Times staff
Thursday, April 26, 2012

Best of the rest

QUARTERBACKS

Brock Osweiler, 6-7, 242, Arizona State

Kirk Cousins, 6-3, 214, Michigan State

Nick Foles, 6-5, 243, Arizona

Russell Wilson, 5-11, 204, Wisconsin

B.J. Coleman, 6-3, 233, UT-Chattanooga

Ryan Lindley, 6-3, 229, San Diego State

Running backs

Lamar Miller, 5-11, 212, Miami

Ronnie Hillman, 5-9, 200, San Diego State

LaMichael James, 5-8, 194, Oregon

Bernard Pierce, 6-0, 218, Temple

Bobby Rainey, 5-8, 205, Western Kentucky

RECEIVERS

Stephen Hill, 6-4, 215, Georgia Tech

Brian Quick, 6-3, 220, Appalachian State

Coby Fleener (TE), 6-6, 247, Stanford

Dwayne Allen (TE), 6-3, 255, Clemson

Orson Charles (TE), 6-2, 251, Georgia (Plant HS)

Mohamed Sanu (WR), 6-2, 211, Rutgers

OFFENSIVE LINE

Mike Adams (T), 6-7, 323, Ohio State

Jonathan Martin (T), 6-5, 312, Stanford

Cordy Glenn (G/T), 6-5, 345, Georgia

Bobby Massie (T), 6-6, 316, Mississippi

Peter Konz (C), 6-5, 314, Wisconsin

DEFENSIVE LINE

Andre Branch (DE), 6-4, 259, Clemson

Jerel Worthy (DT), 6-2, 308, Michigan St.

Vinny Curry (DE), 6-3, 266, Marshall

LINEBACKERS

Lavonte David, 6-1, 233, Nebraska

Mychal Kendrice (ILB), 6-2, 265, California

Ronnell Lewis (OLB), 6-1, 253, Oklahoma

Zach Brown (OLB), 6-1, 244, North Carolina

Demario Davis (ILB), 6-2, 235, Arkansas State

Bobby Wagner (OLB), 6-0, 235, Utah State

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Harrison Smith (S), 6-2, 213, Notre Dame

Janoris Jenkins (CB), 5-10, 193, N. Alabama

Alfonzo Dennard (CB), 5-10, 204, Nebraska

Brandon Taylor (S), 5-11, 209, LSU

Jayron Hosley (CB), 5-10, 178, Virginia Tech

Times wires
Thursday, April 26, 2012

Round 1 picks

TEAM player POS. SCHOOL HT/WT

1. Indianapolis Andrew Luck QB Stanford 6-4/234

2. Washington Robert Griffin III QB Baylor 6-2/223 (from St. Louis)

3. Cleveland Trent Richardson RB Alabama 5-9/228 (from Minnesota)

4. Minnesota Matt Kalil OT USC 6-6/306 (from Cleveland)

5. Jacksonville Justin Blackmon WR Oklahoma St. 6-1/207 (from Tampa Bay)

6. Dallas Morris Claiborne CB LSU 5-11/188 (from St. Louis via Washington)

7. Tampa BayMark Barron SS Alabama 6-1/213 (from Jacksonville)

8. Miami Ryan Tannehill QB Texas A&M 6-4/221

9. Carolina Luke Kuechly LB Boston College 6-3/242

10. Buffalo Stephon Gilmore CB South Carolina 6-0/190

11. Kansas City Dontari Poe DT Memphis 6-3/346

12. Philadelphia Fletcher Cox DT Mississippi State 6-4/298 (from Seattle)

13. Arizona Michael Floyd WR Notre Dame 6-3/220

14. St. Louis Michael Brockers DT LSU 6-5/322 (from Dallas)

15. Seattle Bruce Irvin DE West Virginia 6-3/245 (from Philadelphia)

16. N.Y. Jets Quinton Coples DE North Carolina 6-6/284

17. Cincinnati Dre Kirkpatrick CB Alabama 6-1/186 (from Oakland)

18. San Diego Melvin Ingram LB South Carolina 6-1/264

19. Chicago Shea McClellin LB Boise State 6-3/260

20. Tennessee Kendall Wright WR Baylor 5-10/196

21. New England Chandler Jones DE Syracuse 6-5/247 (from Cincinnati)

22. Cleveland Brandon Weeden QB Oklahoma St. 6-4/221 (from Atlanta)

23. Detroit Riley Reiff OT Iowa 6-6/313

24. Pittsburgh David DeCastro G Stanford 6-5/316

25. New England Dont'a Hightower LB Alabama 6-2/265 (from Denver)

26. Houston Whitney Mercilus DE Illinois 6-3/261

27. Cincinnati Kevin Zeitler OG Wisconsin 6-4/314 (from New England via New Orleans)

28. Green Bay Nick Perry DE USC 6-3/271

29. Minnesota Harrison Smith FS Notre Dame 6-2/213 (from Baltimore)

30. San Francisco A.J. Jenkins WR Illinois 6-0/192

31. Tampa BayDoug MartinRBBoise State5-9/223 (from Denver via New England)

32. N.Y. Giants David Wilson RB Virginia Tech 5-10/206

Times staff
Thursday, April 26, 2012

.Fast facts

Mark Barron

Position: Safety

Age: 22

Hometown: Mobile, Ala.

Height/weight: 6-1; 213

College: Alabama

Career highlights: 12 interceptions; made 38 starts; consensus All-America selection as a senior in 2011; recorded 66 tackles last season.

High school (St. Paul's Episcopal, Mobile): Five-star prospect after rushing for 1,094 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior.

Doug Martin >/b>

Position: Running back

Age: 23

Hometown: Oakland, Calif. (raised in Stockton, Calif.)

Height/weight: 5-9; 223

College: Boise State

Career highlights: 1,299 rushing yards in redshirt senior season (second straight 1,000-yard season) and career-high 16 rushing TDs ; appeared in 13 games last year, starting 12, playing only last series vs. TCU (Nov. 12) as a blocking back.

High school (St. Mary's, Stockton, Calif.): Lettered in football and track and field twice; 1,234 yards rushing and 14 TDs on 171 carries as senior.

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, April 26, 2012

TAMPA — Who needs Trent Richardson?

This is, in essence, what the Bucs said when they executed a trade late Thursday to land Boise State running back Doug Martin with the draft's 31st overall pick, giving the Bucs one of their projected second-round targets earlier than expected.

In doing so, the Bucs addressed a pressing need and beefed up a position seen as central to coach Greg Schiano's effort to play ball-control offense.

Martin, who rushed for 1,299 yards in 2011, averaged 4.9 yards per carry and 16 touchdowns and is considered a complete package who can pass protect and catch as well as run inside or outside.

"I would definitely agree with that," Martin said by phone. "My game is very versatile. I can pass protect and catch balls out of the backfield."

Schiano in recent weeks had raved about the skill set of Richardson, the Alabama running back taken third overall by the Browns. But when describing Martin's game, the coach painted a similar picture.

"You're talking about a guy who can run the football for sure," Schiano said. "He has patience as he runs. He's a mature runner. (He) can block. Can (catch). Then you see the stuff he does on special teams. I think it was in the bowl game, he takes the opening kickoff right to the house.

"So, you're talking about a guy who does it all for his football team and it's a team that has won."

In his career, the Stockton, Calif. native rushed for 3,431 yards and scored 43 touchdowns for a Boise State team that has been a perennial power in recent years. While he does not possess top-end speed, Martin is not easily tackled and could provide the physical running approach that the Bucs seek, though he's not one-dimensional.

"He'll come at you and run over you," Schiano said. "But he can make people miss."

And for evidence of his overall ability, consider the fact that Martin excelled on special teams for the Broncos and even played nickel cornerback at times.

The Bucs were thought to have a shot to draft Martin in the second round, but given the reasonable cost to trade up for him -—they yielded their second-round pick (36th overall and swapped fourth-round picks with Denver), the Bucs preferred not to leave things to chance.

The reason for the move? A fear that remaining running backs might start disappearing.

"There was a concern there was going to be a run on running backs real quick," general manager Mark Dominik said.

Thusly, the Giants picked Virginia Tech running back David Wilson with the next pick, 32nd overall. The Giants were seen as a potential landing spot for Martin, who thought his hopes of being chosen in the first round were slipping away.

"I had a feeling the Bucs had an eye on me," he said. "But it was a little nerve racking at the end of the first round."

Now, the Bucs enter Day 2 of the draft with a third-round pick, 68th overall, possibly looking to fill needs at linebacker and cornerback. Even after a night of twists and turns on Thursday, the Bucs' draft is, in essence, only just beginning with five total picks remaining.

Times wires
Friday, April 27, 2012

Red Sox 10, White Sox 3

CHICAGO — Kevin Youkilis hit a grand slam, Jarrod Saltalamacchia homered twice and the Red Sox roughed up Philip Humber, making his first start since his perfect game. Youkilis hit his second career slam into the bullpen during a five-run third inning against Humber, who walked the game's leadoff batter in the first to end his streak of 29 straight batters retired.

Times wires
Friday, April 27, 2012

Padres 2, Nationals 1

SAN DIEGO — Pinch-hitter Mark Kotsay hit a two-run double in the eighth inning off Tyler Clippard to score Orlando Hudson and Cameron Maybin as the Padres rallied. Jayson Werth homered in the seventh to give the Nationals a 1-0 lead. In the eighth, Hudson drew a one-out walk and Maybin dropped down a bunt single against starter Edwin Jackson. Kotsay followed with a double to right-center.

By Rich Shopes, Times Correspondent
Friday, April 27, 2012

The Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department takes a page from the past with back-to-nature summer camps that offer children the opportunity to put down their cellphones and gut a fish or build a fire. ¶ The county plans five summer programs where children will walk trails, ride bikes, fish, paddle canoes and put up tents — not unlike a generation ago, before Steve Jobs became a household name.

"It might be a throwback to camp we had as kids, but there's reasoning and structure behind doing what we're doing," said Shorty Robbins, recreation service manager.

Robbins said that along with a mix of traditional activities — including campfire building for older kids — the camps will present lessons in environmental stewardship. Kids will learn about wildlife, nature's balance and the hazards of pollution and invasive species.

All of this might sound trite to children growing up in an era of electronic gadgets, social media and pricey, celebrity-studded sports camps. Officials aren't sure what kind of response they will get, but they're hoping the back-to-nature message resonates and encourages the campers to explore parks and preserves after the program ends.

Too often, Robbins said, children spend summers on the couch glued to television screens and computers, or devoting countless hours shuttling between the mall and friends' homes. Nature becomes something seen on YouTube between soccer practice, music lessons, shopping and Facebook postings.

"They might engage in sports, but they've never been to a park. Or they've been outside, but never touched nature," said Robbins, 54. "We have amazing facilities in Hillsborough County and it just made sense to put together a program to introduce kids gently and positively to nature."

The two-week camps will be available to youths 8 to 17, limited to groups of 25 and 50 and divided by age.

Registration will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the All People's Life Center, 6105 E Sligh Ave. in Tampa. The cost is $120 per two-week session. No overnight stays are planned, but the county is mulling the idea for next summer.

The plan comes amid budget cuts last fall that forced the county to reduce its summer campsites from about 40 to 10 major regional parks. Officials say the idea for summer camp came as they were looking for ways to adapt to the cuts, but has been brewing for years.

Dave Ramirez, supervisor of the Gardenville Recreation Center in Gibsonton, will run four two-week fishing camps for 50 campers each at Ruskin's E.G. Simmons Park.

Each camper will receive a rod and reel, or they can bring their own, but they can't bring video games, he said. He expects a mix of experience, including novice anglers, and admits that getting teens to leave their virtual world for the real one might be tough.

"It's a challenge," Ramirez said. "I have an 8-year-old son. I try to teach him that there's got to be an equal balance. You've got to have that outdoor component. If you don't have it, you'll be missing out on growing up. You've got to get out there and get dirty."

Campers will learn fishing basics from tying knots and baiting hooks to scaling and gutting their catch. They'll learn about fish species, migratory patterns, acceptable size limits for keepers, how to repair a broken rod and fishing seasons for particular species.

As at the other camps, the kids will paddle canoes, swim and play games, likely in the afternoon when it's too hot to fish. At the session's end, they'll be treated to a chartered fishing trip. Children under 16 won't need fishing licenses.

"If they catch something legal, they can take it home," he said.

A blend of coves and narrow canals, E.G. Simmons is nestled on the southeastern edge of Tampa Bay, rimmed by beaches, fishing spots and environmentally protected mangroves. Included are campsites for trailers, restrooms, boat launches and covered pavilions with picnic tables.

"It's a beautiful spot that not many people know about," Ramirez said.

About five assistants will help him manage the camp and run the fishing classes. Guest speakers will be brought to demonstrate cast-netting and other techniques. Ramirez said he's hoping for a big turnout, but understands the lure of technology.

"My main focus is get kids outside and try something new," he said. "The bottom line is folks like us in the recreation field, we struggle with technology — TVs, cellphones, computers. Don't get me wrong. Technology is great. I don't know how I'd do my job without it. But kids today are losing that outdoor part of their lives. You have to get them away from the computer and away from the TV."

Rich Shopes can be reached at hillsnews@tampabay.com.

Times staff
Friday, April 27, 2012

The Tampa Bay Lightning's Steven Stamkos was named one of three finalists for the 2011-12 Hart Memorial Trophy, the NHL's MVP award.

New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist and Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin are the other finalists.

Stamkos scored a league-high 60 goals to win his second Maurice Richard Trophy in the past three seasons. He became the first player to reach the 60-goal milestone since 2007-08 (Alex Ovechkin, 65).

Stamkos, 22, tied for the league lead with Phoenix's Radim Vrbata in game-winning goals (12), scored an NHL-record five overtime goals and notched 48 even-strength scores, the most of any player since 1992-93.

Members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association submitted ballots for the Hart Trophy at the conclusion of the regular season, with the top three vote-getters designated as finalists. The winner will be announced June 20, during the 2012 NHL Awards in Las Vegas.

Lundqvist was the anchor of a Rangers club that posted its best regular-season record since the Stanley Cup season of 1993-94 and captured first place in the Eastern Conference. He went 39-18-5 in 62 appearances, setting a career high in wins. Also voted a finalist for the Vezina Trophy, Lundqvist is the first goaltender in contention for the Hart Trophy since 2007, when Vancouver's Roberto Luongo and New Jersey's Martin Brodeur were second and third, respectively.

Malkin captured his second career Art Ross Trophy by leading the NHL with 109 points (50 goals, 59 assists). He registered points in 60 of the 75 games he played in and became the first player since 1995-96 to record five or more points at least four times in one season. Malkin also finished second in the NHL with a career-high 50 goals.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Friday, April 27, 2012

Tampa Bay Lightning star Steven Stamkos' 60-goal season paid off with a top-three finalist nod for the Hart Trophy, the NHL's MVP.

By Brandon Wright, Times Correspondent
Friday, April 27, 2012

TAMPA

Leaving the house Wednesday, my wife asked me what I was covering that night.

"Flag football," I replied.

"You mean like powderpuff?" she remarked, brow angled south.

Flag football has been a recognized Florida High School Athletic Association sport in Hillsborough County for the past six years is but slow to shake the powderpuff comparisons. Some still think it's just a cursory event that's more fun and fluff than serious sport.

Think again.

Consider Wednesday's playoff game between Chamberlain and Robinson a prime example. Fast, athletic girls darting around the field. Well-designed plays countered by tight defense. Overtime drama. And in the end, an upset that touched off a wild midfield celebration.

Far from powderpuff.

Still not convinced? Chamberlain's star running back/receiver Andrea "Poo Poo" Aaron is such a good player that she chewed up youth football in Tampa — against boys — as chronicled in a 2006 Times article. Many, including Robinson coach Josh Saunders, labeled Chiefs quarterback Clarice Devine, who also played football with the boys as a youth, the state's best player. Robinson's Deliah Autry, a whirling dervish of lanky arms and legs, slashes through would-be tacklers. Knights receiver Katherine King, who scored a perfect 2400 on the SAT, catches everything thrown her way.

Both teams moved the ball but couldn't find pay dirt. Devine routinely tossed perfect spirals 40 yards down the field. Autry deftly slinked through the defense. Aaron made a remarkable sideline catch, shuffling her feet just shy of the chalk while cradling the ball on her fingertips. After that catch, a Chamberlain player shouted "That's an NFL play right there!"

She was right.

Chamberlain's defense twice batted away fourth-down passes in the end zone. Aaron nearly hauled in the game-winner in the end zone on the final play of regulation but was ruled out of bounds.

The scoreless game went to overtime when Autry rolled left and threw a pass just out of the defender's reach to the front corner of the end zone, in a spot only King could catch it.

She did, falling to the ground, ball tucked in her midsection.

After a missed extra point, Chamberlain had a chance to win but Autry sneaked in front of a Chiefs receiver and plucked the ball out of the air. Robinson, a team that was 0-11 all-time against Chamberlain, had defied history to advance in the playoffs with a thrilling 6-0 overtime win.

"A miracle," Autry said afterward.

No, a spectacle.

The monkey — make that the silverback gorilla — was finally off the Knights' back. Robinson advanced to host Alonso on Saturday afternoon. Even though the game would be played after press time and my boss isn't paying me to show up, I planned on being in the stands as a spectator. Whichever team advances will face the East Bay/Plant City winner Tuesday night. I would suggest putting down the remote, turning off The Voice and coming to check these ladies out.

And no, it's definitely not powderpuff.

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

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Friday, April 27, 2012

Two men for whom lifelong dreams came true on Thursday night took their next steps today when Tampa Bay Buccaneers first-round picks Mark Barron and Doug Martin were introduced at One Buc Place.

With smiles all around, coach Greg Schiano welcomed the pair of picks, saying, "I think I speak for all the coaches and everybody whose had a chance to be around these guys when I say we cannot wait to work with you guys."

For Barron and Martin, both low-key, businesslike young men, they spoke not of their elation over being drafted but, rather, about their plans to get started with helping the Bucs bounce back from a 4-12 season.

Barron knows what it's like to be a champion – times two – having won a pair of BCS Championships at Alabama. He doesn't plan to settle for less in Tampa Bay.

"Coming from the program that I come from, it's kind of just the mindset that I have," Barron said. "You want to be the best at everything we do. Every day we go out to practice (at Alabama), we're just working at being the best.

"I think I'm going to carry over that mindset with the way we did things at Alabama. I think that'll make it an easy transition for me to come in and have a great impact. I think I'll be able to bring that mindset of winning and wanting to be the best."

For Martin, being selected by the Bucs was quite fortuitous given Schiano's intent to run the ball with abandon behind what's expected to be a stout offensive line.

"It makes me real excited to know they're going to have a great emphasis on running the ball," Martin said. "We have a great O line this year and I'm excited to start the season."

While they play different positions, the Bucs saw a common thread in the two players in that they are known to be players of high character.

"It's the type of people we want to bring into our organization, what they are on and off the football field," general manager Mark Dominik said. "You don't become a leader and a captain on your football team unless you have a lot of positive attributes. As we dug deeper into these two men, we saw the same characteristics."

By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist
Friday, April 27, 2012

TAMPA

One of them is serious beyond his years. As it turns out, so are the other two.

One of them is as complete as a new toolbox. Just so happens, so are the others.

One of them is as tough as an old scar. And what do you know, so are his new teammates.

In some ways, it seems as if the Tampa Bay Bucs have selected the same guy three times during this NFL draft. Even at hello, you cannot help but notice the similarities to Mark Barron, Doug Martin and Lavonte David. Their eyes are focused, and their voices are soft, and the character reviews are glowing.

Together, they are the new Bucs.

Schiano's guys.

As it turns out, this is what he likes: physical players, mature players, versatile players. Driven players, productive players, follow-me players. Players who attack the game like balled fists.

You can tell a lot about the direction of a franchise from the first players picked during the first draft of a new NFL coach. The offensive gurus tend to lean toward speed. The defensive guys seem to like brawn.

The old-school tough guys like new Bucs coach Greg Schiano? They seem to like old-school tough guys.

As much as anything else, this is the common trait shared by Barron, the safety, and Martin, the running back and David, the linebacker. Whatever doubts there may be, whatever proving there is to do, no one doubts the fierceness of any of them. On a team that hasn't been particularly tough for a while now, that isn't a bad place to start.

Face it. When it came to being physical last year, the Bucs were all teddy bears and stuffed unicorns. For the most part, they were soft men playing a hard game, and it showed whenever it was time for a team to push back. Think about it: The toughest guy on the field may have been Ronde Barber, who just turned 37. You can quibble over whether this player or that was hard enough, but as a team, no one accused the Bucs of bullying anyone.

Maybe, just maybe, Barron, Martin and David — the linebacker the Bucs traded up to get in the second round Friday — were three steps toward changing that perception. If Schiano is going to bring back the conservative approach to a game plan of the Tony Dungy years, they had better be.

I know, I know. Not everyone was as thrilled with this draft as the Bucs front office, and seeing how long it has been since the Bucs drafted greatness, that's easy to understand.

On the other hand, everyone knows the Bucs needed a safety, and they got the best one in the draft. Everyone knows they needed a running back, and they got the second-best one in the draft. They needed a linebacker, and they moved up to grab one they liked.

The problem, of course, is that there is so much malarkey available, and so many fans who treat it like gospel. A lot of mock drafts, and a lot of mock drafts that merely photocopy Mel Kiper's, projected Barron to be drafted midway through the first round, and so some fans believe that's what his value is.

For instance, there is a feeling that if the Bucs hadn't taken Barron, he would have been available 10 picks later. That's hooey. If you talk to scouts across the league, the consensus is that Barron wouldn't have slipped past Buffalo at No. 10. Former NFL general manager Charlie Casserly said he rated Barron "sixth or seventh" on his board.

Then there seems to be the perception that Martin is a third-down back. Double-hooey. Martin isn't a third-down back; he's a three-down back. As of now, you should consider him to be the favorite to be the Bucs starting back. Yes, there is still room for LeGarrette Blount, but Martin does more things, especially in pass protection. Also, how can you beat a nickname like "Muscle Hamster"?

In other words, there is a lot to like with these players. It's odd. At one point, Barron was a running back at Alabama before being moved to defensive back. At one point, Martin was a defensive back at Boise State before an injury prompted coaches to move him to running back. Both were captains on successful teams (that part isn't new; general manager Mark Dominik has always liked to draft team captains).

Together, they will help to strengthen the middle of the field for the Bucs. You know how baseball teams believe in being strong up the middle? Football coaches do, too. David, on the other hand, will add strength to the weak side.

Are the Bucs cured? Of course not. There are still too many holes to fill. And despite the promise, the NFL is a prove-it profession.

Today, however, the Bucs are better. They are more serious. They are more dedicated. They are tougher.

Put it this way: When it comes to the draft, the Bucs have had worse weekends.

By Terry Tomalin, Times Outdoors-Fitness Editor
Friday, April 27, 2012

St. Anthony's Triathlon

What: St. Anthony's Triathlon, a race consisting of a 1.5-kilometer swim (0.9 miles), 40K bike ride (24.9 miles) and 10K run (6.2 miles)

When: 6:50 a.m. start, Sunday

Where: Start at North Shore Park in downtown St. Petersburg; course runs throughout the city (see map, 3B)

Notable: Sunday's event is the second in the 2012 global 5150 Triathlon Series, offering athletes points toward 5150 U.S. Championship qualification. This event usually attracts more than 3,500 individuals and 125 teams each year from more than 45 states and nearly 20 countries. The race weekend also includes a sports and fitness expo at Straub Park.

Meek & Mighty: A shorter-distance triathlon for youth competitors (ages 7-14) and novice adults. Begins at 7:30 a.m. today at North Shore Pool and ends there as well.

Information: SATriathlon.com

By the numbers

6,000 T-shirts ordered for competitors and volunteers.

600 Extra-large pizzas from Papa John's on hand.

800,000 Ounces of water placed on the course to hydrate competitors (6,250 gallons).

50,000 Cups needed for Sunday alone.

6,000 Feet of chain-link fence needed to corral competitors' bikes that are checked in the day before the race.

0 Usable leftovers that are wasted. Local charities, such as Resurrection House and Ronald McDonald House, receive any extra T-shirts, supplies, food and beverages.

Source: Susan Daniels, St. Anthony's Triathlon race director

By Neil Taylor, Times Correspondent
Friday, April 27, 2012

What's hot: Topwater lure action for redfish and speckled trout is hot. It is a thrill to watch lures being slurped or crushed by predators. Moderate water temperatures have both species willing to come to the surface to eat.

Tackle and techniques: Angler preferences dictate rod choices, but most like 7- to 7½-foot spinners with medium power and fast action. Add 2 feet of fluorocarbon leader line, then a topwater lure of your preference. Large, topwater lures usually have rattles inside them and work well in choppy conditions. The best results are in 2½ feet and shallower. Working topwater lures takes practice. A series of short jabs, occasional pauses and reeling in of slack when dropping the rod tip produces a zigzag, side-to-side action that draws fish. Forgo a hook set and let the fish hook themselves. Don't be surprised if fish bash your topwater lure multiple times before striking a hook.

Tips: Many like to use these lures all day, but I prefer to use them in the lower light conditions of early morning and dusk. If redfish are uninterested in other lures, try the topwater one.

Neil Taylor charters kayak fishing trips in the Tampa Bay area and can be reached at strikethreekayakfishing.com and (727) 692-6345.

Times wires
Friday, April 27, 2012

Indiana Pacers (3) vs. Orlando Magic (6)

Season series: Magic 3-1

Key matchup: Danny Granger (Pacers) vs. Quentin Richardson (Magic). Richardson usually draws the opposition's top scorer. In this case, it's Granger, who averaged 19.3 points in the teams' four games.

X-factor: Tyler Hansbrough (Pacers). With the Dwight Howard-less Magic undersized, the 6-foot-9 reserve forward has a chance to match his performances in the past two meetings, when he averaged 18 points.

Miami Heat (2) vs. New York Knicks (7)

Season series: Heat 3-0

Key matchup: LeBron James (Heat) vs. Carmelo Anthony (Knicks). Perhaps the marquee duel in the first round, matching the longtime friends from the 2003 draft class. Anthony's sizzling April, in which he scored 29.8 per game, was built largely against slower power forwards. But James held him to only two baskets in the fourth quarter of the teams' most recent meeting.

X-factors: J.R. Smith and Steve Novak (Knicks). New York needs its perimeter shooters to get hot off the bench if Anthony and Amare Stoudemire are going to get the room they need.

Chicago Bulls (1) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (8)

Season series: Bulls 2-1

Key matchup: Luol Deng (Bulls) vs. Andre Iguodala (76ers). Iguodala led the defensive effort against the fellow All-Star as Deng shot 3 for 11 in both games he played and averaged seven points. Iguodala scored 19 in the 76ers' win but totaled only 21 in the losses, going 3-of-10 from the field for seven points in the final matchup.

X-factor: Joakim Noah (Bulls). The ex-Gator had only two points and two rebounds in Chicago's loss but averaged 12 and 14.5 as it took the last two meetings.

Okla. City Thunder (2) vs. Dallas Mavs (7)

Season series: Thunder 3-1

Key matchup: Russell Westbrook (Thunder) vs. Jason Kidd (Mavericks). The Thunder's biggest struggles often come on Westbrook's poor shooting nights. But Kidd, 39, will need help to force the point guard into them.

X-factor: Brandan Wright (Mavericks). The reserve forward, 24, is one of the few Mavericks with young legs, and they will be needed to keep up with the much quicker Thunder.

Times wires

Times wires
Friday, April 27, 2012

Today's semifinals

Eastern Conference

New York Rangers (1) vs. Washington Capitals (7)

When/where: 3; Madison Square Garden, New York

TV: Ch. 8

Season series: 2-2

Watch for: Defense and goaltending are the Rangers' strengths. New York has in goal Henrik Lundqvist, a finalist for league MVP and the Vezina Trophy for top goalie, and a strong shot-blocking group led by defensemen Ryan McDonagh, Marc Staal and Dan Girardi. Scoring was a weak spot in the quarterfinal win over the Senators. Wing Marian Gaborik was invisible for much of the series after scoring 41 goals in the regular season. … Capitals rookie goalie Braden Holtby was thrown into the fire after injuries to Tomas Vokun and Michal Neuvirth, and he responded in the seven-game quarterfinal win over the Bruins by stopping 233 of 248 shots and looking unflappable throughout. The Capitals are getting results under coach Dale Hunter's defense-first plan, though it has meant less ice time for star wing Alex Ovechkin. Ovechkin has said he isn't happy about the cut in playing time but winning is all that matters to him.

Western Conference

St. Louis Blues (2) vs. Los Angeles Kings (8)

When/where: 7:30; Scottrade Center, St. Louis

TV: NBC Sports Network

Season series: Kings 3-1

Watch for: The Blues are a big, bruising team with a good measure of finesse. They have two solid scoring lines and a Selke Trophy (best defensive forward) finalist in David Backes, and they had the NHL's lowest team goals-against average in the regular season (1.86) because of standout goalies Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliott. Halak has a lower-body injury and will miss at least the first two games of the series. … The Kings, who had the second-best goals-against average this season (2.03) behind Vezina finalist Jonathan Quick, upset the top-seeded Canucks in the quarterfinals despite not getting much from top forwards Mike Richards and Jeff Carter, who is coming off a foot injury. Captain Dustin Brown led the team against the Canucks with four goals, 25 shots and 21 hits.

Times wires

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Friday, April 27, 2012

TAMPA — Say this for the Bucs: They're not willing to be landlocked in the staid waters of two losing seasons over the past three years.

That became clear during the first two days of the draft, during which Tampa Bay rode a wave of three trades by general manager Mark Dominik to fill holes.

The Bucs made a deal Friday with the Texans to move into the second round, then took Nebraska linebacker Lavonte David with the 58th overall pick.

"I think we got better in the last 24 hours," coach Greg Schiano said. "We really got better."

The wheeling and dealing began Thursday, when the Bucs moved down from No. 5 overall to No. 7 with the Jaguars and selected Alabama safety Mark Barron. In the process, the Bucs picked up Jacksonville's fourth-round pick.

Then just when it appeared the Bucs might call it a night, they traded their second-round pick and swapped fourth-rounders with the Broncos to take Boise State running back Doug Martin 31st overall.

On Friday, Dominik, playing with what he called "house money," used the fourth-rounder he acquired from the Broncos and the Bucs' third-round pick to move up 10 spots and into the second round to take David, who will play outside linebacker.

"Although we started the draft with six selections, we've walked out now with Barron, Martin and now Lavonte David, and we still have four more selections: a five, a six and two sevens," Dominik said. "So I'm very excited about what's going on."

The 6-foot-1, 233-pound David had 285 tackles in 27 starts over two seasons at Nebraska. He had a school-record 152 in 2010, when he was the Big 12 defensive newcomer of the year. Last season, the senior had 133 tackles, 5½ sacks and 13 tackles for loss in being named a second-team Associated Press All-American. Overall for the Cornhuskers, he had 28 tackles for loss, 11½ sacks, 10 pass breakups and two interceptions.

David's background is similar to that of Giants defensive end and former USF standout Jason Pierre-Paul, who had 16½ sacks last season. Like Paul, David attended high school in South Florida (Northwestern) and played at Fort Scott Community College in Kansas.

"It was a really humbling experience, coming from a powerhouse high school where you have a lot of teams and stuff looking at you and then not being able to qualify to go into a big Division I-A school and having to go to junior college," David said.

"It's very humbling. I learned a lot at junior college. You can't take anything for granted. I thank the Lord every day for taking me on this path, and it's led me the right way."

In the first three rounds, the Bucs addressed, arguably, their three biggest needs: safety, running back and linebacker. David, who Dominik said was the best linebacker in coverage in the draft, will most likely play weakside linebacker. The Bucs have toyed with moving Mason Foster from the middle to the outside, but that seems less likely after drafting David.

Dominik said it was tough waiting for the right moment to pull the trigger on the deal that brought them David.

"There's a couple times you have to hold your breath and say, 'I want to hold my water here because I want to use that (fourth-round pick) to do it,' " Dominik said. "And then I pushed and pushed to make sure I got a pick back because you never know if that (seventh-round pick) could come back into play."

Schiano, who last was in the NFL as a defensive backs coach for the Bears in 1998, had never been invited into the war room until taking a big role in the Bucs' draft the past two days. He said he was impressed with Dominik's feel for when to make a deal.

"Mark is a pretty good poker player," Schiano said. "He waited and waited, and he was patient. Then when it was time, he went and did it. Yeah, I was anxious. We all wanted the player."

It's not as if Dominik hasn't made moves in the draft before. In 2009, the Bucs jumped up two spots to No. 17 for quarterback Josh Freeman.

"That's the greatness of the draft," Dominik said. "That's what makes it so adrenalizing and so much fun to be a part of it and to watch it unfold and to try to make sure we as an organization maneuver our team into maximizing it."

Rick Stroud can be reached at stroud@tampabay.com.

Projected starting lineup as of today

Offense

QB: Josh Freeman

RB: Doug Martin *

FB: Erik Lorig

TE: Kellen Winslow

WR: Vincent Jackson #

LT: Donald Penn

LG: Carl Nicks #

C: Jeremy Zuttah

RG: Davin Joseph

RT: Jeremy Trueblood

WR: Mike Williams

Defense

LDE: Da'Quan Bowers

DT: Brian Price

DT: Gerald McCoy

RDE: Adrian Clayborn

OLB: Lavonte David *

MLB: Mason Foster

OLB: Quincy Black

LCB: Aqib Talib

SS: Mark Barron *

FS: Cody Grimm

RCB: Ronde Barber

Special teams

P: Michael Koenen

K: Connor Barth

* Drafted this week

# Signed during the offseason

Times wires
Friday, April 27, 2012

INDIANAPOLIS — Dwight Howard averaged 23.8 points and 10.8 rebounds while shooting 69 percent from the field as the Magic beat the Pacers in three of four regular-season games.

The All-Star center, however, won't play in the teams' first-round playoff series — or the rest of the season, for that matter — because of back surgery. Still, Indiana coach Frank Vogel is guarding against overconfidence among his players when the series starts today.

"A 3-point shooting team like Orlando is extremely dangerous," he said. "It doesn't matter who's in the middle. They can get red hot and shoot you out of the game."

Orlando led the league in 3-pointers made and attempted and was third in percentage (.375). Forward Ryan Anderson led the league with 166 3-pointers made.

Missing Howard is a problem against the Pacers, one of the biggest teams in the league. All-Star center Roy Hibbert is 7-2, and 6-9 David West is one of the league's strongest players. Lou Amundson and Tyler Hansbrough, both 6-9, bring energy off the bench.

"Clearly, we're not loaded with size right now and they are," Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy said. "Going from Hibbert to David West and then Amundson and Hansbrough off the bench, and then their wing guys are both 6-9. Their size is a major issue."

Another injured Orlando player, forward Hedo Turkoglu, had cheekbone surgery on April 7 and will play with a mask.

"It's not comfortable at all," he said of the mask. "I don't know how long I will hold onto it. But especially in the beginning of the playoffs, I will wear it."

Celtics: Guard Ray Allen, out two weeks with a sore right ankle, didn't practice, and his status for Sunday hasn't been determined. But forward Paul Pierce (sprained left big toe) practiced and said he expects to play.

Clippers: Point guard Chris Paul, who sat out Tuesday with a strained groin, did not practice but said he will play Sunday.

Knicks: Interim coach Mike Woodson said there is a "strong possibility" center Tyson Chandler will sit out today because of the flu.

Raptors: The option on coach Dwane Casey's deal was picked up, keeping him through 2013-14.

Union probe: The U.S. Attorney's Office in Manhattan has issued a subpoena for documents related to the business practices of the players' association. Recent reports have questioned its finances, largely having to do with the hiring of family members and firms that employ relatives of executive director Billy Hunter.

Times wires
Friday, April 27, 2012

RICHMOND, Va. — Two weeks of ho-hum racing has left NASCAR fans starving for some on-track excitement, so tonight's stop at Richmond International Speedway couldn't have come at a better time.

Short tracks traditionally produce some of NASCAR's best racing, and the 0.75-mile oval at Richmond is perfect for the bumping and banging that spices up the show. And there has been a shortage of that of late.

The past two races, at Texas and Kansas, had a combined five cautions, and four of them were for debris. It makes for long green-flag runs and spread-out fields. Drivers seem to prefer that clean style but fans want more drama — some might even suggest they want wrecks — and they've been vocal the last month about their disappointment in the on-track product.

NASCAR's top drivers are aware of the dilemma, and go into tonight's Capital City 400 wondering if Richmond will satisfy the fans.

"I will not go down that path, I do not think it's right to say we need wrecks. That's just a messed-up thing to say," Carl Edwards said Friday. "I think we need good racing, and I think if you've got guys who are able to race together, and are able to come through the field because their car is better and they can actually pass people, then you are going to get some excitement.

"And the excitement might come in the form of wrecks."

NASCAR has a solid schedule ahead, with the racing moving from Richmond to Talladega to Darlington, then the $1 million All-Star race at Charlotte. So, regardless of how drivers, teams or the sanctioning body views it, the racing could heat up without any effort.

Still, it has made for interesting debate the past week.

Five-time champion Jimmie Johnson believes NASCAR makes too many stops at downforce tracks.

"I think the venues play a larger part in the excitement, the action, and even the cautions," he said. "I don't think we can look at the garage area for the next change. I think the change comes with the venues. The change comes with the resurfacing of tracks and reconfiguring tracks to make more side-by-side racing."

Dale Earnhardt Jr. agreed some of the tracks just don't suit the configurations of the current Sprint Cup car.

"You do see side-by-side racing, especially at the short tracks, but on the bigger 1½-mile tracks you are kind of limited," he said. "You are limited by the aero and the dirty air by the car in front of you. That is always going to be a factor no matter what. … You just run as hard as you can run."

Edwards says reducing the aerodynamic issues could help.

"Not every race has to be an exciting, dramatic, crazy bumper-to-bumper finish. If you just let them play out naturally you will get those really great moments," he said. "But I firmly believe that we should not be racing with downforce, sideforce and all these aerodynamic devices. We do not need splitters on the race cars and giant spoilers.

"That is my opinion on how to make the cars and the drivers able to do more, and put it in the drivers' and crew chiefs' hands. I don't know if that will make more exciting races but it sure as hell will make a guy able to go up through the field if he has a fast race car and I think that is exciting."

QUALIFYING: Mark Martin watched and waited as 44 other drivers made two qualifying laps around Richmond, then beat them all. He nudged Edwards to the outside of the front row with a lap at 128.327 mph to win the pole for tonight's race.

By Don Jensen, Times Correspondent
Friday, April 27, 2012

OLDSMAR — Have horse, will travel.

Jamie Ness can be as challenging to keep up with as many of his thoroughbreds. On the final day of March, he won the $50,000 Shine Again Stakes with Sneaky Lil at Pimlico in Baltimore. Two weeks later, he was at Charles Town, W. Va., where his Lady of Greatness finished fourth in the $200,000 Sugar Maple Stakes.

Ness, an Odessa resident, calls Tampa Bay Downs his home track. But when the Oldsmar meet ends May 6, Ness will focus on having horses in the right spots at tracks up and down the East Coast.

Ness, 37, will win an unprecedented sixth consecutive training championship this season at the Downs. This one will be particularly special. Entering Friday, the Midwest Thoroughbreds conditioner had a record 75 victories from 162 starts, smashing his previous mark of 68 wins in 2007-08. His closest competitor, Jorge Navarro (29 wins), wasn't close. Ness' win rate was a surreal 46 percent with an in-the-money percentage of 77. His horses had earned $830,686.

"I'm actually surprised (by the win margin)," Ness said. "We stuck to our guns and ran a conservative meet. You can't run hard year-round or the horses won't hold up. If a horse gets tired or a little ouchy, I can take them to the (Midwest) farm (in Anthony) and give them a break. The key to my help is I don't have any turnover. Mandy (Ness' wife) runs the show when I'm not (at the Downs)."

Ness' career began to take off on Jan. 5, 2007, when he claimed Lookinforthesecret at the Downs. A $12,500 purchase, the sprinter won eight stakes races under Ness and put the Heron, S.D., native on the thoroughbred map. Ness later was hired by Midwest co-owners Richard and Karen Papiese of University Park, Ill. Midwest will be the Downs' leading owner for the third straight year.

Last year, Midwest topped the nation in wins and purse earnings, finishing a close second in Eclipse Award voting for the sport's best owner. Ness and his wife attended the Eclipse ceremony in Beverly Hills, Calif. After it was announced that Ken and Sarah Ramsey had beaten Midwest by a 66-60 vote, Ness told the Papieses, "We want to be first next year."

They are well on their way. Midwest ranks first this year in wins and purse earnings by wide margins. Ness, second nationally in victories the past two seasons behind Steven Asmussen, is No. 1 this year.

Ness is always looking to upgrade his stock. Entering Friday, he had been involved in 24.3 percent of the 259 claims at the Downs. Ness had claimed 34 horses (totaling $432,000) and lost 29.

"When you're claiming horses, it takes a lot of background work," he said. "It's very time-consuming from morning to night."