By John Romano, Times Sports Columnist
Sunday, November 6, 2011

Talk of the town

Five topics suitable for inane debate on talk radio

1. The long view: The Bucs are not putting up much of an argument for critics who suggested last season was a tease. They were an up-and-coming team in 2010 that had a weak schedule and won a lot of close games. The schedule has gotten harder, the roster wasn't significantly upgraded and the holes are starting to show.

2. It ain't flag football: This was supposed to be a defense on the rise. Instead, the Bucs are on pace to give up more yards than any defense in Tampa Bay history. They are 30th in yards allowed, 24th in points.

3. ZZZZZZZ: Tampa Bay's offense: Nature's Ambien.

4. Silly penalties: There's a saying that you're either coaching it or allowing it to happen. In the past two games, Aqib Talib, LeGarrette Blount and Sean Jones have all been called for personal fouls at the end of plays.

5. This is a franchise QB: Josh Freeman challenged New Orleans players, argued with officials and chastised his teammates. He also had a 103.5 passer rating. You can't say the kid doesn't care.

A list of five

Five ways to improve in second half.

5. Mess up defenses by running 5-yard routes instead of 4-yard routes on third and 10.

4. Spot teams a 10-point lead and just begin the game at halftime.

3. Simplify the offense with this 9-9-9 game plan.

2. Bring back Barrett Ruud so at least there's someone to blame.

1. Ever consider Occupy Goodell?

Five comparisons

81/0: The first number is Drew Brees' pass attempts against the Bucs this season. The second is how many times he was sacked.

16/16: The first is how many full games Gerald McCoy has played for Tampa Bay. The second is how many games he will have left early or missed in his first two seasons after one ankle and two arm injuries.

11/14: The first is how many runs of 20-plus yards the Bucs have surrendered halfway through the season. The second is how many they gave up in all of 2010.

58.3/71.4: The first is Connor Barth's percentage of successful field goal attempts of more than 40 yards in 2010. The second is his rate in 2011.

40/42: The first is career interceptions for Hall of Fame cornerback Roger Wehrli. The second is career interceptions for Ronde Barber.

Five super picks

Checking out the best bets for Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis.

1. Packers: Only flaw is that incessant Aaron Rodgers commercial.

2. Steelers: Notice how no one in Pittsburgh talks about missing Bill Cowher?

3. 49ers: Imagine if they could swap QBs with Stanford?

4. Chargers: Never has a good team lost so much.

16. Bucs: Half good or half bad? Take your pick.

Final five words

Darren Sproles or Kregg Lumpkin?

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, November 6, 2011

TAMPA -- After watching video of Saturday's 20-17 overtime loss at Rutgers, USF coach Skip Holtz saw so much wrong with his special teams that he made up a word to describe how bad it was.

"The biggest thing that shows up going back watching that film, our special teams were horrocious," he said Sunday. "They were awful. They were bad. When you play that well as an offense and that well as a defense, you're not supposed to lose a game like that, or even to be in overtime. Our special teams was a difference of 16 points in that game in four plays."

Holtz was pointing to a 98-yard kickoff return by Rutgers' Jeremy Deering, a Leto High grad; a muffed punt return by Victor Marc inside USF's 15 that resulted in a Rutgers field goal; and two missed field goals by Maikon Bonani, including a potential winner as time expired.

"When you take the last play to center the (spot of the) ball to make it easy for your kicker from the 10-yard line, you think that's a layup," Holtz said. "Nobody feels worse than Maikon does. I told him I don't think he lost the game, but he had an opportunity to win it and didn't make the most of it."

Holtz said Bonani's hold on the kicking job is secure but added that he will open up the punting job after Justin Brockhaus-Kann averaged 32.9 yards on nine punts, including a 15-yarder and 26-yarder in the second half. Redshirt freshman Chris Veron will get a look this week.

"That was one of the major woes of this game," Holtz said. "We averaged 30 yards in the air, and they were 42-point-something. At 10 punts, that's 100 yards, the 100 yards our offense outgained (theirs). There's no doubt right now, we are not punting the ball nor kicking the ball at the level we need to do it in order to be successful right now. … From a punting note, I definitely have to open the door with that. Everybody has to be held accountable."

THIS AND THAT: RB Darrell Scott didn't play the final 10 minutes due to a wrist injury, and Holtz said he had headaches Sunday, as did backup RB Marcus Shaw. …QB B.J. Daniels hurt his left (nonthrowing) thumb on the final offensive play of regulation, but Holtz said he'll be fine for Syracuse on Friday. … Special-teams ace Armando Sanchez and backup DT Luke Sager have ankle injuries.

Times wires
Sunday, November 6, 2011

Jets author a sad ending for Bills

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Bart Scott and the Jets are accustomed to the role of villains. So the linebacker didn't feel any pangs of regret for putting a big dent in the Bills and their feel-good start.

"Everybody loves Cinderella stories," Scott said, referring to the Bills. "We've always been portrayed as the bad guys, but we relish in that role."

And just like that, the brash-talking Jets are back after a win that, along with New England's loss to the Giants, forged a three-way tie atop the AFC East at 5-3.

The Jets forced three turnovers and twice stopped the Bills on fourth down. The slow-starting Mark Sanchez-led offense finally got into gear in the second half to help New York win its third straight.

"It's totally attitude," said defensive tackle Sione Pouha, who had a team-leading seven tackles and forced a fumble. "Jet-i-tude is the way we look at it."

Having topped Buffalo, the Jets already looked ahead to another AFC East showdown against the Patriots next weekend. It's a game Sanchez is calling the "divisional championship."

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, November 6, 2011

Most mediocre broadcast

This pains me to say because I'm a huge fan of the CBS broadcasting team of Verne Lundquist and Gary Danielson, but the two had a rough night calling the latest "Game of the Century,'' on Saturday when No. 1 LSU defeated No. 2 Alabama. And their performance was not atypical, at least this season.

More frequently than in the past, Lundquist, bottom left, is getting calls wrong, as if he's not seeing plays clearly. Receptions are called interceptions. Interceptions are called incompletions. Down and distances, penalties and players are often misidentified. Danielson is put in the difficult spot of quickly correcting his partner without making it sound awkward and as a result is talking a tad too much.

Now, no one is perfect. We all make mistakes. But Lundquist seems to making more than normal. Maybe he's just having an off year. I hope so. I'm not ready to put the 71-year-old out to pasture, because when he's on, he still calls a heck of a game.



tom jones' two cents

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

Best interview

CBS NFL Today analyst Shannon Sharpe deserves heaps of praise for his interview with Raiders QB Carson Palmer. Sharpe was highly critical of Palmer in the past, saying he quit on his former team, the Bengals, and Sharpe did not shy away Sunday when he was face-to-face with Palmer. Sharpe also pushed Palmer when Palmer danced around an answer.

Nice job by Sharpe, especially for someone who isn't trained to interview people. He was tough without being confrontational, and he got Palmer to open up.

Biggest defense

Fox NFL analyst and former Buc John Lynch is an up-and-coming broadcaster who gets better each week, but he seemed to go out of his way to defend rather mediocre Bucs QB Josh Freeman during Sunday's Bucs-Saints broadcast. Twice Freeman badly overthrew receivers, yet Lynch tried to pin the blame on the receivers, who really had no prayer of making the catches.

However, Lynch gets a thumbs up for questioning coach Raheem Morris' use of QB Josh Johnson instead of Freeman on a critical third down late in the first half with the Bucs driving. "You have to trust (Freeman) in that situation,'' Lynch said.

Best announcing

While many were comparing Saturday night's LSU-Alabama game to boxing match, an actual boxing match (and a really good one, at that) was on HBO's Boxing After Dark at the same time. During six haymaker-filled rounds, James Kirkland scored a TKO victory over Alfedro Angulo in a junior middleweight bout. In what might have been the round of the year, both fighters were knocked down in the first round.

What made the match so fun was the outstanding announcing of Jim Lampley, Max Kellerman and Roy Jones Jr. All were on top of their game, especially Jones, who seemed to be a few seconds ahead of the action all night. HBO and its sister stations will rebroadcast the fight over the next week, so if you have a chance, check it out to see the fight and hear boxing announcing at its very best.

Three things that popped into my head

1 Here's some advice for caddie Stevie Williams: Maybe you should just shut up and carry the bag for a while.

2 With troubles at Florida, FSU, Miami, USF and UCF, and with the Bucs, Dolphins and Jaguars, how far do we have to drive to find a pretty good college or pro football team?

3 LSU's 9-6 victory over Alabama was entertaining, but not so much that I want to watch these teams play again.

Worst litmus test

During Saturday morning's College GameDay on ESPN, analyst Lee Corso said, "I don't think there's anything wrong with Florida.'' He then proceeded to say that their game against Vanderbilt that afternoon would show where the Gators are.

Analyst Kirk Herbstreit, however, pointed out how far the Gators have fallen when a game against Vanderbilt is used as a gauge of their game.

"I think there are big issues here,'' Herbstreit said.

GameDay also talked to former Gators coach Urban Meyer, but it should have had more insight from the man so recently in charge of the program now struggling with mediocrity.

Best idea

I've mentioned this before, but it's worth mentioning again. Each year, Canadian Broadcasting Corp. Hockey Night in Canada legend Don Cherry, left, commemorates Remembrance Day, Canada's Veterans Day, by showing photos of Canadians killed in combat over the past year. He did it again on Saturday night's broadcast during his "Coach's Corner'' segment, which is one of the most-watched things on Canadian TV. The U.S. sports TV equivalent is Sunday Night Football or Monday Night Football. Wouldn't it be great if either NBC or ESPN used part of a broadcast to run a list of Americans killed in combat over the past year.

Worst interview subject

The NFL Network's Melissa Stark had an in-depth interview with Jets receiver Plaxico Burress, left, on Sunday morning. What is the fascination with Burress? Before Sunday's game with the Bills, Burress had 18 catches in seven games, so why the continuing coverage from all the networks?

He played in the NFL. He went to prison. He got out. He's back playing. Yeah, I got it.

Best segment

For details, analysis and pull-no-punches opinions, ESPN's NASCAR Countdown was destination television after Kyle Busch intentionally wrecked Ron Hornaday during Friday's truck race. Aside from in-depth reports from the pits and garages, the show benefitted from analysts who weren't afraid to speak their minds on Busch's behavior and NASCAR's reaction (Busch got pulled out of the trucks race and banned from the weekend's Nationwide and Sprint Cup races). Rusty Wallace and Brad Daugherty in particular criticized authoritatively and unapologetically. Good stuff.

Worst prediction

Fans of the Bucs wish Fox NFL Sunday analyst Michael Strahan, left, had been right when he said before Sunday's Bucs-Saints game: "The Buccaneers have won three out of the last four, and they are confident. I think the Buccaneers are primed to win the division. Josh Freeman is where he needs to be, and right now the Saints don't know who they are."

Not to pick on Strahan, because we all make predictions that turn out to be clunkers, but man, is there anyone today who thinks the Bucs are "primed'' to win the NFC South?



Best postgame

ESPN's postgame coverage of Saturday's LSU-Alabama game was tremendous. Host Chris Fowler, top right, and analysts David Pollack, middle right, and Urban Meyer broke down how LSU beat Alabama and what the result meant for the rest of the season. Kirk Herbstreit joined the broadcast from Oklahoma State . Fowler led the conversation into all the appropriate nooks and crannies, and the analysts were strong and concise with their opinions. The more I watch Pollack and Meyer, the more I like them. ESPN really needs to think of ways to make them more visible. One thought: ESPN could use Pollack and Meyer to replace Desmond Howard and Lee Corso on College GameDay. (Though you would want Corso to still have some sort of role so he could continue with his priceless mascot-head predictions.) Another thought is to have Pollack and Meyer replace Lou Holtz and Mark May on the scoreboard show. Holtz and May are decent, but their Odd Couple act is starting to grow a bit thin.

By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist
Sunday, November 6, 2011

NEW ORLEANS

Third down and still-a-chance, and this is what they come up with?

Really?

It was late in the first half, and the Saints had been amassing yardage like the second Louisiana Purchase. On the other hand, New Orleans had pretty much left the end zone undisturbed, and incredibly, the Bucs were still within range of making things interesting in the game and in the division race.

The Saints held a 14-0 lead, but the Bucs had a third and 4 at the New Orleans 23 with less than two minutes to play, and all things seemed possible.

Even, as it turns out, the wildcat.

On the list of detestable play calls you have seen, this one deserves to be near the top. It was the key down of the half, perhaps of the game, and the best option the Bucs had was to take their best player, Josh Freeman, out of the game and put in Josh Johnson, who hadn't carried the ball in a month?

Johnson needed 4 yards. He got 3 feet.

Oh.

Of all the awful images of the Bucs offense on Sunday, this is the one that will not go away. The Bucs could not overpower the Saints, and they could not outrun them, and when it got down to it, they could not outtrick them. With first place in the division on the line, the ghost of Sam Wyche snuck back into the playbook.

By the end, it was 27-16, Saints, and it felt worse than that. The Saints looked bold and dangerous. The Bucs looked slow and conservative. And, once again, it looked as if there were missing pages in the Bucs game plan.

How does a team go eight straight games without scoring a touchdown in the first quarter? How does it continue to make rocks-in-the-skull penalties? How does it gain 67 yards in one drive and still punt?

At this point, with three losses in its past four games, it is time that everything is re-evaluated. From the construction of the roster to the design of a game plan. From the reputations of the players to the instruction of the coaches. From the discipline of the team to the direction of the franchise. No, it isn't out of bounds to question the playcalling, too.

"It didn't work, so it was a bad idea," Bucs coach Raheem Morris said. "If it had worked, it would have been great."

That's a familiar response for coaches, the get-out-of-jail-free card of bad calls. But it isn't a real answer. While it is true that people rarely question a successful play, that doesn't excuse all failed ones. You can apply that logic to the worst of plays, including giving the ball to a guard on a double-reverse. Hey, you would have loved it if it worked. I've said this before, but most of us could make calls that don't work; coaches are paid to make ones that do.

The truth of it is this: The Bucs needed desperately to make a play, and they pulled Josh Franchise off of the field before doing it. No one should suggest that Freeman was great Sunday — he wasn't — but he still leads the Bucs in playmaking possibilities.

Here's a thought: Of the top 15 quarterbacks in the league, how many of their teams would pull them off the field in a get-back-into-the-game series? Of course not. The Bucs don't run the wildcat well enough, or often enough, to break it out for a play this big. (Johnson has run twice this year, once for 2 yards, once for 8).

"We just didn't execute it," offensive coordinator Greg Olson said. "We had practiced it all week. We want to get Josh Johnson more involved with our offense."

Oh, there were other plays to make you raise your eyebrows. Freeman's quarterback draw at the Saints 7 for no gain. The dink-and-dunk passes short of the goal line. The three series that stalled and turned into field goals. The fourth-and-1 play where LeGarrette Blount was stunted. The reluctance to try more passes into the end zone. And, of course, the constant penalties that seem to turn drives into a quest for 140 yards or more.

It would be nice to see the Bucs offense play with the aggressiveness of the Saints. Granted, New Orleans has better weapons. But consider this: On the official play-by-play book of the game, there are 40 passes listed (including penalties) by Freeman. Of those, the word "short" is used as a description 37 times. It's like trying to win a sword fight with a twin-blade razor.

Is it all the playcalling? Of course not. Is it all the players? Same answer. But when the production does not match the potential, it is safe to assume the blame can be shared.

"We have to score more touchdowns," Olson said. "We missed opportunities (Sunday). We have to take more advantage."

That call sounds right.

If the Bucs are going to move back into the race, they need to hit on a few more.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

In May 1998, two detectives overheard then-Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky admit to the mother of an 11-year-old boy that Sandusky gave her son a naked bear hug while taking a shower in a campus locker room.

"I was wrong," Sandusky said, according to a Pennsylvania grand jury document released Saturday. "I wish I could get forgiveness. I wish I were dead."

No charges were filed after that investigation, and Sandusky kept his job.

Sandusky, 67, was released on $100,000 bail Saturday after being arraigned on 40 criminal counts related to charges he sexually abused eight boys. Penn State athletic director Tim Curley and university administrator Gary Schultz face counts of perjury and failure to report child abuse because the state's Child Protective Services Law requires immediate reporting by doctors, nurses, school administrators, teachers, day care workers, police and others.

In 2002 a graduate assistant — reportedly Mike McQueary, now the team's wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator — told Curley and Schultz he saw Sandusky sexually abusing a naked boy in the showers of a team practice facility.

Lawyers for all three said they are innocent. The university said it has insurance that will pay legal fees for Curley and Schultz, and was moving to ban Sandusky from campus.

Sandusky took a teenager on bowl trips the two seasons following the 1998 investigation. At the 1999 Alamo Bowl, according to the attorney general's 23-page "finding of fact," Sandusky threatened to send the boy home if he resisted sexual advances.

Sandusky retired from his assistant's job in 1999.

In 2000, a janitor reported to a superior seeing Sandusky in the showers of the football facility perform oral sex on a young boy. No charges resulted and Sandusky kept his all-access privileges on campus.

The state attorney general's report said that after the graduate assistant's claim in 2002, Penn State president Graham Spanier approved "without any further inquiry on his part" a Curley proposal that banned Sandusky from bringing minors on campus.

Paterno, who is not charged, issued a statement Sunday: "If true, the nature and amount of charges made are very shocking to me and all Penn Staters.''

Brantley injured: Florida and South Carolina may both be without their starting quarterbacks when the Gators and Gamecocks meet at noon Saturday in Columbia.

Florida quarterback John Brantley injured his right arm in a win over Vanderbilt. After the game he refused to say what the injury was or whether it will keep him out this week. A Brantley update is expected today.

South Carolina quarterback Connor Shaw suffered a concussion in Saturday's loss to Arkansas; his status is unknown. Gamecocks safety DeVonte Holloman also suffered a concussion.

Coach Steve Spurrier said they will be tested during the week, with a decision likely coming Wednesday or Thursday.

Shaw became the full-time starter when former Jefferson standout Stephen Garcia was dismissed Oct. 11. In six games, he is 76 of 121 for 710 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions.

If Shaw can't play, redshirt freshman Dylan Thompson will start, Spurrier said.

bcs update: LSU and Oklahoma State took control of the race to the BCS title game — but don't count out Alabama yet.

The day after the Tigers and Cowboys stayed unbeaten with their most difficult victories of the season, they took the top two spots in the BCS standings.

First-place LSU beat host Alabama 9-6 in overtime Saturday night, and second-place Oklahoma State held off visiting Kansas State 52-45.

The Crimson Tide slipped one spot to third.

If the Tigers and Cowboys remain unbeaten, they should meet in the New Orleans on Jan. 9. If either slip up, Alabama or fourth-place Stanford are in position to reach the title game.

Unbeaten Boise State was fifth and again seems to be a long shot to reach the title game.

LSU has a nonconference game against Western Kentucky on Saturday, followed by game at Mississippi, which is last in the SEC West. The Tigers finish the regular season at home against Arkansas, which is eighth in the BCS standings, then would face South Carolina or Georgia in the SEC Championship Game.

The next two weeks, Oklahoma State is on the road, at Texas Tech and Iowa State. The Cowboys have a week off before playing Oklahoma at home Dec. 3.

Alabama has games at Mississippi State and at Auburn sandwiched around a home game against Georgia Southern.

Missouri officially joins sec: Missouri's move to the SEC became official on Sunday. The SEC released a statement saying the conference's presidents and chancellors unanimously agreed to welcome Missouri effective July 1, 2012. Missouri will likely be in the SEC East. The Big 12's uncertain future drove the move, said chancellor Brady Deaton. Interim Big 12 commissioner Chuck Neinas called the departure disappointing and a mistake, and hinted at legal action.

Georgia: Coach Mark Richt said freshman tailback Isaiah Crowell will return from a one-game suspension and regain his starting job this week. Wins over Auburn and Kentucky the next two weeks would advance the Bulldogs to the SEC title game for the first time since 2005.

Late Saturday

boise state 48, unlv 21: Kellen Moore threw five touchdowns to become college football's winningest quarterback (46-2), surpassing former Texas star Colt McCoy, for the visiting Broncos. "I'm very fortunate to play at Boise State," Moore said.

oregon 34, Washington 17: LaMichael James ran for 156 yards and a touchdown, and the visiting Ducks forced three key turnovers to beat the Huskies for a series-best eighth straight time. "It's been 10 minutes. I guess we're allowed to think about Stanford now," Oregon offensive lineman Carson York said of this week's game at the Cardinal.

Times staff writer Antonya English contributed to this report.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

PHILADELPHIA — Two top Penn State officials are stepping down and coach Joe Paterno said Sunday he behaved responsibly when he told officials that his former defensive coordinator, Jerry Sandusky, was seen showering with a young boy in 2002. He said he didn't know Sandusky allegedly had abused the child.

"If this is true, we were all fooled, along with scores of professionals trained in such things," Paterno said in a statement, his first since Sandusky's arrest Saturday on charges of molesting eight boys between the mid 1990s and 2008.

"While I did what I was supposed to with the one charge brought to my attention, like anyone else involved, I can't help but be deeply saddened these matters are alleged to have occurred.''

After two decades as defensive coordinator for the Nittany Lions, Sandusky retired in 1999 but kept an office and privileges at the football complex. That's where prosecutors say several assaults occurred, typically with boys Sandusky had met through a foundation he launched to serve underprivileged children.

Athletic director Tim Curley and senior vice president Gary Schultz have been accused of covering up an alleged attack. They are charged with perjury and failure to report an incident of child sex abuse.

Sandusky and the university officials have denied all charges.

In a statement after an executive session of Penn State's Board of Trustees, university president Graham Spanier said late Sunday he had received a request from Curley to be placed on administrative leave so he could devote time to defending himself. Schultz is retiring.

The university said the board did not discuss Paterno resigning.

A 23-page grand jury presentment portrayed Sandusky, 67, as a serial predator who picked his victims through the Second Mile, the charity he founded in 1977. He resigned from the organization last year.

The grand jury report described multiple instances in which Sandusky gave gifts to boys, one as young as 8, took them to football games, and hosted them on overnight visits to his house. Ultimately, prosecutors say, he coaxed or forced the boys into sex acts.

In 2002, assistant coach Mike McQueary allegedly told his father that he saw Sandusky rape a boy in the locker room shower one Friday night, the grand jury report says. The next morning, McQueary told Paterno what he saw, the grand jury said.

In his statement, Paterno said he recalled the assistant telling him about "inappropriate conduct," not a sex attack.

Brantley injured: Florida and South Carolina may both be without their starting quarterbacks when the Gators and Gamecocks meet at noon Saturday in Columbia.

Florida quarterback John Brantley injured his right arm in a win over Vanderbilt. After the game he refused to say what the injury was or whether it will keep him out this week. A Brantley update is expected today.

South Carolina quarterback Connor Shaw suffered a concussion in Saturday's loss to Arkansas; his status is unknown. Gamecocks safety DeVonte Holloman also suffered a concussion.

Coach Steve Spurrier said they will be tested during the week, with a decision likely Wednesday or Thursday. Shaw became the full-time starter when former Jefferson High standout Stephen Garcia was dismissed Oct. 11.

If Shaw can't play, redshirt freshman Dylan Thompson will start, Spurrier said.

bcs: LSU and Oklahoma State took control of the race to the BCS title game — but don't count out Alabama yet.

The day after the Tigers and Cowboys stayed unbeaten with their most difficult victories of the season, they took the top two spots in the BCS standings.

First-place LSU beat host Alabama 9-6 in overtime Saturday night, and second-place Oklahoma State held off visiting Kansas State 52-45.

The Crimson Tide slipped one spot to third.

If the Tigers and Cowboys remain unbeaten, they should meet in New Orleans on Jan. 9. If either slips up, Alabama or fourth-place Stanford are in position to reach the title game.

Unbeaten Boise State was fifth and again seems to be a long shot to reach the title game.

LSU has a nonconference game against Western Kentucky on Saturday, followed by Mississippi and Arkansas, then faces South Carolina or Georgia in the SEC Championship Game.

Oklahoma State is at Texas Tech and at Iowa State, then hosts Oklahoma on Dec. 3.

It's official: SEC invites Missouri to join in 2012

Missouri's move to the SEC became official Sunday. The SEC released a statement saying the conference's presidents and chancellors unanimously agreed to welcome Missouri effective July 1, 2012. Missouri will likely be in the SEC East. The Big 12's uncertain future drove the move, said chancellor Brady Deaton. Interim Big 12 commissioner Chuck Neinas called the departure disappointing and a mistake, and hinted at legal action.

Georgia: Coach Mark Richt said freshman tailback Isaiah Crowell will return from a one-game suspension and regain his starting job this week. Wins over Auburn and Kentucky the next two weeks would advance the Bulldogs to the SEC title game.

Late Saturday

boise state 48, unlv 21: Kellen Moore threw five touchdowns to become college football's winningest quarterback (46-2), surpassing former Texas star Colt McCoy, for the visiting Broncos.

Oregon 34, Washington 17: The visiting Ducks forced three key turnovers to beat the Huskies for a series-best eighth straight time. "It's been 10 minutes. I guess we're allowed to think about Stanford now," Oregon offensive lineman Carson York said of this week's game at the Cardinal.

WOMEN'S TENNIS: Florida's Joanna Mather lost in the singles final of the USTA/ITA national indoor championships, falling to SMU's Mart Lesniak 7-5, 6-1 at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y.

Times staff writer Antonya English contributed to this report.

Times wires
Sunday, November 6, 2011

Peterson's return ends Arizona skid

GLENDALE, Ariz. — An ugly game turned gorgeous for the Cardinals.

Patrick Peterson returned a punt 99 yards for a touchdown in overtime to give Arizona a stunning victory to end its six-game skid. The rookie is the first player in NFL history to have three punt returns for scores in his first eight games.

"He's a special young man," Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "I'm glad that we have him on our football team — my new son."

Peterson's pass interference penalty moments earlier set up the Rams for a field goal, which Calais Campbell blocked.

"I was like 'This team needs a play,' " Peterson said of his return. "I decided to catch the ball and just run for my life."

Times staff and wires
Sunday, November 6, 2011

What they're saying Reaction to the Bucs-Saints game

Josh Freeman, Bucs QB:

"We had a lot of penalties. … We have to find a way to get touchdowns instead of field goals."

Ronde Barber, Bucs CB, on the penalties and slow starts:

"It's not a problem you correct in two weeks. That has to be a mentality. It is what it is. We know what our issues are. They affect the outcome of the game, and they did (Sunday)."

Barber, on blowing a shot to move into first in the NFC South:

"We are 4-4. It's an average record. We played average at times (Sunday). It is probably where we should be. You generally get what you deserve in this game. We don't deserve to be top of the division right now, we aren't playing like it."

Sean Payton, Saints coach, on the keys to winning:

"We did a lot of things well. It wasn't perfect, but I thought we were physical. I thought we played with the energy we look for; the individual battles really began to establish third down, red zone, rushing yardage, time of possession; all of the things it takes to win a game in our division in November."

Drew Brees, Saints QB:

"This is a pretty critical time for us. November is the time when a lot of teams separate themselves from the pack. We want to be one of those teams. We want to be on a roll. Hopefully this was the start of that."

Pat Yasinskas, ESPN.com NFC South blogger:

The Buccaneers continued their season-long struggle to be consistent. They never really got into an offensive rhythm, and a defense that played well in the previous meeting with the Saints was dominated.

Don Banks, Sports Illustrated, on RB LeGarrette Blount:

If he ever hopes to get fully past the ugly postgame punching incident that ended his Ducks career, he can't be re-enforcing his reputation by losing his composure and throwing a punch every other season.

Gregg Rosenthal, ProFootballTalk.com:

The Bucs, now 4-4, have to be worried about Josh Freeman. … The Bucs receivers can't separate and Freeman's decision making and accuracy was spotty. … The Bucs look like a mediocre team. The Saints are up and down, but at 6-3 they have created some separation from Tampa in the NFC South.

Times wires
Sunday, November 6, 2011

Bengals comeback stirs old echoes

NASHVILLE — The Bengals are on a roll unlike anything seen by this franchise since 1988 with five straight wins, and coach Marvin Lewis says it doesn't matter.

"Half of these guys weren't even alive 23 years ago," Lewis said of the team's last AFC title season.

Rookie Andy Dalton threw for three touchdowns and 217 yards as Cincinnati erased a 10-point deficit for its fifth straight win.

Tennessee managed just 95 yards in the final 30 minutes.

Cornerback Nate Clements forced Titans tight end Jared Cook to fumble at the end of an 8-yard gain to give Cincinnati the ball at the Tennessee 20 with 3:49 left. Mike Nugent kicked a 36-yard field goal for the final margin.

Times wires
Sunday, November 6, 2011

Tebow, Broncos run Raiders ragged

OAKLAND, Calif. — Tim Tebow took the snap, put the ball in Willis McGahee's belly and decided whether to hand it off or keep it for his own run. Those plays looked a lot like what he did so often at Florida — especially the results.

The former Heisman Trophy winner threw two TDs and ran for 117 yards and former University of Miami star McGahee added 163 yards rushing and two more scores in a Broncos victory.

Though he looked far from a prototypical NFL quarterback, mostly relying on his legs, Tebow won for the second time in three starts and put Denver one game out of first in the AFC West. The Raiders, Chiefs and Chargers are all 4-4.

"Honestly it doesn't necessarily matter too much how you drew it up as long as you get this feeling at the end, because it was pretty special," Tebow said.

It's quite a turnaround from last week, when Denver was dismantled 45-10 by Detroit. This time Tebow expertly ran the option game to help the Broncos gain 298 yards on the ground, their most since a 300-yard game against Seattle in 2000.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, November 6, 2011

SUNRISE — The opening Stephen Weiss had between the left post and the right foot of Lightning goaltender Dwayne Roloson was small, but it was there.

Somehow, Roloson extended his leg a fraction more to stop the point-blank shot from the Panthers center with 6.3 seconds left in overtime Sunday.

"Great chance; got to put that in," Weiss said.

"I was able to stop and keep my leg there," Roloson said, "I was able to stay with him."

The save was the defining moment of Tampa Bay's 4-3 shootout victory at the BankAtlantic Center in which the Lightning overcame a three-goal, first-period deficit.

Roloson was the reason. He stopped 29 shots, and four more in the shootout, in relief of Mathieu Garon, who was pulled in the first period after allowing three goals on 12 shots.

"Phenomenal," center Dominic Moore said. "The overtime save was beyond amazing; an amazing performance by Roli."

And not a bad one by Tampa Bay (7-5-2), which has won six of eight and overcame two significant injuries in the game, not to mention what coach Guy Boucher called another "disgusting" first period on the road.

Defenseman Victor Hedman sat because of an upper-body injury sustained Friday against Chicago. Ryan Malone left with an upper-body injury sustained when he scored to make it 3-1 with 3:40 left in the second period.

Steven Stamkos' 10th goal, which tied him for the league lead with Toronto's Phil Kessel, made it 3-2 with 2:14 left off Matt Gilroy's slick backhand pass from behind the goal line after his spin-o-rama move at the blue line gained him a lane down the left wing.

Teddy Purcell made it 3-3 8:11 into the third period off a scramble, and Moore scored the only goal of the four-round shootout.

"I don't think anybody likes it," Roloson said of coming off the bench. "But you get in that situation, you have to be ready to go."

The Lightning was not ready when the puck dropped and now has been outscored 16-8 in first periods on the road.

Roloson, who is 3-1-0 in five games since his three-game benching with a 1.85 goals-against average and .927 save percentage, helped calm things by making saves and controlling rebounds.

"He's a resilient person," Boucher said. "He felt like he had to bounce back, not for himself but for the team. He needed something very solid."

"Just relax and give your guys a chance to win," Roloson said he reminded himself. "It's a tough thing, but give our guys credit. We stuck with our game plan."

Roloson stuck out his leg.

First Period—1, Florida, Campbell 1 (Versteeg, Fleischmann), 1:49 (pp). 2, Florida, Kopecky 2 (Skille, Weaver), 13:05. 3, Florida, Santorelli 1 (Kulikov), 15:21. Penalties—Lecavalier, TB (hooking), 1:27; Skille, Fla (holding), 10:54.

Second Period—4, Tampa Bay, Malone 4 (Stamkos, Brewer), 16:20 (pp). 5, Tampa Bay, Stamkos 10 (Gilroy, St. Louis), 17:46. Penalties—Santorelli, Fla (holding), 15:18.

Third Period—6, Tampa Bay, Purcell 5 (Downie, Brewer), 8:11. Penalties—Stamkos, TB (hooking), :51; Versteeg, Fla (interference), 9:26.

Overtime—None. Penalties—None. Shootout—Tampa Bay 1 (Stamkos NG, Downie NG, Purcell NG, Moore G), Florida 0 (Versteeg NG, Goc NG, Weiss NG, Bergenheim NG). Shots on Goal—Tampa Bay 9-12-10-6—37. Florida 16-12-10-2—40. Power-play opportunities—Tampa Bay 1 of 3; Florida 1 of 2. Goalies—Tampa Bay, Garon (12 shots-9 saves), Roloson 4-3-1 (15:21 first, 28-28). Florida, Theodore 4-2-2 (37-34). A—15,066 (17,040). T—2:38. Referees—Marc Joannette, Chris Lee. Linesmen—Scott Cherrey, Scott Driscoll.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, November 6, 2011

SUNRISE — The opening Stephen Weiss had between the left post and the right foot of Lightning goaltender Dwayne Roloson was small, but it was there.

Somehow, Roloson extended his leg a fraction more to stop the point-blank shot from the Panthers center with 6.3 seconds left in overtime Sunday.

"Great chance; got to put that in," Weiss said.

"I was able to stop and keep my leg there," Roloson said, "I was able to stay with him."

The save was the defining moment of Tampa Bay's 4-3 shootout victory at the BankAtlantic Center in which the Lightning overcame a three-goal, first-period deficit.

Roloson was the reason. He stopped 29 shots, and four more in the shootout, in relief of Mathieu Garon, who was pulled in the first period after allowing three goals on 12 shots.

"Phenomenal," center Dominic Moore said. "The overtime save was beyond amazing; an amazing performance by Roli."

And not a bad one by Tampa Bay (7-5-2), which has won six of eight and overcame two significant injuries in the game, not to mention what coach Guy Boucher called another "disgusting" first period on the road.

Defenseman Victor Hedman sat because of an upper-body injury sustained Friday against Chicago. Ryan Malone left with an upper-body injury sustained when he scored to make it 3-1 with 3:40 left in the second period.

Steven Stamkos' 10th goal, which tied him for the league lead with Toronto's Phil Kessel, made it 3-2 with 2:14 left off Matt Gilroy's slick backhand pass from behind the goal line after his spin-o-rama move at the blue line gained him a lane down the left wing.

Teddy Purcell made it 3-3 8:11 into the third period off a scramble, and Moore scored the only goal of the four-round shootout.

"I don't think anybody likes it," Roloson said of coming off the bench. "But you get in that situation, you have to be ready to go."

The Lightning was not ready when the puck dropped and now has been outscored 16-8 in first periods on the road.

Roloson, who is 3-1-0 in five games since his three-game benching with a 1.85 goals-against average and .927 save percentage, helped calm things by making saves and controlling rebounds.

"He's a resilient person," Boucher said. "He felt like he had to bounce back, not for himself but for the team. He needed something very solid."

"Just relax and give your guys a chance to win," Roloson said he reminded himself. "It's a tough thing, but give our guys credit. We stuck with our game plan."

Roloson stuck out his leg.

First Period—1, Florida, Campbell 1 (Versteeg, Fleischmann), 1:49 (pp). 2, Florida, Kopecky 2 (Skille, Weaver), 13:05. 3, Florida, Santorelli 1 (Kulikov), 15:21. Penalties—Lecavalier, TB (hooking), 1:27; Skille, Fla (holding), 10:54.

Second Period—4, Tampa Bay, Malone 4 (Stamkos, Brewer), 16:20 (pp). 5, Tampa Bay, Stamkos 10 (Gilroy, St. Louis), 17:46. Penalties—Santorelli, Fla (holding), 15:18.

Third Period—6, Tampa Bay, Purcell 5 (Downie, Brewer), 8:11. Penalties—Stamkos, TB (hooking), :51; Versteeg, Fla (interference), 9:26.

Overtime—None. Penalties—None. Shootout—Tampa Bay 1 (Stamkos NG, Downie NG, Purcell NG, Moore G), Florida 0 (Versteeg NG, Goc NG, Weiss NG, Bergenheim NG). Shots on Goal—Tampa Bay 9-12-10-6—37. Florida 16-12-10-2—40. Power-play opportunities—Tampa Bay 1 of 3; Florida 1 of 2. Goalies—Tampa Bay, Garon (12 shots-9 saves), Roloson 4-3-1 (15:21 first, 28-28). Florida, Theodore 4-2-2 (37-34). A—15,066 (17,040). T—2:38. Referees—Marc Joannette, Chris Lee. Linesmen—Scott Cherrey, Scott Driscoll.

Times wires
Sunday, November 6, 2011

The first coach firing of the season came from an unexpected place.

The Blues, 6-7-0 and in 13th place in the Western Conference, ousted Davis Payne on Sunday and replaced him with Ken Hitchcock.

They had lost three of their past four games, including 2-1 to the Wild on Saturday. They played nine of their first 13 games on the road.

The popular choice for first axing was Blue Jackets coach Scott Arniel. Columbus, which made several high-profile and -priced moves in the offseason to upgrade, is last in the league at 2-11-1, five points, and Saturday lost to the Flyers 9-2.

Hitchcock last coached in the league with the Blue Jackets for parts of four seasons, ending in 2010 when he was fired. He is still under contract to them and was rumored to be the choice to replace Arniel if he was fired.

Hitchcock has a career record of 534-350-88-70 with the Blue Jackets, Flyers and Stars, and led the Stars to the Stanley Cup in 1999. Blues general manager Doug Armstrong worked with Hitchcock in Dallas and with the Canadian national team.

Payne was in the final year of a two-year contract. He was 67-55-15 in parts of three seasons with the Blues.

game highlights: Henrik Sedin had a goal and three assists and Vancouver scored 5 of 6 six power plays to lift the Canucks to a 6-2 win over the host Blackhawks. David Booth got his first goal for the Canucks since joining the team from the Panthers in a multiplayer trade Oct. 22. … Martin Biron stopped 23 shots for his first shutout in more than two years as the host Rangers beat the Jets 3-0. Marian Gaborik had two goals, one an empty-netter. … Jamie Benn scored twice, including a short-handed tally, and two of Loui Eriksson's three assists came on his goals, leading the Stars to a 5-2 victory over the host Hurricanes. "We've got two real cerebral players (in Eriksson and Benn), and they just kind of feed off each other," coach Glen Gulutzan said.

around the league: Kings forward Ethan Moreau was fined $2,500 by the league for boarding Penguins forward Chris Kunitz on Saturday. Moreau got a boarding penalty in the game.

First Period—1, Vancouver, Booth 1 (Hodgson, Higgins), 6:00 (pp). 2, Chicago, Frolik 3 (Hjalmarsson), 12:57. Penalties—Seabrook, Chi (interference), 4:17; Booth, Van (hooking), 10:09; Alberts, Van (elbowing), 14:06; Carcillo, Chi (high-sticking), 15:28; Kane, Chi (roughing), 19:42.

Second Period—3, Vancouver, Rome 1 (Hodgson, Booth), 1:16 (pp). 4, Vancouver, D.Sedin 6 (H.Sedin, Hamhuis), 4:40 (pp). 5, Chicago, Kruger 2 (Mayers, Stalberg), 15:07. 6, Vancouver, Hansen 2 (D.Sedin, H.Sedin), 15:50. 7, Vancouver, Hamhuis 2 (H.Sedin, Edler), 17:50 (pp). Penalties—Bickell, Chi (boarding), 3:53; Lapierre, Van (unsportsmanlike conduct), 6:55; Alberts, Van (holding), 9:39; Volpatti, Van, major (fighting), 13:00; Carcillo, Chi, major (fighting), 13:00; Stalberg, Chi (high-sticking), 16:11; Bieksa, Van, major (fighting), 20:00; Mayers, Chi, major (fighting), 20:00.

Third Period—8, Vancouver, H.Sedin 5 (Edler, D.Sedin), 9:26 (pp). Penalties—Higgins, Van (holding), :50; Rome, Van (roughing), 9:06; Carcillo, Chi (roughing, unsportsmanlike conduct), 9:06. Shots on Goal—Vancouver 17-13-8—38. Chicago 9-20-11—40. Power-play opportunities—Vancouver 5 of 6; Chicago 0 of 5. Goalies—Vancouver, Luongo 5-4-1 (40 shots-38 saves). Chicago, Crawford 6-3-2 (38-32).

First Period—None. Penalties—Gaborik, NYR (cross-checking), 8:07; Anisimov, NYR (hooking), 15:31.

Second Period—1, N.Y. Rangers, Stepan 2 (Gaborik, Del Zotto), 10:01 (pp). Penalties—Stepan, NYR (interference), 3:10; Ladd, Wpg (holding), 6:54; Ladd, Wpg (high-sticking), 9:36.

Third Period—2, N.Y. Rangers, Gaborik 6 (Stepan, Anisimov), 8:31. 3, N.Y. Rangers, Gaborik 7 (Anisimov), 19:58 (en). Penalties—Festerling, Wpg (cross-checking), 1:14; Flood, Wpg (tripping), 2:12; Stuart, Wpg (high-sticking), 2:43; Boyle, NYR (high-sticking), 10:12; Burmistrov, Wpg (hooking), 12:34. Shots on Goal—Winnipeg 9-7-7—23. N.Y. Rangers 5-8-14—27. Power-play opportunities—Winnipeg 0 of 4; N.Y. Rangers 1 of 6. Goalies—Winnipeg, Pavelec 4-5-2 (26 shots-24 saves). N.Y. Rangers, Biron 3-0-0 (23-23).

First Period—1, Dallas, Nystrom 3 (Fiddler, Souray), 5:20. 2, Dallas, Robidas 2 (Ribeiro, Ryder), 12:55 (pp). 3, Carolina, LaRose 4 (Skinner, Kaberle), 13:18 (pp). 4, Dallas, Ja.Benn 3 (Eriksson, Ryder), 19:32. Penalties—Fistric, Dal (roughing), 6:24; Skinner, Car (roughing), 6:24; Ponikarovsky, Car (boarding), 12:13; Grossman, Dal (interference), 13:09; Grossman, Dal (interference), 14:49; Morrow, Dal (cross-checking), 20:00.

Second Period—5, Dallas, Ryder 4 (Eriksson, Souray), 3:48. 6, Dallas, Ja.Benn 4 (Eriksson), 18:00 (sh). Penalties—E.Staal, Car (slashing), 7:15; Ja.Benn, Dal (interference), 8:03; Fiddler, Dal (cross-checking), 17:37.

Third Period—7, Carolina, Ruutu 4 (Joslin, Harrison), 2:03 (pp). Penalties—Grossman, Dal (hooking), :31; Skinner, Car (hooking), 3:50; Daley, Dal (holding), 8:30; Fistric, Dal (roughing), 19:24; Burish, Dal, misconduct, 19:24; Joslin, Car, misconduct, 19:24. Shots on Goal—Dallas 11-8-8—27. Carolina 7-11-14—32. Power-play opportunities—Dallas 1 of 3; Carolina 2 of 9. Goalies—Dallas, Lehtonen 10-1-0 (32 shots-30 saves). Carolina, Ward 5-4-2 (14-10), Boucher (13:48 second, 13-12).

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, November 6, 2011

SUNRISE — The Lightning defense, already without Mattias Ohlund (knees), sustained another blow Sunday when Victor Hedman was held out of the win over the Panthers.

He is day-to-day with an upper-body injury, coach Guy Boucher said.

Boucher cryptically indicated Hedman's injury was worse than the upper-body injury of LW Ryan Malone, who left the 4-3 shootout win in the second period. Boucher said he hopes Malone will be ready for Wednesday against the Flyers and said the injury has nothing to do with one that caused him to miss an Oct. 30 practice.

"He's bashed up because he pays the price and goes to the tough areas," Boucher said.

Hedman was hurt Friday against the Blackhawks, though he did not leave the game and skated in Sunday's warmups. He said he had an MRI exam that showed no significant damage.

Still, his loss is significant. He and Eric Brewer were the No. 1 pairing. Brewer played with Matt Gilroy against Florida, and Bruno Gervais played after nine straight games as a scratch.

"We're missing a lot right now," Boucher said of the blue line. "Let's not kid ourselves. It puts a lot of guys in spots they're not used to managing."

WAKE UP: With the Lightning 3-4-2 on the road and outscored 16-8 in first periods, Boucher said he will return to the routine the team used last season, when it won 21 road games.

Tampa Bay had a meeting Sunday at its hotel before it went to the rink, as opposed to meeting at the rink, which it has done this season. That way, players cannot nap as late and can avoid what Boucher called "coma mode."

"We wake up the mind before we get to the rink so we don't wake up in the middle of the second period," he said.

There will be fewer morning skates and more body activations, such as Sunday's shirts-and-skins football game. The players did that a lot last season, not so much this season.

Boucher said he also will insist players eat breakfast.

"A lot of our guys don't eat breakfast," Boucher said. "They have coffee and leave. It's the most important meal of the day. If you miss the most important meal of the day, you're not going to give yourself a chance to be at your best."

Tampa Bay was not at its best in the first period against Florida. It was outscored 3-0 and outshot 16-9. But Boucher said the new/old routine's effects might be cumulative.

C Dominic Moore said it's worth a try: "I don't think it's a bad thing to get your mind going early."

C Steven Stamkos agreed but added, "At the end of the day, it shouldn't matter what we do. We should be prepared. We have to find ways to come into games and start a lot better."

ODDS AND ENDS: Moore's shootout goal was Tampa Bay's first this season in nine tries. … Brewer's two assists gave him four for the season. … Florida's power-play goal was the eighth in 17 tries against the Lightning, which has allowed 10 power-play goals all season. … Gervais played a season-high 19:54, had a shot, blocked a shot and had two hits. … LW Ryan Shannon was scratched.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, November 6, 2011

SUNRISE — The Lightning defense, already without Mattias Ohlund (knees), sustained another blow Sunday when Victor Hedman was held out of the win over the Panthers.

He is day-to-day with an upper-body injury, coach Guy Boucher said.

Boucher cryptically indicated Hedman's injury was worse than the upper-body injury of LW Ryan Malone, who left the 4-3 shootout win in the second period. Boucher said he hopes Malone will be ready for Wednesday against the Flyers and said the injury has nothing to do with one that caused him to miss an Oct. 30 practice.

"He's bashed up because he pays the price and goes to the tough areas," Boucher said.

Hedman was hurt Friday against the Blackhawks, though he did not leave the game and skated in Sunday's warmups. He said he had an MRI exam that showed no significant damage.

Still, his loss is significant. He and Eric Brewer were the No. 1 pairing. Brewer played with Matt Gilroy against Florida, and Bruno Gervais played after nine straight games as a scratch.

"We're missing a lot right now," Boucher said of the blue line. "Let's not kid ourselves. It puts a lot of guys in spots they're not used to managing."

WAKE UP: With the Lightning 3-4-2 on the road and outscored 16-8 in first periods, Boucher said he will return to the routine the team used last season, when it won 21 road games.

Tampa Bay had a meeting Sunday at its hotel before it went to the rink, as opposed to meeting at the rink, which it has done this season. That way, players cannot nap as late and can avoid what Boucher called "coma mode."

"We wake up the mind before we get to the rink so we don't wake up in the middle of the second period," he said.

There will be fewer morning skates and more body activations, such as Sunday's shirts-and-skins football game. The players did that a lot last season, not so much this season.

Boucher said he also will insist players eat breakfast.

"A lot of our guys don't eat breakfast," Boucher said. "They have coffee and leave. It's the most important meal of the day. If you miss the most important meal of the day, you're not going to give yourself a chance to be at your best."

Tampa Bay was not at its best in the first period against Florida. It was outscored 3-0 and outshot 16-9. But Boucher said the new/old routine's effects might be cumulative.

C Dominic Moore said it's worth a try: "I don't think it's a bad thing to get your mind going early."

C Steven Stamkos agreed but added, "At the end of the day, it shouldn't matter what we do. We should be prepared. We have to find ways to come into games and start a lot better."

ODDS AND ENDS: Moore's shootout goal was Tampa Bay's first this season in nine tries. … Brewer's two assists gave him four for the season. … Florida's power-play goal was the eighth in 17 tries against the Lightning, which has allowed 10 power-play goals all season. … Gervais played a season-high 19:54, had a shot, blocked a shot and had two hits. … LW Ryan Shannon was scratched.

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, November 6, 2011

The quarterback run the Bucs utilized on a third down late in the second quarter at the Saints' 23-yard line seemed like a curious decision, at best. But players said the play had success against the scout team in practice last week. • On the third-and-4 play, the Bucs ran to the right side with backup Josh Johnson at quarterback. Johnson was stopped after a 1-yard gain, leaving the Bucs to kick a field goal that left them down 14-3. • So, how did a play the team was so confident in go so wrong? Johnson explained. "It was basically dependent on whether we (blocked) the defensive end," he said. "The way (the Saints) set their front, they overloaded their (defensive) line on that side and it was going to be a little harder for our guys to reach him. But until you get tackled, I don't think you can get stopped. • "They made a good play. The end got up the field, so I just tried to cut it back in and get something positive and protect the points. And we were able to get some points out of it, so that was good." • Starter Josh Freeman added: "We missed one block and … next thing you know, it's a mess."

Linebacker shakeup

. Coach and defensive coordinator Raheem Morris shook up his linebacker corps, inserting Adam Hayward, left, into the starting lineup on the strong side, moving Quincy Black, center, to the weak side and benching Geno Hayes, right, the former starter on the weak side. Mason Foster, as usual, started in the middle. The move was made in an effort to get better performance out of the group. "We needed some better play out of the (weakside) linebacker position," Morris said. Hayes conceded: "I just have to be more consistent. Got to keep it moving." Hayes, who said he only played on special teams Sunday, had started 24 consecutive games, but Morris likely became weary of the on-again, off-again nature of his play. Black said he was comfortable playing wherever he was asked to contribute. "I play linebacker," he said. "That stuff doesn't matter. That's just a label."

For the second consecutive season, it appears Gerald McCoy's season will end on injured reserve because of a torn biceps muscle. • Sunday was a day filled with optimism and relief for the defensive tackle, who returned after a two-game absence because of an ankle injury. But in the first quarter, McCoy suffered what teammates described as a torn biceps muscle, which will almost certainly be season-ending. • McCoy suffered a torn biceps in his left arm last season; now he is said to have torn the right biceps. • "Hey, stuff like that happens, man," DT Brian Price said. "I feel bad for him because he had the same injury last year, just on the other arm. My heart goes out to him because I know how hard it is being on (injured reserve). I just hope he gets better. • "We can't count our losses and be sorry for ourselves. We just have to keep pushing." • Having to play the majority of the game without its most important defensive lineman, the middle of the Bucs defense was exploited against the run. By game's end, the Bucs had given up a whopping 195 rushing yards. • Compounding the problem, backup DT Frank Okam didn't make the trip to New Orleans, remaining in Tampa because of a calf injury. That left the Bucs with just two other true defensive tackles: Price and Roy Miller. • Coach Raheem Morris substituted ends Da'Quan Bowers and George Johnson periodically, but neither is suited to play on running downs against much bigger interior offensive linemen. • "We had guys like Bowers and George come in, but they'd just come in for about one or two plays and then get back out there," Price said. • Still, the Bucs will have to face this reality. And it won't be easy. • "It's unfortunate," CB Ronde Barber said. "You hate to see that happen, especially with a young player. We're a different team without him."

. RB LeGarrette Blount returned Sunday from a two-game absence, and what began as a promising day didn't have its desired ending.

The Bucs handed the ball to Blount with regularity early in the game, taking into account the Saints' run defense has been abysmal and that star LB Jonathan Vilma was out with an injury. During one first-quarter series, Blount ran for 15, 8 and 7 yards on consecutive plays.

But a growing deficit on the scoreboard prevented Tampa Bay from continuing to go to Blount later in the game, and he finished with 72 yards on 13 carries (5.5 per carry).

Blount, who was expected to take on more of a third-down role given the season-ending injury to Earnest Graham, yielded to Kregg Lumpkin on most passing downs.

. The Bucs had 365 yards of total offense, including 281 passing from QB Josh Freeman. But those yards didn't come where Tampa Bay needed them most: when in striking distance. "You've got to score touchdowns when you play the Saints," coach Raheem Morris said. The Bucs gave up the ball on downs at the New Orleans 29 in the first quarter. They settled for field goals after marching to the Saints' 22-yard line, 30-yard line and 7-yard line later in the game. The Bucs continue to be one of the poorest red-zone teams in the NFL.

In the teams' first meeting, one reason the Bucs had so much success forcing Saints QB Drew Brees into so many poor decisions was the defensive success against the run. The Bucs limited the Saints to 70 rushing yards in a 26-20 win in Week 6, allowing just 3.5 yards per carry. • Things couldn't have been more different Sunday. The Saints ran with abandon, gaining 195 yards and averaging an astounding 7.0 yards per carry. That left the deadly accurate Brees with manageable third-down situations and spelled doom for the Bucs. • Even with RB Mark Ingram out, the Saints ran their share of power runs with Chris Ivory, playing his first game since coming off the physically unable to perform list (foot). He ran for 67 yards on 15 carries. • Pierre Thomas ran inside and outside with equal success, averaging 8.3 yards per carry with 66 yards on eight carries. Darren Sproles, who hurt the Bucs on the ground and as a receiver, added a 35-yard run and a 21-yard touchdown catch. • "We have a lot of things to fix, and thank God we have more time this season to take care of them," Bucs DT Brian Price said.

Quick hits

. Saints QB Drew Brees threw for 258 yards and leads the league with 3,004, becoming the first player to pass for at least 3,000 yards through the first nine games of a season. He held the previous mark through nine games (2,985 in 2008).

. WR/KR Preston Parker, top, had 117 all-purpose yards, including 56 receiving and a 45-yard kickoff return.

. TE Kellen Winslow, bottom, extended his streak of consecutive games with at least one catch to 84.

Barber's pick doesn't pay

. With the Bucs down 17-3 and unable to put together any consistent rhythm on offense or defense, they seemed to get a break on Ronde Barber's interception of Saints QB Drew Brees. Barber jumped in front of a flare pass intended for Darren Sproles for his second interception of the season (and 42nd of his career) but Barber was unable to keep his feet or he might have taken it 33 yards into the end zone.

Still, the Bucs had their best starting position of the day with a chance to cut the Saints' lead to one touchdown. It sounded good, but it was not to be.

The Bucs' drive was short-circuited by a roughness penalty called on RB LeGarrette Blount that left Tampa Bay with a third-and-24 situation that it did not convert. Connor Barth eventually kicked a 48-yard field goal.

"Those are things that good teams take advantage of," Barber said of his interception. In this case, the Bucs couldn't do that.

Porter improving after hit

. Saints CB Tracy Porter, injured early in the game during a scary collision with Bucs WR Mike Williams, was taken to the hospital with chest and neck pain. But tests showed no major damage, and he was back in the locker room after the game.

Times wires
Sunday, November 6, 2011

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Super Bowl or midseason game, Eli Manning and the Giants are masters of the last-minute comeback against the Patriots.

Manning capped a decisive drive eerily similar to the one in the 2008 Super Bowl, throwing a 1-yard touchdown to Jake Ballard with 15 seconds left to give New York a 24-20 win on Sunday.

"I knew we would win," Giants running back Brandon Jacobs said. "It definitely took me back to the Super Bowl."

In that 17-14 victory, Manning threw a 13-yard score to Plaxico Burress with 35 seconds to go. Four plays earlier, David Tyree trapped Manning's third-down pass over the middle on top of his helmet for a 32-yard gain.

Sunday, the teams met in a meaningful game for the first time since. And Manning threw another completion over the middle to an unheralded receiver on third down, hitting a leaping Ballard for a 28-yard gain. Five plays later, they hooked up for the winning pass.

"If it was thrown anywhere else, I wouldn't have caught it," Ballard said. "You dream about making catches like that."

And Ballard's number? The same as Tyree's, 85.

Manning, of course, threw all those passes, outplaying Tom Brady, who is known for his fourth-quarter comebacks.

The loss ended several impressive streaks: wins in a record 31 regular-season starts at home for Brady and in 20 regular-season home games for the Patriots.

"We've got half the season to go," Brady said. "We'll see what our team's made of this week."

Also just like Super Bowl XLII in Glendale, Ariz., New England took a lead late in the fourth quarter, forcing the Giants to rally. Brady threw a 14-yard TD pass to Rob Gronkowski, making it 20-17 with 1:36 to go.

Times wires
Sunday, November 6, 2011

SAN DIEGO — Aaron Rodgers was at his best, throwing lasers and finding four different teammates in the end zone.

Yes, Rodgers had a lot to do with the Packers remaining undefeated Sunday with a crazy 45-38 win over the Chargers.

So did San Diego's Philip Rivers, whose run of turnovers continued with three critical interceptions, two by Charlie Peprah.

Peprah and Tramon Williams returned pickoffs for touchdowns in a span of six plays in the first quarter, and Peprah's second pick in the closing seconds sealed the win for the Packers, who became the third Super Bowl champion to open the following season 8-0.

"We're a pressure defense, so we're going to give up some big plays. But we feel we're going to make some, too," Peprah said. "I wouldn't trade a perfect defense for a win, so I'll take the W and we'll clean up that stuff later."

Rodgers was 21-of-26 for 247 yards and ran his NFL-leading total to 24 TD throws.

Rodgers, who lives in the upscale San Diego suburb of Del Mar in the offseason, seemed more impressed with the high percentage of cheeseheads in the sellout crowd than in remaining the NFL's only perfect team.

"The crowd was incredible," he said. "When you're on the road and up by seven and it's late in the game and they have to go on a silent count, that's pretty impressive. I have to give a lot of credit to our fans, the way they travel."

The Chargers have lost three straight, including Monday at Kansas City, when Rivers fumbled a snap in the final minute of regulation.

Sunday he threw four touchdowns to tie his career high, three to Vincent Jackson.

"We're fighting through a rough time right now," said Rivers, whose 14 interceptions and 17 total turnovers lead the NFL. "These tough times, you find out a lot about guys, a lot about yourself."

In his eighth season, Rivers had three interceptions for the first time.

Times wires
Sunday, November 6, 2011

Around the league

COULD TITANS DUMP JOHNSON?

Two years ago Titans RB Chris Johnson rushed for more than 2,000 yards. This offseason he signed a huge contract extension.

Now his very status is in question.

ProFootballTalk.com reported Sunday that "several teams believe" Tennessee might release Johnson before his 2012 base salary of $8 million becomes guaranteed.

According to the report, that salary could drop to $7.7 million because he's unlikely to reach a 1,000 yard incentive bonus. The Titans can save $17 million of the fourth-year running back's $30 million in guaranteed money if they cut him before March.

BILLS: Former K Scott Norwood was given the annual Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Distinguished Service Award, honoring past Buffalo players for contributions to the team on and off the field. … K Rian Lindell hurt his right shoulder making a tackle; his status was uncertain.

BRONCOS: Tim Tebow became the second QB in team history to rush for at least 100 yards in a game. Norris Weese had 120 in 1976 against Chicago. … DE Elvis Dumervil had his first sack since Dec. 27, 2009. He missed last season with an injury. … S Rahim Moore (concussion) left after the first play from scrimmage.

CARDINALS: Patrick Peterson's punt return for a TD in overtime was the second in NFL history. The other was 86 yards by former FSU standout Tamarick Vanover of Kansas City to beat San Diego in 1995.

COLTS: TEs Dallas Clark (lower leg) and Brody Eldridge (hand) left early. Coach Jim Caldwell provided no updates.

COWBOYS: Drew Pearson, Charles Haley and Larry Allen were inducted into the Ring of Honor at halftime. … WR Miles Austin, who missed two games this season with a strained left hamstring, injured the right one in the second quarter.

GIANTS: DE and former USF star Jason Pierre-Paul had a sack for the fifth straight game.

PACKERS: Including Sunday, the team has scored at least 28 points in the first half three times this season, matching the total of the other 31 teams combined.

RAMS: WR Greg Salas broke his leg and could be out for the season.

REDSKINS: Rookie RB Roy Helu caught a franchise-record 14 passes.

Times wires