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The Bucs' core of veterans has been through many wars but has never made it to a Super Bowl. For Sapp, Lynch and Brooks, especially, time is running short. Are you ready? This is the most important day of Heather Longo's life, and it's giving her nightmares. Gary Shelton: Bucs can take it or leave it PHILADELPHIA -- Once, John Elway stood on the same ledge. Once, he faced the same doubters. John Romano: Gimme five! TALK OF THE TOWN Hubert Mizell: Today it's okay to root, root for the home team Media homers are predominantly offensive ... but having seen -- even shared -- pains of tormented generations of Bucs fans, from followers of 0-26 originals in 1976-77, to ticket-buying victims from the exasperating '80s, on into the excruciating early '90s, is it okay if an old sports writer -- just for today -- puts a gentle muffler on objectivity and pulls for Super Bowl deliverance from so many who overpaid dues? Side show: A guide for the football-impaired You don't know a quarterback from Nickelback. "Paper or plastic?" has more meaning in your life than "Run or pass?" Down is the stuff in your jacket that's been keeping you warm. And for all you care, the coach of the Bucs might as well have starred in those Chucky slasher movies. Bucs defense fears no power TAMPA -- The thing about reputations is that they don't need to be true, they just need to be. McNabb makes wins his duty PHILADELPHIA -- He salvaged an image from the rubble of disappointment. Even keel disguises Reid's passion for game PHILADELPHIA -- The temperature outside was 27 degrees, cold enough to squeeze snow flurries from passing clouds. Familiarity breeds success for offensive line TAMPA -- They aren't going to pound their chests and point their fingers at critics in the traditional "I told you so!" manner. Sideline THE FIRST WORD Little to love, but Vet was home It's easy, in typing a site's address, to get things mixed up, like confusing 700club.com with 700level.com. Chucky's chalk talk Bucs coach Jon "Chucky" Gruden on today's opponent, the Eagles: What they're saying Eagles return man Brian Mitchell was the one to take issue with (Warren) Sapp's venomous statements about Veterans Stadium this week, not the Eagles' tight-lipped defenders. Sapp said the stadium is "a (expletive) of a place, my mother can't even come." The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' equally loquacious defensive end Simeon Rice said the Bucs are "going to blow the place up." We predict GARY SHELTON Guest column: Revamped Bucs pose new threat I think this is an entirely different team from the ones that have lost in Philadelphia the past two years. This team has a different coaching staff, you have a totally different mentality. Sure, it has no explosive people on offense, none, and that eliminates an element. But it's more efficient, you have receivers that can make plays, they're big guys. Ditka rates '85 Bears defense vs. 2002 Bucs Whether the 1985 Bears, 2000 Ravens or 2002 Bucs can claim the NFL's best-ever defense, one thing is clear: Bears coach Mike Ditka and defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan rode herd on the most colorful cast of without-the-ball characters since facemasks became de rigueur. Trail of tears In the past three seasons, the Eagles have beaten the Bucs four times, twice in the playoffs: Kickin' back: Legend smiles on today's Bucs Hall of Fame defensive end Lee Roy Selmon was the leader of the Bucs when the team made the NFC Championship Game in 1979. Here are his perspectives on the Bucs today, the University of South Florida, amateur athletics and the great upsets of all time. TV crew sees a different Bucs To this weekend's broadcasting team, Bucs coach Jon Gruden has been worth the price already. Jurevicius joins Bucs, will play PHILADELPHIA -- Receiver Joe Jurevicius joined the Bucs at the team hotel Saturday afternoon and will play today. Letters: Bucs chat There was no way the 49ers could beat the Giants, but they did. There was no way the Falcons could beat the Packers in Green Bay, but they did. There was no way David could slay the giant with a slingshot and three stones, but he did. The so-called experts say there is no way the Bucs can beat the Eagles. I guess they don't know who they are, or what they are, or what they are made of. I really feel sorry for the Eagles. They don't know what they're in for. Rays Rays wait to expand roster on the cheap With the signing last week of infielder Marlon Anderson, the Devil Rays probably are done making additions to the big-league roster this offseason. Lightning Tampa Bay finds itself just average FLYERS 3, LIGHTNING 2: The Lightning, with its seventh loss in nine games, drops to .500 for the first time this season. Even on ice, fever present It wasn't overwhelming but, during this Tampa Bay at Philadelphia matchup, football was on some fans' minds. Past vs. Senators looming PHILADELPHIA -- The way center Tim Taylor sees it, Monday begins a new season for the .500 Lightning, and what better way to start than by beating the Senators? NFL Smack is back The Raiders have returned to the hard-hitting, trash-talking, sometimes nasty team of the past. Tonight's game AFC Championship: Titans (12-5_ at Raiders (12-5) Underappreciated Titans have been here before OAKLAND, Calif. -- It doesn't matter to the Titans that they are big underdogs today, that all the attention in is on the Raiders, that they seem to be mere bit players. Jaguars' GM pick stays in Baltimore JACKSONVILLE -- The Jaguars have ended discussions with Phil Savage about becoming the team's general manager, a team spokesman said Saturday. Tennis Venus overcomes 33 errors to advance to quarterfinal MELBOURNE, Australia -- Venus Williams had her latest opponent sprawling and sighing, and she stayed on course for a fourth straight Grand Slam final against her sister, Serena. Season on the bubble No. 13 Creighton 85, SIU 76 OMAHA, Neb. -- Kyle Korver had 24 points and 11 rebounds Saturday, and Creighton overcame a 13-point first-half deficit to hand Southern Illinois its first Missouri Valley loss. College football Walton TD caps North win MOBILE, Ala. -- Shane Walton only needed to touch the ball once Saturday. In brief Kwan near perfect in winning 7th U.S. title DALLAS -- Michelle Kwan reasserted herself Saturday night with the style and perfection that has marked her career, winning her sixth straight U.S. Figure Skating Championships title and seventh overall. NHL Slapshots 700 Club Maple Leafs spoil Julien's debut in Montreal MONTREAL -- Nik Antropov scored 56 seconds into overtime as the Maple Leafs spoiled new Canadiens coach Claude Julien's league debut with a 3-2 win Saturday night. College basketball Florida escapes South Carolina with win COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Matt Bonner's outside shooting touch was a little off. Gator focus on win, not UT mystique GAINESVILLE -- Forget the pageantry of having one of the most storied women's college basketball programs in the nation in town. USF holds off rally to upset Memphis MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Jimmy Baxter had 21 points and four assists Saturday as South Florida defeated Memphis 75-74. UConn reaches record of 55 straight wins HARTFORD, Conn. -- Connecticut made history Saturday -- then celebrated as if it won a national championship. Top 25: Terps take out Devils again COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Cole Field House and the Comcast Center are across campus from each other. Maryland found a bridge between its old and new arenas: beating No. 1 Duke. Wolfpack keeps 'Noles winless in conference TALLAHASSEE -- For a half Saturday, Florida State looked as if it would get its first win in the Atlantic Coast Conference, but the Seminoles could not keep up with North Carolina State, losing their fourth conference game 70-63. St. John's rallies from 16 down WASHINGTON -- Marcus Hatten scored 14 of his game-high 34 in the final 3:17 to help St. John's erase a 16-point deficit in the final seven minutes and beat Georgetown 77-72 Saturday. Autos Fans, drivers get close for charity WINSTON SALEM, N.C. -- Dale Earnhardt Inc. donated the shell of a No. 8 Chevrolet driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr. for the charity auction at Saturday's Winston Cup Preview. NBA Magic puts Hill on injured list ORLANDO -- Grant Hill is out of action again. Golf Baddeley extends lead to 2 HONOLULU -- Aaron Baddeley took three years to reach the PGA Tour, but Saturday he looked to be in a hurry to win his first event at the Sony Open. Preps Late win a building block for Jesuit CLEARWATER -- Jesuit got a goal from Travis Hamilton in the 79th minute to beat Clearwater Central Catholic 2-1 Saturday. Hernando wins Springstead title SPRING HILL -- With the spotlight shining down in the darkened gym, Hernando took center stage at the Masada Springstead Invitational. For their collective performance on the mat, the Leopards earned the team title with 209 points, edging Tampa Jesuit's 198-point effort. Brandon dominates Gainesville tournament GAINESVILLE -- Brandon remained undefeated Saturday with a victory in the Domino's Invitational Tournament, which was a combination of pool dual and individual competition. Cowboys, Tigers suffer losses DUNEDIN -- A new starting lineup and a new defensive strategy was almost enough for Gaither to overcome Boca Ciega in the Dunedin Shootout Saturday. But even Cowboys coach Dwayne Olinger admitted that their new system will take some time to learn as Gaither fell 63-75 to the Pirates. Packers knock off top-ranked team DUNEDIN -- The late Frank Griffin, the head coach of Dunedin's 1966 state championship team, taught pride in the community and had an appetite for competition. So it was fitting that on the day the Frank Griffin Athletic Center was dedicated, some of Pinellas County's best teams did the county proud against quality opponents. A new level of PCAC dominance Countryside sets two school records, wins nine individual titles and routs its county foes yet again. Outdoors Daily fishing report Bucs cornerback Ronde Barber went fishing between practices last week. His schedule permitted only a short session of inshore angling early in the morning. Air temperatures had dropped to 40 and the seas were churned from wind, awful conditions that make fishing challenging. Red grouper seem to be on upswing ST. PETERSBURG -- Red grouper stocks are in better shape than first thought, and federal fishery managers might scale back proposed recreational and commercial restrictions.
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