Preps No tees big problem for freshmen kickers [Times photo: Bill Serne] Narrower goal posts, harder footballs, the absence of tees and 90,000 fans make placekicking an adventure at the college level. Putting the tee to the test TAMPA -- In an effort to illustrate just how different it is for a high school kicker to move up to the college level, the Times decided to put one local kicker to the test. Youmans picks Tulane One trip to New Orleans was all East Bay quarterback Bruce Youmans needed to decide Tulane University was the school for him. Packers revel in win LARGO -- After an entire career of losing to the crosstown rivals, Dee Feazell had one look at the basket to change history. Eagles overwhelm struggling Leopards SPRING HILL -- Stephen Bates says he likes this Springstead soccer team more than the one that advanced to the Class 2A Region finals last season.

Darrell Fry
Don't bother to pay attention to baseball
Did you hear the news? In a two-page statement, Major League Baseball announced over the weekend that the 2001 regular season has been canceled.

NFL
Playoffs in danger, Redskins fire Turner
ASHBURN, Va. -- Dan Snyder didn't have much time, nor many options.

Patriots keep slovenly Chiefs sliding
FOXBORO, Mass. -- Drew Bledsoe threw two touchdowns and the Chiefs committed three costly turnovers as the New England Patriots won 30-24 Monday night, handing Kansas City its fifth straight loss.

Around the NFC

Around the AFC

Bucs
'Good' just isn't enough
Norv Turner's firing in Washington reminds Bucs' Tony Dungy of how costly high expectations can be.

Rams are nearing last rites
Since the Bucs schedule was released in the spring, Tampa Bay fans have been eying the Dec.18 Monday night showdown against the St. Louis Rams.

Miami DBs may be able to rest easy
TAMPA -- It's no secret that the Bucs passing game has struggled the past three weeks, so the outlook seems particularly challenging against a Miami defense ranked fifth in the league against the pass.

College football
Donnan Out
Jim Donnan is out at the behest of the University of Georgia president, who went over AD Vince Dooley's head.

College Football Roundup
Mackovic is leaving TV booth for Arizona

Outback Bowl sells out; only schools' tickets left
TAMPA -- Well, that was fast.

Lightning/NHL
Lecavalier takes popularity in stride
The call came while the Lightning was riding the team bus to its recent game against the Panthers at the National Car Rental Center in Sunrise.

Modin improves on his big shot reputation
His 102.1 mph slap shot in the Lightning skills competition is a bit faster than last season's skills blast.

Maple Leafs tie Panthers in final minute
TORONTO -- Dmitri Yushkevich scored the tying goal with 49 seconds left in regulation as the Maple Leafs rallied to tie the Florida Panthers 4-4 Monday night.

NHL roundup
Thrashers first: three consecutive wins

College basketball
Ex-USF assistant AD gets support
An ex-secretary backs Hiram Green and says AD Paul Griffin was given a summary of the investigation into the women's basketball program in spring of 1999. Griffin says otherwise.

Tar Heels shut down 'Canes
Miami shoots 23.4 percent from the field as No.14 North Carolina rolls 67-45.

Furman topples FSU by 5
The Seminoles go down at home thanks to outside shooting.

Knight tells UF crowd about missed chance with Gators
GAINESVILLE -- Bob Knight catches criticism from most every direction. The media. The fair-weather fans. The alumni. It seems all he can do for compassion is go home to his wife.

College Basketball Roundup
Dupay still in hot water at UF

NBA
NBA roundup
Nuggets top Sixers

Outdoors
Captain's Corner
Stone crabs have been the object of attention along the Gulf Coast during the past month.

Et cetera
Sports digest
Mutiny closes in on coach