John Romano
NCAA should make common sense an option
Sometimes justice prevails. Sometimes the dreams of one are weighed favorably against the management of many. This is not one of those times.

College football Rix learns ropes The FSU quarterback, right, has rid himself of his brash attitude in exchange for team leadership. Injuries hurting UM CORAL GABLES -- Five starters and three reserves for the top-ranked Hurricanes didn't practice because of various injuries.				[AP photo]

Motorsports
Bill Simpson is glad to be back
A year after NASCAR's Earnhardt report, the man who was scrutinized by it returns to the safety business.

Rudd and Sadler swap their rides
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Ricky Rudd saga ended Tuesday when the driver signed a three-year contract with the Wood Brothers to drive the No. 21 Ford, effectively swapping seats with Elliott Sadler.

Sicking seeking safety
Engineering professor invented the soft walls, and so much more.

NHL
In brief
Rangers contracts not legal, NHL says

Colleges
USF declares F Brittian ineligible
South Florida forward Greg Brittian, who started 25 games last season, has been declared ineligible by the school.

Baseball
A's rise into tie with 2 in West
CLEVELAND -- Art Howe didn't have to be told things had tightened up in the West. Just like his Athletics lately, Oakland's manager was right on top of things.

Secret pain ends year for Indian
CLEVELAND -- Ricky Gutierrez's season is over, and now the Indians second baseman is concerned about saving his career.

Fehr: Owners' plan too extreme
In memo, union chief says proposals would cripple teams with highest payrolls and severely limit salaries.

Cubs win slugfest with Astros
HOUSTON -- Corey Patterson tied a career high with four hits and drove in three runs as the Chicago Cubs had a season-high 24 hits in a 14-12 victory over the Astros on Tuesday night.

NBA
Trail Blazers waive Kemp after restructuring contract
PORTLAND, Ore. -- Shawn Kemp, the former all-star who averaged 6.3 points in two seasons with Portland, was waived by the Trail Blazers on Tuesday after the team restructured his contract.

Little League World Series
Harlem homers way into U.S. semifinals
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. -- Even though Alibay Barkley wasn't expecting a fastball, he handled it.

NFL
Around the NFC
COWBOYS: Jeff Robinson, the deep snapper signed to solve one of the team's biggest problems, left practice with a right knee injury. "It looks like an ACL," owner Jerry Jones said. "That's terrible, it really gets us. It would be us in a situation where we'd be looking for a deep snapper."

Around the AFC
BENGALS: Coach Dick LeBeau called the team's three quarterbacks aside and told them he needs more time to decide on a starter. All three -- Jon Kitna, Gus Frerotte and Akili Smith -- will play Saturday against New Orleans. "He said he doesn't know yet, and it's going to keep going the way it's going," Frerotte said. "And he'll make a decision when he's ready."

Cowboys lose Ismail
SAN ANTONIO -- Cowboys receiver Raghib Ismail will have neck surgery today to repair damage from a collision with a teammate last week in practice.

Tennis
Roddick reduces pressure
Being the so-called savior of American tennis might be overrated. Just ask Andy Roddick.

Preps
10 Pressing Questions
The high school football season begins in less than three weeks. Leading up to preseason games, the Times will answer 10 Pressing Questions facing Pinellas schools.

Merrill's year one of ups and downs
The former Jesuit and University of Tampa star goes from Class A to Triple A and back again.

Outdoors
Daily fishing report
The full moon has brought great action. Shark fishing is best as the moon rises just after dark. A ripping incoming tide combined with a major lunar period has their appetites seemingly endless.