By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer


Sunday, November 11, 2012

tom jones' two cents

Tampa Bay Times columnist Tom Jones looks back at the best and worst from a weekend of televised sports.

Best praise

How fun to finally see the Bucs get attention from the national media. Over the past couple of seasons they have been ignored by the networks, and you can certainly understand why. Not only were they bad last season, they were, worse yet, boring.

But after a solid start to the 2012 season, the Bucs are getting noticed. CBS made the Bucs a big part of its pregame show, sending Bill Cowher in to do a feature on coach Greg Schiano and his team.

Meantime, after his 251-yard rushing game, Doug Martin has become the talk and toast of the NFL.

"Doug Martin is an every-down back, and we don't have many in the NFL," analyst Marshall Faulk said on the NFL Network's GameDay Morning. "With Vincent Jackson and Josh Freeman, they have their triplets."

Best prediction

Talking about the Falcons-Saints game, ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown analyst Mike Ditka said: "I can see the Saints pulling off an upset. They've got to outscore them. Their defense is not going to stop Atlanta's offense."

Ditka was right all the way around as the Saints beat the Falcons 31-27.

Best clip

Texas A&M made the biggest splash in its debut SEC season on Saturday by upsetting No. 1 Alabama in Tuscaloosa. CBS did a nice job detailing the history between Alabama and Texas A&M, which goes back to the Bear Bryant days.

Gene Stallings (bottom) played for Bryant (top) at Texas A&M. Then Bryant went on to coach Alabama, and Stallings coached at both Texas A&M and Alabama.

Stallings' Aggies upset Bryant's Crimson Tide in the 1968 Cotton Bowl, and CBS showed a cool clip of Bryant picking up Stallings after that game to carry him off the field.

Bryant had the reputation of being a tough son of a gun, so it was nice to see a side of him few of us remember or even knew.

Most interesting comments

Last week, Redskins coach Mike Shanahan made a comment that made it sound as if he was punting the rest of this season in favor of evaluating talent for the future. That did not sit well with fans. It led to an interesting comment by Fox NFL Sunday analyst Jimmy Johnson (left).

"Shanahan made a huge mistake," Johnson said. "He told the media what he was thinking. As a coach, you are talking to your players and to the fans. You tell your players what message you want to send; you tell the fans what they want to hear. You don't ever say what you're thinking as a coach."

You know, the more Johnson talks, the more interested I am in what he has to say. He has become the most compelling voice on the Fox pregame show and one of the strongest analysts on all the NFL pregame shows.

Best ratings

Last week I wrote how NBC might have made a mistake putting the Breeders' Cup on in prime time against marquee college football games such as Alabama against LSU and Oregon against Southern Cal.

Turns out, the move paid off after all. NBC earned a 2.2 rating, meaning 2.2 percent of U.S. households with televisions were tuned in. That was nowhere near the ratings that the football games received, but it was a strong increase over the 1.2 that the Breeders' Cup drew on ESPN last year when it was shown in the late afternoon and early evening.

Biggest announcement

TNT NBA analyst Charles Barkley is one of the best sports analysts on TV, but he's hinting that he might not be a commentator much longer. Barkley recently spoke with Sports Illustrated media critic Richard Deitsch and said it was "going to be a struggle" to get through the four years he has left on his contract.

"I need something more or something else to do," Barkley, 49, said.

This isn't the first time Barkley has said such things. He has toyed with the idea of getting into politics and might be interested in an executive job with an NBA team.

So enjoy him while you can on TV, and you should enjoy him. He's smart, funny, engaging and has done for the NBA what John Madden did for the NFL.

Best age

Older just might be better when it comes to being a sports broadcaster. A recent post by sports media blogger Ed Sherman pointed out how Marv Albert is now 71 years old. Then you have Brent Musburger, who is 73, and Verne Lundquist is 72.

There are others: Dick Vitale is 73, Tim McCarver is 71, Bob Knight is 72, Digger Phelps is 71, Lou Holtz is 75 and Dick Stockton turns 70 today.

It makes sense that many analysts are of that age. Most spent most of their lives achieving success playing and coaching, which is what makes them so valuable as analysts.

"The important thing," Albert joked, "is that 70 is the new 68."

Three things that popped into my head

1. Reports are that Phil Jackson could return as coach of the Lakers if the team allows him to stay home on certain road trips. Seriously? If he isn't healthy enough to show up every game, maybe it's best if he doesn't coach anymore.

2. If USF basketball fans can take any solace from a season-opening blowout loss to UCF it's this: Last season, the Bulls suffered head-shaking early season losses to Old Dominion, Penn State and Auburn.

3. Have you ever seen anyone's stock fall faster than Auburn coach Gene Chizik? He's going to lose his job less than two years after winning a national title. Wow.

By Ed Walker, Times Correspondent
Sunday, November 11, 2012

What's hot: With gag grouper season closed, most offshore anglers have shifted their focus to amberjack, red grouper and mangrove snapper. Thirty miles is generally where we start, then work deeper. When the weather allows, however, the action outside the 80-foot depths has been outstanding. When it comes to finding the biggest, strongest and most aggressive offshore target, it's hard to beat amberjack. In the past few weeks, big ones have taken up residence at most local deep wrecks. A month ago, most were lighter than 20 pounds. But lately, big ones have appeared. Last week, we often found ourselves fishing amid swirling masses of 25- to 70-pounders.

Tactics: Anchor and drop frisky live baits such as blue runners or cigar minnows with a sinker. The first few bites come low in the water column. As the hooked fish battle and are reeled in, the school follows. At this point, a net full of live baits dumped overboard kicks off a free-for-all. We keep a 12 weight fly rod and medium-action spinning gear rigged with topwater plugs ready. Lighter tackle for these big offshore fish allows anglers to get the most excitement out of these great game fish.

Ed Walker charters out of Tarpon Springs. He can be contacted at lighttacklecharters.com or at (727) 944-3474.

Times staff
Sunday, November 11, 2012

Times wires
Sunday, November 11, 2012

LAKE BUENA VISTA — Charlie Beljan felt as if his heart was about to burst out of his chest Sunday at Disney, and he couldn't have felt better.

This wasn't another panic attack gone wild, like the one that sent him to the hospital after the second round. This was the prospect of winning on the PGA Tour for the first time.

Two days after he was wheeled out of the scoring room on a stretcher, the 28-year-old rookie was celebrating on the 18th green as the band played Zippity-Do-Dah. He arrived at the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic with his job in jeopardy and left with a two-year exemption.

"Every day I drove underneath that Disney sign coming in here that said, 'Where dreams come true,' and that's just what happened this week," Beljan said after closing with 3-under 69 to finish at 16-under 272 for a two-shot win. "And I'm so grateful and so honored."

Beljan could hardly breathe and his blood pressure spiked during his second round, when paramedics followed him around the back nine. After sleeping briefly in the hospital after a variety of tests, he played Saturday fearing another panic attack. Sunday morning, his head was throbbing and his stomach felt queasy.

Once he got on the golf course, the rest was easy.

Beljan ran off five birdies in a six-hole stretch around the turn, twice knocking in putts from around 30 feet, and built a five-shot lead. A double bogey made it close but only until he made birdie on the next hole. He tapped in one last putt, tossed his putter to the side of the green, pumped his fist and hoisted his 7-week-old son.

Robert Garrigus and Matt Every each closed with 68 and tied for second.

LPGA: Cristie Kerr won the Lorena Ochoa Invitational in Guadalajara, Mexico, for her first victory in more than two years, and Stacy Lewis tied for fourth to wrap up the player of the year award. Kerr held off Angela Stanford and third-round leader Inbee Park by a stroke, finishing at 16-under 272. Ochoa (70), who retired in 2010, was at 4 under, Seminole's Brittany Lincicome (72) at 6 under and Tampa resident Kristy McPherson (70) at 1 over.

EUROPEAN: Matteo Manassero holed a 12-foot eagle putt to beat Louis Oosthuizen on the third playoff hole at the Singapore Open. Oosthuizen and Manassero both finished at 13-under 271 in regulation. Rory McIlroy finished third at 10 under to clinch the European money title. He is the second golfer, after Luke Donald last year, to win the European and the PGA Tour money titles in the same season.

By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist
Sunday, November 11, 2012

TAMPA

Now, one supposes, we have to figure out a nickname for Leonard Johnson, too.

Johnson was streaking down the sideline, the end zone in his eyes and the ball game in his hands.

This is what it is like to play cornerback in the NFL. One play, you can get scalded for 80 yards, and another, you can look as if you are about to burst into flame.

Then, somehow, the ball is in your hands.

And if you listen closely, you can hear your mother's voice telling you to run faster.

"Run, Jay," the woman in Section 214 kept screaming. "Run, Jay, run."

This was their touchdown, a shared moment between a mother and her son. For all that it really matters, Schenique Harris might as well have been on the field, chasing Leonard down the field and across the goal line at Raymond James Stadium on the most important play of the day.

There were 108 plays in Sunday's game. This was the one that counted the most. It was early in the fourth quarter, with the Bucs clinging to a 24-21 lead, and Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers was having himself a day. Not to say the Bucs secondary was getting burned, but you could swear that smoke was billowing from the shoulder pads of the defenders. Nicknames? Everyone was about to be called "Toast." Everyone.

On third and 4 at the Bucs 23, Rivers was flushed to his right by tackle Gerald McCoy and tried to force the pass to Eddie Royal … and threw right to Johnson, who might as well have intercepted a dart on its way to the board.

It was the rookie's third pick in three games. This one, he returned 83 yards to score, weaving past all the scouts who doubted and the general managers who passed and the skeptics who talked about how fast he runs instead of how well he plays.

"We were in Cover 2, and I re-routed my guy," Johnson kept explaining. "The ball came right to me. I was so excited I grabbed it and started running. I was shocked I caught it. I was just praying no one caught me."

In other words, sometimes things work out. Sometimes a lousy draft day turns into a wonderful opportunity. Sometimes, the kid who dreamed of being Ronde Barber makes a play just like him.

"The intention was to throw it over (Johnson's) head," Rivers said. "I saw (Johnson) the whole time. The ball just kind of stayed in my hand longer than I wanted, and it took a nosedive right to him. In hindsight, I wish I had thrown the ball over his head, but I probably just shouldn't have thrown the ball, period."

For Johnson, this was a first. He never returned an interception for a touchdown at Iowa State. He didn't have one at Largo High, either, although most of his time there was spent at quarterback.

In other words, it was about time. That's what his mom kept saying last week when she constantly texted her son with the message "Pick Six Makes Sense." Turns out, it did.

"Listen, for him to get a touchdown is like a miracle," Schenique said, "because Leonard is super slow. I was like, 'Don't let one of the big guys catch him.' There at the end (when Johnson high-strided into the end zone), that was his recovery time. That was his Lord-I-am-tired move. That was his carry-me-Jesus move, trust me.'"

Schenique, a deputy with the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, laughed some more, and chattered some more, and enjoyed the moment. She talked about the disappointment when the 2012 draft ended without Leonard's name being called, and about how she had always been a Bucs fan, and about how 20 or so kids from her Clearwater neighborhood would flock to her home to celebrate with Johnson, who would be permitted to go play just as soon as the 22-year-old finished cleaning his room.

Want to know who taught Johnson to tackle? It was Schenique.

Want to know who would practice doing interviews with him at the breakfast table when he was 9? It was Schenique.

Want to know who used to set out cones so he could do drill work at age 10? It was Schenique.

Want to know who is ready to put on the shoulder pads and play a little herself? In case coach Greg Schiano is interested, Schenique is ready.

For now, Johnson has been impressive enough. On a team that is running low on cornerbacks with the trade of Aqib Talib and Sunday's injury to Eric Wright, Johnson has been shoved toward the field faster than anyone would have imagined.

"I'm still shocked I'm playing in the NFL," said Johnson, who left the stadium with the ball tucked in his left hand, saying he planned to "strap it in" to the seat next to him for a safe ride home. "I'm still shocked I'm out there with the (starters). It hasn't hit me yet. I hope it doesn't until the offseason."

In the meantime, Cam Newton awaits. And Peyton Manning and Drew Brees and two shots at Matt Ryan. Johnson will have a lot of chances to make plays over the next seven games.

"How do you work on someone's speed?" Schenique asked. "Leonard has to get faster."

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, November 11, 2012

Most shocking numbers

Sit down. You're not going to believe some of these numbers.

The Bucs, a team traditionally known for defense more than any other aspect of the game, are putting up offensive numbers normally reserved for video games.

The Bucs are on pace to score 462 points. That would shatter the franchise record of 388 set in 2000. They've scored 260 points so far. That already is more than 14 other Bucs teams scored in an entire season.

With the help of an interception return and a blocked punt for a touchdown Sunday, the Bucs scored at least 30 points for the third consecutive game. They've done that just once before in franchise history. They've put up at least 28 points in five consecutive games, something they've never done before. Ever.

In a league that favors offense, the Bucs' ability to score makes them a threat to win any, and every, game left on their schedule.

Unfortunately, their inability to stop the pass makes them susceptible to lose any, and every, game left on their schedule.

Best rookie

As good as first-round picks Doug Martin and Mark Barron have been — and both have been sensational — I'm starting to think that second-round pick Lavonte David, above, might be the best of this rookie class. Aside from calling the signals, the linebacker out of Nebraska had 14 tackles Sunday, giving him 30 in the past two games.

Best attitude

Here's something to like and respect about coach Greg Schiano: He realizes when the Bucs do and don't play well regardless of what the scoreboard says.

"We didn't have our fastball today in every area," Schiano said, "but what we did was we played off each other in all three phases."

Know whom he kind of sounds like there? Rays manager Joe Maddon, and not just because he used a baseball reference. There are worse guys to be compared to, wouldn't you say?

Three things that popped into my head

1. Not to take anything away from the Bucs, but Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers eventually took a break from carving up the defense to go back to being Philip Rivers. That is, he did what he always does: threw a putrid interception at the worst possible time.

2. If CBS's Boomer Esiason is right about Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman living it up during the week, maybe Freeman should stay out all night and take the Bucs defensive backs along with him.

3. You can't lose two stars on the offensive line such as Davin Joseph and Carl Nicks and not feel it. Can you?

Final thought

I predicted before the season the Bucs would go 5-11. Oops.

Times wires
Sunday, November 11, 2012

SAN DIEGO — Orange ahoy!

No. 9 Syracuse made a rare nonconference trip out of upstate New York and blew past No. 20 San Diego State 62-49 on the flight deck of the decommissioned aircraft carrier USS Midway on a sunny, windy Sunday afternoon.

C.J. Fair led Syracuse with 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Michael Carter-Williams also scored 17.

Although there wasn't a cloud in the sky, the conditions were far from ideal. The wind blowing off the Pacific Ocean made it tough for both teams, and it was the taller, bulkier Orange that adjusted the best in the season opener for both.

"This was a tough day," Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim said. "This was a hard game. You had to get to the basket. That was the only way you were going to score. You weren't going to make any jump shots."

The Orange effectively put it away when Fair made a jumper for a 17-4 lead with 11:30 to go in the first half. He had nine points at that point.

SDSU had a miserable day, both because of the wind and Syracuse's 2-3 zone. Sophomore forward Rakeem Christmas, one of two 6-foot-9 starters, had five of Syracuse's 10 blocks.

The Aztecs shot 17-of-63 (27 percent) from the field, 1-of-18 (5.6 percent) from 3-point range. From the line, SDSU was 14-of-33 (42.4 percent).

"They started driving our zone, just like we started driving their man-to-man," Boeheim said. "When they got there, we're bigger, so we could make them have a tough shot. That was the whole key to the game.

"It's just like when you play outdoors in the summer. You've got to get to the basket. That's why kids from the city don't shoot jump shots."

In last year's Carrier Classic on the USS Carl Vinson across San Diego Bay from the Midway, Michigan State made just 2 of 20 3-pointers in a 67-55 loss to North Carolina.

Syracuse was 25-of-56 (44.6 percent) from the floor.

NO. 2 L'VILLE 79, MANHATTAN 51: Russ Smith scored 23 and Peyton Siva added 10 points and 10 assists as the host Cardinals won their ninth straight season opener.

NO. 4 OHIO ST. 82, ALBANY (N.Y.) 60: Deshaun Thomas scored 13 of his 19 in a 17-2 run to end the first half, leading the host Buckeyes in their belated season opener. They were supposed to play Friday night against Marquette in Charleston, S.C., aboard the USS Yorktown, but condensation on the court led to that game being canceled.

NO. 11 UNC 80, FAU 56: James Michael McAdoo had 19 points and 11 rebounds and Reggie Bullock added 16 points for the host Tar Heels (2-0), who shot 44 percent from both the field and the free-throw line.

NO. 12 ARIZ. 82, CHARLESTON SO. 73: Mark Lyons, a senior transfer from Xavier, scored 15 of his 17 in the second half of his debut for the host Wildcats in their season opener.

NO. 19 BAYLOR 78, JACKSON ST. 47: Pierre Jackson, the preseason Big 12 player of the year, had 25 points and seven assists for the host Bears (2-0), who never trailed.

NO. 23 WIS. 87, SE LOUISIANA 47: Junior Ben Brust had 14 points and 11 rebounds, and the host Badgers scored the first 19 in their season opener. Also, Wisconsin senior forward Mike Bruesewitz was cleared to play after suffering a deep leg laceration last month that required surgery.

NO. 24 CINCY 80, TENN.-MARTIN 57: Cashmere Wright had 16 points and Sean Kilpatrick added 14 as the host Bearcats cruised in their season opener.

NO. 1 INDIANA: Forward Noah Vonleh, ESPN's No. 8 senior high school prospect, committed to the Hoosiers for 2013.

SOUTH CAROLINA: Freshman center Laimonas Chatkevicius will miss six games after the NCAA determined he received impermissible benefits before enrolling at the school.

Times wires
Sunday, November 11, 2012

GAINESVILLE — Jennifer George had 19 points to lead four players in double figures, and Florida beat Georgia State 84-65 Sunday afternoon to give coach Amanda Butler her 100th win in her sixth season with the Gators.

George, who missed the Gators' season opener for undisclosed personal reasons, added eight rebounds. Jaterra Bonds had 17 points, Kayla Lewis 11 points and a career-high 12 rebounds, and freshman Sydney Moss 10 points.

Florida (2-0) scored 40 off 28 Panthers turnovers. The Gators had 17 steals and held Georgia State to 25-of-74 (33.8 percent) shooting from the field.

"Georgia State is a very good team," said Butler, who joined Carol Ross as the only coaches to win 100 games at Florida. "They challenged us in a lot ways that we needed to be challenged, in particular on the boards.

"I think initially we kind of shrunk from that challenge, but we battled back and made some adjustments and started fighting back hard for the ball."

FSU 77, SAMFORD 42: Chasity Clayton had 20 points and 18 rebounds as the host Seminoles romped in their season opener. Florida State outrebounded the Bulldogs 54-21 overall, and Clayton's 12 in the first half matched Samford's total for the half. She became the first Seminole to grab 18 rebounds since Jacinta Monroe had 21 in 2006. "Everything was working," Clayton said.

Top 25

NO. 2 UCONN 103, CHARLESTON 39: Freshman Breanna Stewart scored 21 in her college debut, and the host Huskies won their 17th consecutive season opener.

NO. 4 STANFORD 92, SANTA CLARA 57: Chiney Ogwumike had 22 points, Joslyn Tinkle added 19 and Amber Orrange matched her career high with 18 for the visiting Cardinal (2-0).

NO. 5 MARYLAND 88, LOYOLA (MD.) 45: Tianna Hawkins scored 26 of her 33 in the first half, and the host Terrapins (2-0) cruised.

NO. 8 PENN ST. 72, HOWARD 61: Maggie Lucas scored 25, and the host Lions forced turnovers on six straight possessions late in the first half to spark a 14-0 run in their season opener.

NO. 9 L'VILLE 95, PORTLAND 48: Shoni Schimmel had 16 points for the host Cardinals (2-0), who opened the game on a 17-2 run and never trailed.

NO. 10 GEORGIA 57, RUTGERS 51: Khaalidah Miller's 12 points led a balanced scoring effort for the host Bulldogs in their season opener.

G'TOWN 62, NO. 11 DELAWARE 56: Sugar Rodgers had 35 points and five steals as the visiting Hoyas upset the Blue Hens (1-1), whose leading scorer, Elena Delle Donne, sat out a second game with symptoms of Lyme disease.

NO. 14 ST. JOHN'S 72, UCF 54: Shenneika Smith had 23 points and 12 rebounds as the Red Storm bounced back from an opening-game loss, routing the Knights (0-2) in Daytona Beach.

NO. 18 NEB. 64, TEMPLE 39: Jordan Hooper scored 12 to lead a balanced offense for the host Cornhuskers (2-0).

NO. 20 TENN. 71, NO. 22 GA. TECH 54: Bashaara Graves had 18 points and 12 rebounds as the visiting Vols bounced back from their season-opening loss and spoiled the Yellow Jackets' debut in McCamish Pavilion.

Times wires
Sunday, November 11, 2012

NHL

Talks resume but break off quickly

NEW YORK — After one day off following four days of talks, the NHL and union resumed bargaining Sunday. Less than 90 minutes after a discussion about player contracts, they stopped.

"The owners made it clear there is no give with respect to their proposals unless the players are willing to take them — this is my phrase, not theirs — down to the comma," union executive director Donald Fehr said. "There is nothing to do. We're past the point of give and take."

Said deputy commissioner Bill Daly: "I would've hoped that during the course of the past week, they would've shown some movement on those issues toward us. The message we basically got was, 'We know what your contracting proposals are. We're not prepared to agree to them.' "

No talks are scheduled. Neither side ruled out doing so today.

Tennis

World's top two reach Finals championship

Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer reached today's final of the ATP Finals in London. Djokovic, ranked No. 1 in the world, was broken late in the first set and early in the second but rallied to beat Juan Martin del Potro 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. Federer, ranked No. 2, was broken in the match's first game but rebounded then lost two points on his serve in the second set to beat Andy Murray 7-6 (7-5), 6-2. Federer has won the season-ending event six times, Djokovic once.

Soccer

Messi scores twice to move past Pele

Lionel Messi surpassed Pele's mark of goals in a calendar year with Nos. 75 and 76 to lead visiting Barcelona past Mallorca 4-2 in a Spanish league game. Pele scored 75 in 1958. Gerd Mueller set the record of 85 in 1972.

MLS: Andre Hainault, Will Bruin and Kofi Sarkodie scored in the second half as host Houston beat D.C. 3-1 in Game 1 of the East final. Robbie Keane scored twice as host Los Angeles beat Seattle 3-0 in Game 1 of the West final. Both Game 2s are Nov. 18.

Et cetera

Prep football: Junior Will Grier threw for a national-record 837 yards (with 10 touchdowns) to lead host Davidson (N.C.) Day past Harrells (N.C.) Christian 104-80 in a playoff game Friday.

Powerboats: Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al-Thani and Steve Curtis of Spirit of Qatar won the Superboat Unlimited title at the Key West World Championship.

Triathlon: Lau­ryn MacFawn (2:11:19) of Lavale, Md., and Nat Glackin (2:01:35) of St. Petersburg won the TriRock Clearwater Triathlon (results, 8C).

Times wires

Times wires
Sunday, November 11, 2012

Peterson, Vikings achieve balance

MINNEAPOLIS — Adrian Peterson gave Minnesota another injury-defying performance, trampling the Lions down the stretch.

This time, Christian Ponder and the rest of the Vikings provided the necessary balance.

Peterson raced 61 yards for the game-sealing touchdown midway through the fourth quarter, padding his NFL rushing lead with 171 yards on 27 carries to help beat the Lions.

"I still can get stronger. I'm still not there, man. I'm pressing to get there," Peterson said, when asked for seemingly the hundredth time if he's 100 percent healthy. "I'm going to come back stronger and better after the bye."

Peterson had 120 yards in the final 15 minutes, 10½ months after reconstructive surgery on his left knee. Ponder, the former Florida State star, bounced back from three ugly weeks with 221 yards and two touchdowns on 24-for-32 passing.

Rookie receiver Jarius Wright filled in for injured standout Percy Harvin and scored in his first NFL game. Calvin Johnson had 207 yards on 12 catches, including a touchdown with 1:53 left. But his lost fumble near midfield on the previous possession put Vikings rookie Blair Walsh in position for his fourth field goal.

Times wires
Sunday, November 11, 2012

NEW ORLEANS — The Falcons can forget about perfection, thanks to their resurgent rivals from the City that Care Forgot.

Of all the teams to end Atlanta's unbeaten run, it had to be the Saints. And it had to be a memorable, drama-filled game that left the Falcons frustrated by the 1 yard they could not get to take a lead inside the final 2 minutes of a 31-27 loss Sunday.

"It's very frustrating," said coach Mike Smith, who is 2-7 against the Saints and 49-15 against the rest of the league in his four-plus regular seasons. "We were close. … This will be something we will learn from."

If the Falcons want to beat the Saints in their rematch Nov. 29 in Atlanta, it would help to learn how to stop dynamic young tight end Jimmy Graham. The former college basketball player at Miami caught seven passes for a career-best 146 yards and two touchdowns.

And Saints cornerback Jabari Greer made a diving, touchdown-saving pass breakup on a late fourth-down pass intended for Roddy White.

"It's not like they came out here and won a game today," White said. "I think we kind of gave it to them."

Greer's play represented a measure of redemption for the veteran, who'd given up two long passes that led to scores.

"I was kind of depressed before that play," he said. "I saw my name on the waiver wire. … Being able to go out there and make a play for our team and be able to celebrate after everything that happened and just to win that way, it's a gift."

Matt Ryan threw for a career-best 411 yards, three scores and an interception. His 9-yard pass to Harry Douglas gave Atlanta second and goal at the 1.

Both Graham and his Atlanta counterpart, veteran tight end Tony Gonzalez, were superb in a game that showcased all the intensity expected in such a passionate, longstanding rivalry.

"Tony, he kind of paved the way for me," said Graham, who like Gonzalez had a college basketball background. "It seemed like every drive I'm kind of going up against the things that he did the last drive."

Gonzalez finished with 11 catches for 122 yards and two scores for Atlanta, becoming the first tight end to catch 100 touchdown passes.

Times wires
Sunday, November 11, 2012

CINCINNATI — A.J. Green was partly correct. The defending Super Bowl champions do have a lot of holes on defense.

And everywhere else, it turns out.

Andy Dalton threw a career-high four touchdowns — to four receivers — and the Bengals ended their four-game losing streak by beating the reeling Giants 31-13 on Sunday.

Eli Manning threw two interceptions that led to third-quarter touchdowns, and New York had four turnovers in the second half overall.

"That's what won the game for us, getting the ball with great field position and scoring when we got down there," said Dalton, who was 21-of-30 for 199 yards without a sack or interception.

Pregame talk was generated by Green, who suggested to a New York radio station that the Giants "have a lot of holes" on defense.

Couldn't argue that after the Bengals rolled up 31 points in three quarters.

"I just feel like this is a good stepping block for us," said Green, who had the first of the four TDs. "I put a lot of pressure on myself."

Now, the Giants are starting to feel pressure themselves.

They head into their off week with back-to-back losses and a lot of issues, especially on offense. Manning failed to live up his family legacy of beating the Bengals. Older brother Peyton improved to 8-0 against Cincinnati on the same field a week earlier when Denver won 31-23.

The Giants had bad passes and broken coverages. New York gave up a 68-yard punt return and wide receiver Victor Cruz dropped a pass on a play when he would have scored.

"Just a little subpar from what we're used to," said Cruz, who had three catches for 26 yards. "I don't know how to explain it. I don't know what's going on. I don't know what's wrong."

Manning was sacked a season-high four times by a defense that hardly touched his brother. He also threw two interceptions under pressure that led to Bengals touchdowns and a 31-6 lead in the third quarter.

Times wires
Sunday, November 11, 2012

Broncos give gift to Fox vs. Panthers

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Moments after the Broncos gave the Panthers a good old-fashioned shellacking Sunday, they gave coach John Fox a game ball.

"There were a lot of motivating factors to help us win this game, and Coach Fox was the biggest one," linebacker Von Miller said.

Peyton Manning made sure Fox's return to Carolina was successful, throwing for 301 yards and a touchdown, and the defense turned in a dominating performance in a Broncos rout.

Miller harassed Cam Newton all day and Trindon Holliday returned a punt 76 yards for a touchdown as Denver won for the fifth time in six weeks. The Broncos sacked Newton seven times, once for a safety, and Tony Carter returned a pickoff 40 yards for a score.

Fox spent nine seasons in Carolina before his relationship with owner Jerry Richardson dramatically deteriorated. Fox took the high road after the game, saying, "You just feel good to win."

Times wires
Sunday, November 11, 2012

CCC grad's return sparks Titans rout

MIAMI — Titans linebacker Colin McCarthy rose slowly after a violent hit and wobbled as he left the field. Three plays later he was back in the game and in the end zone, celebrating a 49-yard interception return for a touchdown.

McCarthy, a former Clearwater Central Catholic and Miami Hurricanes star, and his team's embattled defense bounced back with four takeaways leading to 20 points in a rout of the Dolphins.

"I just needed to settle down a little bit," McCarthy said of returning after tweaking his ankle. "I got turned a little bit. I just had to take a couple plays off, but I got back in there."

The Titans came in on pace to set an NFL record for points allowed in a season, but they picked off Ryan Tannehill three times and recovered a fumble by Reggie Bush to set up a touchdown.

Akeem Ayers deflected a throw to McCarthy, who sprinted along the sideline to score for a 21-0 lead.

By Bryan Burns, Times Correspondent
Sunday, November 11, 2012

PALM HARBOR — Laura Davies never had played an LPGA Legends Tour event before this weekend's Open Championship on the Island Course at Innis­brook.

After a successful debut, Davies will undoubtedly find more time to compete on the 45-and-over tour.

Davies started Sunday's final round one stroke behind first-round leader Laurie Rinker but needed only four holes to take the top position.

By the back nine, Davies was well in command. A London resident, Davies fired 2-under par 71 to run away from the field and win the Open Championship by two strokes over Beth Daniel and Barb Moxness. Davies shot 5-under 141 total for the tournament.

"I'm hoping … I can find a few more of these to play in because I kind of like them," Davies said, half-jokingly.

The internationally acclaimed Davies, 49, has 82 tournament victories throughout her 28-year professional career. Most of her success can be attributed to her ability to hit the ball farther than any other woman.

At Innisbrook, Davies' length was overpowering.

Davies hit irons off the tee on nearly every par-4 while most competitors used drivers. Davies took her driver out of the bag only three times each round.

"This course is basically a par 69 for her as long as she hits it," Daniel said.

Davies took first place with birdies on Nos. 2 and 4. She rebounded from a bogey on the short, 435-yard par-5 10th with birdies on 11 and 12 to grab a commanding lead.

"I hit one really bad shot. I hit a very poor 6-iron on No. 10 and left myself with an impossible third shot, and I ended up bogeying a very easy par 5," said Davies, who earned $30,000 for the victory. "I got a bit worried then, but having said that, I then came back with two good birdies. I always felt like I had just enough in hand."

Davies had a three-shot lead entering 18 and capped the victory with a tap-in bogey putt.

"Three-putting the last hole is a shame, but what can you do?" Davies said.

Daniel carded 2-under 71 to finish the tournament at 3 under. She made a run at Davies after birdies on Nos. 10 and 12, but consecutive bogeys on 13 and 14 were too much for the Delray Beach resident to overcome.

"I made a couple of mistakes out there," Daniel said. "I had some opportunities, but it was a nice, steady round of golf. I'm happy with how I played."

Moxness had Sunday's best round at 5-under 68 to tie Daniel for second.

"I putted really well on the front," Moxness said. "I putted well on the back too, they just didn't go in."

Jane Crafter, Rosie Jones and 2011 Open Championship winner Michele Redman tied for fourth, four strokes behind Davies at 1 under. Rinker, a former standout at Florida, fell out of contention by shooting 5 over on the front nine on her way to 77 on the day, even for the tournament. She tied for seventh, as did Tampa resident Nancy Scranton (74).

Times wires
Sunday, November 11, 2012

Pickoff helps Pats pick on Bills again

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Ryan Fitzpatrick threw into the end zone to the open man. Unfortunately for the Bills, that man was Patriots safety Devin McCourty.

That easy interception with 23 seconds left decided the game the way every other Buffalo game at Gillette Stadium has ended — with a New England victory. The Patriots are 11-0 against the Bills at Gillette.

On their final drive, the Bills were forced to take an injury timeout when running back Fred Jackson was hit in the head area by linebacker Brandon Spikes. Earlier, Spikes, a former Florida star, was called for roughing the passer.

"I think he's a punk at times and took a cheap shot at Scott (Chandler) in the first game and he was doing a lot of jabbering and talking and hitting out there," Fitzpatrick said. "Not one of my favorite players. Not high on my list."

Times wires
Sunday, November 11, 2012

Ravens spring rare record-setting rout

BALTIMORE — The Ravens enjoyed a record-setting day at the expense of the mistake-prone Raiders.

Joe Flacco threw for 341 yards and three touchdowns, Jacoby Jones ran a kickoff back for 105 yards and Baltimore set a club record for points. It was a rare blowout for the AFC North-leading Ravens, who won their previous five games by a total of 23 points.

Baltimore scored on six of its first seven possessions, special teams contributed two touchdowns and Torrey Smith caught TD passes of 47 and 20 yards.

Oakland's Carson Palmer threw for 368 yards and two touchdowns but was sacked three times before being pulled.

"Rough, rough, rough, rough game," Palmer said. "We didn't play any good in any facet of the game."

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, November 11, 2012

TAMPA — Just as USF has struggled with its defense this season, Saturday's opponent, Miami, has given up 30 points or more in seven of its 10 games, including three Hurricanes victories.

Last season, that happened only twice in Al Golden's first as coach of the Hurricanes, but after Saturday's 41-40 loss at Virginia, he said getting just a few players to perform at a higher level can make a difference for his 5-5 team.

"It's hard, because you're sitting in a room with 110 guys, and 107 of them are doing everything right," Golden said in a teleconference Sunday. "It's two or three guys that screw up, and now you're in there yelling at the whole team. We have to make sure we don't drain everybody else's energy because a couple of guys aren't doing what they need to do. It's certainly not systemic."

Last year, Miami beat USF 6-3 on a last-second field goal. A similar outcome seems unlikely Saturday when the Bulls travel to Miami. The Hurricanes rank 88th nationally in scoring defense, allowing 31.2 points per game, while USF is 59th at 26.1.

USF's defense came through in its last game, a 13-6 win against Connecticut that ended a six-game losing streak. On three other occasions, USF has allowed a team to drive 75 yards for the go-ahead score in the closing minutes — Miami saw the same ending Saturday in a 41-40 loss to Virginia, as the Cavaliers marched 87 yards in the final 2:38, getting the go-ahead touchdowns with six seconds left.

Times wires
Sunday, November 11, 2012

Cowboys' big plays sink Eagles further

PHILADELPHIA — Tony Romo threw two touchdowns that kept Dallas even through three quarters. Then the Cowboys let their defense and special teams run wild in the end zone to win big and pump some life back into the NFC East race.

Dwayne Harris had a 78-yard punt return TD, and Brandon Carr returned an interception 47 yards for a score to lead the Cowboys past the Eagles.

Dallas is second in the NFC East, 1½ games behind the New York Giants. And the Cowboys play five of their next six at home, starting Sunday against Cleveland.

"Don't use words like desperate," Romo said of the Cowboys' situation. "The importance was at its highest level. I don't know if we are thinking anything more than we need another win."

The Eagles lost Michael Vick to a concussion (see notebook) and rookie Nick Foles filled in. The Eagles briefly rallied but Carr's return TD doomed Philadelphia.

Times wires
Sunday, November 11, 2012

NEW YORK — Kansas State and Oregon are now on course to play for the BCS national championship.

After Alabama was upset Saturday by Texas A&M, the BCS standings released Sunday have Kansas State (.9674) first and Oregon (.9497) second (standings, 3C).

Notre Dame (.9396) is third, not too far behind but most likely in need of a loss by Oregon or Kansas State to reach the title game on Jan. 7 in Miami.

"These teams are in their order, and the only way that order changes is if somebody gets beat," said Jerry Palm, of CBS Sports and collegebcs.com. "Notre Dame is not going to jump (Oregon and Kansas State) without their help. The voters are not on board with Notre Dame."

As for Alabama's run at three championships in four seasons, and the SEC's string of six straight BCS titles, both are in peril.

Five SEC teams follow Alabama in the standings: Georgia, Florida, LSU, Texas A&M and South Carolina. But it will take a couple of upsets to give the SEC champion a shot to reach the BCS title game.

Alabama's BCS computer numbers could take a big hit the next two weeks, against Western Carolina and Auburn (2-8, 0-7 SEC).

"Two of the three national championship teams that I coached lost a game," Tide coach Nick Saban said, counting one at LSU. "There's still a lot for this team to play for."

Saturday night, Oregon turned a tight game into a blowout to remain undefeated. Marcus Mariota threw the third of his school- record-tying six touchdown passes on the first play after an interception to break open a 59-17 rout of host California.

This week Oregon hosts Stanford, with the Cardinal's bruising style an interesting challenge as the Ducks battle significant injuries on defense. Then Oregon visits Oregon State. The Ducks can clinch the Pac-12 North by beating Stanford and would play UCLA or Southern Cal in the league title game.

Kansas State's next game, at Baylor (4-5), is dangerous only because it could be a trap before closing the season at home against Texas.

Notre Dame plays weak Wake Forest then visits USC. Yes, SEC fans, Trojans coach Lane Kiffin, reviled after his short, controversial stay at Tennessee, could provide help getting the conference back into the national title game.

fsu-maryland at noon: FSU's game at Maryland on Saturday was set for noon on ESPNU. A Seminoles win clinches the Atlantic Division title.

manziel trademark? Texas A&M and the family of quarterback Johnny Manziel are working together to trademark his nickname, "Johnny Football.''

auburn: Coach Gene Chizik said he can turn the program around after going from a national title two years ago to speculation he will be fired. Chizik said this season "prompts you to really go back and start all over and evaluate" every aspect of the program. After Saturday's 38-0 loss to Georgia, first-year defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder said the defense he inherited "is not built with size, strength and power right now." Chizik's response: "I don't really know how I interpret that.''

Kent State: The Golden Flashes are No. 25 in the Associated Press poll, ranked for the first time since Nov. 5, 1973, when they were No. 19.

Notre Dame: Receiver DaVaris Daniels is out until a bowl game after having surgery Sunday to repair a broken left clavicle.

Washington State: President Elson Floyd called for a review of claims of abusive behavior by the coaching staff. On Saturday receiver Marquess Wilson quit the team, saying coach Mike Leach and his staff "preferred to belittle, intimidate and humiliate us," and that included physical abuse. Wilson had been suspended for leaving a rigorous conditioning practice on Nov. 4. Leach said of Wilson's claims: "I'm not going to talk about anyone that isn't here."

Late Saturday

UCLA 44, WASH. STate 36: Brett Hundley threw three touchdowns and the visiting Bruins won their fourth straight.