TAMPA, Fla. Stitched Hurricanes Jerseys . -- Tampa Bays Dashon Goldson is proud of his reputation as a hard-hitting safety, but concedes it bothers him that theres a growing perception that hes a dirty player. "Im an aggressive player, we all know that. My intention is to never to go out and hurt anybody," the seventh-year pro said Wednesday after the NFL reduced his one-game suspension for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Saints running back Darren Sproles to a $100,000 fine. "I try to keep my hits within the rules. Thats what Im going to do week in and week out," Goldson added. "Im going to try to get guys on the ground. But at the same time, Ive got to be careful." The decision by Matt Birk, who handles appeals of discipline of on-field punishment for players for the league and NFL Players Association, allows Goldson to practice this week and play Sunday at New England. "The appeal went OK. I sat there and had a good argument, I felt," said Goldson, who suspended one game without pay Monday for flagrant and repeat violations of NFL safety rules prohibiting hits to the head and neck area of defenceless players. "I explained my side, and they went and explained the rules. We met halfway on the deal pretty much," the two-time Pro Bowl selection said. "The good thing is Im not suspended. I get to play this week, which was the most important thing." Goldson was flagged for unnecessary roughness in last weeks game against New Orleans for the hit, one of three helmet-to-helmet penalties called against the Buccaneers. Defensive end Adrian Clayborn was called for a head shot on quarterback Drew Brees, and safety Ahmad Black drew a penalty for hitting tight end Jimmy Graham in the helmet. The unnecessary roughness call on Goldson for hitting Sproles was the second against the safety in two weeks, and his fifth overall since 2011. "Hes had a lot of those. He certainly has no regard for the rules in the middle. Hes going after guys heads. You can see it," Brees said. "Obviously, $100,000 is a pretty hefty fine. And Im sure if it continues to happen itll be even greater punishment than that." Brees also was critical of Blacks hit on Graham, which came on an incompletion. "I know its tough playing the safety position in the middle. Things happen fast," Brees said. "But then again, theres some instances where you can see it was pretty obvious a guy was going at another guys head. And that happened on at least two occasions in our game." Since the start of the 2010 season, Goldson has drawn a league-high 15 major penalties, including three for unsportsmanlike conduct. Birk upheld a $30,000 fine for another Goldson hit two weeks ago against New York Jets tight end Jeff Cumberland. "Ive got to take my shots when they present themselves, but theyve got to be clean. No launching, of course. No hats on hats, making sure I get the guy down and do it properly," Goldson said. "I know theres going to be a lot of eyes on me from now on. And thats ok," he added. "Ive just got to be smart. Im not trying to hurt our team. Im definitely not trying to hurt myself or another player." Commissioner Roger Goodell said he had not yet seen Birks decision, but noted that Goldson received a "substantial fine" that shows "a violation of the rule has consequences." "Players are adapting to the rules and techniques," Goodell said, adding "the culture doesnt change overnight." Goldson was an All-Pro last season with San Francisco, helping the 49ers reach the Super Bowl. He joined Tampa Bay as a free agent, signing a five-year, $41.25 million contract. If the seventh-year pros suspension had been upheld it would have cost Goldson $264,705 in salary. Coach Greg Schiano welcomed the news that Goldson would be able to play Sunday. "Dashons become a big part of our defence, obviously. Its great that we have him back. Were fortunate," the coach said, adding the coaching staff will continue to work with players and make sure they adhere to the rules. "I dont want to be in this position. I know he doesnt want to be in this position," Schiano said. "Its something weve got to work very hard on. ... Weve got to get it corrected because we cant afford to lose him, and we want to play the game within the rules." The Bucs have committed a league-high 23 penalties for 220 yards in two games. Theyve been flagged for six personal fouls -- five for helmet-to-helmet contact and the other for a late hit on Jets quarterback Geno Smith. Goldson said he will remain aggressive, adding that he made a name for himself in the NFL with a good, clean hard play. "Its just unfortunate these last two weeks that Im a dirty player all of a sudden," Goldson said. "It is what it is. Im going to continue to do me, but just be smart at the same time." Fake Hurricanes Jerseys . -- Oakland Athletics starting pitchers Jarrod Parker and A. Carolina Hurricanes Pro Shop .com) - Calgary Flames forward Johnny Gaudreau has been selected as the NHLs Rookie of the Month for December, the league announced Friday.SEATTLE -- Chris Young isnt prone to self-praise. Even after a good start, the Seattle Mariners right-hander is more comfortable giving credit to anyone but himself. Young had another opportunity to act the consummate teammate after he pitched pitching eight efficient innings Saturday night to lead the Mariners to a 3-1 win over the Kansas City Royals. "Im happy," Young said. "Im happy we won. Thats first and foremost. My goal is for the team to win the day I pitch, however its done." Young (3-0) allowed three hits, struck out three and walked none. It was the first time he threw at least eight innings since he tossed a complete game for the San Diego Padres in 2008. Young pitched sparingly in the majors from 2009-12 and missed most of last season after having surgery to address a nerve ailment that affects his shoulder. The tall right-hander needed just 96 pitches and set down the Royals in order in five of his eight innings. "Ive said all along, hes a veteran guy that knows what hes doing, what he wants to do," Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon said. "When hes capable of executing his pitches, hes pretty tough. "Hes gotten better every time out. We got to remember this guys coming off surgery. Very limited amount of spring training. So what hes doing is really remarkable, to command it so early like he is." Fernando Rodney pitched around a two-out single in the ninth inning to record his 11th save in 12 attempts. Justin Smoak gave Young all the run support he would need with a two-run home run to right in the fourth to give the Mariners a 2-1 lead. Smoaks fifth home run of the season gave him 24 RBIs, a number he didnt reach last year until Aug. 1. Dustin Ackley added a solo shot to right in the sixth inning off Royals starter Yordano Ventura. Ventura (2-2) allowed three runs in 6 1-3 innings. The right-hander issued a season-high four walks, while notching a season-low three strikeouts. ";You know, he threw the ball really well," Royals skipper Ned Yost said. Wholesale Hurricanes Jerseys. "The pitch to Smoak wasnt a bad pitch, it was down and in that he got the head out on. The pitch to Ackley was a changeup that he drove into the seats. But outside of that, it was OK." Mariners right fielder Michael Saunders hurt himself when his foot slid in the grass near the right-field line while he was chasing a ball hit by Mike Moustakas in the top of the third inning. Saunders fell to the ground and the ball bounced over him, allowing Moustakas to reach third with a triple. The Royals took advantage of the opportunity as Alcides Escobar followed with a sacrifice fly to left to give Kansas City a 1-0 lead. Saunders left the game after the inning and was diagnosed with a hyperextended left knee. He is considered day to day. The four hits tied a season-low for the Royals, who have struggled to find power during their time in Seattle. Of its 23 hits in three games thus far in the series, Kansas City has just one extra-base hit. "So far, so good, but my goal is to help this club make the playoffs," Young said. "My goal isnt to make five ... (or six starts). I try not to evaluate at this point. I just want to keep getting better, working hard and to keep helping the club. I feel like if I do that one game at a time, you look back, well be satisfied where we are." NOTES: Sundays series finale will pit Seattle LHP Roenis Elias against Kansas City RHP Jeremy Guthrie. ... Mariners rookie James Jones hit in the leadoff spot for the first time in his career. Manager Lloyd McClendon said Jones, who hit .306 in the minors from the top spot in the lineup, is a "prototypical leadoff guy." ... Home plate umpire Scott Barry left Saturdays game following the third inning after appearing to take a pitch off his right hand. Crew chief Jeff Nelson took over behind the plate and the game finished with three umpires. ' ' '
top of page


25 YEARS
EXPERIENCE
DESIGNS BY TONY GALE PMP, PTECH
PROJECT MANGER PROFESSIONAL
PROFESSIONAL CIVIL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGIST
CERTIFIED CARPENTER/CABINET MAKER
EMAIL Tonygale@galehomedesigns.com
bottom of page