Times wires
Friday, August 5, 2011

Pocono owner, 86, stepping aside

LONG POND, Pa. — Pocono Raceway owner Joseph Mattioli has resigned and turned over all his duties to his grandchildren.

Track president Brandon Igdalsky is the new CEO to go along with his title as track president.

Mattioli, 86, fought back tears Friday as he talked about his decision to step down. Mattioli, above, was in a wheelchair and held his wife's hand. He is a former dentist and known around the sport as "Doc."

Mattioli said "it's about time that I got the hell out of here."

Pocono Raceway holds two Sprint Cup races each season on its triangular 2½-mile track. Igdalsky had taken a bigger role as his grand­father scaled back his role.

"Brandon is well-trained, and he knows the track like the back of his hand," Mattioli said. "He's well prepared to do the things that have to be done."

Mattioli surprised everyone, telling Igdalsky and track officials to meet in the media room. When spokesman Bob Pleban handed over the microphone, that was when Mattioli broke the news.

Igdalsky, 35, called his grandfather a visionary in the sport.

"He always told me, 'If you get bored with what you're doing, change what you're doing,' " Igdalsky said. "Don't let work be a four-letter word."

ALMS to see first all-female tandem

The American Le Mans Series will see a first today — an all-female driving team.

Robertson Racing will make series history when driver and team co-owner Andrea Robertson is joined by veteran GT division driver Melanie Snow.

They will team in the No. 40 Doran Ford GT at the during today's Challenge of Mid-Ohio race in Lexington, Ohio.

Robertson usually shares driving duties with husband and fellow co-owner David Robertson, but he is sitting out today's 2-hour, 45-minute event, which is part of the undercard at this weekend's IndyCar event.

"Andrea and I have been friends for a while and always joked about forming an all-girl team," Snow said this week. "It was something I never really expected though, so when I got an e-mail out of the blue, it was a shock but also a nice surprise." The race airs on a tape-delayed basis Sunday at 10 p.m. on ESPN2.

Menard suddenly quite in demand

Until last weekend, Paul Menard had a reputation as a quiet driver. That changed when he won Sunday's Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for his first Sprint Cup win. "You know, it took me a solid day, in between all of our media stuff at ESPN, finally got some time," he said. "Lying in bed I couldn't sleep, so I started replying to a lot of text messages on the airplane to Connecticut and on the airplane back. … Probably 150 plus text messages, e-mails, phone calls. Makes a guy feel pretty good."

Elsewhere

Del Worsham had a run of 3.830 seconds at 319.07 mph to lead after two rounds of Top Fuel qualifying at the Northwest Nationals in Seattle. John Force (Funny Car) and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) also led their classes. Qualifying continues today.

Times wires

Keselowski, already on broken ankle, has painful spin in practice

Brad Keselowski's broken left ankle ballooned to the size of a softball, and he needs a left shoe a size larger than his right one. Stay home? No way. Not only will Keselowski drive Sunday in the Sprint Cup race at Pocono Raceway, he says no amount of pain from his broken left ankle will force him out of the No. 2 Dodge. "It's been easier at times," he said, sitting outside his transporter. His week got worse in Friday's second practice session. He blew a tire, spun and had to slam the brakes, putting pressure on his injured ankle. "It's just been one of those weeks, I guess," he said. On Wednesday, he lost his brakes during a test session and crashed head-on into a wall at Road Atlanta. He slammed a section of wall that did not have an energy-absorbing barrier. Data showed he slowed from 155 mph to about 100 mph at the time of impact.

Good deed of the week

Hendrick Automotive Group is giving $250,000 to middle schools in Charlotte, N.C., so the district can continue to offer 13 sports. Because of falling revenues, the district planned to cut several sports in the upcoming school year. NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick said he will not put his automotive group's decals on uniforms during the one-year deal.

Times wires
Friday, August 5, 2011

NHL

L.A. Police: Rangers' Avery Shoved officer

LOS ANGELES — Rangers wing Sean Avery was arrested on allegations he pushed a police officer at his home.

Police said a neighbor's noise complaint sent them to the home about 1 a.m. Friday. Avery reportedly answered the door, shoved an officer and slammed the door but cooperated when officers knocked a second time. Police said the officer wasn't injured.

Avery, 31, who had three goals, 21 assists and 174 penalty minutes last season, was released after posting $20,000 bail. The Rangers said only they will discuss the matter with Avery.

NBA

T'wolves player pushes fan in face

Timberwolves forward Michael Beasley got into an argument with a heckler and pushed him in the face with an open hand during a game at Baruch College in New York. Guarding Kevin Durant, who organized a tour of the city's street parks, Beasley started jawing with a group of fans, at one point yelling, "I get paid for this!" He then approached one and shoved him. Security stepped in. Shortly afterward, Beasley approached the fan and tried to shake his hand. But the interaction escalated, and Beasley had to be restrained. "He was a little wild," said KaBourn Crosley, who coached Beas­ley's team. "I couldn't stop him." NBA teams are prohibited from commenting because of the lockout.

Little League

Tampa team wins tourney opener

Bryce Martin hit a two-run homer to highlight a three-run first and struck out seven in 4⅓ innings of relief as New Tampa opened pool play with a 5-2 win over West Virginia at the Southeast Regionals in Warner Robins, Ga. New Tampa faces Virginia at 1 today. The winner of the tournament advances to the World Series in Williamsport, Pa.

Tennis

Young American breaks through

Donald Young reached his first ATP semifinal, beating Marcos Baghdatis 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) at the Legg Mason Classic in Washington. The American, 22, is 128th in the world and 19-53 since turning pro in 2004. Baghdatis is ranked 26th. Young faces No. 54 Radek Stepanek, who beat No. 19 Fernando Verdasco 6-4, 6-4.

Et cetera

Swimming: Garrett Weber-Gale won the 100-meter freestyle at the U.S. nationals in Stanford, Calif. His time, 48.87 seconds, was 0.12 faster than Jimmy Feigen but 0.54 slower than his leg in the 4x100 at last week's world championships. That time, which Weber-Gale called "pretty embarrassing," helped lead to a third-place finish in an event the Americans usually dominate. Nathan Adrian won the 50 free, Kathleen Hersey the 200 fly and Conor Dwyer the 200 individual medley.

Boxing: Cincinnati's Rau'shee Warren, 24, became the first three-time U.S. Olympic boxer, beating Shawn Simpson in the flyweight finals of the Olympic Trials in Mobile, Ala. Warren will still have to qualify in the top 10 at the world championships in Azerbaijan on Sept. 22 to make it to the London Games.

Soccer: U.S. defender Timmy Chandler will miss Wednesday's game against Mexico with an undisclosed knee injury.

Track: Asafa Powell, who has the world's fastest 100-meter time this year, pulled out of this weekend's meet in London. He said he doesn't want to risk aggravating his groin injury before this month's world championships.

John C. Cotey, Times staff writer; Times wires

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Friday, August 5, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — Network hype aside, the reality of this weekend's Yankees-Red Sox series at Fenway Park is they really aren't playing for much since both seem likely to make the playoffs.

It's up to the Rays — and/or the Angels — to make that not the case. And with 19 games left against the division- and wild-card leaders, the Rays can at least maintain the pretense of possibility by continuing what they've been doing.

Friday, for the third straight day, the Rays played the type of solid overall game necessary to make a run. And with an 8-4 victory over the A's, they put together their first three-game winning streak in more than a month.

"I think our players are really starting to believe again strongly,'' Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "And it's kind of a nice vibe in the dugout''

Jeff Niemann was certainly a big part of it, working into the ninth while allowing seven hits to extend his July hot streak into August. And so was the suddenly rejuvenated offense, with B.J. Upton reaching base five times and support from top to almost bottom, making it 24 runs over the last three home games (an average of eight) and 55 for the last eight overall (6.88).

"Contributions coming from every direction today,'' Maddon said. "Kind of a fun game to watch from the dugout.''

After a stretch in which they lost nine of 12, the Rays (59-52) have won six of their last eight and with another victory tonight or Sunday will claim their third consecutive series.

Granted, they've done so against the Mariners, Jays and A's, but it's a start. And for what it's worth, August has been their hottest month since their 2008 renaissance as they are a major-league best 56-32 over that span.

Niemann didn't begin well with a four-pitch walk to leadoff man Jemile Weeks but delivered a strong start. He didn't allow a hit until Hideki Matsui singled with one out into the fourth and had a shutout until Coco Crisp followed Weeks' leadoff single in the sixth with a home run to right.

He didn't allow another hit until Matsui opened the ninth with a home run. But when he gave up a one-out double and a two-out triple, Maddon decided a season-high 119 pitches were enough and called for Kyle Farns­worth to finish it.

Niemann is unbeaten in nine starts — 5-0, 1.69 — since coming off the disabled list in late June following a lower back strain. And even better since July 2 — 4-0, 1.47.

Upton topped the list on the offensive side with three hits and two walks, though every Ray had a hit but shortstop Sean Rodriguez as they totaled 14 overall.

The Rays missed a few early opportunities, but they broke through in the fourth for three runs with Evan Longoria, Casey Kotchman and Matt Joyce delivering. And after the A's closed to 4-2 in the sixth, the Rays added three more on a two-run single by Ben Zobrist, giving him a team-high 64 RBIs, and a single by Upton.

The Rays have won three straight for the first time in more than a month, since rolling off four in a row June 22-26 at Milwaukee and Houston. And it is their first three-game winning streak against an AL opponent in nearly two months, since a sweep at Anaheim on June 6-8.

The A's won three of four from the Rays last week in Oakland, but they are not the same team on the road, evidenced by their 18-39 record (a .316 percentage that is second worst in the AL to Baltimore) and more recent 7-30 skid.

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

Times wires
Friday, August 5, 2011

Cubs 4, Reds 3

CHICAGO — Tony Campana's first homer, and inside-the-parker, sparked the Cubs' sixth consecutive win. After Starlin Castro's leadoff single in the first, the rookie sliced a drive to left that landed just fair and bounced off a brick wall and past the stumbling Yonder Alonso. He scored standing up before the Reds could return the ball to the infield.

Times staff, wires
Friday, August 5, 2011

TAMPA — USF coach Skip Holtz made a late addition to his fall roster Friday, announcing that Mike McFarland, a tight end from Blake who spent last season redshirting at Florida, has transferred and will start practicing with the Bulls immediately.

USF is pursuing a hardship waiver that could allow McFarland to play in the fall. It's unknown whether he will be on scholarship or will join the team as a walk-on.

McFarland's the second transfer from Gainesville to Tampa, joining another freshman, WR Chris Dunkley, who joined the Bulls in the summer. Like Dunkley, McFarland was a coveted recruit out of high school — Scout.com rated him a four-star recruit and ranked him the nation's No. 12 tight end; Rivals.com called him a three-star and No. 24 nationally at his position.

McFarland, 6 feet 5 and 245 pounds, will wear No. 86. If he can play in the fall, it would help the team at a thin position, as junior Jeff Hawkins was lost for the season when he tore his ACL last month during voluntary workouts. Holtz was unavailable for comment, and the team doesn't allow newcomers to speak to the media until they've played in a game.

THIS AND THAT: Junior FB Armando Sanchez, a Northeast High graduate, will earn his undergraduate degree in communications today after three years. Three other players from last year's team will also graduate, including DT Terrell McClain (now with the Panthers), WR Dontavia Bogan (49ers) and FB Richard Kelly. … The team will practice this morning then travel to Vero Beach, where it will hold preseason camp for 12 days.

Miami: Before Hurricanes players take the field this morning in Coral Gables for their first practice of fall camp, they will have been reminded by coach Al Golden about two things: conditioning and unity.

"There are two ways a team goes in training camp: either it develops poor morale or it becomes really strong," Golden said. "We need this team to become really strong, really close and obviously this whole camp is designed to really support those two initiatives."

Golden reiterated what he has said since spring: Neither senior Jacory Harris nor sophomore Stephen Morris has an edge in the QB race.

UCF: Coach George O'Leary says his team is not resting on the laurels of the best season in school history. The defending C-USA champions won a program-best 11 games in 2010, capped by an eye-opening 10-6 victory over Georgia in the Liberty Bowl. "I'd rather be where we're sitting now than where we were when we got here," O'Leary, who went 0-11 in his first season with the Knights in 2004. "I think expectation levels are higher. I think the team has to react to that. I know the coaches do."

Information from Times wires was used in this report.

Times wires
Friday, August 5, 2011

Cardinals 3, Marlins 2

MIAMI — Lance Berkman's second double of the game brought home Albert Pujols with the winning run in the eighth for the Cardinals. Pujols doubled off Marlins starter Anibal Sanchez to lead off the inning, and Berkman drove Sanchez's final pitch of the game to center. Lance Lynn struck out Mike Stanton with the bases loaded to end the game for his first career save.

Times wires
Friday, August 5, 2011

Braves 4, Mets 1

NEW YORK — Dan Uggla extended his career-best hitting streak to 26 games with a two-run single in the eighth for the Braves. Teammate Freddie Freeman doubled twice to run his hitting streak to 19. And Tim Hudson did not allow more than three runs for his 11th consecutive start, improving to 7-2 in that span. The Mets have lost five in a row and not scored more than three runs in dropping below .500 for the first time since July 18.

Times wires
Friday, August 5, 2011

Blue Jays 5, Orioles 4

BALTIMORE — Brett Lawrie had two hits and an RBI in his debut for the Blue Jays. Lawrie, 21, obtained from Milwaukee during the offseason, is the 17th Canadian to play for Toronto. He hit a run-scoring single in his first at-bat. He singled in the eighth, but Colby Rasmus was thrown out at the plate. Brad Mills earned his second career win. The first came June 28, 2010, against Baltimore.

Times wires
Friday, August 5, 2011

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly would like to pick his starting quarterback after the first 19 practices. That way the Irish will have the final 10 days or so to get ready for their opener against USF on Sept. 3

The Irish quarterback derby will feature Dayne Crist, the starter last season until he hurt his knee and needed surgery for the second straight year; Tommy Rees, who started the final four games, all victories, including a win over Miami in the Sun Bowl; second-year player Andrew Hendrix; and freshman Everett Golson.

Kelly said he's like everyone else. He's not sure who the starter will be.

"It's really going to come down to the ability to run our offense at the pace and tempo we want to run it. So, Dayne and Tommy got the first shot at that because they got a little more experience," Kelly said Friday, a day before his second preseason camp begins.

UNC chancellor says sorry: Chancellor Holden Thorp said he regrets breaking NCAA rules by discussing a scholarship offer from fired football coach Butch Davis to Davis' son. Thorp told the Raleigh News & Observer and the Charlotte Observer he was disappointed the coach offered Drew Davis a scholarship without consulting Thorp or athletic director Dick Baddour. NCAA rules prohibit discussing recruits who haven't signed a letter of intent. In a statement, Thorp said the school reported the infraction, a secondary violation, to the ACC.

Tennessee: Senior defensive tackle Malik Jackson sprained his right knee. Coach Derek Dooley said Jackson likely would miss a couple of weeks of fall practice. He is the only returning starter among the team's defensive linemen and linebackers. He led the team with 11 tackles for loss and had five sacks and 48 tackles while playing in every game in 2010, starting 12.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Friday, August 5, 2011

Rays vs. A's

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

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

Starting pitchers:

Rays

RH Alex Cobb (3-1, 2.79)

A's

RH Brandon McCarthy (4-5, 3.58)

Promotion: Postgame concert by the Goo Goo Dolls

Watch for ...

Cool Cobb: Cobb, coming off his first career loss, has pitched well, going 3-1 with a 1.91 ERA over his past six starts. He has held opponents to a .149 batting average with runners in scoring position. Cobb has never faced the A's.

On a roll: McCarthy is on a roll, having won three of his past four starts, including giving up just one run over eight innings in beating the Rays on July 26. He is 2-2 with a 3.57 ERA in eight appearances (seven starts) against Tampa Bay.

Key matchups

Rays vs. McCarthy

Casey Kotchman 6-for-12

Evan Longoria 1-for-7

Kelly Shoppach3-for-6, 2 HRs

On deck

Sunday: vs. A's, 1:40 p.m. Sun Sports. Rays — David Price (9-10, 3.77); A's — Trevor Cahill (9-10, 3.91)

Monday: vs. Royals, 7:10. Sun Sports. Rays — Jeremy Hellickson (10-7, 3.15); Royals — Luke Hochevar (8-8, 4.95).

Joe Smith, Times staff writer

Video of the day

LHP David Price and RHP James Shields are featured in a video taped last month at MLB's Fan Cave in New York. In a takeoff of TV commercials for lawyers, the two promote "The Pitching Firm of Shields & Price.'' To watch, go to tampabay.com/blogs/rays.

First pitch of the day

With the Go-Go's performing as part of '80s Night on Friday, each of the five members of the group threw out a ceremonial first pitch.

Quote of the day

"We have created a lot of firsts within the organization over the last several years. So that's another good one."

Manager Joe Maddon on overcoming two extra-inning deficits on Thursday

Times wires
Friday, August 5, 2011

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

It seemed as if everyone was in contention Friday at the Bridge­stone Invitational. Except for the guy most everyone came to see.

On another soft day that was ripe for low scores, Tiger Woods missed a 2-foot putt and didn't make enough birdies to atone for his short-game mistakes during 1-over 71 that left him in the middle of the pack.

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

"(Friday) was not very good," he said.

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

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

"The last time I shot 62 was probably a long time ago, so am I going to expect to do it two days in a row?" Scott said. "I don't think so. But it's a hard golf course, and if you're just a little off, you get quite severely penalized. There's no real secret that it's not easy to shoot a couple of 62s."

Fowler was all over the place. He made only five pars and kept his gallery guessing the rest of the time. There were three straight birdies and a wedge he holed from 110 yards for eagle on No. 3. He followed that with three bogeys and three pars.

"A lot of good things came out of today," said Fowler, still searching for his first win. "Building some confidence going into the weekend."

Woods, meanwhile hit eight of 14 fairways, up from five of 14 Thursday.

"I know my stat lines don't show it, but just the way I'm driving the golf ball, the start lines are so much tighter and the shape of the shots is so much tighter," he said. "I'm so close to putting the ball on a string, so it's coming."

PGA: Vaughn Taylor shot 6-under 66 for a one-stroke lead midway through the Reno-Tahoe Open. Taylor, who has won here twice, had eagle and four birdies to move to 9-under 135. That's one better than Will MacKenzie, who is among four other past Reno winners in the hunt. Steve Flesch, the 2007 champion, shot 69, good for a tie for third with Hunter Haas and first-round leader Nick O'Hern at 7 under.

Champions: Palm Harbor's John Huston birdied five of his final nine holes en route to 8-under 64 to share the lead with Jay Haas after the first round of the 3M Championship in Blaine, Minn. Haas aced the fourth hole and finished with four birdies.

Times wires
Friday, August 5, 2011

BOSTON — Boone Logan struck out Adrian Gonzalez with the bases loaded to end the fifth and the Yankees came back to beat the Red Sox 3-2 on Friday to win their eighth consecutive game and take over the lead in the American League East.

Logan was the first of five Yankees relievers who combined to throw 41/3 shutout innings after Bartolo Colon couldn't make it out of the fifth. Mariano Rivera was the last, earning his 29th save.

The win gave New York sole possession of the division lead for the first time since July 6; the teams were tied coming into Friday. Boston had beaten the Yankees in eight of their previous nine meetings.

Nick Swisher had two hits, including an RBI double off Jon Lester that gave the Yankees a 3-2 lead.

Lester, who had won five consecutive starts against the Yankees, allowed three runs on five hits and four walks.

David Ortiz homered and Josh Reddick had a pair of hits for Boston, which was a season-high three games in front of New York on July 24.

Times wires
Friday, August 5, 2011

White Sox 5, Twins 3

MINNEAPOLIS — Carlos Quentin homered twice for the White Sox, who ended a six-game losing streak. Mark Buehrle extended his streak of allowing three runs or fewer to 17 straight games. All three runs against him were unearned because of a first-inning error by first baseman Adam Dunn. After Jason Kubel gave the Twins a 3-1 lead with a two-run homer, Buehrle retired 22 of his final 24 hitters.

Times wires
Friday, August 5, 2011

Padres 15, Pirates 5

PITTSBURGH — Chase Headley's slam capped the Padres' six-run fourth and highlighted their first four-homer game of the season. San Diego has won seven in a row at Pittsburgh.

Times wires
Friday, August 5, 2011

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

And just like that, 4½ months of acrimony, anger and posturing from both sides during the protracted NFL lockout was over.

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

One fan shouted "thank you" to Smith as he took his seat, with Smith answering "more than welcome."

Though players were eager to get to work, not every team walked in lockstep to ratify.

Pittsburgh's players voted no, citing the rushed nature of the deal — the Steelers didn't receive a copy until 3 p.m. — and the agreement's inability to address Goodell's role as judge and jury for on-the-field discipline.

"We felt it was shoved down our throats," Pittsburgh defensive tackle Willie Colon said Thursday.

Steelers re-sign LB Woodley for six years

LaMarr Woodley took to Twitter around 6 a.m. Friday morning to break the news about his six-year, $61.5 million deal with the Steelers.

"I set my alarm and I decided I was going to tweet this first thing in the morning," the linebacker said. "That was the whole thing — breaking the story first."

The deal is front-loaded with bonus money, helping Pittsburgh to get some room under the $120.4 million salary cap.

BEARS: The team canceled a practice in front of fans at Soldier Field because the turf was deemed unsafe for the players.

BILLS: Receiver David Nelson missed practice and was being evaluated a day after having difficulty catching his breath in practice. Coach Chan Gailey said the problem seems to have "calmed down," and that he expected the former Florida receiver to return to practice within a day or two.

CHARGERS: Wide receiver Malcom Floyd agreed on a two-year deal worth at least $5 million, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

EAGLES: Mike Patterson returned to camp two days after his seizure but there is no timetable for when the defensive tackle can return, if he can. Patterson spoke to coach Andy Reid but did not answer questions. "I'll talk some more about it, but not right now," he said.

GIANTS: First-round pick Prince Amukamara finished his first practice hours after signing a four-year, $8.18 million deal.

JAGUARS: Pro Bowl tight end Marcedes Lewis signed a five-year deal for about $35 million, including nearly $17 million guaranteed.

JETS: At 32, running back LaDainian Tomlinson is not only back for his 11th season this year, he also said he plans to play in 2012. Tomlinson leads all active players with 13,404 career rushing yards and is sixth all-time.

PANTHERS: Defensive tackle Ron Edwards (torn triceps), who just signed a three-year, $8.5 million free agent deal last week, is out indefinitely. Rookie offensive lineman Zack Williams (torn ACL) is expected to have surgery and miss the season.

SAINTS: Former Bears center Olin Kreutz agreed to a one-year contract worth up to $4 million with incentives.

TITANS: Linebacker David Thornton retired after nine seasons in the NFL. He missed last season while recovering from hip surgery.

Times wires
Friday, August 5, 2011

DENVER — Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow says he wants to earn the starting job, backtracking from comments that he was quoted as making on Thursday.

In Friday's Denver Post, the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner at Florida was quoted as saying that "My dream … of being a starting quarterback in the NFL seemed to be coming true. Then, I felt like it was grabbed back away."

But on Friday, Tebow told the Associated Press, "I don't feel like anything was taken away from me, and I don't want anything given. I want to work for anything I get, that's for sure."

Incumbent starter Kyle Orton has been taking all the first-team snaps in camp. Tebow had been leading most of the second-team plays, but he rotated with Brady Quinn on Thursday and Friday.

New coach John Fox and team executives have said for months that Orton was atop the depth chart, but that there would be competition.

LB Woodley re-signs with Steelers, 6 years

LaMarr Woodley took to Twitter around 6 a.m. Friday morning to break the news about his six-year, $61.5 million deal with the Steelers.

"I set my alarm and I decided I was going to tweet this first thing in the morning," the linebacker said. "That was the whole thing — breaking the story first."

The deal is front-loaded with bonus money, helping Pittsburgh to get some room under the $120.4 million salary cap.

LABOR DEAL: NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and NFLPA head DeMaurice Smith signed the new collective bargaining agreement on the steps of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, a largely ceremonial gesture after the players agreed to ratify the 10-year deal Thursday. But not every team walked in lockstep to ratify. Pittsburgh's players voted no, citing the rushed nature of the deal — the Steelers didn't receive a copy until 3 p.m. — and the agreement's inability to address Goodell's role as judge and jury for on-the-field discipline. "We felt it was shoved down our throats," defensive tackle Willie Colon said.

BEARS: The team canceled a practice in front of fans at Soldier Field because the turf was deemed unsafe for the players.

BILLS: Receiver David Nelson missed practice and was being evaluated a day after having difficulty catching his breath in practice. Coach Chan Gailey said the problem seems to have "calmed down," and that he expected the former Florida receiver to return to practice within a day or two.

CHARGERS: Receiver Malcom Floyd agreed on a two-year deal worth at least $5 million, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

EAGLES: Mike Patterson returned to camp two days after his seizure but there is no timetable for when the defensive tackle can return.

JAGUARS: Pro Bowl tight end Marcedes Lewis signed for five years and about $35 million, nearly $17 million guaranteed.

PANTHERS: Defensive tackle Ron Edwards (torn triceps), who just signed a three-year, $8.5 million free agent deal last week, is out indefinitely. Rookie offensive lineman Zack Williams (torn ACL) is expected to have surgery and miss the season.

RAIDERS: Free agent tight end Kevin Boss signed a $16 million, four-year contract.

SAINTS: Former Bears center Olin Kreutz agreed to a one-year contract worth up to $4 million with incentives.

TEXANS: Arian Foster, who led the league in rushing last season, pulled his hamstring in his first day of practice.

TITANS: Linebacker David Thornton retired after nine seasons in the league.

Times wires
Friday, August 5, 2011

A poker pro who was at a 2009 game in Beverly Hills, Calif., at which cocaine use and a near-fight allegedly took place, denied a report that Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez was there, New York's Daily News reported.

But the newspaper reported Rodriguez was at similar illegal games.

Dan Bilzerian was a source in the Star Magazine story that alleged Rodriguez attended a game at a record executive's home.

"It's ridiculous," Bilzerian said. "He was playing in the World Series at the time."

Star reported Rodriguez was at a game in late 2009 at the home of Cody Leibel at which cocaine allegedly was used openly and a fight broke out over unpaid debts. Bilzerian told the newspaper the game was in November of that year. The final game of that year's World Series took place Nov. 4.

Major League Baseball previously said they are investigating the allegation.

Meanwhile in Tampa, Rodriguez, rehabbing from July 14 surgery for a torn right meniscus, increased the intensity of his drills. He took grounders on the infield dirt for the first time since the surgery and doubled his swing total in tee and soft toss sessions from Thursday.

"The first two days have been good," said Rodriguez, whose return hasn't been determined. "I think it's how I'm going to wake up (feeling), how my body reacts the next week or so."

Dodgers, MLB officials reach financing deal

DOVER, Del. — The Dodgers and Major League Baseball have agreed on a bankruptcy financing plan for the team. A court filing outlines a plan for the league to provide up to $150 million for the team.

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

The Dodgers argued the league's loan offer was simply an attempt by commissioner Bud Selig to take control of the team and force a sale.

The Dodgers sought bankruptcy protection in June after Selig refused to approve a TV deal with Fox Sports worth about $3 billion that owner Frank McCourt was counting on to keep the franchise afloat.

Pitcher hit by liner: Rockies RHP Juan Nicasio was hit in the head by a line drive and taken to a Denver hospital. His status had not been determined. The ball off the bat of the Nationals' Ian Desmond bounced off the right side of Nicasio's head and rolled away over the first-base line. He lay flat on the mound for several minutes before being moved onto a cart. He could be seen blinking and moving his hands and legs.

Braves: OF Nate McLouth had hernia surgery and will miss at least six weeks.

Indians: INF Jack Hannahan went on the paternity list. OF Shelley Duncan, who has split this season with Cleveland and Triple A, was called up.

Marlins: 2B Omar Infante went on the DL a day after breaking his right middle finger while fielding a grounder.

Mets: 1B Ike Davis, out since May 11 with a bone bruise in his left ankle, likely won't return this year after being told to stop running. He will be re-evaluated in four weeks, and surgery remains a possibility.

Orioles: LHP Zach Britton went on the DL with a strained left shoulder sustained Thursday. He was replaced by INF Cesar Izturis, out since May 13 for right elbow surgery. Also, SS J.J. Hardy sat with a sore left ankle and is day to day.

Padres: LH reliever Joe Thatcher, out all season with a strained left shoulder that required arthroscopic surgery on May 2, was activated.

Rangers: OF Craig Gentry, on the seven-day concussion disabled list, went to Triple A for a rehab stint. He was hurt July 24 when his neck struck the hip of Blue Jays 2B Aaron Hill while sliding into second.

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Friday, August 5, 2011

Zebra sighting

NFL referee Alberto Riveron and his crew made a stop at One Buc Place on Friday to review some rules changes and new points of emphasis this season to players and media. Among the additions: The kickoff has been moved up 5 yards to the 35-yard line for safety reasons, likely increasing the number of touchbacks. For a kickoff out of bounds, the receiving team may elect to take the ball 25 yards from the spot of the kick. But the most interesting change involves replay. Only a replay official will initiate review of all scoring plays throughout the game. Before the two-minute warning in each half, a coach's challenge will be in effect. A team may challenge until the next legal snap or kick, but if a penalty prevents the next snap, the team committing the foul can no longer challenge the previous ruling. Having a replay official initiate the review of all scoring plays provides more flexibility for coaches' challenges.

Next public practice

When: 7 p.m. today, Raymond James Stadium

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

Tuesday: 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

Busy day for roster moves

And you thought Jon Gruden collected quarterbacks. The Bucs added a fifth quarterback to the roster Friday, signing Tennessee's Jonathan Crompton, a fifth-round pick by the San Diego Chargers in 2010.

With backup quarterback Josh Johnson scheduled to become a free agent after this season, Crompton will battle Rudy Carpenter for the No. 3 spot. The Bucs also have Mike Coughlin, an undrafted free agent from Boise State on the roster — and, of course, Josh Freeman.

Crompton, above, was a late bloomer. After passing for 1,387 yards during his first 22 games with the Vols, his career took off in 2009 when he passed for more than 2,800 yards and 27 touchdowns, the third-best single-season total in school history. Coach Raheem Morris said a 90-man roster and new rules allowing three QBs to be active were factors.

"If 'Free' has a hangnail and has to miss two snaps, you're ready to deal," Morris said.

But the Bucs didn't stop there. Tampa Bay also signed DE Tim Crowder to a two-year deal and K Jacob Rogers. The team released K Josh Jasper and DT Doug Worthington.

Quote of the day

"I would've liked that light rail, but don't worry about that."

Bucs coach Raheem Morris to Gov. Rick Scott on Friday

Next public practice

When: 7 p.m., Raymond James Stadium

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

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
Saturday, August 6, 2011

Tigers 4, Royals 3

10 innings

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Brennan Boesch hit a go-ahead RBI single in the 10th and Jose Valverde earned his 31st straight save for the Tigers. Johnny Giavotella made his debut for the Royals and hit an RBI single before scoring the tying run on Alcides Escobar's single in the seventh.

Times wires
Saturday, August 6, 2011

Brewers 8, Astros 1

HOUSTON — Yovani Gallardo allowed four hits over eight innings for the Brewers' ninth victory in 10 games. It was Gallardo's seventh straight decision over the Astros as he improved to 10-2 against them. Houston got three hits and one run off Gallardo in the second. After that, he didn't allow another hit until J.B. Shuck singled in the fifth in his first major-league at-bat.