Times wires
Wednesday, April 18, 2012

PHILADELPHIA — Jordan Staal recorded a hat trick and Evgeni Malkin scored his first two goals of the series as the Penguins beat the Flyers 10-3 to avoid a sweep Wednesday.

"We've given ourselves a chance to get back to Pittsburgh," said Pittsburgh star Sidney Crosby, who had a goal and two assists. "And that's all we wanted out of this game."

The Flyers led 3-2 before the Penguins scored eight in a row. They became the first team to score at least 10 in a playoff game since the Kings beat the Flames 12-4 on April 10, 1990.

"We're going to find out what kind of team we are," Flyers wing Jaromir Jagr said. "If we are the team like we think we are, we're going … respond in the next game."

Flyers goalie Ilya Bryzgalov, shaky all series, was at his worst. He was yanked for Sergei Bobrovsky after the fifth goal. But there's little chance of a controversy. After earning big cheers for stopping his first shot, Bobrovsky was just as bad, allowing four goals in a span of 8:42 and five overall.

Marc-Andre Fleury made it stand and started to make up for the first three games, which saw him allow 17 goals.

"It was a crazy game in a lot of ways," Pittsburgh coach Dan Bylsma said. "But we got a lot of big saves at key times."

Sens tie series in OT

OTTAWA — Kyle Turris scored 2:42 into overtime to give the Senators a 3-2 victory over the Rangers that evened their series at 2. Ottawa, which also won Game 2 in overtime, trailed 2-0 just 6:10 in.

"We've got so much character in this room, and that led us through," Turris said. "We … tried to put pressure on them and chip away at their lead."

Rangers goalie Henrik Lund­qvist fell to 1-7 in overtime playoff games. New York has lost seven straight playoff overtime games since beating Buffalo on April 29, 2007.

Coyote suspended: Phoenix left wing Raffi Torres was suspended indefinitely for a hit Tuesday that knocked Chicago's Marian Hossa out of Game 3. Torres is set to meet with the league Friday. He left his feet and hit the head of Hossa, who didn't have the puck, with his shoulder. Hossa, Chicago's leading scorer, was briefly hospitalized and will miss at least tonight's Game 4.

Canucks-Kings: Daniel Sedin, whose 30 goals led Vancouver, returned Wednesday after missing 12 games with a concussion.

Capitals-Bruins: Boston coach Claude Julien said it's "ludicrous" to believe his team is targeting the head of Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom, who missed 40 games with a concussion. Capitals coach Dale Hunter made the accusation Tuesday. "I don't know any coach that would tell his team to go after somebody's head," Julien said. "It's ludicrous. It's ridiculous, okay?"

First Period—1, N.Y. Rangers, Stralman 2 (Richards, Gaborik), :49 (pp). 2, N.Y. Rangers, Callahan 2 (Gaborik, Richards), 6:10 (pp). Penalties—Smith, Ott (boarding), :39; Karlsson, Ott (tripping), 5:45; Prust, NYR (boarding), 7:10; Konopka, Ott (roughing), 10:32; McDonagh, NYR (tripping), 14:54.

Second Period—3, Ottawa, Michalek 1 (Carkner, Spezza), 7:04. 4, Ottawa, Gonchar 1 (Foligno, Neil), 17:50 (pp). Penalties—McDonagh, NYR (high-sticking), 1:21; Carkner, Ott (hooking), 4:55; Bickel, NYR (holding stick), 8:11; Smith, Ott (interference), 11:01; Anisimov, NYR (hooking), 16:48.

Third Period—None. Penalties—Foligno, Ott (high-sticking), 1:55; Foligno, Ott (tripping), 14:35. First Overtime—5, Ottawa, Turris 1 (O'Brien, Gonchar), 2:42. Penalties—None. Shots on Goal—N.Y. Rangers 12-7-11-3—33. Ottawa 12-9-9-1—31. Power-play opportunities—N.Y. Rangers 2 of 7; Ottawa 1 of 5. Goalies—N.Y. Rangers, Lundqvist 2-2-0 (31 shots-28 saves). Ottawa, Anderson 2-2-0 (33-31). A—20,340 (19,153).

First Period—1, Philadelphia, Giroux 5 (Jagr, Simmonds), 1:14 (pp). 2, Pittsburgh, Malkin 1 (Dupuis, Park), 3:37. 3, Pittsburgh, Niskanen 1 (Crosby, Sullivan), 8:05 (pp). 4, Philadelphia, Timonen 1 (Giroux, Briere), 15:06 (pp). 5, Philadelphia, Voracek 2 (Simmonds, Hartnell), 15:52 (pp). 6, Pittsburgh, Crosby 3 (Niskanen, Malkin), 16:19. 7, Pittsburgh, Staal 3 (Tangradi, Cooke), 17:29. Penalties—Sullivan, Pit (high-sticking), :17; Malkin, Pit (hooking), 1:29; Coburn, Phi (holding), 6:42; Rinaldo, Phi (interference), 12:19; Kunitz, Pit (interference), 13:02; Orpik, Pit (cross-checking), 13:28; Cooke, Pit (high-sticking), 13:52; Carle, Phi (interference), 20:00.

Second Period—8, Pittsburgh, Letang 1 (Crosby, Sullivan), 3:07 (pp). 9, Pittsburgh, Staal 4 (Kennedy, Cooke), 7:21 (pp). 10, Pittsburgh, Sullivan 1 (Fleury), 10:55 (pp). 11, Pittsburgh, Dupuis 2 (Kunitz), 14:59. 12, Pittsburgh, Staal 5 (Engelland), 16:03. Penalties—Giroux, Phi (high-sticking), 2:51; Grossmann, Phi (tripping), 5:32; Carle, Phi (holding stick), 8:13; Read, Phi (roughing), 10:40; Park, Pit (interference), 12:01; Philadelphia bench, served by Wellwood (too many men), 12:01; Rinaldo, Phi (cross-checking, roughing), 16:43.

Third Period—13, Pittsburgh, Malkin 2 (Kunitz, Kennedy), 4:04. Penalties—Cooke, Pit, minor-misconduct (holding stick), 8:48; Vitale, Pit, minor-misconduct (unsportsmanlike conduct), 8:48; Kubina, Phi, minor-misconduct (cross-checking), 8:48; Simmonds, Phi, minor-misconduct (unsportsmanlike conduct), 8:48. Shots on Goal—Pittsburgh 15-16-5—36. Philadelphia 11-9-5—25. Power-play opportunities—Pittsburgh 4 of 9; Philadelphia 3 of 5. Goalies—Pittsburgh, Fleury 1-3-0 (25 shots-22 saves). Philadelphia, Bryzgalov 3-1-0 (18-13), Bobrovsky (3:07 second, 18-13). A—20,172 (19,537).

Times wires
Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Cardinals 11, Reds 1

ST. LOUIS — Jaime Garcia pitched seven sharp innings and hit a two-run triple, Carlos Beltran homered and St. Louis won its fourth straight game. Garcia was aided by four double plays and hit a triple off the centerfield wall in the sixth that made it 7-1 and chased Mat Latos. Cincinnati has lost five of the first six on a 10-game road trip.

Times wires
Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Rockies 8, Padres 4

DENVER — Juan Nicasio pitched 61/3 solid innings for his first win since returning from a broken neck, lifting Colorado. Nicasio made his second start at Coors Field since Aug. 5, when he was hit in the right temple by a line drive and suffered a fractured skull plus the neck injury. Doctors were fearful he might not walk again after the accident, let alone take the mound.

Times wires
Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Tigers 4, Royals 3

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Prince Fielder drove in two runs and Max Scherzer got his first win of the season for Detroit. Kansas City has lost seven straight, including its first six at Kauffman Stadium, the most consecutive home losses to start a season in its history. The Royals lost their first five at home in 1993. Scherzer, a former Missouri star, improved his ERA from 10.38 to 7.98.

Times wires
Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Brewers 3, Dodgers 2

10 innings

MILWAUKEE — Nyjer Morgan scored on Ryan Braun's flyout for Milwaukee. With the bases loaded and one out, Braun flied to shallow center. Morgan took off despite a stop sign from third-base coach Ed Sedar and was called safe on a close play.

Times wires
Thursday, April 19, 2012

Giants 1, Phillies 0

11 INNINGS

SAN FRANCISCO — Melky Cabrera hit an RBI single in the 11th and San Francisco won a pitchers' duel. Cliff Lee threw 10 scoreless innings for the Phillies and Matt Cain pitched nine for the Giants. Cabrera came through against Antonio Bastardo, who allowed Brandon Belt's one-out single. Belt advanced when third baseman Ty Wigginton couldn't control a grounder.

Times wires
Thursday, April 19, 2012

Mariners 4, Indians 1

SEATTLE — Jason Vargas threw seven innings and the Seattle won in front of 11,343, the smallest crowd in the history of Safeco Field. The previous low was 11,701 against Baltimore on May 31, 2011. Brandon League pitched the ninth for his fifth straight save. The Mariners' Chone Figgins turned an eight-pitch at-bat into his eighth career leadoff home run and first of the season. Derek Lowe pitched 4 1/3 innings and walked six, one short of his career-high.

Times wires
Thursday, April 19, 2012

Athletics 6, Angels 0

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, April 19, 2012

It seemed likely Saturday when news came that USF Bulls backup defensive end Anthony Hill had torn the ACL in his right knee, but Skip Holtz confirmed Wednesday that Hill will undergo surgery Friday and miss the 2012 season.

This could clear a path for promising freshman Eric Lee to play this fall, as Lee is now the No. 4 defensive end behind Ryne Giddins, Julius Forte and Tevin Mims.

Hill actually has a traditional redshirt available to him, so he can come back and play as a redshirt senior in 2013, though it'll mean one less scholarship is available for USF's 2013 recruiting class. If you remember, Jim Leavitt pulled Hill out of a redshirt in the 10th game of the 2009 season, so he had three tackles in three games to show for that year of eligibility. In all, Hill has 14 tackles in three seasons with the Bulls, including a sack against Pittsburgh last year.

Holtz said that freshman receiver Alex Mut, who tore his own ACL last spring as a high school senior, injured his knee in Saturday's scrimmage and will also have surgery Friday, but it should only be a minor arthroscopic procedure to clean up the knee and should only sideline him for a month or so. Mut is still likely to redshirt this fall due to USF's considerable depth at receiver.

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, April 19, 2012

Former Florida Gators baseball standout Brad Wilkerson is among the inagural class of the SEC Baseball Legends Program, the league office announced today.

The newest members will be honored during the SEC Baseball Tournament May 22-27 at Regions Park in Hoover, Ala. Each SEC Baseball Legend will have an on-field recognition and awards presentation by SEC commissioner Mike Slive on Saturday, May 26, during the semifinals of the SEC Tournament. Fans will have an opportunity for autographs and photos with the honorees on the concourse immediately following. The Legends will also participate in the annual SEC Youth Clinic on Friday morning.

"The SEC Baseball Legends allows us to honor the deep tradition and history of baseball in our league and show everyone why the SEC is the nation's premier baseball conference," Slive said.

Wilkerson was a first basemen, pitcher and outfielder for the Gators from 1996-98. He was drafted as the 33rd pick in the first round of the 1998 First-Year Player Draft by the Montreal Expo. Wilkerson was the first three-time All-American in Florida school history and a finalist for the 1998 Golden Spikes Award.

He was named the 1998 Collegiate Player of the Year by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and won the Smith Award given to the National Collegiate Baseball Player of the Year as selected by CoSIDA. He was the first player in NCAA history to hit 20 home runs, win 10 games and steal 20 bases.

The 2012 class also includes Dr. Jeffrey Laubenthal, Alabama; Kevin McReynolds, Arkansas; Brad Wilkerson, Florida; Rev. Reggie Andrews, Georgia. Wilkerson, who will be the Gators' first-ever inductee into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame this summer, will be in Gainesville this weekend for UF's key series against Eastern Division rival Georgia. Four legends will be recognized each year, with representatives from Auburn, LSU, Kentucky and Missouri set to be honored in 2013.

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, April 19, 2012

Ever since the start of the offseason, it was clear the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were going in a different direction at weak-side linebacker, a position held for the past three seasons by Geno Hayes.

Now, Hayes finally is moving on.

Hayes agreed today with the Chicago Bears on a one-year contract, likely to compete for a backup role behind Pro Bowl weak-side backer Lance Briggs, who was signed to a contract extension this month through the 2014 season.

Hayes likely will have to distinguish himself on special teams to earn a roster spot, though the Bears have also been looking for depth in their linebacking corps.

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, April 19, 2012

GAINESVILLE — For several consecutive years, Florida gymnastics coach Rhonda Faehn watched as her highly-ranked squads dominated meets all season, only to fall short at the end when it counted most.

So after Florida failed to advance to the final Super Six in the NCAA Championships and finished seventh overall last season, Faehn sat down to do some serious soul searching about where her program was.

"The crazy thing about last year is we started off great, and we were all excited because we had a great beginning of season," said junior Marissa King, the reigning NCAA vault champion. "And when we got to postseason we crumbled because you can't stay at the top with no break for that long. There had to be a change from last year. There had to be."

Faehn agreed, and interestingly the change was contrary to everything she'd done in the past: de-emphasize the early regular season, forget trying to win every early meet, keep the routines simple and limited early, implement full routines nearly a month later than prior years, then prepare to give it everything they have at the end of the year.

With the new strategy, Faehn said the team is the healthiest it has been entering postseason since she arrived nine years ago. And, it hasn't had a negative effect on competition. Florida is 17-1 this season and won both the SEC championship and the NCAA Raleigh Region.

As the No. 1-ranked Gators prepare to compete in Friday's NCAA gymnastics championships at The Arena at Gwinnett Center in Duluth, Ga., Faehn believes the new strategy has paid off in a big way.

"We're really excited for it," she said. "Our goal from the beginning of the season was to start out slow and then progress much further as the season went along, every competition getting better and making sure that our athletes were able to stay healthy. I feel like they are in a tremendous spot physically and mentally, and their confidence level is at its highest knowing that we have been able to do what we were hoping to accomplish so far."

The Gators will begin competition in the NCAA Championships' second semifinal session, which includes four of the five SEC schools that are among 12 competing schools: Florida, Alabama, Arkansas and Georgia. Ohio State and Oregon are also in the evening group.

The Gators believe there's a different feel to this team than the one that went in No. 1 last season. "We have a lot more confidence in ourselves," said junior Ashanee Dickerson, who won the all-around competition in the Raleigh region with the nation's top total (39.65). "Last year at regionals, we had a few mistakes and I don't think we had the confidence in each other that we could be able to hit routines. Now we do, and we feed off each other.

The Gators have carried the No. 1 ranking since late January, but Faehn said it hasn't been a burden, instead part of what makes this team unique.

"This team is completely different than any other team that I've coached — with a totally different mentality," she said.

The Florida gymnasts said there's no chance they'll enter the competition overconfident. They were the top seed entering the national championship last season and fell far short of goals. It's what has driven them all season long.

"Everyone has that bittersweet feeling," King said. "We were a great team last year, we were ranked No. 1 and we went to nationals and crumbled. It was a horrible feeling. I've never felt such disappointment. We not only want to achieve great things for ourselves, we want to win a national title for Florida and coach Faehn because she's such a great coach. That feeling from last year has brought motivation into the gym every day."

In the 30-year history of the NCAA gymnastics championships, only Alabama, UCLA, Georgia and Utah have won national titles. At the Raleigh region, several schools had a message for the Gators.

"The coaches said, 'Go out there and get that championship, we want you to break in and stop those four from winning,' " Faehn said. "And that's our goal."

Antonya English can be reached at english@tampabay.com.

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, April 19, 2012

GAINESVILLE — For several consecutive years, Florida gymnastics coach Rhonda Faehn watched as her highly ranked squads dominated meets all season, only to fall short at the end when it counted most.

So after the Gators failed to advance to the final six in the NCAA championships last season and finished seventh overall, Faehn sat down to do serious soul searching about where her program was.

"The crazy thing about last year is we started off great, and we were all excited because we had a great beginning of the season," said junior Marissa King, the reigning NCAA vault champion. "And when we got to postseason, we crumbled because you can't stay at the top with no break for that long. There had to be a change from last year. There had to be."

Faehn agreed and made changes contrary to everything she had done in the past. She de-emphasized the early regular season — forget trying to win every early meet, keep the routines simple and limited — implemented full routines nearly a month later than in prior years and prepared the Gators to give everything they had at the end.

With the new strategy, Faehn said, the team is the healthiest it has been entering postseason since she arrived nine years ago. And the strategy hasn't had a negative effect on competition. Florida is 17-1 this season and won the SEC championship and the NCAA Raleigh Region.

As the No. 1-ranked Gators prepare to compete in the NCAA championships beginning tonight in Duluth, Ga., Faehn believes the strategy has paid off in a big way.

"We're really excited for it," she said. "Our goal from the beginning of the season was to start out slow and then progress much further as the season went along, every competition getting better and making sure that our athletes were able to stay healthy. I feel like they are in a tremendous spot physically and mentally, and their confidence level is at its highest knowing that we have been able to do what we were hoping to accomplish so far."

The Gators are in tonight's second semifinal session, which includes four of the five SEC schools that are among 12 competing. The others: defending champion Alabama, Arkansas and Georgia. Ohio State and Oregon are also in the group.

The Gators believe there's a different feel to this team than the one that went in No. 1 last season.

"We have a lot more confidence in ourselves," said junior Ashanee Dickerson, who won the all-around competition in the Raleigh Region with the nation's top total (39.65). "Last year at regionals, we had a few mistakes, and I don't think we had the confidence in each other that we could be able to hit routines. Now we do, and we feed off each other.

The Gators have carried the No. 1 ranking since late January, but Faehn said it hasn't been a burden, instead part of what makes this team unique.

"This team is completely different than any other team that I've coached — with a totally different mentality," she said.

The Florida gymnasts said there's no chance they'll be overconfident. They were the top seed entering the national championship last season and fell far short of goals. It's what has driven them all season long.

"Everyone has that bittersweet feeling," King said. "We were a great team last year, we were ranked No. 1 and we went to nationals and crumbled. It was a horrible feeling. I've never felt such disappointment. We not only want to achieve great things for ourselves, we want to win a national title for Florida and Coach Faehn because she's such a great coach. That feeling from last year has brought motivation into the gym every day."

In the 30-year history of the NCAA gymnastics championships, only Alabama, UCLA, Georgia and Utah have won national titles. At the Raleigh Region, several schools had a message for the Gators.

"The coaches said, 'Go out there and get that championship, we want you to break in and stop those four (schools) from winning,' " Faehn said. "And that's our goal."

Antonya English can be reached at english@tampabay.com.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, April 19, 2012

The Tampa Bay Rays have claimed Brandon Allen, a lefthanded-hitting outfielder/first baseman who could join them as soon as Friday.

Allen, 26, is seemingly a more experienced player to fill the role held by rookie Stephen Vogt.

To make room on the 40-man roster, they moved catcher Robinson Chirinos to the 60-day disabled list. Chirinos has been out since sustaining a concussion in spring training.

Allen has played parts of four seasons with the Diamondbacks (2009-11) and A's (11-12), with a .205 average and 11 homers and 38 RBIs (in 374 plate apperances). He has played in 109 big-league games, 52 last season, when he was traded July 31 in a deal for Brad Ziegler.

(Allen does have some power; check out the video clip of this blast at Yankee Stadium last season, estimated at 428 feet.)

Allen was designated for assignment by Oakland on April 9, to make room for the return of Daric Barton from the DL. Over eight seasons in the minors Allen hit .268 with a .355 on-base percentage and 142 home runs. Last season, he hit .299 with 21 homers and 72 RBI in 93 games for Triple-A Reno and Sacramento.

If Allen takes Vogt's place, the Rays would be looking at another roster move on Friday to make room for centerfielder B.J. Upton, which most likely would involve either infielder Reid Brignac, who could be sent to the minors, or infielder/outfielder Elliot Johnson, who is out of options and would have to first be exposed to waivers.

Johnson has started two games at second base but is valuable in his ability to play every position, switch-hit and pinch-run. Brignac has started five games at shortstop and has been used as a defensive replacement in three others.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, April 19, 2012

TORONTO — The most interesting thing the Rays brought home from their 10-day, three-city road trip is a more potent offense.

In addition to activating CF B.J. Upton from the disabled list, the Rays are adding 1B/OF Brandon Allen, who was claimed off waivers from Oakland.

To make room on the 25-man roster, the Rays are expected to send SS Reid Brignac (hitting .118, 2-for-17) and OF/1B Stephen Vogt (0-for-13) to Triple-A Durham.

The Rays aren't sure yet how or where Allen, 26, will fit in on the field, but they are eager to see him at the plate.

"A big bat and a lot of pop," manager Joe Maddon said. "I know he's had a little bit of a swing-and-miss issue historically, but he's also had big power. We've done some work on it and have some ideas in regards to how to approach this whole thing."

Allen is a better first baseman than corner outfielder, Maddon said, and a great guy.

"I heard he's an '80' makeup guy, which is the highest makeup grade you can give to an athlete," Maddon said.

Allen, a 6-foot-2, 235-pound lefty swinger drafted by the White Sox, has played parts of four seasons in the majors with Arizona and Oakland, with a .205 average, 11 homers and 38 RBIs in 374 plate appearances over 109 games. He has had strong seasons at Triple A, hitting .299 with 21 homers, 72 RBIs and a .991 on-base plus slugging percentage in 93 games last year, and .261/25/86 with a .933 OPS in 107 games in 2010.

"The big thing I know is that his bat plays really big," Maddon said. "He's carried some pretty big Triple-A numbers."

Allen was designated for assignment April 9 by the A's. Because he is out of options, the Rays need to keep him in the majors or put him back on waivers. To create space on the 40-man roster, they moved C Robinson Chirinos, out since a spring training concussion, to the 60-day DL.

Vogt was likely to be sent down upon Upton's return. With Sean Rodriguez starting regularly at shortstop, Ben Zobrist back to splitting time between second base and rightfield, and Elliot Johnson (also out of options) available to back up all positions, Brignac is now likely to go, too.

Selig on STADIUM: Commissioner Bud Selig reiterated Thursday that there is "no question" the Rays need a new stadium. "I talked a lot to (principal owner) Stu Sternberg and he's talking to people," Selig told the Associated Press Sports Editors in New York. "He and I have had many conversations, and we'll just monitor the situation. He's doing what he should do. He's there, he's talking to all parties trying to see what he can do."

TIPPING POINT: Rookie LHP Matt Moore didn't say he definitively has not been tipping his pitches, an issue that surfaced in his last start in Boston, only that he isn't concerned if he is.

"If they're swinging at certain stuff they shouldn't be swinging at, or spitting on (taking) stuff they shouldn't be spitting on, if that's the case, then it's going to come out sooner or later," he said. "I personally don't think so, but we'll see."

Maddon said it's a common issue with young pitchers: "It's a rite of passage in some ways. You get to the big leagues and all of a sudden you get all these eyes trained on you. … You're always making adjustments, so it's not surprising. But I don't really anticipate any problems."

STARRY EYED: In their only potential decision, the Rays put Zobrist on the All-Star ballot at second base, allowing Desmond Jennings, 2011 All-Star Matt Joyce and Upton to be listed as outfielders. Also on the ballot, with online voting starting today at MLB.com: 1B Carlos Peña, SS Rodriguez, 3B Evan Longoria, C Jose Molina, DH Luke Scott.

HARDWARE DELIVERY: Maddon will be presented his 2011 AL manager of the year award and RHP Jeremy Hellickson his AL rookie of the year award before tonight's game.

MISCELLANY: Starting tonight, the Rays play 13 of their next 16 at home. .. Maddon said C Jose Lobaton, on the DL with shoulder soreness, is "doing all right" but not close to returning.

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, April 19, 2012

It's hard to believe anything until scholarship papers are signed, but coveted Notre Dame transfer Aaron Lynch, due to visit USF this weekend, is joining the Bulls this summer, according to a tweet from current Bulls (and former Irish) safety Spencer Boyd.

"#USFNation show love and follow my bro @tHa_Killa_19! He'll be joining the USF family in the summer! Big addition to the team!" Boyd wrote in a posting at Twitter.com on Thursday afternoon.

Boyd not only started his college career at Notre Dame, as Lynch did, but both players are from Cape Coral, near Fort Myers. Lynch hasn't spoken publicly since Notre Dame issued a statement from him announcing he was leaving Notre Dame after just one season to move back to Florida. USF has received a release, and he's due to arrive on campus Friday for a weekend visit. The Freshman All-America led the Fighting Irish in sacks as a true freshman last fall after being ranked among the nation's top prospects for the Class of 2011.

Unless USF were able to find grounds for a hardship waiver allowing him to play immediately, Lynch would sit out the 2012 season, then have three years of eligibility with the Bulls, though he would be eligible for the NFL Draft after the 2013 season. The 6-foot-6, 270-pound Lynch was rated as the No. 15 overall prospect in the nation for the Class of 2011 by ESPN.com.

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, April 19, 2012

If the Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicked off their season today, Mason Foster would be their middle linebacker.

That's not exactly a long-term commitment to keeping the second-year player as Tampa Bay's defensive field general, but it stands as the most likely outcome as the Bucs' three-day voluntary minicamp comes to a close this afternoon.

Foster, who coaches originally were considering using at weak-side linebacker, spent the week exclusively at middle linebacker and, according to coach Greg Schiano, was impressive.

Still, Schiano left things open-ended.

"I think he had a good three days," Schiano said. "I'm not sure where all those linebackers will land. Mason played (weak side) in college and then he played the (middle) last year. I may go back and even watch more of his college tape, just to get a better feel. We're not back to this stuff (minicamp) until June."

For his part, Foster conceded he was placed in a difficult situation last season, coming in as a rookie – fresh off the NFL lockout with no offseason – and being asked to play a critical position while making defensive calls.

"It was definitely tough, but I thought I could handle it," Foster said. "Having the time now to sit at home and study your playbook and come talk to the coaches at any time during the day, being able to sit and go over stuff, that definitely gives you an advantage. I see what I was missing last year."

Considering the Bucs' personnel and lack of another viable candidate to play middle linebacker, look for Foster to remain there unless something changes drastically in the near future. Given the dearth of top middle linebackers in the draft and free agency, that seems unlikely at this point.

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, April 19, 2012

TAMPA — Kickoff is more than five months away, and the Bucs have plenty of time to alter course.

But after three grueling days on the practice field during a voluntary minicamp, this much we know about Mason Foster: If the Bucs played a game today, he'd be their starting middle linebacker.

That fact brings some clarity to a situation that has been muddled throughout the offseason, which the Bucs began with some intention of using Foster as an outside linebacker. But since deciding to allow Foster to take another shot at the middle during this week's workouts, coach Greg Schiano and his staff seem one step closer to settling on Foster as their defensive field general.

"He had a good three days," said Schiano, who stopped short of handing Foster the job.

Foster admitted he was overwhelmed last season as a rookie, taking the reigns at a new position (he played weakside linebacker at Washington) without the benefit of offseason preparation because of the lockout.

He and his coaches probably would still say he's better suited to play on the weakside. But he now is better equipped to handle the middle versus last season.

"It was definitely tough, but I thought I could handle it," Foster said. "But having the time now to sit at home and study your playbook and come talk to the coaches at any time during the day — being able to sit and go over stuff — that definitely gives you an advantage.

"I see what I was missing last year."

It's not clear if Foster will run the huddle and relay calls from the sideline, something he struggled with in 2011. Quincy Black, the strongside linebacker last season, did some of that this week in addition to playing on the weakside. Either way, Foster now welcomes the challenges that proved burdensome last season.

"You know how to handle situations now," Foster said. "You know how to handle presnap (decisions). Last year, it was kind of like you're rushing through and trying to handle everything. (Now) it's going good."

That said, Schiano is playing things close to the vest. He remained noncommittal about middle linebacker and both outside positions. Black and Adam Hayward often accompanied Foster with the first-team defense, and there might be other combinations.

But the lack of viable options and time means Foster is likely to stay put in the absence of an unforeseen roster move. The Bucs toyed with signing a middle linebacker during free agency but decided against it because of price and other considerations.

"We're going to move them around right now," Schiano said of his linebackers. "We can't (mess) around too long. It's good to mess around and try guys at different spots. But then we have to lock in."

Foster also hopes to be in better physical shape than last season. He first battled a lingering ankle sprain that slowed his reaction time, then fought a pair of dead legs as the rookie wall smacked him in the face.

He still managed a team-high 126 tackles, but the impact plays the Bucs hoped for came intermittently.

"During the season, you're trying to ignore (the dead legs)," Foster said. "You don't want to think about it too much. But it does wear on you."

Now with Schiano and the staff set to review the week's events and plot their course — at linebacker and other positions — they hope this week of 12-hour work days enabled them to drive home a few messages.

The camp was not only about instilling Schiano's high standards of discipline on the field and in the meeting room but also team-building.

"My biggest thing was to make sure that everybody left with the core principles of what's important to us as a staff and now as an organization," Schiano said.

"We've kind of laid the foundation for what's important. Now the relationship part, that formulates now. We've added some free agents. We're going to add some draft picks. What we do here with the guys who were here, the guys who are added, as they come together, as those personalities and those relationships form, that's really what makes your team."

Stephen F. Holder can be reached at sholder@tampabay.com.

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, April 19, 2012

They say it takes three seasons to properly evaluate an NFL draft class. Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Mark Dominik took over the job of picking talent in 2009. Only quarterback Josh Freeman, the team's first-round pick from Kansas State, has developed into a starter from his inaugural draft class while two other players – fourth-round pick Kyle Moore, a defensive tackle from Southern Cal, and fifth-rounder, Illinois tackle Xavier Fulton – are no longer with the team. The other two selections – cornerback E.J. Biggers and receiver Sammie Stroughter – have limited roles as backups.

"I think it's a fair question for me,'' Dominik said. "You have to go back and look at your draft classes. And you've got to look. Our fourth round pick was Kyle Moore. He's in the league, still. He was on a practice squad last year, so he's still playing. But you would want more.

"I mean, let's just be honest. Xavier Fulton didn't make it for us. So you've got to step back and look at that. (Sammie) Stroughter is still here, (E.J.) Biggers is still here. They're still trying to contribute to the football team. But you go back and you have to learn why are those two players not on our team anymore.''

The Bucs did not own a second-round pick in 2009, having sent it and a fifth-rounder in 2010 to Cleveland for tight end Kellen Winslow.

Dominik said he has spent a lot of time looking at the Bucs' past three drafts and has tried to learn from his mistakes.

"And I do that for 2010,'' Dominik said. "And I've already done it last year looking at last year. You have to. If you don't look at your mistakes, you're bound to create them again. So you really try to dig into deep and look and say, "what was it about that that I missed on? What was it as an organization that we didn't make the right selection?

After the 2010 NFL draft, when the Bucs used the No. 3 overall selection on Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (one pick ahead of Lions Pro Bowl defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh) and the 35th pick on UCLA defensive tackle Brian Price, Dominik said he hoped it would be a 'defining class.'

"You had the 1974 draft for the Steelers, the 1991 draft for the Cowboys, the 1995 draft for the Packers, that defining class, that class that helped the guys that were already there accelerate the process," Dominik said at the time. "You can always find that class with the great championship teams, and I'm optimistic that 2010 is ours."

But McCoy has played in only 19 games in two seasons, producing only four sacks. Both years ended with McCoy on injured reserve after tearing the biceps in each arm.

Price played in only five games as a rookie before having to undergo pelvic surgery and procedures to reattach both hamstrings. He has 27 tackles and three sacks.

Illinois receiver Arrelious Benn, who tore his ACL in the 15th game as a rookie, has 55 receptions for 836 yards and five scores in two seasons.

Dominik says the sand is already starting to run out of the hour glass for players such as McCoy and Price.

"We don't have much more time, and nor do the players,'' Dominik said. "They have two more years remaining on their contract, except for Gerald, who has three. Certainly, the reality is it's disappointing that our defensive tackles have been hurt. It's extremely disappointing and they're frustrated and disappointed as well. I see Gerald outside and he's working his tail off trying to get right. I see Brian Price doing everything he can. You know, I still have hope, but I agree with you, there's only so much time left. I'll be my harshest critic. I know we have a lot of them out there, but I'll be my harshest critic to look at that class and see what they do. But I still have a lot of hope in that class.

"I still have a lot of belief in what they've done, in terms of what Arrelious was going to do. I know that (receiver) Mike Williams didn't have the season he officially wanted to have last year, but I see him out here working really hard and getting there. I still have a lot of love for (safety) Cody Grimm, (linebacker) Dekota Watson and (fullback) Eric Lorig, those seventh rounders. They've been good players for us and filling in on special teams or when they've had a chance to start and play like Lorig or Cody, they've been very good. And obviously, Dekoda has played. Time will tell, but the clock is certainly ticking, there's no debate about that.''

Dominik and the Bucs seemed to have righted the ship a bit in the 2012 draft. First-round pick Adrian Clayborn proved to be a high-motor pass rusher who led the team with 7.5 sacks. Second-round pick Da'Quan Bowers, a defensive end from Clemson who led the nation in sacks, fell to the second-round after undergoing knee surgery. He started the final six games but finished with only 1.5 sacks and 30 tackles. Third-round pick Mason Foster struggled at middle linebacker without the benefit of an off-season but still managed to lead the team with 126 tackles.

The 2012 class sort of fell apart after that. Fourth-round pick Luke Stocker was a backup tight end who produced 12 receptions. Fifth-rounder Ahmad Black, a safety from Florida, spent 12 weeks on the practice squad. Sixth-rounder Alan Bradford, a running back from Southern Cal, was released after five games and has hooked on as a linebacker with Seattle. Cornerback Anthony Gaitor (seventh round) was inactive for eight games and tight end Daniel Hardy (seventh round) was released, signing with the Minnesota Vikings.

So what has Dominik learned?

"I'll let the new general managers figure that out on their own,'' Dominik said. "But I truly feel like I've learned a lot from those selections that have not panned out for our team.''

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, April 19, 2012

TAMPA — If it's true it takes three seasons to properly evaluate an NFL draft class, Mark Dominik's first try at picking talent for the Bucs as general manager, 2009, didn't make the grade.

Only quarterback Josh Freeman, the first-round pick, has developed into a starter.

Two players — fourth-round pick Kyle Moore, a defensive tackle, and fifth-round pick Xavier Fulton, an offensive tackle — are no longer with the team. The other three players — cornerback E.J. Biggers, defensive tackle Roy Miller and receiver Sammie Stroughter — have limited roles as backups.

"You have to go back and look at your draft classes," Dominik said. "Our fourth-round pick was Kyle Moore. He's in the league (with the Bills) still. He was on a practice squad last year, so he's still playing. But you would want more.

"Xavier Fulton didn't make it for us. So you've got to step back and look at that. You go back, and you have to learn why are those two players not on our team anymore."

Dominik said he has spent a lot of time looking at the Bucs' past three drafts and tried to learn from his mistakes. This year's three-day draft begins Thursday in New York.

"And I do that for 2010," Dominik said. "And I've already done it for last year. If you don't look at your mistakes, you're bound to create them again. So you really try to dig deep and look and say, 'What was it about that that I missed on? What was it as an organization that we didn't make the right selection?' "

After the 2010 draft, when the Bucs used the No. 3 overall selection on defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (one pick ahead of Lions Pro Bowl defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh) and the 35th pick on UCLA defensive tackle Brian Price, Dominik said he hoped it would be a "defining class," like 1974 for the Steelers.

From that draft, Pittsburgh got four future Hall of Famers: center Mike Webster, linebacker Jack Lambert, and receivers John Stallworth and Lynn Swann.

"You can always find that class with the great championship teams," Dominik said. "And I'm optimistic that 2010 is ours."

But McCoy has played in only 19 games over two seasons while producing only four sacks. Both seasons ended with McCoy on injured reserve with torn biceps (the left in 2010, the right in 2011). Price played in only five games as a rookie before pelvic surgery and procedures to reattach both hamstrings. He has 27 tackles and three sacks.

Taken in the second round that year, 39th overall, was Illinois receiver Arrelious Benn. He tore an ACL in his 15th game as a rookie and has 55 receptions for 836 yards and five touchdowns in two seasons.

Dominik said the sand is running out of the hourglass for players such as McCoy and Price.

"We don't have much more time and nor do the players," Dominik said. "They have two more years remaining on their contract, except for Gerald, who has three. Certainly, the reality is it's disappointing that our defensive tackles have been hurt. It's extremely disappointing, and they're frustrated and disappointed as well.

"I still have hope, but … there's only so much time left. I'll be my harshest critic. I know we have a lot of them out there, but I'll be my harshest critic to look at that class and see what they do. But I still have a lot of hope in that class. Time will tell, but the clock is certainly ticking."

Dominik and the Bucs seemed to right the ship a bit in the 2012 draft. First-round pick Adrian Clayborn proved to be a high-motor pass rusher who led the team with 71/2 sacks. Second-round pick Da'Quan Bowers, a defensive end, started the final six games but finished with only 11/2 sacks and 30 tackles. Third-round pick Mason Foster struggled at middle linebacker (and its play-calling responsibilities) without the benefit of an offseason because of the lockout but still led the team with 126 tackles.

Fourth-round pick Luke Stocker, a backup tight end, produced 12 receptions. Fifth-rounder Ahmad Black, a safety from Florida, spent 12 weeks on the practice squad. Sixth-rounder Alan Bradford, a running back from Southern Cal, was released after five games and has hooked on as a linebacker with Seattle. Cornerback Anthony Gaitor (seventh round) was inactive for eight games, and tight end Daniel Hardy (seventh round) was released and has since signed with the Vikings.

So what has Dominik learned?

"I'll let the new general managers figure that out on their own," Dominik said. "But I truly feel like I've learned a lot from those selections that have not panned out for our team."