Goodbye; no hard feelings [Times photo: James Borchuck] Brad Culpepper didn't fail the Buccaneers or himself. It's just that Anthony McFarland is ready to start, coaches say.

Darrell Fry
No sweetness to Sapp's feelings
TAMPA -- When the doorbell rang a little after 10 o'clock that night and Tony Dungy saw who it was, he knew why his visitor was there. The guy was one of his Avila neighbors, but Dungy was certain this wasn't going to be a social call.

Bucs/NFL
McFarland plans to let tackles speak for him
The former first-round pick isn't worried about closer scrutiny now that Brad Culpepper is gone.

Culpepper heads to Bears
TAMPA -- A day after being released by Tampa Bay, Brad Culpepper decided he will play in the Bucs' home opener Sept. 10 after all.

Odom comes back but not for long
TAMPA -- After being out of commission since the third workout of the season, left tackle Jason Odom was eager to see how his back would fare during Tuesday's practice.

Lane's wife sought in death
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A murder warrant was issued Tuesday for the wife of Fred Lane in the July 6 shooting death of the running back, police said.

NFC Notebook
AFC Notebook

Devil Rays/Baseball
Rays ride Rupe's arm to top Twins on road
MINNEAPOLIS -- For once, Ryan Rupe didn't have a whole bunch of runs to work with. This time he couldn't afford to make mistakes. This time he'd have to win it pretty much on his own.

Brett says Helton can hit .400
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Todd Helton can hit .400.

Report: Strawberry had kidney removed
NEW YORK -- Darryl Strawberry had his left kidney removed during cancer surgery this month, placing another hurdle in his possible return to baseball, two news organizations reported.

Bat maker suing to get old contracts
NEWARK, N.J. -- Decades ago, great hitters such as Rogers Hornsby, Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron and Mickey Mantle had barely made their marks when they signed contracts to have their bats made by Hillerich & Bradsby.

Rays farmhands expect U.S. slots
ST. PETERSBURG -- The U.S. baseball team apparently will get a major-league veteran after all.

College football
FSU's Emanuel: discipline is one key to his success
Defensive tackle learned valuable lessons mastering the piano.

Outdoors
Captain's corner
Most people associate shark fishing with night fishing. that is not always appropriate. On days the tidal conditions aren't right for reds or snook on the flats, I anchor upcurrent to a range marker in Tampa Bay. Once anchored, I tie a frozen chum block to one of my boat cleats to create a chum slick that drifts into the marker. Markers are a magnet for bait and predator fish. This chum slick triggers a feeding frenzy. The baitfish feed on the chum, and the larger fish cruise in to feed on fish.

Soccer
Diallo collision leaves MetroStars seething
To Mamadou Diallo, his collision with New York/New Jersey goalkeeper Mike Ammann last Wednesday is a dead issue. To Major League Soccer, which reviewed the collision Friday, it also is in the past.

Brazil's coach under investigation
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -- Prosecutors are examining the bank records of Brazil national team coach Wanderley Luxemburgo as part of an investigation into charges of tax evasion.

Colleges
Slimmer Lions seek return to past
With fewer players on the roster, Saint Leo looks to improve on its 10-8 record from a year ago.

USF's depth takes a hit: Reserve TE sprains knee
TAMPA -- South Florida's attempt to develop depth at tight end took a hit Tuesday morning when freshman Casey Cobb injured his left knee.

Va. Tech receiver plans to transfer
BLACKSBURG, Va. -- Virginia Tech flanker Andrae Harrison, a high school teammate of star quarterback Michael Vick who was expected to become part of the 11th-ranked Hokies' passing game this season, has decided to transfer.

Tight end stronger all around
TALLAHASSEE -- Florida State tight end Nick Franklin, a former Osceola High standout, looks at the 1999 season as a "blessing."

Et cetera
Two tied for lead of Amateur
Reinstated amateur Jeff Wilson, the amateur medalist at the U.S. Open, and Jim Salinetti of the University of Rhode Island shared medal honors at the U.S. Amateur on Tuesday at Springfield, N.J.

FSL
Dunedin thrashes Vero Beach
DUNEDIN -- Tyler Thompson went 3-for-4 with two home runs and three RBI as the Blue Jays pounded the Vero Beach Dodgers 10-2.

NHL
Hearing rescheduled for Krupp, Red Wings
DETROIT -- A hearing in the arbitration case between the Red Wings and defenseman Uwe Krupp has been rescheduled for Sept. 25.

NBA
No. 1 pick Martin signs $9.5-million deal with Nets
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New Jersey Nets on Tuesday signed forward Kenyon Martin, the top pick in June's NBA draft, Bloomberg News reported.

Preps
Around the county
Cross country

Shark takes third at national meet
BRANDON -- Riverview senior DeeDee Haefling capped off a successful summer of track competition earlier this month with a third-place finish in the 1,500 meters at the AAU Junior Olympic Championships at Disney World's Wide World of Sports. She won her bronze medal in 4 minutes, 52 seconds. She also placed fifth in the 3,000 in 10:50.