By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, January 11, 2012

TAMPA — Raheem Morris' quick rise from defensive quality control assistant to head coach with the Bucs might be one of the NFL's best examples of someone working their way from the bottom to the top.

But after being fired Jan. 2, he never considered taking a timeout.

"I'm a football coach. This is what I do. It's who I am," Morris, 35, said. "I'm entirely too young to sit out a season. I don't need any rest. Coaches don't get to coach for long, and any opportunity to go out and compete is a great one."

Wednesday, Morris agreed to coach defensive backs for the Redskins.

Morris, also the Bucs' defensive coordinator, said Redskins coach Mike Shanahan will allow him to seek opportunities as a coordinator next season.

"That was part of the selling point," Morris said.

Morris interviewed with the Vikings about becoming their defensive coordinator. He said he has had no further contact with them and didn't want to make the Redskins wait.

Morris will be reunited with Washington general manager Bruce Allen, who held the same position with Tampa Bay when he convinced Morris to return to the Bucs from Kansas State after the 2006 season. Morris worked for one year as the Wildcats' defensive coordinator. Redskins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan came to the Bucs as an assistant the same year as Morris.

"They were the first ones to approach me," Morris said of the Redskins. "They talked about giving me time to give them an answer, but I didn't want to screw up a good thing with a great organization. They were patient. They waited and gave me time to go through the process. But I've been a head coach, and I know how tough it is when you feel like you're getting the runaround. And I wanted to be fair to everybody in Washington."

Morris' career in Tampa Bay began in 2002 when he was hired as a defensive quality control assistant. And Tampa Bay is the only pro organization he has been with.

"It's been pretty easy for me to have nothing but great feelings about the Bucs and Tampa Bay," Morris said. "Everybody wants you to be angry and have negative things to say about the Glazers or (GM) Mark Dominik and the organization. But this is where I grew up at. They gave me my first opportunity to win a Super Bowl, and now I want to win one elsewhere.

"It didn't end the way I'd want it to end, but for what the Bucs have done for my family and for me personally, I can't complain."

Morris went 17-31 in three seasons as Bucs coach, and he said he hopes to get another chance to be a coach.

"It feeds the beast," Morris said. "It gives me confidence going 10-6 in 2010 and lets you know you can do it. Starting 4-2 this season under the circumstances we were facing lets you know you can do it. If the opportunity presents itself again, I'll embrace it. But I always believed you have to do the job you have the best you can and be focused on what you're doing at this point and good things will happen."

By Stephen F. Holder and Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writers
Wednesday, January 11, 2012

TAMPA — Of the three former NFL head coaches known to be candidates for the Bucs' vacancy, none has a Super Bowl title, each has a losing record in the postseason and all were fired from previous posts.

Yet each is getting a long look.

Some call them retreads. By any name, they are coaches who fell short in previous stops and are looking for another shot.

Why would teams covet a coach another team discarded?

And what are the odds of that coach succeeding when he had shortcomings somewhere else?

There are cautionary tales and success stories. For every Dom Capers (.375 lifetime record with two expansion teams), there's a Bill Belichick (fired by the Browns before winning three Super Bowls with the Patriots).

"It has everything to do with the right situation," ESPN analyst Tom Jackson said. "Every situation is different."

There once were serious doubts about Belichick.

Consider what the Sporting News wrote about him after his hiring by the Patriots in January 2000.

"Just because he is a great defensive coordinator doesn't mean he can be effective as a head coach. In fact, he already has been an awful head coach."

So are Mike Sherman, Brad Childress or Marty Schottenheimer — who have a cumulative 8-19 post­season record — right to replace the fired Raheem Morris?

That's not easily answered, said Gil Brandt, a veteran of the Cowboys front office now a Sirius NFL Radio analyst.

"I don't think there's a right or wrong answer," Brandt said. "You just have to have a feel for it. (The Bucs) will receive calls from everybody. The calls are going to say, 'Hey, you ought to hire Wade Phillips.' Then you have other guys who have a guy in the fight who will call and say, 'Why do you want to hire this guy who has been in three places?' No one really knows."

Teams take various approaches to hires. Some look for a fresh face, perhaps a young coordinator (Pittsburgh's Mike Tomlin). Some look for an older, more-experienced assistant (Atlanta's Mike Smith).

But there's never a shortage of available former coaches, and they appear in vogue again. Former Titans coach Jeff Fisher is mulling offers from the Dolphins and Rams. Former Bills coach Mike Mularkey was named the Jaguars' new coach on Tuesday.

In the Bucs' case, it's clear they're targeting coaches who are the antithesis of Morris, who was the NFL's youngest coach and had not been a coordinator.

"(Schottenheimer), for instance, has a great deal of coaching experience," Jackson said.

There are other reasons teams opt for retread coaches.

"He's seen a lot, and he has experience," said ESPN analyst Herman Edwards, a former Jets and Chiefs coach. "He's handled every situation."

Brandt said going from assistant coach to head coach is akin to "converting from a right-handed golfer to a left-handed golfer."

But a possible hazard with retreads — and one that applies with the Bucs — is their potential reluctance to be patient.

"(Is he willing) to make wholesale changes?" Edwards said. "Is he willing to deal with youth? A lot of guys, a lot of old, veteran coaches, guys that have been through it, it's hard to play young players because of the pitfalls of young players doing things where you say, 'Really?' "

Along those lines, coaches who have been away for any length of time — Schottenheimer hasn't coached in the NFL since 2006 — must deal with "the modern-day player," as Jackson put it.

"It's not a knock," he said. "It's just that players are ever-changing."

Predicting if any of these former coaches are right for the Bucs is difficult at best. But with careful consideration of the many variables, the best man for the job could very well be one who didn't have great success the last time around.

Get the latest on the Bucs' coaching search at tampabay.com/blogs/bucs or on Twitter at @BucsBeat.

Times staff
Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Times wires
Wednesday, January 11, 2012

NEW YORK — Jets players anonymously criticized quarterback Mark Sanchez in Wednesday's edition of New York's Daily News.

One said the team should bring in another quarterback to motivate Sanchez to practice harder. He said Sanchez is content because he knows he won't be benched.

Sanchez, unavailable for comment, threw a career-high 26 touchdowns but committed a career-high 26 turnovers, including nine during a season-ending three-game skid.

The paper also reported one player hopes the team trades for Peyton Manning, 35, who could be available if the Colts draft Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck No. 1 overall.

Jets center Nick Mangold defended Sanchez.

"I've never seen anybody work as hard as Mark has," he said. "I support him fully, and I think the locker room does as well."

Even over Manning?

"Mark Sanchez is my guy," Mangold said. "He's the one I want to go to battle with. I wouldn't be too keen to see that changed.

"If there's really a problem … you should man up and own up to what you're going to say. When no one has their name attached to it, I think it's kind of an easy way out to air your personal grievances that should be kept in the locker room."

More Jets: Tony Sparano was hired as offensive coordinator. The move came about 12 hours after Brian Schottenheimer announced he would not return. (The Birmingham News later reported Schottenheimer will interview to be Alabama's offensive coordinator.) Sparano was fired as Dolphins coach in December after going 29-32 in three-plus seasons. This will be his first offensive coordinator job, but he called plays for Dallas in 2006. Meanwhile, Todd Haley, the former Chiefs coach and Cardinals offensive coordinator, is set to interview for an undetermined position today.

Jaguars make hiring of Mularkey official

JACKSONVILLE — Mike Mularkey is far from a splashy hire. The Jaguars, who introduced him as coach, know it.

Owner Shahid Khan said he spoke with big-name candidates then decided to make the "smart" choice by hiring the ex-Falcons offensive coordinator.

"We will know in September how good a job he is doing preparing, strategizing, (assembling) the staff," Khan said. "By that time, the buzz, the splash, is going to be history."

Mularkey, 50, said he expects to be a better coach than when he went 14-18 in 2004-05 with the Bills. Unlike then, he will hire a play-caller.

"Some guys are very good at managing the game and calling plays," he said. "I'm not one of them."

More Jaguars: Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter will meet with Alabama about becoming offensive coordinator, ESPN.com reported.

Colts: Ryan Grigson, director of player personnel for the Eagles, was hired as general manager. He replaces vice chairman Bill Polian and son Chris, the GM, who were fired.

Cowboys: Offensive line coach Hudson Houck retired after a 45-year coaching career that included 29 in the NFL. Houck, 69, spent 13 seasons over two stints with Dallas and was with them for two Super Bowl titles.

Vikings: The mayor of Shakopee, a suburb about 20 miles south of Minneapolis, said his city could be the site of a new stadium. But the team said the offer is too late for serious consideration if state lawmakers are to vote on a bill this year. Minneapolis and Ramsey County are the front-runners.

Pro Bowl: Falcons receiver Roddy White replaced Lions receiver Calvin Johnson, who has an Achilles' injury.

Times wires
Wednesday, January 11, 2012

boxing

pacquiao to MAYWEATHER: I'LL FIGHT IN JUNE

Hours after Floyd Mayweather Jr. urged Manny Pacquiao on Twitter to "step up punk" and fight him May 5, Pacquiao answered: Wait a few weeks.

Pacquiao met with promoter Bob Arum on Wednesday in the Philippines and agreed the best course for pursuing a long-awaited fight against Mayweather is to schedule it for late May or, ideally, June 9.

Mayweather faces a June 1 date to report for an already-delayed 90-day jail term in a domestic violence case, but Arum said he'd be "willing to chip in for lawyers' fees" to get that date moved again so a June 9 bout could occur.

Mayweather is scheduled to fight an unnamed opponent May 5 in Las Vegas. Arum said he has heard Mayweather is negotiating with Robert Guerrero.

"June 9 is perfect" for Pacquiao, Arum said. "May 5 is … impossible."

The extra time is needed for construction of an arena, Arum said. He said the fighters could generate an extra $40 million by fighting at a 40,000-plus-seat venue on the Las Vegas Strip rather than at the 16,000-seat MGM Grand. "You don't throw $40 million away," Arum said.

tennis

Wozniacki loses; No. 1 rank at risk

Caroline Wozniacki lost her quarterfinal at the Sydney International in Australia, opening the way for Petra Kvitova to take over the No. 1 ranking before the Australian Open begins next week.

Wozniacki, who needed a medical timeout in the final set to have her left wrist taped, lost 3-6, 7-5, 6-2 to seventh-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska. No. 2 Kvitova beat Daniela Hantuchova 6-0, 6-4 to move into the semifinals against 2011 French Open winner Li Na, who defeated Lucie Safarova 6-2, 7-6 (7-3).

Third-ranked Victoria Azarenka edged No. 9 Marion Bartoli 7-5, 6-4 and plays Radwanska in the other semifinal.

Kooyong Classic: Andy Roddick lost his first-round match in Melbourne, Australia, as did weekend tournament winners Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Milos Raonic. Roddick lost to Gael Monfils 7-6 (7-2), 7-6 (7-3), Tsonga to Jurgen Melzer 6-4, 6-3 and Raonic to Mardy Fish 6-1, 6-2.

et cetera

softball: Gators senior centerfielder Michelle Moultrie was among the dozen players selected to the U.S. national team.

freestyle skiing: Canadian Sarah Burke, 29, a four-time X Games champion and 2014 Olympic favorite, was in critical condition at a Salt Lake City hospital, a day after she was airlifted from the Utah mountains with injuries sustained when she hit her head attempting to land a trick during training. Her injuries were not disclosed.

gymnastics: For the first time since 2000, the U.S. men's and women's Olympic teams will be named at the trials. For the past two Summer Games, most of the women's team was picked at a selection camp a few weeks after the trials.

golf: PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem got a four-year contract extension, through 2016.

Times wires

Times wires
Wednesday, January 11, 2012

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Times wires
Wednesday, January 11, 2012

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Packers coach Mike McCarthy paused for several seconds as he choked up with emotion. It was a sign of how hard his team has been hit by the death of Michael Philbin, son of offensive coordinator Joe Philbin.

"I think the reality of this just gave everybody a punch in the heart," McCarthy said, "how fortunate to be where we are."

Philbin will be away from the team indefinitely as he and his family deal with the loss of Michael, 21, whose body was recovered from an icy Wisconsin river on Monday.

McCarthy said he and the rest of his offensive assistants are dividing up Philbin's responsibilities.

"Joe Philbin is where he's supposed to be," McCarthy said. "Joe and I haven't even talked about his responsibility and will not. He's with his family, and he'll return when he feels he's ready to return."

Preliminary autopsy results released Wednesday show Michael Philbin drowned. Police in Oshkosh, Wis., said there is no evidence of foul play and toxicology reports won't be available for several weeks.

Giants: CB Aaron Ross, who left the wild-card game with an unspecified head injury, practiced on a limited basis and said he expects to play Sunday. RB Ahmad Bradshaw did not practice because of back spasms. His status has not been determined.

Saints: SS Roman Harper (right ankle) and TE John Gilmore (toe) didn't practice. Both said they did individual work and hope to play Saturday.

Times wires
Wednesday, January 11, 2012

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — On the first series Dec. 18 against the Patriots, the Broncos rushed for 73 yards. By the end of the first quarter, they had 167. New England won 41-23 but knows it can't afford a repeat.

"It will be a long day for us if we do that," Pats DT Vince Wilfork said. "We definitely have to tackle better. (QB Tim Tebow) is tough in the pocket, and he's tough out of the pocket."

Tebow threw for just 194 yards in that game with no completion longer than 39. But Sunday, he had 316 yards with four plays covering at least 40.

"They've made changes; just taking more shots down the field," Pats CB Devin McCourty said. "They throw some balls up there, and they have guys that can come down with them."

Broncos: WR Eric Decker was diagnosed with a mildly torn and sprained MCL in his left knee. He didn't practice but might play Saturday. He was hurt Sunday on a hit by Steelers LB James Harrison.

Texans: WR Andre Johnson missed the 29-14 loss at Baltimore in Week 6 with a sore right hamstring. But Houston offensive coordinator Rick Dennison said Johnson's presence will make a huge difference.

"It makes the defense have somebody else to concern themselves with," he said. "We're hoping he'll go out there and make some plays like he did last weekend and keep us moving because we'll need them all."

Times wires
Wednesday, January 11, 2012

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Tim Hardaway was a bit careless while contesting Alex Marcotullio's shot, fouling the 3-point shooter with .3 seconds left in a game that Michigan led by three.

Marcotullio missed the first free throw, and Hardaway could breathe easy.

"He had a wide-open shot and I was probably too eager," Hardaway said. "I need to be able to get over on a play like that and contest the shot without giving up a foul."

Michigan was far from perfect Wednesday night, but the 13th-ranked Wolverines were happy after rallying from 10 down in the second half and holding off Northwestern 66-64 in overtime. Hardaway scored 19 and freshman Trey Burke also had 19, including the Wolverines' final eight.

Northwestern trailed 66-63 when Marcotullio was fouled by Hardaway in the right corner. He hadn't attempted a shot all night and had six free-throw tries on the season. After missing the first, Marcotullio made the second and intentionally missed the third. The Wildcats were unable to tip in the rebound.

Michigan (14-3, 4-1 Big Ten) shot 33 percent from the field but had 17 offensive rebounds and forced 16 turnovers.

NO. 1 SYRACUSE 79, VILLANOVA 66: Dion Waiters had 20 points in his home city, and the visiting Orange (5-0 Big East) improved to 18-0 for the second straight season.

NO. 2 KENTUCKY 68, AUBURN 53: Anthony Davis and Doron Lamb scored 14 each for the visiting Wildcats (16-1, 2-0 SEC), who finished an uneven performance with a 23-6 run.

NO. 9 MISSOURI 76, IOWA ST. 69: Matt Pressey led five players in double figures with 14 points, and the visiting Tigers (15-1, 2-1 Big 12) bounced back from their first loss.

NO. 10 KANSAS 81, TEXAS TECH 46: Thomas Robinson had 19 points and 12 rebounds for the visiting Jayhawks (13-3), 3-0 in the Big 12 for the sixth straight season.

NO. 25 MARQUETTE 83, ST. JOHN'S 64: Davante Gardner had career bests of 22 points and 15 rebounds to lead the host Golden Eagles (13-4, 2-2 Big East).

UCF 74, HOUSTON 63: Isaiah Sykes had 21 points and 14 rebounds for the host Knights (13-3, 3-0 C-USA), who announced that senior center Dwight McCombs will not return this season.

ECKERD 80, TAMPA 64: Lance Kearse had 22 points and 11 rebounds for the host Tritons (8-4, 3-2 Sunshine State). Ashton Graham had a career-high 27 points for the Spartans (4-10, 0-5).

SAINT LEO 60, FLA. SOUTHERN 57: Dominick Robinson hit a 3-pointer with one second left and had 16 points off the bench for the host Lions (8-6, 2-2 SSC).

Women

NO. 16 LOUISVILLE 63, USF 57: Shoni Schimmel had 16 points as the host Cardinals (14-3, 3-1 Big East) rallied. The Bulls (9-8, 1-2) led 47-39 with 10:17 left after Inga Orekhova's steal led to Jasmine Wynne's layup. But Louisville went on a 15-0 run over the next four minutes.

ECKERD 76, TAMPA 65: Linsey Niles and Krystal Charles had 17 points each for the host Tritons (8-4, 3-2 Sunshine State), who hit 11 of 20 3-pointers. Moriah Hodge had 22 points and 16 rebounds for the Spartans (7-7, 1-4).

FLA. SOUTHERN 59, SAINT LEO 44: Morgan Lamberg had 14 points and seven rebounds to lead the visiting Moccasins past the Lions (6-8, 0-4 SSC), giving coach Jarrod Olson his 100th win.

NO. 1 BAYLOR 71, OKLA. ST. 44: Brittney Griner had 28 points with 11 rebounds for the host Bears (16-0, 3-0 Big 12), who blew it open with a 20-4 run in the first seven minutes of the second half.

OKLAHOMA 71, NO. 10 TEXAS TECH 68: Freshman Sharane Campbell scored the final seven as the host Sooners overcame a 10-minute stretch without a field goal to upset the Raiders (14-1, 2-1 Big 12).

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

So far, the Bucs' search for a new head coach has led them down two paths. One, the retread — coaches with previous NFL head coaching experience such as Mike Sherman, Marty Schottenheimer, Wade Phillips and Brad Childress. The other path is NFL assistants such as the Titans' Jerry Gray and Bengals' Mike Zimmer. The Bucs really haven't explored college coaches. It's probably a smart move as you will see. So how does all this fit with recent NFL history? Well, let's go back to the start of the 2000 season. Since then, a new coach has been named 83 times not counting interim coaches who only finished a season and were not retained. Of those 83 hires, 49 went from being NFL assistants to first-time head coaches. There were 26 who had previously coached NFL teams. And there were eight who coached in college the previous season. Some coaches fit in more than one category more than one time. Here's a look at the three categories.

ASSISTANT TO FIRST-TIMER

By far, the most popular hire with 49. There have been complete and utter failures. Think Scott Linehan (Rams), Mike Nolan (49ers), Rod Marinelli (Lions) and, of course, Raheem Morris (Bucs). But there are plenty of successes. Super Bowl winners Mike Tomlin (Steelers), Mike McCarthy (Packers) and Sean Payton (Saints) went from an assistant to head coach. Jim Caldwell (Colts), Lovie Smith (Bears), Bill Callahan (Raiders), John Fox (formerly with the Panthers) and Ken Whisenhunt (Cardinals) made the Super Bowl with their first team. Of this season's 12 playoff teams, eight are being run by former assistants in their first head coaching job: Tomlin, McCarthy, Payton, John Harbaugh (Ravens), Marvin Lewis (Bengals), Gary Kubiak (Texans), Mike Smith (Falcons) and Jim Schwartz (Lions).

RETREADS

Not the most flattering nickname and not always accurate. Take Jon Gruden. He had previous head coaching experience and was no castoff. The Bucs actually traded for him. Since 2000, 26 coaches with previous NFL head coaching experience have been hired for another bite at the apple, including Super Bowl winners Gruden, Bill Belichick, Tom Coughlin and Tony Dungy. Of those, only Belichick, 36-44 with the Browns before winning three titles with the Patriots, could be considered a failure in his first job. Coughlin, Dungy and Gruden had success with their first teams. A very general rule of thumb: If a coach had little or no success in his first job (Dick Jauron, Chan Gailey, Eric Mangini), he has little or none in his next one. If he had previous success (Bill Parcells, Marty Schottenheimer, Dick Vermeil, Dungy, Gruden), he has some in his next job.

COLLEGE COACHES

Based on recent history, it's a spectacularly bad idea to hire a college coach. Since 2000, eight coaches went from coaching college to being an NFL head coach. That includes Lane Kiffin, who went from being a college assistant to coaching the Raiders. Two had previous head coaching experience in the NFL: Pete Carroll and Dennis Erickson. The others were first-time NFL head coaches: Nick Saban, Butch Davis, Steve Spurrier, Bobby Petrino and Jim Harbaugh. Of the eight, Harbaugh is the only one with a winning NFL record, going 13-3 in 2011 — his only season. One more stat: Of the 28 coaches who have won Super Bowls, only Bill Walsh, Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer went from a college team directly to becoming a head coach and winning a Super Bowl with the team that hired him.

tom jones' two cents

Times wires
Wednesday, January 11, 2012

WASHINGTON — Jason Chimera scored off a turnover in the first period and Tomas Vokoun made 30 saves, giving the Capitals a 1-0 victory over the Penguins on Wednesday, Pittsburgh's sixth consecutive loss.

Injury-plagued Pittsburgh, on its longest losing streak since a 10-gamer in January 2006, was shut out for the first time this season. The Penguins have scored six goals in the skid.

Still, the Penguins — without Sidney Crosby and top defenseman Kris Letang because of concussions and center Jordan Staal (foot), among others — were upbeat.

"The effort was there from everybody," said defenseman Brooks Orpik, who after a loss to the Devils on Saturday had criticized the team, saying its accountability had to be better.

Vokoun didn't make things easy for the Penguins. "He made all the good saves that he had to make," Washington center Matt Hendricks said. "When we needed him to make that great save, he was there as well."

There wasn't a lot of excitement other than the goal and a fight less than 21/2 minutes in between Hendricks and Pittsburgh's Craig Adams. The Capitals had one shot in the opening 11 minutes, and there were a total of two power plays all evening, both by Washington.

The drabness was sort of fitting. The game was hardly the glamorous, all-eyes-on-this event that Penguins vs. Capitals — more to the point, Crosby vs. Alex Ovechkin — has been.

No longer are these teams contending for supremacy in the NHL. Halfway through the season, the Penguins entered Wednesday in the eighth and final playoff spot in the 15-team East, two spots ahead of the Capitals. Washington's win gave both teams 46 points and moved the Capitals into eighth based on fewer games played.

The Penguins, who lead the league in man-games lost to injury, fell to ninth.

Two-time league MVP Ovechkin is into the second season of a scoring slump that has him on pace for another mediocre-for-him 35 goals. He didn't have a point Wednesday.

around the league: Crosby, out since Dec. 7, is with the Penguins on their three-game road trip that ends Sunday against the Lightning and will begin skating Friday on his own, the team said. There is no timetable for his return. … Hurricanes center Jeff Skinner, last season's rookie of the year and who is out with a concussion, was cleared for contact and practiced.

First Period—1, Washington, Chimera 14 (Halpern, Ward), 15:25. Penalties—Adams, Pit, major (fighting), 2:19; Hendricks, Was, major (fighting), 2:19.

Second Period—None. Penalties—Kennedy, Pit (goaltender interference), 5:38.

Third Period—None. Penalties—Dupuis, Pit (slashing), 13:47. Shots on Goal—Pittsburgh 9-11-10—30. Washington 6-6-9—21. Power-play opportunities—Pittsburgh 0 of 0; Washington 0 of 2. Goalies—Pittsburgh, Fleury 19-12-2 (21 shots-20 saves). Washington, Vokoun 17-10-0 (30-30).

First Period—None. Penalties—None.

Second Period—1, New Jersey, Kovalchuk 17, 8:35 (sh). Penalties—Parise, NJ (tripping), 4:07; Clarkson, NJ (interference), 6:44; Parise, NJ (hooking), 18:38.

Third Period—2, Edmonton, Hemsky 4 (Potter, Hall), 8:32 (pp). Penalties—Carter, NJ (interference), 2:20; Smyth, Edm (goaltender interference), 3:07; Elias, NJ (tripping), 8:23; Potter, Edm (tripping), 19:24.

Overtime—3, New Jersey, Parise 15 (Elias, Kovalchuk), 1:06 (pp). Penalties—None. Shots on Goal—New Jersey 4-10-9-2—25. Edmonton 9-6-8-0—23. Power-play opportunities—New Jersey 1 of 2; Edmonton 1 of 5. Goalies—New Jersey, Hedberg 12-7-1 (23 shots-22 saves). Edmonton, Khabibulin 11-12-4 (25-23).

Times staff
Thursday, January 12, 2012

The Rays haven't let a little controversy sway them from signing free agents over the past two seasons. Last year, it was outfielder Manny Ramirez, who was long cited as a prima donna for his behavior on and off the field in Los Angeles, Boston and Cleveland.

This year, the team has signed designated hitter Luke Scott, who created a stir in Baltimore last season by expressing doubts about Barack Obama's birth certificate.

"(President Obama's) birth certificate has yet to be validated," the Kansas City Star quoted Scott as saying in May. "If they can counterfeit $100 bills, I think it's a million times easier to counterfeit a birth certificate, if you ask me. … So, all it is, let's just see if it's real. Anybody can produce a document, so let's check it out."

The president's 1961 birth in Honolulu was questioned by some as long ago as 2005, despite an abundance of evidence to discredit claims that he was born outside the United States, or as a foreign citizen. The Baltimore Orioles were quick to distance the organization from Scott's comments.

Scott later told the Baltimore Sun he felt he it was his duty as an American to use the platform available to him as a professional athlete to question authority.

"We all have that responsibility as Americans," Scott said. "Whatever platform you have, large or small, fight for what's right. Fight for what's right and fight for the principles of honor, integrity, accountability, being a person. Responsible. Hard work. Discipline. Honesty. Things like that, try and pass those principles on to the next generation. Be a voice for that. Maybe being a baseball player and having a little bigger platform than the next (person), then my responsibility should be to stand up for those principles. If I was in construction or working in an office I should stand up for those principles as well."

Scott also drew barbs from then-Ray Matt Garza in September 2010, when he quoted the Bible after Garza expressed satisfaction in a win after a previous rough outing against the Orioles.

Scott chastised Garza for boasting, quoting Proverbs — "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

Garza responded the next day by saying he thought it was inappropriate for Scott, a devout Christian, to bring religion into baseball. "My feeling is that God has a lot better things to worry about than if I'm going to throw a strike on a certain pitch. A lot of other things," Garza said. "I'd rather (Scott) not bring it up."

Scott later defended his comments.

"He's just saying religion is not something you bring into baseball," Scott said. "It's all a matter of choice. That's not how I view it. I consider it a blessing to be here, and I am thankful for the opportunity to play. And that's just my personal beliefs."

By Ken Walker, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, January 12, 2012

The Tampa Bay Rays haven't let a little controversy sway them from signing free agents over the past two seasons. Last year, it was outfielder Manny Ramirez, who was long cited as a prima donna for his behavior on and off the field in Los Angeles, Boston and Cleveland.

This year, the team has signed designated hitter Luke Scott, who created a stir in Baltimore last season by expressing doubts about Barack Obama's birth certificate.

"(President Obama's) birth certificate has yet to be validated," the Kansas City Star quoted Scott as saying in May. "If they can counterfeit $100 bills, I think it's a million times easier to counterfeit a birth certificate, if you ask me. … So, all it is, let's just see if it's real. Anybody can produce a document, so let's check it out."

The president's 1961 birth in Honolulu was questioned by some as long ago as 2005, despite an abundance of evidence to discredit claims that he was born outside the United States, or as a foreign citizen. The Baltimore Orioles were quick to distance the organization from Scott's comments.

Scott later told the Baltimore Sun he felt it was his duty as an American to use the platform available to him as a professional athlete to question authority.

"We all have that responsibility as Americans," Scott said. "Whatever platform you have, large or small, fight for what's right. Fight for what's right and fight for the principles of honor, integrity, accountability, being a person. Responsible. Hard work. Discipline. Honesty. Things like that, try and pass those principles on to the next generation. Be a voice for that. Maybe being a baseball player and having a little bigger platform than the next (person), then my responsibility should be to stand up for those principles. If I was in construction or working in an office I should stand up for those principles as well."

Scott also drew barbs from then-Ray Matt Garza in September 2010, when he quoted the Bible after Garza expressed satisfaction in a win after a previous rough outing against the Orioles.

Scott chastised Garza for boasting, using the verse: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

Garza responded the next day by saying he thought it was inappropriate for Scott, a devout Christian, to bring religion into baseball. "My feeling is that God has a lot better things to worry about than if I'm going to throw a strike on a certain pitch. A lot of other things," Garza said. "I'd rather (Scott) not bring it up."

Scott later defended his comments.

"He's just saying religion is not something you bring into baseball," Scott said. "It's all a matter of choice. That's not how I view it. I consider it a blessing to be here, and I am thankful for the opportunity to play. And that's just my personal beliefs."

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, January 12, 2012

There has been progress in the talks between the Tampa Bay Rays and manager Joe Maddon on a contract extension.

Maddon's current contract expires as the end of this coming season. Both sides have expressed strong public interest in continuing the successful relationship.

Maddon said in early December that talks had begun and he was "very confident" an agreement would be reached. "I'm sure it's going to be all worked out in due time," Maddon said in Dallas at the baseball winter meetings. And executive VP Andrew Friedman said then, "My expectation is to work with Joe for a long time."

Though there has been no deadline by either side, it would make sense for the issue to be resolved before spring training opens Feb. 19. Also, Maddon is headed to Europe next week for a planned vacation with his wife.

Maddon took over the Rays in 2006, and they are 495-477 in his six seasons, with three trips to the playoffs in the last four years.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, January 12, 2012

There has been progress in the talks between the Tampa Bay Rays and manager Joe Maddon on a contract extension.

Maddon's current contract expires as the end of this coming season. Both sides have expressed strong public interest in continuing the successful relationship.

Maddon said in early December that talks had begun and he was "very confident" an agreement would be reached. "I'm sure it's going to be all worked out in due time," Maddon said in Dallas at the baseball winter meetings. And executive VP Andrew Friedman said then, "My expectation is to work with Joe for a long time."

Though there has been no deadline by either side, it would make sense for the issue to be resolved before spring training opens Feb. 19. Also, Maddon is headed to Europe next week for a planned vacation with his wife.

Maddon took over the Rays in 2006, and they are 495-477 in his six seasons, with three trips to the playoffs in the last four years.

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, January 12, 2012

Could former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Greg Olson be closing in on a new job?

If things go well, he could be the Bears' new quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator as he is one of several candidates for the job, the Chicago Tribune reports.

Olson was fired when coach Raheem Morris and his staff were relieved of their duties last week after the Bucs finished 4-12. Olson worked for the Bears under former coach Dick Jauron in a similar capacity. This time, he'd be working under new offensive coordinator Mike Tice and head coach Lovie Smith.

Olson has competition for the job. The Tribune reports former Jaguars offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter, former Seahawks offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates and University of Miami offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch are being considered, too.

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, January 12, 2012

TAMPA — Raheem Morris' quick rise from defensive quality control assistant to head coach with the Bucs might be one of the NFL's best examples of someone working their way from the bottom to the top.

But after being fired Jan. 2, he never considered taking a timeout.

"I'm a football coach. This is what I do. It's who I am," Morris, 35, said. "I'm entirely too young to sit out a season. I don't need any rest. Coaches don't get to coach for long, and any opportunity to go out and compete is a great one."

Wednesday, Morris agreed to coach defensive backs for the Redskins.

Morris, also the Bucs' defensive coordinator, said Redskins coach Mike Shanahan will allow him to seek opportunities as a coordinator next season.

"That was part of the selling point," Morris said.

Morris interviewed with the Vikings about becoming their defensive coordinator. He said he has had no further contact with them and didn't want to make the Redskins wait.

Morris will be reunited with Washington general manager Bruce Allen, who held the same position with Tampa Bay when he convinced Morris to return to the Bucs from Kansas State after the 2006 season. Morris worked for one year as the Wildcats' defensive coordinator. Redskins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan came to the Bucs as an assistant the same year as Morris.

"They were the first ones to approach me," Morris said of the Redskins. "They talked about giving me time to give them an answer, but I didn't want to screw up a good thing with a great organization. They were patient. They waited and gave me time to go through the process. But I've been a head coach, and I know how tough it is when you feel like you're getting the runaround. And I wanted to be fair to everybody in Washington."

Morris' career in Tampa Bay began in 2002 when he was hired as a defensive quality control assistant. And Tampa Bay is the only pro organization he has been with.

"It's been pretty easy for me to have nothing but great feelings about the Bucs and Tampa Bay," Morris said. "Everybody wants you to be angry and have negative things to say about the Glazers or (GM) Mark Dominik and the organization. But this is where I grew up at. They gave me my first opportunity to win a Super Bowl, and now I want to win one elsewhere.

"It didn't end the way I'd want it to end, but for what the Bucs have done for my family and for me personally, I can't complain."

Morris went 17-31 in three seasons as Bucs coach, and he said he hopes to get another chance to be a coach.

"It feeds the beast," Morris said. "It gives me confidence going 10-6 in 2010 and lets you know you can do it. Starting 4-2 this season under the circumstances we were facing lets you know you can do it. If the opportunity presents itself again, I'll embrace it. But I always believed you have to do the job you have the best you can and be focused on what you're doing at this point and good things will happen."

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, January 12, 2012

The Tampa Bay Rays have made their deal with Luke Scott official.

He will get $5-million in 2012, and has a $6-million option in 2013, or a $1-million buyout.

"Luke has established himself as one of the better power hitters in baseball, with consistent success in a variety of roles against both right- and left-handed pitchers," said Executive Vice President, Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman. "He's shown he can perform in the American League East and we expect him to be healthy and productive again in 2012."

Scott said he is looking forward to joining the Rays, having spoken with manager Joe Maddon on the phone. Specifically, he is glad he won't have to be facing the Rays pitching staff anymore: "It's gonna be a joy.''

Scott, who will serve as the primary DH, said his recovery from right shoulder surgery is "ahead of schedule,'' and he fully expects to be able to hit by opening day, make the necessary throws from 1B shortly after that and play the outfield by May or June.

And despite a reputation that precedes him for being outspoken on political issues and religious views, Scott expects no problem fitting into the Rays clubhouse:

"I'm a pretty easy guy to get along with. Low maintenance guy. I go, I do my work, and try to enjoy my teammates. I respect everybody, respect their beliefs. They're my teammates, they're like my brothers, they're like my family. I'm going to spend more time with them, then I will with my own family. I'm excited, I'm looking forward to it.''

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, January 12, 2012

Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos on Thursday was named an All-Star by the league and will be part of All-Star weekend Jan. 26-29 in Ottawa. The league's leading goal scorer is the Lightning's only All-Star representative. The draft of teams will be held Jan. 26.

It will be the second All-Star game for Stamkos, 21, who also played in 2011.

Stamkos, from Unionville, Ontario, outside Toronto, has a league-best 29 goals and is tied for fourth with 47 points. He also is tied for the league lead with 17 goals at home and is on a bit of a hot streak with nine goals in his past seven games.

He was not immediately available for comment.

Which other Lightning player deserved a spot in the game? Click here to vote in our poll and "Like'' our "Lightning Strikes'' Facebook page.

Here is the announcement from the league:

The National Hockey League announced today the full roster of players named to the 2012 NHL All-Star Weekend, Jan. 26-29 in Ottawa. A total of 36 All-Stars and 12 Rookies were selected by the NHL today, joining the first six players elected by fans in 2012 NHL All-Star Fan Balloting presented by Sirius XM: Daniel Alfredsson, Erik Karlsson, Milan Michalek and Jason Spezza of the host Ottawa Senators, Dion Phaneuf of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Tim Thomas of the Boston Bruins.

Here are the 36 Additional All-Stars

Forwards

Corey Perry, Anaheim Ducks

Tyler Seguin, Boston Bruins

Jason Pominville, Buffalo Sabres

Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames

Marian Hossa, Chicago Blackhawks

Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks

Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks

Jamie Benn, Dallas Stars

Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings

Mikko Koivu, Minnesota Wild

John Tavares, New York Islanders

Marian Gaborik, New York Rangers

Claude Giroux, Philadelphia Flyers

Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins

Logan Couture, San Jose Sharks

Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning

Phil Kessel, Toronto Maple Leafs

Joffrey Lupul, Toronto Maple Leafs

Daniel Sedin, Vancouver Canucks

Henrik Sedin, Vancouver Canucks

Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals

Defensemen

Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins

Brian Campbell, Florida Panthers

Ryan Suter, Nashville Predators

Shea Weber, Nashville Predators

Dan Girardi, New York Rangers

Kimmo Timonen, Philadelphia Flyers

Keith Yandle, Phoenix Coyotes

Alex Edler, Vancouver Canucks

Dennis Wideman, Washington Capitals

Dustin Byfuglien, Winnipeg Jets

Goaltenders

Jimmy Howard, Detroit Red Wings

Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings

Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens

Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers

Brian Elliott, St. Louis Blues

12 Rookies

Luke Adam, Buffalo Sabres

Justin Faulk, Carolina Hurricanes

Gabriel Landeskog, Colorado Avalanche

Ryan Johansen, Columbus Blue Jackets

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Edmonton Oilers

Craig Smith, Nashville Predators

Adam Henrique, New Jersey Devils

Adam Larsson, New Jersey Devils

Colin Greening, Ottawa Senators

Sean Couturier, Philadelphia Flyers

Matt Read, Philadelphia Flyers

Cody Hodgson, Vancouver Canucks