lineman Woody retires

Florham Park, N.J. — Damien Woody was always there at his locker after games, ready to answer questions after a big win or even a disappointing loss.

And most of the time, the big offensive lineman did it with a smile.

Woody officially announced his retirement from football after 12 seasons Friday and will join ESPN as an NFL studio analyst.

No timetable for Eagles’ Patterson

Bethlehem, Pa. — Mike Patterson returned to the Eagles’ camp Friday two days after his seizure at practice. There is no timetable for when the defensive tackle can return, and questions linger if his career can even resume.

Patterson spoke to coach Andy Reid for a few minutes before the afternoon session. He walked into the building without answering questions. Patterson was scheduled to see a neurologist in the next few days, agent J.R. Rickert said.

Goodell, Smith sign 10-year deal

Canton, Ohio — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFLPA head DeMaurice Smith each grabbed a side of the massive 300-page collective bargaining agreement between the players and league owners and exchanged a relieved handshake while posing for the cameras.

And just like that, 41/2 months of acrimony, anger and posturing from both sides during the protracted NFL lockout was over.

Smith and Goodell signed the new CBA on a makeshift stage on the steps of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Friday morning, a largely ceremonial gesture after the players agreed to ratify the 10-year agreement Thursday night.

Raiders nab tight end Boss

Napa, Calif. — The Oakland Raiders have signed free agent tight end Kevin Boss. The team announced the signing Friday, three days after losing Pro Bowler Zach Miller to Seattle in free agency.

NBA

Minnesota’s Beasley shoves fan

New York — Michael Beasley shoved a heckler in the face with his hand during a playground game, but the Minnesota Timberwolves forward later sought out the fan and shook his hand.

In the second half of a summer league game at Dyckman Park in Washington Heights, Beasley was jawing back and forth with a fan who was getting on his case. Then Beasley shoved the fan’s face, and security intervened.

A guard and teammates led the former Kansas State star away from the fan, though Beasley later shook the fan’s hand.

College Basketball

Woman files appeal in Pitino case

Louisville, Ky. — The woman convicted of trying to extort University of Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino has asked a federal appeals court to overturn her conviction and seven-year prison sentence.

Attorneys for 51-year-old Karen Cunagin Sypher filed a brief with the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals Thursday night, claiming a broad conspiracy involving Pitino, the federal trial judge and Sypher’s former attorney to ensure she would be found guilty.

College Football

Ohio St. takes back JT wristbands

Columbus, Ohio — Two days after several Ohio State freshmen proudly displayed wristbands supporting deposed Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel, the university has taken them away and refunded the players’ money.

Ohio State spokesman Jerry Emig said Friday that officials wondered if wearing the wristbands — which said “JT” — could be an NCAA violation.

“We don’t know that yet, but that’s what compliance is looking into,” Emig said.

MLB

Dodgers agree to bankruptcy plan

Dover, Del. — The Los Angeles Dodgers and Major League Baseball have agreed on a bankruptcy financing plan for the team.

A court filing Friday in Delaware outlines a plan for the league to provide unsecured financing of up to $150 million for the Dodgers

Last month, a judge rejected the Dodgers’ financing arrangement with a hedge fund and ordered the club to negotiate with the league, which had offered better loan terms.