Times wires
Wednesday, February 22, 2012

DAYTONA BEACH — Kasey Kahne was forced to a backup car Wednesday after a wreck in practice for the Daytona 500.

Kahne's Chevrolet spun through the grass at Daytona International Speedway after Juan Montoya's car tapped the back of it. Kahne, who will make his debut for Hendrick Motorsports on Sunday, also wrecked during Saturday's Budweiser Shootout.

He's down to his last car heading into today's 150-mile qualifying race.

"They have lots of cars, and they do a nice job preparing. So our backup car is just as good," Kahne said. "The problem is that we don't have another one after that. So we'll have to start figuring that out. Maybe I'll have to go borrow someone's."

Staying conservative: Although 43 drivers practiced during Wednesday's first session, only 25 did so in the second. Crew chiefs are skittish to tear up equipment, and it has led to discussions of strategy for today's qualifying races.

"We will race pretty hard but race smart," Dale Earnhardt Jr. said. "You would love to win that race and make a statement going into the 500. It would give the team some confidence; get your sponsors a little extra coverage.

"Winning would get everybody in good spirits for this Sunday."

But there's little on the line. Because the top 35 teams are locked into the field, only four spots are available. So the risk of wrecking a strong car must be considered.

"I think we've got a really good car for Sunday," Tony Stewart said. "When it comes to the end of the race, we'll push really hard to see how far up we can get and try to get a good spot. But the biggest variable in the equation is just don't hurt the car that we've got."

Mentally ready: In 2010, Denny Hamlin took a 15-point lead into the season finale but finished 14th, allowing Jimmie Johnson to take his fifth straight title. In 2011, Hamlin won once and barely made the Chase, finishing ninth.

During this offseason, he cleared his head. Hamlin spent seven weeks in Scottsdale, Ariz., where he worked on his golf game — he said he was a 20 handicap a year ago and has it down "in the single digits" — and truly lived on his own for the first time in his life.

Hamlin doesn't want his time there to be characterized as a time for self-discovery or healing. Even so, he's smiling again. His confidence seems to be back. And after taking a step back from Twitter, where he was one of NASCAR's most active drivers, he's conversing with fans again.

"I think Scottsdale was good," he said. "I had daily chores that I had to do. I picked up after myself. You don't realize how messy you are until you don't have somebody walking right behind you picking up your clothes.

"I thought about racing very little for like a month and a half. Then two weeks (ago), I was like, 'Alright, I'm ready to go. I'm ready to go back to work.' "

'Exciting' change: After using carburetors for decades, NASCAR switched to fuel injection. It was a major change for teams and engine builders.

Doug Yates, CEO of Roush Yates Engines, said he has more data than ever to analyze and can make far more adjustments to affect the engines' performance.

"It's very exciting from an engine builder and an engineer's perspective, having new technology in NASCAR." Yates said. "And it's our job to hopefully make it seamless."

The transition mostly has flown under the radar.

"It's quiet," said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR's vice president of competition. "Knock on wood, but it just goes to show you how hard everybody's working."

Times wires
Wednesday, February 22, 2012

DAYTONA BEACH — Dale Earnhardt Jr. left Daytona frustrated and furious in July. One of his favorite tracks had become a bore.

He disliked every aspect of the new tandem racing: the blind pushing, the feeling of not being in control and the need for constant communication.

"It was a foolish freakin' race," he said after a 19th-place finish.

Earnhardt's outlook has changed considerably since. Between NASCAR-mandated changes, testing and the 54 laps in Saturday's Budweiser Shootout, his concerns have been alleviated entering today's qualifying races and Sunday's Daytona 500.

"I do feel like I have a better shot at winning in this current style of racing," Earnhardt said Wednesday. "I do feel more confident than I did coming down here and tandem drafting."

Earnhardt and others believe tandem racing in the final laps will determine the outcome today and Sunday. But not having to push, pull, sweat and swap for 200 laps around the high-banked track means everything to him.

After all, Earnhardt has 13 wins at NASCAR's most storied oval. It's also where his father, seven-time NASCAR champion Dale Earnhardt, won 34 races and died on the final lap in 2001.

And now that the racing has returned, at least in part, to the pack style Junior enjoys and seems to thrive in, it only makes sense he would be a favorite.

Nonetheless, he knows he needs good fortune.

"There is no sure strategy that is going to keep you out of a wreck or having you lead the race off Turn 4," said Earnhardt, whose winless streak is at 129 races. "You just have to … hope you continue to make every decision right; kind of like a line of dominos.

"You just hope every one that falls hits the next one. Eventually, you come off the last corner and you are in position to try to make that last decision that is going to win the race. Hopefully, it will work out for us."

It worked in 2004, a victory Earnhardt still savors.

He remembers the raucous celebration, the unremitting adulation from fans and media and the flattering comparisons to his father.

"You just feel like you have realized your full potential," he said. "Obviously, you set a lot of goals for yourself, and that is just one of the goals. But just for a moment, just for that one day, whether it is 30 minutes or an hour after you cross that finish line, you feel like it can't get any better than this.

"Some of the greatest drivers come through this sport and don't win it. It just doesn't seem right, but only certain ones get that opportunity."

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 22, 2012

tom jones' two cents



1. The Lightning isn't going anywhere.

True, the Lightning of Steve Yzerman, below, is five points out of a playoff spot this morning. But even if it was to sneak into the playoffs, do you really think it would do any damage? Do you really think it could hang with the Rangers or Bruins in a seven-game series? Or the Flyers or Penguins? There's a reason the Lightning is still five points out of the playoff pack. It is not that good! Despite a recent revival, the Lightning entered Wednesday's games 30th — that's last in the league — in goals against average, 29th in power play and 25th in penalty killing, and it is just awful on the road. If a team can't stop its opponent from scoring, and has lousy special teams and trouble winning on the road, it has no prayer in the playoffs.

2. The draft picks are worth more than the players.

Dominic Moore is a solid third-line player. But if you can trade a third-liner who is 31 years old and had four goals and was minus-10 for a second-round pick, don't you make that trade in an second? Pavel Kubina, right, is a dependable defenseman. But if you can trade a No. 5 defenseman who turns 35 in April for a second-round pick, don't you make that trade in a second? Steve Downie is a gritty player and has decent skills. But if you can trade a second-line forward with discipline issues who has become a target for referees for a first-round pick, don't you make that trade in a second?

3. The time to trade is now.

The trade deadline is Monday. So why didn't Yzerman wait until the last minute to see where the Lightning stood before making his moves? Why didn't he sit tight and make his moves in the summer? The answer: The offers he accepted likely weren't going to be there in a few days and definitely weren't going to be there in the summer. The Flyers wanted a depth defenseman like Kubina right now. The Sharks needed a third-line center like Moore right now. If Yzerman had hemmed and hawed, the Flyers and Sharks would have sought out other teams to fill their immediate needs.

4. The moves give the Lightning flexibility.

It's never a bad idea to clear salary cap space while collecting draft picks. If the Lightning wants to move up in the draft this summer, it has the picks to maneuver. If it wants to acquire a good player (goalie? top defenseman?) in a trade, it has the picks to swap and the cap room to take on a high salary. Or it can use the draft choices to select as many as six players in the first two rounds. Come this summer, those draft picks will be way more valuable than Moore, Kubina and Downie.

5. It's all part of the master plan.

Do you want a team that scrambles every year just to make the playoffs, only to get bounced after a round or two? Or would you rather have a team that gets good, stays good and competes for the Stanley Cup every season? As it was constructed a week ago with a leaky defense, shoddy goaltending and not enough secondary scoring, the Lightning was that mediocre first team. There's no guarantee the Lightning will ever become that team that's always in the running, but collecting draft picks, clearing salary and building around young players is how a team gives itself a chance to become a consistent winner. That's why Yzerman should not be finished, especially with Vinny Lecavalier, right, out at least three weeks with a hand fracture. If someone calls about Ryan Malone, Yzerman should pick up. If someone asks about Adam Hall, he should listen. If someone makes an offer for Nate Thompson or Dwayne Roloson or Brett Clark, he should consider it. These moves aren't about the mediocre present but a potentially great future.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

OTTAWA — Erik Karlsson and Milan Michalek each had three points Wednesday and the Senators sent the struggling Capitals to their third straight loss, 5-2.

John Carlson and Mathieu Perreault scored in the third period for the Capitals, who are in a tight fight for a playoff spot and have lost seven of their past 10.

Washington's Alex Ovechkin missed the game with a lower-body injury and is listed as day to day.

Ovechkin was on the ice for the morning skate for roughly eight minutes. At one point he tried to gather speed to skate quickly through the neutral zone, but after a few strides he pulled up. He skated over to the bench immediately and went down the tunnel.

"I don't feel pretty good right now," Ovechkin said afterward.

game highlights: In his Avalanche debut, former Lightning wing Steve Downie didn't record a point and had one shot and a minor tripping penalty in host Colorado's 4-1 win over the Kings. … The Blues lost for only the fourth time in regulation at home (26-4-4) and in regulation at home for the first time in 22 games, 4-2 to the Bruins.

around the league: The last-in-the-league Blue Jackets, expected to be major sellers as Monday's trade deadline approaches, sent center Antoine Vermette to the Coyotes for two draft picks and goaltender Curtis McElhinney. "This is part of the process of reshaping the team," GM Scott Howson said. … The Hurricanes took wing Tuomo Ruutu out of trade speculation, agreeing to a four-year, $19 million contract extension. He could have been an unrestricted free agent after this season. … Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews will miss a second straight game tonight, against the Stars, with an upper-body injury.

First Period—1, Ottawa, Karlsson 13 (Spezza, Michalek), 9:36. 2, Ottawa, Michalek 26 (Karlsson), 14:13. Penalties—Neil, Ott (elbowing), 10:09.

Second Period—3, Ottawa, Michalek 27 (Karlsson, Alfredsson), 3:37 (pp). 4, Ottawa, Phillips 4 (Foligno, Neil), 12:08 (pp). Penalties—Green, Was (tripping), 3:03; Karlsson, Ott (slashing), 7:37; Wideman, Was (hooking), 8:03; Brouwer, Was (unsportsmanlike conduct), 10:29; Laich, Was, major (fighting), 12:14; Smith, Ott, major (fighting), 12:14; Foligno, Ott (slashing), 12:50; Michalek, Ott (interference), 15:19.

Third Period—5, Wash., Carlson 8 (Semin), 2:19 (pp). 6, Wash., Perreault 10 (Chimera, Semin), 9:57. 7, Ottawa, Foligno 13 (Neil, Gonchar), 18:47 (en). Penalties—Turris, Ott (hooking), :22. Shots on Goal—Wash. 11-11-13—35. Ottawa 7-9-10—26. Power-play opportunities—Wash. 1 of 5; Ottawa 2 of 3. Goalies—Wash., Vokoun 23-16-2 (11 shots-7 saves), Neuvirth (12:08 second, 14-14). Ottawa, Anderson 29-19-6 (35-33).

First Period—1, Colo., Olver 2 (D.Jones, Winnik), 7:04. 2, Colo., Stastny 15, 13:04. 3, Colo., McClement 8 (O'Reilly, Kobasew), 17:22. Penalties—Downie, Col (tripping), 14:16.

Second Period—4, Colo., Stastny 16 (Landeskog, Duchene), 12:45. Penalties—J.Johnson, LA (roughing), 8:58; Clifford, LA (roughing), 8:58; Nolan, LA, misconduct, 8:58; Kobasew, Col, misconduct, 8:58; Wilson, Col (roughing), 8:58; Landeskog, Col (holding), 10:13; O'Byrne, Col (cross-checking), 13:56.

Third Period—5, L.A., Brown 15 (Doughty, Richards), 4:35. Penalties—None. Shots on Goal—L.A. 10-14-9—33. Colo. 11-11-5—27. Power-play opportunities—L.A. 0 of 3; Colo. 0 of 1. Goalies—L.A., Quick 24-17-11 (11 shots-8 saves), Bernier (0:00 second, 16-15). Colo., Varlamov 16-18-2 (33-32).

First Period—1, Boston, Marchand 20, 2:29. 2, Boston, Lucic 21 (Corvo, Kelly), 6:19. 3, St.L, Stewart 12 (Porter, Arnott), 7:17. 4, St.L, Reaves 2 (Crombeen, Shattenkirk), 12:15. 5, Boston, Kelly 15 (Lucic, Boychuk), 19:20. Penalties—McQuaid, Bos, major (fighting), 2:38; Crombeen, StL, major (fighting), 2:38; Chara, Bos (hooking), 14:00.

Second Period—None. Penalties—None.

Third Period—6, Boston, Marchand 21 (Seguin, Bergeron), 9:14. Penalties—Backes, StL (goaltender interference), 19:25. Shots on Goal—Boston 6-4-9—19. St.L 10-14-8—32. Power-play opportunities—Boston 0 of 1; St.L 0 of 1. Goalies—Boston, Thomas 25-12-0 (32 shots-30 saves). St.L, Elliott 20-7-2 (19-15).

Times wires
Wednesday, February 22, 2012

MINNEAPOLIS — Outsmarted, outhustled and outrebounded for most of the game, Michigan State snapped back to stun Minnesota.

Between laments, Spartans coach Tom Izzo offered due praise. Sometimes, the most important wins aren't pretty.

Keith Appling and Brandon Wood scored 13 each to key No. 6 Michigan State's 66-61 victory Wednesday night, helping the Spartans win their sixth straight game and keep their one-game lead in the Big Ten.

"When you're trying to be in a championship run, you've got to steal a game somewhere," Izzo said.

Draymond Green had 17 points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals for the Spartans (23-5, 12-3). Green's only second-half basket was a pump-fake layup that rolled on the rim and in to tie it at 58 with 1:40 left.

"Anytime you can get a road win, no matter how ugly it is, it means a lot," Green said. "Especially how the race is now."

The Gophers led for more than 18 minutes of the second half until a flurry of late turnovers; 12 of their 15 came after halftime.

NO. 4 KANSAS 66, TEXAS A&M 58: Elijah Johnson scored 21 and Tyshawn Taylor made key plays down the stretch to help the visiting Jayhawks (23-5, 13-2 Big 12) fight off a late Aggies run.

NO. 10 MARQUETTE 82, RUTGERS 65: Jae Crowder scored 27 and Darius Johnson-Odom 21 for the host Golden Eagles (23-5, 12-3), who won their fourth straight game and 11th in 12 to stay tied for second place in the Big East with Notre Dame.

NO. 19 WICHITA ST. 68, ILLINOIS ST. 55: Joe Ragland had 14 points for the visiting Shockers (25-4, 15-2), who clinched the Missouri Valley Conference championship.

NO. 20 NOTRE DAME 71, W. VA. 44: Jerian Grant scored 20 for the host Irish (20-8, 12-3 Big East), who shot 61 percent and won their ninth straight game.

NO. 22 TEMPLE 80, LA SALLE 79, OT: Ramone Moore scored five of his 18 in overtime to help the host Owls (22-5, 11-2 Atlantic 10) to their 11th straight win.

NO. 23 INDIANA 75, N.C. CENTRAL 56: Cody Zeller had 17 points and seven rebounds and Victor Oladipo scored 16 for the host Hoosiers (21-7).

RICE 83, UCF 74: The visiting Knights (19-8, 8-5 C-USA) blew a 15-point first-half lead, committing 10 turnovers and allowing the Owls to shoot 59.8 percent in the second half.

FLA. SOUTHERN 85, TAMPA 76: The host Moccasins outrebounded the Spartans (6-19, 2-13 Sunshine State) 40-28 to overcome Ashton Graham's career-high 32 points.

SAINT LEO 58, ECKERD 49: Trent Thomas had 18 points as the host Lions (15-10, 9-6 SSC) won their sixth straight game and handed the Tritons (18-7, 10-5) their second straight loss.

yeguete out for season: Florida forward Will Yeguete will miss the rest of the season with a broken foot. He is the team's best post defender and the rebounding co-leader.

SURGERY FOR CALHOUN: UConn coach Jim Calhoun will have surgery next week to address a lower back condition and miss the next two games. The Hall of Fame coach, on a medical leave of absence since Feb. 3, will then be re-evaluated.

Women

FLA. SOUTHERN 78, TAMPA 46: The host Moccasins shot 50 percent from the field and outrebounded the Spartans (10-15, 3-12 Sunshine State) 40-30.

ECKERD 65, SAINT LEO 61, 2OT: Krystal Charles had 24 points and Kati Rausberg scored the game's final five to lead the visiting Tritons (14-10, 7-8 SSC) over the Lions (7-18, 1-14).

NO. 19 ST. BONAVENTURE 52, FORDHAM 45: Jessica Jenkins had 17 points as the host Bonnies (26-2, 13-0 Atlantic 10) extended their program-record winning streak to 15 games.

NO. 1 BAYLOR: Sophomore guard Shanay Washington tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee, her fifth torn ACL including her right one twice.

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

Former Plant High and current Florida State running back James Wilder Jr. was arrested in Tallahassee and charged with two felony counts Wednesday. He has been suspended from the team, according to his lawyer Tim Jansen, who said Wilder's "college career is in jeopardy.''

Wilder, 19, is charged with battery of an officer, firefighter or EMT and resisting an officer with violence, said Kathryn Hertz, a correctional officer with the Leon County Sheriff's Office. He was released on $2,000 bail. An after-hours phone call to Kerwin Lonzo, the Seminoles' sports information director for football, was not returned.

According to a release from the Sheriff's Office, a deputy was dispatched to 415 Chapel Drive, Apartment 119, to arrest Bianca Camarda, 20, for failing to appear in court on a criminal mischief charge. At the address, Deputy Donnie Bramblett met Wilder, Camarda's boyfriend. Wilder allowed Bramblett to search the apartment. Camarda was found hiding in a bathroom, where she was placed in handcuffs and escorted to the marked police car.

According to the release, Wilder then told Bramblett that Camarda was not going to jail and pushed him. Bramblett unholstered his Taser and warned Wilder. The player began yelling obscenities and was arrested once Camarda was placed in the car. Both were taken to the Leon County Jail.

Jansen, Wilder's attorney, said the officer misconstrued Wilder's actions and that he was trying to show him a text from Camarda's lawyer, explaining that her failure to appear in court Tuesday was the result of a clerical error and that she should go Wednesday.

"The officer wanted none of it," said Jansen, who has represented other FSU football players, including cornerback Greg Reid, who was arrested in September on two misdemeanor charges. "James did not mean to touch, resist or harass the officer in any way."

Wilder and Camarda met in the seventh grade while attending Martinez Middle School in Lutz.

Wilder appeared in 12 games for FSU as a freshman. He rushed for 160 yards and one touchdown on 35 attempts and caught two passes for 14 yards.

After transferring from Chamberlain to Plant before his junior year, Wilder led Plant to a Class 5A state title in 2010 and a state runnerup finish his senior year. After MaxPreps named him the top recruit in the country before his senior year, he rushed for 1,597 yards and 22 touchdowns and recorded 75 tackles and eight sacks.

Jansen said he's hopeful the matter can be resolved and that Wilder will apologize for any inconvenience. "He didn't mean to interfere, he was just trying to keep his girlfriend from getting arrested," Jansen said. "Obviously, his college career is in jeopardy."

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, February 23, 2012

The morning started with bright smiles in the Rays clubhouse as Carlos Peña walked in the door, greeted with hugs and smiles.

"It feels like home,'' Peña said.

Peña planned to join the other early reporting position players for a workout, with Ben Zobrist the only regular who has not been in yet. The first full squad workout is Sunday.

Peña said he has barely stopped smiling since agreeing to a one-year, $7.25-million deal on Jan. 24 to rejoin the Rays. "I'm just really happy and grateful that the opportunity came about and I'm here and it has materialized,'' Peña said. "At first it was just a possibility and now it's reality and I'm part of this ballclub once again.''

Peña said he was particularly heartened by the response from fans he has run into during trips back to St. Petersburg as how much they say his return has meant to them.

"That was the most overwhelming thing of all,'' he said, "and I just kind of sit quiet and absorb it and say, Wow, this has flattered me. Just noticing how many people are happy for me to be back on this team, it's like wow. It just fuels me, and I want to make sure I honor that.''

Peña took about a $3-million pay cut to come back (he made $10-million last year with the Cubs), but said: "You can't put a dollar amount on this, a value. This is great.''

Peña said the family matter that forced him to miss Saturday's FanFest involved his mother-in-law, who had a heart attack at home in the Dominican Republic. Peña said she is "doing well" now and he returned to the U.S. on Tuesday.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, February 23, 2012

PORT CHARLOTTE — The excitement, the admiration — heck, the unadulterated love —for Carlos Peña was obvious as soon as he walked into the Rays clubhouse early Thursday morning.

Players, staff, clubhouse workers, even manager Joe Maddon headed immediately to his corner, leaning in for a handshake or a hug and leaving with a beaming smile, and the feeling was obviously mutual.

"They've really made me feel like I had never left," Peña said. "And I truly feel that way."

He has been aglow since agreeing a month ago to a one-year, $7.25 million deal to rejoin a Rays team for whom he starred in 2007-10 before spending last season with the Cubs.

"Smiling constantly," he said, "and just letting it all sink in.''

As ecstatic as he and his family have been, he didn't anticipate the widespread welcome he has received.

He was at the Apple store in Orlando the other day when a fan approached to share his excitement. He stopped at a Walgreens during a trip to St. Petersburg a week before that, and a couple told him excitedly how they had kept his jersey knowing he would some day come back. He heard it when he was looking at a potential beach-front home for the season, when he was pumping gas, almost on a daily basis.

"That's been the most overwhelming thing of all," Peña, 33, said, "and I just kind of sit quiet and absorb it and say, 'Wow, this has flattered me.' Just noticing how many people are happy for me to be back on this team, it's like, wow. It just fuels me. And I just want to make sure I honor that."

There are some players who show up in different places each season saying how happy they are to be there, but Peña's sincerity is obvious as he enters his 12th big-league season.

He resuscitated his career when he came to the Rays in 2007, was a key part of their 2008 rebranding as a successful team and was pained to have to move on after the 2010 season. He has played for the Rangers and the A's and the Tigers and the Red Sox and the Cubs, but he considers himself a Ray.

"My greatest memories of my whole entire career are in this organization," he said.

As Peña made the 20-minute drive Thursday morning from his Punta Gorda spring rental to the Charlotte Sports Park, those good feelings started to come back.

"You run through all the good memories, and you're looking forward to making new ones," he said. "So it was a cool ride."

The Rays turned back to Peña to provide thunder at the plate — he has averaged 34-plus homers the past five seasons — and his usual golden touch at first base.

But ask teammates the best part of having Peña back, and it goes beyond what he can do on the field.

"It's just who he is on a daily basis," shortstop Reid Brignac said. "He's always happy, he's always positive, he's always there — you can always talk to him if you're having a troubled day. I love being around Carlos. He brings me up — even when I'm happy he brings me up."

"It's how he keeps the clubhouse loose," starter James Shields said. "It's how much fun he has."

"It's his attitude — it's never bad," centerfielder B.J. Upton said. "He always brings a positive presence to the ballclub and to the clubhouse, and if you're going to win, you need guys like that."

It's even simpler than that, starter David Price said: "Seeing that pretty smile every day."

Peña didn't want to leave after 2010, but he didn't have the chance to stay as the Rays were slicing their payroll from $73 million to the low 40s. He and his wife, Pamela, never took down the Rays memorabilia hanging in their Orlando house, and their kids, 6-year-old Isabella and 18-month-old Nicolas, were still sporting Rays gear last summer in Chicago.

"This has been such a very emotional situation for me, because I feel at home," Peña said. "It just feels great. I feel comfortable here."

Marc Topkin can be reached at topkin@tampabay.com

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, February 23, 2012

PORT CHARLOTTE — The excitement, the admiration — heck, the unadulterated love —for Carlos Peña was obvious as soon as he walked into the Rays clubhouse early Thursday morning.

Players, staff, clubhouse workers, even manager Joe Maddon headed immediately to his corner, leaning in for a handshake or a hug and leaving with a beaming smile, and the feeling was obviously mutual.

"They've really made me feel like I had never left," Peña said. "And I truly feel that way."

He has been aglow since agreeing a month ago to a one-year, $7.25 million deal to rejoin a Rays team for whom he starred in 2007-10 before spending last season with the Cubs.

"Smiling constantly," he said, "and just letting it all sink in.''

As ecstatic as he and his family have been, he didn't anticipate the widespread welcome he has received.

He was at the Apple store in Orlando the other day when a fan approached to share his excitement. He stopped at a Walgreens during a trip to St. Petersburg a week before that, and a couple told him excitedly how they had kept his jersey knowing he would some day come back. He heard it when he was looking at a potential beach-front home for the season, when he was pumping gas, almost on a daily basis.

"That's been the most overwhelming thing of all," Peña, 33, said, "and I just kind of sit quiet and absorb it and say, 'Wow, this has flattered me.' Just noticing how many people are happy for me to be back on this team, it's like, wow. It just fuels me. And I just want to make sure I honor that."

There are some players who show up in different places each season saying how happy they are to be there, but Peña's sincerity is obvious as he enters his 12th big-league season.

He resuscitated his career when he came to the Rays in 2007, was a key part of their 2008 rebranding as a successful team and was pained to have to move on after the 2010 season. He has played for the Rangers and the A's and the Tigers and the Red Sox and the Cubs, but he considers himself a Ray.

"My greatest memories of my whole entire career are in this organization," he said.

As Peña made the 20-minute drive Thursday morning from his Punta Gorda spring rental to the Charlotte Sports Park, those good feelings started to come back.

"You run through all the good memories, and you're looking forward to making new ones," he said. "So it was a cool ride."

The Rays turned back to Peña to provide thunder at the plate — he has averaged 34-plus homers the past five seasons — and his usual golden touch at first base.

But ask teammates the best part of having Peña back, and it goes beyond what he can do on the field.

"It's just who he is on a daily basis," shortstop Reid Brignac said. "He's always happy, he's always positive, he's always there — you can always talk to him if you're having a troubled day. I love being around Carlos. He brings me up — even when I'm happy he brings me up."

"It's how he keeps the clubhouse loose," starter James Shields said. "It's how much fun he has."

"It's his attitude — it's never bad," centerfielder B.J. Upton said. "He always brings a positive presence to the ballclub and to the clubhouse, and if you're going to win, you need guys like that."

It's even simpler than that, starter David Price said: "Seeing that pretty smile every day."

Peña didn't want to leave after 2010, but he didn't have the chance to stay as the Rays were slicing their payroll from $73 million to the low 40s. He and his wife, Pamela, never took down the Rays memorabilia hanging in their Orlando house, and their kids, 6-year-old Isabella and 18-month-old Nicolas, were still sporting Rays gear last summer in Chicago.

"This has been such a very emotional situation for me, because I feel at home," Peña said. "It just feels great. I feel comfortable here."

Marc Topkin can be reached at topkin@tampabay.com

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, February 23, 2012

Here's a new storyline, the Tampa Bay Lightning, which had traded front-line players on three previous game days, actually added a player before tonight's game with the Jets, claiming forward Tim Wallace off waivers from the Islanders. He will join the team on Friday.

The Lightning could use the body up front after Dominic Moore and Steve Downie were traded and captain Vinny Lecavalier is out at least three weeks with a fractured right hand.

"All our reports about him were positive," general manager Steve Yzerman said. "We think he's a guy who can come in and contribute this year. He's a gritty guy. He's a strong and competitive guy. We thought he'd be able to help us down the stretch."

Wallace, 27, has played in 31 games this season for the Islanders with one assist and six penalty minutes. He was minus-7 and averaged 8:40 of ice time. Wallace also played 24 games with AHL Bridgeport with nine goals and 20 points. He can play center or wing.

Wallace is from Anchorage, Alaska, and was a childhood friend of Lightning center Nate Thompson.

"Every time I go back, I always see him; lifelong friends," Thompson said. "I grew up playing hockey with him. I'm happy to have him here. He's a big body. He hits like a truck. He's willing if need be to drop the gloves and he's a pretty good all-around player. He's got some offensive ability."

With Wallace, Tampa Bay will have 13 healthy forwards (that is, if no one is hurt tonight against the Jets). It remains to be seen if either Trevor Smith or Mike Angelidis will be sent back to AHL Norfolk. If right wing Brett Connolly is going to be able to play in the playoffs for Tri-City of the junior Western League, he will have to be sent there by Monday.

No official word but that would seem a long shot. Yzerman likely is much more interested in bolstering Norfolk for its playoff run, and all things being equal, the team would much rather have Connolly in the NHL than juniors; a much better environment for him, the team believes.

Others stuff from the morning skate: As expected, Mathieu Garon gets the start in net for the Lightning. ... Defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron also is not on the trip because of his back injury. Sounds like he is going to see another doctor for yet another opinion on the injury that apparently is affecting his sciatic nerve. Bergeron will miss his 17th in the past 18 games. "For me, I hear a different sound to what it is and what it's going to be every day," coach Guy Boucher said. "I've stopped listening to be honest with you. Just tell me when he's ready. That's about it. He's been missing for so long now." Added Boucher: "We've had so many injuries, I put that aside now. I don't wait for players anymore. It just distracts you from what you have right now. ... Tonight's game is a big one for Tampa Bay, which is facing one of the teams it will have to leapfrog to get into the playoffs. Boucher, as usual, tried to downplay it. "I was sitting in my room this morning and I was thinking, 'This is a big game,' " Boucher said. "But when is it not a big game? We've been saying that every game since the beginning of the year. It's a league where every single point matter, every game matters, and to me this game is not more or less important than the last game of the game before or the next one. Our approach has been very narrow-minded in terms of who we play and how we've got to play. We've been really focusing on today with a rock-climbers mentality of not looking up or not looking down. We're looking right in front of us and focusing on the task."

Times staff
Thursday, February 23, 2012

The Bucs today announced their defensive coaching staff.

Here is the release from the team:

2012 DEFENSIVE COACHING STAFF ANNOUNCED

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers today announced that they have hired Ron Cooper as Defensive Backs Coach, Bryan Cox as Front Seven Coach, Bob Fraser as Linebackers Coach, Jeff Hafley as Assistant Defensive Backs Coach, Tem Lukabu as Defensive Quality Control Coach and Randy Melvin as Defensive Line Coach to the 2012 defensive coaching staff.

Cooper begins his tenure with Tampa Bay after spending the last 29 seasons in the college ranks, including two different stints as a defensive coordinator and three as a head coach. Cooper has been with LSU for the past three seasons, overseeing one of the top secondaries in the country that included national award winners in CB Morris Claiborne, CB Patrick Peterson and CB Tyrann Mathieu. Cooper coached the last two winners of the Jim Thorpe Award - Peterson in 2010 and Claiborne in 2011 - given to the top defensive back in college football, as well as the last two winners of the Chuck Bednarik Award - Peterson in 2010 and Mathieu in 2011 - given to the nation's Defensive Player of the Year. As a sophomore this past season, Mathieu was also named as a finalist for the Heisman Trophy.

All three players earned consensus All-American honors under Cooper, with Claiborne and Mathieu becoming the first cornerback teammates to earn first-team AP honors in NCAA history. This year, Claiborne (Coaches) and Mathieu (AP) each earned SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors, while Peterson (Coaches) earned SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2010 before being selected fifth overall in the 2010 NFL Draft.

As a unit, LSU's secondary accounted for 16 interceptions, nine fumble recoveries and 12 forced fumbles in 2011, as the Tigers led the nation in turnover margin and ranked fifth in total interceptions with 18. The team allowed just seven passing touchdowns all season, the fewest by a Tiger team since limiting opponents to five in 1989.

In his first two seasons, Cooper made an immediate impact with the Tigers, helping the team to the Capital One Bowl and the Cotton Bowl. In his first year, LSU's pass defense jumped to 29th after ranking 73rd in the nation the previous year. The improvement continued, with the team ranking No. 10 in the country in 2010 and No. 8 in 2011, where the team finished 13-1 and earned an SEC Championship and a trip to the BCS National Championship Game.

Before his time at LSU, Cooper spent five years at South Carolina, serving as the defensive backs coach (2004), outside linebackers/special teams coordinator (2005), secondary/assistant head coach (2006-07) and safeties coach (2008). In 2008, Cooper assisted with a defense that ranked No. 1 in the SEC and No. 2 in the nation in pass defense, allowing just 160 yards per game. With the Gamecocks, Cooper helped the team to appearances in the 2005 Independence Bowl, 2006 Liberty Bowl and 2009 Outback Bowl.

Prior to his stay in South Carolina, Cooper worked the 2003 season as the defensive coordinator at Mississippi State and 2002 as the secondary coach at Wisconsin. Cooper broke into the head coaching ranks with Eastern Michigan (1993-94) and went on to become head coach at Louisville (1995-97) and Alabama A&M (1998-01). Cooper's 1995 Louisville team led the nation in takeaways and finished No. 9 in the nation in scoring defense. The following season, the Cardinals ranked No. 4 in the country in both total defense and rushing defense. At Alabama A&M, Cooper guided the Bulldogs to the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship Game in 2000. His squad led the nation in rushing defense and they ranked No. 8 nationally in scoring defense. He also discovered DE Robert Mathis and coached him in his first three collegiate seasons with Mathis still holding the school record for career sacks and tackles for loss.

Before becoming head coach at Eastern Michigan, Cooper served as an assistant coach at Notre Dame (1991-92), helping the Irish to victories over No. 3-ranked Florida in the Sugar Bowl and No. 4 Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl following the 1991 and 1992 seasons.

Cooper also served as the defensive coordinator at UNLV (1990), assistant coach at East Carolina (1989), defensive coordinator at Murray State (1987-88), assistant coach at Austin Peay (1985-86), graduate assistant at Minnesota (1984) and graduate assistant at Appalachian State (1983).

Cox joins the Buccaneers after six years in the NFL coaching ranks with the New York Jets, Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins. This past season, Cox worked with new Buccaneers Defensive Coordinator Bill Sheridan in Miami as the pass rush coach, helping the team to a Top 10 finish in sacks with 41 accounted for by 13 different players. The team finished with four different players having four or more sacks, including Jared Odrick (6.0), Randy Starks (4.5), Jason Taylor (7.0) and Cameron Wake (8.5).

Cox joined the Dolphins after spending the 2009-10 seasons with the Cleveland Browns as defensive line coach. In his first year with the Browns, he helped DE Robaire Smith come back from an Achilles' injury to start in 15 games and finish fifth on the team with 62 tackles and 1.5 sacks. He also oversaw the development of NT Ahtyba Rubin and DE Brian Schaefering, both of whom made their first NFL starts in 2009. Rubin, a second-year performer, recorded 38 tackles and started the final five games as the Browns held their opponents to less than 100 yards rushing in three of them. Schaefering played in the final five games of the season after spending the first 12 weeks on the practice squad, responding with 12 tackles and 1.5 sacks in his limited action. In all, Cox's defensive lineman accounted for 11.5 sacks in 2009.

Cox started his coaching career with the New York Jets spending three seasons as their assistant defensive line coach (2006-08). In 2008, Cox helped the Jets defense rank seventh in the NFL in both sacks (41.0) and rushing defense (94.9 ypg), during which time DT Shaun Ellis led the team with 8.0 sacks and finished fifth on the team in tackles.

Cox had a stellar 12-year career as a linebacker in the NFL after being chosen by Miami in the fifth round of the 1991 NFL Draft (113th overall). He played the first five years of his career in Miami before spending time with Chicago (1996-97), where Buccaneers Head Coach Greg Schiano was a defensive assistant. Cox then went on to play for the N.Y. Jets (1998-2000), New England (2001) and finished his career with New Orleans (2002). During his career, he appeared in 165 regular season games, including 145 starts. He posted 51.5 career sacks, including a high of 14 in 1992, a figure which led the Dolphins that year and earned him the first of three Pro Bowl selections.

Fraser brings 27 years (1985-2011) of coaching experience to the Buccaneers, and spent the last six seasons at Rutgers University, where he served as defensive coordinator/defensive line (2011), co-defensive coordinator/linebackers (2009-10), linebackers coach (2007-08) and assistant to the head coach (1998-05). Over the past three seasons, Fraser led the Scarlet Knights to some of the top-ranked defenses in the nation, including the 14th-ranked defense in 2011 and the 18th-ranked defense in 2009.

In 2011, the team also ranked eighth in scoring defense, ninth in passing defense, 15th in sacks and eighth in tackles for loss nationally. Fraser saw two players in his defensive unit earn first team All-Big East in 2011, including LB Khaseem Greene, who was also named Big East Co-Defensive Player of the Year, the first such award in school history.

Prior to joining the Rutgers staff, Fraser served nine seasons as linebackers coach (1998-2005) at Colgate University, coaching three Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year honorees, nine All-Patriot League selections and two All-Americans. Fraser started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Allegheny College, in 1985 and 1986, and later served in the same role at Rutgers for the 1987 and 1988 seasons. He returned to Allegheny two more times (1989-91, 1997), earning a NCAA Division III National Championship in 1990, with stints at Holy Cross (1992-95) and Northeastern (1996) in between.

Hafley joins the Buccaneers after one season as the secondary coach at Rutgers (2011) and five seasons at Pittsburgh as the secondary coach (2008-10) and defensive assistant/cornerbacks (2006-07). In his lone season with Rutgers, he led the ninth-ranked passing defense in the country, coaching DB Duron Harmon to first-team All-Big East honors and CB Logan Ryan to second-team All-Big East honors. In Hafley's final two seasons at Pittsburgh, he coached four players that earned All-Big East accolades, and, in his first season, he helped mentor NFL Pro Bowl CB Darrelle Revis, who went on to be a Jim Thorpe finalist, All-American and the 14th overall draft selection of the N.Y. Jets.

Prior to his time at Pittsburgh, Hafley served as defensive backs coach/recruiting coordinator (2004-05) and defensive assistant/defensive tackles (2002-03) at the University of Albany after spending the 2001 season at Worcester Polytechnic as running backs coach. During his time at Albany, he coached S Kurt Campbell, who became the first player in the school's history to be selected in the NFL Draft. Hafley also played collegiately for four years as a wide receiver at Siena College, where he later began his coaching career while recovering from three separate surgeries that kept him off the playing field.

Like Fraser and Hafley, Lukabu joins Tampa Bay from Rutgers University, where he was the outside linebackers coach for the past two seasons (2010-11). In 2011, Lukabu was instrumental in LB Khaseem Greene's standout season, in which the latter led the team with 144 tackles and earned conference Co-Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Before joining the Scarlet Knights, Lukabu spent two seasons as linebackers coach (2008-09) at the University of Rhode Island, and mentored a pair of notable players in Matt Hansen, a second-team All-Colonial Athletic Association and All-New England Sports Writer honoree, and Rob Damon, a third-team Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) All-American and third-team All-CAA recipient.

Lukabu began his collegiate coaching career with Rutgers working in player development (2006-08). A former linebacker himself, Lukabu was a three-year starter at Colgate University and, in 2003, captained the national runner-up squad that finished 15-1 and ranked second in the nation. That same season, he was named a third-team AP All-American and was a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, given to the National Defensive Player of the Year.

Melvin brings 29 years of coaching experience - including six at the NFL level - to the Buccaneers. Melvin worked as defensive line coach under Bill Belichick with the New England Patriots (2000-01), and later as defensive line coach under Romeo Crennel with the Cleveland Browns (2005-08). While with New England, Melvin was part of a Patriots team that won Super Bowl XXVI, the first world championship in the franchise's history. In that game, the Patriots defense held the St. Louis Rams - then the league's top scoring offense - to a mere 17 points.

Most recently, Melvin spent the 2011 season coaching the defensive line for the B.C. Lions of the Canadian Football League, helping the team to a Grey Cup Championship. During the team's campaign, Melvin's dominant defensive line accounted for 38 of the team's 54 sacks, leading to three of his players being named West Division All-Stars.

Melvin also has extensive experience at the collegiate level, having worked as defensive line coach at Rutgers (2002-04, 2010) and Temple (2009), defensive ends coach at Purdue (1997-99), defensive tackles coach at Wyoming (1995-96) and defensive line coach at Eastern Illinois (1988-94).

At Temple, Melvin helped DE Adrian Robinson to a 12-sack season on the way to Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors. The Owls' defensive unit was ranked 18th in the nation in rushing defense and tied for 23rd in sacks.

In 2002, his first season with Rutgers, the Scarlet Knights allowed 23.5 fewer rushing yards per game than the previous year. That progression continued in the next season as the Melvin-led defensive front allowed nearly 44 fewer yards per game in 2003, than it had in 2002.

While at Wyoming, the Cowboys recorded a Western Athletic Conference-best 33 sacks in 1995, and followed it up with another league-best 46 sacks in 1996. During that time, Melvin also gained valuable experience coaching in the pros, starting out with the Denver Broncos in 1995 and with the New York Jets in 1996-97 as part of the NFL's minority coaching fellowship program.

As a starter on the Eastern Illinois defensive line for three seasons, Melvin received AP All-America recognition (Division II) in 1979 and 1980. He was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 1995.

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, February 23, 2012

Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano knows the troubled past of cornerback Aqib Talib and hopes his pending felony assault case in Texas next month will be resolved in his favor.

"He tells me it will,'' Schiano said.

Schiano said he met with Talib recently and sounds willing to wipe the slate clean. In fact, Schiano believes Talib can benefit from some of the expectations he will place on all players.

"I had a great meeting with him and we just kind of talked about life for a little bit,'' Schiano said. "I know there's been some things in the past. But at the end of the day, the legal stuff that's going on right now, hopefully that will get resolved. He tells me it will.

"Then from there, we're just going to go. Every guy on this football team will know our expectations. There won't be any, "Well, I thoughts.' I think most of the time, frustration comes out as the result of unfulfilled expectations, my frustration and theirs. So if you make the expectations clear, then discipline really isn't discipline, it's a choice. You knew if you did this, everything is cool and if you don't, there's going to be consequences. That, to me, is not that complicated. But you have to make sure you're very, very clear on what it is your expectations are.''

Talib is scheduled to stand trial in March in Dallas County on charges of assault with a deadly weapon stemming from his involvement in a shooting in Garland, Texas a year ago. If convicted, Talib could face a suspension from the NFL.

BARBER WILL LET BUCS KNOW WHERE HE FITS: When Schiano was the defensive coordinator for the Miami Hurricanes more than a dozen years ago, he used to drive to Tampa to watch the Bucs defense practice.

Ronde Barber was at cornerback.

He could be there again in 2012.

"So it was Monte (Kiffin) and Lovie (Smith) and Rod (Marinelli) and Herm (Edwards),'' Schiano said. "Well, (Barber) was there. He was there, he was playing corner. Trust me, I think he knows how much I appreciate what has been accomplished here over the years, especially on defense. When you look at some of the great defenses. I'm just going to tell him, "This is what we're going to try to build here, where do you see yourself fitting in?''

Schiano said he met with Barber about 10 minutes recently and another gathering is planned following the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis.

At that time, Schiano says, he hopes to get an exchange of ideas from Barber about how he could help the Bucs if he decides to return for a 16th season.

"(General manager) Mark (Dominik) and I will sit down with him sometime after the combine,'' Schiano said. "I just need to tell him what my vision is for the football team and hear from him how he sees how he fits in that. I think it's going to be a great exchange. He knows what this is about, he's been doing it so long. And he's a Buc.

"I mean, he knows it's near the end whether it's a year, two or three. But I think no one knows better than Ronde what's best for all parties involved. So I'm anxious to hear what he has to say. We visited briefly and it was good. I mean, what a bright guy to visit with. But I think this next time, we'll talk more about the specifics of football and all that.''

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, February 23, 2012

INDIANAPOLIS — The last time Greg Schiano was at the NFL scouting combine, 14 years ago as a defensive backs coach for the Bears, things were much different.

A position coach was almost always allowed to interview for any job that represented advancement. But as the Bucs' new head coach, Schiano has found his attempts to lure assistants from other teams met with resistance.

"It was difficult," he said. "There are people that are my contemporaries, guys that I came up with in the business that I had a desire to have on our staff. But we were unable to do that because of contractual obligations, and that's understood. So then we kind of moved to different people that I thought were equally qualified but that maybe I had not worked with or guys that I didn't know quite as well."

Schiano has completed his defensive staff and announced Thursday that former Raiders assistant Bob Ligasheski will coach special teams. Schiano said he has three positions left to fill, including a quarterbacks coach.

Schiano said the Glazer family, which owns the Bucs, has provided every resource it could to make Schiano's transition from coaching in college to the NFL smooth, including a commitment to spending in free agency. The Bucs have $67 million of salary cap space, the most of any team.

"They're committed to winning," Schiano said. "There's no doubt. … I'm going to make sure where we spend our money, we did it prudently because as we draft these great players and they become Bucs and they learn our culture and they learn how we do things, I want to be able to keep them."

During his first media appearance since being hired Jan. 27, Schiano touched on numerous topics, ranging from the future of cornerbacks Ronde Barber and Aqib Talib to the reason he wanted Butch Davis at One Buc Place.

• On Davis, the former college and NFL coach hired to be special assistant to the head coach: "What I wanted was someone who could help the head coach be a head coach, someone who had done what I was trying to do, and that's go from Division I college football (Schiano came from Rutgers) to the (NFL) and learn some of the good things that Butch did when he did it, some of the things he wishes he could have changed."

• On the possible return of Barber: Schiano met with the 15-year veteran for about 10 minutes recently and plans to sit down with him after the scouting combine. It sounds as though the Bucs would welcome Barber back if he can find a role in the new defense. "I'm just going to tell him, 'This is what we're going to try to build here. Where do you see yourself fitting in?' I think it's going to be a great exchange. …But I think no one knows better than Ronde what's best for all parties involved."

• On Talib, who is scheduled to stand trial in March in Texas on charges of felony assault with a deadly weapon in a shooting case and with whom Schiano said he met with recently: "We just kind of talked about life for a little bit. … He tells me (the legal issues) will (get resolved). Then from there, we're just going to go."

• On his plan for quarterback Josh Freeman: "What I'm going to do is ask Josh to just kind of take a mind eraser and start over. … Sometimes in your career you hit the reset button, especially after a tough go of it. So rather than look back at trying to get back to some old form he had … it's great you have a guy with that youth, the ability he has and the opportunity to hit the reset button at age 24."

By Terry Tomalin, Times Outdoors-Fitness Editor
Thursday, February 23, 2012

.

TAMPA BAY — If you want to increase your odds of catching sheepshead, bring along a statistician.

"There is a secret to catching these fish," I told Dr. Frank Biafora. "You have to set the hook before you feel the bite."

Biafora, the Dean of College of Arts & Sciences at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg, appeared a bit puzzled.

"How can you set the hook before you feel the bite," he asked.

"That's the secret," I replied.

Tampa Bay has hundreds of great sheepshead spots. During February, you will find finicky eaters in the residential canals, along rocky channel edges and, of course, under docks.

These unappreciated sportfish feed on everything from barnacles to shrimp, but the first thing any sheepshead hunter learns is that all sheepshead food is not created equal. The best bait is not necessarily what gets bit, but what stays on the hook.

Grand theft piscatorial

Old timers sometimes call this lowly bottom dweller the "convict fish." Some say it is because the pattern of black stripes on their bodies resembles prison uniforms. Others will argue that the names came from this species' uncanny ability to strip a piece of bait clean off the hook before it hits the bottom.

Your typical sheepshead is silver in color, with five or six distinct vertical black bands, though they are not always the same on both sides. This fish looks a lot like a juvenile black drum, except with a full set of very human-looking choppers, complete with molars, incisors and rounded grinders, well suited for crushing a variety of crustaceans.

Sheepshead are members of the porgie family, a close relative and constant companion of another well-known species anglers often use for bait, the pinfish. The two are often found together and the first task of any sheepshead fisherman is to learn to differentiate between the pinner's nibble and the sheepshead's chomp.

Evening the odds

Most sheepshead found in local waters weigh about 1 to 2 pounds, but fish caught in deep water can easily weigh five times that much. A mainstay of pier anglers, sheepshead can be found from Nova Scotia to Brazil, but having travelled to both locales, neither place has anything on Tampa Bay when it comes to sheepshead fishing.

Your chance of success will increase if you start off with a small hook, because the tinier the hook, the more likely it is to get sucked in the sheepshead's little mouth. Start with a No. 1, then downsize if necessary, even going as far as a No. 2 or even a No. 4.

Many veteran sheepshead fishermen insist on using braided line, which does not stretch, making it easier to feel the bite. A good light-tipped graphite rod will also help you "feel" the fish. And when it comes to weight, don't go to heavy. All you need is enough to send your bait to the bottom.

Recipe for success

Anglers will argue the pros and cons of different sheepshead's bait. The Asian green mussel, an exotic species originally from the Indian and Pacific oceans accidentally introduced into Tampa Bay more than a decade ago when a freighter emptied its ballast tanks, was a fan favorite until a series of hard freezes decimated their numbers (probably a good thing).

So we started off with cut shrimp that had been previously frozen. The bait worked — when it stayed on the hook.

"I would say that you averaging one hookup for every ten pieces of shrimp," my angling buddy hypothesized.

So we switched to small crabs that had also spent some time in the deep freeze. This bait, much sturdier on the hook, increased our bait to catch ratio. Biafora, who boated several fish during our hour-long experiment, was satisfied with the results.

"I think it is safe to say," he concluded, "that crabs are the way to go."

By Terry Tomalin, Times Outdoors-Fitness Editor
Thursday, February 23, 2012

TAMPA BAY — If you want to increase your odds of catching sheepshead, bring along a statistician.

"There is a secret to catching these fish," I told Frank Biafora. "You have to set the hook before you feel the bite."

Biafora, the dean of College of Arts and Sciences at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg, appeared a bit puzzled.

"How can you set the hook before you feel the bite?" he asked.

"That's the secret," I replied.

Tampa Bay has hundreds of great sheepshead spots. During February, you will find finicky eaters in the residential canals, along rocky channel edges and, of course, under docks.

These unappreciated sport fish feed on everything from barnacles to shrimp.

But the first thing any sheepshead hunter learns is all sheepshead food is not created equal. The best bait is not necessarily what gets bit but what stays on the hook.

Grand theft piscatorial

Old-timers sometimes call this lowly bottom dweller the "convict fish."

Some say it is because the pattern of black stripes on their bodies resembles prison uniforms. Others argue the name came from this species' uncanny ability to strip a piece of bait clean off the hook before it hits the bottom.

Your typical sheepshead is silver with five-six distinct vertical black bands, though they are not always the same on both sides.

This fish looks a lot like a juvenile black drum except with a full set of very human-looking choppers, complete with molars, incisors and rounded grinders; well suited for crushing a variety of crustaceans.

Sheepshead are members of the porgy family, a close relative and constant companion of a well-known species anglers often use for bait, pinfish. The two are often found together, and the first task of any sheepshead angler is learning to differentiate between the pinner's nibble and sheepshead's chomp.

Evening the odds

Most sheepshead found in local waters weigh 1-2 pounds, but fish caught in deep water can weigh five times that much.

A mainstay of pier anglers, sheepshead can be found from Nova Scotia to Brazil. But having traveled to both locales, neither has anything on Tampa Bay.

Your chance of success will increase if you start with a small hook because the tinier the hook, the more likely it is to get sucked into the sheepshead's little mouth. Start with a No. 1, then downsize if necessary, going as far as a No. 2 or even a No. 4.

Many veteran sheepshead fishermen insist on using braided line, which does not stretch, making it easier to feel the bite. A good light-tipped graphite rod will also help you "feel" the fish. And when it comes to weight, don't go too heavy. All you need is enough to send your bait to the bottom.

Recipe for success

Anglers will argue the pros and cons of sheepshead's bait.

The Asian green mussel, an exotic species originally from the Indian and Pacific oceans accidentally introduced into Tampa Bay more than a decade ago when a freighter emptied its ballast tanks, was a fan favorite until a series of hard freezes decimated their numbers (probably a good thing).

So we started with cut shrimp that had been previously frozen. The bait worked — when it stayed on the hook.

"I would say that you average one hookup for every 10 pieces of shrimp," my angling buddy hypothesized.

So we switched to small crabs that also had spent time in the deep freeze. This bait, much sturdier on the hook, increased our bait-to-catch ratio. Biafora, who boated several fish during our hourlong experiment, was satisfied with the results.

"I think it is safe to say," he concluded, "that crabs are the way to go."

Terry Tomalin can be reached at tomalin@tampabay.com.

By Terry Tomalin, Times Outdoors-Fitness Editor
Thursday, February 23, 2012

TAMPA BAY — If you want to increase your odds of catching sheepshead, bring along a statistician.

"There is a secret to catching these fish," I told Frank Biafora. "You have to set the hook before you feel the bite."

Biafora, the dean of College of Arts and Sciences at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg, appeared a bit puzzled.

"How can you set the hook before you feel the bite?" he asked.

"That's the secret," I replied.

Tampa Bay has hundreds of great sheepshead spots. During February, you will find finicky eaters in the residential canals, along rocky channel edges and, of course, under docks.

These unappreciated sport fish feed on everything from barnacles to shrimp.

But the first thing any sheepshead hunter learns is all sheepshead food is not created equal. The best bait is not necessarily what gets bit but what stays on the hook.

Grand theft piscatorial

Old-timers sometimes call this lowly bottom dweller the "convict fish."

Some say it is because the pattern of black stripes on their bodies resembles prison uniforms. Others argue the name came from this species' uncanny ability to strip a piece of bait clean off the hook before it hits the bottom.

Your typical sheepshead is silver with five-six distinct vertical black bands, though they are not always the same on both sides.

This fish looks a lot like a juvenile black drum except with a full set of very human-looking choppers, complete with molars, incisors and rounded grinders; well suited for crushing a variety of crustaceans.

Sheepshead are members of the porgy family, a close relative and constant companion of a well-known species anglers often use for bait, pinfish. The two are often found together, and the first task of any sheepshead angler is learning to differentiate between the pinner's nibble and sheepshead's chomp.

Evening the odds

Most sheepshead found in local waters weigh 1-2 pounds, but fish caught in deep water can weigh five times that much.

A mainstay of pier anglers, sheepshead can be found from Nova Scotia to Brazil. But having traveled to both locales, neither has anything on Tampa Bay.

Your chance of success will increase if you start with a small hook because the tinier the hook, the more likely it is to get sucked into the sheepshead's little mouth. Start with a No. 1, then downsize if necessary, going as far as a No. 2 or even a No. 4.

Many veteran sheepshead fishermen insist on using braided line, which does not stretch, making it easier to feel the bite. A good light-tipped graphite rod will also help you "feel" the fish. And when it comes to weight, don't go too heavy. All you need is enough to send your bait to the bottom.

Recipe for success

Anglers will argue the pros and cons of sheepshead's bait.

The Asian green mussel, an exotic species originally from the Indian and Pacific oceans accidentally introduced into Tampa Bay more than a decade ago when a freighter emptied its ballast tanks, was a fan favorite until a series of hard freezes decimated their numbers (probably a good thing).

So we started with cut shrimp that had been previously frozen. The bait worked — when it stayed on the hook.

"I would say that you average one hookup for every 10 pieces of shrimp," my angling buddy hypothesized.

So we switched to small crabs that also had spent time in the deep freeze. This bait, much sturdier on the hook, increased our bait-to-catch ratio. Biafora, who boated several fish during our hourlong experiment, was satisfied with the results.

"I think it is safe to say," he concluded, "that crabs are the way to go."

Terry Tomalin can be reached at tomalin@tampabay.com.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, February 23, 2012

PORT CHARLOTTE — The battle to share time behind the plate with Jose Molina officially has a third competitor.

Rays manager Joe Maddon said former Indians and Mariners C Chris Gimenez, signed last week to a minor-league deal, is "absolutely in the mix, no question."

The field already included Jose Lobaton and Robinson Chirinos, a pair of 27-year-olds who have had neither much time nor much success in the majors.

Gimenez, 29, has more big-league experience than either, 97 games over the past three seasons, though only a .171 batting average.

Maddon said Gimenez's experience, versatility and personality make him a worthy candidate.

"We like guys like Chris," Maddon said. "He works good at-bats; he's a good receiver, he receives the ball well; he's a multiple-position kind of a guy, which when you get that out of a catcher that's really sweet. He's able to play corners in the infield and the outfield well. Good athlete.

"And beyond that, great makeup guy. This guy is outstanding. He's very sharp, and he handles himself really well. So there's a variety of different reasons why we wanted him."

Lobaton has played in 22 games with the Padres and Rays, hitting .137. He was injured shortly after being called up in July, following a solid half-season at Triple A, and never got going, hitting .118. Chirinos, acquired from the Cubs in the Matt Garza trade last offseason, played in 20 games after being called up following Lobaton's injury, and hit .218.

PITCHING IN: Much has been written about the depth of the team's starting pitching, but there are some relievers in reserve as well.

One who has already further impressed Maddon is RHP Matt Bush, the former No. 1 overall draft pick by San Diego as an infielder who was converted to a pitcher while overcoming additional issues.

"Here's a guy that's overcoming a lot of adversity, and he's doing a great job with it," Maddon said. "To his credit, the second half of last year (for Double-A Montgomery) in the Southern League I guess he was lights out, and it looks like he's carrying that over right now, because it looks really good."

Bush, 26, was 5-3 with a 4.83 ERA with the Biscuits but improved as the season went on, with a 3.04 ERA and 35 strikeouts (and only nine walks) in 23⅔ innings after the All-Star break.

"He's a guy that's learning his craft pretty quickly," Maddon said. "He's a real focused. … He looks right at you, he's very straightforward, and I kind of like it. He's doing everything right right now."

Maddon also noted the work of RHP Josh Lueke and LHP Cesar Ramos.

MISCELLANY: RHP Jeremy Hellickson and LHPs Jake McGee and Matt Moore will attend today's Sarasota/Manatee Chamber luncheon at the Polo Grill in Lakewood Ranch; for tickets call (941) 748-3411. … 1B Carlos Peña said he missed Saturday's FanFest because his mother-in-law had a heart attack in the Dominican Republic and that she now was doing better. … Rays spring games on TV increased to 11 with word that MLB Network will pick up five telecasts; ESPN already has two and Sun Sports four. … Ben Zobrist is the only regular who hasn't reported early; also nonroster invitees INFs Hak-Ju Lee and Juan Miranda, and OFs Brad Coon and Jesus Feliciano.

By Jay Mastry, Times Correspondent
Thursday, February 23, 2012

What's hot: Though I haven't targeted them yet, tarpon are cruising the light lines and tide rips at major bridges, including the Gandy and Skyway. Schools of giant black drum have been roaming the outer clam bar between Pinellas Point and the Skyway. Battling one of these 30- to 40-pound bulldogs on light tackle can be all you want because they will chew on about anything thrown in their path. Jigs, plugs, spoons and even cut bait can be productive. Sheepshead have begun using the ships channel inside the Skyway in preparation for their spawning ritual. Working the rock-laden edges with shrimp halves will keep the rods bent by an assortment of bottom dwellers that cohabit with the sheepshead. Cuts A, B and C have been most productive.

Best of the bunch: A variety of factors contributed to an exceptional mangrove snapper trip Tuesday: a strong incoming tide influenced by the new moon, a moonrise that began at about the same time the sun did, and water muddied a bit by windy and rainy conditions. We caught more than three dozen mangos and left them chewing in 45 feet 10 miles west of the Pass-a-Grille sea buoy.

Preferred baits: Many were caught on 3-inch whitebait with 20-pound tackle, 30-pound fluoro­carbon leader, 2-ounce egg sinker and 1-ought hook. Many were fooled fly-lining live shrimp on light spin tackle drifting back in our chum line.

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

Times staff
Thursday, February 23, 2012

Prospect tournament

Who: Teams from four independent baseball leagues

What: An early spring training tournament to showcase independent-league players for major-league teams

Tickets: $5 per session or an all-tournament pass for $60

When/where: Today through March 4, Al Lang Field, St. Petersburg

Schedule: Today — Can-Am League vs. American Association, 1 p.m.; North American League vs. Frontier League, 5. Saturday — Can-Am League vs. North American League, 4; American Association vs. Frontier League, 8. Sunday — Can-Am League vs. Frontier League, 1; North American League vs. American Association, 5. Monday — American Association vs. Can-Am League, 1; Frontier League vs. North American League, 5. Tuesday — Can-Am League vs. North American League, 1; American Association vs. Frontier League, 5. Wednesday — Frontier League vs. Can-Am League, 1; American Association vs. North American League, 5. Thursday — North American League vs. Frontier League, 1; Can-Am League vs. American Association, 5. March 3 — Semifinals, 1 and 5. March 4 — Championship, 1

On the Web: stpetebaseball.org

Times staff, wires
Thursday, February 23, 2012

Colleges

Wilder property damage is start of problems

More details emerged one day after former Plant High and current Florida State running back James Wilder Jr. was arrested in Tallahassee and charged with two felonies.

Wilder, 19, was arrested Wednesday after police said he tried to prevent his girlfriend from being arrested. He was charged with battery of an officer and resisting an officer with violence, the Leon County Sheriff's Office said. Bianca Camarda, 20, was being arrested on charges of failing to appear in court.

She was charged Dec. 6 with criminal mischief and damaging property worth $1,000 or more and missed her court date.

According to the Tallahassee Democrat, Camarda's charges stemmed from pouring Lysol over 23 hats, eight pairs of shoes and $1,500 worth of clothing, damaging them beyond repair. All of the property belonged to Wilder.

GYMNAST PLEADS GUILTY: Gymnast Paul Hamm, the 2008 Olympic men's all-around champion, pleaded no contest to a reduced set of charges and was sentenced to a year's probation in suburban Columbus, Ohio, where he was accused of kicking a cab driver while drunk, damaging a taxi window and not paying a $23 fare. Hamm, 29, was a coach at Ohio State when he was arrested in June but was later fired.

SAILING: Clearwater's Emily Billing, a Yale junior, has been elected captain of the women's team, ranked No. 1 in the country by Sailing World.

BASEBALL: USF (3-1) begins its first home series at 7 tonight, a three-game set against Bethune-Cookman (2-2). Admission is free for kids. … Tampa (9-0) remains No. 1 in the latest Division II coaches poll.

Media

Radio show for ex-Buc gets boot

The King David Show on WQYK-AM 1010, co-hosted by former Bucs QB Shaun King and Toby David, is done after nearly two years. The show, heard from noon-3 weekdays, last aired Wednesday. It is believed the show ended because King, 34, a standout at Gibbs High, and David no longer wanted to work together. The station will immediately begin efforts to fill the time slot with a local show.

et cetera

Tennis: Defending champion Caroline Wozniacki reached the semifinals of the Dubai Tennis Championships in United Arab Emirates, and Tampa resident Sam Stosur lost to Jelena Jankovic. Wozniacki ousted Ana Ivanovic 6-3, 7-5. Jankovic stopped Stosur 6-4, 6-2. No. 3 seed Wozniacki plays unseeded Julia Goerges. No. 8 Jankovic meets No. 5 Agnieszka Radwanska. … Top seed and Tampa resident John Isner advanced to the quarterfinals in Memphis at the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships with a 7-6 (7-3), 6-4 win over Donald Young. Wild card Sam Querrey beat seventh-seeded Kevin Anderson 7-6 (7-4), 6-4.

soccer: Manchester United advanced to the Europa League round of 16 despite losing its first home game in the competition, 2-1 to Ajax. Man U — owned by the Glazer family, which owns the Bucs — progressed 3-2 on aggregate. … Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey are on the U.S. national team roster for next week's exhibition game at Italy.

track and field: Two-time Olympic champion Yelena Isinbayeva of Russia broke her indoor pole vault world record at a meet in Stockholm, clearing 16 feet, 51/4 inches to better her mark of 16-43/4 set in 2009.

Tom Jones, Times staff writer; Times wires