By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Friday, August 19, 2011

Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Aqib Talib has not played this preseason because of a hamstring strain suffered early in training camp. He hasn't been participating in practice, either, creating questions about the severity of his injury.

But Talib, when leaving the locker room after Thursday night's loss to the Patriots, vowed to play against the Dolphins next week. He said his hamstring injury was not serious and suggested he'd be practicing next week. In part because of the layoff created by the NFL's lockout, the Bucs have operated out of an abundance of caution with injured players this preseason, and Talib apparently is no different.

The outlook is a little less optimistic when it comes to starting defensive tackle Roy Miller. He, too, missed Thursday's game after suffering a knee injury on the first series of the preseason opener at Kansas City. Coach Raheem Morris said Miller got "dinged" on his knee, whatever that means.

We've learned that Miller's injury is actually a partial MCL tear, an injury that won't require surgery but one that probably takes Miller out of action for the remainder of the preseason. It's not clear whether Miller's availability for the season opener is in jeopardy, but the injury isn't good news given the status of Brian Price, who again didn't play as he attempts to bounce back from major surgery to repair a pelvic fracture.

The depth at defensive tackle is something to watch over the next few weeks. The status of Miller and Price, if not improved by the time final cuts arrive, certainly will impact roster decisions.

By Brandon Wright, Times Correspondent
Friday, August 19, 2011

BRANDON — Old-time football coaches and players will tell today's youth they have it easy compared to the gruelling two-a-day practices they endured.

Spoto coach Dale Caparaso takes it a step further. When he played high school football in the early 1970s, they practiced three times a day.

"We would have two heavy ones and one light one," he said. "But none of us thought the light one was light."

Caparaso, who also played collegiate ball at James Madison, said "we maybe got a five-minute break midway through practice" during his playing days.

Most football veterans tell similar stories of how much more strenuous practices were back then, yet they don't recall so many players struggling with heat-related illnesses.

Since late July, six players have collapsed and died on football fields. The cause remains undetermined, but experts suspect exertional heatstroke is the cause.

Government data released this month indicates that more than 3,000 U.S. children and teens received emergency-room treatment for nonfatal heat illness from sports or exercise between 2001 and 2009.

University of Georgia professor Andrew J. Grundstein told USA Today 123 high school football players died of heat-related illnesses between 1960 and 2009. The annual death rate was around one per year from 1980 to 1994 but rose to 2.8 in the next 15 years.

Grundstein cited the larger size of high school athletes and an increase in average morning temperatures as factors for the increase.

Rebecca Lopez, an assistant professor in the Department of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine at the University of South Florida, said it's difficult to identify causes.

"I don't know why it is," she said. "There are a number of factors that contribute to (heatstroke). Sometimes kids feel pressure to perform and ignore warning signs, and sometimes proper precautions aren't taken."

She said a majority of the deaths over the past few years have come during the first few days of practice when players aren't fully adjusted to the heat and the extra 20-plus pounds of pads they are wearing. And not all kids these days spend their time playing outside, a common practice of prior generations.

"Back in the day, kids would be running around playing all throughout the summer, so the transition wasn't as shocking to their systems," she said. "Many of today's kids stay inside during the summer in the air conditioning and aren't climatized to the heat when they get out in it."

Whatever the cause, Caparaso remains concerned. He has installed hydrating intervals between drills, and halfway through practice, he allows for a 15-minute break inside air-conditioned rooms.

"It's certainly a major issue and concern for us coaches, no question," Caparaso said. "You don't ever want to look back and think there was something you could have done differently."

The National Athletic Trainers Association drafted guidelines in 2009 recommending ways to prevent heat-related illness. Its primary recommendation involves gradually acclimating players over a 14-day period, with no two-a-day or full equipment (helmets only) practices during the first five days.

"It gives them a chance to adapt and deal with the heat better," Lopez said.

The guidelines also call for having an athletic trainer at every practice.

The absence of a trainer at last year's cross country meet became a point of contention after Newsome runner Lars Benner collapsed only a few yards from the finish. Benner was placed in an ice water bath until paramedics arrived at Lutz's Lake Park. He was taken to Tampa General Hospital and released that night.

Ten years ago, Minnesota Vikings lineman Korey Stringer collapsed on the field and died, drawing attention to the issue. Stringer's widow, Kelci, partnered with University of Connecticut heatstroke expert Doug Casa to form the Korey Stringer Institute with a mission of minimizing sudden death in sport, beginning with heatstroke.

The institute pushes for every state to mandate the guidelines it helped form with the National Athletic Trainers Association, but to date, only New Jersey has adopted the new standards.

Times researcher John Martin contributed to this story. Brandon Wright can be reached at hillsnews@sptimes.com.

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Friday, August 19, 2011

Preseason schedule

Aug. 27: vs. Dolphins, 7:30*

Sept. 1: at Redskins, 7:30

All games on Ch. 10; * subject to NFL blackout rules

Tickets

Prices for single-game tickets range from $40 to $115 (some youth tickets are $25) and are available at the Raymond James Stadium ticket window (starting three hours before kickoff) or through Ticketmaster at ticketmaster.com or toll-free at 1-800-745-3000. For information, call the Bucs at (813) 870-2700.

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Friday, August 19, 2011

GAINESVILLE — Jordan Reed's video collection over the past summer expanded to include any and all things related to Charlie Weis before he arrived in Gainesville.

The Florida quarterback turned tight end wanted to know all he could about the offensive system he was stepping into with new offensive coordinator Weis and the former tight ends he has so famously made successful.

After studying film of the New England Patriots, Notre Dame and the Kansas City Chiefs, Reed is pumped about his potential role in Florida's offense this season.

"From the past he uses tight ends a lot, so I'm pretty excited about that," Reed said. "Hopefully he'll use me like he's used those other guys. The guy from Kansas City, the last tight end he had, was pretty good. And I feel like I can do some of the same things he could do."

Reid could be a breakout star in a Gator offense desperately needing one. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound redshirt sophomore played 12 games with four starts last season, alternating in the Gators' much-maligned three quarterback system. He was 26-of-46 passing for 252 yards and three touchdowns, caught six passes for 79 yards and a touchdown and rushed 77 times for 328 yards and five TDs.

After having spent the past eight months focusing on tight end, Reed believes he's finally about to come into his own there.

"It's been much easier than last year," Reed said. "I only have to learn one position now, so I like it a lot. Definitely, I'm real comfortable."

Reed is expected to figure prominently in Weis' two tight-end set, which Gator players say has been efficient in camp.

"Jordan Reed is definitely a mismatch," UF quarterback John Brantley said. "Especially at the tight end position, they usually match him up with a linebacker some. And with his speed and size, that's a big mismatch sometimes. We're definitely looking forward to seeing it (in a game)."

Athleticism is the word teammates and coaches consistently use to describe Reed. He led New London (Conn.) High School to an undefeated season in 2007 and in 2008 was a finalist for the Joe Montana high school quarterback of the year award.

But when Florida's new coaching staff sat down with Reed to talk about his future?

"I chose to be a tight end," he said. "They asked me which one I wanted to play, and I told them I'd rather play tight end. I just felt like I could go further playing tight end than quarterback."

But his versatility will still be used. He's practicing at the wildcat position, and coach Will Muschamp said Reed is in line to become the No. 2 punt returner behind Chris Rainey.

"We're talking about a guy his size catching it and getting vertical on a gunner is pretty exciting," Muschamp said. "It's gone well. We put him back there and feel comfortable about it. He has great ball judgment and catches the ball extremely well. As we progress through, we'll see how much he can do with this."

Though he's no longer up for the quarterback job, Reed said having played the position pays dividends in his new role.

"It makes it much easier knowing who's covering me and how to get open," Reed said. "That's helped me a lot, learning to read coverages, seeing how the safeties rotate, and it makes it easier for me to get open and find out where the zones are and things like that. I feel like I've worked hard this offseason with my routes and blocking, so I think I'm going to help the team out a lot."

Antonya English can be reached at english@sptimes.com. Follow her coverage at gators.tampabay.com.

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Friday, August 19, 2011

The New England Patriots' Way was to utilize more game-planning for the second preseason game.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Way was to deliberately use vanilla formations and schemes to better evaluate players.

The result was a 31-14 loss to the Patriots that was not nearly as close as the score indicates.

Coach Raheem Morris said Friday he did not want to give the answers to the test to his players, who failed on both sides of the ball against New England.

Tampa Bay picked up only one first down, had one yard rushing and 33 yards passing on offense behind starting quartrerback Josh Freeman, who was sacked twice before leaving with about five minutes remaining in the first half. Defensively, the Bucs were no match for the Patriots and quarterback Tom Brady, who threw two touchdown passes and led four scoring drives on New England's first five possessions to build a 28-0 lead.

"They took a different approach to the game with how we played and how they played,'' Morris said Friday.

"I wouldn't say I'm disappointed that we weren't able to pick up a certain look or scheme, because we did not give it to them that way. We just wanted to go play base ball, follow our rules, see who could pick up the rules, see who could do it, see who could communicate and see who could play on their feet. And that's kind of how we want to judge those guys. Usually, that's how you get the better players on your football team.

"A lot of people ask questions: why don't you gameplan for guys like the Patriots? It's because I want to see what you can do without me giving it to you. Then I want to see this week what you can do while I'm giving it to you and you're adjusting. It's a level stage for us in how we want to prepare and we've kept that same level for a long time around here.''

Morris said the Bucs will do more game-planning this week in preparation for their preseason game Saturday against the Miami Dolphins. Typically, starters play nearly three quarters in the third preseason game.

"The thing about that, we've got our way of doing things and they had their way of doing things and I don't want to knock anything anybody else does,'' Morris said. "I just know they prepared a little differently just based on film evaluation and talking to people and things of that nature.

"For us, it's more about our guys picking things up in the heat of the moment and letting that player come out in order to find out who's going to make our football team. If I give them all the answers to the test, you can get a bad player and he can show up and play decent enough to make your football team. If I don't give all these guys answers to the test and they have an equal ground and a chance to compete and find out who knows what we do and how we want to do it the best. That puts us in a position to go out and play football to the best of our ability.''

By Don Jensen, Times Correspondent
Friday, August 19, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — When parimutuel facilities open their turnstiles, a full house is always hard to beat.

Poker remains a vital supplement to Derby Lane, Tampa Bay Downs and Tampa Greyhound Track, the area's wagering sites. For the sixth consecutive fiscal year, poker continued its great growth and parimutuel wagering waned in Florida.

The state Department of Business and Professional Regulation's Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering reported in the 2011 fiscal year, which ended June 30, poker receipts surged 19.4 percent from the previous year to an all-time high of $125.1 million while money wagered on greyhounds, thoroughbreds, standardbreds, quarter horses and jai alai fell 7.7 percent, to $883.4 million.

Both figures kept recent trends intact. Since the 2006 fiscal year, parimutuel wagering is down 41.7 percent from more than $1.5 billion. Heading the declines are greyhounds at 44.6 percent and thoroughbreds at 37.3 percent. But poker has skyrocketed 182 percent from $44.4 million.

In the 2011 fiscal year, Derby Lane, the greyhound track in St. Petersburg, had total handle of $27,859,841, down 4.2 percent from the previous year. Its poker room receipts increased 17.5 percent, to $8,565,706. Derby Lane ranked fifth among 23 poker rooms in the state.

"The changes in hours and (state) legislation, and our daily and large promotions, have positively impacted our (poker) business over the past year and through this year," Derby Lane spokeswoman Vera Rasnake said. "The legislation changes in regards to poker play in Florida removed any kind of wagering limits to live and tournament play. Players have the opportunity to wager and play any stakes (or) limits they choose."

The Downs, Oldsmar's thoroughbred oval, had a standout season with increases in both areas. Total handle was up 2.6 percent, to $93,688,759, and the card room gained 18.7 percent, to $5,012,664. Of the state's four thoroughbred sites, the Downs was the only one with a gain in parimutuel wagering.

Tampa Greyhound, which no longer runs live greyhound races and holds its meet at Derby Lane, dropped 7.9 percent in total handle, to $24,707,062. Its poker room receipts were flat at $2,272,062.

REVISED DATES: The Downs has moved opening day for its 2011-12 meet to Dec. 3, coinciding with the season debut of Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach. The Downs originally applied to begin its 92-day meet Dec. 10. Closing day for Oldsmar's 86th season remains May 6. This is the first December opening for Gulfstream Park. Calder Race Course, a Miami Gardens track, also amended its dates and concludes its 2011 program Dec. 2. Previously, Calder ran its fall meet into January.

By Bryan Burns, Times Staff Writer
Friday, August 19, 2011

Tonight

FC Tampa Bay vs. Puerto Rico

When/where: 7; Al Lang Field, St. Petersburg

Records: Tampa Bay 8-6-7 (31 points); Puerto Rico 11-5-5 (38 points)

TV/radio: BHSN; 1010-AM; live stream on fctampabay.com

Series: This is the third of four meetings, and Tampa Bay has yet to defeat Puerto Rico this season. The Islanders won 2-0 at Al Lang Field in the second game of the season (April 17) for Tampa Bay. The teams drew 1-1 on July 9 in Puerto Rico.

Last time out: Tampa Bay took sole possession of third place in the NASL after defeating Minnesota 2-0 on Aug. 13 at Al Lang Field thanks to goals from Pascal Millien and Frankie Sanfilippo. … Second-place Puerto Rico knocked off league-leading Carolina 2-0 on Aug. 13 behind goals from David Foley and Peter Villegas.

Skinny: Tampa Bay could take a major step toward earning the second seed and a first-round bye for the NASL playoffs by winning tonight. Tampa Bay trails Puerto Rico by seven points with seven regular-season matches left. … Tonight's game features three of the top five scorers in the league. Tampa Bay's Mike Ambersley is tied for second in the league with nine goals, and Aaron King is fifth with seven. Jonathan Fana has eight to lead Puerto Rico and ranks fourth in the league. … After tonight, Tampa Bay won't return to Al Lang for 28 days. The team will play its next four games on the road, its longest stretch of the season away from home. … Tampa Bay is 6-1-2 over its past nine games including an exhibition win over Bolton of the English Premier League. The team has tied a season high by going unbeaten in its past four league matches. … Tampa Bay is 7-1-4 when scoring first. … Tampa Bay hasn't taken a penalty kick since Ambersley's attempt was saved June 12 against Atlanta.

Bryan Burns, Times staff writer

By Bill Hardman, Times Correspondent
Friday, August 19, 2011

What's hot: Mangrove snapper are thick on ledges from 38 to 60 feet. The small bait on shallow limestone ledges bring these schooling snappers to a frenzy. The snapper were intertwined with groups of gag grouper, and both were feeding heavily on the 1- to 2-inch bait. Gag grouper are still in a closed season, and we found large numbers more than 22 inches on every spot we dived. Nice male hogfish in the 4- to 6-pound range are being speared in these depths.

Farther offshore: Legal-sized amberjack and red grouper are much farther from shore. Our divers are finding both, but at more than 30 miles out. The amberjack are hanging over large holes and springs as much as the wrecks. The bigger red grouper are scattered over potholes in the hard bottom.

St. Pete Open: The weigh-in for the World Spearfishing Championships starts at 6 p.m. today at the Magnuson Hotel, Marina Cove and is open to the public. See www.stpeteopen.com to find out more.

Bill Hardman teaches scuba, spearfishing and free diving through Aquatic Obsessions Scuba in St. Petersburg and can be reached at (727) 344-3483 or captainbillhardman@gmail.com.

Times wires
Friday, August 19, 2011

Cubs 5, Cardinals 4

10 innings

CHICAGO — Tyler Colvin's RBI single in the bottom of the 10th off Octavio Dotel lifted the Cubs. Geovany Soto singled, advanced to second on Marlon Byrd's sacrifice bunt and scored on Colvin's hit to centerfield. Soto had a tying RBI double in the eighth inning.

Times wires
Friday, August 19, 2011

No tiff for Biffle in earning pole spot

BROOKLYN, Mich. — Greg Biffle is still annoyed with Boris Said after their run-in at Watkins Glen.

That hasn't stopped Biffle from focusing on Sunday's Sprint Cup race in Michigan.

Biffle, left, earned his first pole in more than three years Friday at Michigan International Speedway with a qualifying lap of 190.345 mph in his No. 16 Ford. It was a step in the right direction after he finished 31st at Watkins Glen on Monday, then confronted Said in the pits afterward and gave him a couple of quick hits while Said was still in his car. Said had touched off a wild crash at the end of the road race.

"Our deal is over with," Biffle said. "We had our differences on the racetrack, that one instance, I told him I wasn't happy with it on the racetrack. … We talked about that on the phone, and it is over."

Said is racing in Montreal this weekend in the Nationwide series but said of the incident: "We've settled our differences. I won't be going to Christmas dinner with him, that's for sure."

Matt Kenseth was second in qualifying, and Ryan Newman was third. David Reutimann of Zephyrhills starts 12th.

All still mum on Patrick decision

Tony Stewart didn't want to talk about Danica Patrick on Friday. Nor did Dale Earnhardt Jr. They were more concerned about getting their cars ready for Sunday's Sprint Cup race.

But with reports circulating this week that Patrick will race for their teams in a move to NASCAR next season — running full time on the Nationwide series and a limited Cup schedule — Stewart and Earnhardt were asked about her anyway.

"There's nothing to tell yet," said Stewart, owner of Stewart-Haas Racing, the Cup team Patrick reportedly would join from IndyCar. "It's a lot of speculation."

Patrick, who qualified 25th for today's Nationwide race in Montreal, reportedly will make her announcement Wednesday in Phoenix.

"We've enjoyed working with her," said Earnhardt, who co-owns the JR Motorsports team for which Patrick has driven part time for two years. " … When there's something to announce, they'll announce it."

Home cooking suits Villeneuve

Jacques Villeneuve earned the pole for today's NASCAR Nationwide stop in Montreal, his hometown. Villeneuve used his last lap to post the quickest time (1 minute, 41.80 seconds) on the 2.7-mile road course named after his father, the late Formula One legend Gilles. The younger Villeneuve, the 1997 F1 champion, is driving the No. 22 Dodge that Kurt Busch won with last week on the road course at Watkins Glen, N.Y. Villeneuve will be joined on Row 1 by fellow Quebec native Alex Tagliani, an IndyCar regular.

Elsewhere

Spencer Massey led the first day of Top Fuel qualifying at the Lucas Oil Nationals in Brainerd, Minn., with a track-record run of 3.835 seconds at 322.58 mph. Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Mike Edwards (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) led their categories. … Jon Fogarty earned the pole for today's Grand-Am race at Montreal at 104.866 mph in a Chevrolet/Riley.

Times wires

Chase isn't always better than the catch

Every year leading up to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase for the Championship, so much attention is focused on who earns the last playoff spot. While that driver indeed has a chance at the title in the final 10 races, no driver in the first six Chases has finished better than fifth after being the last driver in. A list of the final drivers invited to the Chase and their results:

2010 — Clint Bowyer, 10th; 2009 — Brian Vickers, 12th; 2008 — Bowyer, fifth; 2007 — Kevin Harvick, 10th; 2006 — Kasey Kahne, eighth; 2005 — Ryan Newman, sixth

Numbers of the week

13 Average number of different leaders in NASCAR Sprint Cup races in 2011.

29 Average number of lead changes in those races. Both marks are all-time series highs through 22 races.

Times wires
Friday, August 19, 2011

CHICAGO — The Cubs fired GM Jim Hendry on Friday as the franchise adds yet another season to its historic championship drought.

Assistant GM Randy Bush will serve as interim GM, the team said.

"First and foremost, we just didn't win enough games," chairman Tom Ricketts said. "Our team's performance over the last two years is not where it needs to be."

Ricketts said the new general manager will come from the outside, meaning Bush is not in the running, and that he will consult "industry veterans" in his search.

Ricketts also said the new general manager will report directly to him and that whoever gets the job will determine whether manager Mike Quade returns for a second full season.

Hendry, a Dunedin native who has been GM since July 2002 and spent 17 years overall in the organization, said he was informed July 22 that he would not be back next season. He decided to stay on through the trade deadline and long enough to sign all the draft picks.

"Not many get to be the GM for nine without a world championship," he said. "So I got more than my fair chance to do that. I'm disappointed in myself that we didn't get it done in the first five to seven years when I thought we could. I'm very thankful for the way I've been treated."

The Cubs, who haven't won it all since 1908, went into the All-Star break 18 games under .500, and that's where they were Friday morning, 18½ games out of the NL Central lead.

"Real tough day," Quade said. "Good man, good friend. As good a guy as I've worked for in the game, and I've worked for a lot of them. I'll miss him a lot, that's for sure."

Brewers: Minor-league RHP Mark Rogers, who played for the big-league club last year, was suspended 25 games after a second positive test for a stimulant.

Mariners: INF Jack Wilson was put on the 15-day DL because of a bruised left heel. … SS Brendan Ryan (left shoulder) was activated from the DL.

Nationals: Manager Davey Johnson believes Double-A outfield prospect Bryce Harper probably will miss the rest of the minor-league season, which ends Sept. 5. Harper, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 draft, strained his right hamstring running the bases, and he was placed on the seven-day disabled list. "There's only a few games left," Johnson said. "No sense in taking a chance and aggravating it where it becomes more of a serious injury."

Tigers: Reliever Al Alburquerque will be out at least 10 more days because of lingering effects of a concussion sustained last week. He was hit in the head by a batting-practice liner while walking in the outfield Aug. 12.

White Sox: RHP Phil Humber will go on the 15-day DL after getting struck in the face by a line drive. The Indians' Kosuke Fukudome hit a line drive that struck Humber just above his right eye, bruising his face.

Yankees: 3B Alex Rodriguez (right knee) showed significant improvement during his latest workout and could play sometime this weekend against the Twins. "We're definitely getting close," Rodriguez said. … The team claimed LHP Aaron Laffey off waivers from the Mariners to add a left-hander to the bullpen with Boone Logan.

Clemens case: Prosecutors filed a motion in federal court in Washington, D.C., saying the banned testimony that led to a mistrial in the Roger Clemens perjury case last month was not shown intentionally and that the former pitcher should face another trial, New York's Newsday reported. Prosecutors admitted that they made a mistake when they showed the jury a videotape that the judge had already ruled to be inadmissible, but they disputed Clemens' stance that a second trial would violate his constitutional protection against double jeopardy by making him face the same charges twice.

Times wires
Friday, August 19, 2011

Marcos Ambrose has said in the past that he would really, really like to win a Sprint Cup race on an oval. The way it looks right now, the road-racing ace from Tasmania will really, really need to win at an oval — and soon — to make the Chase for the Championship.

Can do, Ambrose said. Perhaps as soon as Sunday's Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway.

"Ovals is where it's at for me, and I think it's only a matter of time before we get one," Ambrose said this week.

Ambrose is 22nd in points, 83 out of the 10th and final automatic Chase berth. So, with just four races remaining until the playoffs start at Chicagoland, the traditional route to the Chase appears closed to him and his Richard Petty Motorsports team.

But with the point system altered this year to include two wild-card entries, for the drivers ranked 11-20 with the most victories, Ambrose will be a strong contender for a berth if he can win one of the next four races. All of them are on ovals.

Ambrose's victory Monday on the Watkins Glen road course gave birth to his berth hopes. For a couple of reasons.

First, only three drivers are ahead of him in the wild-card hunt, and only one, Brad Keselowski, has two wins. A victory at Michigan, or at Bristol, Atlanta or Richmond thereafter, would make him a strong contender.

Second, the win gave Ambrose major momentum and confidence in his quest to get that second victory of the season and first oval victory of his career.

"I think that getting the first win out of the way at Watkins Glen was a big load off my shoulders, to finally win in the Sprint Cup series is huge," Ambrose said. "I've been feeling that pressure for some time, so I hope that I'm able to drive a little more relaxed and a little more freer and the wins will come more often."

Past performance at Michigan (two top-15 finishes in his past three races) and use of the FR9 engine that has powered six Ford victories this year bode well for Ambrose at the wide, flat, 2-mile track.

The FR9 has powered him to big-oval finishes of fourth at Las Vegas and sixth at Texas and Charlotte.

He finished 23rd at Michigan in June but still felt pretty good about that run and thinks it will serve him well.

"We did well there earlier in the year, and I feel like we've got a chance to run in the top 10 and contend for another win," he said. "The track gets really wide, and the speed is going to fall off in the corners. I have to use the racetrack, and I can't be scared to run up on the fence or down on the apron.

"We've got to have car speed and then manage the aerodynamics so that we don't get stuck out of the draft. I've just got to be smart about how I race this weekend so we have a chance (of reaching) Victory Lane two weekends in a row."

And starting to shake the tag of road-racing specialist.

Times wires
Friday, August 19, 2011

Former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor could appeal the five-game suspension levied against him by the NFL should he be chosen in Monday's supplemental draft, a decision that would add another layer of complexity to an already unprecedented situation.

The NFL decided Pryor, one of six players eligible for the supplemental draft, must sit out the first five games after he signs with a team.

Pryor gave up his final season with the Buckeyes after an investigation into the team's memorabilia-for-cash scandal. Pryor would have had to sit out five games had he chosen to return to Ohio State this fall.

Pryor's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told the Associated Press on Thursday that "we accept (the suspension) voluntarily." But Pryor's attorney, David Cornwell, told ESPN Radio on Friday it's likely the suspension will be appealed.

"We have the right to appeal within three days after Terrelle signs an NFL contract," Cornwell said. "And given some of the developments — both in reaching the decision and comments out of the (players association) regarding the decision — I think it's likely that we will file an appeal, and give the players association an opportunity to make its objections to this on the record."

Commissioner Roger Goodell and union executive director DeMaurice Smith worked together to craft the decision. The league is trying to dissuade future college players who run afoul of the NCAA from using the NFL as a means of escaping punishment. But the move has been staunchly opposed by current players who believe the NFL is overstepping its authority.

Broncos: If Brady Quinn has leapfrogged Tim Tebow on the quarterback depth chart, coach John Fox wasn't saying. Fox called his quarterback rotation for tonight's game against the Bills a game-time decision. At practice this week, No. 1 Kyle Orton again got all the work with the first team, but Quinn received most of the second-team work. Against Dallas last week, Tebow replaced Orton, and Quinn finished up.

Chiefs: A locker-room fight between veteran running back Thomas Jones and first-round draft pick Jonathan Baldwin has left the rookie receiver doubtful for the rest of the preseason with a wrist injury, ESPN reported.

Cowboys: Drew Pearson, Charles Haley and Larry Allen will be enshrined in the team's Ring of Honor on Nov. 6, when the Cowboys play the Seahawks.

Giants: Two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and likely will miss the season opener Sept. 11.

Jets: Plaxico Burress will make his playing debut for his new team Sunday against the Bengals. The receiver missed the preseason opener with a sprained left ankle that hobbled him in training camp, but he is healthy now and will start. It will be his first game since Nov. 23, 2008, at Arizona while with the Giants. He was signed by the Jets last month after serving a 20-month prison sentence on a gun charge for accidentally shooting himself in a leg in a Manhattan nightclub. "We'll leave him in there and let him play a bunch," coach Rex Ryan said. "He looks fine."

Panthers: Center Ryan Kalil signed a five-year contract extension that ESPN said makes him the highest-paid center in the NFL. The deal is for six years, $49 million, ESPN said.

Patriots: Coach Bill Belichick said the score of Thursday's 31-14 domination of the Bucs was "a little bit deceiving." His reasoning: "In the first half, there are a lot of things we need to do better, and (in) the second half, I think there are a lot of good things out there. But a lot of those were negated by a few bad things."

Newton fizzles in debut: Cam Newton threw a Hail Mary pass that fell incomplete on the final play of the first half, and that's the closest he came to reaching the end zone. The top pick of April's draft was shut out in his first preseason start, and Newton's Panthers lost to the host Dolphins 20-10. Newton played the first half, went 7-of-14 for 66 yards and ran four times for 18 yards. Reggie Bush played for the first time since joining the Dolphins and totaled 81 yards from scrimmage in three series. … John Beck led the Redskins to four straight first-half scores and Washington beat the host Colts 16-3. Indianapolis, without injured Peyton Manning, lost its eighth straight preseason game. … Colt McCoy threw three TD passes in the first half, but the host Browns blew a 15-point lead after halftime and lost 30-28 to the Lions.

Times wires
Friday, August 19, 2011

NORTH PLAINS, Ore. — Na Yeon Choi would like to have the 18th hole at Pumpkin Ridge back.

Choi double-bogeyed the par-4 final hole, but her 6-under 65 held up for the first-round lead at the LPGA Tour's Safeway Classic on Friday.

Choi was a runnerup when Ai Miyazato won last year, besting Cristie Kerr and Choi by two shots on the Ghost Creek course nestled in farmland west of Portland.

Choi, winner of last season's Vare Trophy for lowest scoring average, was playing Friday in a group with best friend Song-Hee Kim that teed off early in the day under a sunny sky.

Despite stumbling at the end, Choi birdied seven straight holes to set a personal record.

"I'd like to go back to the 18th hole, really," she said. "(But) so far, so good."

Grace Park, who has withdrawn or been cut in 38 of her past 67 tournaments, was two strokes back at 67, and Se Ri Pak, Anna Nordqvist, M.J. Hur and Ashli Bunch shot 68 as golfers with later tee times struggled against brisk afternoon breezes.

Seminole's Brittany Lincicome was at 1-over 72, Tampa resident Kristy McPherson at 73 and Tampa's Cindy LaCrosse at 74.

Park has been beset by injuries over the past six years, from her neck to her hip. She had back surgery one year ago and hip surgery the year before that.

"In the past, that was my excuse, and that was the truth," Park said. "But right now I'm healthy as I've been in 10 years. And yeah, knock on wood."

The 54-hole tournament is the longest-running non-major LPGA event. It was first played in 1972.

PGA: Tommy Gainey shot 65 to move to 12-under 128 and take a three-stroke lead after two rounds of the Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, N.C. Gainey, who shared the Round 1 lead with Jeff Quinney, had six birdies and has the second-best 36-hole score in tournament history. "I haven't really accomplished anything in two days," Gainey said. Ernie Els (66), Webb Simpson (65), Stuart Appleby (67) and Daniel Summerhays (65) were in second at 131. Quinney (70), who has conditional status on the tour, slipped five shots off the pace after a triple bogey on the par-4 11th. The field is littered with players trying to play their way off the bubble and into the playoffs, which begin next week. The top 125 in the point standings make the playoffs.

Champions: Fred Couples shot 5-under 66 to take a one-stroke lead after the second round of the Senior Players Championship, the tour's final major of the season, in Harrison, N.Y. Couples was at 8-under 134 for the tournament, his first since having nontraditional back treatment six weeks ago in Germany. Peter Senior (69) remained in second, one shot back, and Corey Pavin (69) was two back. First-round leader Jeff Sluman (73) was at 4 under.

Times wires
Friday, August 19, 2011

INDIANAPOLIS — NCAA president Mark Emmert says he's willing to back up his tough talk on punishing rule-breakers — even using the "death penalty" as a deterrent.

With salacious allegations swirling around Miami's football program, and one week after Emmert joined with university presidents to discuss toughening sanctions against cheating schools, the NCAA's leader said he believed the infractions committee should make the harshest penalty an option.

"If, and I say if, we have very unique circumstances where TV bans and death penalties are warranted, then I don't think they are off the table and I would be okay with putting those in place," Emmert told the Associated Press by telephone Friday.

Emmert later said the "death penalty," which prohibits a school from competing in a sport, should only be used in rare cases. He was quick to distance his comments from the UM case.

Convicted Ponzi scheme architect Nevin Shapiro has said he provided improper benefits to 72 Hurricanes football and basketball players from 2002 to 2010 and that a handful of coaches in both programs were aware of the infractions. Yahoo Sports reported the allegations after an 11-month investigation.

The NCAA has spent five months investigating UM but calls speculation about penalties for an ongoing case premature.

The allegations are the worst in a 18-month span in which the NCAA has looked into football programs at USC, Auburn, Oregon, Ohio State, Michigan, North Carolina, LSU, Tennessee and Georgia Tech and basketball programs at USC and Connecticut.

Meanwhile, UM's board of trustees offered president Donna Shalala a strong vote of confidence. In an interview posted online by the student newspaper, Shalala said she plans to remain at the school "for a long time."

The scope of the allegations against Miami has created widespread debate over bringing back the "death penalty," which has been used only once — when the NCAA canceled SMU's 1987 football season because of a pay-for play scandal. The school decided not to play in 1988, either.

Also, Missouri intends to wait for the results of the NCAA investigation before deciding the future of new men's basketball coach Frank Haith, chancellor Brady Deaton said. Haith was named in Shapiro's allegations.

BIG TEN STAYING PUT: The Big Ten, entering its first year as a 12-team league, said its Council of Presidents/Chancellors met recently and there is no plan to "actively" engage in expansion now "or at any time in the foreseeable future, barring a significant shift in the … landscape."

NORTH CAROLINA: Cornerback Jabari Price (left hand) will miss six weeks after having surgery.

WASHINGTON: Chris Polk, who rushed for 1,415 yards last season, had arthroscopic knee surgery Thursday. Coach Steve Sarkisian said the junior could miss the opener, Sept. 3 against Eastern Washington.

FSU BASKETBALL COMMIT: Alaska's Class 4A basketball player of the year, point guard Devon Bookert, announced a verbal commitment to play at Florida State. Anchorage TV station KTUU reported that Bookert, of West Anchorage High, will attend a year of prep school then enroll for college in fall 2012.

Times wires
Friday, August 19, 2011

Braves 4, Diamondbacks 2

ATLANTA — The Braves did all their scoring on three long balls and Derek Lowe combined with four relievers on a six-hitter. Michael Bourn homered in the first, Brian McCann added a two-run shot in the third, and Chipper Jones extended the lead in the sixth inning with his second homer in two nights.

Times wires
Friday, August 19, 2011

Astros 6, Giants 0

HOUSTON — Wandy Rodriguez pitched eight innings and had a two-run single as the Astros handed the Giants their 15th loss in their past 21 games. The Astros led 2-0 in the sixth when Carlos Corporan hit an RBI single with two outs and Rodriguez followed with a long single down the rightfield line. The Astros won their third straight game. Houston had not won more than two straight games since it had a four-game run May 30-June 2.

Times wires
Friday, August 19, 2011

Red Sox 7, Royals 1

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Jarrod Saltalamacchia hit a three-run homer and left-hander Andrew Miller allowed one run on three hits and a pair of walks over 5 1/3 innings against the Royals' feeble offense. It was Miller's first start since July 31 after a pair of appearances out of the bullpen and his first victory since July 20 at Baltimore. He was pulled after just 83 pitches because manager Terry Francona knew he'd be short on stamina.

Times wires
Friday, August 19, 2011

DETROIT — Max Scherzer pitched seven strong innings and the American League Central-leading Tigers hit three homers in a 4-1 victory over the second-place Indians on Friday.

Cleveland could have taken over the division lead with a sweep of the three-game series. Now they trail Detroit by 2½ games.

Scherzer allowed one run, five hits and a walk while throwing a career-high 127 pitches. Jose Valverde finished for his 36th save in as many tries.

The Tigers didn't get a runner into scoring position in the first five innings, but Ryan Raburn hit a one-out single in the sixth, and Austin Jackson followed with his sixth career homer.

Cleveland got a run back in the seventh. Carlos Santana singled and advanced to third with two outs when first baseman Miguel Cabrera's throw on Lonnie Chisenhall's grounder pulled Scherzer off the bag. Santana and scored on a wild pitch.

Detroit made it 4-1 in its half of the inning. Alex Avila hit a two-out homer, and Jhonny Peralta hit the next pitch for his 18th homer.

Times wires
Friday, August 19, 2011

Yankees 8, Twins 1

MINNEAPOLIS — Phil Hughes allowed two hits in 7 2/3 innings and Russell Martin hit two homers for the Yankees. Trevor Plouffe hit a solo homer in the first for the Twins, but Hughes was excellent the rest of the way. He gave up one run and struck out two in his longest outing of the season. Martin hit a solo homer in the third and a two-run shot in the sixth for his fourth career multihomer game. Mark Teixeira had two hits and three RBIs for the first-place Yankees.