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Rangers repositioned for another title shot

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Times wires
Sunday, October 16, 2011

ARLINGTON, Texas — The Rangers are back in the World Series with a boom and a purpose. Just getting there isn't enough this time.

"We've got that experience," second baseman Ian Kinsler said. "It wasn't a very good one, but we have the experience."

Texas waited a half-century to play in its first World Series before losing to San Francisco in five games last year. But the Rangers have positioned themselves for another chance at a first title, winning their second consecutive AL Championship Series with a 15-5 victory late Saturday to oust Detroit.

Michael Young hit a pair of two-run doubles in the Rangers' nine-run third inning, and Nelson Cruz was selected ALCS MVP after his postseason-record sixth homer of the series. He also had a record 13 RBIs.

"It was a group commitment. We weren't very happy with the results (against the Giants), and we certainly knew that we were a better team than we showed," manager Ron Washington said before relaying what Young told teammates after last year's World Series.

The message from the team's longest-tenured player: "Enjoy your winter, but don't turn it off mentally. We're capable of getting back."

The franchise that began as the expansion Washington Senators in 1961, then moved to Texas in 1972, opens another World Series on Wednesday at St. Louis, which eliminated Milwaukee on Sunday. The Rangers will work out at home today and fly to St. Louis on Tuesday.

"They came together this spring on a mission, with one thing in mind," team president Nolan Ryan said. "And this is the stepping-stone of what they want to get it done, and that's to win a world championship."

The Tigers sent themselves into the offseason with an inning they'll be thinking about until spring training. "We just couldn't stop the bleeding," manager Jim Leyland said. "… It was a great series, and this was just not a great game."


Sports in brief

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Times wires
Sunday, October 16, 2011

Running

100-year-old sets mark in marathon

TORONTO — Fauja Singh, 100, became the oldest person to complete a full-distance marathon, 26.2 miles, when he finished the Toronto race Sunday. For his feat, Singh earned a spot in the Guinness World Records.

It took Singh more than eight hours to cross the finish line — more than six hours after Kenya's Kenneth Mungara won the event for the fourth straight year — and he was the last competitor to complete the course.

"Beating his original prediction, he's overjoyed," said his coach and translator, Harmander Singh. "Earlier, just before we came around the (final) corner, he said, 'Achieving this will be like getting married again.'

"He's absolutely overjoyed; he's achieved his lifelong wish."

It was Singh's eighth marathon, and he ran his first at age 89.

Autos

Vettel triumphs again

Sebastian Vettel won the Korean Grand Prix in Yeongam, South Korea, just one week after clinching his second straight Formula One title. It marked his 10th victory of the season.

Vettel, who started from second on the grid, passed pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton on the first lap and dominated the 55-lap race before winning in 1 hour, 38 minutes, 01.994 seconds, 12 seconds ahead of Hamilton.

NHRA: Jack Beckman took the Funny Car standings lead with a win at the Arizona Nationals in Phoenix. Larry Dixon (Top Fuel), Vincent Nobile (Pro Stock) and Hector Arana (Pro Stock Motorcycle) won their classes.

Et cetera

Horses: Filly Sarah Lynx won the $1.5 million Pattison Canadian International, beating defending champion Joshua Tree by 4 lengths at Woodbine in Toronto. … Jockey Eddie Castro suffered a hairline fracture of a vertebra in a spill Saturday at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., and was in stable condition. Royal Brush fractured his left front leg and was euthanized.

Pan Am Games: American Daryl Szarenski won gold in the 10-meter air pistol, and the United States won equestrian's team dressage and two bronze medals in taekwondo on Day 2 in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Rugby: New Zealand faces France in the World Cup final Sunday after beating Australia 20-6 in Auckland, New Zealand.

Soccer: Chad Barrett scored in the 53rd minute as Los Angeles wrapped up the third unbeaten home season in MLS history with a 1-0 victory over Chivas USA. Los Angeles (19-4-10) already clinched the best regular-season record and went 12-0-5 at Home Depot Center.

Tennis: Second-seeded Marion Bartoli cruised to a 6-3, 6-1 victory over top-seeded Samantha Stosur, a Tampa resident, to win the Japan Open in Osaka. … Defending champion Andy Murray defeated David Ferrer 7-5, 6-4 to win the Shanghai Masters, ensuring he'll vault past Roger Federer to No. 3 in the ATP rankings. … Top-seeded Petra Kvitova beat Dominika Cibulkova 6-4, 6-1 to win the Generali Ladies in Linz, Austria.

Times wires

SEC, Big 12 dominate top of first BCS standings

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Times wires
Sunday, October 16, 2011

LSU, Alabama, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State hold the top four spots in the first BCS standings that were released Sunday, setting up two potentially huge conference games that could determine the national title game.

SEC rivals LSU and Alabama, first and second, respectively, meet Nov. 5 in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

The Tigers host Auburn on Saturday, and the Crimson Tide is at Tennessee. Then both will be off for a week before a likely No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup.

Third-place Oklahoma and fourth-place Oklahoma State have their Bedlam rivalry set for Dec. 3 at Stillwater, Okla.

The only other time the top four teams in the first BCS standings of the season came from two conferences was 2000, with the Big 12 (Nebraska and Oklahoma) and the Big East (Virginia Tech and Miami).

The BCS standings combine the coaches' poll, Harris poll and a compilation of six computer rankings.

The team atop the initial BCS standings has gone on to play in the national title game six times in the 12-season history, but only twice — Florida State in 1999 and USC in 2004 — has the first No. 1 gone on to wear the crown.

This is the third time LSU has been at the top of the BCS standings. That's fourth-most among SEC schools, behind Florida (seven), Alabama (six) and Tennessee (five).

Texas is No. 24, its 87th time in the standings. That's the most of any school. UF, unranked this week, is second with 85.

The top four in the Associated Press Top 25, which is not part of the BCS formula, were LSU, Alabama, Oklahoma and Wisconsin. The AP's top 10 was unchanged.

lattimore out for year: South Carolina's top offensive player, running back Marcus Lattimore, is out for the year with a torn ligament and cartilage damage in his left knee. Surgery will be performed in several weeks after the knee stabilizes. The sophomore was injured while blocking; a Mississippi State player rolled onto his leg. "Our worst fears were realized," coach Steve Spurrier said. Freshman Brandon Wilds likely will start Oct. 29 at Tennessee, South Carolina's next game. The Gamecocks host UF on Nov. 12.

georgia: Coach Mark Richt said he talked with players and coaches who were involved in heated exchanges after a win at Vanderbilt on Saturday but didn't say if he would impose punishments. As the teams headed toward the middle of the field, Vanderbilt coach James Franklin exchanged terse words with Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham, who last season made a choke sign as Florida lined up for the winning field goal. As they exchanged words, players were pulled apart by coaches and police.

mississippi: Two key starters are lost for the season: defensive end Wayne Dorsey (broken right arm) and cornerback Marcus Temple (fractured right ankle).

Late Saturday: OU's Broyles sets records

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Oklahoma routed Kansas 47-17 as receiver Ryan Broyles became the NCAA's career receptions leader and set two other records.

Broyles had 13 catches for a school-record 217 yards, including a 57-yard touchdown midway through the second quarter. The catch broke former Purdue standout Taylor Stubblefield's record of 316 receptions. Broyles finished with 326 in his career.

The senior from Norman, Okla., also broke the Big 12 record for touchdown catches.

Oregon 41, Arizona St. 27: Darron Thomas threw for 187 yards and two touchdowns before he left with a left leg injury as the host Ducks held on. His status is not known.

Cardinals make convincing entry

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Times wires
Sunday, October 16, 2011

MILWAUKEE — An afterthought in early September, the Cardinals' wild ride is headed all the way to the World Series.

Series MVP David Freese hit a three-run homer in the first and manager Tony La Russa turned again to his bullpen for seven sturdy innings as St. Louis captured its 18th pennant with a 12-6 win over the bumbling Brewers on Sunday.

Albert Pujols and the wild-card Cardinals took out the heavily favored Phillies in the first round, then dispatched the division-rival Brewers on their own turf in Game 6 of the NL Championship Series.

Looking for its second title in six seasons, St. Louis opens the World Series at home Wednesday with Chris Carpenter pitching against the Rangers.

Trailing by 10½ games in the wild-card race on Aug. 25, the Cardinals surged and took advantage of a collapse by Atlanta to win a playoff spot on the final night of the regular season.

"I mean, you could have never known," Pujols said.

Now, bolstered by relievers who keep answering the call, the Cardinals are in the World Series for the first time since beating Detroit in 2006.

"It was crazy," outfielder Matt Holliday said. "We had a lot of adversity, but we found a way."

It was a disappointing end to a scintillating season for the NL Central champion Brewers, who finished with a franchise-record 96 wins, six games ahead of St. Louis.

Baseball's best home team collapsed in the NLCS, losing twice at Miller Park.

Rafael Furcal and Pujols hit solo homers off Chris Narveson and St. Louis built a 9-4 lead by the time the bullpen took over for former Ray Edwin Jackson in the third inning. The group of Fernando Salas, Marc Rzepczynski, Octavio Dotel, Lance Lynn and Jason Motte allowed two runs the rest of the way.

Shooting from the lip

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By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, October 16, 2011

Tom Jones' two cents

St. Petersburg Times staff writer Tom Jones looks back at the best and worst from a weekend of televised sports.



Coverage of the day

U ltimately, this item doesn't mean a hill of beans compared to what happened Sunday at the IndyCar race in Las Vegas. But while hundreds of thousands were sitting at home anxiously awaiting word, ABC missed the official announcement that St. Petersburg resident Dan Wheldon had been killed in a crash.

ABC spent the two hours after the crash trying to stay on top of the news and providing whatever information it could gather. It even sent a reporter to the hospital.

But then it inexcusably missed the announcement, joining the news conference of IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard in progress — after he announced Wheldon's death. He was already sending along prayers to Wheldon's family and announcing the drivers would drive five laps in honor of Wheldon. But at that point, viewers still didn't know Wheldon had actually died.

Later, ABC warned viewers it was going to show replays of the crash then proceeded to show six from different angles. Too many? Too graphic? Whose to say?

There is no manual or script to cover a death in a sporting event. It's all so sudden, stunning and tragic. Virtually anything that is said or done can be construed as insensitive even if the intentions are good. Overall, ABC's tone following Wheldon's death was respectful and journalistically sound.

Announcers, appropriately, said nothing during the five-lap tribute, then closed the broadcast with a shot of Wheldon drinking milk during his Indy 500 celebration and a photo of Wheldon with the words: Dan Wheldon, 1978-2011.

Best analysis

Fox baseball analyst Tim McCarver has a penchant for repeating himself, especially when he makes a point that turns out to be true. But I'd rather listen to McCarver make a point twice than an analyst who won't say anything until after a play happens. After all, anyone can second-guess, can't they?

But here's what makes McCarver so good as New York Daily News media critic Bob Raissman noticed during Game 4 of the ALCS. It was the 11th inning, score was tied with a runner on second and one out. The Tigers intentionally walked Adrian Beltre to face Mike Napoli.

"Napoli is the most productive hitter in baseball from July 4 on," he said. "That's why when you combine this with Beltre's bad knee, I'm not sure that (walking Napoli) is the right move."

McCarver added that Nelson Cruz might get a chance to bat in the inning. Napoli singled in a run to give the Rangers a 4-3 lead, and Cruz followed with a three-run homer.

Three things that popped into my head

1 If you're a Red Sox fan, aren't you incredibly embarrassed at all the finger-pointing and second-guessing going on since the September collapse?

2 Ace pitcher Cliff Lee leaves the Rangers for the Phillies, but it's the Rangers going back to the World Series while the Phillies play golf. Ain't sports funny?

3 Not to kick USF while it's down, but two losses in a row after a promising start … how many times have we seen this movie?

Harshest words

Jeremy Schaap is doing a bang-up job, as always, filling in as host of ESPN2's Sports Reporters for John Saunders, who is recovering from injuries sustained in a fall. During Sunday's "Parting Shots'' segment, Schaap talked about South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier's decision to leave the Gators for the Redskins in 2002.

"Spurrier is a superb coach, but he could've been a (Bear) Bryant or a (Joe) Paterno or a (Tom) Osborne,'' Schaap said. "He could've been an institution at Florida. Instead, he took the money. That was his right. That also was his mistake.''

Spurrier went 12-20 in two seasons with the Redskins and is 50-34 (and only 27-26 in the SEC) in six-plus seasons with the Gamecocks.

Worst self-promotion, Part I

Each week, I keep watching Fox NFL Sunday in hopes it won't make me want to whip my remote at the television. After all, I used to really dig this show. Lately, the crew has fallen in love with their own jokes and laughter. Sunday, it was shameless self-promotion. In the first 15 minutes alone, Sunday's Fox pregame show:

• Pointed out analyst Terry Bradshaw was the first quarterback to win four Super Bowls.

• Showed an overly produced piece solely to remind viewers Bradshaw correctly picked the Bills to beat the Eagles last week.

• Called Jay Glazer the "NFL's best insider.''

• Reminded viewers analyst Jimmy Johnson wrote a best-selling book … in 1993!

Like I said — shameless.

Worst self-promotion, Part II

Not to be outdone by Fox, CBS's NFL Today also couldn't let a pregame show go by without pimping its prime-time programming. The show brought in Pittsburgh native Billy Gardell, star of the CBS sitcom Mike & Molly, to help make predictions. And the only reason he was there, of course, was to tell people to watch Mike & Molly. How annoying.

Worst game of chicken

Quarterback Carson Palmer, above, remains "retired'' until the Bengals trade him.

"I talked to the Bengals this morning, and they told me they are absolutely not going to trade him,'' Charley Casserly said during CBS's NFL pregame show Sunday. "As far as they're concerned, he's still retired.''

Good for the Bengals. If they dealt Palmer, every disgruntled player would "retire'' and demand a trade.



Worst use of a graphic

Television has fallen in love with in-game graphics, but Sun Sports learned a hard lesson Saturday night about using them at the wrong time. In the third period of the Lightning-Panthers game, the Lightning was down by a goal and won a faceoff in the Panthers zone. Just then, a graphic showing both teams' scoring chances was posted in the bottom left corner of the screen.

The problem was the graphic completely covered Lightning defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron, who just happened to have the puck. Bergeron faked a slap shot then fired a wrist shot at the net — except the viewers never saw any of it. Suddenly, the puck was in the back of the net.

Not counting the shootout, only four goals were scored in the game, and viewers missed one because of an ill-placed and, worse yet, ill-timed graphic.

Best announcer

Over the past few weeks, several readers have called or written in to complain about Fox announcer Joe Buck. Many cite what they believe is Buck's lack of enthusiasm. What many don't realize is Buck is battling a virus that has affected his voice for the past 10 months. Buck risks going hoarse or losing his voice completely if he talks too loudly too quickly. He's almost 100 percent but not quite.

For those who aren't Buck fans, try this little experiment while watching the World Series. Notice how many times Buck goes quiet just before and right after critical moments. Instead of trying to be the star, Buck allows the game and the players to be the stars. That's the mark of an excellent announcer who understands his role. For my money, Buck is among broadcasting's all-time elite.

Patriots 20, Cowboys 16

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Times wires
Sunday, October 16, 2011

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Down three points. Barely two minutes left. One thought on Tom Brady's mind.

"You can't not get the ball in the end zone," the master of late comebacks said.

That's where he got it, throwing an 8-yard touchdown to former Gator Aaron Hernandez with 22 seconds left and giving the Patriots a 20-16 win over the Cowboys on Sunday.

"He's probably one of the toughest competitors I've ever seen, especially from a quarterback standpoint," New England defensive tackle Vince Wilfork said. "There was plenty of time for our offense.

"When it mattered the most, they came up with what we needed."

It was the 32nd successful comeback of Brady's career in games the Patriots trailed or were tied in the fourth quarter. And it came against a solid defense — ranked fourth in the NFL — that had allowed one touchdown on the Patriots' first nine possessions.

"When you're playing against a quarterback like Tom Brady, he's going to go down as one of the all-time greats," Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. "So you have to try to make it hard on him."

Dallas, coming off a bye week, did that for most of the game, with three sacks and two interceptions. But on the final 80-yard drive that started with 2:31 left, Brady completed 8 of 9 passes for 78 yards.

"We prepare hard for that situation every week and when it came up (last) week, it's good to get the ball in the end zone," Brady said. "I'd prefer to be up four touchdowns with two minutes left, but it just wasn't the case."

New England won despite its first two lost fumbles of the season. Dallas ended a five-game road winning streak after a bye despite coming back from a 13-3 deficit midway through the second quarter.

Tony Romo was 27-of-41 for 317 yards, one touchdown and one interception in his first game since a 34-30 loss to the Lions in which the Cowboys squandered a 24-point third-quarter lead and Romo threw two interceptions that were returned for scores.

The Cowboys have lost two games by four and one by three.

"This team is continuing to grow and get better," Romo said. "We just need to finish a game like (Sunday's) and we will I think.

"I'll take our defense any day of the week going forward."

What they're saying: Reaction to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers-New Orleans Saints game

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Times staff, wires
Sunday, October 16, 2011

E.J. Biggers, Bucs CB, on the importance of the win:

"A division opponent, a rivalry game, first place in the division — a chance to be in first place. Nothing else to be said."

Arrelious Benn, Bucs WR, on rebounding from the blowout loss at San Francisco:

"We knew what we did wrong. We just had to bounce back and just get back to playing Buc football."

Elbert Mack, Bucs CB, on the defensive line:

"They've been playing good. They're growing up before our eyes and getting pressure."

Josh Freeman, Bucs QB:

"(Sunday), we didn't play close to our potential. … We played a good game, a good enough game to win, but we left a lot of yards and a lot of points on the field offensively speaking. … Our defense played great, but we could play better."

Freeman, on leading the NFC South:

"It's Week 6. Nothing's decided at this point, and every win is extremely valuable. So to get that win is just one step forward in the direction, the goal that we're headed to."

Michael Koenen, Bucs P:

"It feels good to see everybody smiling. It feels good to do it at home, to see our offense move the ball like they did and our defense getting turnovers."

Raheem Morris, Bucs coach:

"I know (the media) wrote us off for dead last week. But I got a lot of confidence in these guys bouncing back. I know this is a tough team. They are young. We didn't show up last week, and this week they are ready to go."

Kellen Winslow, Bucs TE, on two coaches being injured on the sidelines:

"That's crazy. I don't think that's ever happened."

Drew Brees, Saints QB, on moving on:

"The train keeps rolling. This a long season. It's a marathon. There's no doubt we've got to get better. We will."

Brees, on the Saints' turnovers and Bucs defense:

"We gave it away four times. The fact of the matter is that will get you beat. … They played us tight. It was back and forth there, and … the turnovers gave them some good field position on a few occasions, which obviously can't happen."

Ducks' third-period blitz subdues Blues

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Times wires
Sunday, October 16, 2011

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Francois Beauchemin, Corey Perry and Bobby Ryan scored during a 4-minute, 23-second span of the third period, and the Ducks beat the Blues 4-2 on Sunday night.

Ryan also scored in the first period, for his 20th multigoal game in the NHL, and he added an assist on Beauchemin's go-ahead goal at 1:31. Ryan Getzlaf and defenseman Luca Sbisa both had two assists.

Jonas Hiller, coming off a 31-save shutout against San Jose on Friday, made 28 saves. The only shots that got past him were by Patrik Berglund in the first period and Alexander Steen in the third, after the Ducks built a three-goal lead against Jaroslav Halak.

Around the league: The Ducks recalled wing Patrick Maroon from their AHL affiliate in Syracuse to replace veteran wing Jason Blake, out three months with tendon damage in his left forearm. … The Kings placed defenseman Drew Doughty on the injured list because of an undisclosed upper-body injury that could put him out for at least a week. Flyers forward Zac Rinaldo leveled Doughty with a shoulder-to-chest hit just 24 seconds into Los Angeles' 3-2 overtime victory Saturday. They also recalled defenseman Slava Voynov from their AHL affiliate in Manchester. … The injury-depleted Rangers recalled defenseman Brendan Bell from the American Hockey League one day after playing without leading defensemen Marc Staal (concussion) and Michael Sauer (sprained right shoulder).

Ducks1034
Blues0112

First Period1, Anaheim, Ryan 1 (Beauchemin, Sbisa), 2:20. PenaltiesNikitin, StL (holding), :20; Macenauer, Ana (slashing), 10:56; Lydman, Ana (interference), 17:04.

Second Period2, St. Louis, Berglund 2 (Pietrangelo, Huskins), 5:43. PenaltiesPorter, StL (roughing), 15:04; Beleskey, Ana, served by Ryan (roughing, unsportsmanlike conduct), 15:04; Arnott, StL (high-sticking), 19:19.

Third Period3, Anaheim, Beauchemin 1 (Ryan, Sbisa), 1:31. 4, Anaheim, Perry 1 (Selanne, Getzlaf), 3:40 (pp). 5, Anaheim, Ryan 2 (Getzlaf, Brookbank), 6:24. 6, St. Louis, Steen 3 (Arnott, Jackman), 9:38. PenaltiesD'Agostini, StL (tripping), 1:59; Sobotka, StL (boarding), 14:48; Getzlaf, Ana (holding), 15:43. Shots on GoalSt. Louis 11-10-9—30. Anaheim 10-6-7—23. Power-play opportunitiesSt. Louis 0 of 4; Anaheim 1 of 4. GoaliesSt. Louis, Halak 1-3-0 (23 shots-19 saves). Anaheim, Hiller 3-1-0 (30-28). A14,555 (17,174). T2:20.


Tampa Bay Buccaneers rediscover offense against New Orleans Saints

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By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist
Sunday, October 16, 2011

TAMPA

For five weeks, they were children lost in a mall. They wandered. They plodded. They looked helpless.

For five weeks, they were an engine in need of a tuneup. They sputtered. They spewed. They went nowhere.

For five weeks, the offensive players of the Tampa Bay Bucs were an undelivered promise. They looked slow. They looked undisciplined. Most of all, they looked a lot like third and 17.

Well, what do we have here?

Surprise of all surprises, the wayward offense of the Bucs has returned.

Against the New Orleans Saints, the Bucs offense finally looked dangerous in Sunday's 26-20 victory. Suddenly, they were explosive enough, and they were efficient enough, and they were bold enough. Yeah, that was the offensive fire­power that was supposed to give Tampa Bay a chance in the NFC South.

Josh Freeman, making plays and protecting the ball?

Ageless Earnest Graham, wading through another opponent?

Arrelious Benn, streaking downfield toward the end zone?

This was impressive, because the last time anyone saw this offense, it was being buried in the middle of Candlestick Park after putting up a "3" on the scoreboard. Looking back, the only question was how in the world the Bucs managed to score that many. There were too many penalties. Too many turnovers. Too little cohesion.

"We've had some hiccups," Benn said.

"We've expected more from ourselves," Graham said.

Then came Sunday and further proof that one week of bad football doesn't necessarily condemn a team to repeat it the next. This time, the Bucs played with energy and intensity, and they rediscovered the big play. Fifteen times during the game the Bucs gained 10 yards or more.

Kellen Winslow hurdling opponents?

Dezmon Briscoe, sliding to make the game-sealing catch?

Mike Williams, catching a season-high six passes?

Just asking, but where has this been? And now that the Bucs have rediscovered directions to the end zone, can someone put this offensive game plan in a safe place?

"We know we haven't been hitting on all cylinders," said offensive coordinator Greg Olson. "We still have some work to do, but it was exciting to see them come back. We had two ways to go. We could feel sorry for ourselves and get our butts kicked, or we could prepare and learn from our mistakes. I'm glad we played the Saints, because they're a great team, and our players knew they were going to have to focus."

Here's an idea. Why not tell the players that next week's game is against the Saints, too. And that isn't London. It's the French Quarter.

"We didn't play close to our potential," Freeman said. "We played a good game, a game good enough to win, but we left a lot of yards and a lot of points on the field."

That's true. And kicking field goals instead of scoring touchdowns eventually catches up to a team.

Still, Freeman had his highest quarterback rating of the year (95.9), and he threw for the second-most yards of his career (303). As for the explosive plays that he has been lacking, he hit Benn with a 65-yard touchdown pass and Preston Parker for a 19-yard touchdown pass. Also, he didn't throw an interception.

"He was real focused this week," Olson said. "I think this game meant a lot to him. A lot of people have probably been questioning him. He's a competitor. He just wanted that game. He knew how important it was."

Then there was Graham, who has played for the Bucs, it seems, since the days of black and white television. Graham, old Earn-It Graham, was a player once again, gaining 109 yards in place of the injured LeGarrette Blount. When the Bucs have had success against the Saints, it has been because they have been able to run. For Graham, 31, it was his first 100-yard game since back in 2008.

"That Earnest Graham kid is a pretty good player," said cornerback Ronde Barber.

Also, there was Olson, who realized that a team trying to play the Saints has to press the issue. Otherwise, a team can walk off the field wondering where the lead went.

Consider the last 3:16 of the game, after the Bucs stopped a Saints drive on Quincy Black's end zone interception. The Play-It-Safe Coaches Manual suggests a team runs three dull plays and punts.

Instead, on third and 9, the Bucs were aggressive, and Freeman found a sliding Briscoe for 17. From there, the Bucs ran out the clock.

All in all, it was a fine offensive performance, impressive in its rhythm and its big-play ability. It was the kind of offense that suggests possibilities, that says that the Bucs might be a division contender yet.

Up ahead, there are possibilities.

Who knows? Maybe this offense can get there, after all.

Reactions to the death of IndyCar star and St. Petersburg resident Dan Wheldon

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Times staff
Sunday, October 16, 2011

Dario Franchitti, Wheldon's former teammate and 2011 season champion:

"We put so much pressure on ourselves to win races and championships, and that's what we love to do, what we live for. Days like today, it doesn't really matter. I lost, we lost, a good friend. Everybody in IndyCar considered Dan a friend. You saw what the reaction was. Dan was one of those special, special people, from when he first showed up at IndyCar."

IndyCar driver Danica Patrick, on Twitter:

"There are no words for today. Myself and so many others are devastated. I pray for (Wheldon's wife Susie) and the kids that God will give them strength.

IndyCar driver Graham Rahal, on Twitter:

"My heart goes out to the Wheldon family. Dan was an incredible champion, a great friend, great guy, and someone to look up to."

Sam Schmidt, team owner for the car Wheldon drove Sunday:

"Dan Wheldon was a tremendous competitor and great racer and an even better person. It was an honor to have him be a part of our team. All of us at Sam Schmidt Motorsports are deeply saddened by his passing."

Jeff Belskus, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation President and CEO:

"We are incredibly saddened at the passing of Dan Wheldon. He was a great champion of the Indianapolis 500 and a wonderful ambassador for the race, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and all of motorsports. Most importantly, he was a fantastic husband, father and man — a good friend to so many in this sport.

NASCAR driver Ryan Newman, on Twitter:

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Dan Weldon. He will be truly missed throughout the racing community."

NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., who met Wheldon through mutual car sponsorship with the National Guard:

"His success as a racer speaks for itself, but I will remember him as a true professional who was friendly, respectful, and genuine. On behalf of everyone at JR Motorsports, I send condolences to Dan's family, team, and friends in the racing community."

Al Speyer, executive director of Firestone Racing:

"Recently, we had been working very closely with Dan on the development of the 2012 IndyCar. His passion for the sport was evident every day, and he worked endlessly to do the best he could at everything he did."

Franchitti, on Twitter:

"Rest in peace Danny boy, we'll miss you my friend."

Dan Wheldon leaves a legacy beyond racing

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By John Romano, Times Sports Columnist
Sunday, October 16, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG

The headlines are not enough. Not nearly enough.

For what most people will see or hear today is that a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner was killed Sunday afternoon in a crash too terrifying to comprehend.

Maybe they will pause to digest a detail or two. Perhaps even bow their heads in a moment of reflection or prayer. Yet most of them will never understand what was lost in the fire, impact and devastation spread across the asphalt of a Las Vegas racetrack.

They will have never seen the young man and his beautiful bride pushing a stroller along a sidewalk in a neighborhood in Old Northeast as if they had all the time in the world.

• • •

The street is now quiet, and the night is coming fast.

The house overlooking Coffee Pot Bayou is utterly still, except for a photograph straining against a slight breeze. Since word began to spread of Dan Wheldon's death, people began showing up at his home with cut flowers and tortured hearts.

Were they neighbors? Friends? Fans? It doesn't really matter. It's just enough to know that they felt compelled to walk up the steps of his front doorway to leave bouquets and even a photograph of Wheldon propped against a potted plant.

And this is what the headlines will miss.

His name was famous worldwide for his accomplishments in a race car, but the best part of Dan Wheldon was wrapped up inside the walls of this immaculate home.

"He realized he was in a special place in his life," said Tim Ramsberger, general manager of the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. "Winning the Indianapolis 500 was obviously a big part of that, but it was also because he was so proud and happy to be a husband and a father of two young boys.

"That's what I remember most. On a stage, holding his son in his arms. That's what really defined Dan the last few years."

He was only 33 but already seemed to have sped through several lifetimes. There was the young boy growing up in Emberton, England, racing go-carts with his father and dreaming of a life of checkered flags. There was the brash young racer making his name on the IndyCar circuit and enjoying all the excesses of fame and fortune.

And there was the sweet, happy, young man who fell in love with his publicist and settled in a sleepy neighborhood in an unconventional choice of a town a half-dozen years ago.

He was smaller than you might have imagined. More fastidious than you probably would have guessed. Definitely more approachable than most athletes of his stature.

He was the neighbor you probably never realized you had.

"I ran into him all over town," St. Petersburg City Councilman Bill Dudley said. "He'd be behind me in line at the car wash, or at a restaurant down the street, and he would always be the same. He always smiled at you like you were his best friend.

"He always had his son with him, was always laughing about what 'this little booger' was doing. I ran into him and Sebastian on the street the day before his wife was going into the hospital to have Oliver, and he was just beaming about the baby.

"I'm just so sick thinking about them now."

• • •

They will have countless pictures of their father. They will be given keepsakes and will be told stories of his racing deeds. And, as they grow older, there may be times when those things will have some measure of comfort.

But Sebastian and Oliver will need more.

They will need to understand that the father they cannot remember was more than just a driver who won the IndyCar series championship in 2005 and finished runnerup two other times.

They will need to know that this, among his most sporadic seasons professionally, might have been the most precious year of his life because he stayed home more than ever.

"He was a phenomenal driver but, more importantly, a good person," Ramsberger said. "He absolutely loved his family, and you can't say anything better than that."

Sebastian is 2, and his brother Oliver is a few days shy of 7 months old. They cannot possibly comprehend Sunday's tears and have no conception of a future that has been forever lost.

Their father's name will be in the headlines this morning, and his face will be on television for days to come. His prowess as a driver warranted that kind of attention.

But Dan Wheldon was so much more than that.

Sebastian and Oliver are the living proof.

John Romano can be reached at romano@sptimes.com.

Bears 39, Vikings 10

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Times wires
Sunday, October 16, 2011

Only an injury can stop Bears' Hester

CHICAGO — Between the long touchdown catch and an even bigger kickoff return, this was shaping up as a special night for Devin Hester. Then a chest injury cast a big cloud over it.

Hester had a 48-yard touchdown catch and scored on a career-best 98-yard kickoff return, then left injured as the Bears romped.

Jay Cutler threw for 267 yards and two touchdowns. Julius Peppers had two sacks, and Chicago held Vikings star Adrian Peterson to 39 yards rushing. But Hester's injury marred a much-needed win heading into next week's game against the Bucs in London.

The TD catch on Chicago's first possession got the Bears started quickly. Chicago led 26-3 at halftime, and the kickoff return early in the third quarter erased any chance of a Vikings comeback.

Minnesota pulled quarterback Donovan McNabb in the fourth quarter for rookie Christian Ponder. In his debut, the former FSU star went 9-for-17 for 99 yards.

Las Vegas Motor Speedway drew criticism before IndyCar driver Dan Wheldon's death

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By Matt Baker, Times Staff Writer
Monday, October 17, 2011

Before the green flag dropped on the final race of Dan Wheldon's life, IndyCar drivers worried publicly about the dangers of a revamped Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Too much speed. Too many cars. Too little space.

"All it takes is one mistake by one driver, and it could be huge consequences," Boca Raton resident Ryan Hunter-Reay said before Sunday's Las Vegas Indy 300. "This should be a nail-biter for the fans, and it's going to be insane for the drivers."

The one mistake was fatal. Wheldon, a St. Petersburg resident, died Sunday from injuries sustained in a fiery, 15-car wreck on Lap 11. The Clark County, Nev., coroner told the Associated Press that an autopsy showed the two-time Indianapolis 500 champion died of blunt head trauma. He was 33.

Two other drivers were seriously injured. Pippa Mann had surgery on a burned finger, and JR Hildebrand suffered a bruised sternum. They were released from Las Vegas hospitals after staying overnight Sunday, IndyCar officials said.

Before, during and after the race, drivers — including Wheldon — said the race could be fast and treacherous.

On a warmup lap, ABC's announcers asked Wheldon if he thought speeds would exceed 222 mph — more than twice as fast as the pole speed on the street course at the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. He said they'd go even faster.

"This is going to be a spectacle," Wheldon said from his cockpit as he weaved his car right and left to warm up his Firestone tires for the season finale.

"This is a great way to go out. …"

• • •

IndyCar hadn't visited Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 11 years.

In 2006, the track made its turns steeper, to 20-degree banking, to let cars go faster. The pole speed increased from 208.5 mph in 2000 to 222 mph this year.

The last time a track other than the monstrous 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway was that fast was 2003 at Texas — when Kenny Brack's car ripped against a fence in one of the most horrific wrecks in racing history.

"The hot spot is every inch of the 1.5 miles," driver James Hinchcliffe said of Vegas before the race. "The racing is so close, and when something goes wrong, it can really go wrong."

The close racing started early Sunday. By the second turn, drivers bunched into three-wide rows. On Lap 6, two cars brushed wheels at more than 200 mph but didn't slow down.

The 1.5-mile oval was cramped with Wheldon and more part-time drivers than usual. IndyCar offered half of a $5 million bonus to any non-series regular who won the 300-mile event to try to boost excitement for a sport with sinking interest.

"I was watching practice (Thursday) and it was unbelievable," IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard told ESPN.com three days before race. "Three wide at more than 220 mph."

The 34-car field was the second-largest in series history and one more than this year's Indianapolis 500. But Indy has an extra mile of asphalt to handle the traffic.

"It's going to be a pack race," Wheldon told USA Today days before the race, "and you never know how that's going to turn out."

Veteran driver Paul Tracy warned that pack racing — bunches of cars battling for position — and less experienced drivers could cause accidents in the first few laps.

"To be in the middle of the field might not be the best situation early on," Tracy said. "There is the potential for a big wreck, so we hope to stay out of that."

Twelve minutes after the green flag dropped, a chain reaction started in the middle of the field and trickled back to Wheldon in 24th place.

Tracy said after the race that Wheldon's No. 77 car flew past his head on its way into the wall.

• • •

Immediately after the wreck, some drivers said things happened too quickly to avoid the pileup. Nothing could be done.

"When something goes wrong, there's zero time to react," Hinchcliffe said.

Series champion Dario Franchitti blamed Vegas for being "not a suitable track."

IndyCar teams were quiet Monday. The series canceled its year-end celebration and announced that a public memorial will be held in Indianapolis soon but released no details.

Wheldon's father, Clive, thanked fans for their support outside of his home in Wheldon's native England.

"Daniel was born to be a racer," he said, "and yesterday he left us doing what he loved."

Five-time defending NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson said IndyCar should stick to slower street courses like St. Petersburg. In March, Johnson qualified at Vegas at 186.728 mph — 36 mph slower than the pole speed for Sunday's IndyCar race on the same track.

"I wouldn't run them on ovals," Johnson said. "There's just no need to."

Former driver Bobby Rahal — whose son, Graham, raced Sunday alongside Wheldon — said in a statement that he mourned Wheldon's loss.

Rahal, the 1986 Indy 500 winner, said he'll try to comfort Wheldon's widow and two children.

"Then," Rahal said, "we will do what Dan would have done; we will go racing."

Staff writer Matt Baker can be reached at mbaker@sptimes.com. Information from IndyCar.com, the Associated Press, ABC, ESPN and the Indianapolis Star were used in this report.

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden agrees to five-year extension with ESPN

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Times staff
Monday, October 17, 2011

Monday Night Football analyst and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden has agreed to an extension with ESPN that will keep him out of coaching for the next five years.

Here is the news release from ESPN:

Monday Night Football analyst Jon Gruden has agreed to an exclusive agreement with ESPN that will keep him on sports television's signature series and out of coaching for the next five years. The new contract begins in September 2012.

Since joining ESPN in May 2009, Gruden has teamed with play-by-play commentator Mike Tirico and analyst Ron Jaworski – earning two Sports Emmy Award nominations in the Best Analyst category – to help make MNF the most-watched series in cable television history. The Super Bowl-winning coach has contributed to ESPN's annual NFL Draft and Super Bowl week coverage and other platforms. He was also part of the MNF team that called the 2010 NFL Pro Bowl.

In addition to his NFL role, Gruden has called a handful of marquee college football telecasts for ESPN, including the Rose Bowl (2010) and Bowl Championship Series National Championship games (2010 and 2011) for ESPN Radio, and the 2011 Outback and Orange bowl games.

Gruden has been widely praised for his groundbreaking SportsCenter Special: QB Camp prime time shows which have become a popular part of ESPN's annual pre-NFL Draft coverage. The in-depth, one-on-one interviews and film sessions have featured Gruden mentoring top quarterback prospects such as first-round NFL Draft picks Sam Bradford, Cam Newton, and Tim Tebow.

"Our Monday Night Football crew is special, and to have the opportunity to continue to be a part of this team, working these big-time NFL prime time games every week on ESPN, I'm fired up," said Gruden.

Norby Williamson, executive vice president, production, added: "Jon has made a remarkable transition from Super Bowl-winning head coach to one of the premier football analysts in our business. His long-term commitment to ESPN will continue to elevate our Monday Night Football presentation and we look forward to finding even more opportunities to take advantage of his passion for football and unique insights into the game."

Bob LaMonte, Gruden's agent, added: "Jon is a rare individual who has been successful at everything he has done, going from one of the youngest coaches to win a Super Bowl to reinventing himself with this new broadcasting career in his 40s. He has an unmistakable enthusiasm for football that will continue to entertain fans on ESPN."

Gruden served as an NFL head coach for 11 seasons with the Oakland Raiders (1998-2001) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2002-08). He compiled a career record of 100-85 and led his teams to five division titles. Gruden's best season was 2002 when the Buccaneers finished the regular season 12-4 and captured the Super Bowl XXXVII title with a 48-21 victory over the Raiders, the team he had coached just one season earlier. At the time, the championship made then 38-year-old Gruden the youngest head coach ever to win a Super Bowl.

Gruden began his NFL coaching career in 1990 with the San Francisco 49ers as an assistant in charge of quality control. He quickly ascended through the ranks, also serving as the Green Bay Packers wide receivers coach (1992-94) and the Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator (1995-97).

Tampa Bay Buccaneers had perfect answer for New Orleans Saints' offense

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By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Monday, October 17, 2011

TAMPA — There are different ways to go about beating the Saints and their video-game offense. None of them are easy.

You can attempt to outscore them, conceding the Saints will get their points (good luck with that).

Or you can give quarterback Drew Brees your best shot with a physical, ball-hawking defensive effort.

This is the route the Bucs went Sunday, and the plan couldn't have been executed better. Tampa Bay forced four turnovers and held the Saints to 42 percent on third downs — well below their league-leading average (56 percent).

All told, the Bucs had the perfect answer for an offense that often seems impossible to hold in check.

"We're streaky, I guess. We're like John Starks," said coach Raheem Morris, referencing the New York Knicks' famously hot-and-cold jump shooter.

"We come out hot some days, and some days we're not. But (Sunday) we are on fire and back in, we got the hop-step we've been missing the last couple of weeks, and that's what we've got to be. We've got to be opportunistic, and that's what we do. You know stats are for losers — except interceptions."

The Bucs had three of those, including Quincy Black's game-clincher in the end zone with 3:14 remaining. The Bucs also got interceptions from safety Tanard Jackson, in his first game back from a yearlong suspension, and cornerback E.J. Biggers. A fourth turnover came when Geno Hayes stripped running back Pierre Thomas of the ball and Da'Quan Bowers recovered for Tampa Bay, setting up an early field goal.

With the Saints squandering so many possessions with turnovers, they had fewer opportunities to score. That proved to be the difference.

"I thought they played great," Brees said of the Bucs defense. "They took the ball away four times, which, if you can do that, you're going to win a lot of games. We gave it away four times, and we got it none. … The fact of the matter is that'll get you beat."

The third-down stops also were key Sunday. The Saints often make some of their biggest plays on third down, but New Orleans converted just three of their first eight third-down attempts and finished 5-of-12 for the game. This came one week after the Saints were successful on 71 percent (12-of-17) of third downs in a win over the Panthers.

One of the most encouraging aspects of the Bucs performance was the offense's ability to capitalize on the defense's efforts.

The Bucs scored 10 of their 26 points off turnovers. In addition to Bowers' fumble recovery at the New Orleans 33, a second-quarter touchdown pass to Preston Parker was set up by Jackson's interception return to the Saints 25.

And the game was iced after the offense held the ball for the final 3:16 following Black's critical interception. A 17-yard third-down strike from Josh Freeman to Dezmon Briscoe picked up the first down that sealed the win.

"Our defense played great and gave us a chance to win," Freeman said. "When your defense does that, you've got to be happy. With three interceptions, especially at the end, that's huge. I think coach Raheem (Morris) called a great game. I think our guys came out and executed."

Said cornerback Ronde Barber: "We didn't have any turnovers on offense, and we had four on defense. That's a winning formula if you ask me."


Tampa Bay Buccaneers to spend week in London ahead of this weekend's game

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By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Monday, October 17, 2011

TAMPA — The Bucs' weeklong stay across the pond is under way.

With their game against the Bears at London's Wembley Stadium approaching Sunday, the Bucs departed Monday via a chartered Virgin Atlantic jumbo jet from Tampa International Airport. They arrived at London's Heathrow Airport late Monday after an eight-hour flight.

The decision to spend the week in London ahead of this weekend's game is a major shift from the team's approach to its 2009 contest in the United Kingdom. That time, to stay on East Coast time, the Bucs practiced in Tampa during the week before arriving in London on Friday evening. They went on to lose 35-7 to the Patriots.

This time, the Bucs will settle in for the week, hoping the transition is smoother. But the turnaround from Sunday afternoon's game to Monday's 8 a.m. departure was difficult.

"I'm glad we're going early, but man, it's early," TE Kellen Winslow joked Sunday night. "It's 9:12 right now, and we have to be on the bus at 7:30 (a.m.). You have to do what you have to do. It's a long flight."

The Bucs will practice and lodge 30 miles southwest of London in the town of Bagshot. They are expected to spend the weekend in downtown London.

BOUNCING BACK: CB Ronde Barber called the Bucs' 45-point loss to the 49ers last week an "aberration," and Sunday's upset of the Saints suggests that's true.

But what explains the dramatic turn of events from one week to the next? Preparation (or a lack thereof) might have something to do with it.

Raheem (Morris) said it last week: Good teams take that beating and find a way to bounce back," Barber said. "If you ask Rah, some of what happened last week started on Wednesday and Thursday. We definitely had a more energized practice (last) week. We were on our details. We didn't try to beat ourselves."

TALKING IT OUT: Yes, Winslow and QB Josh Freeman did quarrel after an incomplete third-down pass Sunday, but the net result of their disagreement appears to be positive.

"I felt like we came together out there," Winslow said. "We had some arguments out there. It was real heated out there. But I'm kind of glad it happened because it really brought us together."

MORE WINSLOW: Asked about his fourth-quarter hurdle of Saints CB Jabari Greer, Winslow had what might have been the best postgame quote, in which he made light of his wobbly right knee:

"Honestly, I don't even know where that came from. I didn't know I could do that anymore. I'm on one leg out there, but it's all about helping your team out there. You can hurt later."

Captain's Corner: Cooler waters make for great offshore fishing

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By Steve Papen, Times Correspondent
Monday, October 17, 2011

What's hot: October is one of the best months for fishing offshore. Cooler water and a huge influx of bait will trigger a feeding frenzy in nearshore waters. Mackerel have moved in and are feeding heavily on juvenile threadfin herring and glass minnows from the swim buoys on the beach to the shallower artificial reefs around 10 miles offshore. There are many techniques to catching mackerel. First is trolling spoons and other artificial lures at 6-8 knots. Others include anchoring, chumming and deploying live bait.

This week's cold front should push another huge amount of fish to this area. The "drop" off Blinds Pass, Redington hard bottom and "the ditch" will produce some of the season's largest fish in the next couple of weeks. When fishing these areas, it is important to "match the hatch." Once you get to your desired location, stop and look. If you see mackerel, that is what the kings will be feeding on; if threadfin are there, use them, and so on.

Steve Papen charters out of Indian Shores and can be reached at (727) 642-3411 or www.fintasticinc.com.

Amazing tale a step from completion

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Times wires
Monday, October 17, 2011

MILWAUKEE — Left behind in the postseason race, the Cardinals decided they'd focus on small goals in September. Now, the ultimate one is within reach.

St. Louis' wild ride is headed to the World Series.

"It's kind of surreal that we're here," said third baseman David Freese, who took MVP honors in the NL Championship Series. "But this team deserves what we've been rewarded."

Freese hit a three-run homer in the first inning and manager Tony La Russa again turned to his bullpen for seven sturdy innings as St. Louis captured its 18th pennant with a 12-6 victory over the Brewers late Sunday.

"For two weeks in August, we started mugging games left and right and we had to say, hey, look, unless we go about this better, we're going to ruin everything we accomplished as far as respect," La Russa said. "And we started winning a little bit. And literally played every game like it was the last game of our life."

Trailing by 10½ games in the wild-card race Aug. 25, the Cardinals surged down the stretch and took advantage of the Braves' monumental collapse to win a playoff spot on the final night of the regular season.

Once in the postseason, Albert Pujols and the Cardinals took out the heavily favored Phillies then dispatched the division rival Brewers on their own turf in Game 6.

"I mean, you could have never known," Pujols said.

It has been such a frenetic run, it seems fitting that a squirrel has become the team's unofficial mascot.

The rally squirrel started in the NL Division Series when the rodent scampered across home plate during Game 4. Another squirrel was on the field before Game 5 when Chris Carpenter shut out the Phillies.

Reliever Octavio Dotel carries a small, stuffed squirrel with him after a Philadelphia fan tossed it to him in jest.

"I lay in my bed thinking, 'Wow, we are in this position,' " Dotel said. "It's crazy to be where we are right now."

Rested aces to face off in Game 1

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Times wires
Monday, October 17, 2011

There was little surprise Monday when the opposing teams announced their starters for Game 1 of the World Series.

The Cardinals, as expected, will go with RHP Chris Carpenter on Wednesday. The Rangers will counter with LHP C.J. Wilson.

Carpenter, St. Louis' regular-season ace, pitched a three-hit shutout in Game 5 of the NL Division Series against the Phillies. He last pitched Wednesday in Game 3 of the NL Championship Series, allowing three runs in five innings of a 4-3 win over the Brewers.

Wilson has struggled in the postseason, posting an 8.04 ERA in three starts, including a loss to the Rays in Game 1 of the ALDS. He last pitched Thursday in Game 5 of the ALCS, allowing six runs in six innings of a 7-5 loss to the Tigers.

GOING WITH 12: With manager Tony La Russa's aggressive use of his eight-man bullpen a big success during the NLCS, the Cardinals are likely to stick with 12 pitchers on their World Series roster, general manager John Mozeliak told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "I'd be surprised if we didn't have 12," he said.

TV RATINGS: The NLCS on TBS averaged a 2.9 rating. That was down 43 percent from the 2010 ALCS on the cable channel, when the six-game Rangers-Yankees series averaged a 5.1.

The ALCS on Fox averaged a 4.4 over six games, down 20 percent from the 5.5 for the six-game Giants-Phillies NLCS on the network last season.

FIRST FANS: Michelle Obama and Jill Biden are scheduled to attend the World Series opener in St. Louis on Wednesday night to honor military veterans.

Divorcees settle

Frank and Jamie McCourt have reached a settlement in a costly and nasty feud over control of the Dodgers, paving the way for a showdown in bankruptcy court between the embattled owner and Major League Baseball.

The deal was struck between the two, but terms will not be released, according to a joint statement. The Los Angeles Times reported that Jamie McCourt will receive about $130 million and withdraw her opposition to the proposed sale of the Dodgers' media rights.

Florida Gators have much-needed off week before facing Georgia Bulldogs

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By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Monday, October 17, 2011

GAINESVILLE — The Florida football team is off this weekend, and the open date couldn't have come at a better time.

The Gators have lost three straight, and injuries are piling up. QB John Brantley (high ankle sprain), RB Jeff Demps (leg) and DT Ronald Powell (reported neck problem) all missed Saturday night's game at Auburn, and K Caleb Sturgis suffered a leg injury and didn't return in the second half. Coach Will Muschamp said there's a chance Brantley could return for the Oct. 29 game against No. 24 Georgia in Jacksonville.

"I'm hoping so," Muschamp said. "We'll see what happens. I don't know. His rehab's going very well."

Meanwhile, the open date gives Florida a chance to attempt to find solutions to some of its problems. The Gators have dropped from No. 5 to 10th in the SEC in punt returns, are No. 7 in total offense, ninth in third-down conversions and lead the league in penalties with 61.

"We could definitely use a bye week, get everybody back healthy, get everybody rested up," LB Jon Bostic said. "We've still got a long stretch ahead of us. We're not going to look back at what happened towards the beginning of the season. What happened, happened. We're going to get prepared for Georgia now."

And the break gives freshman QBs Jacoby Brissett and Jeff Driskel extra time to prepare in case one of them remains the starter.

"We've got two weeks to prepare for Georgia," WR Frankie Hammond said. "So we've got kind of a jump start so we can break it down even more and really just analyze it and see what they are all about."

SURPRISINGLY UNSELFISH: Read any national basketball publication these days and the biggest question surrounding the men's basketball program seems to be, how will coach Billy Donovan satisfy his guard-heavy roster? Donovan said that in the first five days of practice, he has been pleasantly surprised.

"I think maybe one of the things that's happened is because there's been so much talk about it, they've gone the other way in trying to even prove how unselfish they are," Donovan said Monday. "I'm noticing in practice that's been encouraging to me is we've got guys right now that are passing up shots that they normally would take to make an extra pass.

"We chart every shot in practice, and right now there's only two players on our team that have taken fewer shots than (senior G) Erving Walker. So Cody Larson and Casey Prather, of the five practices we've had, they've taken fewer shots. The next guy after those guys is Erving. So everybody else on our team has taken more shots than Erving Walker. So I think he has really tried to grasp and understand who he's playing with on the floor. And he's really, his assist to turnover ratio in practice has been very good. I think he has an idea and understanding of the challenges in front of him, and I feel like he's really trying to do that.

"When those guys have played together in practice and we've had a chance to play with some different lineups in practice — I feel like the one thing we're doing well right now is they are moving and passing the ball and they are sharing the ball, and it's not getting stopped. … I think that they really feel like they've got to do that to make each other better. And that's been very, very pleasing to me so far is to see their unselfishness."

Walker said the team isn't concerned about outside expectations, just winning.

"That's just us trying to be the best team we can be and trying to get everybody easy shots and working together," he said. "We feel like we've got a lot of talent and we can help each other, and that's what we're trying to do."

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