Walker not out of plans [Times photo: James Borchuck] Disgruntled Bucs tackle meets with coach Jon Gruden, who says player still can earn way into lineup.

Gary Shelton

Rays
Loss brings another trip into the depths
RED SOX 6, RAYS 3: Tanyon Sturtze loses his 16th game, setting team records in the process.

Johnson thrilled about return
ST. PETERSBURG -- The moment was a triumph so intense that Russ Johnson needed to pause before even trying to elaborate about it.

Minor-leaguer due for'Baseball America' honor
ST. PETERSBURG -- Outfielder Rocco Baldelli has picked up several awards this year during his rapid rise through the Rays farm system, but he'll get the biggest today when he is named Baseball America's Minor League Player of the Year.

Lightning
St. Louis shows offform after surgery
BRANDON -- Martin St. Louis picked up the puck along the wall, carried it into the slot and cut hard to the right before getting off a shot.

NFL
Texans still aglow on day after shocking win
HOUSTON -- The Texans will have state bragging rights over the Dallas Cowboys until the teams meet again in four years.

Pats' new targets run over Steelers
FOXBORO, Mass. -- Tom Brady remains the same. It's just the supporting cast that has changed for the New England Patriots.

Williams' path to bonuses eased
DAVIE -- The Dolphins are so happy with Ricky Williams, they sweetened his contract before he even played a game.

Around the NFC
BEARS: Offensive tackle James Williams made his ninth consecutive season-opening start for Chicago and his 119th consecutive start overall. ... Defensive end Phillip Daniels (ankle) and defensive back R.W. McQuarters (knee) left in the second quarter.

Browns goat stands and takes the heat
By now, Browns linebacker Dwayne Rudd has been called every name in the book after his penalty for removing his helmet essentially cost the Browns the game against the Chiefs.

Around the AFC
BENGALS: Defensive tackle Tony Williams hit a TV camera on the sideline after a Chargers touchdown. A team official apologized to the Dayton TV station and offered to pay for a broken lens cap.

Etc.
They're off in their own little world
Fencers get little sponsorship or attention -- and that's fine with them.

Newman wants to move up 1 more spot
Another race, another runner-up finish for Ryan Newman.

Sports briefs
V.Williams eschews tourney, faces fine

Baseball
NL: Idle Braves clinch when Phils lose
ATLANTA -- The Braves are always looking for ways to break up the monotony.

AL: Oakland takes first game of shootout in the West
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Jermaine Dye and Terrence Long homered as Tim Hudson and the Athletics won for the 23rd time in 24 games, beating the Angels 2-1 on Monday.

Memorandum says clubs must reinvest to improve
Critics of baseball's new labor deal point to the absence of a minimum payroll, which seemingly could allow the owners of low-revenue teams to pocket their enlarged checks for revenue sharing. That, commissioner Bud Selig said Monday, is "just a myth going around."

Colleges
Community college guard commits to USF
TAMPA -- The South Florida men's team gained its first commitment for the 2003-04 season, Ricardo Freeman of Seward County (Kansas) Community College.

Arkansas defense takes aim at USF
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- The Razorbacks defense made sure whatever jitters it had during its opener against Boise State were kept in check.

Around the state
USF No. 1 in run defense

FAMU QB finds form in Game 2
So, it wasn't just Casey Printers.

NBA
Kings' Webber indicted on charges of lying to grand jury
DETROIT -- Kings star Chris Webber was indicted Monday on charges he lied to a grand jury about his dealings with a University of Michigan booster more than a decade ago.

Preps
Birthday girl seals Lecanto win
The Panthers, down 8-3 in the third game, rally past Crystal River.

Outdoors
Daily fishing report
Pompano can't resist them. Neither can a red drum or speckled trout. Not even finicky snook can pass on a mole crab. It is better known as a sand flea and is one of the best baits going.