Open Field

The elimination process through playoffs is a staple in sports. However, in U.S. Open qualifying there aren't any second chances, such as there are in a best-of-seven series in the NBA or the World Series. It's an exceptionally tight squeeze for players trying to qualify for the U.S. Open on June 17-20 at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, N.J. Nowhere is this more evident than the sectional qualifying that will be held today at Valencia Country Club.

PHOENIX - In the name of player safety, the NFL is weighing a ban on running backs initiating contact in the open field by lowering their heads and using the crown of their helmet to strike defenders. But the proposed rule is jarring to many, including some prominent former ballcarriers who are concerned the potential change fundamentally alters the game and could leave running backs even more vulnerable. "This is a joke," Hall of Fame back Marshall Faulk said Tuesday on NFL Network, for whom he's an analyst.

Welcome to USC football practice, where the team is preparing for the biggest game in school history by ... Look out! Chasing a Matt Leinart pass down the sideline, Dwayne Jarrett nearly wipes out a businessman holding a souvenir bag, a grandfather in a Trojan sweatshirt, and two moms in lawn chairs. "This is wild," Jarrett says. Welcome to USC football practice, where the Trojans are hunkering down for the most important Rose Bowl in ... Heads up!

Seeded teams 1 INDIANA: The Hoosiers' six losses came against NCAA tournament teams. Their mix of high-scoring offense and ugh defense cinched a top-four seeding despite a Big Ten semifinal loss. 2 MIAMI: Experience and a strong backcourt led the 'Canes to their first Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season and tournament titles. And they have a clear path to a regional final. 3 MARQUETTE: The Golden Eagles represent a tough matchup along the front line. Forward Jamil Wilson has come on as a scorer and rebounder at the end of the season.

At least two people were killed Sunday night when a private plane bound for a Lancaster airport crashed in an open field, authorities said. There may have been as many as six victims, but the scene was "pretty mangled," according to a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy, and authorities were only starting to sort through the wreckage Sunday night. FAA officials said the plane, believed to be a twin-engine Cessna, was bound for Lancaster's Fox Field on the city's west side.

It is not surprising that many of the players at Saugus, not the least of whom was tailback Lamark Allen, were disenchanted with football after the season they had last year. "I don't even want to think about last year," said Allen, a senior. Who could blame him? The Centurions were 0-10 and scored 14 points or less nine times. It wasn't exactly the kind of high-powered offense in which a speedy back dubbed "Marcus" by his teammates could excel.

The skeletal remains of a person who may have been shot in the head were found Tuesday in an open field in the Saugus area, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. The bones were found about 1:45 p.m. in a field near Redview Drive and Golden Triangle Road, Deputy Hal Grant said. Deputies said they did not know yet if the skeleton was that of a man or woman and had no idea how long the body had been there.

Two Marines escaped unharmed Friday after their AH-1T Cobra helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing in an open field at Camp Pendleton. The mishap occurred during a routine maintenance test flight near the camp's Las Pulgas gate, about four miles south of the Border Patrol checkpoint at San Onofre, a Marine Corps spokesman said. Capt. Brad Bailey and 1st Lt.

Only one thing can prevent Arizona State's Anthony Parker from retaining his ranking as the best punt returner in college football for at least another week. It is UCLA's punt coverage team, and perhaps that is why Coach Terry Donahue seems to be even more worried than usual this week. Of course, Donahue is the acknowledged master of worry, which he said might even lead to a second career. "When I retire from coaching, I expect to be appointed to the faculty and lecture it," Donahue said.

If it's any encouragement for Atlanta Coach Jerry Glanville, the New Orleans Saints' offensive linemen agree that Jessie Tuggle is one of the finest inside linebackers in the NFL. So, at the very least, the Falcons (10-6) have earned more than a little respect going into today's NFC wild-card game against the Saints (11-5) in the Superdome. The Saints are champions of the NFC West, and the Falcons are runners-up. It's the third meeting this season between the Saints and Falcons.

Newt Gingrich has been here before, very publicly dangling the prospect of a run for president. In the past, he's yanked it away in the end, like Lucy and her football in the "Peanuts" comic stip. But this time could be different. Gingrich has said he's more inclined to run than not, and some longtime associates think he might. If so, he would bring an oversized personality and biting tongue to a crowded GOP debate stage. It would also be further evidence that party professionals aren't just spouting platitudes when they describe the 2012 Republican race as unusually wide open.

For professional football players, no other athletic achievement could possibly compare to winning a Super Bowl. Or could it? Former NFL running back Roger Craig says he's found one that's close: running a marathon. A four-time Pro Bowl player and three-time Super Bowl winner with the Joe Montana-era San Francisco 49ers, Craig has run five marathons and says the wave of euphoria that envelops him at the 26.2-mile mark is virtually second to none. "It's the most enjoyable feeling on the planet because it's something I did by myself," he says.

The deal Thursday that sent quarterback Jay Cutler from Denver to Chicago for a Brinks truck full of draft picks wasn't just a tale of two cities. It will reverberate throughout the NFL. It's also good news for Georgia's Matt Stafford, USC's Mark Sanchez and the fast-rising Josh Freeman of Kansas State, because it could trigger a run on quarterbacks at the top of the draft. Consider this: Had Cutler gone to Detroit instead of Chicago, that would have satisfied the Lions' need for a quarterback.

Longshot candidate Jim Panyard dropped out of the Republican gubernatorial race Tuesday, clearing the way for former Pittsburgh Steeler star Lynn Swann. Panyard cited a lack of money and little media interest. "I'll get buried," the former Pennsylvania Manufacturers Assn. executive said. By staying in the race, he said, "I'll just put my supporters and family through three months of a pipe dream." Democratic Gov.

Welcome to USC football practice, where the team is preparing for the biggest game in school history by ... Look out! Chasing a Matt Leinart pass down the sideline, Dwayne Jarrett nearly wipes out a businessman holding a souvenir bag, a grandfather in a Trojan sweatshirt, and two moms in lawn chairs. "This is wild," Jarrett says. Welcome to USC football practice, where the Trojans are hunkering down for the most important Rose Bowl in ... Heads up!

One man's misfortune could be another man's Olympic ticket at the U.S. marathon trials Saturday in Birmingham, Ala. Khalid Khannouchi, who holds the U.S. record of 2 hours 5 minutes 38 seconds and has run the three fastest U.S. marathon times, won't compete because of chronic foot and knee injuries. A hamstring injury kept him out of the 2000 Olympic marathon trials.

For professional football players, no other athletic achievement could possibly compare to winning a Super Bowl. Or could it? Former NFL running back Roger Craig says he's found one that's close: running a marathon. A four-time Pro Bowl player and three-time Super Bowl winner with the Joe Montana-era San Francisco 49ers, Craig has run five marathons and says the wave of euphoria that envelops him at the 26.2-mile mark is virtually second to none. "It's the most enjoyable feeling on the planet because it's something I did by myself," he says.

Joe Borchard didn't have time to be nervous. With the score tied, 34-34, and less than a minute to play Saturday, the Stanford backup quarterback was on the sideline watching his team drive downfield against North Carolina. Then starting quarterback Todd Husak was knocked out of the game. "As a backup quarterback, your job is to be ready when your number is called," said Borchard, a former Camarillo High standout. "I ran to get my helmet and the next thing I know, I'm on the field with a play."

The court decision that could delay California's recall until March raised a host of practical questions Monday -- among them, whether a ballot that includes the recall and the presidential primary might prove too massive to process, and how counties would pay for a costly shift in timing.

Ending speculation that he would challenge Los Angeles Mayor James K. Hahn in 2005, City Atty. Rocky Delgadillo filed paperwork Wednesday to seek a second term, saying he wants to stay in his current job for another four years. "I've decided that at this moment in my career, and at this moment in the life of Los Angeles, this is the place where I can make the biggest difference," Delgadillo said during an interview in his City Hall office.