By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, July 26, 2011

OAKLAND, Calif. — In talking before Monday's games about the potential for trades and the confidence he still had in his current squad, manager Joe Maddon essentially conceded the division race but said he felt — "very, very strongly" — that the Rays were "still a team that can get into the playoffs this year."

But by the end of the long night, that seemed an increasingly unlikely possibility as well, as the Rays turned another game they seemed to have in hand into a staggering defeat, 7-5 to Oakland.

And in the process, they fell to 53-48 and dropped 7½ games behind the wild-card leading Yankees (and stayed 9 1/2 behind the first-place Red Sox), which could accelerate their effort to make trades, and expand the pool of candidates, before the Sunday deadline for nonwaiver deals as their postseason hopes diminish.

"We know it, man,'' said reliever J.P. Howell, who took the loss. "We've got to be close enough. We play the Red Sox and Yankees a bunch of times coming up, but we've got to win these games. We've just got to keep truckin' and going. The more we lose, the more steep a hill we're building for ourselves. And you don't want to do that. Especially with time ticking like it is right now.''

The Rays led 5-2 after their sixth, getting home runs from Ben Zobrist and Kelly Shoppach, an RBI double by impressive rookie Desmond Jennings and a two-run go-ahead triple by B.J. Upton, who seems the mostly likely to go by Sunday.

But the bullpen, pressed into extra duty after an unimpressive five-plus inning outing by Jeremy Hellickson, failed again. And it was a team effort, with Brandon Gomes, Howell, Joel Peralta and Cesar Ramos all contributing to the losing effort as the game dragged until nearly 1:45 a.m. Tampa Bay time. They've lost nine of their last 13, and 14 of 23.

"We had a chance, we had a really good chance, to win that game. And we did not,'' Maddon said. "We did a lot of good things. ... Overall it was not a bad game. We just can not give up that kind of a lead.''

In their past nine games, Rays relievers are 0-4 with a 5.16 ERA and have walked 28 in 292/3 innings. Maddon said though recovered physically, they could still be feeling the effects of the 16-inning July 17 marathon with Boston and the resulting impact on their usage.

"We've done some good things and we've done some not-so-good things,'' Maddon said.

Hellickson's short outing was the real problem Monday, as he forced Maddon to use more relievers for longer than he wanted. Hellickson threw too many pitches early — 70 in the first three innings — that Maddon couldn't let him go any deeper than one batter into the sixth, finishing with 106.

That wasn't much different than his last start, when he threw 66 in the first three innings against the Yankees, though he tightened up and worked seven, totaling 119.

"I've had a few games like this,'' Hellickson said. "I've tried to nibble a little bit too much and I end up throwing too many pitches and walking guys and going as deep as I'd like to.''

After David DeJesus doubled on Hellickson's 106th and final pitch, Gomes allowed him to come around in the sixth, making it 5-3.

The seventh was much worse, as Howell and Peralta combined to give up three runs. Howell allowed a one-out single to Hideki Matsui, a walk to Josh Willingham and an RBI single to DeJesus. Peralta didn't provide much relief, giving up a two-run double to Conor Jackson.

Ramos started the eighth with a walk, then allowed an RBI double to Coco Crisp.

The game was 2-2 when the Rays scored twice in the fifth.

Johnny Damon, booed by some of the crowd of 11,053, led off with a double, his 505th to tie Tony Perez for 48th all time. After an Evan Longoria walk, Matt Joyce fielder's choice grounder and a throwing error by second baseman Jemile Weeks, Upton, the subject of extensive trade rumors, delivered what could be a loud farewell, a shot that eluded Crisp and hit the wall for a two-run triple.

The Rays took a 1-0 lead in the first on Zobrist's home run, though the A's responded with Cliff Pennington's two-run shot with two out in the second. The Rays tied it when Sean Rodriguez led off the third with a single and scored on Jennings' double. That was Jennings' fourth extra-base hit in his first three games, more than three members of the Rays opening day lineup had for their seasons — Reid Brignac (three), Dan Johnson (two), Manny Ramirez (none).

The Rays went on to load the bases when Zobrist and Longoria walked (one of his career-high four), and that, as is their wont, turned out badly as Joyce flied out and Upton grounded out. That extended their streak of bases-loaded futility to 0-for-their-last-13, and dropped their AL-worst average to .206.

The game was played in cooler - and by the end actually chilly - temperatures, a welcome respite from the Kansas City heat. First pitch Monday was 63 degrees; Saturday was 101.

The A's were the only AL team the Rays had not faced, and Monday's game was the first of seven in an 11-day window.

Marc Topkin can be reached at topkin@sptimes.com.

Times staff
Tuesday, July 26, 2011

The Bucs today announced that they have entered into a multi-year agreement with Channel 10 to broadcast their preseason games.

Chris Myers and John Lynch will handle the broadcasts.

Ch. 10 will carry home games Aug. 18 against New England and Aug. 27 against Miami as well as the Sept. 1 game at Washington. All games start at 7:30 p.m.

The Bucs' Aug. 12 preseason opener at Kansas City will be broadcast on Ch. 13 at 8 p.m.

Preseason home games are subject to the NFL's blackout rules. In the event of a blackout, the games will be broadcast on tape delay.

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, July 26, 2011

It's not as if Aaron Murray rushed out to the nearest mega bookstore in search of all the preseason college football magazines he could find, but that's not to say he isn't acutely aware of the preseason hype he's receiving.

One year removed from a freshman season in which he threw for 3,049 yards, the former Plant High star is officially the SEC's projected breakout star, the player coaches and media have chosen as the conference's marquee quarterback.

"I don't worry about that," Murray said. "I'm pretty blessed to have a tremendous group of guys around me. It's a team game and all the individual accolades and acknowledgements, that's cool. But in the end, it's those guys that are around me that help me do what I do in order to help this team win."

Through the course of his tour of media at last week's SEC Media Days, that was the sentiment Murray kept expressing: it's not about me, it's about the team. Georgia coach Mark Richt said that attitude makes Murray uniquely qualified to lead Georgia's resurgence.

"Aaron, he's really a coach's dream in how he approaches the game," said Richt, who begins his 11th season at Georgia and has coached quarterbacks that include 2009 No. 1 NFL Draft pick Matthew Stafford and former Florida State Heisman Trophy winner Chris Weinke.

"He understands preparation. He understands team. His motivation is for Georgia to win. His motivation is to see his teammates have success. His motivation is not to promote self. When you have a guy like that, it just makes your life a whole lot easier."

The praise and preseason accolades are nothing new for Murray, 20. He arrived in Athens as a Parade Magazine and U.S. Army All-American, and was rated the No. 3 quarterback in the nation by Scout.com and rivals.com.

But like all newcomers, there was a learning curve. Georgia finished 6-7, its first losing season since 1996. Murray learned talent alone isn't enough.

"That's why we've been working so hard in the offseason," he said. "We feel like if we could go back and change 10 plays last year, maybe even less, we could have been a 10-win team."

Murray's confidence and work ethic has endeared him to teammates.

"I would say Murray is a heck of a worker," senior center Ben Jones said. "I'm glad he's on my team. He's always in the weight room, working out, watching film. He's definitely the best prepared out of any quarterback in the SEC. You can see his leadership role grow."

He will try to revive Georgia without 11 starters, including receiver A.J. Green and tailback Washaun Ealey, but he believes the returning players and a top five recruiting class will help fill the void.

Georgia doesn't have time to waste. The Bulldogs open the season in Atlanta against Boise State, then host South Carolina in what many believe are must-win games. It's a challenge Murray welcomes.

"To go 6-7 adds motivation, and throw on top of that you're playing the team that's won the most games in the past three or four years," Murray said. "We're excited. It's a great way to put us back on the map. We feel like a lot of people are worried about Georgia too much after the last couple of years. We're ready to show the nation we're still a great team, we have great talent and we're ready to compete for some championships."

Antonya English can be reached at english@sptimes.com.

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Linebacker Barrett Ruud may have played his last snap with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

General manager Mark Dominik indicated the Bucs have no plans to re-sign Ruud, an unrestricted free agent who led the team in tackles the last four years.

Dominik announced Tuesday the team moved quickly to sign linebacker Mason Foster, the team's third-round pick from Washington.

"That's a big element because he's a big part of our future plans here,'' Dominik said. "So getting him under contract and letting him be in the building tonight already and starting to learn is the most important thing we can do.''

Dominik said Tyrone McKenzie, the former South Florida star who was acquired off waivers from the New England Patriots, also will compete at middle linebacker.

"I have high expectations for Mason Foster and what he'll be for this football team,'' Dominik said. "I also think that Tyrone McKenzie learned a lot at the (middle) linebacker position. We also signed a guy I considered in the seventh round, Derelle Smith, a middle linebacker from Syracuse I thought was a really talented college football player. So I have a lot of young guys, certainly, who have to step into big shoes and to a really mental position. But I have a lot confidence in who Mason Foster is and his mental make-up to be able to do so.''

However, Ruud, a second-round pick by the Bucs in 2005, didn't seem ready to close the door on Tampa Bay. When asked if he believed he'd played his last game for the Bucs, Ruud was non-committal.

"That's tough to say,'' Ruud said Tuesday. "I'm just going to wait until all this stuff is finalized before I really delve into it. I want to wait until when everybody is signed, when the actual picture comes out.

"I have no idea in all honesty. If I've got more football there, that's great. If not, it's understandable there, too.''

Ruud said he received interest from several teams Tuesday, the first day NFL teams can begin contacting free agents.

"It's early in the process,'' Ruud said. "A lot of people say you shouldn't reflect what you feel about somebody and just let it play out. We've gotten a few calls but I want to wait and hear everything. That's the great thing about this process, you can hear from everybody....it's a crazy time, no doubt. We've never seen anything like it.''

Meanwhile, Dominik declined to reveal whether he's had any discussions aimed at re-signing Ruud.

"I would say an important element for us long-term is that we got Mason Foster signed to a four-year contract,'' Dominik said. "Obviously, I think it's important your (middle) linebacker, a young guy we drafted is here on this football team and trying to learn the system as fast as possible and any kind of discussions with Barrett or his agent I would leave out of the picture right now.''

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, July 26, 2011

TAMPA — General manager Mark Dominik says he plans to wine and dine some of the Bucs' unrestricted free agents this week in an effort to re-sign them.

Barrett Ruud won't have a seat at that table.

The Bucs apparently have too many other reservations about Ruud and Dominik all but stuck a fork in the future of their middle linebacker in Tampa Bay.

Dominik announced the Bucs moved quickly Tuesday to sign linebacker Mason Foster, a third-round pick from Washington, to a four-year deal.

When asked if the team had made preparations for life without Ruud, who led the Bucs in tackles the past four years, Dominik barely mentioned the former Nebraska star and turned the focus to Foster and former USF star Tyrone McKenzie.

"We have done things over the last couple of months and certainly in the draft this year that will certainly help us move on," Dominik said.

"I have high expectations for Mason Foster and what he'll be for this football team. I also think that Tyrone McKenzie learned a lot at the (middle) linebacker position."

Asked if he believed he'd played his last game for the Bucs, Ruud was noncommittal.

"That's tough to say," Ruud said. "I'm just going to wait until all this stuff is finalized before I really delve into it. I want to wait until when everybody is signed, when the actual picture comes out. I have no idea in all honesty."

Ruud missed the offseason in 2009 as a restricted free agent, hoping to force the Bucs to offer a contract extension. Before last season, he attended every offseason workout but was visibly upset that the club signed left tackle Donald Penn to a new contract while bypassing him again.

But Ruud joined former linebacker Derrick Brooks as the only player in club history to lead the team in tackles four straight seasons, finishing with 118 stops, two sacks, one interception and two fumble recoveries.

Ruud said he received interest from several teams Tuesday, the first day teams could contact free agents.

"It's early in the process," Ruud said. "A lot of people say you shouldn't reflect what you feel about somebody and just let it play out. We've gotten a few calls but I want to wait and hear everything. That's the great thing about this process, you can hear from everybody. It's a crazy time, no doubt. We've never seen anything like it."

Dominik declined to say whether he has had discussions aimed at re-signing Ruud.

"I would say an important element for us long-term is that we got Mason Foster signed to a four-year contract," Dominik said. "Obviously, I think it's important your (middle) linebacker, a young guy we drafted, is here on this football team and trying to learn the system as fast as possible and any kind of discussions with Barrett or his agent I would leave out of the picture right now."

The Bucs also signed Arkansas-Pine Bluff receiver Raymond Webber. Dominik said the team will wait until this morning to release its full list of 15-20 undrafted free agents.

The first- and second-round picks — defensive end Adrian Clayborn of Iowa and Clemson defensive end Da'Quan Bowers — arrived at One Buc Place eager to work with coaches despite not being under contract. Bowers, who led Division I-A with 16 sacks last fall but fell in the draft after knee surgery, will be ready to practice, "Day 1,'' according to Dominik.

The Bucs' priority in free agency is to sign guard Davin Joseph and perhaps several other players, such as linebacker Quincy Black.

"We had good discussions, but right now we're just in the middle of negotiations and recruiting," Dominik said. "We'll be taking our own players out for dinner. I think a lot of clubs sit around and you think about when you go to another town, you get wined and dined and you get to see the facility. Well, we're doing that with our own players in Tampa because they need to know we appreciate them."

Ruud might be waiting a long time for his invitation.

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Mark Dominik confirmed today the team intends to welcome cornerback Aqib Talib – and his legal troubles – back into the fold when training camp opens this week.

Talib is facing a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in Texas, for which he is scheduled to stand trail in March. But, in the meantime, Dominik said, the Bucs aren't making any snap decisions.

"I would like to know exactly what the feeling is from Aqib's defense attorneys to find out exactly where they think this entire process will be heading," Dominik said. "As of now, everyone in Tampa should expect Aqib Talib to show up for the first day or training camp."

Dominik hasn't spoken to Talib's defense attorneys yet, but plans to very soon. He also wants to meet personally with Talib to find out more specifics about his case. But when pressed, Dominik admitted that, short of a shocking revelation, little in those conversations is likely to alter the team's plans.

"I would think that's a fair statement," he responded.

Talib, who was suspended for one game by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell last season for involvement in a battery committed against a taxi driver, has been an irritant to the Bucs front office during his career. In addition to the battery arrest, he has been fined and disciplined by the club in numerous cases for everything ranging from fighting against teammates to a profanity-laced run-in with coach Raheem Morris in the lobby of the team hotel during a road trip.

Now, Talib faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted in the Texas case, though the facts of the case remain unclear.

Dominik tried to make a distinction between Talib's history and the makeup and character of most of the team's players.

"I would step back and look at our team as a whole," he said. "I do think it's a disservice when we talk about our team and we forget about Josh Freeman and Gerald McCoy and so many players . . . guys who have been here and done a really good job as part of our organization.

"Certainly, I'd like to find out more information about (Talib's arrest). No one condones being in the news in that capacity that often, but at the end of the day, I'm not going to pass judgment."

Dominik said he believes Talib could face punishment from the league even though his case hasn't been heard, but has not yet been able to consult with the league office about the matter. He also left the door open to the Bucs disciplining Talib.

"I'll talk to the league when it's more appropriate," Dominik said. "We'll get together and put our heads together as far as their thoughts and our thoughts. Certainly they've got to review the case as well, I'm sure. So we'll just wait.

"As an organization, no matter what, we'll still hold ourselves accountable with what we do on and off the football field and we'll still do that as an organization regardless. Our shield is important to us and we will always do everything to make sure it's not tarnished or blemished."

By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist
Tuesday, July 26, 2011

TAMPA — More than four months have been squandered. For 130 days, the fields have been abandoned and the team has not improved. Even now that the factory has reopened for business, there is a feeling that the franchise is a prolonged two-minute drill, with the clock running and no timeouts, as the season rushes toward it.

And yet, the Bucs have survived the lockout.

Who knows? By the end of the year, you might even say they have flourished.

Oh, let's be honest. If the last few months had been up to Bucs coach Raheem Morris, I'm sure he would have chosen a normal offseason with a normal assortment of practices, film sessions and moving iron from one side of the weight room to another. What coach wouldn't?

After all, it was last offseason when the Bucs bridged from a three-win season to a 10. It was last offseason when Josh Freeman grew up as a quarterback, when Mike Williams proved to be the real deal as a wide receiver, when Gerald McCoy signed on. If anyone knows how important March, April and May can be, this is the team. And if any team wanted to gripe about how much work there is to do, this is the time.

Still, when you look at the aftermath of the lockout, the Bucs appear to come out of it as well as most teams.

Put it this way: If they do not succeed in 2011, it will not be the fault of the lockout.

You know who the lockout beat up? New coaches, that's who. Coaches need time to implement their systems, to learn their locker room, to decide which stranger to trust and which to move along without.

How would you like to be Ron Rivera in Carolina today? Or Pat Shurmur in Cleveland? Or Hue Jackson in Oakland or Jim Harbaugh in San Francisco or John Fox in Denver?

Certainly, the Bucs are in better shape than those teams. If nothing else, Morris proved last year that he had the pulse of his team. If anyone can get his bunch headed the right direction in a hurry, it's Morris.

You know who else the lockout was rough on? Teams with new quarterbacks, that's who.

It takes time for a quarterback to grow up. It takes hours in the classroom and afternoon on the practice fields. Don't you think Cam Newton at Carolina could have used the offseason? Or Jake Locker at Tennessee or Christian Ponder at Minnesota? Then there are teams such as Cincinnati and Arizona and Miami where there doesn't seem to be an answer at quarterback.

The Bucs are in better shape than those teams, too. In fact, when it comes to quarterbacks, the Bucs are better than, say, 18-20 teams.

After last season, Freeman looks like a rising star. It may be hard for him to repeat a season in which he had 25 touchdown passes and only six interceptions, but don't mistake his impact on his team. Is he a franchise quarterback? As long as you consider Tampa Bay a franchise, he is.

You know who else the lockout beat up? It beat up teams who are pushed against the salary cap. Already, Dallas and Baltimore are releasing players. The Giants are against it. As much money as Peyton Manning seems to want, the Colts may have to play without linebackers.

The Bucs? They have money to spend, and the rules are going to insist they spend it. The Bucs can afford anyone they want. This is not to say they're going to go out and make thousand-dollar bills rain on Nnamdi Asomugha, but they could.

You know who else the lockout beat up? Old teams, that's who.

In the NFL, experience is an asset. Everyone knows that. But quick starts can be hard on 35-year-old players. Young legs can help. Especially if those legs played as much as the Bucs' young players did last season.

So what did the Bucs miss in the offseason? Oh, there were things, of course. The young defensive line could have used some work, even if it was just growing comfortable with the workplace. (Find the quarterback? For crying out loud, Adrian Clayborne and Da'Quan Bowers can't find the bathroom yet.) The Bucs could have found out a few more players on their way to try to build a better defense.

So who else survived the nuclear winter? Green Bay, of course. There is a reason the Packers are the world champions. The Saints. The Patriots. The Bears. The Steelers. The better an organization is, the better chance it has to get through something like the sport shutting down.

All in all, the Bucs came through it about as well as you could expect. If injuries don't get them, if higher expectations don't eat them up, if a tougher schedule doesn't overwhelm them, then there is no reason they shouldn't be good again.

Think of like this: When the playoffs begin, the Bucs shouldn't be locked out of those, either.

By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist
Tuesday, July 26, 2011

TAMPA — More than four months have been squandered. For 130 days, the fields have been abandoned and the team has not improved. Even now that the factory has reopened for business, there is a feeling that the franchise is a prolonged two-minute drill, with the clock running and no timeouts, as the season rushes toward it.

And yet, the Bucs have survived the lockout.

Who knows? By the end of the year, you might even say they have flourished.

Oh, let's be honest. If the last few months had been up to Bucs coach Raheem Morris, I'm sure he would have chosen a normal offseason with a normal assortment of practices, film sessions and moving iron from one side of the weight room to another. What coach wouldn't?

After all, it was last offseason when the Bucs bridged from a three-win season to a 10. It was last offseason when Josh Freeman grew up as a quarterback, when Mike Williams proved to be the real deal as a wide receiver, when Gerald McCoy signed on. If anyone knows how important March, April and May can be, this is the team. And if any team wanted to gripe about how much work there is to do, this is the time.

Still, when you look at the aftermath of the lockout, the Bucs appear to come out of it as well as most teams.

Put it this way: If they do not succeed in 2011, it will not be the fault of the lockout.

You know who the lockout beat up? New coaches, that's who. Coaches need time to implement their systems, to learn their locker room, to decide which stranger to trust and which to move along without.

How would you like to be Ron Rivera in Carolina today? Or Pat Shurmur in Cleveland? Or Hue Jackson in Oakland or Jim Harbaugh in San Francisco or John Fox in Denver?

Certainly, the Bucs are in better shape than those teams. If nothing else, Morris proved last year that he had the pulse of his team. If anyone can get his bunch headed the right direction in a hurry, it's Morris.

You know who else the lockout was rough on? Teams with new quarterbacks, that's who.

It takes time for a quarterback to grow up. It takes hours in the classroom and afternoon on the practice fields. Don't you think Cam Newton at Carolina could have used the offseason? Or Jake Locker at Tennessee or Christian Ponder at Minnesota? Then there are teams such as Cincinnati and Arizona and Miami where there doesn't seem to be an answer at quarterback.

The Bucs are in better shape than those teams, too. In fact, when it comes to quarterbacks, the Bucs are better than, say, 18-20 teams.

After last season, Freeman looks like a rising star. It may be hard for him to repeat a season in which he had 25 touchdown passes and only six interceptions, but don't mistake his impact on his team. Is he a franchise quarterback? As long as you consider Tampa Bay a franchise, he is.

You know who else the lockout beat up? It beat up teams who are pushed against the salary cap. Already, Dallas and Baltimore are releasing players. The Giants are against it. As much money as Peyton Manning seems to want, the Colts may have to play without linebackers.

The Bucs? They have money to spend, and the rules are going to insist they spend it. The Bucs can afford anyone they want. This is not to say they're going to go out and make thousand-dollar bills rain on Nnamdi Asomugha, but they could.

You know who else the lockout beat up? Old teams, that's who.

In the NFL, experience is an asset. Everyone knows that. But quick starts can be hard on 35-year-old players. Young legs can help. Especially if those legs played as much as the Bucs' young players did last season.

So what did the Bucs miss in the offseason? Oh, there were things, of course. The young defensive line could have used some work, even if it was just growing comfortable with the workplace. (Find the quarterback? For crying out loud, Adrian Clayborn and Da'Quan Bowers can't find the bathroom yet.) The Bucs could have found out a few more players on their way to try to build a better defense.

So who else survived the nuclear winter? Green Bay, of course. There is a reason the Packers are the world champions. The Saints. The Patriots. The Bears. The Steelers. The better an organization is, the better chance it has to get through something like the sport shutting down.

All in all, the Bucs came through it about as well as you could expect. If injuries don't get them, if higher expectations don't eat them up, if a tougher schedule doesn't overwhelm them, then there is no reason they shouldn't be good again.

Think of like this: When the playoffs begin, the Bucs shouldn't be locked out of those, either.

Bryan Burns, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, July 26, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — FC Tampa Bay forward Aaron King has never been on a scoring run quite like his current one.

Sure, there was a stretch in 2009 when he had a goal in his first three games after being traded from Carolina to Miami in the USL First Division for the final month of the season.

In all likelihood, that late scoring spell helped King earn a contract with FC Tampa Bay for the team's inaugural season. King rewarded the team by scoring a Tampa Bay-high 12 goals (third in USSF Division 2).

The 2011 season started slowly for the 27-year-old, who didn't get on the scoresheet until the 11th game. But in Tampa Bay's past four matches, King has had a goal in each.

Coincidentally, the team has also played its best soccer of late, winning three of its past five.

"(King) has worked hard all year, he's never dropped his head and he's kept going forward. Everything's been positive," said FC Tampa Bay assistant coach/defender David Hayes, who will hand head coaching duties back to Ricky Hill for tonight's contest against FC Edmonton. Hill returned to the bay area Tuesday night, missing the past two games because of the death of a family member.

"…If you saw the (July 17) Edmonton game, no one in the league can match his speed," Hayes said. "At the beginning of the year, I think it was more of us as a unit not playing to his strengths. And now we are, and he's going full stride with it."

Therein lies the quandary for King. It's quite possible that Tampa Bay's all-time leading goal scorer (17 total) was ahead of his time with the team. While King's speed gives him the ability to stretch defenses, Tampa Bay was unable to connect with the 6-foot-1, 180-pound forward consistently enough on his runs, and the team got caught out of position. The result: less playing time for King.

"If you look at the teams across the world — (Manchester United), Barcelona — we talk about all these great teams, they're playing balls in behind every five, six passes. It's constant," Hayes said. "They're looking to thread the ball. They're keeping possession at times but with the intent to go fast in behind. And I think at the beginning of the year, I think we were even luring ourselves to sleep with (the ball) not ever breaking the lines."

For much of his career, King has been used as a substitute, a fast-paced addition when the other team is, theoretically, wearing down. Much like a closer in baseball, King was brought on to get that late, clinching or tying goal. After starting 12 games last season, mostly when Aaron Wheeler was out injured, King made just two starts in Tampa Bay's first 13 matches of 2011, scoring once.

But since cracking the starting lineup July 4 against Fort Lauderdale, King has started four straight. He also has scored in all four games.

"You've got to be patient and trust in what your coaches are doing and what they see at the time," King said. "I was just trying to be patient. It was frustrating (not starting), but at the same time, you've got to keep working hard, no matter what. We're professionals."

King brings an extra dimension at a time when Tampa Bay looks to hold its place among the NASL postseason qualifiers over the final 11 games of the season — Tampa Bay is fifth; the top six teams make the playoffs.

And at his current pace, King earned a spot in the top 11 for the foreseeable future.

"If he keeps scoring goals, you can't take him out," Hayes said. "You ride him until he runs out. But then again, we have to understand he's not going to score every game. That's just unrealistic. The thing is, what he's doing differently is he's creating chaos for the other team with his runs in behind."

By Brent Gaskill, Times Correspondent
Tuesday, July 26, 2011

When the going gets tough: The tough go grunt fishing. Summer's dead heat makes putting a fresh fish dinner on the table difficult. Bringing home enough for a fish fry is further complicated with numerous closures and reduced bag limits. White grunts are very cooperative, however, and tasty.

Fish of another name: White grunts are also known as Key West grunts or gray snapper locally. They don't typically get a lot of respect and are not even in the snapper family. They lack size, but are abundant, eager to feed and taste great. Concentrations of grunts are on natural hard bottom or limestone outcroppings, and man made artificial reefs or wrecks in 20 to 100 feet.

Fun for everyone: Everyone can enjoy cranking up grunts. Simply drop a chunk of frozen squid to the bottom on medium light tackle. Wait a few seconds, and when the pecking feeling on the end of the line turns into the weight of the fish, turn the handle to retrieve the fish. Re-bait and repeat.

Brent Gaskill runs Summer Vacation Charters out of the St. Petersburg area and can be reached at captbrent@summervacationcharters.com or (727)510-1009.

Times wires
Tuesday, July 26, 2011

CINCINNATI — The Reds sent former Rays LF Jonny Gomes to the Nationals for two minor-leaguers Tuesday, a move that opened an outfield spot for one of their best young hitters.

Former first-round pick Yonder Alonso was called up from Triple-A Louisville, giving the defending NL Central champions another left-handed hitter who can play leftfield and back up Joey Votto at first base.

The Reds obtained minor-league LHP Chris Manno and OF Bill Rhinehart from Washington. Cincinnati included money in the deal to pay part of Gomes' salary.

"For us, it's a tough move to make in some ways because Jonny was a big part of our club last year, a guy that obviously we all think of highly as a person and a player," general manager Walt Jocketty said. "It gives us an opportunity to bring Alonso up and start looking at a couple of guys that could get an opportunity."

Alonso, 24, was the seventh overall pick in the 2008 draft. A natural first baseman, he was blocked there by Votto and moved to left.

Gomes, 30, joined Cincinnati on a minor-league deal after Tampa Bay let him go after the 2008 season. He batted .266 with a .327 on-base percentage and a .431 slugging percentage last season but had fallen off to .211/.336/.399 this year.

He said he was surprised by the deal.

"A little bit," he said. "But you know, this is a result-driven industry, if you will. And when the results aren't there, it might be time to move."

JONES HURT AGAIN: Braves 3B Chipper Jones did not start a day after he strained his right quadriceps in his first game back off the 15-day disabled list.

A'S: 1B Daric Barton was diagnosed with a torn labrum in his right shoulder and likely will need season-ending surgery.

BLUE JAYS: 3B Jose Bautista left in the third inning after being hit in the helmet by a pitch from Orioles RHP Jake Arrieta.

CARDINALS: LF Matt Holliday was out of the lineup with possible food poisoning.

D'BACKS: RHP J.J. Putz was activated from the disabled list. The closer missed 19 games with elbow tendinitis. INF Geoff Blum went on the DL with a broken right pinkie finger, and the contract of OF Collin Cowgill was selected from Triple-A Reno.

GIANTS: RHP Tim Lincecum was scratched because of the flu and replaced by LHP Barry Zito. Lincecum is day to day and could pitch tonight. … Bench coach Ron Wotus served a one-game suspension for "inappropriate actions" in Saturday's game against the Brewers.

ORIOLES: LH reliever Mike Gonzalez began serving a three-game suspension and will miss the series against the Blue Jays. Gonzalez was fined and suspended for throwing behind Red Sox DH David Ortiz in a July 10 game at Fenway Park.

PADRES: RHP Pat Neshek and C Luis Martinez were recalled from Triple-A Tucson. C Kyle Phillips was optioned to Tucson, and RHP Ernesto Frieri was placed on paternity leave.

RED SOX: RF J.D. Drew went on the 15-day disabled list with a sore right shoulder, and INF Drew Sutton was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket. … 3B Kevin Youkilis got the night off to rest a tight right hamstring.

ROCKIES: 1B Jason Giambi went on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left quad.

TIGERS: 3B Brandon Inge cleared waivers and accepted assignment to Triple-A Toledo.

YANKEES: 3B Eric Chavez, on the disabled list since May 5 with a fractured left foot, was activated and started.

Times wires
Tuesday, July 26, 2011

PHILADELPHIA — Rookie right-hander Vance Worley pitched a three-hitter and Chase Utley hit an inside-the-park homer to lead the Phillies to a 7-2 victory over the Giants on Tuesday night in a matchup of the NL's top teams.

Worley won his fifth straight. He has allowed two earned runs or fewer in 11 of his 13 career starts.

Ryan Howard, John Mayberry Jr. and Raul Ibanez also homered for the Phillies. Aaron Rowand homered against his former team for the Giants.

Barry Zito, pitching on nine days' rest as an emergency replacement for Tim Lincecum (flu) gave up four runs in the first inning.

In the sixth, Utley drove the ball off the wall in center. It caromed away from centerfielder Andres Torres and was retrieved by rightfielder Nate Schierholtz. The relay came to shortstop Mike Fontenot, whose throw home was slightly to the left of catcher Eli Whiteside. Utley, sliding headfirst, just beat Whiteside's lunging tag.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy argued, but replays appeared to back up Fieldin Culbreth's call.

Times wires
Tuesday, July 26, 2011

GAINESVILLE — Florida running back Jeff Demps, a potential track star, is sticking with football.

Demps met with first-year coach Will Muschamp on Tuesday then released a statement saying he is looking forward to "having a great senior season."

Demps, who has been part of six national titles in track, skipped spring practice to focus on his sprinting career. The Gators finished third at the NCAA outdoor championships in June. Last month, Demps ran the 100-meter dash at an international meet in Lignano, Italy, and finished fifth.

The 5-foot-8 speedster has started 22 games in three seasons. He has 1,901 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns. He was slowed by a sprained left foot last season, but had a team-high 551 rushing yards.

Review underway at Oregon: Coach Chip Kelly is refusing to talk about the Ducks' use of outside recruiting services until the school and the NCAA finish an extensive review of its dealings with Willie Lyles.

Athletic director Rob Mullens acknowledged the review before Pac-12 media day in Los Angeles, and Kelly provided little new information.

"I would love to talk about it, and when we have a chance after the report comes out, I will be able to clear up any questions that anyone has about the whole situation," he said.

The Ducks have retained a law firm to assess the program's payment of $25,000 to Lyles, a Houston-based recruiter, for an apparently outdated scouting report last year. The NCAA is investigating whether he steered running back Lache Seastrunk to Oregon.

Panel proposes change to 'agent': An NCAA panel has proposed broadening the definition of agents in a move aimed at closing the loophole that allowed Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton to keep playing despite his father's pay-for-play scheme.

The Division I Amateurism Cabinet is sponsoring legislation that would include family members and other third parties who shop an athlete's services to schools for financial gain.

The NCAA determined Cecil Newton, Cam's father, sought money from Mississippi State when Cam Newton was being recruited out of junior college. The quarterback signed with Auburn and was deemed eligible after a one-day suspension when the NCAA's reinstatement staff found he didn't know about the pay-for-play scheme.

Newcomer Boise State favored in MWC: Boise State was picked to win the Mountain West title in its first year with the conference. The Broncos finished last season ranked No. 10 in the nation while playing in the Western Athletic Conference. TCU, which went undefeated last year, was picked to finish second.

Times wires
Tuesday, July 26, 2011

IRVING, Texas — The Cowboys told running back Marion Barber, receiver Roy Williams, right guard Leonard Davis and kicker Kris Brown that they would be cut when the league allows that on Thursday, the Associated Press reported.

The moves save Dallas about $16.6 million in cap room. Removing Davis clears $6 million, Williams another $5 million, Barber $4.75 million and Brown $910,000.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he wanted to break the news to each player himself. He also wanted to do it right away so they wouldn't bother going to training camp, which opens today in San Antonio.

BENGALS: Owner Mike Brown said he won't trade quarterback Carson Palmer, who told the team in January that he would retire if he's not traded.

BRONCOS: Former Florida star Tim Tebow beat just about everyone to the team's practice facility. The veteran he's trying to replace wasn't as ambitious — Kyle Orton didn't show up on the first day players were allowed to voluntarily report. Training camp opens today with the first full workout slated for Thursday. Orton, slated to make more than $8 million this season, has been the subject of much trade speculation with Denver also having Tebow and Brady Quinn.

CHARGERS: The agent for Vincent Jackson says the receiver will sign his non-exclusive franchise tag on Friday.

GIANTS: AP reported that the team told center and player representative Shaun O'Hara and guard Rich Seubert that they will be released. Also, the team signed Mark Herzlich, the former Boston College linebacker who survived cancer.

JAGUARS: Two former area players, Robinson's Greg Ellingson (FIU) and Central's DuJuan Harris (Troy) agreed to deals.

JETS: Quarterback Mark Sanchez said he asked his agent about looking into restructuring his contract to help the team re-sign players, such as wide receivers Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards, plus other free agents. "Whatever we need to do to win, it's on," said Sanchez, who will make $14.75 million in base salary this season, but could get $17.75 million with bonuses. Also, the New York Daily News reported that offensive lineman Damien Woody is retiring.

PANTHERS: Defensive end Charles Johnson agreed to a six-year deal for $72 million, including a $30 million signing bonus, with the deal to be signed Friday.

RAVENS: Coach John Harbaugh said running back Willis McGahee, former Pro Bowl tight end Todd Heap, wide receiver Derrick Mason and nose guard Kelly Gregg have been told they will be cut in salary-cap moves.

REDSKINS: According to ESPN, wide receiver Santana Moss agreed to terms on a three-year, $15 million deal with $6 million guaranteed.

SAINTS: Former Hillsborough High standout Jarred Fayson, who played wide receiver at Illinois after starting his college career at Florida, agreed to a free-agent deal.

SEAHAWKS: The Seattle Times reported that starting quarterback Matt Hasselbeck will not re-sign with the team. Hasselbeck, 35, is an unrestricted free agent. AP reported that former Vikings starter Tarvaris Jackson has agreed to terms and will likely replace Hasselbeck.

TITANS: Rookie quarterback and first-round draft pick Jake Locker was the first player into the building when team facilities opened, quickly followed by about 20 teammates within the first 90 minutes. Also, the team signed former Middleton High receiver O.J. Murdock, who played at three colleges, starting with South Carolina.

SUIT SETTLED: In separate conference calls, lawyers for both sides in the labor dispute told U.S. District Judges Susan Richard Nelson and David Doty that they've settled. The leadership of the NFL Players Association voted unanimously Monday to agree to a deal to end the 4½-month lockout. Nelson was the judge in the federal class-action antitrust lawsuit filed by Tom Brady and nine other players.

SHARED STADIUM: A shared stadium between the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders has been discussed under the new labor deal, and executives for both teams said they are open to future talks. Jed York, president and CEO of the 49ers, said the team will listen to ideas for a two-team stadium while moving forward with plans for a new facility of its own in Santa Clara.

REIMBURSED: All NFL personnel will be reimbursed for salary reductions during the lockout. Commissioner Roger Goodell sent an e-mail to employees of the league, NFL Films, NFL Network and NFL.com telling them they will receive all lost wages.

Times wires
Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Orioles 12, Blue Jays 4

TORONTO — J.J. Hardy homered twice and Derrek Lee and Nolan Reimold also connected for Baltimore. Hardy had his first multihomer game of the season and the fifth of his career. Lee had four of the Orioles' 16 hits, and every Baltimore starter had at least one. Right-hander Jake Arrieta snapped a five-start winless streak.

Times wires
Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Angels 2, Indians 1

CLEVELAND — Jered Weaver earned his eighth straight win as Mark Trumbo doubled home two runs for Los Angeles. Weaver improved his ERA to 1.79, best in the majors, and has a 1.27 ERA over 921/3 innings while going 8-0 in 12 starts since May 23. Jordan Walden, who blew the save Monday night when Cleveland scored twice in the ninth to win 3-2, loaded the bases with no outs in the ninth. Walden then got Matt LaPorta to ground into a home-to-first double play and struck out Jason Kipnis.

Times wires
Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Yankees 4, Mariners 1

NEW YORK — Seattle flailed away helplessly against CC Sabathia in its 17th straight loss, managing only one hit and striking out 18 times overall on a rain-soaked Tuesday night. Sabathia did not allow a baserunner until Brendan Ryan singled with one out in the seventh inning, a batter after a 30-minute rain delay. He struck out 14 of the 25 batters he faced, seven in a row at one point. The Mariners are four shy of matching the Orioles' AL-record losing streak to start the 1988 season.

Times wires
Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Marlins 11, Nationals 2

WASHINGTON — Greg Dobbs drove in a career-high five runs, including a solo homer, and Logan Morrison and John Buck also homered to lead Florida. Dobbs drove in Omar Infante with a groundout in the first and added an RBI single in the seventh and a two-run single in the ninth.

Times wires
Tuesday, July 26, 2011

nhl

Red Wings forward Draper, 40, makes retirement official

Kris Draper announced his retirement after 20 seasons in the NHL, the past 17 with the Red Wings. He will remain in the organization in a front-office capacity.

"I loved everything about the game and everything about the Red Wings," he said at a news conference at Joe Louis Arena. "And that's why I'm going to miss it so much."

Once one of the NHL's top checking forwards, penalty killers and faceoff men, Draper, 40, helped the Red Wings win Stanley Cups in 1997, 1998, 2002 and 2008. The Wings claimed him from the Winnipeg Jets in 1993 for the then-waiver price of $1.

Khabibulin headed to jail: Oilers goalie Nikolai Khabibulin, 38, withdrew an appeal to his extreme drunken-driving conviction, accepting a 30-day jail sentence. Khabibulin, who won the Stanley Cup with in the Lightning in 2004, was sentenced in August. He was pulled over near his Phoenix-area home Feb. 8, 2010.

basketball

U.S. unbeaten in U-19 tourney

Cierra Burdick had 17 points and nine rebounds to lead the United States to a 94-60 rout of Italy in the second round of the U-19 world championship in Puerto Montt, Chile. Breanna Stewart added 15 points, 10 in the first quarter, for the Americans (5-0). Elizabeth Williams also had 15 points for the United States, which will close second-round play against unbeaten Canada today.

WNBA: Seimone Augustus scored 22 as host Minnesota beat Los Angeles 85-72 for its sixth win in seven games. … Becky Hammon scored 22 and San Antonio's reserves combined for 35 points as the visiting Silver Stars held off Washington 73-67. … Asjha Jones scored 22, Tina Charles had 21 and Connecticut broke open a close game in the third quarter and beat host Chicago 77-66.

et cetera

Obituary: Olympic silver medalist Jeret "Speedy" Peterson, 29, was found dead in a remote canyon in Utah late Monday. Peterson, a freestyle skier who patented the so-called "Hurricane" and took second place at the Vancouver Games with it, called 911 before shooting himself, police said.

Cycling: Alberto Contador's Tour de France doping case was postponed for a second time. The three-time Tour champion tested positive for clenbuterol, a banned anabolic agent, while winning the 2010 race.

Times wires

swimming

lochte overtakes phelps in 200 free

SHANGHAI — Reality smacked Michael Phelps in the face again, only this time he accepted it. The 14-time Olympic champion didn't like losing the 200-meter freestyle at the world championships again, even if it was to good pal Ryan Lochte.

But Phelps knows he has more in him and unlike two years ago, he's willing to put in the work to get there.

Phelps led through the first 100 meters of the most eagerly awaited race so far in Shanghai before Lochte, a former Gator, took over on the final turn and held on to win in 1 minute, 44.44 seconds Tuesday. Phelps settled for silver at 1:44.79.

The Americans' 1-2 finish in the 200 free kicked off a big night for the United States. Rebecca Soni led all the way in winning the 100 breaststroke by 1.20 seconds; Kate Ziegler earned silver in the 1,500 freestyle; and Natalie Coughlin took bronze in the 100 backstroke.

Times wires
Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Mets 8, Reds 6

CINCINNATI — Jason Pridie hit a go-ahead two-run double, and New York scored six unearned runs off Johnny Cueto with the help of three errors, matching Cincinnati's high for a game. The Mets moved back above .500.