By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, January 26, 2012

Even with a few days to let the idea sink in, former USF linebacker Jacquian Williams is still getting used to the thought of actually playing in Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis.

"It's unbelievable," Williams said. "I even asked myself, 'Am I really going?' I'm still shook up about it."

To simply be a part of a Super Bowl team would be a thrill. But Williams played a huge role in the Giants' 20-17 win Sunday in the NFC title game against the 49ers, forcing a fumble on a punt return that set up Lawrence Tynes' field goal in overtime.

"It was a battle between offense and defense, and somebody needed to make a play," the graduate of Riverview High said. "I had the opportunity to knock the ball out of his hands."

Williams, 23, nearly let 49ers returner Kyle Williams past him.

But the 6-foot-2, 224-pounder dived and reached his right hand out, poking the ball out of Williams' hands and into the arms of teammate Devin Thomas.

"He gave me a good move, and as he was passing me, I saw the ball and stuck my hand out," Williams said. "I'm lucky to have long arms. I saw D.T. just catch it. It was fast. I didn't know what was going on for a split second, but I started celebrating."

The forced fumble put the rookie in the national spotlight, but the sixth-round pick has been making plays all season for New York. His 78 tackles were, among NFL rookies, behind only Bucs linebacker Mason Foster. His three fumble recoveries were the most of any first-year player. And in the entire league, only Vikings defensive end Jared Allen had more with four.

Williams entered the lockout-shortened training camp uncertain of a roster spot. Seeing the returning veterans on the Giants defense, he knew special teams was the easiest way to make a name for himself. He filled in with two starts at linebacker but said it was fitting his biggest play would come on kickoff coverage.

"I take a lot of pride in special teams," he said. "A lot of games, including our game, you win or lose on special teams."

Williams learned a lot from another Giants rookie, assistant special teams coach Larry Izzo. Izzo collected 275 special teams tackles during a 14-year career that included three Pro Bowls and three Super Bowl rings with New England.

Williams, having grown up and played high school and college football in Tampa, knows he has a fan base rooting for him and fellow former Bull Jason Pierre-Paul next week against the Patriots. He said he won't forget the calls and text messages that came after Sunday's win.

"Tampa always showed me a lot of love, but now that's a true blessing from my hometown," he said.

Sunday's win came at the expense of former USF coach Jim Leavitt, another NFL rookie as 49ers linebackers coach. Leavitt first used Williams on special teams during the player's first season with the Bulls, in 2009, and Williams was grateful to see his former coach before and after the game.

Williams said he's excited about bringing his mother, Theolanda, from Tampa, and other family members to Indianapolis for another chance at football history.

"That," he said, "would be special."

Greg Auman can be reached at auman@tampabay.com.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, January 26, 2012

When it comes to concussions, Lightning center Steven Stamkos said the NHL might be facing a problem without a satisfying solution.

"There is no cure," he said, "unless we all play in a bubble.

"Like any other physical sport, injuries are going to happen. Whether you're colliding with a teammate or an opponent going full speed, concussions are going to happen."

But a spike in the past few months — 25 players currently are sidelined with the injury, including Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby, who has missed 82 games since January 2011 — have stoked discussions about how to reduce occurrences.

Everything seems to be on the table: slowing the game by making two-line passes across the center red line illegal; allowing some clutching and grabbing so players can better brace themselves for hits; allowing goaltenders to play the puck anywhere behind the goal line; softening elbow and shoulder pads used as battering rams.

Each suggestion comes with arguments for and against. And Toronto general manager Brian Burke doesn't even buy into the idea of a concussion epidemic.

"We are diagnosing them properly, and the man-game losses (because of concussions) are up because we are treating them properly," he told USA Today.

Agent Allan Walsh, who tracks the injury, told the Tampa Bay Times that 72 players have been concussed this season. At that rate, he said, 110 could be affected by season's end. Assuming 23 players on 30 teams, that would be 16 percent of the league.

"We're all concerned," Coyotes general manager Don Maloney said. "The GM meetings, the last two, I'd say 80 percent of it is regarding these injuries."

•••

The NHL last season tweaked its rule on head hits, Rule 48, to ban hits in which the head is targeted. And stepped-up enforcement through suspensions from league disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan has been well documented.

Even so, concussions are up. The league does not release numbers, and they weren't available from the players association, but the NHL acknowledged a slight uptick.

That has led to the discussions about rules changes that would slow the game to reduce some of the collisions that can cause head injuries.

To create more offense, the league, after the 2004-05 lockout, made several rules changes, including allowing two-line passes across the center red line and allowing goalies to play the puck behind the goal line only inside a trapezoid behind the net. Anti-obstruction rules also eliminated much clutching and grabbing.

They worked.

Add bigger, stronger athletes, better skates, lighter equipment, and, as Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier said, "The game is quicker and quicker every year."

And more dangerous, especially for defensemen fielding pucks dumped into their end while dealing with opponents with time and space to gain speed and line them up for hits.

"I feel for the defensemen," Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman said. "They've got to go behind the net and just get run. It's the hardest position to play now, without a doubt."

That is why Yzerman wants players to be able to battle each other — in a sense, obstruct each other — as they race after pucks.

"That way they can brace themselves and take a hit and give a hit," Yzerman said. "I don't like to use the word obstruction, but you have to allow guys to engage without being called for interference or holding. You have to allow guys to compete."

Yzerman also likes the idea of outlawing the two-line pass across the red line and of expanding the center-ice neutral zone. That, he said, would "force guys to make (shorter) passes instead of just shooting (the puck) down the ice" and creating a race for the puck that can end in a concussion-causing collision.

Think of it this way, Walsh said: "With no red line, you have a player breaking out of his end with no reason to hit the breaks till they hit the end boards."

That is why some advocate removing the trapezoid so goalies can play the puck anywhere behind the goal line. That would expand opportunities for them to pass to their defensemen and short-circuit some of those dangerous puck chases.

"I don't see it as wanting to slow the game," Yzerman said. "You have to look at what the game is now. We changed the rules to make it a more skilled game. It's not a more skilled game. It's shoot the puck down the ice and go chase it. It's about getting (the puck) in the other team's end and getting there as fast as you can."

•••

Not all concussions are the result of a too-fast game.

Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman has missed 13 games with a concussion caused by sliding hard into the end boards. And if players would show each other a little more respect, Tampa Bay defenseman Pavel Kubina said, perhaps some concussions caused by reckless hits could be avoided.

"Players got to know, if a player is in a vulnerable position, you avoid him," he said. "If a guy is facing the glass and you're going 100 mph, you can't (hit him)."

Kubina's head was slammed into the end glass by an elbow from onrushing Capitals wing Jason Chimera during Game 1 of last season's Eastern Conference semifinal. The concussion ended his season.

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly agreed in an email that the league must continue to be "proactive" about trying to reduce concussions. But he cautioned about suggestions to slow the game: "While we have to remain open to considering anything and everything, we have to be very careful about changes made to slow the game down, as I believe the speed and high tempo of our game is one of the major appeals to our fans."

That is why Maloney, the Coyotes' GM, said he worries about re-establishing the center red line. "I like the stretch pass," he said. "It opens up the ice and creates some excitement."

And he wonders about allowing even limited obstruction. "Does that bring holding back into the game?"

"We have a terrific product," Maloney said. "Speed sells, but we have to make it as safe as possible. I guarantee you in March, three days of (general managers') meetings, 2½ are going to be about this topic."

By Brandon Wright, Times Correspondent
Thursday, January 26, 2012

Girls basketball district tournament schedule

8A-7 at Plant

Tuesday: No. 4 Newsome vs. No. 5 Alonso, 6:30; No. 3 Wharton vs. No. 6 Bloomingdale, 8; Wednesday: No. 2 Durant vs. Bloomingdale/Wharton, 6:30; No. 1 Plant vs. Newsome/Alonso winner, 8; Friday: Final, 7.

THE SKINNY: The Panthers ripped through the district slate undefeated and are the prohibitive favorite. Kelly Brennan leads a balanced Plant offense, but keep an eye on Ashley Nelson and Durant, which lost to the Panthers by just three in the team's last meeting.

7A-8 at Riverview

Tuesday: No. 4 Plant City vs. No. 5 Hillsborough, 5; No. 3 East Bay vs. No. 6 Brandon., 7; Thursday: No. 1 Tampa Bay Tech vs. Plant City/Hillsborough winner, 5; No. 2 Riverview vs. East Bay/Brandon winner, 7; Friday: Final, 7.

THE SKINNY: Anything other than a Riverview-TBT final would be a shock. Arguably the best two teams in the county, the Sharks and Titans split their two regular-season meetings.

7A-9 at Steinbrenner

Tuesday: No. Chamberlain vs. No. 5 Gaither, 7; Wednesday: No. 2 Freedom vs. No. 3 Wiregrass Ranch, 6; No. 1 Steinbrenner vs. Chamberlain/Gaither winner, 8; Friday: Final, 7.

THE SKINNY: The Warriors were undefeated in district play and can stake a claim as the county's best with a district title. Wharton's Bailey Hooker, averaging just over 20 points per game, is one of Hillsborough's most dangerous players.

6A-11 at Jefferson

Monday: No. 4 Strawberry Crest vs. No. 5 King, 6; No. 3 Armwood vs. No. 6 Leto, 7:30; Wednesday: No. 2 Sickles vs. Armwood/Leto winner 6; No. 1 Jefferson vs. Strawberry Crest/King winner, 7:30. Friday: Final, 7.

THE SKINNY: Jefferson, led by leading scorer and rebounder Shayla Wilson, is the class of the district. The real battle will be which team can finish second and advance to the postseason: King, Strawberry Crest, Armwood or Sickles?

5A-11 at Blake

Tuesday: No. 4 Middleton vs. No. 7 Lennard, 7; Wednesday No. 1 Robinson vs. Middleton/Lennard winner, 6; No. 2 Blake vs. No. 3 Spoto, 7:30; Saturday: 7.

THE SKINNY: This district is somewhat up for grabs with Robinson, Blake and Spoto competing for two postseason slots. None of these teams ranks among the county's elite, but the balance should make this a fun district to watch.

4A-9 at Tampa Catholic

Wednesday: No. 2 Academy of the Holy Names vs. No. 3 Booker, 6; No. 1 Tampa Catholic vs. No. 4 Berkeley Prep, 7:30; Friday: Final, 7.

THE SKINNY: TC and Academy of the Holy Names have been dominant in the district all season and should meet in the final. The Crusaders defeated the Jaguars by a combined 36 points in the team's two regular season meetings.

3A-8 at Seffner Christian

Tuesday: No. 4 Bishop McLaughlin vs. No. Carrollwood Day School, 7; Friday: No. 2 Brooks DeBartolo vs. No. 3 Tampa Prep, 5:30; No. 1 Seffner Christian vs. Bishop McLaughlin/Brooks DeBartolo winner, 7; Saturday: Final, 7.

THE SKINNY: After reaching the Final Four last year, Seffner Christian's Crusaders are starting to make a name for themselves in area basketball. They return a young team this season led by underclassmen Peyton Walker and Sabrina Whiting.

2A-8 at Cambridge Christian

Tuesday: No. 4 Tampa Bay Christian vs. No. 5 Cambridge Christian, 6; Thursday: No. 2 Hernando Christian vs. No. 3 Citrus Park Christian, 6; No. 1 Academy of the Lakes vs. Tampa Bay Christian/Cambridge Christian winner, 8; Friday: Final, 7

THE SKINNY: Hillsborough County teams will have a tall order knocking off Academy of the Lakes or Hernando Christian in this district.

Time staff, wires
Thursday, January 26, 2012

OAKLAND, Calif. — Jonny Gomes has returned home.

The Athletics and the former Rays outfielder/DH finalized a $1 million, one-year contract Thursday after reaching a preliminary agreement last week.

"Everybody's really excited. It's kind of ironic telling the family … starting my pro career in Tampa, it's about as far away you can get from home, people say, 'Oh, you do play,' " said Gomes, who is from nearby Petaluma. "I'm getting tons of positive feedback."

Gomes, 31, hit .209 with 14 home runs and 43 RBIs last year for Cincinnati and Washington in his ninth major-league season. He will provide outfield depth for rebuilding Oakland, which hasn't had a winning record or made the playoffs since being swept in the 2006 American League Championship Series by Detroit.

"I'm not rebuilding. That's how I keep explaining it," Gomes said. "My role is how it is every single year: When my number's called, I want to be ready."

Pulling on the green and gold at FanFest this weekend will mean a lot to Gomes, who loved the San Francisco Bay area sports teams growing up but especially the A's. "I was wearing a whole lot of A's gear growing up. Don't know how you couldn't with the Bash Brothers and Rickey Henderson," he said.

The team cleared room on its 40-man roster by designating infielder Adrian Cardenas for assignment.

Keppinger deal could come today for Rays

ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays were expected to announce today a one-year deal with free agent infielder Jeff Keppinger.

Keppinger, 31, who had his physical exam Thursday, will provide depth and an additional right-handed bat. He plays primarily second and shortstop, and also has experience at first and third and in the outfield.

The Rays will have to make room on the 40-man roster for Keppinger, a veteran of seven big-league seasons.

Also:

• Sun Sports will televise four Rays spring training games: March 15, 18, 25 and 31.

• Manager Joe Maddon is featured in a taped roundtable discussion at 9 tonight on the MLB Network.

• Baseball America's Prospect Handbook rankings of the Rays' top prospects starts with left-handed pitcher Matt Moore, shortstop Hak-Ju Lee, right-handed pitcher Chris Archer, right-handed pitcher Taylor Guerrieri and right-handed pitcher Alex Colome. Outfielder Josh Sale, the club's 2010 top draft pick, is not in the top 32.

Fielder happy to be back: Prince Fielder stood smiling and recalled his earliest memories of old Tiger Stadium. He would hang out at the ballpark where his father, Cecil, hit many massive home runs.

"For me, it was always Sparky saying I was going to pinch-hit. And I really believed him," Fielder said, referring to former manager Sparky Anderson. "I'm just glad I get to come back."

The Tigers introduced Fielder after finalizing a $214 million, nine-year free agent contract with the first baseman.

Fielder was born in 1984, the last time Detroit won the World Series. After luring him back to Michigan with the fourth-largest deal in baseball history, the Tigers are hoping Fielder will help usher in a new championship era for the Motor City.

"This is awesome," he said. "It's kind of a dream come true."

Indians: Pitcher Fausto Carmona was placed on baseball's restricted list after his arrest on using a false identity. He was arrested last week in the Dominican Republic on charges he falsified his name and birth date. … Reliever Dan Wheeler, 34, signed a minor-league deal. Wheeler, a former Ray who pitched in 37 games for Boston last season, will be in spring training camp with a chance to win a spot on the major-league roster.

Nationals: Reliever Brad Lidge agreed to a one-year deal. Last season the right-hander threw only 19⅓ innings for the Phillies due to elbow and shoulder problems in his right arm.

Red Sox: Outfielder Cody Ross signed a one-year deal, the team confirmed, reportedly for $3 million.

Yankees: Right-hander Hiroki Kuroda finalized his $10 million, one-year deal. Also, left-hander Boone Logan signed a one-year deal for $1.875 million, the club's final salary arbitration case.

Times staff writer Marc Topkin contributed to this report.

By Jay Mastry, Times Correspondent
Thursday, January 26, 2012

For traveling anglers: We enjoy some of the finest fishing anywhere right here in our area, but if you're looking for a different experience, you may want to put sport fishing the Pacific coast off Guatemala on your list of "things to do." The fishing is phenomenal, the folks are friendly and it's only a two-hour flight from Miami. On a recent trip there, we caught 25 sailfish in two days. And they're big. Unlike the ones caught in the gulf or the Atlantic off Florida, most of these fish were more than 100 pounds.

Looking ahead: Most interesting was the care the Guatemalans use to protect their fishery. Though the country has its share of poverty, all marlin and sailfish are released. The exclusive use of circle hooks helps prevent gut hooking that could be detrimental to the fish's well-being. And although we never used heavier than 25-pound-test main line, great emphasis is put on quick fights and fast releases to minimize damage to the fish.

Jay Mastry charters Jaybird out of St. Petersburg. Call (727) 321-2142.

By Terry Tomalin, Times Outdoors-Fitness Editor
Thursday, January 26, 2012

Making news

Authorities to monitor Gasparilla

If you're planning to take your boat to this weekend's Gasparilla celebration in the waters off downtown Tampa, be forewarned. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, U.S. Coast Guard and local law enforcement agencies will be conducting safety inspections and looking for boaters operating their vessels under the influence of alcohol. To avoid trouble on the water: have a designated driver, have enough personal flotation devices for everyone on board, watch your speed and post a lookout for other boats. Don't overload your boat and have all of the necessary safety equipment (fire extinguisher, etc.) in working order. Check your navigational lights before leaving port. If you head back after dark, turn off any decorative lights before you hit the main navigational channel.

File a float plan with friends or family and have a working VHF radio on board. Give your passengers and crew a safety talk so they know what to do in case of an emergency. To learn more about boating safety, go to MyFWC.com/boating.

Fishing

Snook season in Atlantic to open

Snook season reopens Wednesday in Florida's Atlantic waters. It takes about 2½ hours to drive across the state to hit some of the east coast hot spots. If you go, remember that you can keep one fish per day within the 28- to 32-inch slot limit. And don't forget to renew that snook stamp.

The season is scheduled to reopen Sept. 1 in the Gulf of Mexico, Everglades National Park and Monroe County.

But you can still fish for snook as long as your release them. Biologists encourage anglers to handle these fish carefully. The stock was hit hard by cold weather of 2009 and 2010. The closure, which went into effect Dec. 15, 2010, is designed to give the snook population time to recover. The FWC is expected to receive a new stock assessment sometime this year.

Terry Tomalin, Times Outdoors/Fitness Editor

By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist
Thursday, January 26, 2012

Somewhere, away from the cameras, far from the microphones, a conversation is going on.

Somewhere, where outsiders cannot hear, Josh is talking to Gerald, who is passing it on to Adrian, who just talked to LeGarrette, who just got off the phone with Mason, who wonders what Ronde thinks.

"So,'' the discussion begins, "what do you think about Greg Schiano?''

Somewhere, the players of the Tampa Bay Bucs are having the same conversations you are having, complete with the "who?'' and the "huh?'' and the "why?''

Odds are, their eyebrows are raised, too. Chances are, they have more questions than answers about the Bucs' latest coach. A new boss is riding in from Rutgers, and you can bet the players, too, are trying to make sense of it.

Greg Schiano?

After a search that was a month long and nationwide, that went from up-and-comer to down-and-outer, from retread to coordinator to the college campuses, the Bucs have finally brought in another coach in Schiano.

Just wondering, but who had him in the pool?

Good hire? Bad hire? For now, no one really knows. At least, Schiano is an interesting hire, one that will make you pay far closer attention than the long line of drab men in drab suits with drab resumes that the Bucs considered at one point or another.

Here's a question: Is it possible the Bucs interviewed Mike Sherman again just so Schiano would look good by comparison?

As coach hirings go, it is fair to say that Schiano does not arrive with instant gratification — not for fans and, I assume, not for players. At best, he is a give-him-a-chance kind of hire. There is a lot of proving to do before this can be called a good hire and a few playoffs before it can be called a great one.

Sexy hire? No.

The right hire? Maybe.

"I'd call it a football hire,'' Bucs general manager Mark Dominik said.

"We aren't trying to win the press conference. We're trying to win games and get the franchise going the right way.''

Is Schiano the answer? It's easy to be a skeptic. For one thing, Schiano is a college coach, and all of us can list a lot of coaches (Steve Spurrier, Dennis Erickson, Bobby Petrino) who could not bring their college success across the bridge to the NFL.

For another, the Bucs didn't exactly drag Schiano off of a trophy stand. At Rutgers, he has done a very good job at what used to be a very bad program, but I'm not sure experts would rank him with Nick Saban and Bob Stoops and Les Miles in the top handful of college coaches in America.

So is this a reach? You betcha. When you get down to it, aren't most hires?

This is a crucial point for the Bucs.

They have a young quarterback in Josh Freeman who has to rediscover success. They have a young defensive line that must mature. They need the right coach to get the attention of too many players who have gotten lost along the way.

Still, I like that the Bucs didn't play it safe. They could have hired Sherman or Brad Childress, and although people would have been unimpressed, they could have pointed out that both had a bit of success as head coaches in the NFL.

This is better. This at least gives a team a chance at energizing its locker room, changing its fortune and, eventually, convincing its followers.

"No. 1, I like the structure, the organization, the discipline, the way he commands a room,'' Dominik said of Schiano.

"He's a defensive purist at heart. He's a fundamentalist, and he's a teacher. He's been in the NFL, and he runs a college program as close as you can to the NFL.''

Is Schiano special? He has the endorsement of Bill Belichick, which is something. He turned around a program at Rutgers, which is something else. He has a reputation for organization and hard work and sideline intensity, which is good. He's used to young players, and the Bucs locker room is stuffed with them.

Look at it like this. A lot of people have wanted to talk to Schiano about their head coaching job over the years. Miami. Michigan. Penn State. He has had his chances to move a lot.

Yeah, yeah, those are all college jobs. And college coaches often fail to adapt to the NFL game, to the millionaire athlete, to the nuances of the game. On the other hand, Jim Harbaugh of the 49ers didn't have much problem. Jimmy Johnson did okay. Tom Coughlin's career seems to have survived the move.

The Bucs believe Schiano, too, can make the transition.

"This guy has 'it,' " Dominik said. "When you spend time talking to college football people, everyone respects him.''

As of now, the important questions start with his staff. Can he find the right offensive coordinator for Freeman? Can he bring in the right defensive coordinator for Adrian Claiborne and Gerald McCoy?

For the Bucs, they liked what they heard from Schiano. Dominik thinks the players will, too.

"I know guys are talking,'' Dominik said. "I think they're getting a sense of who this guy is. He's a football coach. He's fair, but he's tough as heck.''

Is Schiano guaranteed success? Of course not. But is he a better bet than assistants Dennis Allen (Raiders), Chuck Pagano (Colts), Joe Philbin (Dolphins) or Romeo Crennel (Chiefs)? Probably. Is he preferable to Mike Mularkey (Jaguars)? Maybe. Is he a better hire than Jeff Fisher (Rams)?

That he'll have to prove.

Then again, isn't proving it the challenge of every new coach in the history of the league?

By Terry Tomalin, Times Outdoors-Fitness Editor
Thursday, January 26, 2012

LARGO — Hunters pursuing white-tailed deer in the Green Swamp were disappointed. It seems just as their prey became most active, at the start of the rut, the state shut down the hunting season.

"Down in your neck of the woods, the deer start breeding in mid January," said Tony Young, a spokesman with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. "They start moving around, looking for love, and that's why it is a good time to hunt."

The start of the rut is triggered by the change in the amount of available daylight, but in Florida that can vary from region to region.

"Florida has the widest range of deer breeding of anywhere in the country," Young said. "It can start as early as July in the southern part of the state and go all the way into February."

Some believe the introduction of regional varieties of Odocoileus virginianus from northern states into Florida may be one reason why the white-tail rut varies. But one thing for sure is that the mid January end to general gun season was not serving the Tampa Bay region's hunters.

So in 2010, state officials subdivided one of Florida's three hunting zones. The new area, dubbed "Zone B," covers much of Hillsborough, Pasco and Hernando counties, as well as most of the Green Swamp.

Hunters got to hunt halfway through February last year. This year, general gun season lasts to Feb. 19. (Hunters in Zone C, which includes parts of Hernando but all of Citrus County, had to stop hunting Sunday).

"The response has just been overwhelming," Young said. "I think this is good example of wildlife managers listening to their stakeholders."

Youth hunts

In 2011, the FWC established a special Youth Turkey Hunt weekend on private lands. The hunt proved so popular, state officials plan to do it again March 10-11 in our hunting zone and areas to the north.

The Youth Spring Turkey Hunt takes place the weekend before the regular turkey season, which runs March 17 through April 22 in zones B, C and D except for Holmes County. (Zone A, the area south of Tampa Bay, typically has earlier hunting seasons.)

Hunters 16 years old and younger are eligible to bag a turkey as long as they are supervised by an adult 18 years or older. No license or permit is required (except if they are hunting on one of the 49 designated Wildlife Management Areas.)

But some restrictions do apply. If the child's adult companion "calls" the bird or helps with the hunt, then they will need a license, turkey permit and WMA permit if required.

Looking for a local WMA where your young hunter can get a turkey? Try the Citrus WMA in Citrus County or the Chassahowitzka WMA in Hernando County.

Hunter education

Florida law requires anyone born after June 1, 1975, or 16 years or older to pass a FWC hunter safety course before they can purchase a hunting license. The law allows a youth to hunt with a licensed adult for up to a year on a trial basis but sooner or later they must take and pass the class.

The course, which is designed for 12-year-olds and older, takes two days to complete. The Wyoming Antelope Club (3700 126th Ave. N, Pinellas Park) regularly offers hunter education, as well as other shooting sport instruction. Go to antelopeclub.org for more information.

Another option is to enroll your child in the FWC's Pathfinders Camp this summer. The weeklong program, run out of the FWC's Ocala Outdoor Adventure Camp, offers hunter safety training for children 9 to 14. Campers learn about game, hunting and other basic outdoor skills.

Times wires
Thursday, January 26, 2012

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Tiger Woods opened his 2012 season Thursday at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, shooting 2-under 70 that left him three behind co-leaders Rory McIlroy and Robert Karlsson.

"Hit the ball well all day. It was a good ball-striking round," Woods said. "I had a hard time reading the greens. The greens were pretty grainy. … Overall, I got fooled a lot on my reads."

Sergio Garcia (71) and Jose Manuel Lara (70) each had a hole-in-one on the par-3 12th hole.

Top-ranked Luke Donald shot 71. Second-ranked Lee Westwood (72) and fourth-ranked Martin Kaymer (77) never challenged in the PGA Europe event.

McIlroy had three birdies on his first four holes but erratic driving led to two bogeys on the next four. He had three birdies on his back nine, with a chip-in on No. 8 from just off the green.

"It's a nice way to start the competitive season, I suppose," said McIlroy, who wasn't impressed with his round.

Woods missed several birdie chances and struggled with approach shots on a course that played tougher than usual with its thick rough.

McIlroy said he didn't take any satisfaction in beating Woods in the first round.

"If it was the last day of the tournament and you're both going in there with a chance to win, I would take a lot of pride from that, obviously," he said. "Hopefully I can get myself into position where I do play with him on a Sunday and see how I get on."

PGA: Spencer Levin and Kyle Stanley knew they had to post low scores on the easier North Course at Torrey Pines to get off to a good start in the Farmers Insurance Open at San Diego. It went even better than expected, both at 10-under 62 for a one-shot lead over FedEx Cup champion Bill Haas, who had a double bogey on his 15th hole.

Stanley made eagle on his final hole, and Levin shot 29 on the back nine. The top 12 scores came from the North, which played slightly more than 3½ strokes easier than the South. The best South score was Marc Turnesa's 66.

Phil Mickelson hit into 11 bunkers, missed a 3-foot birdie on the final hole and finished at 77 on the South Course. It was his worst score at Torrey Pines since 78 in the third round of 2005. "I felt like my game was ready heading in, and I don't know what to say about the score. Pathetic," he said.

SolHeim cup: Four-time major champion Meg Mallon was named U.S. captain. The 2013 event is scheduled for Aug. 13-18 at Colorado Golf Club in Parker. Mallon, 48, played on eight U.S. teams, with a 13-9-7 record.

By Terry Tomalin, Times Outdoors-Fitness Editor
Thursday, January 26, 2012

Times wires
Thursday, January 26, 2012

Greg Schiano

Born: June 1, 1966 (age 45), Wyckoff, N.J.

Playing career: Linebacker for three seasons at Bucknell

Education: Bucknell, 1988, business administration

Coaching career:

1989: Rutgers, graduate assistant

1990: Penn State, graduate assistant

1991-95: Penn State, defensive backs coach

1996-98: Bears, defensive assistant, later defensive backs

1999-2000: University of Miami, defensive coordinator

2001-11: Rutgers, coach

Times wires
Thursday, January 26, 2012

INDIANAPOLIS — Two days after quarterback Peyton Manning talked about the dour atmos­phere at the Colts' headquarters, owner Jim Irsay called him a "poli­tician" who aired dirty laundry.

"I don't think it's in the best interest to paint the horseshoe in a negative light," Irsay said of the team's logo at Thursday's introductory news conference for his new coach, Ravens defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano. "If you've got a problem, you talk to each other. It's not about campaigning."

The Colts must pay Manning, who missed 2011 with a neck injury, a $28 million bonus or release him by March 8. Since saying they will use the top pick on a quarterback, the Colts have fired coach Jim Caldwell, most of his staff, longtime executive Bill Polian and general manager Chris Polian.

Manning said the overhaul had him "walking around on eggshells," and is not healthy for his rehab and he has no idea where Irsay stands on his return.

"He's a politician," Irsay said. "When it comes to being competitive, let's just say on a scale of 1 to 10, we're both 11s. So there's been plenty of eggshells scattered around this building by him with his competi­tive desire to win."

Soon after Irsay's comments, Manning said he didn't intend to start a public feud.

"I wasn't trying to paint the Colts in a bad light," said Manning, who added he has reached out to Irsay. "But it's tough when so many people you've known for so long are suddenly leaving. I just want to keep rehabbing … and when the time is right for Mr. Irsay and I to sit down, I look forward to a healthy conversation about my future.

Oakland search: The Raiders formally agreed on a four-year deal to make Broncos defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, 39, their new coach, CSNCalifornia.com and the Associated Press reported. The team is not discussing the search.

Concussions: The league said ex-players can't sue over concussions because safety issues are governed by collective bargaining agreements. The comments came during a hearing in Miami to consolidate 21 lawsuits filed by about 300 players accusing it of negligence. There is no timetable for a decision.

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, January 26, 2012

TAMPA — Until Thursday, the very mention of the name Greg Schiano brought a rare level of venom from some USF football fans all too familiar with the sideline antics of the Rutgers coach, not to mention his success against the Bulls with five wins in the past six seasons.

So for the large portion of Bulls fans who are also Bucs fans, the news that Schiano had been hired as Tampa Bay's new coach created an uneasy question:

How fully can you embrace your college nemesis as the coach of your favorite pro team?

It was Schiano, after all, who led Rutgers to an upset of then-No. 2 USF in 2007, knocking the Bulls from their highest ranking. He followed with USF's two most lopsided Big East losses — 49-16 in 2008 and 31-0 in 2009. After USF edged Rutgers in 2010, the Scarlet Knights returned the favor this past season, rallying from a 17-3 deficit in the final eight minutes for a 20-17 overtime win.

"As a Bulls fan with waning interest in the Bucs, this will finish me off," wrote Mark Scalabrin of Tampa, a New Jersey transplant, in an email to the Tampa Bay Times. "Many of the Bulls fans have a sort of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) when it comes to that 2007 game, and I, for one will never get over it. … Nope, I will never get behind that guy."

Others were more forgiving and saw a win-win situation — taking Schiano away from Rutgers hurts one of the Bulls' top Big East rivals, and if anyone can appreciate his success as a coach, it should be Bulls fans, who have seen plenty of that on the other sideline.

"Bulls fans are good football fans and are so relieved to have Schiano gone from Rutgers that they should have no problem getting behind him and the Bucs," wrote Randy Wilson of Spring Hill. "I never hated Schiano. I always recognized his ability and saw him as a big-time coach. Did I pull for Rutgers? Of course not. But when you watched Ray Rice run the ball down our throats for 3 years in a row, you had to know Schiano had an eye for talent."

And for some Tampa Bay area fans, any wounds from Schiano's Rutgers days can vanish with that greatest of all cures: winning.

"I will hate Schiano right until he uses one of his stupid trick plays to help the #bucs win," Scott Sterling of St. Petersburg replied via Twitter.com.

No coach has beaten the Bulls more times than Schiano (five), and with Dave Wannstedt and Randy Edsall (four each) off the schedule, that record isn't going to another coach for several years. For most Bulls fans, that alone makes the Bucs' hire a good one.

"I like it because it's good for the Bucs and good for the Bulls," wrote Larry Derrick of Riverview.

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
Thursday, January 26, 2012

Times wires
Thursday, January 26, 2012

AUTOS

NASCAR aims to thwart tandems

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France said the sport is "in a very good place" but the racing body will make a few tweaks, including taking measures to reduce tandem racing at Daytona and Talladega.

Two-car racing "evolved into something that no one saw coming, and now we're going to deal with that," France said Thursday at NASCAR's annual preseason press conference.

Vice president of competition Robin Pemberton said cars will have a slightly larger restrictor plate, a smaller spoiler and softer springs. The changes start at Daytona next month. "All of these combinations will help the qualifying be more exciting," said Pemberton, who added that the changes "will aid in getting back to the more traditional style pack drafting."

More Autos

'Awesome Bill' returns

Bill Elliott, 56, is returning to NASCAR for one more race. The former champion in the top series will compete in the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway on July 7 in a No. 50 car sponsored by Walmart as part of its 50th anniversary.

24 hours: Ryan Dalziel captured the pole for Grand-Am's around-the-clock race beginning Saturday at Daytona.

Obituary: Joseph Mattioli, founder of Pocono Raceway, died in Allentown, Pa. He was 86.

ET CETERA

College Baseball: Florida tops the USA Today/ESPN Top 25 coaches poll, the first time the Gators have been selected No. 1 in the preseason rankings. UF had previously been tabbed No. 1 by Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball entering this season.

College football: UCF released its 2012 schedule, which includes a trip Sept. 8 to Ohio State and the home opener Sept. 15 against FIU. New SEC member Missouri visits Sept. 29 before the Conference USA opener Oct. 6 against East Carolina. … Texas regents officially extended the contract of coach Mack Brown, 60, by four years to 2020.

Figure skating: Amanda Evora and Mark Ladwig, who train in Manatee County, were runnersup to pairs short program champions Rockne Brubaker and Mary Beth Marley at the U.S. championships in San Jose, Calif. Caydee Denney of Wesley Chapel and John Coughlin, who won the last two U.S. titles with different partners, are third going into Saturday's free skate.

Horses: Jr's Exchange set a 5-furlong turf-course record of 54.92 seconds in Race 9 at Tampa Bay Downs in Oldsmar.

Soccer: Goalkeeper Hope Solo (strained thigh) practiced with the U.S. women's team on the eve of its CONCACAF semifinal today against Costa Rica. The Americans must win to qualify for the London Olympics. … John Rooney, younger brother of Man U's Wayne Rooney, has signed to play with Orlando City Soccer Club of the USL.

Don Jensen, Times correspondent; Times wires

Times wires
Thursday, January 26, 2012

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Crediting him with building not just better athletes but better men, former Penn State football stars and others paid tribute to Joe Paterno in a huge campus memorial service Thursday that exposed a strong undercurrent of anger over the coach's firing.

In a 21/2-hour gathering that capped three days of mourning on campus, Nike founder- chairman Phil Knight brought the near-capacity crowd of 12,000 to its feet in thunderous applause when he defended Paterno's handling of child-sex allegations against former assistant Jerry Sandusky. Paterno was fired over the episode Nov. 9.

"This much is clear to me: If there is a villain in this tragedy, it lies in that investigation and not in Joe Paterno's response," Knight said. Paterno's widow, Sue, was among those standing.

The ceremony at the Bryce Jordan Center, the school's basketball arena, was filled with lavish praise for Paterno, who died of lung cancer Sunday at 85 after winning more games — 409 — than any other major-college football coach and leading his team to two national titles in his 46 seasons.

He was saluted for his commitment to sportsmanship, loyalty, teamwork, character, academics and "winning with honor." He was called a good father, husband, neighbor, friend, teacher.

About midway through, Knight became the first speaker to explicitly address the scandal.

He defended Paterno, saying the coach "gave full disclosure to his superiors, information that went up the chains to the head of the campus police and the president of the school. The matter was in the hands of a world-class university, and by a president with an outstanding national reputation."

President Graham Spanier was also fired in the fallout.

Recounting Paterno's accomplishments, Knight said: "Who is the real trustee at Penn State University?"

Only one member of the school administration — the college of liberal arts dean — and no one from the board of trustees — which fired Paterno — spoke at the memorial, arranged primarily by the Paterno family.

Speakers also included players from each decade of Paterno's career, among them Michael Robinson (2000s), TV football analyst Todd Blackledge (1980s) and Jimmy Cefalo (1970s). All three went on to play in the NFL, Cefalo with the Dolphins. He is now a Dolphins broadcaster and South Florida radio host.

Times wires
Thursday, January 26, 2012

MELBOURNE, Australia — Only the trophy and the tears were missing from this latest Grand Slam installment of Rafa vs. Roger.

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer were on opposite sides of the net Thursday, meeting in the semifinals of the Australian Open. And Nadal was the winner again, for the eighth time in their 10 Grand Slam matchups.

He won 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4, covering the baseline with incredible speed and hitting forehand winners from almost impossible angles.

He applauded as Federer started to leave the stadium, then ran back onto the court, dropped onto his haunches and pumped his arms in triumph. All that, three days before the final, where he faces the winner of today's semi between defending champion and No. 1-ranked Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.

The latest Grand Slam meeting between Nadal and Federer — who have won 26 majors between them — was a semifinal worthy of a final. Nadal didn't excuse his celebration but explained it as letting off steam.

Nadal has labored with injuries since losing the U.S. Open final last year. On the eve of this tournament, he hurt a knee while he sat in a chair at his hotel and thought for a while he wouldn't be able to play. He has played with his right knee heavily strapped.

"Twenty-four hours to play my first match, I was in my room crying because I believe I didn't" have the chance to play, Nadal said. "So it was a very, very tough situation for me, these hours.

"Two weeks later, I am here in the finals. … It's one of the victories that's going to stay in my mind forever."

Federer said it feels like Nadal plays his best tennis against him.

"We have had good matches over the years. I enjoy playing him. The crowd really gets into it, which is nice," Federer said. "We have a lot of respect for each other, which is good, too, I think."

Sharapova joins Azarenka in final

The age gap is only two years, but the difference in experience is vast between Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka.

Sharapova, 24, plays her sixth Grand Slam final at the Australian Open on Saturday against Azarenka, 22, who makes her major final debut. And more than a title is on the line. The winner claims the No. 1 ranking.

Four years after winning the last of her three major titles and approaching eight years since she lifted the Wimbledon trophy at 17, Sharapova has another chance to add to her major haul.

"It means so much to be back in a Grand Slam final," she said. "It's nice to get that far again after losing quite early in the last couple of years."

Sharapova, seeded fourth, overcame Petra Kvitova 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 in the semifinals, and third-seeded Azarenka beat defending champion Kim Clijsters 6-4, 1-6, 6-3.

Azarenka worked on her fitness in the offseason, giving her the confidence to know she can play "as long as I need."

"Even if you believe 1 million percent (you're going to win), it's not going to happen," Azarenka said. "It's a lot of hard work. Those details, that confidence that you get from the tennis match makes you believe."

doubles: Bob and Mike Bryan of Wesley Chapel play for a record 12th major title Saturday after a 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) semifinal win over Robert Lindstedt and Horia Tecau. They face Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek.

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, January 26, 2012

TAMPA — Prior to becoming the Bucs' starting left guard and before he was a two-time All-Big East pick at Rutgers, Jeremy Zuttah was a New Jersey high school star with a life-altering decision to make.

He could accept an offer to play at Ohio State, a Big Ten power routinely in the national title hunt. Or he could buy into what Greg Schiano was selling: play for nearby Rutgers — in spite of its 11 consecutive losing seasons at the time.

"The ability to do something special really appealed to me," said Zuttah, who arrived at Rutgers in 2004. "We tried to put Rutgers on the map, and that's what we did."

It took a certain type of coach to make this pitch, and Schiano — who will be introduced as the Bucs' new coach today — was the man for the job.

"When he got there, they were plain losing," Zuttah said. "But he went in there with a plan. What he built there will last."

As news of Schiano's hire spread, reaction was generally positive. Known as much for his uncompromising coaching style as his devout Christian faith, there was a great deal of sentiment that he is a good fit for the Bucs given their undisciplined, inconsistent ways in 2011.

"He is a man of tremendous character," said Mike McCartney, a player agent and former NFL executive who worked with Schiano with the Bears during the 1990s. "He's very focused and very demanding, but every player will know they have a great coach who cares."

Even some who don't know him were encouraged.

"I've always thought he was a good coach," said Bucs right tackle Jeremy Trueblood, who played for Boston College when it also was in the Big East. "He turned around Rutgers very fast. I'm excited to see where he leads us."

In Piscataway, N.J., where Schiano's loss took a heavy toll, Rutgers athletic director Tim Pernetti summed up the coach's contributions: "I think this was the worst program in (major) college football 11 years ago. The culture change that people in college football said could never be done here, that's probably Greg's greatest attribute."

Bucs tight end Kellen Winslow had a mixed reaction while on Sirius NFL Radio.

"I was really hoping for some type of connection. I was really hoping for (Rob) Chudzinski," he said of the Panthers offensive coordinator for whom he played while with the Browns and at the University of Miami. "We got another guy in Greg Schiano who I know and heard he's one of the best coaches people have been around. And he's got a lot of enthusiasm. So I'm excited, man."

A key for any new coach is gaining his players' respect. That won't be a problem for Schiano, McCartney said: "He will have command when he stands in front of that team. He'll have instant respect."

Former Panthers linebacker and current close friend Dan Morgan, who played for Schiano at Miami, emphasized Schiano's ability to show tough love.

"He's going to be real up front with them," said Morgan, now a scout with the Seahawks. "He'll be hard on you. But you're going to love him for it because he does it for the right reasons."

USF coach Skip Holtz has split two close games with Schiano and is excited to be sharing Raymond James with him. "You go back and look at what Rutgers was before he got there, he has done an incredible job," Holtz said. "In the two years I had the opportunity to go against him, we had a couple of great battles. … Now I only have to get rid of about six more coaches."

Times staff writer Greg Auman contributed to this report.

Times wires
Thursday, January 26, 2012

GATINEAU, Quebec — Daniel Alfredsson and Zdeno Chara stuck close to home in drafting their All-Star Game teams Thursday night.

Alfredsson, captain of one team, took all the players from his native Sweden in the pool of 38 and all his Senators teammates. Chara, the other captain, took all his Bruins cohorts and fellow Slovaks.

The captains also drafted with an extra gamesmanship edge. Alfredsson took all the Canucks, who lost to the Bruins in last season's Stanley Cup final, and Chara all the Maple Leafs, the Ontario rivals of the Senators.

"That's the way it should be," Alfredsson said. "(The game) should be a little bit more intense, maybe more than normal."

He also picked the Lightning's lone participant, Steven Stamkos.

The teams face each other in the skills competition Saturday and the game Sunday.

Chara earned the right to pick first after winning the "puck flip." But he started with a Russian Red Wing, Pavel Datsyuk. "I love the way he plays the game," Chara said. "It was my individual goal to get him first."

Bruins goalie Tim Thomas was his second pick, and he later took teammate Tyler Seguin.

Alfredsson opened by selecting two teammates, defenseman Erik Karlsson and forward Jason Spezza. He completed the Senators sweep by taking forward Milan Michalek with the 24th pick.

Alfredsson and his alternate captain, Rangers goalie and fellow Swede Henrik Lundqvist, got a two-fer in taking the other three Swedes in the game. They're Canucks: high-scoring forwards Daniel and Henrik Sedin and defenseman Alex Edler.

Chara's Slovakian drafting also boosts his offense. He got the Blackhawks' Marian Hossa and the Rangers' Marian Gaborik.

"I'm sure the other side understood that my goal was to try to keep my countrymen and teammates together as well," Chara said. "I'm glad it worked out for both sides."

The distinction of Mr. Irrelevant fell to Sharks forward Logan Couture. For being the last man selected, Couture gets a 2012 Honda Crosstour 4WD EX-L and will have $20,000 donated to the grassroots hockey organization of his choice.

White House fallout: The decision by Bruins goalie Tim Thomas to skip a White House ceremony with President Barack Obama because he believes the federal government is "out of control" points to a growing lack of courtesy in the country, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick said. "He's a phenomenal hockey player, and he's entitled to his views," Patrick said. "It just feels like we are losing in this country basic courtesy and grace."

Times wires
Thursday, January 26, 2012

Chad Ochocinco, meet the speaker of the U.S. House. Via Twitter, of course.

The Patriots receiver known for prolific social media interactions watched President Barack Obama's State of the Union address Tuesday night and wondered about the unsmiling man sitting behind him. Informed by a friend it was Speaker of the House John Boehner of Ohio, the former Bengal reached out to him on Twitter on Tuesday night, asking if he was okay.

Ochocinco asked Boehner on Wednesday if he was in better spirits, adding: "If all else seems bad in life, just remember I love you, kind sir."

Boehner thanked Ochocinco in a tweet and wished him good luck in the Super Bowl. Ochocinco said Thursday that the two exchanged contact information and made plans to meet in the offseason.

"We'll see you in the playoffs next year," Boehner tweeted, using "Bengals" and their fans' cheer, "WhoDey," to tag his response.

Boehner's Twitter feed later included a photo of him at his desk with a Bengals helmet.

In the Patriots locker room in Foxborough, Mass., Ochocinco asked a reporter about Boehner's place in the presidential line of succession. The House speaker is second in line, after the vice president.

"He's a pretty powerful man then," Ochocinco said. "For him to contact me back, it's awesome."

Ochocinco's 3.1 million Twitter followers include President Felipe Calderon of Mexico.

"Me and the president of Mexico tweet back all the time," Ochocinco said. "That's two powerful people."

Gronkowski sits: TE Rob Gronkowski missed the Patriots' first practice with the injured left ankle sustained during the AFC title game. He wasn't available for comment. When asked how he is progressing, coach Bill Belichick said only, "Good, good."

Giants injuries: Seven players missed the team's first practice: C David Baas (abdomen-neck), LB Chase Blackburn (calf), CB Will Blackmon (knee), RB Ahmad Bradshaw (foot), WR Hakeem Nicks (shoulder), CB Corey Webster (hamstring) and LB Jacquian Williams (foot). Coach Tom Coughlin said all were precautionary and all are expected to play.

No need to play the game: Princess, a camel at the Popcorn Park Zoo in Lacey Township, N.J., has made her prediction. Zoo general manager John Bergmann places a graham cracker and writes the name of the teams on each hand. Whichever hand Princess nibbles from is her pick. She went 14-6 this season, is 88-51 all time and 5-1 over the past six Super Bowls. On Thursday she picked the Giants.