CLASS 5A ALONSO (5-6) AT PLANT (9-1) ...more

November 27, 2009

Barrett Ruud was feeling pretty good about the Bucs' victory against the Packers when he woke up Monday. Then he sat down and watched the tape of that game. ...more

November 15, 2009

If you wanted poise, you saw it. If you wanted hope, you have it. If you wondered whether young Josh Freeman has the stuff to lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, your question has been answered in the affirmative. Fans have waited for a quarterback to make plays, to move the ball, and to give the Bucs the chance to win a ballgame. At times it seemed like too much to ask. ...more

November 9, 2009

Dan Snyder is embarrassed. He feels terrible. He's also hurt, frustrated and apologetic. ...more

November 4, 2009

Larry Johnson's agent said he and the Kansas City Chiefs agreed Saturday night to cut the running back's two-week suspension in half, saving him more than $300,000. ...more

November 1, 2009

Ever since he became a starter in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers backfield, Earnest Graham has had trouble finishing. He petered out late in the 2007 season due to a variety of nagging injuries and his 2008 season was cut short after 11 weeks because of a high ankle sprain. ...more

March 19, 2009

You've probably never heard of Ottawa University. Neither had Derrick Ward when the Kansas school reached out to him six years ago. ...more

March 4, 2009

It's all about the measurables at the scouting combine. Everyone wants to know how tall you are, how fast you can run and how much you weigh. ...more

February 20, 2009

New Bucs offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski takes a very simple approach to moving the football. It's so simple, kids could use it out on a sandlot. In fact, that's where its roots lie. ...more

February 17, 2009

Unless Bryce Brown makes a decision Wednesday, the nation's top-ranked recruit will play college football somewhere other than Miami. The national letter of intent Brown was offered by Miami expires Wednesday, and a person involved in recruiting the running back from Wichita, Kansas told The Associated Press the Hurricanes will not reissue the scholarship offer. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday because neither Brown's representatives nor Miami could authorize him to speak publicly. "Miami will not give him another letter," the person said. Brian Butler, Brown's advisor, told The AP that he was unaware those scholarship offers have an expiration date, but reiterated that the U.S. Army All-American — who was wooed by most of the nation's big-time programs, and still is having discussions with several of them — won't be signing until March 16. "Not until then," said Butler, who handles all of Brown's dealings with media and coaches. "If there's no letter here from Miami on March 16, then I'll get on the phone. So that's up to Miami. Bryce has his timeline set. We're not changing it at all." Citing NCAA rules, which specifically ban coaches from discussing recruits until their paperwork is filed, Miami coach Randy Shannon refused comment. Signing day was Feb. 4, and that's the date on the NLI issued to Brown by Miami, which means that paper would be valid until Wednesday. Brown, of Wichita East (Kan.) High, committed to Miami months ago. The brother of Miami linebacker Arthur Brown rushed for 1,873 yards and 29 touchdowns in nine games this past season, averaging 9.2 yards per carry for a team that finished 6-3. Later Tuesday, the saga turned again, when Brown announced that his final two recruiting visits will be at LSU later this month and Miami in early March. "They'll be in spring ball, so I want to see how the coaches interact with the players at practice and look at how the new offense is coming along," Brown said in a statement posted on his advisor's Web site, his preferred way of making recruiting-related announcements. "And, most importantly, spend some time with my brother." Other schools Brown is still believed to be considering include Auburn, Kansas State, Tennessee, Oregon and Southern California. His father, Arthur Brown Sr., said he wants his son at Miami. "Most definitely," Arthur Brown Sr. said. "That would be my ideal preference, for he and his brother to play together. That's always been my preference." Even without Brown, Miami had one of the nation's highest-ranked recruiting classes this year, a group that included Parade All-American running back Lamar Miller. He rushed for 1,719 yards and 22 touchdowns this past fall for Miami Killian High. ...more

February 17, 2009