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Reds give Baker two-year extension

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Times wires
Monday, October 15, 2012

CINCINNATI — Reds owner Bob Castellini couldn't imagine Dusty Baker leaving.

The 63-year-old manager got a two-year contract extension Monday, giving him another chance to take Cincinnati deep into the playoffs. They've been there twice in the past three years, failing both times to get past the NL Division Series.

Baker missed the Reds' NL Central title celebration this year because he was hospitalized with an irregular heartbeat and a mini-stroke. He returned and lost ace Johnny Cueto at the start of their series against San Francisco, which ended with the Giants rallying to win Game 5.

The team's first big question of the offseason was whether it would bring Baker back for another try.

"This is Dusty's team," Castellini said. "These fellas are poised to go deeper and deeper in the season. To not bring Dusty back or not ask Dusty to come back was out of the question."

Baker is feeling much better, and the nucleus of the Reds' 97-win team is returning. When the club offered another two-year deal — same as the last one — Baker quickly agreed.

"It's very much the same contract and very much the same thing for all of us up here: There's work left to be done," Baker said. "I didn't want to leave on a note that we still have work to do.

"I don't want to leave in a situation where for the rest of my life I would have regretted not coming back with unfinished business. It would have left a real pain in my heart to feel the way I did at the end of the season."

IZZY DONE?: Angels RH reliever Jason Isringhausen reiterated in a radio interview that he's likely to retire after 16 seasons in the majors. "At this point, I'm pretty sure I'm done, but if some GM is dumb enough to want to sign me, I might come back for another year," said Isringhausen, 40, who appeared in nine games for the Rays in 2009.

PHILLIES: Wally Joyner was hired as assistant hitting coach under new hitting coach Steve Henderson.

RED SOX: The team interviewed Yankees bench coach Tony Pena for its vacant managerial post and plans to interview Orioles third-base coach DeMarlo Hale this week.

TWINS: Director of minor-league operations Jim Rantz, 75, is retiring after 52 years with the team, which included stints as a player, manager, public relations official, scout and farm system coordinator.


Revived Lincecum gets call to start

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Times wires
Monday, October 15, 2012

SAN FRANCISCO — RHP Tim Lincecum is set to start Game 4 of the NL Championship Series for the Giants on Thursday.

Manager Bruce Bochy said his one-time ace was available to pitch out of the bullpen Monday, if needed, but he was able to save him for a start as LHPs Madison Bumgarner and Barry Zito have struggled this postseason. Bochy called it a "good possibility" Lincecum would get the ball at Busch Stadium.

The two-time NL Cy Young Award winner has pitched in relief three times this postseason. He was demoted to the bullpen after posting a 10-15 record and NL-worst 5.18 ERA in the regular season but has found his stride in the playoffs.

"If he starts, I'll be eager to see him the way he's throwing the ball," Bochy said.

Lincecum pitched the 2010 Game 5 World Series clincher for the Giants at Texas as the franchise captured its first championship since moving West in 1958. He has allowed one run and three hits in 81/3 innings this October, striking out nine and walking one.

CARDS CHOICE: Cardinals manager Mike Matheny appeared leaning toward giving RHP Lance Lynn the start in Game 5, despite Lynn's poor 32/3 innings in Sunday's 6-4 win. "I like where Lance is right now. I want him to continue preparing for his next start," Matheny said. "That's where my thinking is."

A-ROD DEFIANT: Alex Rodriguez was searching for a way to say the Yankees weren't dead yet in this AL Championship Series, despite being down two games to none. Then he came up with the money quote.

"Look, we've been through stretches like this all year," Rodriguez said. "It's been a very volatile stock market for us this year."

Maybe A-Rod's pal Warren Buffet could appreciate that analogy, but the only way these Yanks can avoid getting knocked out is to quickly mass produce some hits and runs.

"This is a best-of-seven, not a best-of-three," said Rodriguez, who is 3-for-23 in the postseason. "We won 90-some games for a reason."

GIRARDI FUNERAL: Jerry Girardi was memorialized as a dedicated laborer who built the ranch-style Illinois home where he raised five highly successful children — two doctors, a math professor, an accountant and Yankees manager Joe Girardi. The manager, who attended the funeral service in Peoria, Ill., during an off day in the AL Championship Series, sat quietly alongside his family.

TV RATINGS: Ratings for the Division Series were down from last year, but League Championship Series numbers were up considerably. Through the first two days of LCS coverage, FOX and TBS averaged 6.3 million viewers, a 39 percent increase from 2011. The 18 LDS games on TBS, with all four series going the distance, averaged a 2.4 rating, down 11 percent from the 2.7 for 19 games in 2011.

American League Championship Series

Tigers 2, Yankees 0

Game 1: Tigers 6, Yankees 4 (12)

Game 2: Tigers 3, Yankees 0

Tonight: at Detroit, 8:07

Wednesday: at Detroit, 8:07

Thursday: at Detroit, 4:07*

Saturday: at New York, 8:07*

Oct. 21: at New York, 8:15*

TV: All games TBS

National League Championship Series

Cardinals 1, Giants 1

Game 1: Cardinals 6, Giants 4

Monday: Giants 7, Cardinals 1

Wednesday: at St. Louis, 4:07

Thursday: at St. Louis, 8:07

Friday: at St. Louis, 8:07

Oct. 21: at San Francisco, 4:45*

Oct. 22: at San Francisco, 8:07*

TV: All games Ch. 13

* If necessary

Bucs make a mistake in bringing back Aqib Talib

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By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Monday, October 15, 2012

TAMPA — This is a mistake.

Greg Schiano is making his first critical decision as head coach of the Bucs and he is blowing it.

Schiano said Sunday and reiterated Monday that the plan, for now and barring the unforeseen, is to bring back cornerback Aqib Talib when Talib's four-game league suspension for using a performance-enhancing drug ends.

This is the same coach who, in his introductory news conference, talked about accountability and trust and setting boundaries. Apparently, it was all just talk.

Never again do I want to hear about the "Buccaneer way'' or "Buccaneer men.'' It means nothing, unless the "Buccaneer way" includes employing a guy who gets in fights, cracks teammates in the face with a helmet, yells at officials, punches cab drivers and gets suspended, not to mention fails drug tests for smoking weed in college.

This is not about Talib anymore. This is about Schiano. This is about the Bucs organization, including the Glazers and GM Mark Dominik. This is about how Schiano and the Bucs have decided that winning isn't everything, but the only thing.

Here's what the decision to bring back Talib means:

Talib stays because Talib can play

There's no question that Talib can play football, and can play it very well. It's the only reason why the Bucs haven't already put his stuff in a box and set it out on the curb. And this is not about the Bucs offering another chance in order to save some troubled kid. If it were, Brian Price would still be here.

But Price, Tanard Jackson, Kellen Winslow Jr. and Dezmon Briscoe are all gone because Schiano no longer had any use for them as football players. It's easy to play hardball and send messages with guys who can't help you win. Heck, those four players are so inconsequential that they currently don't have NFL jobs.

Want to send a real message? Want to make a strong statement? Cut ties with a player who helps you win games. Do you think a third-stringer would be welcomed back if he had Talib's history?

Look, there are different rules for different players. The larger the talent, the longer the leash. I get that. It's nothing new and it happens in all sports. Teams are willing to put up with head cases and troublemakers when they produce then not so much when their skills erode.

But when is enough enough? This isn't the first time Talib has been a problem. It will not be the last. What, exactly, will it take to kick him off this team?

Maybe Schiano is acting as if Talib is working off a clean slate. Maybe Schiano believes Talib is maturing and doing what he is supposed to be doing. Maybe Schiano knows something about Talib that we don't.

But, ask yourself this: If I had told you last Saturday morning that a Bucs player would be suspended before the day was over, which player would you have guessed it would be? When you heard it was Talib, were you surprised?

This is the perfect opportunity to kick Talib off the team and no one would blame the Bucs, not even fans desperate for a winner. Yet, you wonder if Schiano is thinking more about how to slow down Drew Brees and Matt Ryan than doing the right thing.

It sends a bad message to the team

If you're another player on the Bucs, even a star, how can you listen to Schiano talking about toes on the line and being on time and following the program when one guy seems to have his own set of rules? If Talib can get away with all that junk, why can't they?

It seems comical to be so controlling that you insist that the temperature in a meeting room be a certain degree and then let one of your players cause this type of havoc. Isn't a lack of control, including a lack of control over Talib, partly what got Raheem Morris fired?

It sends a bad message to the community

Even if you're a diehard Bucs fan, are you proud to have Talib on your team? Are you okay with Talib's behavior? Would you go out and buy your kid a No. 25 Bucs jersey?

Schiano actually brought up the community when asked about Talib on Monday, and I get the feeling he realizes many in the Tampa Bay area have a problem with Talib returning. Schiano stopped short of saying what went into the decision and then said he was done discussing the matter. He then closed with this message for the fans that just smacks of someone who thinks he's a little smarter than the rest of us:

"You've got to just trust us on this one.''

Final thought

I'd like to think that Talib has finally learned his lesson and is about to walk the straight and narrow from here on out. I'd like to think that he realizes this is it, his very last chance.

But history suggests it isn't. And why should he think that he is now out of chances when he always seems to get one more? Why should he fear Schiano when Schiano is willing to overlook yet another indiscretion and distraction?

Here's the deal. The next time Talib messes up and gets suspended, lets the team down, puts his teammates in a bind and embarrasses the organization, it won't be his fault.

It will be Schiano's.

B.J. Daniels returns to full mobility for USF Bulls

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Times staff, wires
Monday, October 15, 2012

TAMPA — USF QB B.J. Daniels, limited by a sprained ankle, had no scripted running plays in a 37-28 loss Oct. 6 at Temple, but after a bye week, coach Skip Holtz hopes a mobile Daniels can be part of the offense Saturday at No. 16 Louisville.

"I think he's moving around, better than he did last week, but I can't tell you he's 100 percent at this point. We're hopeful by the end of the week that he will be," Holtz said on the Big East's weekly coaches teleconference. "There's no doubt his mobility was hampered a little bit last week. Having a couple days off, going (Sunday) in shorts and having the opportunity to continue to treat it, I think it will continue to get better."

Daniels rushed nine times for 6 yards at Temple, his lowest rushing total against a I-A opponent since 2010. The Bulls missed his dual-threat skills.

"It's been huge," Holtz said of Daniels' running, 1,911 yards at USF. "It's been a big part of what we've done here over the last couple of years, because of not just his ability to move in the pocket and escape the sacks and pressures, but his ability to run."

UPDATE: USF's next home game, Oct. 27 against Syracuse, was set for a 7 p.m. kickoff, with online video at ESPN3.com. No local TV broadcast has been announced for the Bulls' homecoming game.

Greg Auman, Times staff writer

FSU: More time

TALLAHASSEE — One week after being harassed by North Carolina State's nonstop blitz, Florida State's EJ Manuel remained upright in Saturday's 51-7 victory over Boston College.

"We played clean and we executed," FSU coach Jimbo Fisher said. "When they blitzed this time, we were getting a hat to a hat and letting EJ stand in there and deliver the ball more."

Manuel passed for a career-high 439 yards and matched a career mark with four touchdowns. Monday, he was named ACC offensive back of the week.

OT Menelik Watson returned to the right side of the line against the Eagles after being sick the week before.

TIME SET: The Oct. 27 home game against Duke will start at 3:30 p.m. and air on ESPNU.

Orlando Sentinel

UM: Ex-coach approves

MIAMI — Former Miami coach Howard Schnellenberger says the Hurricanes are doing good things. "Miami is on the right track," said Schnellenberger, now an ambassador for Florida Atlantic, his last coaching stop. "It's got the right coach, the right staff. … With the right guidance and a whole hell of a lot of hard work, they'll be in the hunt very quickly."

Sun Sentinel

UCF: Record night

ORLANDO — UCF senior Quincy McDuffie broke the program's all-time record for kickoff return yards in Saturday's 38-31 double overtime win over Southern Miss, returning four kicks for 66 yards to surpass the mark of 2,121 set by Ted Wilson from 1983-86. McDuffie sits at 2,146, with six games remaining in the regular season.

Orlando Sentinel

Texas coach Brown: I'm not going anywhere

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Times wires
Monday, October 15, 2012

AUSTIN, Texas — Two days after another whipping at the hands of rival Oklahoma, Texas coach Mack Brown dismissed any suggestions he may be ready to retire, saying he still has energy and the backing of the school and its big boosters.

Brown said Monday that several prominent boosters told him keep his head up and keep fighting after the 63-21 blowout, the third time in Brown's tenure the Sooners have hung more than 60 points on the Longhorns.

A second consecutive loss dropped the Longhorns to 17-14 overall since 2010, and raised new speculation that the 61-year-old who led them to the 2005 national title might consider retiring. Brown is under contract under 2020. At more than $5 million a year, he is one of the nation's best-paid coaches.

"I have my energy. I'm moving forward," Brown said. "I know I've got time to fix it and I know I can."

COACH REPRIMANDED: The Mountain West Conference reprimanded Wyoming coach Dave Christensen for his actions and comments after the Cowboys' 28-27 loss to Air Force on Saturday. Christensen issued a written apology Sunday night and said Monday he was "sincerely sorry." After the game, he confronted Air Force coach Troy Calhoun on the field and questioned whether Falcons quarterback Connor Dietz was really injured when he left the game for one play.

ALABAMA: Coach Nick Saban said quarterback AJ McCarron (bruised right knee) is sore but otherwise okay to play Saturday against Tennessee.

OKLAHOMA STATE: Coach Mike Gundy said he isn't sure whether starting quarterback Wes Lunt can return from his knee injury or backup J.W. Walsh will get another start against Iowa State.

TEXAS TECH: Coach Tommy Tuberville said linebacker Daniel Cobb was cleared of a felony burglary charge stemming from his arrest in August. Cobb, who started practicing with the 18th-ranked Red Raiders Sunday night, was expected to play Saturday against TCU.

KNIGHT AUCTION: Basketball Hall of Famer Bob Knight is selling his championship basketball rings and Olympic gold medal for what he considers a very good reason: the education of his grandchildren. A collection of the former coach's memorabilia will be auctioned by Steiner Sports Memorabilia. What won't he sell? "I have some things Ted Williams gave me," Knight said of the baseball Hall of Famer. "He was very special to me, so I will never part with those things." The auction, already started for some items, runs through Dec. 5.

Bucs on accepting Aqib Talib back after suspension: "Trust us"

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By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Monday, October 15, 2012

TAMPA

On the night before the season opener against the Carolina Panthers six weeks ago, Bucs coach Greg Schiano passed out black plastic bracelets to players with one word inscribed in white: FAMILY.

Perhaps that patriarchal responsibility steadied Schiano on Monday when he felt a finger being pointed his way over the decision to welcome cornerback Aqib Talib back to the team when Talib's four-game suspension ends Nov. 5.

"Every decision that we make as an organization has one thing in mind and that's what's best for the organization," Schiano said.

"When I say best, it's not just winning. Yeah, that's what we do. That's what you do in this league. There are 32 teams and we're all chasing one prize. But when you're part of a community, there are a lot of things that go into the decision and I can just tell our fans and all the people who care about this is we're going to do what's best for the organization which is going to be what's best for everybody. So you've got to just trust us on this one."

Talib, 26, who has had a long history of off-field issues since being drafted in the first round in 2008, will miss games against the Saints, Vikings and Raiders for violating the league's policy on performance enhancing drugs.

In a statement released Saturday, Talib said he took one pill of Adderall, a stimulant, without a prescription before training camp in August. He is not appealing the suspension, without pay, which will cost him about $500,000.

But all the mea culpas haven't kept the volume rising about Schiano's decision not to cut ties with Talib, who was suspended the first game of the 2010 season for punching a St. Petersburg cab driver a year earlier.

Since arriving in Tampa Bay from Rutgers, Schiano has preached accountability. Before training camp he jettisoned four players who did not fit his definition of Buccaneer men — Tanard Jackson, Kellen Winslow, Brian Price and Dezmon Briscoe.

Unlike those players, who no longer have jobs in the NFL, Talib is arguably one of the Bucs' top performers on defense with 18 career interceptions. He is usually assigned to the opponent's top receiver. He has one interception and seven passes defensed this season.

While this is only Talib's second suspension, Schiano is aware of his history of unsavory off-field behavior: A fight with a teammate at the league's rookie symposium, striking a player in the face with his helmet during a dispute at practice, punching the cab driver and being arrested in Garland, Texas on charges of assault with a deadly weapon which were dropped in June.

With Talib out for the first time this season, the Bucs had one of their best defensive performances in a 38-10 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Talib's replacement, E.J. Biggers, had two tackles and deflected a pass that was intercepted by Ronde Barber and returned 78 yards for a touchdown.

"Yeah, he's going to be back with us," Schiano said of Talib on Monday. "There are no absolutes for any of us in this world. I may not be here when he comes back. How do you know? That's the plan. Yes. And we're going to move forward at that point. But like I say all the time to our team, things change day to day, week to week, month to month. I can't tell you exactly how things are going to be a month from now. I hope that we've won a bunch of games in a row."

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

Bucs coach Greg Schiano on allowing cornerback Aqib Talib to return after his four-game suspension

Schiano when he accepted the coaching job on Jan. 27, bringing a reputation as a disciplinarian

Triceps tear ends star Lewis' season

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Times wires
Monday, October 15, 2012

BALTIMORE — What appeared to be a harmless tackle of Cowboys running back Phillip Tanner in the fourth quarter Sunday became the last play Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis will make this season.

Lewis, 37 and a veteran of 17 NFL seasons, has to decide whether the Ravens' victory Sunday will also be the final game of his Hall of Fame career.

An MRI exam on Monday revealed the Ravens' worst fear: a torn right triceps, is a rare but significant injury that will likely require surgery and an arduous six-month recovery period.

Selected after offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden in the first round of the Ravens' first draft in 1996, Lewis is the face of the franchise, one of the NFL's most respected players, and one of the most celebrated linebackers ever.

Lewis always has been non-committal about retirement, saying only that he'll know when it's time. Coach John Harbaugh declined to speculate on whether Lewis played his last game.

"That's for Ray to speak on," Harbaugh said. "I admire Ray Lewis. I've said that many times. I think everybody in this room does. … I'm looking forward to seeing what Ray says about that."

The Ravens are expected to put Lewis and Lardarius Webb (torn ACL, left knee) on injured reserve, ending their seasons. Their losses further deplete a defense ranked an uncharacteristic 26th and has allowed more than 200 yards rushing in back-to-back games for the first time.

BOUNTIES: If the Saints decide Jonathan Vilma is ready, the linebacker will play Sunday for the first time this season, against the Bucs. It might also be the last time, depending on how things go. Vilma again asked a federal judge to overturn his recently re-issued suspension in the bounty probe of the Saints, and the NFL Players Association made a similar request on behalf of three other players. None of the four players' suspensions are currently enforced, but that could change as early as next week. Commissioner Roger Goodell has scheduled the players' appeal hearings for Oct. 23.

Meanwhile, another player implicated in the bounty scandal, Browns linebacker Scott Fujita, has a neck injury that might end his career, ESPN reported.

BILLS: Shawne Merriman, a three-time Pro Bowl defensive end cut in the preseason, re-signed to bolster a banged-up defense.

BROWNS: Tests revealed running back Trent Richardson has a right rib cartilage injury. Coach Pat Shurmur said the rookie "is fine" and is listed as day-to-day.

CARDINALS: Quarterback Kevin Kolb's status is unknown for Sunday's game at Minnesota after injuring his ribs. Coach Ken Whisenhunt said X-rays were negative for anything broken.

JETS: Running backs Bilal Powell (dislocated right shoulder) and Joe McKnight (high ankle sprain) are both out at least a week, New York's Daily News reported.

PACKERS: Coach Mike McCarthy said starting inside linebacker D.J. Smith (right knee) is out for the season.

TITANS: Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck will start his third straight game Sunday at Buffalo, and Jake Locker (shoulder) could return in a week.

Broncos 35, Chargers 24

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Times wires
Monday, October 15, 2012

SAN DIEGO — Peyton Manning threw three touchdown passes in the second half and Tony Carter and Chris Harris scored off turnovers by Philip Rivers as the Broncos overcame a 24-0 halftime deficit Monday night to stun the Chargers 35-24.

Manning was 13-of-14 for 167 yards in the second half and the Broncos tied the Chargers atop the AFC West at 3-3.

"It was not the start we wanted but we have shown the ability to come back," Manning told ESPN on the field. "There's no speech that causes that turnaround, it's all will. It sure is special, we can really build off this one.''

Rivers was intercepted four times — three in the fourth quarter — and lost two fumbles.

"When you lose it's rough, especially in a game where you had a big lead and so much at stake," Rivers said.

Manning's 21-yard touchdown to Brandon Stokley gave Denver its first lead, 28-24 with 9:03 left. Stokley outleaped cornerback Marcus Gilchrist to catch the ball, then got both feet down before tumbling out of the end zone.

"(Coach John) Fox is pretty gray right now, I don't think he can stand us getting down like this much more,'' Manning said.

In Week 1, Manning's debut with the Broncos, Denver fell behind Pittsburgh 19-14 in the fourth quarter and rallied to win 31-19. In their three losses, the Broncos trailed the Patriots 31-7 last week, the Texans 31-11 on Sept. 23 and the Falcons 27-7 on Sept. 17 before rallying to make each one close (each margin was 10 points or fewer).

This time, Harris sealed the victory with a 46-yard interception return for a touchdown with 2:05 left. It was his second pick of the night.

Manning finished 24 of 30 for 309 yards with one interception in a game that tied for the fourth-greatest regular-season comeback in NFL history.

"It sure was special considering what was on the line," said Manning, a four-time NFL MVP and one-time Super Bowl winner.


Giants beat Cardinals 7-1 to tie NLCS 1-1

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Times wires
Monday, October 15, 2012

SAN FRANCISCO — Marco Scutaro answered Matt Holliday's hard takeout with a big hit of his own to help the Giants end their home slide.

Scutaro hit a two-run single in San Francisco's four-run fourth inning before leaving with a hip injury, and the Giants got their first home win this postseason, 7-1 over the Cardinals on Monday night that tied the NL Championship Series at one game.

"It shows you how tough he is," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "It's a shame somebody got hurt. It was more of a roll block. We're hoping he comes out of this okay. He got hit pretty good."

Scutaro left after the fifth because of his damaged left hip. X-rays were negative, and he'll likely get an MRI exam today.

The series now shifts to St. Louis for three games, starting with Game 3 on Wednesday.

Things got off to a testy start Monday when Holliday barreled into Scutaro at second base to break up a potential double play in the first inning. The play riled up a crowd that had seen three straight losses by the Giants so far this postseason.

"You're trying to get to the second baseman and obviously try to knock him down so he can't turn a double play," Holliday said. "As long as you're in the baseline, it's within the rules."

There was plenty to cheer all night for the Giants. Ryan Vogelsong pitched seven strong innings, Angel Pagan hit a leadoff homer to give San Francisco its first home lead this postseason and Scutaro broke the game open with his single off Chris Carpenter.

Making Scutaro's hit even sweeter was the fact that Holliday misplayed the ball in leftfield, allowing a third run to score on the error.

The Giants also benefited from a missed umpire's call in the eighth inning after St. Louis centerfielder Jon Jay made a spectacular diving catch to rob Brandon Crawford.

Jay threw toward first and the Cardinals should have gotten a double play, but first-base umpire Bill Miller did not see Allen Craig tag Gregor Blanco's jersey as he raced back to first on the play.

St. Louis manager Mike Matheny argued the call and the umpires huddled to discuss it, but they kept the safe call even though replays showed Craig made the tag. The Giants capitalized when Ryan Theriot hit a two-run single to make it 7-1.

Twitter fans flames of spectators' anger

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By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, October 16, 2012

“You are awful," the first tweet reads.

"I hate you," the second tweet says.

And it only gets worse from there.

If you want a good sense of how today's fans handle losing — live, in real time, with the anonymity and freedom of online social media — do a Twitter search for @danbailey95, the Twitter handle for the Cowboys kicker who missed a 51-yard field goal Sunday in the final seconds of a 31-29 loss to Baltimore. In the seconds and minutes that followed, you'll see more than 100 messages directed at Bailey, many utterly unprintable.

There are messages of encouragement — Bailey identifies himself on his Twitter profile as "Christ-follower, placekicker for the Dallas Cowboys" — but to find those, he'd have to sift through a nasty wave of online venom.

"I hope you get testicular cancer you useless scrub," one reads. Five people asked Bailey to "go kill yourself," mixed in with 20-plus Tweets bearing F-bombs, including one that piled 13 into Twitter's 140-character limit.

In a living room, the loudest, foulest comments after a last-second missed field goal might not even be heard by a neighbor. In the upper deck, the most indecent things a fan can shout are likely drowned out by the deafening chorus of boos and cheers all around. But on Twitter, a comment from an angry fan venting immediately after a disappointing loss can still be read hours or days later by the subject of his fury, and it's usually not pretty.

"It's what we call blasting," said Rick Grieve, a professor in the Psychology Department at Western Kentucky who is part of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology. "They take out their frustration or anger on other people, whether that's the referees, other fans, even the other team. Social media just enhances that, and lets them go much further than they would normally."

Few comments are off limits for fans in such an emotionally detached forum.

Last month, when former USF safety Jerrell Young predicted a lopsided Bulls victory over Nevada, a fan responded by asking if his brother was going to the game. That's a cruel reference to his brother Mario, who was shot in his car in an attempted robbery when Young was 7 years old; Mario died six years later after a difficult struggle. Young brushed off the comment, saying he was thick-skinned, but it showed the level of hate that can be typed so easily.

When USF lost to Rutgers five days later, one Bulls fan — who after the Nevada win had tweeted the same message, "Thank you! Go Bulls!!!" to more than 30 USF players and coaches — had a different message. "You sould (sic) all kill yourself after that performance tonight," he wrote to coach Skip Holtz. The next day, after the sting of the loss had worn off, he tweeted: "Sorry for comments last night. Deleting account shortly. Never been more ashamed of myself."

The idea of "hate tweets" was lampooned last month by ESPNU's Unite late-night show, with a video showing former FSU quarterback and show co-host Danny Kanell lamenting the vile things fans say on Twitter about his TV presence. His wife and daughter read actual tweets about him: "Danny Kanell is still alive?" and "Danny Kanell obviously should NEVER be allowed to talk college football EVER AGAIN!!! EVER!"

Edward Hirt, a professor in Indiana University's Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, said this all points to how all forms of communication have different levels of internal filtering — you might say things on the phone you wouldn't say in person, you might write something in a work email you wouldn't say in a business meeting. Twitter, unfortunately, has the informality of texting but is displayed far more publicly and permanently.

"These media have made that more explicit. There may have been people who make those comments personally or to each other watching on TV or in the stands, but it never gets conveyed to the person," Hirt said. "These forums offer opportunities for that to be conveyed to the person."

You could argue that the same angry fans tweeting expletives to athletes might have sat down 20 years ago and hand-written a letter offering the same anatomically impossible suggestions, but the immediacy of Twitter makes it easier, more public and without the time to think twice.

"With a letter, not only do you have to write the dang thing, you have to find the address, then a stamp. Do I really want to do this?" Hirt said. "There's many different levels that at least give you the opportunity to not only cool off, but allow reason to maybe take over and say, 'Is this really worth it?' "

Greg Auman can be reached at auman@tampabay.com and at (813) 226-3346. Follow him on Twitter at @gregauman.

USF Bulls chase first interception of season

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By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, October 16, 2012

TAMPA — USF football's prolonged search for its next victory goes way back to Sept. 8, but the Bulls' dogged pursuit of an interception goes back clear to December as the only team in I-A not to pick off a pass this season.

"It's remarkable. I'm shocked," defensive backs coach Rick Smith said Tuesday of the lack of interceptions.

"It's mind-boggling. It's embarrassing. I know some of it has to be coaching. I'm not doing something right."

Smith went over tape from USF's first six games, and he didn't see Bulls dropping potential interceptions — they weren't close enough. They weren't seeing them, weren't anticipating, weren't moving to them. He saw two first-year starters at safety in Mark Joyce and JaQuez Jenkins and didn't see the instinctive jump to the ball as soon as they see it's in the air.

"The reason we don't have interceptions is our safeties do a terrible job of seeing the quarterback throw the football," said Smith, who said he expects a defensive back to cover one-third of the distance of a pass once it has been thrown. "I took about six plays from (drills) Sunday night and I said, 'Habits are what we become.' Six plays where I had two or three people not breaking on the ball. That is a habit I've allowed to develop. That's on me. That's coaching. Not looking at the quarterback is coaching.

"I have to take responsibility for that. I'm trying to get that corrected."

Toward that end, Smith implemented another old practice rule this week: If his defense doesn't come up with three turnovers in the course of a practice, the entire unit has to run gassers across the field and back after the offense has been dismissed. The Bulls had one interception Tuesday and dropped another four, so they ran, and senior CB George Baker told Smith he thinks it's a smart incentive — demanding interceptions in drills could be a precursor to getting them in games.

And though the effectiveness of the incentive may be questioned, you can't argue with how much that first interception will mean to Smith, who has already told his players what's coming to whoever reels in that elusive pick: A kiss, on the mouth.

SORRY, THIS IS WHO?: It's a good time to be Stan Heath, as USF men's basketball has enjoyed its first week of practice while working on a return to the NCAA Tournament. Today is the Big East media day in New York, where he'll be with PG Anthony Collins and Fs Victor Rudd and Toarlyn Fitzpatrick, and USF might be picked in the top half of the Big East for the first time.

Heath made a point this week to pick up the phone and cold-call some season-ticket holders from last season who hadn't yet renewed. As the Bulls return to a renovated Sun Dome after a year away, ticket sales are strong enough that the arena's lower bowl is nearly sold out.

"An all-time high since I've been here," Heath said. "We're trying to reach out and grow our fan base."

THIS AND THAT: USF women's soccer, buoyed by a six-game unbeaten streak, has locked up the No. 2 seed in its division, assuring the Bulls of a home match in the Big East tournament on Oct. 28. … USF women's tennis is home this weekend to host the USTA/ITA Regionals. The Bulls are ranked No. 43 nationally, with top player Ecaterina Vasenina, who is from Moldova, ranked 44th. … Volleyball already has matched last year's win total with a 12-9 mark. The Bulls (4-4 in Big East) are eighth in the standings, and only the top eight make the league tournament, but five of USF's remaining seven matches are against teams with lesser Big East records.

Greg Auman can be reached at auman@tampabay.com and at (813) 226-3346. Check out his blog at tampabay.com/blogs/bulls and follow him on Twitter at @gregauman.

Adderall, which got Bucs' Aqib Talib suspended, draws attention as sports stimulant

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By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, October 16, 2012

For those diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Adderall can be essential to daily life, providing much-needed calmness and focus.

But the prescription stimulant drug is often abused, and not just by college students for late-night study sessions.

Adderall has been used by athletes as a performance enhancer for an energy boost or a spike in concentration. The controlled substance is illegal without a prescription, and banned by most sports organizations, including the NCAA, National Football League and Major League Baseball, unless athletes have permission for medical or therapeutic use. In MLB, 105 players were granted such exemptions for ADHD in 2011. Adderall is affecting the Bucs, with cornerback Aqib Talib suspended four games for violating league policy on performance enhancing drugs. Talib said in a statement he took one pill of Adderall without a prescription before training camp in August.

Doctors say Adderall poses potentially dangerous health risks that can outweigh the positives for those without a medical need. But that doesn't stop athletes trying to get an edge.

Talib is one of about half a dozen NFL players in the past couple of years suspended for using Adderall, including former Gators star and Browns cornerback Joe Haden, Packers defensive tackle Mike Neal and Giants safety Tyler Sash. NASCAR driver AJ Allmendinger was caught using the ADHD med, and Rays minor-league infielder Ryan Brett said his 50-game suspension this year was triggered by a one-time use of Adderall that he thought was an energy pill.

"It's a favorite of athletes because it works pretty well," said Don Catlin, a pioneer of the anti-doping movement who founded the group Anti Doping Research. "It's a strong stimulant and that means it enhances performance, usually of the type of performance that has to do with speed, running, or swimming. … It's like drinking 10 cups of coffee all in one sitting over an hour or two; you get really hyped up."

Catlin says the use of amphetamines, like Adderall, is nothing new in professional sports. But he acknowledged that, with leagues not typically divulging specifics, Adderall can be popularly cited by athletes because it's more accepted due to its medical uses. Plus, Catlin says, Adderall doesn't stay in the system long.

"Athletes would like it because they can take it today, and might have a negative urine test tomorrow," he said.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said Adderall has been listed as a performance enhancer since 2006, but banned before that; players must have a valid prescription, and tell the league. Players are tested for prohibited substances at least once per league year, typically at training camp or when they report. Plus 10 players on every team are tested randomly each week, and players can be tested up to six times during the offseason.

In MLB, stimulants became part of the drug program in 2006, with amphetamines banned in the minor leagues since 2001.

Jay Clugston, team physician for several University of Florida teams, said several players from each of his sports use Adderall for ADHD. He said athletes are properly screened and tested before getting it prescribed, and are monitored monthly to make sure they take Adderall correctly. All players must sign a contract and are warned about sharing the pills with fellow students and players, as well as health risks.

Dr. Eric Coris, professor of family and sports medicine at USF, said for anyone pre-disposed to heat-related illness and cardiac problems, Adderall — which impacts the chemicals in the brain and nerves — makes those dangers worse.

"Especially when you look at (the) No. 1 cause of death in an athlete being a heart problem, taking a stimulant is going to increase your risk of that across the board," Coris said. "In people that don't have ADHD, it probably makes them more restless, more jittery, so it can be a significant negative."

Coris said there has been an "explosion" of ADHD diagnoses, partly from increased awareness. He believes it can be overdiagnosed; the FDA has included Adderall on its official shortages list. There also are issues of prescription diversion, where those diagnosed sell Adderall, and improper use such as crushing pills into powder and snorting.

People possessing Adderall without a prescription can be subject to arrest, according to Debbie Carter with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.

"It's unfortunate we've got a lot of bad (examples) of pro athletes trying to do anything they can to get that edge, and unfortunate that trickles down to the more amateur levels," Coris said. "People are willing to take bad risks to perform well."

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@tampabay.com.

NHL lockout brings more apathy than anger

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By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist
Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Anders Lindback did not pitch a shutout in the Lightning's home opener Tuesday night. He did not stop 27 shots, including a stand-on-his-head game-saver in the final minute. He did not make you think the shortcoming at goalie has been solved by his arrival.

Pity.

Marty St. Louis did not defy the calendar one more time. He did not pick an opponent's pocket and speed down the ice before sliding another winning goal into another net. After looking as young as ever, St. Louis did not crack a joke about how much older he is getting.

Shame.

Steven Stamkos did not get a hat trick, and Vinny Lecavalier did not have four assists, and Matt Carle did not look like a linebacker on skates. The fans did not leave the building celebrating a win over the Islanders or debating whether this might be a playoff team again. The boys were not back in town. There was no power to the play. There was no killing of the penalty.

Sad.

Instead, the dumbest lockout in the history of sports continued to keep hockey outside of arenas across North America. Instead of highlights, Gary Bettman talked about revenue percentages. Instead of hockey, the union delivered another dose of rhetoric.

Outside, fans yawned.

Frankly, that's what ought to scare Bettman to death.

Where is the outrage? Where are the protests? Where are fans so angry they are ready to storm the castle with torches and pitchforks?

Instead, there seems to be widespread apathy. A month ago, there was a photo on the Internet of fans picketing the NHL offices in New York. There were 20 people, and five of those seemed to just be walking past. None of the people milling about seemed particularly passionate about their cause.

For a sports league, indignation is easier to deal with than indifference. Angry fans are driven by how much they care. Apathetic ones are driven by how little.

Commissioner Lockout has struck again? What's new? Hockey has shut down? So what? The owners want relief from the stupid contracts they eagerly offered? And don't they always?

After all, this is what hockey does. This is the fourth work stoppage in the past 20 years, and most of us gave up getting lathered up about them long ago. Every so often, this sport simply shuts itself down, then it comes back and tells its fans how much it loves them.

Remember eight years ago, when the sport canceled an entire season to fix itself? Eight years later, it's broken again. How can a league explain that? And how many shutdowns does a commissioner get before labor peace is turned over to someone else?

Maybe that's why it was so hard to get energized by the NHL's new offer Tuesday. The league is offering a 50-50 split of hockey-related revenues which, pretty much, is where everyone figured they would end up from the start. After all, what sounds more fair than 50-50?

From here, you and I could work out a settlement over lunch, and we could work out the details— maximum contract lengths and free-agent eligibility— over coffee. The whole negotiation should take an hour, tops. Everything else would be posturing for the cameras.

From the start, this lockout was a horrible decision. Bettman and his owners wanted another financial mulligan from their financial mistakes. Just asking here, but wasn't that the reason for the last lockout?

That one hurt the Lightning as much as any team in the league. That year, Tampa Bay was the defending Stanley Cup champion; it hasn't been close since then.

This year, the Lightning has a lot at stake, too. Tuesday night's game (Tampa Bay didn't play the Islanders) would have been the perfect time to discuss an interesting offseason by general manager Steve Yzerman. It would have been a fine time to wonder if this season would extend into the postseason.

By now, that's what we should be talking about. About Guy Boucher and Stamkos and St. Louis and Lecavalier and Hedman and Lindback. About a solid win, or a close loss or a promising performance. Isn't that the purpose of a home opener?

Maybe we will hear such talk yet. The best thing about Bettman's latest proposal was that it was designed for an 82-game season (and as such, it was going to be popular with fans). If a full season is still possible, maybe fans can be lured into the arenas once again.

After all, common sense has to prevail sometime, doesn't it? Millionaires have to sell more tickets, don't they? A league has to declare peace, don't you think?

Who knows? Maybe this time, there won't be a lockout for another six whole seasons.

Well, maybe five.

Listen to Gary Shelton weekdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on 98.7-FM the Fan.

Captain's Corner: Kingfish, gag grouper fishing at their peak

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By Dave Mistretta, Times Correspondent
Tuesday, October 16, 2012

A great month: October is becoming another great fishing month. Many options are available offshore and inshore. Kingfish are going to be the hot ticket for the next few weeks. Each cool front that passes through opens the door for another batch of fish to swim our way. The best approach is to look for schools of baitfish. Most of the early arrivals are quite hungry and ready to attack any school of baitfish that swim in its path. We have caught kings in all depths this past week, from directly out of the pass within a mile to more than 20 miles from shore.

Bottom fishing tips: Gag grouper fishing is still consistent in depths of 25 to 35 feet. When the water is stirred up, the fish feed aggressively. All bait work at this time. After a cool front passes and the water clears, you'll have to get a bit creative to get the gags to open their mouths. A light sinker with a live grunt or pinfish is a great way to get the bite started. Toss the pinfish far away from the boat and toward the bow. Let the current take the bait back to where it eventually drifts by the rock you are anchored over. Gags cannot resist free-swimming live bait as they slowly drift by. Sometimes it takes a throw or two to get the ball rolling, but I assure you a larger fish from the pack will nail the bait. All you will feel is a sharp strike when it takes the bait. Reel as fast as you can when you feel it.

Snags aren't always bad: If a gag gets you in the rocks, there is positive action that can be taken. This allows you to pinpoint the hole where the other gags are congregating. Any future tosses up tide can be directed more accurately toward the spot where the fish rocked you.

Dave Mistretta captains the Jaws Too out of Indian Rocks Beach. Call (727) 439-2628 or visit jawstoo.com.

Fans relish jabs at Pujols

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St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Tuesday, October 16, 2012

ST. LOUIS — Albert who?

St. Louis is a city of good sports, but it's hard for fans these days not to take a jab at Albert Pujols, the longtime centerpiece of their beloved Cardinals, especially now that they are in the playoffs without him.

The narrative still stings for many St. Louisans: No. 5 "betrayed" an adoring fan base and bolted for Los Angeles and more money.

So with success minus Pujols — the Cardinals are in the National League Championship Series and El Hombre is … well, where is he? — the temptation to rub it in is pretty strong. Especially in the somewhat anonymous world of social media.

"Hey, remember that guy Albert Pujols? Yeah, me either," said one Cardinals fan on Twitter, where Pujols jabs have become their own sport.

Added another: "Sometimes when I'm alone, I sit on my couch, watch the Cardinals game and pretend I'm Albert Pujols."

Ouch.

It's hard not to gloat after your pride is bruised. After all, Pujols and the Angels didn't make it out of the regular season. And the Cardinals, with scrappy, young players named Craig, Descalso and Kozma, are playing in Game 3 of the NLCS today.

"I knew they could do it," said fan Charles Collins, 43, who was at Busch Stadium on Monday trying to land tickets. "It's not like they lost the whole team."

He remains a Pujols fan and said he doesn't hold a grudge. But even Collins, a pleasant man from south St. Louis, couldn't resist a little poke at Pujols. Referring to today's game at Busch Stadium, he said: "Pujols will be at home watching it. Like everyone else."

That's the assumption, anyway. A request for comment from Pujols through his handlers was not answered.


Host suspended for tweet wishing ill upon Howard

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Times wires
Tuesday, October 16, 2012

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A Columbus sports talk-show host who tweeted over the weekend that he wished ESPN's Desmond Howard would get fired or die was suspended indefinitely by his station.

Dave Van Stone, president and general manager of WBNS 97.1 The Fan, confirmed Tuesday the punishment for Scott Torgerson. WBNS is an ESPN affiliate and the flagship station for Ohio State athletics.

Torgerson tweeted that he wished Howard, a former Heisman Trophy winner at Ohio State's chief rival Michigan, would get fired or die so Torgerson could again watch ESPN's College GameDay.

Torgerson called the tweet a joke and "what he does" but later deleted his Twitter account.

Kirk Herbstreit, a former Ohio State quarterback and now a college football analyst on ESPN with Howard, said the tweet was "disgusting and very sad" and "crossed a line."

Still-active Giambi bidding to manage Rockies

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Times wires
Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Veteran slugger Jason Giambi will interview for the Rockies vacant managerial job, though no date has been set, the Denver Post reported.

Giambi, 41, who has never coached at any level, is not retired and had hernia surgery last week to keep open the option of playing in 2013.

Giambi has no experience running a team but has worked with Rockies players on their hitting and talked strategy with former manager Jim Tracy, according to the Post.

ORTIZ TALKS: DH David Ortiz is seeking a two-year deal between $25 million and $30 million to return to the Red Sox, the Boston Herald reported. Ortiz, 36, signed a one-year, $14.575 million deal before the 2012 season.

BA PICKS TROUT: Baseball America named Angels rookie CF Mike Trout its player of the year, citing his "rare combination of offense, baserunning and superb defense."

OZZIE AUCTION: Hall of Fame SS Ozzie Smith will sell his 13 Gold Gloves, 11 of his All-Star Game rings and two World Series rings from his personal collection in a November online auction run by SCP Auctions of Laguna Niguel, Calif. It's part of his estate and family planning.

BLUE JAYS: Paul Beeston is believed to be working on a two-year extension to remain president and CEO past the Oct. 31 expiration of his contract. Beeston, 67, has been club president since October 2009.

BRAVES: C Brian McCann had surgery to repair a frayed labrum and cyst in his right shoulder, and it's unknown if he'll be ready for spring training.

padres: PGA star Phil Mickelson said he expects an announcement shortly on his bid to buy a stake in the team's ownership.

Florida Gators seeking more balance in offense for SEC games

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Times staff, wires
Tuesday, October 16, 2012

GAINESVILLE — Brent Pease is happy No. 3 Florida is undefeated.

But that doesn't mean the offensive coordinator is completely satisfied with his unit.

The offense has been most unbalanced in its past two wins, with 502 yards on the ground and 138 through the air. The Gators are last in the SEC with 870 passing yards, more than 100 behind 13th-place Auburn.

"If you are not balanced in what you do, they're going to start loading things up," Pease said. "But when they have an answer to that we have to have our answers back."

WR Frankie Hammond said he'd like more passing, but the team should stick to what it is doing well.

"I would rather them throw it the whole game because I'm a receiver," Hammond said. "I want the ball. You've got to understand that's not the motive of the game. You've got to run, you've got to throw, you've got to be balanced. If running is working I have no problem blocking downfield for (Mike) Gillislee, Matt Jones, any of those guys in the backfield."

STOPPING CLOWNEY: One roadblock to throwing Saturday against South Carolina will be DE Jadeveon Clowney. The sophomore is third in the SEC in both sacks and tackles for a loss.

"You need to account for him," UF coach Will Muschamp said. "He can ruin your day."

Josh Jurnovoy, Times correspondent

UM: Wait and see

CORAL GABLES — Miami will wait and see if QB Stephen Morris' sprained left ankle improves before a starter is chosen for Saturday's game against No. 12 Florida State.

Ryan Williams practiced as the presumptive starter, with Preston Dewey as his backup. Morris spent the day in and out of treatment, unable to do anything on the field. Coach Al Golden said he's still giving Morris a chance.

"We've got a long way to go," Golden said. "I would have to classify him as a game-time (decision) right now. … We don't have really two separate game plans going in."

Golden said the earliest Morris would be on the practice field is Thursday, and if he makes it then, he'd likely be limited to 7-on-7 work.

Associated Press

FSU: Depth crucial

TALLAHASSEE — Jimbo Fisher played college football. He knows how taxing the grind of a long season can be. That's why the Florida State coach knows he will need his youngest, least experienced players to contribute as the season wears on.

At least two of them appear headed in that direction.

Freshman LB Reggie Northrup has made an immediate impact as a backup. He had he six tackles in Saturday's 51-7 win over Boston College.

"A linebacker, to me … they're a bit like running backs," Fisher said. "If you have to tell a running back how to run, you need to recruit somebody else."

Of another freshman, the prized No. 1 overall recruit from last year's recruiting class, DE Mario Edwards Jr., Fisher said: "He's ready."

Coley Harvey, Orlando Sentinel

USF: Wax on, wax off

TAMPA — Coach Skip Holtz said that the most noticeable difference between the past week of practice and the beginning of the season was that players were more aware of the areas of their game that needed improvement.

"There's a heightened awareness to some of the mistakes that are being made that they want to correct … creating that turnover, getting your hands on that ball, to losing contain, to hold up on your block. We're not coaching different things. … It's not Mr. Miyagi (from Karate Kid) tricks, it's going out there and getting better fundamentally. Guys (are) kind of getting on each other — not where it's just up to the coaches, but there's an internal pressure as well."

DT Todd Chandler said players used the week off to reflect on how to improve individually.

"Now he put it on us as players and told us that if we see something wrong … this is the opportunity to change it. He gave us a solid three or four days to go out there and work and get better. … Everybody was just fine-tuning themselves in the bye week."

Joe Polito, Times correspondent

UCF: Niles ahead

ORLANDO — UCF made some defensive line changes last month to create more pressure.

The big beneficiary is redshirt freshman Thomas Niles, who replaced junior Jose Jose as a starter. Niles (6 feet 2, 266 pounds) brought more of a burst inside compared to Jose (6-3, 345). Niles has 15 tackles, three for loss, and six hurries since becoming a starter. Jose has not been on the roster for three weeks.

"He knows what he needs to do to get back, all right, and I still haven't seen that yet," coach George O'Leary said of Jose. "We're going to play with the guys that have a passion for doing the things they're supposed to do."

Orlando Sentinel

League offering split to try ending lockout

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Times wires
Tuesday, October 16, 2012

TORONTO — The stalled talks between the NHL and the players' association got a jumpstart Tuesday.

B.J. Crombeen, a Lightning right wing and member of Players' Association negotiating committee, called a new proposal from the NHL "a positive step,'' but said a lot of work remains to end the 31-day lockout.

After 34 days without a new proposal from either side on a collective bargaining deal, commissioner Gary Bettman made a new offer to the NHLPA that proposes a 50-50 split of hockey-related revenue and a full 82-game season starting Nov. 2.

The offer is crafted for — if nothing else — a quick response from union head Donald Fehr, followed by some serious negotiations.

"It was done," Bettman said, "in the spirit of getting a deal done."

Fehr said the proposal was for six years. Bettman did not confirm that.

"Our hope," Fehr said, "after we review this is that there will be a feeling on the players' side that this will be a proposal from which we can negotiate and try and reach a conclusion."

The league first asked players to take 43 percent of revenues, well down from the 57 percent negotiated in the last CBA that ended the labor stoppage which wiped out the 2004-05 season.

Crombeen told the Tampa Bay Times: "They came off of where they were a little bit, but what they had before wasn't anything realistic. That's kind of the way we're looking at it that hopefully this is the start for them of some serious negotiations."

Asked if the new proposal was an improvement, Fehr said: "In some respects I think it is. In other respects, I'm not sure. We have to look at it."

The NHL locked players out Sept. 15, and the regular season was scheduled to begin last Thursday. A Nov. 2 start would extend the season well into June, but would preserve some marquee events, such as the Jan. 1 Winter Classic in Michigan.

"When a lot of guys, the players, the fans and media like hears that 50-50 number, it's easy to think let's get her done, let's get going, but I think there is a lot more than meets the eye with the proposal," Crombeen said. "… It definitely met with some optimism that they're willing to talk to us and give us a proposal, and this is kind of the first — I don't want to say somewhat serious but closer to a legitimate offer than the first few. So, yes this is a positive step to get the proposal from them. … But there's a lot of work to be done if there is going to be a fair deal reached here in the short term."

Bettman said: "We believe that this was a fair offer for a long-term deal, and it's one that we hope gets a positive reaction."

If a deal gets done quickly, teams would hold makeshift training camps of about a week. Veterans who signed contracts overseas would need to scramble back, as would younger players working in the minor leagues.

Times staff writer Damian Cristodero contributed to this report.

Dennis Eckersley says he rooted for Rays' Fernando Rodney to break his ERA record

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, October 16, 2012

DETROIT — Dennis Eckersley has a plaque in the Hall of Fame, MVP and Cy Young awards, a World Series ring, a high-profile analyst's job with TBS and some of the best hair in baseball.

But with his seemingly untouchable reliever record 0.61 ERA in peril as the season wound down, he found himself pulling for Rays closer Fernando Rodney to break the 22-year-old mark — which Rodney did, finishing at 0.60.

"I was happy for him," Eckersley said before ALCS Game 3 Tuesday. "It goes to show how tough it is. And no one would have gave a (darn) until that happened, then people say, he did that once. So at least I got some attention for something that happened so long ago. I don't think anyone even knew. So he should be proud of it."

In his 1990 season, Eckersley allowed five earned runs in 731/3 over 63 games and converted 48 saves in 50 chances; Rodney allowed five in 742/3 over 76 games and converted 48 saves in 50 chances.

"That is a great year," Eckersley said. "What it is is being good and a little lucky, which you have to be. And that makes for magic."

Which season was more impressive? Given that Eckersley did so in Oakland for a team that won 103 games and coasted to the AL West title while Rodney pitched for a Rays team that battled until the final week for a wild-card spot and ended up with 90 wins, Eckersley said Rodney's was:

"Pitching in that ballpark for that club, they needed him so bad, I think there was more pressure on him, absolutely."

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