Plant Players Dealing With Injuries

Posted Oct 15, 2007 by Katherine Smith

Updated Oct 17, 2007 at 07:07 PM

Plant running back Lovell Jackson was limited at practice on Monday, but he’s expected to play in Thursday night’s Homecoming game against Leto.

Jackson re-aggravated a hamstring injury in the first half of Plant’s 35-16 victory over Hillsborough Friday night. The starting tailback first sustained the strained hamstring while rehabilitating a high ankle sprain he suffered in Week 1 against Armwood. He’s scheduled to undergo an MRI to determine the extent of the hamstring injury.

The Panthers are also expected to finally get James Harrell III in the lineup this week. Harrell has been nursing a broken bone in his right foot, an injury that occurred before the season began. Harrell will line up in a variety of roles for Plant, including running back, wideout and cornerback.

Harrell wasn’t at practice Monday. He was undergoing an X-ray to determine that his bone has completely healed. He’s expected to practice for the first time on Tuesday.

---

Feaster, Gruden Pay Homage

Posted Oct 15, 2007 by Aaron Knox

Updated Oct 16, 2007 at 11:28 AM

Bucs coach Jon Gruden paid his weekly compliment to the Bulls during his Monday news conference, and Lightning GM Jay Feaster—who, it turns out, has an unexpected USF tie—also paid homage to the USF football phenomenon.

‘’[The No. 2 ranking in the BCS standings] is unbelievable; I say it every week, just unbelievable,” Gruden said. “Coach [Jim] Leavitt and their organization, their athletic department, their coaching staff, support staff. I had the band right in front of me playing the National Anthem, the trombone players, even they’re great, so they got it going on. I’m really fired up and I can’t wait ‘til the next game.’‘

Feaster, watching the Lightning during practice early Monday afternoon, revealed he passed some time during the 2004-05 lockout by teaching a course on sports law at USF.

“I think [the ascent of the program] is awesome,” Feaster said. “I have to admit, I have to chuckle. The enrollment must be 20 million, because the entire population has to have gone to, graduated from, did undergraduate degree work at USF.

“But no, I do, I think it’s awesome. I had the opportunity to teach a couple of classes up there during the lockout through the honor’s college, and I think it’s phenomenal. It’s great to watch a guy like Jim Leavitt build a program and it appeared, just from the outside looking in, that they’ve done it the right way. The university has done it the right way. It seems to me they haven’t mortgaged everything to try to build a program. They’ve taken the right steps, put a foundation under it. I think it’s great.”

---

Carter Helps Gators Deal With Grief

Posted Oct 15, 2007 by Aaron Knox

Updated Oct 15, 2007 at 04:28 PM

GAINESVILLE — Former NFL receiver Cris Carter paid Florida players a visit Monday to help the Gators cope with the death of walk-on quarterback Michael “Sunshine” Guilford.

Carter explained how he dealt with the deaths of former teammates Jerome Brown (car crash) and Korey Stringer (heat stroke) and what lessons those deaths taught him. Florida receiver Percy Harvin said Carter’s talk Monday built on something he told the Gators during his last visit in September.

“He told us to work hard and not take things for granted,” Harvin said. “The last time he was here, he said, ‘You never know which day is your last day. If you pass away, how will you be remembered?’”

The Gators will remember Guilford, who died Friday along with fellow UF student Ashley Slonina in a motorcycle crash, Monday night at a memorial service following practice. Guilford will be laid to rest Tuesday in Blountstown.

“It’s just comforting to know Sunshine’s in a better place now,” Gators’ quarterback Tim Tebow said. “He was a great kid. I’m just thankful for the 19 years he had here and all the lives he impacted — including myself.”

---

Brad Richards, Shane O’Brien square off

Posted Oct 15, 2007 by Erik Erlendsson

Updated Oct 15, 2007 at 05:07 PM

Brad Richards and Shane O’Brien had a bit of a dust-up during practice Monday afternoon, with each giving the other a two-handed stick shot across the chest. At first it looked like it was no big deal, possibly even some joking around. But it became obvious as the two continued at each other that it was something more. The two were separated by teammates, but quickly came back to each other as they continued to jaw following an intense drill. Not sure what caused the fracas as neither made a big deal of it after practice. O’Brien didn’t even want to talk about it while Richards just said it was some frustrating at the tail end of a long and intense practice session. The two discussed the matter again as Richards was leaving the ice. And while there was no hand shaking or back slapping going on, both indicated it was no big deal and wouldn’t have any lingering effects. When I asked Richards if everything was cool between the two he said it was, and it better be since there are a ton more days to go in the season.

Practice was long and intense, as Richards eluded to. After Saturday’s loss, the emphasis was on keeping sticks down (nine minor penalties will do that) and back to winning battles, which didn’t happen enough early in the game.

Andreas Karlsson took part in the full practice and looks like he’s good to go (he’s not allowed to talk about the injury, so we can’t get the full story). Looked comfortable on the ice and walking around the locker room, although he still had his midsection wrapped up. Dan Boyle continues to take part in some drills, but still no timetable on his return.

Was talking to Paul Ranger today and though he didn’t ask me to do this, he’s in the market for a nice outdoor bar-b-q grill, so if anybody out there has some suggestions to pass along on where he can look (outside of the obvious Home Depot or Lowes), email me and I’ll let him know!!!!

---

Florida-Georgia Kickoff Time Set

Posted Oct 15, 2007 by Aaron Knox

Updated Oct 15, 2007 at 03:59 PM

GAINESVILLE — The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party Planet’s Most Gigantic Solar-Powered Libation Celebration has been picked up by CBS and will kick off at 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 27.

---

Smith And Chukwurah Injury Update

Posted Oct 15, 2007 by Anwar S. Richardson

Updated Oct 15, 2007 at 11:32 AM

Bucs coach Jon Gruden said TE Alex Smith and DE Patrick Chukwurah had tests conducted this morning and neither have serious injuries.

Gruden said Smith could play this weekend against Detroit, but said both guys are currently listed as questionable.

Gruden said Smith suffered a left ankle sprain, but it’s “not as serious” as the sprain that will sideline running back Michael Pittman for the next 6-8 weeks. Chukwurah strained his left shoulder.

---

Alvarado Big East special teams player of week

Posted Oct 15, 2007 by Brett McMurphy

Updated Oct 15, 2007 at 11:04 AM

USF sophomore K/P Delbert Alvarado was named the Big East’s Special Teams Player of the Week.

Alvarado made field goals of 33 and 34 yards and averaged 43.8 yards on six punts, pinning two inside the 15-yard line, in USF’s 64-12 win against Central Florida. He hit a long punt of 55 yards, marking his fifth straight game with a punt of at least 50 yards.

QB Matt Grothe and DE George Selvie made the Big East’s honor roll.

---

Leavitt on Mike & Mike

Posted Oct 15, 2007 by Brett McMurphy

Updated Oct 15, 2007 at 09:15 AM

Sorry for the short notice, but USF coach Jim Leavitt will be on ESPN Radio’s Mike and Mike and 9:40 a.m. Monday.

In Tampa, it can be heard on 1470-AM. It also can be “heard” on ESPN2 for those outside the Bay area.

---

Former Pinellas County Stars Playing on Saturdays

Posted Oct 14, 2007 by Lee Diekemper

Updated Oct 14, 2007 at 11:13 PM

  Occasionally, we’ll try to highlight some ex-Pinellas County stars playing on what coaches like to call “the next level.” Here are some recent nuggets from such players:

  Two weeks ago in Duke University’s 20-14 win over Northwestern, the Blue Devils lone win of the season thus far, Northeast High graduate and Duke cornerback Leon Wright had an interception.

  There were several local players in Florida State’s 27-10 win over North Carolina State two weeks ago, three of which were on the North Carolina State roster:  Wolfpack wide receiver Donald Bowens (St. Petersburg) caught a pass for six yards. LaRue Rumph (Clearwater Central Catholic) recorded two tackles. … safety Bobby Floyd (Countryside) played but did not record a tackle.

  In his second game of the season Saturday, Ole Miss wide receiver Dexter McCluster (Largo) caught seven passes for 75 yards and a touchdown in a 27-24 loss to Alabama.

  If you know of some other former Pinellas County all-stars playing Division-I sports, please let me know by e-mailing .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

---

TE Smith To Undergo Ankle Testing

Posted Oct 14, 2007 by Anwar S. Richardson

Updated Oct 14, 2007 at 10:54 PM

Tampa Bay’s show of solidarity after injuries became another heartrending and familiar sight during the Bucs’ 13-10 victory against Tennessee.

Bucs TE Alex Smith became this week’s casualty after a player rolled on an ankle early in the fourth quarter. Smith was prone on the ground in obvious pain, and Tampa Bay’s bench emptied once players realized another teammate had a serious injury. It was the same support they showed Cadillac Williams, Luke Petitgout and Michael Pittman when those players suffered major injuries this season, but it began when Paris Warren dislocated his ankle in Tampa Bay’s final preseason game.

Smith, who was taken off the field in a golf cart, said his injury is being classified as a left ankle sprain, but he will undergo more testing today. The Bucs need Smith to return as soon as possible because the team apparently will be using two-TE sets a lot to help the injury-plagued backfield.

“It’s crazy. You can’t go into a game thinking about [getting injured]. It’s part of the game, but unfortunately I came up with one today,” Smith said. “Hopefully it won’t keep me out long.”

---