TAMPA, Fla.
Juan
Samuel Phillies Jersey . - Lovie Smith is well aware of Tampa Bays shaky
track record in the NFL draft, as well as the role recent failures have played
in the Buccaneers missing the playoffs the past six seasons. The franchises
third coach in four years has spent the last two months overhauling the roster
through free agency. Now, Smith and first-year general manager Jason Licht are
counting on filling more holes with an infusion of young talent. Barring a
last-minute trade to move up or down in the selection process, the Bucs have six
picks in this weeks draft, beginning with No. 7 overall. Needs include wide
receiver, offensive line, and possibly targeting the clubs quarterback of the
future. As expected, Smith and Licht have given little indication of how they
may be leaning. "I think if we had to play tomorrow, we could line up a pretty
competitive team at every position, but youre always trying to upgrade," Smith
said. "There are some positions we would like to upgrade, but Ill be saying that
every year, and thats the way you should always be thinking." The Bucs have
signed career backup Josh McCown to be their starting quarterback. They also
acquired six other projected new starters in free agency: defensive end
Michael Johnson, cornerback Alterraun Verner, centre Evan Dietrich-Smith, tackle
Anthony Collins, defensive tackle Clinton McDonald and tight end Brandon Myers.
To ensure long-term success, though, Smith and Licht are adamant they have to
build through the draft. The Bucs, who havent made the playoffs since 2007, have
only one player remaining on the roster who was drafted in 2009 or 2010 — the
first two springs of the reclamation project the team launched under former GM
Mark Dominik and ex-coach Raheem Morris. It helps that its two-time Pro Bowl
defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, the third overall pick in 2010. But an inability
to nurture other young prospects into productive pros ultimately led to the
demise of Dominik and the two coaches he worked with: Morris and Greg Schiano,
who was dismissed in January after just two seasons. "Is it hard to make up, and
is it a hindrance? Thats probably one of the reasons why Jason and I are both
here right now," Smith said of failed drafts in general. "If you have to have
one guy remaining you would like for it to be Gerald, of course," Smith added.
"Our plan is for us to do better on the draft and make that our foundation. I
feel like well do that." Five things to remember as Smith and Licht continue to
put their stamp on the Bucs: QB? MAYBE: While the consensus is Tampa Bay has a
pressing need is for a speedy receiver to play opposite Vincent Jackson, the
Bucs lack a clear-cut quarterback of the future. McCown is 34. And, theres no
indication Smith and Licht consider second-year pro Mike Glennon the long-term
solution. So if Johnny Manziel is available at No. 7, would the Bucs balk at
selecting a player who would almost certainly bring a circus-like atmosphere to
town? "In terms of fan interest and selling tickets, we are lucky to work for
the Glazers, who have hired us both to make us a better football team. ... We
are just going to make the best football decision, whats best for our football
team," Licht said. "I think Lovie and his staff can handle the rest of it." IF
NOT A QB, THEN WHO?: Clemsons Sammy Watkins and Texas A&Ms Mike Evans are
among the top-rated receivers . Most people feel Watkins will be long gone by
the time the Bucs turn comes. WELL-PREPARED: Smith spent the past year out of
football after being fired by the Chicago Bears following the 2012 season. Being
off gave him more time than usual to watch college games, thus get a head start
on evaluating talent for the draft. DONT BE SURPRISED: The Bucs have one pick in
every round except the fourth. They may be tempted to trade out of the seventh
spot, dropping lower in the first round while adding additional selections in
later rounds. That seems more likely than moving up into the top five. NEED VS.
BEST PLAYER: Licht offers this spin on the traditional draft-day strategy: "Our
team needs in September are going to be totally different than they are right
now. The player you take you may not think we have a need for him now, but a lot
of times youre thankful you have them when the season starts." ___ AP NFL
website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL
Darren
Daulton Phillies Jersey . - Chelseas 1-0 win at the Etihad, spoiling
Manchester Citys perfect home record continues to be the talking point of the
week.
Chase
Utley Phillies Jersey . If Vettel wins at Suzuka on Sunday, and his
nearest rival Fernando Alonso finishes worse than eighth, the German driver will
join his compatriot Michael Schumacher and Argentine Juan-Manuel Fangio as the
only men to win four consecutive titles.
http://www.philliesbaseballproshop.com/mike-schmidt-phillies-jersey/ . On July 27 cyclings best-known race will host "La Course by Le Tour de France"
-- a one-day womens competition staged hours before Tour riders race on the same
circuit to finish the three-week event on Paris Champs-Elysees.CALGARY --
Canadas luge team is for sale again. The sliders slapped "For Sale" stickers on
their helmets to attract a corporate sponsor just a few months before the 2010
Vancouver Olympics. The strategy worked, but that sponsorship money has run out
with the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, on the horizon. Alex Gough, Sam
Edney and the rest of the luge team got out their "For Sale" decals and signs
again. They invited the media Tuesday for their first training runs of the
season at Canada Olympic Park. "Countries like Germany have such a huge pool of
athletes and the corporate backing we havent been able to secure," Gough said.
"Our previous sponsor gave us that and gave us that edge. Now that partnership
has ended, we really need someone else to step up. "It worked last time so we
figured wed give the "For Sale" thing another try." The difference between
Canadas luge team pre-2010 and pre-2014 is that it is capable of winning the
countrys first Olympic medal in the sport in Sochi. Prior to 2010, luge was the
weakest of Canadian sliding sports behind bobsled and skeleton. Gough, a
26-year-old Calgarian, has broken up German domination of womens singles with a
pair of World Cup victories, nine other World Cup medals and two world
championship bronze medals over the last four years. The team relay -- which
will makes its Olympic debut in February -- is also fertile ground to produce a
Canadian medal. Gough, Edney and the mens doubles team of Tristan Walker and
Justin Snith, all from Calgary, won silver at this years world championship and
bronze in 2012. "For the first time ever, were going to be poised to win a
medal," said Tim Farstad, executive director of the Canadian Luge Association.
"I think it would be great for a sponsor to come along for the ride." The luge
team raced toboggans down a snowy Calgary hill wearing their "For Sale" stickers
in February 2009. Gough now called that a "creative stunt." Within a day, the
team was contacted by the investment company Fast Track Capital and a five-year
deeal worth just over $1 million was reached.
Philadelphia Phillies Jersey.
However, the company was unable to fulfil the final year of its commitment. A
former luger and president of an oil and gas company awarded cash bonuses to
athletes for podium and top-10 finishes for two years after the 2010 Games, but
those incentives no longer exist. The luge team will get $973,000 in funding in
2013-14 from Own The Podium, the organization that directs taxpayer dollars to
national sports federations. In the four years between 2010 and 2014, OTP will
have directed $3.2 million to the luge team. OTP money goes to athletes who have
demonstrated Olympic and world championship medal potential. Top sliders like
Gough and Edney have personal sponsorships, but the CLA needs a team sponsor to
fund the next generation of sliders. "Sponsorship money filled the gaps and
voids between the national team, junior national team and all the way down to
grassroots programs," Edney explained. "We need that money to bring those
athletes up and get them to the world level and get them to the podium." The
lugers arent the only Canadian team to lose a title sponsor post-2010. Canada
Post ended its relationship with the freestyle team this year. The bobsled and
skeleton teams have been without a title sponsor since 2011 when its contract
with credit card company Visa expired. General Motors left Alpine Canada, but
the organization brought Audi on board in 2011. "I know its tough out there,"
Farstad said. "We dont expect to be treated any different than anybody else. I
know the big sports have lost sponsors. For us, it was just bad luck, Id say.
"Its not demoralizing. Were in the best situation weve ever been as a sport, so
Im hopeful well find a partner out there." Canadas luge team is currently
training in Calgary before heading to a training camp in Whistler. The World Cup
season opens Nov. 16-17 in Lillehammer, Norway. The Canadian stop on the circuit
is Dec. 6-7 in Whistler. The luge competition at the 2014 Games starts Feb. 8
with mens singles and concludes Feb. 13 with the team relay.
Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '
