By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, October 6, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — The doom-and-gloom future forecast by principal owner Stuart Sternberg after Tuesday's departure from the playoffs won't affect the Rays' plans to improve their team for next season.

Or their optimism about it.

Executive vice president Andrew Friedman and manager Joe Maddon made it clear Thursday they expect to continue their run of success after reaching the playoffs three of the past four years.

"I think the one thing we've learned about Stu is that things change," Friedman said. "He likes to say markets change. Things change. Before we got (reliever) Rafael Soriano (in December 2009), he said there's going to be no $7 million closer coming, and five days later there was. I know he's frustrated, but on the baseball operations side of things, we try to insulate ourselves from that. It doesn't do us any good to get caught up in that."

Friedman plans to go into this offseason as the Rays have their previous six under Sternberg, with no set payroll figure and the possibility of increasing — or decreasing — this year's $41 million, based on opportunities.

"I'd expect that it would have some flexibility up and down, depending on how things shake out and what presents itself from a player-procurement standpoint in terms of what we can get, what it means in terms of our other guys and how it fits," Friedman said. "But we're going to be a really talented team next year. We've proven time and time again it's not necessarily about the payroll numbers, it's about the talent we have. It's easy to use it an excuse, but the two of us refuse to do so."

Assuming the Rays retain their core players, they would go into 2012 with more than $22 million committed in salaries (pitcher Wade Davis, third baseman Evan Longoria and infielder Ben Zobrist) and expected-to-be-executed options (pitcher James Shields, reliever Kyle Farnsworth), and likely another $16 million for arbitration-eligible players: pitchers Jeff Niemann and David Price, reliever Joel Peralta and outfielder B.J. Upton.

That's about $38 million without a designated hitter and a first baseman; incumbents Johnny Damon and Casey Kotchman are free agents. That's also without an experienced catcher. The Rays hold a $3.2 million option on Kelly Shoppach, though they could seek to bring him back for less if they can't find an upgrade as part of their projected tandem.

The Rays' primary goal for the offseason will be improving the offense. The most logical avenue is trading from their stockpile of starting pitchers, which is eight deep with the emergence of Alex Cobb, Matt Moore and Alex Torres.

But Friedman said he's reluctant to dilute the depth (he said the same thing before trading Matt Garza last year) or diminish the defense (a major-league co-leading .988 fielding percentage).

"I would love to maintain the caliber of defense we have and add offense, of course," Friedman said.

Another priority will be the bullpen. As opposed to last offseason, when it had to be rebuilt, Friedman said that with Farnsworth and Peralta returning and the development of their young arms, the Rays would be looking for just one or two additions.

"I'm definitely going to get a lot more sleep this offseason," Friedman said.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, October 6, 2011

RALEIGH, N.C. — While Lightning coach Guy Boucher yelled at his players Thursday, it was difficult to tell whether he was simply trying to set a tone for tonight's season opener against the Hurricanes or was legitimately upset at what he saw.

Post-practice at the Ice Sports Forum in Brandon he left no doubt.

"We are far from where we want to be," Boucher said. "Some guys, the new guys that made the NHL this morning, everything is rosy, and some older guys who are supposed to show the way didn't. We want to make sure we're in a perfect state of mind to start."

Boucher took a dig at rookie RW Brett Connolly after one lackadaisical drill with the basic message he's not in juniors anymore. He also was tough on the first power play unit — forwards Vinny Lecavalier, Ryan Malone, Steven Stamkos, Marty St. Louis and D Eric Brewer — that passed the puck beautifully but seemed reluctant to shoot.

"Gentlemen, we will not score one goal if we don't shoot the puck," Boucher said. "We don't need a perfect play. We need a shot on net."

(Try to guess where Boucher used expletives for emphasis.)

"He did it for a reason," Stamkos said. "We started the practice without the attention to detail that we wanted and he was letting guys know, especially the newer guys. He want to make sure guys are prepared."

Especially with the subplots in the first three games:

Tampa Bay last season eliminated Carolina from playoff contention on the final day. It pushed eventual Stanley Cup champion Boston (Saturday's opponent) to Game 7 in the Eastern Conference final, and it wiped out Southeast division foe Washington (Monday's opponent) in four games in the East semis.

"These guys are going to be charging at us," Boucher said. "We want to make sure we're ready for that."

ALTERNATE PLAN: With D Mattias Ohlund (knee) on injured reserve for at least one game, either Stamkos or D Eric Brewer is expected to be a fill-in alternate captain. Boucher said he might even alternate the A between the two depending on how long Ohlund is out.

For Stamkos, 21, who was an alternate for one preseason game and has made a point of wanting more of a leadership role, said even being considered is a sign "the coaching staff has confidence and respect for me."

ODDS AND ENDS: C Dominic Moore (back) practiced and is expected to play ... There is a watch party at Brick House Tavern, 1102 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, October 6, 2011

RALEIGH, N.C. — While Lightning coach Guy Boucher yelled at his players Thursday, it was difficult to tell whether he was simply trying to set a tone for tonight's season opener against the Hurricanes or was legitimately upset at what he saw.

Post-practice at the Ice Sports Forum in Brandon, he left no doubt.

"We are far from where we want to be," Boucher said. "Some guys, the new guys that made the NHL this morning, everything is rosy, and some older guys who are supposed to show the way didn't. We want to make sure we're in a perfect state of mind to start."

Boucher took a dig at RW Brett Connolly after one lackadaisical drill, the basic message being the rookie was not in juniors anymore. He also was tough on the first power-play unit — forwards Vinny Lecavalier, Ryan Malone, Steven Stamkos, Marty St. Louis and D Eric Brewer — that passed the puck beautifully but seemed reluctant to shoot.

"Gentlemen, we will not score one goal if we don't shoot the puck," Boucher said. "We don't need a perfect play. We need a shot on net."

(Try to guess where Boucher used expletives for emphasis.)

"He did it for a reason," Stamkos said. "We started the practice without the attention to detail that we wanted, and he was letting guys know, especially the newer guys. He wants to make sure guys are prepared."

Especially given the subplots of the first three games:

Tampa Bay eliminated Carolina from playoff contention on the final day of last season. It pushed eventual Stanley Cup champion Boston (Saturday's opponent) to Game 7 in the Eastern Conference final, and it wiped out Southeast Division foe Washington (Monday's opponent) in four games in the East semis.

"These guys are going to be charging at us," Boucher said. "We want to make sure we're ready for that."

ALTERNATE PLAN: With D Mattias Ohlund (knee) on injured reserve for at least one game, either Stamkos or D Eric Brewer is expected to be a fill-in alternate captain. Boucher said he might even alternate the A between the two depending on how long Ohlund is out.

Stamkos, 21, who was an alternate for one preseason game and has made a point of wanting more of a leadership role, said even being considered is a sign "the coaching staff has confidence and respect for me."

ODDS AND ENDS: C Dominic Moore (back) practiced and is expected to play. … There is a watch party tonight at Brick House Tavern, 1102 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa.

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, October 6, 2011

Three teams on the rise

1. Columbus Blue Jackets

This has been one disappointing franchise. It has made the playoffs once in its 10 seasons and is still looking for its first postseason victory. Rick Nash is a big-time superstar, and this year he has some help up front with the acquisition of former Flyer Jeff Carter, who has 29, 46, 33 and 36 goals over the past four seasons. Columbus added James Wisniewski on defense to help the power play and hopes goalie Steve Mason is ready to a star. But it's Carter who will push the Blue Jackets into the playoffs.

2. Toronto Maple Leafs

The Leafs were a tad better last season than they were supposed to be. Despite playing a slew of kids, the Leafs went 37-34-11 and finished only eight points out of a playoff spot. They appear to have a promising goalie in James Reimer, who was called up in late December last season and won 20 of 35 starts. Longtime Sabres star Tim Connolly gives the Leafs a bit more scoring punch, and it might be enough to get them a playoff spot.

3. Boston Bruins

Wait, what? How can the Bruins be a team on the rise when they won the Stanley Cup last season? You can't get any higher than that, can you? Well, yeah, sure. No team has won back-to-back Cups since the 1997-98 Red Wings, but the Bruins have a good shot because most of last season's team returns and they are full of confidence. Remember, the Bruins were the East's third seed in last year's playoffs. We see a No. 1 seed in 2011-12. That's a team on the rise.

Three teams on the decline

1. Tampa Bay Lightning

Not to rain on the feel-good parade, but getting back to within a game of the Cup final might be asking too much for a team that advanced way further than anyone expected last season. The Lightning will miss players such as free-agent departures Simon Gagne and Sean Bergenheim. We're still high on the Lightning. But last season's run might have accelerated expectations. Having goalie Dwayne Roloson for a full season could bail out the Lightning.

2. Pittsburgh Penguins

Much of the Penguins' success depends on the health of superstar Sidney Crosby. He hasn't played in 10 months because of concussion issues and wasn't ready for Thursday's opener. Meantime, the team's other star, Evgeni Malkin, is trying to return physically and mentally from a severe knee injury. And the Pens go through all this in a division where most of the teams have improved.

3. Vancouver Canucks

Two things can happen when a team loses a Stanley Cup final. It can use the loss as motivation, bear down, get tougher and steamroll everyone. Or it can get depressed, feel sorry for itself and tank. Something tells us the Canucks are going to start this season in a fog. And last season's playoffs raised just as many questions as answers when it comes to goalie Roberto Luongo. The Canucks will be good but not Western Conference-final good.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Atlantic Division

This is a division that could either be the best in hockey or middle of the pack. The Flyers won it last season but have made a bunch of changes. Key parts Mike Richards, Jeff Carter and Kris Versteeg are gone, but they added veteran star Jaromir Jagr. The big addition, however, is Ilya Bryzgalov, who should finally solve Philly's issues in goal. The Rangers could sneak up the ladder with the addition of former Lightning center Brad Richards. The Penguins will challenge again if Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are healthy. The Devils' chances, as always, depend on how much 39-year-old goalie Martin Brodeur has left. The Islanders are young and improved but still swimming upstream.

Northeast Division

The defending champion Bruins remain the class of the division, especially because most of last season's team returns. But watch out for the Sabres. New owner Terry Pegula is spending money and could have the type of impact on the Sabres that Jeff Vinik has had in Tampa Bay. Plus, any team with goalie Ryan Miller is always a factor. The Canadiens added forward Erik Cole, but their fate rests in the hands of goalie Carey Price. The Habs are a borderline playoff team. The Senators and Maple Leafs bring up the rear, but Toronto seems to have much more of a future than Ottawa. The Senators barely made an offseason move after finishing 13th in the East.

Southeast Division

Despite their playoff woes, the Capitals remain the team to beat, especially after adding reliable goalie Tomas Vokoun and much-needed character in former Lightning stalwarts Roman Hamrlik and Jeff Halpern. The Lightning is Washington's biggest challenger and could take the crown if older veterans Vinny Lecavalier, Marty St. Louis and Ryan Malone can stay healthy and productive. The Hurricanes should be improved after finishing one spot out of the playoff pack last season. The Panthers spent gobs of money on offseason free agents, but they added more quantity than quality. They still seem to be in a rebuilding phase. The Jets are rebuilding, too, and it's not going to help that all their division games are so far away. Then again, the people of Winnipeg are just happy to have an NHL team again.

Western Conference

Central Division

The Blackhawks suffered the familiar Stanley Cup hangover last season, following their 2010 Cup with a first-round playoff exit. Now that that's out of their system, look for them, Detroit and Nashville to jockey for the top spot. The Red Wings lost several vets to retirement (Brian Rafalski, Kris Draper, Chris Osgood) but always seem to keep plugging along. The Blackhawks made some nice additions (Andrew Brunette, Daniel Carcillo), and the Predators are trying to improve on last season, when they won a playoff series for the first time. The Blues and Blue Jackets will fight it out for fourth place, but they are capable of playing with any team on any night.

Northwest Division

The Cup-finalist Canucks continue to be the division's best team, and even the absence of star Ryan Kesler (hip) to start the season shouldn't slow their run to first place. The rest of the division is four teams — Calgary, Colorado, Minnesota and Edmonton — staggering around in rebuilding phases. The Wild has added offensive punch in Dany Heatley. The Avalanche has added goalie J.S. Giguere. And the Flames are, well, the same old Flames. The exciting team to track is the Oilers, who continue a youth movement with some of the best young talent in the NHL. This team will be something … in about two more years.

Pacific Division

The Kings were an up-and-comer last season, but they could arrive this season — arrive in first place, that is. Already strong, the Kings added veterans Simon Gagne and former Flyers captain Mike Richards. Plus they have two of the game's brightest young stars, defenseman Drew Doughty and forward Anze Kopitar. The Sharks shook things up by trading Dany Heatley to Minnesota for Martin Havlat and should be a Cup contender again. The Ducks are decent, especially with the ageless Teemu Selanne returning for another season. The Coyotes have been up and down in seasons past, but will their goaltending, which now includes former Lightning Mike Smith, be good enough to contend? They'll battle the Stars to stay out of last place.

Predictions

Stanley Cup: Bruins

Hart Trophy (MVP): Jonathan Toews, Blackhawks

Norris Trophy (best defenseman): Drew Doughty, Kings

Vezina Trophy (best goalie): Ilya Bryzgalov, Flyers

Calder Trophy (best rookie): Gabriel Landeskog, Avalanche

Jack Adams Award (best coach): Terry Murray, Kings

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, October 6, 2011

Nate Thompson has been one of the Lightning's most reliable and versatile players the past two seasons, earning the nickname "Textbook" for seemingly always being in the right spot. The Anchorage, Alaska, native is active outdoors (including fishing around a bunch of bears back home) and on Twitter (@natethompson44). Thompson, who turned 27 Wednesday, sat down with the St. Petersburg Times staff writer Joe Smith to discuss his offseason travels overseas, his favorite road-trip partner and singing like Sinatra.

You went to Ireland with teammate Teddy Purcell in the offseason. Where did you go?

Dublin. … Going to Europe is so much different. I will say over there the people were so friendly, they went out of their way, told us where to go, where to stay away from and everything.

Where else have you traveled overseas?

I've been overseas to (the Czech Republic) and Germany, but that was for hockey for some USA team when I was 17, 18. (This offseason) was the only (trip) I had really taken for leisure. It was a lot of fun, and I'd like to go back to Europe again.

You spend a lot of your summer in Minnesota training. Been to the Mall of America?

Been there a few times. It's pretty touristy.

Been on the Paul Bunyan log ride?

Long time ago. When I was 13, 14. Haven't been on it since. It's a good time when you're 14 (laughs).

And you drove back to Florida from Minnesota with your dog (Diesel, a black Lab), right? How was that?

It was about 24, 25 hours. I went the first day … 18 hours, just got in the zone, listened to some book CDs — those take six, seven hours. … Pack up coolers of water and drinks, and another cooler of food, and just get on the open road. The rest is history.

And how was Diesel traveling?

Back seat. And he sleeps the whole way. He's probably the best traveler anybody could have asked for. He doesn't talk back, so that's kind of nice. He's a great traveler. Every time I had to stop, he stopped and then hopped right back and ready to go.

So more bathroom breaks for you?

I had to stop more than he did.

How long have you had him?

(He's) 7. … (He has) the same birthday as me, which is pretty funny. He's a good dog. I don't mind sharing it with him.

You participated in batting practice with some Lightning teammates at Tropicana Field this summer. You're a baseball fan. What's your favorite stadium?

Wrigley Field. It's the greatest. I've always loved Chicago. Of all the big cities — New York, Boston — I think Chicago is my favorite. … And going to Wrigley, I don't know what it is, it's kind of in (a) neighborhood. I loved it.

Where else have you been?

Yankee Stadium, Safeco Field, Fenway. Haven't been to Camden Yards. Been to all the major big ones.

If you could be onstage with any band, which one would it be?

I'd like to go on stage with Pearl Jam. That'd be awesome, sing with Eddie Vedder.

You sing karaoke?

I do karaoke. My sister got married Labor Day weekend. She had a DJ and karaoke, so I did a couple songs.

Which ones?

Obviously, if you do some country songs, it's always easier to sing. But I did some Frank Sinatra, too. If you do (Sinatra), New York, New York, or I've Got the World on a String. I like Frank. I'm a big Frank Sinatra fan.

Favorite childhood TV show?

I've always been a big fan of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I've watched all the movies, had all the toys. I had everything.

What was the best Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle?

I think everyone goes with Michelangelo cause he's funny. He was always the fun one.

You said you're never too old to dress up for Halloween. What's the favorite costume that you've worn?

Growing up, my favorite one is my favorite superhero. Superman. He's the best superhero. He can fly. He's strong. He's the man.

But is he "textbook"?

(Laughs). I think he's pretty textbook. He doesn't really mess up too much.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, October 6, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — Rays executive VP Andrew Friedman, reportedly a candidate for GM jobs with the Cubs and Astros, didn't sound Thursday like a man looking to go anywhere.

"As an organizational philosophy we don't comment on rumors and speculation in any part of our business; there's no reason to," he said. "My focus in on taking the learnings from the 2011 season and rolling them into the 2012 team."

Manager Joe Maddon, heading into the last year of his current contract, made it very clear he has no interest in leaving — and wasn't too concerned about getting an extension before next season.

"I have a contract. I have another year on my contract, and that's all that matters," he said. "For me, I don't want to go anywhere else. I love it here. ... To think the grass is going to be better fertilized or greener anywhere else is incredibly wrong."

Both said they expect to stay together.

"For the last six years it's been a phenomenal working relationship," Friedman said. "I would expect and assume we're going to work together for a long time."

Said Maddon: "How we do it here is kinda unique in all the best ways. ... So it would take a lot, I think, to break it up."

COACH REPORT: Bench coach Dave Martinez was passed over by the White Sox, but remains a potential candidate for the Red Sox and Cubs managerial jobs. If he leaves, the Rays are likely to look internally, with Triple-A manager Charlie Montoyo a probable candidate.

Martinez was reported to be the top candidate, but was never contacted by the White Sox. "It is what it is," he said. "If the opportunity (to manage) ever arises I know I'll be ready for it. If not, bench coaching is a great job."

MISCELLANY: Rookie LHP Matt Moore showed he was ready physically and emotionally for the majors, but the Rays won't decide if he starts 2012 with them until spring training. ... Maddon said while they would like increased attendance, "there is a tremendous amount of gratitude from us out to the fan base." ... Friedman said there were no player medical issues that will carry over into spring training. ... Maddon raved about the contributions of free-agent DH Johnny Damon and 1B Casey Kotchman but said, predictably, it was too early to know if they'd be back.

Times staff writer Joe Smith contributed to this report.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, October 6, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman, reportedly a candidate for GM jobs with the Cubs and Astros, didn't sound Thursday like a man looking to go anywhere.

"As an organizational philosophy, we don't comment on rumors and speculation in any part of our business; there's no reason to," he said. "My focus is on taking the learnings from the 2011 season and rolling them into the (Rays') 2012 team."

Manager Joe Maddon, heading into the last year of his contract, made it clear he has no interest in leaving, and he wasn't too concerned about getting an extension before next season.

"I have a contract. I have another year on my contract, and that's all that matters," he said. "For me, I don't want to go anywhere else. I love it here. … To think the grass is going to be better fertilized or greener anywhere else is incredibly wrong."

Both said they expect to stay together.

"For the last six years it's been a phenomenal working relationship," Friedman said. "I would expect and assume we're going to work together for a long time."

Maddon said: "How we do it here is kind of unique in all the best ways. … So it would take a lot, I think, to break it up."

COACH REPORT: Bench coach Dave Martinez was passed over by the White Sox but remains a potential candidate for the Red Sox's and Cubs' managerial jobs. If he leaves, the Rays are likely to look internally to replace him, with Triple-A manager Charlie Montoyo a probable candidate.

Martinez was reported to be the top candidate for the White Sox, but the team never contacted him. It hired Robin Ventura on Thursday. "If the opportunity (to manage) ever arises, I know I'll be ready for it," he said. "If not, bench coaching is a great job."

MISCELLANY: The Rays won't decide if rookie LHP Matt Moore starts 2012 with them until spring training. … Maddon said though they would like increased attendance, "there is a tremendous amount of gratitude from us out to the fan base." … Friedman said no player medical issues will carry over into spring training. … Maddon said it was too early to know if free agent DH Johnny Damon and 1B Casey Kotchman would be back.

Times staff writer Joe Smith contributed to this report.

By Neil Taylor, Times Correspondent
Thursday, October 6, 2011

What's hot: Aggressive redfish are hammering artificial lures in the shallows.

Tackle and techniques: Use medium-heavy spinning outfits as many fish are more than 30 inches and require extra power in the rod. Add a 2 1/2-foot length of fluorocarbon leader and a 1/8- to 1/4-ounce jighead with a 3-inch plastic paddletail. Use a weedless jighead in areas of thick turtle grass.

The fish will most likely be in depths of a foot to two with a mix of grass and sand bottom. On the highest tides, search close to the shoreline. On the lowest tides the fish will be in the troughs. Make long casts and work the lure steady to slow, keeping it just above the bottom.

Neil Taylor charters kayak fishing trips and can be reached at strike threekayakfishing.com or (727) 692-6345.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, October 6, 2011

RALEIGH, N.C.

The Lightning's success last season was no mirage, said Pierre McGuire, an NBC analyst and former Whalers coach who sees Tampa Bay with "a real opportunity to create a lot of havoc in the Eastern Conference." Added former Penguins coach and current TV analyst Eddie Olczyk: "Their confidence has to be sky high. … From the forwards to the defense, I think they're rock solid." And so it goes for the Lightning, which in one year went from an afterthought in its market to a team worthy of national attention. You can understand the high expectations. Taking the eventual Stanley Cup champion Bruins to Game 7 of the East final created an impression the team is ready to take the next step. But coach Guy Boucher is too smart to be caught in a trap of diminishing returns. "Nobody is going to take me there," he said. "That's where you lose yourself. That's when you have the bad pressure we talk about. That's when the guys are focused on the result instead of the process. If we start looking at last year's results and feel we're at a different level in terms of (where we are) on paper, that is where we're going to get lost."

Is the Lightning better than it was last season? Can it be a serious Stanley Cup contender?

The latter is an interesting question, not only because Tampa Bay fell one goal short of the Cup final, losing Game 7 of the East final 1-0 — and considering the way the Canucks played against Boston for the Cup, Tampa Bay had a real shot if it got in — but because of how much this season's team resembles 2010-11's.

Think about it. There are questions at forward, where general manager Steve Yzerman admitted he did not find a replacement for free agent departure Simon Gagne.

There are questions about defensive depth, especially with Mattias Ohlund on injured reserve, and goaltending, specifically if Dwayne Roloson, the league's oldest player who turns 42 Wednesday, can hold up physically.

Tampa Bay isn't going to surprise anyone, either, which means the work-harder attitude that overcame many of last season's shortcomings (going 23-7 in one-goal games in regulation means you are working hard) and the discipline to play within Boucher's 1-3-1 trapping system will need to be in full effect.

"So, when people talk about playoffs, finishing first, the Stanley Cup, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa," Boucher said. "Let's make sure we focus on the process."

Let's break it down

GOALTENDING

This is the Lightning's Achilles' heel, most outsiders believe.

"Last year he played really well," NBC analyst and former Bruins coach Mike Milbury said of Dwayne Roloson, who after his January acquisition from the Islanders was 18-12-4 with four shutouts, a 2.56 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage that jumped to .924 in the playoffs.

"But you start to hit 42 and 43 (years old), you have questions. I have questions if Dwayne Roloson can play as well as he did. I always root for the old guys, but Father Time stops for no man."

Roloson, though, is in tremendous shape, and with Mathieu Garon, 33, a veteran backup slated for about 30 games, Roloson should be fresh enough for a playoff run.

"We'll manage Roloson," coach Guy Boucher said.

One thing is sure: Tampa Bay's goaltending headed into this season is in a lot better shape than it was entering 2010-11, when it began with Mike Smith and Dan Ellis.

DEFENSE

With Mattias Ohlund (knee) on the shelf for tonight's opener with the Hurricanes at the RBC Center, and perhaps longer, the pressure is on. It's not so much on the top pairing of Victor Hedman and Eric Brewer, but on the pairings of Matt Gilroy and Brett Clark, and Pavel Kubina and Marc-Andre Bergeron, both of which will face opponents' second lines.

GM Steve Yzerman signed Gilroy and Bergeron for their speed. The question: Can they do the job defensively while playing expanded minutes? The Lightning, which basically swapped Mike Lundin and Randy Jones for Gilroy and Bruno Gervais, stressed team defense with a five-man pack mentality to help its blue-liners last season. It will do the same this season.

FORWARDS

Steven Stamkos, Marty St. Louis, Ryan Malone, Teddy Purcell and Vinny Lecavalier remain. But with the losses of Simon Gagne and Sean Bergenheim to free agency, the Lightning is not as deep up front because it has no obvious replacement in the top six for Gagne.

"It's part of the game. You're not going to get everybody back," Lecavalier said. "But that just means everybody has to step up and make things work the way they did last year, or better."

Ryan Shannon, who had 12 goals in 2010-11 for the Senators, might match Gagne's 17. But rookie Brett Connolly, 19, impressive in camp, will face a different intensity in the regular season.

On the other hand, who saw Bergenheim (nine playoff goals) coming?

Give Yzerman this

The GM has assembled a team that meshes well off the ice. There does not seem to be cliques, something forward Ryan Shannon said he appreciated as a newcomer. That camaraderie served Tampa Bay well last season, when it took a massive step forward. Is it ready to take another?

"We need to be aware of who we are," coach Guy Boucher said. "The minute we work a little less than the other teams, we're going to lose."

Damian Cristodero can be reached at cristodero@sptimes.com. Follow his coverage at lightning.tampabay.com and on Twitter at @LightningTimes.

By Terry Tomalin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, October 6, 2011

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Grouper update

Head offshore about 20 miles and you should be able to catch your share of gag grouper. The season opened in all waters of the Gulf of Mexico (except Monroe County) on Sept. 16. Anglers in both state and federal waters can keep two gags per day, 22 inches or longer, until Nov. 15. Gag grouper had been off limits in federal waters since Jan. 1, 2011, and state waters since June 1. To learn more about gag grouper, go to MyFWC.com/Fishing; click on "Saltwater" and "Regulations" then "Groupers."



Barger eyes Olympic spot

C oming off a disappointing start to the 2011 season, Ben Barger, the top-ranked American windsurfer, made winning look easy last month when he placed first in six out of eight races at the Italian Championships. Barger, a Tampa Bay native, hopes to secure his spot in the 2012 Olympics by winning the U.S. Olympic trials in Australia in December.

Barger, who trains out of the St. Petersburg Sailing Center, has struggled to mount his recent campaign. "People think that the U.S. Olympic team is well- and fully funded," he said. "But last April, at the European World Cup, the only way I could afford to be there was stay in a tent."

The one-man popup, which the salesman said could be set up in "two seconds" cost Barger $50. "Sitting in that tent I started thinking about a new nutritional supplement geared to athletes on a budget like myself," he said.

Barger's nutritional supplement is now close to being on store shelves. To learn more, or to support Barger's Olympic quest, go to Team2seconds.com or Ben Barger.com.

PETA says it's payback

Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has launched a new billboard campaign making light of a recent shark attack in Manatee County. The billboard, a rendering of a great white shark with a human leg sticking out of its mouth, carries the headline "Payback Is Hell. Go Vegan."

"Humans hook, spear, maim, and kill fish for 'sport' every day," PETA executive vice president Tracy Reiman said in a recent new release. "The most dangerous predator of all is the one holding the fishing rod or standing at the 'all you can eat' seafood buffet."

To see the billboard, or to tell the animal rights group what you think of their recent media initiative, go to PETA.org.

Baird's back

St. Petersburg skipper Ed Baird, an America's Cup winner now racing in Europe on the Audi MedCup circuit, has won the international series for the second time in four years. Baird's team, Quantum Racing, was the only American entry in the highly competitive monohull racing series that wrapped up its season in Valencia, Spain last month. Most of the major European countries, including Italy, Germany, Sweden, Great Britain, Portugal and Russia, entered both 40- and 52-foot boats in the five regatta series.

By Rodney Page, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, October 6, 2011

Making news

FWC Seeks High School entries in video contest

High school students who possess creativity with a video camera are invited to produce a one-minute public service announcement to help raise awareness about bears and conserving the Florida black bear. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is holding a contest to inform Floridians about how they can live without conflicts with bears in their communities. The videos will be shown online and sent to local television stations for possible airtime. The deadline for submissions is Nov. 18. For information, e-mail bearcontest@myfwc.com.

Regulations

Stone crab season opening nears

A new month means a change in some of the fishing regulations. Stone crab season opens Oct. 15. For those planning to trap stone crabs, the daily limit is 1 gallon of stone crab claws per harvester or 2 gallons per vessel, whichever is less. If you don't plan to trap them, at least you know they'll be available at restaurants soon. And blue crab harvest season in state waters opened Wednesday. The short closure was from Sept. 20 to Tuesday. There are some regional closures for blue crab traps. For a list of those, go to MyFWC.com.

Upcoming events

Boyd Hill's to celebrate season

Boyd Hill Nature Preserve will hold its Autumn Harvest event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Pinellas Pioneer Settlement part of the park. The kid-friendly event will include hay rides, hay mazes, sack races and a pumpkin carving contest. Admission is free. For information, call (727) 893-7326.

Rodney Page, Times staff writer

Solunar table

AM PM major minor major minor

10/7 2:40 8:45 2:55 9:05

10/8 3:20 9:25 3:35 9:45

10/9 4:00 10:05 4:15 10:25

10/10 4:40 10:40 4:50 11:00

10/11 5:15 11:20 5:30 11:40

10/12 5:55 11:55 6:05 0

10/13 6:35 12:20 6:55 12:45

Times wires
Thursday, October 6, 2011

Sprint Cup

What: Hollywood Casino 400

When/where: Today, practice (ESPN2, 12:30 p.m.), qualifying (ESPN2, 5 p.m.); Saturday, practice (Speed, 12:30 p.m.); Sunday, race (ESPN, 2 p.m.); Kansas City, Kan.

Fast facts: Brad Keselowski won in June at the track, stretching his fuel perfectly for the first of his three victories this year. Dale Earnhardt Jr. was second. … Tony Stewart won the 2009 race at the track. … Truck series leader Austin Dillon attempts to make his Sprint Cup debut in Mike Curb's No. 98 Chevrolet. … Cup teams completed testing Wednesday at repaved and reconfigured Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, Ariz. Thirty-five teams hit the mile oval on the second day of the test in preparation for the Kobalt Tools 500 on Nov. 13, the ninth event in the 10-race Chase for the Championship. "As we ran the track, it got a lot better with rubber," Carl Edwards said. "As treacherous as this place was in the Goodyear tire test, as tough as it was to drive, it got better the whole day." "It's awesome," said Steve Addington, crew chief for driver Kurt Busch. The new configuration also features variable banking, a longer dogleg and improved pit road. The 47-year-old track was last repaved 20 years ago.

Standings: 1. Kevin Harvick and Edwards, 2,122; 3. Kurt Busch and Stewart, 2,113; 5. Jimmie Johnson, 2,109; 6. Matt Kenseth and Keselowski, 2,108; 8. Kyle Busch, 2,107; 9. Jeff Gordon, 2,103; 10. Earnhardt, 2,088; 11. Ryan Newman, 2,081; 12. Denny Hamlin, 2,054

Nationwide

What: Kansas Lottery 300

When/where: Today, practice (ESPN2, 2 and 4 p.m.); Saturday, qualifying (ESPN2, 10 a.m.), race (ESPN2, 3:30 p.m.); Kansas City, Kan.

Fast facts: In the owners standings, Joe Gibbs Racing's No. 18 Toyota has a 13-point lead over Roush Fenway's No. 60 Ford. Kyle Busch has driven the No. 18 in 19 of the 29 races, winning eight. Carl Edwards has made 28 starts in the No. 60. Joey Logano will drive the No. 18 this weekend. … Edwards raced to his seventh victory of the season last week, completing a season sweep at Dover. … Danica Patrick makes the ninth of her 12 starts this year for JR Motor­sports.

Standings: 1. Ricky Stenhouse, 1,025; 2. Elliott Sadler, 1,003; 3. Reed Sorenson, 976; 4. Aric Almirola, 951; 5. Justin Allgaier, 939

Formula One

What: Japanese Grand Prix

When/where: Saturday, practice, qualifying (Speed, 1 a.m.); Sunday, race (Speed, 2 a.m., 3:30 p.m. taped); Suzuka, Japan

Fast facts: To wrap up the title, Sebastian Vettel needs to earn only one point over the final five races or have nearest rival Jenson Button fail to win just one of them.

Standings: 1. Vettel, 309; 2. Button, 185; 3. Fernando Alonso, 184; 4. Mark Webber, 182; 5. Lewis Hamilton, 168

Trucks

Next: Smith's 350, Oct. 15, Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Standings: 1. Austin Dillon, 704; 2. James Buescher, 701; 3. Johnny Sauter, 685; 4. Timothy Peters, 664; 5. Ron Hornaday, 662

IndyCar

Next: World Championships, Oct. 16, Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Standings: 1. Dario Franchitti, 573; 2. Will Power, 555; 3. Scott Dixon, 518; 4. Oriol Servia, 425; 5. Tony Kanaan, 366

NHRA

Next: Arizona Nationals, Oct. 14-16, Firebird International Raceway, Chandler, Ariz.

Standings: Top Fuel — 1. Spencer Massey, 2,390; 2. Antron Brown, 2,325. Funny Car — 1. Matt Hagan, 2,303; 2. Mike Neff, 2,301. Pro Stock — 1. Jason Line, 2,459; 2. Greg Anderson, 2,278. Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Eddie Krawiec, 2,362; 2. Hector Arana, 2,327

Times wires
Thursday, October 6, 2011

arena league

storm to open next season at chicago march 11

TAMPA — The Storm on Thursday released the schedule for its 25th season, which opens with its only Sunday game, March 11 at the Chicago Rush. The home opener is March 16 against the South Division rival Georgia Force at the St. Pete Times Forum.

Tampa Bay will play 14 games against American Conference opponents.

Highlights of the home schedule include defending ArenaBowl champion Jacksonville on March 30, and the War on I-4 against Orlando on May 5. Former Storm quarterback and offensive coordinator Pat O'Hara will make his return to the Times Forum as coach of the New Orleans VooDoo in the final home game, June 14. Full schedule, 4C.

tennis

Nadal pleased with Tokyo win

Rafael Nadal advanced to the quarterfinals of the Japan Open with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Milos Raonic in Tokyo.

Second-ranked Nadal next takes on unseeded Santiago Giraldo.

"I was happy with almost everything," Nadal said.

Second-seeded Andy Murray overwhelmed American Alex Bogomolov Jr. 6-1, 6-2. Murray will face David Nalbandian in the quarterfinals.

more tennis: Top-seeded players Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Caroline Wozniacki advanced to the quarterfinals at the China Open in Beijing. Tsonga beat qualifier Zheng Ze 6-3, 6-4, and Wozniacki defeated Kaia Kanepi 6-3, 7-6 (7-3). Wozniacki rebounded from last week's loss to Kanepi in Tokyo. Second-seeded Victoria Azarenka pulled out with a right foot injury.

et cetera

bill russell lawsuit: Former Celtics star and University of San Francisco standout Bill Russell is joining a lawsuit to sue the NCAA for making a profit off his image while he receives nothing in return. Russell's lawsuit was filed Wednesday in federal court in Oakland, Calif. Electronic Arts Inc. is also named as a defendant. Russell says the video game uses his image in "Tournament of Legends," a feature on an NCAA basketball video game.

soccer: First lady Michelle Obama hosted the U.S. women's team at the White House to promote physical activity and healthier eating for children. She called the team, which lost to Japan in the World Cup final in July, "some of the best soccer players in the entire world."

nba: The Jazz hired former North Carolina State coach Sidney Lowe as an assistant. … Former NBA player Isaiah Rider, 40, was arrested on suspicion of a probation violation in Mesa, Ariz. Court records show Rider had been ordered to re-start domestic violence treatment and did not show up to three consecutive sessions. He also completed only 10 of the 100 ordered hours of community service and failed to provide a urine sample Sept. 19. … Prosecutors dropped a marijuana possession charge against veteran Marcus Camby, who was arrested during a traffic stop in Houston.

olympics: The Court of Arbitration for Sport threw out an International Olympic Committee rule that bars any athlete who has received a doping suspension of more than six months from competing in the next Summer or Winter Games. The court said the rule amounts to a second penalty. That clears the way for 2008 400-meter champion LaShawn Merritt and dozens of other athletes around the world — as many as 50 in track and field — to compete in London next year.

Times wires

Rodney Page, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, October 6, 2011

Shane Crutchfield of St. Petersburg already has several accomplishments both on the golf course and in the classroom. She can add another one after being named a Scholastic Junior All-American by the American Junior Golf Association. Crutchfield, a senior at St. Petersburg High School, has a 4.8 grade point average in the International Baccalaureate program. She will attend Xavier University in Cincinnati next fall.

Crutchfield is a three-time defending district champion for the Green Devils golf team. She is also a regular on the junior golf circuit. She has two top-10 finishes in AJGA events this summer. On Oct. 1-2, she tied for fifth at the Florida Junior Tour event at Sara Bay Country Club in Sarasota after shooting 79-72–151.

To be eligible to apply for the Scholastic Junior All-America Team, girls needed a top-five finish in an AJGA Open or Invitational event. The selections were then based on grade point average, class rank, leadership skills, standardized test scores, community service and writing ability. Candidates were required to submit an essay no longer than 500 words on an original topic relating to golf.

Crutchfield was one of 12 girls chosen nationally.

More golf

The County Golf Association's weekly individual tournament was held Sept. 29 at Bardmoor Country Club. The regular division gross winner was Marshall Ames, who shot 76. The regular division net winner was Scott Lincoln, who shot 69. The senior division gross winner was Tom Carver, who shot 76. The senior net winner was Larry Deavers, who shot 62.

The CGA's better ball tournament was held Oct. 3 at Wentworth Golf Club. The regular division gross winners were Tim Hume and Mike Zak, who shot 68. The senior division gross winners were Gary Keesling and Jerry Lindow, who shot 68. The overall net winners were Leo Higley and Skip Cutting, who shot 63.

Tennis

The Countryside Fall Junior Rookie tournament was held Oct. 1 at Countryside Country Club. The boys 16 singles winner was Tate Buck, the 14 winner was Daniel Doyle, the 12 winner was Patrick Wilson and the 10 winner was Paul Wilson. The girls 16 singles winner was Laurel Griffith, the 14 singles winner was Shaina Buck, the 12 winner was Lauren Williams and the 10 winner was Jaela Bandes.

• The Mercedes Benz Championship was held Sept. 16-18 at the Vinoy Club. The 3.5 women's doubles team of Patty Gaukel and Eva Herdegen won the event and qualified to play in the sectional championships Oct. 19-23 in Pinehurst, N.C.

Bowling

Sean Herrod bowled 289 and had a 690 series to win the men's league at Ten Pin Lanes in St. Petersburg last week. Keith Courtney was second with a 289–667. The women's league was won by Cathy Walter, who rolled 265 and 624 series. Saralyn Rickman was second with a 246–568. In the senior men's group, Robert Oliphant won with 247–640, the senior women's group was won by Barbara Logsdon, who rolled 265–594, and the youth group was won by Glen Hewlett Jr., who rolled 221–629.

Volleyball

Beach volleyball is coming to Clearwater Beach on Oct. 22-23. The tournament is called the 4C Totally Light 2Go Volley America National Championships. Aside from the championship division, there will also be divisions for intermediate and novice level players. Entry fee is $60. For information, go to eevb.net.

Times wires
Thursday, October 6, 2011

MILWAUKEE — Yovani Gallardo calls today's start the biggest of his career. Ian Kennedy hoped for any chance to pitch again this season.

"It's definitely a whole different atmosphere," Gallardo said. "Anything can happen."

The Diamondbacks look to complete their biggest rally of the season and complete a comeback from 0-2 down when they face the Brewers in Game 5 of their National League Division Series with a berth in the Championship Series at stake.

It's a rematch of the starters of Game 1, in which Gallardo bested Kennedy to keep his perfect record against the Diamondbacks intact. Milwaukee won the first two games at Miller Park, where it had a majors-best 57 home victories in the regular season, before Arizona stayed alive by winning the next two in Phoenix.

"I don't think anything in the past will carry over into Milwaukee," Diamondbacks centerfielder Chris Young said. "We have to deal with this one game that we have coming up, and the game's really open to anybody."

Gallardo retired 14 of 15 at one point in Game 1, allowing one run on four hits over eight innings in a 4-1 victory. The 25-year-old right-hander is 6-0 with a 1.18 ERA in six career starts against Arizona, but he has never pitched in an elimination game.

"It's going to be a little bit tougher, but I just have to stay out there, relax and just pitch my game and see what happens," Gallardo said.

Milwaukee used a five-run sixth inning to win 9-4 in Game 2, but the beastly offensive attack ended in Arizona.

Kennedy, a 21-game winner, could do little but wait to see if he'd get another chance to pitch this year after being knocked out of Game 1 when Prince Fielder hit a two-run homer in the seventh.

Arizona struck back with grand slams by Paul Goldschmidt in Game 3 and Ryan Roberts in Wednesday's late 10-6 win in Game 4. The Diamondbacks joined the 1977 Dodgers as the only teams to hit slams in consecutive playoff games.

Arizona rallied for a major-league-best 48 comeback wins in the regular season.

"We don't panic when we do get down," shortstop Willie Bloomquist said. "We've understood what we're up against this whole series, especially when we got down 0-2, and things remain the same."

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, October 6, 2011

TAMPA — Luke Stocker's rookie season is becoming as strained as his injured knee.

The Bucs tight end from Tennessee, who missed three preseason games with a hip injury he suffered the first day of training camp, most likely will not play Sunday at San Francisco.

Stocker, 23, is week-to-week with a knee injury he suffered in a 24-17 win over the Colts on Monday night, coach Raheem Morris said.

"Luke Stocker will probably be a week-to-week guy," Morris said. "He got rolled up, I'm not exactly sure about the extent of the injury. I'm sure it's on there. But we have to practice without him, and he'll be missed. He's a tough kid. He'll probably get back soon."

The Bucs have had success running the ball with LeGarrette Blount behind a two-tight-end set with Stocker and Kellen Winslow. Morris said the Bucs might lean more on their backup tight ends.

"We've got Zack Pianalto on our football team and Collin Franklin on our football team," Morris said. "If Kellen has to take a little heavier load, he's got to take a heavier load. We'll just get ready to go out there and run our plays and give the ball to LeGarrette Blount and put a little more weight on what (Erik) Lorig means to us and a little bit of Earnest Graham and some of those other guys and lean heavier on our tackles and get those guys going heavier on their double teams and make it happen. … It's next man up. We really don't talk about injuries."

ISN'T THAT SPECIAL: The Bucs' special teams unit is among the best in the NFL, particularly at covering kicks. But Tampa Bay will be tested by 49ers receiver/kick returner Ted Ginn Jr., who had a 102-yard kickoff return and a 55-yard punt return for touchdowns against Seattle in the season opener.

"I feel like it's going to be a heavyweight with those guys," Morris said. "Our special teams have been good; their special teams have been good.

"Ginn has been dangerous since he came into the league. Actually, he's getting better as a receiver. That's the first thing I notice when I put in the tape. I see him running more routes, not just vertical routes anymore. He has the ability to get across the middle and do some different things. He's been asked to do some different things, and he's responded. They still do a nice job in the return game; he still does a nice job with the vertical routes. He's one of those guys who will be a challenge for us."

OKAM to play VS. NINERS: Frank Okam, the Bucs' 350-pound backup under tackle behind Gerald McCoy, was inactive Monday because he was a bad fit against the Colts' zone rushing scheme. But Morris said Okam will play at San Francisco.

"(The Colts are) a zone-scheme team. It wasn't conducive for a big guy like Frank," Morris said. "So we put him down, put some other people up. He'll play this week for us. We've got a nice power team coming (up)."

line addition: The Bucs added former Illinois State OT Chris Riley to the practice squad. The move is in response to the Dolphins taking OT Will Barker from Tampa Bay's practice squad this week.

INJURIES: In addition to Stocker, CB Aqib Talib (knee), S Devin Holland (back), LB Zac Diles (hamstring), LB Quincy Black (ankle), T James Lee (knee), WR Sammie Stroughter (foot) and Winslow (knee) did not practice Thursday at Tropicana Field. Graham (hamstring) had limited participation. Pianalto (calf) and DE Tim Crowder (knee) practiced. Winslow is expected to play Sunday.

Times wires
Thursday, October 6, 2011

PHILADELPHIA — Roy Halladay and Chris Carpenter grew up together with the Blue Jays, and the friends have spent plenty of time competing on golf courses and fishing boats.

The stakes will be much higher tonight when the All-Stars go head-to-head on a mound for the first time, in Game 5 of their National League Division Series, with a berth in the Championship Series on the line for Halladay's Phillies and Carpenter's Cardinals.

"We've talked about this scenario, " Halladay said Thursday. "I think it's something we're both looking forward to. It's going to be a challenge."

They already have made offseason plans for a fishing trip.

"We've pitched together, we've vacationed together, we communicate a bunch during the offseason and during the season," Carpenter said. "It's going to be a lot of fun."

This is a "dream matchup," said Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, who set it up by pitching Carpenter on three days' rest for the first time in his career in Game 2. "It's going to be as good as it gets."

The Phillies, heavy favorites entering the series, are counting on their ace to put away the pesky Cardinals. The franchise-record 102 regular-season wins won't mean a thing if the Phillies don't advance.

"I don't think you can get too caught up in what game it is and what it means," Halladay said. "I think if you go out thinking: 'Wow, this is everything, all-in-one,' I think it can make too much out of it."

Halladay beat the Cardinals in the opener despite a shaky start. He allowed a three-run homer to Lance Berkman in the first inning but dominated afterward. Halladay retired the last 21 batters he faced and turned an eight-run lead over to the bullpen in an 11-6 win. He allowed three runs and three hits, striking out eight in eight innings.

Carpenter struggled in his start, allowing four runs and five hits in three innings in his shortest outing of the season. But the Cardinals overcame a 4-0 deficit against Cliff Lee and beat the Phillies 5-4 to even the series at one game each.

" 'Carp' is all about winning, bottom line," said third baseman David Freese, who had four RBIs on a homer and a double in Game 4. "That's what he said after his outing. We fought back, and that's what Carp wants, he wants to win. And he wants that ball, Game 5, and he's going to be ready. He knows what we're going up against in Philly with Halladay and their offense, but I think that they understand that we're going to bring our 'A' game."

Halladay, 36, has more individual accomplishments and hardware in his trophy case. But Carpenter, 34, has something Halladay wants: a World Series ring. Carpenter and the Cardinals beat Detroit in the 2006 World Series.

"We feel confident with the guys that we have in our clubhouse, and we get to play the deciding game in front of our fans," Halladay said. "We all feel like this is something we can accomplish."

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, October 6, 2011

TAMPA — Look closely and you might see the Bucs aren't who you think they are.

For a team that pioneered the use of the pass coverage that bears its name — Tampa 2 — the Bucs of today rarely use the tactic that for so long was the basic tenet of their defense.

Watch the secondary today and you'll see left cornerback Aqib Talib locked in old-fashioned man-to-man battles with the NFL's most skilled receivers. You'll see diminutive right cornerback Ronde Barber — a player many consider functional only in the Tampa 2 — using anticipation and exemplary technique to make up for a lack of size and speed in single coverage.

It's not at all what you might expect, but this is the new breed of Bucs defense. And, it seems, they wouldn't have it any other way.

"It's a great challenge," Barber said. "This is a lot more fun than what I did for the first 12 years of my career."

It's like nothing Barber or anyone else has seen in recent memory.

"We're playing more man coverage than we have in probably a decade," defensive backs coach Jimmy Lake said.

Here's the rationale: "With this team, right here and right now, man coverage is what works for us," said nickelback E.J. Biggers, who estimated the Bucs are using man-to-man coverage on well over half their snaps.

The Bucs still blend a variety of coverages, including the zone-based Tampa 2, or Cover 2 as it's commonly called. Cover 3 and quarters coverage remain in the playbook, too. Each of those requires defenders to cover assigned zones rather than challenging receivers one-on-one.

But more and more, the personality of coach Raheem Morris — also the defensive coordinator — is showing in his play-calling. Morris prefers to stay on the attack, opting to get in opponents' faces rather than taking a passive approach. He began using it since taking over the defense late in the 2009 season, but his use of single coverage lately has been more extensive.

Previous methods worked. Tony Dungy and Monte Kiffin, the former head coach and defensive coordinator who first implemented the Tampa 2 in the mid 1990s, had much success.

But a philosophical change is afoot.

"This wasn't Monte's ideology," said Barber, who was drafted in 1997. "(Kiffin) wanted to play safe, keep everything in front of you and then tackle. That has its own merits, but Rah's a lot more aggressive as a play-caller."

That aggressive mind-set includes more blitzes, which Kiffin rarely employed. Even when the Bucs don't blitz, they often stack the line of scrimmage with defenders to stop opposing running backs. In those cases, Morris must be willing to live with less coverage on the back end, putting his cornerbacks in all-or-nothing predicaments.

But with the recent improvement in the pass rush and the skill sets of the team's defensive backs, the Bucs believe they have the advantage.

"We have defensive linemen who can get off the ball, we have linebackers who know how to blitz and we have (defensive backs) who know how to play man coverage," Talib said. "So, we're just using what we've got to our advantage."

Still, the Bucs won't always opt for man-to-man coverage. They didn't in the season opener against Detroit and feared receiver Calvin Johnson. That day, the Bucs played mostly Tampa 2. And when the Saints visit on Oct. 16, maybe the Bucs don't tempt quarterback Drew Brees with one-on-one coverage.

But in matchups where using single coverage is preferable, it has been successful. In the past two games, against the Falcons and Colts, there was extensive use of man-to-man coverage. Quarterbacks Matt Ryan and Curtis Painter completed 55 and 43 percent of their attempts, respectively — both below average for NFL starters. When defenders are in proper position, there is precious little room for quarterbacks to deliver the ball. Against zones, there often are bigger windows.

It has worked, plus Morris' players embrace playing man coverage. Even one who has spent his career playing a different style of defense.

"I'm having a lot more fun playing in Rah's defense than in Monte's, for sure," Barber said. "That's just because me and Rah's personalities are a lot more similar. I would have played just like we're playing now. You can do so much more with it.

" … It's fun to be around a bunch of talented guys who don't mind being challenged with play calls. I really like it."

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

Times wires
Thursday, October 6, 2011

DAVIE — Jake Long must have repeated that quarterback Chad Henne is a "strong guy" about a dozen times.

The Dolphins left tackle was trying to get a message across to those questioning whether Henne, his teammate since their college days at Michigan, could have continued playing with the separated left shoulder he suffered in Sunday's loss to San Diego.

Henne joked that the team could "cut off" his left arm if it meant he'd finish the 2011 season. Obviously that wasn't an option. And neither was waiting the injury out, considering a second opinion advised Henne to have corrective surgery immediately.

Henne, who started 31 games for the Dolphins, is scheduled to undergo the procedure in the coming days and has been placed on injured reserve, ending his season.

"It's really disappointing. The kid's got a lot obviously invested in this whole thing," coach Tony Sparano said. "I think he's worked extremely hard. I think he's done a tremendous job to this point and has really improved. It's unfortunate because I know the kid really wanted to see this whole thing through and finish it."

Sparano has anointed Matt Moore, who has started 13 games in his five NFL seasons, the new starter, and on Thursday the team signed Sage Rosenfels, a 10-year veteran who has started 12 of the 44 games he has played.

The 6-foot-4, 222-pound Rosenfels has completed 351 of 562 passes in his career for 4,156 yards. He has thrown 30 touchdowns and 29 interceptions and has a 81.2 career rating.

Rosenfels was released Tuesday by the Giants after recovering from a blood disorder that sent him to the hospital in August.

The only other healthy quarterback with the Dolphins was practice squad rookie Pat Devlin.

Sparano acknowledged the Dolphins (0-4) worked out a number of veteran quarterbacks, including Trent Edwards, Brodie Croyle, Jim Sorgi and Charlie Frye. He said Rosenfels performed the best during the team's workouts and "had some quality snaps in games."

Rosenfels will earn $970,000.

Moore will become the 16th quarterback to start for the Dolphins since Dan Marino retired after the 1999 season.

Henne, who had a career-high 79.0 quarterback rating this season, is in the final year of the rookie contract he signed as a second-round pick in 2008. He becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2012.

Ratings up: Fox's NFL coverage Sunday matched the highest television rating for the single-game broadcast window since 1998. The network's eight games included the Lions' comeback against the Cowboys and the Giants' rally against the Cardinals. Among the other matchups were Panthers-Bears, 49ers-Eagles and Redskins-Rams. The broadcast window averaged a 14.0 rating and 30 share and had the unusual distinction of drawing a higher rating than the national game on CBS and NBC's Sunday Night Football. Fox is averaging a 12.2/25 through four weeks, the highest since it started NFL coverage in 1994. Ratings represent the percentage of all homes with televisions tuned into a program. Shares represent the percentage of all homes with TVs in use at the time.

colts: Quarterback Peyton Manning said he is recovering well from neck surgery, but it is too early to know whether he has any shot at playing this season.

jaguars: Receiver Mike Thomas signed a three-year, $18 million extension that includes $9 million guaranteed. It locks him up through the 2015 season. … The team avoided a TV blackout for Sunday's game against the Bengals when Anheuser-Busch guaranteed that the remaining 6,000 tickets would be bought. Earlier this season the company bought tickets to avoid blackouts in Miami and Charlotte.

jets: Receiver Plaxico Burress (swollen left elbow) was back at practice, and center Nick Mangold expects to return against the Patriots after missing two weeks with a high right ankle sprain.

panthers: Tight end Jeremy Shockey, who has a mild concussion, said he will play Sunday against the Saints. He returned to practice and said of the team that released him: "This game can't come fast enough for me.'' Coach Ron Rivera said Shockey first needs to be cleared by an independent doctor.

vikings: Cornerback Antoine Winfield (neck strain) missed practice. The team will know more about his condition today.

Mark Chisholm, Times Correspondent
Thursday, October 6, 2011

TAMPA — After allowing an uncharacteristic 350 yards to Lennard last week, Berkeley Prep's defense clamped down and led the Bucs to a 45-0 win over St. Petersburg Catholic in the 3A-5 district opener for both teams Thursday night.

Berkeley (6-0, 1-0) was led by Nelson Agholor's 170 rushing yards and four touchdowns, including a 58-yard punt return.

The Bucs defense held SPC to negative yards on three first-half drives, with three others thwarted by interceptions, including Christian Hardegree's 48-yard touchdown return. The Barons (1-5, 0-1) couldn't get their main weapon, Ryan Green, untracked. The Bucs yielded only 95 total yards, with Green gaining 26.

Agholor gashed the Barons with TD runs of 22, 1, and 49 yards. Destin Nichols closed the first half with a 25-yard TD pass to Chris Williams to make it 42-0.

"We played very hard and just prepared all week for him," Berkeley linebacker Schyler Miles said of Green. "We knew he was a dynamic player and we just had to stop him."