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

For FC Tampa Bay, second seed is first priority

0
0

By Eduardo A. Encina, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, August 17, 2011

TAMPA

During their recent hot streak, several FC Tampa Bay players mentioned their goal for the remainder of the regular season is to earn the second seed in the NASL playoffs and the first-round bye that comes with it. After Saturday's 2-0 win over Minnesota, which put Tampa Bay alone in third place, it is seven points behind second-place Puerto Rico, which Tampa Bay hosts Saturday. And with two of Tampa Bay's seven remaining regular-season games against the Islanders, it has plenty of opportunity to make up ground. But the drive to second place was news to coach Ricky Hill after Tuesday's practice.

"I like the thinking," Hill said. "I'm looking at it as trying to win as many games as we can by the end of the season. Wherever that takes us, it will take us. I'm mindful that anybody in this league can beat anyone on any given day. We don't want to slip up against someone who might be considered a lesser side. As we're having this conversation, they're having the same conversation in Edmonton, the Strikers are having the same conversation, and so on."

Though Tampa Bay is in good shape to clinch a playoff spot — the magic number is nine points — it is only five points ahead of sixth-place Edmonton.

Pascal firing on all cylinders

Before Saturday's game, Hill told MF Pascal Millien to be aggressive in the attacking third. And Millien, who has four goals and a team-high five assists, heeded his coach's words, rifling a team-high six shots and scoring a highlight-film goal from outside the box in the 45th minute.

"Coach was telling me to take a shot," Millien said. "At halftime we were talking about it. Before the game, everyone was like, 'Guys, take a shot, the field is wet and their goalkeeper is not that great, so you've got to make a shot.'

"I think it was one of my best goals ever. You watch the (English Premier League) and Spanish league, you see goals like that. To score one like that, I'm going to keep watching it every day so I can keep shooting."

Hill said he was glad to see Millien taking control.

"Pascal has an abundance of talent," Hill said. "He would be the joker in our pack because he has the ability to do things that the majority of our players don't. There are times when he can be magnificent and times when he can be frustrated. It's getting that happy medium."

Kicks in the grass

F Matt Clare injured his left knee during Monday's practice and had an MRI exam Tuesday. … MF Chad Burt, who has been out since May 31 with a foot injury, dressed for Saturday's game but didn't play. … MF Jeremy Christie, who has returned to practice after missing the season recovering from offseason hip surgery, set Saturday as a target date to return, but Hill said he believes Christie won't play vs. Puerto Rico.

Kickin' it with defender Frankie Sanfilippo

Tampa Bay's team captain, who scored his first goal of the season Saturday, talks about the team's turnaround and his love of music — and mobs.

What do you think has been key to the team's recent hot streak?

I think we're just all now getting used to each other. Before, we didn't know how each other plays. When we were losing in the beginning of the season, we weren't getting any points, and I think we've realized if we want to get to the playoffs we need to win games.

Do you have any pregame rituals?

I have to shave before every game. I've done that before every game since college. I just like to be clean before a game.

If soccer weren't in your life, what do you think you'd be doing?

If soccer was never in the picture, I think I would be working in music for a production company. I'd like to go around and check out bands and see if we could sign them. One of my cousins does that, so I like that.

In college you majored in something different, didn't you?

I majored in criminology. I was really intrigued by it. It really caught my eye. I was taking a class on gangs and mobs, and I thought it was really interesting. I just really got into the FBI and things like that, so I wanted to pursue that.


Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Dezmon Briscoe continues to advance his playing status

0
0

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, August 17, 2011

TAMPA — Dezmon Briscoe says he learned to read defenses playing NCAA Football, not just the real thing, but the video game from EA Sports.

It's a virtual visualization tool for the Bucs receiver.

"In this day and age, they actually scout the defenses now, and it helps you read and make reads," Briscoe said. "When I get on the field, I try to visualize things as if I was playing the video game and it usually slows the (real) game for me."

In fact, Briscoe has been performing as if he's being controlled by buttons and a joystick. In the preseason opener Friday at Kansas City, he led the Bucs with four catches for 60 yards, all in the first half.

Not that anybody in Tampa Bay was surprised. Activated for the final two games last season after No. 2 receiver Arrelious Benn went on injured reserve with a torn ACL, Briscoe, 21, stepped in and stood out. He caught six passes for 93 yards, four of them for first downs. He got deep, hauling in a 54-yarder in the season finale at New Orleans. He also demonstrated great body control, catching a 2-yard fade over Saints cornerback Jabari Greer for a touchdown by dragging both feet in the back of the end zone.

With Benn making a slow recovery from knee surgery, Briscoe has taken control of the starting job opposite Mike Williams. "I had to wait until my opportunity came and make sure I seize it," Briscoe said.

It's a lesson Briscoe learned the hard way. A polished and productive receiver at Kansas who produced 3,240 yards in three seasons, Briscoe figured he would be gone in the first or second round of the draft.

But several things derailed Briscoe, according to Bucs general manager Mark Dominik. He ran poorly at the combine, recording a 4.68-second 40-yard dash. He may have interviewed with teams even worse, appearing somewhat aloof and detached during questioning.

Dominik, a fellow Kansas alum, made Briscoe the 30th and final player the team interviewed before the 2010 draft. Dominik expressed interest but told Briscoe to expect the worst, and indeed, he lasted until the Bengals chose him in the sixth round.

"We watched his final preseason game and he ran a stutter-go," Dominik said of Briscoe's 50-yard TD in a preseason game against the Colts. "He showed every trait you want in a receiver. He showed stop and start, acceleration, high point, finish — all those kinds of things. That's when I knew if there was a chance to get him on our practice squad, hopefully get him on our 53 one day, that's what we wanted to do."

The Bengals released Briscoe on the final roster cut in September with the intention of signing him to their practice squad after he cleared waivers.

But Dominik pounced on the chance to acquire Briscoe on the Bucs practice squad, offering him the NFL-minimum salary of $310,000 instead of the $5,200 a week that is normally paid to those players.

"I had that much belief in who he could be and who he is," Dominik said. "It's unconventional. It's legal."

Although not a burner, the 6-foot-2, 210-pound Briscoe runs good routes and has body control.

"He and Mike (Williams) are similar in that respect, going up, shielding the defender," receivers coach Eric Yarber said. "He has good enough speed, but he's a precision route runner, he has no technical flaws in his routes. Quickness is a necessity, speed is a luxury. If you've got great speed without quickness, you'll never be able to use it. … He runs 4.5, but he runs 4.5 out of the breaks, too."

With Briscoe's help, the Bucs offense may be changing the scoreboard like a video game.

"This was a spot I felt was for me," Briscoe said. "A bunch of young and hungry guys who want to go out and prove we can go out and play with the elite teams in the league."

Tampa Bay Rays: Much praise for Rays' starting pitching; Rays play three in barely a day

0
0

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Today: Off

Next game: vs. Mariners, 7:10 Friday, Sun Sports

Starting pitchers:

Rays:

Wade Davis (8-7, 4.60)

Mariners:

Felix Hernandez (11-10, 3.38)

On deck

Saturday: vs. Mariners, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Jeremy Hellickson (10-8, 3.22); M's — Charlie Furbush (2-1, 4.76)

Sunday: vs. Mariners, 1:40, Sun Sports. Rays — James Shields (11-10, 2.83) or Jeff Niemann (8-4, 3.29); M's — Michael Pineda (9-7, 3.77)

Complete-game notes

The notable accomplishments from the complete games by Rays RHPs James Shields and Jeff Niemann in Tuesday's day-night doubleheader included these firsts:

• Two complete games against the Red Sox in Fenway Park since June 29, 1969, when Luis Tiant and Sonny Seibert did it for Cleveland.

• Two complete games with three or fewer hits in each since April 12, 1992, when Matt Young and Roger Clemens did it for Boston at Cleveland.

• Two complete games by one team since Aug. 13, 1993, when Angel Miranda and Rickey Bones did so for Milwaukee against Detroit.

Also:

• Shields' nine complete games are the most by Aug. 17 since 2003, when Mark Mulder had nine.

• Four other active pitchers have had nine or more in a season: Roy Halladay (three times), Livan Hernandez (two), CC Sabathia and Bartolo Colon.

• Per the Elias Sports Bureau, Shields and Halladay are the only pitchers over the last 17 years to have nine complete games and four shutouts in a season.

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

Rays pitching praise of the day

"That's outrageous, man. That's really good stuff."

Manager Joe Maddon

"It was amazing."

INF/OF Ben Zobrist

"Unbelievable."

CF B.J. Upton

"It's awesome. You never know in this place."

C Kelly Shoppach

"Extremely impressive."

Pitching coach Jim Hickey

"They threw the ball great."

Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia

Xxxxxxx

asdfl;adfljljkh

Number of the day

27:28

Elapsed time, in hours and minutes, from the start of Tuesday's first game to the end of Wednesday's.

Ben Zobrist becomes fifth Tampa Bay Rays player to reach 40 doubles

0
0

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, August 17, 2011

BOSTON — Ben Zobrist makes it sound so simple.

How, he was asked, does he hit so many doubles, adding two Wednesday to push his major league-leading total to 40?

"Get jammed, hit it down the line and run hard," he said.

Zobrist became the fifth Ray to reach the 40-double plateau, joining Aubrey Huff (a team-record 47 in 2003), Evan Longoria (46 in 2010, 44 in 2009), Julio Lugo (41 in 2004) and Jorge Cantu (40 in 2005).

"I really don't have any explanation for that," Zobrist said. "If I smell it, I'm going for it right now.

"I got jammed on a pitch, and I kept it fair on that last one. I feel like I've had a lot of those this year where I just got enough of it where it's just down the line. I've hit some hard, too, but I've had a lot of those other ones, too, and I think that's where that higher number comes from."

Manager Joe Maddon added that Zobrist's aggressiveness out of the batter's box, thinking double right away, is also a factor, as is his speed.

"I think it's a little bit of all that," Maddon said. "And being a switch-hitter might not hurt him, either, being on the positive side all the time."

Zobrist's 61 extra-base hits (15 homers, six triples) are second in the majors. Yankees CF Curtis Granderson homered and doubled his first two times up Wednesday to pass him.

PITCHING IN: Maddon said the Rays have yet to decide whether RHP James Shields or RHP Jeff Niemann will come back from Tuesday's complete game on regular rest and face Seattle on Sunday, and who will get the benefit of an extra day's rest but have to face Detroit ace Justin Verlander on Monday.

"I don't think they know about Verlander yet," Maddon said, laughing.

Since both threw 114 pitches, there wouldn't seem to be much difference. "We're just checking everything right now," Maddon said. "It's about what happens after that, also."

The next three starts for both spots line up the same — at Toronto, at Texas and vs. Texas. The Rays have a Sept. 8 off day, allowing further tweaking, before hosting Boston.

STREAKING: Niemann tied a team record by winning his seventh straight decision. He already had a share of the mark, having done so Oct. 3, 2009-June 9, 2010, along with Wade Davis (July 8-Sept. 11, 2010) and Mark Hendrickson (July 21-Sept. 25, 2005).

FOR EVERY ACTION: C Kelly Shoppach was hit twice by pitches Wednesday, and Sean Rodriguez got hit twice Tuesday. After the Rays hit Red Sox OF Darnell McDonald in the seventh Wednesday, he slid late and spikes up into Zobrist on a forceout at second.

What did Maddon think of the play? "It appeared to me that he did not like being hit in the hip," Maddon said. "(Our guy) got hit twice. We didn't cry."

HISTORY LESSON: Tuesday's nightcap was the first game with a triple play and a steal of home since an Aug. 14, 2004, Phillies-Astros game, when Houston's Mike Lamb stole home and Philadelphia's Todd Pratt hit into a 5-4-3 triple play.

MISCELLANY: The Rays are 10-4 in Boston since the start of the 2010 season. … DH Johnny Damon had two hits to move past Tampa's Gary Sheffield for 64th place on the all-time list at 2,690. … Former Rays LF Carl Crawford is 3-for-27 against his old mates. … RHP Alex Cobb is scheduled to have season-ending surgery today in Dallas to remove a blockage in the subclavian vein near his top right rib. … SS Reid Brignac, after being washed out Sunday, made his first start since returning from the minors and was 0-for-4. … Maddon said OF Justin Ruggiano, on the DL retroactive to Aug. 7 with left knee bursitis, is "really close" to starting a rehab assignment.

Yanks may wait before activating Rodriguez

0
0

Times wires
Wednesday, August 17, 2011

MOOSIC, Pa. — Alex Rodriguez played his final minor-league rehabilitation game on Wednesday before joining the Yankees in Minnesota today. Rodriguez, though, may not be activated.

Manager Joe Girardi said Wednesday that Rodriguez told him his right knee still felt "tentative" before the start. Rodriguez had surgery last month for torn meniscus.

"Our plans right now are still to bring him to Minnesota (today) if everything goes okay," Girardi said. "We may not activate him. We may have him just go through some things for a couple of days and wait a couple of days to activate him."

When Rodriguez does rejoin the roster, he may be the DH and not start right away at third base.

"That's a possibility," Girardi said. "That's something I'll definitely consider. Let's get through (Wednesday) and get him to Minnesota (today), and we're going to take a look at him."

Rodriguez walked twice and committed an error for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre through the first four innings Wednesday. He was in an 0-and-2 hole against Durham starter, and top Rays prospect, Matt Moore before he worked a walk in the fourth. Rodriguez, though, let a ball scoot through his legs in the first inning for an error.

He went 1-for-2 with two walks for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

CLOSER SIDELINED: Giants closer Brian Wilson flew to Florida to have his ailing right (pitching) elbow checked out by the doctor who performed surgery on it eight years ago.

Wilson has some inflammation but no serious damage, manager Bruce Bochy said. He could be available today.

"He just felt a little tenderness," Bochy said. "We're just being cautious. The results came out well. They showed a little inflammation in the elbow, so we're going to give him a couple days off."

STRASBURG POUNDED: Nationals RHP Stephen Strasburg was hit hard in his third rehabilitation start following elbow ligament replacement surgery. Strasburg allowed five runs and four hits over 12/3 innings for Class A Hagerstown against Lexington.

JIMENEZ TRADE DONE: The Rockies finalized their five-player trade that sent RHP Ubaldo Jimenez to the Indians last month by acquiring top LHP prospect Drew Pomeranz.

M'S-TIGERS COMPLETE DEAL: The Mariners completed their trade with the Tigers by acquiring RHP Chance Ruffin. The July 30 trade sent pitchers RHPs Doug Fister and David Pauley to Detroit for OF Casper Wells, LHP Charlie Furbush and INF prospect Francisco Martinez.

ANGELS: 1B C.J. Cron, the 17th pick in the June draft, is set to surgery this week to repair ligament damage in his right knee.

BRAVES: INF Wes Helms returned to his original team, signing a minor-league deal less than a week after he was released by the Marlins.

INDIANS: CF Grady Sizemore, who had sports hernia surgery July 21, was cleared to resume baseball activities and said he hopes to return in September. … Rookie 2B Jason Kipnis, out since Friday with discomfort near his right oblique, is expected to start tonight.

MARLINS: Former Rays LH reliever Randy Choate was sent to Miami to have his elbow examined by team doctors.

ORIOLES: 1B Chris Davis, acquired July 30 from the Rangers, may need season-ending surgery for a slight tear in his right shoulder.

PHILLIES: C Carlos Ruiz was out of the starting lineup with a left testicle contusion. … RHP Michael Schwimer was called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to replace 3B Placido Polanco, who is on the disabled list with a sports hernia.

RED SOX: DH David Ortiz, who has bursitis in his right heel, said he likely will sit out about a week.

ROYALS: C Matt Treanor, recovering from a concussion he suffered July 30, will head to Double-A Northwest Arkansas on a rehab assignment.

Rodriguez not ready to return to Yanks lineup

0
0

Times wires
Wednesday, August 17, 2011

MOOSIC, Pa. — With cameras flashing for every at-bat, Alex Rodriguez the minor-leaguer moved closer to rejoining the Yankees.

Rodriguez, though, still doesn't feel ready to join the big lineup.

Rodriguez said after his final minor-league rehabilitation game that he will not play for the AL-East leading Yankees tonight when they open a series at Minnesota. Rodriguez was noncommittal about Friday's game.

"Offensively, I feel like I'm there," Rodriguez said Wednesday night. "The next day or two are the last final stages."

Rodriguez was lifted for a pinch-runner after he lined an opposite-field RBI single to right in the eighth inning. He went 1-for-2 with an RBI and drew two walks off Rays top prospect Matt Moore. He also made an error in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre's 3-2 loss to Durham in Triple-A action.

New York manager Joe Girardi said Rodriguez told him his right knee still felt "tentative." Rodriguez had surgery last month for a torn meniscus.

"Our plans right now are still to bring him to Minnesota (today) if everything goes okay," Girardi said. "We may not activate him. We may have him just go through some things for a couple of days and wait a couple of days to activate him."

When he does rejoin the roster, he might be the DH and not start right away at third base.

CLOSER SIDELINED: Giants closer Brian Wilson flew to Florida to have his ailing right (pitching) elbow checked out by the doctor who performed surgery on it eight years ago.

Wilson has some inflammation but no serious damage, manager Bruce Bochy said. He could be available today.

"He just felt a little tenderness," Bochy said. "We're just being cautious. The results came out well. They showed a little inflammation in the elbow, so we're going to give him a couple days off."

STRASBURG POUNDED: Nationals RHP Stephen Strasburg was hit hard in his third rehabilitation start following elbow ligament replacement surgery. Strasburg allowed five runs and four hits over 12/3 innings for Class A Hagerstown against Lexington.

JIMENEZ TRADE DONE: The Rockies finalized their five-player trade that sent RHP Ubaldo Jimenez to the Indians last month by acquiring top LHP prospect Drew Pomeranz.

M'S-TIGERS COMPLETE DEAL: The Mariners completed their trade with the Tigers by acquiring RHP Chance Ruffin. The July 30 trade sent pitchers RHPs Doug Fister and David Pauley to Detroit for OF Casper Wells, LHP Charlie Furbush and INF prospect Francisco Martinez.

ANGELS: 1B C.J. Cron, the 17th pick in the June draft, is set for surgery this week to repair ligament damage in his right knee.

BRAVES: INF Wes Helms returned to his original team, signing a minor-league deal less than a week after he was released by the Marlins.

INDIANS: CF Grady Sizemore, who had sports hernia surgery July 21, was cleared to resume baseball activities and said he hopes to return in September. … Rookie 2B Jason Kipnis, out since Friday with discomfort near his right oblique, is expected to start tonight.

MARLINS: Former Rays LH reliever Randy Choate was sent to Miami to have his elbow examined by team doctors.

ORIOLES: 1B Chris Davis, acquired July 30 from the Rangers, may need season-ending surgery for a slight tear in his right shoulder.

PHILLIES: C Carlos Ruiz was out of the starting lineup with a left testicle bruise. … RHP Michael Schwimer was called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to replace 3B Placido Polanco, on the disabled list with a sports hernia.

RED SOX: DH David Ortiz, who has bursitis in his right heel, said he likely is out about a week.

ROYALS: C Matt Treanor, recovering from a concussion he suffered July 30, will head to Double-A Northwest Arkansas on a rehab assignment.

Sports in brief: Sore foot forces Serena Williams to withdraw from tournament

0
0

Times wires
Wednesday, August 17, 2011

tennis

sore foot forces serena to withdraw

MASON, Ohio — Serena Williams dropped out of the Western & Southern Open because of a sore toe Wednesday, her latest setback after nearly a year away from the court.

Her decision to rest her troublesome right foot raised doubts about her readiness for the U.S. Open.

"I don't think this is a good time for me to take a big chance," she said, after the big toe on her right foot bothered her during a morning workout. "I just don't think that would be smart."

The tournament also lost top-ranked Caroline Wozniacki on Wednesday. Wozniacki dropped her opening match for the second consecutive week, falling to Christina McHale 6-4, 7-5 in the second round.

Third-seeded Victoria Azarenka withdrew before her evening match because of a strained right hand.

In the men's bracket, top-ranked Novak Djokovic beat Ryan Harrison 6-2, 6-3. No. 2 Rafael Nadal beat Julien Benneteau 6-4, 7-5 while playing with two fingers on his right hand bandaged to protect burned fingertips. The left-handed Nadal said he got the burns by touching a hot plate at a local restaurant.

U.S. Open: Former champion Lleyton Hewitt, Robby Ginepri, Ryan Harrison and Donald Young are among the seven players awarded wild cards into the men's draw. The Grand Slam tournament in New York begins Aug. 29.

nhl

Deaths prompt league review

Commissioner Gary Bettman expects the league to review its substance abuse and behavioral health program after the deaths of two players over the summer.

Winnipeg Jets forward Rick Rypien and New York Rangers tough guy Derek Boogaard spent time in the program, run in conjunction with the NHL Players' Association.

"I don't think any sports league does more than we do, but maybe there's more, as we focus on it, that we need to focus on," Bettman told the Canadian Press at the league's research and development camp in Toronto.

Rypien died Monday at his offseason home in Crowsnest Pass, Alberta, where a police official said a call was answered for a "sudden and non-suspicious" death. He was 27.

Boogaard died at age 28 in May due to an accidental mix of alcohol and the painkiller oxycodone.

et cetera

Little League: Palma Ceia improved to 3-0 with a 5-2 win over North Canton, Ohio, at the Junior League Baseball World Series in Taylor, Mich. Palma Ceia plays today against Rosenberg, Texas. … In the Junior League Softball World Series, Palma Ceia defeated Bacolod City (Philippines) West 2-0 in Kirkland, Wash. Today Palma Ceia faces Layritz, the Canada representative.

WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES: Chelsea Nauta of Tampa and Megan Romano of St. Petersburg were on the U.S. women's 800-meter freestyle relay team that won gold at Shenzhen, China, in a Games-record 7 minutes, 55.02 seconds. Also on the team were Karlee Bispo and Kate Dwelley. The previous record was 7:57.87.

Soccer: Chivas USA defender Jimmy Conrad, a five-time All-Star over 13 seasons and 290 games in MLS, is retiring after a concussion limited him to two games this season.

High schools: The Florida High School Athletic Association has ended negotiations with USF for the state high school softball championships. The FHSAA is working to have the tournament return to Clermont for the next two years.

Times wires

Phillies 9, Diamondbacks 2

0
0

Times wires
Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Phillies 9, D'backs 2

PHILADELPHIA — Cliff Lee pitched seven impressive innings, Wilson Valdez hit a tiebreaking two-run double in the seventh inning and Philadelphia snapped Arizona's seven-game winning streak. Lee won his fourth straight start. His 18-inning scoreless streak ended when Paul Goldschmidt hit a two-run homer for the NL West leader.


Eagle WR to return after scare

0
0

Times wires
Wednesday, August 17, 2011

PHILADELPHIA — Eagles receiver Jeremy Maclin, who still hasn't practiced, has been cleared to return to the team after a cancer scare, trainer Rick Burkholder said Wednesday.

Burkholder said that barring a setback, Maclin will return to practice within 10 days and should be able to play in the Sept. 11 opener at St. Louis.

Burkholder said Maclin began experiencing symptoms — night sweats, fever, loss of weight, loss of appetite — in March, synonymous with lymphoma, a form of cancer. But a five-month battery of tests came back inconclusive, and Maclin was not cleared of all serious conditions until Wednesday.

"Frankly," Burkholder said, "nobody could come up with a definitive diagnosis," adding that the symptoms disappeared at some point before late July.

"We're confident that the life-threatening stuff is out of the mix," Burkholder said.

Maclin, 23, caught 70 passes for 964 yards and 10 touchdowns last year.

Burress practices with Jets: Receiver Plaxico Burress worked with the first-team offense during 11-on-11 drills, his first significant practice action since signing with the Jets on July 31 after serving 20 months in prison on a gun charge. "I don't see why I shouldn't be full go (Sunday vs. the Bengals)," Burress said. Coach Rex Ryan confirmed Burress will play.

More Jets: Linebacker Aaron Maybin, the first-round pick by the Bills who was waived this week, agreed to terms, passed his physical, signed a one-year deal all practiced in the afternoon.

Newton to start for Panthers: Carolina coach Ron Rivera said Cam Newton will start at quarterback against the Dolphins tonight. Rivera said the rookie's start is "pretty much following the line of what we had planned throughout training camp and that's to go back and forth" with Newton and his competition, Jimmy Clausen. Both will get snaps with the first-team offense.

Suh fined 20K: Ndamukong Suh was fined $20,000 by the NFL for a hit last week on Cincinnati quarterback Andy Dalton. Suh responded on his Twitter account before practice: "$20,000REALLY???!!!" He threw Dalton to the turf after he had gotten rid of the ball and he was flagged for unnecessary roughness.

More Lions: Quarterback Matthew Stafford says he was in favor of restructuring his contract to help the team clear cap space to sign other players. The Detroit Free Press reported Stafford and defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch, who also restructured his deal, helped the Lions clear about $8.5 million in cap space.

McCown Joins 49ers: Josh McCown, who was coaching high school football in North Carolina, signed a one-year deal for the league minimum of $810,000 to compete with rookie Colin Kaepernick for the No. 2 quarterback spot behind presumed starter Alex Smith. The 32-year-old was with the United Football League's Hartford Colonials last year and had no plans to return to pro football for anything less than a NFL job. McCown spent eight seasons in the NFL, including the first four with the Cardinals.

Jaguars: Rookie linebacker Mike Lockley was fined $20,000 for leading with his helmet during a hit on Patriots receiver Taylor Price.

Raiders: Projected starting cornerback Chris Johnson had an undisclosed medical procedure and will miss the game against the 49ers on Saturday. He is expected to be ready for the Sept. 12 opener at Denver.

Rams: Running back Steven Jackson plans to fully participate in today's practice and then play in the second preseason game, even though he has missed time because of a sore hip.

Cardinals 7, Pirates 2

0
0

Times wires
Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Cardinals 7, Pirates 2

PITTSBURGH — Allen Craig homered twice to break out of a slump and lift St. Louis. Craig was hitless in his past 11 at-bats before he hit a two-run homer off Paul Maholm in the first inning. He added a solo shot in the seventh off Brad Lincoln. Kyle Lohse picked up his 99th career victory by pitching seven solid innings for the Cardinals.

Linebacker Curtis Weatherspoon brings multiple skills to USF Bulls defense

0
0

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, August 17, 2011

VERO BEACH — USF defensive coordinator Mark Snyder prides himself on creating defenses with multiple looks and strengths. That flexibility might best be seen in senior Curtis Weatherspoon, a small but quick linebacker who has been working as the starter on the strongside during the preseason.

"He's going to be on the field in a bunch of different roles for us; special teams … and on defense," Snyder said last week. "He's going to wear a bunch of hats. He's the utility guy."

Weatherspoon played his high school football in Valdosta, Ga., then came to USF last year from Massachusetts and tiny Dean College, a junior college with an enrollment of about 1,000. He has a size normally associated with a safety — 6 feet, 218 pounds — but made a name for himself as a 207-pound blitzing outside linebacker at Dean.

He was the Northeast Conference defensive MVP in 2009 after recording 19 tackles-for-loss, including nine sacks.

He got a taste of major college football last season at USF, recording 19 tackles. Most came early in the season against nonconference opponents, though four came against West Virginia.

When Jacquian Williams (a sixth-round pick of the Giants) graduated, it opened a window for a new strongside starter. And Weatherspoon's jack-of-all-trades flexibility has him ahead of redshirt freshman (and converted safety) Reshard Cliett.

"Wherever he needs me to help the team, that's where I'm going to go," said Weatherspoon, whose varied skills make him a candidate to stay on the field in nickel situations. "We're all trying to compete; to do the best we can to get better and help each other out."

USF doesn't have the luxury of an easy opener this season (a trip to Notre Dame instead of the I-AA opponents it faced at home from 2006-10). That means the defense will have to be ready without the benefit of a few tuneups. Weatherspoon came to Tampa with a reputation for being a quick learner. His coach at Dean, Todd Vasey, called him "the smartest player I've had in 26 years of coaching football."

Linebacker might be USF's strongest position with young stars in junior Sam Barrington and sophomore DeDe Lattimore and a tough run-stopper in Michael Lanaris. But against pass-heavy teams such as West Virginia and up-tempo offenses such as Pittsburgh, Weatherspoon's ability to get to quarterbacks quickly will be an asset.

"I've got to get him his reps because he has to go to a different position in one package and those kinds of things," Snyder said.

USF struck gold with a first-year senior starter in Williams last season (team-high 71 tackles, 11 for loss). But Weatherspoon is staying humble about possibly playing such a role in his final season with the Bulls.

"I'm happy I get to compete with all the guys, to try to earn a spot," he said.

"We're all competing, but we're all doing a great job."

Times writer Greg Auman can be reached at auman@sptimes.com.

Reds 2, Nationals 1

0
0

Times wires
Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Reds 2, Nationals 1

WASHINGTON — Johnny Cueto pitched into the ninth inning and Joey Votto homered for Cincinnati. Cueto held Washington scoreless until Ryan Zimmerman homered on his first pitch of the ninth inning. Francisco Cordero got the final three outs but needed a game-ending double play to get out of a bases-loaded jam. Ramon Hernandez drove in a run for the Reds on a groundout. Cueto has a majors-best 1.89 ERA.

Mets 7, Padres 3

0
0

Times wires
Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Mets 7, Padres 3

SAN DIEGO — David Wright hit a three-run homer and Angel Pagan had three RBIs as New York earned its first series win in San Diego in more than nine years. Rookie Dillon Gee pitched 62/3 solid innings and made a sparkling play in the third inning to start an inning-ending double play.

Indians 4, White Sox 1

0
0

Times wires
Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Indians 4, White Sox 1

CHICAGO — Fausto Carmona pitched 81/3 strong innings to help second-place Cleveland stay ahead of Chicago in the AL Central. Shin-soo Choo had three hits and drove in a run for the Indians, and Carlos Santana singled, doubled and scored a run. White Sox starter Mark Buehrle allowed a season-high 12 hits and had his streak of starts allowing three runs or fewer snapped at 18 games. Chicago's Gordon Beckham grounded out with two runners on to end the game. Alexei Ramirez homered for the White Sox.

Twins 6, Tigers 5

0
0

Times wires
Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Twins 6, Tigers 5

DETROIT — Justin Morneau's bases-loaded single in the ninth inning lifted Minnesota. With the score tied at 4, Rene Tosoni led with a single off Jose Valverde. Tsuyoshi Nishioka and Ben Revere reached when Detroit misplayed sacrifices. After Trevor Plouffe and Joe Mauer struck out, Morneau hit one up the middle.


Athletics 6, Orioles 5

0
0

Times wires
Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Athletics 6, Orioles 5

OAKLAND, Calif. — Kurt Suzuki hit two solo homers and rightfielder David DeJesus threw out pinch-runner Blake Davis at the plate to end the game for Oakland, which won the three-game series. It was the second career multihomer game for Suzuki, who connected in the second and sixth innings against Alfredo Simon.

Astros 4, Cubs 3

0
0

Times wires
Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Astros 4, Cubs 3

HOUSTON — Matt Downs hit a go-ahead two-run single, Mark Melancon wriggled out of a jam in the ninth inning and Houston took the series between the worst teams in NL Central. Brian Bogusevic, who hit a winning grand slam for the Astros on Tuesday night, had a two-run double in the third inning against Casey Coleman.

Giants 7, Braves 5

0
0

Times wires
Wednesday, August 17, 2011

ATLANTA — Matt Cain snapped his three-game skid with eight five-hit innings, and the Giants barely avoided another loss to Atlanta in the final at-bat, holding on for a 7-5 victory Wednesday night.

The Giants broke it open with four runs in the fourth inning, one on Cain's sacrifice fly. But he did his best work on the mound, giving up only an unearned run in the first on Chipper Jones' bases-loaded walk.

The Braves scored four in the ninth and had the tying run at the plate. But Brian McCann struck out swinging against Jeremy Affeldt.

San Francisco pounded All-Star Jair Jurrjens, who wasn't sharp in his first start coming off the disabled list.

The Braves won the first two games of the series, rallying for three runs in the ninth for a 5-4 victory Monday then pulling out a 2-1 win in 11 innings Tuesday. They nearly did it again, closing to 7-5 on Martin Prado's two-run double after Giants shortstop Orlando Cabrera dropped Michael Bourn's soft blooper behind the mound.

Brewers 3, Dodgers 1

0
0

Times wires
Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Brewers 3, Dodgers 1

MILWAUKEE — Zack Greinke won his fifth straight start and Jerry Hairston singled in two runs to lift Milwaukee to its 19th victory in 21 games. The NL Central-leading Brewers remained seven games ahead of St. Louis. Hairston hit a two-out single in the sixth inning to help Greinke become the first pitcher in Brewers history to win his first nine home decisions with the club.

Royals 5, Yankees 4

0
0

Times wires
Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Royals 5, Yankees 4

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A controversial home run call for Billy Butler proved crucial for Kansas City, which survived New York's ninth-inning rally. Butler's drive in the third inning off Yankees starter Bartolo Colon appeared to hit the top of the leftfield fence, carom off a railing and fall back into play. Umpires ruled it a home run and upheld the call on video replay, giving the Royals a 4-2 lead.

Viewing all 18574 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images