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Tampa Bay Lightning players ready to 'start from scratch'

Next: Today's games on TV/radioAuburn at ClemsonnoonCh. 28Pittsburgh at IowanoonESPN2Penn State at TemplenoonESPNWest Virginia at MarylandnoonESPNUCentral Michigan at Western MichigannoonBHSNEastern Michigan at MichigannoonBig Ten 1SE Missouri State at PurduenoonBig Ten 2Mississippi at Vanderbilt12:20Ch. 38Duke at Boston College12:30Ch. 44Kansas at Georgia Tech12:30FSNColorado State vs. Colorado1:30Sun SportsTennessee at Florida3:30Ch. 10; 1250-AMMichigan State at Notre Dame3:30Ch. 8; 1010-AMTexas at UCLA3:30Ch. 28Washington at Nebraska3:30ESPNVirginia at North Carolina3:30ESPNUTexas Tech at New Mexico3:30VersusNorthwestern at Army3:30CBSSNMiami (Ohio) at Minnesota3:30Big Ten 1S.C. State at Indiana3:30Big Ten 2Arkansas State at Virginia Tech4FSNNavy at South Carolina6ESPN2Florida A&M at USF7BHSN: 970-AMLouisville at Kentucky7ESPNUArizona State at Illinois7Big Ten 1Ohio State at Miami7:30ESPN; 1470-AMNorth Texas at Alabama7:30FSNOklahoma at Florida State8Ch. 28; 1040-AM, 820-AMSyracuse at USC8FXUtah at BYU9:15ESPN2Oklahoma State at Tulsa10Sun SportsStanford at Arizona10:45ESPN; 1010-AMToday's games on TV/radioAuburn at ClemsonnoonCh. 28Pittsburgh at IowanoonESPN2Penn State at TemplenoonESPNWest Virginia at MarylandnoonESPNUCentral Michigan at Western MichigannoonBHSNEastern Michigan at MichigannoonBig Ten 1SE Missouri State at PurduenoonBig Ten 2Mississippi at Vanderbilt12:20Ch. 38Duke at Boston College12:30Ch. 44Kansas at Georgia Tech12:30FSNColorado State vs. Colorado1:30Sun SportsTennessee at Florida3:30Ch. 10; 1250-AMMichigan State at Notre Dame3:30Ch. 8; 1010-AMTexas at UCLA3:30Ch. 28Washington at Nebraska3:30ESPNVirginia at North Carolina3:30ESPNUTexas Tech at New Mexico3:30VersusNorthwestern at Army3:30CBSSNMiami (Ohio) at Minnesota3:30Big Ten 1S.C. State at Indiana3:30Big Ten 2Arkansas State at Virginia Tech4FSNNavy at South Carolina6ESPN2Florida A&M at USF7BHSN: 970-AMLouisville at Kentucky7ESPNUArizona State at Illinois7Big Ten 1Ohio State at Miami7:30ESPN; 1470-AMNorth Texas at Alabama7:30FSNOklahoma at Florida State8Ch. 28; 1040-AM, 820-AMSyracuse at USC8FXUtah at BYU9:15ESPN2Oklahoma State at Tulsa10Sun SportsStanford at Arizona10:45ESPN; 1010-AM
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By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Friday, September 16, 2011

BRANDON — Perhaps it was a coincidence. Perhaps Lightning coach Guy Boucher already planted a seed.

Either way, it was interesting Friday to hear several players say Tampa Bay must "start from scratch" this season after falling one win short in 2010-11 of reaching the Stanley Cup final.

"We're at the starting line like everybody else," W Marty St. Louis said. "It's a race to the finish, and we're all even at the start of the year no matter what we did before."

What the Lightning did was push the eventual Stanley Cup champion Bruins to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference final. It also returns a roster with relatively little turnover.

Even so, D Mattias Ohlund said, "We're going to have to start from scratch. Regardless of how you finished last year, it comes down to preparation and hard work and how you jell together."

Though Boucher said, "I wouldn't say we're starting from scratch because we have already built a culture, and players have that vision in mind," he added, "The team we had at the end of (last season) was not the one we had at the beginning. That's the end of a long process."

CAUTION: W Ryan Malone (shoulder surgery) said he is cleared for contact but as a precaution likely will not play in scrimmages today and Sunday.

COACH SPEAK: What does Boucher want to see in the scrimmages?

"Our vets not acting like vets," he said. "There are spots they need to keep and gain their ice time as much as the youngsters. So, I don't want to see any vets floating around waiting for this training camp to be over."

GOOD HAIR DAY: Steven Stamkos said he will keep his longer blond locks, with perhaps "just a little trim."

The center kept his hair short last season and joked after he signed an endorsement deal with Garnier Fructis, one of Canada's leading hair care brands, he didn't have the hair to pull it off.

Stamkos didn't say if the deal has anything to do with his changing hair style, but he said teammates seem to like the look.

"It looks really good when I put some product in it," he said, laughing.

ODDS AND ENDS: The camp roster was down to 56 after forwards Seth Griffith and Gabriel Desjardins were returned to their junior teams. … The Lightning wanted to see Russian D Nikita Nesterov in camp. But the highly regarded 2011 fifth-round draft pick did not get permission from his KHL team in Chelyabinsk to play for Tri-City of the junior Western league, said Al Murray, Tampa Bay's director of amateur scouting.


Today's games on TV/radioAuburn at ClemsonnoonCh. 28Pittsburgh at IowanoonESPN2Penn State at TemplenoonESPNWest Virginia at MarylandnoonESPNUCentral Michigan at Western MichigannoonBHSNEastern Michigan at MichigannoonBig Ten 1SE Missouri State at PurduenoonBig Ten 2Mississippi at Vanderbilt12:20Ch. 38Duke at Boston College12:30Ch. 44Kansas at Georgia Tech12:30FSNColorado State vs. Colorado1:30Sun SportsTennessee at Florida3:30Ch. 10; 1250-AMMichigan State at Notre Dame3:30Ch. 8; 1010-AMTexas at UCLA3:30Ch. 28Washington at Nebraska3:30ESPNVirginia at North Carolina3:30ESPNUTexas Tech at New Mexico3:30VersusNorthwestern at Army3:30CBSSNMiami (Ohio) at Minnesota3:30Big Ten 1S.C. State at Indiana3:30Big Ten 2Arkansas State at Virginia Tech4FSNNavy at South Carolina6ESPN2Florida A&M at USF7BHSN: 970-AMLouisville at Kentucky7ESPNUArizona State at Illinois7Big Ten 1Ohio State at Miami7:30ESPN; 1470-AMNorth Texas at Alabama7:30FSNOklahoma at Florida State8Ch. 28; 1040-AM, 820-AMSyracuse at USC8FXUtah at BYU9:15ESPN2Oklahoma State at Tulsa10Sun SportsStanford at Arizona10:45ESPN; 1010-AMToday's games on TV/radioAuburn at ClemsonnoonCh. 28Pittsburgh at IowanoonESPN2Penn State at TemplenoonESPNWest Virginia at MarylandnoonESPNUCentral Michigan at Western MichigannoonBHSNEastern Michigan at MichigannoonBig Ten 1SE Missouri State at PurduenoonBig Ten 2Mississippi at Vanderbilt12:20Ch. 38Duke at Boston College12:30Ch. 44Kansas at Georgia Tech12:30FSNColorado State vs. Colorado1:30Sun SportsTennessee at Florida3:30Ch. 10; 1250-AMMichigan State at Notre Dame3:30Ch. 8; 1010-AMTexas at UCLA3:30Ch. 28Washington at Nebraska3:30ESPNVirginia at North Carolina3:30ESPNUTexas Tech at New Mexico3:30VersusNorthwestern at Army3:30CBSSNMiami (Ohio) at Minnesota3:30Big Ten 1S.C. State at Indiana3:30Big Ten 2Arkansas State at Virginia Tech4FSNNavy at South Carolina6ESPN2Florida A&M at USF7BHSN: 970-AMLouisville at Kentucky7ESPNUArizona State at Illinois7Big Ten 1Ohio State at Miami7:30ESPN; 1470-AMNorth Texas at Alabama7:30FSNOklahoma at Florida State8Ch. 28; 1040-AM, 820-AMSyracuse at USC8FXUtah at BYU9:15ESPN2Oklahoma State at Tulsa10Sun SportsStanford at Arizona10:45ESPN; 1010-AM

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Friday, September 16, 2011

Captain's Corner: Go after gag grouper

Previous: Today's games on TV/radioAuburn at ClemsonnoonCh. 28Pittsburgh at IowanoonESPN2Penn State at TemplenoonESPNWest Virginia at MarylandnoonESPNUCentral Michigan at Western MichigannoonBHSNEastern Michigan at MichigannoonBig Ten 1SE Missouri State at PurduenoonBig Ten 2Mississippi at Vanderbilt12:20Ch. 38Duke at Boston College12:30Ch. 44Kansas at Georgia Tech12:30FSNColorado State vs. Colorado1:30Sun SportsTennessee at Florida3:30Ch. 10; 1250-AMMichigan State at Notre Dame3:30Ch. 8; 1010-AMTexas at UCLA3:30Ch. 28Washington at Nebraska3:30ESPNVirginia at North Carolina3:30ESPNUTexas Tech at New Mexico3:30VersusNorthwestern at Army3:30CBSSNMiami (Ohio) at Minnesota3:30Big Ten 1S.C. State at Indiana3:30Big Ten 2Arkansas State at Virginia Tech4FSNNavy at South Carolina6ESPN2Florida A&M at USF7BHSN: 970-AMLouisville at Kentucky7ESPNUArizona State at Illinois7Big Ten 1Ohio State at Miami7:30ESPN; 1470-AMNorth Texas at Alabama7:30FSNOklahoma at Florida State8Ch. 28; 1040-AM, 820-AMSyracuse at USC8FXUtah at BYU9:15ESPN2Oklahoma State at Tulsa10Sun SportsStanford at Arizona10:45ESPN; 1010-AMToday's games on TV/radioAuburn at ClemsonnoonCh. 28Pittsburgh at IowanoonESPN2Penn State at TemplenoonESPNWest Virginia at MarylandnoonESPNUCentral Michigan at Western MichigannoonBHSNEastern Michigan at MichigannoonBig Ten 1SE Missouri State at PurduenoonBig Ten 2Mississippi at Vanderbilt12:20Ch. 38Duke at Boston College12:30Ch. 44Kansas at Georgia Tech12:30FSNColorado State vs. Colorado1:30Sun SportsTennessee at Florida3:30Ch. 10; 1250-AMMichigan State at Notre Dame3:30Ch. 8; 1010-AMTexas at UCLA3:30Ch. 28Washington at Nebraska3:30ESPNVirginia at North Carolina3:30ESPNUTexas Tech at New Mexico3:30VersusNorthwestern at Army3:30CBSSNMiami (Ohio) at Minnesota3:30Big Ten 1S.C. State at Indiana3:30Big Ten 2Arkansas State at Virginia Tech4FSNNavy at South Carolina6ESPN2Florida A&M at USF7BHSN: 970-AMLouisville at Kentucky7ESPNUArizona State at Illinois7Big Ten 1Ohio State at Miami7:30ESPN; 1470-AMNorth Texas at Alabama7:30FSNOklahoma at Florida State8Ch. 28; 1040-AM, 820-AMSyracuse at USC8FXUtah at BYU9:15ESPN2Oklahoma State at Tulsa10Sun SportsStanford at Arizona10:45ESPN; 1010-AM
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By Bill Hardman, Times Correspondent
Friday, September 16, 2011

What's hot: Gag grouper season opened this week, and now these pesky fish can be hunted. The closure of the season for most of this year led to an abundance of gags on almost every ledge, rock pile and wreck. Many spearfishermen must wait for gags to get out of the way so they can look for other fish under ledges and in dark-covered areas. This is a short season, so get geared up and get fishing.

Look for bait: I have been diving the gulf since the early 1980s, and each year, except for the Red Tide years, the baitfish pods and schools have increased in coverage and densities. That means more food for your favorite target fish, so look closely at the bottom machine when hovering over your favorite dive or fishing spots. If you can't spot bait pods flirting around the site, cut your losses and go to the next spot. Find the bait and you should find gag grouper for dinner.

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.

NASL game preview: FC Tampa Bay vs. Minnesota Stars

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By Eduardo A. Encina, Times staff writer
Friday, September 16, 2011

Tonight

FC Tampa Bay vs. Minnesota Stars

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

Records: FCTB 10-8-7 (37 points); Minnesota 8-10-8 (32 points)

Radio/online: 1010-AM; fctampabay.com

Series: Tampa Bay leads 2-0-1, outscoring Minnesota 4-1 in the three matches. The teams meet for the second time 11 days.

Last time out: Tampa Bay won 2-1 Sept. 6 at Minnesota to clinch its first playoff berth. MF Keith Savage (22nd minute) and MF Mozzi Gyorio (77th) scored for Tampa Bay. … Minnesota beat Atlanta 2-0 Saturday, halting a seven-match winless streak. F Jeff Cosgriff (12th minute) and Kyle Altman (83rd) scored.

Skinny: Tampa Bay, tied for third in the NASL standings with Fort Lauderdale, can clinch a first-round playoff home game with a win. Fort Lauderdale has one fewer game remaining. … Minnesota is clinging to the sixth and final playoff spot, three points ahead of Montreal. … Gyorio, who scored the winner Sept. 6 on a free kick, was named NASL offensive player of the week. It was the eighth time an FCTB player received a weekly honor. … The club heads to Puerto Rico to play the Islanders on Wednesday, a makeup for a game postponed last Saturday by Tropical Storm Maria. … F Mike Ambersley's 11 goals are tied for second in the league. … FCTB is 6-4-2 at home and 8-3-3 in its past 14.

Eduardo A. Encina, Times staff writer

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Minnesota Vikings: The analysis

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By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Friday, September 16, 2011

1 p.m. Sunday, Mall of America Field, Minneapolis | TV/radio: Ch. 13; 620-AM, 103.5-FM | Line, O/U: Vikings by 3, 411/2

Bucs

It's still difficult to tell exactly what the Vikings will be like with newcomer Donovan McNabb under center (though he threw for only 39 yards last week against the Chargers). But it's clear their central mission will continue to be getting running back Adrian Peterson going. The Bucs have shown a tendency during the past few seasons to allow great individual rushing performances. But look for safeties Cody Grimm and Sean Jones to take a bigger role in stopping the run. That wasn't possible in the opener because of the threat of Lions star receiver Calvin Johnson. The Vikings' passing game isn't quite that potent.

Vikings' best offensive player

Running back is becoming more and more an interchangeable position in the NFL, but that's not the case in Minnesota. The Vikings recently made Adrian Peterson, right, the league's highest-paid running back with a contract that could max out at $100 million. Peterson's blend of speed and power will present a formidable challenge for the Bucs.

Vikings' best defensive player

End Jared Allen has 56 sacks since 2007, and he'll be a constant threat to quarterback Josh Freeman. Left tackle Donald Penn will be charged with slowing Allen in the noisy dome. Penn said Allen takes advantage of offensive linemen's inability to hear the snap count.

What the Vikings do best

The Vikings stress ball control with running back Adrian Peterson and have the ability to take downfield shots with receivers Percy Harvin and Bernard Berrian. On defense, they are aggressive. But the effectiveness of Jared Allen (83½ sacks since 2004) might be impacted by the drug-related suspension of fellow tackle Kevin Williams.

You can beat the Vikings if …

You aren't playing from behind. When the scoreboard tilts in their favor, the Vikings can go to their strengths: the running game and pass rush.

The Bucs must avoid …

Another early deficit. Besides the fact the Bucs are notoriously slow starters, Mall of America Field is expected to be packed to the rafters for the Vikings' home opener. It's one of the loudest venues in sports. And if the crowd gets going early, it could be a long day for a young team such as the Bucs.

Prediction

The Bucs find some offensive balance and get a couple of picks off Donovan McNabb.

Bucs 21, Vikings 17

Kickin' back with Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Da'Quan Bowers

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By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Friday, September 16, 2011

You used to play the guitar in your father's gospel band. When did you start playing and are you any good?

That was actually my dad's job. It was the only job he ever had. He was a musician for 33 years. He traveled around the world playing professional gospel music. I actually started (playing) at about 4. I just kind of started learning my way. I actually started as a drummer, but once I tore up my drum set, my mom and dad decided I needed something a little quieter. So I moved to the guitar.

So were you good at it?

Definitely. I got to meet and play with a lot of people just because of my father's job. I got to meet a lot of really good people. My dad's lead singer and Patti LaBelle's manager were best friends, so we got to travel a lot with them and see the road and be around people like The Drifters and The Isley Brothers. That's a big thing for a kid. Most kids don't get the opportunity like I did.

Obviously, football turned out pretty good. But was music ever an aspiration?

I didn't really start taking music seriously until I was about 13, 14. I was playing football, but there was this local group in my hometown of Bamberg (S.C.) that asked my father if I could play with them locally. He wouldn't let me play because he said I wasn't good enough yet. So about a year and a half passed, and he finally let me go and play outside the house. Some people from a church heard me play, and I kind of started to go to this church and play. That's how I made my money as a high school kid. I played in church on Sunday and with the group on the weekends. It wasn't big money. Maybe $25 or $35 a show. In high school, though, that's plenty of money.

You play football in front of thousands of people. Did you get more nervous playing music for an audience or before football games?

Probably before my first performance. It's a lot different when you're in front of 85,000 people at Clemson with a helmet on than being in front of 6,000 or 7,000 people at a concert and they can see your facial expressions. That was my first stage fright.

Here are my weekly questions. What's playing the most on your iPod right now?

Probably Jay-Z's and Kanye West's (collaboration) album, Watch the Throne.

Who had the better raps?

Jay-Z, by far.

What website do you visit the most?

Probably Twitter.

But you don't tweet very much.

Yeah, I'm just scrolling.

Who is the most interesting person you follow?

(Bucs linebacker) Geno Hayes. Geno tweets every two seconds. I've never seen anything like it. I've never seen anyone get locked out (of their Twitter account) as much as Geno. I hear if you tweet 100 times in an hour, you get locked out. He gets locked out probably two, three times per day.

(Linebacker) Mason Foster said the same thing last week.

Yeah, well, I don't know how (Hayes) does it. It's crazy.

Last weekly question: What reality TV show do you never miss?

I used to watch The Real World. My girl watches Basketball Wives and Single Ladies and all those shows. The Kardashians.

There's so many, aren't there?

Yeah. And I hate Sundays. They all come on back to back to back. I'll be in the front room playing (video) games or something, and she'll be in the other room watching that stuff.

Your father passed away last year. What is the memory of him that sticks with you the most?

Probably that last night I spent with him (in the hospital). That was probably one of the most serious talks me and my father ever had. There was a lot of emotion in it, but I'll tell you this: He got his point across. He prepped me for what happened, and I'm grateful I had that experience.

What's the funniest thing he ever said or did?

My dad was a clown. He would always pop up at my apartment at Clemson asking me where all the women were. I just thought it was crazy. He'd say, "Where are those girls at? I know you got some up in here!" I'd say, "Come on, man." But that was my father. He was always joking around. He wouldn't usually get real serious, but when he was serious, I really knew he was serious.

Stephen F. Holder can be reached at sholder@sptimes.com.

Scouting reports for UCF Knights at Florida International Panthers, and Miami Hurricanes vs. Ohio State Buckeyes

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Times staff, wires
Friday, September 16, 2011

UCF at FIU, 6 p.m.

The Knights (2-0) have 27 players who graduated from Miami and Fort Lauderdale high schools, 15 of whom were teammates with players on the Florida International roster. The Panthers (2-0) beat Louisville last week, their first win over a school in an automatic-qualifier BCS conference.

Miami vs. No. 17 Ohio St., 7:30 p.m., ESPN, 1470-AM

Both teams want to get a temporary respite from ongoing fallout from their respective NCAA scandals. Miami (0-1) has not lost five consecutive games since an eight-game slide in the 1977-78 seasons, and the Hurricanes are desperate to give new coach Al Golden his first victory. For Ohio State (2-0), which struggled at home to beat Toledo last weekend, a loss could mean the Buckeyes tumble out of the Associated Press Top 25 for the first time since 2004. Hurricanes QB Jacory Harris, LB Sean Spence, WR Travis Benjamin, DE Adewale Ojomo and DT Marcus Forston return from one-game suspensions.

Information from the Associated Press and the Orlando Sentinel was used in this report.

Auto racing news and notes

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Times wires
Friday, September 16, 2011

JOLIET, Ill. — Richard Childress denied that his team ordered Paul Menard to cause an intentional caution at Richmond last week, but NASCAR said officials are investigating anyway.

Menard spun with 16 laps left and Jeff Gordon leading Saturday night's race. The drivers pitted under caution, RCR driver Kevin Harvick was first off pit road and he held off Gordon to win his fourth race of the season.

Both Harvick and Gordon made the 12-driver Chase for the Championship, which starts Sunday with the Geico 400 at Chicagoland Speedway.

Gordon has called the timing of the caution "a little fishy." Childress said Friday that it's much ado about nothing.

"There were no team orders despite all the speculation in the media," the team owner said in a statement. "I know Paul Menard well enough that he wouldn't have spun out on purpose, even if he had been asked. We are at Chicagoland Speedway to win the race and get a great start toward the championship."

NASCAR president Mike Helton said officials didn't see anything intentional in Menard's spin, but the questions surrounding the caution led the sanctioning body to take a second look. Harvick tied Kyle Busch atop the points when they were reset for the Chase; both received three points for each of their four victories this season, giving them 2,012. Had Gordon, a three-time winner in 2011, stayed ahead at Richmond, he would have had 2,012 points and Harvick 2,009.

NASCAR can't change the results but could penalize RCR if it feels the organization did anything that falls under the "actions detrimental to stock-car racing" clause in the rules.

INDYCAR: Danica Patrick doesn't understand why a fuss is being made over her expressing concerns about racing this weekend near a nuclear reactor crippled by the earthquake and tsunami in March.

Patrick will race in tonight's Japan 300 at the Twin Ring Motegi — 93 miles from the Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear plant, which leaked radiation after being severely damaged by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

Patrick posted her only victory in the IndyCar series in Japan in 2008.

"Having concerns about coming here is completely understandable," Patrick said Friday. "Now that I'm here, I've eaten the food, I go out running in the morning, so I'm doing the things I normally do here, and it seems like everything is fine."

The quake damaged the 1½-mile oval at Twin Ring, so the race will be held instead on the recently repaved 14-turn road course.

Just after drivers arrived Thursday, the circuit was jolted by a strong 6.2 earthquake off Japan's northeastern coast that shook buildings at Motegi.


Fall Sprint at Derby Lane could be finale for track favorites

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By Don Jensen, Times Correspondent
Friday, September 16, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — If the $50,000 Fall Sprint turns out to be the "last hurrah" for Derby Lane favorites Aerial Battle and Flying Coal City, track racing secretary Jerry Miller says don't forget about the men who got the dogs this far: kennel owners Henry Parker and Malcolm McAllister.

"I love to see people handle their nice greyhounds the way that (Parker and McAllister) have," Miller said. "Henry is extremely patient and makes sure his dogs are right before he does anything with them. Malcolm is not afraid to pull a dog off (the active list) and give him what he needs to try to get his confidence back. You've got good dogs and good people handling them."

The fifth annual Fall Sprint begins tonight with qualifying in Races 4, 6, 8 and 10. It is Derby Lane's first stakes of the meet.

Joining Aerial Battle (Capabal kennel) and defending champion Flying Coal City (McAllister) as top threats in the 32-dog field are track wins leader Jw Titleist (Capabal), St. Petersburg Derby winner Storm Rush (Hambleton) and Fall Juvenile winner Uss Gazillionair (Lester Raines). Two-time stakes winner Hi Noon Renegade (Nova) is out with an injury. Four 550-yard qualifying rounds precede the Oct. 1 final. First place pays $22,000.

"This is going to be one of the better, competitive tournaments that I've run in the last few years," Miller said. "There will be no four-round winner going into the final. It's going to be a bit of a survivor series until they hit the final."

The Fall Sprint could be the final stakes for Aerial Battle (Race 10) and Flying Coal City (Race 6). Aerial Battle turned 4 on Sept. 5, and Flying Coal City reaches that age in March. The pair recently returned from injuries. Aerial Battle, a winner of one stakes and lifetime earner of more than $57,000, has overcome a stopper bone issue and a sprained hock.

Shoulder problems have plagued Flying Coal City, who has five stakes wins and $148,115 in earnings. In 2010, Flying Coal City was awarded the industry's Triple Crown (All-America captain, Rural Rube for top sprinter, and Flashy Sir for distance).

While Flying Coal City has achieved more status than Aerial Battle, their careers are mirror images. Aerial Battle won his 60th Grade A race Wednesday, raising his career victory total to 66. Flying Coal City has totaled 63 wins, 56 at Grade A (22 in stakes). Both former track win leaders share the same career-high win streak of eight, and are 4-4 against each other in head-to-head meetings.

"They're both extremely seasoned greyhounds with excellent careers," Miller said. "This could be their last hurrah. … You never know."

STILL PERFECT: Derby Lane employee Radivoje (Rod) Kalajdzic, 20, raised his light-heavyweight professional boxing record to 2-0 with a 90-second knockout of Marlon Farr on Sept. 9 in Tampa.

Crosby okay'd for some practice

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Times wires
Friday, September 16, 2011

PITTSBURGH — When the Penguins take the ice today for the first day of work at training camp, among them will be Sidney Crosby, who Friday was cleared for noncontact practices.

"That's good news for me. I'm excited to get going," said Crosby, who is recovering from a concussion sustained in early January. He hasn't played since.

"Whatever symptoms I've had have been pretty minimal."

Crosby isn't allowed to play in scrimmages.

During a briefing Sept. 7 with the two concussion specialists who are treating him, Crosby said he began having postconcussion symptoms — mainly headaches — once he reached a 90 percent exertion level during his offseason workouts. He wouldn't estimate Friday where he is percentagewise in his recovery.

"I'm pretty happy with the way things have gone this past week or so. Exertion has been pretty high," he said.

Also back today for the Penguins and at full participation is star center Evgeni Malkin, who tore the ACL and MCL in his right knee Feb. 4 and missed the rest of the season.

"I feel good," he said. "My knee is 90 percent ready. But we have time. It's 20 more days till the start of the season."

blackhawks: Wing Patrick Kane, who had surgery to repair a broken bone in his left wrist July 19, said he can practice but will be cautious about contact.

flyers: Veteran defenseman Chris Pronger was named captain to replace Mike Richards, who was traded to the Kings over the summer.

kings: All-Star defenseman Drew Doughty, a restricted free agent, didn't report to training camp as he waits for a new contract. General manager Dean Lombardi said the sides have significant differences. The team is believed to have offered Doughty a multiyear deal with an average salary of $6.8 million, equal to that of All-Star center Anze Kopitar. Lombardi didn't give specifics but indicated the team's most recent offer is now off the table and that any further offer would reflect financially how many days of training camp Doughty misses. Based on a contract offer of $6.8 million, each day of work missed equals just under $25,000 off the offer. Doughty's agent, Don Meehan, declined to comment to ESPN.

'IneligiBowl' matches Buckeyes against Hurricanes

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Times staff, wires
Friday, September 16, 2011

Bull has a Rattler in his corner

Coach Skip Holtz isn't the only prominent member of the Bulls football family with a father cheering against his usual loyalties this season. Just as former Irish coach Lou Holtz was rooting for the Bulls against Notre Dame, this week Bruce Daniels, father of Bulls QB B.J. Daniels, above, will proudly cheer for a loss for Florida A&M … his employer.

For the past two years, the elder Daniels has worked as the booking coordinator for the Al Lawson Center, FAMU's campus basketball arena in Tallahassee, helping line up sporting events, concerts and speakers such as former President Bill Clinton. There's no question who he's pulling for today. He said his colleagues at FAMU know his son's talents well, going back to his days at Tallahassee Lincoln High.

"They'll be a supportive group; B.J.'s kind of a hometown hero around these parts," the elder Daniels said. "They're kind of torn. Their attitude is pretty much 'Tell B.J. to have mercy on us; don't hurt us too bad,' that kind of stuff."

Bruce Daniels said his parents and two daughters will be among the family members attending tonight's game at Raymond James Stadium. He sees a new confidence in his son and said that comes from being in the same offense for a second straight season.

"It's a matter of him understanding what's expected of him. I think he has a clear understanding now," he said. " … Summer was real big for him. I know it's paying great dividends for him."

Bruce Daniels actually has plenty of experience pulling against FAMU; he's a Bethune-Cookman graduate, so he has been on the opposite end of the schools' annual rivalry. Asked if he's looking forward to tonight, he said his eyes are focused farther down the road.

"I'm looking forward to USF winning the Big East, to be honest," he said.

Greg Auman, Times staff writer

By the numbers: ACC edition

4 ACC home games today against nonleague ranked opponents.

2-12 ACC record last season against nonconference ranked opponents.

31 Consecutive losses by ACC teams to nonleague opponents ranked among the top five at kickoff. The last such win was Florida State's thumping of No. 4 Florida in 2000.

580 Media credentials issued for today's FSU-Oklahoma game.

Newport News (Va.) Daily Press, Orlando Sentinel. Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.

Ohio State and Miami meet tonight in a game dubbed the "IneligiBowl." Ohio State interim coach Luke Fickell hoped his players could avoid the discussions about nonfootball issues after a close call at home against Toledo last weekend. • "Our guys have been through it time and time again," he said. "There's always going to be distractions in Columbus or Miami. It's handling those things that ends up defining a team. … It comes down to what you guys write and what they talk about on ESPN or whatever station, and what (the players) let sink into their heads." • Both teams are dealing with suspensions, but host Miami will regain the services of starting QB Jacory Harris. • The NCAA reinstated three Buckeyes — RB Jordan Hall, CB Travis Howard and S Corey Brown — who were suspended for accepting $200 in cash in an envelope from a university booster while attending a charity event earlier this year.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

By the numbers: SEC edition

6 Players in last week's Auburn-Mississippi State game who had more than 100 all-purpose yards.

7 League teams averaging 40 or more points per game.

87 Combined points in South Carolina's 45-42 win over Georgia, the most in the history of the series.

103 Points scored by Arkansas, the Razorbacks' highest total through two games since 1911.

If Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed him, SpongeBob would lead the league in sacks

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By Gary Shelton and John Romano, Times Sports Columnists
Friday, September 16, 2011

This week's electronic conversation between columnists John Romano and Gary Shelton: GS: Even considering all the disappointment of a week ago, the worst part about being 0-1 is that the Bucs have a possibility of falling to 0-2. How badly do they need to win Sunday?

JR: Do they need to win to salvage the season? No. Teams have come back from 0-2 before, and at worst, the Bucs would be one game behind in the NFC South. Do they need to win to sell future tickets? Absolutely. There are a lot of reasons for poor attendance in recent seasons, but fan skepticism ranks high on that list. An 0-2 start will only reinforce the perception among some fans that the team did little to help itself in the offseason.

GS: On the other hand, winning forgives a lot. And this time, fans can actually see this game.

JR: Are you sure that's a good thing?

GS: Absolutely not. This game should come with a parental warning. If the Bucs don't tackle any better than they did last week, Adrian Peterson is going to go horror show on them. Would you let your son watch?

JR: Only chance of that happening is if SpongeBob SquarePants plays defensive end. And the Bucs refused to sign him.

GS: That's because SpongeBob was a free agent. The Bucs prefer to draft their own cartoons.

JR: So what are the odds the Bucs can get back on track against the Vikings? More specifically, against Peterson, who has averaged close to 110 yards per game in his career at Mall of America Field.

GS: Peterson is a load, and he's the reason the Bucs are slight underdogs. And don't forget, Donovan McNabb has been thrown away by two teams in two years, but he has had some moments against the Bucs. But I still see the Vikings as the last-place team in their division. It's winnable, don't you think?

JR: If you're a playoff-caliber team, you have to expect to win a certain number of road games. This is one of those games. It's too early to say if it will define their season, but it should give us an important clue.

GS: Agreed. Last year's turnaround was helped by six road wins. As I recall, the Bucs were underdogs in most of those, too. Here's a question: Which has to improve more, the offense or the defense?

JR: I don't know who wins the you-were-worse debate, but I know they both need to improve. The offense gave up the ball too quickly, and the defense didn't get it back fast enough. Bottom line: What do you see happening?

GS: I see a sharper offense. I see a defense that still gives up too many big plays. I see 17-17 in the fourth quarter. In the end, however, I see 0-2.

JR: Guess it's my turn to play good cop. I agree the defense will get burned a couple of times by being overly aggressive on turf, but I think the Bucs pull it out. Barely.

The sky isn't falling for Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Friday, September 16, 2011

The Bucs play the Vikings Sunday at Mall of America Field, the first game at the venue since the Teflon roof collapsed under the weight of heavy snow in December.

But the sky was seemingly falling last week for both teams.

Nothing invites more of a knee-jerk reaction than the results of Week 1 in the NFL.

"It's kind of a Chicken Little complex," Bucs QB Josh Freeman said. "Lose the first game, the sky's falling. 'You guys are never going to win again. You can't start. The defense can't do this or can't do that.' Within the building, we know what kind of team we are.

"We know we let one get away this past weekend, and we know we can go out and play better football and win games. There's no panic within this building; within our locker room."

The 27-20 loss to Detroit was a downer for Tampa Bay fans particularly because of the ineptitude on both sides of the ball.

The defense couldn't get off the field. The offense couldn't run the ball and was bad in short-yardage situations. Coach Raheem Morris second-guessed himself for starting the second half in the two-minute offense, effectively taking RB LeGarrette Blount out of the game plan.

Things should go much differently for the Bucs Sunday largely because both teams have similar approaches. The Vikings want to pound the ball on the ground with Adrian Peterson and set up play-action passes by Donovan McNabb, who threw for only 39 yards with one touchdown and one interception in last week's 24-17 loss at San Diego.

Minnesota coach Leslie Frazier also experienced his share of bandwagon jumpers after Week 1.

"I was telling one of our executives the other day I can remember a team a few years ago that started off 6-0 and everybody was crowning this team and saying how great they were," Frazier said. "And they didn't even make the playoffs.

"So you have to be careful about coming to conclusions after one week into the season. There's so much football to be played. And when you consider this offseason (shortened due to the lockout)? If there was ever a year you don't want to overreact, this would be the year."

But if a loss in Week 1 produces panic, following it up with another in Week 2 is reason for concern. Why? Because since 1990, only 12 percent of the teams that started 0-2 have reached the postseason.

Again, a 0-2 start doesn't necessarily define a bad team. But the pressure to get that first win — regardless of the opponent — becomes the focus, and the anxiety of fans can be felt throughout the locker room and front office.

"Everybody expects to win most games, but then there's reality," Bucs RB Earnest Graham said. "It's the game of football, and typically in first games, you find out a lot about yourselves win or lose. The league is about progression; about which team is going to be consistent about coming in and getting the job done."

MR. INTENSITY: The Bucs will be without WR/KR Sammie Stroughter, who is out at least four weeks with a broken foot. Either Preston Parker or Micheal Spurlock will handle kickoff return duties, and Parker likely will replace Stroughter as the slot receiver.

"Preston is an intense player," Freeman said. "You talk about a guy who goes out there and just hits linebackers in the face and gets up and laughs about it."

TACKLE DRILLS: Peterson puts a lot of pressure on a defense, especially cornerbacks, who have to be relied upon to tackle or force the play inside toward the pursuit.

"We're prepared for that," Bucs defensive backs coach Jimmy Lake said.

"There's going to be times when the corners have to make tackles. They're defenders just like everybody else, but we've also got some defenses in which they won't be making the tackles. (The Vikings) create some tough downs with what they do."

Tom Jones' Shooting from the lip

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By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Friday, September 16, 2011

Analyst of the day

Former Bucs QB Trent Dilfer is considered one of the best and hardest-working NFL studio analysts on television. Now he's getting rave reviews for his game analysis after working the Raiders-Broncos game, the second half of this week's Monday Night Football doubleheader on ESPN. His strength is his willingness to say anything, even if it rubs people the wrong way.

"I don't try to be controversial," Dilfer, left, told the Denver Post. "I do a lot of preparation — including watching game tapes — to get the facts before I offer an opinion. Sometimes my opinions bother people."

Though Dilfer might be just as good in the booth as the studio, the problem is ESPN typically carries only one NFL game a week and the analysis is handled by the extremely capable Jon Gruden and Ron Jaworski.

Injury of the day

ESPN's John Saunders is on the disabled list. Details are sketchy, but ESPN is reporting that Saunders was injured in a fall last weekend and will not be able to host today's college football studio coverage or Sunday morning's Sports Reporters. Scott Van Pelt will take Saunders' place today, and Jeremy Schaap will host Sports Reporters.

Show of the day

Reason No. 219 why Bright House cable customers must be going crazy without the NFL Network: The network's documentary on Patriots coach Bill Belichick. You might think it's boring. You would be wrong. Belichick was wired by NFL Films for the entire 2009 season, and Thursday's debut of A Football Life: Bill Belichick was incredibly compelling. The best scene was an expletive-laced trash-talk exchange he had with then-Ravens receiver Derrick Mason, which ended with Belichick giving the ultimate smackdown: "Can you look at the scoreboard?" Thursday's Part I was viewed by an average of 657,000 people, making it the most-watched documentary in the eight years of the network. In Boston, the show averaged 151,000 viewers, making it the second-most-watched show of the night. The first? The Rays-Red Sox game.

Media tidbits

• As expected, former ESPN anchor Brian Kenny has joined the MLB Network. But Kenny tells USA Today he could eventually host a radio show and plans on doing more boxing. Kenny hosted ESPN's Friday Night Fights.

• ABC drew 6.167 million viewers for the NASCAR Sprint Cup race Sept. 10 in Richmond. That's a 16.6 percent jump from 2010's race. Overall, viewer numbers are up nearly 10 percent from 2010.

• Sunday's Outside the Lines (10 a.m., ESPN2) will look at Broncos and former Gators QB Tim Tebow and how polarizing he is among sports fans.

Announcer of the day

Auburn fans are not pleased that former Florida coach Urban Meyer is set to call today's Auburn-Clemson game on ABC. Birmingham News columnist Kevin Scarbinsky writes that the conflict of interest is "thicker than Joe Paterno's glasses."

When Meyer coached Florida, he said unkind things about the Auburn program and was the only SEC coach to not vote Auburn No. 1 in the USA Today poll in December.

ESPN released a statement that essentially said it has many former players and coaches in its broadcasting pen and eventually those broadcasters are going to call games involving teams they used to face. So what should Auburn fans do? Get over themselves or hit the mute button.

tom jones' two cents

The latest in the world of sports

Sports in brief

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Times wires
Friday, September 16, 2011

Tennis

Nadal: calendar might bring revolt

CORDOBA, Spain — Rafael Nadal wants an immediate fix to an overcrowded tennis calendar or players might examine tougher options to force a change.

Nadal beat Richard Gasquet 6-3, 6-0, 6-1 Friday as Spain took a 2-0 lead over France in a Davis Cup semifinal, the match coming only four days after the second-ranked Spaniard lost to Novak Djokovic in the U.S. Open final.

When asked if a strike would be possible, Nadal said: "We don't want to get there. … Sometimes the only way to make things happen is to choose strong action."

The Davis Cup quarterfinals are played the week after Wimbledon while the semifinals are played the week after the U.S. Open.

Defending champion Serbia, playing without Djokovic, trailed Argentina 2-0 in Belgrade in the other semifinal. Djokovic has an ailing back. Argentina needs one more point to reach its first final since 2008.

Basketball

Ex-NBA guard waives initial murder hearing

Former Wizards guard Javaris Crittenton waived his right to an initial court hearing on a murder charge in Atlanta.

Defense attorney Brian Steel told a Fulton County magistrate that Crittenton, 23, had decided to forgo his right and did not attend the session. His next hearing is Sept. 30.

Police have charged Crittenton with killing Julian Jones, 22, and a mother of four, during a drive-by shooting. Investigators say the shots were meant for someone walking with her.

Crittenton has denied any involvement in the killing. He was arrested in California.

Last year he pleaded guilty to a gun charge after a locker room altercation with Wizards teammate Gilbert Arenas.

European Championships: Defending champion Spain and France will play for the European title Sunday in Lithuania, qualifying both nations for next year's Olympics. Juan Carlos Navarro scored 35 as Spain beat Macedonia 92-80. France, backed by 22 points from Tony Parker, beat Russia 79-71.

No discrimination: A federal jury found that an upscale Atlanta restaurant did not violate the civil rights of ex-NBA All-Star Joe Barry Carroll and a friend who claimed they were expelled from the bar because they were black. Their attorney was seeking at least $3 million in damages from the Tavern at Phipps because of the 2006 incident in which the men refused to give up their seats to two women, per bar policy. The women were white.

WNBA: Minnesota forward Maya Moore was named league rookie of the year and the Lynx's Cheryl Reeve coach of the year in voting by a national media panel.

Track

Training partner nears a Bolt record

Usain Bolt ran the year's fastest time of 9.76 seconds in the 100 meters at the Van Damme Memorial in Brussels, but he was upstaged by training partner Yohan Blake, who ran the second-fastest 200 in history.

Blake took Bolt's advice and ran a contained curve to finish in 19.26, just 0.07 off Bolt's world record. "I think all the tutoring just stopped," Bolt said.

Former FSU sprinter Walter Dix took second with the fourth-best 200 in history (19.53).

Et cetera

Soccer: Manchester United, owned by the Glazer family that also owns the Bucs, has been approved by Singapore's stock exchange for a $1 billion public offering, the Associated Press reported. Man U was valued at $1.9 billion by Forbes magazine, but it has about $750 million of debt. … FIFA executive committee member Worawi Makudi has denied wrongdoing as soccer's governing body begins an investigation into whether $860,000 in development funds were spent on land he owns in Bangkok. Worawi said the land had been transferred to the Football Association of Thailand; a body of which he is president.

Times wires


Less spectacular day okay for Rose

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Times wires
Friday, September 16, 2011

LEMONT, Ill. — Coming off his best round of the year, Justin Rose figured it couldn't get much better in the PGA Tour's BMW Championship.

He was good enough Friday for 3-under 68 and a share of the lead with Mark Wilson.

Rose felt flat at times, especially early on the back nine at Cog Hill on a cool, overcast day in the Chicago suburbs. But a 3-iron into 30 feet for an eagle on the par-5 15th woke him up, and not even a bogey on the last hole changed his outlook on the day or the weekend of this FedEx Cup playoff event.

"You never quite know what to expect after playing so well in the first round," Rose said of his opening 63. "Actually, my caddie said it's the best round he's seen in 20 years out there from a ball-striking perspective. So there's only one way to go from there. But (Friday) was good."

It was even better for Wilson, who considers Cog Hill a home course after moving to the area. Wilson again had a large following of friends and family, and he treated them to a good show. He ran off four straight birdies around the turn, starting with a wedge to tap-in range at No. 8 and was steady the rest of the way for 66.

They were at 11-under 131.

Webb Simpson, who leads the FedEx Cup point standings and has won two of his past three tournaments, made his only bogey on No. 5 but was otherwise solid to shoot 68. He was two shots behind.

They will be in the final group this morning, when tee times are moved forward to finish in time for NBC to televise the Notre Dame football game.

John Senden, No. 55 in the FedEx Cup standings and needing a top-five finish to reach the playoff-finale Tour Championship next week, had 66 and was alone in fourth at 134. Bill Haas, who has the Presidents Cup on his mind at No. 12 on the list of American candidates, was another shot back after 66.

This is the final event for the top 10 players for the U.S. and international teams to qualify for the November Presidents Cup. Brandt Snedeker (No. 11) had 66 and was in a group at 137 that included David Toms (No. 10). Also at 137 were Geoff Ogilvy and Robert Allenby, both on the bubble for the international side. Another shot behind was Jim Furyk, No. 9 on the U.S. list.

For the playoffs, the top 30 in the point standings after this tournament advance to the Tour Championship, the last of four playoff events, for a shot at the $10 million prize.

Wilson, a two-time winner early this season, is a lock for the Tour Championship. He has to win the BMW Championship to earn a spot on the Presidents Cup team.

These next few weeks also are likely to go a long way toward deciding player of the year. Wilson really isn't part of the conversation. His wins were eight months ago, against fields that were not strong. A win this weekend would be different, not to mention timely.

"That would put me with the most wins of anybody, and then going into (next week) if I can get another one there, I think I'd have a good argument. That's a lot of 'ifs,' " Wilson said. "I've played great so far."

Phil Mickelson started his round by missing three birdie putts inside 8 feet, then had four bogeys on his back nine for 73 to put him 14 shots behind.

Luke Donald, the world No. 1, bounced back from an opening 75 with 66 that got him to under par. Then the former NCAA champion from Northwestern learned he had a 7:35 a.m. starting time today because of the conflict with Notre Dame.

Donald ended his day with this post on his Twitter account: "Thanks Notre Dame for my 7.35am tee time. I knew there was a reason why I didn't like you!"

Teen Thompson leads at LPGA tournament

PRATTVILLE, Ala. — Lexi Thompson, 16, of Coral Springs, shot 4-under 68 to take the lead after two rounds of the Navistar Classic. The teenager was at 10-under 134, two shots ahead of Stacy Lewis and Becky Morgan.

Thompson was a 14-year-old amateur in 2009 when she was tied for the Navistar Classic lead after two rounds before finishing 27th. She tied for 16th last year as a professional.

Meena Lee (64) came within one shot of tying the course record and was third at 137.

Seminole's Brittany Lincicome shot 70 and was at 142. Tampa resident Kristy McPherson (70—145) made the cut by two shots. Tampa's Cindy LaCrosse (147 missed the cut by a stroke. Clearwater's Jenny Gleason (157) also missed the cut.

CHAMPIONS: Mark Calcavecchia shot 66 in the first round of the Songdo IBD Championship in Incheon, South Korea, to share the lead with David Peoples and Michael Allen.

VIVENDI SEVE TROPHY: Continental Europe picked up 31/2 out of five points in fourball matches to cut Britain and Ireland's lead to a point in Saint-Nom-La-Breteche, France.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Raheem Morris expects better from linebackers Quincy Black and Geno Hayes

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By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Friday, September 16, 2011

TAMPA — Raheem Morris calls them mad plays, make-a-difference plays. And the lack of them by linebackers Quincy Black and Geno Hayes last week was a little infuriating to the Bucs coach.

Morris remembers when he was a defensive backs coach and cornerback Ronde Barber made the maddest plays of all.

"He caught the ball. He caused fumbles. He got sacks," Morris said. "He made 'factor' plays."

Expectations at linebacker have been very high for the Bucs, where players such as Derrick Brooks, Hardy Nickerson and Shelton Quarles set the standard.

But after last week's 27-20 loss to the Lions, Morris called out Hayes and Black, saying his "studs" on defense needed to step up.

And that certainly will be the case again Sunday when the Bucs try to pump the brakes on Vikings Pro Bowl running back Adrian Peterson.

Middle linebacker Mason Foster got a pass from Morris after last week's game for two reasons. It was his first game. And he was on the field for only 29 plays and still managed six tackles. When the Bucs move to their nickel package for passing downs, Foster heads to the bench, Black moves to middle linebacker and Hayes remains on the field.

Hayes and Black had eight tackles, and Black also forced a fumble. That wasn't good enough for Morris.

"When we talk about those guys not playing well, that's what I'm talking about," Morris said. "Not the percentage grade, where it is plus-minus and you end up with 97 percent. That's awesome. That just means that your coach told you what to do the right way.

"Sometimes, you get into the game (and something) makes you blink. Sometimes, it's the opponent. Sometimes, you have a mental lapse. Whatever those things are, you have to fight your own demons and try to find a way to make those factor opportunities."

Black, 27, a fifth-year pro who re-signed for $29 million over five years during the offseason, had never played in third-down passing situations until Sunday. He used to play only in the 4-3 base defensive package. This season, he stays on the field, makes all the calls in the huddle and wears the helmet transmitter.

"I have my standards, regardless of what anyone else thinks," Black said. "I have my own standard, and it's mine. I'm not going to try to explain it to (the media) or the reason I think the way I do. It wouldn't do it justice. I've moved on from that point.

"Raheem is a credible source. Good and bad, your play speaks for itself, and you are what you put on film. It's never as good or bad as you think it is, but you are what you put on film. You try not to get too up. You try not to get too down. We lost a game. That didn't stop me from coming to work on Monday."

Hayes, 24, had enormous cleats to fill when he took over from Brooks, who was released in a veteran purge when Morris and general manager Mark Dominik took over in 2009. He has always made his share of factor plays, but Morris believes he could be a star in the league if he can become more consistent.

"It's good we have those expectations from people around us because inside One Buc, we already do," Hayes said. "Trust me, it's high. That's why we grade so tough on technique and things of that nature."

Morris says he deserves some criticism as well for not playing Foster more.

"The first game, it seemed like a great idea (to take him out)," Morris said. "But you go back and look at it in hindsight, you may want to play Mason a little more. Twenty-nine plays and (six) tackles. He's dynamic. I didn't know he would be this good that fast. You can smack me on the wrist and say, 'Your fault.'

"Another thing he brings is that thump. If he tackles you, you go down. We watched him do that last week. I look for him doing that again."

As for the tough love for Hayes and Black from Morris?

"I think it's the brutal honesty," Morris said. "Geno wouldn't be on the field if I didn't think he was a good football player. Quincy Black wouldn't be put in the position to be a (middle linebacker on passing downs) if I didn't think he was a great player. If I didn't think Mason Foster wasn't ready to go, I wouldn't put him out there.

"They've got to understand that first before you can talk the way we talk."

Football: Berkeley Prep 42, Golden Gate 7

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Michael Paonessa, Times Correspondent
Friday, September 16, 2011

TAMPA — Berkeley Prep dominated Golden Gate 42-7 Friday to stay undefeated on the season.

Behind a strong rushing attack by senior Nelson Agholor, the game seemed to be over in the first half. With the Buccaneers taking a 42-0 lead into halftime, Agholor shined as he rushed for 212 yards and four touchdowns on 11 carries.

"I thought I played well tonight but I give a lot of the credit to our offensive line," Agholor said. "They played like veterans tonight for such a young line and all year they have been so helpful for not only me but our team as a whole."

The Bucs defense was stellar, giving up only 10 passing yards while recording two interceptions. One interception came late in the second quarter as cornerback Vic Pellegrino returned the pick for a 35-yard touchdown.

Wide receiver Reggie Barnes also performed well, catching three passes for 79 yards and a TD..

Michael Paonessa, Times correspondent

Football: St. Petersburg 24, Osceola 21

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Colby Cole, Times Correspondent
Friday, September 16, 2011

SEMINOLE — St. Petersburg picked up its first win of the season, defeating Osceola 24-21.

With the score tied at 14 early in the fourth quarter, St. Petersburg drove 50 yards to set up a 27-yard field goal by Sean Covington. On the ensuing kickoff, Osceola fumbled and St. Petersburg recovered at the Osceola 35.

St. Petersburg slowly moved the ball downfield, taking five minutes off the clock before capping the drive with a 3-yard run by Maurice Hemingway. He led the Green Devils with 87 yards on 13 carries.

Facing a 10-point deficit with two minutes left, the Warriors drove 80 yards and scored on a 5-yard pass from Andrew Matyk to Kevin Harritt. On the onside kick Elliot Hayes fell on the ball to secure the victory.

"It was the hardest-earned win I can remember for this team," coach Joe Fabrizio said.

Colby Cole, Times correspondent

Jet's lost SB ring at last on way back

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Times wires
Friday, September 16, 2011

HONOLULU — A Super Bowl ring lost four decades ago off Waikiki will soon be returned to former New York Jets center John Schmitt.

KGMB-TV in Honolulu reports that a Honolulu family wants to return the ring to Schmitt, who earned the ring when the Jets upset the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III.

"That that ring was found is a bloody miracle. It really is a miracle, you know," Schmitt told the TV station.

The ring slipped off Schmitt's finger in 1971 while he was taking surf lessons about a quarter-mile off Waikiki. He didn't notice the ring was missing until he got back to shore.

"I got a snorkel and some flippers and I went out and I dove until I was blue," Schmitt said. "I'm not kidding you. It must have been three hours I was out there looking. I couldn't find it anywhere. I was just exhausted. I virtually could not swim or flip my legs anymore. And I just went in broken-hearted."

John Ernstberg, a Waikiki lifeguard at the time, found the ring and gave it to his wife, Mary. She put it in a box, said Cindy Saffery, the couple's great niece. The Ernstbergs died in the 1990s, and their estate went to Saffery and her husband.

The Safferys then recently took it to jeweler Brenda Reichel to see if it was real.

Janikowski facing charge in California

Raiders kicker and former Florida State star Sebastian Janikowski faces a misdemeanor charge of battery and false imprisonment, the Contra Costa (Calif.) Times reported.

Janikowski is accused in an incident last year in which a woman, according to court documents, said he "did willfully and unlawfully use force and violence upon (her) person" in Walnut Creek, Calif., in 2010. Details are sketchy.

The 33-year-old kicker, born in Poland, was arrested four times while at FSU but has not had off-the-field trouble for the past several years. On Monday night he tied an NFL record for the longest field goal with a 63-yarder at Denver in Oakland's 23-20 victory.

BILLS: Receiver Stevie Johnson (groin) practiced and is expected to play Sunday.

CHIEFS: Cornerback Brandon Flowers agreed to a new contract. NFL Network reported that the five-year deal was worth $50 million with $22 million guaranteed. Also, former Bucs tight end Anthony Becht signed.

EAGLES: Left tackle Jason Peters left practice with what coach Andy Reid said was tenderness in an Achilles' tendon and ankle. Peters said he expects to play.

GIANTS: The league fined safeties Antrel Rolle (20,000) and Kenny Phillips ($10,000) for unnecessary roughness calls in a loss at Washington.

PACKERS: Coach Mike McCarthy indicated that Pro Bowl cornerback Tramon Williams (bruised shoulder) will be a gametime decision.

Steelers: Cornerback Ike Taylor was fined $15,000 by the league for head-butting a Ravens player on Sunday.

TEXANS: Coach Gary Kubiak said he expects Arian Foster to play against Miami. The league's leading rusher last season has returned to practice after missing the opener with a left hamstring injury.

VIKINGS: Linebacker E.J. Henderson (left knee) missed his second straight day of practice, but coach Leslie Frazier said the Pro Bowl pick will be a game-time decision Sunday against the Bucs.

SECURITY: The league changed its security pat-down procedure for fans. It asked stadium security leaguewide to search fans from the ankles up for banned items such as alcohol and weapons. Previously, the search was from the waist up.

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