We are truly lucky in the Tampa area.
Although there are a lot of bandwagon jumpers and transplants down here rooting for other teams, we have three professional teams to be proud of.
What other area can brag about the young talent we have in key positions. Josh Freeman with the Bucs, Evan Longoria and David Price (maybe Matt Moore soon) with the Rays and Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman with the Bolts
All three teams are building with young players and not overspending on veterans who are past their primes. All three have coaches who have a fresh outlook on the game and on life. Joe Maddon, Raheem Morris and Guy Boucher have gotten to know each other and have become friends. They are exchanging ideas. Maddon was on the sidelines for a Bucs game. Boucher made a point to support the Rays after practice Monday.
"Every team that does well in our city, it heightens the enthusiasm and the interest people have for sports," Boucher said. "They're showing that they've got character. They're pulling for whatever they can do to make the city proud, so we're one of the first to be behind them."
You can throw USF coach Skip Holtz into the group, too. What a job he has done in a short time, not only making the team better but much more classy.
Yes, the Red Sox have allowed the Rays back in. But it has been Maddon's steady hand that has not let the Rays fall out of contention. Sometimes he overuses his bench and makes too many pitching changes, but his players want to play for him. It's the same with Morris and Boucher.
The Rays are in good shape for the future. Jump on board. They may not win every year, but they are likely to be competitive every season. Hopefully, the economy turns around in the area and the attendance improves. A nice new stadium in Tampa would help, too. Just look at the TV ratings (yeah, you ESPN guys). The Rays were near the top last season and in the middle of the pack in 2011. The fans are here.
Have to like the way the Bucs gutted out that game against the Falcons Sunday. It would be great if they continued to take leads and hold on instead of the other way around. If the defense can play like it did against Atlanta, this team has a chance for the playoffs. They can't lose their focus this week against the Indianapolis Colts Monday night. Let's hope the last couple thousand tickets are scooped up.
Boucher paired his roster down to 26 Sunday and there were no surprises. The only difference I had in my projection is I thought Carter Ashton might stick around another week. But it's probably better for the young power forward to start camp with the Norfolk Admirals. He will be an NHLer in the future, perhaps even later this season.
Defenseman Scott Jackson is still on the roster, rehabbing from off season knee surgery.
That leaves, most likely, five forwards for three spots. Rookie Brett Connolly has battled his way into the fight, not looking out of place in the preseason games. Mattias Ritola has produced points in the preseason, Dana Tyrell has done his thing, Tom Pyatt fits in nicely as a lower-line guy and Blair Jones continues to show he belongs.
It won't be an easy decision. You could just send Connolly back to juniors for one more year, but he could be the extra boost of offense you might need. You could send Tyrell down because he doesn't have to go through waivers. But not many players get picked up through waivers anymore. Teams tend to like their own players and trading a 4th liner for a 4th liner through waivers doesn't always make sense. Pyatt, Jones or Ritola getting through waivers to Norfolk is risky, but with added depth it might be worth it.
Looks like the Montreal game is on NHL Network live Thursday. That's what shows on my guide. So we will get to see the next round in that battle.
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-- Mark Pukalo
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