By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, February 25, 2012

Academy Award night notes of the day

• Carlos Peña is featured somewhat prominently in tonight's best picture-nominated Moneyball, portrayed by actor Adrian Bellani, though he said, laughing, "I could have done it myself." The scene in which Peña is traded (for a pitcher, cash and soda!) didn't happen the way it's portrayed; he was in the minors at the time. He also shows up in game clips. "It's actually a pretty good movie," he said. "There's one point I see myself running to first base, and I'm like, 'Okay, that's me.' And there's other times I'm like, 'That's not me, that (rear is) not mine.' "

• Ben Zobrist made his movie "debut" this winter, a cameo appearance in a short film, Snake, filmed in Nashville by a friend from his church. Zobrist's wife, Julianna (who is also a singer), plays a bigger role. "It was fun," Zobrist said.

Roll Tide

SS Reid Brignac and LF Desmond Jennings spent a lot of time together in the offseason, and most of it was fun, except for when the topic was college football's BCS championship game, in which Jennings' Alabama team beat Brignac's LSU squad 21-0. "It's been tough around the household," Brignac said. They had a friendly wager, and to pay it off, Brignac posed for a photo, posted to Twitter, wearing an Alabama hoodie. "Then," he said, "I went and took a shower after to wash that stuff off."

Odd coupling of the day

OF Sam Fuld has an economics degree from Stanford and interned at Stats LLC, but he didn't have to get deep to analyze being in a hitting group with sluggers Ben Zobrist, Luke Scott and Carlos Peña. "This is certainly a numbers-based theory that I will probably not hit the most homers in that group," he said.

Quote of the day

"It's the biggest buzz."

Manager Joe Maddon, on the expectations for this season compared with his previous six

Who is this Ray?

He was born in Florida, moved to Georgia and starred at the University of Georgia. He has a brother who played minor-league ball. He has been traded five times, most recently from Houston to San Francisco.

The dish

Today's first full-squad workout starts at around 9:30 a.m. at the Charlotte Sports Park (2300 El Jobean Road) and lasts 31/2 hours. Admission and parking 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.

Heads up

Live batting practice starts at 11:30, with Jeff Niemann, Jeremy Hellickson and Alex Cobb among those scheduled to throw.

Exhibition schedule

Rays tickets: $9/$12-$27, via raysbaseball.com, at box office, through Ticketmaster.

Info: Toll-free 1-888-326-7297

All games 1:05 unless noted

March

3: at Twins

4: Twins

5: Orioles

6: Twins

7: at Yankees

8: Tigers (ss)

at Twins (ss)

9: Orioles

10: at Red Sox (7:05)

11: Pirates

12: Twins

13: at Orioles

14: Marlins

15: Phillies

16: at Jays

17: at Pirates

18: Red Sox

19: Off

20: at Marlins

21: Yankees

22: at Pirates

23: Jays (7:05)

24: at Twins (3:05)

25: Marlins

26: at Twins

27: at Red Sox (1:35)

28: Pirates (7:05)

29: at Phillies

30: at Pirates

31: Red Sox

APRIL

1: at Orioles

2: Twins

3: at Twins

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

Who is this answer: INF Jeff Keppinger.

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, February 25, 2012

PORT CHARLOTTE — Realistically, SS Hak-Ju Lee knows he needs more experience in the minor leagues. But when the question was asked Saturday about the majors, the promising 21-year-old prospect couldn't resist.

"I'm ready now," he said.

The talented South Korean is a nonroster invitee to camp, and manager Joe Maddon and other Rays are excited to get their first look at him.

"Very eager to see him, absolutely," Maddon said. "You hear the same thing from everybody, it's pretty consistent: He's the full package. It's not just that he does this or that well — great defense, fine arm, moves the ball (with his bat), very fast on the bases. So it's going to be exciting to watch this."

Lee, acquired from the Cubs in the January 2010 Matt Garza trade, showed plenty last season at Class A Charlotte, winning team MVP and Florida State League All-Star honors, hitting .318 with 17 doubles, 11 triples, 28 steals and a .389 on-base percentage in 97 games to go along with flashy defense.

Still tired from the 16-hour flight, Lee said he was "really excited" to be in his first big-league camp.

"I'm just ready, always ready," he said. "Work hard, play hard, that's it."

With Lee likely headed to Double-A Montgomery, where he struggled a bit at the end of last season (.190 average, .272 on-base), and Tim Beckham at Triple A, Maddon said the Rays feel they have considerable depth at shortstop. Reid Brignac and Sean Rodriguez are competing for the big-league job.

ALL TOGETHER NOW: Maddon will address the players prior to today's first full-squad workout, but having chatted with many individually last week, he doesn't feel the need to make much of a motivational speech.

"It's a very self-motivated group," he said. "Of course I'm going to say something, but I really don't think they need me to say anything. They're on a good path right now, and I think it's our job as a staff just to keep them focused and keep them there. I don't want to get too smart or too busy with them because their minds are in a good place right now. It's more about adding little things here and there that keep pointing them in the right direction."

MISCELLANY: The hitters will be welcomed today by having to step in for "live" batting practice against pitchers who have thrown regularly, which is always entertaining. … With Lee and OF Brad Coon reporting, 1B Juan Miranda was the only one of the 59 players not to show up early. … Maddon said there have been no injuries reported in the first week of drills.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, February 25, 2012

PORT CHARLOTTE

Marty Moore was proud and excited, of course, when his 22-year-old son, Matt, called with the startling news that he would make his second major-league start the next day in the Rays' AL Division Series opener at Texas, but he also was concerned.

"Are you going to be all right?" Marty, the longtime Air Force man, asked.

"Dad," Matt answered, "they're not asking me to do anything I'm not good at."

Marty heard confidence, not cockiness, in the reply, and he knew right then Matt would be fine. The rest of the world found out the next afternoon, when Moore was more than good, throwing seven shutout, two-hit innings against the Rangers.

Moore's pitching during his rapid rise to prominence has been dazzling enough, but what has impressed — and encouraged — the Rays even more is how he has handled himself.

There has been fame, what with his ascension through the minors, his late-season promotion to the majors and his coronation as the game's top pitching prospect. There has been fortune, as he agreed in December to a long-term deal that guarantees him $14 million over five years and could be worth $40 million over eight.

And there's the same Matt.

He shows up early. He listens intently. And he works hard — as hard as anyone else in Rays blue.

"That's something that's special about him," said veteran starter James Shields, whose own work ethic is considered the gold standard. "A lot of guys you have to come in here and really show work ethic and show routines and really show what the big-league level is all about. With him, you really don't. He just goes about his business, he has a great work ethic, he has a nice little routine."

"He's doing all the right stuff right now," starter David Price added. "And that's good to see."

Whatever gambles the Rays took in accelerating Moore's progress to the majors last season, in thrusting him onto the postseason stage, in rewarding him richly so quickly were based as much on what they saw from him as what they saw in him.

"It's because of the kind of kid that he is," pitching coach Jim Hickey said. "He has a very solid makeup. He's really grounded. He's very respectful, very accountable, very responsible. All the things that you would hope in a guy. …

"I think everybody involved in all of those decisions has done a lot of homework or is at least extremely aware of the type of person that he is. And I think that's probably the overriding factor in the whole thing, maybe apart from the huge talent that he is, is that they are quite certain he could handle it."

Matt wasn't always the mature and responsible one, Marty says. Despite the regimen of a career military family, Matt had his moments, like the time he got ticketed for doing doughnuts in his school's gravel parking lot as the school resource officer watched. Or when he took a chunk of his $115,000 signing bonus (as a 2007 eighth-round pick) and bought a Saleen Mustang that was too fast for his own good — and he ended up selling after 18 months and several speeding tickets.

"He was a normal, typical, even goofy kid," Marty Moore said. "He did all the things the other kids did, and got in trouble when he was supposed to and got away with a few, I suppose.

"But he knew what to do and when to do it. I've told him, 'Matt, you always wind up doing the right thing, you just make me think you're not going to right up until the last minute.' "

Matt's grades were good (B's or better to play sports was the family rule) and his priorities straight. After settling in New Mexico at age 11 — having been born in Fort Walton Beach and living four years in Japan — he spent much of his time playing basketball, golf and, of course, baseball.

Marty coached him through high school, and that, more than anything, may be the reason Matt is grounded.

"Nobody pumped any sunshine," Marty said. "If it was good, it was good. And if it was bad, it was bad. … How much more pressure can there be than playing for your old man every day? I used to tell him, 'Son, you've got to be good because that's my last name you have on your back out there.' "

Matt credits his parents, and older brother Bobby, for shaping him, and framing his beliefs in thinking positively, remaining humble and not taking himself too seriously. (As proof, he shares that one of his favorite things to do is talk with his buddies in movie quotes.)

"It's just the way I handle my business," he said.

Moore has the maturity to maintain that his success won't get to him, saying, "Why would any of this change me? I am who I am." He has used some of his newfound wealth to help out family and friends and says, once the season starts, he'll look into upgrading from the dirty tan 2008 Chevy Malibu he has been driving.

He also has the perspective to realize it won't always be easy. One of his favorite phrases — texted to him by Double-A Montgomery chapel leader Paul Payne — is "Struggle Well."

"From anything as small as a set in the weight room to getting shelled on the baseball field to my personal life, I understand there is struggle to come, and I'm going to have to overcome those things," Moore said. "And I'm not afraid of them."

Amid grand expectations and chatter about rookie of the year and Cy Young awards, Moore's immediate challenge is winning a spot in the season-opening rotation. The Rays claim — with straight faces — it's not guaranteed, even though the new contract removed any potential financial disincentives, and the left-hander properly follows their lead, saying, "My hopes for this season are obviously to pick up where I left off."

"He is who he is," Marty said. "He's living the dream, and he understands that."

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

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, February 25, 2012

5 questions Video coach Nigel Kirwan

What was the best thing about growing up in Winnipeg? Some of the best friends and friendliest people I've ever been around are here.

What was the worst thing? Cold weather, no question about that. The coldest I've ever been in my life was in Winnipeg.

Does a snowy day (like one during the Lightning's visit last week) remind you of why you left? I miss snow. I just don't miss the cold.

Is the corner of Portage and Main (streets) really the windiest, coldest corner in North America (as the city says)? If you ever stand there, you're going to be hard-pressed to fight it.

So, you're officially a Florida weather wimp? I've been in Florida for 20 years; my blood is completely thinned out.

Sleeping with the enemy

Lightning founder Phil Esposito is in Moscow this weekend for a 40th anniversary celebration of the Summit Series, the dramatic eight-game meeting between Canada and the Soviet Union won by Canada 4-3-1 after trailing 1-3-1.

Esposito was a principal figure, scolding Canadian fans who booed the team off the ice after a Game 4 loss in Vancouver and then becoming a favorite of Soviet fans when after falling during introductions for Game 5 in Moscow, he got up and bowed to the crowd with a big smile. Esposito, 70, who had not been to Russia since the series, said he would not play in Saturday's exhibition. "I'm not going on the ice," he said. "I want them to remember me the way I was, not how I am."

Looking back

It wasn't a grudge match, but Lightning D Brendan Mikkelson had something to prove Tuesday against the Ducks. Mikkelson was drafted by them 31st overall in 2005 and played 67 games for the Ducks until October 2010, when he was claimed off waivers by the Flames. "I still know most of the guys on that team fairly well," said Mikkelson, acquired from Calgary in January for Blair Jones. "You definitely want to play well, and there's a little bit inside you that wants to show what they gave up. You definitely want to show you're a player. It's just a personal pride thing. At the same time, you can't be clouded by that."

Mikkelson did not have his best game against the Ducks. He played 12:06, more than two minutes fewer than his average, with two hits and a giveaway. But Tampa Bay won 3-2, so no complaints.

"We didn't give him the confidence for the first 40 games of the season to keep us together. We didn't force his hand, but if he was on the fence with what he wanted to do, we certainly didn't make it hard for him."

D Eric Brewer, on GM Steve Yzerman being a seller heading to Monday's trade deadline

Number of the day

3 Lightning regulation losses in one-goal games, tied for fewest in the league entering Saturday.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, February 25, 2012

The NHL's trade deadline is 3 p.m. Monday, which means it is worth again in this space to consider the Lightning's interest in minor-league goaltender Ben Bishop.

It is high but guarded.

The question is, is it worth it for Tampa Bay to make a bold move and turn the rest of the season over to Bishop to not only see if he is worth an investment but to perhaps save the team some money?

Bishop, 25, is considered NHL ready. He was 24-14-0 for AHL Peoria entering Saturday with a 2.26 goals-against average, a .928 save percentage and six shutouts. He is the perfect age to be a building block with center Steven Stamkos, 22, and defenseman Victor Hedman, 21.

And with two first-round picks in the June draft and up to four in the second round (one is conditional and dependent on the Panthers), making a rich enough offer to the Blues for him is not general manager Steve Yzerman's problem.

The sticking point is the unknown. The Lightning — or for that matter, any team looking for a No. 1 goalie — really doesn't know what it would get with Bishop.

The numbers are there, but they are minor-league numbers. In brief stints with St. Louis, Bishop has been ordinary, going 4-5-1 with a 2.83 goals-against average and a .896 save percentage.

The same questions surround Kings backup Jonathan Bernier, the other hot name around the league. And for now, let's discount Vancouver's Cory Schneider, who isn't going anywhere before the end of the season.

Besides, it is Bishop, stuck in St. Louis behind Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliott, who has gotten the most hype as a potential franchise goaltender.

And here's where it gets really interesting:

Bishop, 6 feet 7, 215 pounds, has been in 11 NHL games in which he played more than 30 minutes. If he plays 17 more games, he reaches 28, which, because of his age, would shift his status to potential restricted free agent instead of unrestricted.

That not only would give Bishop's team the right to match any outside offers, it would substantially lower what it would take to re-sign him.

The Lightning will have 20 games left after the trade deadline, and Yzerman has made it clear his focus is on the future.

Is it also on Bishop?

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, February 25, 2012

tom jones' two cents

Last week, Evan Longoria landed on the front page of the Tampa Bay Times sports section (and several national websites) with his arm around his new girlfriend, Playboy centerfold Jaime Edmondson. It's a good bet that Longoria is the envy of many, and not just because of who is going on dates with him to Animal Kingdom. Who wouldn't want to be Evan Longoria? • Here's a look at 10 athletes we would love to be:



Blake Griffin

He jumps over cars in a single bound. No kidding. The 22-year-old Clippers star did just that in last year's NBA slam dunk competition. His spectacular dunks land him a regular spot on SportsCenter, and they are the subject of Twitter tweets by other NBA players. When NBA players are bragging about how fly your dunks are, you are one cool dude.

Evan Longoria

Okay, besides the girlfriend thing, there's this: The Rays third baseman is 26 and already has been a three-time All-Star. He has played in a World Series, been named rookie of the year, won two Gold Gloves and hit a home run to send his team to the playoffs for the third time in his four major-league seasons. Toss in those all-American boy looks that landed him on the cover of a video game and in a famous commercial ("Hey, that guy's got my cap!"), and it's hard to think of another major-leaguer you would rather be.

Steven Stamkos

How cool would it be to be 22 years old and have people say you just might be the best player in your sport. Stamkos just turned 22 earlier this month, and you could make a case that the Lightning forward is the best player in the NHL. He leads the league in goal scoring and has put up numbers so far that have drawn comparisons to the greatest players in the history of the game. To be that young and that good and only getting better? Yeah, it's good to be Stamkos.

Serena Williams

A lot of kids dream of being a superstar athlete when they grow up. Others dream of being famous and cool — like a rock star or actor or model. Tennis star Serena Williams is the total package. She's the rock star of athletes. A spectacular athlete who is among the greatest players in her sport's history, as well as a fashion icon who designs her own clothes. She has made more than $34 million in prize money alone, which is a drop in the bucket compared to her endorsements and other work. She has written books, works with charity causes, owns a stake in the Miami Dolphins and has done a few acting gigs. All this and she's only 30.

Cam Newton

Is there a more famous position in sports than quarterback? That's what Broadway Joe played. And Joe Montana, and Dan Marino. Do well playing QB and you end up in commercials, movies and as host of Saturday Night Live. Now imagine being an NFL quarterback, a former Heisman Trophy winner, the rookie of the year and having, arguably, the greatest season in the history of pro football for a rookie quarterback. Add all of that up, plus the fact that you're all of 22 years old. Now you know what it's like to be Panthers QB Cam Newton.

Henrik Lundqvist

He goes by the nickname King Henrik. The New York Rangers goalie is more suave than an international spy. The Swedish-born 29 year old looks like a model you see for some exotic cologne ad in Vanity Fair. He plays guitar in a garage band with John McEnroe. He's part-owner of a restaurant in New York's trendy TriBeCa neighborhood. He's always showing up on best-dressed lists and has his own clothing line. Pretty fair goalie, too. And by "fair" we mean one of the best in the world. Yes, it's good to be king.

Lionel Messi

The most famous athlete in the world? Yeah, Messi would be our pick. Maybe not a household name among many American sports fans, but he's the best player in the world's most popular sport — soccer. Messi, a star with FC Barcelona who already has won three Champions League titles, is one of soccer's highest paid athletes, making more than $30 million a year. Now for the kicker: He's only 24 years old.

Alex Morgan

One way to get into the pages of Sports Illustrated is because of your athletic ability. Another is to have an artist paint a bikini on you so you can appear in the swimsuit edition. Or you can be soccer star Alex Morgan, who has appeared in SI for both reasons. Just 22, Morgan is set to become the face of women's soccer in this country and the idol of kids, especially little girls, across the country — just like Mia Hamm.

Danica Patrick

Not only the most famous female athlete in the world, but on the short list of the most recognizable sports figures on the planet. No question that some of her popularity is due to her looks, but she's not Anna Kournikova. Patrick is actually pretty good at what she does, which is driving race cars, and she is well-respected by her peers. That includes her new competitors on the NASCAR circuit. She's 29 years old and drives her car 180 mph. Tell me that ain't cool.

Rafael Nadal

Incredibly skilled? Check. The Spanish tennis star has won 10 major tournaments. Good-looking? Check. Rich? Check. He has nearly $50 million in prize money alone. Smart? Check. He speaks several languages. Hip? Check. Shakira dedicated a song and video to him. Classy? Check. Young? Check. He's 25. One of the coolest on the planet? Check.

By Matt Baker, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, February 25, 2012

DAYTONA BEACH

In the buildup to today's Daytona 500, Kasey Kahne limped around the speedway, still recovering from his fourth knee surgery in 15 months. • As he prepared to climb into his No. 5 Chevrolet for the Great American Race, he said his body is healing fine, two weeks after the procedure. His legs are as sturdy and stable as they've ever been. • And after years of uncertainty ended with a new ride at powerhouse Hendrick Motorsports, Kahne can say the same thing about his career. • "Oh, man, stability," he said. "It's a great word. It's a good word to hear." • And it's one that has been missing from his vocabulary for most of his NASCAR career.

Kahne was a promising 23-year-old when he inherited Bill Elliott's No. 9 Dodge at Evernham Motorsports in 2004. He finished second in two of his first three races that season and was the Cup rookie of the year with 13 top-fives.

From 2004-08, he won nine races — including a series-best six in 2006 — recorded 35 top-fives and qualified for the Chase for the Championship for the first time.

Then instability began to creep in.

Evernham merged with Richard Petty Motorsports in 2009. That shop merged with Yates Racing the next year, and Kahne's car switched from a Dodge to a Ford.

Kahne jumped to Red Bull Team Racing and its Toyota machines in late 2010 before that team folded in December. He's taking over Mark Martin's Hendrick Chevrolet this year.

The chaos showed on the track, where he has one victory, one Chase appearance and only 22 top-fives in the past three seasons.

"When people are uncertain about their future, uncertain about different things, it's an attitude changer," the 31-year-old Washington state native said. "There's nothing you can do about it. You've got to be in a strong, steady environment if you really want to perform."

Kahne began to see a stable future in April 2010, when owner Rick Hendrick snatched NASCAR's biggest upcoming free agent, even though Kahne couldn't race for his team for two more years. At the time, Hendrick called Kahne a "big piece" of the team's future and praised the racer's "incredible talent" and dedication.

"Kasey's a great driver," Hendrick teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. said. "He's going to come in here and do great things and have probably the best year of his career."

With a future at Hendrick in his sights, Kahne began to improve at the end of last season. He missed the Chase, but only Carl Edwards and Tony Stewart fared better in the last 10 races. Kahne finished outside the top 15 only once, strung together four consecutive top-six runs and snapped an 81-race winless streak with a victory at Phoenix.

Kahne said he has even bigger expectations in 2012 now that he has joined a Hendrick stable with 199 series wins, 10 Cup championships and drivers Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson.

"When you go to Hendrick Motorsports, you know you have the car," Kahne said. "You know you have the engine. You know you have all the opportunity that you need. We've just got to make sure we stay on top of it."

Kahne said the biggest adjustment to his new team hasn't been the equipment or the financial support. It has been the attitudes of his co-workers.

He didn't realize it then, but previous garages were clouded with negativity. It's hard for a shop to stay focused and upbeat when rumors are swirling about the team merging or folding.

His new team was resilient enough to rebound from a last week's wreck in practice to qualify 20th in his backup car.

"You walk around there … you're just happy," Kahne said. "The atmosphere is good. You just feel good about where you're at and what you're doing."

Kahne gets plenty from Hendrick, but he gives a lot, too. Crew chief Kenny Francis has been with Kahne since 2006 and is regarded as one of the sharpest mechanical minds in the series.

Before the season, Hendrick said his goal is to have all four of his drivers among the Chase's 12 participants. He expects one of them to win the championship.

"We're a part of that now," Kahne said. "We need to step up and show him that we want to make it happen."

Kahne knows this season's success rides on him. His knees are healthy. His garage is upbeat. His equipment is the best it's ever been. He has no excuses.

And at last, Kasey Kahne has stability.

"I'm not really searching anymore," Kahne said. "I've found it."

Times staff writer Matt Baker can be reached at mbaker@tampabay.com.

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, February 25, 2012

INDIANAPOLIS

LSU's Morris Claiborne is a legitimate top-five pick who could fill a hole on the Bucs defense.

So when they hired Tigers defensive backs coach Ron Cooper last week, there was speculation the Bucs were ready to hand an index card to commissioner Roger Goodell with the cornerback's name on it.

While it's true Claiborne will get lots of consideration if he's available and Cooper knows him as well as anyone, it's too early to pencil him into the Bucs lineup, coach Greg Schiano says.

"Somebody said to me, 'That's the only reason we hired him,' " Schiano said. "I said, 'Yeah, we would do that. We would jeopardize the entire football team for that.'

"No, we will have some inside info. But Ron is an exceptional secondary coach, obviously, by the way his guys have played."

Cooper, who began his coaching career in 1983, has produced the best defensive backs in the nation at LSU. This past season, Claiborne won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back while teammate and CB Tyrann Mathieu won the Bedarick Award as the nation's top defensive player. CB Patrick Peterson won both awards, then was the No. 5 overall pick in 2010.

"People love to say (Cooper) had great players," Schiano said. "Well, yeah. They weren't great players when they walked in the door. They were great talents. But to teach them how to play disciplined secondary?"

Schiano was a secondary coach with the Bears and hired Jeff Hafley, an assistant on his staff at Rutgers, to help Cooper in the secondary.

"Being a secondary coach for a head coach who was a secondary coach is not always fun," Schiano said. "Ron and I talked about it. But he worked for … Lou Holtz (at South Carolina). And there's no one tougher to coach the secondary for than Lou Holtz. We laughed about it, but he's an excellent coach, obviously, by the way his guys have performed."

One of the first things Schiano wants to focus on is big plays yielded by the defense, and that starts with the secondary.

"If you're going to be an aggressive defense, sometimes the (player) will come popping out of there," Schiano said. "It's okay, the 12- and 14-yard runs. It's the 60s, the 50s, the 40s … that just take the wind out of your sails, take the crowd out of the game."

Claiborne will be in the discussion if he's available but no more than Alabama RB Trent Richardson or Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon if they're available.

MARKET FOR JJ: Backup QB Josh Johnson will be an unrestricted agent and is expected to receive interest from several teams, including the Broncos.

It makes sense. The Broncos seem committed to Tim Tebow as their starter but plan to bring four to training camp. Johnson possesses many of the same skills as a runner to execute that offense. But the Bucs might have an interest in retaining Johnson, who is 0-5 as a starter and has completed 54.2 percent of his passes with five touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

FRONT SEVEN COACH? As a player, LB Bryan Cox was an effective pass rusher. Perhaps that's why his responsibilities as a front-seven specialist will be working with linemen and linebackers. In fact, Schiano doesn't want his coaches to feel pigeonholed by their titles.

"One of the things I talked to all of our staff members about when we were doing interviews … was there's only one mission. That's to win football games," Schiano said. "There's no other side agenda. So whether you're the linebackers coach or the defensive line coach or the front-seven specialist, one day you may be working with the (strongside linebackers) and the next day I may be working with the (middle linebackers) and (weakside linebackers).

"Whatever fits to get us most prepared for that football game is what we'll do. And you'd better check your ego at the door, and I think we've been able to hire a group of guys that truly subscribe to that belief."

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, February 25, 2012

INDIANAPOLIS — Bucs kicker Connor Barth was nearly automatic last season, connecting on 92.9 percent of his field goals, second-best in the NFL.

The only thing more accurate is the fact he won't play in another uniform next season.

The Bucs will not let Barth become an unrestricted free agent, general manager Mark Dominik said Saturday.

Barth, who made 26 of 28 field goals and all 23 of his extra points, is eligible for free agency March 13, but the Bucs are trying to sign him to a long-term deal. Failing an agreement, Dominik made it clear the team won't hesitate to use its franchise tag on Barth.

"We, obviously, like Connor Barth a lot," Dominik said from the scouting combine. "He's done a good job for us since he's been a Buccaneer.

"The truth is we think enough of him that he's not going to be an unrestricted free agent. We'll just figure out where that takes us from here."

If the Bucs franchise Barth, they must offer him a one-year deal worth about $2.65 million. Barth earned about $1.9 million in 2011.

The salary is based on a formula that factors in franchise tags over the past five years. If another team signs Barth, the Bucs receive two first-round picks.

Dominik would not comment on the negotiations, but it's believed Barth is seeking a contract similar to the five-year, $15.759 million deal signed by the Patriots' Stephen Gostkowski last season.

Gostkowski made 28 of 33 field goals during the regular season (84.8 percent) and was 5-for-5 in the playoffs. Barth is 83.9 percent (73-of-87) over his four-year career.

Barth has improved every season since signing with the Bucs midway through 2009.

Last season he did not have to perform kickoff duties after the team signed punter Michael Koenen.

Teams have until March 5 to designated a franchise player.

Dominik said the Bucs also are negotiating with the agent for guard/center Jeremy Zuttah, who can become an unrestricted free agent March 13. Zuttah played for new Bucs coach Greg Schiano at Rutgers.

"That's what brings Zuttah value to us," Dominik said. "That's why, again, we're going to try to get into good discussions here. Knowing his versatility is a big piece. Knowing he can be inside at guard or inside at center, that brings a lot of importance to us. Certainly his track record with Coach Schiano is a positive."

The Bucs current starting center, Jeff Faine, 30, is entering his 10th season and is scheduled to earn a base salary of $5.925 million.

Dominik said Schiano plans to meet with cornerback Ronde Barber following the combine to determine if he wants to return for a 16th season and how he believes he will fit into the new defensive scheme.

"The plan right now is to sit down with Ronde Barber and really talk about what Schiano's vision is for this football team and make sure that's understood by everybody," Dominik said.

It's almost certain the Bucs' other unrestricted free agents — including quarterback Josh Johnson, running back Earnest Graham, safety Sean Jones, cornerback Elbert Mack and Geno Hayes — will hit the open market.

Rick Stroud can be reached at stroud@tampabay.com. View his blog at tampabay.com/blogs/bucs. Follow him on Twitter at @NFLStroud.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, February 25, 2012

PITTSBURGH — If it makes Lightning players feel better, Saturday's brutal 8-1 loss to the Penguins apparently did not change what general manager Steve Yzerman has planned before Monday's trade deadline.

"I don't foresee us doing a lot," Yzerman said. "We're down to a pretty skeleton crew, so I don't foresee us doing a lot unless something is really good."

Mentally and physically, Tampa Bay (27-28-6) is a beaten-down squad. And it got worse at the Consol Energy Center, as defenseman Victor Hedman sustained an upper-body injury.

The team already is without Dominic Moore, Pavel Kubina and Steve Downie (all traded), and injured center Vinny Lecavalier.

The depleted lineup withered against league points leader Evgeni Malkin, whose four points included his second hat trick of the season against Tampa Bay and a goal-scoring rush that left defenseman Brett Clark twisting.

The loss, and Thursday's to the Jets, cut the Lightning's playoff hopes to slim and none, and will fuel speculation that Yzerman has little reason to hold on to assets that might bring returns to help the long-term plan.

"All we can control is what we do on the ice," said right wing Teddy Purcell, whose second-period power play goal made it 5-1.

"We only played one period in Winnipeg and a period and a half (in Pittsburgh). It's frustrating. We're down a lot of bodies. When it's raining, it's pouring right now."

"It doesn't matter who's here; you've got to go out and play," goaltender Dwayne Roloson said. "Every guy here is capable of playing in the NHL. We have to stick to our game plan and play the way we know how to play."

Had Pittsburgh goalie Marc-Andre Fleury not been superb in, say, the first 25 minutes, the game might have at least been competitive.

In a two-minute stretch in the second period with the Penguins up 3-0, Fleury stopped Trevor Smith's shot at what seemed an open net and breakaways by Steven Stamkos and Marty St. Louis. Hedman hit a post, too.

On the other hand, for Pittsburgh in the first period:

Chris Kunitz's shot deflected in off Hedman. Matt Cooke's shot went in off Roloson's back after it hit a post. And Jordan Staal scored on a shorthanded breakaway after linesman Steve Miller inadvertently blocked Hedman from a puck in the neutral zone.

"It's tough when we're missing all these goals and their goalie is stoning us and they get these breaks," coach Guy Boucher said. "It was mentally tough to take."

Just wait for Monday's trade deadline.

First Period—1, Pittsburgh, Kunitz 17 (Malkin, Neal), 11:09. 2, Pittsburgh, Cooke 12 (Vitale, Michalek), 11:59. 3, Pittsburgh, Staal 20, 14:40 (sh). Penalties—Michalek, Pit (high-sticking), 3:06; Michalek, Pit (interference), 13:55.

Second Period—4, Pittsburgh, Staal 21 (Sullivan, Neal), 10:11 (pp). 5, Pittsburgh, Malkin 34 (Kunitz, Engelland), 16:03. 6, Tampa Bay, Purcell 17 (Malone, Clark), 17:28 (pp). Penalties—Angelidis, TB, major (fighting), 5:51; Engelland, Pit, major (fighting), 5:51; Roloson, TB, served by Smith (roughing), 8:23; Malkin, Pit (roughing), 8:23; Mikkelson, TB (hooking), 8:54; Niskanen, Pit (cross-checking), 13:41; Mikkelson, TB, major (fighting), 17:01; Vitale, Pit, served by Sullivan, minor-major (goaltender interference, fighting), 17:01; Malkin, Pit (hooking), 19:36.

Third Period—7, Pittsburgh, Malkin 35 (Niskanen), 5:50. 8, Pittsburgh, Malkin 36 (Neal, Sullivan), 13:42 (pp). 9, Pittsburgh, Dupuis 14 (Staal, Sullivan), 19:12. Penalties—Vitale, Pit (tripping), 11:01; Connolly, TB (slashing), 12:36. Shots on Goal—Tampa Bay 11-14-10—35. Pittsburgh 9-12-13—34. Power-play opportunities—Tampa Bay 1 of 6; Pittsburgh 2 of 2. Goalies—Tampa Bay, Roloson 8-12-2 (34 shots-26 saves). Pittsburgh, Fleury 32-14-3 (35-34). A—18,596 (18,387). T—2:29. Referees—Kyle Rehman, Stephen Walkom. Linesmen—Jay Sharrers, Steve Miller.

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, February 25, 2012

TAMPA — It has been 20 years since USF was in the NCAA Tournament. But one Bulls player has been there during his career.

Senior Ron Anderson played in the 2008 tournament as a freshman at Kansas State, helping the young Wildcats upset sixth-seeded USC in the opening round. That motivates him as he tries to lead the Bulls to their ultimate goal.

"That's why we're trying to take it day by day. I'm trying to let everyone know how blessed and fortunate we are," said Anderson, preparing Friday for today's game against Cincinnati at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

"It would really be tough for me to say my freshman year was the only year I made it. We have our goal, we have our mission, and we won't be satisfied until we reach that."

The idea of USF making the tournament a year after going 10-23 overall and 3-15 in the Big East would have seemed farfetched last season. But at the Big East tournament, where USF knocked off Villanova in the opening round, then lost by 26 to Cincinnati, Anderson turned to his fellow juniors, Augustus Gilchrist and Hugh Robertson, and told them what the Bulls were capable of.

"I looked at Gus and looked at Hugh, and I said we were going to make the tournament," he said. "I know some of the guys in that locker room, probably after that game and after that season, were like, 'There's no way.' I really felt that, and going into the summer working out, going into preseason working out, building that chemistry with the team, I knew we were going to be a good team."

Anderson, second on the team averaging 5.7 rebounds per game and fifth in scoring at 7.7 points, is a player coach Stan Heath challenges to set the tone when it comes to rebounding. In his first NCAA Tournament, Anderson had 10 points and eight rebounds against USC.

The 6-foot-8, 237-pound senior has a familiar challenge today in a key bubble matchup: Bearcats forward Yancy Gates, who checks in at 6-9, 260. In USF's season-ending lost last year, Gates went 10-of-11 and finished with a game-high 25 points. The Bulls were outrebounded 32-24 as well.

The Bearcats often run a four-guard lineup with Gates in the post, and Heath's challenge is knowing when to use Anderson, perhaps his best help defender, to hedge on defense without leaving the post open.

Heath is savoring this final stretch and the opportunity it presents.

"It's great to be playing games that have a lot of meaning," he said. "I'm excited about it. The players are excited about it. We're not looking at it as pressure."

Greg Auman can be reached at auman@tampabay.com and at (813) 226-3346.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, February 25, 2012

. Today

Lightning at Devils

When/where: 1; Prudential Center, Newark, N.J.

TV/radio: Sun Sports; 970-AM

Key stats: The Devils lead the league with 13 shorthanded goals for and against. … C Adam Henrique leads all rookies with 41 points, 26 assists and four shorthanded goals. … The Devils have been outscored 73-46 in the third period. … G Marty Brodeur is 35-15-2 with five ties vs. Tampa Bay. … The Lightning is 2-4-0 in the second of back-to-back games.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Sports Writer
Saturday, February 25, 2012

PITTSBURGH — Lightning G Dwayne Roloson said he was protecting his territory when he punched Evgeni Malkin.

But the Penguins superstar said the second-period dustup in Roloson's crease helped spark his four-point game that included his second hat trick this season against Tampa Bay and the ninth of his career.

"Of course I'm mad," Malkin said after Pittsburgh's 8-1 win Saturday. "I was just doing my job. I don't know why he was mad. I just controlled the puck and shot, and the defenseman cross-checked me in the back. I didn't know why Roloson punched me in the face."

Malkin, who tussled with Lightning C Vinny Lecavalier on Jan. 15 in Tampa, apparently believed D Victor Hedman knocked him into Roloson. But all Roloson said he knew was Malkin crashed into him.

"Him and I always have a little battle," Roloson said. "He was coming in hard, and he takes me out. I have to defend my area. He knows that. We had a good laugh about it after that."

Really, a laugh?

"Oh, yeah," Roloson said. "We talked about it. It's one of those things. He knows, and I know."

Malkin, whose 77 points moved him ahead of Tampa Bay's Steven Stamkos for the league lead — they began the day tied; Stamkos was pointless — has decimated the Lightning this season with eight goals and 11 points in his past three games.

His second goal Saturday was a beauty. He stick-handled from his blue line through the offensive zone and past all five Lightning skaters, including D Brett Clark, who got completely twisted around as Malkin passed him in the slot with a forehand-to-backhand move.

"He's so skilled, big and strong, you can't get the puck away from him," Lightning GM Steve Yzerman said. "He's as dominant a guy as there is in the game."

HEDMAN HURT: Hedman did not play the third period because of an upper-body injury. Yzerman said he did not believe it was related to the concussion that kept Hedman out of 13 games in January. "I don't expect anything good," coach Guy Boucher said. Expect a callup from AHL Norfolk.

HURTING: Lecavalier said his right hand was broken by a shot during the Feb. 18 game with the Capitals. "It's real disappointing," said Lecavalier, who has missed three games and is expected out at least three weeks. "This time of the year, you want to be part of something and be with the guys every single game. I'm going to keep training and skating every day to stay in good shape."

MORE MEDICAL MATTERS: RW Ryan Shannon was out because of a previously unrevealed upper-body injury that occurred Thursday vs. the Jets.

PASS: The Lightning did not make a waiver claim for LW Antti Miettinen, whom it signed to a two-year, $3 million contract in December but lost on waivers to the Jets. Miettinen, 31, had four assists in 27 games for Winnipeg, which put him back on waivers.

ODDS AND ENDS: New RW Tim Wallace played 10:53 and had four hits. … The Lightning lost its fourth straight regular-season game in Pittsburgh while being outscored 25-5. … Tampa Bay gave up a shorthanded goal and its nine against are second in the league. … D Marc-Andre Bergeron (back) was scratched.

Times wires, staff
Saturday, February 25, 2012

Times wires
Saturday, February 25, 2012

DAYTONA BEACH — It turned into just a matter of survival.

James Buescher avoided the third major crash of the day on the final lap to capture Saturday's DRIVE4COPD 300 at Daytona International Speedway and earn his first NASCAR Nationwide series victory.

"They all piled up in front of me, and we made it through," Buescher said. "It's hard to describe the feeling when you make it through the wreck and you're the only guy."

The 21-year-old maneuvered his No. 30 Chevrolet through an 11-car wreck in Turn 4. Buescher was 11th before the wreck broke out. Kyle and Kurt Busch, Tony Stewart and Joey Logano were among those involved.

That was the last in a series of wrecks, including one that took out pole-sitter Danica Patrick.

JR Motorsports teammate Cole Whitt nudged Patrick's rear bumper and sent her spinning. She veered inside then shot up the track into the outside wall. Her crew made repairs and she returned to finish 38th, 48 laps down.

Patrick vented her frustration on the radio with her team immediately after the wreck, then acknowledged after the race that she wanted an explanation.

"I don't think it's ever great when teammates come together," Patrick said. "So we'll have to figure out what happened and move forward."

Whitt said he didn't mean to wreck her, saying it was a result of the bumper-to-bumper style of racing at Daytona.

"Yeah, I think we'll be fine," Whitt said. "I wouldn't expect her to be happy about it. I wouldn't be happy about it, either."

Brad Keselowski, who wrecked in Friday's trucks race, had much better luck Saturday.

"The wreck was huge for us in the end," Keselowski said. "I feel like I won the lottery."

After reviewing video, NASCAR determined Keselowski finished ahead of Elliott Sadler, who finished third.

"It was normal Daytona," said Sadler, who owns the early points lead because both Buescher and Keselowski are running part-time and are ineligible for the points title. "It was all luck."

Even Buescher's car took light damage in a wreck, and along the way his best drafting partners, Justin Allgaier and Joe Nemechek, were taken out.

"We lost all of our track position," Buescher said. "I had to get back through there using everybody else's draft, but (with) no drafting partner."

FINAL PREP: The Fords of David Gilliland and defending Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne teamed up to post the fastest laps during final Sprint Cup practice. Gilliland topped the speed chart at 200.138 mph, and Bayne was second at 200.129. They were the only two drivers to post laps at 200 mph or higher amid temperatures that were more than 20 degrees cooler than the previous few days.

STARS OUT: Several music and television stars will be part of today's festivities. Lenny Kravitz will play a prerace concert, grand marshals Jane Lynch and Kate Upton will give the command to start the engines, Pat Monahan of pop group Train will sing the National Anthem and WWE wrestler John Cena will wave the green flag as honorary starter.

EAST BAY RACEWAY: Shane Stewart won for the second night in a row late Friday in 360 Sprints in Gibsonton.

Times wires
Saturday, February 25, 2012

CLEARWATER — Phillies 1B Ryan Howard this week plans to visit the doctor who performed surgery in October on his ruptured Achilles tendon, csnphilly.com reported.

GM Ruben Amaro said Howard would meet with Dr. Mark Myerson in Baltimore on Monday or Tuesday and be in camp by Wednesday.

"Ryan is progressing well," he said. "We just thought it would be a good idea to see the doctor to make sure he's doing okay before he starts doing more activity."

Manager Charlie Manuel said Howard "had a little setback, but the setback is nothing to get alarmed about. It'll be healed up and he'll be fine. The doctors and the trainers say he's ahead of pace."

Assistant GM Scott Proefrock said "setback" was an overstatement. "It's not a setback," he said. "He's going to get a checkup."

LEE NICKED: LHP Cliff Lee, who is nursing a minor abdominal injury, will work in a side bullpen session today when Philadelphia's pitchers throw to hitters for the first time in camp.

Jays: Good vibes

DUNEDIN — Despite a relatively quiet offseason, Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos said he is as confident as he has ever been going into a season.

Toronto returns a young roster that is mostly intact from the end of last season, when the Blue Jays went 81-81. Several minor-league analysts rate Toronto's farm system among baseball's best.

"There's no doubt about it, this is probably the best I've felt about the talent we have in the organization top to bottom," Anthopoulos said. "I just feel we're really starting to solidify, we did a lot of work drafting and developing and so on, that's going to continue, but at the same time, the big-league roster just continues to get better and better and there's more talent there. … This is the best the group has been since I've been the GM."

Yanks: Too tempting

TAMPA — Just about every left-handed hitter finds Yankee Stadium's short rightfield porch inviting.

Raul Ibanez does, too, but added his hope is not to be "corrupted" by it.

"I try not to think about that because the only thing that matters is having a quality approach, a quality at-bat and hitting the ball hard," said Ibanez, signed to be the Yankees' primary DH against righties. "And for me, if I start thinking about the porch or the fence, then I'm not thinking about hitting the ball on the barrel and stroking line drives. The more you think about line drives, the more the ball's going to go into the seats. And the more you think about the fence, the more you ground out to first."

Ibanez said what he likes most about the stadium is the expansive outfield with "nice gaps."

"I'm going to try and live in the gaps and the alleys," he said.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, February 25, 2012

TAMPA — Alex Rodriguez said it all started with a simple dinner with Lakers star Kobe Bryant this offseason.

Rodriguez, 36, was coming off the worst year of his career, with the three-time American League MVP hobbled by knee, shoulder and finger injuries. Bryant was "adamant" in suggesting a plasma-rich platelet procedure by Dr. Peter Wehling in Germany, telling Rodriguez the series of injections made him feel "like a 27-year-old" again after considering retirement due to knee issues.

Rodriguez, initially hesitant but pushed by Bryant, flew to Germany in December for the therapy on his right knee and left shoulder. He said he feels 100 percent heading into this year.

"If I can play as well as Kobe," Rodriguez said, "we're in business."

The Yankees would merely like him to play like the Rodriguez of old. He has spent time on the disabled list in each of the past four years and played 99 games last season, finishing with 16 homers and 62 RBIs.

It snapped a record streak of 13 years with 30 homers and 100 RBIs.

"Disappointing," he said.

Rodriguez wouldn't predict his stats or how many games he'll play, other than saying "the number is not 99, that's for sure." Even as Father Time has snapped him of his invincibility, Rodriguez believes another year like 2007 (54 homers, 156 RBIs) isn't out of reach, is determined to remain a cleanup hitter and full-time third baseman, and hopes to play into his 40s.

"Anything is possible," he said.

Rodriguez said he may have gone too hard in previous offseason workouts, potentially leading to injury, which is why he's taking a "less is more" approach and doing more corrective exercises, which he feels can lengthen his career. His health dominated a 20-plus minute discussion with reporters Saturday at Steinbrenner Field, with Rodriguez joking it sounded like a "commercial" for Wehling.

Rodriguez said the procedure in Germany, which included five injections of his own blood in a five-day span, had an immediate impact. His left finger injury, an annoyance since August, was better by Christmas. And while manager Joe Girardi said he plans to use Rodriguez at DH in some games and keep a watchful eye, he expects a "big year."

Girardi said Rodriguez was on track in the first half, hitting .295 with 13 homers and 52 RBIs, before missing six weeks due to knee surgery.

"I don't know if he'll hit 45 home runs; that's just not easy to do, but I expect him to be extremely productive," Girardi said. "I don't expect any falloff."

Rodriguez expects big things from the defending AL East champions, saying they're "poised to strike" after bolstering their rotation. He said the Giants' Super Bowl victory and the recent sensation of Knicks guard Jeremy Lin has them wanting to join the party, even saying Lin could crash at his place in Manhattan.

Rodriguez smiled: "Imagine the tabloids then."

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@tampabay.com.

Times wires
Saturday, February 25, 2012

PHOENIX — His 50-game suspension and months of anxiety lifted from his shoulders, Ryan Braun carried only an equipment bag containing his bat and glove.

No speeches or suspicions on this day.

Braun took batting practice, shagged fly balls and ran the bases like a kid, relishing every second in the sun.

Back on the field. Back where he belonged.

"It was a lot of fun," the leftfielder said Saturday after the Brewers' first full-squad spring workout. "I had a lot of fun today, just being around my teammates and being on the baseball field and getting to play baseball was nice. It was a lot of fun."

One day after he vehemently defended his innocence and integrity after his suspension for a positive drug test was overturned by an arbitrator, Braun, 28, was finally able to put the turmoil behind him.

After a morning team meeting, Braun headed out of the clubhouse and was greeted on the sidewalk by a large contingent of Milwaukee fans, who cheered and applauded.

"Atta boy, MVP," yelled one.

"Keep your head up," said another.

Braun smiled and said thanks.

In other Brewers news, owner Mark Attanasio said he "absolutely" intends to extend the contracts of general manager Doug Melvin and manager Ron Roenicke beyond this season.

BOOZE BANNED: The Red Sox will ban alcohol in the clubhouse and on the last plane flight of road trips, new manager Bobby Valentine announced. The move comes in the wake of an epic September collapse, a tailspin that included reports of Boston starting pitchers drinking beer in the clubhouse on their off days rather than supporting their teammates in the dugout.

In other Red Sox news, owner John Henry apologized to leftfielder Carl Crawford for saying that he had opposed signing the former Rays All-Star.

CARTER TRIBUTE: The Mets will remember Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter by wearing a patch this season bearing his No. 8, ESPN reported. Carter died Feb. 16 at 57 after an eight-month battle with brain cancer.

A'S: Infielder Scott Sizemore was helped off the field after apparently injuring his left knee during fielding drills.

CARDINALS: Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith suited up as a spring instructor for the first time. A rift with former manager Tony La Russa over the way Smith's playing career ended had led to his estrangement.

TWINS: Joel Zumaya's comeback bid took a worrisome turn when the reliever ended a throwing session early because of discomfort in his right elbow. General manager Terry Ryan said Zumaya will have an MRI exam today. The right-hander has not pitched since he broke his right elbow on June 28, 2010.

Times staff
Saturday, February 25, 2012

. TONIGHT

No. 15 FSU at Miami

When/where: 6; BankUnited Center, Coral Gables

TV/radio: ESPNU; 1040-AM

Records: FSU 19-8, 10-3 ACC; Miami 16-10, 7-6

Notable: The Seminoles are playing for NCAA Tournament seeding, the Hurricanes for a chance at an NCAA berth. … Since a five-game winning streak, Miami has lost three of four, starting with a 64-59 defeat at FSU that got the Seminoles back on track after a loss to Boston College. … On Tuesday, the Hurricanes fell 75-70 at Maryland and had a nine-minute stretch without a field goal. … The Seminoles are going for a school-record fourth straight 20-win season.

Times staff

Times wires
Saturday, February 25, 2012

INDIANAPOLIS — Team officials and coaches have tried to avoid any discussion about Peyton Manning during the scouting combine.

But Saturday, coach Romeo Crennel let it slip that the Chiefs would be interested in pursuing the four-time league MVP — if the Colts allow the quarterback to become a free agent.

"I'm not supposed to talk about anybody else's players, and he's still a player with Indianapolis," Crennel said, referring to the league's tampering rules. "But with a talent like that, I would be crazy not to consider it if he were available. I'll leave it at that."

That's as close as anybody got to speculating about Manning's future last week.

In a span of 19 months, Manning, 35, has had three confirmed surgeries (and a reported fourth) on his neck to repair a damaged nerve that was causing weakness in his throwing arm. Indianapolis must pay Manning a $28 million roster bonus by March 8, or he becomes a free agent.

The Colts hold the No. 1 overall pick, and owner Jim Irsay already has said they will pick a quarterback.

The speculation over Manning's health has been superseded only by rumors about potential landing spots for the quarterback.

"We're looking for a great decision-maker. We're looking for a leader. We're looking for an accurate passer. We're looking for a guy that has excellent game-management skills, excellent decision-maker, a guy that has pocket presence and awareness, the leadership skills," new Miami coach Joe Philbin said Thursday.

"Obviously, the stronger the arm, the more velocity, the better, but we're looking for a guy that can manage a team, lead a team, make good decisions in critical times and make big plays when games are on the line."

Although that sounds like someone with Manning's pedigree, Philbin never mentioned the quarterback by name.

Jets coach Rex Ryan tried, creatively, to dodge the question.

"Are you talking about my son (Payton) or some other Peyton?" Ryan said, drawing laughter. "I think first off, Peyton is under contract to a different team. So I can't talk about him specifically. But with our organization, we will look at everybody. There is a list of 10 free agent quarterbacks that I've looked at. There's the draft guys I've looked at. In my opinion, we have the best corner in football, in the history of football, along with Deion Sanders and we are still looking at a million corners."

Giants: General manager Jerry Reese said he's unsure if defensive end Osi Umenyiora would take less money to finish his career in New York. Umenyiora, who had nine sacks in nine games last season, is set to earn $3.975 million next season, the final year of a seven-year deal. Reese said he expects to meet with his agent about an extension soon.

Injury: Iowa offensive tackle Markus Zusevics injured a pectoral muscle doing bench presses, the Associated Press reported. The two-year starter had been projected to go in the fifth or sixth round, by CBSSports.com.