Times wires
Thursday, April 19, 2012

Magic center Dwight Howard will have season-ending surgery this morning to repair a herniated disk in his lower back and will not play this postseason, the team confirmed Thursday night.

"I tried to play through it, and it just made my back worse," said Howard, who has had back problems since early March.

Howard said he can start rehab right away and be back to full contact in four months, "so I'm not really concerned. If anything, I'll come back stronger."

Howard has missed six straight games and eight overall. The Magic is 3-5 without him.

The surgery also means he will not participate in the Summer Olympics in July.

Before the announcement, Orlando's WKMG-TV reported that Howard told owner Rich DeVos last Friday that he didn't want to play for coach Stan Van Gundy anymore. WKMG sports director David Pingalore reported that Howard was upset that Van Gundy publicly said Howard wants him fired.

Heat topples Bulls

MIAMI — LeBron James had 27 points and 11 rebounds, Dwyane Wade scored 18 and the Heat tightened up the Eastern Conference playoff race by beating the Bulls 83-72 in a scuffle-filled game Thursday night.

"A physical Eastern Conference game," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "It's an emotional game, a passionate game."

Mario Chalmers scored 16 and Udonis Haslem had 10 rebounds for Miami, which held the Bulls to a season-low point total and moved within 1½ games of Chicago in the East race.

Chicago (47-16) has games with Dallas, Indiana and Cleveland left, while Miami (45-17) has matchups with Washington (twice), Houston and Boston.

John Lucas scored 16 for Chicago, which was without guard Derrick Rose (right foot, 26th missed game this season). Joakim Noah scored 15, Luol Deng added 11 and Carlos Boozer had 10 for the Bulls, who split four games with Miami this season.

Rose remains day to day. He seems likely to return for the final two regular-season games next week, playing more to regain his timing and rhythm than with the goal of winning.

The teams combined for four technicals, two flagrant fouls and James Jones was ejected for excessive contact against Noah.

game highlights: Danny Granger scored 29 as the host Pacers beat the Bucks 118-109 to clinch homecourt in the first round. In the fourth quarter, Milwaukee's Mike Dunleavy fell onto Tyler Hansbrough and they had to be separated. Dunleavy broke Hansbrough's nose on March 24.

around the league: Lakers guard Kobe Bryant said he is ready to return tonight against the Spurs (9:30, ESPN), adding that he will play the whole game if that is needed. Los Angeles was 5-2 while he was out with a bruised left shin. … Blazers president Larry Miller said the team has not asked the Lakers for permission to talk to GM Mitch Kupchak. ESPN reported that Portland wants to interview Kupchak for its GM job.

Heat 83, Bulls 72

CHICAGO (72): Deng 5-15 1-4 11, Boozer 4-11 2-2 10, Noah 5-5 5-6 15, Watson 0-3 2-2 2, Hamilton 1-6 4-5 6, Gibson 4-6 1-1 9, Lucas 5-16 4-4 16, Asik 0-0 0-2 0, Brewer 1-6 1-2 3, Korver 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 25-70 20-28 72.

MIAMI (83): L.James 8-18 10-12 27, Haslem 3-9 0-0 6, Pittman 2-4 0-0 4, Chalmers 7-16 1-3 16, Wade 7-16 4-6 18, Anthony 2-2 0-0 4, Miller 1-6 0-0 3, Battier 1-2 0-0 3, Cole 1-3 0-0 2, Jones 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 32-76 15-21 83.

Chicago 23 17 21 11— 72

Miami 27 15 24 17— 83

3-Point Goals—Chicago 2-16 (Lucas 2-7, Watson 0-1, Korver 0-2, Hamilton 0-2, Deng 0-4), Miami 4-13 (Battier 1-2, L.James 1-2, Miller 1-4, Chalmers 1-5). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Chicago 48 (Noah 10), Miami 55 (L.James 11). Assists—Chicago 16 (Watson, Lucas 4), Miami 14 (L.James 6). Total Fouls—Chicago 19, Miami 19. Technicals—Hamilton, Lucas, L.James, Wade, Miami defensive three second. Flagrant Fouls—Wade, Jones. Ejected— Jones. A—20,008 (19,600).

Pacers 118, Bucks 109

MILWAUKEE (109): Delfino 0-1 0-0 0, Mbah a Moute 7-11 1-1 16, Gooden 6-15 3-4 15, Jennings 8-23 10-10 27, Ellis 5-14 2-3 12, Sanders 2-4 0-0 4, Dunleavy 6-12 8-9 23, Udrih 2-4 0-0 5, Udoh 1-4 5-6 7. Totals 37-88 29-33 109.

INDIANA (118): Granger 7-20 11-11 29, West 9-14 3-4 21, Hibbert 5-5 2-2 12, Hill 8-12 4-7 22, George 6-11 2-3 14, Barbosa 4-10 1-1 10, Hansbrough 2-7 0-2 4, Amundson 2-7 0-0 4, Price 0-1 0-0 0, Jones 0-4 2-2 2. Totals 43-91 25-32 118.

Milwaukee 29 21 28 31— 109

Indiana 34 22 33 29— 118

3-Point Goals—Milwaukee 6-20 (Dunleavy 3-7, Mbah a Moute 1-1, Udrih 1-2, Jennings 1-8, Ellis 0-1, Gooden 0-1), Indiana 7-17 (Granger 4-10, Hill 2-3, Barbosa 1-3, George 0-1). Rebounds—Milwaukee 54 (Mbah a Moute 11), Indiana 56 (West 14). Assists—Milwaukee 15 (Ellis 7), Indiana 24 (Hill 8). Total Fouls—Milwaukee 26, Indiana 22. Technicals—Sanders 2, Granger, West. Flagrant Fouls—Barbosa. Ejected—Sanders. A—12,453 (18,165).

Timberwolves 91, Pistons 80

MINNESOTA (91): Johnson 2-6 0-0 5, Randolph 5-10 5-6 15, Pekovic 10-17 3-6 23, Barea 5-12 2-2 13, Webster 1-4 0-0 3, Williams 3-6 5-6 11, Beasley 5-10 3-6 13, Tolliver 0-2 0-0 0, Lee 1-2 0-0 2, Ellington 2-4 2-2 6. Totals 34-73 20-28 91.

DETROIT (80): Prince 7-17 3-5 18, Maxiell 2-6 0-0 4, Monroe 3-7 0-0 6, Knight 2-12 0-0 5, Stuckey 2-8 0-0 4, Villanueva 2-6 0-0 6, Gordon 5-14 3-3 14, Jerebko 2-3 0-0 6, Wilkins 0-3 0-0 0, Macklin 0-0 0-0 0, Bynum 8-15 1-1 17. Totals 33-91 7-9 80.

Minnesota 24 25 19 23— 91

Detroit 16 15 17 32— 80

3-Point Goals—Minnesota 3-15 (Johnson 1-3, Barea 1-4, Webster 1-4, Tolliver 0-1, Williams 0-1, Ellington 0-2), Detroit 7-19 (Jerebko 2-2, Villanueva 2-4, Prince 1-3, Gordon 1-4, Knight 1-4, Bynum 0-2). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Minnesota 57 (Randolph 10), Detroit 50 (Villanueva 12). Assists—Minnesota 24 (Barea 12), Detroit 14 (Stuckey, Prince, Gordon 3). Total Fouls—Minnesota 11, Detroit 21. A—12,458 (22,076).

Hornets 105, Rockets 99 OT

HOUSTON (99): Parsons 1-9 0-0 3, Scola 5-10 1-2 11, Camby 7-10 0-3 14, Dragic 7-15 6-10 23, Lee 5-14 2-3 15, Budinger 8-17 2-2 22, Lowry 0-5 3-3 3, Patterson 4-9 0-2 8. Totals 37-89 14-25 99.

NEW ORLEANS (105): Aminu 6-14 5-6 17, Thomas 2-2 0-0 4, J.Smith 3-8 0-0 6, Vasquez 3-9 1-2 7, Gordon 9-18 8-10 27, Landry 9-13 2-2 20, Ayon 4-5 1-2 9, Henry 0-2 0-0 0, Dyson 0-5 0-0 0, Belinelli 4-10 2-2 13, Watkins 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 41-87 19-24 105.

Houston 29 22 13 23 12— 99

New Orleans 22 21 26 18 18— 105

3-Point Goals—Houston 11-31 (Budinger 4-11, Lee 3-5, Dragic 3-7, Parsons 1-5, Lowry 0-3), New Orleans 4-20 (Belinelli 3-7, Gordon 1-5, Dyson 0-1, J.Smith 0-1, Aminu 0-3, Vasquez 0-3). Fouled Out—Lee, Ayon. Rebounds—Houston 49 (Scola, Patterson 8), New Orleans 65 (Landry, Ayon 10). Assists—Houston 25 (Dragic 8), New Orleans 23 (Vasquez 9). Total Fouls—Houston 24, New Orleans 22. A—18,315 (17,188).

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

Rays vs. Twins

When/where: 7:10 tonight, Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg

TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)

Tickets: $12-$255, available at Tropicana Field box office, Ticketmaster, raysbaseball.com, team Tampa store; $3 surcharge within five hours of game time

Promotion: Evan Longoria Game 162 T-shirt to first 10,000 fans

Probable pitchers

Rays: LH Matt Moore (0-1, 5.54)

Twins:

RH Liam Hendriks (0-0, 1.50)

Watch for …

More Moore: This will be Moore's first start and regular-season appearance at the Trop, and first against the Twins.

Liam I am: Hendriks, 23, rose to the majors from Double A last year and was the Twins' top minor-league pitcher. .

Rays vs. Capps (closer)

Jeff Keppinger 1-for-5, HR

Evan Longoria 3-for-3

Luke Scott 2-for-8, HR

Twins vs. Rodney (closer)

Alexi Casilla 4-for-6

Joe Mauer 3-for-13, HR

Justin Morneau 6-for-13

On deck

Saturday: vs. Twins, 7:10. Sun Sports. Rays — James Shields (2-0, 3.38); Twins — Carl Pavano (1-1, 5.23)

Marc Topkin. Times staff writer

Flashback of the day No. 1

3B Evan Longoria is trying to stay in the present, but it will be a little harder this weekend with several team promotions tied to his Game 162-ending homer last season: T-shirts tonight, figurines Saturday, a "Do the Longo" Facebook photo request. "Obviously it's a great memory, something I'll never forget," he said. "So it'll be fun."

Flashback of the day No. 2

LHP David Price is familiar with new Rays 1B/OF Brandon Allen. Pitching for Double-A Montgomery on July 17, 2008, Price allowed his first pro homers, including two sizable shots to Allen. "Yeah, I remember him," Price said. "He just got moved up, and his first two at-bats: homer, homer." The next night Allen took Jeremy Hellickson deep.

Stat of the day

The last 12 times the Rays have scored 10 or more runs have been on the road. Their last time in double digits at home: Aug. 17, 2010, 104 games ago, the longest such streak since the 1980-82 Jays went 165 home games.

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

TORONTO — Evan Longoria couldn't wait to get to the end of the road.

A good start to the season had quickly turned bad, and between an extended slump at the plate and an unusually bad night in the field, he came into Thursday's finale to the Rays' 10-day, three-city journey with as many hits over his last six games as errors (three). And the Rogers Centre fans, sparse but outspoken, were riding him extensively for it.

But Longoria had the final say, driving in four runs, including a massive homer, to cap the trip with a 9-4 victory over the Blue Jays and send the Rays home with a winning record at 7-6 overall.

"Like I'll always say, it's about winning," the third baseman said. "On a tough road trip, all those day games in a row, all the adversity that we dealt with, to go home with our head above water, so to speak, after a real tough road trip with a two-game winning streak and some good momentum is a big positive."

Longoria took care of the offense, with help from Desmond Jennings, who hit his first homer of 2012 (11th of his career, his sixth against Toronto). Jeremy Hellickson delivered a good-but-not-great start, holding the Jays to three runs (two earned) but working only into the sixth. And of the 10 outs left to the bullpen, J.P. Howell got by far the biggest, retiring Adam Lind on a line drive with the bases loaded to preserve a three-run margin in the sixth.

After losing five of the first six games in Detroit and Boston, the Rays took the finale against the Red Sox and two of three in Toronto to finish the trip 4-6. "A better sounding road trip," manager Joe Maddon said.

After 10 hits in his first 20 at-bats of the season, Longoria had gone cold, with just a 3-for-25 to show for the last week. But he singled in the first to give the Rays the lead; blasted a homer, his first since opening day, to center — the ball striking the façade under the glass of the centerfield restaurant — to extend a 4-3 lead to 6-3 in the fifth; and doubled in a run in the ninth.

"He's definitely going to be there when you need it," Maddon said. "He's not going to be knocked down in any way, shape or form by what's perceived to be a bad day. He's a true professional. He comes ready every day, his work ethic is stellar. So it does not surprise me."

"That's what he can do," first baseman Carlos Peña said. "That's what he does."

Once the Rays got the lead, the challenge was keeping it.

Hellickson was done after walking Yunel Escobar on his 106th pitch in the sixth, his third two-out walk of the night.

"Stupid," Hellickson said.

Maddon plotted to mix and match from there, insisting he would have warmed up three pitchers if there were enough mounds.

He went first to Jake McGee, who allowed a ground ball single to Kelly Johnson. Then Burke Badenhop didn't risk challenging slugger Jose Bautista, walking him on five pitches.

That led to Howell, facing Lind with the bases loaded and the game on the line. Howell got Lind on a liner right at first baseman Peña.

"Anytime I get one of those I'm pretty excited about it," Howell said.

By the end of the night, all the Rays were excited based on the noise coming from their clubhouse. And the relative lack of it from the crowd.

"They're never going to stop," Longoria said. "But to silence them a little bit is a good thing."

Times wires
Thursday, April 19, 2012

Rangers 10, Tigers 3

DETROIT — Yu Darvish pitched two-hit ball into the seventh and Mike Napoli homered for the fourth straight game as the Rangers pounded out 19 hits. Darvish allowed one run over 6⅓ innings in his toughest test since coming over from Japan. This was the longest of his three starts, and the 25-year-old right-hander kept Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder and the Tigers off balance.

Times wires
Friday, April 20, 2012

Phillies 2, Padres 0

SAN DIEGO — Vance Worley struck out a career-high 11 in seven innings and combined with two relievers on a four-hitter for the Phillies, who have beaten the Padres 12 straight times at Petco Park dating to 2008. Overall, the Phillies are 23-4 at the ballpark since it opened in 2004. Dating to Qualcomm Stadium, the Phillies are 25-4 in San Diego. Worley's previous strikeout high was nine against the Mets on Aug. 23. Jonathan Paplebon pitched the ninth for his fourth save.

Times wires
Friday, April 20, 2012

Braves 10, Diamondbacks 2

PHOENIX — Freddie Freeman hit a pair of two-run home runs and drove in five runs, and Mike Minor pitched a career-high eight innings for the Braves. Atlanta scored three runs in the sixth and eighth innings, highlighted by a two-run single by Juan Francisco in the sixth and Martin Prado's eighth-inning, two-run double. Freeman has 10 RBIs in his past three games.

Times wires
Friday, April 20, 2012

Indians 2, Mariners 1

SEATTLE — Jack Hannahan hit a two-run single in the ninth off closer Brandon League and an Indians rally cost Mariners ace Felix Hernandez a win after his dominant outing. Hernandez struck out 12 and walked one. He allowed five hits, three in the eighth, and go a no-decision. Cleveland's Josh Tomlin just about matched the 2010 AL Cy Young Award winner pitch for pitch. In eight innings, Tomlin yielded one run and five hits. He struck out seven, walked none and threw 96 pitches. Chris Perez got the save.

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Friday, April 20, 2012

The situation

The Bucs still consider Josh Freeman a franchise quarterback, despite his struggles last season. He already has a better supporting cast around him heading into his fourth season, with additions such as G Carl Nicks and WR Vincent Jackson, and the team plans to continue that effort in the draft.

If anything, the Bucs are looking to give Freeman a contract extension in the very near future, rather than thinking about replacing him.

Beyond Freeman, the team has made some headway in solidifying the position. It signed veteran backup Dan Orlovsky to a two-year deal last month, adding someone who has seen NFL action but who isn't viewed as a threat to Freeman. Tampa Bay lost backup Josh Johnson when he signed with the 49ers and coach Jim Harbaugh, Johnson's college coach at San Diego

Is Orlovsky a temporary answer as a backup, one who can learn the system and be a viable option when or if Freeman is injured? Or is he little more than a short-term answer in the absence of something better?

Perhaps the team's approach to quarterback in the draft will tell us, though we suspect the Bucs have sufficient confidence in Orlovsky. If the decision is made to draft a late-round, developmental quarterback, it's likely a sign the team is interested in him being the backup for the foreseeable future.

What they're looking for

The details of new offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan's offense remain unknown, but from what we've learned, he seems to emphasize running and will look for opportunistic throws down the field.

Given that, the team likely will want traditional pocket passers rather than some of the spread-option types that dominate college football these days. That doesn't mean a mobile quarterback should be ruled out — Freeman is quite the runner, actually — but it does mean the team is looking for someone willing and able to make throws with five-step drops.

Fitting the bill

The team doesn't see quarterback as a pressing need, but if it opted for one in a later-round, there are some viable options.

Take, for instance, Tennessee-Chattanooga's B.J. Coleman, a classic pocket passer who has worked extensively from under center, unlike a large percentage of today's college quarterbacks. He possesses good size at 6 feet 3, 230 pounds, but there are concerns about his accuracy (he completed less than 58 percent against mediocre competition).

San Diego State's Ryan Lindley is an interesting prospect as a late-round pick or an undrafted free agent. He also has ideal size at 6-3½, 230, and has worked in a pro-style offense, too. The biggest question is whether he can be more accurate after struggling in that regard without his top two receivers as a senior.

The top 10

Best guess

The Bucs have too many pressing needs to pick a quarterback in the early rounds. But it's very possible and, perhaps, likely that they would acquire one in the later rounds or look for an undrafted free agent.

Stephen F. Holder, Times staff writer

By Andy Warrener, Times Correspondent
Friday, April 20, 2012

TAMPA – From the outset, the Class 4A, District 6 track meet was a three-team competition.

Plant, Alonso and Wharton high schools traded blows through the field events. Alonso dominated the jumping, while Wharton ruled the hurdles and Plant owned the distance-running events.

But as Wednesday's meet at Leto High wore on, the Plant Panthers began to pull away. Its boys team finished with 184.5 points, topping Alonso's 151.5 total. The Plant girls scored 166.5, putting them on top of Wharton (135.5) and Alonso (127).

Alonso junior Quatasia Fantroy was unstoppable, claiming the district championship in the long jump (18 feet, 4.75 inches), triple jump (38 feet, 8.5 inches) and 200-meter dash (24.89 seconds). Teammate and senior Jordan Davis won the boy's long jump (22 feet, 7.5 inches) and triple jump (42 feet, 8 inches.)

Another notable individual performance came from Plant senior Michael Dvornik, taking both the shot put (47 feet, 5 inches) and discus (152 feet, 4.75 inches). The Panthers got some help from some other athletes from the football team — senior Antonio Crawford came in second in the 100-meter dash — but it was the distance runners who carried the Panthers to victory. The Plant girls took first and third in the 1,600-meter run, swept all four spots in the 3,200-meter race and took the top three spots in the 800-meter run. The boys took first, second and fourth in the 1,600- and 3,200-meter races. The girls 4x800-meter relay team broke a 16-year-old school record with a time of 9 minutes, 28 seconds.

"We knew from last year, with three runners returning … we had a shot at that school record," Panthers coach Roy Harrison said.

The unofficial "fastest man" at the meet was Tampa Bay Tech junior Deontae Williams. He won both the 100-meter (10.78 seconds) and 200-meter (22.12 seconds) dashes.

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Friday, April 20, 2012

The suspense is pretty much over. There's virtually no mystery remaining when it comes to the top two picks in next week's NFL draft.

But what remains unanswerable is this question: How will Stanford's Andrew Luck and Baylor's Robert Griffin III fare as NFL quarterbacks?

Clearly, NFL evaluators think they'll be highly successful. But there are no sure things, even when it comes to players who look to have the potential to be transcendent.

"No one likes to talk about it, but you can go and find coaches and general managers in the league back in '98, and they won't tell you how much they liked Ryan Leaf," said Colts owner Jim Irsay, whose team owns the No. 1 pick and is expected to draft Luck.

"But I'm telling you, they did. More than you think they did."

Most know the sad tale that is Leaf's career. The No. 2 pick by the Chargers behind Peyton Manning by the Colts in 1998, Leaf was a bust of historic proportions, playing four seasons and throwing 14 touchdown passes and 36 interceptions. He has since battled drug addiction and currently is facing burglary and drug charges in Montana.

No one expects Luck or Griffin — who almost certainly is headed to the Redskins with the No. 2 pick — to have that kind of outcome. But success is never a guarantee.

So what will it take to help ensure that Luck and Griffin become transformative franchise quarterbacks?

Surround them with talent

The Colts and Redskins must understand these quarterbacks can't be one-man shows. For the Colts, after finishing 2-14 in 2011, reworking their offensive lineup should be a high priority. Luck has few of the advantages that his predecessor, Manning, enjoyed for years.

"The Colts are a lot different team now than they were five years ago," said former Bucs coach Jon Gruden, now an ESPN analyst. "Not only do they have to address needs in the draft, they have to continue to do that after the draft and into free agency. Obviously, a quarterback's success rate is largely dependent on those around him.

"They've got to (improve) their personnel, no question. (Wide receiver) Marvin Harrison's gone. (Receiver) Reggie Wayne is at a different stage of his career. I don't know who the featured back is going to be."

The Redskins made an effort to upgrade offensively ahead of Griffin's arrival by picking off one of the Colts' key offensive weapons, receiver Pierre Garcon. He signed a $42 million contract last month. Washington also added 49ers free agent receiver Josh Morgan.

Shoring up the offensive line is a critical element for young quarterbacks to avoid a David Carr scenario. The 2002 No. 1 overall choice was sacked nine times in his second career game with the Texans, and things never got much better. He was a backup with the Giants last year.

Colts coach Chuck Pagano says his team must "get the line solidified" so Luck isn't "getting his brains beat out" like Carr.

The right coaching and scheme

During the draft, it's often debated whether a player has landed in "a good situation." The answer is most critical when the player in question is a quarterback.

Luck will be coached by former Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians, under whom Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had arguably his best season in 2009. Arians, hired in January, is expected to bring some of the more successful elements of the Pittsburgh offense. Luck figures to be in good hands.

The same appears true for Griffin, the Heisman Trophy winner in 2011, who will be under the tutelage of Redskins coach Mike Shanahan. It's an ideal fit, Gruden said.

"I think it's really exciting for the Redskins and Mike Shanahan because of his expertise with mobile quarterbacks," Gruden said. "Some of the best tapes that I've ever studied was Mike Shanahan and John Elway in Denver.

"And what Mike did in San Francisco with Steve Young, another mobile quarterback, those were as good as offensive tapes as I've ever seen. So, I think when you get Robert Griffin, one of the most explosive quarterbacks to ever play the position, in a Mike Shanahan system, the possibilities are very exciting."

Some defensive help

A top-flight quarterback can cover up many warts, but he cannot play defense. A lack of defensive consistency inevitably will put a quarterback in situations where his chances for success plunge.

Take the Cam Newton example. Carolina's No. 1 pick in 2011, Newton had a record-setting rookie season. The Panthers averaged 25.4 points and ranked seventh offensively in yards per game.

None of that mattered. The defense didn't get stops, and Carolina finished 6-10.

Neither the Colts nor Redskins have stellar defenses, though both are working on improving their units.

Defense is just one thing on a long list of things their quarterbacks will need to live up to their lofty expectations.

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

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer


Friday, April 20, 2012

TAMPA — Even now, months before preseason camp starts, there is an urgency around the USF football program, one that might not have been there in past springs.

As the Bulls seek to put the disappointment of last season's 5-7 record behind them, a group of senior leaders has coach Skip Holtz encouraged about the focus of his team, even for something as informal as tonight's spring game at Raymond James Stadium.

"The fire, the attitude, the energy and passion they've taken into every practice this spring, I think it's been a great motivating factor," Holtz said Wednesday after his final regular practice of the spring. "Not just the close losses or how close we were (last year), but the result of the season. The seniors have really rallied behind it: This is not how we're going to do it. That's not how we're going out as seniors."

Holtz likes that he hasn't had to motivate his team much this spring, having seen a daily drive from the players, especially an experienced core of leaders including quarterback B.J. Daniels (33 career starts) and linebacker Sam Barrington (25), two of seven players with at least 20 career starts.

"I feel like that's going to take us a lot of places this fall and this summer in offseason workouts," Barrington said. "That's part of what this senior class is: We're unselfish, we're dedicated, we're hard-working.

"We want to be USF's first 10-win team. We want to get to a Big East championship. I know that's something all the teams here in the past have preached about, but we want to be the team that goes out and does it."

Holtz simplifies the progression of a college football player's goals, saying freshmen and sophomores want to play, juniors want to start and seniors just want to win. With seniors at nearly every position, Holtz has a veteran presence he didn't have in those close losses last season.

"This is what you wait for … when you look at the leadership we have at quarterback, at running back, at tight end, on the offensive line, at linebacker and D-line," Holtz said.

"We have a lot of seniors that have played a lot of football, and this is their last go-around. This is their last opportunity. … That sense of urgency is what makes seniors so fun to coach."

Daniels, entering his fourth year as a starter, always has evaluated his success based on his ability to lead his team to victory, and that's an area with room for a big step forward, having improved himself statistically a year ago, reducing his turnovers from previous seasons.

A year ago he was the first non-senior co-captain Holtz has had as a head coach, and that role will increase this season.

"You have to lead by example first before you can open your mouth, because you won't be credible if you're just out there talking," Daniels said.

"All of us have been a part of great things in the history of the program. It's always been high on our list to win, but now, for the seniors, our backs are up against the wall. There is no next year. There's no 'We can rebuild.' This is it."

For all that urgency, there's still a sense of fun heading into today's scrimmage. A week ago, the offense piled up 10 touchdowns in a scrimmage at Corbett Soccer Stadium while losing only one turnover, so Daniels has been hearing all week from a defense determined and ready to step up today. He's confident enough to return fire with swagger of his own.

"Beat up on the defense. Point blank. Period," Daniels said when asked about his goals for the offense tonight. "You can tell them I said it. Ten (touchdowns) is a minimum."

By Bill Hardman, Times Correspondent
Friday, April 20, 2012

What's hot: The last couple of storm fronts have brought rough surface conditions, but underwater visibility has been stellar. This week we had divers in depths from 30 to 70 feet just west of Sarasota and John's Pass, and the visibility was good from top to bottom. We found more fish in 30-40 feet. However, keeper-sized red grouper didn't start to show up until we were in depths exceeding 65 feet. Hogfish and snapper are still occupying most of the ledges and rock piles.

Follow the bait: It's the same old rule: "Find the bait, and you find the fish." We dived two ledges about a mile apart, and the only difference was one had a good bait contingent and the other was void of bait. The ledge without the bait was a virtual ghost town. The ledge with the good bait pods held plenty of fish and spearing opportunities.

Spearing in bait pods: Finding big bait pods on a dive site can work to your advantage. The distraction caused by the chaos of the flickering bait can cover your presence. Slowly move around the edges of the bait and watch for larger fish attacking. When you catch one offguard, be ready for the shot. Lineshafts are a must when using this technique.

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 Don Jensen, Times Correspondent
Friday, April 20, 2012

OLDSMAR — He has a mind of his own, the heart of a warrior and the legs of a frisky thoroughbred.

Stumbling Block is a Midwest Thoroughbreds marvel. At 9 years old, he may have lost a stride or two. But the gelding trained by Jamie Ness has found the fountain of youth at Tampa Bay Downs.

"(Stumbling Block) is 9 going on 3," Ness said. "He does not look like a 9-year-old, nor does he act like a 9-year-old. He's big and strong. The last time I ran him (March 25), I must have had five other trainers in the race comment on how beautiful he looked."

Bred in Illinois by Team Block, Stumbling Block can take possession of the track's win lead today in Race 2 (12:55 p.m.). He is tied with stablemate Kitty City, each with five victories. Stumbling Block's lone loss this meet was by a nose on Tampa Bay Derby day.

A lifetime earner of $372,824, Stumbling Block is a distance runner with uncanny durability. He has 72 career starts with 20 wins, all at distances between 1 and 1 3/8 miles. Only once in his seven-year career has Stumbling Block missed substantial time. A suspensory ligament issue in 2010 sidelined him for nine months.

Racing against predominantly allowance, claiming and handicap company, Stumbling Block has started at eight tracks in five states, won on three surfaces (dirt, synthetic and turf) and been ridden by 29 jockeys.

He has been claimed eight times (ranging from $5,000 to $35,000), and had 11 owners and eight trainers. Richard and Karen Papiese, the Illinois-based owners of Midwest, have purchased him three times, most recently in October for $5,000. Daniel Centeno, who has more wins than any jockey on Stumbling Block, goes for his seventh victory in 12 tries today.

Ness has served two stints as Stumbling Block's trainer. Together they have 14 wins from 29 starts.

"Of all my horses, he is the hardest horse to ride," Ness said. "He does not like to be down inside of horses. He always races out in the middle of the track and comes for home, flying on the outside. If he would run inside, I just don't know how many races he would have won."

Stumbling Block is by 1991 Grade III Clark Handicap winner Out of Place and from the Prized mare Taxable Deduction.

"Most older horses have physical issues that hamper their training style," Ness said. "They don't get as good because they don't have the young, sound legs.

"But actually (Stumbling Block) does. He is a warrior and is as solid a horse as I've got in the barn. I've got him on a routine that he does the same thing every day. I think that's why he does so good with us."

When he retires, Stumbling Block will reside at the Papieses' farm in Anthony. "He is one of my favorites," Ness said.

Times wires
Friday, April 20, 2012

Reds 9, Cubs 4

CHICAGO — Drew Stubbs drove in three runs as the Reds became the sixth team with 10,000 wins. They have lost 9,710 games since their 1882 founding. The others: Giants (10,529-9,040 since 1883), Cubs (10,314-9,790, 1876), Dodgers (10,228-9,281, 1884), Cardinals (10,205-9,494, 1882) and Braves (10,043-10,032, 1876).

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Friday, April 20, 2012

tom jones' two cents

Try following this. Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said he knows the team's star center, Dwight Howard, wanted him fired. Howard said that isn't true. But now Howard says he can't play for Van Gundy because Van Gundy said Howard wanted him fired. Confused?

Who's right? Who's wrong? Who cares? The Magic should fire Van Gundy and trade Howard. Blow the whole thing up and start over, seeing as how neither Van Gundy nor Howard has led a championship parade down Main Street at the Magic Kingdom.

The whole Howard-Van Gundy feud got us thinking about other great coach-player feuds. Here are some of our favorites.

Magic Johnson vs. Paul Westhead

Johnson, top right, was a rookie when the Westhead-coached Lakers won the NBA title in 1980, but this partnership did not have a happy Holly­wood ending. By the 1981-82 season, Johnson was bored by the Lakers' methodical offense and demanded a trade. A day later, while the Lakers were riding a five-game win streak, Westhead, below, was fired and replaced by Pat Riley.

Who was right? Johnson ran off Westhead, but history shows the Lakers made the right move. They won four championships and reached the Finals two other times over the next seven years. Westhead, meantime, had marginal success at the college level but never again had a big impact at the NBA level.

Jay Cutler vs. Josh McDaniels

McDaniels, top, took over as Broncos coach in 2009 and immediately tried to trade Cutler, the starting quarterback, so he could bring in Matt Cassel from New England. Neither trade went through. Uh, awkward. Cutler, naturally, was ticked and said he no longer wanted to play for a guy who tried to trade him. Cutler soon was traded to Chicago.

Who was right? Well, the next season, Cutler's Bears and McDaniels' Broncos both missed the playoffs. McDaniels lasted two seasons in Denver before being fired. Cutler hasn't done anything super special with the Bears, but at least he's still a starting quarterback. McDaniels is back with the Patriots again as an assistant.

Latrell Sprewell vs. P.J. Carlesimo

Carlesimo, below, was a superb college coach at Seton Hall. But apparently, his college way didn't sit well with NBA star Latrell Sprewell while the two were with Golden State in 1997. That's when Sprewell choked Carlesimo for more than 10 seconds during a practice. Carlesimo was left with bruises around his throat while Sprewell was suspended for the rest of the season and never played again for the Warriors.

Who was right? Forget Carlesimo's abrasive coaching style. No one can possibly condone putting your hands on someone the way Sprewell did. Besides, we would never side with a guy who once turned down a three-year, $21 million contract offer by saying, "I've got a family to feed."

Ron Heller vs. Ray Perkins

Heller, top, a former Bucs offensive lineman, and Perkins didn't, technically, have a feud. But they did have one well-known dustup. In 1987, while the Bucs were in the midst of an eight-game losing streak, they trailed the Saints 28-10 at halftime. Trying to inspire his teammates, Heller told everyone not to quit. All Perkins heard was "quit'' and went after Heller. Reportedly, Perkins threw punches while Heller did not.

Who was right? It's always best to turn the other cheek, especially if you're wearing a helmet. Perkins ended up busting his thumb on Heller's helmet in the brouhaha.

Reggie Jackson vs. Billy Martin

One of the more entertaining player-manager feuds ever. They are best known for their 1977 showdown during NBC's Saturday Game of the Week. In a game at Fenway Park, Martin, right, the Yankees skipper, believed Jackson loafed after a ball in rightfield and pulled him out of the game in the middle of an inning. The two then squared off in the dugout, although no punches were thrown because Martin was held back by coaches. Lucky for him. Jackson might have knocked him out.

Who was right? Neither, really. Both had egos the size of Manhattan. Martin remained the manager for the rest of the season, and the Yankees won the World Series thanks, in part, to Jackson's legendary three-homer game in the clinching Game 6.

Lenny Randle vs. Frank Lucchesi

Older baseball fans will remember in 1977 when Randle lost his starting second base job with the Rangers to Bump Wills, then whined about it to the media. Lucchesi, above, an old-school manager, said, "I'm tired of these punks saying, 'Play me or trade me.' " That didn't go over well with Randle, who punched out Lucchesi, giving him a broken jaw and a concussion.

Who was right? We can't side with anyone who resorts to violence. Randle was suspended 30 days then traded. Lucchesi eventually was fired and even sued Randle, claiming the mess led to his firing. The case was settled out of court.

John Elway vs. Dan Reeves

Elway, top, and Reeves combined to lead the Broncos to three Super Bowl appearances in four seasons, 1986-89, but they never won the whole shebang. Their relationship began to deteriorate when Reeves fired offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan, who was close with Elway, after the 1991 season. A few months later, the Broncos used their first-round pick to take quarterback Tommy Maddox.

Who was right? Ultimately, Elway got the last word. Reeves was fired by the Broncos. Later, Shanahan returned to take over the Broncos. And he and Elway won two Super Bowls, including Super Bowl XXXIII against the Falcons and coach … Dan Reeves.

tom jones' two cents

Times wires
Friday, April 20, 2012

BOSTON — Eric Chavez hit two of the Yankees' five homers as they beat the Red Sox 6-2 Friday. Chavez had only six at-bats before Friday, when he played third with Alex Rodriguez the DH.

"I relish any time I get put in the lineup," he said.

Boston has lost four in a row, being outscored 31-8. Clay Buchholz allowed all five homers in losing for the first time in 12 starts. He allowed four runs in the first inning of his previous two starts. He gave up only one Friday in the first. But overall, he gave up six.

"He's still building," Boston manager Bobby Valentine said. "He's still getting his feet underneath him."

Ivan Nova, meanwhile, won his 15th straight regular-season start, allowing two runs over six innings.

"He's a monster," said Rodriguez, who hit homer No. 631 to move into fifth all time. "I don't know when people are going to realize that he's a fantastic young pitcher."

New York has nine homers over its past two games.

"You're going to hit home runs every once in a while," said shortstop Derek Jeter, who got his 3,111th hit to pass Dave Winfield for 18th all time. "But we can't sit around and wait for them."

Friday, April 20, 2012

BOSTON — More than 200 former Red Sox players and coaches celebrated Fenway Park's 100th birthday on Friday. The Red Sox won the opener on April 20, 1912, 7-6 in 11 innings over the New York Highlanders (who changed their name to Yankees in 1913).

All living Red Sox players and coaches were invited to the first stadium to reach 100 years. Those in attendance included Pumpsie Green, who became the team's first black player in 1959.

As the players were introduced, they took their positions. Many of the biggest cheers went to players from the 2004 team that ended an 86-year title drought. The biggest went to Terry Francona, the manager of that team who also won the 2007 World Series but was fired after last year.

"Like a Lear jet,'' said Kevin Millar, part of the 2004 team.

Jim Rice opened the Field of Dreams-ish ceremony by appearing from an opening in foul territory in leftfield and walking to his old position in front of the Green Monster. He was followed by more than 200 former Red Sox uniformed personnel, from Don Aase to Bob Zupcic, a steady procession of graying ballplayers in starched white or yellowing jerseys, giving the fans one more chance to cheer for greats Carlton Fisk and Carl Yastrzemski or fan favorites Dennis "Oil Can" Boyd, Bill "Spaceman" Lee, Bill Buckner, Luis Tiant and Nomar Garciaparra.

After taking their positions, the players circled the two oldest, Johnny Pesky, 92, and Bobby Doerr, 94, who were pushed out to second base in wheelchairs.

"It was awesome being able to see all the guys that have played," Red Sox 1B Adrian Gonzalez said. "To be able to say thank you for all the guys who paved the way, it was pretty special."

Caroline Kennedy, daughter of President John Kennedy, took part in a ceremonial first pitch from the first-base box seats, 100 years after her great-grandfather, Boston Mayor John Fitzgerald, did the same.

The ceremony ended with Millar and Pedro Martinez, also part of the '04 team, leading a grape juice toast from the top of the Boston dugout.

A-Rod passes Griffey: Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez hit his 631st homer, moving ahead of Ken Griffey Jr. for fifth all time. It came in the fifth against Boston RHP Clay Buchholz.

Contracts: The owners and union agreed to ban future personal-services contracts and milestone bonuses. 1B Albert Pujols' deal with the Angels includes $3 million for reaching 3,000 hits, $7 million for breaking Barry Bonds' homer record and $1 million annually for 10 years after his retirement. The sides were worried about teams getting around the luxury tax.

Canseco signs: OF Jose Canseco, 47, out of the majors since 2001, signed with Worcester (Mass.) of the independent Can-Am league, which starts May 17.

Twitter fine: Indians closer Chris Perez was fined $750 by MLB for a "reckless" tweet about benches clearing twice after hit batsmen against the Royals on April 14. The tweet included, "You hit us, we hit you. Period."

Cubs: RH reliever Kerry Wood, 34, who has an 11.57 ERA in four appearances, went on the DL with right shoulder fatigue.

Yankees: LHP Andy Pettitte, 39, who ended his retirement last month, said he felt "pretty comfortable" after throwing 66 pitches over 5⅔ innings in an extended spring training game in Tampa. He said he expects to go to Double A for his next start.

The 10K club

The Reds on Friday became the sixth team with 10,000 wins. The teams with the year they were founded and record:

* Not including Friday's late game

Times staff, wires
Friday, April 20, 2012

Notre Dame has said defensive end Aaron Lynch is transferring, and a number of reports have him headed to USF, but not if his mother has her way.

Alice Lynch, on her Twitter account, reached out to Giants defensive lineman Justin Tuck, asking the former Irish star to meet with her son and "persuade" him that he's headed in the wrong direction: "Please go to Zahm Hall and tell my son Aaron what a bad decision he is making by leaving ND. Thank you."

Tuck, in South Bend for today's spring game, told the South Bend Tribune he saw the tweet and planned to speak to Aaron Lynch while in town.

"But I am not going to try to convince him that he needs to stay here," Tuck said. "I am just going to see where his mind's at."

As a freshman in 2011, Lynch, who is from Cape Coral, led the Irish in sacks (5½) and tied for third in tackles for loss. He said April 13 he was transferring but would finish his spring academic semester at Notre Dame.

UF in gymnastics final: The Pac-12 set the pace. The SEC answered the challenge.

Defending champ Alabama, top-seeded Florida and Arkansas gave the SEC the top three spots in Friday's second semifinal at the NCAA women's gymnastics championships in Duluth, Ga., after UCLA led the Pac-12's sweep in the first semifinal. The top three from each semifinal advanced to today's team final.

Alabama's 197.675 points edged Florida's 197.650 for the top two scores in either session. Arkansas was third at 197.150.

UCLA, the No. 2 seed, had the top score in the first semifinal, 197.40, and is joined in the final by Utah (197.200) and Stanford (197.125). Utah, a longtime power, is in its first year in the Pac-12.

Florida was led by all-around champion Kytra Hunter's 39.725 points in the four events. The individual event finals are Sunday.

BCS to talk tweaks: SEC commissioner Mike Slive said Monday's meeting of BCS leaders in Hollywood, Fla., will be a "sharing of ideas" about the often-criticized football system. Options up for discussion include tweaks to the current system, a four-team playoff and a playoff that would try to preserve traditional bowl rivalries for the Pac-12 and Big Ten.

Times wires
Friday, April 20, 2012

ST. PAUL, Minn. — A Minnesota Senate committee narrowly approved a public subsidy on Friday to help the Vikings build a new stadium, reviving the team's struggling effort just hours after NFL commissioner Roger Goodell visited the state Capitol to jumpstart what had been a stalled stadium debate.

The Local Government and Elections Committee passed the bill 8-6 after a hearing of nearly four hours. While the stadium bill still faces a long haul in the waning days of Minnesota's legislative session, the vote gave the $975 million stadium proposal new life four days after a companion bill's defeat in a House committee sparked near panic among supporters.

"We're very pleased with the progress and that the bill moved forward," said Lester Bagley, the Vikings' vice president for stadium development. "It's been an up and down week, touch and go."

The setback in the House prompted Friday's visit by Goodell. He and Steelers owner Art Rooney II met in the morning with Gov. Mark Dayton and legislative leaders to stress the urgency of resolving the Vikings' decadelong pursuit of a replacement for the Metrodome.

Though the Vikings will play next season in the dome, their lease has expired. That has raised fears the franchise could get snatched by Los Angeles or another city seeking a team — a prospect Goodell did not exactly squelch.

"They were here basically to say, 'This is it folks,' " Dayton said. Vikings officials, including owners Zygi and Mark Wilf, were not present at the meeting.

SAINTS: The league believes the union is more intent on protecting the players involved in the team's bounty scandal than supporting its members who could have been hurt by the pay-for-pain plan.

Speaking to a group of Associated Press Sports Editors, league counsel Jeff Pash said the NFL Players Association's approach is "unfortunate."

Pash said he expects Goodell to punish players soon.

OBITUARY: Former Falcons safety Ray Easterling, who helped lead the "Gritz Blitz" defense in the 1970s and later filed a high-profile lawsuit targeting the league's handling of concussion-related injuries, died Thursday in Richmond, Va. He was 62. His wife, Mary Ann, declined to release the cause of his death, but she said he suffered from depression and insomnia, and as his dementia progressed he lost the ability to focus.

Times wires
Friday, April 20, 2012

Nationals 2, Marlins 0

WASHINGTON — Rick Ankiel hit his first homer of the season and scored both runs for the Nationals, who ended the Marlins' four-game win streak. Leading off the third, Ankiel hit a 2-and-0 pitch from Carlos Zambrano far over the centerfield wall. In the eighth, Ankiel doubled with one out and later scored on Ian Desmond's single. Zambrano hadn't lost to Washington since May 14, 2005.