Tampa Bay

Look out, world! Rays will avoid the cellar

February 10, 2017 general

Thursday, 4 a.m. “We’re going to win Sunday. I guarantee it. – Joe Namath “We’re going to go in there and win game six.” – Mark Messier “Fo, fo, fo.” – Moses Malone “We will not finish last this year.” – Lou Piniella Okay, okay. As guarantees go, Lou wasn’t exactly promising the moon. He just stepped out […]

Tagged as: Last Place, Piniella, Rays, Tampa Bay

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Covering the Super Bowl isn’t all fun and games

January 30, 2017 general

Monday, 4 a.m. You arrived on Sunday, before the teams, before the media guides, before the newspapers from each of the participating cities got there. You scouted out the media room, and you stood in line for your week’s credential. This isn’t the same as your game credential, mind you. Those won’t be ready until […]

Tagged as: General Manager, Lynch, San Francisco, Tampa Bay

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Lightning having trouble stopping opponents

January 4, 2017 general

Wednesday, 3 a.m. The Tampa Bay Lightning, still spinning its wheels, finds itself in desperate need of an improved defense. The Lightning gave up a half-dozen goals (one on an empty-netter) in a 6-4 loss to Winnipeg Tuesday night. The Bolts have now given up three or more goals in 10 of their last 12 […]

Tagged as: defense, Kucherov, Tampa Bay, Winnipeg

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Every week, Bucs more like a playoff team

December 12, 2016 general

Monday, 4 a.m. Every week, it seems less like a location. Every week, it seems more like a destination. Every week, they get closer to a reservation. They are the Tampa Bay Bucs. And, yes, they belong in the playoffs. You’re darned right they do. Every week, it seems less like a mirage. It is […]

Tagged as: Brees, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Tandy

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Lightning clobbered again as losing streak continues

December 9, 2016 general

Friday, 4 a.m. Are you worried yet? Are you checking the standings? Are you chewing your fingernails? Are you worried how far the Tampa Bay Lightning might fall, and what they might land on? You are not alone. Suddenly, the Lightning doesn’t look so tough, does it? It doesn’t look particularly fast or particularly skilled. […]

Tagged as: Cooper, Slump, Tampa Bay, Vancouver

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Does Koetter’s first year remind anyone of Dungy’s?

December 6, 2016 general

Tuesday, 3 a.m. Forget the praise he got as a coordinator. He had never been a head coach, and because of it, some were worried. The schedule looked tough, especially for a team that had spent most of a decade and a half swallowing dirt. The culture stunk. The expectations were low. And no one […]

Tagged as: Buc;s, Dungy, Improvement, Koetter, Tampa Bay

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Bucs’ defense growing into a competitive unit

December 5, 2016 general

Monday, 4 a.m. Every day, the pass rush gets a bit better. No, it isn’t, say, that of the ’85 Bears. But it’s growing, and it’s getting better. It isn’t benign anymore. Every day, the coverage gets a little tighter. No, it isn’t the ’89 49ers. But it’s better, and it’s combative. It isn’t chasing […]

Tagged as: First Place, San Diego, Tampa Bay, winning streak

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Rare giveaway by Hedman leads to Lightning loss

November 8, 2016 general

Tuesday, 4 a.m. Usually, it is the safest place in the world for the puck. It is a mother’s arms in a bank vault in outer space. Once the puck is on the stick of Victor Hedman, the Palace Guard, surely nothing will befall the Tampa Bay Lightning. On the road? It’s okay. In a […]

Tagged as: Florida, Hedman, Luongo, Tampa Bay

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Random Thoughts: Faldo had biggest stroke of day?

October 2, 2016 College Sports in Florida

Sunday, 5 a.m. When we talk about how many strokes the Americans had over Europe in the Ryder Cup competition, are they counting the one that Nick Faldo almost had while announcing? – After testing positive for cocaine, boxer Tyson Fury posed for a Scarface-type photo with a desk covered with cocaine. Just asking, but didn’t […]

Tagged as: Buc;s, Random, Tampa Bay, Thoughts

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A quick quiz on sports in Tampa Bay

March 16, 2016 general

Wednesday, 6 a.m. How well do you know Tampa Bay sports? Pick up your No. 2 pencil. Keep your eyes on your own paper. 1. Why are the Tampa Bay Rays traveling to Cuba? a.). To make fun of Fidel Castro’s beard. b.). To look for bullpen help. c,). To help further American-Cuban relations. d.). […]

Tagged as: Buc;s, Lightning, Rays, Tampa Bay

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