[Times photo: Michael Rondou] After battling back from knee injuries, Chris Gomez hopes to reclaim his reputation as a steady, dependable shortstop.

Kennedy savors solid rebound
SARASOTA -- Satisfied with the way he responded after a shaky pitching performance four days earlier, Joe Kennedy stood by his locker Monday and methodically savored a postgame peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a soft drink.

Bucs
Cold business: Moore signs with Bills
The nine-year Bucs tight end can't reach a deal to return to Tampa Bay, so it's on to Buffalo for a three-year, $3.8-million deal.

Gary Shelton
Keeping up with the Johnsons
Somewhere, a man hunches over a piece of paper, trying as hard as he can to imagine the future.

Lightning
A few extra bucks really can help
Tom Wilson said some reassuring things last week. In case you missed it, the CEO of Lightning owner Palace Sports & Entertainment said the team is not for sale and that "we're as firmly committed to Tampa Bay as we have ever been."

College basketball
Going a long way to get far
USF is in Indiana for the NIT and likely will travel again if it wins.

Seminoles ax Robinson as coach
After four straight losing seasons, Florida State makes a change.

From the ashes, Florida Atlantic now a winner
Sidney Green, 2-28 his first season, has Owls in their first NCAA Tournament 2 years later.

UF mulls Haslem as a sub
GAINESVILLE -- In an effort to keep his star center and team leader out of early foul trouble, Florida coach Billy Donovan said Monday that he is toying with the idea of benching Udonis Haslem for the beginning of Friday's NCAA Tournament first-round game against Creighton.

Baseball
Another step for 'El Duque'
TAMPA -- A couple of hours after manager Joe Torre said he wasn't close to making any decisions on his Nos. 4 and 5 starters, Orlando Hernandez strengthened his bid.

Motorsports
Petty team takes small step ahead
HAMPTON, Ga. -- Petty Enterprises showed signs of life Sunday as two of its three cars finished among the top 15 in the MBNA America 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Colleges
Gator spring football
SCRIMMAGE: 9 a.m. March 16. Other scrimmages will be scheduled later

The deadliest sport in America
Pole vaulting has the highest death rate of any sport in the country.

University of Tampa on a roll to begin season
Coming off their first conference title, the Spartans are 10-1.

Preps
Longtime Pinellas Park assistant takes the reins
After nine years as an assistant coach at Pinellas Park, Luke Kademoff will take over as head coach for the 2002 season.

Looking up
The days are not so long anymore for Lakewood coach Eileen Givens.

Panther wants to return to dugout
TAMPA -- Plant pitcher Patrick Goitia, who had a minor stroke last week, had surgery Sunday and is expected to return to light activity in the coming months.

Outdoors
Daily fishing report
The southern piece of the Middle Grounds, about 80 nautical miles northwest of Tarpon Springs, has been producing excellent catches of amberjack, gag grouper and mangrove snapper.