Too much A-Rod as Yankees beat the Rays

April 18, 2015 general

Saturday, 12:40 a.m. The Tampa Bay Rays involved themselves a little too deeply in the discussion over whether the Yankees will pay Alex Rodriguez his bonus for passing Willie Mays on the home run list Friday night. In the series opener, A-Rod hit two home runs to lift New York to a 5-4 victory over […]

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Did free agency fix what ails the Bucs’ defense?

April 17, 2015 general

Friday, 10:55 a.m. In the first round, they need a quarterback. You could say that about the Tampa Bay Bucs this year, and last year, and the year before that. Throughout the three-and-out history of the Bucs, you have always been able to say it. They’ve never had a quarterback. So this year, the top […]

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Lightning finds a way to lose its playoff opener

April 17, 2015 general

Friday, 12;17 a.m. Tampa They left shaking their heads. They left talking to themselves. They left wondering about all the wrong parts of the game. Unfortunately for the Tampa Bay Lightning, they also left down 1-0 in their playoff series to the Detroit Red Wings. The Lightning won the beauty contest Thursday night. They won […]

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Tale of the Tape: Are these Bolts as good as champs?

April 15, 2015 general

Wednesday, 10 p.m. The difference is easy. That team did it. This team might. That team, the 2003-04 Lightning, won16 playoff games. That team lifted the cup. That team skated into immortality. This team? Well, it’s one of 16 that has a chance. Pretty much, that’s the best you can say about the Lightning as […]

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Not everyone wants the Bucs to pick Winston

April 15, 2015 general

Wednesday, 6:00 a.m. On the football field, he may be the next hope. Here, he is not. There, between the goal lines, Jameis Winston is a glittering ball of potential. He is the best chance of a better day. He could be the quarterback the Bucs have always lacked. Here, Jameis Winston is simply a […]

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Asking again: Is Winston the right man for the Bucs?

April 14, 2015 general

Tuesday, 8:16 p.m. Now  that you have braced for them to zig, might they zag? Now that you are ready for them to razzle, might they dazzle? Not that you are ready for them to anoint this quarterback as the future, might they anoint that one? With the Bucs, the mysterious smarter-than-the-world Bucs, anything is […]

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Ask the Expert: Jerry Angelo

April 14, 2015 general

Tuesday, 6 a.m. 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 question will be selected. We have talked a lot about […]

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In playoffs, Bishop is the Lightning’s great hope

April 13, 2015 general

Monday, 1:22 p.m. Trust the victories, he will tell you. Do not trust the stats. Trust the times he has skated away form a winning rink, he will tell you. Do not trust the times you rolled you eyes along the way. It is his season now, that of Ben Bishop and the other goaltenders […]

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Random Thoughts: Does Palomalu affect Lynch?

April 12, 2015 general

Hi, I’m former Cowboy Emmitt Smith, and I’m here to tell you I’d still play football despite the blows I took to the head. And can someone please answer that darned phone? — I don’t know what your first thoughts were when Troy Polamalu retired this week, but mine were this; I wonder how badly […]

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To all fields: Time for a great young QB in NFL

April 12, 2015 general

On the gridiron… If these things are indeed cyclical, it is time for the cycle. For the NFL, and for the rest of us, it is time for another great quarterback. Peyton Manning is 39. Tom Brady is 38. Drew Brees is 36. The fiercest pass rush any of them face is from father time. […]

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