By Derek J. LaRiviere, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, February 22, 2012

For the second straight year, the Pasco-Hernando Community College men's basketball team has received a bid to participate in the regional Division II playoffs, March 8 to 11 in Hickory, N.C.

PHCC (16-10) clinched a postseason berth with a 106-64 win over Trinity College on Feb. 7. The Conquistadors will be the No. 7 seed in the tournament. The championship game is scheduled for 2 p.m. March 11.

"We are very excited about the opportunity," said Conquistadors coach James E. Johnson. "This team worked hard all year and has had its fair share of adversities."

The team has three players averaging double figures in scoring, led by Brice Smith (14 points), Kelby Robinson (13 points) and Alvin Satram (12 points). Derrick Zio is the team's leading rebounder, with 11 per game. Zio and Satram both played their high school ball at Ridgewood in New Port Richey.

HERNANDO COUNTY WOMEN'S 500 CLUB BOWLING: The Hernando County Women's 500 Club Doubles Tournament took place Feb. 19 at Mariner Lanes in Spring Hill.

The top six positions were paid out, with the tandem of Maida Watkins and Jackie Aragon (1,393) walking away with the crown. Aragon rolled a second-game 237 and finished with a 616 series. Not only was the 237 the highest game of the tournament, it was one of only two 200 games. Watkins rolled a 199 in the second game as well. Each was awarded $50.40.

Tina Leeland and Jackie Lewandowski (1,360) took second, earning $42 each. Third place went to the duo of Sharon O'Brien and Sheila Wehrenberg (1,293). Their payout was $35.70 per player.

Bette Kosatko and Donna Liegel (1283) placed fourth, taking home $31.50, while the fifth-place tandem of Gail Dahl and Ginger Bong (1,274) won $27.30 each. The final team to cash out was Joyce Crosby and Maria Ayala (1,221), each winning $23.10.

COUPLES OF HERNANDO GOLF LEAGUE: The Couples of Hernando Golf League had its monthly tournament at Silverthorn Country Club in Spring Hill on Feb. 13.

Bob and Lynne Ouellette won Flight A, with Dick and Mary Holstad tying for second place with Rich Hurniston and Sally Esposito. Jay and Dorothy Cleary took fourth.

The Flight B champions were Ed and Rose Marie Smith. There was a tie for second place between Tony and Jane Szeltner and Bob and Harlan Dyson. John and Norma Manter and Ralph and Susan Avellanet tied for fourth.

Dennis Weeks, Tony Szeltner, Jane Szeltner and Harlan Dyson were the winners of closest-to-the-pin awards.

For information about the league, send email Jane Szeltner at szeltjane@bellsouth.net or Dorothy Cleary at golfergram220@tampabay.rr.com.

SMART START BASKETBALL: The Brooksville Parks and Recreation Department will sponsor Smart Start Youth Basketball starting March 5 at Jerome Brown Community Center in Brooksville.

The program is designed to teach 3- and 4-year-old children the fundamentals of the sport while emphasizing motor skills. The coaches will also help participants learn how to play organized basketball and also spend one-on-one time with parents.

The camp will be held once a week on Mondays for six weeks for one hour. Parents can either sign up for either the 10:30 a.m. session or the 5:30 p.m. session. The intensity and difficulty of the exercises will increase each week.

For information, call Tiffany Taylor at (352) 540-3835.

HORACE COPELAND FOOTBALL CAMP: The Hernando County Parks and Recreation Department will sponsor the second annual Horace "Hi-C" Copeland Football Camp at two locations in March.

After a successful run last year, the program has expanded to two counties. On March 16 and 17, Lecanto High School will host the camp; on March 23 and 24, the camp will be at Springstead High School in Spring Hill.

The cost is $65 for ages 5 to 16. The camp includes interactive football drills and life lessons. Lunch will be provided.

Copeland, a former University of Miami and Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver, now lives in the area.

For information, email Harry Johnson at hjohnson@hernandocounty.us or call Christie Williams at (352) 754-4031.

ST. JUDE GOLF FUNDRAISER: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital will have a golf tournament Saturday at the Dunes Golf Club, north of Weeki Wachee. Proceeds go to research at the hospital.

The event will be a four-person scramble with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. Registration will begin at noon. The cost is $300 per team or $350 for a team plus a hole sponsorship. The early deadline for sign-up is Saturday.

Sponsors include Felony's Bar and Grill, Friendly Kia, Harley-Davidson of Crystal River, Extreme Fitness and Joni Industries. Businesses will provide hole-in-one prizes. After the tournament, there will be a social at Felony's in Spring Hill.

For information, call Melissa Turner at (352) 596-7888.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA CLASSIC YOUTH BOWLING: Mariner Lanes in Spring Hill will host the Southwest Florida Classic Youth Bowlers Eliminator Tournament on March 4.

With $1,500 in scholarships to be awarded, the field will be split into three divisions. Division 1 will be for averages of 139 and under. Division 2 will include averages from 140 to 184, and Division 3 will be for averages of 185 and higher. The first two divisions will compete with handicap based on 100 percent of 200, while Division 3 will be scratch.

One of every five entries is guaranteed a cash prize. First place from each division will win $250 and a trophy, based on 20 entries per division. A $100 scholarship will be awarded for any 300 game thrown.

The entry fee is $40 per bowler, and preregistered competitors will save $5. The tournament will begin at 11 a.m., with check-in at 10. All bowlers must be U.S. Bowling Congress certified and under 21 years old.

For information, call Mark Michel at (813) 486-2641 or email SWFCbowling@tampabay.rr.com.

Information is also available online at southwestfloridaclassic.com.

HUMANE SOCIETY GOLF TOURNAMENT: Southern Hills Plantation Club in Brooksville will host the third annual Cause Fore Paws Golf Tournament on April 3 to benefit the Humane Society of the Nature Coast.

A shotgun start for the best-ball scramble is set for 9 a.m., with check-in starting at 8.

The entry fee is $75 per golfer, including prizes and a buffet barbecue lunch. The lead tournament sponsor is Brooksville/Spring Hill Regional Hospital. Other sponsors include Century 21 Alliance Realty/Gail Spada Team, Flagstone Pavers and Sammy the Cat, representing special-needs felines. The hole-in-one sponsor is Rick Matthews Buick/GMC.

Individual hole sponsorships also are available for pets and their human companions. Proceeds will go toward the care of homeless pets in Hernando, Citrus, Pasco and Sumter counties.

For information, call (352) 797-0962.

WEEKI WACHEE HIGH GOLF TOURNAMENT: The Weeki Wachee High School athletic department will have its second annual Hornet Golf Outing at Brooksville Country Club at Majestic Oaks on Saturday.

The shotgun start will be at 8:30 a.m. Food and prizes will be provided during and after play. Current and former professional athletes will be among the participants. There will be time for autographs and pictures.

The cost for the event is $100 per person or $300 per foursome. Businesses may sponsor holes or prizes.

For information, call Weeki Wachee athletic director Mark Lee at (352) 797-7029, ext. 230, or lee_m2@hcsb.k12.fl.us.

Contact Derek J. LaRiviere at derekjlariviere@gmail.com or (352) 584-6337.

By Derek J. LaRiviere, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, February 22, 2012

For the second straight year, the Pasco-Hernando Community College men's basketball team has received a bid to participate in the regional Division II playoffs, March 8 to 11 in Hickory, N.C.

PHCC (16-10) clinched a postseason berth with a 106-64 win over Trinity College on Feb. 7. The Conquistadors will be the No. 7 seed in the tournament. The championship game is scheduled for 2 p.m. March 11.

"We are very excited about the opportunity," said Conquistadors coach James E. Johnson. "This team worked hard all year and has had its fair share of adversities."

The team has three players averaging double figures in scoring, led by Brice Smith (14 points), Kelby Robinson (13 points) and Alvin Satram (12 points). Derrick Zio is the team's leading rebounder, with 11 per game. Zio and Satram both played their high school ball at Ridgewood in New Port Richey.

HERNANDO COUNTY WOMEN'S 500 CLUB BOWLING: The Hernando County Women's 500 Club Doubles Tournament took place Feb. 19 at Mariner Lanes in Spring Hill.

The top six positions were paid out, with the tandem of Maida Watkins and Jackie Aragon (1,393) walking away with the crown. Aragon rolled a second-game 237 and finished with a 616 series. Not only was the 237 the highest game of the tournament, it was one of only two 200 games. Watkins rolled a 199 in the second game as well. Each was awarded $50.40.

Tina Leeland and Jackie Lewandowski (1,360) took second, earning $42 each. Third place went to the duo of Sharon O'Brien and Sheila Wehrenberg (1,293). Their payout was $35.70 per player.

Bette Kosatko and Donna Liegel (1283) placed fourth, taking home $31.50, while the fifth-place tandem of Gail Dahl and Ginger Bong (1,274) won $27.30 each. The final team to cash out was Joyce Crosby and Maria Ayala (1,221), each winning $23.10.

COUPLES OF HERNANDO GOLF LEAGUE: The Couples of Hernando Golf League had its monthly tournament at Silverthorn Country Club in Spring Hill on Feb. 13.

Bob and Lynne Ouellette won Flight A, with Dick and Mary Holstad tying for second place with Rich Hurniston and Sally Esposito. Jay and Dorothy Cleary took fourth.

The Flight B champions were Ed and Rose Marie Smith. There was a tie for second place between Tony and Jane Szeltner and Bob and Harlan Dyson. John and Norma Manter and Ralph and Susan Avellanet tied for fourth.

Dennis Weeks, Tony Szeltner, Jane Szeltner and Harlan Dyson were the winners of closest-to-the-pin awards.

For information about the league, send email Jane Szeltner at szeltjane@bellsouth.net or Dorothy Cleary at golfergram220@tampabay.rr.com.

SMART START BASKETBALL: The Brooksville Parks and Recreation Department will sponsor Smart Start Youth Basketball starting March 5 at Jerome Brown Community Center in Brooksville.

The program is designed to teach 3- and 4-year-old children the fundamentals of the sport while emphasizing motor skills. The coaches will also help participants learn how to play organized basketball and also spend one-on-one time with parents.

The camp will be held once a week on Mondays for six weeks for one hour. Parents can either sign up for either the 10:30 a.m. session or the 5:30 p.m. session. The intensity and difficulty of the exercises will increase each week.

For information, call Tiffany Taylor at (352) 540-3835.

HORACE COPELAND FOOTBALL CAMP: The Hernando County Parks and Recreation Department will sponsor the second annual Horace "Hi-C" Copeland Football Camp at two locations in March.

After a successful run last year, the program has expanded to two counties. On March 16 and 17, Lecanto High School will host the camp; on March 23 and 24, the camp will be at Springstead High School in Spring Hill.

The cost is $65 for ages 5 to 16. The camp includes interactive football drills and life lessons. Lunch will be provided.

Copeland, a former University of Miami and Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver, now lives in the area.

For information, email Harry Johnson at hjohnson@hernandocounty.us or call Christie Williams at (352) 754-4031.

ST. JUDE GOLF FUNDRAISER: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital will have a golf tournament Saturday at the Dunes Golf Club, north of Weeki Wachee. Proceeds go to research at the hospital.

The event will be a four-person scramble with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. Registration will begin at noon. The cost is $300 per team or $350 for a team plus a hole sponsorship. The early deadline for sign-up is Saturday.

Sponsors include Felony's Bar and Grill, Friendly Kia, Harley-Davidson of Crystal River, Extreme Fitness and Joni Industries. Businesses will provide hole-in-one prizes. After the tournament, there will be a social at Felony's in Spring Hill.

For information, call Melissa Turner at (352) 596-7888.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA CLASSIC YOUTH BOWLING: Mariner Lanes in Spring Hill will host the Southwest Florida Classic Youth Bowlers Eliminator Tournament on March 4.

With $1,500 in scholarships to be awarded, the field will be split into three divisions. Division 1 will be for averages of 139 and under. Division 2 will include averages from 140 to 184, and Division 3 will be for averages of 185 and higher. The first two divisions will compete with handicap based on 100 percent of 200, while Division 3 will be scratch.

One of every five entries is guaranteed a cash prize. First place from each division will win $250 and a trophy, based on 20 entries per division. A $100 scholarship will be awarded for any 300 game thrown.

The entry fee is $40 per bowler, and preregistered competitors will save $5. The tournament will begin at 11 a.m., with check-in at 10. All bowlers must be U.S. Bowling Congress certified and under 21 years old.

For information, call Mark Michel at (813) 486-2641 or email SWFCbowling@tampabay.rr.com.

Information is also available online at southwestfloridaclassic.com.

HUMANE SOCIETY GOLF TOURNAMENT: Southern Hills Plantation Club in Brooksville will host the third annual Cause Fore Paws Golf Tournament on April 3 to benefit the Humane Society of the Nature Coast.

A shotgun start for the best-ball scramble is set for 9 a.m., with check-in starting at 8.

The entry fee is $75 per golfer, including prizes and a buffet barbecue lunch. The lead tournament sponsor is Brooksville/Spring Hill Regional Hospital. Other sponsors include Century 21 Alliance Realty/Gail Spada Team, Flagstone Pavers and Sammy the Cat, representing special-needs felines. The hole-in-one sponsor is Rick Matthews Buick/GMC.

Individual hole sponsorships also are available for pets and their human companions. Proceeds will go toward the care of homeless pets in Hernando, Citrus, Pasco and Sumter counties.

For information, call (352) 797-0962.

WEEKI WACHEE HIGH GOLF TOURNAMENT: The Weeki Wachee High School athletic department will have its second annual Hornet Golf Outing at Brooksville Country Club at Majestic Oaks on Saturday.

The shotgun start will be at 8:30 a.m. Food and prizes will be provided during and after play. Current and former professional athletes will be among the participants. There will be time for autographs and pictures.

The cost for the event is $100 per person or $300 per foursome. Businesses may sponsor holes or prizes.

For information, call Weeki Wachee athletic director Mark Lee at (352) 797-7029, ext. 230, or lee_m2@hcsb.k12.fl.us.

Contact Derek J. LaRiviere at derekjlariviere@gmail.com or (352) 584-6337.

By Brandon Wright, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, February 22, 2012

TAMPA — Jack Fleming darts across the baseline and cuts behind a screen, working his way out to the elbow of the three-point arc.

The 6-foot-5 Jesuit High junior receives the pass and jab-steps to the right, opening up just enough space between him and the defender. Fleming then squares up and rises, releasing a perfectly rotating ball toward the goal.

Swish.

That's the sound opponents are all too familiar with this season thanks to Fleming's three-point prowess. Fleming has knocked down 86 three-point goals, breaking the school mark previously held by James Bunn (78).

"He deserves all of the accolades he's getting," Jesuit coach Neal Goldman said. "The kid just works so hard."

Fleming's treys have come in an avalanche this year for the Tigers, who travel to Lake Wales Saturday for a region final game against the state's No. 1 team in Class 5A.

"I don't think about the record," Fleming said. "It's not something that I concern myself with it. I just want to keep helping this team."

Most all of Fleming's quotes tend to include the word "team." Although he has garnered a lot of attention on a squad that has lost just once — to Los Angeles Loyola in a holiday tournament — the soft-spoken Fleming routinely defers to his teammates.

"If I'm hitting threes then that's helping this team win and that's all I care about," he said. "I just want to do whatever it takes to get this team to Lakeland."

Goldman said Fleming, who scored a career-best 29 points in the Tigers' region quarterfinal win against Boca Ciega, works as hard on the practice court as he does avoiding the spotlight.

"He works his tail off and has a great work ethic," Goldman said. "Jack works harder than anyone that I've ever had here."

In Fleming fashion, Jesuit's sharpshooter had just a one-word answer regarding how many threes he takes in practice.

"A lot," he said.

Goldman chuckled when asked about Fleming's low-key, team-first approach.

"I'm surprised he said as many words as he did," he said.

But Fleming and his teammates' actions on the court have spoken volumes. Fleming and Nick Medich give the Tigers a solid wing combination, with Travis Johnson providing a potent post presence. Joey Galvis gives Jesuit another shooter from beyond the arc while Devin Harris' ability to penetrate makes the Tigers a well-rounded bunch.

In a 63-53 region semifinal win against Robinson on Tuesday, four of the five starters reached double digits in points.

"This is all about the right here and right now," Goldman said. "We're confident and feel we can compete with anybody. This is right where we want to be."

Brandon Wright can be reached at hillsnews@tampabay.com.

By Laura Keeley, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 22, 2012

When student tickets for a football matchup featuring No. 1 Oklahoma against No. 5 Florida State became available online last fall, Seminole students snapped them up in 17 minutes.

That contest was the second hottest sporting ticket of the year.

According to the FSU sports information office, tickets to tonight's basketball matchup between No. 5 Duke and the No. 15 Seminoles sold out in 15 minutes. With a win in the first matchup of top-15 teams at the Donald L. Tucker Center since Feb. 27, 1993, FSU would sweep the Blue Devils for the first time and maintain prime positioning to claim a share of its first ACC regular-season title.

"They've beaten good teams before, that's nothing new," ESPN analyst Jay Bilas said of the Seminoles. "The difference is this year they're consistently playing at a championship level. They don't need to beat Duke or UNC just to make the tournament, they're competing for the conference championship."

Regardless of the outcome in the game at 7 tonight with the Blue Devils (23-4, 10-2 ACC), FSU (19-7, 10-2) can already claim a school first, having beaten the four North Carolina ACC schools — Duke, UNC, N.C. State and Wake Forest — in the same season. This comes on the heels of last season's first appearance in the Sweet 16 since that 1992-93 season, and this year's senior class will be the first to dance in the NCAA Tournament all four years.

Not bad for a football school.

"The thinking used to be, 10-15 years ago, that a coach would say, 'I don't want to go to a football school because if you go to a football school, you're always going to play second fiddle,' " CBS Sports analyst and Sports Illustrated reporter Seth Davis said. "There's far more advantages than disadvantages to being at a football school. You have a lot of resources. A lot of money comes through Tallahassee because of that football program, even when it's not really winning at a high level."

In addition, coach Leonard Hamilton, in his 10th year, has had time to build ("Do you think the football coach would survive six seasons without making it to a bowl game?" Davis said). Four- and five-star recruits and junior college transfers power FSU, and McDonald's All-American Michael Snaer made 3-pointers to beat Duke and Virginia Tech.

Now, with the Seminoles, Blue Devils and Tar Heels sitting atop the conference, FSU has the advantage of location. The pressure that exists in the ACC's heartland is absent in Tallahassee.

"We're not caught up in the media frenzy of all that goes on in the region," Hamilton said Monday. "We're not really caught up in the day-to-day excitement that goes on in that area. So, all the things that might cause them to feel pressure, we're not exposed to. We're just really chugging along, trying to win games."

Beating out Duke and UNC for recruits in the future will be nearly impossible, Davis said, and beating Florida is difficult as well. But defeating those schools on the court does bring national recognition. And there are virtues in a fan base that has other interests.

"For Florida State basketball, if you win, they will come out, they will support you, they will love you," Davis said. "If you lose, they will look at football recruiting and get excited for the spring game."

By Matt Baker, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 22, 2012

DAYTONA BEACH

Tony Stewart sits in a black director's chair on a live TV set, the latest stop in the defending NASCAR champion's whirlwind day in a whirlwind offseason. • He shot a commercial in London, acted in a sitcom alongside Tim Allen, and sported custom clogs emblazoned with his No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet. • Now, as he answers the same questions about one of the most remarkable comebacks in racing history, Carl Edwards stands three steps down, watching, waiting for his turn in the spotlight. • Edwards and the rest of the field are still trying to catch Stewart, the 40-year-old Indiana native who twice ruled himself out of contention for the 2011 Sprint Cup title before claiming his third series crown. • Although he has had three months to glow and reflect on the closest championship race in NASCAR history, Stewart still can't articulate how he went from postseason filler to the driver to beat in 2012.

"I can't. I still can't," Stewart said. "I wish I could explain it."

It's easier to explain what went wrong to start last year.

Beginning at Bristol on March 20, he finished outside the top 11 for five straight races — the second-longest drought of his career. Stewart later tallied only four top 10s in an 11-race span, including a 39th-place finish at Sonoma on June 26 that was his worst run since 2008.

He went winless during the regular season, and his streak outside of Victory Lane reached 32 races — the third-longest span of his career.

"Something went wrong every week," Stewart said.

That futility is why he ruled himself out of the championship race twice.

After a ninth-place finish at Michigan on Aug. 21, he said his "stuff is so bad right now that we're wasting one of those 12 spots" in the Chase. When the postseason started four races later, he didn't include himself among the seven drivers he thought had realistic title hopes.

Stewart said his comments weren't a "head fake" to distract opponents or inspire his team. They were the truth — even if his competitors disagreed.

"He might be better than he thinks he is," said Joey Logano, who inherited Stewart's No. 20 ride at Joe Gibbs Racing in 2009.

When the Chase started, Stewart's luck changed. The wrecks and failed pit strategies that plagued him early in the year disappeared. He won the opener at Chicagoland and the next race at New Hampshire.

After finishes outside the top 10 at Dover and Kansas, Stewart closed the Chase with six runs in the top eight. He won three of the final four races, capped by edging Edwards at Homestead to finish tied for first in points and ahead on the tiebreaker (five wins to Edwards' one).

"They hit on something and took off," Edwards said.

The challenge for Stewart will be to carry that momentum into 2012, beginning with a race he has never won.

Of the nine drivers with at least three Cup championships, Stewart is the only one without a Daytona 500 victory. He has won the season-opening Nationwide race at Daytona six of the past seven years and the Cup's July race there three times. He finished second at last week's Budweiser Shootout to Kyle Busch by 0.013 seconds.

Stewart's 0-for-13 in the 500 is inching closer to Dale Earnhardt's run of 19 starts without a victory before he broke through in 1998.

"To me, he's starting to get into that category," four-time Cup champion Jeff Gordon said.

Stewart said he'd, obviously, love to win the Great American Race on Sunday but wouldn't trade any of his three championships for a trip to the winner's circle.

That includes his latest title, which made him the sport's first owner/driver to win the series since 1992.

"We've still been riding that high," Stewart said.

His team began working on a repeat almost immediately after Homestead.

Stewart replaced his crew chief, hiring Steve Addington away from Kurt Busch at Penske less than two weeks later. In December, Stewart brought on his former JGR crew chief Greg Zipadelli as the team's competition director.

With no wife or children, Stewart was able to spend his winter in the car and in the garage.

He knows how close the margin is between first and second and that Edwards and the rest of the field are right behind him, ready to step into the spotlight and steal his throne atop the sport.

Matt Baker can be reached at mbaker@tampabay.com.

Times Staff
Wednesday, February 22, 2012

No. Driver Car Team Crew chief

1 Jamie McMurray Chevrolet Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Kevin Manion

2 Brad Keselowski Dodge Penske Racing Paul Wolfe

5 Kasey Kahne Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports Kenny Francis

7 Robby Gordon # Dodge Robby Gordon Motorsports Samuel Stanley

9 Marcos Ambrose Ford Richard Petty Motorsports Todd Parrott

10 Danica Patrick * Chevrolet Tommy Baldwin Racing Tommy Baldwin Jr.

11 Denny Hamlin Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing Darian Grubb

13 Casey Mears Ford Germain Racing Bootie Barker

14 Tony Stewart Chevrolet Stewart-Haas Racing Steve Addington

15 Clint Bowyer Toyota Michael Waltrip Racing Brian Pattie

16 Greg Biffle Ford Roush Fenway Racing Matt Puccia

17 Matt Kenseth Ford Roush Fenway Racing Jimmy Fennig

18 Kyle Busch Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing Dave Rogers

20 Joey Logano Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing Jason Ratcliff

21 Trevor Bayne # Ford Wood Brothers Racing Donnie Wingo

22 A.J. Allmendinger Dodge Penske Racing Todd Gordon

23 Scott Riggs # Toyota R3 Motorsports Bryan Cook

24 Jeff Gordon Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports Alan Gustafson

26 Tony Raines Ford Front Row Motorsports Charles Dickey Jr.

27 Paul Menard Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing Slugger Labbe

29 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing Shane Wilson

30 David Stremme Toyota Inception Motorsports Steven Lane

31 Jeff Burton Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing Drew Blickensderfer

32 Terry Labonte # Ford FAS Lane Racing Frank Stoddard

33 Elliott Sadler Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing Gil Martin

34 David Ragan Ford Front Row Motorsports Jay Guy

36 Dave Blaney Chevrolet Tommy Baldwin Racing Ryan Pemberton

37 Mike Wallace # Ford Max Q Motorsports Bill Henderson

38 David Gilliland Ford Front Row Motorsports Pat Tryson

39 Ryan Newman Chevrolet Stewart-Haas Racing Tony Gibson

42 Juan Montoya Chevrolet Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Chris Heroy

43 Aric Almirola Ford Richard Petty Motorsports Greg Erwin

47 Bobby Labonte Toyota JTG Daugherty Racing Todd Berrier

48 Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports Chad Knaus

49 J.J. Yeley Toyota Robinson-Blakeney Racing Tony Furr

51 Kurt Busch Chevrolet Phoenix Racing Nick Harrison

55 Mark Martin # Toyota Michael Waltrip Racing Rodney Childers

56 Martin Truex Toyota Michael Waltrip Racing Chad Johnston

78 Regan Smith Chevrolet Furniture Row Racing Pete Rondeau

83 Landon Cassill Toyota BK Racing Doug Richert

87 Joe Nemechek Toyota NEMCO Motorsports Steve Gray

88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports Steve Letarte

93 Travis Kvapil # Toyota BK Racing Todd Anderson

97 Bill Elliott # Toyota NEMCO Motorsports Scott Eggleston

98 Michael McDowell Ford Phil Parsons Racing Gene Nead

99 Carl Edwards Ford Roush Fenway Racing Bob Osborne

* Patrick will drive 10 races in the No. 10, David Reutimann the other 26 races. # Partial season

By Captain Matthew Santiago, Special to the Times
Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Weather right: The beautiful weather we have had lately around the cold fronts has really helped to heat up the fishing. I have been seeing the best action during the warmest parts of the day and the highest parts of the tides, so refer to a good local tide chart before getting out on the water. The next few weeks should be the beginning of some really great springtime fishing.

Where: That's the difficult question right now, and it really depends on what you target. A lot of the snook are still in their late winter spots, as the water has not stayed consistently warm enough for most of them to venture out to their springtime haunts. They are actively feeding, and lively free-lined whitebait has definitely been the ticket. On the other hand, trout have been right where we normally find them in March and April and will eat just about any live or artificial bait. The redfish have been all over as well: Catch them everywhere from miles up the rivers to out on open flats. While the really big schools haven't shown up yet in our region, 20-30 in-slot redfish days have not been uncommon.

Black drum: Another fun target this time of year is black drum. They have been plentiful all over the bay from 2 to more than 60 pounds. Black drum are primarily crustacean eaters, so a well-presented live or artificial crab or shrimp should do the trick. Take extra care with the larger drum, as they are here to spawn and should be quickly landed and released.

Mackerel: No, I am not giving you a forecast for April, they are here now. Find them not only on the markers and main channels, but on the 6-foot contour lines as well. Whitebait on a long shank hook has been the key. These fish often get overlooked but they fight great and cook up pretty good as well.

Bait: I have just begun to see the bait move onto the south shore but your best bet is still the Sunshine Skyway. The south-side fishing pier has been the best and the bait has been easy to net around the pilings and shadows. If bait catching proves difficult, try anchoring and chumming as well as using a heavier net.

Matt Santiago can be reached at CaptainMattSantiago@gmail.com or (813) 205-2327 or at FishingGuideTampa.com.

By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist
Wednesday, February 22, 2012

PORT CHARLOTTE

To determine the growth of a franchise, you measure 60 feet, 6 inches at a time.

These days at Camp Armed-and-Dangerous, the pitchers travel in packs. They are everywhere. Tall pitchers, short pitchers. Righties, lefties. Pitchers with production, pitchers with potential. You cannot throw a baseball in any direction without hitting a pitcher, which is dangerous, because these days, the Rays' pitchers could throw it back much, much harder.

With some teams, this is the time for pitchers and catchers. For the Rays, it is the time of pitchers and pitchers and pitchers and more pitchers and a catcher or two.

For crying out loud, the biggest problem the Rays face in spring training is figuring out what to do with this glut of pitchers.

Unless, you remember the way it used to be. Then it doesn't sound like much of a problem at all.

In other words, it hasn't always been like this. Dewon Brazelton used to work here. And Wilson Alvarez. And Bryan Rekar. And all the rest of Murdered Row, that haggard group of shot-putters who once attempted to pitch in the name of Tampa Bay.

Rays manager Joe Maddon should remember. In his first two games on the job, his pitchers gave up 25 runs. One trip through the rotation, five games, and they gave up 41. Welcome to town.

This just in: This staff is better. Spectators in the outfield bleachers are better.

Wednesday morning, the Rays pitchers stood in a line in the bullpen area and threw, smoothly and fluidly, and the sound as eight baseballs hit eight mitts was something like a shooting range. These days, no one has to call time so the slower fastballs can catch up.

It was an impressive sight, this collection of arms. There was James Shields, who was third in last year's Cy Young voting. There was David Price, who was second the year before. There was Matt Moore, last year's Topps/minor-league player of the year. Jeremy Hellickson, last year's rookie of the year, didn't throw. Neither did Jeff Niemann, who has three double-digit win seasons and is in a battle with Wade Davis, who has two.

These days, the Rays can match fastballs with almost anyone. There is nothing that better demonstrates the turnaround of this franchise. Think of the guys who probably won't make this roster — guys like Alex Cobb, Alex Torres and Chris Archer — and you cannot help but wonder how prominent they would have been on that 2006 staff. No. 3 in the rotation? No. 4?

Think of it like this: Most major-league teams would swap rotations with Tampa Bay. A few might even offer to swap with Durham.

Then there is the loser-leaves-the-rotation battle between Davis and Niemann. If you have followed the Rays over the years, it is staggering these two are fighting for the No. 5 spot. Davis has won 23 games over the past two seasons. Niemann has won 36 over the past three. Most seasons, that would give a pitcher a death grip on a starting position.

Not anymore. These days, the best Rays starter may get in the discussion for baseball's top pitching award.

So here's a question: Now that the Rays have flirted with the Cy Young twice, who is going to be the first guy to win it?

"Price," says Shields. "He's been there before. He has that kind of stuff."

"Shields," says Price. "Because he's the man."

"Price," said Matt Moore. "Because he's a stud. Shields could win it, too. You take a couple of good starts and turn them into really good starts, and both of them are right there."

"Moore," said Hellickson.

"Shields," said Niemann. "He's about to turn 30. I'll throw him a bone."

"Chris Archer," said Davis. "He's got a good arm."

For a tiebreaking vote, look to J.P. Howell, a former starter himself. "That's a tough question," he said. "I'll go with Price. I have to."

The point is not who turns out to be correct. The point is that, for the Rays, excellence is finally a multiple choice proposition. There is Shields with his stubborn competitiveness and Price with his explosive fastball and Moore with his staggering potential and Hellickson with his poise.

Say what you will about a more powerful batting order. These are the players who are expected to keep the Rays in the race. These are the people who are supposed to calm the bats of the Yankees and Red Sox.

These days, it doesn't seem like too much to ask, does it?

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 22, 2012

PORT CHARLOTTE — The last pitch J.P. Howell threw in a Rays uniform didn't end well, a two-run single by Texas' Josh Hamilton that sealed the damning loss in Game 3 of the AL Division Series.

After throwing his first pitches of 2012 during Wednesday's bullpen session, Howell said the difference could best be described as "massive."

"Not the same person," Howell said. "I can actually repeat a pitch, and that's what I couldn't do all last year. I would throw two out of three good ones or two out of three bad ones depending on the day. It was never four out of five, and the key is to be about 80 percent."

The additional four-plus months since his May 2010 shoulder surgery is a big part, as well as an offseason workout program that made him stronger.

Howell, who rejoined the Rays last May but struggled much of the season (2-3, 6.16 ERA, 50 base­runners in 302/3 innings), said there's a different mentally, too.

"Last year, as long as it didn't hurt I was happy," Howell said. "So there's a mental turn, also — I can focus on what the job is and not recovery."

Manager Joe Maddon said he was struck by how focused Howell looked and how well he threw.

"The movement (on his pitches) was outstanding — that's the one thing we're really looking to get back out of him," he said.

FERNANDO-MANIA: Maddon said he was also impressed by RHP Fernando Rodney, a free-agent signee who figures to share in the high-leverage relief work.

"With him it's a command thing — once he gets ahead in the count he's devastating, he puts people away," Maddon said. "So my major concern with him is just to get to know him and hopefully be able to work on building his confidence. I think a confident Fernando Rodney pitches well and pitches well at the end of a baseball game."

IN ROTATION: Four potential members of the rotation — James Shields, David Price, Matt Moore and Wade Davis — threw bullpen sessions, Maddon noting "it's really fun to walk up and down the line."

Price, disappointed in his 12-13, 3.49 season, is pleased with his work so far. "It was very good," he said. "I felt like I've felt the last couple weeks. I'm taking it slow, I'll continue to work on stuff."

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT: Maddon said there may be some wiggle room in MLB's attempt to close a rule loophole he exploited last year by prohibiting managers from having a pitcher warm up "with no intention" of using him because a reliever isn't ready.

Maddon said he believes the change only applied to having position players warming up (Maddon used OF Sam Fuld during an interleague game in Milwaukee). He still could have the pitcher who finished a previous inning warm up before the next to buy time for a reliever he then brings in to face the first hitter.

"My understanding is that still remains intact, that particular concept," he said. "I've got to get a clarification on that. … I don't believe they're going to do away with that."

Also, he said, "intent is very difficult to ascertain."

Fuld found the whole thing — especially the suggestion it be called The Fuld Rule — amusing: "I just hope if it happens again I get to actually face a batter."

MISCELLANY: OF Jeff Salazar reported, making it 15 of the 21 position players who are in camp in advance of Sunday's first full-squad workout. … Executive VP Andrew Friedman and Maddon started their individual meetings with players where they lay out individual plans and goals. "Very beneficial," Maddon said. … Team president Matt Silverman and pitching coach Jim Hickey will be guests on the "Countdown to Opening Day" radio show tonight at 7 on 620-AM.

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

By Jim Tomlin, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 22, 2012

An exclusive club

Before this season, NASCAR had seen only six female drivers at the top level. Danica Patrick, right, has a 10-race deal this season in Sprint Cup. At the end of it, she will have the third-most starts by a woman at NASCAR's top level. The women Patrick will join by racing in Sunday's Daytona 500:

Driver Years Starts Top 5 Top 10 Laps led Best finish

Janet Guthrie 1976-80 33 0 5 5 Sixth

Louise Smith1949-52 11 0 0 0 16th

Shawna Robinson2001-02 8 0 0 0 24th

Sara Christian 1949-50 7 1 2 0 Fifth

Patty Moise1987-89 5 0 0 0 26th

Ethel Mobley1949 2 0 0 0 11th

Silly season comings and goings

Driver 2011 car/team 2012 car/team

A.J. Allmendinger No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports No. 22 Penske Racing

Aric Almirola Nationwide series No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports

Clint Bowyer No. 33 Richard Childress No. 15 Michael Waltrip Racing

Kurt Busch No. 22 Penske Racing No. 51 Phoenix Racing

Landon Cassill No. 51 Phoenix Racing No. 83 BK Racing

Kasey Kahne No. 4 Red Bull Racing No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports

Mark Martin No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports No. 55 Michael Waltrip Racing

Danica Patrick IndyCar No. 10 Tommy Baldwin Racing *

David Ragan No. 6 Roush Fenway No. 34 Front Row Motorsports

David Reutimann No. 00 Michael Waltrip Racing No. 10 Tommy Baldwin Racing *

* Split ride

Harvick's mission

Kevin Harvick is the only Sprint Cup driver to finish in the top three in points each of the past two seasons.

He is in, perhaps, no better position to win his first championship.

"I think from a mental aspect, this is the best chance," Harvick said last week. "I never really realized how much an effect it takes on you with all the things you have going on on the outside. We made a lot of changes to try as an organization to take ourselves from finishing third to winning the championship."

Harvick has won numerous races in all three national series — Cup, Nationwide and trucks. He owns two Nationwide series championships, an owners title in trucks with Kevin Harvick Inc., and victories in the Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400.

The glaring hole in an otherwise stellar resume?

The Cup title.

His Richard Childress Racing team made changes during the offseason, including new crew chief Shane Wilson.

"We were very consistent in 2010. We were very inconsistent in 2011," Harvick said. "We didn't have the speed we had in 2010 that we had in 2011. I think you need a combination of those two things."

Dinger's big deal

After all the moves in the offseason, the biggest winner was likely A.J. Allmen­dinger, left.

The five-year veteran, winless in 152 Cup starts, landed a ride with Penske Racing after it fired Kurt Busch from the No. 22 Dodge. Allmendinger finished 15th in points last year for Richard Petty Motor­sports and had a career-high 10 top-10 finishes.

Penske is on an upswing. Brad Keselowski, left, won three times and contended for the title in 2011, just his second full season in the series. So Allmendinger, 30, knows his situation.

"I've learned how to run up front. Hopefully, now I have an opportunity to learn how to close these races," Allmendinger said last month. "I have big shoes to fill. I'm not sitting here blind (saying), 'Oh, this is going to be easy.'

"The expectations we know are to win races and make the Chase. If I didn't think I could do it, I wouldn't be here. I wouldn't be wasting anybody's time."

Information from the Associated Press, Charlotte Observer, racing-reference.info, USA Today and jayski.com was used in this report.

Moving on

Carl Edwards was second in last year's Daytona 500, staying winless at Daytona while helping push Trevor Bayne to an unlikely victory.

Little did Edwards know how much easier a second-place finish there would be to deal with compared with the one he had in November.

Edwards led the Chase for the Championship going into the finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. He finished second in that race, which would have been good enough to earn the title in all but one scenario.

It was the one that happened.

Tony Stewart won the race and took the championship on a tiebreaker — his five wins compared with Edwards' one. It was the first time two drivers tied at the top for NASCAR's top honor.

Now Edwards, who is on the pole for Sunday's 500, is eager to race and put 2011 behind him once and for all. His loss to Stewart in the championship was gut-wrenching. And despite holding his head high and demonstrating how to lose with dignity, he has been unable to move forward because of the intense attention on his defeat.

"It seems like every media question and all anybody says is, 'How great would it have been to have one more point and how did you deal with that this offseason?' " Edwards said. "I think this is nice to come here and show everyone that it isn't just talk. Everybody at Roush Fenway went back and worked hard and kept their heads down and dug."

15.1 Winning percentage for Jimmie Johnson, best among active drivers and eighth all time.

20 Victories that Jeff Gordon, third all time (85), needs to catch No. 2 David Pearson.

397 Sprint Cup starts for Dave Blaney, most by an active driver without a victory.

By Robert McCue, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, February 22, 2012

What's hot: Between the passing fronts, fishing over deep grass flats inside the passes has produced hot action. Armed with just a quarter-ounce jig, my clients have been taking spotted seatrout, silver trout, bluefish, ladyfish and an occasional pompano.

Tips: On the flood tide, we have been moving to shallow patches of grass and working topwater and float plugs to get upper- and over-slot spotted seatrout. Also in these areas, oversized reds are being spotted, particularly when they are accompanying mullet schools. The reds have been difficult to approach, and the sound of artificial lures hitting the water is often all that is needed to spook them out of casting range. Work around this by soaking cut bait around the boat and let the reds come to you.

Tactics: After this approaching cold front, I am expecting to run into tighter schools of pompano. Pompano are nearly always wired up and moving, and love to skip in the wake of a running boat. Keep an eye out behind you.

Robert McCue can be reached toll-free at 1-800-833-0489 and GiantTarpon.com.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 22, 2012

End zone celebration

LHP David Price took a "victory lap" with the crystal trophy he got, teaming with clubhouse staffer Ryan Riddle, for winning the team's fantasy football league. "I took it everywhere," Price said. "It was heavy. It made me stronger. I felt like I worked harder because I was carrying it around."

Clubhouse living

Rookie LHP Matt Moore's locker is next to veteran RHP James Shields. Similarly, prospect RHP Chris Archer is paired with Price. … 1B Carlos Peña has the corner locker occupied previously by Pat Burrell and Johnny Damon. … C Jose Molina got the three-locker suite, used in the past by Troy Percival, Rafael Soriano and Manny Ramirez.

Quote of the day

"Are you talking about the Rev. Molina, the one they are starting to flock to over there?"

Manager Joe Maddon, on new catcher Molina

Who is this Ray?

He is the nephew of a former Rays pitcher, with the same last name. His 12 wins in 2011 tied for second most among Rays minor-leaguers. He is ranked among the team's top five prospects.

Promo schedule

Single-game tickets go on sale Saturday via raysbaseball.com, Monday at all outlets.

4/6, Yankees: Schedule magnet

4/8, Yankees: Raymond cowbell

4/20, Twins: Collectible T-shirt

4/21, Twins: Longoria walk-off figurine

4/22, Twins: Recycled youth hat

5/4, A's: Collectible T-shirt

5/6, A's: Maddon sunglasses

5/18, Braves: Collectible T-shirt

5/20, Braves: Farnsworth bobblehead

6/1, Orioles: Hellickson rookie of the year figurine

6/3, Orioles: Jennings bobblehead

6/14, Mets: Cheer sticks

6/15, Marlins: Maddon bobblehead

6/16, Marlins: Drawstring backpack

6/17, Marlins: Price jersey wallet

6/29, Tigers: Zim Bear

7/1, Tigers: Shields bobblehead

7/13, Red Sox: Burst koozie

7/15, Red Sox: Ice cream bowl set

7/19, Indians: Cheer sticks

7/20, Mariners: Collectible T-shirt

7/22, Mariners: Moore bobblehead

8/3, Orioles: Collectible T-shirt

8/5, Orioles: DJ Kitty bobblehead

8/9, Blue Jays: Cheer sticks

8/24, A's: Collectible T-shirt

9/7, Rangers: Collectible T-shirt

9/9, Rangers: Longoria mini drum set

9/21, Blue Jays: Collectible T-shirt

9/23, Blue Jays: TBD bobblehead

The dish

Today's workout for pitchers and catchers starts around 9:30 a.m. at the Charlotte Sports Park (2300 El Jobean Road) and lasts three hours. Admission and parking are free. Driving time from the bay area is 1½-2 hours. Suggested route: I-75 South to Toledo Blade Road, go west 6½ miles to El Jobean Road (SR 776), go right 2 miles, stadium complex is on left. More information: (941) 235-5025.

Heads-up

Scheduled to throw bullpen sessions today are RHPs Jeremy Hellickson, Jeff Niemann and Josh Lueke, starting around 10:05.

Key dates

Saturday: Position players report

Sunday: First full-squad workout

March 1: Intrasquad game

March 3: Exhibition opener vs. Twins in Fort Myers

April 6: Season opener vs. Yankees at Tropicana Field

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

Who is this answer: Alex Colome

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

Zim Bear reactions of the day

The bear, in honor of senior adviser Don Zimmer, will be given out June 29:

"It's Zim — it's cuddly, it's warm, it's cute. It's something you definitely don't want to take to bed with you."

— Rays manager Joe Maddon

"I don't want my 2-year-old putting that in the crib — that could be life-altering right there. … I think it's more appropriate on a grown-up's desk." — Maddon

"It looks like he's in his pajamas, his Onesie."

— LHP J.P. Howell

"What can I say? … Wait till my kids see this."

— Zimmer

Times staff
Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Speedweeks schedule

Today

• Gatorade Duels, twin 150-mile qualifying races for Daytona 500 (sets spots 3-39), 1 p.m., Speed

Friday

• Sprint Cup practice, 11 a.m., Speed

• Nationwide Drive4COPD 300 qualifying, 2 p.m., ESPN2

• Trucks NextEra Energy Resources 250, qualifying 4 p.m., Speed, race 7 p.m., Speed

Saturday

• Sprint Cup practice, 10:30 a.m., Speed

• Nationwide Drive4COPD 300, noon, ESPN2

Sunday

• Daytona 500, 1, Ch. 13

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 22, 2012

WINNIPEG — It's just a feeling, general manager Steve Yzerman said, but he's pretty sure he's not the most popular guy in the Lightning locker room right now.

He knows he put the team in difficult positions by trading front-line players on three consecutive game days. He knows he has left it depleted by getting draft picks and prospects in return rather than bodies that might help in a rapidly intensifying playoff push.

In a sense, he has let the players fend for themselves.

"I'm sure," Yzerman said, "they're not thrilled with what I've done."

What Yzerman did was make a calculation that building organizational depth and a minor-league system through the draft is the best way to create a franchise that can sustain success and win a Stanley Cup.

Yzerman's haul has been impressive. Tampa Bay now has two first-round draft picks this year and up to six picks in the first two rounds, which creates plenty of options if Yzerman wants to work trades leading to Monday's trade deadline or at the June draft.

The problem is that hasn't done much for the current team, which has forced its way into the playoff picture and is on a three-game winning streak forged on days Dominic Moore, Pavel Kubina and Steve Downie, respectively, were dealt.

The talent drain became more acute when the team lost captain Vinny Lecavalier for at least three weeks with a fractured right hand.

"It doesn't make it any easier, and I think Steve knows that," wing Marty St. Louis said.

"It's tough to analyze what he's done because we haven't gotten anything but draft picks. We have to trust what he's doing, and time will tell how good a job he's doing, because draft picks are just draft picks."

Yzerman said he gets kind of the same feedback from coach Guy Boucher, with whom he discusses all his trades.

"When I mention things, his first question is what are we getting back," Yzerman said. "He's waiting for a name, not a draft pick, and I can see the wind come out of his sails when I say a draft pick."

Said Boucher, "To move forward, you have to make harsh, difficult decisions at sometimes tough moments, and that's what (Yzerman) has to do right now. I trust him. So, after the initial wind out of my sails, it takes me two, three minutes to sit and go, 'What do I have now? What's the plan, and how do I make the best of it?' "

The Lightning certainly has made the best of things. Behind a 10-3-2 run since Jan. 17, it is just five points out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and five behind the first-place Panthers in the Southeast Division.

That is why Yzerman as a seller seems a little incongruous, especially after saying Monday he would evaluate where the team stood in the playoff race at the end of the week before finalizing his deadline strategy. A day later, he traded Downie to the Avalanche as part of a three-team deal that returned primarily a 2012 first-round draft pick.

"Well, you know, these opportunities come up when they come up, and you have to make a decision," Yzerman said. "You have to be prepared to act or lose the opportunity."

Yzerman said he empathizes with the players, who tonight in a huge game at the MTS Centre face the Jets, a team it must leapfrog to make the playoffs.

"They want to win now," he said. "I've been in their shoes. I understand. I want to do well now, too, but I believe there are certain things that need to be done to get us where we ultimately want to be. That's a decision I have to make, balance what's right for the rest of this year and what's right for the future."

"You trust that there is a bigger picture there," St. Louis said. "I trust Steve."

Damian Cristodero can be reached at cristodero@tampabay.com or (727) 893-8622. View his blog at lightning.tampabay.com.

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 22, 2012

TAMPA

The Bucs went to the NFL scouting combine the past two years looking to collect pass rushers on the defensive line and invested heavily in Gerald McCoy, Brian Price, Adrian Clayborn and Da'Quan Bowers.

It hasn't exactly produced the sack attack they hoped for. But if the Bucs can't pressure the opposing quarterback, they might want to surround their own with more weapons.

Josh Freeman could use another receiver, an every-down tailback or a tight end. That's not to say there aren't just as many needs on a defense that gave up 494 points, second-most in team history.

The Bucs own the No. 5 overall pick in the draft. Here's where coach Greg Schiano and his staff will focus a lot of their attention this week in Indianapolis.

Cornerback

Ronde Barber is 36, has no contract and could retire, depending upon his desire to return for a 16th season and the Bucs' level of interest, contractually, to have him back.

But regardless of whether Barber, below, plays another snap, the Bucs' biggest holes may be in the secondary.

Cornerback Aqib Talib is facing a trial in March on assault with a deadly weapon charges in Texas, and if found guilty, a likely suspension from the NFL. What coach Greg Schiano and defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan already have discovered in watching film of the 2011 debacle on defense is the cupboard is bare in the secondary.

"One of a few things that really stand out is the volume of big plays that they gave up here a year ago," Sheridan said. The Bucs will learn more about LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne, whom most draft analysts believe is a top-five talent. North Alabama's Janoris Jenkins, a former Gator, is an interesting talent in later rounds.

Running back

There's a place for LeGarrette Blount in the Bucs offense, but it might not be in the starting lineup.

After rushing for 1,007 yards as a rookie, Blount showed limitations last season. He is not fast enough to get around the edge, he is not skilled enough as a route runner or pass protector for coaches to trust him on passing downs. His best ability is to bludgeon defenses late in games if the team has a lead and is milking the clock.

Earnest Graham , who has had two surgical procedures to a torn right Achilles' tendon, is a free a gent. The Bucs are well-positioned to select the best running back in the draft — Alabama's Trent Richardson. (Late Wednesday, the NFL Network reported he will not participate in on-field drills at this week's NFL combine due to "minor" arthroscopic knee surgery.)

"I think the last guy where you bang the table this hard was (Adrian ) Peterson when he came out of Oklahoma and was the seventh pick of Minnesota (in 2007)," NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock said. "So, yeah, I think his height, width, speed, toughness all constitutes a pretty solid pick."

The Bucs also will take a close look at Oregon RB LaMichael James .

Receiver

Mike Williams suffered through a sophomore slump and Arrelious Benn never hit his stride coming off ACL surgery. QB Josh Freeman needs more targets, so Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon will be on the Bucs' radar.

"I mean, look at the Buccaneers," Mayock said. "The Buccaneers really probably need a speed guy, because they've got a couple good, solid, young, possession receivers.

"As far as Blackmon … I think you have to look at him like Larry Fitzgerald, which is I don't think he's going to run a great 40. I think he's going to run a 4.5 or a 4.52 … and I think you have to say that's okay. He's big, he's physical, he's got tremendous body control and tremendous ball skills."

Baylor's Kendall Wright, Notre Dame's Michael Floyd and LSU's Rueben Randle are top WRs.

Times wires
Wednesday, February 22, 2012

MARANA, Ariz. — Luke Donald, so dominant in winning the Match Play Champion­ship last year that he closed out every match before the 18th hole, became only the third No. 1 seed to lose in the opening round, faltering Wednesday on crazy day on Dove Mountain.

Ernie Els, who only got into the 64-man field when Phil Mickelson took his family on a ski vacation, delivered the shocker with a 5-and-4 victory.

"I don't think it would have mattered who I played today. I just didn't play well," Donald said. "I gave away too many holes and made too many mistakes. You can't do that in match play against anyone, let alone Ernie."

Tiger Woods nearly found that out against Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano.

Woods had to play a left-handed shot in one of his three journeys into the desert. He trailed the Spaniard with four holes to play, and both of them looked beatable. That changed when Woods drove the par-4 15th green to win with a two-putt birdie, won the 16th with a par and then closed it out with an 8-foot par putt for a 1-up win.

"We both made our share of mistakes, there's no doubt about that," Woods said. "But somehow, I was able to move on."

That was the only objective in this single-elimination format in which the only proper use of the word "upset" is the mood of the 32 guys who are headed home.

Among them:

• Ian Poulter, the Match Play winner two years ago, suffered his worst loss in nine appearances when Bae Sang-moon beat him, 4 and 3.

• Bill Haas, coming off his monster win at Riviera just three days ago, looked like a winner when he was 1 up on the 17th green and had a 5-foot birdie putt. Ryo Ishikawa holed from 18 feet, Haas missed, and the Japanese star made par on the 18th to win.

• Jim Furyk was on the verge of sending Dustin Johnson home early for the fourth straight year when Johnson hit his tee shot into the desert and had to take a penalty drop on the 20th hole. Furyk chipped across the green and three-putted for bogey to lose.

• Rafael Cabrera-Bello was 3 up with three holes to play against Jason Day when he bogeyed three straight holes, and Day beat him with a 4-foot birdie putt on the 19th hole.

The other top seeds didn't have too many problems, although U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy had a nervous moment.

He won four straight holes on the back nine to seize control against George Coetzee and was 3 up with three to play when McIlroy lost the next two holes with bogeys, then popped up a tee shot and made par a challenge. Coetzee, however, blew his approach 60 feet long on the 18th and three-putted for bogey, giving McIlroy a 2-up victory.

Lee Westwood never trailed in a 3-and-1 win over Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium.

McIlroy and Westwood now have a chance to replace Donald at No. 1 if either wins.

Fernandez-Castano said this week that Woods was "beatable" and not at his best. "He's beatable, too," Woods replied.

"I think if there was one day to beat Tiger Woods, this was it," Fernandez-Castano said. "I didn't take the opportunity. I missed a few shots. And of course, you can't miss spots if you want to beat one of the greatest in history."

Fedex renews sponsorship: The PGA Tour will keep the FedEx Cup for at least five more years with FedEx extending its umbrella sponsorship through 2017. Financial details were not revealed. That's the final piece of sponsorship renewal that the tour navigated through a tough economy.

By Lindsay Kramer, Special to the Times
Wednesday, February 22, 2012

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — A game of runs finally ran out on the USF Bulls on Wednesday night.

The Bulls had an upset on the horizon both early and late, but a long middle drought ultimately cost the visitors in a 56-48 loss to No. 2 Syracuse in a Big East contest at the Carrier Dome.

Syracuse blew away USF with a 26-0 run in the late first and early second halves, switching the script from possible shocker to what looked like a runaway. The Bulls then pulled themselves together with a 24-11 second-half spurt to inch within one, but that rally only underscored the team's frustration when the Orange shrugged off that final challenge to hold on.

"It's a game of momentum," USF coach Stan Heath said. "The guys in the locker room are disappointed they couldn't find a way to win the game. We'll let everybody else figure out if we passed the eyeball test."

USF (17-11, 10-5), which is trying to reach its first NCAA Tournament since 1992, needed a strong showing in this beauty pageant because it went into the contest winless against teams above .500 in the conference. The Bulls outrebounded (41-31) and outshot (38.5 percent to 34.5) the Orange but couldn't piece together enough consistency and were dinged by 18 turnovers.

"We believe we're a good team. We thought we had something to prove," said USF forward Toarlyn Fitzpatrick, a former Tampa King standout who had 11 points. "We had a lot of easy plays we didn't finish. A few of those layups go in, the game is a lot different."

Guard Scoop Jardine led the Orange (28-1, 15-1) with 15 points, followed by forward C.J. Fair with 13.

The Bulls went into the contest leading the league in scoring defense at 58.2 points per game, and their early slowdown approach jumped straight off the drawing board to the court. USF milked the shot clock on each possession and led 20-7 with 8:52 left in the first half.

"You couldn't have scripted things any better, how you wanted to come out against Syracuse in this building," Heath said. "I thought our defense was outstanding."

But the Orange had a few chips to play in that department as well. Syracuse tightened up the middle of its 2-3 zone, choking off the Bulls' inside game and daring USF to win from the perimeter.

"They are long, a long team. They covered up a lot of ground," said guard Anthony Collins, who led the Bulls with 12 points. "We see zones, but they are a different type of zone."

Syracuse went on a 17-0 run over the rest of the half, forcing seven turnovers and pushing the Bulls into an 0-for-9 shooting performance from the floor in that span. The Orange led 24-20 at break then ripped off the first nine points of the second half, extending USF's overall scoring drought to 11:22.

"They packed it in, cheated to the shooter's side," Fitzpatrick said. "They re-adjusted. We had to re-adjust, too. It just took us longer to do so."

The Bulls' countermove came up just short. Down 36-22 with 16:49 left, USF ran off nine straight on a layup by Jawanza Poland, a 3-pointer from Fitzpatrick, a jumper from Collins and a dunk from Poland to draw within 36-31 with 13:46 remaining.

"I thought we did a better job of playing in the paint, dribble penetrating," Heath said.

The Bulls made the crowd of 25,316 even more antsy when Collins hit a jumper to pull USF within 47-46 with 6:29 remaining. Jardine turned a turnover into a lay-in that nudged Syracuse ahead 49-46 with 4:46 left, then added a free throw five seconds later. The Bulls came no closer than four points after that.

"That's a great basketball team," Heath said of Syracuse. "We're leaving here with our heads held high."

Times staff, wires
Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Colleges

Report: Temple, big east talking owls' addition

The Big East is in discussions to add Temple for all sports, possibly starting in the fall, the New York Times reported Wednesday.

Temple belongs to the Mid-American and the Atlantic 10 in various sports; legal issues would have to be dealt with before the Owls could leave. A resolution is expected this month, the New York Times said.

Temple is a former member of the Big East in football. It was thrown out in 2004 for consistently underperforming. Last season the Owls were 9-4 under the first-year coach Steve Addazio, including a victory over Wyoming in the New Mexico Bowl.

In other Big East news, Boise State said it will remain in the Mountain West for the 2012-13 school year because it faced too many obstacles and financial concerns to make its move to the Big East a year earlier than expected.

BCS: Two days of meetings about how to change the football postseason were very productive, executive director Bill Hancock said. He didn't give specifics about what he, the 11 conference commissioners and Notre Dame's athletic director discussed in Dallas-Fort Worth. The group said it set a "summer" deadline to propose changes.

USF: Former Bulls DT Keith McCaskill, 24, was arrested near the Tampa campus Wednesday, charged with misdemeanor counts of driving with a suspended license and giving a false name to police.

Vandy complaint: The ACC filed a complaint for one of its members with the SEC involving the Vanderbilt football team. Vanderbilt is investigating, vice chancellor David Williams said. Media outlets reported Maryland coach Randy Edsall on Wednesday gave unconditional releases to three players, including QB Danny O'Brien, after trying to block transfers to a handful of schools, including Vanderbilt, which hired James Franklin as coach from Maryland in 2010.

baseball: Former Plant High star Preston Tucker tied Florida's career RBI record as the No. 1 Gators (4-1) beat visiting UCF (3-1) 8-0. Tucker led off the fifth with a solo homer to match the 214 RBIs of Brad Wilkerson (1996-98). Former Dunedin standout Casey Turgeon extended his hitting streak to five games.

tennis

Roddick upset in tourney opener

Defending champion Andy Roddick was upset by Xavier Malisse 7-6 (10-8), 7-5 in an opening-round match in the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships at Memphis. Malisse, ranked 75th, was winless in four matches this season.

Dubai Tennis Championships: Tampa resident Sam Stosur beat Lucie Safarova 6-1, 6-7 (5-7), 6-1 to advance to the third round. Top-ranked Victoria Azarenka pulled out with a left ankle injury.

Et cetera

greyhounds: Ambriel, Art Allen, Gable Eddie and Tiger Boy won second-round qualifying races in the $64,000 Sprint Classic at Derby Lane in St. Petersburg. Qualifying resumes Saturday night.

Soccer: Upstart Basel beat four-time European champion Bayern Munich 1-0 in the first leg of the second round of the Champions League. The host Swiss club beat Manchester United in the group stage.

NFL: Steelers receiver Hines Ward pleaded guilty to reckless driving in DeKalb County, Ga., in a case stemming from a traffic stop near Atlanta last summer. A DUI charge was dropped in a plea deal. Ward's sentence included a year of probation and a $2,000 fine.

Don Jensen, Times correspondent; Times wires

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 22, 2012

. Tonight

Lightning at Jets

When/where: 8:30; MTS Centre, Winnipeg

TV/radio: Sun Sports; 970-AM

Key stats: The Lightning road power play entered Wednesday second worst in the league at 9 percent and is 3-for-51 in its past 16 games. … C Steven Stamkos has scored on 20 percent of his shots (42-of-210), the highest percentage entering Wednesday of any player with more than 100 shots. … The Jets are on a 4-1-2 home streak. … Tampa Bay's past four wins were by one goal, and it is 17-2-6 this season in one-goal games.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer, and Times Wires
Wednesday, February 22, 2012

FORT MYERS — David Ortiz said he spoke up during the Red Sox's September collapse when some teammates were drinking beer and eating fried chicken in the clubhouse during games, but he feels people "made it into a bigger deal than it was."

Ortiz, 36, who reported to camp Wednesday, believes the team has learned from its mistakes and is ready to turn the page.

"We have a lot of leaders, a lot of guys capable to change things around; I think that's not going to be a problem," Ortiz said. "Sometimes you caught into some situations and things get out of hand for a minute. If they apologized, that means it's not going to happen again."

Ortiz, whose Red Sox blew a nine-game lead in the wild-card race to the Rays in September, said they should have won the playoff spot by 10 games. "There were a lot of games we just let go during the season," he said. "After last year, I was a little depressed because I was so ready to go to the playoffs, and it didn't happen. At one point during the season, I was like, 'Man, this is the best ballclub I've ever been a part of.' "

Ortiz acknowledged there was a point in the offseason he thought he was "done" with Boston after nine years. He didn't feel like he was a priority. But his agents explained the team had to hire a general manager before dealing with the roster, and Ortiz accepted arbitration before agreeing to a one-year, $14.575 million deal.

"I'm just happy to be here," he said.

And he was happy to hear some oddsmakers listed the Red Sox third in the AL East.

"I like to be the underdog," Ortiz said. "You've got the opportunity to flip things around."

Around the majors

PITCHER ADMITS DRUG USE: Dodgers reliever Ronald Belisario said the visa problems that kept him in Venezuela last season were the result of a positive test for cocaine.

Belisario, 29, said he used the drug only once but doesn't remember when he tried it, when he tested positive or who administered the test. He said he must serve a 25-game suspension.

"I don't have a problem with drugs, I'm good," Belisario said. "It was a one-time thing."

HOWARD SWINGS: Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard took his first live batting practice since he tore his left Achilles' tendon during the NL Division Series. "I feel good where I am right now," Howard said. "I don't know what everybody else's expectations were for me to be at this point, but I feel good. Not exactly where I want to be yet."

ANGELS: Right-handed reliever Jason Isringhausen, 39, who pitched for the Rays in 2009, agreed to a minor-league deal.

INDIANS: Right-hander Roberto Hernandez, formerly known as Fausto Carmona, said he hopes to obtain a judicial pardon and return to the team this season. Hernandez, 31, was arrested in the Dominican Republic last month on false identity charges. … A minor-league deal with Jon Garland was cancelled when the right-hander, who is coming back from shoulder surgery, failed to take a physical.

RANGERS: Former All-Star shortstop Tony Fernandez was hired as a special assistant to general manager Jon Daniels.

YANKEES: Right-handed reliever David Aardsma agreed to a $500,000, one-year deal. Aardsma, 30, missed 2011 after hip and elbow ligament replacement surgery and is likely to miss most of this season.

Information from Times wires was used in this report.