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Roller-coaster day ends well for Laird

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Times wires
Sunday, March 27, 2011

ORLANDO — All that stood between Martin Laird and victory at Bay Hill were two putts from inside 90 feet on the 18th hole, which didn't seem that long considering what he already had been through Sunday.

First came a collapse that took him from a three-shot lead to a three-shot deficit in seven holes. He was three shots behind when he walked off the 14th green, two shots ahead as he headed to the 17th tee.

Laird knocked the first putt up to 31/2 feet, then jabbed his fist when he rolled in the par putt to win the PGA Tour's Arnold Palmer Invitational.

"That was a tough fight out there," the 28-year-old from Scotland said. "It was a battle out there, but you know, it makes it even sweeter at the end when I got this trophy."

In the toughest final round on the tour this year, Laird was strong at the end with two birdies and two clutch pars to close with 3-over 75, the highest final round by a winner in the 33-year history at Bay Hill. His final total was 8-under 280.

That two-putt par on the 18th was just enough for a one-shot victory over hard-luck Steve Marino, who lost three shots on two plugged lies in bunkers over the last four holes. Marino followed a double bogey on the par-3 17th with an all-or-nothing shot over the water at the flag to 8 feet on the last hole for birdie and 72.

Laird became the first European to win at Bay Hill. He now heads to next week's Masters for the first major of the year.

Tiger Woods, a six-time winner at Bay Hill, was poised for a second straight top-10 finish until he made bogey from the bunker on the 17th and hit his approach into the water on No. 18 for double bogey and 72. In his final tournament before the Masters, Woods tied for 24th, seven shots behind at 1 under.

"I played well (Sunday). I hit the ball well all day," said Woods, who had three birdies and no bogeys through his first 16 holes.

"This year I felt like I've played my way into shape. I've kept progressing, and early in the year was disappointing because the conditions showed some signs of weakness that I had to work on. Now it's feeling very, very good."

Phil Mickelson dropped three shots on the last five holes for 73 to also finish in a tie for 24th.

LPGA: Former Gator Sandra Gal won the Kia Classic, beating second-ranked Jiyai Shin with a 2-foot birdie putt on the final hole in Industry, Calif. Gal, 25, closed with 2-under 71 to finish at 16-under 276. Shin finished with 73. Seminole's Brittany Lincicome finished the day 2-over 75 and was 3 over for the tournament.


NCAA Tournament: So … maybe VCU will leave happily ever after

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By John Romano, Times Sports Columnist
Sunday, March 27, 2011

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Once upon a time …

Years from now, that is how the story of the 2011 NCAA Tournament will begin. For isn't that how every good fairy tale is told?

Swap hummingbirds for pep bands and an ogre for Jim Calhoun, and the rest will write itself.

We have seen giants slayed and young men cry. We have seen endings that defy belief and characters that renew our faith. And dribbling the ball in the backcourt of Virginia Commonwealth, I swear we have even seen a dwarf.

So …

Once upon a time, the Final Four began without a favorite.

Oh, you may like Connecticut. After all, the Huskies probably have the best player in the nation. And they are the highest remaining seed at No. 3.

But can you really put all of your faith in a team that finished tied for ninth in its own conference during the regular season?

The reality is this is the first time that neither a No. 1 nor a No. 2 seed will be at the Final Four. That means the top eight teams in the tournament were all whacked in the first two weekends of play. Along the way, they were upset by two No. 8s, a No. 10 and a No. 11. Not a single No. 1 or 2 got far enough to play each other.

And while Kentucky and Connecticut have the pedigree of previous champions, one will elimi­nate the other in the semifinals on Saturday night.

So …

Once upon a time, the Final Four welcomed a true Cinderella.

It is not unheard of for a mid major or a low seed to crash the party at the Final Four, but it's extraordinary to see two of them in the same year and on the same side of the bracket.

Butler, meet VCU. VCU, meet Butler. America, meet your fantasy.

One way or another, an underdog is going to play for the national title a week from tonight. And it will be the first time since Villanova in 1985 that a team seeded No. 8 or worse will make it to the championship game.

It could be Butler, which was supposed to take a step backward in the Horizon League in 2011. The Bulldogs were not as dominant as they were last season, when they reached the title game against Duke as a No. 5 seed.

Or it could be VCU, which was supposed to take a step toward the NIT in 2011.

VCU, of course, is the real interloper of the bunch. In the fairy tale, Cinderella was not even supposed to be at the ball, let alone dancing with Prince Charming.

And that's the story of VCU. The Rams were so worried about being left out of the field, they did not even gather to watch the NCAA selection show 15 days ago.

So they weren't there to hear ESPN analyst Dick Vitale shouting that VCU's invitation was an injustice for Virginia Tech and Colorado. He described VCU as Roseanne Barr at a beauty contest. Fellow analyst Jay Bilas called the decision indefensible.

Had the field not been expanded from 65 to 68 teams, VCU might have never made it here because the Rams were among the teams in the new First Four play-in games.

Even on Sunday, in the moments before tipoff, the Rams were being told they did not belong. When the captains of the two teams gathered at midcourt with the referee, VCU senior guards Ed Nixon and Joey Rodriguez got the cartoon-bully treatment from Kansas' twin towers, Markieff and Marcus Morris.

"One of the Morris brothers said, 'Y'all had a good run, but it's time for y'all to go home,' " said Nixon, the St. Petersburg Times All-Pinellas County player of the year out of Lakewood High in 2007. "They were very confident. Maybe too confident.

"They must have thought they were already there."

Yet it was VCU that played like a champion. It was VCU that had the nerve to hit shot after shot from beyond the 3-point line. It was VCU that stepped up to hit free throws. And it was VCU that did not blink when the Jayhawks stormed back in the second half to cut the lead from 18 to two.

And just like Butler against Florida on Saturday, the team from the smaller conference with the younger head coach played a more poised game down the stretch.

"Who is going to be the underdog," Shaka Smart, VCU's 33-year-old coach, said when asked about Butler. "What it does say about college basketball is any very good team from any league can go to the Final Four. You don't have to be one of the BCS conference teams. Over the last 10-15 years, the playing field has evened out a bit.

"So with us and Butler going to the semifinals, it's a game for — I don't want to say the little guys — but the medium-sized guys."

The Rams have embraced the role of underdogs, but they have done it with a wink and a nod. They realize they endangered their own chances by losing five of their final seven regular-season games. And they understand the fourth-place team in the Colonial Athletic Association is not a typical candidate for an at-large bid.

In quiet moments, they will even admit their goal this season was simply to reach the Sweet 16 for the first time in school history.

"Have you ever seen the movie Forrest Gump?" Nixon said, when asked about reaching beyond the Sweet 16 aspirations. "Well Forrest Gump started running. And when he got to the ocean, he said, 'You know what? I'm going to keep on running.' And that's what we're doing. We're going to keep running. Keep fighting."

Forrest Gump may not be a fairy tale, but you get the idea.

This is a story that is almost too good to be true.

So, once upon a time …

Huskies foil Hoyas' startling upset bid

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Times wires
Sunday, March 27, 2011

PHILADELPHIA — Georgetown knows all about Maya Moore and Connecticut's rich postseason history, and the Hoyas were determined to rock the bracket with one of the NCAA Tournament's biggest upsets ever.

Backed into a corner, Moore got some help from fellow senior Lorin Dixon, and the Huskies responded.

Moore had 23 points and 14 rebounds, leading Connecticut to a 68-63 victory after the Hoyas led by seven in the second half of the Philadelphia Region semifinal Sunday.

"Me and Maya decided we didn't want our careers to end here (Sunday)," Dixon said. "That's just a great feeling. I think everyone wanted to continue the tournament."

While Moore put up the numbers, Dixon was the catalyst for the game-changing run.

Connecticut (35-1) trailed 53-46 with 9:36 left but responded with a 16-2 run sparked by the 5-foot-4 guard.

"Today was a great reflection of what she's been doing for the last month for every single day," UConn coach Geno Auriemma said of Dixon, who had four points, four assists and four steals.

Bria Hartley got the spurt started with a 3-pointer and Dixon followed with a layup off a steal. She then had another steal and fed Hartley for an easy lay-in that tied it at 53 with 7:12 left.

Moore then scored four straight and, after Alexa Roche's basket, Hartley capped the run with a 3-pointer that made it 62-55 with 4:03 left.

Monica McNutt's 3-pointer got Georgetown (24-11) within four with 1:41 remaining, but Moore answered with a long jumper from the corner to seal the win.

"My players aren't in these situations very often and it's good to be tested," Auriemma said. "It's easy to be a winner when you're winning. You find out a lot about yourself when you have to go and win. We found out a lot about us today."

DUKE 70, DEPAUL 63: The final seconds ticked down, and the Blue Devils were set for a celebration. They'll get a blockbuster sequel they believe will have a better ending.

Duke will get a second straight shot at winning a region final, and a rematch with UConn to show how far it has come since an embarrassing loss in January.

Karima Christmas had 23 points and nine rebounds, Jasmine Thomas scored 19 and the Blue Devils held on in Philadelphia to reach the region final for the second straight year.

Duke (32-3) earned a rematch against the Huskies on Tuesday night with the Final Four at stake. On Jan. 31, Maya Moore scored 29 as UConn surged to a 41-15 halftime lead in an 87-51 win over Duke.

"That game, we, I can't even explain what happened in the first half," Christmas said. "It just kind of put us in a place where we didn't want to be and didn't expect to be."

The second-seeded Blue Devils did expect a return to the region final a year after they were bounced out by Baylor. They've won nine straight games and are a win away from their first Final Four since 2006.

"It's really a lot of fun," Duke coach Joanne P. McCallie said. "It's not something you reflect on too much right now because you've got a game coming up you've got to get ready for."

Naughton scored 17 for DePaul (29-7).

Dallas Region

TEXAS A&M 79, GEORGIA 38: Aggies coach Gary Blair spent the week making sure his team was focused on the Bulldogs with a possible rematch against Baylor looming in the next round.

Just 10 minutes into the region semifinal, there was no doubt he'd gotten through.

Danielle Adams had 23 points and a career-high 14 rebounds, and Texas A&M built a 31-point halftime lead en route to a spot in the region final.

"Coach Blair and everybody, all the coaching staff just made the point, just to focus on Georgia and not look towards the next game," Adams said.

The Aggies earned the most lopsided NCAA Tournament win in school history. Georgia's 38 points were the second-fewest in region history.

"I kept looking up at halftime and I was telling (people): 'I can't believe it,' " Blair said. "I was telling the officials: 'I don't know what happened.' I've never had an NCAA game like this against this quality of a team."

Texas A&M (30-5) led 13-0 and was up 27-2 with just less than 10 minutes left in the first half. The Aggies raced to the lead thanks to a barrage of 3-pointers and stifling defense that held the Bulldogs (23-11) to a 1-for-14 start.

BAYLOR 86, WIS.-GREEN BAY 76: Brittney Griner had another big game and got some help from freshman point guard Odyssey Sims, and the top-seeded Bears pulled away.

Griner had a career-high 40 points and 10 rebounds and combined with Sims to score all the points in the game-clinching 14-0 spurt for Baylor (34-2), which snapped a 25-game winning streak by the Phoenix (34-2).

The Bears led 52-49 before Griner hit a short baseline shot over two defenders with just more than 13 minutes left. Sims hit consecutive 3-pointers and Griner two free throws and a putback. Sims ended the spurt with a steal and breakaway layup.

"Stuff started clicking for us," Griner said. "We weren't rushing anything."

Butler fans throw Final Four party

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Times wires
Sunday, March 27, 2011

INDIANAPOLIS — Butler prefers old-school basketball and old-style celebrations to all the preseason nonsense.

That's why the Bulldogs wait until late March to hold Midnight Madness.

Hours after earning a second straight Final Four trip, fans moved the party inside historic Hinkle Fieldhouse to get a late-night glimpse of their favorite team, just back from its latest conquest in New Orleans.

"This is better than the Super Bowl," said Suzie McDonald, a Butler grad who brought her 12- and 13-year-old boys and wore a Final Four T-shirt from last year. "We watched guys we knew win the Super Bowl, and this is better because these boys (the Bulldogs) have just been awesome."

Hundreds of fans filtered into the arena between midnight and 1 a.m. Dozens more stayed outside in the cold and wind to trade high-fives and hugs as players got off the bus.

Before that, horns blared through the residential neighborhood and the impromptu pep band played the regular medley of gameday songs.

Why not have some fun?

"We're excited, not by any means satisfied," coach Brad Stevens said. "We're looking forward to next weekend, hope you are. Houston's not that far."

TWICE THE DISMAY: Sitting almost shoulder to shoulder in front of their lockers, Kansas twins Marcus and Markieff Morris never looked over at each other. Markieff picked at a scab on a knuckle. Marcus dropped his head on his forearm.

"I feel like I let everyone down," Marcus said in a low whisper.

He had 20 points and 16 rebounds in Kansas' stunning loss to VCU. Someone pointed out his double double.

"I feel like I let 'em down," Marcus said, his head still dropped.

"We can't take it back," Markieff said, his own voice barely audible. "VCU, they played the better game. They beat us."

The twins are juniors with a decision to make. Asked whether they had decided to declare for the NBA draft or return to Kansas, Markieff said, "I have to sit down and talk to my coaches and family about my future and my brother's future. Whatever happens, it will be the best decision."

HENSON INVISIBLE: During much of North Carolina's loss to Kentucky, the Tar Heels outplayed the Wildcats inside. But they mostly did it without John Henson, the 6-10 forward from Sickles High who was in foul trouble and had only four points.

"This hurts," Henson said. "I feel like I let the team down. There is no consolation in coming this far. For somebody else there might be. We were playing for a championship and this isn't a championship, so there is no consolation."

A NEW FAVORITE: Las Vegas casinos have tabbed Kentucky the latest favorite and are hoping VCU ends its run without a title.

Executive director Jay Kornegay of the Las Vegas Hilton race and sports book said that Kentucky was a 2-point favorite to win its semifinal game against Connecticut, while Butler was a 2½-point favorite over VCU.

Race and sports director Mike Colbert of Cantor Gaming said his books made Kentucky an 8-5 favorite to win the title. Connecticut is next at 11-5, then Butler at 4-1 and VCU at 7-1.

Colbert and Kornegay said a VCU title would be troubling for their casinos given some big bets on the long shots.

OBAMA'S BRACKET: President Barack Obama has come up empty in the Final Four. Like millions of fans, Obama lost his last Final Four team, and his national champion, when Kansas lost to VCU. Obama picked all four No. 1 seeds to reach the Final Four.

MUST BE ALUMS: Two out of ESPN's 5.9 million brackets correctly picked the Final Four of UConn, Kentucky, Butler and VCU. The even more amazing stat? Both have No. 11 seed VCU winning it all.

The best and worst from a weekend of televised sports

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By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, March 27, 2011

St. Petersburg Times staff writer Tom Jones look back at the best and worst from a weekend of televised sports.

Best coverage

Even if you're not a race car fan, you had to be impressed with ABC/ESPN's coverage of Sunday's Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

True, some of the appeal might have been that the race was in downtown St. Petersburg and local viewers could recognize landmarks such as Albert Whitted Airport, Tropicana Field and beautiful Tampa Bay with the sailboats. Residents likely noticed the surroundings more than they would have had the race been in some other city.

Still, everything about the networks' IndyCar coverage is first rate, including the graphics, track-side reporting, replays and announcers, who aren't quite as homerish as NASCAR commentators.

Especially strong moments included:

• All-encompassing coverage of the wreck that damaged several cars on the first turn seconds into the race. Pit reporter Jamie Little got driver Marco Andretti to say the line of the day when he barked, "I think Helio (Castroneves) misjudged his breaking by about a football field.''

• Being able to listen to radio communications between the drivers and their crews, particularly Danica Patrick, who is liable to say anything.

• A story about diabetic driver Charlie Kimball, including a shot of the device in his car that is connected to his body to update him on his blood sugar. Kimball has Type 1 diabetes and constantly has to check his status while racing.

All in all, the broadcast made St. Petersburg look great to nonrace fans and made the race look great to those who love racing. An excellent day for ABC/ESPN.

Worst question

CBS college basketball studio analyst Greg Anthony, top left, does a splendid job, but what an awful question he asked of Butler guard Shelvin Mack on Sunday during halftime of the VCU-Kansas NCAA Tournament Southwest Region final. Anthony asked Mack how he felt when he committed a foul near the end of Butler's tournament victory against Pitt, a foul that could've cost Butler the game. That was a great question … eight days ago, when the game was played!

Less than 24 hours earlier, in the Southeast Region final, Mack played the second half and OT with a badly sprained ankle and scored 27 points to lead Butler's upset of Florida. On Thursday, Mack had 13 points in an upset of Wisconsin. And the first question Anthony had was about something that happened three games ago, not to mention one Mack had answered a hundred times.

Best analysts

Sun Sports did a cool thing last week. During Wednesday's Rays-Phillies broadcast, play-by-play announcer Dewayne Staats worked without analyst Brian Anderson. But he didn't work alone. Sun Sports smartly brought in Rays personnel, each for a half-inning. Executive VP Andrew Friedman sat in the booth for a bit, then Staats was joined from the dugout by manager Joe Maddon, pitching coach Jim Hickey, hitting coach Derek Shelton, pitcher James Shields and others. Staats did an impressive job of calling the game while getting pertinent comments from his guest analysts. It must have been a good idea because it made a spring training game on television interesting.

Most controversial question

Gus Johnson, left, the excitable voice of CBS Sports, caught some grief last week for getting so excited during an NCAA Tournament game that he appeared to have lost track of the score. With BYU and the Gators tied with 14.9 seconds left Thursday, Florida was in-bounding the ball at halfcourt. Johnson asked, "If you're BYU, do you foul?"

Analyst Reggie Miller responded, "No! Why would you foul? It's a tie ballgame."

Analyst Steve Kerr said BYU was playing for overtime.

All in all, Johnson looked bad, as if he thought BYU was behind. But let's think about this for a moment. Could it have been that Johnson's question wasn't a result of him losing track of the score but a good point to at least throw out? BYU seemed out of gas as regulation was coming to an end. Star Jimmer Fredette looked to be running on fumes. Maybe fouling a Florida team that doesn't shoot free throws well wouldn't have been bad strategy: Foul and then go for the win on offense in regulation by hitting a 2 or a 3.

Maybe BYU would have been better off trying to win on offense instead of playing defense in the hope of getting to overtime. And the Gators easily outscored BYU 15-6 in overtime. Johnson always has been a little too dramatic for my taste, but maybe he should be given the benefit of the doubt on his call.

Best tournament

The decision to spread the NCAA Tournament across four networks (CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV) has been a smashing success. This has been the most-watched tournament since 2005, averaging 9.1 million viewers a game. And any concern that Turner's NBA broadcasters would not be able to handle covering college basketball has been silenced.

Reggie Miller, top right, and Steve Kerr, who have been working together, have been especially good on game broadcasts. Both have shown a sense of humor and have been particularly strong on strategy and breakdowns. It's clear both are well-prepared and knowledgeable. In the studio, Kenny Smith, and yes, even Charles Barkley, not only entertain, but educate. Their perspectives, along with the consistently good Greg Anthony, have been fresh and sharp. Give credit, too, to host Greg Gumbel, who has been smart enough to give the three analysts room to spread out but astute enough to rein them in when necessary. It's not easy to work among those personalities, and Gumbel has handled it like an all-star point guard dishing out assists and controlling the tempo.

Best addition

Former Lightning tough guy and grinder Chris Dingman has been a pleasant surprise on Lightning telecasts with his intermission and pre- and postgame work. It's always beneficial to get a former player's perspective, but especially so when that former player isn't afraid to be critical. During the Lightning's recent scoring woes, Dingman has not been afraid to address and even question some of the Lightning's decisions.

It can't be easy for Dingman to do that. He was never a supremely skilled player, and he played with current Lightning stars Marty St. Louis and Vinny Lecavalier. But Dingman has quickly realized he does know the game and he is there to relay that expertise to viewers in a non-sugarcoated form.

Three things that popped into my head

1 I can't wait for the Masters for no other reason than I won't have to watch any more commercials for the Masters.

2 Of the two teams that reached last year's NCAA Tournament title game, Duke and Butler, which one did you think would reach the Final Four again this year?

3 The Tampa Bay area deserves a pat on the back. In the past two weeks it has hosted three major sporting events: the second/third round of the NCAA Tournament, left; the PGA Tour's Transitions Championship, and the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. And all three came through with flying colors.

Wildcats outwork Heels

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Times wires
Sunday, March 27, 2011

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NEWARK, N.J. — With a hard-earned 76-69 victory over North Carolina finally assured inside the final minute Sunday, Kentucky sealed an improbable run to the Final Four with a kiss.

DeAndre Liggins walked to the bench for a timeout and stepped into coach John Calipari's embrace.

"That was celebration time," Liggins called it.

"I kissed him on the forehead," Calipari said of the gesture that spoke volumes about the rush of emotion caused by this Kentucky team's achievement and the affection the coach feels toward his gutsiest player. "I was thinking, he's really sweaty."

This victory — and Kentucky's NCAA Tournament run through Princeton, West Virginia, overall No. 1 seed Ohio State and lastly North Carolina — required buckets of sweat.

"We went from Louis to Robinson to Ali," Calipari said, meaning Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson and Muhammad Ali.

To advance to its first Final Four since 1998 (when the Wildcats rallied past Duke in the region final at Tropicana Field) and set up a meeting with Connecticut, Kentucky had to knock out Ohio State and North Carolina within 72 hours.

Despite the drain of outlasting the Buckeyes on Friday and the well-chronicled six-man rotation, Kentucky took the initiative from the Tar Heels.

"They were really so much more aggressive in the first half," UNC coach Roy Williams said. "Their offense beat our defense. Their defense beat our offense. They were the hungrier team."

Freshman Brandon Knight led the charge with 22 points. His five 3-pointers surpassed the four he'd made in the Wildcats' three earlier NCAA games. Each seemed to come at a critical time, none more so than the last.

With North Carolina completing a game-long uphill climb to tie it at 67 with 3:18 left, Knight swished a 3-pointer from in front of his team's bench.

"That shot Brandon had, I still picture it in my mind," said Tyler Zeller, who led UNC with 21 points. "That was a momentum buster."

After Zeller's tip-in made it a one-point game with 1:56 left, Liggins twice made big plays.

North Carolina point guard Kendall Marshall, so influential that Calipari started Liggins with the expressed order to keep him in check, drove for the go-ahead shot. Liggins came out of nowhere — at least Williams couldn't remember who did it — to block Marshall's shot.

"Kendall Marshall drove by me," Liggins said. "My length gave me the ability to block the shot."

Liggins all but clinched the victory by taking a penetrate-and-pitch pass from Darius Miller and hitting a 3 from the right corner with 35.6 seconds left. That finished a stat-stuffing night for Liggins that included 12 points, four assists and three steals.

Kentucky dictated a slower pace from the start. The Tar Heels' noted fast-attacking transition game netted only two first-half points and finished with 12.

Trailing 38-30, the Tar Heels came out in the second half with a more aggressive defense. After turnovers on the first two possessions, Calipari called timeout with 19:07 left and the lead down to 38-32.

North Carolina tied it at 67 on two Zeller free throws with 3:18 left. That marked the first time since 13:34 was left in the first half that Kentucky did not lead.

About three game minutes later, Calipari was kissing Liggins.

"He didn't kiss me back," the coach advised reporters.

Presumably, all bets are off if Kentucky wins two more games next weekend at the Final Four.

Cleveland Gladiators hand Tampa Bay Storm worst loss in franchise history, 66-26

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By Brandon Wright, Times Correspondent
Sunday, March 27, 2011

TAMPA — If last week was bad, this one was historically bad.

A week after getting doubled up 72-36 at Utah, the Storm didn't fare any better, losing 66-26 in the home opener to Cleveland before an announced 7,939 at the St. Pete Times Forum on Sunday night.

The 40-point defeat was the worst in team history.

"Pretty embarrassing," coach Dave Ewart said.

"I'm just embarrassed about the whole thing."

The first offensive play for the Storm (1-2) proved to be a sign of things to come. Gladiators defensive lineman Tim Cheatwood got pressure on quarterback Mike Potts, who was flagged for intentional grounding in the end zone for a safety.

Potts' woes got only worse

The rookie from William and Mary finished 16-of-30 for 139 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions, one of which Mike Bragg returned 32 yards for a second-quarter touchdown. Potts was lifted for Grant Gregory, a former USF player who started last week against Utah, 48 seconds into the fourth quarter.

Tampa Bay's offense struggled through most of the first half, after which it trailed 39-13. Tampa Bay's first four possessions ended with a safety, two interceptions and a turnover on downs.

"I thought it was a terrible performance," Ewart said of Potts. "I thought Grant came in and at least showed some fire. It was just terrible at best."

It has been a far cry from last season's version of the Storm offense, which set team records nearly across the board.

"Believe me, we would love to have Brett Dietz back. But it ain't going to happen," Ewart said of last season's starting quarterback who did not return to the Arena League. "We have to make some changes, but it's not like I have $50,000 to go buy a player. I have $400. Do you know anybody?"

Michael Lindsey, the Arena League's leading kick returner coming into the game, finally got the Storm on the scoreboard with 8:09 left in the second quarter. He fielded a kickoff the net, cut back across the field and weaved his way through several defenders for a 56-yard touchdown.

Lindsey also returned a kickoff 58 yards for a touchdown with 20 seconds left in the third quarter, his league-leading third score this season.

"I love the return game," Lindsey said. "I just saw the crease, got some good blocks and ran as fast as I could."

As bad as Tampa Bay was offensively, the defense offered little resistance. Cleveland (2-0) scored on eight of its 11 possessions.

On two of the scoreless possessions, the Gladiators were running out the clock in the first and second half.

"We had one, maybe two guys up front getting pressure," Ewart said. "Everybody else was just sucking air."

Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Aqib Talib 'person of interest' in Texas incident with shots fired

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By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Monday, March 28, 2011

Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Aqib Talib is a 'person of interest,' in a March 21 domestic dispute in Garland, Texas, involving his sister and her boyfriend in which several gunshots were fired, but police still haven't determined whether charges could be brought against the Tampa Bay star.

"I will confirm he is a person of interest,'' Garland police spokesman Joe Harn told the St. Petersburg Times Monday. "This is still an open case. Once the detectives have decided, probably later this week, if there are charges that need to be brought against him or not, because of the high-profile interest in this case, we'll have an announcement.''

Talib, who was suspended one game last season for assaulting a St. Petersburg cab driver in 2009, could face further sanctions from the NFL from his involvement in the incident.

Players are subject to the league's personal conduct code during the owner's lockout of players, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said last week. The Bucs are not permitted to have contact with players or their representatives during the work stoppage.

Talib's Atlanta-based agent, Todd France, declined comment.

According to a report in the Dallas Observer , the altercation occurred March 21 near the home of Talib's sister, Saran, 42, in the 900 block of Green Pond Drive in Garland. Talib reportedly attempted to pistol-whip her boyfriend, Shannon Billings, then, following a struggle, used the handgun belonging to his mother, Okolo, to fire several shots at Billings, who fled on foot and was not injured.

Police were initially called by neighbors reporting a domestic dispute. Harn said Monday that Billings, 40, was arrested on a charge unrelated to the incident. "His arrest didn't involve the incident we got a call on,'' Harn said.

Dallas County jail records indicate that Billings was arrested on charges of assault with bodily injury and interfering with an emergency call. Total bond was set at $2,500.

Billings remains in jail and has not posted bail.

Billings is a registered sex offender with the Texas Department of Public Safety. In 1998, he was convicted of sexual assault on a 14-year old girl. Billings was 27 at the time. Billings served probation for the assault.

According to the Observer, Talib, who lives in North Dallas, went to his sister's home around 7:30 p.m. and found her arguing with Billings. Saran reportedly had also called her mother for help and police were notified by neighbors of three shots fired at a black male by a black female.

Billings told police that Tailb produced a handgun and attempted to strike him in the face with it. During the skirmish Talib dropped the gun and Billings picked it up and began running. Okolo then produced a gun and fired three shots toward him. Billings told police that Talib took Okolo's gun, said, "I'll shoot him," and fired at least two shots before Billings safely ducked into nearby woods. The Observer reported that witnesses corroborated Billings' story.

Harn declined to confirm or deny any details in the Observer's story but did say, "I don't know where (the Observer) got all its information.''

On numerous occasions, Talib has had difficulty controlling his emotions, resulting in significant fines from the Bucs and one league suspension.

Shortly after being drafted in 2008, Talib got into a fight with then-teammate Cory Boyd at the NFL's rookie symposium. In May 2009, Talib inadvertently hit former Bucs cornerback Torrie Cox in the face with a helmet, which he was swinging at left tackle Donald Penn during an argument. Cox required stitches to close a facial cut.

Last year, Talib agreed to a deal with prosecutors to resolve a battery charge after he allegedly hit St. Petersburg cab driver David Duggan while Talib was a passenger in his car. Talib had to perform community service hours and attend anger management classes as a part of the deal. He also reached an undisclosed financial settlement with Duggan. Talib received a one-game suspension from the NFL last season for the 2009 incident.

When reached at a charitable event in Valrico, Bucs coach Raheem Morris declined comment.

This latest case could potentially draw the attention of Goodell. Although the NFL's players are currently in the midst of a lockout by team owners, Goodell said last week that he intends to enforce the league's strict personal conduct policy despite the lack of a collective bargaining agreement.

"The personal conduct policy continues," Goodell said at last week's owners meetings in New Orleans. "It applies to everybody in the league. I don't know how it would apply to the players under this circumstance (the lockout), but it's something that I feel strongly about, that we owe to our fans."

It's expected that the league will administer discipline once the lockout ends for violations that occur during the work stoppage.


Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Aqib Talib 'person of interest' after shots fired in Texas incident

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By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Monday, March 28, 2011

TAMPA

Police in Texas describe Bucs cornerback Aqib Talib as "a person of interest" in their investigation of a domestic disturbance last week in which shots were fired.

No arrest has been made, but Garland, Texas, police spokesman Joe Harn said the department is determining whether Talib should be charged in connection with his role in an incident March 21 involving his sister and her boyfriend.

"I will confirm he is a person of interest," Harn told the St. Petersburg Times on Monday. "This is still an open case. Once the detectives have decided, probably later this week, if there are charges that need to be brought against him or not, because of the high-profile interest in this case, we'll have an announcement."

Talib, 25, was suspended one game last season for assaulting a St. Petersburg cab driver in 2009 and could face further sanctions from the NFL from his involvement in the incident.

Players are subject to the league's personal-conduct code during the owners' lockout of players, commissioner Roger Goodell said last week.

The Bucs are not permitted to have contact with players or their representatives during the work stoppage. Bucs coach Raheem Morris declined comment while at a charitable event in Valrico.

According to a blog on the website of the Dallas Observer, the altercation occurred a week ago near the home of Talib's sister, Saran, 43, in the 900 block of Green Pond Drive in Garland. Talib reportedly attempted to pistol-whip her boyfriend, Shannon Billings. After a struggle, Talib used the handgun belonging to his mother, Okolo, to fire several shots at Billings, who fled on foot and was not injured, police said.

Police were called by neighbors reporting a domestic dispute. Harn said Monday that Billings, 40, was taken into custody and arrested two days later on an unrelated charge.

Dallas County jail records indicate that Billings was arrested on charges of assault with bodily injury and interfering with an emergency call. Billings remains in jail after failing to post $2,500 bail.

Billings is a registered sex offender with the Texas Department of Public Safety. In 1998, when he was 27, he was convicted of sexual assault on a 14-year-old girl and served probation.

Talib lives in north Dallas. He went to his sister's home about 7:30 p.m. and found her arguing with Billings, police said. Saran had called her mother for help, and police were notified by neighbors of three shots fired at a black man by a black woman.

Billings told police Talib brandished a handgun and attempted to strike him in the face with it. During the skirmish, Talib dropped the gun and Billings picked it up and began running. Okolo then produced a gun and fired three shots toward him. Billings told police Talib took Okolo's gun, said, "I'll shoot him," and fired at least two shots before Billings safely ducked into nearby woods. The Observer reported that witnesses corroborated Billings' story.

Harn declined to confirm or deny details in the Observer's story but said, "I don't know where (the Observer) got all its information."

Supremely talented but troubled, Talib has been dogged by personal-conduct issues that followed him to the University of Kansas and contributed to his falling in the 2008 NFL draft. He was picked 20th overall by Tampa Bay.

Talib was named the NFL Alumni's defensive back of the year in 2010.

Talib has had difficulty controlling his emotions, resulting in significant fines from the Bucs and one league suspension. Morris has called Talib his "wild child."

Shortly after being drafted, Talib got into a fight with then-teammate Cory Boyd at the NFL's rookie symposium. In May 2009, Talib inadvertently hit former Bucs cornerback Torrie Cox in the face with a helmet, which he was swinging at left tackle Donald Penn during an argument. Cox required stitches.

Last year, Talib agreed to a deal with prosecutors to resolve a battery charge after he was accused of hitting St. Petersburg cab driver David Duggan. He was ordered to perform community service hours and attend anger management classes and reached an undisclosed financial settlement with Duggan. Talib received a one-game suspension from the NFL last season for the 2009 incident.

Last week's shooting incident in Texas could draw the attention of Goodell.

"The personal-conduct policy continues," Goodell said at last week's owners meetings. "It applies to everybody in the league. I don't know how it would apply to the players under this circumstance (the lockout), but it's something that I feel strongly about, that we owe to our fans."

It's expected that the league will administer discipline after the lockout for violations that occur during the work stoppage.

Times staff writer Stephen F. Holder and Times senior news researcher John Martin contributed to this report.

Teen repeats for national title

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By Rodney Page, Times Staff Writer
Monday, March 28, 2011

For the second straight year, St. Petersburg's Danielle Collins won the USTA 18s National Spring Championship in Mobile, Ala. Collins, the sixth seed in the tournament, defeated No. 8 seed Catherine Harrison in the final 6-1, 6-1.

Not only did Collins win the national championship and the gold ball trophy that comes with it, she also won the sportsmanship award.

"So I got to come home with a trophy and a big sportsmanship plaque at the same tournament,'' she said.

Collins, 17, was not coming into nationals with much momentum. At the national open in Tampa two weeks ago, she was bounced out of the tournament early. But she rebounded nicely at nationals.

That could be because she has stepped up her training. Collins is working out at the IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton and with Scott Dei at Isla Del Sol. She no longer attends Northeast High School, where she won a state singles title last year. Collins takes classes online so she can concentrate on her promising tennis career.

"I played so well," Collins told the USTA. "It was different because a lot of my matches in this tournament I was really thinking about it, but (Saturday) I was on a whole other planet.''

More tennis

The Sarmiento's annual Super Series Championships were held on March 12-14 at St. Petersburg Tennis Center. The boys 18 singles champ was Arsav Mohanty, the 16 winner was Alexandru Gozun and the 14 winner was Adam Ambrozy. The girls 18 winner was Agatha Ambrozy, the 16 winner was Marie Bouzkova, the 14 winner was Kyla Nuesa and the 12 winner was Ava Sowell.

• The Bardmoor Super Series was held on March 18-20 at Bardmoor Country Club. The boys 18 singles winner was Damian Gryzelko, the 16 winner was Will Showers, the 14 winner was Bailey Showers and the 10 winner was Nicholas Yale. The girls 18 winner was Katie Pollan, the 16 winner was Alexandra Kitchen, the 14 winner was Rachel Rohrabacher, the 12 winner was Ava Sowell and the 10 winner was Sanyukta Gawande.

• East Lake Woodlands held its senior championships on March 18-20. The men's 45 singles winner was Jimmy Gatza, the 55 winner was Juan Coronel, the 65 winner was Lester Mandelker and the 75 winner was George Pittas.

Golf

The nine-hole women's invitational was held at Belleair Country Club on Thursday. The winners after a scorecard playoff were Joy Porter, JoAnne Schaub, Jill Dodge and Rosarie O'Rourke. Second place went to Laurette Paterson, Pat Watt, Barbara Zaccarroa and Janet Henderson.

Gymnastics

At the prep op and level 7 state championship in Coral Springs last week, Mina Kim of the Tampa Bay Turners was the top all-around gymnast in prep op and Sami Strickler was the top level 7 gymnast. Prep op novice winners were Casey McLaughlin (vault, bars, floor, all-around) and Jessica Beltran (vault, bars). Prep op open winners were Bonnie Barber (bars), Lauren LaPeter (vault, bars, beam, all-around) and Mina Kim (vault, bars, floor, all-around). Level 7 winners were Makayla Adams (bars), Halle Goodwin (beam, floor, all-around), Hannah Mixson (vault, beam, floor, all-around) and Sami Strickler (vault, bars, beam, floor, all-around). Boyle, LaPeter, Kim, Strickler and Goodwin will represent Florida at the regional team competitions.

• Apollo Gymnastics also competed in the prep op state championship. Prep optional winners were Alex Goldsmith (beam), Kaya Susuico (all-around, floor), Meghan Bentley (bars, beam), Jerrica Rubinett (all-around, floor) and Mariah Russo (beam). In Level 7, Sophie Woodward qualified for the regional meet in Atlanta.

• LaFleur's of Largo also competed in Coral Springs. Prep optional winners were Kendal Mierz (floor), Eleni Psaltis (vault) and Katelyn Puttick (vault, bars). Level 7 winners were Hannah Nestler (vault), Skylar Hopkins (vault, bars) and Alexa Mattessich (floor).

If you have a community sports event worthy of recognition, e-mail Rodney Page at page@sptimes.com.

Tampa Bay Rays return Rule 5 pick Cesar Cabral to Boston Red Sox

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Monday, March 28, 2011

The Tampa Bay Rays have returned Rule 5 pick LHP Cesar Cabral to the Red Sox.

Cabral looked impressive at times in camp, but was inconsistent and the Rays were obviously not confident he could handle the jump from Class A to the majors. Cabral cleared waivers and the Rays get back $25,000 of the $50,000 Rule 5 fee.

The move was first reported by Rob Bradford of Boston's WEEI.com

FC Tampa Bay signs three players

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Eduardo A. Encina, Times Staff Writer
Monday, March 28, 2011

TAMPA — With a little less than two weeks remaining until FC Tampa Bay's regular-season opener, the 2011 roster is steadily taking shape.

The team announced Monday it signed three players — defender Omar Jarun and forwards Warren Ukah and Matt Clare — to increase the number of players under contract to 19.

Claire has been in preseason camp as a trialist and scored FC Tampa Bay's tying goal in the 86th minute of a 1-1 preseason tie against Sweden First Division club BK Hacken.

Jarun, who will help fill the void left by the season-ending knee injury to defender Yendry Diaz, played in the Polish First League. He was also a key member of the Vancouver Whitecaps' USL First Division championship team in 2008.

Ukah played the past two seasons with Minnesota and Rochester. He made 11 starts for Minnesota last season.

The contracts for all three include club options for 2012.

In other NASL news, David Downs will be the new commissioner. Downs, who takes over next week, was most recently the executive director of the USA bid committee to draw the World Cup here in 2018 and 2022. Prior to that he spent more than three decades as a TV executive with ABC Sports and Univision.

FC Tampa Bay opens its season April 9 against Montreal at Al Lang Field.

Tonight's Tampa Bay Rays-New York Yankees game cancelled

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Monday, March 28, 2011

Tonight's spring training game between the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa has been cancelled due to inclement weather.

The game will not be made up.

Because of the cancellation, RHP James Shields will throw two innings in a simulated game Tuesday at Tropicana Field, where several Rays will be working out.

RHP Adam Russell and LHP Jake McGee, who were scheduled to throw the second of back-to-back games tonight, will also pitch.

Manager Joe Maddon said calling the game was the right decision, with his only disappointment that tonight was supposed to be a game where the regulars played late into the game.

Maddon said all that means is the regulars, like Evan Longoria, will play deeper into Wednesday's spring exhibition finale at Tropicana Field.

Maddon said those who were scheduled to play tomorrow in Fort Myers still will.

Monday's Tampa Bay Rays-New York Yankees game cancelled

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Monday, March 28, 2011

Tonight's spring training game between the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa has been cancelled due to inclement weather.

The game will not be made up.

Because of the cancellation, RHP James Shields will throw two innings in a simulated game Tuesday at Tropicana Field, where several Rays will be working out.

RHP Adam Russell and LHP Jake McGee, who were scheduled to throw the second of back-to-back games tonight, will also pitch.

Manager Joe Maddon said calling the game was the right decision, with his only disappointment that tonight was supposed to be a game where the regulars played late into the game.

Maddon said all that means is the regulars, like Evan Longoria, will play deeper into Wednesday's spring exhibition finale at Tropicana Field.

Maddon said those who were scheduled to play tomorrow in Fort Myers still will.

Manny Ramirez benefits Tampa Bay Rays in both obvious and residual ways

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Monday, March 28, 2011

PORT CHARLOTTE — After a solid spring in which he impressed with his attitude, hustle and work ethic — not to mention his power, bat speed and overall hitting skills — Manny Ramirez has the Rays thinking big.

Johnny Damon, who has played with and against Ramirez for more than 15 years, said he expects Ramirez to carry the team at times and could "easily" see him logging 20 homers and 100-plus RBIs.

And Rays manager Joe Maddon, eschewing the basic stats, projects Ramirez for an on-base percentage in excess of .400 and an OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage) of at least .850, and possibly over .900. "If he's doing those numbers," Maddon said, "then he's probably being very productive."

And that's when Manny is standing at the plate.

Just having him in the lineup should provide a considerable residual benefit as well.

"There's definitely a Manny trickle-down effect," Maddon said.

"It's amazing," Damon said. "Manny makes any lineup that much better."

Evan Longoria, hitting third with Ramirez fourth, should find out better than anyone, specifically in getting better pitches to hit with Ramirez looming in the on-deck circle.

Without much protection last year given Carlos Peña's struggles, Longoria was pitched carefully and cautiously and, at times, became impatient about it, putting balls in play less forcefully (evidenced by his decline from 33 homers to 22) or getting himself out by swinging at pitches out of his preferred zones.

"I feel more comfortable having him behind me, especially the way he's swinging the bat right now," Longoria said. "He's that threat, that name you need. You say Manny Ramirez's name, you just associate him as a great hitter. That in itself gives me a little bit more confidence going to the plate."

Peña hit behind Longoria more than 100 times last season, and between his historically low .196 average and annoyingly high 158 strikeouts (third in the AL), he didn't provide much help. Nor did Willy Aybar, Matt Joyce or the other six hitters the Rays tried.

"I think it had some impact on last season," Maddon said. "If you reverse the roles and that lineup card comes over to us and you look at (Longoria's) name and then what's hitting behind him, sometimes you're like, 'Listen, boys. Don't let this fella beat you.' You're going to say that in a meeting. I really believe that can not be said this year in a meeting. I really do. And Manny provides that."

Hitting coach Derek Shelton said pitchers "are going to have to attack Longo in the zone more now" knowing Ramirez will follow with a quality at-bat and is likely to put the ball in play in key situations. "So you have to be aware of the fact that he's back there," Shelton said.

There also, Shelton said, should be an educational benefit for Longoria in watching Ramirez hit.

"I think what Manny does probably better than anybody in the game is he controls his at-bats," Shelton said. "He controls the tempo of his at-bats, he controls the pitches he swings at, and it's something he's created over time. This guy's played 17 years and been one of the most productive right-handed hitters of all time. So having Longo be able to do that at his age and watch this guy is going to help. And it's also for someone to talk to who is a like hitter."

Residuals aside, the biggest payoff for the Rays, of course, will be Ramirez's numbers, as the 38-year-old seeks to re-establish himself after two unproductive seasons (28 homers and 105 RBIs combined) abbreviated by suspension and injuries.

Ramirez has refrained from any predictions this spring, saying, "It doesn't matter how it looks; we've got to wait and see how it works outs. … I don't know. I'm just trying to go and prove myself."

Maddon, though, has little doubts.

"Talking to him regularly," Maddon said, "I think he's pretty confident right now actually."

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


Manny Ramirez benefits Tampa Bay Rays in obvious and residual ways

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Monday, March 28, 2011

PORT CHARLOTTE — After a solid spring in which he impressed with his attitude, hustle and work ethic — not to mention his power, bat speed and overall hitting skills — Manny Ramirez has the Rays thinking big.

Johnny Damon, who has played with and against Ramirez for more than 15 years, said he expects Ramirez to carry the team at times and could "easily" see him logging 20 homers and 100-plus RBIs.

And Rays manager Joe Maddon, eschewing the basic stats, projects Ramirez for an on-base percentage in excess of .400 and an OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage) of at least .850, and possibly over .900. "If he's doing those numbers," Maddon said, "then he's probably being very productive."

And that's when Manny is standing at the plate.

Just having him in the lineup should provide a considerable residual benefit as well.

"There's definitely a Manny trickle-down effect," Maddon said.

"It's amazing," Damon said. "Manny makes any lineup that much better."

Evan Longoria, hitting third with Ramirez fourth, should find out better than anyone, specifically in getting better pitches to hit with Ramirez looming in the on-deck circle.

Without much protection last year given Carlos Peña's struggles, Longoria was pitched carefully and cautiously and, at times, became impatient about it, putting balls in play less forcefully (evidenced by his decline from 33 homers to 22) or getting himself out by swinging at pitches out of his preferred zones.

"I feel more comfortable having him behind me, especially the way he's swinging the bat right now," Longoria said. "He's that threat, that name you need. You say Manny Ramirez's name, you just associate him as a great hitter. That in itself gives me a little bit more confidence going to the plate."

Peña hit behind Longoria more than 100 times last season, and between his historically low .196 average and annoyingly high 158 strikeouts (third in the AL), he didn't provide much help. Nor did Willy Aybar, Matt Joyce or the other six hitters the Rays tried.

"I think it had some impact on last season," Maddon said. "If you reverse the roles and that lineup card comes over to us and you look at (Longoria's) name and then what's hitting behind him, sometimes you're like, 'Listen, boys. Don't let this fella beat you.' You're going to say that in a meeting. I really believe that can not be said this year in a meeting. I really do. And Manny provides that."

Hitting coach Derek Shelton said pitchers "are going to have to attack Longo in the zone more now" knowing Ramirez will follow with a quality at-bat and is likely to put the ball in play in key situations. "So you have to be aware of the fact that he's back there," Shelton said.

There also, Shelton said, should be an educational benefit for Longoria in watching Ramirez hit.

"I think what Manny does probably better than anybody in the game is he controls his at-bats," Shelton said. "He controls the tempo of his at-bats, he controls the pitches he swings at, and it's something he's created over time. This guy's played 17 years and been one of the most productive right-handed hitters of all time. So having Longo be able to do that at his age and watch this guy is going to help. And it's also for someone to talk to who is a like hitter."

Residuals aside, the biggest payoff for the Rays, of course, will be Ramirez's numbers, as the 38-year-old seeks to re-establish himself after two unproductive seasons (28 homers and 105 RBIs combined) abbreviated by suspension and injuries.

Ramirez has refrained from any predictions this spring, saying, "It doesn't matter how it looks; we've got to wait and see how it works outs. … I don't know. I'm just trying to go and prove myself."

Maddon, though, has little doubts.

"Talking to him regularly," Maddon said, "I think he's pretty confident right now actually."

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

Tampa Bay Lightning working to help players stay fresh

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By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Monday, March 28, 2011

TAMPA — Remarkable, isn't it, what a couple of days off will do.

Just ask Lightning wing Marty St. Louis, who did not skate Wednesday and was told by coach Guy Boucher to stay away from the St. Pete Times Forum on Thursday.

"It definitely rejuvenated me these last two games," St. Louis said of the weekend back-to-back against the Hurricanes. "Physically and mentally I felt a lot better than I have in a long time."

There has been plenty of discussion about the causes of Tampa Bay's 3-6-4 skid.

Though St. Louis on Monday was clear this was only one of several factors, he said, "At one point we kind of hit a wall."

As in players were tired? "I don't disagree with that," he said.

Perhaps it is not a coincidence, then, Boucher said that as the regular season winds down ahead of an expected playoff berth, "We're not going to be on the ice very often, that's for sure."

And when the team does practice, he added, "You kind of manage the minutes and intensity."

Quite a difference from when hourlong, game-speed practices were the norm to prepare for playing a system predicated on wearing down opponents.

The question is, did the pace also wear down the Lightning?

Boucher said he does not believe so: "If everybody was showing me the same thing, then I would say yes. But that's not the way it is. We have guys playing well and guys who are not, so it's different for everybody."

Boucher gives players at least one day off a week and, for the most part, has done away with game-day skates.

"We get a lot of rest, probably more than any team in the league," center Dominic Moore said. "We're in much better shape physically and mentally than probably a lot of other teams."

St. Louis, too, said Boucher is "good" at helping players stay fresh. And with the team four points from clinching a playoff spot, he is not advocating change.

"Why would you change anything?" he said. "Look where we are. We're a good team."

He's just saying: "We've always talked about playing playoff-style hockey from Day 1. We're trying to build the culture that we bring that. That's very demanding physically and mentally.

"This is a new (coaching) staff, a lot of new players. It's a new team, and when you go through it, especially when you're having success, you get wrapped up in it and you forget how hard it is. At one point we kind of hit a wall."

There is more to it, of course. Forwards played more minutes because of injuries to Vinny Lecavalier, Steve Downie, Simon Gagne and Ryan Malone that caused each to miss double-digit games.

Losing also feeds on itself.

"It puts you on your heels," St. Louis said.

Cutting back practices is a way to get players back on their toes.

St. Louis, whose average 21:09 of ice time is fourth among league wings, center Steven Stamkos, with three goals in 21 games, and Lecavalier had Monday off ahead of tonight's game with the Senators.

Boucher said other players will sit out practices, which will be somewhat less demanding.

It seemed to help during Saturday's 4-2 win at Carolina.

"We play harder than anybody," Boucher said. "We work harder than anybody. We wore teams down. We went back to that against Carolina, and I'm going to be the judge and the guy who is going to condemn whoever doesn't go along with that."

As general manager Steve Yzerman said, "You don't conserve energy. You go out there and try to win every game."

Damian Cristodero can be reached at cristodero@sptimes.com.

Dr. Remote

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By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Monday, March 28, 2011

MLB Tonight: 6 p.m. on MLB Network. This show will break down the American League, including predictions for the 2011 season.

EA Sports Golf Preview: 8 p.m. on Golf Channel. Interview with Tiger Woods as well as features on young stars Rickie Fowler, Hunter Mahan, Graeme McDowell, Louis Oosthuizen and Martin Kaymer.

Cardboard Treasure: 10 p.m. on MLB Network. A look at the 60-year history of Topps, the famous trading card company.

Captain's Corner: Hit hard-bottom areas to target red grouper

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By Steve Papen, Times Correspondent
Monday, March 28, 2011

Offshore targets: Shallow-water grouper will be open in federal waters Friday. So we will target red grouper and scamp grouper in depths of 120-160 feet. Look for red grouper to feed on outside edges of hard-bottom areas. Bait of choice will be live pinfish and frozen sardines. Using larger pinfish and grunts will make it easier to keep red snapper off the bait, as a sardine is much easier for them to eat.

Other species: Yellow-tail snapper are still around on many types of bottom. The key to catching them is downsizing tackle and the right bait. Rigs that work well include the standard fish-finder and the knocker. Use the smallest lead possible because these snapper tend to rise into the water column when feeding. Snapper will eat sardines cut into small chunks, but live shrimp get their attention faster.

Cobia: In the early spring, cobia migrate through our area. Have a rod ready with a big bucktail jig or an eel impersonator. Look in bait pods near channel markers and wrecks or with large southern stingrays. Cobia mate for life, so make sure to have other bait in the water because the partner of a hooked fish will likely be under the boat.

Steve Papen charters out of Indian Shores and can be reached at fintasticfishingcharters.com or (727) 642-3411.

Georgia Tech hires Dayton's Gregory as coach

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Times wires
Monday, March 28, 2011

ATLANTA — Georgia Tech hired Dayton coach Brian Gregory on Monday to rebuild its program, which fell on hard times after reaching the national championship game in 2004.

"Brian Gregory is not only an outstanding basketball coach, but he is a tireless worker and recruiter who cares deeply about his players," Georgia Tech athletic director Dan Radakovich said. "There is no question that he will succeed as basketball coach at Georgia Tech, and he will win by doing things the right way."

Paul Hewitt was fired after his fourth losing season in six years.

Gregory received a six-year, $6 million contract. He said all the tools are in place to restore the Yellow Jackets to national prominence, including a strong recruiting base, membership in the ACC and a prominent history that he plans to tap into.

"We need to reconnect and re-engage with our former players," he said. "Their blood, sweat and tears made our program what it is today."

In the middle of Gregory's introductory news conference, Iman Shumpert, the team's leading scorer, tweeted that he would test his NBA options. He hasn't hired an agent, meaning he could return for his final year. Shumpert later said he didn't know the players would be meeting Gregory and that he had reached his decision before Gregory was hired.

Gregory, 44, coached Dayton for eight seasons, going 172-94 with two NCAA appearances, reaching the second round in 2009 with an upset of West Virginia. Dayton won the NIT in 2010, beating North Carolina in the title game.

Dayton had one losing season under Gregory and won at least 20 games five times.

Michigan: Guard Darius Morris asked the NBA to assess where he would be selected and tell him by April 18, a week before the deadline for underclassmen to declare themselves eligible for the draft. The 6-foot-4 sophomore led Michigan last season with 15 points and 6.7 assists.

Michigan State: Center Garrick Sherman is transferring, saying he needs a fresh start. The sometimes-starter averaged three points and 2.6 rebounds last season as a sophomore.

Tennessee: Cuonzo Martin was introduced as coach, saying he weighed the Vols' possible NCAA punishment against "a great opportunity," and said he had no reservations. School officials will go before the NCAA's Committee on Infractions on June 10-11, with final word on the punishment likely coming in the fall. Martin gets a five-year deal guaranteeing $1.3 million plus bonuses related to the team's success.

ucla: Forward Tyler Honeycutt plans to sign with an agent and enter the NBA draft, giving up his final two years of eligibility. The 6-foot-8, 188-pounder from Los Angeles averaged 12.8 points and 7.2 rebounds this season.

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