SB Nation Tampa Bay: All Posts by Eddie Maisonethttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49019/tb-fave.png2012-08-18T15:50:57-04:00https://tampabay.sbnation.com/authors/eddie-maisonet/rss2012-08-18T15:50:57-04:002012-08-18T15:50:57-04:00Titans Vs. Bucs Reaction: Its Not That Bad For Tampa Bay Right Now, Right?
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/">Tennessee Titans</a> gave the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> a definitive 30-7 thumping in their preseason home opener on Friday night. The Bucs have more questions than answers following the game, but fortunately for head coach Greg Schiano, his running back seems to be okay.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.bucsnation.com/2012/8/18/3251029/Titans-Ruin-Bucs-Pre-Season-Home-Opener-30-7">JC De La Torre of Bucs Nation</a> noted that <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37382/legarrette-blount">LeGarrette Blount</a> was "walking on his own power" following Friday's game after suffering an injury on the field.</p>
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<p>The first was seeing <span>LeGarrette Blount</span> walking under his own power and without a brace or ice bandage on his leg after a huge scare in the second quarter. We're not sure of the extent of Blount's injury but Tampa Bay head coach Greg Schiano said it wasn't a knee problem or broken leg as many feared after watching replays of the collision that sent Blount writhing in pain. It seems to be an issue around the groin area.</p>
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<p>Unfortunately, that was the end of the good news. The Bucs looked mighty shaky in game two of the preseason. <span>Josh Freeman</span> completed just 4 of 10 passes for just 21 yards in five series. Freeman did throw a touchdown to Mike Williams on a 2-yard score in the first quarter, but Freeman was largely anemic.</p>
<p>Tampa Bay managed just six first downs in the contest and gave up four scoring drives in the first half of the game versus the Titans. The Bucs have stocked up on plenty of assets, but the time to execute will be here soon. Are the Bucs going to be ready for primetime? Or will this be another rebuilding session in Tampa Bay?</p>
<p><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Stick with <a href="http://tampabay.sbnation.com/2012/8/13/3239546/titans-vs-bucs-tampa-bay-looks-to-build-on-running-the-ball" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #004175; font-weight: bold;">this StoryStream </a>for news updates, injury updates, scores and more from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Tennessee Titans preseason game. For complete Buccaneers coverage, check out <a href="http://www.bucsnation.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #004175; font-weight: bold;">Bucs Nation</a>. For more coverage of the NFL, head over to SB Nation's </i><a href="http://sbnation.com/nfl" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: #ffffff; color: #004175; font-weight: bold; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><i>NFL news hub</i></a><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">.</i></p>
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https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2012/8/18/3252171/titans-vs-bucs-reaction-its-not-that-bad-for-tampa-bay-right-now-rightEddie Maisonet2012-08-18T14:41:44-04:002012-08-18T14:41:44-04:00Tampa Bay Rays Top SS Prospect Hak-Ju Lee Placed On DL With Oblique Injury
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Tampa Bay Rays</a> were dealt with a bit of negative news on Saturday as prized shortstop prospect <span>Hak-Ju Lee</span> went down with an injury. Lee will be placed on the disabled list after suffering an injury to his oblique on Friday. </p>
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<p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/?q=%23Rays"><s>#</s><b>Rays</b></a> top SS prospect Hak-Ju Leeplaced on DL at Double A due to oblique injury</p>
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) <a data-datetime="2012-08-18T18:26:26+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/TBTimes_Rays/status/236891822331396096">August 18, 2012</a>
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<p>Lee was one of the central figures in the trade between the Rays and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a> that sent longtime starter and fan favorite <span>Matt Garza</span> to the Windy City for a slew of prospects. Lee has played in 116 games for the Double-A Rays affiliate Montgomery Biscuits this season and is hitting .261 with 4 home runs and 37 RBI's and 37 stolen bases this season. </p>
<p><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Stick with <a href="http://tampabay.sbnation.com/tampa-bay-rays/2012/8/16/3246841/rays-angels-game-preview-score-recap-lineup" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #004175; font-weight: bold;">this StoryStream</a> for updates, scores and more from the Tampa Bay Rays vs. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Los Angeles Angels</a> series. For all things Rays, head over to <a href="http://www.draysbay.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #004175; font-weight: bold;">DRays Bay</a>. For the Angels perspective on things, check out <a href="http://www.halosheaven.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #004175; font-weight: bold;">Halos Heaven</a>.</i></p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/tampa-bay-rays/2012/8/18/3252074/tampa-bay-rays-top-ss-prospect-hak-ju-lee-placed-on-dl-with-oblique-injuryEddie Maisonet2012-08-18T14:21:18-04:002012-08-18T14:21:18-04:00Gators Scrimmage Recap: Defense Shines
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<p>While the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/florida-gators">Florida Gators</a> offense continues to be a bit of a mystery, one thing that is crystal clear is that Will Muschamp's defense will be one of the best in the country. </p>
<p><a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: #ffffff; color: #004175; font-weight: bold; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" target="_blank" href="http://www.alligatorarmy.com/2012/8/18/3251924/florida-football-2012-fall-practice-analysis">Alligator Army's Andy Hutchins attended the Gators' open practice</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> on Saturday, and its clear that there will be a few new stars that will command your attention real soon</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">.</span></p>
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<p>The defense was the real star of the scrimmage, and likely always is this fall. I saw nothing from Florida's running game, though there's not a ton you can see in a light contact practice from a running game, and I suspect that was because of the defensive line controlling things up front. I saw Dante Fowler, who does not look like a freshman, practically living in the backfield. I saw <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/136216/marcus-roberson">Marcus Roberson</a> get flagged a couple of times and play good coverage without his hands; I saw <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/158407/brian-poole">Brian Poole</a> get worked over on one route in a goal-to-go drill. Jon Bostic is enormous now, as is <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78463/jelani-jenkins">Jelani Jenkins</a>, and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/136217/loucheiz-purifoy">Loucheiz Purifoy</a> looks good. It's not going to shock you or make you all that happy to learn that Florida's defense is well ahead of its offense right now, unless you really like defense, but I'll put it this way: <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/115245/ronald-powell">Ronald Powell</a> may be the most talented defender Florida has, and the Gators didn't seem to miss him all that much (he's doing drills and such, though) on Saturday morning.</p>
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<p>The Gators defense will get an early test run versus Bowling Green on September 1st, then the competition ramps up in the following weeks in contests versus Texas A&M and Tennessee. </p>
<p><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">For more on Gators football, visit Florida blog <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #004175; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank" href="http://alligatorarmy.com/">Alligator Army</a>, plus SEC blog <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #004175; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank" href="http://teamspeedkills.com/">Team Speed Kills</a> and <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #004175; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank" href="http://tampabay.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Tampa Bay.</a></i></p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2012/8/18/3252043/gators-scrimmage-recap-defense-shinesEddie Maisonet2012-08-18T14:07:10-04:002012-08-18T14:07:10-04:00Gators Scrimmage News: Florida Looks Deep At Tight End
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/florida-gators">Florida Gators</a> will kickoff their 2012 football campaign in two weeks versus Bowling Green with many positions up for grabs on the offense. Quarterback is still being sorted out and wide receiver is a mystery. One position that seems full of promise is the tight end position. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.alligatorarmy.com/2012/8/18/3251924/florida-football-2012-fall-practice-analysis" target="_blank">Alligator Army's Andy Hutchins attended the Gators' open practice</a> on Saturday, and while <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78460/jordan-reed">Jordan Reed</a> has been tabbed as the starter, there's plenty behind him that are capable of contributing in a major way. </p>
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<p>Jordan Reed and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/158426/colin-thompson">Colin Thompson</a> were not practicing with the tight ends, but Florida suddenly has an embarrassment of riches at the position. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/136232/tevin-westbrook">Tevin Westbrook</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/131906/clay-burton">Clay Burton</a> are loads, and Westbrook looks to have better hands than one would expect from a converted DE, and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/158403/kent-taylor">Kent Taylor</a> runs very well and could function as a bigger wide receiver in passing situations. I wouldn't trust Taylor to block SEC defenders, as he's a bit slight, but I liked what I saw from him in the open field.</p>
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<p>With the quarterback position still in flux, the tight ends will have to step up to be a bailout option for whomever takes the snaps in week one. </p>
<p><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">For more on Gators football, visit Florida blog <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #004175; font-weight: bold;" href="http://alligatorarmy.com/" target="_blank">Alligator Army</a>, plus SEC blog <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #004175; font-weight: bold;" href="http://teamspeedkills.com/" target="_blank">Team Speed Kills</a> and <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #004175; font-weight: bold;" href="http://tampabay.sbnation.com/" target="_blank">SB Nation Tampa Bay.</a></i></p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2012/8/18/3252015/gators-scrimmage-news-florida-looks-deep-at-tight-endEddie Maisonet2012-08-18T13:47:25-04:002012-08-18T13:47:25-04:00Jaguars Vs. Saints Reaction: Blaine Gabbert And Justin Blackmon Get Acquainted
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/">Jacksonville Jaguars</a> moved their preseason record to 2-0 on Friday night as they defeated the New Orleans Saints 24-20 in the Mercedes-Benz Super Dome. </p>
<p>Yes, the wins don't mean anything in the grand scheme of things, but for many fans of the Jaguars these wins are necessary. The feeling of winning is a beautiful thing, and if there's a chance to carrying an inkling of that feeling into the regular season, then its well worth getting that elusive W. </p>
<p>Something else worth carrying into the regular season would be the productivity of the Jaguars last two first-round draft picks in <span>Blaine Gabbert</span> and <span>Justin Blackmon</span>. Both shined on Friday as Gabbert threw for 116 yards and two touchdowns on 13-of-16 passing and Blackmon finished with 48 yards receiving along with 4 catches, one of which resulted in a nifty touchdown. Quite a debut for the former Biletnikoff winner from Oklahoma State. </p>
<p>It was only one half of football in a game that doesn't matter at all, but that doesn't mean you can't hope for the tandem to grow with each other and help the Jaguars succeed in the long term. </p>
<p><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Stick with<a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #004175; font-weight: bold;" href="http://tampabay.sbnation.com/2012/8/13/3239459/jaguars-vs-saints-game-preview-injury-updates-recap"> this StoryStream</a> for news updates, scores and more from the Jaguars vs.<a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #004175; font-weight: bold;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">Saints</a> preseason game. For all things Jaguars, check out <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #004175; font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/">Big Cat Country</a>. For the Saints perspective on things, head over to <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #004175; font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">Canal Street Chronicles</a>, and don't miss SB Nation on YouTube.</i></p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2012/8/18/3251978/jaguars-vs-saints-recap-reaction-blaine-gabbert-and-justin-blackmon-get-acquaintedEddie Maisonet