Buc;s

Bucs start over, fire Lovie Smith as coach

January 7, 2016 general

Wednesday, 6 a.m. The move smacks of desperation. It cries out of impatience. It was sudden, and it was shocking, and it was dramatic. But, in the echo of Lovie Smith’s firing, is any of that really wrong? For the Tampa Bay Bucs, these are desperate times. Shouldn’t the team be impatient? Doesn’t the situation […]

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For Bucs, how many keepers are there?

January 5, 2016 general

Tuesday, 6 a.m. You are Lovie Smith. You have a fresh hand and not nearly enough aspirin. You are Lovie, and you have won eight games in two seasons. Chip Kelly won 20 in his first two, and 26 in his first three, and he’s gone. But you started with very little, and you added […]

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Smith’s losing speech sounds way too familiar

January 4, 2016 general

 Monday 6:00 a.m. For the 32nd time in his time as coach of the Tampa Bay Bucs, Lovie Smith approached the lectern slowly. He talked about disappointment, and he talked about not playing well, and he talked about how he expected to play better, although almost no one else did. It was the 26th time […]

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Ask Gary: Would a noisy wife hurt a player?

January 2, 2016 general

(Each week, the readers take over GarySheltonsports.com and play Ask Gary. They send in a question, or a couple, 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 or be funny. Send the […]

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Ask the expert: Jerry Angelo

January 1, 2016 general

Thursday, 12:24 p.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. Do you think Chip Kelly’s failing […]

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Remembering Lovie’s top 10 hits, misses

December 31, 2015 general

Tuesday, 6 a.m. There have been good choices. Jameis Winston, for instance. There have been wise selections. Dirk Koetter comes to mind. There have been building blocks on the way to a better day. Ali Marpet. Kwon Alexander. On some days, Donovan Smith. But have  they been enough? Have they come fast enough? Ah, as […]

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Kelly’s firing brings up an old lesson in the NFL

December 30, 2015 general

Wednesday, 6 a.m. Not all actors are meant to be producers. Not all singers are meant to lead an orchestra. Not all drill sergeants are destined to be generals. And so the Peter Principle has cost another coach another job with another team. In the end, Philadelphia coach Chip Kelly wasn’t a good enough coach to […]

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Should a bad game for Martin be a firable offense?

December 28, 2015 general

Monday, 6 a.m. Shoot him. That’s what I say. Blindfold him, line him against the wall and fire. Doug Martin fumbled. Then, recidivist that he is, he fumbled again. So let’s blow him up and throw him away. Let’s forget about the yards. Let’s forget about the touchdowns. Martin has sinned against the empire, and […]

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Were the Bucs really a better team in 2015?

December 27, 2015 general

Sunday, 6:45 p.m. It was all a dream, right? At one point, I imagined the Bucs were 6-6. I imagined they had clobbered the Eagles. I imagined they had swept the Atlanta Falcons. I saw improvement all around. I blame my medication. Was any of it real? Or was it a mirage, a freak of […]

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Next year isn’t promised to Bucs, either

December 27, 2015 general

Thursday, 6 a.m. The team has its quarterback. The victories have tripled. The system is in place. From here, what can go wrong? Around Tampa Bay, you’ve heard it a thousand times. Next year. Next year will be better. Next year, James Winston will have a year under his belt, and Dirk Koetter will be […]

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