Sports

Linemates and his coach say ex-FSU star Greg Spires has the goods to be a top-notch replacement for Marcus Jones.

Wunsch gets job in Seattle
Tackle Jerry Wunsch, who was released by Tampa Bay on Sunday, signed a one-year contract with Seattle after clearing waivers Monday.

Rays
FSU is out, but juco may be in for Upton
ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays aren't going to lose first-round draft pick B.J. Upton to the Florida State Seminoles.

Giving himself a break
Rays second baseman Brent Abernathy may need to ease up on himself to return to his solid form of last season.

Gary Shelton
Can Florida State and Florida rely on their aura of invincibility?
The season opens Saturday. In years past, Florida would have been 8-0 already.

U.S. Open Tennis
Emotions run high as Open begins
Lindsay Davenport wins comeback, and cancer survivor Corina Morariu just happy to play despite loss to Serena Williams.

NCAA champion aces test in her pro debut
NEW YORK -- NCAA champion Bea Bielik, making her professional debut as a wild card at the U.S. Open, was in the midst of a rather ordinary match against Renata Voracova when she suddenly took it to another level.

College football
UCF gains national spotlight
ORLANDO -- Once again, Central Florida steps into the lion's den.

Haynes grounds offense of UCF
The Orlando Evans product is expected to enliven running game.

Around the nation
Hurricanes, Sooners tied at No. 1 in nation

NFL
Viking player's wife dies
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The wife of Vikings offensive lineman Lewis Kelly died of complications from her pregnancy, the second straight year of preseason tragedy for the team.

Green Bay overcomes sloppy start
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Renovations at Lambeau Field are 70 percent complete, and the Packers' makeover remains a work in progress.

Stung by a cousin's deceit
NFL rookie Markese Fitzgerald is paying for the theft of his identity by a close boyhood relative.

NFC news
GIANTS: Frank Ferrara is to be the new starting defensive right end, and incumbent Kenny Holmes isn't happy about it. "It's an insult, of course," Holmes said after practicing with the second team.

AFC news
BENGALS: Gus Frerotte was chosen as starting quarterback, adding to the team's legacy of bringing in a new passer for the start of each season. It has opened the last five with a different quarterback. Coach Dick LeBeau picked Frerotte over incumbent Jon Kitna and Akili Smith.

Baseball
MLB owners await move from players
NEW YORK -- Just four days before players are scheduled to strike, the sides stopped their public posturing and devoted Monday to a series of meetings that went late into the night.

O's pitcher has charge dropped
BALTIMORE -- A second-degree assault charge against Orioles pitcher Scott Erickson was dropped after prosecutors interviewed the player's live-in girlfriend, prosecutors said.

Trade, hitters can't make ex-Eagles ace back down
Ryan Snare's determination and curveball make him one of the top pitching prospects in the minor leagues.

Et cetera
In brief
Russian disputes skating fix

Around the state
Three Gators are cited for alcohol violations

Motorsports
Gordon so upbeat he's talking title
For six months, Jeff Gordon managed to stay in the hunt for a fifth Winston Cup championship despite not winning a race.

Preps
Ten pressing questions
The high school football season begins in less than two weeks. Leading up to preseason games, the Times will answer 10 pressing questions facing Pinellas schools.

National poll lists Jefferson at No. 11
Tampa Jefferson was ranked 11th in the nation in the most recent National Prep Football poll, compiled by Jamie DeMoney, Jeremy Plowman and a panel of sportswriters.

Code to skip senior H.S. season
TAMPA -- Top national junior golfer Mallory Code will not return to play for Chamberlain for her senior season.

Robinson to transfer to prep school in N.C.
TAMPA -- Brandon girls basketball player Kiana Robinson need not worry about the Florida High School Activities Association revoking her eligibility to play her senior season.

Outdoors
Daily fishing report
Offshore fishing for blue marlin, white marlin and sailfish is superb. Fishing 242 degrees from John's Pass, 135 miles offshore near the Steps, has produced the best billfishing in this area in more than 25 years.

On The Wire
For 3rd time, Woods cancels meeting with police

No. 1 vs. No. 2 in SEC title game _ again

Colts remain perfect, win AFC South

Young rallies Titans to 20-17 win over Cardinals

Favre leads Vikings past Cutler, Bears 36-10

AP Source: Eli Manning has stress reaction in foot

Waiting word on Weis: All's quiet on Irish front

Chargers D leads way in 43-14 win over Chiefs

Revis returns INT for TD, Jets beat Panthers 17-6

Nets fire coach Lawrence Frank after 0-16 start