Sports

Gary Shelton
Okay, now it's looking like a competition
TAMPA -- Maybe Jon Gruden was right. Maybe it wasn't a competition.

Coleman's injury poses an immediate test
Bucs guard is hurt in warmups, causing a last-second shuffle of the starting offensive line, which plays the entire first half.

Murphy starts with something pretty special
TAMPA -- Fans eager to catch a glimpse of Jon Gruden's new offense had to wait a few minutes while special teams coach Richard Bisaccia's unit made Monday night's most smashing debut.

Bucs running backs provide some extra punch
With big gains from Pittman, Stecker, Stephens, Tampa Bay totals 182 yards rushing, most against first- and second-string Dolphins.

Rays
Homer won't tempt rookie to slug away
As long as he is getting hits and getting on base, Carl Crawford isn't concerned with upping his home run total.

Up next for the Rays: Cleveland
SCOUTING REPORT: When new general manager Mark Shapiro said it was time to dump salary and rebuild, he wasn't kidding. Since the end of last season, the Indians have gotten rid of Roberto Alomar, Bartolo Colon, Juan Gonzalez, Chuck Finley, Paul Shuey and Ricardo Rincon. They also fired manager Charlie Manuel.

Baseball
Players pass on strike date
Citing progress in baseball talks, union opts to wait and see if a deal can be worked out in next few days.

Hall of Famer Slaughter, beloved for hustle, dies
DURHAM, N.C. -- Enos "Country" Slaughter, the hustling Hall of Famer who made a "Mad Dash" home to win the 1946 World Series, then tangled with Jackie Robinson the next year, died Monday at age 86.

Cansecos mull plea bargain in club fight
MIAMI -- Former MVP and Rays designated hitter Jose Canseco and his twin brother considered a plea deal Monday to avoid trial over a Halloween scuffle at a local nightclub.

Preps
Dunedin takes two, sitting pretty in Ky.
The Dunedin Senior softball team found itself in unfamiliar territory Monday in a 1-0 win over Kentucky at the Little League World Series.

No two-a-days this year
Practice officially begins without the annual late summer mainstay due to a scheduling quirk.

Storm
Storm: at least $700,000 lost
TAMPA -- The Storm recovered from a 1-5 start to make the Arena League playoffs, but it could not escape the economic repercussions of the worst season in franchise history.

Motorsports
CART race progress continues
Race day is barely six months away and officials are excited about the progress being made in preparation for the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. The race through the city's downtown streets will open CART's 2003 season Feb. 23.

College football
Helmetmakers aim for better safety
CHICAGO -- The NFL's top helmet manufacturer looks to make an impact in college with a new model it says could reduce the risk of concussions.

Outdoors
Daily fishing report
If you are looking for a fight, late-season tarpon will oblige. Several have been caught and released along St. Pete Beach lately and the flow at Anna Maria also has been steady.

On The Wire
Report: UK police officer loses Olympics documents

Jayhawks send Baylor to first loss of season

No. 1 Syracuse at 20-0 after 71-63 win over Pitt

Fisher's late 3 pushes Lakers past Mavericks 73-70

Westbrook's 3s lead Thunder past Celtics 97-88

Djokovic, Williams into Australian Open 2nd round

Tebow has earned starting status in 2012

Filly Havre de Grace wins Horse of the Year

Crosby to meet with specialist as symptoms linger

AP Top 25: Syracuse stays on top for 6th week