Dein erstes Forum » tunities. Too many unforced errors, too

TAMPA, Fla. - 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 Air Max Baratas . You can watch all the action on TSN2 beginning at 7pm et/4pm pt. Pineda won his second straight start last Wednesday against Chicago, as he held the Cubs to just four hits over six scoreless innings to run his record to 2-0, while lowering his ERA to 1. Yeezy Baratas Hombre .J. -- Pete Carroll said it was the suspension of linebacker Bruce Irvin last spring that finally got the attention of the rest of the Seattle Seahawks that they needed to be taking their commitment to the team more seriously. https://www.zapatillasbaratasspain.es/ . Louis Blues and back into top spot of the TSN.ca NHL Power Rankings. The Sharks had been ranked No. Air Max Baratas España . This weeks Raptors Report puts a bow on Gays brief, 10-month tenure in Toronto and ponders how his absence will affect the teams offence. Are they a better team without him? In addition to acquiring some valuable cap flexibility, what impact will the four incoming players have this season and beyond? Click here for the Dec. Air Max Baratas Outlet . Appearing on TSN 690 Monday afternoon, Mike Babcock said he had conversations with both P.K. Subban and Carey Price about those on-ice traits during Hockey Canadas summer orientation camp. Mike Babcock: McGill experience, P.(SportsNetwork.com) - The first-place New York Islanders will shoot for wins on consecutive nights when they continue a lengthy road trip with Saturdays game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Islanders picked up a dramatic overtime victory Friday night in New Jersey and the two points earned allowed New York to leap over idle Pittsburgh for the top spot in the Metropolitan Division. The Penguins, who play tonight in Montreal, are one point behind the Isles. John Tavares was the hero for the Islanders in Fridays 3-2 win over the Devils. The captain tied the game late in the third period and won it in overtime with an impressive sequence. Tavares lifted the stick of Devils defenseman Adam Larsson below the goal line to acquire the puck, moved in on net and finished the play with a wrister past the blocker of Keith Kinkaid for the win. We just kept shooting pucks and it finally paid off, Tavares said. I just took it to the net. The goalie committed to me and I hit the far side. Tavares also assisted on a goal by Josh Bailey and Jaroslav Halak made 21 saves in his sixth straight start for the Islanders, who ended a two-game skid and improved to 3-2-0 on a seven-game road trip that ends Tuesday against the rival New York Rangers. Backup Chad Johnson could give Halak a breather tonight. Johnson is 2-0 with a 1.45 goals against average in his career against Columbus, while Halak is 8-4-1 with a 2.65 GAA in this matchup. Tonights clash marks the first of four scheduled meetings this season between the Metropolitan Division foes. Columbus has beaten up on the Isles in recent years, winning five of the last six games and scoring four or more goals four times during that span. The Islanders, who are 13-9-1 on the road this season, only have managed one win in their 10 all-time trips to Nationwide Arena.dddddddddddd The Blue Jackets own an 8-0-1 record with a tie when facing New York at home. Columbus, however, is coming off a loss on Friday, as it capped a four-game road trip with a 5-2 setback in Toronto. The loss snapped a two-game winning streak and gave the Blue Jackets a 2-2-0 record on the swing. It also dropped the Jackets record since the start of December to 12-3-1. Toronto scored four times in the first period en route to the win and outshot the Blue Jackets by a 32-20 margin. The Leafs also converted 2-of-4 power-play opportunities. Too many unforced errors, too many penalties. There were some plays we had to execute and we didnt do it. They got a good team with some high-end skill and they made us pay, said Blue Jackets forward Brandon Dubinsky. Sergei Bobrovsky gave up four goals on 31 shots hours after signing a four- year contract extension with the Blue Jackets. The 2012-13 Vezina Trophy winner inked a deal worth a reported $29.7 million. Ryan Johansen extended his goal streak to a career-high five games, supplying both tallies in only Columbus fourth loss of the past 16 games. The Blue Jackets hope to return to the win column tonight when they open a three-game homestand. Columbus is 9-9-2 as the host and also will welcome Montreal and the Rangers during this stay at Nationwide Arena. Its uncertain if Bobrovsky will get the start on consecutive nights, but he does boast a stellar 10-2-0 record and 1.83 GAA over 13 career appearances against the Isles. Backup Curtis McElhinney is 2-1-0 with a 2.11 GAA in three lifetime games versus New York. ' ' '