BRIEFLY : NORMAN, ROOKIE TIED FOR HARTFORD LEAD.

Greg Norman staged a late charge and shot a 6-under-par 64 on Thursday to match newcomer Joe Daley for a share of the lead in the first round of the Greater Hartford Open in Cromwell, Conn.

Norman, the defending champion, found himself three strokes behind Daley with four holes left. He surged with three birdies to join Daley on the top of the leaderboard.

Daley, in his first full year on the PGA Tour, played in the morning and used an eagle to take early command of the field at the TPC at River Highlands. He said it was his first eagle on the PGA tour.

The co-leaders finished a stroke ahead of Bob Gilder.

NFL  The Seattle Seahawks traded safety Eugene Robinson to the Green Bay Packers for defensive end Matt LaBounty. The 6-foot, 195-pound Robinson had been with the Seahawks since signing out of Colgate as a free agent in 1985.

The Oakland Raiders signed running back Wes Bender and linebacker Scott Radecic, both of whom have previous NFL experience, to free-agent contracts.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Bam Morris hopes that pleading guilty to a felony marijuana charge will persuade NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue of his remorse, Morris' lawyer said.

``I think it's going to weigh favorably for Bam that he hasn't contested his mistake and he's admitted to it all along,'' Dallas lawyer Jay Ethington told The Associated Press Wednesday after his client agreed to a plea bargain with Rockwall (Texas) County District Attorney Ray Sumrow.

Police are investigating allegations that a woman was raped by three men at a party in Fort Wayne, Ind., attended by several NFL players, a league spokesman said. Fort Wayne authorities have refused to disclose any details of the case or the identities of those allegedly involved.

NHL  The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed coach Eddie Johnston and general manager Craig Patrick to new contracts, and are optimistic about Mario Lemieux. The superstar center hasn't committed to playing next season, but team owner Howard Baldwin said he expects the star to return.

Cameron Mann, who emerged as an outstanding junior hockey scorer last season, has signed a three-year contract with the Boston Bruins.

ETC. The Portland Trail Blazers acquired the draft rights to Jason Sasser from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for undisclosed future considerations. Sasser, a 6-foot-7 forward from Texas Tech, was selected by the Kings in the second round of Wednesday's NBA draft, the 31st selection overall. . . .

Richie Hearn turned the fastest lap ever at a 1-1/2-mile oval (222.359) during test runs at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Indy Racing League officials said.

SOURCE: - Daily News Wire Services