By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Monday, April 4, 2011

The Dan Patrick Show: 9 a.m. on FSN. Patrick's show, which can be heard on 1010-AM, might be the best sports talk show on radio.

Lombardi: Noon on HBO. HBO's excellent documentary about the life and times of legendary Packers coach Vince Lombardi.

Live from the Masters: 6 p.m. on Golf Channel. Getting you ready for this weekend's tournament. Show reairs at 9 p.m.

By Pat Damico, Times Correspondent
Monday, April 4, 2011

Excitement close to home: This is a great time of year to recall the fun of youth and introduce youngsters to the joys of fishing a pond or small lake with a fly rod for panfish. Weeds and algae are not a problem now, but they will be as weather warms. We have many small freshwater ponds in Florida, some holding large fish. Scout out a few that have easy access. Some developments and golf courses are prime candidates.

Equipment and techniques: A 3- or 4-weight rod with a floating line equipped with a 6-foot leader tapered to 6-pound test will be ideal. Early or late in the day is best, but when the sun is up, check shaded areas under trees, docks and bridges. Cast parallel to shore unless you see other structure. Use floating spiders, ants and poppers in sizes 6 to 12; white, yellow and black are all good. When the fly lands on the water, wait a few seconds then impart little movement. With panfish, a slow presentation is best. They will suck it in or hit it with a loud pop. Set the hook and have some fun.

Casting will be simple — hold the rod above the child's hand for initial guidance. Small dark, wet flies will work when surface offerings are avoided. Large bass have been known to love small flies. Crimp barbs on hooks for safety and to make release simple.

Pat Damico charters Fly Guy in lower Tampa Bay and can be reached at www.captpat.com or (727) 504-8649.

Times wires
Monday, April 4, 2011

BALTIMORE — For all the hype about the offseason additions to the Orioles lineup, their most productive player is the one who has worn their uniform the longest: Brian Roberts.

Roberts hit a three-run homer, Jake Arrieta pitched six strong innings and the unbeaten Orioles thrilled a sellout crowd in their home opener by defeating the Tigers 5-1 on Monday.

Baltimore, coming off a three-game sweep at Tampa Bay, is off to its best start since 1997. The Orioles have not trailed and have outscored the competition 17-4.

With the score tied at 1 in the fifth, Felix Pie walked and went to third on J.J. Hardy's double before Roberts hit Rick Porcello's 1-and-2 pitch out to right-center. Roberts has Baltimore's only two homers and has eight RBIs.

Since his debut with the Orioles in 2001, Roberts has never been on a winner. But he has played in two All-Star games and been one of the game's best leadoff hitters.

"Robby seems to have been able to dial up what was needed, whether it be a stolen base, a walk, whatever," manager Buck Showalter said. "He's got a feel for being able to challenge the moment."

Roberts knows that 4-0 means little, but he wasn't going to downplay it.

"I don't think anybody's ever had a bad 4-0 start," he said. "It's been awesome. I certainly have been through a lot. We all know that. But with the expectations coming into this year, to still be able to go out there and do that, it's been great for us."

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Monday, April 4, 2011

.Tonight

Lightning at Sabres

When/where: 7; HSBC Arena, Buffalo, N.Y.

Radio: 970-AM

Key stats: Lightning G Dwayne Roloson has won his past three starts with a 1.33 goals-against average and .960 save percentage. … Tampa Bay has killed 36 of its past 37 road penalties and 11 of 12 overall this season against the Sabres. … The teams have allowed a combined 27 shorthanded goals. The Lightning's 16 are a league worst. … Tampa Bay LW Simon Gagne has four goals and six assists in a six-game points streak.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Monday, April 4, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — As a third baseman, Evan Longoria is without peer. But as a cheerleader, as he'll be reduced to for at least the next three weeks while recovering from a left oblique strain, well, he's certainly going to have some learning to do from David Price, the Rays' four-day-a-week resident rah-rah.

As Longoria adapts to his new role, the Rays will have to adjust to life without him on the field. Initially that means having the hot corner handled by Sean Rodriguez, the up-and-comer who's always seeking additional opportunity, and Felipe Lopez, the 10-year veteran looking for another chance after initially being sent to the minors.

"Everyone's been talking about Sean being primed for a breakout year, and having Felipe here now, those two guys are great players," Longoria said. "These guys are ready to step in."

Manager Joe Maddon said he'll sort through the best ways to use both, whether it's a straight platoon, with Rodriguez at third against lefties and Lopez, a switch-hitter, facing right-handers, or keyed more to specific matchups, as well as how Lopez looks at the plate.

"It's going to be much more difficult, of course," Maddon said. "We're going to have to figure out another way to get this done. And we'll get that done somehow. It's just the way the baseball season works sometimes. You'll see more Felipe, you'll see more of Sean over there. Just try to really continue to mix and match the best we possibly can."

Lopez was headed to Triple A, for the first time since 2004, when he got rerouted to the Tropicana Field on Sunday. When he got to the dugout, he told Longoria he wasn't pleased with the circumstances of the injury but was excited to be back in the big leagues.

"I've done it for a while," Lopez said. "I know what it takes."

He didn't do very well last season, hitting a combined .233 for the Cardinals and (briefly) the Red Sox and ranking 30th in fielding percentage (.920) of the 32 major-leaguers who started at least 50 games at third base, making 11 errors in 60 games. For his career, he has a .933 mark in 155 games at third, considerably lower than at second base (.978) and shortstop (.960), where he has spent more time.

"I'm comfortable there," Lopez said. "I obviously played a lot there with St. Louis. I'm just going to be ready whenever I see my name in the lineup or if I'm on the bench. I'll do what I do."

The Rays, Maddon said, feel fortunate to have him. "I thought he did a great job in camp, and I really liked his at-bats," he said. "He's a good man. We've gotten to know each other well in spring training. I'm really happy that he's with us right now. … It's never good to get anybody injured, but we feel very good about Felipe being there."

Rodriguez, 25, has played in only 10 games at third (four starts) but can say that — at least thus far — he's perfect, with no errors in 15 chances.

Rodriguez said the biggest difference from shortstop, where he played most of his minor-league career with the Angels, and second base, where he has logged most of his big-league innings, is time — more specifically, the lack of time to field balls, making it more a matter of reaction. Also, he'll get the chance to show off his arm. "A lot of people underestimate the little guy's arm strength," he said.

Rodriguez, naturally, welcomes whatever additional playing time the situation yields, another step in his quest to establish himself as an everyday guy. "If given more opportunity, I'll try to seize that opportunity," he said.

That's basically how he looks back at the August 2009 trade from the Angels, with prospects Alex Torres, a lefty starter who will be at Triple A, and Matt Sweeney, a Double-A infielder, for Scott Kazmir (who is 11-17, 5.31 in 35 starts since the deal that also saved the Rays $22.5 million): That the Rays gave him the chance the Angels, who are in town tonight and Wednesday, didn't, and he showed what he could do with it.

"And," Rodriguez said, "there's still a lot left I've got to show them, too."

For at least the next three weeks, Rodriguez and Lopez will get their chance.

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

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Monday, April 4, 2011

>>UP NEXT

vs. Angels

Today and Wednesday

What's new: The Angels, coming off their first losing season since 2003, dropped three of four in Kansas City to open the year. Anaheim didn't get ex-Rays LF Carl Crawford in the offseason but acquired slugging CF Vernon Wells, as well as RH reliever Scott Downs (on the DL). The Angels are still missing 1B Kendrys Morales (left ankle surgery), with CF Reggie Willits (calf) and RHP Joel Pineiro (shoulder) also on the DL. DH Bobby Abreu has seven hits in his first four games.

Connections: Manager Joe Maddon is a former Angels bench coach and first-base coach George Hendrick a former Angels player and coach. Bullpen coach Bobby Ramos was a former Angels coach. INF Sean Rodriguez was an Angel, as was RHP Joel Peralta, and Angels LHP Scott Kazmir is an ex-Ray.

Series history: The Angels lead the all-time series 74-45, 32-27 at Tropicana Field. The Rays took the series last year 5-4, losing two of three at the Trop.

Joe Smith, Times staff writer

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Monday, April 4, 2011

Trip of the day

Rays manager Joe Maddon, third-base coach Tom Foley, bullpen coach Bobby Ramos and RHP Kyle Farnsworth, as well as the Rays radio broadcasters, will visit Tampa's MacDill Air Force Base from 10 a.m. to noon today. It's a prelude to a celebration the Rays will hold at the April 16 game vs. the Twins for MacDill's 70th birthday.

Back to the old days

LHP Cesar Ramos was happy he got to switch from No. 55 to No. 27 (once LF Sam Fuld went from No. 27 to No. 5). After all, Ramos said he wore 27 in high school and at Long Beach State. He said he has only been able to wear it once in his professional career, including the minor leagues with the Padres. "Every year, the pitching coach had it," Ramos said. "If I'd go up a level, he'd go up, too."

Quote of the day

"We know we're going to hit. We know we're going to come back and do better. It was just a tough way to start the first series."

Ben Zobrist, on starting the season 0-3

The dish

Rays vs. Angels

When/where: 6:40 tonight; Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg

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

Probable pitchers

Rays: RHP Jeff Niemann (12-8, 4.39 in 2010)

Angels: RHP Jered Weaver (13-12, 3.01 in 2010)

Tickets: $9-$210 at Tropicana Field box office, Ticketmaster, raysbaseball.com, team store in Tampa, $3 surcharge within five hours of game

Rays information: Toll-free 1-888-326-7297 (FAN-RAYS)

Watch for …

Standing tall: Niemann is hoping to build off a strong finish last season, when he righted himself after a DL stint for a shoulder strain. He is 1-2, 9.38 in five career starts against the Angels.

Ace in hole: Weaver is coming off a strong opening-day start, allowing two hits over 6 1/3 innings in a win over the Royals. He is 3-1 with a 2.45 ERA in five career starts against Tampa Bay.

Key matchups

Angels vs. Niemann

Bobby Abreu 2-for-13, HR

Vernon Wells 2-for-21

Howie Kendrick 5-for-8

Rays vs. Weaver

Johnny Damon 4-for-28

Manny Ramirez 4-for-15

B.J. Upton 3-for-11

Did you know?

Of the last 40 teams to make the playoffs, just one began the season 0-3 (the 2007 Phillies), according to research by ESPN.com

List of the day

All-time RBI leaders

13. Ted Williams 1,839

14. Ken Griffey Jr. 1,836

15. Rafael Palmeiro 1,835

16. Alex Rodriguez 1,835

17. Dave Winfield 1,833

18. Manny Ramirez 1,831

On deck

Wednesday: vs. Angels, 1:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Jeremy Hellickson (4-0, 3.47); Angels — Dan Haren (12-12, 3.91)

Thursday: at White Sox, 2:10, Sun Sports. Rays — David Price (0-1, 5.14); White Sox — Edwin Jackson (1-0, 3.00)

Friday: at White Sox, 8:10, FSN. Rays — James Shields (0-1, 2.45); White Sox — John Danks (15-11, 3.72 in 2010)

Bryan Burns, Times Staff Writer
Monday, April 4, 2011

Running through the streets of her Tarpon Springs hometown, 20-year-old Kailand Cosgrove captured the women's championship at the picturesque Beach to Bayou 5K on Saturday. The race had 425 finishers.

Cosgrove made it across the finish line just under the 19-minute mark. Her time was 18:59, nearly a minute faster than second-place Madeleine Zolfo of Treasure Island. Zolfo, 46, ran 19:51. She was the women's master's champion as well.

In the men's race, Timm Bischoff of Clearwater came across the finish line in 18:26 to earn a finish in the top three. Bischoff, 18, was third overall, only seven seconds back of second place, and was the winner of the men's 15- to 19-year-old age division.

Age group winners from Pinellas County include: (M grandmaster) Duncan Cameron, Palm Harbor, 21:44; (M14 and under) Michael Risola, Tarpon Springs, 21:57; (F14 and under) Amanda Elsom, Clearwater, 23:40; (F15-19) Anastacia Zamara, Tarpon Springs, 30:43; (F35-39) Colleen McLaughlin, Clearwater, 21:53; (M40-44) Steven Williams, Largo, 20:08; (F40-44) Pam Bracken, Tarpon Springs, 25:06; (M45-49) Ken O'Day, Palm Harbor, 19:19; (F45-49) Yvonne Bryant, Clearwater, 21:47; (M50-54) Bruce Mann, Clearwater, 20:01; (F50-54) Reberta Klar, Palm Harbor, 22:54; (M55-59) Fred Rzmek, Safety Harbor, 25:06; (F60-64) Stephanie Bessette, Dunedin, 29:06; (F65-69) Millie Hamilton, Redington Beach, 27:56; (M70-74) Herb Townsend, Treasure Island, 23:34; (F70-74) Mary Hanley, St. Pete Beach, 31:36; (F75-79) Carol Montgomery, Treasure Island, 42:50.

Matt Kinback of Tampa was the overall winner after breaking the tape in 17:14.

SHORT-COURSE YARDS CHAMPIONSHIP: St. Pete Masters Swimming hosting the 41st annual St. Pete Masters Short Course Yards Championship Meet — the self-proclaimed longest continuous masters meet in the world — this weekend at North Shore Pool with the home team claiming victory.

St. Pete Masters won the event with 2,027 points. Tampa Metro Masters were second with 1,011 points.

High point winners form St. Pete Masters were: (18-24) Keshia Vazquez; (25-29) Sarah Swoch, Shannon O'Brien; (30-34) Adrienne Forkois; (35-39) Shannon Orrell; (45-49) Dawn Clark, Ron Collins; (50-54) Bill Specht; (60-64) Fred Lewis; (80-84) Bob Beach.

Second-place finishers were: (25-29) Ted Bradley, (35-39) Monica Emory; (40-44) Paula Texel; (45-49) John Galloway; (80-84) Mike Torsney.

Suzanne Sanchez (45-49) and JoAnn Harrelson (55-59) came in third place.

AGE GROUP CHAMPIONSHIPS: The Long Center in Clearwater hosted the Florida Swimming Age Group Championships on Feb. 17-20, and a number of Pinellas County swimmers were named to the Florida Swimming All-Star Team.

Making the cut were: Gabby Delp, Noa Heron, Kristen McGurk, Amanda Burrows, Peyton Palsha, Antor Pinero-Crespo, Sarah Freeman, Mackenzie Hubbard, Macy Marshburn, Katherine Mayer, Tim Reisinger and Stefen Spiric.

SUNCOAST SPRINT: A handful of local runners were age group winners at Saturday's Suncoast Sprint 5K in New Port Richey.

Emily Sullivan was first in the women's 9 and younger division by more than 10 minutes with a time of 25:40.

Palm Harbor's Theodore Cohen took the men's 15-19 group by more than five minutes after running 19:18.

Lilly Cohen, 16 of Palm Harbor, was the winner in the women's 15-19 group in 25:40.

Laura Healy, another Palm Harbor resident, edged out the rest of the field in the women's 50-54 group after running 25:48.

Tommy Brown of Lutz outraced 237 other runners to the finish line to win the race in a time of 17:29. Kari Grippo, 14 of Hudson, was the women's champion in 18:12.

ACE FOR SIGHT 5K: Savannah Dearden of St. Petersburg was the women's champion at the 10th annual Race for Sight 5K in Ybor City on Saturday.

Dearden, 17, ran 18:30 for the win.

Local age group winners were: (F masters) Deb Robinson, St. Petersburg, 24:27; (M14 and under) Hunter McCann, Treasure Island, 18:06; (M15-19) Zachary Heller, Seminole, 18:30; (F25-29) Melanie Peters, St. Petersburg, 18:31; (M45-49) Marty Slade, St. Pete Beach, 19:35; (M65-69) James Ladig, Clearwater, 22:13; Joe Burgasser, St. Petersburg, 21:10.

STRAWBERRY CLASSIC: Carol Glasscock of St. Pete Beach was the women's 5K champion at the 30th annual Strawberry Classic in Temple Terrace on March 19.

Glasscock, 44, ran 20:09 for the win and was eighth overall out of 283 runners.

Age group winners at the Strawberry Classic 5K were: (F masters) Loretta Simeon, St. Petersburg, 20:39; (M9 and under) Takuma Walter, St. Petersburg, 20:47; (F40-44) Yvonne Bryant, Clearwater, 21:08; (M70-74) Don Kohler, St. Petersburg, 29:08.

Locals who were first in their age group in the 10K race were: (F20-24) Kristin Fisher, Clearwater, 48:50; (M25-29) Bret Sapp, St. Petersburg, 48:44; (M40-44) Steve Williams, Largo, 40:37; (F45-49) Tina Rosato, Palm Harbor, 48:49; (F50-54) Denise Lloyd-Boucher, Clearwater, 54:10; (M55-59) Dan McClenathan, St. Petersburg.

Bryan Burns can be reached at bburns@sptimes.com.

Times wires
Monday, April 4, 2011

SAN FRANCISCO — A tape of a secretly recorded conversation with Barry Bonds' doctor that prosecutors say a key witness recently discovered appeared unlikely to be ruled admissible by the judge in the perjury trial.

On a day when there was no testimony because a juror was ill, the government said Monday that former Bonds business partner Steve Hoskins found a cassette recording of his conversation with Dr. Arthur Ting.

Prosecutors, hoping to counter Ting's testimony last week that he never discussed Bonds' alleged steroid use with Hoskins — who insisted they had — said both men might be recalled to the witness stand.

"Mostly, I could hear Mr. Hoskins. I could hear very little of what Dr. Ting said," U.S. District Judge Susan Illston told lawyers late Monday. She added that from what she could discern, the new recording was "almost entirely inadmissible or irrelevant."

Prosecutors had planned to rest their case Monday.

COMMENTS IRK RELIEVER: Injured Yankees reliever Pedro Feliciano was adamant that a heavy workload had never caused arm problems, and he was hurt by the Mets' claim that they didn't want him back.

Told that Yankees GM Brian Cashman had accused the Mets of abusing Feliciano, Mets pitching coach Dan Warthen said his overuse was the reason the team decided to not re-sign him. Feliciano said the Mets indeed proposed a one-year contract.

"I read that and it hurts," Feliciano said. "It hurts."

CLEMENS SAGA: A federal judge is not happy that Roger Clemens talked to the media about his upcoming perjury trial.

In Washington, U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton reminded Clemens that he does not want the case tried in the media. He ordered all parties in the case to review his order in August prohibiting public comments that could prejudice potential jurors.

BURGLARY: Police are searching for suspects who burglarized the Mount Vernon, Wash., home of Phillies RHP Kyle Kendrick in late March and took his World Series ring.

BREWERS: Manager Ron Roenicke said there's no timetable for RF Corey Hart's return from a strained oblique, an injury he sustained in late February.

CARDINALS: LF Matt Holliday said he'd been having stomach pains for more than a week before having an appendectomy Friday. He also told the team he didn't need to go on the disabled list, and he hopes to return by the weekend.

CUBS: Former Rays 1B Carlos Peña is day to day with a mild sprain of his right thumb. … Announced attendance at Wrigley Field was 26,292, dropping below 27,000 for the first time since 2002.

DODGERS: 3B Casey Blake is making rapid progress from a bad back and is trying to talk the team into activating him Thursday, the first day he's eligible to come off the disabled list.

ORIOLES: RHP Jeremy Guthrie, coming off a strong opening day start against the Rays, has pneumonia and will miss his scheduled start Wednesday against the Tigers.

RANGERS: RHP Brandon Webb hit another snag in his comeback from 2009 shoulder surgery, struggling with his location during live batting practice. Webb said he felt no pain but isn't ready for a simulated game.

ROYALS: RHP Jeff Suppan, a 16-year veteran who was Kansas City's best pitcher 10 years ago, signed a minor-league deal and will report to Triple-A Omaha.

WHITE SOX: RHP Jake Peavy threw a 59-pitch simulated game Sunday and is scheduled to start a minor-league game Friday. Peavy has had problems with his surgically repaired shoulder.

Times wires
Monday, April 4, 2011

INDIANAPOLIS — Already packed with one surprise after another, the NCAA Tournament has one big dose of intrigue left when Notre Dame and Texas A&M play for the championship tonight.

It's the second title game without a No. 1 seed. But there's a budding star in Irish point guard Skylar Diggins, a new participant in the Aggies and an entertaining, outspoken coach in Texas A&M's Gary Blair.

"It's good to see two new faces in the Final Four championship game," Blair said. "For our sport to grow, we need Texas A&M and Notre Dame in this game."

The schools better known for football are No. 2 seeds, but few expected this matchup.

"Somebody said only one person predicted that it was going to be an A&M-Notre Dame matchup out of all the millions of people who do a bracket," Texas A&M guard Sydney Colson said. "It will get some of those top-name girls to branch out to other schools and realize it's not just UConn and Stanford and Tennessee that can win national championships."

Diggins was one of those girls. She grew up in South Bend and cheered the Irish on as they won the national title in 2001.

"I was there, hands on the TV," she said. "If they lost, I'd have been crushed."

Now the sophomore guard has led the Irish to back-to-back victories over Tennessee and Connecticut, the first time a team has beaten those two in the same NCAA Tournament. It's only happened eight times during the same regular season.

"It's awesome," Diggins said. "And we're not done yet."

With 28 points against Connecticut, Diggins has become an overnight national sensation. She gained nearly 20,000 Twitter followers after Sunday's victory.

It helped to get a tweet shoutout from rapper Lil Wayne, who has 1.6 million followers.

"It's crazy," she said. "I just have fun on Twitter. I have a lot of young girls following me and asking how I handle different situations. I have to understand that I'm a mentor and a role model and act as such."

Texas A&M bullied its way through the tournament. It vanquished its conference rival, beating Baylor in the region final after losing to the Bears three times during the season.

Texas A&M has a relentless defense that didn't allow more than 50 points until Stanford scored 62 in the semifinals.

Offensively, the Aggies rely on Danielle Adams, the first All-American in school history. Their defense is fueled by harassing guards Colson and Sydney Carter.

"A lot of people, I don't want to say they fear our defense, but I think they really respect what we do on the defensive end," Carter said. "And we take so much pride on the defensive end and making people feel uncomfortable and making them do things that they don't want to do."

Added Colson: "It's going to be a physical game; I think they're just as physical as we are. And I think it's just going to be an all-out battle."

Times wires
Monday, April 4, 2011

Yankees 4, Twins 3

NEW YORK — Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada hit two-run homers, rookie Ivan Nova kept the Yankees ahead and New York beat the Twins at home for the 15th time in the past 16 meetings, including wins in the past two AL division series. Rodriguez lined his 615th career homer in the first, then Posada connected the next inning for his third home run in two days. At 39 and now a full-time DH, Posada seems to have adjusted nicely to his new role.

Times wires
Monday, April 4, 2011

HOUSTON — Dennis Rodman earned plenty of labels during his sometimes turbulent NBA career.

Here's one the player who created chaos on — and sometimes off — the court never expected: Hall of Famer. Rodman headlined the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame's 2011 class announced Monday at the Final Four, a group that includes former Dream Team member Chris Mullin and Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer.

"It's just unreal," Rodman said.

And somewhat unexpected, at least to the two-time NBA defensive player of the year and five-time NBA champion who believed his extracurricular activities — including donning a wedding dress to marry himself and kicking a photographer in the groin — would overshadow his accomplishments.

"I looked at the way I am, and I thought I wouldn't get in," Rodman said.

Also part of the class: coaches Tex Winter, innovator of the triangle offense, and Philadelphia University's Herb Magee; longtime NBA and ABA star Artis Gilmore; former Trail Blazers center Arvydas Sabonis; Olympic gold medalist Teresa Edwards; Harlem Globetrotter Reece "Goose" Tatum; and Boston Celtic Tom "Satch" Sanders.

For VanDerveer, Monday's announcement was bittersweet, coming just hours after her Stanford team lost 63-62 to Texas A&M in an NCAA Tournament national semifinal.

"This is kind of a tough morning to be a basketball coach for me waking up after our loss last night," she said on a conference call. "This opportunity to be enshrined in Naismith is an incredible honor, and I'm overwhelmed by it."

Times wires
Monday, April 4, 2011

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

FISHER PLEASED WITH FSU SCRIMMAGE

TALLAHASSEE — From about 15 yards behind Florida State's offense, Jimbo Fisher on Monday afternoon got the best live-action look at his scheme that he has had all spring.

He thought it was a good one.

For the first time since the start of spring practices, the Seminoles scrimmaged inside Doak Campbell Stadium.

"Both sides competed very well," Fisher said. "I was not displeased. But I'm also not saying I'm ecstatic. There were some good things out there."

Starting QB EJ Manuel threw three touchdowns and displayed poise.

"He was in total control of what was going on," Fisher said. "(He was) managing people, getting on people, encouraging people, beating people."

Early enrollee Jake Farenkrug started at center, moving from guard, as part of a changing line.

"I told those guys (on the offensive line), we'll make plays for them if they just give about a second and half of protection," Manuel said.

MORE COLLEGES

Southern University AD faces accusation

Southern University athletic director Greg LaFleur is free on bond after his arrest in Houston on a charge of soliciting a prostitute. Houston police spokesman John Cannon says the 52-year-old former NFL tight end was arrested on a downtown street about 8:30 p.m. Sunday as a result of a sting by undercover officers. LaFleur was released Monday on $500 bond.

WOMEN'S HOCKEY: Yale player Mandi Schwartz died Sunday after a 27-month battle against leukemia. Her father, Rick Schwartz, said she died in her native province of Saskatchewan. She was 23.

SOCCER

Recovering Japan pulls out of tourney

Japan withdrew from this year's Copa America, leaving the 12-nation tournament a team short three months before it is due to start. Junji Ogura, the president of the Japanese Football Association, said the most important thing was for his country to rebuild after the earthquake and tsunami that struck March 11. Copa America, the championship of South America, also invites nations outside the region to participate. This year's event is July 1-24 in Argentina.

FIFA: Mohamed Bin Hammam of Qatar was confirmed as the only challenger to Sepp Blatter's 13-year rule of the world governing body. Its presidential election is June 1.

ET CETERA

CYCLING: The sport's governing body will investigate if Frank Schleck of Luxembourg broke the rules by wearing a drink pack on his chest that might have been an aerodynamic advantage in winning the Criterium International last month. Several riders have used the hydration system, and UCI race officials let Schleck start the stage.

DOPING: The director of the World Anti-Doping Agency said the collection and testing of backup samples should be scrapped to save time and money. David Howman said cheats have an easier ride because of their right to a second sample.

TENNIS: Former Florida player Jill Craybas defeated Shelby Rogers 3-6, 6-2, 6-0 in the first round of the Family Circle Cup in Charleston, S.C.

YACHTING: Frenchmen Jean-Pierre Dick and Loick Peyron won the Barcelona World Race, completing the 25,200-mile around-the-world event in 93 days, 22 hours, 20 minutes, 36 seconds in a New Zealand-designed Virbac-Paprec 3.

Coley Harvey, Orlando Sentinel; Times wires

Times staff, wires
Monday, April 4, 2011

RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia Commonwealth coach Shaka Smart is staying with the Rams after leading them on a surprising Final Four run.

The school said Monday that Smart agreed to an eight-year contract. Details will be released once the deal is signed.

"True to form, Coach Smart's primary concerns were about his players, coaches and the overall support of the basketball program," VCU athletic director Norwood Teague said in a statement. "We are honored that he has decided to stay a VCU Ram."

The second-year coach led VCU from one of the "First Four" games in the NCAA Tournament to upsets of prominent programs including Georgetown, Purdue and Kansas to reach the Final Four.

VCU (28-12) became only the third No. 11 seed to get that far, losing to Butler 70-62 in Saturday's national semifinals.

Four of the Rams' five tournament wins came by double-digit margins, including 71-61 against the top-seeded Jayhawks for the Southwest Region championship.

That run had Smart mentioned for other coaching vacancies. Team spokesman Scott Day said N.C. State had recently offered Smart the job to replace Sidney Lowe, who resigned in March.

USF to visit Kansas

USF will take on a national powerhouse for the first time in program history next season as the Bulls have agreed to play Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse on Dec. 3. It's the first time the Bulls will play the Jayhawks, who went 35-3 before losing to VCU in the Elite Eight. With one senior in its top six scorers this season, Kansas should again be one of the nation's top teams.

There's also a 50-50 chance USF will face Kentucky in the final game of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Tipoff tournament in Springfield, Mass.

Missouri hires Haith

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Frank Haith is returning to the Big 12, this time as a head coach.

Missouri said late Monday that Haith had agreed to leave Miami and take over the Tigers. The Hurricanes said Haith had resigned to take the Missouri job, but the Tigers were quiet until the university curators met in a closed session.

Haith, who spent three years as an assistant at Texas and Texas A&M, will replace Mike Anderson. Haith went 129-101 in seven seasons at Miami and made the NCAA Tournament once, losing in the second round in 2008.

Two Missouri starters didn't wait for their new coach, saying they would declare for the NBA draft. Juniors Kim English and Laurence Bowers said they plan to pursue pro careers but have not hired agents, giving them time to change their minds.

PRINCETON COACH DEPARTS: Sydney Johnson, who led Princeton to a share of the Ivy League title and a berth in the NCAA Tournament, was hired by Fairfield. He coached at his alma mater for four years and went 66-53.

JURISPRUDENCE: Oklahoma State's Darrell Williams, 21, will stand trial on rape and other felony charges alleging that he inappropriately touched two female students, Payne County Special Judge Michael Stano ruled.

TOWSON: Pittsburgh assistant Pat Skerry was named coach. Skerry replaces Pat Kennedy, a former FSU coach who resigned last month after seven seasons.

WICHITA STATE: Gregg Marshall is staying as coach after leading the Shockers to the NIT title and a school-record 29 wins.

Times staff writer Greg Auman contributed to this report.

Times wires
Monday, April 4, 2011

Playoff chase

With nonshootout wins (first tiebreaker in determining final playoff spots) and games left. Division winners get top three seeds:

East Pts. Wins GR

1. Flyers-x 103 43 3

2. Capitals-x 103 42 3

3. Bruins-y 99 42 3

4. Penguins-x 100 37 3

5. Lightning-x 99 38 3

6. Canadiens 91 39 3

7. Rangers 91 34 2

8. Sabres 90 35 3

9. Hurricanes 87 33 3

10. Maple Leafs 84 32 3

West Pts. Wins GR

1. Canucks-p 113 48 3

2. Red Wings-y 102 42 3

3. *Sharks-x 101 41 4

4. Coyotes 96 37 3

5. *Kings 96 36 4

6. Predators 95 36 3

7. Ducks 93 40 3

8. Blackhawks 92 36 4

9. Flames 91 31 2

10. Stars 89 34 4

p-Clinched Presidents' Trophy y-Clinched division x-Clinched playoffs *-Late game

NEW YORK — Brandon Dubinsky and Michael Sauer scored 51 seconds apart late in the third period, and the Rangers turned a likely crippling defeat into their most stirring victory of the season by beating the defensive-minded Bruins 5-3 on Monday night.

The Rangers, who trailed 3-0 in the second, seemed beaten when the game suddenly turned. Dubinsky tied it with 3:48 left and Sauer followed at 17:03 with the winner that shook Madison Square Garden.

"It's a feeling that you can't describe when you hear that many people going crazy," Dubinsky said. "We fought so hard for so many months and we needed these two points.''

Derek Stepan scored an empty-net goal with 52.2 seconds left. Vinny Prospal had two goals in the second period to start the Rangers' rally.

New York began a season-ending, three-game homestand by jumping over idle Buffalo in the East.

"We respected the game plan when we took that 3-0 lead. Then guys wanted to get cute again," Bruins coach Claude Julien said. "The only reason they took over is because we let them."

Around the league: Sabres goalie Ryan Miller believes there's a good chance he'll be back by the end of the week. He had a light half-hour workout, his first time on the ice since taking a shot off his collarbone March 29. … The Penguins signed free agent forward Brian Gibbons to a two-year, entry-level contract. In his final season at Boston College, Gibbons had 18 goals and 51 points in 39 games.

First Period—1, Boston, Paille 5 (Boychuk, Ryder), 15:16. 2, Boston, Horton 25 (Krejci, Lucic), 16:53. Penalties—Staal, NYR (slashing), 5:55; Bergeron, Bos (tripping), 10:15.

Second Period—3, Boston, Kelly 13 (Kaberle, Seidenberg), 10:32. 4, N.Y. Rangers, Prospal 7 (Wolski, Staal), 11:34. 5, N.Y. Rangers, Prospal 8 (Wolski, Stepan), 18:26. Penalties—Krejci, Bos (hooking), 5:02; Krejci, Bos (slashing), 12:28.

Third Period—6, N.Y. Rangers, Dubinsky 24 (Callahan, Anisimov), 16:12. 7, N.Y. Rangers, Sauer 3 (Gaborik, Boyle), 17:03. 8, N.Y. Rangers, Stepan 21 (Fedotenko, Sauer), 19:07 (en). Penalties—Seidenberg, Bos (tripping), :53. Shots on Goal—Boston 19-4-7—30. N.Y. Rangers 5-9-12—26. Power-play opportunities—Boston 0 of 1; N.Y. Rangers 0 of 4. Goalies—Boston, Thomas 33-11-9 (25 shots-21 saves). N.Y. Rangers, Lundqvist 35-26-5 (30-27). A—18,200 (18,200). T—2:15.

By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist
Monday, April 4, 2011

HOUSTON — And now it was at an end, perhaps, and the old man was walking toward another trophy, a bit of controversy tagging along behind, and down deep, he didn't give a tinker's damn about what anyone else thought of any of it.

There have been so many games for Jim Calhoun, and so many fights, and so many curse words that needed to be shouted in the direction of a player who wouldn't do right or a ref that couldn't see right or a basketball that wouldn't bounce right. He has coached more than 1,200 games now, and every one of them is written in his face.

He has been so many people through so many viewfinders, Calhoun. Coach. Grump. Champion. Cheat. Mentor. Bully. Bulldog. Tyrant. Comedian. Saint. Sinner. Survivor. He has taken some lumps, and given some out.

Along the way, every now and then, Calhoun has had a night such as this.

For Calhoun, this had to be the finest moment in a career that has provided a few.

After all the games, all the years, he got to wave a national championship trophy in the face of his critics. What could be more fun?

Give Calhoun credit for this. He figured it out. This was his third title, but his best coaching job. With three freshmen and a sophomore starting, with a ninth-place finish in the Big East, with his name in headlines throughout, he found a way to guide his team to a title. He turned Kemba Walker and the Teen Titans into champions.

Monday, his team managed to out-underdog Butler in a 53-41 win. This time, UConn's defense smothered the Bulldogs (Butler hit only eight of its first 52 shots from the floor) This time, UConn ruled the boards. This time, the Huskies played in that feisty, defiant mode of their head coach.

All in all, a pretty good final act, which makes you wonder if it was indeed Calhoun's final act.

This might have been it for Calhoun, you know. If you have ever seen Calhoun stalk a sideline, it may be difficult to imagine him no longer there. But he is a month from his 69th birthday, and he has survived three bouts of cancer, and even his friends are telling him this might be the time to walk away.

Calhoun admits that he thinks about it. He once told his wife that he would retire at 50. ("I lied," he said.) He has just had his knuckles rapped by the NCAA for creating "an air of non-compliance." His reputation has taken a pounding.

So why not leave?

But this is Calhoun, basketball's cantankerous uncle, and the more you think about it, the less it sounds likely. The guy likes a fight too much to walk away. He likes getting in the last word too much to walk away. He likes winning games like Monday night's too much to walk away.

"I would think (walking away) is a legitimate question," Calhoun said. "I don't know if I look battled today. Maybe I do. I didn't sleep very much. But 10 years ago, I was on a plane with Dean Smith, and Dean said, 'Don't ever make a decision on your basketball future right after a season. Give yourself some time, space and distance and then make a decision.' "

In other words: Don't push me.

As much as anything, that's Calhoun's legacy. He has led a don't-push-me life, and he's had a don't-push-me career. Even now, he tells the story of coming home from baseball practice at age 15 and hearing that his father had died. He remembers getting up at 6 a.m. to pump gas, and working in the candy factory, and in the quarry, and in the shipyard. He came up the hard way, not like all of these young coaches who look like law students.

"I never mind the underdog role," Calhoun said. "I guess it's the story of my life."

Still, he won, more than 850 times. Three times, he has won national titles. He kicked in the saloon doors the Hall of Fame. He pulled UConn into the big time. He has more tournament wins than John Wooden. He has as many titles as Bob Knight. He has sworn as often as the U.S. Navy.

For all of it, the world cannot decide on Calhoun. Even now, with his career in twilight, he is not far from the shadow of Nate Miles, a former UConn recruit who says Calhoun was fully aware of all of the rules that were broken in his pursuit.

"What others say, A, it depends on who it is," Calhoun snarls. "B, what they're saying and how much validity it has. C, how they're chasing the dead horse. Do I hear it? Yeah, I do, because that's who I am.

"The bottom line is we can all survive what we need to survive if we know who we are. One thing I'll guarantee you, I know who I am. I know what I've done in 39 years of coaching. Have I made mistakes? Yes. Do I have warts? Yeah, I do. But I'm comfortable with who I am."

There are those who are less comfortable, those who think he should be stronger on details and not so much on defiance, and that Calhoun is the wrong guy to determine the whether the horse lives on. There are those who think Calhoun should stop clubbing the world with the chip on his shoulder.

"I don't know what chip you're talking about," he said. "When I read about myself, I don't know who they're talking about. You know I'm on the board of the Eugene O'Neill Theater. You know there's a Calhoun Cardiac Center where they raised $7 million for me? You know I'm an avid bike rider, that I've run 12 marathons?

"But the edge I've maintained. I would hope you never lose your edge. If you went to Roy Williams or Mike Krzyzewski, if they don't fear failure more than they seek success, I'd be very surprised."

Think of him how you will. With Calhoun, there is truth to them all. When Calhoun walks away, if he walks away, there will be a lot of different footprints leaving the gym.

A lot of different trophies, too.

Times wires
Monday, April 4, 2011

Pirates 4, Cardinals 3

ST. LOUIS — Charlie Morton won his first road game since the end of 2009 in a 47-degree chill, and the Pirates stunned Cardinals starter Kyle Lohse with a four-run sixth. In a span of four pitches, Lohse finished a walk then allowed Neil Walker's two-run double and Andrew McCutchen's homer to put Pittsburgh ahead 4-1. The Pirates are 3-1 on the road after going a major league-worst 17-64 last season.

Times wires
Monday, April 4, 2011

Rangers 6, Mariners 4

ARLINGTON, Texas — Nelson Cruz became the third player ever to homer in the first four games of a season, Derek Holland pitched six effective innings and the Rangers remained one of four unbeaten teams. Texas (4-0) is off to its best start since opening 7-0 in 1996, following up a three-game sweep of Boston. Cruz joined Willie Mays (1971) and Mark McGwire (1998) with homers in the first four games.

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, April 5, 2011

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers biggest need is for a pass rusher and no player may fit every requirement like Purdue's Ryan Kerrigan, who is visiting with the team today according to the National Football Post.

Kerrigan led the nation with 27 tackles for a loss, produced 12.5 sacks and forced five fumbles last season. At 6-foot-4, 267-pounds, he is the perfect 4-3 edge rusher.

Kerrigan started three years at Purdue and was a team co-captain as well as the Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year. Kerrigan is trying to shed the effort guy level. He was impressive with a 4.67 40-yard dash at the NFL combine and bench pressed 225 pounds 31 times.

The Bucs like to find players who were leaders of their college teams. Gerald McCoy, Roy Miller and Kyle Moore all were team captains.

Kerrigan already has visited the Buffalo Bills and worked out for the Atlanta Falcons. He has visits scheduled with San Diego, Washington, Jets and Falcons.

It's unlikely Kerrigan would still be available when the Bucs select 20th overall, but they always could attempt to move up in the draft for the right player.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Tampa Bay Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier will play Tuesday night against the Buffalo Sabres, quite amazing given he has a scratch and contusion on his right eye, and only yesterday was talking about how light so bothered him he had to wear sunglasses.

But Lecavalier participated in Tuesday's morning skate and said he had no restrictions, though he still had some discomfort but not enough to keep him out of the lineup. He will wear a visor at least through the end of the regular season.

"It just felt a whole lot better this morning," Lecavalier said. "I'm so surprised (I can play), but the doctor told me the eye heals very rapidly. But I never thought I would play tonight. It feel totally different."

"He says he's fine," coach Guy Boucher said, "and our medical staff says he's fine."

Lecavalier was hurt in the second period of Sunday's 2-0 victory over the Blackhawks when Chicago's Michael Frolik inadvertently hit him in the eye with his stick blade. He sat out the rest of the game and on Monday saw Sabres team ophthalmologist Andrew Seidlecki, who prescribed eye drops to help with the blurry vision and pain.

"It's not 100 percent," Lecavalier said. "But every hour it feels better and better. When I stepped on the ice, it felt fine."

Lecavalier began Tuesday's morning skate with a blue-tinted visor protecting his injured right eye. But after only a few minutes, he had it changed to a clear visor. As the visor was being replaced, Lecavalier tried to join power-play practice, but Boucher would not allow it until the helmet was re-fitted with the new visor.

Lecavalier, who normally does not wear a visor, said wearing the tinted visor made him feel as if he was "in a box."

Other stuff from the morning skate: Dwayne Roloson gets the start in net. ... Defenseman Eric Brewer will sit out a second straight game with a lower-body injury. Boucher reiterated how "minor" is the injury and that if it were the playoffs Brewer would be playing and how Brewer likely will play this weekend. "We just don't want to have something nagging," Boucher said. ... Right wing Steve Downie, benched for a good part of the third period against the Blackhawks, will play but got a long lecture from Boucher about controlling his emotions. Downie went after Chicago defenseman Brent Seabrook after what seemed a clean check. No penalty was called, but Boucher called that lucky and added such behavior could cost the team dearly in a playoff series. ... Defenseman Randy Jones, who will miss his 14th straight game tonight with a high ankle sprain, skated with the team (though he wore a red jersey) for the first time since his injury and looked "pretty good," according to Boucher. The hope is Jones, injured March 7 against the Capitals, can play at least one game before the playoffs. But Jones did not sound as if that would happen. "It will be very difficult to do, but we'll see," he said. ... AHL Norfolk center Blair Jones had two goals and three points in Monday's win over Charlotte. His 175 points make him the AHL Admirals' all-time leader. ... Tonight's game is a big one for the Sabres, who are eighth in the East, three points behind the ninth-place Hurricanes. Asked what the game means to Tampa Bay, which is one-point behind the Penguins for fourth and home-ice in the playoffs, Boucher said, "We don't fight for home ice, we don't fight for the standings. We fight for us getting better. There are things we need to improve on. That's what we're focusing on today." ... If you hadn't noticed, the Lightning has been outshot in every game of its five-game winning streak. Boucher, though, said it is not a problem as in only one game, Sunday against the Blackhawks, did the team have fewer scoring chances.