Times wires
Tuesday, January 31, 2012

INDIANAPOLIS — The boot is off and Rob Gronkowski's ankle is feeling much better.

New England's All-Pro tight end shed his walking boot in time for media day Tuesday, and sounded optimistic he'd line up against the Giants in Sunday's Super Bowl.

"I'm improving every day," Gronkowski said. "The only reason it's getting so blown up is because it's the Super Bowl. It's just like any other injury during any other week."

Gronkowski, who suffered a high left ankle sprain Jan. 22 in the AFC title game, said he could be anywhere from in perfect health to "2 percent" for the game, adding that there is still time before it is played.

He smiled frequently from the podium in an hour-long appearance that opened with a question, of course, about how he was feeling.

"Good. How are you feeling?" he replied.

"He's obviously making progress," QB Tom Brady said of his key pass-catcher. "He's out of his boot today, which makes me feel a lot better. I told him he should write like 'Mom I love you' on his sock or something because I'm sure there'll be a lot of pictures of his sock.

"If anybody wants to be out there, it's him. No one's as tough as him."

PEYTON'S INTENT: If any player not with the Patriots or Giants was sure to draw attention this week, it's Colts QB Peyton Manning.

And he reiterated that, after missing the season with a neck injury, he isn't ready to retire.

"I have no plans on doing that," he said at an Indianapolis hotel, shortly after media day activities. "My plan hasn't changed. I'm on track with what the doctors have told me to do, and I'm doing that. I'm rehabbing hard."

All the attention focused on his condition is misplaced, Manning said earlier in a taped interview with ESPN. "I really don't think it will be as the week goes on."

MEDIA MADNESS: More than 5,000 media credentials were issued for Sunday's game. And this year, for the first time, fans could buy tickets to watch the one-hour question-and-answer sessions during media day.

More than 7,000 tickets were sold at $25 apiece for fans to sit in the stands of Lucas Oil Stadium

"We're the social media generation," Mike Galford, a 27-year-old finance manager at a local car dealership, said as he watched from the grandstand. "We're not going to wait for the media to tell us what happened on media day. We're going to see it for ourselves. This is awesome."

NFL officials were equally content.

"I can think of more exciting ways to spend the day," Giants co-owner John Mara said with a smile as the media availability was ending. "But the fans seem to be enjoying it very much. Not many have left."

Players went along, occasionally speaking directly to the fans.

"You all having a good time?" Patriots CB Patrick Chung shouted to the crowd like a comic doing a stand-up routine. "This is crazy, man. I've got my own audience."

ILL PATS: Three Patriots are dealing with illnesses. OTs Matt Light and Sebastian Vollmer skipped media day, coach Bill Belichick said. LB Jerod Mayo attended but said he has a cold.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, January 31, 2012

TAMPA — Lightning RW J.T. Wyman was glad to be playing again after missing nine games with an injured right pinkie.

But even better for Wyman is he won't lose the finger — or a third of it, at least — a real concern after the bone was shattered Jan. 5 against the Senators.

"The tip was like falling off," Wyman said. "I've never seen anything like it. We had to make sure it was given enough time to heal so as not to put it at risk."

"It was," head athletic trainer Tommy Mulligan said, "in a fragile state."

The injury occurred when a puck slammed into Wyman's pinkie and used the stick he was holding as an anvil. A deep gash restricted the blood flow to the bone and hindered healing.

"It was the perfect storm of anti-healing powers," Wyman, 25, said.

No surgery was required, Mulligan said, but antibiotics beat down infection and laser therapy stimulated blood flow.

Tampa Bay wanted Wyman back. He had a goal and three points and was plus-3, averaging 8:04 of ice time in six games after his call-up from AHL Norfolk.

"I feel good," he said before playing 13:00 Tuesday with an assist. "I'm keeping my fingers crossed, no pun intended."

MEDICAL MATTERS: D Victor Hedman, who missed 13 games because of a concussion, also was back and played 18:38 with two blocks and three hits. Forwards Ryan Shannon (knee), out 15 games, and Tom Pyatt (leg), out three, were in as well.

That decreased Tampa Bay's injury list from nine to five: forwards Ryan Malone (upper body), Adam Hall (forearm) and RW Dana Tyrell (knee), and defensemen Marc-Andre Bergeron (back) and Mattias Ohlund (knees).

SHOOTOUT STYLE: Coach Guy Boucher probably didn't know whether to laugh or cry when he heard C Steven Stamkos scored three straight times to win the shootout competition at the All-Star Game skills competition.

Stamkos is 0-for-10 in two seasons with Boucher and 4-for-24 in his career.

"I kind of made a joke about it later," Stamkos said of the television interview in which he said he hoped Boucher was watching.

"I guess he's putting pressure on me to put him back out there," Boucher said. "I'm sure he wants to get one to relieve himself of whatever jinx he's under."

Though Stamkos said the All-Star setting has less pressure, "Just knowing that I did that in a skills competition, knowing that I did score three in a row, that can give you some confidence."

FIGHT NIGHT: When the Capitals called up RW Joel Rechlicz (184 penalty minutes in 27 games) from AHL Hershey, there was talk of a throw-down with either Steve Downie or Pierre-Cedric Labrie, whom the Lightning had recalled from Norfolk.

But Labrie was scratched and Rechlicz played just 1:49. Besides, Labrie said, "It's not all about fights. It's about hockey."

ODDS AND ENDS: Stamkos' eight shots tied a season high. … Marty St. Louis has three goals, nine assists in a seven-game points streak. ... C Dominic Moore played his 500th game.

Times wires
Tuesday, January 31, 2012

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — In a game in which neither team made one-third of its shots, it seemed right the deciding free throws would be followed by more misses.

Brandon Paul made two free throws that gave Illinois the lead with 45 seconds to play then missed two 1-and-1s in the Illini's 42-41 win over No. 9 Michigan State on Tuesday night.

The shooting — 32.6 percent for Illinois and 24.1 percent for Michigan State — was so bad that players suggested the ball may have had too much air in it.

"Someone brought it up to the refs," Paul said. "I'm not trying to make excuses. I missed those free throws, I shouldn't be missing those shots."

The Illini ended a three-game skid, a run that had coach Bruce Weber resorting to prayer. "When the shots go up, I just say, 'Please, God, let it go in,' " Weber said. "Some of the shots just sat in there and then popped out."

The Spartans (17-5, 6-3) missed a chance to move into first in the Big Ten with No. 3 Ohio State.

Spartans forward Draymond Green spent much of the game on the bench with foul trouble then was helped from the court with what appeared to be a left knee injury with just less than four minutes to play. He didn't return.

NO. 1 KENTUCKY 69, TENNESSEE 44: Freshman Anthony Davis had 18 points, eight rebounds and seven blocks for the Wildcats (22-1, 8-0 SEC), who hit their first 11 shots and won their 48th straight home game.

NO. 5 UNC 68, WAKE 53: Tyler Zeller had 18 points and a career-best 18 rebounds to help the visiting Tar Heels (19-3, 6-1 ACC) overcome 31 percent shooting.

NO. 15 MARQUETTE 66, SETON HALL 59: Jae Crowder had 20 points and 12 rebounds, helping the host Golden Eagles (19-4, 8-2 Big East) rally from a sluggish first half.

NO. 16 VIRGINIA 65, CLEMSON 61: Mike Scott scored 23, including four free throws over the final 16.8 seconds, as the host Cavaliers (18-3, 5-2 ACC) rallied behind a 19-3 second-half run.

NO. 19 WISCONSIN 52, PENN ST. 46: Jordan Taylor scored 18, including a key 3-pointer from the top of key with 1:44 left, to help the visiting Badgers (18-5, 7-3 Big Ten) overcome an early nine-point deficit.

ARKANSAS 82, NO. 25 VANDY 74: Ricky Scott had 18 points, and the host Razorbacks equaled their SEC record with nine 3-pointers in pulling away from the Commodores (16-6, 5-2).

FINE INVESTIGATION: An affidavit filed in a slander suit against Syracuse and coach Jim Boeheim says the wife of fired assistant Bernie Fine had sex with players, and several people associated with the program knew about it, including Fine. In the affidavit, Bobby Davis, a former ball boy, says that several times he heard players speak of having sex with Laurie Fine. A lawyer for Laurie Fine said the accusations were "disgusting."

CLEMSON: Forward Milton Jennings was suspended indefinitely for academic reasons.

Women

NO. 2 NOTRE DAME 71, NO. 13 RUTGERS 41: Skylar Diggins scored 18 for the visiting Irish (22-1, 9-0 Big East), who routed the Scarlet Knights (17-5, 6-3) for their 19th straight victory.

DEPAUL 86, NO. 14 LOUISVILLE 61: Anna Martin had 19 points and Katherine Harry a career-high 20 rebounds as the host Blue Demons snapped a three-game winning streak by the Cardinals (17-5, 6-3 Big East).

Times wires
Tuesday, January 31, 2012

CLEVELAND — The Celtics didn't completely collapse. They merely crumbled this time.

Two days after blowing a big late lead and losing at home to Cleveland, Boston nearly did it again before recovering and hanging on for a 93-90 win over the scrappy Cavaliers, who trimmed a 22-point deficit to two in the final minutes.

Paul Pierce scored 20, Ray Allen had 12 in the third quarter and Kevin Garnett made a key jumper down the stretch for the Celtics, who came away victorious but unfulfilled.

"I hate it," Allen said. "We won, but I take it as a loss in terms of getting better."

Sunday, Boston wasted an 11-point lead in the final 4:25 as the Cavs scored the game's final 12, capped by rookie Kyrie Irving's layup with 2.6 seconds left.

It nearly happened again.

"We just couldn't finish it off," said Irving, who scored 13 of his 21 in the fourth quarter.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS: Joe Johnson needed three quarters to match his season high with 30 points, and the visiting Hawks recorded their sixth consecutive victory over the Raptors, 100-77. … Carmelo Anthony scored 25 in his return from ankle, wrist and thumb injuries, and the host Knicks snapped a three-game losing streak with a 113-86 victory over the Pistons.

AROUND THE LEAGUE: Cavaliers guard Daniel Gibson could be sidelined for a few more days with a neck infection that landed him in a Boston hospital. … Trail Blazers forward Nicolas Batum has a left knee bone contusion that will keep him out of tonight's game.

Celtics 93, Cavaliers 90

BOSTON (93): Pierce 7-14 6-9 20, Garnett 5-12 3-4 13, O'Neal 5-7 2-2 12, Bradley 4-7 0-0 8, Allen 4-10 2-2 12, Bass 6-9 1-2 13, Wilcox 0-2 0-0 0, Pietrus 2-7 0-0 6, Moore 2-3 0-0 5, Pavlovic 2-2 0-0 4. Totals 37-73 14-19 93.

CLEVELAND (90): Casspi 2-5 0-2 6, Jamison 5-11 1-2 12, Varejao 10-17 0-0 20, Irving 7-16 6-6 21, M.Thompson 3-9 0-0 8, Gee 3-6 4-5 11, Sessions 3-5 0-2 6, T.Thompson 0-1 0-0 0, Samuels 1-5 4-4 6. Totals 34-75 15-21 90.

Boston 28 23 25 17— 93

Cleveland 24 15 19 32— 90

3-Point Goals—Boston 5-14 (Allen 2-5, Pietrus 2-6, Moore 1-1, Pierce 0-2), Cleveland 7-17 (Casspi 2-2, M.Thompson 2-4, Irving 1-2, Gee 1-3, Jamison 1-5, Varejao 0-1). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Boston 40 (Bass 6), Cleveland 48 (Varejao 20). Assists—Boston 25 (Allen 8), Cleveland 27 (Sessions 10). Total Fouls—Boston 20, Cleveland 18. A—14,798 (20,562).

Grizzlies 100, Nuggets 97, OT

DENVER (97): Gallinari 1-10 6-6 8, Nene 6-9 2-3 14, Mozgov 0-3 1-2 1, Lawson 5-11 0-0 12, Afflalo 3-7 2-2 8, Harrington 8-16 4-4 23, Miller 8-13 3-6 20, Andersen 1-3 0-0 2, Brewer 3-4 1-2 8, Fernandez 0-4 0-0 0, Koufos 0-0 1-2 1. Totals 35-80 20-27 97.

MEMPHIS (100): Gay 7-20 4-4 20, Speights 1-5 3-4 5, Gasol 5-13 10-14 20, Conley 3-11 4-4 11, Allen 6-14 5-5 17, Cunningham 3-6 0-0 6, Pondexter 1-3 1-2 3, Mayo 7-14 1-2 18, Selby 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 33-86 28-35 100.

Denver 23 26 18 24 6— 97

Memphis 19 18 23 31 9— 100

3-Point Goals—Denver 7-23 (Harrington 3-7, Lawson 2-3, Brewer 1-1, Miller 1-2, Afflalo 0-2, Fernandez 0-4, Gallinari 0-4), Memphis 6-12 (Mayo 3-6, Gay 2-3, Conley 1-3). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Denver 57 (Harrington 10), Memphis 55 (Gasol, Gay 13). Assists—Denver 20 (Miller 6), Memphis 18 (Conley 6). Total Fouls—Denver 22, Memphis 21. A—13,651 (18,119).

Knicks 113, Pistons 86

DETROIT (86): Prince 5-13 0-0 10, Wallace 0-2 0-0 0, Monroe 6-11 1-2 13, Stuckey 5-8 3-3 13, Knight 3-8 2-4 9, Maxiell 2-6 2-2 6, Daye 2-7 2-2 7, Russell Jr. 3-7 2-2 8, Jerebko 4-4 6-6 15, Wilkins 1-4 1-2 3, Macklin 1-1 0-2 2. Totals 32-71 19-25 86.

NEW YORK (113): Anthony 9-14 5-5 25, Stoudemire 5-11 5-6 15, Chandler 5-6 7-10 17, Shumpert 3-8 0-0 6, Fields 7-10 0-0 18, Jeffries 1-3 0-0 2, Douglas 2-5 0-0 4, Walker 4-7 1-1 11, Balkman 3-3 0-0 6, Lin 1-1 2-3 4, Jordan 1-1 0-0 2, Novak 1-1 0-0 3. Totals 42-70 20-25 113.

Detroit 24 21 12 29— 86

New York 33 24 24 32— 113

3-Point Goals—Detroit 3-9 (Jerebko 1-1, Daye 1-3, Knight 1-3, Maxiell 0-1, Prince 0-1), New York 9-18 (Fields 4-6, Anthony 2-3, Walker 2-5, Novak 1-1, Shumpert 0-1, Douglas 0-2). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Detroit 41 (Monroe 12), New York 37 (Chandler 8). Assists—Detroit 13 (Stuckey, Russell Jr. 3), New York 25 (Anthony, Shumpert 6). Total Fouls—Detroit 22, New York 20. Technicals—New York defensive three second. A—19,763 (19,763).

Hawks 100, Raptors 77

ATLANTA (100): Williams 4-11 0-0 10, Smith 3-7 1-2 7, Pachulia 5-6 0-0 10, Teague 5-10 0-0 10, Jo.Johnson 13-18 1-1 30, McGrady 5-7 4-4 15, Hinrich 1-6 0-0 2, I.Johnson 2-6 1-2 5, Radmanovic 0-1 0-0 0, Green 2-4 2-2 7, Stackhouse 0-1 2-2 2, Pargo 1-3 0-0 2. Totals 41-80 11-13 100.

TORONTO (77): DeRozan 3-9 3-4 9, Ja.Johnson 4-13 1-2 9, A.Johnson 1-1 0-0 2, Calderon 3-4 0-0 6, Bayless 4-11 4-4 14, Barbosa 2-8 0-0 4, Davis 4-6 3-3 11, Kleiza 2-9 2-2 7, Butler 2-5 0-2 5, Gray 0-0 0-0 0, Forbes 2-6 6-6 10, Carter 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 27-73 19-23 77.

Atlanta 23 33 21 23— 100

Toronto 18 19 23 17— 77

3-Point Goals—Atlanta 7-18 (Jo.Johnson 3-5, Williams 2-4, McGrady 1-2, Green 1-2, Pargo 0-1, Smith 0-1, Teague 0-1, Hinrich 0-2), Toronto 4-20 (Bayless 2-5, Butler 1-3, Kleiza 1-4, DeRozan 0-1, Forbes 0-1, Ja.Johnson 0-2, Barbosa 0-4). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Atlanta 44 (Smith, I.Johnson, Pachulia 6), Toronto 47 (Davis 11). Assists—Atlanta 21 (Teague 5), Toronto 21 (Calderon 9). Total Fouls—Atlanta 16, Toronto 16. A—16,117 (19,800).

Pacers 106, Nets 99

NEW JERSEY (99): Humphries 5-9 3-7 13, Sha.Williams 3-10 1-1 8, She.Williams 0-0 0-0 0, D.Williams 10-20 10-12 34, Morrow 10-17 3-3 28, Farmar 4-8 0-0 10, Petro 3-6 0-0 6, Owens 0-1 0-0 0, Gaines 0-2 0-0 0, J.Williams 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 35-74 17-23 99.

INDIANA (106): Granger 6-15 9-9 21, West 3-4 0-0 6, Hibbert 7-12 4-7 18, Collison 2-7 4-5 8, George 8-11 4-4 24, Hansbrough 3-7 4-6 10, Hill 1-5 0-2 2, Amundson 4-4 1-3 9, Stephenson 1-2 0-0 2, Jones 3-6 0-0 6. Totals 38-73 26-36 106.

New Jersey 24 29 19 27— 99

Indiana 28 27 29 22— 106

3-Point Goals—New Jersey 12-29 (Morrow 5-8, D.Williams 4-9, Farmar 2-3, Sha.Williams 1-8, Owens 0-1), Indiana 4-11 (George 4-6, Jones 0-1, Hill 0-1, Granger 0-3). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—New Jersey 38 (Humphries 10), Indiana 52 (Hibbert 14). Assists—New Jersey 23 (D.Williams 7), Indiana 26 (Granger, Stephenson 5). Total Fouls—New Jersey 21, Indiana 20. Technicals—D.Williams, Sha.Williams. A—11,408 (18,165).

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, January 31, 2012

TAMPA — As Capitals goaltender Tomas Vokoun made stunning save after stunning save Tuesday night, Lightning players said they kept one thing in mind.

"He's a good goalie," center Steven Stamkos said. "But no goalie can stop every puck."

And it was Stamkos, with his eighth shot of the game, who broke through 2:45 into overtime with his league-best 33rd goal for a 4-3 victory at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

"There are only so many chances you can have before it goes in," Stamkos said. "It was nice to get rewarded in a big situation like that."

It was a season-best fifth straight win for Tampa Bay (22-23-4), which pulled to eight points of first-place Washington in the Southeast Division as well as the eighth and final playoff spot in the East.

Teddy Purcell, Marty St. Louis and Nate Thompson also scored, and goaltender Mathieu Garon had 27 saves, including bang-bang stops on Troy Brouwer and Brooks Laich to spark, and assist on, Stamkos' rush with St. Louis that won the game.

A few blips, though.

Coach Guy Boucher said he was disappointed at open shots the team passed up. The power play, in a 5-for-55 slump, was brutal in its only chance. And by erasing a 3-1 second-period lead, the Capitals got a point for the regulation tie.

That might be crucial down the road if the playoff race tightens. But for now, center Nate Thompson said, "We just have to worry about getting two points. We're not worried about standings. We're worried about our own game and what we can control."

Tampa Bay seemed in control with 9:01 left in the second period, when Thompson scored for a 3-1 lead.

It was 3-2 with 6:53 left in the second, when Mathieu Perreault's pass to the slot deflected in off Thompson's skate — "My first two-goal game," Thompson joked — and Brouwer tied it 5:53 into the third after Matt Gilroy's defensive zone giveaway.

Add Vokoun's stop of Stamkos' breakaway that could have made it 4-2 and his dramatic, lunging glove save on Vinny Lecavalier in overtime and you could forgive Tampa Bay some head shaking.

But then came Garon's saves on Brouwer and Laich and four seconds later a give-and-go between St. Louis and Stamkos, who fed his teammate then scored on the rebound after Vokoun stopped St. Louis' in-close shot.

"He drew guys to the middle knowing Marty was going to cut to the side," Boucher said of Stamkos. "He put (the puck) in the perfect place, the perfect timing and speed for Marty to pick it up. Obviously, Stammer was hungry to crash (the net)."

Not even Vokoun could stop him.

First Period—1, Washington, Hendricks 2 (Laich), 16:55. 2, Tampa Bay, Purcell 13 (Downie, Stamkos), 18:50. Penalties—Tampa Bay bench, served by Connolly (too many men), 1:30.

Second Period—3, Tampa Bay, St. Louis 13 (Pyatt, Clark), 1:05. 4, Tampa Bay, Thompson 6 (Moore, Wyman), 10:59. 5, Washington, Perreault 8, 13:07. Penalties—Downie, TB, double minor (high-sticking), 2:23.

Third Period—6, Washington, Brouwer 15, 5:53. Penalties—Halpern, Was (goaltender interference), 11:41.

Overtime—7, Tampa Bay, Stamkos 33 (St. Louis, Garon), 2:45. Penalties—None. Shots—Washington 8-9-10-2—29. Tampa Bay 10-11-6-4—31. Power plays—Washington 0 of 3; Tampa Bay 0 of 1. Goalies—Washington, Vokoun 20-12-1 (31 shots-27 saves). Tampa Bay, Garon 15-13-2 (29-26). A—17,754 (19,204). T—2:24.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer, and Times wires
Wednesday, February 1, 2012

BASEBALL

RAYS send CANZLER TO INDIANS for cash

ST. PETERSBURG — Russ Canzler won the International League MVP award last year because of his bat, but he didn't really have a home on the defense-oriented Rays roster.

So after designating the corner infielder/outfielder for assignment last week to make room for the more versatile Jeff Keppinger, the Rays on Tuesday traded Canzler to the Indians for undisclosed cash considerations.

While Canzler, 25, didn't fit with the Rays, the Indians seem to have big plans for him, potentially including the first base job. "He'll come and compete for a spot on the major-league team," GM Chris Antonetti said. "One of the things that we're attracted to about Russ, in addition to his offensive ability, is his defensive versatility."

Canzler, who hails from the same hometown as Rays manager Joe Maddon (Hazleton, Pa.), hit .314 with 18 homers and 83 RBIs for Durham and made his big-league debut in September. The right-handed hitter has options remaining so the Indians also could send him to Triple A.

MORE BASEBALL

Garza has ring from 2008 ALCS stolen

Former Rays pitcher Matt Garza had his 2008 AL championship ring stolen during a burglary of his Fresno County, Calif., home, the Fresno Bee reported. The ring was valued at $30,000, police said. Garza now pitches for the Cubs.

ASTROS: Pitcher Livan Hernandez, 36, agreed to a minor-league deal and was invited to major-league spring training.

D'BACKS: Catcher Miguel Montero ($5.9 million) and infielder Ryan Roberts ($2,012,500) signed one-year deals.

PHILLIES: Former Rays reliever Chad Qualls signed a one-year, $1.15 million contract.

yankees: New York hired former Cubs general manager Jim Hendry, 56, as a special assistant who will help scout talent.

SOCCER

Donovan helps guide upset of EPL leader

American Landon Donovan assisted on the lone goal by Darron Gibson as host Everton stunned EPL leader Manchester City 1-0. Manchester United defeated Stoke 2-0 to draw even with its city rival on points.

ROWDIES: Tampa Bay signed Daniel Antoniuk, a forward who played last year for NASL's Edmonton, for a year. The team also signed midfielder Shane Hill for two years and declined an option on David Hayes.

AUTOS

F1 driver convicted of assault against owner

Adrian Sutil, who drove for Formula 1 team Force India last year, was convicted in Munich of causing grievous bodily harm and given an 18-month suspended sentence. He also was fined $262,200. He had a nightclub confrontation with Renault team executive Eric Lux on April 17 in Shanghai. Lux was cut in the neck by a broken glass.

college football

Gators get QB, lose DT

Florida lost out on a top recruit, but picked up another. DE Darius Hamilton, the Don Bosco Prep national defensive player of the year, will attend Rutgers. Skyler Mornhinweg, a Pennsylvania QB who orally committed to Penn State in July, will sign with UF. The 6-3, 205-pounder from St. Joseph's Prep is the son of Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg.

ET CETERA

STORM: Tampa Bay acquired quarterback Kyle Havens, an Arena League rookie out of UMass, from Spokane.

tennis: Serena Williams said her sister Venus is ready for this weekend's Fed Cup tie against Belarus — her first match since she pulled out of the U.S. Open with an autoimmune disease.

Marc Topkin and Antonya English, Times staff writers; Times wires

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Greg Schiano told reporters after his introduction as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' new coach on Friday that he expected to bring some of his Rutgers assistants with him to Tampa Bay. While he didn't get specific, it was clear his intention is to have multiple members of that staff join him on the Buccaneers' coaching staff.

But things could get interesting in the next several days. With Rutgers naming interim coach Kyle Flood as its permanent coach on Tuesday, the Scarlet Knights' goals now turn to retaining the core of their coaching staff. That will put them in direct competition with Schiano, and it's not out of the question to suggest there could be some bidding wars.

The Star-Ledger newspaper in New Jersey reported that Flood intends to use some of the payroll money available in the wake of Schiano's departure for sweetening deals for assistants who might otherwise be lured to Tampa Bay. The paper reported Flood will make a starting salary of about $750,000, about one-third what Schiano was making after 11 seasons on the job. That presumably gives Rutgers the flexibility to offer key assistants competitive deals that might convince them to stay.

One who appears headed to Tampa Bay, however, is Rutgers defensive coordinator Bob Fraser. He reportedly is interviewing for a job on the Bucs' staff today in Tampa. Fraser has a history in coaching linebackers, and it's possible he could take on a similar role for the Bucs, who will have a new linebackers coach for the third time in four years.

Another name to watch is Frank Cignetti, Rutgers' offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. He has extensive experience as a coordinator and quarterbacks coach in major college football and spent 2007 as the 49ers' quarterbacks' coach. His offensive philosophy closely resembles Schiano's, so it wouldn't be surprising if Schiano attempted to lure Cignetti to the Bucs.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Dan Johnson, who has hit several huge homers for the Tampa Bay Rays, is signing with the White Sox.

Johnson will get a minor-league deal, and try to win a spot on the bench behind 1B Paul Konerko and DH Adam Dunn.

Johnson hit a dramatic homer in a September 2008 game at Boston, then an even more dramatic one this past September with two outs in the ninth to tie Game 162.

By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist
Wednesday, February 1, 2012

INDIANAPOLIS

The route to success is a tricky one in the NFL. For a wide receiver, there are always obstacles.

You get bumped as you leave the line, for one thing. You zig when you come to the critics, and you zag when you see the doubters, and you fight to find a small opening. Somewhere along the way, you try to get noticed.

Then you make the catch, and it no longer matters that you started from nowhere.

If there was ever a football game to suggest that the scouts of the NFL are just guessing when it comes to wide receivers, this is the one. For all of the stop-watches and all of the tape measures, for all of the film and all of the scouting reports, no one has quite figured out the position.

Otherwise, how does one explain the success of Victor Cruz?

And while we're at it, how does one explain the stardom of Wes Welker?

The league never saw them coming. Both were undrafted, unheralded and largely unloved. They were afterthoughts, end-of-the-roster guys who came in with the smallest of expectations.

"I wouldn't say I was a million-to-one shot," Welker said. "I think it was better than that. But the odds would have been up there."

"I was 10 million to one," Cruz said. "Definitely. No one expected this out of me. Not even me."

Don't you love an underdog? Don't you love a receiver who was promised nothing on his way to the end zone? Don't you love a player who has worked and scrapped and overachieved?

There were 31 receivers drafted the year Welker left Texas Tech, included seven in the first round. Welker signed a free-agent contract with the Chargers and was cut after one game.

And yet, here he is, still looking like the placekicker. The difference is that now, Welker has had four Pro Bowl seasons and four seasons with more than 100 catches and four with more than 1,000 yards.

Then there is Cruz. Thirty receivers were drafted the year he finished at UMass, but he wasn't one of them. He signed with the Giants, the only team to offer him a contract.

And here he is, joking that his arm is sore from him pinching it. This year, he made the first catch of his NFL career, not to mention 81 others. He set a Giants record with 1,536 yards.

Yeah. Take a look at these guys now. They are proof that a receiver doesn't have to be big, or run blazing times. He just has to be good.

"I don't think anyone ever thought I would have this kind of production," Welker said. "I don't know if I did. I just wanted to come in and work hard and maybe make a roster.

"I think wide receiver is a position where you have to be one of the hardest-working men on the field. You have to be in shape, you have to have the attitude that you're going to win because you're one of the toughest guys out there."

No one doubts that anymore about Welker, who has the right quickness and the right feel to find the open space. No, having Tom Brady throwing to him doesn't hurt, but remember, Chad Ochocinco was on this team, too, and he barely got onto the field. Chad Nadamucho, perhaps.

These days, Brady and Welker have turned into partners. Welker is the funny one.

"I like to make fun of his life, basically," Welker said. "For instance, he has this toilet that sprays water on you. It's heated and everything. I'm like, 'Are you kidding me?' Sometimes, I like to go to Tom's house to use the restroom."

Welker can afford to laugh these days. Not so much when he was with the Dolphins. Back then, he was in a bar one night talking to a woman. When she asked what he did for a living, he told her that he played for the Dolphins. She rolled her eyes in disbelief, got up and walked away.

For Cruz, the arrival was quick and unexpected. Early in the season, the Giants were struggling to find a receiver who could play in the slot. Given the opportunity, Cruz took off. He hasn't slowed down since.

"It's a very, very fine line between success and failure," Cruz said. "It takes a little luck, a lot of skill, a lot of determination. It took being in the right place at the right time, choosing the right team, being in the right moment, having all the right moves.

"I'm glad the way I came up. It taught me to savor the moment and not take anything for granted. I could be gone tomorrow."

If nothing else, life has taught that to Cruz. He was still in college when a phone call let him know his father, Mike Walker, had died by what authorities would later label a suicide. Walker had been a fireman for most of his life, but his health had been spiraling after an auto accident led to his dismissal.

Before every game, Cruz runs to the opposite end zone, kneels and has a conversation with his father, the man he calls his hero.

"He taught me to play the game," Cruz said. "Hopefully, I can play it with respect and honor, the way he taught me."

In some ways, Cruz will tell you, he still has odds to fight before he is as accomplished as Welker. Welker will tell you he still has work to do before he is as good as he can be.

This is what they have in common. They are both driven, both determined, both dependable. The other receivers, the ones with the fat contracts who find complacency so quickly, could learn a lesson or two. Playing isn't about the path you take; it's about the catch you make.

Come Sunday, perhaps you should appreciate the guys who arrived the hard way. Perhaps you should enjoy how hard they have worked to change the minds of their coaches and their teammates. Here's one for the overachievers. Here's one for the underdogs.

These days, it isn't hard to find either player.

Just look for them in the end zone.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 1, 2012

TAMPA — Lightning goaltender Mathieu Garon didn't want to hear it.

He didn't want to hear how much he has meant to the team's season-best five-game winning streak or about an improved goals-against average and save percentage.

And he certainly didn't want to hear how he is giving Tampa Bay more of a chance to win.

"When you win it seems like all the credit goes to the goalie, and when you lose it's the opposite," Garon said. "It all depends on how the team is playing."

Maybe so, but there is no getting around how Lightning goaltending has stepped up lately, and Garon is leading the way, winning his past four starts with a 2.22 goals-against average and .918 save percentage.

Dwayne Roloson also played well in his last start, a 36-save win over the Coyotes on Jan. 21.

But Garon got the call out of the All-Star break Tuesday against the Capitals and tonight against the Jets at the Tampa Bay Times Forum will make his fifth start in six games.

For now, at least, Garon, 34, is Tampa Bay's No. 1.

"I know Roli is chomping at the bit and wants more and I understand that," coach Guy Boucher said. "But right now, Garon has given us solid consistency. We're kind of riding that."

As in the 4-3 overtime win over Washington. Garon made 26 saves, including bang-bang stops of Troy Brouwer and Brooks Laich to spark a rush that led to Steven Stamkos' winning goal.

"It's your job to make key saves at the right time," Garon said.

As for assisting on a winning goal, he said, "Well, you don't really think about it."

Think about this: during Tampa Bay's streak, Garon and Roloson have combined for a 2.38 goals-against average and .918 save percentage.

Compare that to their combined 3.32 goals-against average for the season, the worst in the league entering Wednesday, and .890 save percentage that was second-worst.

Nothing happens in a vacuum, though, and the team is playing much better in the defensive zone. Defensemen Pavel Kubina and Eric Brewer are a combined plus-14 during the streak.

Brewer, though, said it is time to credit the goalies who for most of the season have taken the brunt of media and fan criticism

"They've had their (behinds) handed to them," Brewer said. "It's been easy pickin's to take pot shots at our goalies, but they're not the only ones involved. They haven't had a lot of help."

"Early in the year we had a lot of breakdowns," defenseman Bruno Gervais said. "It's tough when you get 25 shots but nine of them are Grade A chances. We're giving less opportunities, but they're stepping up big-time when it happens. They're keeping us in every game and giving us a chance to believe."

For Garon, most important is that a team, fighting for its playoff life, builds on its success.

"We're playing with a lot of confidence right now," he said.

The goalies, too.

"Very often when asked about their games, goalies give credit to everybody in front of them," Boucher said. "Let's give them credit. They've played well."

And that should be heard.

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 1, 2012

TAMPA — In unveiling a 20-member recruiting class Wednesday, USF coach Skip Holtz praised his entire staff, but the Bulls' greatest successes came in two areas about two hours from campus, to the north and the east.

Receivers coach Phil McGeoghan, who helped the Bulls land three key recruits in the Gainesville area, was tabbed by 247sports.com as one of the nation's top 50 recruiters after serving as primary recruiter for four-star TE Sean Price, CB Chris Bivins and LB Tashon Whitehurst.

And offensive coordinator Todd Fitch, who recruits the Orlando area for USF, helped the Bulls land five players from there, including four-star WR D'vario Montgomery and athletic defensive end Guito Ervilus.

The strong Orlando presence was in contrast to the lack of local recruits — if Plant City WR LaMarlin Wiggins has to go to junior college as expected, the only newcomer from Hillsborough or Pinellas counties will be Armwood S Jarvis McCall.

"We probably didn't sign the number (of locals) that I would like to, because there's a lot of talented players," Holtz said. "When you're only signing one linebacker, when the one linebacker commits, you're done, and it's hard because you know you're going to drive past some guys that are going to play college football that are very talented players."

LOYALTY: Price committed to USF in June and saw national powers such as Oklahoma and Georgia recruiting him to the very end but said nothing was changing his mind.

"I've known it was USF from Day 1," said Price, who said he will wear No. 21 for the Bulls. "The coaches have been recruiting me for a while and they kept it real throughout the whole process. I respect them a lot for that. ... It's not only a big opportunity for me, but a big opportunity for the team as well to take it to the next level and blow everyone's minds. This is the beginning of a great four or five years for me and for USF."

BIG AND TALL: DE Daniel Perry of Fort Lauderdale brings considerable reach to USF's pass rush — the Bulls are listing him at 6 feet 8, 225 pounds, and while he put himself at 6-7, his size is impressive. He's athletic enough that he just rejoined University School's basketball team, which is ranked No. 10 in ESPN's state rankings with a 20-2 record and needed a big man in the post.

Perry's brother, David, is a defensive end at Miami, and he said his family is trying to split its college clothing evenly between the two loyalties.

STRONG FINISH: Wednesday's big additions were Lauderhill OT Kam Davis and Whitehurst, who Holtz noticed while scouting Bivins last fall.

"I went to watch (Bivins) play during the open date and walked off the field and said, 'Who in the world is 21?' He makes every tackle on the field, he's all over the place, and I'm really excited to get him to commit to South Florida. Very versatile, athletic linebacker that's going to help us down the road."

PASSING ON QBS: Holtz didn't sign a quarterback, leaving limited depth for 2013, but said after losing commitment Tyler Cameron to Wake Forest in December, he didn't want to add a quarterback just out of necessity.

"We would have liked to have a quarterback," Holtz said. "When you looked at some of the quarterbacks that were available, we were behind, and I did not want to take one just to take one. At that point, I said I'd rather hold onto it. I feel very comfortable with our quarterback situation right now. ... We'll address it in next year's recruiting class. We were on the phone with juniors today. ... It will definitely be a priority as we move forward. ... Without a doubt, you have a chance to get one of those difference makers."

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 1, 2012

GAINESVILLE — Florida coach Will Muschamp is known for being unimpressed with the ranking system of high school recruits, but you can bet deep down he was celebrating Wednesday afternoon. The Gators closed out Wednesday's national signing day with a Top 5 class in the major national recruiting rankings. Florida was No. 4 according to ESPN, No. 3 in the Rivals.com final rankings and No. 5 according to Scout.com.

Of the Gators' 23 players, 14 are skill players up front or at linebacker, which Muschamp and his staff identified as a critical need, and helped bring the Gators closer to their 80-man roster limit. But as is customary with the second-year Gators coach, he wasn't declaring victory just yet.

"We'll know a lot more about this class in two or three years," Muschamp said. "At the end of the day, this is a developmental game. It's not about winning in February, it's about winning in the fall, and developing your football team and addressing your needs and I think we've done that."

GUARANTEED FOR FOUR: For the first time in school history, Florida extended scholarships that are guaranteed for four years — a trend that is growing in college football and many expect will become a mandate soon. Previously, scholarships were renewed annually, but Muschamp downplayed the change. "We're on the four year," he said. "At the end of the day it's not a whole lot different from a single-year contract. Instead of the day having a guy come in and sign his scholarship saying that it's going to be renewed … It's just what it says in the scholarship now, which is probably what all schools are doing."

Actually, for now it's still unusual.

CLOSE, BUT NOT QUITE: Although the Gators finished with a solid class, they went 0-for-4 with players whose narrowed choices on the final day included the Gators. Among them: Berkeley Prep's Nelson Agholor and Daytona Beach Mainland DE Leonard Williams who both chose Southern Cal; CB Tracy Howard (Miami) and the nation's No. 1 DT Eddie Goldman, who chose Florida State. "To not land any of those guys probably stunted their growth toward finishing with a No. 1 class," said ESPN recruiting analyst Craig Haubert.

TALENTED DUO: Muschamp said he expects big things from the TE duo of Kent Taylor (Land O'Lakes) and Colin Thompson. "I think they compliment each other very well," Muschamp said. "They are both guys we're excited about."

DID YOU KNOW? Here's how tough things are in the SEC. Seven of the schools ranked in the ESPN Top 25 recruiting class are on the Gators' 2012 schedule.

THREE CHEERS FOR JONES: Muschamp said Armwood RB Matt Jones is exactly the kind of running back the Gators desperately needed. What makes Jones so good? "Toughness," Muschamp said. "At the end of the day his toughness. He runs behind his pads, and in the fourth quarter you get tired of tackling. That's what we need. We need more of those guys who can run up in there when it's fourth-and-1, know that you are going to move the pile by turning around and handing it to somebody. That's something I didn't always feel as comfortable with this year."

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 1, 2012

GAINESVILLE — Florida coach Will Muschamp is known for being unimpressed with the ranking system of high school recruits, but you can bet deep down he was celebrating Wednesday afternoon.

The Gators closed out Wednesday's national signing day with a top five class in the major national recruiting rankings. Florida was No. 4 in the ESPN rankings, No. 3 in Rivals.com and No. 5 on Scout.com.

Muschamp and his staff had said it was critical to get stronger on both lines, and 14 recruits are big players up front or at linebacker.

The class helped bring the Gators closer to the 80-man roster limit; as is customary with Muschamp, the second-year coach wasn't declaring victory just yet.

"We'll know a lot more about this class in two or three years," Muschamp said. "At the end of the day, this is a developmental game. It's not about winning in February, it's about winning in the fall, and developing your football team and addressing your needs and I think we've done that."

GUARANTEED FOR FOUR: For the first time in school history, Florida extended scholarships that are guaranteed for four years — a trend that is growing in college football and many expect will become a mandate soon. Previously, scholarships were renewed annually, but Muschamp downplayed the change. "We're on the four year," he said. "At the end of the day it's not a whole lot different from a single-year contract. Instead of the day having a guy come in and sign his scholarship saying that it's going to be renewed … It's just what it says in the scholarship now, which is probably what all schools are doing."

Actually, for now it's still unusual.

CLOSE, BUT NOT QUITE: The Gators finished with a solid class but went 0-for-4 with players whose narrowed choices on the final day included the Gators. Among them: Berkeley Prep's Nelson Agholor and Daytona Beach Mainland defensive end Leonard Williams, who both chose USC; cornerback Tracy Howard (Miami) and the nation's No. 1 defensive tackle, Eddie Goldman, who chose Florida State. "To not land any of those guys probably stunted their growth toward finishing with a No. 1 class," said ESPN recruiting analyst Craig Haubert.

TALENTED DUO: Muschamp said he expects big things from tight ends Kent Taylor (Land O'Lakes) and Colin Thompson. "I think they complement each other very well," Muschamp said. "They are both guys we're excited about."

THREE CHEERS FOR JONES: Muschamp said Armwood's Matt Jones is exactly the kind of running back the Gators desperately needed. What makes Jones so good? "Toughness," Muschamp said. "At the end of the day his toughness. He runs behind his pads, and in the fourth quarter you get tired of tackling. That's what we need. We need more of those guys who can run up in there when it's fourth and 1, know that you are going to move the pile by turning around and handing it to somebody. That's something I didn't always feel as comfortable with this year."

DID YOU KNOW? Seven of the schools ranked in the ESPN Top 25 recruiting class are on the Gators' 2012 schedule.

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 1, 2012

NAME, SCHOOL POS HT/WT

Raphael Andrades, Tallahassee Lincoln WR 6-0/190

Willie Bailey*, Hallandale DB 6-1/167

Jonathan Bullard, Shelby (N.C.) Crest DL 6-3/263

Bryan Cox Jr., Ft. Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas DL 6-3/247

Jessamen Dunker, Boynton Beach OL 6-6/315

Donte Fowler Jr., Lakewood OLB 6-3/261

Austin Hardin, Atlanta Marist K 5-10/204

D.J. Humphries*, Charlotte Mallard Creek OL 6-6/271

Damien Jacobs*, East Mississippi CC DL 6-3/310

Matt Jones, Armwood RB 6-2/213

Rhaheim Ledbetter, Shelby (N.C.) Crest DB 5-11/195

JaFar Mann, Stone Mountain (Ga.) Stephenson DL 6-3/293

Marcus Maye, Melbourne Holy Trinity Episcopal DB 5-11/200

Alex McCalister, Clemmons (N.C.) West Forsyth OLB 6-6/223

Skyler Mornhinweg, Philadelphia St. Joseph's Prep QB 6-3/190

Antonio Morrison*, Bolingbrook (Ill.) Bolingbrook LB 6-1/209

Dante Phillips, Venice DL 6-6/270

Latroy Pittman*, Citra North Marion WR 6-0/195

Brian Poole, Bradenton Southeast CB 5-10/202

Jeremi Powell, Pinellas Park LB 6-1/193

Kent Taylor, Land O'Lakes TE 6-4/252

Colin Thompson, Warminster (Pa.) Archbishop Wood TE 6-5/255

Quinteze Williams, Tyrone (Ga.) Sandy Creek DL 6-5/255

*Already enrolled

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 1, 2012

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 1, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — Neither side particularly wants to be in a hotel room today, arguing over how much pitcher Jeff Niemann should be worth to the Rays this season.

But the lack of an agreement by the Jan. 17 filing deadline led them here, and for three hours reps for both will make their cases — at times pointedly — before a three-arbiter panel which will decide between the Rays' $2.75 million offer and Niemann's $3.2 million request. A decision is expected Friday.

"Going to a hearing is definitely a sub-optimal outcome for both sides,'' Rays executive VP Andrew Friedman said. "That being said, the process is in place for the rare instances where both sides have a philosophical disagreement on a player's salary.''

Niemann, 28, went 11-7, 4.06 in 23 games last season, spending six weeks on the disabled list with a back strain. Niemann's pay scale has been a little unusual as he signed a five-year, $5.2 million major-league contract after the 2004 draft that paid him $1.29 million in 2009, and his salary was cut the next two seasons, to $1.032 million in 2010 and to $903,000 in 2011.

The Rays — who are 5-0 overall in arbitration (the majors' only undefeated team), and 4-0 in the Friedman regime — will be represented by general counsel/senior vice president John Higgins and the Proskauer Rose law firm. Niemann is expected to join his agents, the Hendricks brothers.

Also:

• First baseman Dan Johnson, who added to his resume of dramatic hits with a two-strike, two-out ninth-inning homer that tied Game 162, signed a minor-league deal with the White Sox.

Johnson said he looks back fondly on his time with the Rays — they made the playoffs in each of his three seasons — and said "there's no bitterness at all" about not being re-signed. "The memories are irreplaceable," he said.

Johnson, happy to be healthy after a rough 2011, will compete for a bench spot behind first baseman Paul Konerko and DH Adam Dunn: "My hope is just to be able to stay healthy and go out and prove myself again and work my way back into a relevant role.''

• Right-hander Juan Cruz, who was 5-0, 3.88 in 56 games last season, signed a minor-league deal with the Pirates.

Around the majors

NO CHARGES: Dodgers first baseman James Loney won't face criminal charges resulting from a Nov. 14 traffic accident in which he was briefly detained on suspicion of DUI, a spokesman for the Los Angeles City Attorney's office confirmed. All of Loney's toxicology tests came back negative.

BLUE JAYS: Right-handed reliever Francisco Cordero, 36, finalized a $4.5 million, one-year deal.

MARINERS: Infielder Carlos Guillen, 36, who played for Seattle from 1998-2003, agreed to a minor-league deal.

NATIONALS: Right-handed reliever Chad Durbin, 34, agreed to a minor-league deal.

PADRES: Right-hander Micah Owings, 29, agreed to a minor-league deal.

Information from Times wires was used in this report. Marc Topkin can be reached at topkin@tampabay.com.

By Joey Knight, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 1, 2012

The national signing day war room in Tallahassee featured so many figurative and physical acrobatics, one might have guessed Jimbo Fisher signed a few five-star gymnasts.

At one juncture, highly coveted Lakewood defensive end and longtime Seminole commitment Dante Fowler Jr. was flipping.

At another, Fisher was back-flipping — or so one has to presume.

A day that began with Fowler publicly spurning the 'Noles for the University of Florida ended with Fisher hauling in enough four- and five-star gems to merit national acclaim and put his class ahead of the Gators and Miami in the major rankings.

"I love our class," Fisher said. "I think that we got a lot of the guys that we really wanted and met our needs and that's the big thing."

So, too, did the Gators and Hurricanes, both of whom landed near-consensus top-10 classes.

Miami's 24-player class, boosted by the signature of Miramar five-star cornerback Tracy Howard and three Tampa recruits, was especially surprising. UM still faces potential NCAA wrath in the wake of a rogue booster's claims of years of illegal benefits to 'Canes players.

"I'm not going to sit here and tell you we didn't get absolutely crushed by our opponents on this," coach Al Golden said. "And we fought back."

UF, meantime, addressed its deficiencies up front in a big way. Of its 23 recruits (17 signees, six early enrollees), 14 play on the line of scrimmage. Armwood tailback Matt Jones, meantime, gives the Gators the chiseled downhill force the 2011 team sorely lacked.

Fowler's fax didn't hurt either. The 6-foot-3, 261-pounder, who deems himself more of an end/linebacker hybrid, indicated he felt more comfortable in UF's 3-4 scheme.

"We saw very easily in our season this year we struggled on both lines of scrimmage consistently being able to run the ball and stop the run," second-year coach Will Muschamp said. "I certainly feel like we've addressed our most pressing need."

But from a sheer state-wide perspective, the day belonged to the 'Noles.

At least two major national recruiting services picked FSU's 18-member class as the nation's second-best behind Alabama's 26-player haul. That was without Hueytown (Ala.) quarterback Jameis Winston, who committed to FSU last summer but didn't sign.

A pro baseball prospect, Winston — the top-ranked quarterback in the ESPNU 150 — was competing in a baseball tournament Wednesday but told ESPN, "I'm a 'Nole, man, I'm a 'Nole."

"Pound for pound, (FSU's) was the No. 1 class in America," said Josh Newberg, the FSU and USF recruiting analyst for 247Sports.

Helping offset the loss of Fowler was the signature of two other prized defensive ends: Mobile (Ala.) Under Armour All-American Chris Casher and USA Today Defensive Player of the Year Mario Edwards Jr. of Denton, Texas.

Additionally, five-star defensive tackle Eddie Goldman of Washington D.C. was a signing day coup courtesy of defensive line coach Odell Haggins, who happens to recruit the nation's capital for FSU.

Complementing the size was speed to burn. Orlando Boone wideout Marvin Bracy recently ran the world's fastest 55-meter indoor time (6.08 seconds). Four-star defensive back Ronald Darby of Potomac, Md., is nearly as fast.

"I think (Fisher) definitely felt good about the way it all ended," said Chris Nee, the state of Florida recruiting analyst for Rivals.com. "It's a very good class from top to bottom."

Just not quite as good as Alabama's.

The defending national champs signed 13 players in the ESPNU 150, and a quintet of linebackers hailed as the nation's best.

"Alabama's basically a minor league NFL team at this point," Nee said.

Joey Knight can be reached at jknight@tampabay.com

Times staff
Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Times staff
Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Times staff
Wednesday, February 1, 2012