SB Nation Tampa Bay: All Posts by Jakob Engelkehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49019/tb-fave.png2012-12-13T09:04:34-05:00https://tampabay.sbnation.com/authors/jakob-engelke/rss2012-12-13T09:04:34-05:002012-12-13T09:04:34-05:00Orange Bowl tickets: NIU has outsold Florida State
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<figcaption>Dave Reginek</figcaption>
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<p>NIU has outsold Florida State, its opponent in the Orange Bowl, by 1,500 tickets so far. </p> <p>Northern Illinois, the BCS-busting surprise of the 2012 college football season, has sold roughly 5,500 tickets to the Orange Bowl, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/dec/13/niu-has-sold-5500-tickets-to-orange-bowl/">according to a report on KnoxNews.com</a>.</p>
<p>Despite the game being held in Miami, roughly a seven-hour drive from Florida State's campus, Northern Illinois has outsold Florida State in regards to tickets so far, with Seminoles' fans only picking up 4,000 tickets. Both schools have been allotted 17,500 tickets for the game, which will be played in Sun Life Stadium.</p>
<p>Northern Illinois is in its first BCS game in history and is the first MAC team to ever earn an elusive BCS bid. The Huskies finished the season as MAC champions with a 12-1 record. Florida State, meanwhile, earned its first BCS bid in seven years after winning the ACC and finishing with an 11-2 record.</p>
<p>The Orange Bowl will be played on New Years Day. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET and the game will be televised nationally by ESPN.</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/florida-state-seminoles-news/2012/12/13/3762226/orange-bowl-northern-illinois-has-sold-5500-ticketsJakob Engelke2012-12-13T08:40:35-05:002012-12-13T08:40:35-05:00Clanton leads UCF over Bethune-Cookman
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<figcaption>Howard Smith-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Senior forward Keith Clanton chips in a career-high 30 points and a game-high 13 rebounds for the Knights. </p> <p>There wasn't much college basketball action underway Wednesday night in Florida, but the evening did feature one game: An in-state matchup between Central Florida and Bethune-Cookman.</p>
<p>Led by senior forward <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100265/keith-clanton">Keith Clanton</a>, who finished with a career-high 30 points and game-high 13 rebounds in 37 minutes of action, the UCF Knights topped the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/bethune-cookman-wildcats">Bethune-Cookman Wildcats</a>, 72-62. The game snapped a two-game winning streak for Bethune-Cookman and gave UCF its second straight victory.</p>
<p>Clanton was practically unstoppable against the Wildcats. The 6'9, 250-pound Orlando native missed only one attempt from the floor, shooting 14-for-15 on the night.</p>
<p>"I knew that I was bigger than the players that they were going to have matched up against me," Clanton <a href="http://www.ucfathletics.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/121212aaa.html" target="_blank">told UCF's official web site</a>. "Coach said that we were going to work it inside-out. With them not doubling me or the double not coming that fast, coach just wanted me to be aggressive."</p>
<p>Two other players -- <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/124519/isaiah-sykes">Isaiah Sykes</a> (18) and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/99823/tristan-spurlock">Tristan Spurlock</a> (10) -- finished in double figures for the Knights (5-2), while the Wildcats (4-7) were led by forward <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/99963/adrien-coleman">Adrien Coleman</a>, who posted 19 points while playing the game's full 40 minutes.</p>
<p>UCF's win over Bethune-Cookman was the program's eighth-straight in the series between the two Florida schools.</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/ucf-knights-news/2012/12/13/3762138/college-basketball-scores-ucf-bethune-cookmanJakob Engelke2012-12-06T12:02:06-05:002012-12-06T12:02:06-05:00Gators' Will Muschamp SEC Co-Coach of the year
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<figcaption>Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Second-year coach led Florida to a record of 11-1 and a berth in the AllState Sugar Bowl.</p> <p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/florida-gators" class="sbn-auto-link">Florida Gators</a> coach Will Muschamp has been named co-coach of the year in the SEC, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.secdigitalnetwork.com/NEWS/tabid/473/Article/239985/sec-football-individual-awards-announced.aspx">the league announced yesterday</a>. Muschamp shared the honor, which was voted on by the league's 14 coaches, with Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin.</p>
<p>In his second year at the helm in Gainesville, Fla., Muschamp has led Florida to a record of 11-1 -- with its only loss coming to Georgia by eight points -- and a berth in the AllState Sugar Bowl. One year after finishing 7-6, Florida topped four teams ranked in the top-10 of the polls and ended the year ranked as No. 3 in the BCS standings.</p>
<p>Muschamp is the first coach at Florida to be honored as coach of the year since Steve Spurrier in 1996.</p>
<p>Here is the complete list of SEC individual accolades announced Wednesday.</p>
<p><b>OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR<br></b><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134696/johnny-manziel" class="sbn-auto-link">Johnny Manziel</a>, Texas A&M</p>
<p><b>DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR<br></b><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/138017/jadeveon-clowney" class="sbn-auto-link">Jadeveon Clowney</a>, South Carolina<br><br><b>CO-SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE YEAR<br></b><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/36009/caleb-sturgis" class="sbn-auto-link">Caleb Sturgis</a>, Florida<br><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/116165/ace-sanders" class="sbn-auto-link">Ace Sanders</a>, South Carolina</p>
<p><b>FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR<br></b>Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M</p>
<p><b>SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR<br></b><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/35189/barrett-jones" class="sbn-auto-link">Barrett Jones</a>, Alabama</p>
<p><b>JACOBS BLOCKING TROPHY<br></b><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/115454/luke-joeckel" class="sbn-auto-link">Luke Joeckel</a>, Texas A&M<br><br><b>CO-COACHES OF THE YEAR<br></b>Kevin Sumlin, Texas A&M<br>Will Muschamp, Florida</p>
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<p>College Football Championship Week Awards (via <a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=uSWG0Lao0uM">sbnation</a>)</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/florida-gators-news/2012/12/6/3735920/florida-gators-will-muschamp-sec-coach-of-the-yearJakob Engelke2012-12-06T11:16:24-05:002012-12-06T11:16:24-05:00Should Buccaneers re-sign Josh Freeman now?
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<p>Tampa Bay Times columnist thinks the Buccaneers should re-sign Freeman -- and they should do it now. </p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> should re-sign quarterback <span>Josh Freeman</span>, and they should re-sign him now, <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/sports/football/bucs/bucs-should-sign-qb-josh-freeman-to-long-term-extension-now/1264842" target="_blank">according to a column by Tom Jones published in the Tampa Bay Times</a>. </p>
<p>Jones argues that Freeman, who is set to become a free agent after next season, has done enough for the organization to warrant being re-signed. The 24-year-old signal caller has led the Buccaneers to a 6-6 record this season while throwing for 3,003 yards, 23 touchdowns and just eight interceptions. Freeman's 23 touchdowns are more than Matt Ryan and <span>Matt Schaub</span> and his eight interceptions are less than <span>Drew Brees</span> and <span>Peyton Manning</span>. </p>
<p>He's a "franchise quarterback," according to Jones, who wrote:</p>
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<p>Sign him. There's no reason to wait. We've seen enough.</p>
<p>Josh Freeman is the man. Today. Tomorrow. Next Sunday. Next season. For years to come.</p>
<p>Freeman is the franchise quarterback the Bucs have been looking for since ... well, forever.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>For his career, Freeman has completed 59 percent of his passes for 11,901 yards, 74 touchdowns and 54 interceptions. He's also missed just one game due to injury since being named Tampa Bay's starter 53 games ago.</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/tampa-bay-buccaneers/2012/12/6/3735798/josh-freeman-contract-buccaneersJakob Engelke2012-12-06T10:53:41-05:002012-12-06T10:53:41-05:00Marlins deny Greenberg
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<figcaption>Marc Serota</figcaption>
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<p>Miami declines to invite Greenberg to the team's spring training. </p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Miami Marlins</a> have no interest in bringing <span>Adam Greenberg</span> to their spring training and have informed the former MLB player that he will not be invited to tryout for the team, <a href="http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-marlins/marlins-blog/sfl-adam-greenberg-wont-be-going-to-spring-training-with-miami-marlins-20121204,0,518225.story" target="_blank">according to a report in the Sun Sentinel</a>. </p>
<p>Greenberg is most known for his Major League debut with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a> in 2005, when he was struck by a pitch in the head in his first-ever plate appearance. Due to a successful online petition, though, the Marlins awarded Greenberg a one-day contract last season, giving him a chance to bat once again. Greenberg struck out in three pitches against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">New York Mets</a>' <span>R.A. Dickey</span>. </p>
<p>Greenberg is currently at MLB's winter meetings in Nashville, Tenn., petitioning teams to allow him to attend spring training and attempt to make a professional roster. He is one of two players in MLB history to be hit by a ball at the plate without ever taking the field. </p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/miami-marlins-news/2012/12/6/3735696/miami-marlins-adam-greenbergJakob Engelke2012-12-06T10:32:41-05:002012-12-06T10:32:41-05:00Chalmers could miss 5 games
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<p>With Chalmers sidelined, Heat will turn to LeBron James and Dwayne Wade to run the point. </p> <p>After tearing a tendon in his left ring finger, <a href="https://www.hothothoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Miami Heat</a> guard <span>Mario Chalmers</span> could be sidelined for up to five games, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-heats-mario-chalmers-out-five-games-20121205,0,7901993.story?track=rss">according to a report in the Sun Sentinel.</a></p>
<p>Chalmers suffered the injury during the first half of the Heat's loss to the <a href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Washington Wizards</a>, and the former Kansas star was seen wearing a splint on his finger during the second half of Tuesday's game. The injury calls for a 7-10 day recovery period, meaning Chalmers could miss up to five games for the Heat.</p>
<p>"I caught a pass," Chalmers told the Sun Sentinel after the game. "Somehow my finger got caught in the ball ... It's hard to say right now. I got to go back to the team doctor and see what they say. All I can tell you is it's the top part of my ring finger. We'll see. I'll get it checked out [Wednesday] and go from there."</p>
<p>With Chalmers sidelined, and <span>Norris Cole</span> day-to-day with a groin injury, the Heat will likely look to <span>LeBron James</span> or Dwayne Wade to run the point Thursday against the <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Knicks</a>.</p>
<p>Through 16 outings this season, Chalmers had averaged 24.9 minutes, 6.4 points and 4.3 assists per game.</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/miami-heat-news/2012/12/6/3735628/miami-heat-mario-chalmers-injuryJakob Engelke2012-11-29T11:49:14-05:002012-11-29T11:49:14-05:00NBA standings: Heat and Magic at polar ends
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<figcaption>Sam Greenwood</figcaption>
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<p>Miami (10-3) owns first place, while Orlando (5-9) sits in fourth in the Southeast division. </p> <p>The Miami Heat and Orlando Magic are off to very different starts this season. While the Heat have posted a record of 10-3 and sit in first place in the Southeast division, the Magic have stumbled to 5-9 and are in fourth place above only the one-win Washington Wizards. </p>
<p>The Heat, who are on a four-game winning streak and host the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">San Antonio Spurs</a> tonight, boast the best record in the Eastern Conference with a .769 winning percentage. The only team in the NBA with a better record is the Spurs, who are 13-3 with a winning percentage of .813. </p>
<p>The Magic, meanwhile, have lost two straight games and host the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.netsdaily.com/">Brooklyn Nets</a> on Friday. Orlando is 5.5 games back of Miami and boasts a better winning percentage than only four other teams in the Eastern Conference. </p>
<p>The full NBA standings <a href="http://www.nba.com/standings/team_record_comparison/conferenceNew_Std_Div.html" target="_blank">can be found here</a>. Here are the complete Southeast standings:</p>
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<h3>Southeast Standings</h3>
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<th></th>
<th>W</th>
<th>L</th>
<th>PCT</th>
<th>GB</th>
<th>STRK</th>
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<td class="td-name td-first "><a href="https://www.hothothoops.com/">Miami</a></td>
<td>10</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>.769</td>
<td>0</td>
<td class="td-last">Won 4</td>
</tr>
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<td class="td-name td-first "><a href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Atlanta</a></td>
<td>9</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>.692</td>
<td>1</td>
<td class="td-last">Won 6</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first "><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/charlotte-bobcats">Charlotte</a></td>
<td>7</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>.500</td>
<td>3.5</td>
<td class="td-last">Lost 2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first "><a href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Orlando</a></td>
<td>5</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>.357</td>
<td>5.5</td>
<td class="td-last">Lost 2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first "><a href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Washington</a></td>
<td>1</td>
<td>12</td>
<td>.076</td>
<td>9</td>
<td class="td-last">Won 1</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
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<p class="updated">(updated 11.29.2012 at 10:59 AM EST)</p>
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<p>NBA Week 5 Power Rankings (via <a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=V5CfiG98tro">sbnation</a>)</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/miami-heat-news/2012/11/29/3706512/nba-standings-2012-miami-heat-orlando-magic-southeastJakob Engelke2012-11-29T11:16:16-05:002012-11-29T11:16:16-05:00Golden staying at Miami, according to AD
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<figcaption>Joel Auerbach</figcaption>
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<p>Golden plans to stay in Coral Gables and the rumors about him taking another coaching job are just that. </p> <p>Miami coach Al Golden is staying with the Hurricanes and won't be leaving Coral Gables for another job elsewhere, interim athletic director <a href="#" class="sbn-auto-link">Blake James</a> told <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/um-hurricanes/sfl-al-golden-not-leaving-miami-20121128,0,3067473.story">the Sun Sentinel</a>.</p>
<p>Coming off a 7-5 season with Miami, Golden's name has been tied to a number of head coaching vacancies this offseason, but all of the rumors have simply been irrelevant chatter. James, who has spoken with Golden several times throughout the past few days, said no one has contacted him to inquire about the second-year head coach.</p>
<p>"I'm confident he'll be with us next year," James told the Sun Sentinel.</p>
<p>"To be perfectly honest with you, the only time I hear it is when [reporters] say it," Golden added. "I know [my wife] would cry if I said we were moving out of town."</p>
<p>After going 6-6 in 2011, Golden signed an extension with Miami that runs through 2019. Despite being bowl eligible the past two seasons, Miami will not play in the postseason for the second straight year due to NCAA sanctions stemming from the program's ties to former booster Nevin Shapiro.</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/miami-hurricanes-news/2012/11/29/3706406/al-golden-coaching-rumors-hurricanesJakob Engelke2012-11-29T10:58:59-05:002012-11-29T10:58:59-05:00Werner named ACC defensive player of the year
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<figcaption>Melina Vastola-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The junior defensive end led the ACC with 13 sacks this season. </p> <p>Florida State defensive end <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114291/bjoern-werner" class="sbn-auto-link">Bjoern Werner</a> has been named the ACC defensive player of the year, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.theacc.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112812aab.html">the league announced Wednesday</a>.</p>
<p>Werner, who beat out teammates <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/133856/cornellius-carradine" class="sbn-auto-link">Cornellius Carradine</a>, LaMarcus Joyner and Xavier Rhondes, Maryland's <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/36624/joe-vellano" class="sbn-auto-link">Joe Vellano</a>, Boston College's <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/50133/nick-clancy" class="sbn-auto-link">Nick Clancy</a> and Duke's Russ Cockrell for the award, led the ACC with 13 sacks this season. The 6'4", 260-pound defensive end averaged 1.08 sacks per game, a mark good for third-best among all NCAA players.</p>
<p>"The value he has to his team, the effect he has on his teammates, off the field and in the classroom and as a team leader is tremendous, and the things he's sacrificed to give up for other guys to make plays on our defense," Seminole coach Jimbo Fisher said. "He's a tremendous team player, he's a tremendous leader and he's a tremendous winner and I think he'll go down as one of the great football players in Florida State football history. He has had a tremendous year this year and I can't be happier for him."</p>
<p>Werner, who played only two years of high school football after growing up in Germnay, received 27 of the 46 votes among voting media members. Carradine finished second with nine votes.</p>
<p>"It is obviously an honor," Werner told <a target="_blank" href="http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20121129/FSU03/311290043/1024/RSS10?nclick_check=1">Tallahassee.com</a>. "Especially for me. I come from Germany and I always just wanted an opportunity to play here. And to be considered one of the top players is just the crème de la crème."</p>
<p>Werner is the second Florida State player to earn postseason honors from the ACC this year, as cornerback <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159099/ronald-darby" class="sbn-auto-link">Ronald Darby</a> was named the league's defensive rookie of the year on Tuesday.</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/florida-state-seminoles-news/2012/11/29/3706336/bjoern-werner-acc-defensive-playerJakob Engelke2012-11-29T10:10:35-05:002012-11-29T10:10:35-05:00Gudbranson dislocates shoulder while wakeboarding
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<figcaption>Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Gudbranson forced to pay for medical costs and lose first month's pay because injury happened during a non-hockey activity. </p> <p>Florida Panthers defenseman Erik Gudbranson dislocated his shoulder while wakeboarding with a group of friends in September and has since been suspended by the organization until he is medically cleared for contact, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/florida-panthers/fl-panthers-erik-gudbranson-1129-20121128,0,2449764.story?track=rss">according to a report in The Sun Sentinel.</a></p>
<p>Since the injury occurred off the ice and in a non-hockey drill, Gudbranson went to his own doctors and paid for his own surgery. If the injury had occurred during NHL preseason training, the Panthers would have covered the medical costs and Gudbranson would have been guaranteed to receive his first month's pay.</p>
<p>"It was a freak accident," Gudbranson's agent, Mark Guy told The Sun Sentinel. "He was wakeboarding with a lot of [friends] in the summer and unfortunately he fell off and hurt his shoulder.</p>
<p>"If a player can't pass a physical as a result of a non-hockey related injury then the club has the right to suspend the player. The suspension ends once he's able to pass the physical and is set to play. He hasn't been cleared for contact and probably won't be for approximately another month."</p>
<p>Gudbranson, the third overall pick in the 2010 NHL Draft, would likely start the season playing for Florida's AHL affiliate in San Antonio if the league and the players can ever come to an agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement and end the lockout. The NHL has been in the midst of a lockout since Sept. 15 and already cancelled a total of 422 regular season games through Dec. 14.</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/florida-panthers-news/2012/11/29/3706136/erik-gudbranson-injury-suspensionJakob Engelke