By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, August 3, 2011

TAMPA — USF's football players reported for preseason camp Wednesday night, and Bulls coach Skip Holtz announced that everyone would be arriving as expected — all signees qualified academically and no returning players were lost to grades or transfers since the end of spring drills.

"Everybody's in camp, which is not sexy and exciting. It's not great print to get all over the papers, but from a coaching standpoint, it's great stability to be able to have those same guys coming back," said Holtz, whose team will practice three days in Tampa before leaving Saturday for 12 days in Vero Beach.

The perfect attendance is a stark contrast to just two years ago, when seven Bulls signees never made it to campus as part of coach Jim Leavitt's final recruiting class.

"As I said in February when we signed this class, one of the things that excited me so much about it was the character, the academics, the type of people we had in this class," Holtz said. "I think it shows, in that here we are six months later, and every one of them is here reporting to school and has done what they were supposed to do."

WR Alex Mut of Punta Gorda, a signee who is recovering from knee surgery, will be a part-time student at USF this fall and join the team in January. The Bulls also added a scholarship transfer this summer in former Florida WR Chris Dunkley, who will sit out this season and have three years of eligibility at USF.

TICKET SALES DOWN: USF's season ticket sales are down for the third year in a row, about 1,000 behind last year's total at this point for a drop of about 5 percent. USF executive associate athletic director Bill McGillis said the Bulls have sold 17,580 season tickets through Tuesday, and with another 3,143 tickets reserved for staff, spirit squads and trade with sponsors, USF's total stands at 20,723, down from 21,760 a year ago. USF's all-time high for season tickets was 27,879 in 2008.

INJURY LIST: Only two scholarship players will miss the start of camp with injuries. TE Jeff Hawkins will miss the season after tearing an ACL in a voluntary workout last month, and Holtz said that redshirt freshman OL Jake Kaufman, who had back surgery this spring, will be held out of preseason practice. He will be re-evaluated closer to the start of football season and might be headed for a medical scholarship, which would mean an end to his playing days.

STRONG RECRUITS: Holtz said he expects a major impact from his incoming recruiting class, with as many as seven or eight newcomers playing this fall. That could include as many as two true freshmen on the offensive line (Max Lang and Thor Jozwiak have been mentioned), WRs Andre Davis and/or Ruben Gonzalez, TE Tye Turner, RB Willie Davis, DT Elkino Watson, CB Kenneth Durden and S Chris Garye.

WALK-ONS: There were no surprises among the preferred walk-ons who joined the program last month with the freshmen. There are three: PK Mattias Ciabatti (Hillsborough), OL Jake Smith (Bloomingdale) and Mak Djulbegovic (Carrollwood Day).

PRACTICE PLAN: Holtz said the Bulls will have full two-a-day practices just twice in preseason, making full use of non-contact walkthroughs that are allowed in mornings to be paired with standard practices in afternoons. USF will use the full allowable 29 practices between now and the Sept. 3 opener at Notre Dame.

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, August 3, 2011

TAMPA — USF football players reported for preseason camp Wednesday night, and coach Skip Holtz announced that everyone would be arriving as expected — all signees qualified academically and no returning players were lost to grades or transfers since the end of spring drills.

"Everybody's in camp, which is not sexy and exciting. It's not great print to get all over the papers, but from a coaching standpoint it's great stability to be able to have those same guys coming back," said Holtz, whose team will practice three days in Tampa before leaving Saturday for 12 days in Vero Beach.

The perfect attendance is a stark contrast to two years ago, when seven signees never made it to campus as part of coach Jim Leavitt's final recruiting class.

"As I said in February when we signed this class, one of the things that excited me so much about it was the character, the academics, the type of people we had in this class," Holtz said. "I think it shows in that here we are, six months later, and every one of them is here reporting to school and has done what they were supposed to do."

WR Alex Mut of Punta Gorda, a signee who is recovering from knee surgery, will be a part-time student in the fall and join the team in January. The Bulls also added a scholarship transfer over the summer in former Florida WR Chris Dunkley, who will sit out this season and have three years of eligibility.

TICKET SALES DOWN: Season-ticket sales are down for the third year in a row, about 1,000 behind last year's total for a drop of about 5 percent. Executive associate athletic director Bill McGillis said the Bulls have sold 17,580 season tickets through Tuesday, and with another 3,143 tickets reserved for staff, spirit squads and trade with sponsors, the total stands at 20,723, down from 21,760 a year ago. USF's high for season tickets was 27,879 in 2008.

INJURY LIST: Only two scholarship players will miss the start of camp with injuries. TE Jeff Hawkins will miss the season after tearing an ACL in a voluntary workout last month, and Holtz said redshirt freshman OL Jake Kaufman, who had back surgery in the spring, will be held out of preseason practice. He will be re-evaluated closer to the start of the season and might be headed for a medical scholarship, which would mean an end to his playing days.

STRONG RECRUITS: Holtz said he expects a major impact from his incoming recruiting class, with as many as seven or eight newcomers playing in the fall. That could include as many as two true freshmen on the offensive line (Max Lang and Thor Jozwiak have been mentioned), WRs Andre Davis and/or Ruben Gonzalez, TE Tye Turner, RB Willie Davis, DT Elkino Watson, CB Kenneth Durden and S Chris Garye.

WALK-ONS: There were no surprises among the preferred walk-ons who joined the program last month with the freshmen. There are three: K Mattias Ciabatti (Hillsborough), OL Jake Smith (Bloomingdale) and Mak Djulbegovic (Carrollwood Day).

PRACTICE PLAN: Holtz said they will have full two-a-day practices just twice in preseason, making full use of noncontact walk-throughs that are allowed in mornings to be paired with standard practices in afternoons. USF will use the full number of allowable practices, 29, between now and the Sept. 3 opener at Notre Dame.

By Rodney Page, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Finally, a tournament worth watching. Tiger Woods, for better or worse, is back on the golf course. No offense to Rory McIlroy, Luke Donald or Phil Mickelson, but a golf tournament is much better with Woods in it. He hasn't played a full tournament since the Masters back in April. Woods insists his left knee is 100 percent, and when asked how long it's been since he felt this good, he said, "Years. Plural.''

A healthy Woods is good for golf. Attendance swells and TV ratings soar when Woods is in the field.

Let's face it, the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational is just another tournament without Woods. With Woods, there is a buzz. Will his shaky left knee hold up for four rounds? Will he be able to wipe the rust off his game after an 11 week layoff? Will he ever win again?

Who knows. At least he's out on the course instead of holed up in one of his multi-million dollar mansions. And when Tiger's on the course, we'll be watching.

Who's the caddie?

T he post Steve Williams era begins for Woods. He's going with childhood friend Bryon Bell on the bag this week. Not only is Bell a longtime friend, he is also president of Woods' golf course design business. That business has not been doing well lately, with several projects put on the back burner, so Bell has time to carry the bag. He caddied for Woods before, at the 2005 Funai Classic in Orlando and the U.S. Amateur Championship in 1996. Bell's name also came up during the infidelity scandal in 2009 and '10. E-mails were released by several news outlets reportedly sent by Bell to women with whom Woods had an affair. Woods later removed blame from Bell and said nobody in his inner circle had knowledge of his actions. Bell will likely be on the bag next week at the PGA Championship, but he is not being considered as a full time replacement. "Have you seen his legs?,'' Woods joked.

On November 27, 2009, Tiger Woods crashed his SUV into a tree outside of his Isleworth home. His life, and golf career, has not been the same since:

Before accident: Total tournament earnings of $92,862,539.

After accident: $1,866,128 in earnings.

Before: 71 PGA Tour wins (14 majors).

After: Zero wins.

Before: 242 PGA events played.

After: 18 events played.

Before: Ranked No. 1 in the Official World Golf rankings by a wide margin.

After: He is currently 28th on the OWG rankings.

Before: Married.

After: Divorced.

Returning from the DL

Woods is becoming all too familiar with coming back from long layoffs due to injury. His last attempt at The Players Championship in May didn't go too well. How he does this time around at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational after 11 weeks off remains to be seen.

Here's a look at how Woods has fared after returning from injury:

April 26, 2011: Reveals he has a sprain of the medial collateral ligaments in his left knee as well as a strain in his left Achilles.

Next tournament: May 15, The Players Championship. Withdraws after nine holes due to the knee and Achilles problems.

May 9, 2010: Withdraws from Players Championship with neck pain.

Next tournament: June 6, 2010, The Memorial. Tie for 19th at 6.

June/December, 2008: Just a week after winning the U.S. Open, has reconstructive surgery on his anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. In December he ruptures the Achilles tendon in his right leg.

Next tournament: March 1, 2009, WGC-Match Play Championship. Wins his first match over Brendan Jones, loses second to Tim Clark.

April, 2008: Has arthroscopic surgery on his left knee to repair cartilage damage just two days after finishing second at the Masters.

Next tournament: June 15, 2008, U.S. Open. Defeats Rocco Mediate in a playoff to win the tournament. He was playing with two stress fractures in his left tibia.

July, 2007: Ruptures his ACL in his left knee while jogging.

Next tournament: August 5, 2007, WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. Won the tournament.

December, 2002: Has surgery to remove fluid around the ACL on his left knee.

Next tournament: February 16, 2020, Buick Invitational. Won the tournament.

What are the odds?

20-1 Las Vegas odds of Tiger Woods winning this week, tied for fifth best odds out of 77 players.

16-1 Odds of Woods winning from Irish bookmaker Paddy Power, which make him tied for second lowest odds.

12-1 Odds of Rory McIlroy winning by both groups, making him the tournament favorite.

11-5 Odds of Woods finishing 41st or worse by Paddy Power.

Chasing Jack

If Woods is going to catch or surpass Jack Nicklaus' major championship total, he needs to be healthy. At 35, time is no longer on his side. Here is a brief comparison between Woods and Nicklaus:

TigerJack

Majors: 1418

Total PGA wins: 7173

Age of first major: 2122

Age of 14th major: 3235

Longest streak without a major: 2y, 10m5y, 8m

Times wires
Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Giants 8, D'backs 1

SAN FRANCISCO — Ryan Vogelsong won his career-best sixth straight decision, Orlando Cabrera hit a two-run double and drove in three runs and San Francisco moved back in front of Arizona atop the NL West. Vogelsong helped the Giants snap a five-game skid in which they were outscored 31-8 and had their division lead trimmed by four games in as many days.

Times wires
Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Mariners 7, Athletics 4

SEATTLE — Newly acquired Charlie Furbush retired the first 13 batters in five strong innings as Seattle completed a sweep. Furbush, acquired Saturday from the Tigers, was perfect through 41/3 before Conor Jackson hit a double off the leftfield wall that was inches from being a homer and needed a video review. Furbush matched his longest career outing and earned his second big-league win.

Times wires
Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Phillies 8, Rockies 6

DENVER — Roy Halladay fought through an erratic outing for his NL-leading 14th victory, Ryan Howard drove in four runs with a homer and a double and Philadelphia completed a sweep. Halladay, pitching in his hometown, gave up four runs in the first three innings but one over the next four to help the NL East-leading Phillies win their sixth straight game.

By Tyson Wallerstein, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, August 3, 2011

What's hot: Tarpon fishing in Tampa Bay is red hot some days and ice cold on others. So patterning these fish has been tricky. Deep water near big bridges is a good place to check the first thing in the morning. But watch for bird activity because concentrations of glass minnows will often attract the tarpon (along with Spanish mackerel and ladyfish).

Tackle: These slow-rolling tarpon are suckers for a fresh dead bait (shad or mullet) soaked on the bottom. But they will also take artificial lures such as D.O.A. Baitbusters in black back gold fleck or pink TT Mirro-Lures.

Techniques: When the tarpon have been tough to find, we've still been successful along the bridges finding pompano, black drum, trout and Spanish mackerel on the down-current sides of the pilings. Catch just about anything around the pilings by bouncing a Crazy jig of three-eighth ounces rigged on a big loop knot with a pink teaser fly. And don't hesitate to free-line a big grunt behind the piling for a big summer trout. When targeting the black drum, try a Gulp! Crab rigged on a jig head. These brutes are often hanging around the first sets of pilings as you come into deeper water starting from shore.

Tyson Wallerstein runs Inshore Fishing Charters in the Clearwater/St. Petersburg area and can be reached at (727) 692-5868 or via e-mail at capt.tyson@hotmail.com.

Times wires
Wednesday, August 3, 2011

MILWAUKEE — Manager Ron Roenicke wants Casey McGehee to play a big role in the Brewers offense, not try to carry the club. McGehee did both Wednesday.

The third baseman homered three times and Milwaukee rallied to beat the Cardinals 10-5 and add to their NL Central lead.

"I don't think I've ever had three in a game, ever. It's something I'll definitely remember. It was kind of one of those out of body experiences," McGehee said.

McGehee hit go-ahead two-run homers in the first and third innings and added a seventh-inning solo shot to give Milwaukee its eighth win in nine games at Miller Park, extending its lead over the Cardinals to 3½ games.

Former Ray Edwin Jackson struggled in his second start with St. Louis but lasted seven innings (118 pitches) to rest a worn-down bullpen after an 11-inning win Tuesday.

"We're playing 20 in a row," manager Tony La Russa said. "We needed to get as deep in his allotment today as he could. He took it for us."

Jackson said McGehee "hit some that were pretty good. Some that weren't. It was just one of those days."

Times staff, wires
Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Tampa Bay Golf Tour

Looking for one website with information on area public courses? Tampabay.com/golf has you covered. The site has all public regulation and executive courses in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco and Hernando counties. Each course has a video review, breakdown of yardage, greens fees and contact information.

Victory of the day

Palm Harbor's Dustin Dingus picked up a match play championship last week. Dingus won five matches in the 16- to 18-year-old bracket to win the Florida State Golf Association's Junior Match Play Championship at Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club in Dade City. None of Dingus' matches went to the 18th hole. He defeated Connor Baldwin of Lakewood Ranch 3 and 2 in Saturday's final.

Quote of the day

"A lot of friends of mine would love to caddie for Tiger. If he needs someone, I think I can find him someone."

Martin Kaymer, world's No. 3-ranked golfer on Woods needing a replacement for Steve Williams

Times staff, wires
Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Daly's tale of two commissioners

John Daly ran into his share of trouble early in his career when Deane Beman was the PGA Tour commissioner, including getting suspended in 1993 for picking up his ball before finishing a hole. Even so, Daly said he didn't rejoice when Beman retired in 1994 and was succeeded by Tim Finchem.

"I never really liked Deane. But one thing about him, I respected him. He was approachable," Daly, 45, said Tuesday. "I can't talk to Finchem. Maybe it's the TV contract and his job is more frustrating than Deane's was because the money is so big.

"But I've never gotten to know Finchem the way I got to know Deane. I got to know Deane's family, and we got to being friends."

Daly said Beman constantly got on him for quitting, such as getting disqualified for not signing his card after shooting a high score.

"Finchem's plate is so full, and he's got a lot of other players to deal with. I'm just not as high on his priority list," said Daly, who has not had a full-exempt card the past five years.

"But Tim did call me to say he was proud of me for what I was doing with the weight loss and not drinking. That was a shock. I wouldn't have expected him to do that."

McIlroy considers return to PGA Tour

U.S. Open champ Rory McIlroy is not a member of the PGA Tour, but he is leaning toward changing that in 2012.

"I feel as if I play my best golf over here (in the United States)," he said Wednesday. "I'm very comfortable in this country. I'm definitely looking toward coming back and playing a full schedule over here."

McIlroy joined the tour in November 2009 but opted to play in Europe this year.

Woods pairs with friend Clarke

Tiger Woods tees off with Darren Clarke for today's first round of the Bridgestone Invitational at 1:40 p.m. today in Akron, Ohio.

Clarke seems like the perfect partner for Woods. They have been friends for many years, and Clarke got encouraging texts from Woods while winning the British Open last month. Clarke believes the pairing will keep both players loose.

"I'm looking forward to it," Clarke said. "Hopefully, I'll be able to give him a little bit of stick and make him laugh the first couple of days. We just got on really well. He sort of has my sense of humor, and I got his. We spent a little bit of time together in Vegas. He's been a very, very good friend to me over a very long period of time."

Local tournament

Trinity's Fox Hollow Golf Club is hosting a 36-hole amateur tournament, Aug. 20-21. There will be an open and senior (55 and older) division with gross and net winners in each. For details, call (727) 376-6333.

This week on tour

WGC: Bridgestone Invitational, Firestone Country Club, Akron, Ohio. TV: Today-Friday, 2 p.m. on Golf Channel; Saturday-Sunday, noon on Golf Channel, 2 p.m. on Ch. 10

PGA: Reno-Tahoe Open, Montreux Golf and Country Club, Reno, Nev. TV: Today-Saturday, 6:30 p.m., Sunday, 7 p.m. on Golf Channel

Champions: 3M Championship, TPC Twin Cities, Blaine, Minn. TV: Friday, noon, and Saturday-Sunday, 4 p.m. on Golf Channel

Times staff, wires

Times wires
Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Braves 6, Nationals 4

WASHINGTON — Dan Uggla homered and extended his career-best hitting streak to 25 games, Freddie Freeman had two hits and two RBIs and Atlanta avoided a three-game sweep. Uggla's three-run drive put the Braves up 6-0 in the fifth inning. Uggla, who was batting .173 on July 4, has hit .354 with 11 home runs during his streak.

Times wires
Wednesday, August 3, 2011

MILWAUKEE — Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said a fan told him he hoped he would get shingles again and others took insults too far in St. Louis' 8-7, 11-inning victory over the Brewers on Tuesday night.

La Russa appeared to briefly engage in some banter after the game then called the fans "idiots" in comments after a game in which Albert Pujols was hit with a high pitch in the seventh inning. Brewers star Ryan Braun was plunked in Milwaukee's next at-bat.

"It's going way too far when they start cursing your family and the funniest one, the guy's yelling, 'I hope you get shingles again,' " La Russa said Wednesday. "That's just stupid. But when you watch and you ignore our guy get drilled when the other guy gets a little stinger, it's irritating."

La Russa said that Brewers officials removed several fans near St. Louis' dugout during the game. The 66-year-old Tampa native battled shingles for nearly two months this season, missing six games because of the condition.

The game turned tense in the seventh.

Pujols was hit on the left hand near the wrist he broke earlier this season. X-rays after the game were negative, and Pujols was in the starting lineup for Wednesday's series finale. Braun was then plunked by Jason Motte in the bottom half, drawing the ire of most of the crowd of 39,393.

"You don't want to get into a beanball war," Braun said. "That's never fun."

La Russa called the pitch that hit Pujols "scary" but not intentional and said the Cardinals were trying to send a message to Braun by pitching him tight.

"That's what all these idiots up there — not idiots, fans are yelling," La Russa said. "I don't want to even hear about Braun getting a little pop in the back when we almost lose (Pujols) in several ways."

3 HURT IN CRASH: Two pitchers and a staff member of the Williamsport Crosscutters, a Phillies short-season Class A team, suffered minor injuries when their bus was involved in an accident on a highway overpass in New York City late Tuesday. The bus collided with an SUV and mounted a guardrail.

STRASBURG'S COMEBACK: Nationals RHP Stephen Strasburg is expected to pitch Sunday at Class A Hagerstown, a significant step in his recovery from reconstructive elbow surgery in September.

STAIRS RETIRES: OF Matt Stairs, 43, released this week by the Nationals, plans to retire after a 19-year career in which he played for a record 13 teams.

MARLINS: SS Hanley Ramirez has a sprained left shoulder and will likely miss a couple of games.

ORIOLES: Former Rays LHP Mark Hendrickson was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk, opening a roster spot for LHP Jo-Jo Reyes.

PADRES: RHP Dustin Moseley will have season-ending surgery to repair a dislocated shoulder suffered while swinging a bat.

PHILLIES: RHP Roy Oswalt, out since June 23 with a bulging disc in his back, is expected to be activated for Sunday's game against the Giants.

PIRATES: C Ryan Doumit, out since May 5 with a sprained left ankle, was activated from the 15-day DL. C Eric Fryer was optioned to Triple A.

REDS: 3B Scott Rolen, on the disabled list since July 22, had surgery to remove bone spur fragments in his left shoulder and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks.

ROCKIES: RF Carlos Gonzalez, on the 15-day DL since July 22 with a right wrist strain, headed to Triple-A Colorado Springs for a rehabilitation assignment.

WHITE SOX: 1B Paul Konerko hopes to return to the lineup today after being sidelined by a bruised left calf.

YANKEES: RHP Mark Prior has a bruised left forearm after being hit by a ball during batting practice. The 30-year-old has pitched once since April 18 because of a strained groin and back soreness.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, August 3, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — For all the things that went right for the Rays in Wednesday's 9-1 win, from the successful bunts to big homers, manager Joe Maddon made sure one key aspect wasn't overlooked.

"It all happens because you get a great performance by your starting pitcher," he said.

RHP James Shields delivered another strong outing, allowing one run and three hits over 71/3 innings and bouncing back nicely from the worst start of his season one week earlier (10 runs, 12 hits in Oakland).

Shields said he made some adjustments during his between-starts bullpen session, making his delivery more compact so that he could keep the ball down more effectively.

"I think in the first inning, I was just a little amped up," Shields said. "But after that, I settled in nice."

LOADING UP: Maddon has called his team's struggles with the bases loaded — specifically, with nobody out — "crazy" and puzzling.

The Rays entered Wednesday's game having four hits in their past 27 plate appearances with the bases loaded, and they went scoreless in six of their past seven opportunities with the bases full and nobody out.

Simply put, Maddon feels hitters should try to simplify things, focus on scoring "just one" run at a time and putting the ball in play.

That's exactly what DH Johnny Damon did with one out in the second, hitting a sacrifice fly to center. In the seventh, LF Desmond Jennings struck out with the bases loaded and two out.

"We've had some situations where we may have hit the ball relatively well, but for the most part, it's a lot of strikeouts," Maddon said. "It's just a mind-set, an approach, it's, again, not trying to do too much."

JOYFUL JOYCE: OF Matt Joyce celebrated his 27th birthday Wednesday with a bang, going 3-for-4 with a double, his first three-hit game since July 16. "It was a great day," he said. "Celebrating your birthday, getting some hits, getting an (RBI) in there, a hit off a lefty — man, that's a good day."

CATCHING ON: Maddon said he has been comfortable with rookie C Robinson Chirinos behind the plate, both how he receives the ball and calls a game.

But Maddon was hoping to see more at the plate: Chirinos entered Wednesday 4-for-28 since doubling in his first big-league at-bat and had been expanding the strike zone. That's why, even more than Chirinos' three-run homer and bunt single, Maddon was happy with his two walks.

"He's good — he's very good," Maddon said of Chirinos. "But I really took the walks as a really good sign."

WADING IN: One key to RHP Wade Davis' rebound after a five-run first inning in his last start was re-incorporating his slider, something Maddon would like to see him do more .

Maddon said Davis didn't use the slider as much before due to the forearm strain that landed him on the disabled list. Davis said an issue in the early struggles in Oakland was hitters fouling off pitches even though he felt like he had good stuff.

"I like his curveball a lot, but his slider is really the one that gets the swing and miss," Maddon said.

MISCELLANY: The Rays passed the 1 million mark in attendance (1,003,740), the last AL team to do so. … RHP Jeremy Hellickson's next start was pushed back a day until Monday as the Rays continue to try to manage his innings. … The Rays signed their fourth-round pick, Arizona State 3B Riccio Torrez, and have now signed 16 of their top 21 picks. … Jennings and RHP Alex Cobb visited All Children's Hospital Wednesday morning as part of "Rays Kids Spirits Day," interacting with patients and handing out Rays/Sagicor pillows.

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Is the Penn mightier?

Pro Bowl LT Donald Penn faces the league's elite pass rushers during the regular season. But now he's pushed a bit harder in practice every day having to line up across from Iowa DE Adrian Clayborn, the Bucs' first-round pick.

"(Penn) came to me in the lunch room the other day and whispered, 'Hey, man, I think I'm going to need this morning off,' " Bucs coach Raheem Morris said of Penn. "It was a walkthrough. I said, 'The morning off? It's a walkthrough.' And he said, 'I know. But we're putting on pads, and he's 21 and I'm 28.

"Having him work this hard in practice is something new. Mr. Penn, we all know he's a big-time performer in games. But he looks across and sees (Clayborn) with that hair hanging out of his helmet. I notice his stances get a little bit lower, more knee bend, more strike, a little more game day attitude out of Penn that I normally would get."

Fame game

The Bucs had some highly revered guests at Wednesday's practice, including Hall of Fame DE Lee Roy Selmon, former star LB Derrick Brooks and former star TE Jimmie Giles. Also on hand were S Dexter Jackson, the most valuable player of Super Bowl XXXVII, and former TE Dave Moore.

Quote of the day

"I don't even know if I can legally know."

Bucs coach Raheem Morris when asked if he knew what the Bucs' recently signed free agents have been doing for their private workouts during the lockout

Injuries

DT Brian Price (pelvis/hamstrings) did not practice as a precaution. DE Da'Quan Bowers (knee) and WR Arrelious Benn (knee) were limited. TE Luke Stocker (hip) is week to week and did not practice. FB Erick Lorig (Achilles' strain) is day to day.

Next public practice

When: 2:30-4:35 Friday

Where: One Buc Place, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, just east of Raymond James Stadium, Tampa

Admission: Free

Et cetera: Schedule is weather permitting and subject to change. Go to buccaneers.com for updates.

Practice and games schedule

Public practices

Saturday: 7 p.m., Raymond James Stadium

Aug. 9: 2:30-4:35

Aug. 14: 2:30-4:35

Preseason

Aug. 12: at Kansas City, 8, Ch. 13

Aug. 18: Patriots, 7:30, Ch. 10 *

Aug. 27: Dolphins, 7:30, Ch. 10 *

Sept. 1: at Redskins, 7:30, Ch. 10

Regular season

Sept. 11: Lions, 1, Ch. 13 *

Sept. 18: at Vikings, 1, Ch. 13

Sept. 25: Falcons, 4:15, Ch. 13 *

Oct. 3: Colts, 8:30, ESPN, Ch. 28 *

Oct. 9: at 49ers, 4, Ch. 13

Oct. 16: Saints, 4:15, Ch. 13 *

Oct. 23: Bears (London), 1, Ch. 13

Nov. 6: at Saints, 1, Ch. 13

Nov. 13: Texans, 1, Ch. 10 *

Nov. 20: at Packers, 1, Ch. 13

Nov. 27: at Titans, 1, Ch. 13

Dec. 4: Panthers, 1, Ch. 13 *

Dec. 11: at Jaguars, 1, Ch. 13

Dec. 17: Cowboys, 8:20, NFL Network, TBD *

Dec. 24: at Panthers, 1, Ch. 13

Jan. 1: at Falcons, 1, Ch. 13

* Broadcast subject to NFL blackout rules

Times wires
Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Tigers 5, Rangers 4

DETROIT — Doug Fister pitched seven effective innings to win his Detroit debut, and Alex Avila and former Durant standout Ryan Raburn homered. Fister, acquired from Seattle on July 30, earned his first victory since May 30, a span of 10 starts. He became the first Tigers starter to pitch seven or more innings without a walk or a strikeout since Justin Verlander on May 17, 2006, Verlander's rookie season.

Times wires
Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Times wires
Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Red Sox 4, Indians 3

BOSTON — Jacoby Ellsbury got the winning hit for the second night in a row, homering with two outs in the ninth inning to lift Boston. Cleveland reliever Joe Smith got the first two batters on groundouts before Ellsbury hit an 0-and-1 pitch over the wall in straightaway centerfield, giving the Red Sox their 10th win in 13 games. Tuesday night, Ellsbury singled to center with one out to end the game.

Times wires
Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Autos

Keselowski avoids serious injury

BRASELTON, Ga. — Brad Keselowski was airlifted to a hospital after a head-on crash into a wall at Road Atlanta on Wednesday. Penske Racing said in a statement he walked from the car and was taken for precautionary reasons. And Keselowski tweeted he will be fine for this weekend at Pocono.

Keselowski, 27, later posted several updates on his Twitter page, including photos that show a swollen ankle and abrasion on his foot. He posted from his hospital bed that he hit a section of wall that did not have an energy-absorbing barrier after the brakes on his No. 2 Dodge failed. He had slowed from 155 mph to about 100 mph at the time of impact.

"Guess I needed a reminder … this racing (stuff) is still dangerous," he tweeted.

Track sale? The owners of Nashville Superspeedway said the track won't host a NASCAR race in 2012 and might be sold. Dover Motorsports has failed to secure a Sprint Cup race since the 1.33-mile track opened in 2001. Track GM Cliff Hawks said it cannot continue without one despite it hosting two trucks and two Nationwide races each year.

Tennis

Odesnik falls in return to tennis' top level

Wayne Odesnik, in his first ATP main draw match since a one-year ban for bringing HGH into Australia, lost 6-1, 6-1 to Radek Stepanek at the Legg Mason Classic in Washington. The American, who had been playing in minor circuits, led 1-0 before losing 11 straight games.

Mercury Insurance Open: American Sloane Stephens, 18, ranked 131st in the world, upset No. 20 Julia Goerges 6-3, 7-5 to reach the quarterfinals in Carlsbad, Calif. It's the first time Stephens, who next faces Tamira Paszek, has won consecutive matches in a Premier WTA event. The highest ranked player she had previously defeated was No. 67 Lucie Hradecka last year at Indian Wells.

NHL

Predators star wins $7.5 million contract

An arbitrator awarded the Predators' Shea Weber a one-year, $7.5 million contract. The salary is the largest arbitration award in league history. And the only defensemen who will make more this season are the Sabres' Christian Ehrhoff ($10 million), Bruins' Zdeno Chara ($8.5M), Blackhawks' Duncan Keith ($8M) and Flyers' Chris Pronger ($7.6M). Weber, 25, a Norris Trophy finalist last season with 16 goals and 32 assists, sought $8.5M. The Predators sought $4.75M ($250,000 more than last season).

Blackhawks: F Patrick Sharp signed a $29.5 million, five-year extension that begins in 2012-13. Sharp, 27, who had 34 goals and 37 assists last season, could have become an unrestricted free agent after this season.

Blues: W David Perron will miss the start of the season with a concussion. He has been out since Nov. 4, when he took a blindside hit by the Sharks' Joe Thornton.

Et cetera

NBA: The Pistons officially introduced Lawrence Frank as its new coach. But he did not talk about the roster because of lockout rules. He replaces the fired John Kuester. … Nets G Jordan Farmar signed with Israel's Maccabi Tel Aviv. He can opt out once the lockout ends.

Soccer: Marco Fabian scored twice in a span of two minutes in the second half as Mexico's Chivas beat Barcelona 4-1 before 70,080 at Miami's Sun Life Stadium (a South Florida soccer record).

Swimming: Missy Franklin, 16, won the 100-meter back at the U.S. national meet in Stanford, Calif. Franklin, who won three gold medals and a bronze at last week's world championships, finished in 59.18 seconds, .47 faster than Rachel Bootsma. Also, saying, "I'm running on 'E' right now," ex-Gator Ryan Lochte, who won five golds at worlds, took third in the 100 back. He finished in 53.79, .65 behind Matt Grevers.

Boxing: The sport's international governing body wants to change Olympic rules and allow pros to compete starting in 2016. President Wu Ching-Kuo said it aims to launch a program in 2013 that will feature individual and national team bouts and give pros the chance to restore their Olympic eligibility by competing in them. Olympic officials were not available for comment.

Times wires

Times wires
Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Royals 6, Orioles 2

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Luke Hochevar pitched neatly into the eighth inning and Billy Butler homered and drove in four runs for the Royals. Hochevar, the first player picked in the 2006 draft, is 4-0 in his past seven starts, matching the longest winning streak of his career. He also set a personal high with his eighth win this season, having gone 7-13 in 2009. Hochever retired 16 straight batters during one stretch. The Orioles' Jeremy Guthrie fell to 5-15 and leads the majors in losses.

Times wires
Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Astros 5, Reds 4

HOUSTON — Rookie J.D. Martinez homered and hit a go-ahead two-run double in the seventh inning to help rookie starter Jordan Lyles pick up his first career win for the Astros, who took two of three from the Reds. Martinez hit a two-run homer in the first and drove in two more with a bases-loaded double off reliever Nick Masset to put Houston ahead 4-3.