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Sports in brief

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Times wires
Friday, February 10, 2012

TENNIS

ISNER'S UPSET OF FEDERER GIVES U.S. 2-0 cup LEAD

FRIBOURG, Switzerland — John Isner jolted third-ranked Roger Federer with his big serve and groundstrokes Friday, winning 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 to give the United States a 2-0 lead against Switzerland in the first round of the Davis Cup.

Isner, a Tampa resident ranked 17th in the world, called this the "biggest win of my career thus far.

"I'm very proud of it," the 26-year-old said.

Mardy Fish outlasted Stanislas Wawrinka 6-2, 4-6, 4-6, 6-1, 9-7 in the first singles match. Wesley Chapel's Mike Bryan teams with Ryan Harrison for a chance to clinch against Federer and Wawrinka in today's doubles match.

OPEN GDF SUEZ: Top seed Maria Sharapova was ousted from the quarterfinals in Paris, losing 6-4, 6-4 to Angelique Kerber.

HOCKEY

Accused coach dead; suicide likely

Ukrainian coach Ivan Pravilov, 49, was found dead of a suspected suicide while in custody on child-molestation charges. He was found in his cell at 3 a.m. Friday, said spokesman Darrin Howard of the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia. A preliminary FBI investigation suggested suicide.

COLLEGES

Charge against Haywood dropped

A domestic battery charge was dropped against Michael Haywood, who was named Pittsburgh's head coach in 2010 only to be fired days later because of the legal case. A Superior Court judge in Indiana determined Haywood, 47, had completed all terms of a pretrial diversion program.

South Carolina: The board of trustees approved coach Steve Spurrier's two-year contract extension through the 2015 season as well as a $425,000 raise. He'll make $3.3 million in 2012.

TRACK: UCF freshman Octavious Freeman ran the NCAA's three fastest times this season in the women's 60-meter dash at the Tyson Indoor Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark. She had times of 7.19, 7.20 and 7.22 seconds, nearly beating Bianca Knight's American junior record of 7.16 seconds. "I felt like it was within reach," Freeman of Lake Wales said of the record.

ET CETERA

AUTOS: The Milwaukee Mile is back on the IndyCar schedule, set for June 16. The traditional race had been left off the 2012 slate after struggling with poor attendance and various promoters the past few years. … Bob Tasca (Funny Car), Morgan Lucas (Top Fuel) and Mike Edwards (Pro Stock) led after two rounds of qualifying at the season-opening Winternationals in Pomona, Calif. The final two rounds are today.

Times wires


College men's basketball preview capsule: No. 15 Florida State Seminoles vs. Miami Hurricanes, 1 p.m. Saturday

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Times staff
Friday, February 10, 2012

.toDay

No. 15 Florida State vs. Miami

When/where: 1; Tucker Center, Tallahassee

TV/radio: Ch. 44; 1040-AM

Records: FSU 16-7, 7-2 ACC; Miami 15-7, 6-3

Notable: FSU has won the past five meetings, including 65-59 last February, when former Clearwater High star F Okaro White and G Deividas Dulkys scored 17 each. … FSU enters as the ACC leader in steals (8.7 per game), led by Dulky ( 1.5). … The Hurricanes are second in the ACC in 3-pointers made (7.4 per game), with G Malcolm Grant hitting 31.4 percent. C Reggie Grant was the ACC player of the week after scoring 27 at Duke. … "We've got to make sure we just don't have that letdown," said FSU G Michael Snaer, 10th in the ACC in scoring (13.9).

Times staff

College men's basketball preview capsule: No. 8 Florida Gators vs. Tennessee Volunteers, 4 p.m. Saturday

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By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Friday, February 10, 2012

No. 8 Florida vs. Tennessee

When/where: 4; O'Connell Center, Gainesville

TV/radio: Ch. 38; 620-AM

Records: Florida 19-5, 7-2 SEC; Tennessee 12-12, 4-5

Notable: The Gators are coming off a 20-point loss at No. 1 Kentucky and facing the only other team in the conference that has defeated UF this season. Florida will try to keep its 19-game home win streak alive. The Gators have not lost back-to-back games all season. … The Vols have a below .500 conference record but come in with the confidence they've beaten the Gators this season and having won four of their past six games. … Tennessee freshman Jarnell Stokes, who had UF on his list of final candidates, joined the team in January and is averaging 8.9 points and 7.9 rebounds but has a sprained hand and is listed as questionable for today.

Antonya English, Times staff writer

College men's basketball preview capsule: USF Bulls at Providence Friars, 4 p.m. Saturday

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By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Friday, February 10, 2012

USF at Providence

When/where: 4; Dunkin' Donuts Center, Providence, R.I.

Radio: 1250-AM

Records: USF 14-10, 7-4 Big East; Providence 13-12, 2-10

Notable: The Bulls open a three-game stretch against Big East teams they've already beaten, with Providence, then Villanova, then Pittsburgh. USF won 81-78 in Tampa on Jan. 29 despite the Friars getting 33 points from freshman F LaDontae Henton. … USF F Toarlyn Fitzpatrick is second in the Big East in 3-point accuracy, hitting 45.8 percent of his attempts beyond the arc. A win today would be USF's third on the road in conference play, matching the 2009-10 season for the Bulls' most in any Big East campaign. … The game can be seen online at ESPN3.com.

Greg Auman, Times staff writer

College women's basketball preview capsule: USF Bulls vs. Villanova Wildcats, 7 p.m. Saturday

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By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Friday, February 10, 2012

USF women vs. Villanova

When/where: 7; USF Rec Center, Tampa

Radio: 1010-AM

Records: USF 12-13, 4-7 Big East; Villanova 15-9, 5-6

Notable: The Bulls seek an end to a four-game skid, but for the second straight game they will have to try to do so without their top scorer, G Jasmine Wynne, out because of a concussion suffered last week. USF does get back starting PG Shalethia Stringfield, who missed one game due to a death in the family. … Villanova is the Big East's top 3-point shooting team, having hit 101; G Rachel Roberts is hitting 51 percent and F Lauren Burford 49 percent. The only player who has hit more 3s in Big East play than Burford is USF G Inga Orekhova (2.8 per game). … Fans are encouraged to wear pink as part of the Play4Kay campaign against cancer.

Greg Auman, Times staff writer

Faces of the game

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By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Friday, February 10, 2012

The Lightning plays a Penguins team Sunday missing star Sidney Crosby. The only one missing Crosby more than the Pens is the NHL itself. When you think about it, North American sports these days suffer from a lack of faces — those that sell the sport in commercials and TV shows, those that are loved by all ages, those that have crossover appeal into pop culture. Where are the faces of the leagues? Take a look at the problem:

NBA

This isn't like the old days when Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird pitched everything from shoes to sports drinks to hamburgers. In fact, you're more likely to see Jordan on a commercial now than an active NBA player. Analyst Charles Barkley might be the biggest NBA personality (he hosted Saturday Night Live last month), and he hasn't played since 2000. LeBron James should be that guy, but fans have soured on him since he left the Cavs for the Heat. And, people have never really embraced Kobe Bryant, especially since he was accused (although never prosecuted) for sexual assault in 2003. If I ran the NBA, I'd have Magic center Dwight Howard on everything from Live! With Kelly to Jimmy Fallon's show to Sesame Street. He's quick, funny and makes a great spokesman.

NHL

The NHL is suffering a serious identity crisis with Sidney Crosby being out for most of the past year with head/neck issues. He hopes to return this season but doesn't have a timetable. After Crosby, there's Alex Ovechkin, but he's an enigma. Ovechkin's game has regressed, and he declined an invitation to the All-Star Game because his feelings were hurt over a suspension. His refusal was disrespectful and clearly indicative that he has no desire to help sell the league. Hockey's best player is probably the Pens' Evgeni Malkin, but he's Russian, and there's still a bit of a language barrier. The NHL desperately needs Crosby back.

MLB

If you had to pick a face, you'd probably say Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter. He has charisma, good looks and is a class act on and off the field but is rather private. He is no longer the game's best player and is closing in on the end of his career. So who is baseball's best player? Probably Albert Pujols, but he is just aloof enough that fans really don't feel close to him. Maybe someday, Evan Longoria can be the face of the game, but can he do that from Tampa Bay? Gone are the days when stars such as Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays and, way back, Babe Ruth were household names, even in houses where no one followed baseball.

NFL

The No. 1 pitchman didn't even play last season. Peyton Manning, star of like a billion commercials, played in a small market (Indianapolis) and still became one of the most recognizable athletes. Tom Brady should be loved, but fair or not, he rubs many the wrong way, perhaps because he is too good, too successful and is married to a supermodel. He's too envied to be loved by the masses. Tim Tebow has many followers, but a lot of haters, too. The guy who could take over the world is Peyton's little brother, Eli. Playing in New York and now the owner of two Super Bowl MVP awards, the humble and likable Eli Manning is our pick to become one of the most recognizable personalities in sports, but only if he wants.

Other sports

Golf's face continues to be Tiger Woods, who recently landed on a list of most disliked athletes because of his off-the-course scandal. Tennis' Williams sisters aren't loved because they've never acted like they care enough to love us back. NASCAR's Dale Earnhardt Jr. is a fan favorite but more because of his dad than his success. And once upon a time, boxing provided many of America's most popular athletes, but can anyone even name (and correctly spell) three boxers?

tom jones' two cents

Captain's Corner: Redfish, trout, whiting and pompano are active

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By Neil Taylor, Times Correspondent
Friday, February 10, 2012

What's hot: For rod-bending action, there is a potpourri of species around the bay area with redfish and fat trout supplemented by silver trout, whiting and pompano.

Tackle: Medium-spinning tackle with light fluorocarbon leader and a variety of plastic lures work well on a majority of species. But for fun, scale down to a rod and reel for silver trout, speckled trout and whiting. Use jigheads of one-eighth of an ounce with 3- to 5-inch plastic tails for redfish, trout and silver trout. Use pompano jigs for the whiting and pompano (preferably yellow with a pink fly "teaser").

Techniques: Redfish and the largest trout will be in 1-2 feet of water. Make long casts and work lures just above the bottom. Slot-sized trout will be in 4-7 feet with thick sea grass bottoms. Pompano are best at the bridges of south Tampa Bay. Silver trout and whiting can be caught around nearly all gulf passes, the edges of boat channels and off the beaches. They are easily tricked by using small jigs bounced off the bottom. If jigs don't work, whiting are caught easily on freshly dead or frozen shrimp placed on a size 2 hook and enough weight to reach the bottom.

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

Wi holds off pack and avoids rain

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Times wires
Friday, February 10, 2012

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — On a day when sunshine gave way to light rain, two things stayed the same Friday at the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. Charlie Wi still topped the leaderboard, and Tiger Woods didn't hit enough putts to make up ground.

Wi escaped most of the rain at Pebble Beach, where he made eagle from the 13th fairway and limited the damage to bogey on his final hole for 3-under 69 and a three-shot lead at 12-under 130 in the PGA Tour event.

Dustin Johnson was caught off guard by the rain in the worst way. He stood in the fourth fairway at Spyglass Hill with a short-sleeve shirt, hands thrust in his pocket, as his caddie sent a friend running up the hill to the parking lot to retrieve his rain gear. His short game let him down, and the two-time Pebble champion had to settle for 72. He was three back.

Padraig Harrington had 66 at Pebble Beach and was among those tied for third.

Woods again looked poised to make a move at Monterey Peninsula. But he missed a 5-foot birdie on No. 9 and failed to birdie the par-5 10th when he pulled his second shot into the gallery. He settled for 2-under 68, leaving him six behind.

Along the way, he stung his wrist hitting out of a divot and said he had to pop it back into the joint. "No big deal," he said.

Woods took 33 putts, which he attributed to leaving the ball in the wrong spot — mostly above the hole.

Phil Mickelson struggled in sunshine. In rain, he ran off five birdies for 65 at Monterey Peninsula. He was five shots behind.

"I don't know what happened, but I started to play a lot better and make some birdies," said Mickelson, a three-time winner at Pebble. "In the perfect conditions, I struggled."

For today's round Wi heads to Spyglass, which has played slightly tougher than the other two courses. On No. 9, his final hole Friday, he pulled his approach into thick rough and chopped out over the green. Only a good pitch to tap-in range helped him avoid something worse than a bogey.

Women's Australian Open: U.S. Women's Open champ So Yeon Ryu shot 4-under 69 for a one-shot lead at 6-under 140 over fellow South Korean Hee Kyung Seo in Melbourne. Two-time defending champ Yani Tseng was at par after shooting 76. Seminole's Brittany Lincicome was five off the lead after 75 at the event sanctioned by the LPGA, the Australian Ladies Professional Golf and the Ladies European Tour. Lexi Thompson of Coral Springs, celebrating her 17th birthday, was 2 over after her second 74. Cindy LaCrosse (74) and Kristy McPherson (75), both of Tampa, were at 151.

CHAMPIONS: Corey Pavin shot 8-under 64 for a two-shot lead over Fred Funk, Bernhard Langer and Peter Senior after the first round of the Allianz Championship in Boca Raton. Pavin is winless in 34 career starts on the 50-and-over tour.

EUROPEAN: Rory McIlroy and Thomas Bjorn shot 7-under 65 to share the lead at 13-under 131 after two rounds of the Dubai Desert Classic in the United Arab Emirates.


NCAA denies UConn waiver

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Times wires
Friday, February 10, 2012

STORRS, Conn. — The NCAA on Friday turned down Connecticut's request for a waiver that would allow its men's basketball team to play in the 2013 national championship tournament.

UConn doesn't qualify for the tournament because of below-standard academic results. It requested a waiver last month.

The school proposed alternate penalties, including playing a shorter schedule next season, forfeiting the revenue awarded to the Big East for participating in the 2013 tournament and barring coach Jim Calhoun from meeting offcampus with recruits during the fall 2012 contact period.

UConn president Susan Herbst said the school will appeal.

Under rules approved in October, a school must have a two-year average score of 930 or a four-year average of 900 on the NCAA's annual Academic Progress Rate, which measures the academic performance of athletes.

The defending national champions would be academically ineligible in 2013 because the NCAA plans to use data from the 2009-10 and 2010-11 academic years. The UConn men scored 826 for 2009-10. Their score for 2010-11 is expected to be about 975. That would give Connecticut a two-year score of 900.5 and a four-year average of 888.5.

Walter Harrison, chairman of the NCAA's Committee on Academic Performance, has said the body will meet Feb. 20 to discuss whether to adjust reporting dates to allow schools to use their most recent data in qualifying for tournaments.

For the 2013 men's basketball tournament, that would mean scores from the 2010-11 and 2011-12 academic year. UConn would qualify for the tournament under that scenario.

No. 25 Harvard 56, Penn 50: Corbin Mille and Kyle Casey scored 17 apiece and the Crimson (21-2, 7-0) remained perfect in the Ivy League and beat the Quakers for the sixth straight time.

Watch Me Go returns to Tampa Bay Downs for first time since kick-starting run to 2011 Kentucky Derby

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By Don Jensen, Times Correspondent
Friday, February 10, 2012

OLDSMAR — Two hours after putting career win No. 1,400 in her scrapbook Wednesday, Kathleen O'Connell turned back to another page.

It was the one featuring Watch Me Go, whose upset victory in the 2011 Tampa Bay Derby gave the trainer and her longtime owner, Gilbert Campbell of Ocala, their first taste of the Kentucky Derby. It was the first Grade II race in Tampa Bay Downs history and had an element unexpected by most: Watch Me Go went off at 43-1 odds despite a third-place showing in the Grade III Sam F. Davis.

"That day was very, very awesome and very, very meaningful to me," said O'Connell, a two-time Oldsmar training champion. "I've been at Tampa Bay Downs every year in some capacity, whether it was galloping or training, since 1976. To win a race like that on your home course was very, very exciting."

This afternoon, 336 days after that race, Watch Me Go returns to the Downs for the first time since that milestone win, in the $75,000 Super Stakes (Race 9, 4:10 p.m.). The 4-year-old West Acre colt makes his first start in six months with leading jockey Leandro Goncalves.

O'Connell preferred to have an allowance race under Watch Me Go by now, but the race didn't go. His last workout was Feb. 2, clocking six furlongs in 1 minute, 15 seconds.

Watch Me Go had a challenging 2011. After the Tampa Bay Derby, he ran in four stakes in four states. At the Kentucky Derby, luck wasn't on his side; he finished 18th among 19 horses at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. The Florida-bred drew the outside post, lost his footing leaving the starting gate and had a wide trip.

He was 12th in the Grade II Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs in New Kent, and sixth as the wagering favorite in the Grade III Illinois Derby at Hawthorne in Stickney/Cicero. Watch Me Go's last race was Aug. 6 in the Select Stakes at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J. He finished fifth.

The $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby had several subplots as Watch Me Go and jockey Luis Garcia beat 86-1 shot Crimson Knight, trained by Downs conditioner Gerald Bennett, by a neck. Both horses overtook Brethren, the Sam F. Davis winner and 1-2 betting choice, entering the stretch.

Uncle Mo, the one-time Kentucky Derby favorite, was entered, but he was scratched and ran that day in the Timely Writer Stakes, which he won at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach.

Watch Me Go has four wins from 13 starts and leads his seven Super Stakes rivals in career earnings at $322,595.

"He was sent to the owner's farm for a well-deserved vacation," O'Connell said. "He looks wonderful, has matured and probably gained at least 150 pounds.

"There's no way to describe (the Tampa Bay Derby win). Awesome is not a good enough word. In this business, being with somebody (like Campbell) for a 20-year span and to get to the Derby for him was special."

Resume of new Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan

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Times staff
Friday, February 10, 2012

.FAST FACTS

Mike Sullivan

Age: 45 (born Jan. 28, 1967, Santa Maria, Calif.)

Family: Wife Julie, daughters Carmen and Hope

NFL resume

2010-11: Giants quarterbacks coach

2004-09: Giants receivers coach

2003: Jaguars offensive assistant

2002: Jaguars defensive quality control coach

College

• Lettered as defensive back at Army in 1987 and 1988

• Later graduated from U.S. Army Airborne, Ranger and Air Assault schools.

Miscellany

• On staff at Youngstown State when it won Division I-AA national title in 1997 under future Ohio State coach Jim Tressel

• Has blue belt in Brazilian jiujitsu



Tampa Bay Buccaneers hire Giants quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan as offensive coordinator

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By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Friday, February 10, 2012

TAMPA — Josh Freeman will work with Eli Manning's position coach next season.

The Bucs hired Giants quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan as offensive coordinator on Friday night.

Sullivan, 45, was the Giants receivers coach for six seasons before coaching quarterbacks the past two. Under Sullivan, Manning threw for 8,935 yards, culminating with a Super Bowl MVP performance in a 21-17 victory Sunday over the Patriots.

This past season, Manning was 359-for-589 with 29 touchdowns, 16 interceptions and a 92.9 rating, seventh in the league.

"We are very fortunate to add someone like Mike Sullivan to lead our offensive coaching staff," Bucs coach Greg Schiano said. "He is a man of character and a complete football coach who fits the kind of football team we're building here.

"His work with the Giants over the past eight seasons speaks for itself. Mike was an integral part of that team winning two Super Bowls in the last five years, and we look forward to him bringing that experience and expertise to our club."

Among the Bucs' priorities was to re-ignite Freeman. Last season, he threw 22 interceptions and 16 touchdowns as the Bucs went 4-12. In 2010, he led the Bucs to a 10-6 record, narrowly missing the playoffs while throwing 25 touchdowns and six interceptions.

"Coach Schiano called me with the good news," Freeman said in a text message. "I've yet to talk with (Sullivan), but I plan on talking to him later (Friday night) or (today)."

Before going to the Giants, Sullivan spent a year as defensive quality control coach with the Jaguars under current Giants coach Tom Coughlin.

After the Jags fired Coughlin in 2002, Sullivan spent one season in Jacksonville as an offensive assistant under Jack Del Rio.

The Bucs interviewed former Bears coordinator Ron Turner and former University of North Carolina coordinator John Shoop this week. Schiano wanted to interview Cardinals receivers coach John McNulty and Packers tight ends coach Ben McAdoo, but both requests were denied by their teams. Jimmy Raye was hired as a senior offensive assistant this week.

In addition to his work with Freeman, the Bucs hope Sullivan will have an impact on their young receivers, including Mike Williams and Arrelious Benn.

With New York, Sullivan helped develop Steve Smith and Plaxico Burress. In 2009, Smith set a team record with 107 catches. In four seasons under Sullivan, Burress caught 344 passes for 3,681 yards and 33 touchdowns.

After Sullivan became quarterbacks coach, Manning set a career high with 25 interceptions. But he passed for 4,002 yards and a career-high 31 touchdowns. That prompted him to insist he wasn't a 25-interception-a-year quarterback and he belonged in the same elite class as the Pat­riots' Tom Brady.

Manning proved it Sunday by beating Brady in a Super Bowl for the second time in five seasons.

Report: Gronkowski has surgery on ankle

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — New England tight end Rob Gronkowski had arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle, various media outlets reported. He is expected to be ready for spring workouts. The Patriots declined comment, and messages left for his representatives were not returned. Gronkowski, who set an NFL record for tight ends with 17 touchdown catches, sustained a high ankle sprain during the AFC title game. In the Super Bowl, he was limited to two catches for 26 yards.

Ward reportedly out: The Steelers will release receiver Hines Ward to save $4 million against the salary cap, the NFL Network reported. Last season, his 14th with the team, Ward had 46 catches for 381 yards and two touchdowns. All represented his fewest since his rookie season. Pittsburgh previously restructured the deals of cornerback Ike Taylor and linebackers Lawrence Timmons and LaMarr Woodley.

Bengals: Linebacker Rey Maualuga was charged with misdemeanor assault stemming from an incident at a Cincinnati bar Sunday. A bar employee alleges Maualuga punched him. An arraignment is set for Feb. 17.

49ers: General manager Trent Baalke signed a three-year extension through 2016.

Information from Times wires was used in this report.

Wings close in on record

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Times wires
Friday, February 10, 2012

DETROIT — Pavel Datsyuk and Todd Bertuzzi scored shootout goals to give the Red Wings their 19th consecutive home victory, 2-1 over the Ducks on Friday.

Detroit tied the 1970-71 Bruins for the second-longest home winning streak in NHL history. The 1975-76 Flyers and the 1929-30 Bruins won 20 in a row.

"I haven't even thought about that record until now," said Detroit coach Mike Babcock, whose team is 7-1 in shootouts this season. "So we might as well tie it with Philly coming in here (Sunday)."

The Ducks' Cam Fowler hit the post on a breakaway with 1:40 left in overtime and the teams playing three-on-three. A goal by Anaheim's Niklas Hagman 3:35 into the second was disallowed because of a penalty for goalie interference.

"We think we deserved a better fate," Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau said. "But when you go 0-for-7 on the power play, even if you get three, four good looks, you don't expect to win."

Game highlights: Ryan O'Reilly scored with 1.2 seconds left in overtime to lift the Avalanche past the Hurricanes 4-3. Carolina hasn't won in Denver since Feb. 9, 1996, when it was the Hartford Whalers. It is 0-6-2 with two ties since. … Nathan Gerbe scored the winner in the fifth round of the shootout as the host Sabres beat the Stars 3-2. Buffalo, 5-0-1 over its past six, tied it with 39 seconds left.

Around the league: Penguins center Jordan Staal planned to return today after missing 15 games with a left knee injury. Staal, who has 15 goals in 34 games, collided knee on knee with the Rangers' Mike Rupp on Jan. 6. … Blues center Andy McDonald, out with a concussion since Oct. 13, was expected to return Sunday. He said he felt fine after practice. … Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard, who has a league-high 32 wins, missed his fourth game because of a broken right index finger, sustained while making a save Feb. 2 against the Canucks. He hoped to start taking shots during practice today, then return in a few days.

at Wings10002
Ducks10001
Wings win shootout 2-1

First Period1, Anaheim, Parros 1 (Pelley), 16:17. 2, Detroit, Kindl 2 (Miller, Abdelkader), 18:42. PenaltiesDetroit bench, served by Bertuzzi (too many men), 3:21; Zetterberg, Det (interference), 12:42; Bertuzzi, Det (hooking), 20:00.

Second PeriodNone. PenaltiesParros, Ana (interference), 3:35; Ericsson, Det (interference), 7:31; Perry, Ana (interference), 8:38.

Third PeriodNone. PenaltiesV.Filppula, Det (holding), 4:04; Bertuzzi, Det (interference), 7:24; Beleskey, Ana (holding stick), 9:22; Blake, Ana (goaltender interference), 15:08.

OvertimeNone. PenaltiesStuart, Det (slashing), 2:27; Visnovsky, Ana (interference), 2:56; Perry, Ana (tripping), 4:06.

ShootoutAnaheim 1 (Selanne G, Perry NG, Ryan NG), Detroit 2 (Datsyuk G, Hudler NG, Bertuzzi G). Shots on GoalAnaheim 8-8-13-1—30. Detroit 6-10-6-2—24. Power-play opportunitiesAnaheim 0 of 7; Detroit 0 of 6. GoaliesAnaheim, Hiller 18-19-9 (24 shots-23 saves). Detroit, MacDonald 2-1-1 (30-29). A20,066 (20,066).

at Avalanche12014
Hurricanes21003

First Period1, Carolina, Brent 8 (Stewart, LaRose), 7:22. 2, Colorado, Landeskog 13 (Mueller), 19:06. 3, Carolina, Tlusty 12 (E.Staal, Ruutu), 19:37. PenaltiesMcLeod, Col (tripping), 8:51; Stastny, Col (slashing), 15:42.

Second Period4, Colorado, Hejduk 13 (Stastny, Jones), 3:15. 5, Carolina, E.Staal 14 (Ruutu, Harrison), 15:31. 6, Colorado, Stastny 14 (Jones, Hejda), 19:00. PenaltiesNone.

Third PeriodNone. PenaltiesJones, Col (hooking), 12:21.

Overtime7, Colorado, O'Reilly 15, 4:58. PenaltiesNone. Shots on GoalCarolina 12-21-7-2—42. Colorado 6-15-10-2—33. Power-play opportunitiesCarolina 0 of 3; Colorado 0 of 0. GoaliesCarolina, Ward 20-18-10 (33 shots-29 saves). Colorado, Giguere 14-9-2 (42-39). A16,854 (18,007).

at Sabres00203
Stars10102
Sabres win shootout 2-1

First Period1, Dallas, Ryder 20 (Goligoski, Eriksson), 17:53 (pp). PenaltiesMcCormick, Buf (roughing), 17:15.

Second PeriodNone. PenaltiesGoligoski, Dal (hooking), :42; Leopold, Buf (high-sticking), 10:25; Roy, Buf (tripping), 19:12.

Third Period2, Dallas, Vincour 2 (Ja.Benn, Ott), 4:17. 3, Buffalo, Vanek 20 (Pominville, Ehrhoff), 5:07 (pp). 4, Buffalo, Roy 11 (Stafford, Myers), 19:21. PenaltiesDvorak, Dal (holding), 4:44; Leino, Buf (holding), 8:33.

OvertimeNone. PenaltiesNone.

ShootoutDallas 1 (Eriksson NG, Ja.Benn G, Ribeiro NG, Vincour NG, Ryder NG), Buffalo 2 (Boyes G, Pominville NG, Vanek NG, Ennis NG, Gerbe G). Shots on GoalDallas 10-12-3-1—26. Buffalo 7-9-13-3—32. Power-play opportunitiesDallas 1 of 4; Buffalo 1 of 2. GoaliesDallas, Lehtonen 20-12-2 (32 shots-30 saves). Buffalo, Miller 16-15-3 (26-24). A18,690 (18,690).

Tampa Bay Lightning's Dominic Moore fined $2,500 for hit on New York Rangers' Ruslan Fedotenko

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By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, February 11, 2012

The Lightning's Dominic Moore was fined $2,500 Friday, the most allowed under the collective bargaining agreement, for an apparent head hit on the Rangers' Ruslan Fedotenko.

The NHL said in a statement only that Moore was fined "for an interference infraction that caused an injury." Moore did not respond to a request for comment.

In the third period of Thursday's game, Moore skated in front of Fedotenko to keep him away from puck-handling Lightning center Nate Thompson and appeared to hit the wing on the chin with his right shoulder. Moore got a roughing penalty. Fedotenko left the game and didn't return.

New York's Daily News reported that a replay angle shows Moore's shoulder hit Fedotenko's stick, which hit the Ranger in the face.

Fedotenko was ruled out of Saturday's game against the Flyers. He didn't feel right after riding a stationary bike, coach John Tortorella said.

Captain's Corner: Adjusting to unexpected warmth

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By Jim Huddleston, Times Correspondent
Saturday, February 11, 2012

What's hot: With the moderate winter this year, many inshore gamefish are taking advantage of the bait that has moved into the shallows with warmer water. There is an abundance of silver dollar-sized pinfish across the grass flats as well as whitebait just inside many passes. By having these baits this early in February, redfish and trout are gorging themselves on the flood tides. Many fish that were cleaned in January were full of baby stone crabs and small shrimp — now that has been replaced with the baitfish. This change of appetite will lead to more aggressive behavior and find more fish moving into skinny waters.

What's ahead: While fishing with a regular client, Matt Orlando, we placed a 5-inch pinfish free-lined on the flat in hopes of catching a big redfish. To our amazement, a 28-inch speckled trout hammered the bait and took off with a screaming drag. As this month goes along, many of these breeder-sized trout will hold around potholes and mullet schools. The tides around the new moon on the 23rd will have 2½ feet of moving incoming tide, and larger redfish schools should move in. A couple of these big schools have shown up on south winds lately. Work oyster bars on high tides and deeper potholes on lower tides.

Longer casts: With the technology of today's lines, anglers can now downsize to 10-pound braided line and get an extra-long cast to weary fish. This added distance works well on schools in shallow water.

Jim Huddleston charters out of Tampa, Palm Harbor and Clearwater and can be reached at (727) 439-9017 and at jim@captainhud.com.


Manager Joe Maddon working out Tampa Bay Rays' lineup

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, February 11, 2012

Manager Joe Maddon has been back on U.S. soil for a week after his European vacation and headed to Tampa Bay, set to formally complete his three-year contract extension this week and start preparing for the season.

Already, he has started scribbling down lineup possibilities, given the offensive additions of 1B Carlos Peña, DH Luke Scott and INF Jeff Keppinger. Naturally, he will ponder many, many others between now and opening day, and more from there.

"My thoughts are that my thoughts aren't clear," Maddon said. "I've got my ideas, but I've got to see it, I've got to talk to the guys, got to see where they're at, how do we feel, how do they feel. But it's going to be interesting putting the group together on a nightly basis."

Listening to him now, it sounds as if the biggest question is at No. 2. LF Desmond Jennings and 3B Evan Longoria seem set at Nos. 1 and 3, respectively, but in between is a decision between CF B.J. Upton, who starred there after a September move (.356, five homers, 1.106 on-base-plus slugging percentage in 23 games), and 2B/RF Ben Zobrist, a good fit tools-wise whose switch-hitting ability would provide balance, breaking up what otherwise would be three straight right-handed hitters.

"I do like to go back and forth, right-left, everybody knows that," Maddon said. "But we've got to look at this and see if anything makes more sense one way or the other."

Scott, a lefty hitter with a high on-base percentage, could be a possibility at No. 2, but Maddon, for now, sees him more in the middle of the lineup. If Peña slots into the cleanup spot as expected, Upton or Zobrist would make sense at fifth, followed by Scott and Matt Joyce (against right-handers), then the catcher (Jose Molina or Jose Lobaton/Robinson Chirinos) and shortstop (Reid Brignac or Sean Rodriguez).

Against left-handers, Keppinger will be in play (potentially at second, with Zobrist replacing Joyce in rightfield) and Rodriguez could be moved up.

"It's always about balance," Maddon said, "trying to create this balance among the group that not only helps you at the beginning of the game, but as the game's in progress, how based on (the other team's) strengths in the bullpen how can they match up against us."

In any sequence, after scoring the fewest runs (707) in the AL East last season, he likes what he sees:

"Just look at the names, it's really intriguing. The one thing I do know is that going down to the 9-hole, we're going to have a nice lineup."

RAYS RUMBLINGS: As first "reported" by LHP David Price in a TV interview, Longoria had minor surgery early in November to remove the occasionally painful Morton's neuroma condition in his left foot. … Joyce changed agents during the offseason, joining five other Rays represented by the Levinson brothers' ACES firm. … ESPN's Keith Law ranked the Rays farm system second behind the Padres, saying they could be tops based on the ceiling of their prospects, but also that there is a looming gap. He had LHP Matt Moore No. 3 and SS Hak-Ju Lee 12th on his top 100 prospects list, six Rays overall. … Maddon ran into one Rays fan during two-plus weeks in Greece, Italy and Spain, a young man from Taiwan who approached him in Barcelona's La Sagrada Familia church. … Though Sun Sports' new road pregame shows will be hosted from a Fort Lauderdale studio, Todd Kalas will still travel for all games. … Shannon Magrane, daughter of former TV analyst Joe Magrane, is still alive in the American Idol competition. … Baseball ops assistant Shawn Hoffman faces Red Sox video coordinator Billy Broadbent in round two of the MLB Network's Baseball IQ show at 9 p.m. Thursday. … Former radio pre-/postgame host Rich Herrera is joining SiriusXM's MLB Network Radio channel, hosting Saturday nights, filling in on other shows.

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

Tampa Bay Rays' offseason moves, spring training plans

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, February 11, 2012

With the opening of spring training just more than a week away, here's a look back at what the Rays did during the offseason and a look ahead at what they have to do during spring training:

In with the new (and one familiar)

1B Carlos Peña: Free agent from Cubs; 1-year, $7.25 million

DH Luke Scott: Free agent from Orioles; 1-year, $5M plus option

RHP Fernando Rodney: Free agent from Angels; 1-year, $1.75M plus option

INF Jeff Keppinger: Free agent from Giants; 1-year, $1.525M

C Jose Molina: Free agent from Blue Jays: 1-year, $1.5M plus option

RHP Burke Badenhop: Trade from Marlins (minor-league C Jake Jefferies)

RHP Josh Lueke: Trade from Mariners (C John Jaso)

On minor-league deals: OF Jesus Feliciano, INF Matt Mangini, 1B Juan Miranda, LHP Jhonny Nunez, INF Will Rhymes, RHP Romulo Sanchez

Out with the old

INF Russ Canzler: Traded to Indians for cash

RHP Juan Cruz: Signed minor-league deal with Pirates

DH Johnny Damon: Unsigned free agent, Yankees a possibility

C John Jaso: Traded to Mariners for RHP Josh Lueke

1B Dan Johnson: Signed minor-league deal with White Sox

1B Casey Kotchman: Signed with Indians; 1-year, $3M

Bullpen coach Bobby Ramos: Not rehired, joined Marlins

OF Justin Ruggiano: Signed minor-league deal with Astros

C Kelly Shoppach: Signed with Red Sox, 1-year, $1.35M

RHP Andy Sonnanstine: Signed minor-league deal with Cubs

Main spring story lines

For starters

Unless — or until — they make a trade (or have an injury), the Rays have more starting pitchers than they have room. With James Shields, David Price, Jeremy Hellickson and Matt Moore presumably set, it would seem Wade Davis or Jeff Niemann, right, has to go, or at least go to the bullpen. Plus, they have Alex Cobb and Alex Torres in reserve.

Catching on

The Rays say they are set behind the plate, but that could change as they get closer to opening day. Free agent addition Jose Molina, above, is 36 and has never started more than 81 games (and that was in 2008), and the candidates for him to share time with, Jose Lobaton and Robinson Chirinos, are inexperienced (42 big-league games combined) and coming off winter-ball injuries.

Order up

With their offense boosted by signing 1B Carlos Peña, DH Luke Scott, left, and INF Jeff Keppinger, they'll go through the spring determining how best to set them up. (See column, above.)

Coming up short

The plan is for Reid Brignac, above, and Sean Rodriguez to play out what should be a good battle for the starting job, but it's possible, if not likely, that they'll end up platooning. And free agent addition Jeff Keppinger could end up in the mix.

Bullpen roundup

There's depth but also some sorting out to do, with Fernando Rodney, who has previous closing experience, and Burke Badenhop, a ground-ball specialist, joining Kyle Farnsworth and Joel Peralta, who did well last season. Also some questions on J.P. Howell, Jake McGee, Brandon Gomes.

Follow our coverage all spring on the Heater blog (tampabay.com/blogs/rays) and on Twitter @TBTimes_Rays.

Key dates

Saturday: FanFest, Tropicana Field, 10-5, free admission

Feb. 20: Pitchers and catchers report to Port Charlotte

Feb. 21: First workout

Feb. 25: Position players report

Feb. 26: First full squad workout

March 3: Exhibition opener vs. Twins, in Fort Myers

April 6: Season opener vs. Yankees, at Tropicana Field

Exhibition schedule

Where: Charlotte Sports Park, 2300 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte

Tickets: $9/12-27, available at raysbaseball.com, box office, through Ticketmaster

Info: Toll-free 1-888-326-7297 (FAN-RAYS)

Games 1:05 unless noted

March

3: at Twins

4: Twins

5: Orioles

6: Twins

7: at Yankees

8: Tigers (ss)

at Twins (ss)

9: Orioles

10: at Red Sox

11: Pirates

12: Twins

13: at Orioles

14: Marlins

15: Phillies

16: at Jays

17: at Pirates

18: Red Sox

19: Off

20: at Marlins

21: Yankees

22: at Pirates

23: Jays (7:05)

24: at Twins (3:05)

25: Marlins

26: at Twins

27: at Red Sox (1:35)

28: Pirates (7:05)

29: at Phillies

30: at Pirates

31: Red Sox

APRIL

1: at Orioles

2: Twins

3: at Twins

4: vs. Future Rays, 1:40, at Tropicana Field.

Area teams workout dates

• Blue Jays, Dunedin, Feb. 22

• Orioles, Sarasota, Feb. 19

• Phillies, Clearwater, Feb. 19

• Pirates, Bradenton, Feb. 19

• Tigers, Lakeland, Feb. 20

• Yankees, Tampa, Feb. 20

AL wielding more power heading into spring training

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Times wires
Saturday, February 11, 2012

Tim Lincecum thought about the seismic shifts of baseball's offseason, the ones that saw Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder migrate to the American League.

"I think it's great," San Francisco's two-time Cy Young Award winner joked. "I won't have to pitch to them anymore."

Just 106 days after the surprising Cardinals won the World Series, baseball returned this weekend when pitchers and catchers for the Mariners reported to spring training in Peoria, Ariz.

There has been a whole lot of change since the Rangers' David Murphy flied out to Allen Craig for the final out of the seven-game Series thriller.

Tony La Russa is gone. Bobby Valentine is back.

And no switch was bigger than Pujols' decision to split St. Louis for a $240 million, 10-year contract with the Angels. Add Fielder's move from Milwaukee for a $214 million, nine-year deal with Detroit, and the lives of AL pitchers just got 75 homers and 219 RBIs tougher.

"You have offenses that are going to let you know if your pitching is not up to par," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "There's certainly been a sway to some extraordinarily deep lineups in the American League."

The 14 AL teams have spent $776.8 million on major-league contracts for players who became free agents after the World Series, and the NL's 16 clubs have committed $597.3 million. That NL lineup looks a lot less fearsome heading into the All-Star Game at Kansas City's Kaufmann Stadium on July 10.

And despite a 71-91 record last year, even the Royals are hopeful before the first pitch has been thrown — even with the AL's new additions.

"They make it more exciting and more challenging for all of us," general manager Dayton Moore said. "I'm a fan, too, and like watching them play. It's exciting."

Seattle is first to open because the Mariners start the season in Tokyo with a two-game series against Oakland on March 28-29.

"We have to make decisions a little bit earlier because we have to have a club together when we go there, and then you come back and readjust and then have a week of spring training for everyone to get their bearings back," Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik said. "It's almost like going away to football camp in high school."

The A's, who dealt All-Stars Gio Gonzalez and Andrew Bailey and starter Trevor Cahill, opted not to use the extra week.

"There's only so much you can do in the days before games, and players tend to go a little nuts after too many days of (pitchers' fielding practice) and live BP," Oakland assistant GM David Forst said.

Other teams start reporting next Saturday ahead of the stateside opener, which features the Cardinals at Miami on April 4 in the first official game at $515 million Marlins Park.

OFFER TO CUBAN STAR: The Marlins offered Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes a contract during his visit to the team's new ballpark Wednesday, according to media reports.

RANGERS: Catcher Mike Napoli agreed to a one-year, $9.4 million contract, avoiding arbitration.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers need Butch Davis to coach, not advise

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By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist
Saturday, February 11, 2012

I like the coach. I like the idea of the hire. I like any plan that might turn the Bucs defense into something called "The Butcher Shop.''

That said, I would like it a lot more if Butch Davis was in talks to join the Bucs to be the team's defensive coordinator instead of a guy with a vague title and vague responsibilities.

In other words, let's get this guy on the field. Soon.

When you think about it, isn't everyone in favor of making the Bucs defense more Butch?

Whatever the role he would have for new head coach Greg Schiano, Davis would be an asset. Start with that. He has spent a lot of time on the sideline, and he has been a part of a lot of victories. He was a fine assistant at the University of Miami and with the NFL Cowboys, and a successful head coach at UM. More important, he has made the jump from the college game to the NFL twice, once to the Cowboys (which worked out wonderfully) and once to the Browns (which didn't).

On a staff where Schiano is trying to make the same leap, Davis could be an invaluable adviser. Who better to clear his throat and say, "Greg, we tried that in Cleveland, and it was a mistake.'' Or "Have you thought about this? It worked for us in Dallas.'' Or "You know, looking back, Kelly Holcomb was a mistake.''

For coaches who try to cross the bridge from college to the NFL, such a voice can be invaluable. Call it a guide through the minefield.

On this Bucs staff, Davis could be an anchor. For instance, Schiano has gotten decent reviews, but he has never been an NFL head coach. It's hard not to like the job new offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan did with Eli Manning while with the Giants, but he has never been an offensive coordinator. A lot of the new assistants will work in the NFL for the first time. That means an experienced defensive coordinator would be terrific, especially when you look at the quarterbacks in the NFC South.

Part of the reason Jim Harbaugh, former college coach, was a success with the 49ers this past season is that he had a defensive coordinator such as Vic Fangio, who worked with him at Stanford but had 24 years as an NFL assistant before that. And part of the reason Steve Spurrier, former NFL coach, was doomed with the Redskins was that his staff didn't have a longtime assistant who could suggest what sort of blitz pickups worked in the NFL.

Perhaps that is why Davis seems like such a good fit with the Bucs. After all the names the Bucs have been through on their slow plod to build a staff, like a team shopping for grapes during a two-minute drive, it's about time someone's attributes were obvious.

You had to wonder what the problem has been. Did the Bucs take so long in shopping for a head coach that all the obvious assistants have been snapped up? Is there a negative reaction when coaches ask about One Buc as a place to work? There have been so many blocked candidates, and so many who have said no, something seems to be the problem.

With Davis, the response seems to be good. Even his forgettable days in Cleveland aren't being held against him. Of course, what other kinds of days are there with the Browns, who, frankly, haven't made the playoffs since he left.

And yet, here comes the bad news. Davis would be an adviser with the Bucs. He would not be a coach. He would not be on the field trying to turn Gerald McCoy into Russell Maryland and Adrian Clayborn into Leon Lett.

Just asking, but doesn't that lessen any impact Davis could have? Wouldn't he be better on the field than looking at practice through a window?

The rub, of course, is that Davis is in the middle of a $2.7 million buyout from the University of North Carolina that prohibits him from coaching. That's pretty good money not to coach.

Here's an idea for the Bucs: Why not pick up the phone? Why not negotiate a settlement with North Carolina? That way the school spends less money, Davis gets his severance, and the Bucs get Davis in the job he should have. Assuming Davis wants to coach, wouldn't that be better for everyone involved? Money wasn't going to get in the way of hiring the right guy. Remember?

Has Davis had a perfect career? Of course not. There was scandal in North Carolina (Holden Thorp, the school's chancellor, said he did not think Davis was aware of NCAA violations), and there were ticked-off Miami fans when Davis left after saying he wouldn't, and there was the 24-35 record in Cleveland (looking back, the Browns were too big a mess for Davis, especially as Tim Couch's career was ended by injuries).

(Butch trivia for $400: The last two No. 1 draft picks Davis had when he was with Cleveland? Jeff Faine and Kellen Winslow Jr.)

Through all the turmoil, I've always had a soft spot for Davis. It probably started a lot of years ago, when I was a young reporter and he was a young Miami defensive line coach. At the time, I was trying to write a story on how Miami's defense had just snuffed Oklahoma's feared wishbone.

In the middle of the euphoria, Davis pulled the notebook out of my hand and began to diagram plays. First you have to stop this. Then you have stop that. Then you have to do this. He was simple. He was direct.

In that moment, I thought two things: First, I should share the byline with Davis. Second, he was a pretty sharp cookie.

In the good years in Dallas, and after he returned to UM, that was the key to Davis: He always seemed to communicate. The Bucs could use some of that. Even now I think he has the ability to help. Even now I think the Bucs would be better off with Davis than without him.

If he's coming, however, it should be on the field, where he belongs.

After all, the defense gets plenty of advice.

What it needs is a little coordination.

New offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan bodes well for Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Josh Freeman

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By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, February 11, 2012

TAMPA

Every week during the offseason, Josh Freeman has wondered what kind of plan is in store for him and the Bucs offense in 2012.

The flirtation with Oregon's Chip Kelly for the head coaching job quickened his pulse. "Yeah, Chip would have been interesting, to say the least," Freeman said. "I probably would've had to get back to my speed workouts."

Freeman listened intently when Greg Schiano was hired and liked what he heard.

"Obviously, when he talks about his philosophy to win football games, you've got to love it when he talks about taking shots downfield," Freeman said. "It's great to hear."

After Schiano hired Giants quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan as offensive coordinator Friday, Freeman called it "good news" and said he felt fortunate.

Considering the difficulty the Bucs have had assembling a coaching staff — three times they were denied requests by NFL teams to interview candidates for offensive coordinator — it's impressive the team landed Sullivan.

He began his coaching career as a defensive quality control assistant under Tom Coughlin in Jacksonville. He coached receivers for six seasons with the Giants, and after Chris Palmer left New York as quarterbacks coach in 2009, Sullivan got that job.

In 2010, Eli Manning threw a career-high 25 interceptions, which led to some finger-pointing. But he also passed for 4,002 yards and a career-high 31 touchdowns while leading the Giants to a 10-6 record.

Sullivan went to work last offseason, using his array of unconventional drills to improve Manning's ability to be accurate while passing on the move.

"I won't say his drills are unconventional, but not being a quarterbacks coach before, he has some different drills where it's uncomfortable movements," Giants quarterback David Carr told the Newark (N.J.) Star-Ledger.

"You're not just dropping back, moving to the left and right, stepping up and throwing the ball, which never happens in the game. You move up, you sprint out, run away from someone and then try to throw off-balance."

One year after Freeman threw for 25 touchdowns and six interceptions, he took a step back in 2011 with 16 scoring passes and 22 interceptions. Not that it was all bad. Freeman improved his completion percentage (62.8 from 61.4) and passed for more yards (3,592 from 3,351).

Sullivan is said to be a great communicator, and he will work to improve Freeman's ball protection. A former Army Ranger, Sullivan has a blue belt in jiujitsu and uses a triangle design of the Gracies, the famous mixed martial arts family, to highlight three goals for his quarterbacks: decision-making, accuracy and leadership.

"It's on our quarterback guide," Sullivan said recently of the triangle design. "It's something we constantly talk about. Everything else, it has to fit within that framework. If (the quarterback is) grading out and getting an 'A' (in the three goals), we're going to win."

It remains to be seen what kind of play-caller Sullivan will be, but he has had a window seat to the Giants offense under coordinator Kevin Gilbride.

Another bonus is that Sullivan also knows how to get the best out of receivers, which will be big in stimulating the Bucs' Mike Williams and Arrelious Benn.

Freeman can breathe easier. The Bucs can, too.

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