The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • C2

2C Saturday, November 3, 2007 THE TENNESSEAN www.tennessean.com SPORTS Griffin plays it safe on deep-ball defense IM5I TAKE PART IN THE TENNESSEAN' 1 The Tennessean wants to involve you in coverage. To submit story ideas or share your thoughts on issues we're already covering, e-mail us at tnsportstennessean.com. TODAY AT TENNESSEAN.COMSP0RTS UPDATES: Look for live updates from: Tennessee vs. Louisiana-Lafayette Vanderbilt at Florida TSU vs. Murray State MTSU at Louisiana-Monroe BLOG: Look for an update from: Columnist: David Climer EXTRAS: Look for more on: Titans-Panthers video preview with Jim Wyatt and Paul Kuharsky SLIDESHOW: Look for more photos from: SEC Classic: Vandy vs.

Florida in 1968 A-Rod agent wanted $350M The Yankees were told by agent Scott Boras that they could not meet with Alex Rodriguez unless they presented an offer that guaranteed the star $350 million "as a floor." Boras' remarks, first reported Friday by ESPN.com, were reportedly made Oct. 25 during a conversation between the agent and General Manager Brian Cashman. Rodriguez had $81 million left over the final three years of his contract, and the Yankees were prepared to offer him an extension worth $25 million to $30 million a season. Red Sox keep two: Tim Wakefield's $4 million option was exercised by Boston after the knuckle-bailer missed the World Series with inflammation in his right shoulder. The World Series champions also exercised a $3.85 million option on right-hander Julian Tavarez.

Yankees exercise Abreu option: Bobby Abreu's $16 million option for next season was exercised by the New York Yankees. 1, to see a video of staff writers Jim Wyatt and Paul Kuharsky previewing Sunday's Titans-Panthers game. Asked why he wasn't tested more often in his first NFL start last Sunday, Titans rookie free safety Michael Griffin chuckled. "Maybe because I was playing 20 yards deep," he said. "My main objective was, 'Don't let the ball go deep on That was just me trying to allow myself time and not to make mistakes." As he gets more comfortable, Griffin should be able to move closer to the line of scrim- TITANS mage, even on REPORT passing downs.

Jim Wyatt tie ii nave to be on his toes Sunday against the Panthers, rX Sun: vs. Carolina, Noon, WZTV-17 Nov. 11: vs. Jacksonville, Noon, WTVF-5 -S Nov. 19: at Denver, 7:30 p.m., ESPN Tickets: 565-4200 Radio: 103.3 FM his claim he could throw the ball 60 yards while on one knee, but he did manage to sling it 56 yards.

Extra work: Tight end Ben Hartsock spent time after Friday's practice fielding onside kicks. He was unable to haul one in late in a tight game against Houston on Oct. 21. "A fresh screw-up in your mind makes you want to practice that extra bit," Hartsock said. "You have to feel comfortable and you have to feel confident and the more you do it the better you feel." First trip: The Panthers are one of only four teams yet to play at LP Field, along with the Cardinals, Vikings and Chargers, who visit on Dec.

9. The Titans are 21-6 against teams making their first appearance at LP Field. Cell phone drive: The Titans and will collect used cell phones to recycle as part of the Cell Phones for Soldiers program. Funds raised will be used to purchase phone cards for servicemen and women deployed overseas. There will be drop-off locations around LP Field on Sunday.

Helping hand: Center Kevin Mawae plans to help refurbish a football field Tuesday for McMurry Middle School and the South Nashville Sooners, a non-profit youth football and cheerleading organization. It's part of The Home Depot NFL Neighborhood MVP program. Fine-tuned: Titans officials said adjustments have been made to improve picture quality on LP Field's scoreboard screens. Not bad: The Titans are 11-3 in their last 14 games, tied with the Chargers and second only to the Patriots (13-1) in that stretch. Reach Jim Wyatt at 259-8015 or jwyatttennessean at Chicago, 6 p.m., Fox SN at Detroit, 6:30 p.m., Fox SN Nov.

10.: Columbus, 7 p.m. Tickets: 770-PUCK Radio: 104.5-FM or 100.1-FM Louisiana-Lafayette, 3 p.m. Nov. 10: vs. Arkansas, 11:30 a.m., WUXP-30 Nov.

17: vs. Vanderbilt, TBA third straight week, however. Running back LenDale White (toe soreness) was held out of practice, while defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth (ankle) returned after missing two days. Guard Benji Olson (back) was added to the injury report, but he's listed as probable. Defensive end Antwan Odom was excused for personal reasons.

Coming on: He's been inactive the first seven games, but rookie receiver Paul Williams is beginning to make strides on the practice field. "You're starting to see some of the attributes he has," General Manager Mike Reinfeldt said. "People do it at different speeds and you can see he has gotten better over the last several weeks. He has to keep that going." Williams said he's learning from the veterans, has a better understanding of the offense and an improved focus. "Hopefully I'm getting closer to being out there," the third-round pick said.

"Injuries happen, so you have to be ready. You have to prepare each week like you're about to play." Lost wages: Linebacker Ryan Fowler bet tight end Bo Scaife he could throw a football 70 yards in the air after practice Friday. He lost. Fowler also came up short on Tickets: 800-332-VOLS, 865-656-1200 Radio: 1510-AM Harrison a game-time call Colts doctors have told Pro Bowl receiver Marvin Harrison he can play against New England, and he hopes to. Whether he actually makes it on the field is up to Coach Tony Dungy, who said Harrison is expected to be a game-time decision.

Later, the Colts denied a report that Harrison could have pain in the knee not only the rest of this season but for the rest of his career. Reid says he'll stay: Eagles Coach Andy Reid insisted he will not resign, a day after a judge sentenced Reid's two sons to prison and likened his home to a "drug emporium." Patriots place Morris on IR: Patriots rushing leader Sammy Morris was placed on injured reserve with a chest injury, ending his season. at Florida, 11:30 a.m., WUXP-30 Nov. 10: vs. Kentucky, 1 p.m.

Nov. 17: at Tennessee, TBA who are not afraid to take shots down- field. Receiver Steve Smith has receptions of 65, 74 and 78 yards. The Titans expect to be tested deep. "Calculated shots," Coach Jeff Fisher said.

"They scheme them up and design them. And they hit some. People are obviously paying attention to Steve Smith, and the other receivers are making plays deep down the field. So they're good at scheming up their shots." LaBoy fined: The NFL fined defensive end Travis LaBoy $5,000 for a major face mask penalty last Sunday against the Raiders. LaBoy was flagged for a 15-yard penalty when he grabbed the face mask of Raiders quarterback Daunte Culpepper on a sack.

Injuries: Chris Brown (ankle) missed practice again on Friday and Fisher said the running back is a game-time decision. Rookie Chris Henry is expected to be active for the Tickets: 322-GOLD Radio: 104.5-FM Qn ni li ci i-hA nn mo Nov. 10: vs. Louisiana-Lafayette, 2:30 p.m. Nov.

20: at Troy, 6 p.m., ESPN2 Tickets: 898-2103, 888-YES-MTSU Radio: 106.7-FM vs. Murray State, 5 p.m. lll'l Nov. 7 p.m. Nov.

17: vs. UT Martin, 1 p.m. Tickets: 963-5841, 888-894-2583 Radio: 560-AM No one comments on Pacman meeting James scores 45 for Cavs LeBron James scored 45 points and Daniel Gibson made four 3-pointers in just over two minutes in the fourth quarter to rally host Cleveland past the New York Knicks 110-106. Celtics 103, Wizards 83: Kevin Garnett's dazzling Celtics debut of 22 points and 20 rebounds sparked Boston's rally in the first half and Paul Pierce added 28 points. Sonics seek move: The Seattle SuperSonics' new owner has told the NBA he plans to move the team to Oklahoma City.

Clay Bennett has until March 1 to file for relocation with the NBA if he wants the team to play the 2008-09 season anywhere besides Seattle. Wade cleared to play: Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade has been cleared to play after recovering from the left knee and left shoulder surgeries he had in May. Coach Pat Riley didn't put a timetable on Wade's return to the lineup. don't think Jeff would put him on the field instantly," he said. "The way this defense is playing right now, you have to earn your way on the field.

Everybody who's in there had to earn their way. Nothing is given. We've proven it." Last month Jones told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution he'd done enough to be reinstated early. He still has pending legal cases in Nevada and Georgia. Reach Jim Wyatt at 259-801 5 or agreed to Friday's meeting at league offices in New York.

On Thursday, Titans Coach Jeff Fisher said he doesn't expect Jones to be reinstated early. Fisher declined to comment further on Friday when asked about the meeting. Several Titans said they weren't aware Jones was to meet with Goodell, but defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth said he didn't think Jones would be a problem if allowed back on the team. "I don't think so because I By JIM WYATT Staff Writer Titans cornerback Pacman Jones was to meet Friday with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell about possibly returning early from a season-long suspension, but a league spokesman and lawyers for Jones declined comment. Jones was suspended in April for conduct detrimental to the league and Goodell said he would review the case after 10 games.

The Titans' 10th game is Nov. 19, but the commissioner Curlin goes up for sale Breeders' Cup Classic winner Curlin is up for sale, with a group of over 400 owners interested in a payday. Details haven't been worked out about when the likely Horse of the Year will go on the block. Event Time Station AUTO RACING Busch O'Reilly Challenge 2:30 p.m. ESPN2, 104.5-FM Nextel Cup practice 5 p.m.

ESPN2 COLLEGE FOOTBALL Purdue at Penn State 11a.m. ESPN Iowa at Northwestern 11 a.m. ESPN2 N.C. State at Miami 11a.m. ESPNU James Madison at Delaware 11 a.m.

CSS Vanderbilt at Florida 11:30 a.m. WUXP-30, 104.5-FM Nebraska at Kansas 11:30 a.m. Fox SN Kansas State at Iowa State 11:30 a.m. Versus Austin Peay at SE Missouri 1 p.m. 105.1-FM East Carolina at Memphis 1p.m.

1200-AM Navy at Notre Dame 1:30 p.m. WSMV-4, 106.7-FM Michigan at Michigan State 2:30 p.m. WKRN-2 Cincinnati at South Florida 2:30 p.m. ESPN Marshall at Central Florida 2:30 p.m. CSS Maryland at North Carolina 2:45 p.m.

ESPNU La. -Lafayette at Tennessee 3 p.m. 1510-AM LSU at Alabama 4 p.m. WTVF-5 Murray State at TSU 5 p.m. 560-AM Arizona State at Oregon 5:40 p.m.

ESPN, 104.5-FM Southern Miss at UAB 6 p.m. CSS MTSU at 6 p.m. 106.7-FM Rutgers at Connecticut 6:15 p.m. ESPNU South Carolina at Arkansas 7 p.m. ESPN2 Florida St.

at Boston College 7 p.m. WKRN-2 Washington St. at California 9 p.m. Fox SN Jackson St. at Alabama 9:30 p.m.

ESPNU GOLF Music City Country Club 9 a.m. 106.7-FM Children's Miracle Classic 1p.m. GOLF MARATHON U.S. Olympic Trials 1p.m. WSMV-4 MEN'S BASKETBALL Boyce at Trevecca 3 p.m.

89.1-FM NBA Indiana at Memphis 7 p.m. Fox SN WOMEN'S BASKETBALL Temple Baptist at Trevecca 1p.m. 89.1-FM Event Time Station AUTO RACING Nextel Cup Dickies 500 2:30 p.m. WKRN-2, 104.5-FM NHRA Southern Cal 6 p.m. ESPN2 COLLEGE FOOTBALL Phillip Fulmer Show 10 a.m.

WZTV-17 Big Orange Sunday 10 a.m. 104.5-FM Vol Nation 6 p.m. 1510-AM SMU at Houston 7 p.m. ESPN UT Locker Room 9 p.m. WUXP-30 GOLF PGA Children's Miracle Class.

1 p.m. GOLF NFL Carolina at Tennessee Noon WZTV-17, 103.3-FM New England at Indianapolis 3:15 p.m. WTVF-5, 106.7-FM Dallas at Philadelphia 7:15 p.m. WSMV-4, 106.7-FM NHL Nashville at Chicago 6 p.m. FoxSN, NFL PICKS DAVID J0E JIM PAUL ronal This week guest CLIMER BIDDLE WYATT KUHARSKY SERPAS picker is Ronal Serpas, sl PSfefc ft chief of the Metro 1 Jk Nashville Police 1 Rp.

Department. ..1 Zi gf f- wto i A Denver at Detroit Detroit Detroit Denver Detroit Detroit Carolina at Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee San Diego at Minnesota San Diego San Diego San Diego San Diego San Diego Washington at N.Y. Jets Washington Washington Washington Washington Washington San Francisco at Atlanta Atlanta San Francisco Atlanta San Francisco Atlanta Cincinnati at Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo Cincinnati Cincinnati Buffalo J'ville at N. Orleans Jacksonville New Orleans Jacksonville Jacksonville Jacksonville Green Bay at Kan. City Green Bay Green Bay Green Bay Green Bay Green Bay Arizona at Tampa Bay Tampa Bay Tampa Bay Tampa Bay Tampa Bay Tampa Bay Seattle at Cleveland Cleveland Cleveland Cleveland Cleveland Cleveland Houston at Oakland Oakland Oakland Oakland Oakland Houston New England at Indy New England New England New England New England New England Dallas at Philadelphia Dallas Dallas Dallas Dallas Dallas Baltimore at Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Last week 7-6 8-5 6j7 9-4 6-7 Season 68-48 (.586) 65-51 (.560) 68-48 (.586) 74-42 (.638) 73-43 (.629) Verplank leads at Disney Scott Verplank made six birdies on his first nine holes for a second straight 6-under 66 and a one-shot lead over Tag Ridings, Stephen Ames and Ryan Armour at 12-under 132 at the Children's Miracle Network Classic in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Davies leads Mizuno: Laura Davies shot a 7-under 65 and had a one-stroke lead over Chie Arimura and Reilley Rankin after the first round of the Mizuno Classic in Japan. Giancarlo Guerrero Tennis: Julie Ditty, a former Vanderbilt star, advanced to the Bell Challenge semifinals in Quebec, beating Vania King 6-4, 3-6, 6-4. Truex claims first pole of career Associated Press Earlier this year, Martin Truex Jr. got his first NASCAR Nextel Cup win. Now he has his first pole, too.

The 27-year-old Dale Earnhardt Inc. driver turned a lap of 193.105 mph Fri- day at Texas Motor Speed- jj Sounds keep Kremblas Frank Kremblas, who has led the Nashville Sounds to division titles in each of his first three seasons, will return for the 2008 season, the Milwaukee Brewers announced Friday. Pitching coach Stan Kyles, hitting coach Harry Spilman, and trainer Jeff Paxson will also return in 2008. Men's soccer: Ben Page scored for Lipscomb (5-10-3) in a 4-1 loss at Wofford. Ryan Hook's goal gave visiting Belmont (7-8-2) a 2-1 overtime win over No.

16 Furman. Women's soccer: Megan Jones' goal gave visiting Kentucky a 1-0 win over Vanderbilt (6-9-3). Lipscomb (4-15-1) lost 1-0 at home to Tennessee Tech (4-10-4) on a goal by Rachel Martin-Trevino. Points leader Jeff Gordon, the second to last driver to qualify, will start second. Jimmie Johnson, the reigning Cup champion who trails Gordon by just nine points going into Sunday's race, qualified eighth.

Another trip Las Vegas native Kurt Busch has often heard talk about the possibility of his hometown getting a second NASCAR Nextel Cup date. Speedway Motorsports, which also owns the Las Vegas track, has agreed to a $340 million deal to buy New Hampshire International Speedway. "I don't know. It's all speculation now," Busch said. "Vegas deserves two dates, but I am under the (opinion) that we should try to race at every race track once, that way a track like Kentucky Speedway gets a date, Nashville gets a day." Edwards close to Busch title: Carl Edwards Edwards had a fast lap of 190.745 mph to qualify third for the Busch Series O'Reilly Challenge at Texas Motor Speedway.

Edwards only has to finish today's race 36th or better to clinch the season title. David Reutimann earned his first career pole with a qualifying lap of 191.646 mph. Alonso leaving McLaren: Two-time Formula One champion Fernando Alonso left McLaren after a stormy first season with the British team. Alonso joined McLaren after winning the championship the past two years with Renault. way in Fort Worth, Texas, to grab the top spot for the Dickies 500.

AUTO NOTEBOOK "I've got to hand it to all the guys on this team," Truex said. "They rebuilt this car from last week. It's my favorite car and it has been for a good part of the season. They made it as good as new. 104.5-FM Taped.

ESPNU available only to satellite service customers. SportSouth not available on Comcast in Nashville. Listings provided by stations; subject to change..