Effort better, but Lighting continues to lose

December 11, 2016 general

Sunday, 3 a.m. The effort was better. The offense was faster. The energy was higher. The result, however, was familiar. The Tampa Bay Lightning lost another one. The team’s worst slump of the last few years continued Saturday night as the Bolts absorbed a 4-3 loss to the defending Stanley Cup champion. The Pens beat […]

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Ask Gary: Bolts haven’t adjusted without Stamkos

December 10, 2016 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, make a comment […]

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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. […]

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Ask the expert: Jerry Angelo

December 8, 2016 general

Jerry Angelo is a former personnel director for the Bucs and former general manager of the Bears. Each week, Angelo answers your questions regarding the NFL. Send your questions to GarySheltonsports@gmail.com with “ask the expert” in the subject line. The most interesting questions will be selected. Thursday, 5 a.m. The Jets are turning to Bryce […]

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On replacing Taggart, USF’s most popular coach

December 8, 2016 College football

Wednesday, 4 a.m. Once, there was a man named Willie… The first loss was shocking. Had South Florida ever been worse? Had a coach ever had a more rotten debut? It was August 31, 2013, and it’s fair to say that Willie Taggart had just done a particularly wretched job of saying hello. His team […]

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Catch a rising star: Winston has been very good

December 7, 2016 general

Wednesday, 6 a.m. Last year, he was a beginner. A colt. A newcomer. Oh, it was still possible to look at Jameis Winston and to like what you saw. Even then, he had the uncommon leadership and the unwavering competitive spirit. Even then, he had an arm that could make most of the throws, except […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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Random thoughts: Will Rams get past Jeff Fisher?

December 4, 2016 College Sports in Florida

Sunday ,5 a.m. Hi. I’m Jeff Fisher, coach for life. And next year, we hope to be even better than 7-9, whether we need to be or not. – Did Alabama score again? I drifted off. – I was shocked that Tony Dungy endorsed Willie Taggart for the Oregon job. I was thinking he’d pick […]

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Lightning finally stops its losing skid in shootout win

December 4, 2016 general

Sunday, 4 a.m. Finally, victory. Finally, the Tampa Bay Lightning could surround their goaltender and tap him on the head. Finally, they could enjoy the cheers of the home crowd. Finally, the lights were bright instead of being surrounded by dark clouds. Finally, the Lightning won another gme. After a four-game losing streak, the Bolts […]

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