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2B Daily News – Saturday, August 3, 2013 49ERS NFL Chris Culliver to miss season Raiders sign Janikowski to 4-year extension SANTA CLARA (AP) — San Francisco 49ers cornerback Chris Culliver will miss the season with a torn ACL in his left knee. Culliver was injured Thursday during a non-contact drill. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said Friday that the loss of the third-year veteran ''puts stress'' on a cornerback group that faltered late last season and in the playoffs during San Francisco's run to the Super Bowl. The 49ers brought in four-time All-Pro Nnamdi Asomugha in April to augment the position behind starters Carlos Rogers and Tarell Brown. The team returned its top five cornerbacks from last season. Culliver was San Francisco's third cornerback the past two seasons and played a key role in the team's coverage packages, often taking over at left cornerback when the 49ers went to their nickel defense. Now the 49ers have to groom somebody else for that role, which could affect how the team uses even its projected starters this season. ''Obviously we took a shot (Thursday) and it puts a stress on everybody else in that group,'' Fangio said. ''We've got the guys that were here last year and we brought in Nnamdi to try and help shore up that group, and right now we're just going to have to see how it sorts itself out here in the preseason games and through the rest of practices.'' Culliver was San Francisco's biggest cornerback last year and often was used in press coverage on the left side when the 49ers went with more than their regular four starting defensive backs. San Francisco, which ranked third in the NFL in total defense last year, went with extra defensive backs on nearly 70 percent of its defensive plays last season. Fangio said regular right cornerback Brown could get a look on the left side and also covering slot receivers in nickel pages. Regular left cornerback Rogers usually covered slot receivers when the 49ers used three cornerbacks in coverage last season. Holdover veterans Tramaine Brock and Perrish Cox also could move up in the pecking order at cornerback. Brock had two interceptions in 2011 while getting regular action as the team's third cornerback before losing the job to Culliver after a hand injury. ''Now may be an opportunity for him to go out there and show what he's got and take his shot,'' Fangio said. Cox had 14 tackles and knocked down two passes in his first year with the 49ers last season. Despite finishing fourth in the NFL in pass defense last WOODS (Continued from page 1B) shot that hit into the trees and ended up in a bare spot short and right of the green. ''How about just pleased?'' he said, when asked to rate the round. ''I'm very happy I was able to post that. I just kept thinking, whatever lead I had, 'Let's just keep increasing it.' It's at seven now, I believe. So that's not too bad after two days.'' The 61 — matching his career best at the 1999 Byron Nelson, 2005 Buick Open and on the same Firestone course back in 2000 — left him at 13-under 127. Defending champion Keegan Bradley and Chris Wood, playing the tournament for the first time, were tied for second. They each shot 68. Bradley finished well before Woods, but was asked if it was disheartening to take the lead and then have Woods retake it after the opening two holes. ''Tiger, those first couple holes out there are definitely birdie holes, so I'd expect him to do that,'' Bradley said. ''You know, I hope he doesn't go too low.'' Sorry, Keegan. Woods, a four-time winner this year, needed only 22 putts, eight fewer than he had Thursday in MLB (Continued from page 1B) ''I'll talk to you guys, but no cameras.'' Rodriguez closed the window and waited a moment, then left without saying another word. Baseball's highest-paid player with a $28 million salary, Rodriguez played in a simulated game and saw 31 pitches over six atbats, played third and ran bases. The Yankees expect ARod to be accused of recruiting other athletes for the clinic, attempting to obstruct MLB's investigation, and not being truthful with MLB in the past. Baseball has considered suspending him for violations of its labor contract and drug agreement, season, San Francisco's pass coverage had some rocky performances near the end of the year. Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers, Atlanta's Matt Ryan and Baltimore's Joe Flacco combined to torch the Niners for 940 yards and eight touchdown passes in three postseason games. The 49ers then signed Asomugha, entering his 11th NFL season, to a one-year deal and also traded a conditional draft pick to Tampa Bay on July 19 to acquire veteran cornerback Eric Wright. That trade was voided when Wright failed his team physical. At 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, Asomugha has ideal size to handle Culliver's role, and he built a reputation as a top cover corner during his first eight seasons with the Oakland Raiders. But that reputation took a hit the past two seasons after Asomugha signed a five-year, $60 million deal with the Philadelphia Eagles as one of the NFL's top free agents of 2011. The Eagles released Asomugha in March, and the 49ers are still determining exactly where he fits in now that Culliver is out. ''We really didn't know what we were getting when we got Nnamdi,'' Fangio said. ''He's got some good days out here and some days where we weren't sure if he was going to be able to still have it. So I think we're kind of in between with him right now. Hopefully, he'll still have some gas left in his tank to go out there and play like he did prior to going to Philadelphia. So I think the jury is still out there.'' Fangio said the 49ers are unlikely to bring in another veteran free agent at this stage of the summer. San Francisco also drafted cornerback Marcus Cooper in the seventh round this spring, and first-round pick Eric Reid and freeagent veteran Craig Dahl are newcomers at safety who also could figure in coverage packages. Culliver's injury is one of several Fangio has had to deal with as he adjusts his defense this summer. All-Pro middle linebackers Patrick Willis (hand) and NaVorro Bowman (hamstring) are both on the mend from injuries and are missing practice, and Pro Bowl outside linebacker Aldon Smith is a recent addition to that list. Rookie defensive linemen Tank Carradine (knee), the team's second-round pick, and fifth-rounder Quinton Dial (toe) both are on San Francisco's active/non-football injury list. ''Hopefully, it won't press on into the season,'' Fangio said. ''The good part of it is some of these younger guys will get a lot more reps and be more prepared if they're called on.'' an opening 66. He hit 10 of 14 fairways and was on in regulation on 16 of 18 greens. The next best score on a threatening day with a slate-gray sky and precipitation was a 66. It seemed every fan on the course took notice as Woods started stacking up birdies. The magic number 59 — shot five times on the PGA Tour — dominated conversations. ''Oh, they were excited,'' Woods said. ''You could hear it more than feel it. You definitely could hear it. They were into it.'' Asked if that kind of electricity helps out a player, he joked, ''It's nice to be playing in front of people who are excited like that, especially people who aren't yelling just because your ball gets in the air. You know, we are pros.'' How good were things going for him? He yanked a drive into the trees at 13, but it ricocheted into the middle of the fairway. From there he hit an iron to 15 feet and drilled the putt. At the 14th, Woods hit his drive on the other side of the cart path beneath a canopy of huge trees to the right. He was forced to hit a low, hard, slicing shot to the green that ran to the back fringe. From there, he chipped 10 feet past but rolled in the par putt. The gallery seemed to swell with each hole, the crowds growing in hopes of seeing history. He stepped off his shot into the 216-yard, par-3 15th because he was bothered by a bug, then hit an iron 10 feet short of the pin. After playing partner Hideki Matsuyama of Japan putted out, Woods missed his birdie putt on the right side. The 667-yard 16th, dubbed ''The Monster'' by Arnold Palmer, resulted in another par. Woods hit a long drive that dribbled into the first cut of rough on the left side of the fairway, then laid up to about 100 yards. His wedge carried too far, however, spinning back to 30 feet. With a light sprinkle turning into a steady drizzle, he twoputted, leaving the birdie attempt short and right of the hole by 2 feet. A huge throng, several deep around the lengthy hole, responded with polite applause as he tapped in. He still had a chance for a 59. He hit a long drive along the left side at 17, but misread a 7-footer for birdie that missed on the low side of the break. ''I had opportunities to make putts there at 15 and 17,'' he said. With the rain now falling hard, and Woods needing to hole his second shot on the par-4 18th for a 59, he drove far to the right on the slight dogleg to the left. He muscled a shot out of a difficult lie to a bare spot near a huge scoreboard right and short of the green. From there, he chipped to the back fringe — and made the 25-footer coming back for par. He pumped his fist as the crowd roared. Matsuyama, a 21-yearold who was sixth at the British Open, got a closeup view. ''It was great looking at great play at the top of the world,'' he said. The last player to shoot 59 in a PGA Tour event was Stuart Appleby in the final round of the Greenbrier Classic in 2010. Al Geiberger was the first in 1977, and Chip Beck, David Duval and Paul Goydos also accomplished the feat. Bill Haas shot a 68 and was tied for fourth at 5 under with Henrik Stenson, who had a 70. Jim Furyk, Luke Donald, Jason Duffner and Bubba Watson were 4 under. There have been 27 rounds of 60 in tour events, including Phil Mickelson this year in the Phoenix Open. In a remarkable career spent in the spotlight, a 59 would have been just another check mark on Woods' to-do list. Instead, he didn't think it was even anything special. ''(One of my) top 10 rounds?'' he said, repeating the question. ''I don't know about that.'' which would cause him to start serving his penalty before the case would go to arbitration. Sidelined following hip surgery in January and then a strained quadriceps, the 38-year-old third baseman hopes to return to the Yankees in a few days. He is to play Friday and Saturday at Double-A Trenton, putting himself in position to rejoin New York for Monday's series opener at the Chicago White Sox if he's not banned. Barring a rainout this weekend, Cruz's Rangers would have exactly 50 games remaining before they play at the Los Angeles Angels on Monday night. If he files a grievance, as a first offender, the penalty would be delayed until after a decision by arbitrator Fredric Horowitz. But the lengthy legal process likely would risk his eligibility for the playoffs and the start of next season. Cruz said Thursday he hadn't made any decision about a possible appeal. Asked whether he was told specifically what penalty could be forthcoming, Cruz responded, ''No, I cannot tell you. Sorry.'' Detroit shortstop Jhonny Peralta is the other targeted All-Star on a pennant contender, and the Tigers would have 53 games left before playing at Cleveland on Monday. Another All-Star shortstop, San Diego's Everth Cabrera, could serve all of a 50-game suspension this year if he begins with the Padres' game against Baltimore on Tuesday. Others facing discipline include injured Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli and Seattle catcher Jesus Montero, who is in the minor leagues with TripleA Tacoma. The Miami Herald reported Thursday that the U.S. Attorney's Office in Miami had opened a criminal investigation into whether Biogenesis founder Anthony Bosch illegally sold controlled substances to high school students. That probe has the potential to complicate baseball's disciplinary cases if Bosch's lawyers advise him not to participate in MLB grievance hearings, where the commissioner's office presumably would call him to testify and authenticate documents. NAPA (AP) — The Oakland Raiders signed kicker Sebastian Janikowski to a four-year extension Friday, ensuring the franchise's leading scorer will remain with the team through at least 2017. Janikowski is coming off the best season of his career. He converted a career-best 91.2 percent (31 of 34) of his field goal attempts in 2012. The only misses came from 51, 61 and 64 yards. ''Where else would I go?'' Janikowski said. ''I love California, I love being here and I see the changes. I think we're moving in the right direction. People are going to be surprised this year what we can do.'' The 17th overall pick in 2000, Janikowski has led the Raiders in scoring in each of his 13 seasons while cementing his reputation as one of the most powerful kickers in the game. He's also been one of the few consistent bright spots for a franchise that hasn't had a winning record in more than a decade. The 35-year-old kicker has made 42 field goals from 50 yards or longer and needs only 11 more to break Jason Hanson's NFL record of 52. He is tied with former Seattle kicker John Kasay for second on the list. Janikowski already owns multiple league records, including a share of the mark for the longest field goal made at 63 yards. He also has made one from 61 yards, giving him two of the top three longest field goals in league history. Still, the decision to give Janikowski an extension before the regular season begins was slightly surprising. Oakland opted not to re-sign perennial Pro Bowl punter Shane Lechler in the offseason, breaking up one of the top kicking tandems in the NFL. Lechler, drafted in the same season as Janikowski, signed with the Houston Texans. Not long after that, Janikowski told reporters he wanted to remain with the Raiders for his entire career. Now he gets that chance. ''That was the goal,'' Janikowski said. ''I love it being here and I want to finish here. When (general manager Reggie McKenzie) came in, they called me in the offseason and they said they wanted to get something done. I'm glad it's done.'' The decision to give Janikowski an extension comes as the Raiders have made numerous changes to their kicking and return units. Besides letting Lechler walk, Oakland signed return specialist Josh Cribbs and hired veteran special teams coach Bobby April. Then again, Janikowski has grown accustomed to change. Since he became just the fifth kicker in history to be chosen in the first round, the Raiders have gone through eight difference head coaches and seven different special teams coaches. Janikowski and 2009 defensive player of the year Charles Woodson are the only remaining links to the team's last playoff appearance in 2002. Woodson returned to Oakland as a free agent after spending the last five seasons in Green Bay. HALL (Continued from page 1B) Joe Greene and Joe Namath — heck, they are all there, you can't stop naming names.'' Ogden, Allen and Sapp have the distinction of making the hall in their first year of eligibility. It's all the more impressive considering all three were linemen. Allen became the anchor of the Cowboys' blocking unit for a dozen seasons, then finished his career with two years in San Francisco. He made six All-Pro teams and 11 Pro Bowls, playing guard and tackle. ''It's great, great company to be in,'' said Allen, who Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones believes ''would have been a Hall of Famer at guard or tackle, and either side. He was special like that.'' Adds Curtis Martin, the Jets and Patriots running back who was inducted last year: ''If there were two guys I would have wanted to run behind, it would be Larry and Jonathan.'' Sapp, whose induction speech might be the most anticipated because he's liable to say anything, was a cornerstone of Tampa Bay's powerful defense that was the key to winning the Buccaneers' only title after decades of futility. ''We took a place where they said careers came to die to a place that's become a destination,'' Sapp said, noting the Tampa 2 scheme is now played by defenses everywhere. As for his speech, Sapp said he has ''been trying to imagine how everything will feel and still haven't gotten it. My anticipation is nowhere near complete.'' Like Sapp in Tampa, Parcells also was heavily involved in making popular — and successful — a specific alignment. The 34 defense came to life under Parcells with the New York Giants, and he led them to the 1986 and 1990 championships. Parcells, who also took the Patriots, Jets and Cowboys from the bottom to near the top of the NFL as head coach, says it was his duty to provide a prosperous environment. ''You give the players a chance to succeed to the best of their ability,'' he said. ''That's your job as a coach, your responsibility.'' Parcells mentioned his coaching tree, which includes the likes of Tom Coughlin, Bill Belichick and Sean Payton — all Super Bowl-winning coaches planning to be on hand Saturday — as among his proudest achievements. He promised to bring that up during his induction speech. Robinson and Culp were voted in as senior members. Considering their pedigrees, it's stunning it took so long for them to make it; Robinson retired in 1974, Culp in 1981. ''That bust means an awful lot,'' Robinson said. ''That bust will last forever.''