general

Who has the edge when the Bucs play Jackson?

December 14, 2018 general

Friday, 2 a.m. Sometimes, it’s hard to determine just which team has the edge in a matchup. Take Baltimore Ravens’ quarterback Lamar Jackson, for instance. On one hand, he is a rookie, and most NFL defenses eat rookies alive. He doesn’t throw very well, carrying just a 79.9 rating. That would prevent him from taking […]

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Stopping Jackson is a different challenge for Bucs

December 13, 2018 general

Thursday, 4 a.m. For the most part, the Tampa Bay Bucs have struggled enough when opposing quarterbacks play quarterback. They drop back, comfortable in the pocket. They slice and they dice, and the hardest thing is to figure out just which wide receiver is the most open. Most of them have had ridiculous quarterback ratings […]

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Rays add a starting pitcher to their lineup

December 13, 2018 general

Thursday, 3 a.m. A day after they gave up on their new stadium, the Tampa Bay Rays found something new to build upon. A starting rotation. The Rays signed 35-year-old right-handed pitcher Charlie Morton to a two-year, $30 million contract. The talk had been that the Rays wanted a big bat, but instead looked to […]

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Rays strike out in latest stadium efforts

December 12, 2018 general

Wednesday, 4 a.m. It feels like the final out. It feels like it’s time to turn out the lights and head for the parking lot. It feels like it’s time to shake your head and roll your eyes. In a game that is all about getting home, it is time for the rest of us […]

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Looking back at the Bucs’ loss to the Saints

December 11, 2018 general

Tuesday, 4 a.m. 5 Observations 1. It’s cursed. The goalposts have demons. The kicking tee has banshees. Blame it on the ghost of Mirro Roder, but I’ve seen all the lousy kicking I can stand. 2. While we’re at it, why not sprinkle a little holy water around the quarterback room, the offensive guards, the […]

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Stamkos’ hat trick lifts Lightning past Rangers

December 11, 2018 general

Tuesday, 3 a.m. Too often, Steven Stamkos appears to live in the past tense. Too often, fans talk of him, and shake their heads, and talk about the skills he has lost because of his injuries. Too often, Stamkos is an afterthought when the discussion turns to the great players having great moments. Then a […]

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Saints slam the door on Bucs’ ‘dangerous offense’

December 10, 2018 general

Monday, 4 a.m. Evidently, the Bucs stop here. Now, too. The high-flying offense of the Tampa Bay Bucs, No. 1 in the NFL for most of the season, ground to a halt Sunday afternoon. For most of the season, they have been the high-flying Wallendas, an offense built on highlights and sizzle. They didn’t always […]

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Random Thoughts: A vote for Bonds and Clemens, reluctantly

December 9, 2018 general

Sunday, 4 a.m. I haven’t boiled down the players in the voting for the baseball Hall of Fame, but I would vote for Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens reluctantly. Not because they deserve it, but because baseball fans deserve a complete Hall of Fame. It isn’t sainthood. — I’d also lean in favor of the […]

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Bolts at their best as they stop the Avalanche

December 9, 2018 general

Sunday, 3 a.m. If the Stanley Cup took applications, this would on the first sheet of the resume. This is how good the Tampa Bay Lightning can be. This is how explosive their offense can be. This is how dependable their defense can be when it’s on. This is how solid their goaltending can be. […]

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Ask Gary: Will Urban find renewal?

December 8, 2018 general

Each week, the readers take over GarySheltonsports.com and play Ask Gary. They send in a question, or a couple, on Thursday night or Friday morning and we all talk about the world of sports. Think of it as a radio show where you don’t have to be on hold. Join us and ask a question, […]

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