The new head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Raheem Morris, admits he is looking for a slight change of direction during the mandatory mini camp in California.
"We're looking to create angry workers and tough guys," said the rookie.
Morris was referring in particular to the recent addition of free agent linebacker Angelo Crowell, but his remarks reflected an overall theme.
"I think we've done a good job," he said. "We've made our team tougher, more physical, faster and more ready to finish down the stretch. We've brought in good guys, guys that were part of winning teams. We've lost some great leaders, and now we have to find some new leaders. Some guys on our team have to step up and assume those roles - and we think they're ready to do that."
And he was in no mood to entertain notions that somehow the Bucs will enter the 2009 season with low expectations.
"Those people obviously haven't talked to myself and [general manager] Mark Dominik," he said. "People are entitled to their own opinions. It'll all be determined in September with wins and losses."
Well, er, yeah. As it was this year...
Tuesday 31 March 2009
Tuesday 17 March 2009
Fifth element still unknown
There are just a few remaining issues for the Tampa Bay Rays to resolve before the regular season starts. One of those is the identity of their fifth starting pitcher.
Three of the six who were in contention for the final spot in the starting rotation were cut Monday, and there is every indication that one of the three who is still around - David Price - probably isn't going to win the job.
That leaves Jason Hammel and Jeff Niemann, and only one of the two right-handers is scheduled to get a start the next time through the spring training rotation. Hammel will start Wednesday against Cincinnati. Niemann threw a bullpen session Monday and is unsure when his next Grapefruit League appearance will come.
According to Tampa Bay Online, there are a couple reasons the Rays might want to open the season with Hammel in the rotation and Niemann as the long reliever.
First, Hammel served an apprenticeship of sorts last year when he filled in admirably for Scott Kazmir early on and spent the balance of the season working out of the bullpen.
Second, the general assumption is whoever earns the fifth starter's spot out of the gate will give way to Price at some point this season. While the Rays would prefer to keep both Hammel and Niemann in the organization, Niemann might have a higher ceiling - perhaps evolving into a late-inning reliever.
Both pitchers say they're in the dark about where they stand and probably will be the last to know when a decision is made.
Three of the six who were in contention for the final spot in the starting rotation were cut Monday, and there is every indication that one of the three who is still around - David Price - probably isn't going to win the job.
That leaves Jason Hammel and Jeff Niemann, and only one of the two right-handers is scheduled to get a start the next time through the spring training rotation. Hammel will start Wednesday against Cincinnati. Niemann threw a bullpen session Monday and is unsure when his next Grapefruit League appearance will come.
According to Tampa Bay Online, there are a couple reasons the Rays might want to open the season with Hammel in the rotation and Niemann as the long reliever.
First, Hammel served an apprenticeship of sorts last year when he filled in admirably for Scott Kazmir early on and spent the balance of the season working out of the bullpen.
Second, the general assumption is whoever earns the fifth starter's spot out of the gate will give way to Price at some point this season. While the Rays would prefer to keep both Hammel and Niemann in the organization, Niemann might have a higher ceiling - perhaps evolving into a late-inning reliever.
Both pitchers say they're in the dark about where they stand and probably will be the last to know when a decision is made.
Sunday 15 March 2009
No favors from Tampa
This is no time of year for charity. And just because the Lightning are not going to be involved in the post-season this year, that does not mean they should be giving those near-neighbor Florida Panthers any gimmes.
The Panthers are in the middle of a playoff drive, attempting to qualify for the postseason for the first time in eight seasons, but Tampa's involvement will end in April.
But knowing time is at a premium can focus the mind, and in coming back from a two-goal third-period deficit to rally for a 4-3 shootout victory Tampa proved that theirs is solidly on the present.
Karri Ramo, who stopped 34 shots through regulation and overtime, halted all three shootout attempts while Steven Stamkos scored the lone shootout goal for Tampa Bay, which improved to 3-8 this season in shootouts.
It had looked like it would be so much different when Florida Michael Frolik trailed behind the play and took a pass from David Booth. Frolik was unchecked in the slot and beat Ramo with 4:11 left.
The Panthers took a 2-0 lead late in the second on Booth's 50th career goal, coming on the power play. After Stephen Weiss split the Tampa Bay defense, he drew Ramo outside his crease. With the net open, Cory Stillman banked a backhand shot off the post but the rebound fell to Booth, who slid the puck underneath a scrambling Ramo.
Tampa pulled one back with its third power-play goal this season against Florida 70 seconds later to cut the lead to 2-1. With Ville Peltonen in the penalty box for tripping, Marty St. Louis extended his scoring streak to five games when he slid a pass along the boards to former Florida defenseman Cory Murphy, who sent a quick wrist shot past the glove side of Tomas Vokoun. The goal was Murphy's fifth of the season.
Booth scored his second of the game 5:35 into the third period for a 3-1 lead, but St. Louis on a redirection from Lukas Krajicek with 6:18 left cut the deficit to one.
Petiot wasn't done contributing, however, as he found Jeff Halpern with 3:30 left to tie it.
The Panthers are in the middle of a playoff drive, attempting to qualify for the postseason for the first time in eight seasons, but Tampa's involvement will end in April.
But knowing time is at a premium can focus the mind, and in coming back from a two-goal third-period deficit to rally for a 4-3 shootout victory Tampa proved that theirs is solidly on the present.
Karri Ramo, who stopped 34 shots through regulation and overtime, halted all three shootout attempts while Steven Stamkos scored the lone shootout goal for Tampa Bay, which improved to 3-8 this season in shootouts.
It had looked like it would be so much different when Florida Michael Frolik trailed behind the play and took a pass from David Booth. Frolik was unchecked in the slot and beat Ramo with 4:11 left.
The Panthers took a 2-0 lead late in the second on Booth's 50th career goal, coming on the power play. After Stephen Weiss split the Tampa Bay defense, he drew Ramo outside his crease. With the net open, Cory Stillman banked a backhand shot off the post but the rebound fell to Booth, who slid the puck underneath a scrambling Ramo.
Tampa pulled one back with its third power-play goal this season against Florida 70 seconds later to cut the lead to 2-1. With Ville Peltonen in the penalty box for tripping, Marty St. Louis extended his scoring streak to five games when he slid a pass along the boards to former Florida defenseman Cory Murphy, who sent a quick wrist shot past the glove side of Tomas Vokoun. The goal was Murphy's fifth of the season.
Booth scored his second of the game 5:35 into the third period for a 3-1 lead, but St. Louis on a redirection from Lukas Krajicek with 6:18 left cut the deficit to one.
Petiot wasn't done contributing, however, as he found Jeff Halpern with 3:30 left to tie it.
Thursday 12 March 2009
Perez out for three months
Not all has run smoothly in spring training, and now the Rays have lost their first choice to play center field if B.J. Upton isn't ready to start the season.
Speedy Fernando Perez, reports Tampa Bay Online, injured while diving for a line drive in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against Toronto, has a dislocated left wrist and will miss about three months, the club said Thursday.
"I don't think it's going to trigger another move," Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman said. "We are fortunate that we have depth. That said, I'm starting to think there's no such thing as depth; there's only lack of depth."
The Rays have a fair number of options. Newcomer Gabe Kapler and utility man Ben Zobrist can play center. Matt Joyce, who is fighting tendinitis, and Justin Ruggiano provide additional outfield depth.
There is a chance that Upton, who had surgery in November to repair the labrum in his non-throwing shoulder, will be ready.
Perez said he was using a slightly longer glove, which he liked better for fielding ground balls, and that he caught it on the ground while attempting a play he has routinely made without incident. That caused his wrist to snap.
Manager Joe Maddon was quick to point out that the team's first significant injury of 2009 could have been worse. But a clean break probably would have healed in about a month because it wouldn't have had the ligament involvement.
Speedy Fernando Perez, reports Tampa Bay Online, injured while diving for a line drive in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against Toronto, has a dislocated left wrist and will miss about three months, the club said Thursday.
"I don't think it's going to trigger another move," Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman said. "We are fortunate that we have depth. That said, I'm starting to think there's no such thing as depth; there's only lack of depth."
The Rays have a fair number of options. Newcomer Gabe Kapler and utility man Ben Zobrist can play center. Matt Joyce, who is fighting tendinitis, and Justin Ruggiano provide additional outfield depth.
There is a chance that Upton, who had surgery in November to repair the labrum in his non-throwing shoulder, will be ready.
Perez said he was using a slightly longer glove, which he liked better for fielding ground balls, and that he caught it on the ground while attempting a play he has routinely made without incident. That caused his wrist to snap.
Manager Joe Maddon was quick to point out that the team's first significant injury of 2009 could have been worse. But a clean break probably would have healed in about a month because it wouldn't have had the ligament involvement.
Tuesday 10 March 2009
Lighting go on offensive
So after the failure of the defensive at Carolina, now the Lighting go on the offensive. This time, however, they are trying to get over their fans.
After some encouraging signs Tampa Bay has dropped nine of its last 11 and the Lightning are only four points ahead of the Islanders in an effort to avoid another last-place finish.
So the players, coaches and executives are going on a marketing blitz aimed at stimulating season-ticket purchases for next season.
Tampa Bay Online reported that even Lightning owner Oren Koules participated as the organization made surprise deliveries to long-time club supporters, hoping they renew their faith by signing up for season-ticket packages featuring significantly lower prices.
"The idea is to thank everybody for sticking with us over the years," said Patrick Duffy, the Lightning's Senior VP of Sales. "Our players were happy to jump on board with today's plan."
Most 2009-10 season-ticket packages went out last week, but some were held back so that club personnel could deliver the renewal forms in person.
"We've got some very good hockey fans and we appreciate their support," captain Vince Lecavalier said before heading out on an errand. "We have people who have been with this team since that first season in 1992 and it's nice to see."
Such charm offensives are made more vital following 9-3 home losses to teams like the Hurricanes. It could have been worse, however. Tampa Bay trailed 9-1 after two periods
Interim head coach Rock Tocchet said: "We have 16 games left and I'm looking to find out who wants to be here next season. If you're here just to punch the clock, it's not gonna happen. This stuff has to stop. We have to get our fans to believe in what we're doing."
There is one good way to do that. But perhaps Tampa's fans have just come to expect less in the hope that more is on its way.
After some encouraging signs Tampa Bay has dropped nine of its last 11 and the Lightning are only four points ahead of the Islanders in an effort to avoid another last-place finish.
So the players, coaches and executives are going on a marketing blitz aimed at stimulating season-ticket purchases for next season.
Tampa Bay Online reported that even Lightning owner Oren Koules participated as the organization made surprise deliveries to long-time club supporters, hoping they renew their faith by signing up for season-ticket packages featuring significantly lower prices.
"The idea is to thank everybody for sticking with us over the years," said Patrick Duffy, the Lightning's Senior VP of Sales. "Our players were happy to jump on board with today's plan."
Most 2009-10 season-ticket packages went out last week, but some were held back so that club personnel could deliver the renewal forms in person.
"We've got some very good hockey fans and we appreciate their support," captain Vince Lecavalier said before heading out on an errand. "We have people who have been with this team since that first season in 1992 and it's nice to see."
Such charm offensives are made more vital following 9-3 home losses to teams like the Hurricanes. It could have been worse, however. Tampa Bay trailed 9-1 after two periods
Interim head coach Rock Tocchet said: "We have 16 games left and I'm looking to find out who wants to be here next season. If you're here just to punch the clock, it's not gonna happen. This stuff has to stop. We have to get our fans to believe in what we're doing."
There is one good way to do that. But perhaps Tampa's fans have just come to expect less in the hope that more is on its way.
Tuesday 3 March 2009
Vince joins 300 club
Vince Lecavalier. Remember him? He's the guy who isn't going anywhere and will be with the Lightning for the foreseeable future.
Well, now he's scored his 300th career goal, and it came 15 seconds after getting hit in the mouth with Robyn Regehr's errant high stick in the third period.Lecavalier's second goal of the game at the Saddledome saw the Lightning home to an 8-6 victory over the Calgary Flames but the milestone came as some surprise to him.
"They just told me about the 300. I've been with the Lightning for a lot of years. I'm pretty proud of my teammates and all the pretty passes they sent me. It's great honor," Lecavalier said.
"It's just nice to get a win. We haven't scored that many goals this year, so to come out and get a few power-play goals is a great team effort. Everybody produced and everybody had a great game. It's nice to have a win going home on a long flight."
Down 4-2 midway through the second period, Lecavalier and his team-mates scored with three goals in less than five minutes to take a 5-4 lead after two periods.
Lecavalier's first sparked the rally, then Steven Stamkos scored on a great pass from Recchi and Vinny Prospal notched a power-play goal to take the lead.
Stamkos' goal from a perfect pass from Recchi was his 13th of the season, equalling the total Lecavalier scored in his rookie campaign a decade ago. Ryan Malone also scored for the Lightning, and Recchi finished with five assists.
Well, now he's scored his 300th career goal, and it came 15 seconds after getting hit in the mouth with Robyn Regehr's errant high stick in the third period.Lecavalier's second goal of the game at the Saddledome saw the Lightning home to an 8-6 victory over the Calgary Flames but the milestone came as some surprise to him.
"They just told me about the 300. I've been with the Lightning for a lot of years. I'm pretty proud of my teammates and all the pretty passes they sent me. It's great honor," Lecavalier said.
"It's just nice to get a win. We haven't scored that many goals this year, so to come out and get a few power-play goals is a great team effort. Everybody produced and everybody had a great game. It's nice to have a win going home on a long flight."
Down 4-2 midway through the second period, Lecavalier and his team-mates scored with three goals in less than five minutes to take a 5-4 lead after two periods.
Lecavalier's first sparked the rally, then Steven Stamkos scored on a great pass from Recchi and Vinny Prospal notched a power-play goal to take the lead.
Stamkos' goal from a perfect pass from Recchi was his 13th of the season, equalling the total Lecavalier scored in his rookie campaign a decade ago. Ryan Malone also scored for the Lightning, and Recchi finished with five assists.
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