Bucs Brooks sore, but glad to be back [Times photo: Toni L. Sandys] And indications are LB Derrick Brooks might be back for good as contract negotiations with the Bucs are speeding toward a resolution. Night Train is on board with Brantley and Bucs His is a career that has taken some unexpected turns, including eight years playing and programming country music. But it seems Ronnie Lane -- you may remember him as the Night Train -- has found his final calling. Now playing One of the traditions of training camp is sharing a room with a teammate. Each day, one Buccaneer is asked to describe his roommate in terms of a popular movie, television or cartoon character. Just like that, Cook is fullback backup TAMPA -- Rookie fullback Jameel Cook doesn't have to look at the depth chart. He is the depth chart.

Paterno's quest is the first obstacle
CORAL GABLES -- The Hurricanes open the season Sept. 1 at Penn State. In a newly renovated Beaver Stadium that seats more than 106,000. In a nationally televised night game.

Area provides much of the Gators' growl
GAINESVILLE -- The final destination is Pasadena, but Florida's road to the national championship starts in Tampa Bay.

Heisman hype arrives
Readers with relatively low tolerances for hype, hyperbole and highfalutin nonsense, beware: Heisman campaigns are already in season.

Spurrier still has soft spot for Duke
GAINESVILLE -- Coach Steve Spurrier admitted during Thursday's media day that he's the man who casts a vote for Duke every year in the coaches preseason poll.

College football roundup
Newcomers impressive at USF

Devil Rays
Nightmare ninth drops Rays
Esteban Yan gives up two-run lead as Luis Sojo rallies Yankees 4-3.

Rays on deck

Justice gives Yanks another nice boost
ST. PETERSBURG -- All Yankees manager Joe Torre wants is for June 30, 2000, to happen again.

Up Next: Twins
7:15 tonight,

Depending on Sojo works again for N.Y.
ST. PETERSBURG -- Luis Sojo forces you to believe in him, no matter his batting average or lack of playing time.

McRae determined to stick with Yan
ST. PETERSBURG -- Despite boos and a second blown save in eight days, Rays manager Hal McRae's confidence in his closer has not wavered.

Baseball
Outfielder adds to powerful Jays offense
The Dunedin Blue Jays, the Florida State League leaders in team batting average (.267), have talented hitters who can make opposing pitchers count ceiling tiles the night before a game.

Preps
Florida advances to Southeast final
Stuart Tapley homers in the seventh to give the team from Apopka a 5-3 victory.