The Daily News-Journal from Murfreesboro, Tennessee • 20

EC Daily News Journal, Murfreesboro, Tenn.t Thursday, Aprils, 2001 Titans, Sounds, Preds, From 1C nJ Mi: 0 A look at some of the key dates involving the Tennessee Titans during the off-season: Tuesday-Today Passing camp April 10-12 Passing camp April 21-22 NFL Draft May 9-1 1 Veterans minicamp May 15 Veterans minicamp May 17-18 Veteransrookie minicamp June 5-8 Rookie minicamp June 11-14 Full squad mini- camp (note: all Titans' off-season workouts are closed to the public. The team will hold open practice sessions during training camp, the final dates for which have not yet been -1; cause we' were minus three games last year. Plus you feel like someone came into your house and took something from you. We want it back" While the bodies might be sound the minds obviously remained scarred by the 24-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Jan. 7 that brought about the extended break.

The Ravens are the only visiting team to win at Adelphia Coliseum, and that one was their second triumph there in a span of two months. "I think we're more hungry to get back out there and get at it," cornerback Samari Rolle said. "Hopefully everybody feels that way." Because of injury, roster moves or simply extended vacation time for some it is only a fraction of the roster that is taking part in the voluntary session this week. Several others are expected in next week for the second three-day session that will serve as something of a warmup for training camp and the regular season. "I just try to go out and not slip or tear a hamstring or something like that," tight end Frank Wycheck said.

"I haven't caught a pass this whole off-season until (Tuesday). You're not going out there and going 110 miles per hour, you're just going out to get better. This is when you start building so that you can go all championship. Now there has been enough time to start anew. "Going to the Super Bowl, which we loved you want to go to the Super Bowl every year it seemed like it was just two or three weeks and we were right back to Pro Bowler Derrick Mason said.

This year we've had a long time to relax." They're not the only ones either. Players who have remained in town for most or all of the time since the season ended say the fans have-rested as well. The hysteria that surrounded the team for much of the 2000 calendar year has been noticeably absent in 2001, they said. "It's different, obviously," Wycheck said. "Coming off the Super Bowl there was a sense that it never died down.

Losing last year the way We did the town went into a coma and still hasn't gotten out of it. That has a lingering effect." BRIEFLY: All the papers were signed and the trade for de- fensive end Kevin Carter officially was completed. To make room under the salary cap the Titans released four of the players they allocated to NFL Europe. Wide receiver Maurice Bryant, running back DeMario defensive end Jesse Warren and cornerback Wade Davis all were let go with the hope that they can be re- Tennessee tight end Frank healthy during the Titans passing camp. Vw I DNJ file photo by J.

Intintoir Wycheck Is trying to stay nessee's camp in 1998. The oth- er three took part last season but battled injuries of varying de-, grees. Brown sustained a season- ending Achilles tendon tear dur-J0 ing the scrimmage with the St. Louis Rams at Macomb, 111. fail to Steps Reunion and there were video tributes throughout the game.

Af-u? terward, 24 fans were brought onto the ice and given auto-itf graphed sweaters by the players, "There were some goose- tri bumps tonight," said Jamie Lan-to genbrunner, who arrived in theoj second season. "Watching the videos brought back some good memories. We've had some spe-nt cial memories here." The Stars and NBA's Dallas rfl Mavericks will play next season mn American Airlines Center, which is being built about two.jn miles away. While the facility will be nicer, seats will be farther from the ice to accom- modate luxury boxes. "There's a great! Ot: i ft.

it 'fete signed prior to training camp. Brown was scheduled to earn $275,000 in salary this season while the other three were signed for the league minimum, $209,000. Bryant participated in Ten- Predators DALLAS (AP) The Dallas Stars made their last regular-season game in Reunion Arena a memorable one. Brett Hull and Mike Modano scored power-play oals as Dallas beat the Nashville Predators 5-1, upping the Stars' unbeaten streak to a season-best 12 games and setting an NHL record for third-period dominance. This was the 22nd straight game in which Dallas was not outscored in the third period, breaking the mark held by Win nipeg in 1989-90 and Quebec in 1980-81.

The Stars are 35-0-1-1 when leading after two periods and haven't lost in a league-best 55 such games dating to last season. "Everybody calls us old, but we seem to be outscoring everybody in the third," captain Derian Hatcher said. "It says something." Nashville goal- They (Stars) back Tomas I the in the ill AP photo safely into second ahead of Morris Wednesday night. 66 're one of Tennessee was a tired team last season By David Bocuur Sports writer v. NASHVILLE The way Jeff Fisher saw it, the Tennessee Titans were a tired team when they were eliminated in the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs back in January.

The demands physical and mental of following up a Super Bowl season took their toll throughout 2000 season as the Titans rolled to the league's best regular season record and earned home-field advantage throughout the postseason. While no one wanted it to end when it did the coach encouraged his players to take advantage of the extra time and catch up on the rest they missed a year earlier. Two days into the first week of passing camp, the first on-the-field activity of the off-season, the Titans say that mission was accomplished. "We played every game possible the year before last," defensive tackle Jason Fisk said. "It seemed like when we started the off-season camps we hadn't even gone home yet.

"You can already feel a difference. Your body's more fresh be Sounds go down 3-2 to Memphis By John Callow Sports miter j- MEMPHIS There's something right about a game celebrating the 100th anniversary of organized minor league baseball being settled by fundamentals. "The difference was fundamental baseball," Sounds manager Marty Brown said moments after his team dropped its season opener 3-2 to the Memphis Red-birds. Redbird catcher Keith McDonald scored the first minor league run of the new century in the third inning. Nashville starter Sam McConnell gave up a lead-off single to McDonald, then walked Stubby Clapp.

Memphis pitcher Bud Smith sacrificed the runners to second and third. Kerry Robinson drove them both home with a single to center. The walk was the only one issued by McConnell in six innings of work. 1 Smith's bunt was the differ-ence Brown alluded to. In a similar situation in the previous in-ning, McConnell had bunted into adouble play instead of moving ajunner along.

I "Smith got the bunt down, Sammy didn't," Brown said. "That was the ballgame." Actually, there was more to tte ballgame. In fact, the Sounds dove Smith from the mound in trie seventh. After Adam Hyzdu singled to lead of the seventh, Humberto Cota homered to left to tie the score. The lead was short-lived as dave Pavlas, who relieved Mc-dbnnell in the bottom of the seventh, gave up a 382-foot homer to Luis Saturria on his first pitch cjf the season.

I 'That was just a slider that backed up on him," Brown said. "We got the two-run homer from Cota, and with Pav coming in, I thought we could hold them until we scored a run." After giving up the home run, livlas retired the last six hitters in order. McConnell was on a pitch count Wednesday, but didn't get cjose to the limit, Brown said. "Sam got a little tired toward tfio end and was leaving the ball i odd tOUgheSt feeling, a great atmos- league sai(! MAnann uhrtcA Linescore: 000 200 2 7 1 000 1 0x 3 5 1 Pavlas (7) and Cota; Smith, Kamuth and McDonald. Kamuth (1-0).

(0-1). Sv Spradlin (1) HRs -Nashville, (1); Memphis, Saturria (1). A tocome on. Vokoun 1 out when it's time." In a sense, the Titans are starting over for the first time since well, since they became the Titans. The name "change from the Oilers went into effect prior to the starfof the 1999 season.

Immediately the team earned a wild card berth in the playoffs and won three games to reach the Super Bowl. The momentum from that playoff run carried into the next season. When the 2000 season ended Fisher called it the second-half of a two-year effort to win a Memphis' Andy Bevins slides the tag of Nashville's Warren Memphis 3 Nashville 2' Today's Game 7 p.m., vs. Calgary WNSR (560-AM) AutoZone Park is located less than a short home run from the Rendezvous, Memphis most famous barbecue emporium. One of the most popular concession stands in the park sells nachos (Continued from page 1C) Vincent Yarbrough and juniors-to-be Ron Slay, Jon Higgins, Harris Walker and Marcus Hais-lip was plain and simple.

The players attended Wednesday's new conference announcing Peterson's hiring at Thomp-son-Boling Arena. But not before meeting with the new coach and retained assistant coach Chris Ferguson, a holdover from Green's staff and former fellow assistant coach with Peterson at Appalachian State (where Peterson later was head coach for four seasons before heading to Tulsa). 'I told the players we're going to work hard, but we're also going to have fun doing it," Peterson said. "To win championships, you have to pay the price." And the Volunteers said they expected nothing less from their first meeting with their new coach. "It's a matter of him taking control early and setting the footsteps for us," said Slay, a Nashville native.

"Right now, there is a transition that everybody is trying to make to just get used to him. But right now, I feel like I'm already used to him." Peterson said he plans to initiate individual workouts for the players with himself and Ferguson as Wednesday's Nashville 000 Memphis 002 McConnell, (7), Spradlin (9) L- Pavlas Cota up a bit," he said. Another big play came on a call at second base in which Chad Hermansen was called out on'd force play for the second out in the eighth. "I didn't think Clapp had control of the ball, but the umpire told me he was closer to the play than I was and saw what happened Brown said. "It was a pretty good game, so I decided I'd rather stick around to see the end of it than argue the point." The Sounds open an eight-game home stand tonight with Calgary.

Mike Lincoln makes his Nashville debut against Pat Aheara. Game time tonight and Friday is 7 p.m. Saturday is a 6 p.m. start and first pitch Sunday is at 2 p.m. Both the Sounds and Red-birds wore retro uniforms in honor of the minor league centennial.

Both sets featured a baggy-pants '40s look, but neither was historically accurate for a Nashville or Memphis team. The umpiring crew was attired in jacket and tie. Tennessee The 'Buzz1 around Tennessee The University of Tennessee has hired Robert "Buzz" Peterson as the new men's head basketball coach. Peterson led the University of Tulsa to a National Invitation Tournament title this season. 200O-O1 Led Tulsa to a 28 win, 1 1 loss season and an NIT championship.

1996-2000: Served as head coach at Appalachian State, earning an NCAA tournament bid his final season. 1967-96: Served as an assistant coach at Appalachian State, East Tennessee State, North Carofina State and Vanderbift. 1982: Played on North Carolina's NCAA Championship team. tender Tomas Vokoun is a believer. "They're one of the toughest in the league to come back on," he said.

"They play great defense and don't give up much. They play a very disciplined game." They're especially tough at Reunion, the building they've called home since moving from Minnesota in 1993-94. Dallas closed the book at 172-94-45, a winning percentage of over .625. Fans were given posters featuring the Stars' greatest moments at REriOUED Lifetime Warranty BIo-Degradable and assist gave him" 316 points in by far the most of any player. "The fans are' right on you and it getsa real loud in here.

The old buildings have a lotol more character to them." But first, the Stars will try adding another Stanley Cup ner to the one already hanging at Reunion. Their recent hot streak, which included clinching a fifth- straight division title, has bol-; stered their postseason hopes. "With everyone pulling togeth-, er right now, we're playing consis-, tent hockey," Hatcher said. "We' ve batded through our incon- sistencies and we're really rolling." lft3L 890-75U Expires 4-15-2001 I with Rendezvous barbecue for $6. A major league price but worth every penny.

Announced attendance Wednesday was 15,776, a new Memphis record for a home opener. The record home opener at Tim McCarver Stadium was 9,197, set in 1978 against the Sounds. early as today. And that's where his discipline and direction for the players should manifest itself immediately. "You have to have strong discipline," Peterson said of the main tenant of his coaching philosophy.

"Our student-athletes must treat their classmates with respect and dignity. And along with that, we will have 100 percent effort. That's in the classroom and on the court." And, yes, the new coach made quite an impression during his first team meeting. "He let us know the things that we will be doing off the court and on the court and some of the things that he expects from us," Yarbrough said. And even with the departure of seniors Tony Harris, Isiah Victor and Charles Hathaway, the Volunteers expect to compete for a Southeastern Conference championship and a fifth-straight NCAA Tournament berth this coming season.

But not before some hard work along the way. "Ballgames are won right now in the springtime, the summertime and the fall," Peterson said. "When we get out there and start practicing in October, those (fundamentals and approach) need to already be going." FREE 24 Hour Local Monitoring in Murfreesboro I FREE Equipment and Installation 100 Lifetime Service Warranty i Monitor and Service Existing Systems Serving Murfreesboro Since 1982 I 1 -yims I FT1SECURITYI Ky SERVICES IT OF MURFREEQ DDRDi www.greatsecurlty.com AP SOURCE: Unmanly oC Tutm.