Times staff
Friday, October 12, 2012

The poll

Which factor contributed most to the Bucs' 24-22 loss to the Redskins?

Too many missed opportunities on offense: 42 percent

Poor tackling put them in an early hole: 21 percent

Too aggressive on Redskins' final drive: 18 percent

Too many penalties overall: 11 percent

Robert Griffin III was too much for them: 8 percent

Total: 946 votes

Inside the numbers

5-5 Bucs' record against the Chiefs, including 3-2 at home

9-7 Bucs' record when coming off a bye since 1996

15 Combined points by which the Bucs have lost their three games this season

19 Turnovers committed by the Chiefs this season, most in the league

551 Rushing yards by the Chiefs' Jamaal Charles, most in the league

What they're saying

It doesn't matter whether it's Matt Cassel, Brady Quinn or even Ricky Stanzi at quarterback. The Chiefs' offensive game plan for the immediate future appears to be established: run the ball. That might not be the most prudent plan of attack at Tampa Bay, which ranks fourth in the NFL in rush defense, 32nd against the pass and has allowed just one 100-yard rusher in four games.

Randy Covitz Kansas City Star

I was a big fan of Doug Martin during the evaluation period leading up to the draft, and I still like what he brings to the Bucs offense. But I feel he may be better served in a complementary role to LeGarrette Blount. Let Blount pound early and Martin clean up late.

Brian Billick Fox Sports

The picks

Two teams with quarterbacks on trial. Looks like Brady Quinn starts for the first time in three years in place of the concussed Matt Cassel (a blessed relief for coach Romeo Crennel, who was going to have to bench the eternally slumping Cassel anyway) while the regressing Josh Freeman (54.6 completion percentage) needs to be better. That starts with converting on more than 16 of 38 targets to the $11 million-a-year receiver, Vincent Jackson. Bucs, 13-10

Peter King Sports Illustrated

The Bucs are coming off a bye while the Chiefs are coming off a tough home loss to the Ravens. The Chiefs have big problems at quarterback — Brady Quinn gets the start — so they will try and pound it at Tampa Bay's defense. This will come down to what Josh Freeman does, and I think he gets it going. Bucs, 23-13.

Pete Prisco CBS Sports

The Bucs have lost three in a row. Maybe it's time for "High School Harry" Schiano to have a bonfire the night before the game. At least the Chiefs won't have to worry about what happens in the victory formation. Bucs, 16-13

Gerry Dulac Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Bucs vs. Chiefs

1 p.m., Raymond James Stadium, Tampa

Radio: 620-AM, 103.5-FM

Line/over-under: Bucs by 4, 40½

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Friday, October 12, 2012

You said you wanted to be closer to home, and now you are. What do you miss about Rockmart, Ga.?

I just like being able to get back and see all the people I grew up with from childhood. Those guys know me the best. I've really built some relationships with them, and being in Tampa allows them to get down here and get to see me play in games. When I was in New York, it was so far and they couldn't always make it.

Are there really just 4,000 people in your town?

Yeah, it's really small.

I had that many kids in my high school. Do you prefer the country?

Yes, and it's definitely country. I like everything about it. You just have so much space, so much land. You have so many things you can do outside. That gives kids so many more things to do other than sit around the house and play video games. And there's just a lot of love there. Everybody's close to everybody. And at nighttime, man, you can see all the stars. Trees and cows, that's what we have out there. It's just a peaceful place.

So as a rookie, you end up in New York City. What kind of adjustment was that?

It was definitely a culture shock; all those people everywhere. Then you got all those yellow cabs going fast. People drive a lot differently up there. And nobody says hello. Nobody opens the door for women or anybody else. There's definitely a different attitude up there. I guess it's the concrete jungle, so every man for himself.

Did it ever begin to grow on you?

It did. There's always something to do, especially in Manhattan. There's so many restaurants, and I love food. I used to go out to eat all the time in the city and go to different Broadway shows. That was great.

These are my weekly questions: What's playing most on your iPod/iPhone right now?

I like to listen to everything, but it's probably going to be (rappers) Young Jeezy or Wiz Khalifa or Gucci Mane. One of those three are usually playing.

What website do you visit the most?

I would say Facebook.

How much time do you think you spend on there?

Well, I used to be on it all the time, but I actually forgot my password. Man, I've got to take care of that.

What reality show do you watch the most?

I watch Love and Hip-Hop. I don't watch too much reality TV, though. There's just too much of it, and some of it is just stretched too far. It's not real. But I like Love and Hip-Hop because (character) Stevie J is hilarious.

I also asked Carl Nicks about this: When is the last time you wore one or both of your Super Bowl rings (from his time with the Giants)?

I haven't worn my first one since I got it. My dad has it. My second one, I wore it a couple of times, and then I gave that one to my dad, too. He's got them in a little case so we can put them out (on display).

What is an occasion to wear a Super Bowl ring, anyway?

I'm actually kind of scared to wear mine. Everybody wants to see it and touch it and hold it. Next thing you know, it'll end up in somebody's pocket. I leave mine put up. I don't even bring them out. Maybe I'll bring it out on my wedding day.

What's your fondest Super Bowl memory?

The after-party after the second one was cool. We had some guys that didn't know how to control themselves. It almost got a little out of hand, but it was all good fun. Nobody got in trouble. Guys were just having fun, celebrating, drinking. I think some guys were a little tipsy.

But you guys earned the right to let loose, right?

Oh, yeah. It was a direct example of how hard work pays off. We worked hard, and nobody believed in us. But we always believed in ourselves. We knew if we got past that first (playoff) game, we had a chance. Once we got to the Super Bowl, we already had it in our minds who the winner was going to be. And I think the Patriots had a little party planned for their celebration. We got wind of that, and we did everything we could to make sure they didn't have that celebration.

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

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Friday, October 12, 2012

With Tampa Bay coming off a bye and the Chiefs having issues at quarterback — backup Brady Quinn is starting — the Bucs have a great shot to win. Their offense is overdue for a complete performance.

Chiefs' top offensive player

Jamaal Charles, right, leads the NFL in rushing with 551 yards, and there's no secret stopping him is the key to today's game. His speed is difficult to contend with, so the Bucs need to keep him from reaching the perimeter.

Chiefs' top defensive player

End Tamba Hali, left, totaled 26½ sacks in 2010 and 2011 and has three in four games this season. His pressure is the primary reason the Chiefs have allowed just 205.8 passing yards per game.

The Bucs must avoid …

First- and second-down penalties that throw off offensive play-calling. That was a problem in the past two games, including the three against the Redskins two weeks ago.

What the Chiefs do best

Run, run and run some more. They average 35 carries per game, third most in the league. Their 5.2 yards per carry are second in the league, behind the 49ers' 6.1. In addition to Jamaal Charles, their offensive line is big reason why.

How you beat the Chiefs

At least for today, create third and longs in which Brady Quinn will have to throw the ball. The Bucs have a capable secondary and might be able to take advantage of a player who has not started a game since Dec. 12, 2009, and thrown only two passes since.

Projected starters

BUCS

OFFENSE

WR: Vincent Jackson

LT: Donald Penn

LG: Carl Nicks

C: Jeremy Zuttah

RG: Jeremy Trueblood

RT: Demar Dotson

TE: Dallas Clark

WR: Mike Williams

QB: Josh Freeman

RB: Doug Martin

FB: Erik Lorig

DEFENSE

LDE: Michael Bennett

DT: Gerald McCoy

DT: Roy Miller

RDE: Daniel

Te'o-Nesheim

SLB: Quincy Black

MLB: Mason Foster

WLB: Lavonte David

CB: E.J. Biggers

CB: Eric Wright

SS: Mark Barron

FS: Ronde Barber

special teams

PR: Roscoe Parrish

KR: Arrelious Benn

PK: Connor Barth

P/KO: Michael Koenen

Chiefs

OFFENSE

WR: Jon Baldwin

LT: Branden Albert

LG: Jeff Allen

C: Ryan Lilja

RG: Jon Asamoah

RT: Eric Winston

TE: Tony Moeaki

TE: Steve Maneri

WR: Dwayne Bowe

RB: Brady Quinn

FB: Jamaal Charles

DEFENSE

LDE: Tyson Jackson

NT: Dontari Poe

RDE: Allen Bailey

LB: Justin Houston

LB: Jovan Belcher

LB: Derrick Johnson

LB: Tamba Hali

CB: Brandon Flowers

CB: Stanford Routt

SS: Eric Berry

FS: Abram Elam

Special teams

PR: Javier Arenas

KR: Shaun Draughn

PK/KO: Ryan Succop

P: Dustin Colquitt

Injury report

Chiefs: Out — QB Matt Cassel (concussion), DE Glenn Dorsey (calf), RB Peyton Hillis (ankle), WR Devon Wylie (hamstring). Questionable — WR Jon Baldwin (hamstring), WR Terrance Copper (calf), RB Cyrus Gray (illness), DE Ropati Pitoitua (elbow). Probable — CB Jalil Brown (hamstring), RB Shaun Draughn (ankle), S Kendrick Lewis (shoulder), G Ryan Lilja (back)

Bucs: Questionable — DT Roy Miller (back). Probable — G Carl Nicks (toe), T Jeremy Trueblood (illness), CB Eric Wright (head)

Stat pack

1 p.m., Raymond James Stadium, Tampa | Radio: 620-AM, 103.5-FM | Line, O/U: Bucs by 4, 40½

Prediction

Bucs 20, Chiefs 17

Rushing yards

passing yards

total yards

Rushing yards allowed

passing yards allowed

total yards allowed

Bucs

chiefs

91.0 (23rd)

180.8 (2nd)

185.0 (29th)

221.6 (23rd)

276.0 (30th)

402.4 (4th)

73.8 (4th)

121.0 (22nd)

345.3 (32nd)

205.8 (8th)

419.0 (27th)

326.8 (10th)

Times staff, wires
Friday, October 12, 2012

Miami vs. North Carolina, 2:30, ESPNU, 1040-AM

The Hurricanes (4-2, 3-0 ACC) have given up more first downs than any Division I-A team this season (158), have been beaten by at least 38 points on two occasions, and are on pace to obliterate school records for points and yardage allowed. But Miami is right where it wants to be in the Coastal Division, at the top. The Tar Heels (4-2, 1-1) could be a test.

FIU vs. Middle Tennessee, 6

Florida International senior Wayne Times extended his career-high streak to 23 consecutive games with a pass reception with five catches against Arkansas State. It's homecoming for the Panthers (1-5, 0-2 Sun Belt). Middle Tennessee is 3-2, 1-1.

Florida A&M vs. Savannah State, 6

The Rattlers (2-4, 2-1 MEAC) fell 17-10 last week to Howard but have a good chance to get back on track this week against visiting Savannah State (0-5, 0-3), which has lost by double digits in each game and scored more than nine points only once.

UCF vs. Southern Miss, 8, CBS Sports Network, 1350-AM

Blake Bortles has thrown for 1,204 yards and 10 touchdowns for the host Knights (3-2, 1-0 Conference USA), who haven't played since Oct. 4 against Southern Miss is 0-5, 0-1.

FAU at Louisiana-Monroe, 8

The host Warhawks (3-2, 1-0 Sun Belt) hold a 6-2 series edge over the Owls (1-4, 0-2). Monroe has gone over 500 yards total offense four times this season.

Times staff, wires

By Bryan Burns, Times Correspondent
Friday, October 12, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — The faux-hawk that adorns the head of Takuya Yamada symbolizes the positive qualities the 38-year-old defender has brought to the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

The receding hairline and thinning locks are a reminder of 16 years of professional experience for the former Japanese national team player, mostly with his hometown club Tokyo Verdy in the J-League Division 1, Japan's top league.

When Yamada returns to Tokyo for two months in the offseason, admirers still stop him to ask for a picture or an autograph.

On top, Yamada's coal-black hair comes together playfully into a point, a triangle-shaped "do" that exudes a youthfulness and energy that has allowed him to play every minute of every game this season — at an age when most players have long succumbed to nature and retired.

In his third year with Tampa Bay, Yamada, the lone holdover from the team's inaugural season in 2010, has turned in an MVP-caliber performance, one that has helped the Rowdies reach the brink of the NASL final.

"It is an example for everyone that someone of his age can play to the level that he's playing," Rowdies coach Ricky Hill said. "As far as I'm concerned, age is nothing but a number. He trains every day of the week. He doesn't have any time off for injuries or strains. … He's in peak condition, and his performance since I've been here has been exemplary."

Yamada, called Yama by his teammates and coaches, has played in 83 of 88 matches over three seasons here. His only absence in 2010 came as a result of a one-match suspension due to an accumulation of yellow cards. Last season, he appeared in 25 of 29 games, missing time early with visa issues and more midway through the season with an abductor issue, according to Hill.

In 2012, Yamada has yet to come off the field for the Rowdies, underscoring his remarkable fitness level and Hill's recognition of the player's importance. Yamada was the only NASL field player (non-goalkeeper) to play every minute this season.

"I know for these field players, the guys that are 28, 29, that are getting in the cold bath and are getting stretched out and are sore every day, to see him at 38 being consistent, coming out here and doing his thing and he's one of the fittest guys on the team, it's got to be something that they look at and use as kind of inspiration," Rowdies keeper Jeff Attinella said.

On Tuesday, Yamada, along with teammates Attinella and midfielder Luke Mulholland, was named to the NASL's Best XI, an all-star squad selected by coaches. Yamada is also one of 10 players on the ballot for the Golden Ball award as league MVP (so is Attinella).

Yamada's contract is up at the end of the season. Hill has said that as long as he is coach, Yamada will always have a place on the team. Yamada shows no signs of slowing, but how long can a 38-year-old play at a high level in a league dominated by upstart 20-somethings?

"I don't know, one year at a time," Yamada answers, smiling. "If I feel I can play, I will play."

Three years ago, Yamada ventured abroad after 13 seasons in Japan, the allure of experiencing a new culture overriding the familiarity of home. He has carved a niche in Tampa Bay.

He takes English classes and studies the language online whenever he can. He said he had an offer from a Japanese team this season to return home and play. He can see himself retiring here and continuing to live in America while pursuing a career in coaching. Hill says he'll be a natural coach because "he's fair and will have empathy for people."

But, at Yamada's current work rate, coaching is still well off in the distance.

"Put it this way," Hill said. "I don't want to be disingenuous or disrespectful to the other defenders in this league … but there's no one I would have in front of Yama in that central defending position."

By Dave Zalewski, Times Correspondent
Friday, October 12, 2012

What's hot: Spanish mackerel, kingfish, barracuda, sharks and cobia are active in anticipation of winter. Landlocked anglers have caught Spanish mackerel from jetties, beaches and piers on outgoing tides. Free-lined live shrimp and small whitebait work well, but more consistent catches are being made casting jigs and small gold spoons with a trolling lead. Casting uptide lets the lure imitate the baitfish and shrimp carried out by the current.

Techniques: Anglers with boats do not have to venture more than a mile for mackerel. Troll small spoons or plugs or anchor and deploy a chum block along with small slivers of cut bait. Several fun methods can be used to catch fish once chummed up. One is to free-line live whitebait or shrimp with a long, shanked gold hook. Shrimp are a natural bait for mackerel. You also can cast small lures, shad-tailed jigs or spoons. The strike is often visible and results in a drag-screaming run when using 10-pound class or lighter tackle.

Tips: Have a heavier rod rigged and ready while fishing for Spanish mackerel. Sharks, kingfish and cobia will frequent the same areas, but heavier tackle and wire leader is mandated. Kingfish are still scattered, and most of our catches have been made by trolling spoons near the shipping channel or on live bait on a flat line while bottom fishing.

Dave Zalewski charters the Lucky Too out of Madeira Beach. Call (727) 397-8815.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Friday, October 12, 2012

TAMPA — No Buccaneer knows Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles as well as defensive tackle Roy Miller.

Miller was his roommate for three years at the University of Texas, and he remembers Charles' quick wit and quick feet, routinely making up jokes and dances.

"He was a clown," Miller said, smiling.

But Miller could also tell back then what the rest of the NFL knows now: Charles, 25, boasts special speed and big-play ability that make him one of the game's most dangerous backs. And that makes Charles, the league's leading rusher (551 yards), the Bucs' primary concern in Sunday's home game with the Chiefs.

"You watch him on film, and he's one tackle away from hitting his head on the goalpost," Miller said. "He has so much speed and agility that he makes a guy miss and all of a sudden, he's taking the ball all the way on the other side of the field."

Charles, a fifth-year back, is a big part of the Chiefs' game plan, as the run-dominated offense ranks third in the league in rushing attempts this season. Bucs defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan said the Chiefs are "consistently the best rushing team" because of their efficiency and willingness to run in any situation, behind a strong offensive line.

And Charles, as shown in his franchise-long, 91-yard touchdown run against the Saints, can break the big one at any time. His career average of 6.0 yards per carry, if he had the minimum of 750 carries (he has 602), would be the highest in league history, better than Emmitt Smith, Walter Payton and Jim Brown.

"If he can stay healthy, he'll break a lot of records," said ESPN analyst Herm Edwards, Charles' former coach with the Chiefs. "You're always nervous about him making the big play. That's where he's different than the other guys."

Edwards knew Charles was explosive when Kansas City drafted him in the third round in 2008. The former high school and college track star ran 40 yards in 4.38 seconds. But Edwards said Charles dealt with immaturity issues that hindered him from having an impact as a rookie.

The turning point came in Week 2 of Charles' second season, when then-coach Todd Haley made him inactive for the home opener against the Raiders. It was a wake-up call for Charles, sparking an improved work ethic, and he rushed for 1,120 yards that year.

A bulk of those yards came in the final four games, when Charles took over for injured starter Larry Johnson and never looked back, including a 259-yard performance in the season finale that is a franchise record.

Charles made his first Pro Bowl the following season, in 2010, when his 1,467 rushing yards were second to only Houston's Arian Foster. He lost most of last year due to a torn ACL in his left knee suffered in Week 2. But he made a remarkable recovery.

"I'm not the strongest person on the field. I don't break tackles or anything," Charles told Sports Illustrated. "I just run with a purpose and run with a passion, I guess. It just feels good to get the ball and run."

Charles isn't a big back, at 5 feet 11, 199 pounds, but he has shouldered a heavy load, racking up 30 or more carries twice this season, including 31 times for 140 yards against the Ravens last week. He also made plays in the passing game, with 14 catches for 118 yards (8.4 yards per catch).

"He's a very competitive young man," Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel said. "He does have tremendous talent, he's got great vision, got great speed, and he wants the ball in his hand. He's giving us a chance. And so when it's going good, we keep feeding him."

The Bucs expect a heavy dose of Charles, and though their rush defense is much-improved (fourth in the league at 75.5 yards per game), Sheridan acknowledges it'll be a big challenge.

"He's an extraordinary football player," Bucs coach Greg Schiano said. "He's got that something special."

Times wires
Friday, October 12, 2012

NEW YORK — Yankees-Orioles. Playoffs. Disputed home run to rightfield. Yankees win.

Sound familiar?

CC Sabathia and his New York teammates saw Nate McLouth's long drive called foul by a slim margin — hello, Jeffrey Maier — and then hung on to defeat Baltimore 3-1 Friday night in the deciding Game 5 of the American League Division Series.

With struggling third baseman Alex Rodriguez benched, the Yankees advanced to the AL Championship Series against the Tigers, starting tonight.

"It is still a long way to go," Sabathia said. "I still got hopefully three or four more starts. So the job is not done yet."

Sabathia pitched a four-hitter, wriggling out of a bases-loaded jam in the eighth. It was his first career postseason complete game.

Yet it was another piece of history that this game evoked. Baltimore again was stung on a close play in rightfield, echoing what happened at the old Yankee Stadium in the 1996 ALCS.

This time, with the Orioles trailing 1-0 in the sixth, McLouth sent a 3-and-1 pitch deep down the line. Eyes turned to rightfield umpire Fieldin Culbreth, who waved foul with both arms.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter asked for a video review, and five of the umpires examined the images. When they came back onto the field about two minutes later, they didn't make any signal, meaning the original call stood. McLouth struck out on the next pitch, ending the inning.

"I saw it go to the right of the pole," Culbreth said. "There is netting there, and it didn't touch the netting. It did not change direction," he added, indicating he did not think the ball grazed the pole, which would have made it fair and a home run.

Added crew chief Brian Gorman: "We saw the same thing on the replay. There was no evidence to overturn the decision."

"I knew when I was running down the line, kind of looking at it, I knew it was going to be really, really close," McLouth said. "It started off fair, and it was just hooking a little bit. I thought it was foul just in game speed. A couple of people mentioned it might've ticked the pole, but he was way closer than I was and I was satisfied after they went down and looked at the replay."

That's the way Yankees rightfielder Nick Swisher saw it.

"I didn't see any redirection," he said. "If it had hit, I would have been the first to know."

Steven Ellis, a fan from Queens, caught the ball with his Yankees cap in the second deck.

"It was foul all the way, never hit the pole," he said.

A stadium usher who wouldn't give his name, however, said he saw the ball glance off the pole.

In 1996, the 12-year-old Maier reached over the wall above rightfielder Tony Tarasco and deflected Derek Jeter's fly ball. Umpire Richie Garcia called it a home run, which tied the score at 4 in the eighth, and the Yankees went on to win in the 11th.

"Just watching at home, I promise," Maier, now a grown man, texted the Associated Press after Friday's play.

Sabathia defeated the Orioles for the second time in six days, Raul Ibanez hit a go-ahead single in the fifth off Jason Hammel and Ichiro Suzuki added an RBI double in the sixth. Curtis Granderson boosted the lead to 3-0 with a homer in the seventh.

Sabathia, now 4-0 in his past eight postseason starts, didn't allow an extra-base hit, struck out nine and walked two. "This is what you play for," he said.

Sabathia took a one-hit shutout into the eighth but allowed Matt Wieters' leadoff single and Manny Machado's walk. Mark Reynolds struck out, and Lew Ford hit an RBI single.

Robert Andino hit a bouncer to the third-base side that Sabathia gloved, but Eric Chavez was charging and left third uncovered and Sabathia's throw to second was late, leaving the bases loaded. McLouth struck out, and Sabathia escaped when J.J. Hardy hit a slow bouncer to shortstop that Jeter handled.

Sabathia then pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to finish up in 121 pitches.

For Baltimore, which beat Texas in the first AL wild-card playoff, it was a disappointing ending to a renaissance season. The Orioles went 93-69 to end a streak of 14 losing seasons.

"It's been about as much fun as I have had in the big leagues watching how they play the game every day, the standard they held themselves to and the way they raised the bar in Baltimore with each other," Showalter said.

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Friday, October 12, 2012

TAMPA

P aul Gruber had some input about which team the Bucs should honor during halftime today, when he is inducted into the Ring of Honor. The offensive tackle chose the 1997 club, which broke a string of 14 losing seasons and beat the Lions in the division playoffs, the final game at Tampa Stadium.

"Of all the seasons I played, it was the one that was the most satisfying," Gruber said. "It kind of was the turning point in the organization. My contract came up in '96, and I had some choices to make. I remember sitting down with (coach Tony Dungy), and I felt we were on the right path. Everything kind of came together that year."

Like the 1997 team, Gruber is the player to bridge the eras in the Ring of Honor. The fourth overall pick out of Wisconsin in 1988 will be the only player in it who wore both the orange-and-white and red-and-pewter uniforms.

"One of the most memorable games for me was the last game in Tampa Stadium against Detroit in the playoff game," said Gruber, who joins inaugural member Lee Roy Selmon, coach John McKay and TE Jimmie Giles.

"It was just taking that out on a playoff atmosphere with a win. After playing eight or nine years in that stadium and all the things you go through — from an emotional standpoint — it was just cool."

The next season, the Bucs moved into Raymond James Stadium and shed their orange uniforms. Gruber played in 183 consecutive games and, at one time, 4,850 consecutive snaps.

His career ended when he broke his right leg at Chicago's Soldier Field during the final regular-season game of 1999, when the Bucs clinched the NFC Central title. The Bucs could have used him in the NFC title game, which they lost 11-6 to the Rams.

"I guess it was just fate. I pressed my luck too long," Gruber said. "It was at the end of the game. The game was just about out of reach."

Gruber flirted with the idea of returning the next season. But the timetable didn't fit his recovery.

"We were right on the brink of, maybe, getting into a Super Bowl," Gruber said.

"I don't think I would've been ready to play. But just the competitor in you would've liked to see if I could've gotten back into playing shape."

Bucs FS Ronde Barber, who was a rookie in 1997, said Gruber's work ethic and consistency became a template for young players to follow.

"I didn't know much about him until I got here. But on a team that was kind of a perennial loser, he was always a winner," Barber said.

"His attitude is reflective in the guys that came after him. He was one of the guys that led the way in turning the organization around by coming to work every day."

McCOY/SUH: DTs Gerald McCoy and Ndamukong Suh will forever be linked by virtue of their draft status — Suh was the second pick overall in 2010, McCoy third.

McCoy played in only 19 games over his first two seasons, tearing the biceps in each arm. Meanwhile, Suh was named to the Pro Bowl as a rookie.

But for at least this season, McCoy has measured up. Suh has eight tackles and 21/2 sacks over five games for the 1-4 Lions. Meanwhile, McCoy has 11 tackles, three sacks, one forced fumble and a pass defense over four for the 1-3 Bucs.

Rick Stroud can be reached at stroud@tampabay.com and heard from 6 to 9 a.m. weekdays on WDAE-620. Follow him on Twitter at @NFLStroud.

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Friday, October 12, 2012

TAMPA — After more than a week of contemplation, the Bucs have officially decided Jeremy Trueblood will line up at right guard this weekend against the Chiefs.

Trueblood, the team's longtime starter at right tackle before his benching earlier this season, will take over for Ted Larsen; the team settled on that option during the past two days of practice.

Coach Greg Schiano would not announce his choice when asked Friday, but he was clear a decision had been made.

"Wednesday was kind of the last day of messing around," he said.

Regarding the decision not to reveal his selection, Schiano said, "I think we have some options. I don't think anybody's changing their game plan over our right guard. But there are two guys who are (potentially) going to play at right guard, so (the Chiefs) can study both of them instead of one."

Trueblood, on the surface, seems a less-than-ideal choice given his 6-foot-8 frame and slender build. But Schiano is convinced Trueblood's physical play makes him capable of making the transition from tackle.

The Bucs also considered T Jamon Meredith and gave him snaps this week at guard, too.

MILLER STILL HURTING: DT Roy Miller practiced Friday on a limited basis after he had back spasms this week. But the starter and run stopper, a key to Sunday's effort against NFL rushing leader Jamaal Charles of the Chiefs, remains questionable.

"Hopefully he'll be remarkably better and that'll increase and he'll be able to play," Schiano said. "Right now we can't be sure of that.

"He really struggled (Thursday) morning to even get up. … I think it's coming around, just like any other guy on the street. You wake up and, ooh, it's got you. He's come around quite a bit since (Thursday)."

How this happened remained a mystery, but it seems not to be a result of anything that occurred in practice.

Schiano joked, "He picked up a basket of laundry or something goofy like that."

Miller, who said he was improving and said his availability would be a game-time decision, said, "I was tying my shoes. (It's) a big-man problem."

The Chiefs' final injury report indicated RB Peyton Hillis (ankle) and DE Glenn Dorsey (calf) will not play.

GET TOGETHER: Former Bucs T Paul Gruber will be inducted into the team's Ring of Honor on Sunday, but tonight he'll catch up with teammates he hasn't seen in years when members of the 1997 team get together at One Buc Place.

"I'm looking forward to it. I think it'll be fun," said Gruber, who visited One Buc Place on Friday. "We were just getting briefed on everything that's going on.

"I'm looking forward to seeing a lot of teammates, seeing a lot of names you kind of forget about and people you haven't seen for 15 or 20 years."

MAKING DO: The Bucs are preparing to play their second game without DE Adrian Clayborn, out for the season with torn right knee ligaments. In a game against a prolific rushing team such as Kansas City, the Bucs could use the stout 280-pound Clayborn. But the team didn't address his loss with a personnel move, choosing instead to use adjustments and tactics to compensate.

"In our defense, we have enough variety that we can get guys moving around so they're not having to slug it out necessarily like a bigger-body guy might," defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan said. "(Clayborn) is a bigger-body guy. (Backup) Daniel (Te'o-Nesheim) has done a good job. And we do enough movement and stunt stuff that we can get him on the move and not ask him to slug it out with the offensive tackles he's going to have to face."

Times wires
Friday, October 12, 2012

NEW ORLEANS — All four players punished in the Saints bounty scandal want commissioner Roger Goodell removed because they do not believe he can be impartial, the Associated Press and NFL Network reported Friday.

And the AP reported that one of the four players, Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma, expects to face the Bucs on Oct. 21 while his appeal is pending.

The league said only Vilma, Saints defensive end Will Smith, Browns linebacker Scott Fujita and free agent defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove appealed Goodell's second ban.

In September, an appeals panel vacated Goodell's initial bans. On Tuesday he upheld his seasonlong one of Vilma (though he can be paid for time spent on the physically unable to perform list) and four-gamer of Smith, reduced Hargrove's from eight to seven and Fujita's from three to one.

Vilma, who had offseason surgery on his left knee, can come off the PUP list next week. "Excited to get Vilma back out there on the field," Saints linebacker Scott Shanle said in a text message.

None of the players were available for comment.

Comment irks 49ers coach

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh accused Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride of trying to influence officials prior to Sunday's game between the teams.

Gilbride was asked Thursday what makes the 49ers front line hard to block. He first praised its play, then talked about tackle Justin Smith.

"He does a good a job of grabbing a hold of offensive linemen," Gilbride said. "He never gets called for it, so he gets away with murder,"

Harbaugh issued a statement via the team in response.

"Kevin Gilbride's outrageous, irrational statement regarding Justin Smith's play is, first, an absurd analogy," it read. "Second, it is an incendiary comment targeting one of the truly exemplary players in this league."

Smith wasn't bothered: "Hey, better than getting caught with it."

Giants: Receiver Hakeem Nicks, who has missed three games with foot and knee injuries, practiced for the second straight day. Coach Tom Coughlin said his status will be determined today.

Jets: Corner Darrelle Revis, who tore his left ACL on Sept. 23, went on season-ending injured reserve. The team held off because of a "0.0002 chance" he could play in the Super Bowl. … Tight end Dustin Keller and receiver Stephen Hill, out four and two games, respectively, with hamstring injuries, expect to play Sunday.

Lions: Police in Dearborn, Mich., closed an investigation into a traffic incident involving defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. It said the accident, in which Suh sideswiped a car, was minor and fault could not be determined. The other driver, Steve Vines, said Suh later tried to intimidate him.

Redskins: Quarterback Robert Griffin III, who sustained a concussion Sunday, fully participated in practice. He's expected to start Sunday.

Vikings: Reserve defensive end and special teams standout Everson Griffen will play Sunday, three days after his mother's death. He said it is what she would have wanted.

Fines: The league confirmed Jets guard Matt Slauson must pay $10,000 for Monday's block that caused Texans linebacker Brian Cushing's season-ending torn right ACL.

Times wires
Friday, October 12, 2012

BELEK, Turkey — Justin Rose beat Lee Westwood on Friday to win the eight-player World Golf Final and earn a career-best $1.5 million.

Rose shot 5-under 66 to defeat his European Ryder Cup teammate by one stroke at the Antalya Club.

Rose won all of his five matches in the $5.2 million, eight-player exhibition that included Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.

"My golf is just so consistent at the moment," he said. "And the main thing is that I just don't have any skeletons in the closet, and I don't have that loose shot that is plaguing me all the time."

Westwood earned a check for $1 million for his efforts over three days. "We both played well, with just the slight difference on the greens," Westwood said of himself and Rose.

All eight players then participated in a pro-am. Turkish Golf president Ahmet Agaoglu was drawn to play alongside Woods. Agaoglu was at the center of controversy this week when he was accused of head-butting a journalist while trying to move him away from Woods on the opening tee.

Agaoglu was asked if he was nervous playing with Woods. "I'm not nervous, but what I want to do is make him nervous, as I will own him for the next four or five hours," he said with a smile. "I paid for him to be here in Turkey, so he's my property this afternoon."

Woods reportedly was paid a $3 million appearance fee to compete in Turkey. He also earned $600,000 as a semifinalist. He lost to Rose in the semis.

Pga: John Mallinger opened a four-stroke lead in the Frys.com Open, making an eagle and two birdies on the final four holes for 9-under 62 at San Martin, Calif. He was at 14-under 128. Billy Horschel (65) and Jhonattan Vegas (67) were second. First-round leader Nick O'Hern shot 71 to drop into a tie for fourth at 9 under with European Ryder Cup player Nicolas Colsaerts (68) and Scott Dunlap (63). Tampa resident Ryuji Imada (70) was 2 under.

LPGA: Defending champion Na Yeon Choi took a two-stroke lead in the LPGA Malaysia, shooting 4-under 67 to reach 10-under 132 at Kuala Lumpur. Tour rookie Sydnee Michaels was second after 65. Tampa's Cindy LaCrosse (72) was at par 142, and Seminole's Brittany Lincicome (73) was 2 over.

champions: Dan Forsman overcame back problems to shoot 7-under 65 and take a one-stroke lead over Fred Funk, David Frost and Larry Mize in the Greater Hickory Classic at Conover, N.C. Forsman pulled a back muscle two weeks ago. "I hadn't struck a ball until (Thursday)," he said.

Chad Wise, Times Correspondent
Friday, October 12, 2012

DADE CITY — Pasco cruised to a 63-0 victory at home against Hudson on Friday night, stretching its unbeaten run this season to six.

Pasco (6-0, 4-0) did not have to run many plays, a total of 31, but gained 304 yards in the first half. Running back David Emmanuel led the Pirates in the opening half with 138 yards rushing and three touchdowns on just six carries.

Quarterback Benjamin Chandler threw two touchdowns to Malik Johns before being replaced by Grant Starling after Pasco took a 49-0 lead into halftime. Starling threw two touchdown passes in the second half.

"We're trying to give the kids a chance to play against a jersey of a different color," Pasco coach Tom McHugh said of the substitutions. "Everybody gets a chance to play, and we try to do that."

Hudson (1-5, 1-3) failed to get much going offensively until its final drive. Quarterback Joey Caruso led the Cobras from their 20-yard line to the Pirates' 29 with six consecutive completing before being injured after a sack. The game ended on the next play.

Pasco will look to maintain its perfect season next week at Fivay, while Hudson will have a chance to get back on track at home against Wesley Chapel.

Times wires
Friday, October 12, 2012

ST. JOHN'S, Antigua — Eddie Johnson rewarded his coach's faith in him — twice.

Johnson scored twice Friday night, including the winner in second-half injury time, lifting the United States to a nerve-racking 2-1 victory over tiny Antigua and Barbuda in World Cup semifinal qualifying stage.

If the Americans top Guatemala on Tuesday in Kansas City, Kan., they will make the final round of CONCACAF qualifying for the 2014 World Cup. The U.S. team has 10 points; Guatemala and Jamaica had seven each going into late Friday's meeting.

Johnson scored on headers in the 20th minute, then in the dying moments in his first game for the U.S. team in two years. He was added to the squad by coach Jurgen Klinsmann. "It's good to be back in the mix," said Johnson, who had not scored for the national team in four years.

It was the second time the Americans struggled with Antigua, which has a population of slightly less than 90,000. The United States, at more than 311 million, is nearly 3,500 times bigger. The Americans won 3-1 in June at Raymond James Stadium in a sloppy game, and like Friday's, one played in heavy rain.

ELSEWHERE: Canada beat Cuba 3-0 in Toronto to move a step closer to advancing. Cuba had no subs available. Coach Alexander Gonzalez said four players had left the team. … World and European champion Spain romped to a 24th straight qualifying win, 4-0 at Belarus.

Times wires
Friday, October 12, 2012

Cycling

No winner of lance tours?

PARIS — The Tour de France will have no official winner for the races from 1999-2005 if Lance Armstrong is stripped of his seven victories by the sport's governing body for doping.

Tour director Christian Prudhomme called the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency's report on Armstrong "damning" and said Friday that it raises doubts about "a system and an era."

Tour officials are waiting on the International Cycling Union's decision on whether to go along with the antidoping agency's decision to ban Armstrong for life and erase his racing results based on the results of its investigation of him. Armstrong's teams "ran the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen," said the report, released Wednesday.

The governing body must decide by month's end whether to appeal the agency's rulings to the World Anti-Doping Agency. Its president, Pat McQuaid, declined to comment on the report but defended the body's efforts to catch drug cheats. It tests often but can do little if the results are negative, he said.

armstrong cohort out: Armstrong's former team manager, Johan Bruyneel, left the RadioShack-Nissan team after he was singled out in the report as a central figure in the doping program. The decision was by "mutual agreement," the team said. Bruyneel said he left to "concentrate on my defense." He chose an arbitration hearing to fight the antidoping agency's charges.

et cetera

olympics: Canadian soccer player Christine Sinclair was suspended for four games and fined $3,500 by the sport's governing body for "displaying unsporting behavior towards match officials" after a controversial loss to the United States in the London Games semifinals, the Canadian Soccer Association said. She was one of several players who criticized the head official over a call against goalkeeper Erin McLeod that led to Abby Wambach's tying penalty kick in the 80th minute. The Americans won in extra time.

tennis: Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Tomas Berdych, the top four seeds, reached the semifinals of the Shanghai Masters in China. … Top seed and Tampa resident Sam Stosur made the Japan Open semis with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Jamie Hampton at Osaka.

Times wires

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Friday, October 12, 2012

TAMPA — It happens time and time again. Josh Freeman and the offense will be stuck in a rut until well after halftime before the Bucs quarterback starts peppering the opposing secondary with deep passes.

And those downfield strikes often hit their mark.

In passes of 21 yards and longer this season, Freeman is 7-of-13 for 281 yards, three touchdowns and no interception. On those 41 yards and longer, Freeman's efficiency rating is 149.3.

"I've always felt that's been a strength of mine; all the way through college," the fourth-year player said of his ability to throw the ball downfield. "I've hit deep balls over the years. You can talk about some of those bombs to Regis (Benn) or Mike (Williams)."

Such success should come as no surprise.

The entire sport has started backpedaling.

Rules prevent defensive backs from laying a glove on receivers after 5 yards. Referees protect quarterbacks like family heirlooms, and wideouts such as the Bucs' 6-foot-5 Vincent Jackson stand out like beacons.

"You've got to get back, assess the coverage and let it go," Freeman said. "It's something that when it's there, I feel like I can make it happen."

Jackson, who signed a five-year, $55 million contract in March, has given Freeman a legitimate downfield target. His 16 catches and 304 receiving yards leads the team. His two touchdown catches are tied for first with Williams.

And with coverage rotating toward Jackson, Williams is off to a fast start (11 catches, 219 yards). Both had season highs two weeks ago against the Redskins: Jackson six catches for 100 yards, including a 54-yard touchdown; Williams four for 115, including a 65-yarder.

"We try to stay as balanced as possible," Jackson said. "We come into each … game planning to be able to run the ball when we can. But you always got to have shots tied in there to keep the defense honest."

During the bye week, coach Greg Schiano concluded Freeman is one of the league's better deep throwers and the Bucs should take more shots earlier in games. Two weeks ago, Freeman led the team back from an 18-point second-half deficit to take the lead against the Redskins before the defense faltered.

Considering the high probability of either a completion or defensive pass interference, going long can't be wrong in today's NFL.

"Certainly, there are a lot of good things," Schiano said. "You know, those flyover yards?

"Where you fly over the eight-play drive where there could be an offside, a holding penalty and possibly something bad happening. You hit that one play, and whether you catch it or get a (pass interference), you wind up in the same spot, which is a huge difference."

Freeman agrees.

"When you look at a chunk play, a 60-yard play, that's eight plays that the (offensive) line isn't ramming their head, that they're not getting tired, the running back is not taking hits," he said.

"Chunk plays can be instrumental in a number of ways, but explosive plays will always be part of our offense."

There's no question Freeman has struggled with other elements of the new offense under first-year coordinator Mike Sullivan. Overall, he's the league's 26th-ranked passer with a rating of 75.3 and has a 54.6 percent completion rate.

Under Sullivan's system, there are post-snap sight adjustments that the receivers and Freeman must make. Freeman has been guilty of delivering the ball late and staring down receivers. But he has plenty of confidence in his targets.

And if all else fails, the Bucs can throw it deep.

"You start with the guys on the outside, Mike and Vincent. Every opportunity you give them, they make a play," Freeman said. "On the inside, you've got Dallas Clark and Tiquan (Underwood) emerging. Regis is a big part of our offense.

"It's exciting. It's been good. We've been pitching them and catching them at the right times."

Michael Hinman, Times Correspondent
Friday, October 12, 2012

RUSKIN — Tracy Johnson completed just seven passes, but five for touchdowns, as Lakewood remained undefeated with a 65-0 win over Lennard on Friday.

Johnson threw for 197 yards and split up four touchdowns between Jocqui Ellison and Marquez Valdes for the Spartans (6-0), who have allowed 1.5 points per game all season. Laterian Latimer and Stephen Bridges added two rushing touchdowns.

Senior Lidell Golden returned an interception 75 yards late in the third quarter for the final score. He almost had an interception for a touchdown just two minutes earlier, but a holding penalty negated a 55-yard run.

Danny Cooper had 14 yards rushing for Lennard (0-7) .

Michael Hinman, Times correspondent

Times staff
Friday, October 12, 2012

Sprint Cup scouting report

Charlotte Motor Speedway

What/when/where/TV: Bank of America 500, 7:30 tonight, Concord, N.C.; Ch. 28

The big news heading into this one is that NASCAR's most popular driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr., will miss this and at least one more race because of two concussions sustained in the past six weeks. Tonight's event will be the first in NASCAR's top series without an Earnhardt since 1979. Earnhardt sustained a concussion in a testing crash in late August, then another Sunday during the multicar wreck that ended the race at Talladega. His withdrawal ends his chances in the Chase for the Championship, where he was aiming for his first title. His Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jeff Gordon, who barely got into the Chase and fell far behind after not finishing the opener at Chicagoland, was second at Talladega and got back into reasonable contention. He is sixth, 42 points out. Two other Hendrick drivers to watch: Kasey Kahne has quietly risen to fourth; he won the 600-mile race in May at Charlotte. Jimmie Johnson, second in points, is tied with Darrell Waltrip and Bobby Allison for career victories at Charlotte with six.

Times staff

Times wires
Friday, October 12, 2012

DALLAS — Consider it a sign of how much Bob Stoops and Mack Brown have raised the bar in the Red River Rivalry when Oklahoma and Texas are playing each other without any real national title implications.

For the first time since 1999, when Stoops was in his first season coaching the Sooners and Brown was in Year 2 at Texas, neither team will be ranked in the top 10 for today's clash at the Cotton Bowl. It's just the second time in 15 years both teams arrive with a conference loss — both at home, no less.

Yet there's still plenty on the line when the No. 13 Sooners (3-1, 1-1 Big 12) and No. 15 Longhorns (4-1, 1-1) square off for the 107th time in one of college football's most colorful rivalries.

First of all, it's a struggle for Big 12 survival with No. 5 West Virginia (which beat Texas) and No. 6 Kansas State (which beat Oklahoma) leading the pack. And maybe, just maybe, the winner keeps the glimmer of hope alive that enough teams lose to make a national title a possibility.

Even if all players had to look forward to was putting the Golden Hat trophy on their heads, that would be enough.

"All the games are fun for me, but this one hits me deep," Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro said. "This is a good rivalry. It's rich."

Since Stoops and Brown have been around, the rivalry has reached a new level — such that a game pitting two top-15 teams is a tiny bit of a letdown.

"It's one of the biggest games of the season. We all look forward to this game," Sooners defensive end David King said. "The atmosphere, there's nothing like it."

Let King tell you about it.

For participants, the experience starts with a bus ride to the stadium, inside the State Fair of Texas. Fans from both teams will surround the buses, hardly holding back their opinions.

"You get so many middle fingers it's ridiculous," King said.

The atmosphere is colorful, inside the Cotton Bowl and outside, where people find the fair's traditional corny dogs and funnel cakes. The stands are split along the 50-yard line with Texas' burnt orange on one side and Oklahoma crimson on the other.

ARKANSAS: An attorney for coach John L. Smith said a computer error in his bankruptcy case is behind what appeared to be a huge jump in his debt. Smith's initial Chapter 7 filing in September listed $25.7 million in debt. He later amended that to $40.7 million, blaming land deals gone bad in Kentucky.

AUBURN: Clint Moseley starts at quarterback today against Mississippi, replacing Kiehl Frazier.

OREGON: Senior defensive tackle Isaac Remington was suspended indefinitely after he was cited for driving under the influence. Eugene police say Remington was pulled over early Friday.

CHAMPIONS BOWL: New Orleans and Dallas are even in their competition to land the bowl, cbssports.com reported. The game, which is scheduled to start in the 2014 season, would pit the SEC and Big 12 winners.

BASKETBALL: North Carolina State officials stopped a public scrimmage when the grandfather of senior Scott Wood fell ill at courtside and was carried away on a stretcher. Team spokesman Dwayne Harrison said Wood's grandfather had been taken to a hospital for evaluation. His name wasn't immediately available.

Tim Porson, Times Correspondent
Friday, October 12, 2012

HUDSON — Fivay came out firing in the first half against winless district foe Gulf to prevail 42-7 Friday night.

Gulf's first two possessions resulted in two four and outs, and the Falcons (5-1, 4-0) capitalized both times. Running back Davion Sutton accounted for four of the Falcons' five first-half touchdowns.

Sutton took scores in from 10, 2, 4 and a highlight run of 40 yards, dodging Buccaneers (0-6, 0-3) everywhere with 1:36 left in the half to make the score 35-0.

Fivay quarterback Tyler Degen added a score when he threw a 61-yard pass to Kevin Faulkner down the sideline. Sutton rushed the ball 12 times in the first half for 124 yards.

Fivay's defense shut down the Bucs, allowing only 35 yards of total offense in the half, forcing five punts along the way.

To start the second half, Bryan Poinsette took the kickoff back 94 yards right up the middle, extending the lead to 42. Gulf finally got on the board as the third quarter came to an end when Chris Klyap connected with Brennan Smiley from 36 yards out.