Times wires
Sunday, October 28, 2012

MARTINSVILLE, Va. — Jimmie Johnson's expectations are high at Martinsville Speedway. His results keep showing why.

The five-time series champion earned his seventh victory on NASCAR's trickiest oval Sunday, and the triumph helped him erase a seven-point deficit and pass Brad Keselowski as the Sprint Cup points leader with three events remaining.

But before handing Johnson the title, he cautioned, there's plenty of racing yet to do.

"I'm ecstatic about the win today and ecstatic about the points lead, but this is no cakewalk," Johnson said after the 59th victory, fourth of 2012. "These guys are bringing their best each and every week. … The next two races will tell the tale. Anything can happen. We could both (wreck) next week and (third-place) Clint Bowyer is your champion."

With his win in the Tums Fast Relief 500, Johnson moved two points ahead of Keselowski, who finished sixth for his best showing at the 0.526-mile oval.

"I know this championship's going to come down to (the finale at) Homestead," Keselow­ski said. "You've just got to be in position to where you've got a shot at it, and we're doing the things it's going to take."

Both drivers needed only to look at Denny Hamlin to be reminded that things can go south fast. An electrical problem that sent him to a 33rd-place finish and out of contention.

"When these things happen, you've just got to suck it up and move on," Hamlin said. "There's nothing I can do about it. One of these days it's going to be our time. It's just not right now."

Keselowski's day was nowhere near as adventurous as Hamlin's, but it was effective.

He started 32nd, methodically worked his way forward and was never really a factor until he took a late gamble to grab the lead — and a crucial bonus point. He led briefly when a caution flag flew as he and Dale Earnhardt Jr. opted to stay out, then watched as the other 16 lead-lap cars all headed for pit road for fresh tires.

"I think we've learned a lesson here in the past not pitting late, and that certainly came into play," Johnson said.

When the green flag flew with 19 laps to go, Keselowski was a sitting duck whose best bet was to hang on for as long as he could and avoid any Martinsville mayhem that cropped up in a furious dash to the finish.

He said the decision to stay out was his own, and he was shocked no one else followed.

"It's at the end of the race and half the field had just pitted 20 or 30 laps ago," Keselowski said. "If I was running 15th, I would have stayed out. … None of those guys did and I don't know why. Well Dale did. He had some sense."

Johnson, who led eight times for 193 laps, passed Keselowski on Lap 487 of 500.

Busch was second, followed by Kasey Kahne, Aric Almirola, Bowyer and Keselowski.

Almirola matched his career best. The Tampa native was also fourth in 2010 at Homestead.

"We've just got a lot of momentum," Almirola, who doesn't have a contract for 2013, told NASCAR.com. "I've been having more fun these last five weeks at the racetrack than I've ever had."

David Reutimann of Zephyr­hills dropped out after 185 laps and was 36th.

Times wires
Sunday, October 28, 2012

Randy Bernard stepped down as CEO of IndyCar, ending a three-year reign that was disrupted this season by several attempts by team owners to have him ousted.

The decision was announced after an executive session conducted by teleconference Sunday by the 11-member Indianapolis Motor Speedway board of directors. Jeff Belskus, president of IMS and president and CEO of Hulman & Co., will step in as interim CEO.

Bernard, who has two years left on a five-tear contract, will stay on in an advisory position.

Both the series and IMS are owned by the Hulman-George family, which holds four spots on the 11-member IMS board and four spots on the 10-member Hulman & Co. board. Belskus, in a telephone interview Sunday with the Associated Press, gave few details.

The decision was immediately criticized by Roger Penske, the most powerful owner in open-wheel racing.

"I'm very disappointed in this decision; the board continues to show poor judgment. There is no future plan," he said. "No business can run with a senior management change every two years."

FORMULA ONE: Sebastian Vettel's march to a third straight title took another stride with his victory in the Indian Grand Prix in New Delhi. The Red Bull driver won a fourth straight race in a season for the first time and leads race runnerup Fernando Alonso of Ferrari by 13 points with three races to go.

NHRA: Ron Capps earned his fifth Funny Car victory this season, winning the Big O Tires Nationals in Las Vegas to cut Jack Beckman's series lead to four points with one event left. Bob Vandergriff Jr. (Top Fuel), Allen Johnson (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also won. The finale is Nov. 9-11 in Pomona, Calif.

EAST BAY RACEWAY: Keith Nosbisch won the 50-lap Donnie Tanner Memorial Race for Late Models on Saturday in Gibsonton.

Times wires
Sunday, October 28, 2012

PHILADELPHIA — Asante Samuel stared directly at his former team's sideline and started trash-talking after the coin toss. By the fourth quarter, he was dancing on the field between plays.

Matt Ryan made it easy for his loquacious cornerback to gloat.

Ryan threw touchdowns on Atlanta's first three possessions against the Eagles and new defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, and the Falcons remained the league's only unbeaten team with a convincing 30-17 win over Philadelphia on Sunday.

"We're 7-0 over here, baby," Samuel said. "If I was over there now, they have to go to work."

The Falcons are 7-0 for the first time in the franchise's 47 seasons. The Eagles lost after a bye for the first time in 14 such games under coach Andy Reid since 1999.

"That was an embarrassing performance," Reid said. "I'm stating the obvious. We need to get better. I need to do a better job. This is fixable. We have the talent."

Ryan finished 22-of-29 for 262 yards and three touchdowns for his first win against his hometown team in three tries.

Michael Vick didn't turn the ball over for a change, but he played so-so and failed to beat his former team in his second start against the Falcons since returning to the NFL in 2009.

"Whatever decision coach makes, I support it," Vick said when asked about possibly being benched for rookie Nick Foles. "I know I'm giving it everything I have when I'm out there."

Reid said he's going to evaluate whether he makes a quarterback change. The defense was the problem against Atlanta, however. The Falcons scored on their first six possessions before punting for the first time with 5:35 left in the game.

Reid fired Juan Castillo last week and replaced him with Bowles two days after Philadelphia blew its second straight fourth-quarter lead in an overtime loss to Detroit.

Samuel had 25 interceptions and went to three Pro Bowls in four seasons in Philadelphia before the acquisitions of Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie forced him out. He was traded to the Falcons for a seventh-round pick in April.

"I love the fans," he said. "They can boo me. They can cheer for me. Doesn't do anything but add fuel to the fire."

Times wires
Sunday, October 28, 2012

ARLINGTON, Texas — Eli Manning stood on the Giants sideline in disbelief when it looked as if the Cowboys had scored a go-ahead touchdown with 10 seconds left.

What was encouraging is what he didn't see: a replay on the giant videoboard that hangs above the field at Cowboys Stadium, where the Giants still have never lost following a wild 29-24 victory Sunday.

Replay officials overturned receiver Dez Bryant's apparent 37-yard touchdown catch, ruling his hand hit out of bounds by inches, and the Cowboys couldn't get back into the end zone.

"I couldn't quite believe they were able to hit a touchdown in that situation. I kind of kept looking for the replay," Manning said. "You know the game was not going to be over until that clock hit zero."

This was the 20th time Manning rallied the Giants in the fourth quarter to win. And this comeback came after New York blew an early 23-0 lead.

"It speaks about our resiliency. We know how to win these games," receiver Victor Cruz said. "We've been in a bunch of them."

After their sixth win in seven games since an opening home loss to Dallas, the Giants hurriedly cleared out in an effort to get home as quickly as possible with Hurricane Sandy bearing down on the East Coast.

New York is 4-0 in Arlington since Jerry Jones' palace opened in 2009 with a Giants victory.

New York led 23-0 just two minutes into the second quarter when defensive end and former USF standout Jason Pierre-Paul returned an interception 28 yards for a touchdown. That was the third of four picks thrown by Tony Romo, and Dallas finished with six turnovers.

But the Giants didn't score again until Lawrence Tynes made a 43-yard field goal with 10:20 left for a 26-24 lead.

Dallas scored the last 10 points of the half, then added two TDs in the third quarter to go ahead.

Dallas got the ball with 44 seconds left and got to the Giants 37 before Bryant's catch between two defenders in the back of the end zone was overturned.

"Just tough when you think you've won the game," Romo said, "it switches at that moment. You put a lot into it, obviously. We put a week's worth (of emotion) in that one game."

Times wires
Sunday, October 28, 2012

Around the league

EMOTIONAL BYRD HAS NUMBER RETIRED BY JETS

Fighting back tears and surrounded by some former teammates, Dennis Byrd walked to the middle of the MetLife Stadium field as his No. 90 jersey was retired by the Jets.

Byrd, briefly paralyzed 20 years ago in a game against Kansas City, became the fifth former Jet player so honored — joining Joe Namath, Don Maynard, Joe Klecko and Curtis Martin.

"What an amazing honor," Byrd told the fans, nearly all of them standing. "Thank you so much."

Byrd, 46, a former defensive lineman, was introduced as the final member of New York's defense. He walked onto the field with slight assistance.

PINK FLAGS: The Dolphins-Jets game also saw officials using pink flags instead of yellow after a letter from Dante Cano, 11, of Marlboro, N.J., to commissioner Roger Goodell suggested the idea. The league uses pink on hats, cleats and uniforms during October for breast cancer awareness. Cano was invited to attend and presented Goodell and game officials with the flags.

COLTS: CB Vontae Davis sprained his left knee on the opening drive.

COWBOYS: TE Jason Witten broke his team record with 18 catches, going for 167 yards. … LB Dan Connor, replacing the team's injured leading tackler, Sean Lee, left with a strained neck in the second quarter.

JAGUARS: QB Blaine Gabbert had his first 300-yard day in the NFL, going 27 of 49 for 303 yards.

JETS: LB Bart Scott (toe) was inactive, ending his streak of consecutive games played at 119.

LIONS: S Louis Delmas injured his left knee, which was surgically repaired in August, and left in the third quarter. "It's the same knee, but I don't know that it is the same injury," coach Jim Schwartz said.

RAMS: RT Barry Richardson was cleared of a concussion after leaving in the fourth quarter.

REDSKINS: LB London Fletcher's consecutive-game streak stretched to 232, longest in the league. The veteran had been questionable because of head and hamstring injuries. … CB DeAngelo Hall was ejected in the fourth quarter after getting in the face of an official and cursing.

STEELERS: S Ryan Clark (concussion) left in the third quarter.

TITANS: The team had two offensive linemen hurt on one play. RT David Stewart and RG Leroy Harris hurt their right knees on a play where QB Matt Hasselbeck was sacked. Stewart missed a few plays and returned; Harris' status is unknown. … Rod Bironas took the franchise lead with 201 field goals. Al Del Greco had 200 for the Oilers/Titans.

Times wires

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, October 28, 2012

DETROIT — The Tigers had so much go right this season, what with a second straight AL Central championship, 1B Prince Fielder's debut, 3B Miguel Cabrera's Triple Crown, RHP Justin Verlander's potential-Cy-Young-Award-repeat performance, a tense division series win over the A's and a thrilling championship series sweep of the Yankees.

And so little went right at the end.

With their once-mighty offense shackled by the Giants' pitching, the Tigers barely put up a fight, becoming the 21st team to be swept in Series play.

"I'm disappointed; we're going to say our goodbyes tonight,'' manager Jim Leyland said. "We just didn't go good enough. They were better than us. And you can't say anything different.''

Cabrera and Fielder were definitely part of the problem, going a combined 4-for-27 with three RBIs, including Cabrera's two-run homer Sunday. He also made the final out on a called third strike.

The Tigers became the third team to sweep the LCS then get swept in the Series, joining the 1990 A's and 2007 Rockies.

The Tigers have lost seven consecutive Series games, the last three in 2006, all four this year.

Leyland, 67, is at the end of his contract, though team president Dave Dombrowski said they plan to work out an extension.

TWO MEN DOWN: The Tigers sustained one loss before the game when C Alex Avila was scratched from the lineup due to a badly bruised right forearm, the result of a foul ball in Wednesday's opener. Gerald Laird started, with Avila available only in an emergency.

Then 2B Omar Infante had to leave in the ninth inning, a bone on his left hand broken by a Santiago Casilla fastball.

TRIPLE FROWN: Leyland was not pleased to hear that Cabrera left the clubhouse without talking to the media after Saturday's Game 3 loss.

Though Leyland said he wanted to first make sure there wasn't a legitimate reason — Cabrera said later Sunday it was because he had family in town — the manager made it clear he puts a high value on accountability and planned to talk to Cabrera about it.

"I will deal with the situation and check into it, because you have to be there through the good and the bad," Leyland said. "You can't be on this podium only when you win."

DOUBLEHEADER: Downtown Detroit was bustling all day. The Lions hosted the Seahawks at 1 p.m. at Ford Field, and the Tigers faced the Giants at 8 next door at Comerica Park. It was the sixth time in the past nine years there was a World Series game and an NFL game in the same city on the same day, including 2008, when the Rays played at the Phillies and the Eagles hosted the Falcons.

POMP: Singer Demi Lovato performed the national anthem. … Former Tiger Magglio Ordonez threw out the ceremonial first pitch. … On hand were Ann Romney, wife of GOP presidential candidate Mitt, and actor Matthew Perry.

MISCELLANY: Giants manager Bruce Bochy considered ex-Ray Aubrey Huff for DH duty but chose INF Ryan Theriot. … Dodgers LHP Clayton Kershaw won the Roberto Clemente Award, acknowledging sportsmanship and community involvement; LHP David Price was the Rays' representative. … Former Ray Pat Burrell, a scout for the Giants, tried to fight CBS Sports writer Jon Heyman in a hotel bar Saturday, with former player Kevin Millar among those stopping Burrell, per Heyman on Twitter.

Times wires
Sunday, October 28, 2012

DENVER — A dinged-up right thumb wasn't enough to throw Peyton Manning off his game, and to no one's surprise, neither was the Saints defense.

Despite banging his throwing thumb on an opponent's helmet in the second quarter Sunday night, Manning passed for 305 yards and three scores, led two 90-plus-yard touchdown drives and easily outplayed Drew Brees to lead Denver to a 34-14 victory.

Manning surpassed 300 yards passing for the fifth straight time to match his personal best and set a franchise record for Denver. Willis McGahee ran for 122 yards and a score for the Broncos, who won two in a row for the first time this season and took sole possession of first place in the AFC West.

The Broncos, who have scored at least 30 points in all four of their wins, gained 530 yards — a season high against the NFL's worst defense. The Saints came in allowing more yards (2,793) over the first six games of a season than any team since 1950.

New Orleans lost in the return of linebackers-turned-interim head coach Joe Vitt from his six-game suspension for the team's bounty scandal. The Broncos held Brees and the league's top passing offense to 213 yards, and linebacker Wesley Woodyard had 13 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and one interception.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, October 28, 2012

DETROIT — The Giants got to this point the old-fashioned way.

They won the first three games of the World Series — and with Sunday's late game the first of four chances to get the fourth needed for their second championship in the past three years — by relying primary on pitching and defense.

"That's the old saying, pitching and defense wins championships," shortstop Brandon Crawford said. "And that's what we try to work off of."

Well, sure, it's a good plan, and one the Rays have tried to follow as well.

It's just that it seemed like it had mostly gone out of style.

"No, because we've proven it hasn't," Giants general manager Brian Sabean said. "At the right time, in the biggest games, you're going to have to pitch and play defense. And have timely hitting."

They had so far, with, in Games 2 and 3, the first back-to-back shutouts in Series play since 1966, when the Orioles blanked the Dodgers three times.

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

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, October 28, 2012

DETROIT — The Giants do things a little bit differently.

Their brand of play is not particularly exciting. Their roster isn't stocked with many big-name stars. Their style from the top down is to not attract a lot of attention.

But what they do is win.

And for the second time in three years, they were the last team standing — and hugging and jumping and spraying champagne — celebrating a World Series championship after their 4-3 sweep-completing 10-inning win over the Tigers on Sunday night.

Credit the individual players. Credit manager Bruce Bochy. Credit Eckerd College-schooled general manager Brian Sabean. Credit an old-school emphasis on pitching and defense that should look familiar to Rays fans. And credit the complete product, a team that truly plays like a team.

"It's so hard in sports; it's so competitive," team president Larry Baer said amid the clubhouse craziness. "They don't assume anything. And that's one of the reasons we have a chance to win, because they don't assume anything."

The Giants' winning rally started with a leadoff single by Ryan Theriot, their unexpected designated hitter, off Tigers reliever Phil Coke. He moved to second on a Brandon Crawford bunt, then scored on a two-out single by Marco Scutaro, the National League Championship Series MVP.

"Those are our slingshots and rocks," third base coach said Tim Flannery said. "That's what we fight with."

Closer Sergio Romo came on to get the final three outs, the last on fittingly a strikeout of Miguel Cabrera, the Tigers' Triple Crown winner whose Series-long struggles were a big part of Detroit's problem.

The Giants became the 21st of the 24 teams that took 3-0 Series leads to finish a sweep. That was after they came back from a 0-2 deficit in the division series and 1-3 in the championship series.

"For us to play like we did against this great club, I couldn't be prouder of these guys," Bochy said. "For us to be world champions two out of the last three years is amazing. Believe me, I know how difficult it is to get here.

"This group of guys wouldn't be denied. You look at this club — team work, team play, play as a team, those are all used loosely. These guys truly did. They set aside their own agenda and asked what's best for the club."

Third baseman Pablo Sandoval — the Panda — was named Series MVP after hitting .500 (8-for-16) with three homers (all in Game 1).

"I'm very, very happy," he said. "I learned a lot from my last World Series (in 2010 with the Giants). I grew up; I matured."

For the Tigers, a season of grand expectation ended in massive disappointment, if not embarrassment — and in pain, as they lost second baseman Omar Infante, who had to leave in the ninth after having his left hand broken by a Santiago Casilla fastball.

"I'm a little bit flabbergasted," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "Obviously, there was no doubt about it, they swept us. No bad breaks, no flukes. It's simple. They did better than us."

The game, tied 3-3 from the sixth on, was played on a raw night, with a first-pitch temperature of 44 degrees (and a feels-like in the high 30s), gusty winds and a light rain. "Candlestickian," Baer said, referring to the Giants' former home, Candlestick Park.

The Giants, 10-1 this postseason when scoring first, broke on top first again, Hunter Pence doubling and Brandon Belt tripling for a 1-0 second inning lead.

The Tigers finally showed signs of life in the third, taking their first lead of the Series — in their 30th inning — on a two-run home run by Cabrera off Matt Cain, snapping a 20-inning scoreless streak.

Cabrera, who caused a stir by leaving without talking to the media after a poor Game 3 outing, made a statement with a drive that, taking advantage of the gusting winds, carried over the rightfield fence, scoring Austin Jackson, who walked with one out.

The lead was short-lived, however, as Giants catcher Buster Posey, a former FSU star, hit a looping two-run homer just inside the leftfield foul pole, scoring Scutaro.

The Tigers weren't quite done. Former Ray Delmon Young, homered to right with two outs in the sixth. It was Young's eighth homer in two postseasons with Detroit, most in their storied franchise history.

"It just seemed like the pieces all fit together,'' starter Matt Cain said. "A lot of us had kind of same mentality about the game. Nobody really stood out and wanted to steal the spotlight. And I think that's what helped us.''

"You know, it's a team,'' Sandoval said. "It's a team.''

World Series

Giants 4, Tigers 0

Game 1: Giants 8, Tigers 3

Game 2: Giants 2, Tigers 0

Game 3: Giants 2, Tigers 0

Sunday: Giants 4, Tigers 3, 10 innings

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Monday, October 29, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays overall didn't play the kind of tidy defense they expected to in 2012. But two Rays — leftfielder Desmond Jennings and right-hander Jeremy Hellickson — are finalists for AL Gold Glove awards, which are given to the best defensive players at each position.

Jennings, who did not make an error in 178 chances and had four assists, is competing with Kansas City's Alex Gordon (the 2011 winner, who had two errors and 17 assists this year) and Texas' David Murphy (one and four).

Hellickson, with two errors in 40 chances, is up against Chicago's Jake Peavy (one in 37) and Los Angeles' C.J. Wilson (two in 42).

The awards, voted on by coaches and managers, will be announced tonight on a live show on ESPN2 starting at 9:30.

In other Rays news:

• With the World Series over, six Rays on Monday officially became free agents: right-hander Kyle Farnsworth, left-hander J.P. Howell, infielder Jeff Keppinger, first baseman Carlos Peña, right-hander Joel Peralta and centerfielder B.J. Upton. The Rays have exclusive rights until 12:01 a.m. Saturday, when players are free to sign with other teams. Howell, Keppinger and Peralta have expressed interest in returning.

• The Rays have until Friday to act on their options on catcher Jose Molina ($1.8 million), right-hander Fernando Rodney ($2.5 million), DH Luke Scott ($6 million) and right-hander James Shields ($10.25 million).

By Tom Jones, Times Sports Writer
Monday, October 29, 2012

The Bucs will hit the halfway point of their season Sunday in Oakland, and a victory there would give Tampa Bay a 4-4 record. And that would be good enough put the Bucs right in the thick of the playoff pack.

Too early for that kind of talk? Maybe a little. Way too many assumptions made about a Bucs team that is still below .500? Perhaps. But we don't get many chances to talk about the Bucs and the playoffs, so we might as well take advantage of the opportunity.

Anyway, this isn't so much about the Bucs as it is about the rest of the NFC. It's not as good as you think. Not so far. Any team at .500 midway through the season is in decent shape. When you think about it, that's pretty much how the landscape is in today's parity-driven NFL.

So let's look at this thing.

Tampa Bay is not going to win the division. The undefeated Falcons are running away with the NFC South. Let's assume the Giants will win the NFC East (they have a two-game lead) and the Bears will win the NFC North (they, too, have a two-game lead). San Francisco should win the NFC West.

If you're a Bucs fan, it's a good idea to keep rooting for those division leaders to continue winning.

If we can agree to concede the first wild-card spot to the Packers, that leaves the Bucs fighting for the second wild-card spot with several teams in the same neighborhood as Tampa Bay.

Here's a look at how all of this could shake down.

Bucs (3-4)

The schedule isn't a cakewalk, but it seems as if it can be navigated with some success. Let's say the Bucs win home games against the Chargers, Eagles and Rams and road games against the Raiders and Panthers. That certainly seems possible. The Chargers just lost to the Browns, for crying out loud, and the Eagles are a mess.

Let's count both games against the Falcons as losses, as well as a trip to Denver. That leaves the big swing game against the Saints in New Orleans on Dec. 16. The Bucs should have beaten the Saints here and have won in New Orleans two of the past three seasons. A win there is possible.

If all these things happen, the Bucs would be 9-7 and would have a chance.

Vikings (5-3)

The Bucs exposed this team Thursday with a dominating victory. Plus, Minnesota's schedule gets brutal in the second half — two games each against the Bears and Packers and trips to Houston and Seattle. Plus, did quarterback Christian Ponder give you any indication he can win games when it's up to him to win games?

Cardinals (4-4 after Monday's loss to the 49ers)

Arizona won its first four games then watched its season spiral out of control. The second half is loaded with land mines — Packers, Falcons, Seahawks, 49ers. Heck, I can't even keep track of who Arizona's quarterback is.

Seahawks (4-4)

If Seattle could play every game at home, it would be a playoff lock. The Seahawks are 3-0 at home, including victories against the Packers and Patriots. They are 1-4 on the road, beating a bad Panthers team. Seattle figures to be the best bet to get to nine victories. The Seahawks have five home games left and should be favored in at least four of them. The road games could be tricky — at Miami, Chicago, Buffalo.

Lions (3-4)

Here's what you need to know about the Lions: They are 3-1 against teams with a .500 record or worse. They are 0-3 against teams with winning records. Of their nine remaining games, only Jacksonville has a losing record.

Cowboys (3-4)

Losing that head-to-head matchup with Dallas could come back to haunt the Bucs, but the Cowboys are headed in the wrong direction. They've lost three out of four and have a tough schedule. Plus, quarterback Tony Romo alone is good for another blown game or two, don't you think?

Eagles (3-4)

The Eagles have lost three in a row, including two at home. Quarterback Michael Vick might be benched and coach Andy Reid seems on his way to being fired if the season continues to head south. They still have five road games left, including showdowns against all three of their division rivals. The make-or-break game to circle is Dec. 9 at Tampa Bay.

Redskins (3-5)

Last in the NFL against the pass. Two games left against the Cowboys. Games against the Giants and Ravens. Forget it.

Saints (2-5)

Bountygate appears to have taken its toll on the Saints. They're 2-5 and still have two games left against undefeated Atlanta, plus have to take trips to the Giants and Cowboys and have a home date against the 49ers. This just doesn't seem like their year. Anyway, they are still a game behind Tampa Bay.

Bottom line

There is still more than half a season left. The Bucs could go out to Oakland this weekend and get smoked, putting this conversation on hold for a while. The scenarios will change by the week. Heck, the Bucs might win two games the rest of the season.

But it's more fun talking about this than the latest Bucs player to get popped for Adderall.

By Larry Blue, Times Correspondent
Monday, October 29, 2012

What's hot: Wind associated with Hurricane Sandy interrupted weekend offshore fishing plans for many anglers. Northwest winds of more than 35 knots tossed the gulf into a rolling froth. Before the storm, king mackerel had been quite close to shore and gag grouper were in areas as shallow as 20 feet. The mackerel relocated to deeper water to escape rough conditions. The grouper moved too, but not nearly as far. They will seek the shelter of wrecks, high-profile reefs and big, natural breaks to displace the rolling sea.

Tips: Though conditions will improve somewhat, don't expect the fish to rush back to the beach soon. Dirty water isn't a favorite of mackerels, while grouper aren't as picky. Both species will be hungry and willing to take anything they can eat. Many seasoned anglers say this has been one of the best years of shallow-water grouper fishing in recent memory. An abundance of legal-size grouper could be found on most hard bottom areas within a couple miles of shore. In one more day another season fishing for gag grouper will be over. After Wednesday it's catch and live release. Check myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/groupers/gulf-grouper/ for FWC rules.

Larry Blue charters the Niki Joe from Madeira Beach Marina. Call (727) 871-1058 or visit www.CaptainLarryBlue.com.

Times wires
Monday, October 29, 2012

SAN FRANCISCO — For the second time in three years, San Francisco is gearing up for a ticker-tape parade to celebrate a World Series victory for the Giants.

Plans for the Wednesday bash were being made as the city cleaned up after a celebration Sunday night turned violent in some neighborhoods and police arrested three dozen people.

"I'm not going to let the spirit of this city be destroyed by 36 people," Mayor Ed Lee said. "We're going to move forward with a great parade, a wonderful celebration."

The parade will take a slightly different route from the one that followed the Giants' 2010 championship. Instead of the financial district, it will start at the foot of Market Street.

The new route is safer and affords better views than the previous route, which followed a path taken in 1958 to introduce the Giants to San Francisco after their move from New York, Mayor's Office spokesman Francis Tsang said.

"A lot has changed since then," he added.

Regardless of the route, hundreds of thousands of fans are expected to turn out and rival the crowd that celebrated in 2010, when players, coaches and other luminaries rode in open-air buses designed to look like cable cars and vintage convertibles.

Tens of thousands of people crowded into a park across the street from City Hall at the end of that parade to hear players, coaches and executives thank fans for their support.

This year, the parade occurs on Halloween, a historically notorious night for San Francisco, with landmarks such as Coit Tower and City Hall bathed in orange and black light.

KOREAN STAR EYES U.S.: LHP Ryu Hyun-Jin, 25, one of the Korea Baseball Organization's best pitchers since 2006, will be posted by the Hanwha Eagles and has hired agent Scott Boras to represent him.

A'S: The team exercised its $4.5 million option on former Rays RHP Grant Balfour, who had 24 saves this season. It declined its $10 million mutual option on SS Stephen Drew.

GIANTS: The club declined its option on former Rays INF Aubrey Huff.

MARINERS: Tim Kissner, who spent the past two seasons as a crosschecker in the Cubs organization, was named director of international operations.

PHILLIES: The team picked up a $6 million option on All-Star C Carlos Ruiz and declined options on former Rays reserve Ty Wigginton and RH reliever Jose Contreras.

TWINS: The team declined a $9.25 million option on RHP Scott Baker, who missed the season after reconstructive elbow surgery. The sides reportedly are negotiating a new deal.

YANKEES: The team picked up $15 million options on CF Curtis Granderson and 2B Robinson Cano.

Times wires
Monday, October 29, 2012

The fury of superstorm Sandy, which barreled down on the Northeast on Monday, barely laid a glove on sports.

Perhaps the biggest dislocation came in the NFL. The league moved its trade deadline back two days to Thursday because of potential complications, and all 32 teams were notified that the league's offices would be closed through today.

Sports was spared from worse by a confluence of elements.

The World Series ended a day earlier. The Monday night football game was in Arizona. Hockey is shut down by labor problems. The NBA does not begin until tonight. College basketball has not yet begun.

So the disruptions were minuscule: The Philadelphia Eagles closed their complex, and the New York Knicks canceled practice. The Washington Wizards adjusted travel plans, taking a 7 a.m. flight to Cleveland for tonight's opener.

By Marc Topkin, Times Sports Writer


Monday, October 29, 2012

DETROIT — There are times, sources have confirmed, when Bruce Bochy does indeed laugh and joke and cut up and have a good time, revealing what's best described as a bone-dry sense of humor.

For a few moments in the dugout. Sitting around in his office. Out with some buddies on a fishing boat.

And most definitely in a hotel bar in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, during last winter's MLB tour when he encouraged Rays hitting coach Derek Shelton, who was part of his staff, to get up on stage to join the Indonesian band they'd cat-called into Lynyrd Skynyrd's Sweet Home Alabama — and offered to show a new acquaintance the hilarious video he still has on his phone.

"He dared to me to do it is what he did," Shelton said Monday. "We had a lot of fun."

But most of the time, Bochy seems anything but the life of a party.

He's a big man with a large presence and speaks in a booming voice, dipped in a bit of country, but doesn't say much beyond what he has to. He's not playing for a punch line, doesn't tell you how smart he is, won't show much personality or emotion, and definitely isn't going to let you see him sweat.

All of which makes him seem a boring guy and a heck of a manager, leading the Giants to their second World Series championship in the last three years.

"He's been unbelievable," team CEO Larry Baer said during Sunday's clubhouse celebration. "To overcome the adversity and the challenges … you've got to have a steady hand, and he's about the steadiest hand you could possibly imagine to see in sports.

"He doesn't get flustered, he's calm, he thinks it through. And he has the respect of the young and old, the people upstairs and downstairs, everybody.

"If there's a blessing in all of this beyond all the obvious, it's that this guy, this manager, is finally getting his recognition."

Bochy, 57, is usually overlooked, but that will be harder now that he's one of 22 modern-era managers with two Series championships — something Bobby Cox, Lou Piniella and Whitey Herzog don't have. Also, that he moved into the top 25 in all-time wins, ranking 23rd, and third among active, with 1,454.

One reason is that Bochy has always managed on the West Coast, 12 years with the Padres (losing the 1998 Series) and six in San Francisco. Another is that he doesn't go looking for attention.

"It's all about the players," he said. "I'm not just trying to shrug that off. I mean, it's great when you hear good things said about you, I guess."

But those around him rave about what a good job he does — "The best in the game," said infielder Ryan Theriot, who played last season in St. Louis for Tony La Russa — and how he does it.

"Sometimes managers get lost in how it really was for them (as players) and he doesn't forget that — he understands how hard this game is," said veteran infielder Aubrey Huff, the ex-Ray. "And he's unique with every individual personality. He gives whatever each person needs to hear. … He knows personalities. It's something intuitive, and he's got it."

So do opponents.

"He's one of the best managers in all of baseball, there's no question," Detroit's Jim Leyland said. "He's got a nice, calming influence about himself. You know who's in charge. He's everything that's good about baseball managers, in my opinion. He does it the right way. You never hear Bruce Bochy boasting himself or anything like that. You don't really hear much about him. He's terrific."

Bochy learned to be a good manager by being a not-very-good player. Born in France during his father's army stint, Bochy grew up on Florida's Space Coast, starring at Melbourne High then Brevard Community College, where, after his first Series title, the field was named in his honor. He was drafted (in the first round) and signed by the Astros — then spent a semester at FSU for kicks — then started a career that saw him spend parts of nine seasons as a backup catcher with the Astros, Mets and Padres. He became a minor-league manager then a big-league coach and then manager of the Padres in 1995, making four trips to the playoffs.

He moved to the Giants in 2007, and it has been a great match, he and general manager Brian Sabean good friends as well. This year, Bochy has drawn extraordinary praise for his handling of the bullpen, after losing closer Brian Wilson in April, and his juggling of the lineup after Melky Cabrera's suspension to find the right combination.

Bochy shrugs off the compliments, just like most of the questions, though he did agree to clear one thing up:

"I have as much fun as anybody," he said.

Maybe even more so now.

Marc Topkin can be reached at topkin@tampabay.com

Times wires
Monday, October 29, 2012

MIAMI — LeBron James is finally getting his championship ring tonight.

Somehow, that seems like an ancillary element to opening night in Miami, one of three games. The Magic opens Friday against the Nuggets.

Tonight it's Boston vs. Miami, a rematch of last season's Eastern Conference final, won by the Heat in seven games. It's Ray Allen vs. the Celtics for the first time since he left after five seasons to join a Boston rival. And the Heat will celebrate last season's NBA championship with a pregame ring-and-banner ceremony.

"We'll honor and respect what we were able to accomplish before the game," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.

After that? All business.

The Heat and Celtics practiced simultaneously Monday in Miami, because Boston arrived a day ahead of schedule to avoid Hurricane Sandy. And both preached the same mantra — it's a big game, but win or lose, both teams will still have 81 games left to go in the regular season when they wake up Wednesday.

"If we win, do we get a trophy? We get one win and that's it," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "And if we lose, which we don't want to do, we get one loss and it doesn't mean we still can't win it. But at the end of the day, we're all human. … These games, they don't really have more meaning, but they do have more meaning."

It comes as no surprise to either side that the schedule-makers sent Boston to Miami for ring night.

"Every time there's something big going on," Heat forward Chris Bosh said, "we're playing the Celtics."

There has been a slew of upgrades at the arena over the summer — slightly different looks here and there, a new nightclub and restaurant, more concessions and bars. Heat fans can buy championship-ring-related merchandise, designed in the same manner as the players' title jewelry.

Miami kept its championship rotation intact, and added Allen and former Magic swingman Rashard Lewis.

"I'm excited for these guys, having spent time around them over the last two, three months, getting to know them and their families," Allen said. "I'm happy for them that they won, but at the same time, they beat me and put us out. I understand the emotions that Boston will feel, watching the whole ceremony. Once it's over with, it's business as usual."

Boston figures to be better as well. Jason Terry now comes off the bench, there's an influx of youth in the rotation, Jeff Green is back after heart surgery, and Rondo, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett are loaded up for another championship push.

"It's just another basketball game," Rondo said.

Not even he probably believes that. The rivalry and the Allen reunion weighs heavily on both sides. Neither Garnett nor Pierce has spoken to their former shooting guard since he signed with Miami.

"We're not going to make this into a Ray Allen or Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Rondo thing," Pierce said. "Everything's that happened has already happened. He's here. He's happy to be here. We wish him the best for his family and the situation, but I'm more focused on the Boston Celtics."

mavericks-Lakers: Los Angeles guard Kobe Bryant sat out Monday while his teammates went through a lengthy workout ahead of tonight's opener against Dallas, the first of four games in six days. Bryant (sore right foot) will be a gametime decision. Meanwhile, the Mavericks waived guard Delonte West after suspending him twice in less than two weeks for conduct detrimental to the team. The move created a roster spot for center Eddy Curry, who was picked up last week and could start tonight because of an injury to Chris Kaman.

Thunder: Oklahoma City picked up Reggie Jackson's option, keeping the guard under contract through 2013-14. He averaged 3.1 points and 1.6 assists in 45 games as a rookie last season.

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Monday, October 29, 2012

GAINESVILLE — It didn't take a whole lot of film review for Florida QB Jeff Driskel to recognize the major problem in Saturday's 17-9 loss to Georgia. The six turnovers pretty much said it all, which is why Driskel said the best thing he and the rest of the Gators can do is move on.

"We're going to have to bounce back," Driskel said. "That's a big loss. Obviously we're disappointed, our fans are disappointed. But we've got to get back to work. You learn from your mistakes. You watch the film, you get your coaching points and you move on and try not to make the same mistakes twice."

Florida will host Missouri on Saturday.

The Gators are No. 8 in both the USA Today Coaches Poll and the AP poll and fell from No. 2 to No. 7 in the BCS standings.

The Gators have concerns beyond Saturday's turnovers. Florida has given up 26 sacks this season — five in the Georgia game. Its run game has stalled. In the past two games, the Gators have run for 190 yards on 89 carries. And Florida had only three pass completions to receivers in the game, which WR Frankie Hammond said is a reflection of the pressure Driskel is facing.

"When they bring pressure it basically turns into a quick game," Hammond said. "You definitely don't have time to run a 20-yard route because he doesn't have time."

DEFENDING JORDAN REED: Of UF's turnovers Saturday, the lasting image is of the last one: junior TE Jordan Reed being stripped by Georgia's Jarvis Jones as he attempted to leap into the end zone with 2:05 to play. By Monday morning Gators players and coach Will Muschamp weren't happy that Reed shouldered the burden of the loss.

"The guy was trying to make a play," Muschamp said. "I'm never going to disrupt a guy from trying to make a play. Does he need to have better ball security? Sure. However you do that, just have better ball security. No one player or one play lost the game, at the end of the day. The guy was trying to make a play, a guy who plays with great effort and passion. He made a couple of really nice plays on the drive. We would not be in that position if it weren't for him. It's easy to sit and criticize when you're sitting in the stands. Get in the arena and play."

SEASON OVER: Florida WR Solomon Patton's season has ended after he broke his left upper arm Saturday. Patton was injured with 7:38 left in the first quarter as he was being tackled. He is expected to return in the spring. LT Xavier Nixon and LG James Wilson both suffered twisted knees but are expected to practice today. DL Damien Jacobs (hip) could practice Wednesday. Senior LB Lerentee McCray (ankle) is probable for the game.

AWARD LISTS: Florida S Matt Elam was named one of 15 semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award (top defensive player) and one of 16 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award (top defensive back). RB Mike Gillislee is among 16 semifinalists for the Maxwell Award (nation's outstanding player).

Antonya English can be reached at english@tampabay.com.

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Monday, October 29, 2012

TAMPA — Eric Wright spent practice Monday pedaling a stationary bicycle, watching his teammates prepare for their upcoming game against the Oakland Raiders. Likewise, the Bucs weren't in a position to move forward with their soon-to-be suspended cornerback.

Coach Greg Schiano opened his news conference by saying league rules prohibit the team from commenting on a story that Wright is facing a four-game league suspension for using Adderall.

Schiano said Wright could not practice because of an Achilles injury suffered in Thursday night's 36-17 win at Minnesota.

Fox NFL analyst Jay Glazer reported Sunday that Wright is facing a four-game suspension after testing positive for Adderall, a stimulant that is considered a performance-enhancing drug unless prescribed by a physician.

Wright would become the second Bucs cornerback to be suspended for Adderall. Aqib Talib is scheduled to return from his four-game suspension for violating the league's policy on PEDs Nov. 5; he said he had taken an Adderall. Since neither the league nor the Bucs will comment on the case, it's likely Wright will appeal.

"I really can't discuss it and neither can Eric," Schiano said at the start of his news conference Monday. "I'm not trying to be evasive at all, but that's what comes down from the league and that's where I'm going to be.

"You saw he was on the bike. He has an Achilles (injury) coming out of the game that is a little bit of a concern. Didn't know about it after the game, really didn't know about it until recently. But I think the injury, he'll be okay, but I can't predict."

Schiano said the Bucs' depth at cornerback could be tested against the Raiders. Wright's likely replacement would be former Largo High star Leonard Johnson, who started Thursday as the nickel corner and recorded an interception.

"I just think he competed," Schiano said. "The stage doesn't get a lot bigger in a regular season than a national television game against a team that's doing well offensively. And Leonard, it wasn't too big for him. I think that's the best thing. He competed, he made some plays. He had an interception. He really, (another possible) one, take a look at it, it's up for discussion, too. He had two really big-time plays and then other ones that go unnoticed, the ones where he does his job."

Johnson, an undrafted rookie from Iowa State, said he tried not to put too much pressure on himself Thursday and just competed.

"I just went out and had fun," Johnson said. "I tried to do everything I was asked to do. Being able to start at the nickel and the dime was something I was looking forward to doing all week. I didn't put too much pressure on myself during the week about going out there with the first team. I just let it all hang out and just wanted to be natural."

The Bucs have other options if Wright is out Sunday. Brandon McDonald, who was replaced by Johnson, had been the nickel corner until he sprained his ankle against the Saints. The Bucs also could move safety Ronde Barber to cornerback and replace him at safety with Ahmad Black.

"I'm taking it one day at a time," Johnson said. "The whole Eric Wright situation will work itself out, the Achilles or whatever else is going on. Right now, I'm just trying to focus on getting better.''

Neither the Bucs nor the NFL will comment on Wright. The league also moved the trade deadline back two days until Thursday because of Hurricane Sandy so it's possible no information on Wright's case would be forthcoming for several days.

With both starting cornerbacks likely suspended for the same drug, Schiano was asked if he believed the team had a problem with Adderall use.

"No," Schiano said, ending the news conference.

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

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Monday, October 29, 2012

TAMPA — As excited as the Bucs were to get DE Da'Quan Bowers back for Thursday's game, they were cautious in how extensively they used the second-year player making his season debut after surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon.

Bowers played about 20 snaps, mostly one-and-off, on third downs, boosting the pass rush in the victory at Minnesota.

Bowers' body has responded well, and he had an expanded workload in Monday's practice, taking reps on first and second down, including three-play sequences.

"I'm definitely working my way back in," Bowers said. "Now it's more of a wind thing, getting back in shape, getting my wind back. I don't mind doing first and second down, I'm not only a pass-rush guy. Me and Coach (Greg Schiano) have been talking about it, and taking step towards that progress. Hopefully by Sunday I can get on first- and second-down situations."

Schiano said Thursday's game was a "really good start" for Bowers, pointing out they intended to bring him back slowly since he began practicing two weeks ago.

"Now we're taking the next step," Schiano said, "which is playing back-to-back plays and see how he does. If everything is good on Wednesday, maybe he goes four plays (in a row), try to get him back into this thing slowly. But he does have a pop to him that is good to have back."

BOUNCING BACK: The Bucs had easily their worst pass-rushing performance Oct. 21 in a loss to the Saints.

So, responding with what might have been their most intense pass rush Thursday is good news for them.

The Bucs notched three sacks and four hits on Vikings QB Christian Ponder. Against the Saints, the Bucs had no sacks and no hits on Drew Brees.

The only thing missing now is consistency.

"We probably had our worst effort in our pass rush (vs. Saints) and then one of the better ones this week," Schiano said. "All along I've been talking about consistency. That's what good teams do: They come out and consistently perform. Sometimes they peak a little bit. But they don't have the valleys. That's what we're working toward."

The Bucs used a mix of their base, four-man rush with some blitzes and stunts. The result was a productive effort one game after the Bucs used almost exclusively three- and four-man rushes against the Saints.

NEED MORE: The Bucs brought in veteran Roscoe Parrish to jump-start a struggling punt return unit. The position had been a revolving door all season, with Sammie Stroughter's injury and WR Jordan Shipley getting cut after a key fumble in Week 3.

But Parrish, 30, hasn't provided much of a boost, averaging 6.1 yards on 12 returns over four games, with the longest 13 yards. He also muffed a punt against the Vikings, though he recovered it in the pile-up.

Parrish said he won't start pressing to make plays that aren't there.

"You can't get frustrated," he said. "You have to make smart decisions (and) be patient, because one return can change everything. It's a long season, and I understand that being a veteran returner.

"I know the big one is going to come. You don't want to press right now. That's something I've done as a young returner. But I was able to have success with that."

Schiano said on his weekly radio program he plans to stick with Parrish for now and has high expectations of him down the stretch.

INJURY UPDATE: DE Michael Bennett (ankle) didn't practice Monday but is expected to play Sunday against the Raiders.

Times wires
Monday, October 29, 2012

The biggest man on the Associated Press' preseason All-America team got the most votes.

Seven-foot sophomore center Cody Zeller, the main reason Indiana is the preseason No. 1 for the first time in 33 years, was one vote shy of being a unanimous selection.

Zeller, who averaged 15.6 points and 6.6 rebounds while shooting 62.3 percent from the field as a freshman, received 64 votes from the national media panel that selects the weekly Top 25.

Also on the team announced Monday were junior forwards Doug McDermott of Creighton and Deshaun Thomas of Ohio State and three guards, seniors Isaiah Canaan of Murray State and C.J. McCollum of Lehigh and sophomore Trey Burke of Michigan.

McDermott was named on 62 ballots, Canaan on 43 and Thomas 26. McCollum and Burke tied for the fifth spot with 16 votes each.

Zeller is one of five starters back for the Hoosiers. Add a top-flight recruiting class, and there are a lot expectations for the No. 1 team.

"I don't know that we've really set any goals as a team, but obviously, we want to win a national championship," Zeller said. "We're not going to guarantee anything. We're just going to play and see where it takes us."

McDermott, who averaged 22.9 points (third in the nation) and 8.2 rebounds while shooting 60.1 percent from the field and 48.6 percent on 3-pointers for the Bluejays last season in earning All-America honors, has the added pressure of playing for his father, Greg. The relationship is the key to Creighton's hopes of becoming the latest mid major to go deep in the NCAA Tournament.

"We have a lot of expectations on ourselves," Doug McDermott said. "We know we can go far. You see Butler, VCU, teams like that that make it to the Final Four and even the national championship game. We're not thinking that far ahead, but we know we're capable of doing what those teams have done in the past."

Football

LATTIMORE VOWS RETURN: South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said running back Marcus Lattimore told him he will be back on the field. Spurrier spoke to more than 1,000 players, students and fans who turned out to wish Lattimore a speedy recovery and a happy 21st birthday. Lattimore dislocated his right knee and severely damaged several ligaments Saturday.

BADGERS LOSE QB: Wisconsin quarterback Joel Stave is done for the season after breaking his left collarbone against Michigan State. Doctors determined the redshirt freshman would not need surgery.

MICHIGAN STAR OKAY: The Wolverines got a scare and not a long-term problem when quarterback Denard Robinson injured a nerve in his right elbow against Nebraska. "He should be fine," coach Brady Hoke said. "He should be ready to go on Saturday" at Minnesota.

IOWA ST.: Senior linebacker Jake Knott, the reigning Big 12 defensive player of the week, is likely out for the season with a torn left shoulder.

MONTANA: Offensive tackle Trevor Poole was arrested on a felony drug charge over the weekend after a drug task force officer reported seeing him exchange cash for a plastic baggie at a large Halloween party. The sophomore was suspended indefinitely.

OKLAHOMA: Leading rusher Damien Williams and starting left tackle Lane Johnson missed practice with ankle injuries, but coach Bob Stoops is holding out hope they can play Saturday at Iowa State.

OREGON ST.: Coach Mike Riley said junior quarterback Cody Vaz will start Saturday. Vaz had started two games while Sean Mannion recovered from arthroscopic knee surgery. Mannion returned last week but threw four interceptions.

TEXAS: David Ash will remain starting quarterback over Case McCoy. Despite pulling Ash late in Saturday's game against Kansas, coach Mack Brown said he will keep his job in next week's game at Texas Tech.