From Ventura's perspective, there's good and bad news from the pregame warmups at Memorial Stadium.

Quarterback Antavius Sims (ankle) is in uniform and is expected to start. He looked pretty good, if a little stiff, in warmups.

"He'll be fine," said offensive coordinator Tim Gutierrez.

Gutierrez feels Bakersfield may have the best defense on Ventura's schedule.

"They remind me of Cerritos," said Gutierrez. "Big and fast."

I was not able to locate cornerback Travaun Nixon. It's not official, but I've been told Nixon has broken his foot, had surgery Friday and hopes to heal fast enough to play in the postseason, should Ventura qualify.

Defensive coordinator Gary Anglin, who missed much of the week with bronchitis, said the Pirates will fill the hole left by Nixon's absence with a rotation of up to six players.

Although I expect safety Valtray Jackson to play a lot more.