Quantcast
Channel: Tampabay.com: Sports
Viewing all 18574 articles
Browse latest View live

Tampa Bay Lightning-Washington Capitals news and notes

0
0

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, April 28, 2011

Simulation of the day

EA Sports went 8-for-8 picking quarterfinal winners based on its simulations of each series on NHL 11, and its simulations of the conference semifinals should make Lightning fans happy again. It has fifth seed Tampa Bay upsetting the No. 1 seed Capitals in another seven-game series. In the other East semi, it has the Bruins topping the Flyers in six. In the West, the Canucks will get past the Predators in five games, says that simulation, and the Red Wings and Sharks will go seven games and then into overtime before Detroit pulls out the victory.

Number of the day

12-1 Odds of the Lightning winning the Stanley Cup, according to Bodog.com. The Capitals are the favorites at 4-1.

Tickets

Tickets for Games 3, 4 and 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinal with the Capitals go on sale at 10 this morning at the St. Pete Times Forum box office and via Ticketmaster (outlets, ticketmaster.com, toll-free 1-800-745-300). Prices are $27-$120.

The series: Eastern Conference semifinals

Lightning vs. Capitals

Game 1: at Washington, 7 tonight

Game 2: at Washington, 7 Sunday

Game 3: at Tampa Bay, 6:30 Tuesday

Game 4: at Tampa Bay, 7 Wednesday

Game 5: at Washington, 12:30 May 7*

Game 6: at Tampa Bay, TBD May 9*

Game 7: at Washington, TBD May 11*

*—if necessary

TV: Games 1 and 2 on Versus; Games 3 and 4 on Sun Sports; Game 5 on Ch. 8; rest TBD

Radio: Games 1, 3 and 4 on 970-AM; Game 2 on 620-AM; rest TBD

Quote to note

"They did an outstanding job. They did the things they had to do. You don't like losing the game, but hats off to them. They did a great job."

Penguins coach Dan Bylsma, on losing to the Lightning in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals

Close to the heart

When Lightning coach Guy Boucher spoke Wednesday night about the team dedicating its seven-game Eastern Conference quarterfinal victory over the Penguins to assistant coach Wayne Fleming, left, he choked up. "Yeah," Boucher said Thursday. "I was a little emotional about it." Fleming, who has brain cancer, is not traveling with the team but is text-messaging his in-game observations to the coaching staff. And Fleming will receive the puck used in the 1-0 series-clinching win. "That's how much the players care about him," Boucher said.


Tampa Bay Lightning coach Guy Boucher quickly takes psychological aim at Washington Capitals in East semis

0
0

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, April 28, 2011

WASHINGTON — Lightning coach Guy Boucher never used the word "pressure" to describe the stress the Capitals must be under as they prepare for their Eastern Conference semifinal against Tampa Bay.

But that did not stop him from dusting off his psychology degree and trying to increase the, shall we say, burden on Washington as the East's No. 1 seed.

"If they don't win, it's a failure," Boucher said and added of the best-of-seven series that begins tonight at the Verizon Center, "It's Goliath against David. That's what it is. We'd better get our slingshots ready."

Consider this propaganda battle the first tactic in what is expected to be a sizzling series.

Rivalries, real rivalries, are born of such series.

Think about it. The Capitals are four-time Southeast Division champions. This season Tampa Bay mounted a challenge and in February was six points ahead in the standings, so meaningful games already have been played.

As division rivals, the teams met six times, with Tampa Bay going 2-3-1. Now add as many as seven more games in an emotional playoff atmosphere.

"Obviously," Boucher said, "you play the same team so many times, and after a while guys don't generally go have dinner together."

"It got pretty good there at the end, I think, the rivalry," Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau said. "Just because both teams were vying for first place, and I think the last four games we had against them were pretty serious, serious games. But I think this takes it to a different step."

The matchups are good, too, especially in net.

Tampa Bay's Dwayne Roloson leads the playoffs among goalies with more than 100 minutes with a .949 save percentage. Washington's Michal Neuvirth is second at .946. Neuvirth leads with a 1.38 goals-against average. Roloson is next at 1.77.

Roloson has been a tough assignment for the Capitals. In five regular-season games this season, including one when he was with the Islanders, Roloson was 2-2-1 with two shutouts, a 1.37 goals-against average and a .953 save percentage.

As for the sharpening edge between the teams:

Lightning right wing Steve Downie never is shy about getting in the face of Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin. The two almost fought last season before Washington's Matt Bradley skated the length of the ice to defend his teammate.

And Ovechkin hasn't been shy about getting in the face of the Lightning, pretending in March 2009 that his stick was on fire after scoring his 50th goal at the St. Pete Times Forum, and this season showboating in front of the Tampa Bay bench after scoring a shootout winner.

"Any playoff series is fun, but this makes it more fun," Lightning wing Sean Bergenheim said. "I'm using the word 'fun' because I love these kinds of games. By fun I mean it's going to be more aggressive. There's probably going to be more chirping on the ice, but also two good teams."

"But we're the new kids on the block," Boucher said. "We're not kidding ourselves. They're the powerhouse. They're the monsters right now. We're the little naggers that are biting their ankles."

Remember, he has a psychology degree.

Canucks shut out Preds

0
0

Times wires
Thursday, April 28, 2011

VANCOUVER — Roberto Luongo stopped 20 shots and made Chris Higgins' second-period goal stand up in the Canucks' 1-0 win over the Predators in the opener of their Western Conference semifinal series Thursday night.

It was Luongo's second shutout of these playoffs and the third of his postseason career.

Nashville's Pekka Rinne had several spectacular stops among his 29 saves to keep his team in the game despite it being outshot 30-20 and outplayed for long stretches by the Canucks, who showed no signs of being tired after just one day of rest following an emotional seven-game opening-round series against the Blackhawks.

Luongo and Rinne are finalists for the Vezina Trophy, given to the league's best goaltender.

Higgins scored at 12:14 of the second. About the last person in the arena to realize he had scored was the referee behind the net.

Higgins stepped into a shot that a sprawling Rinne got a piece of. The puck deflected up, hit just under the bar in the net, then fell back out on the ice.

The red light game on, the horn sounded, and the Canucks celebrated. But referee Marc Joanette waved the goal off. Play continued for several seconds before the whistle blew. The referees huddled while TV replays showed the puck clearly in the net. Finally they signalled a goal.

Canucks0101
Predators0000

First PeriodNone. PenaltiesSamuelsson, Van (hooking), 4:08; Hornqvist, Nas (high-sticking), 6:35; Tootoo, Nas (cross-checking), 16:16; Ehrhoff, Van (hooking), 19:28.

Second Period1, Vancouver, Higgins 2 (Lapierre, Bieksa), 12:14. PenaltiesHornqvist, Nas (roughing), :44; Sullivan, Nas (slashing), 3:42; Vancouver bench, served by Torres (too many men), 7:26; Ballard, Van (clipping), 16:35.

Third PeriodNone. PenaltiesHornqvist, Nas (tripping), 3:53; Ballard, Van (tripping), 14:38. Shots on GoalNashville 5-6-9—20. Vancouver 16-10-4—30. Power-play opportunitiesNashville 0 of 5; Vancouver 0 of 5. GoaliesNashville, Rinne 4-3-0 (30 shots-29 saves). Vancouver, Luongo 5-3-0 (20-20).

Flyers: Jeff Carter, who led the team in regular-season goals with 36 and missed the last three games of the East quarterfinal against the Sabres because of a knee injury sustained in Game 4, will play in the semis against the Bruins at some point, general manager Paul Holmgren said. The series begins Saturday.

Sabres: Goalie Ryan Miller said a concussion, not a reported bruised collarbone, was what sidelined him late in the regular season. Miller said he was hit in the head four times by shots in four games over a week in late March and the cumulative effects forced him to miss four games. Media reports said he was out with a bruised collarbone sustained on one of the shots. Miller said he did have a bruise but it wasn't bad enough for him to miss four games.

Tampa Bay Rays news and notes

0
0

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, April 28, 2011

Rays vs. Angels

When/where: 7:10 tonight; Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg

TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)

Starting pitchers

RAYS LH David Price (3-2, 3.19)

ANGELS RH Ervin Santana (0-3, 5.51)

Tickets: $12-$255 at Tropicana Field box office, Ticketmaster, raysbaseball.com, team store in Tampa, $3 surcharge within five hours of game.

Promotion: Ben Zobrist "Zorilla" T-shirt to first 10,000 fans.

Watch for …

Price check: Price has won his past three starts, allowing only six runs and a .200 average. He is 1-1, 4.18 in four starts vs. Angels.

Off-key performer: Santana is off to a rough start, having lost his past three games, and has been even worse on the road (7.59 ERA) than at home.

Key matchups

Rays vs. Santana

Johnny Damon5-for-24, HR

Dan Johnson3-for-18

B.J. Upton7-for-19

Angels vs. Price

Bobby Abreu1-for-7

Howie Kendrick4-for-11

Vernon Wells4-for-20

On deck

Saturday: vs. Angels, 1:10, Ch. 13. Rays — James Shields (2-1, 2.35); Angels — Joel Piniero (0-0, 0.00)

Sunday: vs. Angels, 1:40, Sun Sports. Rays — TBA; Angels — Jered Weaver (6-0, 0.99)

Monday: Off

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

Minnesota Vikings select Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder at No. 12

0
0

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, April 28, 2011

Heading into Thursday night's first round of the NFL draft, former Florida center Mike Pouncey was considered the top prospect among players from Florida colleges.

As it turned out, a former rival stole the spotlight.

Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder, who had been considered a potential late first-round pick at best, went 12th to the Vikings.

Pouncey was selected 15th by the Dolphins.

"He's an ideal west coast draft, ideal for what you need in a quarterback for the west coast offense," NFL Network analyst and former 49ers coach Steve Mariucci said of Ponder. "He's perfect for that system."

With his selection, Pouncey fulfilled his wish of being chosen ahead of his twin brother, Maurkice, who was the 18th selection by Pittsburgh in 2010.

"We're competitors, and we had a bet going," said Pouncey, who was accompanied in New York by his family and former Florida offensive line coach Steve Addazio. "He was hoping I went 19th, but I told him I was going to go before that."

Pouncey, 21, who played 54 games at Florida with 45 starts, said he didn't have a lot of contact with the Dolphins prior to being selected. He met with coach Tony Sparano and general manager Jeff Ireland during an allotted 15 minutes at the combine but didn't have any other workouts or meetings.

He said he became interested in the Dolphins and began watching film and researching them on his own. Pouncey said he's not concerned whether he plays guard or center.

"I feel like I'm good at both of them," he said. "I just want to go down there and earn the respect of my teammates. I don't want anything given to me. I want to earn a spot on the team whether it be center or guard."

Ponder, 23, is only the third quarterback the Vikings have taken in the first round, joining Tommy Kramer (27th in 1977) and Daunte Culpepper (11th in 1999).

As a senior, he threw for 2,044 yards, 20 touchdowns and just eight interceptions.

Rick Spielman, the Vikings' vice president for player personnel, said the team likes Ponder's poise, intelligence and accuracy. Spielman, coach Leslie Frazier and offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave were impressed during a visit to Tallahassee.

"We all came away from that visit going, 'Man, if that guy's there, it would be hard to pass him up,' " Frazier said.

Ponder joked that he'll be all right with a left tackle (Bryant McKinnie) and a receiver (Percy Harvin) who came from Florida State's two biggest rivals, Miami and Florida, respectively.

"I dealt with being the face of Florida State and handling the pressure there," Ponder said. "Obviously, it's a whole 'nother level in the NFL, but I don't think anyone else puts as much pressure on me as I do on myself. I'm a perfectionist. No one's expectations exceed mine."

Information from Times wires was used in this report.

Lakers romp early, finish off Hornets

0
0

Times wires
Thursday, April 28, 2011

NEW ORLEANS — Kobe Bryant scored 22 of his 24 in the first three quarters, then let his Lakers teammates take over in a dominant 98-80 victory over the Hornets on Thursday night that wrapped up the series for Los Angeles in six games.

Andrew Bynum added 18 points and 12 rebounds and Pau Gasol had 16 points for the two-time defending champions, who led by as much as 21 in the fourth quarter.

Chris Paul, who helped the Hornets split the first four games, wasn't able to deliver again. He had only seven points before hitting a 3-pointer with 4:02 to go.

The Lakers outrebounded New Orleans 43-30, including 14 offensive rebounds. The Hornets were frustrated by the 7-foot Bynum, who prolonged possessions by snaring missed shots. He had eight offensive rebounds, helping the Lakers to a 21-4 advantage in second-chance points.

The Lakers advance to face the winner of the Dallas-Portland series. Game 1 will be Monday at Staples Center.

Lakers 98, Hornets 80

L.A. LAKERS (98): Artest 2-6 0-0 4, Gasol 5-12 6-6 16, Bynum 8-13 2-2 18, Fisher 3-4 0-0 6, Bryant 6-16 10-10 24, Odom 5-10 3-4 14, Brown 2-5 4-4 8, Blake 0-3 0-0 0, Barnes 3-5 0-0 8, Jo.Smith 0-0 0-0 0, Johnson 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 34-74 25-26 98.

NEW ORLEANS (80): Ariza 4-10 4-4 12, Landry 6-13 7-7 19, Okafor 3-3 1-2 7, Paul 4-9 1-1 10, Belinelli 4-12 2-2 11, Gray 0-0 0-0 0, Green 3-9 2-2 9, Ja.Smith 2-5 0-0 4, Jack 3-7 0-0 6, Mbenga 0-0 0-0 0, Pondexter 1-2 0-0 2, Ewing Jr. 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 30-70 17-18 80.

L.A. Lakers 18 22 29 29— 98

New Orleans 16 18 23 23— 80

3-Point GoalsL.A. Lakers 5-14 (Barnes 2-2, Bryant 2-4, Odom 1-2, Fisher 0-1, Blake 0-1, Brown 0-2, Artest 0-2), New Orleans 3-14 (Paul 1-2, Belinelli 1-3, Green 1-4, Jack 0-1, Pondexter 0-1, Ariza 0-3). Fouled OutNone. ReboundsL.A. Lakers 50 (Bynum 12), New Orleans 32 (Paul 8). AssistsL.A. Lakers 23 (Artest 5), New Orleans 20 (Paul 11). Total FoulsL.A. Lakers 18, New Orleans 23. Flagrant Fouls—Ja.Smith. A17,949.

Eager Grizzlies: The Grizzlies aren't ready to quit against the Spurs, especially with Game 6 on their homecourt tonight. Forward Shane Battier sees no problem with his teammates rebounding from Wednesday's 110-103 overtime loss. They are trying to become the fourth No. 8 seed in NBA history to beat a top seed to win a playoff series, holding a 3-2 lead. "Ah, pressure, shmessure," Battier said. "We're playing with house money. I still contend that."

Thunder advances: Kevin Durant matched his best playoff performance with 41 points and the host Thunder closed its first-round series against the Nuggets with a 100-97 victory in Game 5 late Wednesday. "We willed ourselves to victory," Durant said.

Time will tell if Adrian Clayborn was the right defensive end pick for Tampa Bay Buccaneers

0
0

By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist
Thursday, April 28, 2011

TAMPA

This time it will be different.

Won't it?

This time he will work out.

Won't he?

This time the Bucs have taken Adrian Clayborn, a tough kid with a tough background, a kid with a suspicious shoulder but a proven heart. This time they have found a defensive end who is hungry enough, driven enough, relentless enough to make the draft pick look good for years to come.

This time the new Buc will not bust.

Will he?

The Bucs, in their eternal search to draft a defensive end who can make quarterbacks nervous, took Clayborn in the first round Thursday. As always, they like their pick, enough that they looked past other options, such as Da'Quan Bowers and Cameron Jordan. As always, they seem certain of their choice.

This time the Bucs are confident their defensive end will deliver.

Goodness, do the Bucs need for Clayborn to be the answer to their eternal search for a bringer of heat. If Clayborn is the real deal, he gives the Bucs a young, talented defensive line, lining up alongside Gerald McCoy and Brian Price. If Clayborn is the real deal, the secondary just got better. If Clayborn is the real deal, he will help neutralize a division where the opposing quarterbacks are Drew Brees, Matt Ryan and now Cam Newton.

If he is not, the Bucs will gather back here in four years to chase another defensive end.

Did you hear the way general manager Mark Dominik described Clayborn? Just to pick out a few words, he used "toughness" and "motor" and "leader" and "havoc" and "attack" and "relentless."

Did you hear the way coach Raheem Morris described him? His Password clues were "Rambo" and "beast" and "Boydog."

At a time like this, it is recommended you attempt to dispel doubts by remembering how the Bucs have drafted and developed over the past two seasons. There is not a lot of tarnish there.

That said, every organization has missed on defensive linemen over the years None, however, have missed more than the Bucs. It's odd, because the distance between defensive end and the quarterback he is pursuing isn't that far, and the directions to him aren't that hard. Yet, the Bucs keep trying, and they keep whiffing.

Time after time the Bucs have tried, and time after time they have failed. They have drafted players who weren't strong enough (Gaines Adams) and players who weren't swift enough (Ron Holmes) and players who weren't athletic enough (Eric Curry) and players who weren't vicious enough (Regan Upshaw) and players who weren't polished enough (Booker Reese) and players who weren't driven enough (Keith McCants).

It has been a conga line of underachievement, one stiff after another taking turns doing very little. Left tackles in this league have bought yachts from the bonuses they achieved as they blocked Bucs defensive ends.

Yeah, yeah. The Bucs also drafted Lee Roy Selmon with their first pick (though they put him at defensive tackle for a year). Since then, however, the Bucs have picked an overall No. 4 (McCants), another overall No. 4 (Adams), a No. 6 (Curry), a No. 8 (Holmes), a No. 12 (Upshaw), and a No. 2 (37th) and a No. 1 (18th) for Reese.

And they missed on them all. Not one of them ever had a 10-sack season. Not one of them lasted longer than five years with the Bucs. Not one of them ever made a Pro Bowl.

Together, those players spent parts of 29 seasons on the Bucs. The return was 67.5 sacks.

Selmon by himself ended his career with 78.5.

For everyone who suggested the Bucs might end up with a cornerback or an offensive linemen Thursday night, it came back to this. On the Bucs, no position on the field had less production than defensive end last season. Stylez White, for instance, had only 41/2 sacks. And he led the team.

Clayborn should change all that. No, the Bucs say they aren't concerned about the Erb's Palsy in his right shoulder. No, they aren't concerned about the 31/2 sacks he had last year at Iowa. They expect Clayborn to be their right defensive end. In other words, they expected him to play the role of Simeon Rice while McCoy is trying to be Warren Sapp.

So why are we to believe that Clayborn will succeed where so many have failed?

For one thing, the Bucs talk first about Clayborn's motor, his relentlessness. By its nature, defensive end is a relentless position, where a player has to be strong enough to take on the opposing offensive tackle, sturdy enough to play against the run, strong enough to shed a blocker's hands and fast enough to chase down a quarterback. Average one sack a game — just one — and a player is a star. Play the run as well, and a player is a difference maker.

For the Bucs, the choice was always a pass-rusher. Given the 20th pick, the choice was always Clayborn,.

This time we'll see if they have picked the right guy.

NFL draft, Day 1 breakdown

0
0

Times wires
Thursday, April 28, 2011

A chorus of boos, a gaggle of quarterbacks (including a major surprise) and a flurry of trades.

Climbing the ladder

The biggest early surprise was Minnesota's selection of FSU quarterback Christian Ponder, a three-year starter projected as a late first-round choice, at No. 12. Minnesota is searching for a quarterback now that Brett Favre has (finally) retired. Ponder won't have to carry the entire load thanks to a running game led by Adrian Peterson. "I think I'll be really prepared," he said. Milder surprises: Missouri DE Aldon Smith going No. 7 to San Francisco and Washington QB Jake Locker going to Tennessee at No. 8.

The big story

While there are major questions about the quarterbacks in this draft, it didn't stop teams from getting pass-happy early. Three quarterbacks were taken among the top 10 — for the first time since 1999, when the first three picks were quarterbacks Tim Couch (Cleveland), Donovan McNabb (Philadelphia) and Akili Smith (Cincinnati). Thursday, Auburn's Cam Newton went first overall to Carolina followed by Washington's Jake Locker (No. 8, Titans) and Missouri's Blaine Gabbert (No. 10, Jaguars). Then the Vikings surprised many by taking Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder with the 12th pick, marking the first time since 2004 that as many as four quarterbacks were taken in the first round. The famed 1983 draft, which included Hall of Famers John Elway, Jim Kelly and Dan Marino, holds the record for first-round quarterbacks with six.

Transactions

FALCONS: Traded a first- (27th overall), second- (59th) and fourth-round (124th) pick this year and a first- and fourth-round pick in 2012 to the Browns for a first-round pick (sixth), which they used to select Alabama receiver Julio Jones.

JAGUARS: Traded a first- (16th) and second-round (49th) pick to the Redskins for a first-round pick (10th), which they used to select Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert, setting up a learning situation behind veteran David Garrard.

BROWNS: Traded the first-round pick (27th) they got from the Falcons and a third-round pick (No. 70) to the Chiefs for a first-round pick (21st) pick, which they used to take Baylor defensive tackle Phil Taylor.

RAVENS: Passed on the No. 26 pick, apparently involved in trade talks with the Bears. But when time expired, the Chiefs jumped in and took Pitt receiver Jon Baldwin. The Ravens then selected Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith.

Saints: Traded a second-round pick (56th) and a first-round pick in 2012 to the Patriots for a first-round pick (28th), which they used to take Alabama running back Mark Ingram.

First round breakdown:

By position: DL — 12, OL — 8; QB — 4; WR — 3; DB — 3, RB — 1, LB — 1

By conference: SEC — 10, Big 12 — 8; Big 10 — 6; ACC — 3; Pac-10 — 3, Big East — 1, Mid-American — 1

Falling off the cliff

Clemson DE Da'Quan Bowers was projected as a top-five pick early in the draft process, and was still No. 6 on Mel Kiper's board on draft day. But he just couldn't shake concerns about a knee injury and fell all the way out of the first round. Nebraska CB Prince Amukamara was another player ranked high on some charts but fell to the Giants at No. 19.

NFC South picks

Carolina (No. 1): Cam Newton, QB, Auburn. Gives the Panthers, who had the worst offense in the league last season, a franchise quarterback to compete with division peers Drew Brees (Saints), Matt Ryan (Falcons) and Josh Freeman (Bucs). Means last year's pick of quarterback Jimmy Clausen in the second round is officially a bust.

Atlanta (No. 6): Julio Jones, WR, Alabama. The Falcons traded five picks (three this year, two in 2012, including their first-round pick) to the Browns to jump up 21 spots and take Jones, left. It gives Matt Ryan a great receiving combo in Jones and Roddy White. Bucs secondary, be warned.

New Orleans (No. 24, No. 28): Cameron Jordan, DE, Cal; Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama. The Saints decided to go defense first. Many projected Jordan to go higher. Jordan, who is not particularly fast but uses power and technique to pressure the pocket, will help corral the division's trio of young, mobile quarterbacks. The Saints later worked a trade with the Patriots, acquiring the 28th pick and selecting Ingram, the Heisman Trophy winner in 2009.


NFL Day 2 draft order

0
0

Times staff
Thursday, April 28, 2011

Today's draft order

Round 2

1. New England (from Carolina)

2. Buffalo

3. Cincinnati

4. Denver

5. Cleveland

6. Arizona

7. Tennessee

8. Dallas

9. Washington

10. Houston

11. Minnesota

12. Detroit

13. San Francisco

14. Denver (from Miami)

15. St. Louis

16. Oakland

17. Washington (from Jacksonville)

18. San Diego

19. Tampa Bay

20. New York Giants

21. Indianapolis

22. Philadelphia

23. Kansas City

24. New England (from New Orleans)

25. Seattle

26. Baltimore

27. Cleveland (from Atlanta)

28. New England

29. San Diego (from NY Jets)

30. Chicago

31. Pittsburgh

32. Green Bay

Round 3

1. Carolina

2. Cincinnati

3. Denver

4. Buffalo

5. Arizona

6. Kansas City (from Cleveland)

7. Dallas

8. New Orleans (from Wash.)

9. Houston

10. New England (from Minnesota)

11. Detroit

12. San Francisco

13. Tennessee

14. St. Louis

15. Miami

16. Jacksonville

17. Oakland

18. San Diego

19. New York Giants

20. Tampa Bay

21. Philadelphia

22. Kansas City

23. Indianapolis

24. New Orleans

25. San Diego (from Seattle)

26. Baltimore

27. Atlanta

28. New England

29. Chicago

30. New York Jets

31. Pittsburgh

32. Green Bay

33. Carolina (compensatory)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers to target LB, CB on Day 2 of NFL draft

0
0

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, April 28, 2011

TAMPA — The first piece is in place.

But the Bucs' work is just beginning.

With Adrian Clayborn in the fold and the Bucs seemingly having resolved their issues at right defensive end, they look ahead to Day 2 of the draft where they have equally pressing needs.

High on Tampa Bay's list today: linebacker, cornerback and, perhaps, running back.

Linebacker, in particular, is in flux for the Bucs given the free-agent status of middle linebacker Barrett Ruud and the potential free-agent status of strong-sider Quincy Black.

General manager Mark Dominik has stressed that his plan is to proceed as though players not under contract will not return given that no NFL team has had a chance to retain its free agents.

Under that assumption, the search will be on today for Ruud's replacement. The Bucs could find that in Illinois' Martez Wilson, a 6-foot-3, 250-pound first team All-Big Ten selection who notched 112 tackles last season.

Because inside linebacker is not seen as a strength of this draft, there could be multiple teams clamoring for Wilson. But inside is also not a position in which teams invest heavily, which could work in the Bucs' favor.

Miami's Colin McCarthy, a Clearwater native, is on the Bucs' radar in the second of third rounds. Miami has a history of producing impact players at middle linebacker including Ray Lewis, Dan Morgan and Jon Beason, and McCarthy hopes to be the next in that line.

Outside linebacker is an area of depth in this draft, and was not targeted much Thursday night. Texas A&M's Von Miller, drafted second overall by the Broncos, was the only linebacker selected in the first round.

That leaves players such as Akeem Ayers of UCLA, a pass-rushing force who also plays well in space, available. The Bucs select 19th in the second round (51st overall), followed by the 20th pick in the third round (84th overall).

The Bucs nearly had a tough decision when Nebraska cornerback Prince Amukamara slid in the first round, but he was plucked by the Giants at No. 19, one pick ahead of Tampa Bay. With Aqib Talib in jeopardy of being released and/or suspended for his alleged role in a recent shooting, the Bucs are likely to target the cornerback position today if the opportunity arises.

Among the names to watch: Aaron Williams of Texas, Brandon Harris of Miami and Ras-I Dowling of Virginia.

Also, with Cadillac Williams likely headed for free agency and LeGarrette Blount still having a small body of work in the latter half of last season, the Bucs might looks at running back prospects such as Mikel Leshoure of Illinois, Ryan Williams of Virginia Tech, DeMarco Murray of Oklahoma and Daniel Thomas of Kansas State.

2011 first-round NFL draft picks

0
0

Times wires
Thursday, April 28, 2011

Round 1 picks

Team Name POS School Ht/Wt

1. Carolina Cam Newton QB Auburn 6-5/248

2. Denver Von Miller LB Texas A&M 6-3/246

3. Buffalo Marcell Dareus DT Alabama 6-3/319

4. Cincinnati A.J. Green WR Georgia 6-4/211

5. Arizona Patrick Peterson CB LSU 6-0/219

6. Atlanta (from Cle.) Julio Jones WR Alabama 6-3/220

7. San Francisco Aldon Smith DE Missouri 6-4/263

8. Tennessee Jake Locker QB Washington 6-3/231

9. Dallas Tyron Smith OT USC 6-5/307

10. Jacksonville (from Washington) Blaine Gabbert QB Missouri 6-4/234

11. Houston J.J. Watt DE Wisconsin 6-5/290

12. Minnesota Christian Ponder QB FSU 6-2/229

13. Detroit Nick Fairley DT Auburn 6-4/291

14. St. Louis Robert Quinn DE North Carolina 6-4/265

15. Miami Mike Pouncey C Florida 6-5/303

16. Washington (from Jacksonville) Ryan Kerrigan DE Purdue 6-4/267

17. New England (from Oakland) Nate Solder OT Colorado 6-8/319

18. San Diego Corey Liuget DT Illinois 6-2/298

19. N.Y. Giants Prince Amukamara CB Nebraska 6-0/206

20. Tampa BayAdrian Clayborn DE Iowa 6-3/281

21. Cleveland (from K.C.) Phil Taylor DT Baylor 6-3/334

22. Indianapolis Anthony Castonzo OT Boston College 6-7/311

23. Philadelphia Danny Watkins G Baylor 6-3/310

24. New Orleans Cameron Jordan DE California 6-4/287

25. Seattle James Carpenter OG Alabama 6-4/321

26. Kansas City (from Clev. thru Atl.) Jon Baldwin WR Pittsburgh 6-4/228

27. Baltimore Jimmy Smith DB Colorado 6-2/211

28. New Orleans (from New England) Mark Ingram RB Alabama 5-9/215

29. Chicago Gabe Carimi OT Wisconsin 6-7/314

30. N.Y. Jets Muhammad Wilkerson DT Temple 6-4/315

31. Pittsburgh Cameron Heyward DE Ohio State 6-5/294

32. Green Bay Derek Sherrod OT Miss. State 6-5/321

Meet Adrian Clayborn, Tampa Bay Buccaneers first-round pick

0
0

Times staff
Thursday, April 28, 2011



Meet Adrian Clayborn

Defensive end, Iowa

Height: 6-3; Weight: 281 pounds

Notable: Consensus All-American … first-team All-American by AFCA and Walter Camp … third-team All-American by Associated Press … first-team all-Big Ten by league coaches and media … selected for 2011 Senior Bowl … one of four finalists for Rotary Lombardi Award given to the top college football lineman (offense or defense) … one of six finalists for Ted Hendricks Award given to top college defensive lineman … permanent team captain, defense … started all 13 games in 2010 season and final 30 games of career at defensive end … recorded 19 solo tackles and 33 assists, including seven tackles for loss and 31/2 sacks in 2010 season.

Source: University of Iowa

Top five players at each position going into Day 2 of NFL draft

0
0

Times staff
Thursday, April 28, 2011

Top five players remaining at each position

QUARTERBACK

1. Ryan Mallett, Arkansas, 6-6, 251

2. Andy Dalton, TCU, 6-2, 215

3. Colin Kaepernick, Nevada, 6-4, 231

4. Ricky Stanzi, Iowa, 6-4, 225

5. Pat Devlin, Delaware, 6-3, 234

RUNNING BACKS

1. Mikel Leshoure, Illinois, 5-11, 229

2. Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech, 5-9, 212

3. DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma, 6-0, 214

4. Daniel Thomas, Kansas State, 6-0, 229

5. Kendall Hunter, RB, Oklahoma State, 5-7, 200

RECEIVERS/Tight ends

1. Randall Cobb, WR, Kentucky, 5-10, 191

2. Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame, 6-6, 259

3. Greg Little, WR, North Carolina 6-2 1/2, 231

4. Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland, 6-1, 204

5. Lance Kendricks, TE, Wisconsin, 6-3, 243

OFFENSIVE LINE

1. Matt Reynolds, T, BYU 6-6, 322

2. Stefen Wisniewski, C, Penn State, 6-3, 313

3. John Moffitt, G, Wisconsin, 6-4, 319

4. Rodney Hudson, G, Florida State, 6-2 299

5. Marcus Cannon, T/G TCU, 6-5, 358

DEFENSIVE LINE

1. Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson, 6-4, 280

2. Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina, 6-2, 309

3. Jabaal Sheard, DE, Pittsburgh, 6-3, 264

4. Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State, 6-1, 303

5. Jarvis Jenkins, DT, Clemson, 6-4, 310

LINEBACKERS

1. Akeem Ayers, UCLA, 6-2, 253

2. Bruce Carter, North Carolina, 6-2, 240

3. Martez Wilson, Illinois, 6-3, 250

4. Chris Carter, Fresno State, 6-1, 247

5. Colin McCarthy, Miami, 6-2, 240

DEFENSIVE BACKS

1. Aaron Williams, CB, Texas, 6-0, 205

2. Brandon Harris, CB, Miami, 5-10, 191

3. Johnny Patrick, S, Louisville, 5-10, 191

4. Marcus Gilchrist, CB/S, Clemson, 5-10, 195

5. Rahim Moore, S, UCLA, 5-11, 202

Tampa Bay Rays' Evan Longoria homers, feels good in first game of rehab assignment

0
0

By A. Stacy Long, Special to the Times
Friday, April 29, 2011

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Rays third baseman Evan Longoria made a powerful statement in the first game of his rehab stay with Double-A Montgomery.

Longoria homered in the second of his four at-bats Thursday, marking his first game action since an April 2 oblique injury.

He was 1-for-4, leaving after seven innings.

"It was good to be back on a baseball field and trying to help a team win," Longoria said. "Just to feel the energy from the guys and to lace up the cleats. It was a fun day."

Longoria hit weak grounders in his first and last plate appearances. His solo home run came in the third inning, on an eight-pitch, five-swing at-bat. He lined out to short in the fourth.

"The first swing, it felt like I was a little scared to let it go," Longoria said. "The more swings I took in that (third-inning) at-bat, the more confident I was it wouldn't bother me.

"I'm going to get more confident with that."

Longoria also made a nice defensive play in the Biscuits' 4-3 win over Jacksonville, a backhanded short-hop stop to start an inning-ending double play.

"He had to come and get it and had the presence of mind to get it to second quickly," Biscuits manager Billy Gardner Jr. said. "He's always had a good feel for the game and how it's played. Very good instincts."

Longoria is scheduled to play in three of Montgomery's next four games before rejoining the Rays on Tuesday. He'll be off either Saturday or Sunday.

"I'm just looking to get back in the swing of things," he said.

Longoria was in Montgomery for the first time since he was the Southern League's most valuable player in 2007 for the Biscuits.

Cardinals 11, Astros 7

0
0

Times wires
Friday, April 29, 2011

Cardinals 11, Astros 7

HOUSTON — Lance Berkman homered and drove in four runs during a nine-run sixth inning then added a solo shot in the ninth against the team where he spent his first 12 seasons to lift the Cardinals.


Diamondbacks 11, Cubs 2

0
0

Times wires
Friday, April 29, 2011

Diamondbacks 11, Cubs 2

PHOENIX — Stephen Drew hit his first career grand slam to spark a seven-run first inning, an Arizona franchise record. Drew finished with a career-best five RBIs and Barry Enright won his first game since Sept. 1 for the Diamondbacks. Ryan Dempster recorded only one out, the shortest outing of his 266-start career.

USF says no contracts proposed for football with UCF

0
0

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Friday, April 29, 2011

Is Central Florida coach George O'Leary getting ahead of himself in telling Knights boosters that USF and UCF will be playing football again as soon as 2014? The morning after O'Leary reportedly told a Tampa audience that a home-and-home series with the Bulls was "on the docket," a USF athletics spokesman said there are no contracts, proposed or signed, relating to future games between the two schools.

Assistant athletic director Jeremy Sharpe said Tuesday that USF athletic director Doug Woolard and UCF athletic director Keith Tribble have had discussions about the possibility of resuming the rivalry, but said there is not even an handshake agreement between the two men. O'Leary also said he'd like the game to be played on Thanksgiving weekend, but the Big East asked its member schools to keep the final two weekends of the regular season available for conference games, forcing USF to move its scheduled Thanksgiving weekend game with Miami this fall to the previous week.

Given the high level of interest in Orlando in resuming the series, the mere fact that conversations are taking place is news, but at this point, it doesn't seem that the level of those discussions has moved on to anything more substantial than that. It's unlikely that USF would enter into any longterm scheduling commitment until the Bulls know how many conference games they will be playing as a result of Big East expansion.

If, for instance, the league were to expand to 10 teams and take on a nine-game conference schedule, that would leave only three nonconference games each year. In 2015, the Bulls are scheduled to play at Florida and Indiana, so such a conference model would likely force the Bulls to move one game, based on their scheduling history.

The two schools met each year from 2005-08, with USF winning all four meetings. The Bulls stopped the home-and-home series, citing a high number of in-state opponents on the schedule. That will continue for a few years for USF, with Florida State and Miami on the 2012 schedule and Florida Atlantic and Miami in 2013. The six-game series with the Hurricanes ends in 2013, but after that, the only scheduled game against an in-state opponent is the 2015 game in Gainesville.

New Tampa Bay Buccaneers DE Adrian Clayborn arrives, ready to get going

0
0

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Friday, April 29, 2011

After a whirlwind, sleepless night in New York City, Tampa Bay Buccaneers first-round draft pick Adrian Clayborn hopped an early-morning flight to Tampa and has been at One Buc Place all day getting accustomed to his new digs and new team.

In his just completed introductory press conference with Tampa Bay media, the former Iowa star made it clear he's going to be a lunchpail sort of player.

When the subject of finesse defensive ends was raised, Clayborn interrupted mid-sentence and deadpanned, "That's not me. I like to be physical."

It's something he takes great pride in, bullrushing opposing offensive linemen with his strength and size.

"That's how I play," he said. "I like to play aggressive, with passion and I like to get after people."

And he's glad he'll be doing it for the Bucs.

"Since I stated this draft process, it's been the team that I liked the most," Clayborn said. "When I came for my visit here, it was the best. When I got that call yesterday, my eyes just lit up. I just want to tell all the Bucs fans, thanks for having me here and I'm excited to get it started."

New Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Adrian Clayborn arrives, ready to get going

0
0

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Friday, April 29, 2011

TAMPA — Adrian Clayborn wanted to make sure there was no misinterpretation as he made his first impression on Tampa Bay.

Standing behind a lectern at One Buc Place, the Bucs' first-round draft pick had to react when it was pointed out some defensive ends play with more finesse than ferocity but he might be different.

Clayborn interrupted and deadpanned: "That's not me."

Instead, Tampa Bay will come to learn the former Iowa star drafted Thursday night prefers to mix things up with opponents. He'd rather engage them than run by them. And he doesn't mind a little run defense, either.

In short, Clayborn is the sort of defensive end the Bucs haven't often had.

"I think I am (balanced)," Clayborn said. "That's why I consider myself a football player, not necessarily a pass-rush guy. I like playing both sides of the game. I think the run is more fun than the pass. I like kicking offensive linemen's (butts).

"I like to be physical. I'm going to have to switch it up a little bit and kind of get a finesse game. But any time I can get the bull rush, I'm going to do it."

And Clayborn said he hoped, more than anything, he'd get the chance to do it in Tampa after hitting it off with coach Raheem Morris and other members of the staff during the predraft process.

But there came a point Thursday night when he wasn't certain it would happen.

Clayborn pointed out the Browns traded up to the spot immediately behind the Bucs, No. 21, with — according to Clayborn's camp — an eye toward drafting him.

And Clayborn was jittery the Bucs might opt for another defensive end as the No. 20 pick approached. As he nervously sat in the Radio City Music Hall green room, Clayborn was most concerned about Cal's Cameron Jordan and Clemson's Da'Quan Bowers.

"When we got to 17 or 18, I start looking around at Cam Jordan like, 'Is his phone ringing?' " Clayborn said. "At one point, I couldn't see him. Then I thought about Bowers. I was like, 'I hope his phone's not ringing.' I just kept looking around. I don't know if anybody noticed.

"They took forever to send the pick in. I think there was about three minutes left. So for seven minutes, I was looking around like, 'What the hell's going on?' "

After Clayborn's fate as a Buc was sealed, everything was a blur. There were a series of interviews that lasted past midnight, a late-night dinner with family and friends in Manhattan and a 5:30 wake-up call Friday morning for his flight to Tampa.

Of course, Clayborn never made it to sleep. He was too excited about becoming a Buc: "I (said), 'I'm not missing that flight.' "

Stephen F. Holder can be reached at sholder@sptimes.com.

National champion Kaitlin Shiver isn't worried about competition at St. Anthony's Triathlon

0
0

By Terry Tomalin, Times Outdoors-Fitness Editor
Friday, April 29, 2011

Coming off a win at the USA Triathlon Collegiate World Championships, 21-year-old Kaitlin Shiver isn't worried about lining up alongside the pros at Sunday's St. Anthony's Triathlon.

"I'm excited," said the recent University of Florida graduate. "Once the gun goes off, I'm in a zone. Then all you can do is race as hard as you can and see how you finish."

Shiver, who just learned that she will be enrolled in UF's Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program next year, dominated the nationals in Tuscaloosa, Ala., last month, finishing nearly four minutes ahead of her nearest competitor.

"I feel really strong going into this race," she said. "I enjoy the swim, am getting better on the bike and consider myself a strong runner. I just think it will be a lot of fun to see how I finish against the pros."

Race organizers have announced that the water in Tampa Bay is hovering around 80 degrees, which means the top triathletes in Sunday's race will have to swim without wetsuits.

This should give an advantage to the strongest swimmers, who typically do better without the added buoyancy of a wetsuit. The 1.5-kilometer swim, 40K bike and 10K run is usually very fast, which is one reason so many professionals come here to kick off their season.

This year's event will be part of a new global 5150 Triathlon Series from the same race organizers who put together the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. The winners of Sunday's race will split $65,000 in cash and more than $10,000 in prizes.

But Shiver, a native of Satellite Beach, will be competing against a star-studded field. Sarah Haskins, last year's winner, is a strong favorite.

The Olympian and 2009 USA Triathlon Athlete of the Year finished 14th in the International Triathlon Union World Championship Series last year. An excellent swimmer, Haskins was hampered by a calf injury for much of last year but still managed to win the Chicago Triathlon on Aug. 29.

Another perennial favorite is Laura Bennett, Olympic team member and four-time ITU World Championship medalist. A member of the USA Triathlon National Team, she won her second career USA Triathlon elite national title in Tuscaloosa on Sept. 25.

Rebeccah Wassner, the 2009 St. Anthony's winner and two-time New York City Triathlon champion, and last year's defending men's champion, Cameron Dye, will be in the field. Dye represented the U.S. at the 2009 ITU World Championship Series Grand Finale in Gold Coast, Australia. He began swimming competitively at age eight and then swam for University of Iowa swim team.

Another veteran in the men's field is the Australia native Greg Bennett, a former Olympian and six-time World Cup champion. Bennett is currently member of the USA Triathlon Project 2012 program and competed for much of 2010 under the ITU flag as he transitioned his affiliation from his native Australia to the U.S. He will be eligible to compete for the U.S. this spring.

The dark horse in this year's race will be Matt Reed, another Olympian and Ironman 70.3 champion, and former St. Anthony's winner. Reed raced for his native New Zealand until 2004, when he switched his affiliation to the U.S. He was a member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team and placed 32nd in Beijing.

Reed, nicknamed "Boom Boom," stands 6-foot-5 and is the tallest professional triathlete in the world.

Viewing all 18574 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images