Thomas

Wide receiver Mike Thomas will be the first to say he can make a big impact in the NFL despite being small.

Apparently, the Jacksonville Jaguars agree.

The former University of Arizona receiver was the seventh pick in the fourth round, by Jacksonville, on Sunday. The Jaguars also selected fellow Wildcat Eben Britton, an offensive tackle, in the second round.

Quarterback Willie Tuitama, safety Nate Ness, linebacker Ronnie Palmer and the rest of the Wildcats hoping to be drafted will now wait for possible free-agent deals.

The 5-foot-8 Thomas, projected to go as high as the third round, likely fell lower because of his lack of height.

“I think it is going to fuel my fire,” Thomas said. “I’ve got knocked down for being 5-8, 5-7 or whatever you want to call it,” Thomas said on a conference call. “I definitely think that is going to spark my fuse and it’s already sparked my fuse. I’m just ready to get going.”

He will be a slot receiver for the Jaguars, who lacked a dynamic wideout last season.

“The coaches said we need a player (who) when you throw him the ball, they can get fast quick. And that’s what (Thomas) can do,” Jacksonville director of player personnel Terry McDonough said on the Jaguars’ team Web site. “He can get off the spot. He has burst.

“He’s a lively guy. We thought he was probably going to go maybe a round earlier. So he was the top-rated player on our board when we got him.”

Thomas set a UA and Pac-10 record with 259 career receptions. He caught at least one pass in all but one game during his career. In the only game he didn’t catch a ball, he had a broken hand and was used as a decoy.

He will be competing for playing time immediately, and will have a talented role model in Torry Holt, who was traded to the Jaguars from St. Louis this week.

“I’m going to get right under his armpit and soak as much information from him as I can and watch him every day. I hope he takes me in as one of his little brothers, just try to teach me the way,” Thomas told the Jacksonville Jaguar web site. “I’m going to be like a little sponge and I couldn’t ask for any more.”

Jacksonville got rid of Matt Jones, Jerry Porter and Reggie Williams during the offseason, leaving plenty of room for Thomas to get playing time.

One of the receivers Thomas will compete with for time is former UA star Dennis Northcutt, who like Thomas is among the top five in nearly every UA major statistical category.

Thomas finished with 3,231 receiving yards, third on the all-time list behind Bobby Wade (3,351) and Northcutt (3,252).

Thomas’ 23 career touchdown catches tie him for third with Bobby Wade behind Theopolis Bell (30) and Northcutt (24).

“The sky is the limit for me,” Thomas said on the conference call. “I’m there to play ball. I have been playing since I was 5. I feel like I have a real knack for just making plays.

“I’m ready. I’m determined. I want to . . . get with the Jaguars and stick.

” I’m real excited. I’m ready to get to work.”

Thomas: Slip to 4th round

is going to ‘fuel my fire’

Cornerback Antoine Cason of the San Diego Chargers is one of eight Arizona Wildcats selected in the past two NFL drafts.

To fare better in the NFL draft, the Arizona Wildcats needed to shape up their program – and their bodies.

“Our player development was not very good,” said UA coach Mike Stoops, who took over a 2-10 team in 2004. “That comes with your strength and conditioning year-round. You have to have it in place to give the players opportunities.”

Based on UA’s recent draft success, and the chance of two to six players getting picked this weekend, the Wildcats are getting those opportunities now.

Arizona failed to have anyone drafted in 2004 and 2005, and only one player in 2006 – until Stoops’ philosophy became engrained.

Eight Wildcats were picked in the past two years, including cornerback Antoine Cason (first round, San Diego) in 2008 and tailback Chris Henry (second round, Tennessee) in 2007.

UA offensive tackle Eben Britton is expected to be a first-round pick during the two-day event, which has seven rounds, two on Saturday and five Sunday.

Receiver Mike Thomas is slated to be a third-to-fourth round pick, while safety Nate Ness, kicker Jason Bondzio, linebacker Ronnie Palmer and quarterback Willie Tuitama are among those hoping to get picked.

“We’re starting to develop players for the next level,” Stoops said. “That’s a very positive sign for what we’re doing. When you look at the kids who are leaving, we’ll have kids that will go relatively high.”

Arizona junior tight end Rob Gronkowski is a possible first-round pick in the 2010 draft if he decides to leave early.

“As much as players may not like” the extra conditioning, Stoops said, “it has to take place . . . to move on to the next level.”

The Wildcats, after that big draft void, have seen linebacker Spencer Larsen (Denver), kicker Nick Folk (Dallas), safety Michael Johnson (Giants) and receiver Syndric Steptoe (Cleveland) go in the late rounds in the last two years and stick with their NFL teams.

Ness is hoping to follow their cue before the weekend is over.

The UA safety, who had seven interceptions in two seasons, has been contacted recently by Seattle, Chicago, Green Bay and San Francisco.

“I visited Seattle last week. I got a good vibe from them,” Ness said. “I’m really anxious and nervous. There’s a lot of anxiety about where I’m going to be and what I’m going to be doing, and if I’m going to be drafted. Even if I don’t get drafted, I know opportunities are going to present themselves in time. I’ll be all right.”

Ness’ stock is on the rise, according to NFLdraftscout.com., and the Web site lists Bondzio as the ninth-best kicker. SI.com believes Palmer is capable of being a backup middle linebacker in the NFL.

“It all starts in the weight room,” Ness said, “with (strength) coach Corey Edmond and (assistant strength coach) Brian Odom doing a great job of developing us to get us stronger and faster for when we get on the field.”

Kicker Nick Folk of the Dallas Cowboys is one of eight Arizona Wildcats selected in the past two NFL drafts.

———

DRAFT SURGE

Arizona Wildcats drafted in the NFL under coach Mike Stoops, who arrived in 2004.

2006

Player Pos. Rd. Team

Kili Lefotu OT 7th Redskins

2007

Chris Henry* RB 2nd Titans

Nick Folk* PK 6th Cowboys

Michael Johnson* S 7th Giants

Syndric Steptoe* WR 7th Browns

2008

Antoine Cason* CB 1st Chargers

Spencer Larsen* LB 6th Broncos

Wilrey Fontenot CB 7th Falcons

Lionel Dotson DL 7th Dolphins

*Still on NFL roster

NFL DRAFT

Saturday

1 p.m., ESPN, NFL; 6 p.m., ESPN2, NFL

Sunday

7 a.m., ESPN, NFL

Getting drafted into the NFL can cause all sorts of emotions to stir. Angry is the best way to describe former Arizona offensive tackle Eben Britton.

The Wildcat junior, who declared early for the NFL, is thrilled about Jacksonville choosing him.

He is ticked off about going in the second round of Saturday’s NFL’s draft.

“I am extremely (upset) about not being taken in the first round,” Britton told the Tucson Citizen. “I am the most underrated player in this draft. I will lead the Jacksonville Jaguars to the Super Bowl.”

Britton, projected by several news outlets as a first round pick, going as early as No. 22 to Minnesota, or No. 28 to Buffalo, fell to the 39th pick overall.

The 6-foot-5, 317-pound lineman was the fifth offensive tackle chosen, and one of seven picked in the opening two rounds.

The draft concludes on Sunday.

“I’m angry. But I am thrilled about going to a great organization in Jacksonville,” Britton said. “I couldn’t ask for a better place to go then playing for the Jaguars and coach Jack Del Rio. They like to run the ball, and I want to help them do that.”

Britton was not even the first offensive tackle taken by Jacksonville. The Jaguars took Virginia’s Eugene Monroe as the eighth pick in the first round.

Monroe is slated to be the future left tackle. Britton will compete for playing time at right tackle or right guard.

“I think there’s room for him,” Del Rio told the Jacksonville Jaguar web site. “We just made the (offensive line) more competitive.”

Jacksonville has a need for help up front after ranking 23rd in the league a year ago in sacks allowed, and going from second in rushing during the 2007 campaign to 18th last season.

Britton played the first two years at Arizona at right tackle before switching sides before the 2008 season.

The switch was geared to help the Wildcats, and to boost Britton’s draft stock. SI.com wrote days before the draft Britton would be better served to stay in college another year to guarantee him a higher pick

Britton isn’t backing down from his decision or what he will do in the future.

“Every team that passed on me is going to regret it,” Britton told the Jaguar website. “I’m going to work my (butt) off to be a Jacksonville Jaguar. When that first game comes, somebody is going to pay for it. People (have always) told me I wasn’t big enough. I wasn’t strong enough. That all ends today.

“There’s nobody in this draft that has a bigger heart than I do. I’m so fired up to be a Jacksonville Jaguar you can’t even believe it.”

Thomas may go in middle rounds; Tuitama not as certain

Arizona's Willie Tuitama (left) lifts teammate Mike Thomas after Thomas scored a touchdown on a 21-yard run during the game against Stanford at Arizona Stadium in 2007. The pair helped the Wildcats win their first bowl game since 1998.

Quarterback Willie Tuitama and wide receiver Mike Thomas talked about leaving Arizona a year early to enter the NFL draft.

Instead, the duo stayed for their senior years in hopes of finishing their UA careers with a bowl game and a better draft status.

They helped the Wildcats go 8-5 and win their first bowl since 1998. But will they be drafted any higher for their efforts?

That will be determined at the NFL draft his weekend.

“Mike Thomas will be a very good football player for somebody,” UA coach Mike Stoops said.

Thomas is projected as a third- or fourth-round pick by NFLdraftscout.com.

The Pac-10′s all-time leading receiver with 259 catches doesn’t have the size (5 feet 8) that many teams want, but that hasn’t stopped former Wildcats Bobby Wade and Syndric Steptoe from making their marks in the NFL recently.

“Take one look at Mike Thomas and you see a commodity the NFL does not want – a 5-8 wide receiver. Big people play at the next level and big people survive,” The Dallas Morning News writes.

“But the more you look at Thomas, the more you like him, which is why he is going to turn up in this draft in the middle rounds.”

Thomas raised his stock at the NFL combine by finishing in the top five at his position with a 4.4-second time in the 40-yard dash. He was also third in the vertical jump at 40 feet, 6 inches and fifth in the broad jump at 10-6.

SI.com projects Thomas as a third-round pick.

“He should find a home as a productive fourth receiver who will also produce on special teams,” SI.com said.

Thomas is listed as the 12th best receiver overall by CBSSportsline.com.

The Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers are inquiring about the receiver, inviting him to their complex.

Tuitama’s stock seems to be up in the air. Despite being the school’s all-time career leader in touchdowns, completions, attempts and yards, he didn’t earn a spot at the NFL combine.

A DUI arrest in March probably didn’t help his situation either.

There is no hiding, however, that he has one of the strongest arms around.

“He has an NFL arm,” Stoops said. “Those types of arms are hard to find.”

But there apparently are plenty of questions about his mobility and ability to read defenses.

The Chicago Tribune lists Tuitama as the 12th-best quarterback available.

“This is an athletic prospect who moves well and has a live arm. Tuitama also has the size to play at the next level,” The Tribune wrote. “The downside with him is decision-making and consistency. He does not always play up to his abilities.”

SI.com says Tuitama won’t be drafted and will be signed as a free agent. That could work out better for the quarterback. He could have more say in what where he plays.

“The opportunities are there,” Stoops said. “I think he will be fine if he is drafted or not.”

———

NFL DRAFT

Saturday: 1 p.m., ESPN, NFL; 6 p.m., ESPN2, NFL

Sunday: 7 a.m., ESPN, NFL

NFL workouts have raised his stock; he could go 1st round

Eben Britton (left) blocks Arizona State defensive end Luis Vasquez in UA's 31-10 win last fall. Britton is expected to be one of the top offensive tackles taken in Saturday's NFL draft.

Arizona offensive lineman Eben Britton is going through the recruiting process all over again – only this time for a lucrative contract.

The 6-foot-6, 309-pound tackle won’t get to pick his team as he did when he signed with UA out of Burroughs (Calif.) High, but he’ll likely put his name on a multimillion dollar deal after an NFL team selects him in Saturday’s draft.

Britton, who started in UA’s last 36 games, is projected by CBS Sports.com as the 25th best player overall on the boards, and the fifth best offensive tackle, in a draft heavy with tackles.

“I’m just excited. That is the best way to describe what I’m feeling,” Britton said. “I don’t feel a whole lot of pressure, because it is all out of my hands at this point. I just want to get picked and get to work.”

The UA junior has taken trips to Minnesota, Baltimore and Buffalo, and had personal workouts with Philadelphia, Miami, Kansas City and Chicago.

The Vikings, who have the 22nd pick in the first round, seem to have a greater knowledge of Britton, especially after visiting with him at Minnesota’s camp.

“I had a really good trip there,” Britton said. “I really had a good understanding of where coach (Brad) Childress is coming from and what he wants.”

Several news outlets project Britton going to Minnesota, including CBS Sportsline.com.

“I would not be surprised with the Vikings. It was a real positive trip all the way around,” Britton said. “It wouldn’t be far-fetched, but anything could happen. I’m glad it is finally coming to an end. It has been crazy.”

Britton was a somewhat unknown commodity before declaring early for the draft after the Wildcats defeated BYU in the Las Vegas Bowl.

The All-Pac-10 first-team lineman quickly has raised his stock, starting with an eye-opening NFL combine workout.

Ever since he has met with teams, worked out, filled out the questionnaires and done everything asked. He also took part in a diary for the Sporting News regarding his experiences.

“There have been meet-and-greets, looking at facilities, talking to offensive coordinators and offensive line coaches,” Britton said. “We have talked about difference schemes and what teams are running and what they are looking for.”

An NFC offensive line coach raved about Britton to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, but the St. Louis Rams could take Baylor tackle Jason Smith with the No. 2 pick overall.

“The guy I like the best, if (the Rams) could trade down, would be the kid from Arizona,” the coach told the newspaper, on a condition of anonymity. “To me, you see a little bit more competitiveness about (Britton), toughness about him. He has more flexibility in the lower part of his body than (Smith).”

Other offensive tackles competing with Britton include Alabama’s Andre Smith, Virginia’s Eugene Monroe, Mississippi’s Michael Oher and Connecticut’s William Beatty.

New England, with the 23rd pick in the first round, might be considering Britton.

“Blessed with a tremendous wingspan to go with great size, Britton can over- power his opponent,” the Providence Journal wrote. “He has good awareness in recognizing the blitz and responding.”

The one knock on Britton might be his relative inexperience at the left tackle position. He started the first two seasons on the other side, before switching sides to open the 2008 season.

SI.com believes another season would have nearly guaranteed him a first-round selection.

“Britton is a solid offensive tackle with a good degree of upside potential,” SI.com reports. “Slightly overrated coming into the pre-draft process, he would’ve been better off returning for his senior season, and then entering the 2010 draft, where he would’ve graded as a top 20 selection.”

He might be that anyway.

CBSSports.com, in its mock drafts, is convinced Britton made the right decision to come out.

Britton

———

FIRST-ROUNDER?

Possible teams who could take UA offensive tackle Eben Britton, according to some news outlets:

Rd Pick Team Outlet

1 21 Philadelphia Assoc. Press

1 22 Minnesota ESPN.com

1 28 Buffalo CBS Sportsline

> SI.com says Britton will go in the 2nd round, but did not list a team.

NFL DRAFT

Saturday: 1 p.m., ESPN, NFL; 6 p.m., ESPN2, NFL

Sunday: 7 a.m., ESPN, NFL

Guilmet

University of Arizona ace pitcher Preston Guilmet is struggling on the mound, partially because of the Wildcats’ problems off the field.

Academic woes and personal problems, resulting in the benching of some starters, and injuries have forced UA baseball coach Andy Lopez to constantly juggle his lineup and pitching rotation.

Arizona’s sixth postseason appearance in the past eight years is hanging in the balance as a result.

“We have a bunch of guys who can’t go to class,” Guilmet said.

The Wildcats (17-19 overall) have lost seven of their last eight Pac-10 games heading into this weekend’s three-game series at Stanford. Guilmet owns a respectable 4.09 ERA in five Pac-10 starts, but he has an 0-3 record to show for it.

Lopez wishes he had more players like Guilmet, a 6-foot-2 right-hander from Citrus Heights, Calif.

“I would sleep better, have better academic meetings. I would have a better record and I would probably be smiling a lot more,” Lopez said. “He is a really special young man. I’m going to miss him a lot.”

Despite a 2-4 overall record, Guilmet has tried to be a stabilizing force and a team leader. “I attribute a lot of that to my parents. They brought me up very well,” he said. “Playing for coach Lopez here, you learn a great deal of how to be a good person, and how to work hard in life. There are so many lessons. If you pay attention there are so many things you can pick up to be successful.”

Guilmet went 12-2 with a 1.87 ERA two years ago and 6-4 with a 4.38 ERA last season. He turned down a professional offer from the Oakland Athletics after his junior season.

“Preston really should be upset,” Lopez said. “He has done a great job of keeping his chin up and going. I think (last Friday at Washington State) was the first time (he thought), ‘Give me a break, come on,’ but he would never say that. I’m sure he will keep a stiff upper lip.”

The Wildcats were one win away from a College World Series appearance last season. But they lost much of their pitching staff – including first-round picks Ryan Perry and Daniel Schlereth – along with their offensive nucleus to the major league draft.

Despite a rebuilding year, Lopez didn’t expect the Cats to start the Pac-10 season 3-12 and be in last place.

“We need to catch fly balls and hit with runners on second base – things like that. We need to catch the ball better and throw strikes more consistently,” Lopez said. “The thing most frustrating to me is the intangible things. We have had guys that find it hard to do the basic things off the field.”

Lopez watched UA drop routine fly balls in three straight losses at Washington State last weekend.

Arizona hopes to regroup on Friday at Stanford with little margin for error.

If a .500-plus Pac-10 record were required to earn an NCAA Tournament appearance, the Cats would need to go 11-1 in their final league games.

“We have not given up,” senior Brad Glenn said. “Just as a man, you can’t give up. None of the coaches are going to give up on us, just for pride alone.”

———

PAC-10 BASEBALL

Team Conf. Overall

Arizona State 13-2 29-8

Oregon State 8-4 23-9

Washington St. 8-4 19-16

USC 9-6 20-17

UCLA 9-6 17-20

Stanford 7-8 16-16

Washington 4-8 15-22

California 5-10 18-19

Oregon 3-9 13-25

ARIZONA 3-12 17-19

———

Up next

UA at Stanford: 5 p.m. Friday; 1 p.m. Saturday; 1 p.m. Sunday. Radio: 1290-AM

Glenn

Arizona’s Brad Glenn, the school’s No. 2 career all-time home run hitter, is usually called upon for power.

So when the senior third baseman laid down only the second bunt of his career during a 13-5 victory over New Mexico on Wednesday, UA catcher Dwight Childs couldn’t contain himself.

“Big Bradley laying down a bunt. It’s funny. If you look at him, you are thinking, ‘No shot,’ ” Childs said. “All of a sudden, he pulls a little Willie Mays’ Hayes and drops one down the line.”

Glenn was only 2 when actor Wesley Snipes played the fictional player Hayes in the movie “Major League,” but Glenn won’t mind the reference after going into Wednesday’s game 5 for his last 25 at-bats.

The Wildcats called on a player who has 39 homers to bunt after Bryce Ortega and Hunter Pace bunted to open the fourth.

New Mexico’s third baseman was standing back, not expecting Glenn’s bunt, which loaded the bases and sparked a six-run fourth inning as UA swept the two-game series at Sancet Stadium.

“There are no secrets. He has to start driving the ball and bringing some people home,” UA coach Andy Lopez said. “I really do believe if Glenn can get going, we can get going.”

The Wildcats (16-16, 3-9 Pac-10) will see about that when they start a three-game set at Washington State at 5:30 p.m. Friday.

Glenn, second only to Shelley Duncan’s 55 in UA career homers, had his other bunt at last year’s NCAA regional in Ann Arbor, Mich.

“If I get it down, it’s usually going to be a base hit because the third baseman is not going to be expecting it,” Glenn said. “They are usually playing me back.”

It’s Glenn’s power, however, that the Wildcats need most.

He provided that as well with a two-run double in the third inning, going 2 for 3 with two runs scored.

The Wildcats had seven straight hits in the third inning, with Shaun Cooper belting a three-run homer. It was the former Catalina High School star’s second homer in two games.

“Cooper is swinging it well right now,” Lopez said. “He has been one of the big bright spots.”

Arizona scored 13 runs on 14 hits in the third and fourth innings alone to take a 13-1 lead.

The Lobos came in as the nation’s top hitting team by average (.382), but their 10 hits Wednesday did little damage.

Mike Stoops answers questions Tuesday.

Arizona football coach Mike Stoops, before going on his usual jog around campus, took time Tuesday to answer questions about the starting quarterback position, the state of his program, his health and even what’s next for the Wildcat basketball program.

The Wildcats wrapped up spring drills last week and now begin offseason preparation for the Sept. 5 opener against Central Michigan at Arizona Stadium.

Q: After the season ended, you received a contract extension through 2013. Where does that stand?

Stoops: “We agreed to the terms. We are going through the formalities of the Board of Regents.”

Q: Were there talks to give your assistant coaches raises as well?

Stoops: “We will always try to improve the quality of our program, and I certainly feel like we have one of the best staffs in the country. We want to be competitive with other teams in the Pac-10. That is what we all want. We are very competitive. We will always try to take care of our coaches. We feel good about our staff and the ability to keep both of our coordinators is very important. It is critical for any program.”

Q: With the deaths of former Arizona coach Larry Smith and Arizona State coach Bruce Snyder at relatively young ages, do you think about your own mortality more?

Stoops: “My dad died when he was really young as well. Physically you are more conscious of trying to do the things to keep yourself in a good health. My heart must be pretty good; I survived these last five years . . .

“You understand the lifestyle and the pressures that go along with these positions have never been greater. You have to come to a peace of mind.”

Q: Do you ever get away and just relax?

Stoops: “I like to play golf. That is how I relieve my stress and pressure of the daily grind of what you do. I never know if you ever get away from it, even if you are on vacation for two weeks. I don’t think you ever truly get away because the day-to-day activities that go on with your players, whether it is workouts, behavior, academics or recruiting. That is part of the position.”

Q: Is there any advice you would give new Arizona basketball coach Sean Miller about starting out here?

Stoops: “Sean has had the opportunity to be a head coach for five years. It is different. I think you grow with any position. Patience is very important for anything. They are going to win here, but we hadn’t won. I was taking over a team that won two or three games.

“We are taking over drastically different programs. His team took a hit with the departure of two great players (Jordan Hill and Chase Budinger to the NBA) and possibly a third (Nic Wise). Basketball is much different than football. You are talking about 85 guys as opposed to 12 or 13. There is a difference.”

Q: What did you see from the quarterback battle between sophomores Matt Scott and Nick Foles?

Stoops: “I thought they were very good and just lacked consistency. That is the case with any young quarterback. At times you see what Matt can do and how he can extend plays and create plays.

“That is a unique ability he has. We don’t want a guy who is going to hit a home run and then strike out and then a home run. We want consistency from both of our quarterbacks.

“As the season gets closer both are going to want to be the guy. Our team has reacted very well with both. We are in no hurry to dictate who is going to start. I would say that wouldn’t be named until we get to the final preparation for our first opponent.”

Q: Who fills the void at left tackle for Eben Britton, who left early and is projected to be a first-round draft pick in the NFL draft April 25? What about UA’s tackles?

Stoops: “Mike Diaz would be our guy. We feel very good about what he can do. We have other tackles that just have to physically mature. We saw nothing from Jack Julsing we didn’t like, or (Shane) Zink, or Trace Biskin. We have Phillip Garcia (knee injury). He just hasn’t been healthy since he has been here. We feel like we are going to be stronger on the offensive side of the ball. There is nothing physically or athletically that these players can’t do.”

Q: What are the prospects on defense?

“This is by far and away our best group from 1 to 11. I feel the three linebackers (Xavier Kelley, Sterling Lewis, Vuna Tuiahalamaka) are as good as any we have ever had. Our ‘D’ line has a chance to be a strength to our team. That has not always been the case. When you look at 1 through 11, you see guys who are formidable players.”

2009 UA SCHEDULE

Sept. 5 Central Michigan

Sept. 12 Northern Arizona

Sept. 19 at Iowa

Sept. 26 at Oregon State

Oct. 10 at Washington

Oct. 17 Stanford

Oct. 24 UCLA

Nov. 7 Washington State

Nov. 14 at California

Nov. 21 Oregon

Nov. 28 at Arizona State

Dec. 5 at USC

Dillon Baird admits he left the box too many times last season knowing he could have had a better at-bat.

The University of Arizona first baseman swore he wouldn’t feel that way too often in 2009.

He hasn’t.

“I am pretty confident out there,” Baird said. “I am telling myself that this pitcher is not going to beat me.”

Few pitchers have bested the junior this season. He has been on top of his game.

Arizona needs more players to step up to the plate like Baird to make something positive out of the season, starting at 7 p.m. Tuesday when the Wildcats host New Mexico for a two-game nonconference series at Sancet Stadium.

“He is (one of) our best players overall,” UA coach Andy Lopez said. “It is kind of funny when juniors have the lights turn on. He has done a good job.”

Baird had one hit in Arizona’s 8-3 loss to Oregon State on Saturday.

That output is a disappointment for a player who is hitting .447 on the season.

That’s not bad, considering he hit .225 in Pac-10 games in 2008 while batting .318 overall.

“I said at the beginning of the year I was going to take a better stance at the plate . . . and keep the approach and hope that works out,” Baird said. “So far it has been all right.”

Baird has been a huge positive for the struggling Wildcats. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound left-handed batter has four homers, eight doubles and 31 RBIs.

Baird is hitting more than .500 over the past 14 games, since being suspended for three games following a bench-clearing brawl against Massachusetts.

He has been taking his hacks ever since.

“Last year he came in and started to think too much and was overthinking everything,” Lopez said. ” . . . It clouded his thoughts and you have to keep the game very simple.”

Baird is making it look easy.

———

UP NEXT

UA BASEBALL: New Mexico (28-8) at Arizona (14-16), 7 p.m. Tuesday at Sancet Stadium

Arizona shortstop Bryce Ortega got his glove on virtually every ball in his sight Friday, and with gusty winds, that wasn’t easy.

Ortega saved his best play for the ninth inning, as winds that ranged from 20 to 40 mph at Sancet Stadium were blowing their hardest with the game on the line.

What would have normally been a routine fly ball to center field forced Ortega to backpedal to the left and then to the right before he slid to the ground.

The ball fell in his glove and Ortega had a basket catch to save the game for Arizona, a 6-5 victory over No. 22 Oregon State (19-7, 6-2).

It was the Wildcats’ first victory over a ranked team this season.

UA (14-15, 3-8) and OSU meet in the final game of the series at noon Saturday.

“He played pretty damn good,” said UA closer Jason Stoffel. “The last ball got caught up in the wind. I was scared a little bit. When I saw him go down, I didn’t know what was going on, but he (caught it).”

OSU had a runner on base with one out before Ortega’s catch.

Stoffel, who was hit hard Thursday in a 9-5 loss, breathed a sigh of relief after the catch.

“It was like night and day,” UA coach Andy Lopez said about Stoffel.

Stoffel picked up his sixth save of the year and 24th of his career, adding to his school record.

Ortega came through for the rest of Friday’s pitchers as well. He went 2 for 4 with three runs scored and had seven putouts.

He was involved in four of the final six outs, which included a pair of long throws to first.

“He really stepped up,” Lopez said. “Getting to the last pop-up was an unbelievable play. That is a play that has been haunting us the last few weeks. It was a big play at a big time.”

When Ortega was not flashing the leather, he was getting good swings with the bat. He led off the first with a single and later scored on a Brad Glenn single. Glenn later scored for a 2-0 lead.

Ortega also came around to score in the second, when he and Kyle Simon scored on Glenn’s two-run single to put UA up 4-2.

Ortega tallied UA’s final run in the fourth, when he came around on an RBI double by Dillon Baird that gave the Wildcats a 6-3 lead.

The appearance of Jason Stoffel used to be a sign for opponents to pack up their bats and head for the bus.

Not anymore.

The University of Arizona closer is struggling. The right-hander blew a save for just the second time in his career in Oregon State’s 9-5 victory Thursday night at Sancet Stadium.

Stoffel, who has a school-record 23 career saves, was not fooling anybody in the eighth inning, giving up four runs and five hits.

“This will eat at me,” Stoffel said. ” . . . I pitched (bad). I couldn’t hit my spots. They did a good job of hitting my mistakes. That is going to happen if I can’t make pitches.”

Stoffel entered in prime condition to give the Wildcats the opening game of the series, with UA leading 5-4 and needing just six more outs.

But the Beavers’ Ryan Ortiz opened with a single and then took third as Stoffel’s pickoff attempt went wildly into the right field bullpen.

It only got worse.

Jared Norris tied the game at 5 with a single before Logan Lotti, a .111 hitter, stroked a run-scoring double off Stoffel for a 6-5 lead.

A walk and two more singles gave the Beavers an 8-5 lead.

“They beat our guy who has been pretty good for the last couple of years,” UA coach Andy Lopez said. “He has been a sure thing for two years.

“You have to be better in the late innings when we get the opportunities. It is all mapped out. It is not like you are talking to a freshman. He has been in that situation before.”

UA (13-15, 2-8) needed a win, but the last-place Wildcats lost for the eighth time in 10 games.

UA starter Preston Guilmet did his part, going seven innings and giving up only two earned runs on five hits.

Stoffel, who is expected to be a high draft pick in June, has not had the magic this year that made him almost unhittable in the past.

The junior has been great in five saves, with a 0.90 ERA, giving up one run and striking out 20, while walking three in 10 innings.

Stoffel’s Pac-10 ERA, however, increased to 13.00, with 13 runs allowed in nine innings. He has walked seven and struck out four in those outings.

“I have no idea what is going on,” Stoffel said. “I just have not been as consistent as I have been in the past. It is not fun to lose, especially when it is on my back.”

Arizona didn’t have the offense to make up for the blown save. Bryce Ortega went 3 for 5, including a game-tying single in the sixth. Hunter Pace, who was 2 for 5, then added a single to put UA up 5-4.

———

NOTABLE: Friday’s game with Oregon State has been moved to 2 p.m. because of the threat of evening rain. The noon Saturday game concludes the three-game series.

Grid squad lost a couple of field bosses from 2008

Southern California's Stafon Johnson is tackled by Arizona's Cam Nelson (left) and Earl Mitchell during a game in October at Arizona Stadium.

The Arizona football team’s defense needs more take-charge players.

The Wildcats, who return seven starters on the defense, appeared too quiet on that side of the ball during spring practice, which ended this week.

“I would like to see more leadership,” UA defensive coordinator Mark Stoops said. “We lost some good leaders in Ronnie Palmer and Nate Ness. Even though we replaced them with very talented players, we need guys to step up like they were.”

Safety Cam Nelson will be counted on in the role, as will defensive tackle Earl Mitchell.

“This team is more action,” defensive tackle Donald Horton said. “We are not very vocal at all.

“We have nobody out there making jokes or cracking us up. We have a bunch of silent leaders who are doing it week to week and in the weight room or in the practices. They are doing what is needed to be done right.”

Transition made: Robert Golden was a top cornerback nationally coming out of Edison High School in Fresno, Calif. Expectations were high.

The 5-foot-11, 190-pound defender grew out of his corner role to free safety this spring. The move is paying off.

“He is a lot further along than I thought he would be,” Stoops said.

Depth aplenty, except at LB: The Wildcats will add a number of linebackers to the unit when fall camp opens. They are needed.

Arizona appears set with starters Xavier Kelley, Sterling Lewis and Vuna Tuihalamaka, but depth is a concern.

The Wildcats will have C.J. Parish, Trevor Erno, Jake Fischer and Cordarius Golston making their debut this fall. They better be ready to play.

“They have to come in and be ready to compete for positions to help our depth,” Stoops said. “It is going to be important.”

The Wildcats have flexibility with nickelback Corey Hall capable of playing up at linebacker, and the other three playing able to play two spots.

Getting to the quarterback: Defensive end Brooks Reed is not a rookie any longer. That showed in team drills as he spent a lot of time in the UA backfield.

Reed, a former Sabino High standout, moved from H-back to end a year ago. The results were slow at first, with only one sack in the opening six games.

Reed finished with eight, though, and could challenge for league-high totals in 2009.

———

2009 UA SCHEDULE

Sept. 5 Central Michigan

Sept. 12 NAU

Sept. 19 at Iowa

Sept. 26 at Oregon State

Oct. 10 at Washington

Oct. 17 Stanford

Oct. 24 UCLA

Nov. 7 Washington State

Nov. 14 at California

Nov. 21 Oregon

Nov. 28 at ASU

Dec. 5 at USC

<h4>Working on his short game: </h4>

Ryo Ishikawa, 17, of Japan lines up a shot with a miniature putter during the par 3 contest before the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., on Wednesday.

Don’t tell Arizona Wildcat catcher Dwight Childs he is just a defensive specialist.

“I hate that. I absolutely hate that,” Childs said. “Defense is my bread and butter, but I want to be known as a hitter too.”

In past seasons, there was no reason to think of offense when Childs’ name was mentioned, but that’s no longer the case.

After hitting .232 as a freshman and .193 as a sophomore, the junior is hitting the cover off the ball, with a .397 average.

Childs and UA host Oregon State for the first of a three-game series at 7 p.m. Thursday.

“It has been a bittersweet feeling because as a team we’re struggling, but behind the plate and at the plate I am feeling good,” Childs said. “What drives me is hitting under .200 last year. I was not going to let that happen again, no way.”

Childs has been needed on defense; he’s working with a young, struggling staff. But he still has improved his hitting, driving the ball and getting better looks at the plate.

The lanky catcher, at 6 feet 3 inches, 188 pounds, is supplying some power with three homers this season.

He had one dinger in his previous two years in 287 at-bats.

Childs is 11 for 19 over the past two weeks, with two homers, a pair of doubles and a triple.

“Wow. He is getting big hits,” UA coach Andy Lopez said. “It is not like he is getting a bunch of cheap hits and bloopers. He looks like the real deal. He has worked hard and has earned it.”

Childs was almost counted as a guaranteed out in the past, but there was no taking him out of the everyday lineup because of his ability to control thestaff and call pitches.

Childs had 12 extra-base hits coming into the season. He has added 10 this year with four doubles, three triples and the three homers in 27 games.

Childs has worked with new assistant coach Jeff Pickler to modify his batting stance.

He had a rare 0-for-3 day against USC on Friday, but came back with four hits Saturday.

“I didn’t get too many good pitches to hit that first game,” Childs said. “I came out and looked at myself as a .120 hitter again and I wanted to get out of the hole.

“I’m motivated to show my teammates, the coaches and everybody who has watched me the last two years that I can hit, too.”

Oregon State (18-6, 5-1)

at Arizona (13-14, 2-7)

Thursday: 7 p.m.

Friday: 6 p.m.

Saturday: noon

at Sancet Stadium

USC may lose DeRozan

USC forward DeMar DeRozan will declare his intent to enter the NBA draft, his father, Frank DeRozan, said Wednesday night.

DeRozan will not sign with an agent, leaving the door open for him to return to USC.

“He’s torn between going into the draft and staying at USC,” Frank DeRozan told the Los Angeles Times. “He wants to stay, but his mom is real sick.”

• DeJuan Blair guaranteed Pitt coach Jamie Dixon a year ago that he would play a full college career. One exceptional season changed all that. Blair said Wednesday he will declare for the NBA draft and has begun hiring representatives, ending any possibility that the All-America center could return for his junior season.

• Wake Forest guard Jeff Teague declared for the NBA draft on Wednesday but did not hire an agent, leaving his coach confident he’ll return to school for his junior season.

The Associated Press

Baseball salaries hurt

NEW YORK – The recession has hit baseball salaries.

Teams cut payrolls for their active rosters and disabled lists by $47 million from opening day in 2008 to the first day of this season, according to an analysis by The Associated Press. That comes out to a drop of 1.7 percent.

“Clubs were cautious all winter with regards to the economy and were concerned the economy might have an impact on club revenue,” said Bob DuPuy, baseball’s chief operating officer. “The spending reflected that for many clubs.”

The drop is the first since 2004 and just the second since the 1994-95 strike.

Looking at payroll team by team, 16 of the 30 major league clubs cut payroll. Among those who lowered spending – the mighty New York Yankees.

While the Yankees led the major leagues with a $201.4 million payroll, they trimmed salaries by $7.6 million from the start of last season.

The Arizona Diamondbacks rank 19th with a $73.6 million payroll.

The lowest spenders are Florida ($37 million), San Diego ($43 million) and Pittsburgh ($49 million).

The Associated Press

Owens shows up

Terrell Owens said three weeks ago he had no intention of attending any Buffalo Bills workouts unless they were mandatory.

But he changed his tune, showing up on Wednesday at the team’s Orchard Park, N.Y., facility to participate in the voluntary offseason conditioning program. His arrival surprised some of the Bills’ players.

Owens signed a one-year contract for $6.5 million after being cut by the Dallas Cowboys.

The Associated Press

Madoff’s seats go on sale

NEW YORK – For $1,710, you can put yourself in Bernard Madoff’s Citi Field seats.

The trustee overseeing the liquidation of Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities put a pair of tickets for Monday’s Mets’ home opener on sale on eBay. As of midnight Wednesday, the current bid was $1,700 for the tickets, just to the home plate side of the Mets’ dugout. There was a Friday deadline of 5:21 p.m. Tucson time to bid for the seats.

The Associated Press

NUMBER OF THE DAY

Final-round score of Masters winner Trevor Immelman last year – the highest in the tournament’s history for a champion.

Immelman shot a three-over par 75 to beat Tiger Woods by three shots at Augusta National.

The eventual Masters champion has recorded an over-par score in the final round eight times.

QUOTABLE:

'We're just trying to get better. We don't want to take a step back with four games to go.'

LEBRON JAMES,

whose Cleveland Cavaliers can match the 1985-86 Celtics' NBA record 40-1 home mark if they beat Boston (Sunday) and Philadelphia (Wednesday)

———

ON THIS DATE

1947: Leo Durocher, manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, is suspended for one year by commissioner A.B. “Happy” Chandler for his link to gambling interests.

1978: Denver’s David Thompson, battling San Antonio’s George Gervin for the NBA season scoring title, scores 73 points against Detroit. Gervin later scores 63 against New Orleans to win the scoring crown, 27.22 points per game to 27.15, the tightest one-two finish ever.

1989: Britain’s Nick Faldo makes a 25-foot birdie putt on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff to win the Masters.

———

SPORTS SOUND-OFF

Fan: Hill may end up with Arenas, Wizards

Re: UA basketball player Jordan Hill to enter NBA Draft

• NBA Draft Net has Jordan Hill going at No. 2 overall to the Washington Wizards. Wow. Can you imagine? Antoine Jamison. Caron Butler. A healthy Gilbert Arenas. Jordan Hill. Sounds like an up-and-coming exciting team to me! UPPER BOHEMIAN

• Better not play like you did against Louisville or you’ll end up like Marcus Williams. Work on your outside shot and be persistent when you attack the basket. Good luck! EASEO

Pennell opts for security

Re: Ex-UA interim coach Russ Pennell to coach Grand Canyon

• Russ, I think you underselled yourself. I think you fit in perfect in the MAC Conference – a school like Toledo or Ball State. SELLY22

• I had hoped Russ would be picked up by a Division I program, like a Montana, Idaho, or a San Diego State-sized school. But, the economy, the desire to live here, it’s all understandable. It’s more security. 3829

• After Grand Canyon becomes a Division I program, let’s hope for an Antelopes vs. Wildcats game some day, where Coach Pennell can bring his team into McKale for a standing ovation in recognition of his time in Tucson. SAUERKRAUT

Arizona quarterback Matt Scott passes while pressured by Robert Golden during a scrimmage in August at Arizona Stadium.

All eyes have been on the Arizona quarterback situation, but the Wildcats want to see more consistency from the entire offense in the fall.

That means running backs must read the holes correctly, receivers must avoid drops and the revamped line must work in sync.

“We’re better . . . but like anything else you get greedy,” UA offensive coordinator Sonny Dykes said, evaluating spring drills. “We’ve come a long way, but we still are a little more inconsistent than I want us to be.”

Quarterbacks Matt Scott, Nick Foles and Bryson Beirne had their day in the spotlight, with Scott and Foles likely battling for the starting job in the fall.

“Quarterbacks mirror the team,” Dykes said. “Those guys are still good at times and look just OK at times.”

Mr. Consistent: Sophomore receiver William “Bug” Wright earned praise in the spring. Wright, who caught three passes last season, is being seen as the replacement for Pac-10 career receptions leader Mike Thomas.

New receivers: The Wildcats appear to be loaded at receiver, led by Terrell Turner and Delashaun Dean. They could be challenged in the fall by junior college transfer Travis Cobb and incoming freshman DeWayne Peace.

“We are excited to see what (Cobb) brings,” Dykes said. “He will give us good speed and he runs well. I’m also anxious to see what (Peace) can do.”

Gone: Greg Nwoko’s powerful running style helps Arizona fill a void after Joe Reese quit. Receiver Terrell Reese did not return this semester after off-the field incidents.

On guard: Offensive lineman Conan Amituanai has done enough to possibly start, which might move Mike Diaz from guard to tackle. Amituanai, a 6-4, 335-pound junior, had been a backup at left guard.

Diaz, who missed part of spring drills with a bad ankle, was expected to line up at left guard. He might move to left tackle, where Phillip Garcia has missed spring workouts while rehabilitating a surgically repaired knee.

“(Amituanai) has been as big a surprise as anybody,” Dykes said. “He has been a different guy. His head has been clear and his focus has been there.”

> Coming Thursday: How the UA defense looked this spring

New Arizona basketball coach Sean Miller will have to hit the recruiting trail in a hurry because the Wildcats don’t have many prospective recruits with the spring signing period starting April 15.

He might start with introducing himself to some players on the West Coast.

Victor Rudd, a 6-foot-7, 200-pound power forward, needs to know a lot more about the former Xavier coach.

Rudd, ranked 107th overall nationally by Rivals.com, had Arizona among his top three choices even before Miller was hired.

“Arizona is right there,” Rudd said in a phone interview Monday. “I really don’t know Miller that much to be honest with you.”

Rudd, who played at Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nev., says he is considering UA, Arizona State and Marquette.

UA current assistant Reggie Geary got on the phone with Rudd immediately after word surfaced that Miller was coming.

“Me and coach Geary have a great relationship built up,” Rudd said. “I really like him and the school. I have a great deal of respect for Arizona. Geary told me that he was going to set me up with Miller this week.”

Los Angeles Fairfax High School’s Solomon Hill also could be on the market despite his oral commitment to USC.

Hill, who committed to the Wildcats before Lute Olson’s retirement in October, is likely to at least listen to what Miller has to say.

“Solomon has never given up on Arizona. He was always interested in what they were going to do,” said Solomon Crawford, Hill’s father. “I would like to set a meeting up with Sean.”

Hill, who is 6-6, is a four-star recruit ranked 28th overall by Rivals. He is the No. 3 small forward.

Arizona’s only oral commitment thus far is Tremayne Johnson, a 6-7, 200-pound forward from Southwest Community College in Los Angeles. He could not be reached for a comment Tuesday.

Miller’s departure at Xavier already might have cost the Musketeers a recruit with forward J.D. Weatherspoon decommitting.

The junior, who won’t be able to play until the 2010-11 season, told the Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch he would consider Arizona if Miller offers him a scholarship.

“I want to reopen my recruitment,” Weatherspoon told USA TODAY. “Xavier is still on my list, but I want to wait and see who they get as a coach.”

Santa Rita junior point guard Terrell Stoglin, a lifelong UA fan, says he is going to honor his commitment to Maryland.

Stoglin, who orally pledged for the Terrapins a week ago, says Miller won’t alter his plans.

“Not at all,” Stoglin responded in a text message. “I am very happy (with the Maryland decision).”

Miller will need to change other people’s minds to make this a successful class.

- Staffwriter Geoff Grammer contributed to this article