[AP photo]

After second straight last-place finish, Rays replace Hal McRae as manager, creating a front-office job for him. Story Tampa's Lou Piniella might top fans' wish list, but there are serious roadblocks to even interviewing him. Story

The name game
The Rays this week are going to start looking for a new manager. GM Chuck LaMar said they will consider a number of candidates from inside and outside the organization, with no prerequisite of previous managerial experience. For the sake of conversation, here is a list of potential candidates:

Alvarez, Gomez released in Rays roster shuffle
ST. PETERSBURG -- In addition to the removal of Hal McRae as manager, the Rays made several other costly roster moves Monday.

John Romano
What 'victor' wants the spoils of these Rays?
ST. PETERSBURG -- If you watched, you saw Chuck LaMar claim responsibility. If you listened, you heard LaMar say the decision was his.

Bucs
Another fall from grace? Bucs hope not
October has been a scary month in seasons past for Tampa Bay.

Long snapper hurt; Walker out for year
TAMPA -- Bucs long-snapper Mike Solwold, an inconspicuous but significant role player who snaps the ball on all punts and field goals, has a left foot sprain and is out for Sunday's game in Atlanta and perhaps longer.

Lightning
Poor show of faith in Tortorella
TAMPA -- The people who run the Lightning made a mistake last summer. They had a chance to make a strong statement about the direction they want the team to go, and they blew it.

Future status of G Hodson still unclear
TAMPA -- The Lightning's game tonight against the Thrashers at the St. Pete Times Forum is its last before Friday's waiver draft. With Kevin Hodson's attempt to become Nikolai Khabibulin's backup still being evaluated, it seems logical Hodson would get another look.

NFL
Ravens make their points vs. Broncos
BALTIMORE -- Winless no more, the Ravens made a mockery of the unbeaten Denver Broncos long before Chris McAlister taunted them during the longest play in NFL history.

Report: Black coaches last hired, first fired
BALTIMORE -- Attorney Johnnie Cochran Jr. released a report Monday that criticizes the NFL's hiring practice involving black head coaches, and he threatened to sue the league if it does not adhere to suggestions to remedy the situation.

Around the AFC
BENGALS: Offensive lineman Richmond Webb tore a muscle in his chest against Tampa Bay and is expected to miss the rest of the season. Top draft pick Levi Jones will start at Indianapolis.

Around the NFC
BEARS: Linebacker Rosevelt Colvin had two sacks, extending his streak to seven games, tying a team record set by Alonzo Spellman.

Life without Chucky? Good so far for Raiders
It's too early to tell whether coach Jon Gruden is worth all of the cash and high draft picks the Bucs gave up to get him from Oakland. But this much is clear: The Raiders are doing fine without him.

Ice hockey
Parrots hire former Lightning scout as sales VP
ST. PETERSBURG -- The AHL's Parrots named Don Murdoch vice president and director of corporate sales. Murdoch, a former scout for the Lightning, also will be the team's governor and have minority ownership.

Baseball
Rays-like Tigers fire manager
DETROIT -- Manager Luis Pujols was fired Monday by the Tigers after their worst season in six years.

NL: Castilla on timely hot streak
ATLANTA -- It was on a diving defensive stop, the kind the Braves signed him for, that Vinny Castilla's season went south.

AL: Closer is ready to be stretched
NEW YORK -- Yankees closer Mariano Rivera is ready to pitch more than one inning at a time despite manager Joe Torre's reluctance to push his star too hard.

Four greats will only get better
Established stars who max out at 26 may be key playoff performers.

NBA
Jordan not panning possible bench time
WASHINGTON -- Michael Jordan is not ready to give up his spot in the starting lineup.

Hill's left ankle looks, feels okay
MAITLAND -- Welcome back, Grant Hill.

College football
Leto graduate has big day
Ohio State receiver Michael Jenkins caught two TD passes Saturday against Indiana.

Around the nation
Injured Vols RB to miss next game

Injuries give shot to Brown
Former Hernando High standout Dee Brown had a big game for Central Florida on Saturday. Bigger games soon might follow.

Motorsports
Arrogance, thy name is Ferrari team
Ferrari teammates Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello are turning Formula One, regarded as the world's premier racing series, into their personal playground.

Et cetera
Sports briefs
UF's Halton quits team

Preps
Florida-Georgia game in Tampa next year?
Tampa is a possible site for next year's Florida-Georgia High School Football All-Star Classic, Florida Athletic Coaches Association executive director Wink Barnette said Monday.

Seminole holds off East Lake, Dunedin
Seminole protected its undefeated record Monday with a one-point victory over East Lake. Dunedin was close behind with 166.

They have Central's number
Seven Rivers Christian beats the Bears for the second time this season.