The Anniston Star from Anniston, Alabama • Page 22

Saturday, January 27, 2007 SFCHTS (Die Anntston tar Gators' Leak, Buckeyes' Smith square off again in Senior Bowl nnr PPM see a similar story emerg- ''4 lVtNKjWowvV week's prac tices." Smith, for instance, was intercepted three times in one midweek practice, Mayoch said. "I truly think Drew Stanton probably had the best all-around week of the quarterbacks," he said. Leak is used to being doubted in a career filled with yards, touchdowns and question marks. He even had to platoon with a talenjed freshman in fan favorite Tim Tebow. He said he won't let the current Chuck Burton Associated Press Jeff Burton practices for last year's Bank of America 500 in Concord, N.C.

Dialing up compromise Nextel, Childress give busy signals in dispute over sponsorship flap doubters distract mm. "It's just like going into a game," said Leak, Florida's all-time passing leader and MVP of the BCS championship game. "You've got to make sure you focus on the right thing." Besides, he never seemed to let Bill Starling Associated Prnt Former Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith, above, and former Florida quarterback Chris Leak, below, will square off in today's Senior Bowl. Their teams played in the Bowl Championship Series national title game Jan. 8.

Today: Senior Bowl, 3 p.m., NFL Network BYJ0HNZEN0R Associated Press MOBILE Chris Leak won the national championship and Troy Smith bagged the Heisman Trophy. Now they're vying for NFL success. After facing off for a national title nearly three weeks ago, the quarterbacks will share the field again Saturday in the Senior Bowl and cap a weeklong NFL audition. Florida's Leak and Ohio State's Smith are all about business, not one-upping each other. "I don't have anything to prove," said Smith, who won the Heisman Trophy but lost the title game.

"I have' a lot to gain and (can) better myself. I have to just be myself. Hopefully that takes me a long ways. It's taken me this far." Leak and Smith are high-profile passers, but they aren't the most coveted in part because they're shorter than the average NFL quarterback. Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn visited with NFL officials in Mobile, but he won't play in the game after sustaining a bursa sac injury to his right knee.

LSU's JaMarcus Russell is a junior and not eligible for the game. Russell and Quinn are considered candidates for the No. 1 overall pick. Many of the top NFL prospects like Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson, Southern California's Dwayne Jarrett and Georgia Tech's Calvin Johnson are underclassmen. Wisconsin offensive tackle Joe Thomas a projected Top-5 pick also bowed out of the game.

NFL teams and fans have to be content with Leak, Smith Co. Michigan State's Drew Stanton and Pittsburgh's Tyler Palko join Smith at quarterback on the North team. On the South, the quarterbacks are Leak, Conference US A's all-time leading passer Kevin Kolb of Houston and UTEP's Jordan Palmer, brother of the Cincinnati Bengals' Carson Palmer. The past three years, Philip Rivers, Jason Campbell and Jay Cutler all helped secure first-round selections with strong performances during Senior Bowl week. "There's a little bit of a void behind Russell and Brady Quinn, and it seems like each year someone has emerged at the Senior Bowl," said NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayoch.

"I don't BY CHRIS JENKINS Associated Press WELCOME, N.C. A sponsorship dispute is pitting one of NASCAR's most respected team owners against one of its biggest revenue sources, leaving officials hustling to work out a compromise two weeks before the start of the season. Richard Childress' No. 31 car, which is driven by Jeff Burton, is sponsored by cell phone service provider Cingular. has bought that company and is phasing out the I K'EXTEL critics affect him on the field.

Smith got accustomed to heat after the Bowl Championship Series title game. He passed for only 35 yards, was held to minus-29 yards rushing and lost an interception and fumble in Ohio State's 41-14 loss to Leak and the Gators. "After the bowl loss, people are scrutinizing that performance and whether or not he is as great as maybe he was in the first (12) games," said South coach Jon Gruden of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. "That's the way it is." Smith also isn't dwelling on the terrible finale. He won the Walter Camp player of the year award and the Davey O'Brien Award as the nation's top quarterback, along with the Heisman.

He threw 30 touchdown passes against six interceptions, three of them off deflections. "I have an understanding that all of my focus positively needs to be concentrated on this week, on this new part of my life," Smith said. "What's done is done, and I can do nothing about it." He could take some advice from Leak, who likely won over even his harshest critics by finally winning a Southeastern Conference and national title. He said he's not paying any more heed to talk about his draft stock than he did his college critics. "I've always been the type person that focuses on making sure that I'm prepared for the game and my teammates are prepared," Leak said.

"That's' how I've done it the entire season, and this is game week." el if CM. AndrswsAssocistsd Press Cingular brand name. When it comes to selling cell phones to race fans, that's a problem. When Nextel signed a 10-year, $700 million 'deal to become the title sponsor of NASCAR's top series before the 2004 season, it lobbied NASCAR to ban rival telecommunications companies from becoming sponsors. An exemption was granted for existing telecom sponsors such as Cingular and Alltel, which were allowed to remain in the series.

But with Cingular changing its name, Nextel officials say Richard Childress Racing isn't allowed to put logos on its car. "If the name changes, then that changes the game," said Dean Kessel, Sprint Nextel's director of NASCAR Nextel Cup series marketing. "Cingular and Alltel were grandfathered in and everybody knew the rules of engagement early on." Even if the name changes, isn't it still the same company? Nextel, after all, has merged with Sprint since signing on as NASCAR's sponsor. The series name remains the Nextel Cup, at least for now. "We are still working closely with the folks at RCR," said Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR's vice president of racing operations.

"We are in the process of working with them. They understand the rules that we have in our partnership with Nextel. We are positive we will be able to come to an amicable relationship with those guys and look forward to 2007." When NASCAR struck its deal with Nextel, team owners complained the telecommunications sponsorship ban was far too restrictive. O'Donnell said NASCAR is sensitive to owners' needs. "At the end of the day, we need team sponsors," O'Donnell said.

"The team realizes that, and NAS-CAR realizes that." Childress, a longtime friend of NASCAR's ruling France family and former car owner for the late Dale Earnhardt, isn't one to air his dirty laundry in public. But he doesn't want to be left scrambling to find a new sponsor on short notice, either. "All that's being handled right now with NASCAR," Childress said. "I can't really comment on it. It's just (up to) NASCAR right now.

Nextel's a great series sponsor, and we can work this thing out." But they haven't told you no, right? "All I can say is they're working it out now," Childress said. Tide: Defensive lineman Davis ives Al a bama 1 6 commitments Tigers: Awaiting word from top uncommitted recruits Continued from Page 1C AUBURN COMMITMENTS ALABAMA COMMITMENTS Kourtnei Brown, DE, 6-5, 230, Charlotte, N.CVictory Christian Patrick Crump, OL, 6-3, 285, Hoover Hoover Luther Davis, DE, 6-4, 255, West Monroe, LaVWest Monroe Nick Fanuzzi, QB, 6-3, 200, San Antonio, TexasChurchill Nick Gentry, DT, 6-1, 265, Prattville Prattville Jennings Hester, LB, 6-3, 225, Atlan-taMarist Kareem Jackson, DB, 6-0, 193, Macon, Ga.Fork Union Military Academy Chris Lett, DB, 6-2, 195, Pensacola, Fla.Pensacola Robert Marve, QB, 6-1, 189, Tampa, Fla.Plant Rolando McClain. LBDE, 6-4, 240, DecaturDecatur Alfred McCullough, DT, 6-3, 297, Ath-ehsAthens Elliott McGaskin.DB, 5-1 1,185, MobileB.C. Rain Kerry Murphy, DT, 6-5, 315, Hoover Hoover Jamar Taylor, RB, 5-9, 204, Lakeland, FlaVLakeland William Vlachos, OL, 6-2, 287, BirminghamMountain Brook Alex Watkins, 225, Brownsville, Tenn.Haywood December signee, already enrolled Texas Motor Speedway alleviates 'Dale's Dip' Kodi Burns, QB, 6-2, 195, Fort Smith, Ark. WesByrum.K, 6-3, 195, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Huntsville Josh Chapman, DT, 6-1, 280, Hoover Jared Cooper, OL, 6-4, 287, Brewton Kyle Coulahan, OL, 6-4, 305, Pensacola, Fla. Enrique Davis, RB, 5-1 1,212, Lynn Haven, Fla. Johnny Lee Dixon, ATH, 5-1 1, 176, Belle Glade, Fla. John Douglas, FB, 6-2, 235, Augusta, Ga. Eltoro Freeman, LB, 5-1 1, 199, Alexander City A.J.

Greene, DE, 6-5, 250, Bo Harris, ATH, 6-2, 235. New Berlin, N.Y. Tim Lamb. DT. 5-11, 31 5, Tallahassee, Fla.

Ryan Pugh, OL, 6-2, 275, Hoover Chaz Ramsey, 0L, 6-3, 285, Madison, Miss. Mike Slade.DB, 6-2, 185, Tallahassee, Fla. Chris Slaughter, WR, 6-3, 180, Chatham, Va. Brent Slusher, TE, 6-3, 221, Pin-eville, Ky. Ryan Williams, DB, 5-11, 182, Mobile Bailey Woods, TE, 6-4.

240, Marietta, Ga. Lee Ziemba, 0L, 6-7, 295, Rog- Continued from Page 1C committedtoLSUnot visitotherschools, and reportedly became furious when he learned of Davis' clandestine trip. Davis said he told Miles he was de-committing early this week, then informed Alabama assistant Lance Thompson he was headed to the Crimson Tide on Thursday night. He said his commitment is firm and he won't take any more official visits. "I'm done, 100 percent Alabama," Davis told Rivals.com.

"I've discussed this over with everyone that matters and we all think it's a great choice. My family is happy because Tuscaloosa isn't that far away and they will still be able to come see me play." Davis gives the Crimson Tide 16 verbal commitments for 2007, though that number remains fluid heading into the final 10 days of the recruiting season. A pair of prospects switched their verbal commitments from Alabama to other schools earlier this week, defensive back Sherod Murdock to Pittsburgh and defensive tackle LaMarcus Williams to Ole Miss. Quarterback Robert Marve, like Murdock a Tampa, native, is reportedly leaning toward Miami after committing to Alabama under former head coach Mike Shula. Marve, a four-star prospect, is visiting Hawaii this weekend and is expected to make his final decision on where he'll attend college by Monday.

Alabama is anticipating hosting more than a dozen prospects for official visits this weekend, including perhaps the most-coveted un-committed player in the state, safety Michael McNeil of Mobile's Davidson High. McNeil, rated a four-star prospect by both Rivals.com and Scout.com, has narrowed his final choices to Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee and Florida State. He will announce his college destination at a press conference Tuesday morning. "I think it's very, very close," Davidson coach Fred Riley told Rivals.com. "I would probably say that Auburn and Florida State have an edge on Tennessee and Alabama right now.

But who knows what will come of this weekend." Also expected in Tuscaloosa this weekend are two other Mobile prospects, Davidson defensive end Damario Ambrose and Williamson guard Nick Fairiey, as well as four-star running back i any time. He told AuburnSports. com earlier this week that he could announce as early as Friday but might wait until the Feb. 7 signing day. He's also mulling Auburn, Iowa, Louisville and South Carolina.

Carter, Gibson and Fairiey will be signing-day announcements. Cartercomes from Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Dillard High School, an Auburn pipeline. He's reportedly an Auburn lean. Gibson, from UMS-Wright, is expected to choose Alabama over Auburn and South Carolina. Fairiey, from Mobile Williamson High School, is considered an Auburn lean.

He will visit Alabama this weekend. Auburn's 21 public commitments include five offensive linemen. Lee Ziemba, a four-star from Rogers, and rated by Rivals, com as the nation's No. 4 tackle, headlines the group. Auburn lost four senior offensive linemen after last season.

Enrique Davis, the nation's No. 2 running-back prospect, reaffirmed his commitment to Auburn this week after visiting Florida State last weekend. NOTE: Former Auburn running back Kenny Irons and kicker John Vaughn are among 12 players whowillshowtheirskillsinthe ninth annual State Farm College Football All-Star Challenge, to be taped at Orange Bowl Stadium on Tuesday at noon and aired on ESPN Super Bowl weekend, Feb. 3 from 3-5. This year's field includes quarterbacks Chris Leak of Florida, Troy Smith of Ohio State, Drew Stanton of Michigan State and Jared Zabransky of Boise State.

Rounding out the competition are Irons, Tennessee wide receiver Robert Meachem, Miami tight end Greg Olsen, Notre Dame running back Darius Walker and kickers Mason Crosby of Colorado, Justin Medlockof UCLA, Vaughn and Andrew Wellock of Eastern Michigan." Associated Press FORT Texas Motor Speedway completed a project Friday to alleviate "Dale's Dip" a 200-foot section of track between Turns 1 and 2 that got its name after complaints by NAS- -CAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. last fall. I The process to "pump up" the surface below the "jrack and raise targeted areas was expected to take yny two days, but wasn't finished until Friday. The depth of the dip over the track's south tunnel was no jnore than 2 inches at any point. Before the Nextel Cup race last November at "Texas, the 1 12-mile track where Earnhardt got his -first Cup and Busch victories, the driver expressed ioncern about the section.

He said it would "hold Ohis place back f6r years to come" if not repaired. I "While Junior's comments at the time surprised me since he never mentioned it before, it was a concern and we thought it would only be appropriate to 1 investigate the issue president Eddie Gossage said this week. After the November race, which completed 'the track's 10th season of racing, Gossage spoke several drivers, team owners and NASCAR I officials about Earnhardt's concerns and "decided Nt would be beneficial to alleviate the dip as much jis possible." I The process involved drilling 15-20 half-inch Ijioles, inserting copper tubes through the asphalt Tinto the soil below and then injecting a special structure urethane. Despite his complaint about the dip, Earnhardt also called TMS "a fun race track." His seven top-10 finishes, including his victory in 2000, are more than any otherCup driver in the 12Texas races. The Samsung 500 is April 15.

prospects Lennon CreerofTatum.Texas, and Demetrius Goode of Hargrave Military Academy. Goode is considered a heavy Alabama lean who may commit this weekend. Thenthereanumberofplayersmaking their visits despite verbal commitments to other schools, most notably defensive tackle Josh Chapman of Hoover, long an Auburri pledge. He is joined by fullback Jeramie Griffin of Batesville, Miss. (Ole Miss), wide receiver Lionel Breaux of New Orleans (Ole Miss) and defensive end Chavis Williams of Dora (Arkansas).

Verbal commitments are non-binding until national football signing day, which is Feb. 7. Creg Stephenson covers University of Alabama sports for The Star. He can be reached at 235-3575 or Nine of the 12 confirmed players are ranked in the top five at their position, according to ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper's latest report: Stanton (third QB), Smith (fifth QB), Olsen (first TE), Meachem (fourth WR), Irons and Walker (tied, fifth RB), Crosby (first K), Medlock (second K) and Wellock (fourth K). Joe Medley covers Auburn University sports for The Star.

He can be reached at 235-3576 or jmedleyannistonstar.com.