Rangers clobber mistake-prone Bolts

December 31, 2023 general

Sunday, 4 a.m. They sound like they used to. They say the right things about eliminating mistakes and playing a full period.  But the Tampa Bay Lightning don’t look the same. Worse, they don’t play the same. The Bolts continue to wallow in mediocrity after a 5-1 thrashing by the New York Rangers Sunday night, […]

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Georgia rips FSU’s leftovers

December 31, 2023 general

Sunday, 3 a.m. Well, never mind. Remember all those wounded voices complaining when FSU was left out of this year’s playoffs? Remember all the politicians who rushed for a photo op? Um, forget they brought it up. FSU — at least, what is left of FSU after all the opt-outs and injuries — were embarrassed […]

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It’s a sad state of college football

December 30, 2023 general

Saturday, 4 a.m. Yeah, I still love college football. But does it count if I love it less than I used to? Oh, I’m a sucker for rivalries, Florida and FSU, Michigan and Ohio State, Auburn and Alabama, Georgia and Georgia Tech, Nebraska and Oklahoma. I’ve covered all of them. I love Old Oaken Buckets […]

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Can Bucs close out division title?

December 29, 2023 general

Friday, 4 a.m. Above all, keep this in mind about the Tampa Bay Bucs. They do things the hard way. Throughout the life of the franchise, they always take the rough highway. They pass through a detour or two. They avoid falling rocks. They try very hard, but they don’t always get out of their […]

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Short-handed goal leads to Bolts’ loss

December 28, 2023 general

Wednesday, 4 a.m. There they were, the Tampa Bay Lightning, trying to dig their way out of a hole. Finally, they had their spark, Finally, they seemed to be paying attention. And then they tripped over the biggest monster in the NHL. The short-handed goal. Content beyond this point is for members only. Already a […]

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Looking back at Bucs’ win over Jacksonville

December 26, 2023 general

5 Thoughts There are some Bucs’ fans who would still rather see Kyle Trask and his three career completions start at quarterback. My question is whether their heads blow up when they see the kind of coin that Baker Mayfield gets next year after a very nice self-gamble. 2. I could see them losing to […]

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Bucs win big despite easing off Jags

December 25, 2023 general

Monday, 4 a.m. Maybe it’s time to stop laughing at the NFC South. The Tampa Bay Bucs, suddenly a team worth post-season consideration, played perhaps their most complete game of the season Sunday, It was so good, in fact, the Bucs seem4ed to get bored with the action and let off the gas pedal. Still, […]

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Hedman’s shootout goal lifts Lightning

December 24, 2023 general

Sunday, 4 a.m. Oh, yeah. That’s what a shootout looks like. The Tampa Bay Lightning, playing in its first shootout of the year, came away with a 2-1 victory over the Washington Capitals Saturday night, It was just the Bolts’ seventh road victory in 19 tries this year. Defenseman Victor Hedman scored the winning goal […]

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Bucs face important game vs. Jags

December 23, 2023 general

Saturday, 4 a.m. The answer is all inside of Trevor Lawrence’s head, of course. When you look at Sunday’s  game between Jacksonville and Tampa Bay, the main subject is Trevor Lawrence’s concussion. It’s left him questionable for the game, even though he practiced Friday. How big a deal is that? Consider this: Lawrence has thrown […]

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Bolts come from behind to beat Knights

December 22, 2023 general

Friday, 4 a.m. They are not consistent enough, not dangerous enough. There are too many nights there are holes in the defense, a lack of sizzle on the bottom lines. There are times the Tampa Bay Lightning seems ordinary. Then there are nights like Thursday, when the Bolts show they still have some DNA leftover […]

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