Bucs The Bucs set a team record and equal the Titans for tops in the NFL by getting eight players named to the Pro Bowl roster. Story For help, Rams decide to call in the inventor Lagging on defense, the team got Bud Carson. Middleton makes his feelings clear TAMPA -- The trash talk has begun. Bucs-Rams expected to lift slumping MNF Bucs and Rams fans aren't the only ones looking forward to the Monday Night Football showdown between the Super Bowl champions and the NFC runners-up.

Hubert Mizell
USF still has big mess to clean up
It's just one splat of mud from a deep, troubling University of South Florida puddle.

Lightning/NHL
Phoenix rally adds to Lightning frustration
Claude Lemieux scores in the second and third to beat Tampa Bay 3-2.

Modin looking to regain touch
PHOENIX -- The cannon that is Fredrik Modin's shot had grown, at least temporarily, somewhat silent.

Do unto others, blah, blah, blah
NEW YORK -- Wednesday night in Montreal, it was an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth and a couple of elbows for a couple of heads.

NHL briefs
Slump leads Mighty Ducks to fire coach

NFL
NFL takes stance against gambling sites
In the zoo that is sports and the Internet, the NFL has shown itself to be the proverbial 800-pound gorilla. And as Yahoo.com found out this week, it's a gorilla that doesn't like gambling.

NFL briefs
Rams players fined $90,000

Devil Rays
Rays keep coach in Durham
The Devil Rays expect to have a young team of home-grown prospects at Triple-A Durham this season, but they'll have an experienced hand to guide them.

College basketball
For some former players, a sense of sadness
"I didn't want that to happen to her," Avia Lee says of Winters losing her job. "I just wanted something to be done."

New coach Fernandez optimistic
Jose Fernandez's leadership "in very difficult times" is praised.

Sanders knows his strengths
South Florida senior brings defense, energy and slashing ability to the starting lineup, and he said he still has more to contribute.

Men's college basketball briefs
Skid extends for Chaney, Temple

Women's college basketball briefs
Badgers top Evansville

College football
College football briefs
Alabama hires new assistant

NBA
NBA briefs
Raptors slip by Knicks

Et cetera
Sports briefs

Preps
Three Cobras earn all-state
For the third time in four seasons, Hudson placed its best player on the Class 4A all-state volleyball team. And this time, she has company.

Eagles beat Rams, move in on first-round bye
NEW PORT RICHEY -- East Lake coach John Planamenta urged his team to stay focused prior to Thursday's game against River Ridge because he knew the outcome might have significant consequences down the road.

Poor shooting dooms Lecanto in loss to Citrus
INVERNESS -- Fouls, free-throw shooting, rebounding and turnovers were not what separated Citrus and Lecanto.

South Sumter to leave GCAC
South Sumter's 14-year association with the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference will end after the school year because many of the league's schools have grown too large and scheduling has become a problem.

Winning steak binds father and son
Jarrod Thompson has helped keep it alive this season while Tim Thompson did the same more than 20 years ago.

Rams honor their friend with big win
ZEPHYRHILLS -- Ashley Morrison would have liked this one.

Depth gives Spartans chance to remain hot
Lakewood and Largo, along with upstart Countryside and surprising Boca Ciega, have established themselves early as the top public schools in Pinellas County.

Cougars avoid costly pins to hold off Eagles
EAST LAKE -- After losing the Pinellas County Athletic Conference title to East Lake last season, Countryside exacted a token of revenge Thursday night by beating the host Eagles in a dual meet 37-23.

Anthony lifts Hawks to win
The Armwood star scores 37 points to lead the Hawks past Robinson and into a nine-day break.

Tornadoes are state's best
Two Clearwater seniors, setter Melanie Custer and outside hitter Katy Barber, were named to the Class 4A all-state first team Thursday.