Sunday, July 31, 2011

Whom will the public blame for debtageddon?

One week ago, Speaker John Boehner announced that he had ?decided to end discussions with the White House and begin conversations with the leaders of the Senate in an effort to find a path forward.? At the time, it seemed like an insult to the White House. Now it seems like he was doing President Obama a favor.

In a 2010 paper presented at the American Political Science Association?s annual conference, Asger Lau Andersen, David Dreyer Lassen and Lasse Holb�ll Westh Nielsen tried to take a systematic look at how voters respond to fiscal gridlock. Though it?s conventional wisdom that the 1995 shutdown helped Bill Clinton, the paucity of data points on the national level makes any sort of rigorous analysis difficult. But this sort of budgetary dysfunction happens all the time on the state level. Between 1988 and 2007, 167 state budgets were late, which is a pretty good signal that the political system charged with producing them fell into gridlock. ?That amounts to 23 percent of the budgets for which we have data,? the authors note. Nice job, state legislatures.

On some level, the results were predictable: Voters don?t like budgetary breakdowns. More interesting was how voters apportion blame. ?While governors are punished only when part of a unified government, legislatures are (almost) always punished.?

This suggests that when one party controls the government, voters blame them for budgetary breakdowns. But when the two parties split control, the executive is able to float above the squabbling in the legislature, or at least heavily influence the way the public assigns fault. ?Governors may be more adept at the blame game that sometimes follows failures to finish a budget on time,? the authors speculate.

Thus far, this debate isn?t helping anybody. Obama?s approval rating hit 40 percent in the most recent Gallup poll ? a new low for him. But it?s devastating the GOP. As you can see in the Pew chart to the right, confidence in the Republican leaders has fallen by more than 10 percentage points since February. They?re now well below the Democrats.

That?s good news for House Democrats, in particular. But it?s also evidence that Obama?s strategy of trying to personally manage the negotiations hasn?t improved his numbers. Which is why it?s probably helping him that Boehner decided to move the negotiations over to Congress and assume more of the blame himself. When Boehner?s bill failed last night, it failed in the House of Representatives and damaged Boehner. And then Obama took to the podium this morning to emphasize that this was a Republican failure. This is the sort of dynamic that lends itself to the results described in the paper.



Source: http://feeds.washingtonpost.com/click.phdo?i=6852dea7733b6aaed74a9ecebfc06800

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Rangers 4, Twins 1

Times wires
Thursday, July 28, 2011

Rangers 4, Twins 1

ARLINGTON, Texas — Matt Harrison worked into the eighth to cap his unbeaten July for AL West-leading Texas and won a pitcher's duel against Scott Baker. Harrison allowed one run over 7 1/3 innings with two strikeouts and a walk. The left-hander won all three of his decisions in his five starts this month. Michael Young and Chris Davis had RBI singles that put Texas ahead to stay. Baker struck out four while allowing two runs over seven innings

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/rangers-4-twins-1/1183104

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Ex-Buc Horace Copeland puts on a camp for kids in Spring Hill

By Derek J. LaRiviere, Times Correspondent
Friday, July 29, 2011

SPRING HILL

Life after retirement is different for every professional athlete. For former Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Horace Copeland, it's centered on his family: his wife and four children.

The family had lived in Lutz after Copeland retired from the NFL in 2000, after a couple of injury-plagued seasons with the Oakland Raiders. More recently, they moved to Spring Hill, and that's when the former gridiron star started giving back to the community.

From volunteering his time at the Eckerd Youth Challenge Program for at-risk youths to talking to Hernando Youth League football teams, Copeland has been visible across Hernando. Recently, parents and children began to ask him when he was going to put on a football camp.

"I never had any plans to do (a camp)," Copeland said, "but so many people were coming up to me and asking about it, I felt like I kind of owed it to the people around here to try and do something."

At 40 years old and with his son entering Nature Coast Technical High School this fall, Copeland now seems nearly as entrenched in the community as the late Jerome Brown, a fellow University of Miami alumnus, once was.

As he put together the July 22-23 camp at Springstead High School with the help of the Hernando County Parks and Recreation Department, Copeland was able to attract some big names from the world of football. Errict Rhett, Marcus Jones, Leon Searcy and Dean May all came out to help with a turnout of more than 100 kids.

Considering that a similar camp held by NFL tight end Anthony Becht in Weeki Wachee drew only 40 campers earlier this summer in its third year, it was an overwhelming success for Copeland.

"I think this shows the impact that Horace has already made with the people in this community in his short time here," parks and recreation director Harry Johnson said. "When you are able to live here and give back as much as he has, he becomes so visible that people just want to be around him."

Middle and high school coaches in the area were also quick to come out and lend a hand at the camp. Each day, coaches from West Hernando Middle, Powell Middle and Explorer K-8 schools helped teach fundamentals to youth between the ages of 7 and 14.

Sponsors supported the camp as well. Besides Pepsi providing water and Gatorade for campers both days, lunch was provided on the first day by the Hernando County schools, Papa John's, Hungry Howie's and Chick-fil-A. On the final day, employees from Texas Roadhouse came to Springstead to grill hot dogs for the kids. Publix provided the kids with a cake to celebrate the conclusion of the clinic.

Copeland's former teammates and friends were quick to join him, and they all seemed to have a good reason why.

Jones, who was a neighbor of the Copeland family in Lutz, recalls how the wide receiver was a friendly shoulder to lean on when things got tough his rookie season in the NFL.

"From that point on, I always said that if Hi-C (Copeland) needed anything, I would be there for him," said Jones, a Florida State alum who retired from the NFL in 2002 because of knee and shoulder injuries. "I feel like this is the perfect reason to be there for my friend."

Rhett, who starred for the Florida Gators and the Bucs, said he respects the game of football and the kids who play it.

"I think the biggest thing about coming back here is that, whether it's these kids or it's these kids' parents, there's something to watching and listening to players you've seen play on TV show you some things on the field," Rhett said. "When I was little, there were no NFL players or anything like that to show me or tell me the kind of doors that this sport could open for me.

"Football has given me a lot of opportunities. I just want to be able to give those back, and if (Copeland) holds this again next year, I'll be right back here again."

Rhett, 40, lives in South Florida and is a real estate investor. He is also a color commentator for Fox Sports on Florida Gators football games.

More than anything, the man behind the camp, Copeland, embodied the entire experience. The two days were well organized, and parents didn't just drop off their children and leave. Most stayed to watch in the heat and humidity as Copeland and the other former players put the kids through drills and taught them techniques.

"I know sometimes athletes get this reputation for being intimidating or arrogant, but I am just someone who wants to give back and be me," Copeland said.

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/community/ex-buc-horace-copeland-puts-on-a-camp-for-kids-in-spring-hill/1183285

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Local golfers tee off at Ohio Open Championship

A number of area residents competed in the 2011 Ohio Open Golf Championship from July 18-20 at Weymouth and Fox Meadow Country Clubs in Medina.

Source: http://www.cleveland.com/sun/all/index.ssf/2011/07/local_golfers_tee_off_at_ohio.html

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Rangers 4, Twins 1

Times wires
Thursday, July 28, 2011

Rangers 4, Twins 1

ARLINGTON, Texas — Matt Harrison worked into the eighth to cap his unbeaten July for AL West-leading Texas and won a pitcher's duel against Scott Baker. Harrison allowed one run over 7 1/3 innings with two strikeouts and a walk. The left-hander won all three of his decisions in his five starts this month. Michael Young and Chris Davis had RBI singles that put Texas ahead to stay. Baker struck out four while allowing two runs over seven innings

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/rangers-4-twins-1/1183104

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Hull Daily Mail commented Stylist Matthew Davidson's widow: 'He will live on with me...

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He said it

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, July 28, 2011

He said it

"This team's definitely taken about 10 years off my life. I'm sure of it."

Giants and former Rays slugger Aubrey Huff, after teammates in played a practical joke and convinced him his credit card was stolen and used to buy explosives in Mexico

Joke of the day

"Football's back on. I'm not sure a lot of the players really understand this new agreement. When he heard the NFL lockout had ended, Plaxico Burress said, 'Does this mean I have to back to prison?' "

Tonight Show host Jay Leno

Number of the day

2 hours, 50 minutes.

Length of the average major-league baseball game this season, about 20 minutes longer than 30 years ago, according to Sports Illustrated.

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/he-said-it/1183055

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Mohamed Massaquoi, Eric Steinbach begin training camp hobbled: Browns Insider

Head coach Pat Shurmur downplays both players' ailments. "We just want to make sure they're right when we put them out there."

Gallery previewBEREA, Ohio -- Browns training camp opened with a mild surprise on Saturday -- the sight of starting receiver Mohamed Massaquoi hobbling around with a walking cast on his lower left leg.

With the team so far opting not to add a veteran receiver in free agency, they'll need to rely heavily on third-year receivers Massaquoi and Brian Robiskie this season.

"[Massaquoi has] a little foot deal that he came in with and we're going to evaluate that as we go and make sure he's right when we get him on the field," said coach Pat Shurmur.

Both Massaquoi and guard Eric Steinbach, who wore a knee brace Saturday, are beginning camp on the non-football injury list but can begin practicing at any time.

"Steinbach has a little bit of a knee issue," said Shurmur. "Same type deal. Nothing that we feel is serious. We just want to make sure they're right when we put them out there."

Shurmur said the Browns decided not to put the two on the physically unable to perform list "because we feel like we can get them out here sometime soon, so we'll see."

Massaquoi participated in Camp Colt IV earlier this month in Austin, Texas. It's unknown if he suffered the injury there.

"There's some question as to when it happened," said Shurmur. "I think he's just going to have to let it get settled down and then we'll put him out there when he's ready."

Colt McCoy lamented Massaquoi's absence.

"I don't know if I'm supposed to talk about injuries. I just know that he's going to be out for a little bit. That's unfortunate," said McCoy. "But when we worked this summer, he's in great shape, he's running crisp routes and when he gets that taken care of, I know he's anxious to get back out on the field."

Massaquoi, who spent time after practice catching passes on the JUGS machine, declined to talk about the injury. In his absence, the two starting receivers were Robiskie and Josh Cribbs. Shurmur said he'd know later in the week whether the Browns will try to add a veteran receiver.

In Steinbach's absence, first-year offensive lineman Pat Murray filled in at left guard. The St. Louis Dispatch reported Saturday night that the Browns traded for Rams guard John Greco from Toledo. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Watson dinged: Tight end Ben Watson, the Browns' leading receiver last season, took a knee to the back of the head after diving for a pass over the middle and was slow getting up. He walked gingerly to the locker room with the trainers and didn't return. It occurred late in practice. Watson was most likely checked for a concussion.

"He's in there being evaluated, so we'll see how he's doing," said Shurmur.

With Evan Moore not permitted to practice until Aug. 4 with the rest of the newly-signed free agents -- that left the Browns with two tight ends in practice, Alex Smith and rookie Jordan Cameron. Aug. 4 is the date the league year begins.

Another corner? Shurmur, on the Browns looking for a veteran corner now that Eric Wright is gone: "I think we're going to look in that direction. I don't know if we feel like we need one."

Three of the top free agent corners came off the market Saturday: Cleveland native Nate Clements went to the Bengals, Carolina's Richard Marshall went to Arizona and Chris Carr stayed in Baltimore. Still available are Washington's Carlos Rogers and the Jets' Antonio Cromartie.

New faces: Shurmur called the two-year contract for defensive end Jayme Mitchell "a big signing. We feel like he's a terrific pass rusher." Mitchell wasn't present Saturday but will be in camp Sunday.

Shurmur said free safety Usama Young "is a tough player" and will challenge for the starting job. On new running back Brandon Jackson, he said, "He's a fine football player. I feel really good that we got him in the fold. He played 600 snaps, started 13 games for a team that won the Super Bowl. He's a scheme fit."

A familiar face: Phil Dawson was happy to be back for his 13th season after thinking he had played his last game in a Browns uniform.

"I felt like that was it," he said. "Whether I emotionally said goodbye or not, I wanted to make sure people around here knew how I felt. I guess that took me down a road here where in January I thought I may never come back. To get the news this off-season that I will be back and now to be here, it's a surreal feeling, but it's one I am embracing and looking forward to.

"I'm ready to get after it. I'm kind of frustrated that I can't be out there practicing right now. Hopefully that will all get worked out because I want to get prepared and have a good season."

Sunday schedule: There will be one practice open to the public, from 8:45-11:15 a.m. Players will not be in full pads. Admission is free. Call the training camp hotline at 877-627-6967 for updates.

On Twitter: @marykaycabot

Source: http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2011/07/cleveland_browns_wide_receiver_1.html

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Saturday, July 30, 2011

Hull Daily Mail commented HULL FC: Radford suffers injury as Hull lose to champions

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Tampa Bay Rays: Joe Maddon delivers bad news to player at bar; former Rays bust Pat Burrell about to be released by Giants; B.J. Upton keeps distance as trade deadline nears

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Rays vs. A's

When/where: 3:37 today; O.co Coliseum, Oakland, Calif.

TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)

Starting pitchers

RAYS

RH Wade Davis (7-7, 4.46)

A'S

RH Rich Harden (2-1, 4.63)

Watch for …

Wading in: Davis made an unimpressive return from the DL on Friday in Kansas City, allowing 11 hits in 51/3 IP after being out two weeks with a forearm strain. He is 1-1, 6.30 in two starts vs. Oakland.

Harden fast: The oft-injured Harden makes his fifth start after missing the first three months with a shoulder strain. He is 3-2, 5.01, in six starts against the Rays but has faced them only once since 2006.

Key matchups

Rays vs. Harden

Johnny Damon 2-for-12

Casey Kotchman 3-for-15

Evan Longoria 1-for-2

A's vs. Davis

Hideki Matsui 4-for-7

Cliff Pennington 3-for-5, HR

Ryan Sweeney 3-for-6

On deck

Friday: at Mariners, 10:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Jeff Niemann (4-4, 3.86); Mariners — Erik Bedard (4-6, 3.00)

Saturday: at Mariners, 4:10, Ch. 13. Rays — Alex Cobb (3-0. 2.57); Mariners — Michael Pineda (8-7, 3.64)

Sunday: at Mariners, 4:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Jeremy Hellickson (9-7, 3.27); Mariners — Jason Vargas (6-9, 4.09)

Monday: Off

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

Maddon's first of the day

Manager Joe Maddon has done a lot of things during his long career as a minor- and major-league coach and manager. But Tuesday night was a first as he had to meet up with reliever Jay Buente at the hotel bar after the game to tell him he was going back to Triple-A Durham. "I've had conversations with players in the bar before, and I have instructed players in the bar before, '' Maddon, right, said. "But I've never sent a player down in a bar before."



Interesting news of the day

Pat Burrell, so bad for the Rays in 2009-10, then so good when he was picked up by the Giants and got to win a World Series, is being released by San Francisco.



Quote of the day

"Because I knew you guys (reporters) were standing here waiting for me."

B.J. Upton, on why he spent two hours in the trainers room Wednesday afternoon

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseball/rays/tampa-bay-rays-joe-maddon-delivers-bad-news-to-player-at-bar-former-rays/1182860

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Research Desk is open

Even if the U.S. defaults, Research Desk will be here. Leave your questions in the comments.



Source: http://feeds.washingtonpost.com/click.phdo?i=14ed653170f30c8a64befa504a962694

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Mayo and Cork's golden 2006 generation

Fintan O’Toole

THE day ended with a sea of green and red invading the Cusack Park pitch. Mayo supporters engaged in riotous celebrations in Ennis on that warm May Sunday in 2006, toasting a notable All-Ireland U21 football triumph after a 21-year spell without a national football crown.

For that bunch of Cork U21 footballers the 1-13 to 1-11 was a painful experience yet also an instructive one. They had produced sparkling football against Mayo but lost out at the finish. 12 months later ten of that team were on board as Cork produced sub-standard football against Laois but won out at the finish. The lessons of the 2006 defeat steeled them for the battle in the 2007 victory.

On Sunday in Croke Park, Cork and Mayo square off for the first time since that 2006 U21 final in an inter-county football championship fixture at any level. Five years have passed yet the links between the two games are undeniable. Both counties have reaped a handsome dividend from those U21 setups, with a remarkable number of those players now part of the senior plans of Conor Counihan and James Horan tomorrow.

From that Cork U21 team, goalkeeper Ken O’Halloran is now first-choice back-up to senior netminder Alan Quirke, corner-back Ray Carey is part of the senior defensive reinforcements, while Michael Shields and Eoin Cadogan, who both lined out then in the half-back line, are now part of the inside senior rearguard.

That Cork midfield pairing of Alan O’Connor and Patrick Kelly have subsequently flourished with O’Connor a mainstay around the middle while Kelly has is a key figure at centre-forward. From the attack, Fintan Goold and Paul Kerrigan will both start in offensive roles tomorrow while but for a busted ankle Daniel Goulding, who struck 1-4 against Mayo in 2006, would also be present. Fiachra Lynch came on as a late second-half substitute in that game and is in line to be drafted in for his first senior championship start tomorrow.

The Mayo line-up in that clash saw Ger Cafferkey at full-back, a role the Ballina man will reprise tomorrow, while Keith Higgins and Tom Cunniffe are fellow survivors alongside him in the full-back line. Belmullet man Chris Barrett is now on the senior bench for Mayo while Seamus O’Shea has developed from an U21 midfielder into a senior midfielder. From the attack Aidan Campbell and Mark Ronaldson are both part of the senior panel while Enda Varley, who came on as a sub during that match, will start at corner-forward tomorrow.

As ever with successful underage teams, some players did not quite make the jump to senior level for a myriad of reasons. From that Cork defence, the full-back Chris Murphy was a noted dual player who went on to feature for the county senior hurlers in the 2009 league. Stephen O’Donoghue and David Limerick went on to win All-Ireland U21 medals in 2007, with O’Donoghue also getting game time with the Cork senior footballers in the 2008 league campaign.

Cork’s centre-forward Cathrach Keane also won an U21 medal in 2007 while the Newcestown man captains the county junior side who face Sligo in Saturday week’s All-Ireland JFC semi-final in Croke Park. Paul O’Flynn and John Hayes completed the Cork full-forward line that day, with the pair both graduating to the senior squad, lining out in championship and claiming All-Ireland medals last September. Both opted out of the senior squad this spring due to lack of regular game time.

From that Mayo side, five players who are not currently in Horan’s 26-man squad did go onto play at senior level for the county. Goalkeeper Kenneth O’Malley is currently the third-choice senior netminder and was in goal for Mayo throughout the 2009 campaign. A serious injury suffered in a Sigerson Cup game in 2008 which saw him lose a kidney has stalled the Ballinrobe man’s progress.

Knockmore’s Trevor Howley and Castlebar Mitchell’s Barry Moran both went on to feature at senior championship level and are presently part of the extended senior training panel. Indeed Howley started in the Connacht opener against London in May but much like Moran, injury has stunted his development this season. Aidan Kilcoyne, the attacking star of that U21 team with a dazzling 1-6 return in the final, has played in senior championship for Mayo and was only cut from the panel this year at the close of the league.

Michael Conroy, who came on as a substitute as a 19-year-old in the 2004 All-Ireland senior final to score 1-2, continues to play football at intermediate level for Davitts and along with his clubmate Colm Boyle, a half-back in 2006, was in the Mayo junior side that reached this year’s Connacht decider. The remaining two members of that Mayo U21 starting 15, Marcus Hannick (Killala) and Joe Dillon (Ballaghadereen) are both still involved at club level.

The number of players on both sides that trained on to become senior footballers is staggering. Of the 35 players that played at some juncture in the 2006 All-Ireland U21 final, 26 (13 apiece) have lined out for their counties in senior championship and league and 18 of those players will be involved in tomorrow’s game. The key difference has been how the Cork players after that match went on a golden run of success with an All-Ireland U21 title in 2007, a national league success in 2010 and an All-Ireland senior crown last September.

As they face their former underage adversaries tomorrow, the Mayo players will be seeking to start emulating those senior achievements.


2006 All-Ireland U21FC final:
Mayo 1-13 Cork 1-11.
Scorers for Mayo: A Kilcoyne 1-6 (4fs, 1 sideline), M Conroy 0-3, C Barrett, M Ronaldson, K Costello, E Varley 0-1 each.
Scorers for Cork: D Goulding 1-4 (2fs), F Gould 0-3 (1 45), J Hayes 0-2fs, C Keane, P Kerrigan 0-1 each.
MAYO: K O’Malley; T Howley, G Cafferkey, K Higgins; C Barrett, T Cunniffe, C Boyle; S O’Shea, B Moran; A Campbell, J Dillon, A Kilcoyne; M Ronaldson, M. Hannick, M Conroy. Subs: S Ryder for Boyle (ht), K Costello for Dillion (39), E Varley for Hannick (39).
CORK: K O’Halloran; R Carey, C Murphy, S O’Donoghue; D Limerick, M Shields, E Cadogan; A O’Connor, P Kelly; F Gould, C Keane, P Kerrigan; D Goulding, P O’Flynn, J Hayes. Subs: G O’Shea for Hayes (44), F Lynch for Kelly (52)
Referee: J McQuillan (Cavan)

Source: http://feeds.examiner.ie/~r/iesportsblog/~3/7vmXkobtWz4/post.aspx

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Davy springs a surprise, Limerick hold heads high and Galway...

Under discussion: Sunday’s hurling quarter-finals and the upcoming semi-finals.

Chatting are: Diarmuid O'Flynn, Michael Moynihan, Enda McEvoy, Jackie Cahill and Terry Reilly.

TERRY REILLY (Irish Examiner assistant sports editor): Well lads are ye salivating at the mouth after that weekend’s action, Davy Fitz provided us with a huge surprise?

JACKIE CAHILL (freelance journalist): Nobody saw that Waterford result, or performance, coming. But they were badly hurt by the Munster final against Tipperary and a response was inevitable. Massive result for Davy too, for his managerial career.

DIARMUID O’FLYNN (Irish Examiner sports writer): I don’t know, on the evidence of yesterday, the top two — Tipp and Kilkenny — are still way out in front.

ENDA McEVOY (Irish Examiner columnist) : That line from the Scottish Play struck me last night: “So fair and foul a day I have not seen.” Sums up yesterday in Thurles, I think. Fair because Dublin reached the last four and Waterford redeemed themselves. Foul because Galway were so dire — a really worrying performance on so many levels. Oh, and the second half of Dublin v Limerick — dear God! All that wretched hand passing and dreadful first touch.

DIARMUID O’FLYNN: It’s going to take huge improvement from both Waterford and Dublin if they’re to cause any kind of shock.

JACKIE CAHILL: Delighted for Dublin and Ryan O’Dwyer. Spoke to him last week, felt he had to redeem himself after the red card in the Leinster semi-final. Back on familiar ground, eyes of the locals trained on him. He had a lot to prove, handled the pressure well. Limerick’s short style of play looked dreadful when it broke down. It’s a game that needs to be executed at speed and with players used to playing in that way. Limerick aren’t there yet. Can anybody see past another Tipp v Kilkenny final? Can Waterford rattle the Cats? I think they can.

ENDA McEVOY: For a first year under Donal O’Grady it has been hugely satisfactory. And meeting Tipp in an All-Ireland semi-final is not what they needed now. That’s twice they’ve dodged this bullet. One thing about the short game: it’s dreadful when it breaks down. Seamus Hickey ran the first ball back across his own goalmouth and then threw a handpass that very nearly went astray. There are times when you play the percentages and times when you don’t...

DIARMUID O’FLYNN:
On Davy, absolutely fantastic achievement, more impressive even than anything he’s done at college level. All this talk about trouble — you don’t have to like your manager, you only have to respect him, and he surely has earned that.

MICHAEL MOYNIHAN (Irish Examiner sports writer): Well, far be it from me, but does that erase the memory of conceding seven goals in a Munster final?

JACKIE CAHILL: For a man that’s been through so much in 20 years of senior inter-county hurling, this was one of his most difficult fortnights. The sense of relief was palpable, and as for those pests ringing him late at night, unforgivable. It doesn’t erase the memory of the Munster final but the team was revamped yesterday and did well. It was back to basics stuff, free of any major tactical constraints, and they did very well.

ENDA McEVOY: I think yesterday cancelled the Munster final. That’s about the height of it. If Davy deserved criticism after the Tipp game he deserves praise now.

MICHAEL MOYNIHAN: Davy back with a blank slate? I like it. Aesthetically, the long ball doesn’t look too good when you hit it 90 yards to an opponent.

DIARMUID O’FLYNN: Even Donal O’Grady was tearing his hair out on the sideline at some of the short passing in his own defence. I saw him shouting out to them and pointing to the sky and to Kevin Downes. While he does espouse short passing, it’s only when it’s on — if you’re under pressure in your own red-zone, get that ball to hell out of there, fast!

TERRY REILLY: Lads, whatever about Limerick’s application of it yesterday, surely it’s been disproved as a theory at this stage?

JACKIE CAHILL:
Kilkenny and Tipp have shown that a mixture of the two works well. Look at how many short ten-15 yard stick passes they play to each other. It works when there’s method to it, not, as Enda referred to, passing the ball across your own line, like the one where Niall Moran was picked off.

DIARMUID O’FLYNN: That’s the point and at that stage it’s down to individual decision-making. Limerick made a lot of poor decisions yesterday, a few points there for the taking but guys decided to go for goal when that was by far the lesser option — Tipp do it when it’s on, not when it has to be forced.

ENDA McEVOY: Again, we mustn’t be too critical of Limerick. First year with all of this. They’ve come a long way. But yesterday proved something for the umpteenth time: you don’t play your best/most expansive defender at full-back.

MICHAEL MOYNIHAN: As has been said in other quarters ‘traditional hurling’ has brought Limerick one All-Ireland in 70 years. Therefore...

JACKIE CAHILL: Limerick have made great progress and their style of play worked very well against Wexford the night at the Gaelic Grounds. Yesterday, murkier afternoon, greasier ball, more difficult to execute.

TERRY REILLY: How will they do next year?

ENDA McEVOY:
Limerick will get the hang of it eventually. But there was a glaring contradiction yesterday. Either you play the short game or you go long to Kevin Downes. These are mutually exclusive objectives!

MICHAEL MOYNIHAN: They’ll need a full-back — and a centre-back — to progress. I don’t know if they are mutually exclusive. A mix would keep opponents guessing. Maybe that was the problem — mixing the two.

DIARMUID O’FLYNN: Agree with Michael on the mix — the whole objective for any attack is to keep the defender guessing, keep wrong-footing him. What any good back loves — the predictable ball, the predictable player.

JACKIE CAHILL: They’ll hold their own in Division 1 and that standard of fare will only bring them on. Donal O’Grady disagreed but I thought they were well behind Dublin terms of physicality yesterday. They lost a year of strength and conditioning. The winter months will bring that back.

DIARMUID O’FLYNN: If there’s one flaw in Donal O’Grady it’s selection — remember 2003, Jerry O’Connor not used in midfield, alternated with Ben at wing-forward/corner-forward? Seamus Hickey is a superb hurler, but a very poor full-back, and that was known long before yesterday. Cost Limerick.

ENDA McEVOY: We can say it even now, winners of 2011: Dublin and Limerick, plus the eventual All-Ireland champions. Losers: everyone else (bar possibly Waterford).

MICHAEL MOYNIHAN: Come here, that’s a lot of winners!

ENDA McEVOY: Ha ha! Well, look at all the counties with shag all to take from the year. Cork, Wexford, Galway, Clare.

MICHAEL MOYNIHAN: Look closer — where are Cork and Clare when you see Galway yesterday.

ENDA McEVOY:
Well, not winning anyway...

TERRY REILLY: Davy may have redeemed himself a bit but the thoughts of facing Kilkenny in Croker must be harrowing, could they be on the way to another hiding?

ENDA McEVOY: Can’t see Waterford copping a hiding from Kilkenny. Dublin v Tipp a different kettle of fish.

DIARMUID O’FLYNN: Could be, and that can’t be discounted, but I very much doubt. Far too much quality in this Waterford team now; I believe the Munster final was an aberration, they’re now back on track, and they’ve found a midfield. Moran and O’Sullivan dominated yesterday, Molumphy everywhere — no guarantee of course that they’ll do it again, but those guys are proven.

MICHAEL MOYNIHAN: Book the hotel now.

ENDA McEVOY: Waterford have big guys in the right places. And Seamus Prendergast did a job for them yesterday.

MICHAEL MOYNIHAN:
And fast guys in the right place. Nice goal from Ryan late on.

JACKIE CAHILL:
What about Eoin Kelly’s work rate? Very impressive — probably the one thing that hinders him getting a regular place. All-Ireland semi-final, Tipp v Dublin? Should get 50,000? If Dublin had Keaney, Hiney and Brady, they would be genuine All-Ireland contenders. It’s like Tipp without Curran, Michael Cahill and Callanan. Or Kilkenny without JJ, Tyrrell and Larkin, for example.

DIARMUID O’FLYNN:
Agree and what a bummer in this year of all years that they don’t. Still think they’ll test Tipp though — wonder what kind of crowd they’ll get?

ENDA McEVOY: Dublin missed Keaney as an outlet in the second half yesterday.

JACKIE CAHILL: Novelty factor should bring the Dubs out.

ENDA McEVOY: They certainly deserve a big crowd behind them. Assume their minors will be on the same day.

MICHAEL MOYNIHAN:
Crowd should be interesting — presume Tipp will travel, so it’s up to the Dubs to flesh it out. I’ll say it for their hurling supporters, they seem able to make a game on time.

TERRY REILLY: Is Ryan O’Dwyer the Kieran Donaghy of the hurling world?

DIARMUID O’FLYNN: Worked hard yesterday, on which, Limerick need to bulk up a little, and will over the winter. They’ll be good next year.

JACKIE CAHILL:
More stitches for our Ryan yesterday, 30 in his ear after the Galway game. He’s done serious gym work and he’s carrying a shoulder injury that requires surgery after the championship.

DIARMUID O’FLYNN: Ryan O'Dwyer did do well, but so did the other ‘foreigner’, Maurice O’Brien, for a long time.

JACKIE CAHILL: Niall Corcoran too at corner back, very impressive.

ENDA McEVOY: Is there anything we really need to say about Galway? Or should it be a case of “The rest is silence” and leave it at that?

JACKIE CAHILL: Flat as the proverbial pancake. No fire in them whatsoever I thought. Did they think they only had to show up?

MICHAEL MOYNIHAN: If McIntyre were to step down who should Galway go for?

JACKIE CAHILL: After Loughnane and McIntyre, should they go for a Galway native Michael?

DIARMUID O’FLYNN: No, I think we should leave Galway alone to their pain.

ENDA McEVOY: Maybe they could find a few heart donors somewhere. That would be a necessary first step.

JACKIE CAHILL: Mattie Murphy?

MICHAEL MOYNIHAN: They’ve won All-Ireland clubs: surely they’ve someone who’ll step in from Portumna/Clarinbridge.

JACKIE CAHILL: Just thinking the same thing. In fairness to McIntyre, they’ve produced some decent performances under him, Clare and Cork more recently, Tipperary last year. The players must take huge responsibility. Would guys like Johnny Kelly, Sean Treacy, and Michael Donoghue come into the mix?

ENDA McEVOY:
Yes. But for now they’ve a long dark winter ahead.

Source: http://feeds.examiner.ie/~r/iesportsblog/~3/GbuojxvxtZg/post.aspx

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers individual game tickets on sale Aug. 5

Times staff
Friday, July 29, 2011

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers today announced in a news release that individual game tickets for 2011 home games at Raymond James Stadium will go on sale Friday, August 5th, starting at 10 a.m. Individual game tickets start as low as $35.

Tampa Bay kicks off its 2011 home schedule with a preseason matchup versus New England on Thursday, August 18. Regular season play begins on Sunday, September 11, as the Bucs host the Detroit Lions, and continues with a marquee matchup on Monday Night Football against the Indianapolis Colts on October 3. The home season concludes with the Buccaneers' second primetime game, on the evening of Saturday, December 17, versus the Dallas Cowboys.

To purchase tickets, fans may visit www.buccaneers.com or call (800) 745-3000. Tickets will not be sold at the Buccaneers Ticket Office or Raymond James Stadium.

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/football/bucs/tampa-bay-buccaneers-individual-game-tickets-on-sale-aug-5/1183184

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Leicester Mercury commented Essex fight back against Leicestershire in day two of championshi...

Article

Source: http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32715/f/503348/s/1701a08a/l/0L0Sthisisleicestershire0O0CEssex0Efight0ELeicestershire0Eday0Echampionship0Eclash0Cstory0E130A340A760Edetail0Cstory0Bhtml/story01.htm

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Friday, July 29, 2011

Sports in brief

Times wires
Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Swimming

Phelps wins 200 fly for 1st world gold

SHANGHAI — Michael Phelps took another small step toward next year's Olympics, and this time it was a winning one.

After losses in his first two events at the world championships, Phelps won the 200-meter butterfly for a record fifth time Wednesday. His time of 1 minute, 53.34 seconds was well off the world mark he set two years ago in Rome (1:51.1), but these days he incrementally measures his progress.

"It was 1½ seconds faster than last year," he said.

Italy's Federica Pellegrini won the 200 freestyle to become the first woman to sweep the 200 and 400 at consecutive worlds. China's Sun Yang won the men's 800 freestyle. Zhang Lin didn't defend his title because Chinese team officials said he was out of shape.

Basketball

Report: NBA resumes labor talks Monday

NBA owners and players will resume talks toward a new collective bargaining agreement Monday, a month after the lockout started, the Associated Press reported.

This will be the first meeting to include commissioner David Stern, union executive director Billy Hunter, owners and players, the AP said.

The sides were far apart on numerous economic issues when owners voted to lock out the players when the old collective bargaining agreement expired June 30.

Rose sentenced: Former NBA player and current ESPN analyst Jalen Rose was sentenced to 20 days in jail for a March drunken-driving crash near Detroit. "I'm humbled, I'm embarrassed, and I'm very apologetic. I can assure everyone that nothing like this will ever happen again," said Rose, who pleaded guilty in May to driving while intoxicated.

High school: The man who posed as a teenager to play in West Texas was sentenced to three years in prison after reaching a plea deal. Guerdwich Montimere, 23, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault and three counts of tampering with government records. When Montimere was 21, the naturalized U.S. citizen from Haiti came to Odessa, Texas, saying he was 15-year-old Jerry Joseph and played one season at Odessa Permian. He helped lead the Panthers to the state playoffs. Suspicions were raised after coaches at a tournament said they recognized Joseph as Montimere, a 2007 graduate of Fort Lauderdale Dillard.

ET CETERA

Autos: NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne will take his longtime crew chief with him to Hendrick Motorsports next season. Team owner Rick Hendrick said Kenny Francis will be the crew chief of the No. 5 Chevrolet Kahne is slated to drive starting with the 2012 season. Kahne and Francis have been together since the final race of 2005.

Football: The United Football League is considering contraction as it struggles to survive for the 2011 season, Hartford coach Jerry Glanville said. "I know that they have four plans out there, and that is one of the plans," he said.

Soccer: Wayne Rooney set up two goals as Manchester United put on another show during its tour of the United States with a 4-0 victory over the MLS All-Stars in Harrison, N.J. The reigning English Premier League champion has outscored its opponents 18-2 to win the opening four games on its U.S. tour, which ends Saturday against Barcelona in Washington. … World and European champion Spain remained at No. 1 in the monthly men's world rankings, and the United States dropped six places to No. 30. The Netherlands and Germany rounded out the top three. The standings will help decide seedings in Saturday's World Cup qualifying draw.

Tennis: Teenager Ryan Harrison beat fellow American Michael Russell 6-3, 6-4 to reach the quarterfinals at the Farmers Classic in Los Angeles. … Defending champion Juan Carlos Ferrero defeated third-seeded Ivan Ljubicic 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 to reach the quarterfinals of the Croatia Open in Umag.

Times wires

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/sports-in-brief/1182846

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?Not even Real Madrid feel at ease at Humska?


Partizan was on the right track of effectively booking their place in the Champions League play-off qualifying round after the first leg of the tie against Genk, but tactical gaffes cost the team and will now have to beat the Belgian champions next Wednesday if they mean to continue dreaming the football elite dream. Until the 70th minute in Genk, Partizan were leading 1-0 and had things under control in the away leg, but it all went south for them. First they conceded the penalty, which led to Genk?s equaliser, and then in added time the Partizan defence made the first collective error to allow Genk to go into the second leg in Belgrade with a 2-1 aggregate lead. Judging by the performances of the two teams, the scoreline was harsh on the Belgrade team as they had looked on top of Genk for good parts of the game.

Source: http://english.blic.rs/Sports//7875/Not-even-Real-Madrid-feel-at-ease-at-Humska

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Cleveland Browns sign defensive end Jayme Mitchell to two-year deal

The Browns signed defensive end Jayme Mitchell to a two-year contract and penciled him in at left end.

jayme-mitchell-2.jpgJayme Mitchell has signed a deal with the Browns.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Browns signed defensive end Jayme Mitchell to a two-year deal, a source confirmed for The Plain Dealer today.


Mitchell, an unrestricted free agent, first told Pro Football Weekly's Mike Wilkening of the signing. He cited "the direction of the program'' and the Browns' interest in him.


Mitchell (6-6, 285)  will play left end in the Browns' new 4-3 scheme. He was acquired in a trade with the Vikings last October, but didn't play in a game. For some reason, he was overlooked by Eric Mangini and his staff.


Mitchell has five career sacks in his five NFL seasons. He was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Vikings out of Mississippi in 2006.


In other Browns news, the club has signed all of its draft picks except No. 1 pick Phil Taylor. It includes tight end Jordan Cameron, fullback Owen Marecic, Buster Skrine, Jason Pinkston and Eric Hagg.


The Browns were working hard to get Taylor signed in time to be on the field Saturday.




Source: http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2011/07/cleveland_browns_sign_defensiv_1.html

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Tampa Bay Rays: Joe Maddon delivers bad news to player at bar; former Rays bust Pat Burrell about to be released by Giants; B.J. Upton keeps distance as trade deadline nears

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Rays vs. A's

When/where: 3:37 today; O.co Coliseum, Oakland, Calif.

TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)

Starting pitchers

RAYS

RH Wade Davis (7-7, 4.46)

A'S

RH Rich Harden (2-1, 4.63)

Watch for …

Wading in: Davis made an unimpressive return from the DL on Friday in Kansas City, allowing 11 hits in 51/3 IP after being out two weeks with a forearm strain. He is 1-1, 6.30 in two starts vs. Oakland.

Harden fast: The oft-injured Harden makes his fifth start after missing the first three months with a shoulder strain. He is 3-2, 5.01, in six starts against the Rays but has faced them only once since 2006.

Key matchups

Rays vs. Harden

Johnny Damon 2-for-12

Casey Kotchman 3-for-15

Evan Longoria 1-for-2

A's vs. Davis

Hideki Matsui 4-for-7

Cliff Pennington 3-for-5, HR

Ryan Sweeney 3-for-6

On deck

Friday: at Mariners, 10:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Jeff Niemann (4-4, 3.86); Mariners — Erik Bedard (4-6, 3.00)

Saturday: at Mariners, 4:10, Ch. 13. Rays — Alex Cobb (3-0. 2.57); Mariners — Michael Pineda (8-7, 3.64)

Sunday: at Mariners, 4:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Jeremy Hellickson (9-7, 3.27); Mariners — Jason Vargas (6-9, 4.09)

Monday: Off

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

Maddon's first of the day

Manager Joe Maddon has done a lot of things during his long career as a minor- and major-league coach and manager. But Tuesday night was a first as he had to meet up with reliever Jay Buente at the hotel bar after the game to tell him he was going back to Triple-A Durham. "I've had conversations with players in the bar before, and I have instructed players in the bar before, '' Maddon, right, said. "But I've never sent a player down in a bar before."



Interesting news of the day

Pat Burrell, so bad for the Rays in 2009-10, then so good when he was picked up by the Giants and got to win a World Series, is being released by San Francisco.



Quote of the day

"Because I knew you guys (reporters) were standing here waiting for me."

B.J. Upton, on why he spent two hours in the trainers room Wednesday afternoon

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseball/rays/tampa-bay-rays-joe-maddon-delivers-bad-news-to-player-at-bar-former-rays/1182860

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Tampa Bay Golf Tour

Times staff
Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Tampa Bay Golf Tour

Looking for one website with information on area public courses? Tampabay.com/golf has you covered. The site has all public regulation and executive courses in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco and Hernando counties. Each course has a video review, breakdown of yardage, greens fees and contact information.

Shirt of the day

Dustin Johnson was left out of a playoff at last year's PGA Championship when he grounded his club in a bunker that he didn't know was a bunker. Making light of the situation, Johnson is selling "What Bunker?'' T-shirts on his website, dustinjohnson.com.

Quote of the day

"What keeps you going is just your love for the game and the love for the competition. Plus, if I quit I'm probably going to be flipping burgers because I can't do anything else."

Sean O'Hair, who won the Canadian Open last week.

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/golf/tampa-bay-golf-tour/1182781

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Neither Joe Maddon nor B.J. Upton expects a Tampa Bay Rays trade

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, July 28, 2011

The Tampa Bay Rays, as usual, have held exhaustive talks on an extensive number of trade possibilities.

But with the deadline for non-waiver deals Sunday at 4 p.m., manager Joe Maddon said Thursday he does not anticipate them making any deals, including CF B.J. Upton.

"I really would anticipate that we're probably going to have the same guys over the next week,'' Maddon said. "And two weeks, three weeks ... "

Upton also said he does not expect be moved, with trades already sending Carlos Beltran to the Giants, Colby Rasmus to the Jays and Kosuke Fukudome to the Indians.

"Nobody else needs a centerfielder, everybody that needed a centerfielder just got one,'' Upton said. "I just don't see it happening. ... I still don't think I'm going anywhere.''

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseball/rays/neither-joe-maddon-nor-bj-upton-expects-a-tampa-bay-rays-trade/1182945

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Mets 8, Reds 6

Times wires
Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Mets 8, Reds 6

CINCINNATI — Jason Pridie hit a go-ahead two-run double, and New York scored six unearned runs off Johnny Cueto with the help of three errors, matching Cincinnati's high for a game. The Mets moved back above .500.

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/mets-8-reds-6/1182607

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Red Sox 13, Royals 9

Times wires
Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Red Sox 13, Royals 9

BOSTON — David Ortiz had four hits and five RBIs and Dustin Pedroia had four of Boston's 16 hits to lead the Red Sox to their 18th win in 22 games, hours after Kansas City won 3-1 in 14 innings in a game that ended at 1:59 a.m.

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/red-sox-13-royals-9/1182633

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Thursday, July 28, 2011

2 Plant City little league teams playing in regional tournaments

Times staff
Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Two all-star teams from the Plant City Little League program will continue play in regional invitational tournaments Saturday after winning state titles last weekend.

The Plant City 9-10 All-Stars travel to Ceredo-Kedova, W.Va., to face Bridgewater Community, Va., in a first-round pool play game in a "tournament of state champions" for its division.

Eight state champions from the southeast will each play three games of pool play in West Virginia. At the conclusion of the pool play round on Monday, the top four teams, plus any other team with a winning record (2-1 or better), will advance to the single-elimination bracket round. The championship game will be Wednesday at Ceredo-Kedova's Mitch Stadium.

Plant City's 9-10 team earned a berth to the tournament by winning the state title with five victories in Pinellas Park, including a 7-2 win over Coral Springs on July 24.

The 10-11 Plant City All-Stars captured their own state championship in similar fashion with a 3-1 win over North Springs at Bonita Springs on July 24.

The 10-11 squad now makes it way to Greenville, N.C., to face off against Goodlettsville, Tenn., in a first-round pool play game Saturday. The 10-11 tournament has the same format as the 9-10 tournament, and its championship game will be held Wednesday at Greenville's Elm Street Park.

Times staff

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/community/2-plant-city-little-league-teams-playing-in-regional-tournaments/1182690

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?Children?s famine? creates lost generation in East Africa

childfamine

The UN says 65,000 Somali refugee children are severely hit by hunger. Another 320,000 have “moderate” malnutrition that can affect them for the rest of their lives.

Source: http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/1031702--children-s-famine-creates-lost-generation-in-east-africa

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Captain's Corner: Slow troll wrecks to find spinner sharks

By Dave Mistretta, Times Correspondent
Monday, July 25, 2011

What's hot: My daily routine often starts off slow trolling over the wrecks about 20 to 30 miles from shore. Some spinner sharks have been enticed, deep on the downriggers. These feisty game fish can leap 10 feet out of the water, spinning like a top. A combination of long speedy runs and aggressive attacks, makes this particular shark one of the feistiest fish in the gulf. Spinners averaged about 100 pounds. The table fare is not good, so we recommend releasing all spinners.

Big barracuda: Our largest barracuda of the week was close to 6 feet long, weighing 50 pounds. Once hooked, the giant leaped out of the water and made a run comparable to a big king. A barracuda has three rows of different sized teeth, some an inch long and sharp as a razor. After a quick photo the barracuda was released.

Red grouper catches: Red grouper fishing remain decent in depths of 80 plus feet. We have been busy sorting through all the different sizes. Many red grouper are 19 to 20 inches. After reeling up numerous undersized reds, a good sized keeper will eventually grab the bait.

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

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/outdoors/captains-corner-slow-troll-wrecks-to-find-spinner-sharks/1182382

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Phillies 7, Giants 2

Times wires
Tuesday, July 26, 2011

PHILADELPHIA — Rookie right-hander Vance Worley pitched a three-hitter and Chase Utley hit an inside-the-park homer to lead the Phillies to a 7-2 victory over the Giants on Tuesday night in a matchup of the NL's top teams.

Worley won his fifth straight. He has allowed two earned runs or fewer in 11 of his 13 career starts.

Ryan Howard, John Mayberry Jr. and Raul Ibanez also homered for the Phillies. Aaron Rowand homered against his former team for the Giants.

Barry Zito, pitching on nine days' rest as an emergency replacement for Tim Lincecum (flu) gave up four runs in the first inning.

In the sixth, Utley drove the ball off the wall in center. It caromed away from centerfielder Andres Torres and was retrieved by rightfielder Nate Schierholtz. The relay came to shortstop Mike Fontenot, whose throw home was slightly to the left of catcher Eli Whiteside. Utley, sliding headfirst, just beat Whiteside's lunging tag.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy argued, but replays appeared to back up Fieldin Culbreth's call.

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/phillies-7-giants-2/1182579

Conservatives Tony Cottee House prices The FA Credit crunch Julio Arca

Brewers 3, Cubs 2

Times wires
Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Brewers 3, Cubs 2

MILWAUKEE — Ryan Braun doubled in a run, former Cubs prospect Casey McGehee added a two-run triple and the Milwaukee bullpen pitched four scoreless innings. Chicago's season-best three-game winning streak was snapped. The Brewers, a half-game out of first in the NL Central, play their next nine at home during a stretch of 18 against division opponents.

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/brewers-3-cubs-2/1182620

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Captain's Corner: Grunts are great summer target

By Brent Gaskill, Times Correspondent
Tuesday, July 26, 2011

When the going gets tough: The tough go grunt fishing. Summer's dead heat makes putting a fresh fish dinner on the table difficult. Bringing home enough for a fish fry is further complicated with numerous closures and reduced bag limits. White grunts are very cooperative, however, and tasty.

Fish of another name: White grunts are also known as Key West grunts or gray snapper locally. They don't typically get a lot of respect and are not even in the snapper family. They lack size, but are abundant, eager to feed and taste great. Concentrations of grunts are on natural hard bottom or limestone outcroppings, and man made artificial reefs or wrecks in 20 to 100 feet.

Fun for everyone: Everyone can enjoy cranking up grunts. Simply drop a chunk of frozen squid to the bottom on medium light tackle. Wait a few seconds, and when the pecking feeling on the end of the line turns into the weight of the fish, turn the handle to retrieve the fish. Re-bait and repeat.

Brent Gaskill runs Summer Vacation Charters out of the St. Petersburg area and can be reached at captbrent@summervacationcharters.com or (727)510-1009.

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/outdoors/captains-corner-grunts-are-great-summer-target/1182562

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Ins and outs of Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the NFL lockout's aftermath

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Monday, July 25, 2011

What happens to the Bears-Bucs game, scheduled for London on Oct. 23?

The game remains overseas because the lockout ended prior to the Aug. 1 deadline established by the NFL. Had the lockout lasted longer, that game would have been moved to Tampa.

Which Bucs players are now officially free agents?

Unrestricted free agents (free to sign with any team) are LB Quincy Black, DE Tim Crowder, TE John Gilmore, LB Adam Hayward, G Davin Joseph, LB Niko Koutouvides, LB Barrett Ruud, WR Maurice Stovall, OT Jeremy Trueblood, DE Stylez White, RB Cadillac Williams. Restricted free agents (Bucs have the right to match any competing offer) include K Connor Barth, OT James Lee, S Corey Lynch, CB Elbert Mack, DT Frank Okam and WR Micheal Spurlock.

What players perhaps benefited from the lockout?

CB Aqib Talib was a big beneficiary. Had the league been in business when he was accused in March of shooting at Shannon Billings in Garland, Texas, he could have been released on the spot. But the Bucs' inability to make roster moves gave the situation time to simmer down, with his trial now set for next March. It's unclear if the league or the Bucs will take any action against Talib before the trial, so expect him to show up for training camp on Thursday.

Which injured players should the Bucs be concerned about?

The offseason has provided ample time for most injured players to heal, but DT Brian Price (pelvic fracture) remains a concern and could be headed to the physically-unable-to-perform list. His progress has been particularly slow. A key upcoming revelation will be the status of second-round pick Da'Quan Bowers, who had a much-debated knee surgery before the draft. He vowed to be ready for camp. Players like WR Arrelious Benn (knee), Cody Grimm (broken leg) and DT Gerald McCoy might initially be limited but are in pretty good shape.

What next

TODAY: Teams can reach agreements with rookies and undrafted free agents, and can reach agreements (although not sign contracts) with all free agents. Signed players are allowed to enter team facilities.

WEDNESDAY: Players from teams that have their first preseason games on Thursday, Aug. 11, can report to training camp.

THURSDAY: Players from teams that have their first preseason games on Aug. 12 — including the Buccaneers — can report to training camp. Teams can start cutting players at 4 p.m.

FRIDAY: Teams can begin signing free agents (restricted and unrestricted) at 6 p.m. Teams that have their first preseason games on Aug. 13 can report to training camp.

SUNDAY: Jets and Texans report to training camp.

Aug. 4: Deadline for recertification and ratification of the collective bargaining agreement by the players.

NFL training camp openings

Wednesday: Broncos, Cardinals, Cowboys, Chargers, Eagles, Jaguars, Patriots, Raiders, Ravens, Seahawks

Thursday: Buccaneers, 49ers, Bengals, Chiefs, Dolphins, Falcons, Lions, Redskins, Saints, Steelers

Friday: Bears, Bills, Browns, Colts, Giants, Packers, Panthers, Rams, Titans, Vikings

Sunday: Jets, Texans

The big winners

NFL owners: Get a larger share of the total revenue (estimated at $9 billion this year).

Veteran players: Get a bigger slice of the payroll, now that there will be a limit to how much teams can spend on rookies. And in the next two years, owners are required to spend at least 99 percent of the $120 million salary cap.

Young players: The minimum salary for a first-year player increases to $375,000, an increase of $55,000. That salary increases to $450,000 in Year 2, $525,000 in Year 3 and $600,000 in Year 4. Almost half the league has minimum salary contracts.

Small-market teams: Will have to spend more to reach the league salary minimum, but thanks to a new revenue sharing plan, will get more financial help from the top-earning teams.

NFL fans: Because we won't have to put up with this again for another 10 years.

The big losers

Top draft picks: Will get much less money because of the rookie salary cap, and their agents (who collect fees based on those salaries).

Fans of an 18-game schedule: The idea was canned for at least the next two years.

Tough-guy coaches: The number of practices in the offseason, as well as during the regular season, have been reduced. Teams can still have two practices a day during training camp, but only one can be in pads.

Quick hits

• Within hours of the end of the lockout, the Atlanta Falcons, Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets announced they would reimburse all lost wages to business-side employees who took unpaid furloughs during the lockout and coaches who took pay cuts.

• The Baltimore Ravens wasted little time making roster moves, cutting Derrick Mason, Kelly Gregg, Willis McGahee and Todd Heap after the lockout ended.

• Buffalo LB Paul Posluszny said he will consider offers from other teams now that the NFL labor dispute has been settled.

• Indianapolis host committee spokeswoman Dianna Boyce said they expect NFL officials to give them the official word soon that they can cancel plans for a Feb. 12 Super Bowl. The game is scheduled for Feb. 5 and the city was holding open both weekends in case the game got postponed.

Stephen Holder, Times Staff Writer

2011 draft picks (round)

• DE Adrian Clayborn, Iowa (1)

• DE Da'Quan Bowers, Clemson (2)

• LB Mason Foster, Washington (3)

• TE Luke Stocker, Tennessee (4)

• S Ahmad Black, Florida (5)

• RB Allen Bradford, Southern Cal (6)

• CB Anthony Gaitor, Florida International (7)

• TE Daniel Hardy, Idaho (7)

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/ins-and-outs-of-tampa-bay-buccaneers-and-the-nfl-lockouts-aftermath/1182428

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Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Mariners 9, Yankees 2

Times wires
Wednesday, July 27, 2011

NEW YORK — Dustin Ackley and the rest of the Mariners had the same thought as they piled up the hits Wednesday: don't stop.

By the time they were done, everyone was happy to talk about the No. 17.

Seattle snapped its 17-game losing streak with a 9-2 victory over the Yankees, boosted by a season-high 17 hits.

"It seemed like everything was clicking," Ackley said.

Felix Hernandez earned his third straight win in the Bronx, and the Mariners did something they consistently failed to during their skid: They turned an opponent's mistake into a big inning.

Seattle scored five in the seventh, highlighted by Mike Carp's bases-loaded triple after Robinson Cano flubbed a flip to Derek Jeter at second for an error. It added two in the ninth, when Adam Kennedy hit an RBI double that centerfielder Curtis Granderson lost in the sun. Kennedy scored on Carp's single.

"These guys haven't felt good in a long time," manager Eric Wedge said. "We've got a long flight, an off day (today) and this is a real big win for us."

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/mariners-9-yankees-2/1182856

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers sign 16 undrafted free agents

Times staff
Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Welcome aboard

The 16 undrafted free agents signed this week by the Bucs:

Player Pos. Ht./Wt. School

Armando AllenRB 5-10/190 Notre Dame

Matthew Allen C 6-2/295/ Texas A&M

Quintin Borders T 6-5/318 Union College

Cory Brandon T 6-7/324 Oklahoma

Mike Coughlin QB 6-5/221 Boise State

Aaron Feld LS 6-1/230 Mississippi State

Brandon Heath LB 6-1/215 Louisville

Devin Holland S 6-0/205 McNeese State

Josh Jasper K 5-11/171 LSU

Detron Lewis WR 6-0/208 Texas Tech

Mossis Madu RB 6-0/197 Oklahoma

Nick Reveiz LB 5-10/224 Tennessee

Jock Sanders WR 5-6/185 West Virginia

Derrell Smith LB 6-2/232 Syracuse

Raymond Webber WR 6-3/220 Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Christian Yount LS 6-1/243 UCLA

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/football/bucs/tampa-bay-buccaneers-sign-16-undrafted-free-agents/1182834

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