Super Bowl XXXVI Gary Shelton [AP photo] One peek and then he's gone NEW ORLEANS -- Marshall Faulk is in your sights. He is right in front of you. Surely, you can nail him down. Patriots' run truly is special NEW ORLEANS -- How does that old football adage go? Offense sells tickets. Defense wins games. A perfect fit NEW ORLEANS -- With so many new starters and a new scheme, Rams cornerback Dexter McCleon figured it would take the team's new defense a while to solidify. Ex-Bull proud of what he has done NEW ORLEANS -- He was sitting at a table by himself, soaking in the hundreds of media and NFL personnel crowded into a ballroom at the Freemont Hotel, and Patriots rookie offensive tackle Kenyatta Jones was keeping it real. Superbowl sideline Just the facts Fox to wave flag high during Super Bowl Fox's Super Bowl media guide says Sunday's broadcast should be "the most stirring, patriotic and emotionally charged ever." While that's unlikely -- it's hard to imagine anything topping Whitney Houston's Gulf War rendition of the national anthem and the fabulous game that followed -- the network will go heavy on the flag-waving. Deals give Super Bowl Web site a wider reach The look might be a little cleaner, the technology a little better, but for the folks producing SuperBowl.com this week, the biggest difference should be traffic.

Bucs

Devil Rays
Rays make deals with three young pitchers
ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays on Thursday agreed to terms on one-year contracts with pitchers Jesus Colome, Travis Phelps and Ryan Rupe.

Lightning
Richards' family glad he's big catch
LOS ANGELES -- The way Brad Richards remembers it, every time his father woke him at 4 a.m. to man the family's lobster boat, it was either cold, windy, raining or snowing.

College basketball
Bulls to tread on hallowed ground
Coach praises Freedom Hall's mystique, fans.

Spartan shorts
TAMPA -- After averaging 22 points and being almost perfect from the free-throw line during two games, University of Tampa senior guard Jon Brown has been named the Sunshine State Conference Player of the Week.

Women tonight: TCU at USF
WHEN/WHERE: 7; Sun Dome, Tampa.

Tonight: USF at Louisville
WHEN/WHERE: 7; Freedom Hall.

Football
Agent Black is guilty, again
GAINESVILLE -- Sports agent William "Tank" Black was convicted of federal fraud charges Thursday for swindling up to $14-million from the pro football players he represented.

College football
A rare opportunity might be ace in hole
Florida State defensive tackle Darnell Dockett didn't offer an excuse, merely an explanation for his uneven play this past season.

Colleges
Men's tennis squad passes its first test
TAMPA -- The University of South Florida's men's tennis team didn't have to wait long to be challenged this season.

Bulls bits
TAMPA -- South Florida has been picked to finish fourth in the Conference USA preseason baseball poll and Bulls shortstop Myron Leslie was named to the preseason all-conference team.

USF softball
2001 RECORD: 43-34, NCAA Region.

Preps
Chiefs' Ivery receives Toph Award
TAMPA -- Eddie Ivery had never really heard of the Guy Toph Award. He didn't know the history behind the 63-year-old trophy or the former winners who have gone on to play at major colleges and in the NFL.

Tigers nip Citrus in overtime
DUNNELLON -- It started ugly. A missed layup here. A turnover there. This would be no classic. Or so it seemed.

Titan makes basket count
TAMPA -- Tampa Bay Tech guard Jasmine McLeod came to the Titans' rescue with her only basket two seconds before the final buzzer.

Strong inside game helps Citrus stuff Lecanto 51-40
LECANTO -- If Lecanto fans thought the opening shot was a sign of things to come, then the next six minutes must have come as quite a shock.

Delay doesn't help Mustangs extend season
SPRING HILL -- One night after thinking its season was over, Mitchell found itself back at Delta Woods Park with a chance to extend it.

Boys hoops extra
Games to Watch

Eagles' forfeit gives Jefferson top seed
TAMPA -- The back-and-forth battle for the Class 4A, District 9 tournament's top seed became a lot clearer this week when it was learned Brandon was forced to forfeit a district game.

Late goal wins it for Cougars
DURANT -- Durant coach Dick Sheffield knew with Jackie Hinton in goal, he didn't need to worry about his defense in Thursday's final. He was just wondering when his offense would finally score.

Eagles, Tigers chase 18
TAMPA -- If homefield advantage in the regional playoffs isn't enough to motivate Brandon and Jesuit tonight in the district final, the number 18 might help.