Times wires
Sunday, February 20, 2011

LOS ANGELES — Kobe Bryant won his record-tying fourth All-Star game MVP award to the delight of his hometown fans, scoring 37 and propelling the West to a 148-143 victory over the East in the NBA's midseason showcase Sunday night.

The Lakers' veteran guard put on another show among stars at the 60th All-Star Game, also grabbing 14 rebounds and overcoming LeBron James' triple double for the East.

Clearly pushing for another trophy against an East roster stacked with rival Celtics and Heat, Bryant matched Bob Pettit's NBA record with his fourth MVP award in just 10 years.

"Being at home, I wanted to come out and play hard, put on a good show," Bryant, 32, said. "This will be my last All-Star Game in front of these home fans, so it feels good to be here."

Although the protracted courtship of West starter Carmelo Anthony dominated much of the All-Star weekend discussion, Bryant gave the Los Angeles crowd another memory to go with Clippers rookie Blake Griffin's dunk contest win Saturday.

James had 29 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists for the East, but Miami teammate Dwyane Wade limped off in the third quarter. Wade finished with 14 points.

Bryant didn't score in the final 6:48, falling short of Wilt Chamberlain's All-Star Game record of 42 points in 1962.

Bryant won the All-Star MVP trophy in 2002 and 2007 before sharing it with Shaquille O'Neal in 2009. Pettit won four MVP awards with the St. Louis Hawks from 1956-62.

NBA scoring champion Kevin Durant had 34 points for the West, and New York's Amare Stoudemire had 29 for the East.

The West maintained a steady lead against an East team with a combined seven players from Boston and Miami, arguably the top contenders to replace the back-to-back champion Lakers.

Back-to-back baskets by Amare Stoudemire and James trimmed the margin to 142-140 in the final moments. Bryant then missed a jumper, but Lakers teammate Pau Gasol tipped home the rebound.

After two free throws by Chris Paul, Boston's Ray Allen hit a 3-pointer with 9.9 seconds left, but Durant finished it with two free throws.

Anthony had eight points and seven rebounds in less than 23 minutes as a West starter — and perhaps the NBA's most hottest property was distracted.

Wooing 'Melo: The Nets still believe they are in the race for Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony, and if not, owner Mikhail Prokhorov believes they at least made it harder for the Knicks.

The Knicks' upper management of team president Donnie Walsh, Madison Square Garden chairman James Dolan and coach Mike D'Antoni insisted in a statement Sunday that they are on the same page in their pursuit of Anthony, and that former executive Isiah Thomas, despite reports, isn't involved.

Prokhorov told CNBC he had a "fantastic" meeting with Anthony on Saturday. The Russian billionaire had pulled the Nets out of talks last month and had originally said he would not meet with Anthony.

"My instinct was to stay away, and I still think that is (the) right decision," Prokhorov said. "But when the meeting was fixed, (Nets GM) Billy King called me and said, 'We need you.' I was convinced and I still think I'm right to stay away, but we have teamwork so sometimes we need to be all together."

Even if the Nets can't get an agreement from Anthony to sign an extension to set up the trade, Prokhorov sees value in a return to the trade talks.

"I think we made a very good tactical decision to force (the) Knicks to pay as much as they can," Prokhorov said.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

By John Romano, Times Sports Columnist
Sunday, February 20, 2011

DAYTONA BEACH

What does the kid know about heartbreak? Forty-eight hours ago, he was still a teenager.

He drove down here in his Ford pickup truck with a wardrobe of T-shirts and an acoustic guitar for company. The night before the Daytona 500 — the night of his 20th birthday — he rode around the infield campsites in a golf cart and watched some of his buddies from back home compete in a wheelbarrow race. His face is smooth, his laugh is unrehearsed and his future is endless.

So how could Trevor Bayne possibly know the Daytona 500 is a race without mercy? How could he understand the frustrations of wealthy and accomplished men who wanted nothing more than to say they won the Great American Race?

Yet there he was, in the second start of his Sprint Cup career, leading the season opener with two laps remaining after a restart. Right behind him was a half-century's worth of torment. There was Kurt Busch, 0-for-10 in the Daytona 500. And Tony Stewart, 0-for-12 in the Daytona 500. And Bobby Labonte, 0-for-18 in the Daytona 500. And Mark Martin, 0-for-26 in the Daytona 500.

They dove low. They rode high. They chased him for 5 miles. And not one of them caught the kid from Knoxville, Tenn.

"I'm a little bit worried that one of them is going to come after me tonight. I'm going to have to sleep with one eye open," Bayne said. "That's why I said I felt a little undeserving."

When it was all over, when the rookie had to stop and ask directions to Victory Lane, the Daytona 500 had the youngest winner in history. And NASCAR officials had chills thinking about the possibilities of a fresh face propping up a flagging product.

For Bayne appears to be the real deal. A clean-cut kid who is neither shy nor vain. A racing prodigy who organized a Bible study group with a dozen older drivers in the Nationwide series last year.

He is the youngest driver in NASCAR, and he is racing for the sport's oldest team. The Wood Brothers may have fallen on hard times in the past decade, but they know talent when they see it. This is a team that has celebrated Daytona 500 victories with Cale Yarborough, David Pearson and A.J. Foyt. A team that has employed 20 of the names on NASCAR's list of its 50 greatest drivers.

"He reminds me of the great ones. He will be a great one," co-owner Eddie Wood said. "I told somebody the other day that I felt like he just might be the next big deal."

If that seems a bit premature, it fits with Bayne's profile. His grandfather drove stock cars around small tracks in South Carolina in the 1970s, and his father had Bayne on a mini motorcycle with training wheels when he was 3.

He graduated to go-karts by age 5 and was winning world championships before he was a teenager. Even before he was old enough for a driver's license, he was being mentored by Donnie Allison and was the Allison Legacy Race Series national champion at 15. Bayne took high school courses online and moved by himself to Charlotte, N.C., at 16 to be near NASCAR's epicenter.

It's not like the big boys around the sport were unaware of Bayne. He signed a deal with Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s development team when he was 17 and with Michael Waltrip's outfit when he was 18. But both cut him loose because of hard economic times. He got a Nationwide series ride with Roush Fenway Racing late last season, then signed with the Wood Brothers for a limited Sprint Cup schedule.

"It's crazy," Bayne said. "It's happened so fast."

To say this was the biggest upset in Daytona 500 history is not much of a stretch. A handful of other drivers have won their first NASCAR race in the 500, but none were nearly as inexperienced as Bayne. Before Sunday, the youngest 500 winner was Jeff Gordon in 1997. And, at the time, Gordon was more than 5 1/2 years older than Bayne is today.

Still, it is probably wishful thinking to assume Bayne will take NASCAR by storm in the coming months. As good as the No. 21 looked during Speedweeks, the Wood Brothers have not had competitive cars in recent seasons. And, as well as Bayne drove on Sunday, he had not even won a Nationwide series race in 50 career starts.

He is only scheduled to run 17 Cup races this season, but that will likely change if sponsors begin jumping on his bandwagon. And considering his fresh face and eager attitude, that seems a sure bet.

"I think the world is going to like him a lot. He'll do a really good job representing the sport," said Carl Edwards, who finished second. "He's got a ton of enthusiasm. He'll walk right up to you and just stick his hand out. He just seems like a really good guy."

Pearson was around before Sunday's race and spent a few minutes talking with Bayne. Later, when it was over, Richard Petty joined the Wood Brothers in Victory Lane. In between, Bayne talked to Darrell Waltrip on the radio.

All for a kid who watched this race in blue jeans last year.

"I never expected to be sitting here. I still don't think it's real," Bayne said. "Sorry if I'm bouncing around on questions and answers. I figure I can do whatever I want since it's just a dream anyways."

By John Romano, Times Sports Columnist
Sunday, February 20, 2011

DAYTONA BEACH — The day began in silence, and ended in hysteria. And in between, NASCAR might have found answers to some of the problems that have dogged the sport in recent seasons.

For Sunday's Daytona 500 was just about everything NASCAR officials could have wanted, short of a victory by Dale Earnhardt Jr. And even that would have been hard pressed to top this storyline.

It was a race that featured a record number of leaders, a record number of lead changes and a record number of caution flags as cars collided with walls, each other and common sense. And when it was over, 20-year-old Trevor Bayne stood in Victory Lane looking like the kind of fresh new star NASCAR has been desperate to find.

Maybe it wasn't the race to end all races. But it just might have been the race to end all the complaining.

"This is as good as it gets, guys," runnerup Carl Edwards said. "If people aren't watching, that's their problem, because we got some great stuff going on here."

This is a sport that has forever tried to bridge the gap between its heritage and its future, and on Sunday pulled it off perfectly. The third lap of the race was run in complete silence with fans at Daytona International Speedway holding three fingers aloft in tribute to Dale Earnhardt, who was killed on this weekend 10 years earlier.

And the race ended in NASCAR's version of overtime with Bayne holding off a who's who list of veteran drivers to become the youngest Daytona 500 winner in history.

"To be added to that list (of winners) is crazy, especially at our first attempt," Bayne said. "That's just insane."

The race hit 500 miles under caution and had to be restarted twice to end with two consecutive caution-free laps. When the final restart began at 515 miles, Bayne was in the lead but said he was more concerned about finding someone he could drop behind and push.

"It was kind of cool to say we were leading at the start of the green-white-checkered," Bayne said. "I got to the white flag and I'm like, 'At least we can say I led at the white flag.' We get to Turn 4, and we're still leading. 'Man, somebody's going to pass us. You know what's going to happen here.' But nobody ever did.

"So, you know, wow. Really."

Edwards got a push from David Gilliland, and went low for a pass on the final turn, but was expertly blocked out by Bayne.

"If we would have gone to the high side I think we would have gone around them but then I think David would have probably won because he would have gone around me too," Edwards said. "So I think I was pretty much in trouble no matter what."

In the last 18 laps, 11 different cars were in either first or second place. That's pretty much how the entire day went. The 74 lead changes broke the record of 60 in 1974. There were also a record 22 leaders and 16 caution flags.

"That was 500 miles of sheer terror out there," Edwards said. "It was just wild."

The entire race was a cat-and-mouse game with drivers trying to pair off to find an effective drafting partner. Cars were most effective with one car pushed against another car's back bumper, but that led to some problems in tight quarters.

"I totally get the two-car drafting and I think we are going to see a lot more of it," said Jeff Gordon, who finished 28th after an early accident forced him to the garage for repairs. "What I don't understand is why guys are doing it three-wide, three-deep, running for 28th. We need to let it thin out a little.

"I was watching these guys in front of me like bumper cars."

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Monday, February 21, 2011

PORT CHARLOTTE — The Rays announced their plan for individual game ticket sales, and there is a clear premium on timing.

A presale for fans registered as Rays insiders through the team website begins Friday, with general sales starting at 10 a.m. Saturday via raysbaseball.com and Monday at all outlets.

But fans (or brokers) who want first pick of tickets for specific games or opponents can get them starting today through a raysbaseball.com presale that includes a $10 premium per ticket. There was a similar process for spring training tickets.

"We're offering fans the ability to jump the line and pay a small premium," team president Matt Silverman said.

There also is a benefit to buying tickets sooner than later because the Rays could raise prices going forward if they add concerts or special events or if they determine a certain game or series of games will be more meaningful or appealing.

"We have in the past raised ticket prices in conjunction with adding concerts … and we expect to do the same this year as we add concerts and events or if other dynamics change," Silverman said. "The way to ensure the lowest prices is to buy in advance or buy season tickets."

The Rays announced their first concert, Darius Rucker on May 14, and released their promotional schedule. Highlights including an Evan Longoria Gold Glove replica trophy (April 2) and cereal bowl/spoon (Sept. 4); David Price arm sleeve (April 17) and superhero action figure (Aug. 21); and bobbleheads for Manny Ramirez (May 29), B.J. Upton (June 19) and Johnny Damon (July 17).

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Monday, February 21, 2011

The Tampa Bay Lightning's season flashed before its eyes Saturday night when star center Steven Stamkos, the league's leading goal scorer, was sent flying into the boards feet first by a hit from Panthers defenseman Mike Weaver. Stamkos, hit kind of from behind, crashed into the boards hard and needed a few moments with trainer Tommy Mulligan to regain himself. Stamkos on Monday said, "I was lucky I didn't break my ankle or something."

Stamkos, 21, did not practice Monday and said he would not play in the team's golf outing Monday afternoon in Southwest Florida. He said he will play in Wednesday's game with the Coyotes. He also had this to say about the hit from Weaver:

"He kind of hit me from behind the shoulder. It wasn't the cleanest hit but I don't think it was the dirtiest. I don't think he intended to hit me like that. I was turning so I was kind of off-balance a little bit and went in pretty hard. Nothing to complain about. He got a penalty, so ... "

Asked about Monday's outing, Stamkos said, "I won't be golfing."

And about Wednesday? "I will be playing."

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Monday, February 21, 2011

It's possible that Florida Gators senior forward Chandler Parsons will miss more games this week.

Parsons suffered a deep thigh bruise in the Feb. 12 game against Tennessee, then missed practice all of last week and did not play in Sunday's game against LSU.

The Gators are preparing for a brutal final stretch of the regular season in which they'll host Georgia on Thursday, then travel to Kentucky on Saturday, and return to the court on Tuesday when they host Alabama.

Whether Parsons will be in the lineup for any of those games remains to be seen. For sure, Thursday seems doubtful.

"Right now, I'm not personally overly optimistic that he'll play (against Georgia),'' UF coach Billy Donovan said Monday morning. "I would like to see him. I think in his mind he wants to play, and will try to play. But the last time he did anything physically was this past Friday and really couldn't get much done at all. So it's kind of a unique situation, one because we've got a lot of games in a short time, and two playing (Sunday) afternoon in Baton Rouge, we've got a couple of days here to see how much progress he can make. I'm not so sure that he's going to make the progress necessary to play. I think we'll prepare (for) the game without him.''

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Monday, February 21, 2011

TAMPA — Yankees star third baseman Alex Rodriguez says he's in a "better place" and enjoying life, so it was fitting he began his first news conference of the season with a joke.

"Did anybody see the Super Bowl?" a smiling Rodriguez asked reporters. "Great game."

Rodriguez, 35, was making light of the much-hyped television shot during the Super Bowl when he was shown being fed popcorn by his girlfriend, actor Cameron Diaz. Rodriguez denied reports he was angry over getting caught on camera, saying it was "actually pretty humorous."

"Five or six years ago, I'd probably come out with some bogus statement and probably would have been upset," he said. "Who would be upset about getting fed popcorn? It was pretty funny."

The fact that a popcorn controversy and weight loss were the biggest topics Rodriguez addressed Monday said it all. It was two years ago, in the same tented pavilion, that he was grilled over his performance-enhancing drug use. But Rodriguez says he's as healthy as he has been in years, in great shape and primed for a big season, hoping to deliver the type of production that the Yankees need to return to the World Series.

"I hear there's a lot of doubters out there, and that's always fun," Rodriguez said. "The bottom line is we won 95 games (last season). We have pretty much the same core coming back this year, and we were two wins shy of the World Series. … We had a very bad taste in our mouths from leaving Texas (after losing in the ALCS), and we just want to come back. …

"We expect to do a lot of good things, and in order for us to do that, I know I will have to play at an elite level, and I'm ready for that challenge."

Rodriguez, who had hip surgery in 2009, feels that way partly because he said Dr. Marc Philippon gave him the "green light" in the offseason to go back to "100 percent training." No longer burdened by rehab, Rodriguez said he's down from 230 to 222 pounds, a weight he hasn't played at since the 2007 season, when he hit 54 homers and had 156 RBIs.

Rodriguez has averaged at least 30 home runs and 100 RBIs the past three years (including 30 and 125 last season) but said he can improve and called those numbers "really not acceptable." He said he felt a little restricted in his swing due to the hip last season, which limited his power. He also had some hesitation in his movements defensively. Both issues shouldn't be problems this year.

"This year I feel I'm in a good place to play at a really high level, and I think my team needs me to play at a high level to reach our ultimate goal, which is to win the World Series," he said.

Rodriguez sounded off on a lot of topics:

• He believes shortstop Derek Jeter will bounce back to have a "Derek Jeter-type year." "I expect him to get right back to form," he said.

• Rodriguez said despite the possibility ace CC Sabathia will opt out of his contract after this season, he doesn't anticipate him being in another uniform any time soon.

• He said retired left-hander Andy Pettitte will be missed, but it also opens up opportunities for other players to step up and lead, including himself.

• Rodriguez praised the Red Sox's offseason moves, acquiring ex-Ray Carl Crawford and slugging first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, saying "they'll be tough to beat this year."

• Rodriguez said he hopes to be able to be the Yankees' everyday third baseman until he's 39 or 40, maybe longer.

And, of course, Rodriguez was asked if there'd been any positive fallout from his much-publicized popcorn cameo.

"No popcorn endorsements yet," he said, smiling. "But our lines are open."

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

Eduardo A. Encina, Times Staff Writer
Monday, February 21, 2011

TAMPA — Former standout Countryside goalkeeper Jeff Attinella, most recently an All-American keeper at USF, has signed a professional contract with FC Tampa Bay, the team announced Monday

Attinella will be the team's second player from Pinellas County, joining Northeast grad Chad Burt. The team's NASL season begins April 9 at Al Lang Field against the Montreal Impact. Attinella signed a one-year deal with the team with a club option for 2012.

He was an NSCAA first-team All-American and Big East Goalkeeper of the Year during his junior season. In four seasons with the Bulls, Attinella tallied a 38-14-9 record and held a 0.79 goals against average.

"I've watched Jeff play during his college career at USF. He developed into one of the best collegiate goalkeepers in the country," club executive vice president Perry Van Der Beck said in a release. "We are very excited to have the opportunity to sign a player of his caliber and I believe he has the potential to be a top goalkeeper in our league."

The club also signed veteran defenseman Andres Arango, who most recently played for the NSC Minnesota Stars. The 27-year-old was a member of the Canadian U-20 national team that made it to the quarterfinals of the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship.

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Attinella also guided Countryside to the Class 6A state title in 2005-06 as well as a No. 1 national ranking. He played club soccer for the Clearwater Chargers. He will likely open the season as a backup to incumbent starter Daryl Sattler.

To make roster room for the signings, the team released midfielder Scott Buete and goalkeeper Phil Lamarre.

Bryan Burns, Times Staff Writer
Monday, February 21, 2011

Belleair Sunset 5K

Racing through the streets of Belleair on one of the county's most picturesque courses, Kristen Proach of Clearwater was the overall champion at Saturday's Belleair Sunset 5K.

Proach, 26, clocked in at 17:47 to win by 16 seconds.

Kathy Frailing, 43 of Largo, was second to Proach in the women's race after crossing the line in 19:13. Proach was the female masters champion.

Daniel Jewett, 17 of Largo, was the top local runner in the men's race, placing second in 18:25. Vince Tenaglia, 27 of Clearwater Beach, came in third (18:28).

Tampa's Don Donchess was the men's champion in 18:03.

Local age group winners included: (M master) Bill Cottrell, Belleair, 18:58; (M9 and under) Kip Ciampini, Clearwater, 27:52; (M10-14) Collin Thomas, Largo, 21:49; (F10-14) Fatima Abu-Rumman, Belleair Bluffs, 22:01; (M15-19) Jewett; (M20-24) Austin Curmack, St. Petersburg, 18:33; (M25-29) Tenaglia; (F25-29) Bethany Mutchler, Clearwater, 26:58; (M30-34) Tim Shaver, Palm Harbor, 22:11; (F30-34) Shannon Bostwick, Belleair, 24:38; (M35-39) Eric Thomas, Largo, 21:17; (F35-39) Amy Heflin, Clearwater, 23:39; (M40-44) Steve Williams, Largo, 19:33; (F40-44) Kristin Woodward, Largo, 22:52; (M45-49) John Matter, Palm Harbor, 19:57; (F45-49) Andrea Fortunato, Largo, 24:14; (M50-54) Dan Chechele, St. Petersburg, 19:18; (F60-64) Peg McAvaddy, Seminole, 31:30; (M65-69) James Ladig, Clearwater, 22:26; (F65-69) Brenda Hatala, Clearwater, 32:13; (M70 and over) Jim Callan, Palm Harbor, 28:29; (F70 and over) Mary Grace Ritter, Clearwater, 44:16.

FIVE POINTS OF LIFE MARATHON

Nola Johnson of Clearwater traveled to Gainesville over the weekend to participate in the Five Points of Life Marathon, earning third place in the female masters division.

It took Johnson three hours, 45 minutes and 45 seconds to complete the 26.2-mile race. She was the 16th female to cross the finish and came in 54th among all racers.

Betsy Clement of Dunedin was the fastest runner in her age group. Clement grabbed first place in the female 55-59 age group by about 18 minutes after finishing the marathon in 5:05:32.

BOLT 5K

Hunter McCann, Yvonne Bryant and Barb Cote were the only locals to claim age group victories at the highly competitive Bolt 5K in downtown Tampa.

McCann, 14 of Treasure Island, was the men's 11-14-year-old champion by more than two minutes when he crossed the finish in 18:30.

Bryant, 44 of Clearwater, was more than a minute faster than her nearest competitor to claim the female 40-44 age group in 21:59.

Cote, 59 of Palm Harbor, was the champion of the women's 55-59 age group with a time of 26:34, winning by nearly two and a half minutes.

James Osborne of Lutz was the overall champion in 16:12. Jennarae Downs of Tampa was the female winner in 19:45.

ST. PETE MASTERS

Bob Beach of St. Pete Masters swimming received all-star recognition by U.S. Masters Swimming after scoring more points in national championship meets than anyone in his age group.

Nine St. Pete Masters swimmers — Beach, Chris Burke, Zsolt Gaspar, Jessica Knapp, Sara Kwon, Carl Selles, Bill Specht, Sandy Steer and Mike Torsney — won All-American individual honors from after placing first in a national championship event in their age group.

Earning All-American relay honors were Burke, Selles, Dawn Clark, Kern Davis, Pat Marzulli, Alegra Reich, Sarah Swoch and Paula Texel.

FLATWOODS RAMBLE

Melanie Peters claimed first place in the 10K competition at the Flatwoods Ramble in Thonotosassa on Feb. 13. Peters, 27 of St. Petersburg, crossed the finish in one hour, 11 minutes and four seconds to win by more than three minutes. Timm Bischoff, 18 of Clearwater, was the top local male runner in the 10K. Bischoff placed third after running 1:09:19 and was first in the men's 15-19 year old age group. Tampa's Oscar Orozco was the overall winner with a time of 1:02:37.

The following local runners claimed age group championships: (M30-34) Kyle Buck, Clearwater, 1:09:39; (M40-44) Eric O'Brien, St. Petersburg, 1:22:21; (F40-44) May-Li Cuypers, Largo, 1:18:03; (F50-54) Reva Moeller, Treasure Island, 1:24:06.

One-hundred forty-four racers completed the 10K.

In the Flatwoods Ramble 5K, Tanya Taylor of Clearwater claimed third place in the women's race after running 26:04. Taylor, 31, also won the women's 30-34 year old age group.

Other local age group winners from the 5K were: (M30-34) Amory Ifill, St. Petersburg, 23:04; (F45-49) Joanne Root, Oldsmar, 29:10; (M50-54) Richard Walker, Palm Harbor, 23:34; (F50-54) Kristin Soule, Palm Harbor, 31:33; (M55-59) John Orriola, Pinellas Park, 28:47.

Jimmy Patterson of Tampa was the overall 5K champion in 20:45. Tampa's Kara Pellegrino was right behind to claim the female championship in 20:56. One hundred twenty-two runners completed the 5K.

Bryan Burns can be reached at bburns@sptimes.com

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Monday, February 21, 2011

TAMPA — Coach Guy Boucher conceded the Lightning's special teams need some work.

No need to belabor the point and spoil another night's sleep by discussing the actual numbers.

"I slept two hours last night and one the night before," Boucher said Monday. "I know what the numbers are."

They are brutal.

Tampa Bay has not had more than one power-play goal in a game since Dec. 20 against the Hurricanes, a stretch of 26 games in which it is 14-for-105 with the extra man; its 13.3 percent efficiency about five points below the league average.

The penalty kill has allowed goals in seven straight games during which it killed 20 of 29 power plays (going 2-of-6 in its past two games) for a 68.9 percent efficiency 13 points below the league average.

No surprise Tampa Bay is in a 2-3-2 stretch.

What is startling is the team used to be top-five in the league in both disciplines. It entered Monday seventh on the power play at 19.8 percent, 13th on the penalty kill at 82.2 percent.

"It's been very frustrating," Boucher said.

At various times on the power play, the team has had trouble entering the offensive zone, controlling the puck once it gets in and finishing plays after it set up.

"We're spending so much time chasing the puck, if we get 30 seconds of zone time, that might be it," left wing Simon Gagne said. "Whether it's working harder to get the puck or making your plays, we have to get better at it."

As for the penalty kill, "Maybe it's just not enough urgency," left wing Dana Tyrell said, "but it seems like pucks are going through us and pucks are going off skates."

Which leads to this: Tampa Bay, 0-for-6 on the power play Saturday against Florida, failed with the extra man in the third, allowed a power-play goal to tie it late in the period and lost in a shootout.

You could point out Gagne has not scored in eight games, Marty St. Louis has one goal in 14 and Steve Downie has been a major offender turning the puck over on the power play.

You also could note Dwayne Roloson let in 23 goals in his past five games. A team's best penalty killer, after all, is its goalie.

But the key on both sides of the puck is execution, Boucher said. That is why he is not adding new wrinkles but practicing the old.

"If you panic, then you're really sinking," Boucher said. "Right now, we're hanging on with a floater. If we continue to hammer at things differently, then we sink. … So, instead of changing, we're making sure we're doing the same things, just better."

Getting away might help. Players bused to Naples for a round of golf after Monday's practice at the St. Pete Times Forum. They skate today at Germain Arena in Estero, where the team shares an ECHL affiliate with Carolina.

The plan is to break up the monotony of a 12-game homestand that has two games to go.

"It puts the guys in a hockey environment," Boucher said. "That's the one thing you get on the road, it's only hockey, therefore your focus is narrow.

"Focus and poise go hand in hand and is what the power play and PK is all about. That's what we're struggling with."

Damian Cristodero can be reached at cristodero@sptimes.com.

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Monday, February 21, 2011

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback and executive Doug Williams is returning for a second stint as head coach at Grambling State University, lured in part by a chance to coach his son, D.J., a freshman quarterback who has enrolled for the spring semester.

"I was (at Grambling State) six years, I left and was gone for six years, and now I get a chance to go back,'' Williams said. "Things happen for a reason. How many dads get a chance to go and do what I can do? I got to play there, coach there, leave, go back and coach my son there.

"I left Tampa Bay in '82 and good things happened. When you do right by people, they don't mind having you back.''

Williams, a first round pick by the Bucs from Grambling State in 1978 and the Most Valuable Player in Super Bowl XXII for the Washington Redskins, succeeded legendary coach Eddie Robinson and won Southwestern Athletic Conference titles in 2000 and 2001.

He returned to the Bucs in 2004 as a front office executive and was promoted to pro scouting director when he left the organization last May.

Williams had been working as the general manager of the UFL's Virginia Destroyers. The opportunity to return to Grambling State became possible when coach Ron Broadway left the program for North Carolina A&T.

"I had a lot of alumni calling and me and the president got to talk over the weekend and came to kind of an agreement,'' Williams said. "D.J. just signed up there for the spring semester. It's rare you get a chance to coach your son and I'm looking forward to going back. The other thing that's good about it is I won't have to put up with a lot of the B.S.''

When he left Grambling State the first time, Williams aspired to become the general manager of an NFL team. But there are only eight minority coaches and five minority general managers in a 32-team league where 78 percent of the players are African American.

"The good ol' boy network is alive and well,'' Williams said. "But it's changed froim the good ol' boy network to the faternity. I always find a way to overcome and just keep going forward.

"I look at it this way, you've got guys sitting in the front office that never coached. I just didn't coach college, I coached high school. If you've got the patience and time to coach high school, you can do other jobs. There are guys who learned the (football) language and never got their hands dirty, per se. They can't go back and get their hands dirty again.

"I'm not frustrated at all. When I left the (NFL) the first time, things happened for me.''

Williams indicated he didn't feel like he had a very big voice in the Bucs' front office decisions during his six-year tenure in Tampa Bay.

"People in other offices have a chance to get their ear,'' Williams said. "The guys like me don't get their ear. Other folks can tell them something because that's what they want to hear. You know me, I've always been one to say what I thought as right and not everybody can deal with what's right.

"I laugh, when I hear them talk about (quarterback) Josh Freeman. I know they wanted (Jets quarterback) Mark Sanchez. I sat right there while they were talking about trading up and getting Sanchez and all these different scenarios.

"(Bucs coach) Raheem Morris was the strongest guy in there (pushing for Freeman). I remember the owners asking me which quarterback I liked. I said, 'If you want someone to play right now, take Sanchez. But I think over the long haul, Josh is going to be better,' and I think he's proven that. Raheem had the strongest conviction because he had been around the kid (at Kansas State).''

As for returning to the sidelines, Williams is confident he can build a winner again.

"I don't think a lot has changed,'' Williams siad. "I know what to expect from Grambling and that hasn't changed. They expect to win and and I've always been about winning. I don't look at this as a challenge I'm afraid of.''

D.J. Williams played quarterback at Tampa Catholic and Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy. Williams says he's excited to coach his son.

"I'm not looking to play him this year,'' Williams said. "He needs a little work. He needs to get bigger. He's long, 6-4, 190-pounds, a little bigger than Josh Johnson.

"I asked him could he handle it, he told me yes. That's all I've got to know. A man's word is his bond.''

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Monday, February 21, 2011

TAMPA — Doug Williams is excited about returning for a second stint as coach at Grambling State, where his son, D.J., just enrolled as a freshman quarterback.

But after serving for six seasons in the Bucs scouting department, he believes the "good ol' boy fraternity" still limits front office opportunities for minorities in the NFL.

"I was (at Grambling State) six years, I left and was gone for six years, and now I get a chance to go back," Williams said Monday. "Things happen for a reason. How many dads get a chance to go and do what I can do? I got to play there, coach there, leave, go back and coach my son there.

"I left Tampa Bay in '82 and good things happened. When you do right by people, they don't mind having you back."

Williams, 55, a first-round pick by the Bucs from Grambling State in 1978 and the Most Valuable Player in Super Bowl XXII for the Washington Redskins, succeeded legendary coach Eddie Robinson and won Southwestern Athletic Conference titles in 2000 and 2001.

He returned to the Bucs in 2004 as a front office executive and was promoted to scouting director before he left the organization in May. He had been working as the general manager of the UFL's Virginia Destroyers.

When he left Grambling State the first time, Williams aspired to become general manager of an NFL team. But there are only eight minority coaches and five minority general managers in a 32-team league where 78 percent of the players are African-American.

"The good ol' boy network is alive and well," Williams said. "But it's changed from the good ol' boy network to the fraternity. I always find a way to overcome and just keep going forward.

"I look at it this way: You've got guys sitting in the front office that never coached. I just didn't coach college; I coached high school. If you've got the patience and time to coach high school, you can do other jobs. There are guys who learned the (football) language and never got their hands dirty, per se. They can't go back and get their hands dirty again.

"I'm not frustrated at all. When I left the (NFL) the first time, things happened for me."

Williams indicated he didn't feel like he had a very big voice in the Bucs' front office decisions during his six-year tenure in Tampa Bay.

"People in other offices have a chance to get their ear," he said. "The guys like me don't get their ear. Other folks can tell them something because that's what they want to hear. You know me; I've always been one to say what I thought as right, and not everybody can deal with what's right."

Williams said Bucs owners and the front office had to be persuaded to select Kansas State quarterback Josh Freeman in the first round of the 2009 draft by coach Raheem Morris, who was on the Wildcats' coaching staff in 2006. The Bucs traded up two spots to take Freeman at No. 17 overall. Georgia's Matthew Stafford was the first overall pick by the Lions, and the Jets took USC quarterback Mark Sanchez fifth overall.

"I laugh, when I hear them talk about Josh Freeman," Williams said. "I know they wanted Mark Sanchez. I sat right there while they were talking about trading up and getting Sanchez and all these different scenarios. Raheem was the strongest guy in there (pushing for Freeman). I remember the owners asking me which quarterback I liked. I said, 'If you want someone to play right now, take Sanchez. But I think over the long haul, Josh is going to be better,' and I think he's proven that. Raheem had the strongest conviction because he had been around the kid (at Kansas State)."

Williams' opportunity to return to Grambling State became possible when coach Ron Broadway left the program for North Carolina A&T.

"I had a lot of alumni calling, and me and the president got to talk over the weekend and came to kind of an agreement," Williams said. "D.J. just signed up there for the spring semester. It's rare you get a chance to coach your son, and I'm looking forward to going back. The other thing that's good about it is I won't have to put up with a lot of the (nonsense)."

As for returning to the sideline, Williams is confident he can build a winner again.

"I don't think a lot has changed," Williams said. "I know what to expect from Grambling, and that hasn't changed. They expect to win, and I've always been about winning. I don't look at this as a challenge I'm afraid of."

D.J. Williams played quarterback at Tampa Catholic and Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy. Williams says he's excited to coach his son.

"I'm not looking to play him this year," Williams said. "He needs a little work. He needs to get bigger. He's long, 6-4, 190 pounds, a little bigger than Josh Johnson.

"I asked him, 'Could he handle it?' He told me, 'Yes.' That's all I've got to know. A man's word is his bond."

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Monday, February 21, 2011

GAINESVILLE — As it begins preparations for the final four regular-season games, Billy Donovan's men's basketball team may be without Chandler Parsons again this week.

The senior forward suffered a deep thigh bruise in the Feb. 12 game against Tennessee, missed all of last week's practices and did not play in Sunday's game against LSU. But the Tigers have won only two league games, so not having Parsons didn't seem like a huge deal.

This week is different.

No. 13 Florida (21-5, 10-2 SEC) is about to begin a brutal final stretch in which it will host Georgia on Thursday, travel to Kentucky on Saturday and return to the court Tuesday when it hosts Alabama. Whether Parsons will be in the lineup for any of those games remains to be seen.

"Right now, I'm not personally overly optimistic that he'll play (against Georgia)," Donovan said Monday. "I would like to see him. I think in his mind he wants to play, and will try to play. But the last time he did anything physically was this past Friday and really couldn't get much done at all. So it's kind of a unique situation, one because we've got a lot of games in a short time, and two playing (Sunday) afternoon in Baton Rouge, we've got a couple of days here to see how much progress he can make.

"I'm not so sure that he's going to make the progress necessary to play. I think we'll prepare (for) the game without him."

Florida defeated Georgia 104-91 in double overtime earlier this season in a game in which Parsons played 41 minutes and had 18 points and 12 rebounds. Georgia coach Mark Fox said he won't count on Parsons not being in the lineup.

"We will prepare like he's going to play," Fox said. "Obviously (Sunday) was the first time we were able to see them without him. He's a great player, experienced player, versatile player. But they also have a very deep team, an experienced team, that I thought responded pretty well in his absence. We're going to prepare like he's going to play, and then if he doesn't, we'll adjust accordingly."

CHAMPIONSHIP TIME: The men's and women's track and field teams will compete in the SEC indoor championships this weekend in Fayetteville, Ark. The No. 1 men's team will be looking for its first indoor title since 2004, while the women are the defending conference champions. For Gators coach Mike Holloway, the goal isn't to defend the SEC title but to compete at the highest level possible, regardless of the outcome.

"We talk a lot about the pride of putting on the uniform," Holloway said. "When you put that Gator on your chest it's got to mean something to you. It's not about defending something, we did that last year. It's about representing the University of Florida at a very high level.'

HORNSBY RETURNS TO JAIL: Former Florida football player Jamar Hornsby on Monday began a 90-day sentence in the Alachua County Jail for violation of probation related to a Mississippi conviction. Hornsby, who was dismissed from the team after his arrest in 2007, was on probation following a plea agreement he entered into in Gainesville after he was charged with using the gas credit card of Ashley Slonina, the UF student who died in a motorcycle accident along with UF walk-on Michael Guilford. Hornsby allegedly used the card nearly 70 times after Slonina's death. He was a student at East Mississippi Community College with a pending scholarship at Ole Miss when he was arrested and charged with assaulting a man with brass knuckles during an altercation in a Starkville, Miss., McDonald's parking lot. He pled guilty to simple assault, which violated his Alachua County agreement leading to his current jail time.

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

By Ed Walker, Times Correspondent
Monday, February 21, 2011

What's hot: Warmer weather and higher tides this past week sparked a revival of inshore fishing. All of a sudden, the flats seemed like a different place.

Hints of spring: Thousands of small pinfish have returned to the shallows, flashing as they nibble in the grass, and ballyhoo have become more abundant. Full-moon high tides have let redfish access shoreline oyster bars and mangrove feeding areas that have been largely inaccessible for a few months. Schools of larger reds have been showing up in many areas that were virtually lifeless a month ago. Extra-large spotted sea trout have been moving higher onto the flats, too, in some areas all the way to the mangroves, with the flood tides.

Back to the flats: Winter patterns have begun to yield to those of spring. These changes will let anglers regularly sight-fish on the open shallow-water flats. If the weather holds, sport anglers will no longer be relegated to soaking natural baits in deep holes or under docks or slowly creeping artificial lures along the bottom of mud-bottomed canals. With fewer cold fronts fouling the exposed flats, a wide variety of species will again take up residence there. Working these shorelines and open flats will at last start to become the preferred fishing method.

Ed Walker charters out of Tarpon Springs and can be reached at info@lighttacklecharters.com or (727) 944-3474.

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Monday, February 21, 2011

Rays encore: Noon and midnight on Sun Sports. A look back at the June 19 game between the Rays and Marlins. The Rays won 9-8 in the game with the annoying vuvuzelas.

MLB Network Special: 8 p.m. on MLB Network. A look at the top 50 major-league prospects.

The Color Orange: 11 p.m. on ESPN2. The story of Condredge Holloway, above, the former Tennessee player who was the first African-American starting quarterback in the SEC.

Times wires
Monday, February 21, 2011

TAMPA — Yankees co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner thinks his team's celebration of its 2009 World Series championship might have lasted too long.

"I think, maybe, they celebrated too much last year," Steinbrenner said Monday. "Some of the players, too busy building mansions and doing other things and not concentrating on winning. I have no problem saying that."

When it was pointed out that Yankees captain Derek Jeter was building a large multimillion-dollar home in Tampa last year, Steinbrenner said he wasn't singling out any individual.

"I was just saying, maybe they were riding the wave of '09 a little too much, and it happens sometimes," Steinbrenner said.

New York finished second in the AL East to the Rays last season, then lost in the ALCS to the Rangers.

Steinbrenner also said the revenue sharing and luxury tax programs need changes and that commissioner Bud Selig is open to the idea.

"At some point, if you don't want to worry about teams in minor markets, don't put teams in minor markets, or don't leave teams in minor markets if they're truly minor," Steinbrenner said. "Socialism, communism, whatever you want to call it, is never the answer."

Phils: Lee '100 percent'

CLEARWATER — Phillies LHP Cliff Lee, whose first bullpen session lasted just eight pitches a week ago because of a muscle strain in his side, said Monday that he's "perfectly fine" and the strain under his left armpit is "not really a major issue."

Lee completed his next two pitching sessions last week and took part in fielding practice during the first week of spring training.

Lee, 32, said he felt discomfort while playing catch last month in Arkansas.

"I had a little minor … something going on in my armpit," Lee said. "I called the trainers, went to Philadelphia, and they diagnosed it. I didn't throw for a few days, built back up and here I am. I'm perfectly fine and right with everyone else. It's not really a major issue."

"He's 100 percent," Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said.

Jays: Podsednik hobbled

DUNEDIN — Blue Jays OF Scott Podsednik is wearing a walking boot because of plantar fasciitis and is day to day.

Podsednik, 34, who signed a minor-league contract with Toronto last week, is due to be examined by team doctors today, the National Post of Canada reported. Manager John Farrell told the newspaper that the team didn't know about the injury when it signed him.

Podsednik is expected to compete for a bench spot with the Blue Jays.

Times wires
Monday, February 21, 2011

DAYTONA BEACH — Trevor Bayne celebrated his Daytona 500 victory by playing basketball with friends, then skateboarding on the infield of NASCAR's most storied track.

And why not? This is the youngest winner of the Great American Race.

Monday, Bayne seemed still in disbelief over his Daytona 500 victory, which came a day after his 20th birthday and in just his second Sprint Cup start.

His beaming parents didn't even mind staying up half the night to wash his laundry so he'd have clean clothes for a whirlwind media tour.

"It's insane because we were kidding around, 'Did you bring enough clothes to go if you win the race?' " Bayne said. "I was like, 'Oh, yeah, I've got this. I've got two T-shirts.' I thought it was a big joke, but here we are. This is so crazy."

In a 150-mile qualifying race Thursday, Bayne pushed four-time champion Jeff Gordon around the track. Consider that his parents still have a Gordon poster hanging in Bayne's childhood bedroom in Knoxville, Tenn.

"I'm watching thinking I can't believe he's drafting with Jeff Gordon, at 200 mph, down the backstretch," his mother, Stephanie, said Monday.

Bayne had declared his intention to run only for the second-tier Nationwide series title with Roush Fenway Racing, where he has a full-time ride as opposed to the part-time Cup deal he has with Wood Brothers Racing. He can change his mind, but Sunday's points (which would have been 47) would not count retroactively.

But Bayne didn't seem in a hurry to get it all figured out. He was eager to hop on a private plane and go to ESPN for the first of three full days of appearances around the country. And after spending a year trying to build a following on Twitter, his account on the social media site exploded. He had about 6,000 followers going into Sunday but more than 27,000 by Monday night.

"I told everybody, 'Man, all I had to do was win the 500? I could have done that a long time ago if I would have known that's how I had to get followers,' " he said.

INDYCAR: Series officials are expected to announce Las Vegas as the season finale today. The final race is scheduled for Oct. 16. The season opens March 27 in St. Petersburg. The Indianapolis 500, on May 29, will start at noon this year after starting at 1 p.m. since 2006.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Monday, February 21, 2011

Fashion statements of the day

• It apparently was more coincidental timing than special request, but equipment/home clubhouse manager Chris Westmoreland was well-prepared for Manny Ramirez's arrival with a new piece of headwear: a high-performance skull cap from New Era, complete with the team logo, that he can wear under his regular cap to help tame his dreadlocked hair.

• Johnny Damon had the best T-shirt, which he claimed was sent to him by a fan (wink, wink) and he only wore because it just happened (wink, wink) to match the color of his shorts. It read: "johnny biceps."

Oh, those other guys …

There was a definite buzz around the fields, with the large crowd of 1,000 seemingly focused on new acquisitions Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez. "There was a lot of energy out there (Monday)," manager Joe Maddon said. "At first I thought it was attributable to (nonroster INF) Ray Olmedo," Maddon said. "Then I was seeing all the signs and I knew they were more interested in Manny and Johnny at that point."

And more …

Among the more interesting attention getters was a fan who kept yelling out "Oct. 20, 2004," which was the date of one of Damon's milestone moments: when he homered twice in Game 7 as the Red Sox completed their remarkable comeback from three games down to the Yankees to win the 2004 ALCS. "The Boston fans are a little crazy, and they're going to be until the end of time," Damon said. "They love their Red Sox, and it's great that they do."

Who is this Ray?

He starred at the University of Virginia and recently married a sportscaster whom he met when she interviewed him. He scored seven touchdowns in a high school football game. He is addicted to following the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship). He was acquired in trade.

List of the day

Most games pitched 2001-10

Mariano Rivera 646

David Weathers 644

Kyle Farnsworth 640

J.C. Romero 611

Francisco Cordero 609

LaTroy Hawkins 606

Billy Wagner 601

The dish

Today's first full-squad workout starts at 9:30 at Charlotte Sports Park (2300 El Jobean Road) and lasts 3-3½ hours. Admission and parking are free. Driving time from the bay area is 1½-2 hours. Suggested route: I-75 south to Toledo Blade Road, go west 6½ miles to El Jobean Road (SR 776), go right 2 miles, complex is on left. More information: (941) 235-5025.

Heads-up

Jeff Niemann, Jake McGee, Andy Sonnanstine and Dane De La Rosa are among the pitchers scheduled to throw live batting practice today, starting at 11 a.m.

Who is this Ray answer: OF Brandon Guyer

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

Times wires
Monday, February 21, 2011

FORT MYERS — When it comes to his concussion, Justin Morneau is getting out of the predicting business.

He has tried to set benchmarks and barometers before only to become frustrated when those came and went without the progress he wanted to see.

He was injured in Toronto on July 7 and, at first, figured he'd be back by the All-Star Game. Then it was September. Finally, when he wasn't able to play in the postseason, the Twins first baseman finally started to come to grips with the fact that recovery from this injury was out of his control.

"There was the goal of the playoffs, and there was the goal of all the rest of it, but it's been a battle all winter," Morneau said Monday, a day before Twins position players were due to report for spring training. "We've done everything, I think, possible to try and take care of this thing and be ready. But whenever it's ready, it's ready."

More than seven months after he was injured while sliding into second base, Morneau said he is feeling better. He has resumed baseball activities but still feels a few lingering symptoms. He will likely miss the first four or five exhibition games as he eases his way back into things and still hopes to be ready for opening day April 1.

He still feels a little foggy on occasion after a strenuous workout, which is why he isn't speaking in absolutes when it comes to his timeline anymore.

"Wouldn't say it's 100 percent yet, but I think it's as close as I can get," Morneau said. "It's just trying to get over that final hump."

Doctors have yet to clear him for full game activity, but he is able to face live pitching in batting practice.

In other Twins news, left-hander Francisco Liriano's shoulder problems this spring resulted from his failure to follow the team's offseason exercise program, pitching coach Rick Anderson told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. An MRI exam showed no structural damage.

BRAVES EXTEND GM: After putting together a roster that returned the Braves to the playoffs, general manager Frank Wren was rewarded with a two-year contract extension that keeps him in Atlanta through the 2013 season. The agreement means Wren and new manager Fredi Gonzalez are signed for the next three years.

CARDINALS: Right-hander Adam Wainwright will pitch in the spring training opener Monday against the Marlins, putting the NL Cy Young Award runnerup in line to start the March 31 opener against the Padres.

CUBS: Manager Mike Quade named right-hander Ryan Dempster his opening day starter, breaking a streak of six opening day assignments by right-hander Carlos Zambrano.

RANGERS: Third baseman Adrian Beltre has a mild calf strain, limiting him in running drills.