Times wires
Thursday, March 1, 2012

LEXINGTON, Ky. — If recent common-opponent results mean anything, Florida could be in trouble in Sunday's regular-season finale when No. 1 Kentucky visits the O'Connell Center.

On Thursday, five days after Georgia dismantled the Gators 76-62, Kentucky routed the Bulldogs 79-49 for its nation-best 52nd straight home win. The Wildcats head to the Gainesville matchup (noon, Ch. 10, 1250-AM) having won 21 in a row overall.

Darius Miller hit five 3-pointers and scored 17 as Kentucky (29-1, 15-0 SEC) had an offensive flurry that nearly equaled the stiff defensive effort the Wildcats have given all season. Kentucky goes to Florida with a chance to finish SEC play with a perfect record, joining the 1996 and 2003 squads as the only teams to accomplish that since 1956.

Kentucky, the nation's best defensive team by field goal percentage, made a season-best 15 3-pointers, hitting six in a row in the second half. Center Anthony Davis joined the 3-point party with his first of the season (1-for-9), and late in the game Miller's father, Brian, yelled from the stands, "Shoot from halfcourt!''

More fittingly for Davis, he had two blocks to give him an NCAA-best 140 for the season.

Donte' Williams led Georgia with 17 points. The Bulldogs made 3 of 19 3-pointers.

No. 13 Michigan 72, Ill. 61: Tim Hardaway had 25 points and 11 rebounds and the Wolverines 22-8, 12-5 Big Ten) stayed in the conference race with their first victory on the Illini's homecourt since 1995.

To win the conference, Michigan must beat Penn State on Sunday and have Ohio State beat Michigan State.

"We've won four out of our last five, and we need to keep it rolling," Hardaway said.

The Illini (17-13, 6-11 Big Ten) needs a win Sunday at Wisconsin and a run in the Big Ten tournament to have a shot at the NCAA Tournament.

Center Meyers Leonard led the Illini with 18 points and nine rebounds. His Marine Corps brother, Bailey Leonard, surprised him by coming to the game during a visit from Afghanistan.

Women: UF advances in SEC tournament

NASHVILLE — Jordan Jones scored 17 and Jennifer George posted her 15th double double of the season as Florida beat Auburn 70-60 in the first round of the SEC tournament.

The eighth-seeded Gators (19-11) play top-seeded Kentucky at 1 today (FSN). The Gators lost twice to the Wildcats during the regular season, 59-56 in Gainesville and 57-52 in Lexington.

FSU falls in acc: The eighth-seeded Seminoles had no field goals in the final 4½ minutes, and went scoreless the final 3½ minutes, and lost to N.C. State 74-71 in the first round of the ACC tournament in Greensboro, N.C. The ninth-seeded Wolfpack (17-14) rallied from 10 down in the second half.

Alexa Deluzio scored 26 for FSU (14-17), which ends with a losing season for the first time since 2001-02. Cierra Bravard capped her career sixthin FSU scoring (1,501), fourth in blocks (113), ninth in rebounds (768) and third in games (132). Her 453 free throws made are an FSU record.

Miami opens today against Wake Forest, which beat Virginia Tech 80-74.

No. 11 Wis.-Green Bay 85, Loyola of Chicago 56: Julie Wojta scored 24 and the visiting Phoenix (26-1, 16-1 Horizon) pulled away in the second half and reached 26 wins for the eighth time.

No. 24 Neb. 88, N'western 56: Jordan Hooper scored 16 of her 18 in the first half as the sixth-seeded Cornhuskers (22-7) rolled in the first round of the Big Ten tournament in Indianapolis. Nebraska faces third-seeded Iowa today.

By Brandon Wright, Times Correspondent
Friday, March 2, 2012

TAMPA — Baseball is a game of numbers, and by all indications, those figures at the high school level should be in for a facelift this season.

"It will change the stats around a bit," Brandon coach Matt Stallbaumer said. "We'll just have to wait and see how much."

This season, the Florida High School Athletics Association adopted the National Federation of State High School Associations' Jan. 1 mandate that all bats comply with the Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution standards. The new BBCOR bats are designed to minimize the velocity the ball travels upon impact with the bat compared with the previous Ball Exit Speed Ratio models.

"In terms of safety, it's a great move," longtime King coach Jim Macaluso said. "The bats being used were basically deadly weapons."

The BBCOR bats are designed to have thicker walls and a smaller sweet spot, shrinking to 3 inches from 5 inches in the BESR models. The thicker walls limit the trampoline effect that the BESR bats created upon contact.

Veteran Gaither coach Frank Permuy said despite a likely decline in home run numbers, he hasn't seen a reduction in power so far.

"As far as our power numbers, meaning doubles and extra base hits, were pretty much at the same rate up to this point," he said. "What's being affected are the home run numbers. We have guys who would normally pop the ball out in (batting practice) who aren't able to carry it now."

The NCAA switched to BBCOR bats last season, and the change appears to have led a noticeable downtick in numbers. Home runs per game fell from .94 in 2010 to .52 last season, and the batting average dropped to .282, the lowest figure since 1976.

"I think you see the effect of the bats on the college level more because the guys are bigger and stronger," Macaluso said. "Once you get past two or three guys at the high school level, the power isn't there regardless of what bat they use."

Jefferson's Pop Cuesta, the longest tenured coach in the county, said the switch to BBCOR bats provides a more accurate tool for scouts of the next level.

"(The scouts) get a better gauge of how good a player truly is and how he hits the ball," he said. "It's a better indicator."

With the season a little more than two weeks old, it's impossible to predict how significantly the new bats will affect power numbers at the high school level.

"I'd like to see them go back to wood bats personally, but it's definitely a step in the right direction," Macaluso said. "We'll just have to wait and see at the end of the year how things turn out."

Regardless of the finals numbers, one group is pleased about the new bats — pitchers.

"They are definitely happy about it, for sure," Permuy said with a chuckle.

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

By Terry Tomalin, Times Outdoors-Fitness Editor
Friday, March 2, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — Brad Snyder feels at home in the pool. There are no curbs to trip on or cabinets to bump into. Just cool, soft water to envelope his body.

"I am comfortable here," explained the 28-year-old Navy officer. "I can't wander off and get hurt. It is like my own little safe zone."

Six months ago, the U.S. Naval Academy graduate was working with an Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit in Afghanistan when he stepped on a homemade land mine that would cost him his vision.

"The initial shockwave knocked off my glasses," he said. "Then the secondary blast hit my eyes."

Snyder, who swam for Northeast High School in St. Petersburg, doesn't remember much about what happened after that.

"Next thing I knew I woke up in a Maryland hospital," he said. "That's when I said, OK, what do I do next?"

Coach's dream

Northeast coach Bill Burrows has seen many good swimmers during his 35 years of coaching, but Snyder stands out in his mind.

He was deliberate, hard working, the kind of kid that never screwed around," he explained.

When Snyder graduated in 2002, he told Burrows that he was headed to Annapolis.

"I thought that was perfect," he said. "I knew he would do well in the military."

During his years at Northeast, Snyder did anything that was asked of him, but he really enjoyed swimming the longer distances, particularly the 500 meters. Later in college, he excelled at the mile, a race that requires a strong body and an even stronger mind.

During his junior year at the academy, Snyder debated about what career path to pursue in the military. "I thought about trying to become a SEAL," he said. "But there was something about the problem-solving in EOD that really appealed to me."

The Explosive Ordnance Disposal units of the Army, Navy and Marines are often called the unsung heroes of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The highly specialized technicians, featured in the Oscar-winning movie The Hurt Locker, have one of the most dangerous assignments in modern warfare.

"It is very stressful," Snyder said. "You never know what to expect."

Ten-cent IED

The yellow plastic bottles that hold cooking oil are used to carry well water in Afghanistan. You see them everywhere — in homes, markets. Sometimes they are lying along roadsides — and filled with explosives.

On Sept. 7, 2011, Snyder found himself in Kandahar searching out improvised explosive devices. "I was just walking along when I stepped on a pressure plate," Snyder said. "The mine was a few feet away when it exploded."

For a few seconds after the explosion, Snyder could still see. "I could see my arms and my legs were still there," he said. "But my face was a mess."

A few days later, at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, the doctors told him that he would be permanently blind.

"Once it sunk in, I realized that I had to deal the hand that I was dealt," he said. "I was not a victim. I was not grieving. I was going to move on."

And so began his battle for independence. He started off small. He made it to the bathroom unassisted. He explored the hallway. Then he found the elevator.

"It wasn't long before I knew the whole floor," he said. "Then it was the whole hospital."

Before his injury, the 5-foot 9-inch, 160-pound Snyder loved to surf, kayak, paddle board and mountain bike.

"I had every man-toy you could have," he said. "I knew I wasn't going to let those things go to waste."

Lap by lap

Snyder came home from the hospital after a few months and convinced his 24-year-old brother Mitchell to help him run a 5K.

"I've always looked up to him," Mitchell said. "He's always been such a hard worker ... He has never given anything less than 100 percent."

The Snyders ran a 5K and then a 10K. Then Brad decided he wanted to get back in the pool. "It was a little awkward at first," he said. "But after a few sessions I got the hang of it."

The truly great swimmers develop a feel for the water. With sound, smell and even sight limited, they learn to sense where they are in the lane.

"I found I could swim pretty straight without much effort," he said. "When I did stray a little to one side and felt the buoys, I would just lean a little to one side, just like you do on a surfboard."

But with no visual mark at the end of each lap, Snyder had to stop, touch the wall and then continue swimming. That's when St. Pete Aquatics Coach Fred Lewis invented a way to warn Snyder when it was time to flip, positioning a foam pool noodle across the end of the lane a few feet from the wall.

"It was either that or I was going to hang out and tap him on the head at the end of each lap," Lewis said.

Snyder quickly regained his old form. And now, after a few short months of training, he is aiming for the 2012 Paralympic Games.

Bismark bound

Snyder will travel to North Dakota in June, hoping to secure a spot on the U.S. Paralympic Team. His time for the 50 freestyle (27.66) is less than two seconds off the paralympic world record.

"He's got a good shot," said Lewis, who coached Snyder as a teenager. "He's driven. He's confident. I think he'll do it."

Snyder, meanwhile, said that once he conquers the pool, he hopes to return to the open water. He wants to swim across Tampa Bay with his brothers in arms, the Navy SEALs, next January in the Fourth Annual Tampa Bay Frogman Swim.

"But nobody flies to the summit of Mount Everest," he said. "The only way you get there is one step at a time."

Terry Tomalin can be reached at tomalin@tampabay.com

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Friday, March 2, 2012

TAMPA — Asked if there was a moment when Stan Heath realized he might have a special team at USF this season, he recalled a time in November when he looked at his stats sheet and saw the Bulls were giving up the fewest points in the Big East.

"To me, that was a big deal. I told our team that, and it was a bigger deal for them," Heath said Thursday, preparing for Saturday's home finale against West Virginia. "And that was a light bulb for me. 'These guys really like that.' They don't mind that being their identity and who they are."

As USF (19-11, 12-5 in Big East) looks to solidify its first NCAA Tournament berth in 20 years, Heath's team can do better than the best defense in the Big East. In allowing 57.4 points per game, USF is on course to have the best defense in Big East history, and the best ever for a Bulls team as well.

"It all comes down to defense," junior forward Toarlyn Fitzpatrick said. "It's something we pride ourselves a great deal on. To be the No. 1 scoring defense in the Big East, that means a lot. We play in a very competitive league. We hang our hats on defense, and we're glad to see it paying off for us and helping us get some major wins here."

Defense has been central in USF's last seven games, during which the Bulls have held all seven opponents to 56 points or fewer and at least 19 points under their season average. Cincinnati mustered 45 points against the Bulls — eight under its previous low for the season — and Louisville matched its season low with 51 in a home loss to USF on Wednesday.

"That's something we should really be proud of," senior forward Ron Anderson said. "I don't want people to overlook that. Coach Heath has done a great job of trying to get the guys to buy in to defense."

Barring a late letdown, USF will trump the Big East's all-time low for points allowed — Georgetown gave up 57.8 per game in 2006-07. The Bulls will easily reset the school marks for points allowed (60.1, in 1985-86), and they're holding opponents to 39.2 percent shooting, better than the record of 39.9, set in 2002-03.

A Bulls win, combined with a loss by Georgetown or Notre Dame, would give USF a top-four seed and double-bye to the quarterfinals of next week's Big East tournament, something unfathomable even a month ago, given USF's history in the league. The Bulls will be seeded no lower than sixth.

"Stan doesn't get enough credit for the job he's done in a really tough situation, rebuilding this program," Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin said after Sunday's game. "He's one of the best defensive coaches around."

It's fitting, then, that USF's final opponent, West Virginia, has done a number on the Bulls defensively, holding USF to 59 points or fewer in all seven meetings (all Mountaineers wins) since the Bulls joined the Big East in 2005. While many pundits have said USF punched its ticket for the NCAA Tournament with the win at No. 19 Louisville, Heath and his players are focused on continuing to build their resume.

Saturday is Senior Day for three key members of the Bulls — forwards Ron Anderson and Augustus Gilchrist and guard Hugh Robertson — and the end of their careers will be a different finish from a year ago, when Anderson can remember senior Jarrid Famous going out uneventfully after a disappointing 10-23 season. Every win gives them a better chance of going out the way they want to.

"We were standing on the loading dock, and he and Coach just shook hands. That was it. No NIT. No (tournament)," Anderson said. "I thought, 'Are we just done?' Now, we're going to keep on going until we can't go anymore."

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Friday, March 2, 2012

. tODAY

USF vs. West Virginia

When/where: noon; Tampa Bay Times Forum, Tampa

TV/radio: BHSN; 1250-AM

Records: USF 19-11, 12-5 Big East; West Virginia 18-12, 8-9

Notable: West Virginia is the only Big East team the Bulls haven't beaten since joining the league in 2005, but there's much on the line today. A USF win coupled with a Georgetown loss gives the Bulls a top-four seed and a double bye in the Big East tournament, and further solidifies their position in the NCAA Tournament. … West Virginia has lost seven of 10 but has impressive Big East wins over Notre Dame (by 27) and Georgetown (by 12). Watch out for Mountaineers senior F Kevin Jones (20.0 points per game, 11.2 rebounds) and senior G Darryl "Truck" Bryant (17.1 ppg). … It's also senior day for USF, which will honor F Augustus Gilchrist, F Ron Anderson and G Hugh Robertson. Gilchrist is the team's leading scorer despite averaging just 9.93 points per game, so this could be the first Bulls team not to have a player averaging double figures in scoring. The Bulls are 14-1 at home and expect their largest crowd of the season.

Greg Auman, Times staff writer



TAMPA — Asked if there was a moment when coach Stan Heath realized he might have a special basketball team at USF this season, he recalled a time in November when he looked at his stat sheet and saw the Bulls were giving up the fewest points in the Big East.

"To me, that was a big deal. I told our team that, and it was a bigger deal for them," Heath said Thursday while preparing for today's regular-season finale against West Virginia. "And that was a lightbulb for me: 'These guys really like that.' They don't mind that being their identity and who they are."

As USF (19-11, 12-5 Big East) looks to solidify its first NCAA Tournament berth in 20 years, Heath's team can do better than the best defense in the conference. In allowing 57.4 points per game, USF is on course to have the best defense in Big East history and the best ever for a Bulls team.

"It all comes down to defense," said junior forward Toarlyn Fitzpatrick, whose team ranks No. 8 in scoring defense in Division I (Wisconsin leads at 51.8). "It's something we pride ourselves a great deal on. To be the No. 1 scoring defense in the Big East, that means a lot. We play in a very competitive league. We hang our hats on defense, and we're glad to see it paying off for us and helping us get some major wins here."

Defense has been central in USF's past seven games, during which the Bulls have held all seven opponents to 56 points or fewer and at least 19 points under their season average. Cincinnati mustered 45 points — eight under its previous low for the season — and Louisville matched its season low with 51 in a home loss Wednesday.

"That's something we should really be proud of," senior forward Ron Anderson said. "I don't want people to overlook that. Coach Heath has done a great job of trying to get the guys to buy in to defense."

Barring a letdown, USF will trump the Big East's all-time low for points allowed; Georgetown gave up 57.8 per game in 2006-07. The Bulls will easily reset the school marks for points allowed (60.1, in 1985-86), and they're holding opponents to 39.2 percent shooting, better than their record of 39.9, set in 2002-03.

A Bulls win combined with a loss by Georgetown today at Marquette (after Notre Dame's victory Friday) gives USF a top-four seed and a double bye to the quarterfinals of next week's Big East tournament, something unfathomable a month ago, given USF's history in the league. The Bulls will be seeded no lower than sixth.

"Stan doesn't get enough credit for the job he's done in a really tough situation, rebuilding this program," Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin said after Sunday's game. "He's one of the best defensive coaches around."

It's fitting, then, that USF's final opponent, West Virginia, has done a number on the Bulls defensively, holding USF to 59 points or fewer in all seven meetings (all Mountaineers wins) since the Bulls joined the Big East in 2005. While many pundits have said USF punched its ticket for the NCAA Tournament with the win Wednesday at No. 19 Louisville, Heath and his players are focused on continuing to build their resume.

Today is senior day for three key Bulls — Anderson, forward Augustus Gilchrist and guard Hugh Robertson — and the end of their college careers will be a different finish from a year ago, when Anderson can remember senior Jarrid Famous going out uneventfully after a 10-23 season. Every win gives them a better chance of going out the way they want to.

"We were standing on the loading dock, and (Famous) and coach just shook hands. That was it. No NIT. No (NCAA Tournament)," Anderson said. "I thought, 'Are we just done?' Now, we're going to keep on going until we can't go anymore."

By Bill Hardman, Times Correspondent
Friday, March 2, 2012

Get ready: With grouper season closed until the end of the month and the water cool and bumpy, this is a good time to have your dive gear checked.

Scuba regulator: Most products have a lifetime warranty. But you must have the components rebuilt every 12 or 13 months. The upside: Life support equipment gets an overhaul every year, and if you're current on the service, parts come free. The downside: You must pay for labor, usually about $50 per regulator.

Other gear: Buoyancy compensators that sit idle during winter can develop dry O-rings and air leaks. Dive computers usually need only fresh batteries and O-rings.

Bill Hardman teaches scuba, spearfishing and free diving through Aquatic Obsessions Scuba in St. Petersburg and can be reached at (727) 344-3483 and captainbillhardman@gmail.com.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Friday, March 2, 2012

The Rays don't need much from the No. 9 spot but more than they got last year from lefty-swinging Brignac, left, (.193, .227 on-base, .221 slugging) and the righty Rodriguez (.223/.323 /.357 overall, .192/.280/.296 against right-handers). What they do need is a hitter who does the "little things" and can get on base to set up the top of the order. They will pinch-hit here as well.

As the Rays work over the next month to set their batting order, a main issue will be balancing their left- and right-handed hitters. Manager Joe Maddon likes to alternate, believing it works to their benefit in dictating how opponents use their bullpen.

But there is also value in setting it up to maximize their advantage against the starter in their push for early leads, which could mean stacking right-handers Desmond Jennings, B.J. Upton and Evan Longoria at the top and/or having three lefties in the middle (or over four spots) among Matt Joyce, Carlos Peña, Luke Scott and switch-hitter Ben Zobrist. Also a factor is Maddon's willingness to pinch hit at several spots. Against lefty starters, they will have a different lineup with infielder Jeff Keppinger involved.

Here is a look at their options slot by slot.

Jennings is set, his combination of patience, power and speed an appealing package at the top. However, the Rays are hoping his first 36 games following a mid July promotion — .343 average, .434 on-base and .620 slugging percentage — are more what they get than his last 27 — .155, .256, .236.

If the Rays knew they'd get over a full season what they got from Upton in 23 September games batting second (.356, 14 RBIs, 1.106 OPS), they'd put him there and accept having three right-handers atop the order. But they don't know that or if that's even the best way to use Upton as opposed to more of an RBI spot lower in the order. So they will also look at Zobrist, right, a switch-hitter who can be more of a situational hitter. Ideally, they'd rather have a lefty swinger, who would slot between righties Jennings and Longoria, and also would benefit when Jennings is on first. Luke Scott could emerge as an option, especially given his career .349 on-base percentage.

Longoria prefers to hit third, knowing he'll bat in the first inning (though his numbers are better in the fourth and fifth spots). The only reason for him not to hit third is if Upton is second and the Rays decide it's important to have a lefty here —Zobrist? Scott? Joyce? — and drop Longoria a spot to increase his RBI potential. For what it's worth, Zobrist's numbers are better hitting third (and fourth) than second (.234 average, .720 OPS).

Assuming Longoria stays third, there will be a lefty slugger here. Peña, right, is the logical fit given his combination of power and patience at the plate (.352 on-base). But he does strike out a lot (an average of 171 per 162 games), which can kill a rally. Scott would provide a little less power but a similar on-base percentage (.349) and a lot more contact (120 strikeouts per 162 games and 63 percent of plate appearances with balls in play compared with Peña's 53 percent).

Whoever doesn't hit second between Upton, left, and Zobrist seems the logical fit here. As well as Upton did in the second spot, he could be more productive given the RBI potential. And if slotted between Peña and Scott, Upton might face lefty relievers in key situations as teams seek to avoid using three pitchers (lefty-righty-lefty) to face three batters. But Upton strikes out nearly as often as Peña, and the Rays might prefer to separate them to keep rallies in motion. Zobrist is a key piece because switch-hitters can limit moves by the opponents' bullpen.

The other lefty slugger — Peña or Scott — likely hits here, giving Maddon his preferred alternating of lefty-righty hitters. The 4/6 decision seems somewhat benign and might just be a daily question of which one matches up better with the opposing starter.

Maddon often says the measure of an American League lineup is the quality of the No. 7 hitter, and he might have a 2011 All-Star there in Joyce. He, Peña and Scott could be interchangeable against right-handers based on daily matchups. Against lefties, Keppinger, a righty swinger, will replace Joyce (with Zobrist going to rightfield), Scott or Peña.

The speed of the lineup will come to a halt with Molina, right, (and at least slow down with the other catcher), and Maddon would prefer to have the catcher eighth so the order can flow better when it flips over. If Jose Lobaton is the second catcher, he has the benefit of being a switch-hitter, which helps with the lefty-righty balance. The Rays will pinch-hit here when the opportunity arises.

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Friday, March 2, 2012

Rainy days and Mondays

Depending on who you listen to, television ratings for the 2012 Daytona 500 were either through the roof or a bit of a disappointment. Fox tried to sell the idea that this year's event drew 36.5 million viewers, making in the most-watched Daytona 500 since Fox began airing the race in 2001.

Technically that's true, but it's misleading. That number includes anyone who tuned in for even a few minutes at any point Sunday or Monday afternoon when the race was being postponed because of rain.

If you get to the actual race Monday night, the viewership was 13.7 million, which was down from last year's 15.6 million. The rating for Monday night's race was an 8.0, meaning 8 percent of U.S households with a TV were tuned in. That was down from last year's 8.7 rating and the second lowest since 1995.

There was a buzz before Monday night that if the race had huge ratings, NASCAR might consider moving the event to Monday night in the future. But seeing as how the ratings were slightly down, it's a good bet that the Great American Race will remain a Sunday event.

tom jones' two cents

The latest from the world of sports

The Wright stuff

Longtime national talk-radio host Todd Wright, who makes his home here in Tampa Bay, filled in Thursday during the noon to 3 shift on 1010-AM, but don't read too much into that. He is not taking over as the host in that slot, which has been open since the King David Show stopped airing last week. Look for a permanent host to be announced soon.

You know, it's too bad Wright is not going to take over that spot. He's an ace of a radio host. His ability and connections to bring in good guests, along with his strong analysis and opinions, would be a welcome addition to the local market.

Three things that popped into my head

1. If the Saints really did have a "bounty program" and purposefully tried to injure opposing players, the NFL needs to do more than just fine the organization. Draft picks should be lost, and players and coaches, if proved to have participated, should be suspended. And if it's true that coach Sean Payton was aware and did nothing, he should be suspended for a long time — at least a season. This whole thing is absolutely disgusting.

2. USF's basketball game against West Virginia today is the biggest in Bulls history since, what, 1992?

3. The best thing about baseball's new playoff format is we no longer have to listen to the Yankees telling us they don't care if they win the division.

Media tidbits

• CBS's NFL studio host James Brown has been named a special correspondent for CBS News. His first assignment is today during CBS This Morning. Brown will continue to host The NFL Today.

• Former U.S. men's national team goalkeeper Kasey Keller, above, is joining ESPN as an analyst for this summer's UEFA European Football Championship. Keller will mostly work in the studio.

• The U.S. Open men's tennis final could permanently be moved to Mondays, as opposed to its usual closing day of Sunday. Because of weather, the men's final has been pushed back to Monday for the past four years anyway. The move to Monday could happen this year, and no later than 2013. CBS, which airs the U.S. Open, might put up a fight. CBS would want to stay away from going up against Monday Night Football and an afternoon weekday broadcast would be a ratings killer.

Friday, March 2, 2012

LAKELAND — It may arrive in the first few minutes or near the end of the first half. Or maybe late in the game. But somewhere between the tip and the final buzzer, when you meet Pompano Beach Blanche Ely, its fullcourt pressure elevates and you disintegrate.

Ask St. Petersburg.

The Green Devils, who were making their first state final four appearance in 40 years, scored in the single digits in each quarter of Friday's Class 7A state semifinal at the Lakeland Center. St. Petersburg (23-9) also committed 26 turnovers, 16 in the first half.

Add up the numbers and you get the fullcourt, flat-out, defensive assault that ignited a 62-29 semifinal victory over the Green Devils.

"From top to bottom they were as good a team as we've seen this year," St. Petersburg coach Chris Blackwell said. "They stayed into what they wanted to do. They're long and athletic. They pressured us and they thrive in transition. We got rattled a little and couldn't get in synch."

The pressure came nearly three minutes into the game with the Tigers ahead 8-6. They came with a sea of kelly green and orange and elbows and feet and hands, all hawking toward the ball and trapping all over the court.

The Green Devils could not handle it. Early in the second quarter, St. Petersburg fell behind 23-8 after managing four points in a five-minute span, on a layup by David Jones and pair of free throws by Terrell Burney.

Turnovers in the backcourt led to dunks and 3s for Blanche Ely. The Tigers' style, their game.

"We did a good job defensively," Blanche Ely coach Melvin Randall said. "I'd put it as one of our top two defensive performances of the season."

The Green Devils tried to prepare for Blanche Ely's pressure by watching Tigers game tape of the past few days. But even with practice, St. Petersburg was not prepared for this.

The Tigers (29-2) continually disrupted the Green Devils' offense while creating easy offense. Ely made 22 more field goals than St. Petersburg, thanks to a huge advantage in turnover margin (plus-15).

It all led to the Green Devils seemingly chasing the tail of the Tigers.

"They were fast, but we didn't realize how big they were, too," said Jones, who led St. Petersburg with 12 points. "We thought we could take advantage of things after watching them on tape. We just couldn't do it."

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Friday, March 2, 2012

Fore!

CF B.J. Upton's Advantica EyeCare team won the Rays' Charity Golf Classic at the Ritz Carlton Members Only Golf Club in Bradenton for the second straight year. The event raised close to $200,000 for the Rays Baseball Foundation.

Recreational activities

RHP James Shields has pretty good control. But principal owner Stuart Sternberg put on an impressive display of his box-ball skills, making a pink rubber ball dart at 90-degree angles and even come to a stop. … Andrew Friedman's front-office staff, led by minor-league ops man Patrick Walters, blasted interception-prone Chris Westmoreland's clubhouse staff in touch football 77-14.

Who is this Ray?

He had college scholarship offers in basketball and football. He has three brothers drafted by major-league teams. He proposed to his wife on the field in Montgomery, Ala.

Rays at Twins

When/where: 1:05 today; Hammond Stadium, 14100 Six Mile Cypress Parkway, Fort Myers.

Tickets: $10-$43, available via twinsbaseball.com or by calling the stadium at 1-800-338-9467.

Radio: 620-AM

Rays information: 1-888-326-7297

Pitchers: Rays — David Price, Chris Archer, Alex Colome, Dane De La Rosa, Jhonny Nunez, Ricky Orta, Ryan Reid, Wilking Rodriguez, Albert Suarez; Twins — Carl Pavano, Brian Duensing, Matt Capps, Glen Perkins, Alex Burnett, Anthony Swarzak, Phil Dumatrait, Matt Maloney

Heads-up

Reid Brignac, who homered in the intrasquad game on Thursday, gets the first start in the spring-long battle at shortstop.

On deck

Sunday: vs. Twins, 1:05. Rays — Jeremy Hellickson; Twins — Terry Doyle

Monday: vs. Orioles *, 1:05. Rays — Wade Davis; Orioles — Alfredo Simon

Tuesday: vs. Twins, 1:05. Rays — Jeff Niemann; Twins — TBA

* Value game, $2 off tickets

Who is this answer: INF Elliot Johnson

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

Ball games

Ten Rays, including LHP David Price and RHP Wade Davis, got together Thursday afternoon with RHP Kyle Farnsworth and his buddies at the West Coast Center in Palmetto to play paintball. "It was a lot of fun," Farnsworth said, "and good to do something different with the guys." Price did surprisingly well. INF Elliot Johnson not as much, tweeting he was "Farnsworth's moving target practice," pointing out the different places he got hit. "He lit me up a number of times," Johnson said.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Friday, March 2, 2012

Spring schedule

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

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

(All games 1:05 unless noted)

March

Today: at Twins

Sunday: vs. Twins

Monday: vs. Orioles *

Tuesday: vs. Twins

Wednesday: at Yankees

Thursday: Tigers (ss), at Twins (ss)

Friday: 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: Future Rays, (1:40, at Tropicana Field)

* Value game, $2 off

PORT CHARLOTTE — 3B Evan Longoria is scheduled to make his exhibition debut Monday after the scare of being hit on the right hand in Thursday's intrasquad game.

Longoria admitted he was "a little concerned" when his hand got black and blue and increasingly sore after being hit by the Matt Bush pitch, then greatly relieved to learn nothing was broken.

"Obviously, the X-rays tell the truth, and there were no breaks," he said Friday. "Once that worry's out of your head, you just let the swelling go down and go from there."

Longoria is receiving extensive treatment, including compression, ice, manipulation and lymphatic massage: "It's a day-to-day thing, and as soon as I can pick up a bat and hold it in my hand, I'll be back out there," he said.

More injuries: LHP Matt Moore, limited to playing catch for the past week due to a mild lower abdominal strain, is feeling better and set to get back on the mound Sunday or Monday, manager Joe Maddon said.

Moore needs to throw two bullpen sessions and one batting practice before his first game, which could be next weekend. Maddon said the delay won't impact Moore's chances to be in the rotation to start the season.

DH Luke Scott (recovering from shoulder surgery) and OF Sam Fuld (wrist issues last season) likely won't play until the middle of next week. Similarly, Maddon wants to take it slow with 1B Carlos Peña in general, though Peña said he felt good and was hoping to play Sunday.

GAME BOYS: Maddon would like the Rays to win often. But his primary goal for the 33-game exhibition season that starts today against the Twins in Fort Myers is to play well.

"My goal is the maintenance of momentum," he said. "You'll know if it's there or if it's not based on the attitude and the energy every day."

Maddon's mantra is to play the same way now as during the season: "We're going to come out revved up. I don't want anybody going through the motions even though it's a spring training game. We're still going to be aggressive in everything we do."

The Rays have had winning spring records in each of the three seasons they made the playoffs.

"There's no on-and-off switch," Maddon said. "I think there's a dimmer switch some times but never an on-and-off switch for us."

CONTRACT ISSUES: The Rays appear to have signed all of their pre-arbitration eligible players except RHP Jeremy Hellickson, a Scott Boras client who might reject their offer by today's team-set deadline and instead have his contract renewed — and lose potential bonus clauses.

"I'm still undecided," he said.

The Rays, like other teams, have a fairly rigid pay scale for players with less than three years of service time, ranging from the major-league minimum of $480,000 to about $505,000. INF Sean Rodriguez, who was six days short of being Super Two arbitration-eligible, got about $500,000 and OF Matt Joyce $499,400.

MISCELLANY: Today's lineup will include regulars Desmond Jennings, B.J. Upton, Ben Zobrist, Matt Joyce and Jose Molina. … The Rays say "plenty" of seats remain for Sunday's home spring opener. … Minor-league camp opens today for 69 pitchers and 16 catchers. … Today is the first of nine games against the Twins, the most against one opponent in any spring.

Times wires
Friday, March 2, 2012

TAMPA — Even with planned payroll cuts, the Yankees will still outspend everyone else, GM Brian Cashman said Friday.

"We're still the Yankees," Cashman said. "We're still going to be there for our fan base and try to make sure every year is a year that they have legitimate hope that it can be a special season."

Cashman's comments came one day managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner said he plans to reduce the payroll to $189 million for the 2014 season. Steinbrenner said this season's payroll is about $210 million.

Under the new labor agreement, the luxury tax threshold will be $189 million after the 2013 season. By getting under that, the Yankees would be eligible to get some of their revenue-sharing money back.

"Our payroll doesn't need to be at this level," Cashman said. "Look at the Minnesota Twins. Look at the Tampa Bay Rays. Look at a lot of clubs that are having massive success going about it a different way. We can incorporate every way.

"Our decisions every year are still difficult, no matter what. I think it's easier when you have parameters. It was very difficult when it was just a general (budget) and it would change on a daily basis."

The Yankees were hit with a $13.9 million luxury tax last season. New York's final 2011 payroll was $212.7 million for the luxury tax, which uses average annual values of contracts on the 40-man roster and includes benefits. Using salaries and prorated shares of signing bonuses, the Yankees were at $216 million.

Beating Bulls: Curtis Granderson had an RBI single in his only at-bat as the Yankees beat USF 11-0 at Steinbrenner Field. Granderson drove in Derek Jeter, who had reached on a two-base throwing error, in the first. USF had four hits off seven Yankees' minor-leaguers.

Phillies: Polanco won't play in opener

CLEARWATER — Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said 3B Placido Polanco will not play in today's opener against the Yankees.

Polanco dealt with back problems last season and had sports hernia surgery during the offseason. Manuel said he probably will play Monday.

2B Chase Utley, dealing with a chronic right knee injury, also won't play.

"It might be a little while before I play him," Manuel said. "He'll do his regular workouts and things like that. I'm in no hurry to play him as long as we can have him ready when the season starts."

Jays: Facing batters excites Romero

DUNEDIN — LHP Ricky Romero, set to start on opening day, pitched the first inning of Friday's intrasquad game.

"I was little excited when I got out there, just to get on that mound and see hitters and see an umpire and all that good stuff," he said. "You get into game mode."

During the inning, Romero escaped a man-on-third, no-out situation.

By Don Jensen , Times Correspondent
Friday, March 2, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — Eight greyhounds. Two All-America selections. One lucrative race.

In what has been a statement week for Derby Lane, tonight's $64,000 Sprint Classic is expected to be the exclamation point.

Veteran kennel owner Malcolm McAllister said, "This is the best (Sprint Classic) I've seen in a few years." Said veteran owner Hans Limmer: "The field is so tough, anyone could win it."

Both bring championship credentials into Race 10 (10:11 p.m.). Monday, McAllister's Tiger Boy and Hi Noon Renegade of Limmer's Nova kennel were voted to the 2011 All-America first team at the American Greyhound Track Operators Association spring conference in Las Vegas, where Derby Lane president and board chairman Vey Weaver received a lifetime achievement award. Tiger Boy was chosen the All-America captain, McAllister's third in the past five years.

Friday, Tiger Boy edged Hi Noon Renegade for the 2011 Rural Rube award (nation's best sprinter), the National Greyhound Association announced.

Hi Noon Renegade is the Sprint Classic defending champion and drew the rail in Derby Lane's richest 550-yard stakes. The two-time stakes winner clocked a season-best 30.28 seconds Feb. 25 in his lone qualifying win. Tiger Boy also has two stakes wins and has been a force since arriving at Derby Lane in January. He is trained by Barbara McAllister, Malcolm's wife.

Tmc's Pistol (J.E. O'Donnell Jr. kennel) is a stakes veteran, racing in his sixth championship race in nine stakes appearances. He is in search of his first stakes win.

Ambriel (D'Arcy), the lone female in the field, is the only qualifier with two wins and accumulated a series-high 50 points.

The rest of the field: Gable Eddie (McAllister), Magic Bagels (Abernathy), Se's Chewie (Capabal) and Sing In The Rain (Patriot). First place pays $25,000.

HORSES: Watch Me Go and Crimson Knight, who finished first and second, respectively, in the 2011 Tampa Bay Derby, meet again in the $60,000 Challenger Stakes (Race 8, 3:42 p.m.) at Tampa Bay Downs in Oldsmar. … The Hearts Reaching Out fundraiser to benefit Downs backside workers is Monday. For information, call Sharyn Wasiluk at (813) 494-1870 or (813) 298-1576. … Entries will be drawn Thursday for the March 10 Festival Day card featuring three stakes: Tampa Bay Derby, Hillsborough and Suncoast.

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Friday, March 2, 2012

TAMPA — For 20 years, Bobby Paschal has been the last coach to lead the USF men's basketball team to the NCAA Tournament, but the retired coach is excited to think that could change next week as Stan Heath's Bulls make a strong case for a return.

"The thing that makes me feel good about them and makes me want so much to see them in the NCAA Tournament, it's not necessarily the number of wins they have, but the way they play the game," said Paschal, 70, who lives in Tampa. "I have always respected teams that play hard, that play tough defense and understand that defense can have a big impact on winning games."

Paschal coached the Bulls to their only previous NCAA Tournament appearances in 1990 and 1992, and while he hasn't attended a game this season, he said he has watched on television whenever possible. He said there should be no debate as to whether USF deserves to return to the NCAAs.

"I don't think they're close to getting in. I think they're in," Paschal said. "I can't imagine there's anything they can do to eliminate themselves. Nothing's definite until it's definite, but in my opinion, they've certainly earned their way into the NCAA Tournament."

Fred Lewis, a member of both USF teams that made the NCAAs, said he has watched several games, and he sees things in this team that remind him of the ones he played on.

"The biggest thing I like is that all the guys play together, play for the team, for each other," said Lewis, now coaching at Middleton High. "When you defend they way they do, you can beat anybody."

Making memories: Daniel Rockhold went 2-for-2 and starter Matt Reed gave up an unearned run in two innings, but USF managed four hits off seven Yankees minor-leaguers and lost 11-0 in a baseball exhibition game at Steinbrenner Field.

"Some of these guys will never step a day on a big-league field," USF coach Lelo Prado said. "It's a great experience, something they'll never forget for the rest of their lives."

Rockhold singled up the middle in the second inning.

"Mark Teixeira came up to me after I got our first hit and was like, 'Hey, first major-league hit. Congratulations,' " Rockhold said. "I was like, 'Thanks, man.' I didn't know what to say."

Reed had no jitters, saying: "I saw Derek Jeter in the box and I was like, 'This is Derek Jeter. This is sweet. Let's go.' "

Times wires
Friday, March 2, 2012

AVONDALE, Ariz. — Chad Knaus, crew chief for Jimmie Johnson's No. 48 Chevrolet, said Friday that he's focused on the Sprint Cup race this weekend at Phoenix International Raceway as he awaits an appeal of the punishment handed down by NASCAR this week related to unapproved modifications before the Daytona 500.

Knaus was fined $100,000 and suspended six races. A appeal date was not set, and Knaus can work until the appeal hearing.

Johnson also was docked 25 points and heads into this weekend's Subway Fresh Fit 500 last in the Sprint Cup standings.

"It's certainly not a position we want to be in," the five-time series champion said. "But there's a lot of racing between now and September (when the Chase for the Championship starts)."

On Feb. 17, NASCAR ruled the No. 48 Chevrolet had illegally modified sheet metal between the roof and the side windows, an area known as the C-posts.

"I'm deeply saddened of course. We didn't expect this," Knaus said. "It's not the way we wanted to start off the season, but it's good to have the support of everyone at Hendrick Motorsports, and we'll go after this thing and hopefully get it resolved and get back to business."

Asked if he anticipated a problem, when NASCAR found an illegal modification to the C-post in the bodywork, Knaus said it took him by surprise.

Knaus reiterated team owner Rick Hendrick's statement that the car was no different than the ones the team ran in all four restrictor-plate races last year, each of which passed inspection.

He also said the failed inspection at Daytona was based on an eyeball test, saying, "It was all visual. The templates never were actually put on the car."

Knaus has been suspended four previous times, one coming when Johnson won the 2006 Daytona 500. Darian Grubb filled in. Knaus also had a two-race ban in 2005 overturned on appeal.

Johnson was knocked out of Monday's Daytona 500 in a multicar wreck on Lap 2. Johnson finished 42nd, earning just two points, so he's at minus 23 after the penalty.

Car chief Ron Malec was also told he'd have to sit out six races.

MONTOYA STAYED CALM: Driving under caution at the Daytona 500, Juan Montoya felt the back end of his No. 42 car break, sending it into a spin. Unable to stop and bearing down on a safety truck, he didn't panic.

He treated it like going over a speed bump a little too fast.

"You don't think, 'Oh my God, I'm going to kill myself,' " he said Friday about the accident. "You go, 'Oh, this is going to hurt a little bit.' It wasn't that bad."

Though the driver of the jet dryer was okay, officials at several tracks said they will mandate fire suits and helmets for all jet dryer drivers, including this weekend at Phoenix.

Montoya's left foot, bruised when it hit the clutch upon impact, is sore but good to go for this weekend.

PATRICK UNRUFFLED: Danica Patrick shrugged off the suspension of a San Diego TV sports anchor for implying a sexist slur, saying she thought it was funny someone felt that strongly about her. Fox 5 San Diego suspended Ross Shimabuku without pay for a week for his comments about Patrick before her Sprint Cup debut at Daytona. The anchor stopped short of calling Patrick a derogatory name on the air. Patrick joked that someone on TV probably shouldn't be saying or implying swear words on the air.

Times wires
Friday, March 2, 2012

PALM BEACH GARDENS — Tom Gillis has played golf in 26 countries on tours in Europe, Asia and South Africa. He thought about quitting after he failed to get back to the PGA Tour through qualifying school.

But he stuck with it, hopeful of days like Friday.

Gillis shot 64 to share the lead with Justin Rose after two rounds of the Honda Classic at 8-under 132 at PGA National.

Gillis, 43, led for the first time after any round of a PGA Tour event.

After one failure at Q-school, Gillis even went home to Michigan to get a regular job.

"Job market wasn't very good. Didn't have a whole lot to offer them, to be quite honest with you," he said. "So I thought, 'Geez, I'd better … go back out there and see if I have anything left.' It's kind of a cool story."

Rose made five birdies in nine holes Friday and was 10 under until back-to-back bogeys.

"You can't play 36 holes around here and expect to come away without any bruises at all," Rose said.

Three birdies over the last five holes kept Rory McIlroy one stroke out of the lead and in the chase for theworld No. 1 ranking.

"Still a lot of golf left, 36 holes," McIlroy said after 67 in the breezy, balmy afternoon. "I just need to keep doing the same things, try to drive the ball in the fairway and give myself loads of opportunities, and try and take a few. Because you don't need to make tons of birdies out here."

McIlroy, who must win this event to replace Luke Donald atop the world ranking, was 7 under, along with Dicky Pride, who birdied his last hole for 67.

Brian Harman shattered the course record by three shots and flirted with golf's magic number before settling for par on the 543-yard 18th hole to shoot 61. He was at 6 under with Vaughn Taylor and Jimmy Walker.

Birdies also helped Tiger Woods, though not enough to offset a tee shot into the water on the par-3 fifth for double bogey. He shot 68 and trailed by seven.

Woods stuffed an approach inside 3 feet for birdie, then had to scramble for bogey. He bounced a tee shot off a spectator and turned that into birdie, only to hit his next tee shot into the water for double bogey. He closed with two birdies.

"It was nice to get that kind of finish because I was struggling today a little bit, trying to find a motion that was going to get the job done," said Woods, whose 3-year-old son, Charlie, watched him play a tournament for the first time. "Somehow I managed to score."

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Friday, March 2, 2012

TAMPA — Ryan Malone sat in the locker room at the Tampa Bay Times Forum, dried blood clotting at the corner of his left eye, the bruise underneath turning vivid shades of yellow and black.

Nothing, though, was brighter than his smile after he scored the winner in the Lightning's 4-3 overtime victory over the Rangers on Friday night.

"I'll take a lot more," Malone said of the high stick that caused the damage, "if they keep going in."

Malone's goal 1:58 into extra time finished Tampa Bay's comeback from a 2-0 second-period deficit against the Eastern Conference's top team and gave it its third straight win and fifth straight at home.

And the Lightning (30-28-6) continued its improbable surge in which it is 13-5-2 in its past 20 games and moved into 10th in the East, four points behind the Jets for the eighth and final playoff spot with two games in hand.

It also is six points behind the first-place Panthers in the Southeast Division, with another big game tonight at Carolina.

"We still got a long road," Malone said. "We know we're in a hole here, so we take it one game at a time. We don't have time to take a five-minute lull. We have to be ready from the drop of the puck."

Tampa Bay was that against New York and ended with a 30-19 shot advantage.

Steven Stamkos scored his league-best 45th goal. Teddy Purcell had a goal and three points, and has five goals, 12 assists in a career-best eight-game points streak.

Tom Pyatt scored. Mathieu Garon made 16 saves. The team blocked 23 shots, with Eric Brewer getting seven, and defenseman Brian Lee, in his second game since being acquired from the Senators, made what coach Guy Boucher called two "terrific" passes for two assists and his first Lightning points.

"The better team won," Rangers coach John Tortorella said.

The Lightning was better because it disrupted the puck cycling New York uses so well to grind teams down. Helping were Lee, Mike Commodore and Keith Aulie, bigger defensemen acquired Monday in trades.

Still, the Rangers were up 2-0 in the second thanks to sharp goaltending from Henrik Lundqvist.

But Pyatt scored 7:09 into the second. Purcell scored his career-high 18th goal to make it 2-2 3:37 into the third after Marty St. Louis captured a loose puck after a faceoff and passed cross-ice. Stamkos' sizzling snap shot from the slot gave the Lightning the lead with 9:43 left.

Brandon Dubinsky tied it with 3:27 left after he turned St. Louis around and beat Garon cleanly. But all that did was set up Malone, whose 11th goal of the season capped a productive game in which he played 20:27 with four shots and three hits.

"It's one of the hardest shots he can do, right above the pad, inside the post," Boucher said of the winner. "You couldn't get a better shot than what he did. This is what beats any goaltender."

No wonder Malone was smiling.

First Period—1, NYR, Anisimov 13 (McDonagh), 10:09. Penalties—Girardi, NYR (high-sticking), :33; Boyle, NYR (roughing), 11:48; Connolly, TB (roughing), 11:48; McDonagh, NYR (roughing), 19:42.

Second Period—2, NYR, Gaborik 31 (Stepan, Richards), 2:43 (pp). 3, TB, Pyatt 7 (Connolly, Lee), 7:09. Penalties—Malone, TB (hooking), :57; Aulie, TB (delay of game), 1:00.

Third Period—4, TB, Purcell 18 (St. Louis, Stamkos), 3:37. 5, TB, Stamkos 45 (Lee, Purcell), 10:17. 6, NYR, Dubinsky 7 (Gaborik, Stralman), 16:33. Penalties—Hagelin, NYR, double minor (high-sticking), 10:33.

Overtime—7, TB, Malone 11 (Purcell, Brewer), 1:58. Penalties—None. Shots on Goal—NYR 3-8-7-1—19. TB 13-11-6-1—31. Power-play opportunities—NYR 1 of 2; TB 0 of 4. Goalies—NYR, Lundqvist 30-12-5 (31 shots-27 saves). TB, Garon 22-16-4 (19-16).

Times wires
Friday, March 2, 2012

NEW YORK — Saints players and at least one assistant coach maintained a bounty pool of up to $50,000 the past three seasons to reward game-ending injuries inflicted on opposing players, including quarterbacks Brett Favre and Kurt Warner, the NFL said Friday.

The league said the pool amounts hit their height in 2009, the year New Orleans won the Super Bowl. "Knockouts" were worth $1,500 and "cart-offs" $1,000, with payments doubled or tripled for playoffs.

The league said between 22 and 27 players were involved in a program administered by defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, with the knowledge of coach Sean Payton.

Williams, 53, apologized for his role, saying: "It was a terrible mistake, and we knew it was wrong while we were doing it."

Williams was recently named the Rams' defensive coordinator.

According to the report, linebacker Jonathan Vilma offered $10,000 in cash to any player who knocked the Vikings' Favre out of the NFC Championship Game in January 2010. Favre was hurt after taking repeated hard hits but stayed in the game, which the Saints won.

Favre told Peter King of Sports Illustrated on Friday: "It's football. … Said or unsaid, guys do it anyway. If they can drill you and get you out, they will.''

Possible penalties could include suspensions, fines or forfeiting draft choices, the league said.

The league said neither Payton nor general manager Mickey Loomis did anything to stop the bounties when they learned of them or of the league's investigation — and that Loomis did not stop the bounties even when ordered by team owner Tom Benson.

From 2009 to 2011, the Bucs faced their NFC South rival six times. In a 2010 game, Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins was penalized for a late hit on Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman. Freeman confronted Jenkins, saying Jenkins tried to hit him in the knees. Jenkins was fined $10,000 for the hit.

"If you want to try to hit me, hit me high," Freeman said after that game. "I thought it was completely unnecessary and cheap to take a shot at my knees."

Other Bucs said it wasn't the first time they had issues with the Saints, contending they were, basically, a dirty team and consistently engaged in "cheap shots."

All payouts for specific performances in a game, including interceptions or causing fumbles, are against NFL rules.

Bills linebacker Shawne Merriman wrote on his Twitter feed that his 2007 knee injury occurred because of a bounty placed on him by the Titans when he was with the Chargers: "Why is this a big deal now? Bounties been going on forever."

Former Bucs and Colts coach Tony Dungy said of bounties in the league, "I know they had them in Tennessee" and Peyton Manning was the target. Williams was on Jeff Fisher's staff at Tennessee (1997-2000) and has been reunited with Fisher this season in St. Louis.

EX-BRONCO NOT GUILTY: A Colorado jury acquitted former Broncos cornerback Perrish Cox. Cox was accused of sexually assaulting a woman at his apartment in September 2010 after a night of partying. She became pregnant, and prosecutors said DNA tests indicated Cox, 25, was the father.

GIANTS: Receiver Domenik Hixon, who has played just two games the past two seasons because of two ACL tears in his right knee, re-signed for a year.

RAVENS: Running back Ray Rice was designated the franchise player. He is in line to make about $7.7 million next season, the average of the top five salaries at the position.

MORE FRANCHISE TAGS: These players were tagged (projected 2012 salaries in parentheses): Bears running back Matt Forte ($7.7 million), 49ers free safety Dashon Goldson ($6.2 million), Bengals kicker Mike Nugent and Browns kicker Phil Dawson ($3.8 million), Falcons cornerback Brent Grimes (more than $10 million) and Redskins tight end Fred Davis ($5 million). Also, the Cardinals offered defensive end Calais Campbell a nonexclusive franchise tag and can negotiate through July 16 with the former Miami standout.

STEELERS: Two veterans on defense, linebacker James Farrior and end Aaron Smith, will be released before the next league year begins March 13.

Times staff writer Stephen F. Holder contributed to this report.

Times wires
Friday, March 2, 2012

NEW YORK — With less than a month to go before opening day, Major League Baseball made it official Friday, expanding the playoffs to 10 teams by adding a wild-card to each league.

This is the first change in the postseason format since 1995, when wild cards were added. It creates a one-game wild-card round between the teams with the best records who are not division winners. In addition, there will be no restriction on teams from the same division meeting in the division series.

"This change increases the rewards of a division championship and allows two additional markets to experience playoff baseball each year," commissioner Bud Selig said.

Because of the delay in implementing the change and with the 2012 schedule already drawn up, the format of the division series will change for this year only. The best-of-five series will begin with two games at the lower seeds followed by three home games for the higher seed. The change will reduce travel days.

Darvish impresses in Rangers debut

SURPRISE, Ariz. — Yu Darvish, the Rangers' Japanese import, struck out one during a hitless inning in an intrasquad game. He threw 21 pitches, 11 for strikes, and his fastball was clocked between 93-96 mph.

"My fastball life and the quality are not even close at all to season form," Darvish, set to face the Padres on Wednesday, said through an interpreter.

"I'm glad we don't have to face him in our division or in our league," second baseman Ian Kinsler said.

CUBS back collector: Several Cubs players supported the man who collected Ryan Braun's urine sample, despite the fact his handling of the sample led to Braun's 50-game suspension being overturned.

The legal team for the Brewers outfielder argued the collector, Dino Laurenzi Jr., did not follow procedures specified in baseball's drug agreement, which led to an arbitrator overturning Braun's positive test last week. Laurenzi also is assigned by MLB to collect samples from the Cubs.

"The drug tester that we worked with … we all know him, and he handles his business pretty professionally. I think that everyone in this clubhouse would agree with me," Cubs outfielder Reed Johnson told ESPN Radio 1000 in Chicago. Infielder Jeff Baker also vouched for Laurenzi.

A's: DH Manny Ramirez grounded into a double play and bounced out in an 8-5 loss to the Mariners in the spring opener. Ramirez, who hasn't played since April and faces a 50-game drug suspension, drew a loud mix of boos and cheers before his first at-bat.

Indians: Justin Masterson will start on opening day. The right-hander was the team's most consistent starter last season, going 12-10 with a 3.21 ERA.

Nationals: First baseman Adam LaRoche (sprained ankle and sore left shoulder) and rightfielder Jayson Werth (muscle spasms in his back) likely won't play this weekend.

Pirates: Right-hander A.J. Burnett had surgery for a broken orbital bone near his right eye and will miss 2-3 months.

Red Sox: David Ortiz, a DH for most of his career, will start at first base tonight against Boston College. New manager Bobby Valentine said he wants to see how Ortiz looks there in case he's needed.

Rockies: Left-hander Jamie Moyer, 49, trying to come back after missing last season for Tommy John surgery on his left elbow, gave up one earned run and three hits in two innings of an intrasquad game. He said he felt uncomfortable at first but after a couple of pitches, "It was like getting back on the bike again."

Times wires
Friday, March 2, 2012

TENNIS

MURRAY HANDS DJOKOVIC FIRST LOSS OF 2012

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Top-ranked Novak Djokovic lost for the first time this season, 6-2, 7-5 to Andy Murray in Friday's semifinals of the Dubai Championships. Djokovic had a 10-match winning streak, including the Australian Open title.

In today's final Murray plays Roger Federer, who won the last six points in the second-set tiebreaker to edge Juan Martin del Potro 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-6).

"Hopefully, that will set me up well for the year," said Murray, who lost to Djokovic in five sets in the Australian semifinals. "Confidence in tennis and almost any individual sport is so important."

DELRAY BEACH INT'L: Tampa resident and top seed John Isner reached his first semifinal of 2012, beating No. 8 seed Bernard Tomic 6-3, 6-2. Isner next faces the winner of Friday's quarterfinal between No. 4 seed Andy Roddick and No. 7 Kevin Anderson.

COLLEGES

Gators top 'Canes

Catcher Mike Zunino was 4-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs as visiting Florida, ranked No. 1 in Baseball America, defeated No. 12 Miami 7-5. Austin Maddox was 3-for-3 and pitched 31/3 shutout innings of relief for the Gators (8-1), who handed the Hurricanes (7-1) their first loss.

FSU TO MAKE HISTORY: Florida State plays today at UAB in the first NCAA-sanctioned sand volleyball match. Sand volleyball dual contests feature five two-on-two matches with each team needing to win at least three for a victory.

SOFTBALL: Tampa's Deanna Henriott threw her second no-hitter of the season, defeating visiting Lynn 5-0. The former St. Petersburg Catholic pitcher struck out 14 in seven innings. Former Academy of Holy Names star Becky Vyzas had three hits and three RBIs for the Spartans (14-3, 1-0 Sunshine State Conference).

ET CETERA

SOCCER: FIFA president Sepp Blatter said he hopes he can convince rule-makers to approve goal-line technology for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Blatter ended his long-standing opposition to the high-tech aids after England's Frank Lampard had a clear goal disallowed against Germany at the 2010 World Cup. A final decision is expected in July.

BOXING: Wladimir Klitschko aims for his 50th career knockout today when he defends his world heavyweight titles against France's Jean-Marc Mormeck in Duesseldorf, Germany. Klitschko (56-3) owns the WBA, IBF and WBO titles.

WINTER SPORTS: American Olympic gold medalist Shani Davis rallied in the last lap to win a 1,500-meter speed skating race in Heerenveen, Netherlands. … Americans Julia Mancuso and Lindsey Vonn were ninth and 10th, respectively, in a World Cup giant slalom won by Germany's Viktoria Rebensburg in Ofterschwang, Germany. … American Gracie Gold, 16, was second after the women's short program at the world junior figure skating championships in Minsk, Belarus.

Times wires