Monday, December 5, 2011

JACKSONVILLE — This was the Philip Rivers everyone expected all season.

Rivers threw for 294 yards and three touchdowns, burning Jacksonville's depleted secondary early and often, and the Chargers beat the Jaguars 38-14 Monday night to snap a six-game skid.

Rivers, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, leads the NFL in interceptions (17) and turnovers (21), and had been a key part of San Diego's disappointing season. He was nearly perfect against Jacksonville, playing its first game under interim coach Mel Tucker.

Rivers completed 22 of 28 passes, hooking up with Vincent Brown, Vincent Jackson and Malcom Floyd for long scores.

NO SECOND GUESSING: A day after an overtime loss to the Cardinals, Cowboys coach Jason Garrett insisted there was no need to call a timeout after getting a first down at the 31-yard line with about 25 seconds left, though Dallas could have run a few plays in hopes of setting up a shorter field goal.

And he considered it "not really appropriate" to think he might have added to the pressure on kicker Dan Bailey by then calling a timeout just before the rookie was trying that 49-yarder.

OFFICIAL GAFFE: Game officials seemingly missed a call on an apparent first-quarter touchdown catch by Giants tight end Jake Ballard against the Packers.

Officials ruled that Ballard was out of bounds. Giants coach Tom Coughlin challenged but a review upheld the call on the field.

Coughlin said he was "sick to my stomach" when he saw a Fox screen grab of Ballard's knee apparently touching the turf in the end zone.

VICK RETURNING: Michael Vick returned to Eagles practice after missing three games with two broken ribs, and will play this weekend as last-place Philadelphia meets the Dolphins.

JETS: Joe McKnight, who leads the NFL in kick return average, has a hyperextended right elbow that could sideline him for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.

RAMS: Backup quarterback A.J. Feeley has a small fracture in his right thumb and is in doubt for the game Dec. 12 at Seattle. Starter Sam Bradford is iffy, too.

TEXANS: Star receiver Andre Johnson's left hamstring injury is mild but coach Gary Kubiak couldn't say if the former Miami Hurricane would play Sunday at Cincinnati. Also, rookie punter Brett Hartmann is out for the season after tearing his left ACL.

VIKINGS: Quarterback Christian Ponder has a hip pointer, but the rookie out of Florida State should play Sunday against Detroit. Also, running back Adrian Peterson (sprained left ankle) could return from a two-game absence.

Times wires
Monday, December 5, 2011

autos

kurt busch split with penske 'mutual'

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Kurt Busch and Penske Racing parted ways Monday after six bumpy seasons, a split that clouds the former champion's future in NASCAR as he embarks on a personal journey to reclaim his passion for racing.

Both the team and driver said ending the relationship was a "mutual agreement," but most believe Busch was fired in the fallout of another embarrassing incident. A fan caught Busch on video verbally abusing an ESPN reporter during last month's season finale, and Busch was fined $50,000 by NASCAR after the clip was posted on YouTube.

Busch was insistent that leaving Penske is probably the best thing for him personally and seemed at peace during an interview with the Associated Press.

"What's troublesome is this five-letter 'f-i-r-e-d' word is being used, but it's obvious to me that looking back, I was very unhappy over the second half of the season," Busch said.

"I need to put the fun back into racing for me. I want to be a better driver and a better person. Today is the day that begins. I take a deep breath, I smile, and I move forward from here."

Waltrip Racing hires crew chief: Michael Waltrip Racing has hired Brian Pattie as crew chief for new driver Clint Bowyer. Pattie was most recently crew chief for Juan Pablo Montoya, and led him to a spot in the 2009 Chase for the Sprint Cup championship. Pattie has 18 wins as a crew chief in the Nationwide Series, one in Cup.

et cetera

Boxing: Secretary of State Brian Kemp says 42-year-old Roy Jones Jr., a former world champion in several divisions, will fight Max Alexander for the vacant Universal Boxing Organization's intercontinental cruiserweight title Saturday at the Atlanta Civic Center. … Heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko, 35, pulled out of his fight against France's Jean-Marc Mormeck this weekend after two operations in two days to remove a kidney stone. The fight had been scheduled for Saturday in Duesseldorf, Germany.

Times wires

Monday, December 5, 2011

The Lightning will soon need good packing skills more than ever.

Monday in Pebble Beach, Calif., NHL officials approved a radical realignment plan, giving the league four conferences instead of six divisions and guaranteeing home-and-home series among all teams.

The Board of Governors authorized commissioner Gary Bettman to implement the proposal pending input with the NHL Players' Association. It could be put in place as early as next season.

What does it mean for Tampa Bay?

Put it this way: After Florida, its next closest geographic rivals in the current Eastern Conference are Washington and Carolina. Neither will be in the same conference under the new alignment — but three Canadian cities, Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto, will be.

"All the Canadian teams, that's a far trip, I don't know," Lightning wing Ryan Malone told the St. Petersburg Times after Monday's loss at Ottawa. "I didn't see that coming. I was going to say something funny about Gary Bettman but I'm going to keep it to myself."

Teammate Steven Stamkos, a native of Unionville, Ontario, outside Toronto, said: "I get another trip in to see family and friends. But that's something we'll deal with next year. We have enough to think about this season."

The league considered two plans to accommodate Atlanta's move to Winnipeg this past summer. The first would have simply moved the Jets to the Central Division and either Detroit or Columbus to the Southeast.

"The simple one wasn't as simple as it looked when you got done with it," Bettman said.

So the board chose the more dramatic switch, creating four geographic conferences — two with eight teams, two with seven.

Four teams would make the playoffs from each conference.

"I can't say … that this makes me feel great," Tampa Bay coach Guy Boucher said. "But we'll see. Sometimes things that don't look so good end up being the best."

ESPN fires Barnaby after second arrest

BUFFALO, N.Y. — ESPN fired hockey analyst Matthew Barnaby a day after the former player was arrested and charged with drunken driving for driving erratically in an SUV that was missing a front tire. On Sunday, Erie County (N.Y.) sheriffs said Barnaby was driving a Porsche Cayenne with front-end damage and a sparking rim in the Buffalo suburb of Clarence, where he lives. In July, Barnaby, 38, was ordered to complete 500 hours of community service to have charges dropped stemming from an argument he had with his estranged wife in May.

First—1, Toronto, Franson 2 (Liles, Kessel), 6:01. Penalties—Rosehill, Tor, major (fighting), 2:05; Prust, NYR, major (fighting), 2:05; Rosehill, Tor (hooking), 11:21; Fedotenko, NYR (hooking), 14:16; Callahan, NYR (holding), 18:52.

Second—2, Toronto, Connolly 4 (Frattin), 5:12. 3, Toronto, Lupul 13 (Bozak, Kessel), 6:49 (pp). 4, N.Y. Rangers, Anisimov 4 (Prust, Del Zotto), 13:00. 5, N.Y. Rangers, Gaborik 13 (Stepan, Richards), 14:32 (pp). Penalties—Anisimov, NYR (hooking), 6:36; Steckel, Tor (interference), 13:20; Bozak, Tor (hooking), 14:12.

Third—6, Toronto, Steckel 5 (Schenn), 19:55 (en-sh). Penalties—Bozak, Tor (hooking), 10:23; Anisimov, NYR (hooking), 17:11; MacArthur, Tor (high-sticking), 18:30. Shots—Toronto 12-10-8—30. N.Y. Rangers 8-12-12—32. Power plays—Toronto 1 of 4; N.Y. Rangers 1 of 5. Goalies—Toronto, Gustavsson 9-5-0 (32 shots-30 saves). N.Y. Rangers, Lundqvist 11-5-3 (29-26). A—18,200 (18,200). T—2:33.

First—1, Florida, Weiss 10 (Campbell, Kulikov), 6:50 (pp). 2, Florida, Santorelli 4 (Kulikov, Weaver), 7:03. 3, Florida, Kulikov 3 (Campbell, Weiss), 16:31 (pp). 4, Washington, Knuble 3 (Johansson, Orlov), 17:11. Penalties—Versteeg, Fla (cross-checking), 2:58; Perreault, Was (high-sticking), 5:47; Erskine, Was, served by Perreault, minor-major-misconduct (instigator, fighting), 10:22; Kearns, Fla, major (fighting), 10:22; Brouwer, Was (interference), 15:16; Alzner, Was (boarding), 19:55.

Second—5, Florida, Bergenheim 4 (Matthias, Garrison), 3:41 (pp). 6, Florida, Weiss 11 (Fleischmann, Campbell), 12:11. 7, Washington, Eakin 3 (Perreault, Carlson), 19:40. Penalties—Orlov, Was (slashing), 2:12.

Third—8, Washington, Laich 6 (Ward, Carlson), 12:09. 9, Washington, Chimera 11 (Carlson, Halpern), 18:16. Penalties—Weaver, Fla (hooking), 3:29; Backstrom, Was (holding), 12:36. Shots—Washington 9-10-13—32. Florida 11-13-6—30. Power plays—Washington 0 of 2; Florida 3 of 6. Goalies—Washington, Neuvirth 3-5-1 (30 shots-25 saves). Florida, Clemmensen 3-0-0 (32-28). A—16,337 (17,040). T—2:27.

First—None. Penalties—Dupuis, Pit (holding), 5:27; Despres, Pit (slashing), 8:25; Campbell, Bos (interference), 12:19.

Second—1, Boston, Campbell 2 (Paille, Thornton), 2:57. 2, Boston, Pouliot 4 (Peverley), 7:18. Penalties—Marchand, Bos, minor-major (tripping, fighting), 3:19; Niskanen, Pit, major (fighting), 3:19; Chara, Bos (interference), 4:09; Despres, Pit (tripping), 8:04; Pouliot, Bos (goaltender interference), 16:06; Peverley, Bos (hooking), 16:06; Staal, Pit (interference), 20:00.

Third—3, Boston, Seguin 13 (Bergeron, Peverley), 1:07 (pp). 4, Pittsburgh, Cooke 6 (Vitale), 10:54. Penalties—Kunitz, Pit (tripping), 4:39; Campbell, Bos, major (fighting), 11:08; Vitale, Pit, major (fighting), 11:08. Shots—Boston 11-8-8—27. Pittsburgh 6-17-23—46. Power plays—Boston 1 of 5; Pittsburgh 0 of 5. Goalies—Boston, Thomas 13-4-0 (46 shots-45 saves). Pittsburgh, Fleury 14-5-2 (27-24). A—18,585 (18,387). T—2:33.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Monday, December 5, 2011

OTTAWA — There was plenty of slamming cabinet doors in the Lightning locker room Monday night.

Another frustrating loss will do that, especially when the 4-2 decision to the Senators at Scotiabank Place was another game players and coaches believe was there for the taking.

"We're fighting," coach Guy Boucher said. "You can't say we weren't fighting."

But missed scoring opportunities in the first two periods — "The reality is it should have been 4-0," Boucher said — gave way to defensive mistakes and a couple of questionable goals allowed by goaltender Dwayne Roloson as Tampa Bay (11-13-2) lost its fourth straight.

For the second straight game the team allowed three third-period goals to disintegrate a 2-1 lead; this one built on a second-period goal by defenseman Bruno Gervais, playing only because Pavel Kubina is injured, and a third-period tally by Marty St. Louis.

Steven Stamkos assisted on both to extend his points streak, the league's longest current, to seven games (five goals and five assists). But he was as guilty as anyone when it came to missing scoring chances as he whiffed on a shot at an open net from in close off a Ryan Malone set-up.

Steve Downie, who played well, was robbed by goaltender Craig Anderson from in close and also dribbled a rebound wide of a partially empty net. And St. Louis was stopped from in close as well.

"If we score on any of those chances we probably win," Stamkos said.

Add a power play that was 0-for-3 with only four shots and you understand the frustration from a team that had a 33-31 shot advantage, including 12-5 in the second period that ended 1-1.

"Stamkos could have had four goals," Boucher said, and added, "We're getting tons and tons of quality scoring chances that we can't bury. And then the opponent gets a break here and there and it kills us."

Such as Nick Foligno's goal that broke a 2-2 tie with 4:27 left in the third. Foligno was at the left goal post when Daniel Alfredsson's shot from the right wing went wide and ricocheted to him off the end boards for an easy goal.

Roloson had no chance on that one but probably should have stopped Zack Smith's second-period goal that made it 1-1 — a deflection through Roloson's legs from in tight — and Alfredsson's shot from the top of the right faceoff circle that made it 2-2 8:58 into the third.

"I don't know. It doesn't seem like we're doing that bad," defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron said. "We couldn't find the back of the net. It's amazing how it turns around so quick."

First—None. Penalties—Connolly, TB (elbowing), 2:41; Brewer, TB (hooking), 10:31; Phillips, Ott (tripping), 15:26.

Second—1, T.B., Gervais 2 (Stamkos, Bergeron), 13:52. 2, Ott., Z.Smith 7 (Cowen, Daugavins), 16:46. Penalties—Gonchar, Ott (hooking), 1:25; Bergeron, TB (tripping), 14:05.

Third—3, T.B., St. Louis 8 (Stamkos), 3:35. 4, Ott., Alfredsson 6 (Spezza, Anderson), 8:58. 5, Ott., Foligno 8 (Alfredsson, Winchester), 15:33. 6, Ott., Z.Smith 8 (Gonchar, Phillips), 16:19. Penalties—Z.Smith, Ott (high-sticking), 6:10. Shots—Tampa Bay 9-12-12—33. Ottawa 14-5-12—31. Power plays—Tampa Bay 0 of 3; Ottawa 0 of 3. Goalies—Tampa Bay, Roloson 6-8-1 (31 shots-27 saves). Ottawa, Anderson 12-8-2 (33-31).

Times wires
Tuesday, December 6, 2011

The Lightning will soon need good packing skills more than ever.

Monday in Pebble Beach, Calif., NHL officials approved a radical realignment plan, giving the league four conferences instead of six divisions and guaranteeing home-and-home series among all teams.

The Board of Governors authorized commissioner Gary Bettman to implement the proposal pending input with — and approval from — the NHL Players' Association. It could be put in place as early as next season.

What does it mean for Tampa Bay?

Put it this way: After Florida, its next closest geographic rivals in the current Eastern Conference are Washington and Carolina. Neither will be in the same conference under the new alignment — but three Canadian cities, Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto, will be.

"All the Canadian teams, that's a far trip, I don't know," Lightning wing Ryan Malone told the St. Petersburg Times after Monday's loss at Ottawa. "I didn't see that coming. I was going to say something funny about Gary Bettman but I'm going to keep it to myself."

Teammate Steven Stamkos, a native of Unionville, Ontario, outside Toronto, said: "I get another trip in to see family and friends. But that's something we'll deal with next year. We have enough to think about this season."

The league considered two plans to accommodate Atlanta's move to Winnipeg this past summer. The first would have simply moved the Jets to the Central Division and either Detroit or Columbus to the Southeast.

"The simple one wasn't as simple as it looked when you got done with it," Bettman said.

So the board chose the more dramatic switch, creating four geographic conferences — two with eight teams, two with seven. Four teams would make the playoffs from each conference.

The new format will increase overall travel in the regular season, especially for Eastern Conference teams who will now have more trips West. But it cuts down on travel for some Western teams, which was a critical issue for teams like Detroit, Dallas, Columbus and Nashville.

"It's just part of the game now," Malone said. "You just have to find ways to make sure you're sharp and your legs are ready. It's crazy."

The new plan tried to address as many concerns of the teams as possible, from creating more equitable travel, to preserving rivalries, to promoting the game by having the biggest stars play in every city every season.

"I can't say … that this makes me feel great," Tampa Bay coach Guy Boucher said. "But we'll see. Sometimes things that don't look so good end up being the best."

"This is not a subject that everybody is going to get their first choice on," Bettman said. "What you try to do is come up with something that everybody can live with, get comfortable with and understands the value of. Because if you ask 30 clubs, you'd probably get 30 different solutions. That's what makes this a difficult process."

Toronto general manager Brian Burke said he had concerns about the wear and tear the extra travel would have on his team but approved the plan when he was assured by the league that the schedule would be more efficient with every team playing in every city.

"We try to vote with a league hat on when we can," he said.

The new look has two conferences with seven teams all based in the Eastern time zone: Tampa Bay, Florida, Boston, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa and Buffalo in one and New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Washington and Carolina in the other. Those last two are current Southeast Division foes for the Lightning.

The third conference consists of eight teams in the Eastern and Central time zones: Detroit, Columbus, Nashville, St. Louis, Chicago, Minnesota, Dallas and Winnipeg. The fourth conference has eight teams in the Mountain and Pacific time zones: Los Angeles, Anaheim, Phoenix, San Jose, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Colorado.

The conferences have not been named.

Times staff writer Damian Cristodero contributed to this report.

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, December 6, 2011

The SEC coaches apparently think a little more highly of some Gator players than the SEC's writers do.

A day after no Florida player on offense or defense was selected to the AP All-SEC Team, the Gators landed one on the All-SEC Coaches Football Team on offense.

Senior RB Chris Rainey shared First=Team All purpose honors with Joe Adams of Arkansas. Gators K Caleb Sturgis was also a First-Team selection.

Rainey led the Gators with 1,318 all-purpose yards, including 790 rushing and 350 receiving. Sturgis was 21-of-25 in field goals with a long of 55 yards this season.

Alabama had a total of 11 players named to the Coaches First and Second Teams, while undefeated league champion LSU had 10.

Florida, which finished the season 6-6, had just two players represented on the coaches first and second teams.

By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist
Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Knowing that you are wise, and knowing that you are fair, and knowing that you love hockey, I am reasonably certain that your first reaction to the new alignment of the NHL was much the same as mine.

Huh?

Unless Tampa Bay has been sold to Canada, and I suppose anything is possible, this realignment roulette makes no sense. Tell me: Who was the genius who came up with this? Barry Melrose? Mike Milbury? Or was it just Gary Bettman, letting his eight-sided dice run away with him?

Tampa Bay vs. Buffalo?

Tampa Bay vs. Ottawa?

Tampa Bay vs. the team from Mystery, Alaska? (Okay, I'm kidding about that one, but do you think Bettman is aware that the Mystery team was, well, fiction?)

This is silly, and this is sad, and above all, this is evidence the big offices of the NHL consider the Lightning only as an afterthought. Tampa Bay is like that leftover piece of a model airplane that you just helped your kid assemble. No one can quite figure out where it is supposed to go.

Let's re-examine this. All Bettman had to do was swap a chair and a table, just that, and the next thing you know, he is tearing down the house in order to rebuild it. Swap Winnipeg with Detroit (or Columbus or Nashville), and his job was done. Simple as that. Skate on.

The next thing you know, the players in his league are going to need bigger luggage. What? Is Samsonite suddenly a new league sponsor?

It should be pointed out that in other places, and with other teams, the new shape of the NHL sounds just fine. If you live in Detroit, and if you're tired of staying up late to watch the Red Wings play on the West Coast, this move is good for you. If you are in Columbus or Dallas or Minnesota, it's good for you. If you are in New York, and you can now take a cab to your division road games, it's good for you. If you run a TV network — and isn't this surprising — it's good for you.

If you are a member of the Lightning, however, this is worse than a stick between the eyes.

(And, to be fair, it's worse news for the Florida Panthers.)

Think about this: Half of your new, ahem, rivals are from a different country. Except for the Florida teams, the southernmost city in the new conference is, of all places, Buffalo. Last year, your average distance to a division opponent was 540 miles; after realignment, it will be 1,058 miles, which is a long way to shoot a puck. Oh, and there is this: To get to your new conference, you have to fly over another conference.

Welcome to the "What the Heck Were They Thinking'' conference.

"Maybe we should built a practice facility in Vermont,'' Lightning forward Marty St. Louis said to Times beat writer Damian Cristodero on Tuesday, "and live in Vermont and take little flights here and there, live in the hotel when we come for home stretches.''

Actually, the bigger question seems to be this. How long did it take before the league was thinking about its Florida franchises? And how long did that last?

Just guessing here, but I would bet the NHL started with a list of priorities. I'm also guessing that the Florida teams weren't very high on it.

New York? Check. The only way the NHL could have taken better care of New York was to move the Carolina franchise to Queens and the Capitals to Brooklyn.

The Canadian teams? Check. Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa are all bunched together, as they have been. Only now they get to bring their golf clubs to Florida.

The time-zone afflicted teams? Check. Detroit and Columbus no longer have to worry about being in the West.

The Florida teams? They were just part of a division the NHL was willing to blow up. Even swapping Tampa Bay with Carolina would have made more sense for the Lightning.

Of course, the Tampa Bay area knows a little about silly alignment. Once, the Rays were headed for the AL West, remember? Once, the Bucs spent a year in the AFC West. Soon, USF will be in a league with San Diego State. Around here, our GPSes are full of it.

Is the new neighborhood going to be tougher for the Lightning? Maybe, maybe not. The Lightning currently trails every one of its new rivals in the standings. Still, all the Lightning has to do is finish ahead of three teams to make the playoffs. That isn't too much to ask.

Here's what I don't get, however. Why adopt a system that requires a team to spend the first two rounds of the postseason trying to get out of its own division? For goodness sakes, it seems as if the Lightning plays the Panthers 37 times a year as it is. And now, in the playoffs, more Panthers? Really? Don't most leagues try to avoid divisional play in the playoffs?

Ah, I don't want to sound like a grump, at least no more than usual. The Lightning's new division is certainly more interesting than the old one. There is more tradition, more passion. With Boston, Toronto and Montreal, you have half of the Original Six. That's going to spark some interest, and the snowbirds are going to buy some seats.

But if the point here is to build rivalries, this is silly.

If the point is to cut down on travel costs, this is ridiculous.

If the point is to save wear and tear on the players, this is absurd.

Except for that, the Lightning ought to be grateful. After all, the league could have realigned it to Russia.

After all, when Tampa Bay plays SKA St. Petersburg, you can throw all of the records out.

By Capt. Mike Gore, Times Correspondent
Tuesday, December 6, 2011

COOL CHANGE: It is time to switch to our cold water tactics this weekend. With a pretty significant cold front having moved in on Wednesday and a full moon on Saturday, the time is right.

CODE REDFISH: If you are brave enough to go out first thing in the morning, then you should have a pretty good redfish bite. The redfish have been tailing all over Weedon and Picnic islands on these negative tides. Use a one-eighth ounce jig head with your favorite soft plastic, whether it is a shad, shrimp, or worm because they have all produced. You will have to ease up on these fish, but you would be surprised how close you can get while they have their heads down forging. Just try to determine which way they might be heading and cast past and ahead of them.

BAIT: Remember to work the bait as slow as possible this time of year. I always tell my clients when you think you are working it slow enough, slow down even more. If you can't seem to initiate a strike, try switching to a scented plastic or add some aftermarket scented product to your favorite bait and present it the same way. Then let it sit there. They will find it.

STOUT TROUT: The trout bite will continue to be strong. Cold fronts do not seem to affect trout like it does the other inshore species. Start the day drifting the grass flats with a "popping cork" and artificial shrimp. Give yourself enough line between the cork and the hook so that you are just above the grass line on the bottom. The idea behind the "popping cork" is to make some noise and get the trout's attention. Trout will look up to see what all the commotion is and your bait will be hanging right in their face. Remember that trout season is still closed until Jan. 1 in the south region so you may want to bend down the barb on your hook.

Capt. Mike Gore can be reached at Mike Gore Charters, (813) 235-9579, or fishing@captainmike gore.com.

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, December 6, 2011

By Neil Taylor, Times Correspondent
Tuesday, December 6, 2011

What's hot: Sheepshead are ganging up around the bay, the beginning of a long stretch when these tasty porgies are easily acquired by local anglers on the flats and on every craggy structure.

Tackle and techniques: Medium heavy spinning tackle is adequate, with a 2-foot leader of 20- to 30-pound fluorocarbon leader and a size 1 or 1/0 extremely sharp hook. Add weight in split shot increments with the minimum necessary to sink a bait to where the fish are located. Tough to catch on lures, the best choices for sheepshead are live or fresh dead shrimp, fiddler crabs or blood worms.

Locating sheepshead is as simple as prospecting docks and bridges, but many of these fish will be found around oyster bars or on the shallow grass flats this time of year. The technique is simple: Get baits right to where they are, whether up against a piling or on oyster bars. Let the baits lie still and keep a tight line. They have tough mouths so when you feel one swimming with your bait, set the hook.

Filleting takes practice but for boneless cooking pieces, cut out a narrow strip of meat down the center of the fillet to remove a line of small bones. Cut the fillets into small chunks, dip in egg then flour and fry in hot oil. Flip several times and remove when the flour turns a golden brown.

Neil Taylor charters kayak fishing trips in the Tampa Bay area and can be reached at strikethreekayakfishing.com or (727) 692-6345.

Times wires
Tuesday, December 6, 2011

NEW YORK — Jake Scott had a promise to keep.

The former Georgia star doesn't make many trips to the mainland from his home in Hanalei, Hawaii, a small coastal town on the island of Kauai.

He made an exception for the College Football Hall of Fame induction Tuesday because his late friend Jim Mandich made him vow to do so.

"He got me before it went down," Scott said Tuesday about the death in April of his former Dolphins teammate. "So I agreed to do it and that's why I'm here."

Scott, plus former Florida State star Deion Sanders, Carlos Alvarez —who still holds the Florida record for career reception yards with 2,563 — former Alabama defensive lineman Marty Lyons (from St. Petersburg Catholic) and retired Michigan coach Lloyd Carr were among the 16 players and coaches to be inducted into College Hall of Fame by the National Football Foundation.

Others included former Air Force coach Fisher DeBerry; Ohio State Heisman-winning running back Eddie George; Miami defensive lineman Russell Maryland; Texas defensive lineman Doug English; Oregon State fullback Bill Enyart; Nebraska guard Will Shields; Minnesota's Sandy Stephens (posthumous); West Virginia linebacker Darryl Talley; Oklahoma halfback Clendon Thomas; Arizona defensive lineman Ron Waldrop; and Michigan State receiver Gene Washington.

Scott led the SEC in interceptions in 1967 and '68, and his 16 still is the Georgia record. He had a stellar nine-year NFL career with Miami and Washington. He was the MVP of Super Bowl VII, which wrapped up the Dolphins' perfect 1972 season.

Mandich, a College Hall of Famer from Michigan, was a tight end on those Dolphins' teams and Scott's roommate. He was in the hospital dying of cancer this year when he called Scott.

"He was going down for the count with cancer, and he said, 'Would you do me a favor?' And I said, 'Jim, I'll do anything you want me to do.' He says, 'If you get in the College Hall of Fame, will you attend?' And I said, 'Yes, I'll do anything for you.'

"I thought it was going to be something simple," Scott said with a chuckle.

Scott has a reputation of something of a recluse, but he didn't come across as a misanthrope.

"Somebody said, you're hiding out," he said. "I said no, I just wasn't there."

Scott sat next to Sanders on the dais during the news conference with the other Hall of Famers — that is, when Primetime showed up about 15 minutes late.

"First of all I'd like to thank God for allowing me to be here," Sanders said. "I am so exhausted, I just was on a red-eye flight from New York, I'm saying New York, from L.A. You can tell I'm still asleep. This suit put on itself, but I still think it looks pretty darn good."

Sanders thanked his family, his coaches — he said former Seminoles defensive coordinator Mickey Andrew taught him everything he knows about playing cornerback — and teammates for helping him get to the hall of fame.

Alvarez thanked his father, Licinio — "my hero'' — for taking the family to the United States from Fidel Castro's Cuba in 1960.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, December 6, 2011

UNIONDALE, N.Y. — Lightning owner Jeff Vinik would not reveal whether he voted for or against next season's four-conference realignment.

"I'm not comfortable talking about my vote," he said.

But Vinik on Tuesday acknowledge that for Tampa Bay, the additional travel in a conference with Boston, Buffalo, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Florida is "a definite minus."

The tradeoff, he said, is the league "promised" to make road trips "as efficient as possible."

"I'm confident," Vinik said, "that can be accomplished."

Added league spokesman John Dellapina: "I'm sure our guys will work hard to make the schedule as efficient for the Florida teams as possible."

Vinik, on the league Executive Committee, generally was a good soldier discussing the realignment adopted by the Board of Governors Monday in Pebble Beach, Calif.

He extolled the virtues of being in a conference with three of the Original Six teams — the Maple Leafs, Bruins and Canadiens — and that the intra-division playoff format will promote rivalries.

Vinik likes that every team will visit the St. Pete Times Forum, and said preliminary numbers for next season's travel budget show an increase "virtually insignificant from this year."

The caveat:

"It depends how efficient it is," he said of road trips. "The league is going to do their best to schedule our away games, try to hop from one city to another. They promised to do everything in their power to make that as efficient as possible for our travel."

Even so, it will be much different from when the Southeast Division for the Lightning had quick hops to Washington, Carolina, Florida and Atlanta. Tampa Bay's average travel distance in its new conference is 1,058 miles. The Florida teams and Edmonton are the only teams to top the 1,000-mile mark, Grantland.com reported.

"Any travel wears you down," Tampa Bay coach Guy Boucher said, and added, "Carolina was the closest team to us (other than Florida) and they're not in our conference. We built a rivalry with Washington and they're gone, too. I guess the league has their own agenda and we've got our own. Obviously, when you've got two agendas, they clash."

"It's really weird," C Vinny Lecavalier said. "But they voted on it, so … "

So, Tampa Bay is stuck, though Vinik said he doesn't see it that way.

"I'll go back to the context of the whole league," he said. "A lot was accomplished with this and a lot is great for us, like having all the west coast teams come in every year. Despite the travel we do have very strong conference opponents in terms of interest and rivalries for our fans."

Said general manager Steve Yzerman: "The whole concept, in general, works for the league. But it's not good for us, individually, or Florida. Our travel is going to increase significantly. It's going to make it more difficult and challenging."

MEDICAL MATTERS: C Nate Thompson left the game after the first period with an upper-body injury. There was no postgame update. … D Pavel Kubina (lower body) missed his second straight game. The Lightning, also without D Mattias Ohlund (knees), has another blue-liner nicked. Boucher declined to name the player, but as a precaution Evan Oberg was called up from AHL Norfolk.

ODDS AND ENDS: C Steven Stamkos' assist extended his points streak (five goals, six assists) to eight games, a league best this season. … W Adam Hall played after two games as a healthy scratch. … Oberg and RW Ryan Shannon were scratched.

Damian Cristodero can be reached at cristodero@tampabay.com.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, December 6, 2011

DALLAS — Signs of the impact a new stadium has on the Marlins organization have become neon glaringly bright this week.

There was All-Star closer Heath Bell sitting at a Monday news conference in his new orange-trimmed jersey after signing a $27 million deal. There's today's planned introduction of dynamic new shortstop Jose Reyes, who got $106 million. And there is the very serious — like $200-plus million over 10 years serious — pursuit of superstar Albert Pujols.

All primarily made possible because of the sparkling $515 million retractable-roof facility on the old Orange Bowl site they'll move into in April.

"It's obvious," owner Jeffrey Loria said. "It creates new opportunities. And new opportunities create the ability to seek the players that you've been dreaming of."

In their new digs, the now-Miami Marlins project a massive jump in attendance — from 1.52 million last season (less than the Rays) to 2.8 million — and an accompanying increase in revenues to justify a wild spending spree that, with the potential of further additions even beyond Pujols, who was still weighing their offer vs. a return to St. Louis, could push their payroll from $57 million near or into triple digits while sending expectations and excitement soaring.

It's enough to make a team across the state with its own dreams for a new stadium just a wee bit jealous.

"I do afford myself those thoughts on occasion," Rays manager Joe Maddon acknowledged. "Of course it would make it better. Of course it would. And part of it is not just acquiring new talent but being able to retain that group that we've raised on our own, too.

"I want to believe it's going to happen. I don't know exactly when, but I want to believe it's going to happen. … But in the meantime, you can't cry about it. You don't make excuses about it. You don't say they have what we don't. I won't do that. But at some point it would be nice."

Efforts for a new stadium are stalled by a stalemate between the team and St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster, who will talk only about sites in or near city limits. (And Foster has yet to follow up on an announced October plan to call Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg to arrange a meeting.)

How much a new stadium would impact the Rays will be a product of the financing details (i.e., how much they have to pay), but it obviously would help.

"We're looking for ways to enhance our revenues," Rays president Matt Silverman said. "And the more we enhance our revenues, the more we can reinvest in the business. Where fans see it most is in major-league payroll, but for us those investments are made throughout the entire organization."

If the Marlins' plan works and the team is a success, it could work against the Rays. While the teams don't battle for Florida fans, there is competition for statewide sponsors and for television ratings, and thus rights fees.

Loria, of course, is confident it will work, citing how they have spent years plotting — and scrimping on payroll, even stockpiling revenue-sharing funds to the point of being told to spend more — for this opportunity.

"I saw years ago if we were able to get a new stadium how spectacular things could get and could be," Loria said. "And we're working toward that goal now."

Marc Topkin can be reached at topkin@tampabay.com.

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, December 6, 2011

TAMPA — When Skip Holtz looks back on a frustrating, disappointing 5-7 season, he can't help but notice the way players didn't learn from each other's mistakes, especially when it came to avoiding turnovers late in close games.

"We can't have everybody make the same mistake and then go, 'Okay, now I get it,' " Holtz said Sunday. "(Freshman receiver) Andre (Davis) made it (against Louisville). Let's all learn from Andre's mistake. It's like, 'Your brother just burned his hand sticking it on the stove. It's hot. Don't you do the same thing.' We've got to do a better job as coaches."

One costly mistake in Thursday's season-ending loss to West Virginia was when QB B.J. Daniels lost a fumble with 3:02 left in a tie game, setting up the Mountaineers' winning field goal as time expired. Daniels has been criticized for running with the ball away from his body, but Holtz said perhaps the repercussions of this mistake will carry more weight toward correcting it.

"It is something we've talked about, pointed out, something we've addressed," Holtz said. "Maybe it takes something like that to say, 'Wow, all right, what they're saying is true. Eventually it's going to cost us a game.' "

In hindsight, with West Virginia out of timeouts, USF could have simply called three running plays to run off the clock and taken a reasonable field-goal attempt with a chance to win.

"Hindsight, looking back, yeah, I wish I would have gotten two backs and two tight ends and just ran the ball into the line three times and kicked the field goal," Holtz said. "At the same point in time, we put the ball in our best offensive player's hands for the way he was playing. … Believe me, I've second-guessed and questioned every call, defense, everything else you make as you go back and watch the film."

Asked if he'll put together a reel of the Bulls' late-game mistakes that have cost them so many fourth-quarter leads, Holtz said there would be a lot of such review in the offseason.

"They will see them. We'll probably watch the last 10 minutes of about 10 football games, all offseason," Holtz said. "We need to understand what you have to do to win. I don't know everything we're going to do to get that point across, to teach it. We definitely have some great teaching moments from this season."

THIS AND THAT: Stan Heath has benefited greatly from incoming transfers like G Victor Rudd and F Augustus Gilchrist, but three former Bulls scholarship players are now playing small-school basketball: PG Anthony Crater at NAIA's Georgetown College, PG Shedrick Haynes at Division II Tarleton State and F Eladio Espinosa, now at his third school at Division II University of Charleston. … Former USF offensive coordinator Greg Gregory was fired this week after three seasons in the same role at startup South Alabama, which is now I-AA. … USF soccer standout Dom Dwyer, who led the Big East with 16 goals, is a semifinalist for the Hermann Trophy, the top honor in college soccer.

Times writer Greg Auman can be reached at auman@tampabay.com and at (813) 226-3346. Check out his blog at tampabay.com/blogs/bulls and follow him at Twitter.com/gregauman.

Times staff, wires
Tuesday, December 6, 2011

PULLMAN, Wash. — New Washington State coach Mike Leach said Tuesday that some people have been asking him why he wanted to take over a downtrodden program in a remote town in the Pacific Northwest.

His response?

"I think that's a stupid question," Leach said, drawing a roar from about 1,000 fans, players and marching band members at a rally where he was introduced. "You can win here and win big, I believe."

Leach, 50, was hired last week to replace Paul Wulff. Leach was 84-43 at Texas Tech, leading the Red Raiders to 10 bowl appearances in 10 seasons, before being fired in 2009 amid allegations he mistreated a player with a concussion.

Asked Tuesday if parents of recruits should worry, Leach called the allegations "lies and falsehoods. … Your son will not be mistreated."

TWO GATORS HONORED: Florida senior running back Chris Rainey and junior kicker Caleb Sturgis were first-team selections to the Coaches' All-SEC team, the league office announced. Rainey shared all-purpose honors with Joe Adams of Arkansas. Sturgis was a first-team selection on special teams.

Rainey led the Gators with 1,318 all-purpose yards, including 790 rushing and 350 receiving. Sturgis was 21-of-25 in field goals with a long of 55 yards.

UNC HUNT: North Carolina is in talks with Southern Mississippi coach Larry Fedora to take the same job, the Associated Press reported. USF coach Skip Holtz had been linked to the Tar Heels.

BROTHERS REUNITE: Illinois offensive coordinator Paul Petrino is returning to Arkansas to coach with his brother, Bobby, making him the first assistant to leave since Ron Zook was fired.

ARKANSAS: Defensive coordinator Willy Robinson resigned, becoming the third assistant to leave in two days.

CINCINNATI: Quarterback Zach Collaros is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a broken right ankle and could play in the Liberty Bowl on Dec. 31.

LSU: Defensive coordinator John Chavis won the annual Broyles Award given to the top college assistant coach.

PURDUE: Wide receiver O.J. Ross was suspended indefinitely for violating team policy and rules. The school plays in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl on Dec. 27.

RICHMOND: Danny Rocco, 47-20 in six seasons at Liberty, was named coach.

TENNESSEE: Coach Derek Dooley hired former Vols standout Jay Graham as a running backs coach.

Times staff writer Antonya English contributed to this report.

Times wires
Tuesday, December 6, 2011

MADISON, Wis. — Green Bay has have an MVP candidate in quarterback Aaron Rodgers, a Super Bowl title won 10 months ago and an undefeated team making a run toward another crown for Titletown.

The Packers now have hundreds of new owners, too.

The team kicked off a rare stock sale Tuesday to help pay for another round of renovations at Lambeau Field, giving folks a shot at becoming an NFL owner for $250 a share, plus $25 handling.

Sarah Johnson, 34, of Portage, Wis., said it took her nearly 20 minutes to do what should have been a 30-second process, but it was worth to wait.

"I could have just as well thrown my money out the window for what I get for it, other than a feel-good," she said. "I just feel like the Packer organization has sort of a nostalgia and an excitement around it other franchises don't have."

The team received 1,600 orders in the first 11 minutes, team president Mark Murphy said. It is the Packers' fifth stock sale in 92 years and first in 14 years for the league's only publicly-owned team. There are 250,000 shares available through Feb. 29.

The stock doesn't increase, there are no dividends, and it won't mean a leg up on the 93,000 people on the waiting list for season tickets. Buyers get a printed declaration, voting rights, and the right to attend the annual stockholder meeting at Lambeau.

TRIO SUSPENDED FOR SEASON: As expected, the league suspended Redskins tight end Fred Davis and left tackle Trent Williams four games for violating substance abuse policy. The suspensions end their seasons.

Seahawks rookie guard John Moffitt also was suspended four games for the same reason. He will serve the suspension now though he was already out for the season with a right knee injury.

SUH CRASH: Police in Portland, Ore., said they plan to further investigate Saturday's car accident involving Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh after two women claimed they suffered injuries in the wreck. The police report was amended to include the claims.

PANTHERS: Both starting rookie defensive tackles — former USF standout Terrell McClain and Sione Fua — went on injured reserve. McClain sprained his left knee during the first half of Sunday's game against the Bucs.

TEXANS: The Houston Chronicle reported that 41-year-old quarterback Jeff Garcia, a former Buc who had been out of football all year, signed to be a backup. Also, 43-year-old punter Matt Turk signed.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, December 6, 2011

DALLAS — The Rays are working on multiple scenarios via trades and free-agent signings to bolster their offense and fill holes at first base and DH.

But in the unlikely event none were to come to fruition this offseason — with nothing close as of Tuesday night, anyway — they have at least an interesting backup plan, with the signing of Juan Miranda to a minor-league contract with a spring training invite.

"Extreme power," Rays executive VP Andrew Friedman said.

Miranda, a 28-year-old from Cuba, has spent most of his five pro seasons at Triple A but has big-league time with the Yankees (2008-10) and Diamondbacks (2011). He hit 67 homers in 457 minor-league games (with a .277 average) and 11 in 111 big-league games (with a .226 average), though seven in 65 for Arizona in 2011.

"He's got some real carrying strengths that we feel like give him a chance to be a productive major-league player; obviously the standard at that position is higher than other positions," Friedman said. "(He) will either compete for a job depending on how the rest of the winter shakes out or be very high on the depth charge in the event of injury."

The Rays also signed INF Matt Mangini, who had some big-league time with Seattle in 2010; and RHPs Jhonny Nunez (White Sox, '09) and Ricky Orta (returning from injury).

Friedman had a busy second day at the winter meetings and said they were "talking to a number of offensive players." But with nothing imminent, it would appear Monday's pursuit of free-agent OF/DH Josh Willingham had at least stalled and that the Rays were not sitting on any trade offers they were ready to accept without further talks.

The Reds and Royals appear to be good trade matches, as well as the Marlins, who if they sign Albert Pujols would seem likely to move All-Star 1B Gaby Sanchez, with RHP Wade Davis a potential target.

There was another round of chatter about the Nationals' longstanding — and unsuccessful — quest for Rays CF B.J. Upton, but no progress. While Friedman wouldn't comment, Washington GM Mike Rizzo told reporters, "I don't think anything has changed."

Also, the Rays will be among the teams scouting free-agent reliever Joel Zumaya at his workout next week; are not the mystery team that bid on Japanese free agent INF Hiroyuki Nakajima; were not among the teams that job-seeking free agent Manny Ramirez supposedly personally called; won't likely re-sign free-agent RHP Juan Cruz; and don't plan many changes to their minor-league coaching staffs.

RED ALERT: Pujols had reported offers for $200-plus million over 10 years from at least the Marlins and Cardinals and was said to be nearing a decision. … DH David Ortiz is reportedly set to rejoin the Red Sox by agreeing to accept arbitration (and a raise from $12.5 million) by tonight's deadline. … The Jays added a closer by acquiring RHP Sergio Santos (30 saves, 3.55 ERA) from the White Sox for RHP prospect Nestor Molina. … The Twins traded RHP Kevin Slowey to Colorado for a player to be named. … RHPs Jon Rauch and Frank Francisco agreed to terms with the Mets, who also traded OF Angel Pagan to the Giants for OF Andres Torres and RHP Ramon Ramirez.

MISCELLANY: The BBWAA voted to televise the announcement of its major awards for the first time, starting in 2012 on the MLB Network. … Toronto Sun writer Bob Elliott was elected to the Hall of Fame.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

An NBA schedule unlike any other — short, compressed, frantic, unwieldy in some spots and incomplete in others — was unveiled Tuesday.

Teams will sometimes play on three consecutive nights, and five games in six nights.

LeBron James will skip some cities. So will Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant and the defending champion Mavericks.

The schedule will not be balanced. Every team will play 66 games, the maximum the league could fit after a 149-day lockout. The season will start Dec. 25 and end April 26.

Every team will average two more games per month.

"It's not going to be an easy schedule for anyone," Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said.

A dangerous stretch for Orlando: six games in an eight-day period, beginning Jan. 23 at Boston and ending Jan. 30 at Philadelphia. That stretch consists of three back-to-backs with one day off between each of them.

The season opens with five nationally televised games on Christmas: Celtics at Knicks, Heat at Mavericks, Bulls at Lakers, Magic at Thunder and Clippers at Warriors.

The NBA has not scheduled back-to-back-to-backs since 1999, the last lockout-shortened season.

Players will vote today whether to ratify the collective-bargaining agreement. If it passes, the NBA's Board of Governors will vote Thursday. The lockout is expected to be officially lifted by then, with training camps opening Friday.

In other Magic news, Bob Vander Weide is retiring as CEO. President Alex Martins will be promoted.

Times wires
Tuesday, December 6, 2011

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — No. 3 Syracuse won again at home, and nobody asked about that big distraction.

Indeed, it seemed like just another night for Orange coach Jim Boeheim.

Finally.

Dion Waiters had 15 points and Kris Joseph 11 and eight rebounds as the Orange continued to win amid a federal investigation, outlasting Marshall 62-56 at the Carrier Dome on Tuesday night behind a solid defensive effort.

"It just seemed like another game, another game at the dome, another home game, and we won," Joseph said. "We just want to keep winning, protect our home court."

It was the third game for Syracuse (9-0) since former associate head coach Bernie Fine was fired after allegations by three men, two of them former Orange ballboys, that he sexually molested them as minors. Fine has maintained his innocence and no charges have been filed.

Boeheim figured the Thundering Herd, which beat Cincinnati of the Big East in overtime on the road, would offer a tough challenge for the Orange.

He was right. But Scoop Jardine helped down the stretch, finishing with 10 points, five rebounds and four assists as the Orange became the first Big East team to get to nine wins.

The media spotlight has dimmed in the three weeks since the allegations against Fine surfaced.

"There wasn't a lot of media there, and there's not a lot of media outside" the Carmelo K. Anthony Basketball Center, where the team practices, Jardine said. "We can be focused on basketball … not that we (weren't)."

Meanwhile, an upstate New York district attorney said he will speak publicly about the allegations against Fine. Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick said he'll speak with the media today.

NO. 4 UNC 97, EVANSVILLE 48: Harrison Barnes had 17 points and Reggie Bullock 15 off the bench for the host Tar Heels (7-2), who bounced back from their loss at top-ranked Kentucky.

NO. 10 MISSOURI 81, VILLANOVA 71: Marcus Denmon made six 3-pointers and scored 28 for the Tigers (8-0) in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden.

NO. 11 MARQUETTE 79, WASHINGTON 77: Jae Crowder hit the winning 3-pointer with six seconds left to help the Golden Eagles (8-0) avoid an upset in the Jimmy V Classic.

NO. 13 KANSAS 88, LONG BEACH ST. 80: Thomas Robinson had a career-high 26 points and 11 rebounds, Jeff Withey came within a block of a triple double and the host Jayhawks (6-2) held on after blowing a 19-point first-half lead.

NO. 15 PITT 97, VMI 70: Ashton Gibbs had 20 points for the host Panthers (8-1), who won their sixth straight by shooting 49 percent from the floor and hitting a season-high 13 3-pointers.

NO. 21 MEMPHIS 71, MIAMI 54: Sophomore Will Barton had career highs of 27 points and 14 rebounds to help the visiting Tigers (5-2) overcome 1-of-12 3-point shooting and snap a streak of 27 non-conference home victories by the Hurricanes (5-3).

UCLA: Reeves Nelson was suspended indefinitely for the second time. Coach Ben Howland said the junior forward, who laughed on the bench during a loss to Texas, displayed conduct unbecoming a member of the team.

VANDERBILT: Center Festus Ezeli, out since spraining ligaments in his right knee six weeks ago, practiced with his teammates for the second straight day and is expected to play tonight.

Women

NO. 2 UCONN 81, NO. 8 TEXAS A&M 51: Tiffany Hayes and Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis had 14 points each as the Huskies (8-0) routed the defending national champion Aggies (6-2) in the Jimmy V Classic. UConn won its 91st straight home game.

NO. 14 GEORGIA 80, MERCER 43: Jasmine Hassell had 16 points for the visiting Bulldogs (8-1), who outscored the Bears 52-6 in the paint.

NO. 17 PENN ST. 66, VA. TECH 28: Maggie Lucas had 20 points for the host Nittany Lions (7-2), and Alex Bentley had 11 to reach 1,000 for her career.

Times wires
Tuesday, December 6, 2011

jurisprudence

former nba, kentucky star walker must repay $770,000 in gambling debts

LAS VEGAS — Former NBA star Antoine Walker was sentenced Tuesday to five years of probation and ordered to pay $770,050 in restitution to three Las Vegas casinos after pleading guilty to failing to repay gambling debts.

Walker and his lawyer declined to comment after his brief appearance before Clark County District Court Judge Valorie Vega.

Walker has repaid some of his Las Vegas casino debts since his arrest in July 2009 in Lake Tahoe, where he planned to play in a celebrity golf tournament.

The felony charge could be dismissed if Walker fully repays the remaining debts incurred in 2008 and '09 at the Planet Hollywood, Red Rock Casino Resort and Caesars Palace casinos, prosecutor Samuel Bateman said. Walker faces a year in prison if he violates probation.

Walker, 35, starred on Kentucky's 1996 NCAA national title team and was a three-time All-Star with the Celtics before winning a 2006 NBA championship with the Heat. He also played for the Timberwolves in 2008.

boxing

Five-time title winner Hearns chosen for Hall induction

Thomas "Hitman" Hearns, the first man to win titles in four divisions, tops a list of 13 people elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame and Museum.

Hearns, who won five titles, compiled a 155-8 amateur record and was 61-5-1 with 48 knockouts as a pro.

Also selected were: Mark Johnson, a two-division champion; ring announcer Michael Buffer; trainer Freddie Roach; broadcaster Al Bernstein; and journalist Michael Katz.

et cetera

Autos: Mike Ford was let go as crew chief for Denny Hamlin after a disappointing season. "I'm kind of relieved," Ford told the Associated Press. "It had been dragging on for so long, I'm actually relieved there's finally a resolution." Ford's future with the team had been subject to speculation most of the season.

Winter sports: Ted Ligety turned in a dazzling second run in frigid conditions to capture a World Cup giant slalom. The three-time overall GS champion flew down the course in Beaver Creek, Colo., in a combined time of 2 minutes, 40.01 seconds, holding off Marcel Hirscher of Austria by 0.69 seconds. Kjetil Jansrud of Norway was third. "I tried to do my best. I had no chance," Hirscher said. "Ted was unbreakable." Ligety entered the final run trailing France's Alexis Pinturault by 0.14 seconds. Pinturault took fourth.

Times wires