No Magic remedy: Sore Kidd scratched

Coach Mike Woodson's fears of running Jason Kidd into the ground were well-founded. The venerable guard was scratched before the Knicks' 113-97 victory over the Magic Wednesday night because of a sore lower back, three days after being limited to just five minutes against Atlanta.

"When you lose Raymond [Felton], you're forced to play Pablo [Prigioni] and Kidd — and mainly Kidd — a lot of minutes," Woodson said. "We wanted to save those minutes for Kidd as we made the final run, but it just didn't work out that way.

"Kidd has been a trouper about it, in terms of giving us what he's got.''

Kidd apparently gave too much — or more to the point, perhaps the Knicks asked too much of the 39-year-old who already had missed four games earlier in the season with a balky back. Woodson was hopeful that with some rest, Kidd would be back to face the Bucks Friday.

"He's sore. We're going to rest him and see how he feels [Thursday], and he'll probably play Friday,'' Woodson said. "No [tests]. He's just sore. He's logged a lot of minutes since Raymond had gone down. Now, Raymond's back. We can be a little more cautious I think. If he says he's a little sore, then I've got to be open-minded to that, rest him and welcome him back when he's ready to come back.''

Felton's broken pinky forced the Knicks into playing Kidd 30.4 minutes per game going into last weekend, far more than they had intended. But he logged just 15 minutes Saturday in Philadelphia, and just five Sunday against the Hawks, sitting out the entire second half and telling Woodson he needed a break.

"The ideal as to play him between 20 and 25 minutes per game, then there'd be some nights where he's the guy, you play him down the stretch and he might sneak up to 30,'' Woodson said. "But we went through a stretch, that while time when Raymond was out, [Kidd] was averaging 30 minutes a ballgame. That's a bit much.

"There are nights Raymond might be sitting because he's struggling and you need Jason down the stretch. Early in the season he had some games like that. ... I just don't want to go through another stretch where we have to depend on him for 14, 15 games playing 30 minutes a night.''

Nevertheless, Woodson said he will not feel hamstrung in playing Kidd on the second game of back-to-backs.

"No, not really,'' said Woodson. "If I can hold his minutes to about 20 to 25, he shouldn't have any problems playing back to back. Jason is in pretty good shape so that shouldn't be an issue. I just don't want to get back to where he's playing 30-plus a game. That doesn't help us at all, as we continue on this journey.''

brian.lewis@nypost.com

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Notes and quotes from Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans

KAP'S TAT SHOP GETS INK

Tatted-up 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is a running, throwing — and free — advertisement for the artist who gave him the ink. "Business has really, really picked up, doubled," Nes Andrion, 35, owner of Endless Ink in Reno, Nev., told Bloomberg News. A sports advertising evaluation firm estimated Kaepernick (who attended college at Nevada) and the tattoos will get approximately two minutes of up-close screen time, worth about $16 million.

FAULK'S STILL A SPY GUY

Former Rams running back Marshall Faulk said the Patriots and Bill Belichick's video crew "cheated" their way to a Super Bowl XXXVI win in New Orleans and commissioner Roger Goodell has been shady about the destroyed "Spygate" tapes, but sure, 11 years later, he's over it.

AP

Jack and Jackie Harbaugh

"Yeah, I'm over the loss. But I'll never be over being cheated out of the Super Bowl," Faulk said, according to Comcast SportsNet New England. "If they wanted us to shut up about what happened, show us the tapes. Don't burn 'em."

FAVRE UNRETIRES AGAIN

It's been two whole years since we saw retired (then unretired then retired then unretired then retired) quarterback Brett Favre, and he's coming back Sunday to work as an analyst during NFL Network's daylong Super Bowl coverage. The all-time leader in passing yards and TDs returns to the city where he led the Packers to a Super Bowl triumph in 1997. "Being involved in the Super Bowl was too much to pass up," he said.

N'AWLINS PLAYING SAFETY

Mardi Gras parades are underway, drunken revelers are tottering down Bourbon Street, cargo is flowing up and down the Mississippi, and, oh yeah, there's some kind of football game happening Sunday. But top cops say New Orleans is the safest city around this week. Extra law enforcement has been deployed, and the head of the FBI's New Orleans office said no credible terrorism threats have arisen. "This week, there is no safer place to be," special customs agent Raymond Parmer said.

QUOTES OF THE DAY

Jack and Jackie Harbaugh, parents of both Super Bowl coaches, met the media to share their conflicted emotions on the matchup of sons John and Jim — and even shared a loving kiss from the interview dais.

"The one thing that I do think about is after the game there's going to be one winner and there's going to be one that's going to be totally disappointed," Jack said. "And my thoughts go to that one [who] will not experience the thrill of victory.

"I would honestly have to say that the birth of our own children and then the birth of our grandchildren are the most important to me," Jackie said. "And this is like frosting on the cake for our whole family."

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Doctors: PED use not reason for A-Rod hip injury

If the Yankees are going to get out of paying the rest of Alex Rodriguez's contract, it likely will not be for medical reasons.

Regardless of whether the third baseman was caught taking performance-enhancing drugs again, two orthopedic surgeons said Wednesday they don't believe Rodriguez's hip injuries are enough to let the Yankees escape the $114 million they owe him over the next five seasons.

"If the more recent surgery was more involved, recovery might be a little slower, but I can't think of a reason why anyone would be able to say he couldn't play again," said Dr. James Gladstone, sports medicine specialist and co-chief of sports medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai. "Especially if the other hip is holding up, there shouldn't be a lasting impact."

With Rodriguez embroiled in another PED controversy and his production dipping by the year, the Yankees will look at every avenue to distance themselves from him — especially if he gets suspended by the league.

Nevertheless, even if he is guilty, the Yankees don't figure to have much of a leg to stand on from a medical perspective.

"I still don't think any PED would have had an effect on the injury or the surgery," said Dr. David Geier, Director of Sports Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina. "They can impact tendons and muscles, but not what he had. They might impact recovery, but I don't see the argument where the surgery itself would have been any different."

"Even if this turns out to be true, it wouldn't impact the hip joint. His problem was one of anatomy. I can't imagine any effect."

dan.martin@nypost.com

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Hudson River crash pilot says she never doubted surviving

Rescuers pull Christopher Smidt and Denise De Priester from the icy Hudson in Yonkers after their plane crashed.

YONKERS — The pilot of a small aircraft that crashed into the icy Hudson River over the weekend says all she could think of was how she was going to put the plane down.

Denise De Priester of East Windsor, N.J. was taking in the Manhattan skyline Sunday with a friend, Christopher Smidt, a correctional sergeant from Colonia, N.J. when the engine balked somewhere around the George Washington Bridge.

She tells WABC-TV the plane dropped 400 feet in five seconds. She says she didn't have enough time to recover so she focused on making a safe water landing.

She says she made a mayday call but got no response.

They were in the frigid water about 30 minutes before being rescued. She says she never doubted they'd survive.

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Notes and quotes from Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans

KAP'S TAT SHOP GETS INK

Tatted-up 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is a running, throwing — and free — advertisement for the artist who gave him the ink. "Business has really, really picked up, doubled," Nes Andrion, 35, owner of Endless Ink in Reno, Nev., told Bloomberg News. A sports advertising evaluation firm estimated Kaepernick (who attended college at Nevada) and the tattoos will get approximately two minutes of up-close screen time, worth about $16 million.

FAULK'S STILL A SPY GUY

Former Rams running back Marshall Faulk said the Patriots and Bill Belichick's video crew "cheated" their way to a Super Bowl XXXVI win in New Orleans and commissioner Roger Goodell has been shady about the destroyed "Spygate" tapes, but sure, 11 years later, he's over it.

AP

Jack and Jackie Harbaugh

"Yeah, I'm over the loss. But I'll never be over being cheated out of the Super Bowl," Faulk said, according to Comcast SportsNet New England. "If they wanted us to shut up about what happened, show us the tapes. Don't burn 'em."

FAVRE UNRETIRES AGAIN

It's been two whole years since we saw retired (then unretired then retired then unretired then retired) quarterback Brett Favre, and he's coming back Sunday to work as an analyst during NFL Network's daylong Super Bowl coverage. The all-time leader in passing yards and TDs returns to the city where he led the Packers to a Super Bowl triumph in 1997. "Being involved in the Super Bowl was too much to pass up," he said.

N'AWLINS PLAYING SAFETY

Mardi Gras parades are underway, drunken revelers are tottering down Bourbon Street, cargo is flowing up and down the Mississippi, and, oh yeah, there's some kind of football game happening Sunday. But top cops say New Orleans is the safest city around this week. Extra law enforcement has been deployed, and the head of the FBI's New Orleans office said no credible terrorism threats have arisen. "This week, there is no safer place to be," special customs agent Raymond Parmer said.

QUOTES OF THE DAY

Jack and Jackie Harbaugh, parents of both Super Bowl coaches, met the media to share their conflicted emotions on the matchup of sons John and Jim — and even shared a loving kiss from the interview dais.

"The one thing that I do think about is after the game there's going to be one winner and there's going to be one that's going to be totally disappointed," Jack said. "And my thoughts go to that one [who] will not experience the thrill of victory.

"I would honestly have to say that the birth of our own children and then the birth of our grandchildren are the most important to me," Jackie said. "And this is like frosting on the cake for our whole family."

18.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

No Magic remedy: Sore Kidd scratched

Coach Mike Woodson's fears of running Jason Kidd into the ground were well-founded. The venerable guard was scratched before the Knicks' 113-97 victory over the Magic Wednesday night because of a sore lower back, three days after being limited to just five minutes against Atlanta.

"When you lose Raymond [Felton], you're forced to play Pablo [Prigioni] and Kidd — and mainly Kidd — a lot of minutes," Woodson said. "We wanted to save those minutes for Kidd as we made the final run, but it just didn't work out that way.

"Kidd has been a trouper about it, in terms of giving us what he's got.''

Kidd apparently gave too much — or more to the point, perhaps the Knicks asked too much of the 39-year-old who already had missed four games earlier in the season with a balky back. Woodson was hopeful that with some rest, Kidd would be back to face the Bucks Friday.

"He's sore. We're going to rest him and see how he feels [Thursday], and he'll probably play Friday,'' Woodson said. "No [tests]. He's just sore. He's logged a lot of minutes since Raymond had gone down. Now, Raymond's back. We can be a little more cautious I think. If he says he's a little sore, then I've got to be open-minded to that, rest him and welcome him back when he's ready to come back.''

Felton's broken pinky forced the Knicks into playing Kidd 30.4 minutes per game going into last weekend, far more than they had intended. But he logged just 15 minutes Saturday in Philadelphia, and just five Sunday against the Hawks, sitting out the entire second half and telling Woodson he needed a break.

"The ideal as to play him between 20 and 25 minutes per game, then there'd be some nights where he's the guy, you play him down the stretch and he might sneak up to 30,'' Woodson said. "But we went through a stretch, that while time when Raymond was out, [Kidd] was averaging 30 minutes a ballgame. That's a bit much.

"There are nights Raymond might be sitting because he's struggling and you need Jason down the stretch. Early in the season he had some games like that. ... I just don't want to go through another stretch where we have to depend on him for 14, 15 games playing 30 minutes a night.''

Nevertheless, Woodson said he will not feel hamstrung in playing Kidd on the second game of back-to-backs.

"No, not really,'' said Woodson. "If I can hold his minutes to about 20 to 25, he shouldn't have any problems playing back to back. Jason is in pretty good shape so that shouldn't be an issue. I just don't want to get back to where he's playing 30-plus a game. That doesn't help us at all, as we continue on this journey.''

brian.lewis@nypost.com

18.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Doctors: PED use not reason for A-Rod hip injury

If the Yankees are going to get out of paying the rest of Alex Rodriguez's contract, it likely will not be for medical reasons.

Regardless of whether the third baseman was caught taking performance-enhancing drugs again, two orthopedic surgeons said Wednesday they don't believe Rodriguez's hip injuries are enough to let the Yankees escape the $114 million they owe him over the next five seasons.

"If the more recent surgery was more involved, recovery might be a little slower, but I can't think of a reason why anyone would be able to say he couldn't play again," said Dr. James Gladstone, sports medicine specialist and co-chief of sports medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai. "Especially if the other hip is holding up, there shouldn't be a lasting impact."

With Rodriguez embroiled in another PED controversy and his production dipping by the year, the Yankees will look at every avenue to distance themselves from him — especially if he gets suspended by the league.

Nevertheless, even if he is guilty, the Yankees don't figure to have much of a leg to stand on from a medical perspective.

"I still don't think any PED would have had an effect on the injury or the surgery," said Dr. David Geier, Director of Sports Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina. "They can impact tendons and muscles, but not what he had. They might impact recovery, but I don't see the argument where the surgery itself would have been any different."

"Even if this turns out to be true, it wouldn't impact the hip joint. His problem was one of anatomy. I can't imagine any effect."

dan.martin@nypost.com

18.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hafner on Yankees’ radar

When the Yankees were trying to dump A.J. Burnett a year ago, one of the players they were interested in was Cleveland's Travis Hafner.

Despite their efforts, they weren't able to reach a deal with the Indians and Burnett ended up in Pittsburgh.

Now, Hafner has drawn the Yankees' attention again, and this time they don't have to figure out a way to include Burnett in the deal.

Still without a left-handed designated hitter to take over for Raul Ibanez — who signed with Seattle before general manager Brian Cashman made him an offer to stay in The Bronx — the Yankees are looking at the 35-year-old Hafner.

Reuters

POWER BAT: The Yankees are looking at Travis Hafner to possibly become their left-handed DH.

Unlike Ibanez, whom the Yankees signed after failing to land Hafner last winter, the former first baseman can't play the field and would give the Yankees fewer options if they are hurt by injuries.

Hafner might not help the Yankees' durability, either, because he has had difficulty staying on the field after four excellent offensive seasons with the Indians from 2004-07, when he drove in more than 100 runs each year.

Cleveland remains interested in Hafner, though injury problems since then have robbed him of significant playing time. Last season, he was limited to just 263 plate appearances because of knee and back woes.

Nevertheless, when Hafner is able to remain in one piece, he does provide power.

Despite his injuries in 2012, Hafner hit 12 homers, including eight off right-handers, and his OPS was .798 versus righties — not much worse than Ibanez's OPS of .812 against them.

The Yankees signed Dan Johnson to a minor-league deal last week in an attempt to fill the spot, but their search for a lefty designated hitter does not include Jim Thome, another free-agent slugger with a history of back problems.

Though Hafner is a power-hitting lefty, he hasn't had a great deal of success taking advantage of the short right-field fence in The Bronx.

In 12 plate appearances at the new Yankee Stadium, Hafner has just one homer and one RBI. He also had just one homer and 12 RBIs in 75 plate appearances across the street.

A more pressing need remains in the outfield, but the Yankees have been unable to find a right-handed bat worthy of a major league contract.

Cashman has explored the free-agent route, as well as trades and still only managed to land players such as Matt Diaz and Russ Canzler on minor league deals, while Michael Morse and Scott Hairston have gone elsewhere.

dan.martin@nypost.com

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PATH resumes Hoboken-World Trade Center service

NEWARK, NJ — PATH service has resumed between Hoboken and the World Trade Center three months after Superstorm Sandy.

Unprecedented flooding halted service between the stations at the end of October.

The resumption of the Hoboken to World Trade Center service means weekday PATH service has returned to its pre-Sandy schedule.

The Exchange Place and World Trade Center stations will remain closed on weekends in February to allow crews to continue making repairs.

Overnight weekend service between Newark and World Trade Center is expected to resume in March.

REUTERS

Floodwaters from Hurricane Sandy rush into the Hoboken PATH station.

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Chrysler profit jumps on higher sales

DETROIT — Just three years out of bankruptcy, Chrysler posted a $1.7 billion profit in 2012 and said it expects to earn more than $2 billion this year.

Improving US auto sales — and better products at Chrysler — were the big reasons that last year's profit was nine times higher than the profit of $183 million in 2011. Chrysler's worldwide sales were up 18 percent to 2.2 million last year.

In the US, its largest market, Chrysler's sales were up 21 percent. Chrysler saw strong sales of the Chrysler 200 and 300 sedans, the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Ram pickup. The Fiat 500 also saw big gains last year.

The results mark another step in Chrysler's remarkable turnaround. The company filed for bankruptcy during the recession in 2009 and needed a $12.5 billion loan from taxpayers to survive. Chrysler has repaid $11.2 billion, but the U.S. Treasury Department says it won't recover the remaining $1.3 billion. The profit In 2011 was Chrysler's first annual profit since 1997.

Chrysler is now majority owned by Italian automaker Fiat SpA. Fiat and Chrysler chief Sergio Marchionne praised Chrysler's workers Wednesday but urged them to remain focused.

"While we are pleased to have achieved strong financial results in 2012, the enterprise we are crafting is not complete," Marchionne said in a statement.

Revenue increased 20 percent to $65.8 billion.

Chrysler expects its net income to rise to around $2.2 billion this year on revenue of between $72 billion and $75 billion. It says worldwide vehicle shipments should reach 2.6 million to 2.7 million, up from 2.4 million last year.

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Cuomo's approval rating plummets after NY passes gun control law: poll

ALBANY – Gov. Cuomo's job approval rating dropped like a speeding bullet this month as Republicans and gun owners started turning against him after he rammed through the nation's first post-Newtown gun control law, a new poll has found.

Democrat Cuomo's approval marks slid from 74-13 percent last month to 59-28 in the Quinnipiac poll out today — a day after the New York-affiliate of the National Rifle Association filed a notice of claim to sue to stop enforcement of the law, arguing it unconstitutionally deprives New Yorkers of their rights.

While voters in non-gun homes still gave Cuomo thumbs up by a whopping 68-19, those who live in households with guns turned against him by 50-40, the Jan. 23-28 telephone survey of 1,127 state voters found.

Shannon DeCelle

Governor Cuomo

Cuomo himself had predicted the slide during a radio interview yesterday with Post columnist Fredric U. Dicker on Albany's Talk 1300 AM radio.

While Republicans gave Cuomo a 68-18 percent approval mark in a Quinnipiac survey Dec. 12 — two days before a crazed gunman killed 20 first-graders and six adults at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. — the GOP is virtually evenly split on the governor now.

Support for Cuomo dropped across the board. His approval rating among independents fell from 70-12 to 54-32, among Democrats from 82-9 to 74-14, among women from 73-12 to 64-23 and among men from 74-14 to 54-33.

Some 34 percent of voters – and 59 percent of Republicans – said Cuomo's law goes "too far" in restricting gun owners' rights, while 30 percent of all voters said it doesn't go far enough in protecting public safety.

But another 30 percent of voters, including 20 percent of Republicans, say the law is "about right."

Cuomo shouldn't necessarily worry, according to Quinnipiac's poll director.

"With approval ratings that consistently topped 70 percent, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo had the political capital to spend when he set out to pass the toughest gun control laws in the nation," Maurice Carroll said. "It is possible that the gun law cost him some of that political capital, but a 2-1 job approval rating still makes him the envy of most governors."

Carroll also noted Cuomo lost some GOP support after legalizing gay marriage in 2011 but "got it back."

And voters gave strong approval to a key element of the gun law: a requirement that mental health professionals report potentially dangerous patients to police for possible confiscation of weapons. Democrats backed that provision 76-19, Republicans by 71-24 and independents 71-23.

And by 56-32 percent voters rejected the argument that fewer mentally ill people will seek help because of the new gun law.

Additionally, voters by 48-40 percent said stricter gun laws will do more to reduce gun violence in school than armed guards – as the NRA proposed.

Quinnipiac found voters in blue New York by 46-22 percent have an unfavorable opinion of the NRA leadership.

The poll also found a slight dip in job approval ratings for President Obama (57-39 percent, from 62-35 last month) and US Sens. Chuck Schumer (60-30, down from 63-23) and Kirsten Gillibrand (57-21, down from 61-18).

The poll has a a margin of error of plus or minus 2.9 percentage points.

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A subway announcement: Finalists for voice of Second Avenue line video

The voice of the Second Avenue Subway might have an Australian accent.

The MTA named six finalists in its search for narrators of the Second Avenue Subway video, a motley mix of Upper East Siders that includes native New Yorkers, a transplanted Midwesterner and one Aussie.

The six finalists were chosen from dozens of applicants who hoped to narrate the informational video, which will be broadcast in an exhibit at the Community Information Center on Second Avenue.

No voice-over experience was necessary, but not everyone could apply.

All applicants had to live or work in the construction zone — First and Third avenues between 63rd and 105th streets — to be eligible for the part.

AP

A subway construction worker enters the tunnel boring machine in the northbound tunnel of the Second Avenue subway construction project in April 2011.

This being New York, plenty of actors did apply for the gig, including two of the finalists.

But the vast majority of the dozens of respondents were amateurs.

"If you ever see the beginning auditions for American Idol, it was kind of like that," joked Richard Mulieri, of MTA capital construction.

"You knew right away who wasn't going to Hollywood."

One person's phone audition was a riff on the Twilight Zone, including a spooky over the top voice extolling the virtues of the over $4 billion project.

"It was way beyond what you'd want," said Rehema Trimiew, an MTA digital medial producer who was one of the judges.

The public will choose one woman and one man from the finalists, whose voices will be broadcast at surveymonkey.com/s/SASIdol.

Voting begins today and will remain open until Feb. 17.

Melbourne native Theresa Ebblewhite doesn't think her Australian accent will hurt her changes.

"New York is multi-cultural and diverse," she said.

She decided to audition after a psychic told her she should do voice work.

She thought nothing of it — until the next day when she saw a story in the Post about the MTA's contest.

"I thought, this is too eerie," said Ebblewhite, an educational consultant who has lived in New York for nine years.

Scotty Davis — a Screen Actor's Guild member who has lived in New York since 1970s — drank coffee to warm up her throat before her final audition Monday night at the MTA's offices in Brooklyn.

She did three takes inside the tiny voice studio, finally nailing it after thinking of her mom.

"I put my mother in my mind, like how would I tell my mother?" she said.

Bill Bunting applied after being urged on by his wife, who had also read about the contest in the Post.

"I know a lot of merchants on Second Avenue [that have been impacted by construction]," he said.

But he is convinced the benefits will some day outweigh the negatives.

"Public transportation is hugely important," he said.

jennifer.fermino@nypost.com

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Home Team Lineups

TODAY
Jan. 30 THU
Jan. 31 FRI
Feb. 1 SAT
Feb. 2 SUN
Feb. 3 MON
Feb. 4 TUE
Feb. 5 Knicks Orlando
7:30
MSG Network
ESPN 98.7 FM
NO GAME
Mil.
7:30
MSG
ESPN Sac.
7:30
MSG
ESPN NO
GAME Det.
7:30
MSG
ESPN NO GAME

Nets Miami
8:00
YES Network/ESPN
WFAN 660 AM/101.9 FM
NO GAME Chi.
7:30
YES
WFAN NO GAME NO GAME NO GAME NO
GAME
DePaul
9:00
ESPNU
WBBR 1130 AM NO GAME NO GAME
G'Town
4:00
CBS
WBBR NO GAME NO GAME NO
GAME Rangers
NO
GAME Pit.
7:00
MSG
ESPN NO GAME
T.B.
7:00
MSG+
WBBR NO GAME NO GAME Devils
7:00
MSG
ESPN
Islanders
NO
GAME Devils
7:00
MSG+2
WRHU NO GAME
NO GAME Devils
3:00
MSG+
WRHU NO
GAME Pitt.
7:00
MSG+
WRHU
Devils
NO
GAME Isles
7:00
MSG+
WFAN NO GAME
Pit.
1:00
MSG+
WFAN Isles
3:00
MSG
WFAN NO
GAME Rangers
7:00
MSG+2
WFAN

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Yonkers Results

FIRST: mile; pace; $10,000; cond

1	IdealDanny(EGoodell)	3.20	2.80	2.10
5	Deuce Seelster (B Sears)		7.60	4.40
2	Forever Good (M Kakaley)			3.80

* Exacta (1-5) $25.20 * Triple (1-5-2) $123.50

SECOND: mile; trot; $12,000; cond

1	Crypto Man (B Sears)	3.70	2.80	2.10
4	RuleByStrength(JPantleno)		6.60	3.80
3	Curly Top (J Bartlett)			3.00

* Exacta (1-4) $15.00 * Triple (1-4-3) $61.00 * Daily double (1-1) $6.90

Winner picked by Bill Smith

THIRD: mile; pace; $9,000; cl($12500)

6	Kid Carson (B Sears)	2.70	2.10	2.10
3	Hi Sir (J Bartlett)		2.50	2.20
2	Space Walk (L Stalbaum)			2.90

* Exacta (6-3) $5.60 * Triple (6-3-2) $24.60 * Superfecta (6-3-2-5) $102.00

Exacta picked by Bill Smith

FOURTH: mile; pace; $10,000; cond

6	PrdseWll(JBongorno)	23.20	8.00	5.10
3	White Ruler (B Sears)		4.30	3.20
5	Ruthless Ace (J Stratton)			2.80

* Exacta (6-3) $104.50 * Triple (6-3-5) $307.50 * Pick 3 (1-6-6) $176.00Scr: That Man Of Mine.

FIFTH: mile; pace; $9,000; cond

2	Big Red (J Stratton)	21.20	8.40	6.80
6	Bad As Bart (B Sears)		7.40	5.70
5	Gointhruthemotions (B Holland)			5.50

* Exacta (2-6) $111.00 * Triple (2-6-5) $511.00 * Superfecta (2-6-5-1) $3,677.00

SIXTH: mile; pace; $12,000; cond

5	TnysMllon(MKakaley)	15.00	7.90	4.80
6	Prestissimo (B Sears)		3.30	3.30
7	Gallant Major (J Bartlett)			8.10

* Exacta (5-6) $47.80 * Triple (5-6-7) $490.00 * Pick 4 (6-6-2-5) $7,340.00

SEVENTH: mile; pace; $11,000; cl($15000)

2	LuckyTmes(LStlbum)	28.20	7.20	4.30
6	Let's Roll Joe (J Bartlett)		4.20	3.60
4	StonebrdgeMaster(MMacDonald)			3.70

* Exacta (2-6) $110.00 * Triple (2-6-4) $511.00 * Pick 3 (2-5-2) $1,014.00

EIGHTH: mile; pace; $12,000; cond

4	UfdrgnsRckt(MMcDnld)	5.40	3.10	2.40
3	Neptune (L Stalbaum)		4.90	3.10
2	Well Done Hanover (G Brennan)			2.40

* Exacta (4-3) $23.60 * Triple (4-3-2) $72.50 * Superfecta (4-3-2-6) $320.00

Winner picked by Bill Smith

NINTH: mile; pace; $13,000; cond

1	PerfectTrror(BHollnd)	9.70	4.10	3.10
2	Mcturesque (E Abbatiello)		7.00	3.90
5	Feelin Cornered (J Bongiorno)			3.90

* Exacta (1-2) $54.00 * Triple (1-2-5) $179.50

TENTH: mile; pace; $15,000; cl($25000)

4	AllmrcnApch(GBrnnn)	8.80	5.40	3.90
6	Four Corners (J Stratton)		15.80	8.50
1	Abominable Snowpan (MKakaley)			3.70

* Exacta (4-6) $123.00 * Triple (4-6-1) $525.00 * Superfecta (4-6-1-2) $1,287.00 * Pick 3 (4-1-4) $139.00 * Pick 4 (2-4-1-4) $1,946.00

ELEVENTH: mile; pace; $15,000; cl($25000)

1	WynsumMgc(EGodll)	50.00	14.00	8.80
5	Great Soul (B Holland)		5.40	3.20
7	Newbegining (M Kakaley)			6.40

* Exacta (1-5) $215.00 * Triple (1-5-7) $1,509.00

TWELFTH: mile; pace; $12,000; cond

5	TenntInChef(GBrnnn)	5.40	2.90	2.30
7	TdewaterTomahwk(BSers)		5.20	2.60
3	Jw Racer (L Stalbaum)			6.30

* Exacta (5-7) $22.00 * Triple (5-7-3) $258.00 * Superfecta (5-7-3-1) $457.50 * Late double (1-5) $184.00

Attendance Unavailable.

Total Handle: $952,189.

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A subway announcement: Finalists for voice of Second Avenue line video

The voice of the Second Avenue Subway might have an Australian accent.

The MTA named six finalists in its search for narrators of the Second Avenue Subway video, a motley mix of Upper East Siders that includes native New Yorkers, a transplanted Midwesterner and one Aussie.

The six finalists were chosen from dozens of applicants who hoped to narrate the informational video, which will be broadcast in an exhibit at the Community Information Center on Second Avenue.

No voice-over experience was necessary, but not everyone could apply.

All applicants had to live or work in the construction zone — First and Third avenues between 63rd and 105th streets — to be eligible for the part.

This being New York, plenty of actors did apply for the gig, including two of the finalists.

But the vast majority of the dozens of respondents were amateurs.

"If you ever see the beginning auditions for American Idol, it was kind of like that," joked Richard Mulieri, of MTA capital construction.

"You knew right away who wasn't going to Hollywood."

One person's phone audition was a riff on the Twilight Zone, including a spooky over the top voice extolling the virtues of the over $4 billion project.

"It was way beyond what you'd want," said Rehema Trimiew, an MTA digital medial producer who was one of the judges.

The public will choose one woman and one man from the finalists, whose voices will be broadcast at surveymonkey.com/s/SASIdol.

Voting begins today and will remain open until Feb. 17.

Melbourne native Theresa Ebblewhite doesn't think her Australian accent will hurt her changes.

"New York is multi-cultural and diverse," she said.

She decided to audition after a psychic told her she should do voice work.

She thought nothing of it — until the next day when she saw a story in the Post about the MTA's contest.

"I thought, this is too eerie," said Ebblewhite, an educational consultant who has lived in New York for nine years.

Scotty Davis — a Screen Actor's Guild member who has lived in New York since 1970s — drank coffee to warm up her throat before her final audition Monday night at the MTA's offices in Brooklyn.

She did three takes inside the tiny voice studio, finally nailing it after thinking of her mom.

"I put my mother in my mind, like how would I tell my mother?" she said.

Bill Bunting applied after being urged on by his wife, who had also read about the contest in the Post.

"I know a lot of merchants on Second Avenue [that have been impacted by construction]," he said.

But he is convinced the benefits will some day outweigh the negatives.

"Public transportation is hugely important," he said.

jennifer.fermino@nypost.com

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Ravens LB Ray Lewis: We’ll bring trophy back to Baltimore

NEW ORLEANS — Get ready for a lot of Ray Lewis.

Super Bowl XLVII is between the Ravens and 49ers, but there is no question who the star getting the most attention this week will be. Lewis, the retiring Ravens linebacker who is as polarizing off the field as he is productive on it, is going to be the center of attention.

It began in earnest yesterday with Lewis stopping just short of guaranteeing a Lombardi Trophy for the Ravens.

"We did this, we did this in 2000, and we are not going to New Orleans for nothing else but to bring back another ring back to Baltimore, where it belongs," Lewis said at a rally in Baltimore, referring to the team's first Super Bowl championship. "We love you, we love you, we love you, Baltimore. We are going to bring everything we got."

AP

KNOCK EM DEAD: Ray Lewis fires up Ravens fans at a rally in Baltimore before the team leaves for New Orleans.

This is Lewis' farewell tour — in case you've been living under a rock for the past four weeks. Sunday's game will be his career finale, and Lewis has been soaking up every ounce of attention along the way. After the Ravens arrived last night at their Hilton hotel in New Orleans, he held court with reporters. He quoted scripture, laughed about a "Saturday Night Live" skit depicting him and talked about leading his team to a Super Bowl title.

"What are we really here for?" Lewis said. "The bottom line is we're here to win a game. There's only two teams left right now. For us to be where we are right now, we have to finish what we started.

"We're here for a business trip."

No one disputes Lewis' ability, but the linebacker has been a source of controversy since he was investigated in a double murder in Atlanta in 2000. Lewis and the Ravens won Super Bowl XXXV over the Giants a year later, and he took home the Super Bowl MVP.

Twelve years later, Lewis is back on the national stage. The murders are not as fresh in everyone's memory, but it's still part of Lewis' story. He said he thinks people now embrace him because of what he's been through.

"I don't know nobody that's ever lived a perfect life," Lewis said. "I have seen people who have went through things before, and realistically most of the time what happens when you find somebody who's gone through adversity, you really find out what their true character is.

"I think for me people really take time to find out who I really am. They're really learning what my character is, and my character is simply to make this world a better place, to encourage people that no matter what you're going through, it ain't really what you're going through, it's your mindset while you're going through it. When you see all the support I'm getting right now, I'm in total awe of the respect that people have for someone who has been through adversity but found his way out."

The 37-year-old announced at the beginning of the Ravens' playoff run he would retire at the end of the season. Their will be a ton of "lasts" this week for Lewis, but he said he's not focused on that.

"Honestly, I've already put it aside," Lewis said. "I promise you that's the last thing on my mind — is this the last, is this the last, is this the last? I think the most important thing for me is to be the leader I am for my team and try to go out and win this football game. That's the only thing on my mind."

As the Ravens felt the embrace from the Baltimore fans yesterday, Lewis told his teammates to enjoy it, but realize the next celebration would be better.

"This feeling is great, but there's nothing better than coming home as world champions," Lewis said he told them. "That's what we're here for, to bring a championship home to Baltimore."

brian.costello@nypost.com

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Forgiving Lewis doesn’t give Hoot about Mrs. Welker diss

NEW ORLEANS — Ray Lewis sounds like a minister sometimes when he speaks, and when the topic of Anna Welker, the wife of Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker, came up last night, he sounded like Father Ray.

Anna Welker, a former Miss Hooters International,, wrote some unkind things about Lewis on her Facebook page after the Ravens beat the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game last week. Lewis said he won't hold a grudge.

"I truly forgive her," Lewis said. "I don't have no hard feelings against her at all. But I believe people make mistakes and say foolish things."

WireImage

Anna Welker

Welker made reference to Lewis' past when he faced murder charges and also referenced his personal life.

"Proud of my husband and the Pats," she wrote. "By the way, if anyone is bored, please go to Ray Lewis' Wikipedia page. 6 kids 4 wives. Acquitted for murder. Paid a family off. Yay. What a hall of fame player! A true role model!"

She later issued an apology.

"I've always been a firm believer of the good book," Lewis said. "The good book confirms even a fool is counted wise until he opens his or her mouth. Sometimes people just say silly stuff and they say it out of emotion."

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Pressure the heart of matter for contending Compton

LA JOLLA, Calif. — This was a highly educational week for Erik Compton, the PGA Tour player playing with his third heart after two transplants.

Compton, who before this week had never finished better than a tie for 13th, finished tied for 15th at the Farmers Insurance Open at 6-under par after a final-round 75. It was the first time Compton was truly in contention on the weekend.

"Even though I've experienced different kind of pressures, this was just that you can't assess how loud it was out there and all the things that are going on,'' said Compton, who played the final two rounds in the group ahead of winner Tiger Woods. "Your adrenaline is going, and you have to learn how to [handle] that.

"I think mentally, my game is in a better place. I know how to manage it and not grind it out.''

Compton finished one shot out of a top-10 finish, which would have qualified him for this week's Waste Management Phoenix Open.

"I didn't really look at scoreboards,'' he said. "I just knew it was hard out there. It is [disappointing], but what are you going to do? I made birdie on the last hole. I guess it's better than a kick in the face.''

* Woods won the tournament for the seventh time, one behind the record held by Sam Snead, who won the Greater Greensboro Open eight times. It was the eighth time Woods won at Torrey Pines, including his playoff win in the 2008 U.S Open. … Woods, who always wears red shirts for his Sunday final rounds, did not wear red this Sunday for the completion of the third round and beginning of the fourth because he said he was saving it for yesterday's conclusion. He wore his customary red yesterday.

The next event Woods is likely to play is the Match Play next month in Arizona. After that, he'll play the Honda Classic, Doral and Bay Hill — all in March in Florida.

His caddie, Joe LaCava, said he has been trying to convince Woods to play at Riviera in Los Angeles, where he said he thinks Woods would be very successful. Woods never plays Riviera because it doesn't fit his schedule.

* Brad Fritsch, the rookie from Canada, birdied his last two holes for a 75 and tied for ninth, making him eligible for the Phoenix Open. Fritsch had been entered into yesterday's qualifier, which he had to abandon when the Farmers Insurance Open lost Saturday to a fog delay and had to be completed yesterday.

* The best comeback of the week came from Rickie Fowler, who shook off an opening-round 77 to finish in a tie for sixth after shooting a final-round 68. His 77 was the highest opening-round score for any player who made the cut. … Aaron Baddeley, who was never in serious contention, closed with rounds of 68-69 to sneak into a tie for sixth. … Josh Teater finished in a tie for second with defending champion Brandt Snedeker at 10-under par, his best PGA Tour finish. … The best final-round scores came from Jason Day (66) and Robert Garrigus (67).

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Rex’s exes still in love with Jets coach

Steve Serby

NEW ORLEANS — On one side of the room was Ray Lewis, ending his Hall of Fame career with a Super Bowl. On the other side, at separate podiums, sat Ed Reed and Terrell Suggs, grizzled Ravens champions getting their first shot at a ring.

All Rex Ryan's men.

All 60 minutes from shaking hands with the president at the White House.

All instrumental in getting Rex Ryan his first head coaching job.

Rex's Exes at the Super Bowl.

And Rex a long, long way away from one.

But if Rex is a lame duck in 2013, he remains their lame duck.

Who is here with them, if only in spirit.

AP

Rex Ryan

Thank you, Rex, from your exes.

"All I can really say is that I love the man to death," Suggs said last night. "He's one helluva football coach, he's one helluva ball coach. If it is his last year as a New York Jet head coach, it won't be his last year as a coach, it damn sure won't be his last year as a head coach. He's a players' coach, he's a real coach, and I wish him all the best. I hope things turn around for him, except when he's playing the Baltimore Ravens."

Suggs was asked if he was concerned when Ryan left as Ravens defensive coordinator to coach the Jets in 2009.

"I wouldn't say concerned, but me, Rex and Mike Pettine [a Ravens assistant who followed Ryan to the Jets to become defensive coordinator], we have a relationship that's more than football," Suggs said. "Like I said, I love the man, I think the world of him. When he left, it was just, 'Congratulations, Rex, I love you, but whenever I face you, just know I'm aiming to kick your ass, so you better bring it.' And he said, 'I will bring it so you better bring it.' "

Suggs was then asked for a Rex anecdote.

"I don't have really any anecdotes, some things are just sacred, some things you don't let out of the meeting room, out of your locker room, but just know he's a rare breed of coach, and. . .

"He turned boys into beasts. Not into men, he turned 'em into beasts."

How did he do that?

"I don't know ... you gotta ask Rex," Suggs said.

And, as if Ryan and Mark Sanchez didn't have enough problems, there is speculation Reed could be signed by Bill Belichick and the Patriots in free agency.

Ryan was the Ravens' defensive line coach when Reed was the 2002 first-round draft choice and Suggs was the 2003 first-round draft choice. By 2005, he was the defensive coordinator. Lewis, who joined the Ravens three years prior to Ryan's arrival, was the 1996 first-round draft choice. Nose tackle Haloti Ngata also learned the ways of Rex, a first-round pick in 2006.

Suggs was asked about Rex's tattoo.

"Last I checked it was 49ers-Ravens, I didn't know Jets was nowhere around here," Suggs said.

Then Suggs answered the tattoo question.

"Who cares? I probably got something on my ass that you all never will see," Suggs said. "It's probably inappropriate, but who cares? I think you all blew it way out of proportion. I don't really think it's a big deal.

"I think everybody should have a certain amount of privacy even if they're in the public eye, no matter who they are. Even our president deserves a certain amount of privacy. ... I think all of you need to keep that in mind when you're all writing stories about us, we're not just football players, we're not just coaches, we're human brings too."

Reed was at the end of his media session when I asked him about Rex.

"Oh man, I love Rex," he said. "Keep it likeable and learnable. There's so much I can say about Rex, man. I love Rex, man."

What made you love Rex so much?

"That's my coach, man. Rex my coach."

steve.serby@nypost.com

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Delta to open outdoor airport decks at JFK

ATLANTA — Delta Air Lines is planning to open outdoor terraces with sweeping runway views for its Delta Sky Clubs members at Kennedy Airport and Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson airports.

Delta officials said in a statement that the Sky Deck terraces will offer "unprecedented" airport views.

The terrace at JFK will be located in a $1.2 billion redevelopment of Terminal 4 set to open in May. In Atlanta, The Sky Deck is to open this summer adjacent to the Delta Sky Club in Atlanta's new international terminal.

Tim Mapes, Delta's senior vice president of marketing, says the airline is partnering with Architectural Digest and designer Thom Filicia to design the terraces.

EPA

Delta says the airline has opened or renovated 13 clubs across its system in the past 24 months.

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Ravens LB Ray Lewis: We’ll bring trophy back to Baltimore

NEW ORLEANS — Get ready for a lot of Ray Lewis.

Super Bowl XLVII is between the Ravens and 49ers, but there is no question who the star getting the most attention this week will be. Lewis, the retiring Ravens linebacker who is as polarizing off the field as he is productive on it, is going to be the center of attention.

It began in earnest yesterday with Lewis stopping just short of guaranteeing a Lombardi Trophy for the Ravens.

"We did this, we did this in 2000, and we are not going to New Orleans for nothing else but to bring back another ring back to Baltimore, where it belongs," Lewis said at a rally in Baltimore, referring to the team's first Super Bowl championship. "We love you, we love you, we love you, Baltimore. We are going to bring everything we got."

AP

KNOCK EM DEAD: Ray Lewis fires up Ravens fans at a rally in Baltimore before the team leaves for New Orleans.

This is Lewis' farewell tour — in case you've been living under a rock for the past four weeks. Sunday's game will be his career finale, and Lewis has been soaking up every ounce of attention along the way. After the Ravens arrived last night at their Hilton hotel in New Orleans, he held court with reporters. He quoted scripture, laughed about a "Saturday Night Live" skit depicting him and talked about leading his team to a Super Bowl title.

"What are we really here for?" Lewis said. "The bottom line is we're here to win a game. There's only two teams left right now. For us to be where we are right now, we have to finish what we started.

"We're here for a business trip."

No one disputes Lewis' ability, but the linebacker has been a source of controversy since he was investigated in a double murder in Atlanta in 2000. Lewis and the Ravens won Super Bowl XXXV over the Giants a year later, and he took home the Super Bowl MVP.

Twelve years later, Lewis is back on the national stage. The murders are not as fresh in everyone's memory, but it's still part of Lewis' story. He said he thinks people now embrace him because of what he's been through.

"I don't know nobody that's ever lived a perfect life," Lewis said. "I have seen people who have went through things before, and realistically most of the time what happens when you find somebody who's gone through adversity, you really find out what their true character is.

"I think for me people really take time to find out who I really am. They're really learning what my character is, and my character is simply to make this world a better place, to encourage people that no matter what you're going through, it ain't really what you're going through, it's your mindset while you're going through it. When you see all the support I'm getting right now, I'm in total awe of the respect that people have for someone who has been through adversity but found his way out."

The 37-year-old announced at the beginning of the Ravens' playoff run he would retire at the end of the season. Their will be a ton of "lasts" this week for Lewis, but he said he's not focused on that.

"Honestly, I've already put it aside," Lewis said. "I promise you that's the last thing on my mind — is this the last, is this the last, is this the last? I think the most important thing for me is to be the leader I am for my team and try to go out and win this football game. That's the only thing on my mind."

As the Ravens felt the embrace from the Baltimore fans yesterday, Lewis told his teammates to enjoy it, but realize the next celebration would be better.

"This feeling is great, but there's nothing better than coming home as world champions," Lewis said he told them. "That's what we're here for, to bring a championship home to Baltimore."

brian.costello@nypost.com

18.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Pressure the heart of matter for contending Compton

LA JOLLA, Calif. — This was a highly educational week for Erik Compton, the PGA Tour player playing with his third heart after two transplants.

Compton, who before this week had never finished better than a tie for 13th, finished tied for 15th at the Farmers Insurance Open at 6-under par after a final-round 75. It was the first time Compton was truly in contention on the weekend.

"Even though I've experienced different kind of pressures, this was just that you can't assess how loud it was out there and all the things that are going on,'' said Compton, who played the final two rounds in the group ahead of winner Tiger Woods. "Your adrenaline is going, and you have to learn how to [handle] that.

"I think mentally, my game is in a better place. I know how to manage it and not grind it out.''

Compton finished one shot out of a top-10 finish, which would have qualified him for this week's Waste Management Phoenix Open.

"I didn't really look at scoreboards,'' he said. "I just knew it was hard out there. It is [disappointing], but what are you going to do? I made birdie on the last hole. I guess it's better than a kick in the face.''

* Woods won the tournament for the seventh time, one behind the record held by Sam Snead, who won the Greater Greensboro Open eight times. It was the eighth time Woods won at Torrey Pines, including his playoff win in the 2008 U.S Open. … Woods, who always wears red shirts for his Sunday final rounds, did not wear red this Sunday for the completion of the third round and beginning of the fourth because he said he was saving it for yesterday's conclusion. He wore his customary red yesterday.

The next event Woods is likely to play is the Match Play next month in Arizona. After that, he'll play the Honda Classic, Doral and Bay Hill — all in March in Florida.

His caddie, Joe LaCava, said he has been trying to convince Woods to play at Riviera in Los Angeles, where he said he thinks Woods would be very successful. Woods never plays Riviera because it doesn't fit his schedule.

* Brad Fritsch, the rookie from Canada, birdied his last two holes for a 75 and tied for ninth, making him eligible for the Phoenix Open. Fritsch had been entered into yesterday's qualifier, which he had to abandon when the Farmers Insurance Open lost Saturday to a fog delay and had to be completed yesterday.

* The best comeback of the week came from Rickie Fowler, who shook off an opening-round 77 to finish in a tie for sixth after shooting a final-round 68. His 77 was the highest opening-round score for any player who made the cut. … Aaron Baddeley, who was never in serious contention, closed with rounds of 68-69 to sneak into a tie for sixth. … Josh Teater finished in a tie for second with defending champion Brandt Snedeker at 10-under par, his best PGA Tour finish. … The best final-round scores came from Jason Day (66) and Robert Garrigus (67).

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Forgiving Lewis doesn’t give Hoot about Mrs. Welker diss

NEW ORLEANS — Ray Lewis sounds like a minister sometimes when he speaks, and when the topic of Anna Welker, the wife of Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker, came up last night, he sounded like Father Ray.

Anna Welker, a former Miss Hooters International,, wrote some unkind things about Lewis on her Facebook page after the Ravens beat the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game last week. Lewis said he won't hold a grudge.

"I truly forgive her," Lewis said. "I don't have no hard feelings against her at all. But I believe people make mistakes and say foolish things."

WireImage

Anna Welker

Welker made reference to Lewis' past when he faced murder charges and also referenced his personal life.

"Proud of my husband and the Pats," she wrote. "By the way, if anyone is bored, please go to Ray Lewis' Wikipedia page. 6 kids 4 wives. Acquitted for murder. Paid a family off. Yay. What a hall of fame player! A true role model!"

She later issued an apology.

"I've always been a firm believer of the good book," Lewis said. "The good book confirms even a fool is counted wise until he opens his or her mouth. Sometimes people just say silly stuff and they say it out of emotion."

18.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Rex’s exes still in love with Jets coach

Steve Serby

NEW ORLEANS — On one side of the room was Ray Lewis, ending his Hall of Fame career with a Super Bowl. On the other side, at separate podiums, sat Ed Reed and Terrell Suggs, grizzled Ravens champions getting their first shot at a ring.

All Rex Ryan's men.

All 60 minutes from shaking hands with the president at the White House.

All instrumental in getting Rex Ryan his first head coaching job.

Rex's Exes at the Super Bowl.

And Rex a long, long way away from one.

But if Rex is a lame duck in 2013, he remains their lame duck.

Who is here with them, if only in spirit.

AP

Rex Ryan

Thank you, Rex, from your exes.

"All I can really say is that I love the man to death," Suggs said last night. "He's one helluva football coach, he's one helluva ball coach. If it is his last year as a New York Jet head coach, it won't be his last year as a coach, it damn sure won't be his last year as a head coach. He's a players' coach, he's a real coach, and I wish him all the best. I hope things turn around for him, except when he's playing the Baltimore Ravens."

Suggs was asked if he was concerned when Ryan left as Ravens defensive coordinator to coach the Jets in 2009.

"I wouldn't say concerned, but me, Rex and Mike Pettine [a Ravens assistant who followed Ryan to the Jets to become defensive coordinator], we have a relationship that's more than football," Suggs said. "Like I said, I love the man, I think the world of him. When he left, it was just, 'Congratulations, Rex, I love you, but whenever I face you, just know I'm aiming to kick your ass, so you better bring it.' And he said, 'I will bring it so you better bring it.' "

Suggs was then asked for a Rex anecdote.

"I don't have really any anecdotes, some things are just sacred, some things you don't let out of the meeting room, out of your locker room, but just know he's a rare breed of coach, and. . .

"He turned boys into beasts. Not into men, he turned 'em into beasts."

How did he do that?

"I don't know ... you gotta ask Rex," Suggs said.

And, as if Ryan and Mark Sanchez didn't have enough problems, there is speculation Reed could be signed by Bill Belichick and the Patriots in free agency.

Ryan was the Ravens' defensive line coach when Reed was the 2002 first-round draft choice and Suggs was the 2003 first-round draft choice. By 2005, he was the defensive coordinator. Lewis, who joined the Ravens three years prior to Ryan's arrival, was the 1996 first-round draft choice. Nose tackle Haloti Ngata also learned the ways of Rex, a first-round pick in 2006.

Suggs was asked about Rex's tattoo.

"Last I checked it was 49ers-Ravens, I didn't know Jets was nowhere around here," Suggs said.

Then Suggs answered the tattoo question.

"Who cares? I probably got something on my ass that you all never will see," Suggs said. "It's probably inappropriate, but who cares? I think you all blew it way out of proportion. I don't really think it's a big deal.

"I think everybody should have a certain amount of privacy even if they're in the public eye, no matter who they are. Even our president deserves a certain amount of privacy. ... I think all of you need to keep that in mind when you're all writing stories about us, we're not just football players, we're not just coaches, we're human brings too."

Reed was at the end of his media session when I asked him about Rex.

"Oh man, I love Rex," he said. "Keep it likeable and learnable. There's so much I can say about Rex, man. I love Rex, man."

What made you love Rex so much?

"That's my coach, man. Rex my coach."

steve.serby@nypost.com

18.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tiger cruises at fave course, generating more ‘back’ talk

LA JOLLA, Calif. — Every time Tiger Woods tees it up at a tournament, we take his temperature. We analyze the state of his game and the state of his mind.

We want to know if he's back.

Ever since the fire hydrant and the subsequent public unraveling of his personal life in 2009 evaporated the aura of dominance and invincibility around Woods, the answer has been a resounding, "No.''

No, Woods has not been the same since the end of '09, the end of his marriage and the unprecedented fall from grace that ensued.

Even in winning three tournaments last year — a career's worth for many players — Woods faltered in the events that matter most — the majors, in which he looked far more human than he ever did when he dominated, struggling in the late rounds.

Getty Images

Tiger Woods

So Woods was not back last year, not even with the three wins, because he is not measured in mere wins, he is measured by the majors he wins.

Woods this week teased us again, yesterday finishing the job at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, his personal playground, cruising to a four-shot victory that was never in question for most of the week.

There was significance to the win in that, more than he did in any of his three wins last year, Woods looked like his old self, which is to say unbeatable.

"I don't know if anybody would have beaten him this week,'' said Nick Watney, the 2009 winner here who finished third at 9-under.

Hunter Mahan, who like Woods works with swing coach Sean Foley, said, "I think he wanted to send a message."

"I think deep down he did,'' Mahan said. "He looked strong. He had great control of his swing. He was hitting some strong shots, different from any other player I saw out here."

Woods' victory was the 75th PGA Tour win of his career, second only to the great Sam Snead's 82 Tour victories.

It was his seventh win of the PGA Tour event held at Torrey Pines and the his eighth overall on the course, counting his 2008 U.S. Open win on the course, his last major championship title.

With the tournament having been extended to a Monday finish because of the fog that nullified Saturday play, Woods took a six-shot lead into yesterday with 11 holes to play.

It marked the 54th career tournament Woods has carried at least a share of the lead into the final round and the 50th time he's converted it into a victory.

He built his lead to as many as eight shots after a birdie on the par-5 13th hole got him to 18-under. Giving back four shots in the final five holes (a bogey on 14, a double on 15 and a bogey on 17), blemished the rout he had going on, but Woods owned this tournament all week and yesterday was a mere coronation.

"In the end, I just started losing my patience,'' Woods said, referring to incredibly slow play in front of him. "I had an eight-‑shot lead, so I just needed to stay upright and I was going to be fine.''

Woods' win inched him closer to one of his primary goals, to return to the No. 1 ranking. Rory McIlroy, who was not in the field this week, has that mantle.

"Of course he's got [McIlroy] in his sights,'' Woods' caddie, Joe LaCava, said. "He loves Rory, but he knows he wants to get past him, sure. He's making headway. We don't really talk about it, but I know it's important to him. Nothing needs to be said.''

The next event Woods and McIlroy will be in together is the match-play championship next month in Arizona. The next full-field event they'll be in together is the Honda Classic in March in Florida.

Of returning to No. 1, Woods said, "That happens through a product of winning golf tournaments. That's how I got there in the first place. That's how [McIlroy] got there. In order for me to get back there, that's what I have to do. And this is a nice start.

"Does it feel good? Yes. Does it give me confidence? Absolutely.''

Did this win tell us that Woods is back?

"I never left,'' Woods said.

mark.cannizzaro@nypost.com

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NYPD IDs suspect in violent muggings

New York City's police commissioner says detectives have identified the suspect in a string of violent robberies targeting people of Asian descent.

Commissioner Raymond Kelly said Monday on "Good Day New York" that police believe Jason Connisso has been responsible for eight attacks and robberies since Jan. 17.

He called the attacks "vicious." He said noses and cheeks were broken, and money and cell phones were stolen.

Kelly said the suspect has over 30 prior arrests.

He said anyone with information about the suspect or incidents should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800 577-TIPS

DCPI

Jason Commisso

Police say the suspect follows his victims into elevators and assaults them repeatedly by punching them in the face and head before robbing them.

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Actress, kickboxing champ scores big on Brooklyn College soccer team

Stephen Yang

Florina Petcu, 37, isn't your average college athlete.

Meet Brooklyn College's Renaissance Woman.

Florina Petcu certainly isn't your average college athlete – and it has little to do with being a 37-year-old senior amongst teammates half her age.

The feisty Romanian-born Petcu previously enjoyed success as a International actress, ballet dancer and a world champ in Muay Thai kickboxing.

So it shouldn't surprise those closest to Petcu – whose Hollywood roles include a critically acclaimed part in Spike Lee's "Inside Man" – that she'd seek a new role during her last semester: auditioning for the college's new women's soccer team.

One problem – she never played soccer or any other organized team sport in her life.

"I was nervous," Petcu told the Post. "I'm not going to lie, but what a gift it's been playing on the college level. At my age, in a completely new sport; it's been an incredible ride."

Petcu, of Crown Heights, not only made the squad. She was named a starting defender and co-captain and helped guide the club to a respectable 6-7-1 record in its inaugural season, only a game short of qualifying for the CUNY Athletic Conference playoffs.

BC Athletic Director Bruce Filosa said he's never come across a college athlete with such an accomplished off-the-field resume.

"What an incredible background," he gushed. "Plus, she's a model citizen, and she's been a role model for her entire team."

Prior to putting on soccer cleats, Petcu nine years earlier took up Muay Thai fighting – a grittier form of standard kickboxing in which fighters can also land blows with their knees and elbows.

The petite 5-foot, 5-inch, 110-pounder – who says her family forbid her from playing sports while growing up under Communism in Bucharest -- quickly rose up the amateur ranks.

Her impressive resume in the flyweight and bantamweight divisions includes a silver medal for Team USA in the 2007 IFMA World Championships, the International Kickboxing Federation world championship in 2008 and World Kickboxing Association US championships in 2009 and 2010.

Although she didn't play sports as a teen, she studied acting and dance and went on to perform many times on Romanian TV and other shows throughout Europe.

Seeking a bigger challenge, she moved to New York in 1997 to take a part in a play, Les Danaides, at the Lincoln Center Festival and has since appeared in many other independent films and plays.

Her best-known US work is a modest -- but scene-stealing part -- in the 2006 film "Inside Man" starring Denzel Washington, in which she earned rave reviews as a self-centered woman who agrees to serve as an Albanian-to-English translator for cops in exchange for them "fixing" a bag filled with parking tickets.

"The best cameo comes from Florina Petcu, as a shameless, cigarette-waving Albanian floozy," the New Yorker wrote.

Florina Petcu acting
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Petcu hasn't acted since 2009 or fought competitively since 2010.

And while she's considering fighting again, she says she has "given up acting."

"I have been acting since I was a kid, but I just don't enjoy it anymore," Petcu said.

She now spends much of her time off campus volunteering at a domestic violence shelter in Harlem.

The honors student, who finished her studies in December and will be receiving a bachelor's of science degree in sports psychology and creative movement/drama therapy, says she wants to pursue a career counseling youths victimized by sexual abuse or domestic violence.

She said she plans to move to California and hopes to enroll in San Francisco State University's master's program in clinical psychology.

Her goal, she says, will be combining her "passion for sports and the arts" into therapy for victims.

rcalder@nypost.com

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MTA sergeant's 'dirty work' paved the way for Grand Central's renaissance

Douglas Healey

Bryan Henry is credited with cleaning up Grand Central, paving the way for the terminal's restoration.

Jackie Onassis may get the credit for saving Grand Central — but this MTA sergeant did all the dirty work.

Bryan Henry single-handedly relocated hundreds of homeless from the terminal in its grittier days in the 80's and 90s — paving the way for Grand Central's total restoration.

The world's most beautiful and busiest train terminal turns 100 next week, the beginning of a year-long centennial celebration that includes musical tributes, a rededication ceremony and a six-week exhibit chronicling its history.

But the start-studded celebrations in the now-pristine terminal wouldn't be possible without Henry.

"When commuters arrived [25 years ago] they literally had to step over people," he said.

His self-described duties as a "social worker with a gun and a badge" began in 1989, the height of the crack epidemic.

His approach, he said, included a combination of gentle coaxing — and the occasional handcuffing.

Dan Brinzac

Grand Central Terminal's main concourse in 1993.

"City agencies were bringing vans full of homeless people to Grand Central," he said, noting The city that year had 1,905 murders that year, four times higher than last year's 414.

Some lived in what is now Vanderbilt Hall — which in those days were full of benches.

Others lived in hollow spaces underneath the platforms a dangerous situation that often resulted in track fires so bad that they were making trains late.

The MTA — in the beginning stages of planning the station's $250 million renovation — wanted someone to focus their energy on getting the homeless out.

Henry, a practicing Buddhist, volunteered for the job.

He counted about 400 people who used it as their home base.

"These were people I saw every day," he said.

Then he set out to get to know all of them.

He matched drunks with programs for alcoholics, found crack addicts treatment plans and helped the impoverished navigate the confusing maze of social services that could get them off the street.

"One woman, I enticed her with coffee and donuts," he said.

She'd become homeless after her husband died.

"The building she lived in had become gentrified. She was displaced," he said.

He found out she had a small social security check, then set her up in low-income housing run by the Catholic Church.

Months later she came back to the station looking like a different woman.

"She was all dolled up, lipstick beyond the lines of her mouth and she had nail polish," he said.

That time, the coffee and donuts were on her.

Despite his place in Grand Central history, Henry has no plans to attend any of the ceremonies for the station's milestone birthday.

"I don't like crowds," he said.

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Funerals begin for 233 killed in Brazil club blaze

AFP/Getty Images

Relativies wait to identify victims killed in the Kiss night club fire.

SANTA MARIA, Brazil — The bodies of the young college students were found piled up just inside the entrance of the Kiss nightclub, among more than 230 people who died in a cloud of toxic smoke after a blaze enveloped the crowded locale within seconds and set off a panic.

Hours later, the horrific chaos had transformed into a scene of tragic order, with row upon row of polished caskets of the dead lined up in the community gymnasium in the university city of Santa Maria. Many of the victims were under 20 years old, including some minors.

The first funerals of victims were planned for Monday.

As the city in southern Brazil prepared to bury the 233 people killed in the conflagration caused by a band's pyrotechnic display, an early investigation into the tragedy revealed that security guards briefly prevented partygoers from leaving through the sole exit. And the bodies later heaped inside that doorway slowed firefighters trying to get in.

"It was terrible inside — it was like one of those films of the Holocaust, bodies piled atop one another," said police inspector Sandro Meinerz. "We had to use trucks to remove them. It took about six hours to take the bodies away."

Survivors and another police inspector, Marcelo Arigony, said security guards briefly tried to block people from exiting the club. Brazilian bars routinely make patrons pay their entire tab at the end of the night before they are allowed to leave.

"It was chaotic and it doesn't seem to have been done in bad faith because several security guards also died," he told The Associated Press.

Later, firefighters responding to the blaze initially had trouble entering the club because "there was a barrier of bodies blocking the entrance," Guido Pedroso Melo, commander of the city's fire department, told the O Globo newspaper.

Police inspectors said they think the source of the blaze was a band's small pyrotechnics show. The fire broke out sometime before 3 a.m. Sunday and the fast-moving fire and toxic smoke created by burning foam sound insulation material on the ceiling engulfed the club within seconds.

Authorities said band members who were on the stage when the fire broke out later talked with police and confirmed they used pyrotechnics during their show.

Meinerz, who coordinated the investigation at the nightclub, said one band member died after escaping because he returned inside the burning building to save his accordion. The other band members escaped alive because they were the first to notice the fire.

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Suspect wanted for trying to lure girls into SUV

The NYPD is looking for a suspect who tried to lure two girls into his SUV in separate incidents in Queens.

Police say the incidents occurred hours apart on Friday.

The suspect drives a late model Cadillac Escalade. He's described as light-skinned and between 30 and 35.

Police say he drove alongside a 13-year-old girl at 7 a.m. on Northern Boulevard at 102nd Street and engaged her in a conversation. When she walked away, police say the suspect exited the SUV and grabbed her by the arm. She pulled away and fled.

In the second incident, the suspect drove alongside a 14-year-old girl and motioned her to approach the SUV on Northern and Parson boulevards. The girl fled when he continued to follow her.

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Casey Anthony: I'm flat broke

TAMPA, Fla. — Casey Anthony filed for bankruptcy in Florida on Friday, claiming about $1,100 in assets and $792,000 in liabilities.

Court records show that Anthony, who was acquitted of killing her 2-year-old daughter Caylee in 2011, sought Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection in federal court in Tampa.

Her listed debts include $500,000 for attorney fees and costs for her criminal defense lawyer during the trial, Jose Baez; $145,660 for the Orange County Sheriff's office for a judgment covering investigative fees and costs related to the case; $68,540 for the Internal Revenue Service for taxes, interest and penalties; and $61,505 for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for court costs.

AP

Casey Anthony

The filling also states that she is a defendant in several civil suits, including one brought by Zenaida Fernandez-Gonzalez for defamation in Orange County Circuit Court.

Fernandez-Gonzalez claims her reputation was damaged by Anthony telling detectives that a baby sitter by the same name kidnapped Caylee. The detectives were investigating the 2008 disappearance of the girl, who later was found dead. Anthony's attorney said details offered by Anthony did not match Fernandez-Gonzalez and clearly showed Anthony wasn't talking about her.

Court papers list Anthony as unemployed, with no recent income.

An attorney for Anthony, David Schrader, did not immediately respond to messages from the Associated Press.

Anthony lists about 80 creditors in the 60-page court filing. The claims largely cover fees for legal, medical, psychiatric and forensics consulting or services. But one claim covers a debt for scuba diving services.

According to the courts, the aim of seeking Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection is to be discharged of most existing debts — essentially to obtain a fresh financial start. A trustee may have the right to take possession of and sell non-exempt property and use the sale proceeds to pay creditors, but Anthony lists little in the way of assets. A debtor may still be held responsible for some obligations, such as taxes and student loans.

The filing came on the same day that a Florida appellate court set aside two of the four convictions she faced for lying to detectives during the investigation into her missing daughter.

Though Anthony was acquitted of killing Caylee, jurors convicted her of four counts of lying to detectives, and her attorneys appealed those convictions. Anthony was sentenced to time served for the misdemeanors.

She was sentenced to a year of probation after her release from jail for an unrelated case. For her protection, her whereabouts have been kept secret since she was released from state supervision last year.

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At least 180 people dead in Brazil nightclub fire

BRASILIA, Brazil — A fire swept through a crowded nightclub in southern Brazil early Sunday, killing 245 people and leaving hundreds injured, police and firefighters said.

Sandro Meinerz, a spokesman for the police in the city of Santa Maria, told local media that the fire broke out at the Kiss club while a band was performing. He said at least 200 people were injured.

The cause of the fire is not yet known, officials said. The total number of victims is still unclear and there may be hundreds injured, Civil Police and regional government spokesman Marcelo Arigoni told Radio Gaucha.

EPA

Rescue workers tend to victims outside Kiss nightclub in Brazil.

Arigoni told the radio station a truck carrying 70 bodies had arrived at the Municipal Sports Center, which was being used as an improvised morgue.

Diario de Santa Maria reported that the fire started at around 2 a.m.

Rodrigo Moura, whom the paper identified as a security guard at the club, said it was at its maximum capacity of between 1,000 and 2,000, and partygoers were pushing and shoving to escape.

Ezekiel Corte Real, 23, was quoted by the paper as saying that he helped people to escape. "I just got out because I'm very strong," he said.

"Sad Sunday", tweeted Tarso Genro, the governor of the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul. He said all possible action was being taken and that he would be in the city later in the day.

Santa Maria, at the southern tip of Brazil near the borders with Argentina and Uruguay, is a major university city with a population of around a quarter of a million.

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WATCH: Adam Levine gets celebrity comedy advice on 'SNL'

NBC

Adam Levine received hosting advice from Andy Samberg, Cameron Diaz and Jerry Seinfeld on this weekend's episode of "Saturday Night Live."

Of course Adam Levine took his shirt off during his "Saturday Night Live" monologue. He just needed some celebrity prodding first.

The heavily-inked Maroon 5 singer worried that he was "over-reaching" by dabbling in acting. So he weighed advice from a panel of prospective comedy coaches - SNL alum Andy Samberg, actress Cameron Diaz and Jerry Seinfeld - with the three emerging on spinning chairs to parody Levine's hit talent show "The Voice."

Samberg's cameo marked his first appearance on the show since he left at the end of last season.

"What are you doing here?" Levine asked.

"I could ask myself the same question," Samberg said, playboy-esque with a robe and prop pipe. "I was in over 100 digital shorts as well as three live sketches, and I've dealt with my share of singers-turned-actors." Of course he mentioned Justin Timberlake, the gold standard of contemporary SNL hosts.

Diaz, meanwhile, told Levine he needs to check his ego - and do anything for a laugh, including shedding his shirt.

"You have to be able to take a handful of Ben Stiller's spooge and stick it right in your hair," she said, recalling an iconic scene from her movie "There's Something About Mary."

Seinfeld, meanwhile, urged Levine to keep his shirt on - saying that like himself, Levine is "not as Jewish as your name ... I know that racket inside and out. I spent nine years on this network, threading that needle."

The episode began with President Obama (Jay Pharoah), celebrating on the night of his nomination, summoned by the ghost of Martin Luther King, Jr. (Kenan Thompson).

But while Obama wanted to talk politics, a 21st Century, celebutainment-wise MLK focused on Beyonce's backside and Michelle's new hairstyle.

"Did you see that girl Beyonce?" Dr. King asked. "Did you see her out there? I was like, 'what' ... I had to keep pinching myself."

Evidently King wasn't too worried about Beyonce's lip-syncing. But FLOTUS's haircut - "Is she guest-starring on 'The New Girl?' When she gets a haircut, she's going to say 'thank God almighty, I can see at last.'"

King and Obama opined about racial progress, how we have an African-American president but no black members of One Direction.

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Casey Anthony: I'm flat broke

TAMPA, Fla. — Casey Anthony filed for bankruptcy in Florida on Friday, claiming about $1,100 in assets and $792,000 in liabilities.

Court records show that Anthony, who was acquitted of killing her 2-year-old daughter Caylee in 2011, sought Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection in federal court in Tampa.

Her listed debts include $500,000 for attorney fees and costs for her criminal defense lawyer during the trial, Jose Baez; $145,660 for the Orange County Sheriff's office for a judgment covering investigative fees and costs related to the case; $68,540 for the Internal Revenue Service for taxes, interest and penalties; and $61,505 for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for court costs.

AP

Casey Anthony

The filling also states that she is a defendant in several civil suits, including one brought by Zenaida Fernandez-Gonzalez for defamation in Orange County Circuit Court.

Fernandez-Gonzalez claims her reputation was damaged by Anthony telling detectives that a baby sitter by the same name kidnapped Caylee. The detectives were investigating the 2008 disappearance of the girl, who later was found dead. Anthony's attorney said details offered by Anthony did not match Fernandez-Gonzalez and clearly showed Anthony wasn't talking about her.

Court papers list Anthony as unemployed, with no recent income.

An attorney for Anthony, David Schrader, did not immediately respond to messages from the Associated Press.

Anthony lists about 80 creditors in the 60-page court filing. The claims largely cover fees for legal, medical, psychiatric and forensics consulting or services. But one claim covers a debt for scuba diving services.

According to the courts, the aim of seeking Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection is to be discharged of most existing debts — essentially to obtain a fresh financial start. A trustee may have the right to take possession of and sell non-exempt property and use the sale proceeds to pay creditors, but Anthony lists little in the way of assets. A debtor may still be held responsible for some obligations, such as taxes and student loans.

The filing came on the same day that a Florida appellate court set aside two of the four convictions she faced for lying to detectives during the investigation into her missing daughter.

Though Anthony was acquitted of killing Caylee, jurors convicted her of four counts of lying to detectives, and her attorneys appealed those convictions. Anthony was sentenced to time served for the misdemeanors.

She was sentenced to a year of probation after her release from jail for an unrelated case. For her protection, her whereabouts have been kept secret since she was released from state supervision last year.

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WATCH: Adam Levine gets celebrity comedy advice on 'SNL'

NBC

Adam Levine received hosting advice from Andy Samberg, Cameron Diaz and Jerry Seinfeld on this weekend's episode of "Saturday Night Live."

Of course Adam Levine took his shirt off during his "Saturday Night Live" monologue. He just needed some celebrity prodding first.

The heavily-inked Maroon 5 singer worried that he was "over-reaching" by dabbling in acting. So he weighed advice from a panel of prospective comedy coaches - SNL alum Andy Samberg, actress Cameron Diaz and Jerry Seinfeld - with the three emerging on spinning chairs to parody Levine's hit talent show "The Voice."

Samberg's cameo marked his first appearance on the show since he left at the end of last season.

"What are you doing here?" Levine asked.

"I could ask myself the same question," Samberg said, playboy-esque with a robe and prop pipe. "I was in over 100 digital shorts as well as three live sketches, and I've dealt with my share of singers-turned-actors." Of course he mentioned Justin Timberlake, the gold standard of contemporary SNL hosts.

Diaz, meanwhile, told Levine he needs to check his ego - and do anything for a laugh, including shedding his shirt.

"You have to be able to take a handful of Ben Stiller's spooge and stick it right in your hair," she said, recalling an iconic scene from her movie "There's Something About Mary."

Seinfeld, meanwhile, urged Levine to keep his shirt on - saying that like himself, Levine is "not as Jewish as your name ... I know that racket inside and out. I spent nine years on this network, threading that needle."

The episode began with President Obama (Jay Pharoah), celebrating on the night of his nomination, summoned by the ghost of Martin Luther King, Jr. (Kenan Thompson).

But while Obama wanted to talk politics, a 21st Century, celebutainment-wise MLK focused on Beyonce's backside and Michelle's new hairstyle.

"Did you see that girl Beyonce?" Dr. King asked. "Did you see her out there? I was like, 'what' ... I had to keep pinching myself."

Evidently King wasn't too worried about Beyonce's lip-syncing. But FLOTUS's haircut - "Is she guest-starring on 'The New Girl?' When she gets a haircut, she's going to say 'thank God almighty, I can see at last.'"

King and Obama opined about racial progress, how we have an African-American president but no black members of One Direction.

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Sports Shorts

NFL: Mangini, Crennel to Saints?

While reinstated Saints coach Sean Payton said he's in no hurry to replace the fired Steve Spagnuolo at defensive coordinator, ESPN's Adam Schefter tweeted two candidates the team will consider are ex-Jets' head coach Eric Mangini and former Giants' assistant Romeo Crennel.

When reached, Mangini said he has not been contacted by anybody from the Saints .

GOLF: Wood has a three-shot lead

Chris Wood shot an 8-under 64 for a three-stroke lead on Michael Campbell and two others after the third round of the Qatar Masters.

Wood started the day two shots behind Sergio Garcia and Martin Kaymer, but moved ahead with five birdies on the front nine en route to a 15-under 201.

HOOPS: Jones leads Iona to win

Lamont Jones scored 24 points and all five Iona starters scored in double figures in a 90-71 MAAC victory over Saint Peter's in New Rochelle.

Emmy Andjuar had 12 points and 16 rebounds, but it wasn't enough as visiting Loyola (Md.) beat Manhattan 51-41 .

In Los Angeles, Metta World Peace hit five 3-pointers on his way to scoring 17 points and the Lakers pulled away in the fourth quarter to beat the Jazz 102-84, snapping a four-game skid.

Kyle Korver scored 27 points and the Hawks overcame a 27-point deficit in the first half to beat Boston 123-111 in double-overtime, handing the visiting Celtics their sixth straight loss.

In Miami, Dwyane Wade scored 29 points to help the Heat earn their fourth victory in a row by beating the Pistons 110-88. Between quarters, Michael Drysch, a 50-year-old computer technician from McHenry, Ill., made a half-court shot to win $75,000 and a hug from LeBron James.

ETC.: Wagner's Hameline honored

Wagner College head football coach Walt Hameline was named the 2012 College Sports Journal FCS National Coach of the Year after leading the Seahawks (9-4) to the school's first Northeast Conference title, and an FCS playoff win over Colgate.

Under a rule change imposed by MLB, pitchers will no longer be allowed to fake a pickoff to third base and throw to first as a way to dupe a runner on first base into breaking for second. Next season, that move will be a balk. Pitchers still can step off the rubber and fake to third.

The change was approved at the owners' meetings two weeks ago.

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Ed Fountaine’s Stakes Spot Plays

Affectionately

Aqueduct, eighth race. Purse: $75,000. 1 1/16 miles, fillies and mares. Post: 3:48 p.m.

LOWDOWN: Last out, in the Ladies Handicap, R Gypsy Gold fell short by a neck of running down heavy favorite Arena Elvira, who would be 2-5 in this spot. The 5-year-old daughter of Bernardini is the class of this field, has the top Beyer numbers and thrives at this distance. Though R Gypsy Gold loses the services of the injured Ramon Dominguez, in his place she gets Irad Ortiz Jr., who's hotter than asphalt in the summer sun.

TV: HRTV, TVG, NYRA Channel 71

HOLY BULL

Gulfstream Park, 10th race. Grade 2. Purse: $400,000. 1 mile, 3-year-olds. Post: 5:05 p.m.

LOWDOWN: Itsmyluckyday sat just off a wicked pace (:44 4/5) in the Gulfstream Park Derby on New Year's Day, then took command through six furlongs in 1:09 and drew off like the second coming of Gemologist to win by 6 3/4 lengths in 1:34 1/5. He takes a significant step up in class facing 2-year-old champion Shanghai Bobby, who is bidding to become the first undefeated Triple Crown winner since Seattle Slew. But Shanghai Bobby hasn't raced since the Breeders' Cup and could be vulnerable to a colt with a sharp recent race over the track.

TV: HRTV, NYRA Channel 71

SANTA MONICA

Santa Anita, eighth race. Grade 2. Purse: $250,000. 7 furlongs, fillies and mares. Post: 6:30 p.m.

LOWDOWN: Teddy's Promise set the pace in last year's Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, then came back two months later to blow them away in an overnight stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs over this track. The 5-year-old mare was a tough-trip fifth in last year's Santa Monica, but in her start before that she won the Grade 1 La Brea at this distance over this track by open lengths.

TV: HRTV, TVG, NYRA Channel 71

ed.fountaine@nypost.com

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Nets' won't stir pot about All-Star snub

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — If Brook Lopez was upset about being left out of this year's All-Star Game, he did a good job of hiding it.

The Nets center, considered by many to be the most deserving player not headed to Houston for next month's All-Star festivities, took the high road when he met with reporters before the Nets' 101-77 loss to the Grizzlies Friday night.

"I was a little disappointed that there was no one from our team at all," Lopez said, who scored 18 points and had three blocks. "It's tough for me to envision a team with the best players in the Eastern Conference not include Deron [Williams] or Joe [Johnson]."

Though the Nets felt their backcourt was All-Star worthy, the biggest snub on the team was clearly Lopez, who leads all NBA centers in scoring and entered last night's action as the only player averaging more than 18 points, seven rebounds and two blocks.

"I just thought Brook should have made it," Williams said. "I thought he was an All-Star this year. He's been the most consistent for us all year and has played consistent basketball, so for him to not make it, we feel hurt for him. That's the main thing."

Nets interim coach P.J. Carlesimo was incredulous as well.

"They must just feel our chemistry is unbelievable," Carlesimo said, "because we're winning games with limited talent here."

With Kevin Garnett being voted in and the league's coaches choosing to select big men Tyson Chandler, Joakim Noah and Chris Bosh, it was clear Lopez wound up being the odd-man out among a talented group.

But when he was asked if he was a better player than any of the others who made the team ahead of him, Lopez passed on the chance to stir up controversy.

"I think they're very deserving All-Stars," he said. "They're huge parts of their team."

When the reserves were announced on TNT Thursday night, analysts Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith said they thought part of the reason the Nets went unrepresented was because of the coaches taking into account the fact Avery Johnson had been fired last month.

"I don't know," Williams said with a sigh when asked for a reaction. "I guess Brook got him fired, too. People say what they want."

Carlesimo clearly wasn't thrilled with that theory, either.

"The TNT guys know what the coaches were thinking about," Carlesimo said sarcastically. "Most people can't read minds, so those guys knew what the coaches were thinking about. They're the only ones who really knew what went into those selections."

But, regardless of their reasoning, the Nets are without an All-Star, something practically everyone in the organization didn't think was a possibility before Thursday's announcement.

"I just think you can very easily and very intellectually make a case for all three of our guys being on the team, particularly when you couple it with the fact that we're up fairly high in the Eastern Conference," Carlesimo said. "It's just disappointing that the coaches didn't see it that way. But I said all along it's the other 14 coaches that are going to determine it, and I believe that they voted the correct way, and if they voted the correct way, that's just how the coaches feel."

tbontemps@nypost.com

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