TAMPA -- The Tampa Bay Rays officially haven't threatened to move out of St. Petersburg, but the city may be lawyering up even more than previously thought.
In April, The Tampa Tribune reported that St. Petersburg had put a law firm called Brown Rudnick LLP on retainer in case the Rays filed for bankruptcy court protection. The idea was that the team might file bankruptcy to get out of its stadium agreement at Tropicana Field.
Turns out, that wasn't the only potential court battle that St. Petersburg was preparing for. The city also has talked with several other law firms that might represent it in non-bankruptcy litigation against the team, City Attorney John Wolfe said Wednesday.
Various reports have claimed that Major League Baseball might "contract" one or more teams out of existence, including the Rays. Other reports suggest the Rays would move the team out of the city.
St. Petersburg has no reason to believe the team actually plans to do that, but the city needs to be prepared just in case, Wolfe said. So, the city has contacted several firms with experience representing governments in disputes with professional ball clubs.
I'm hoping Foster is a one term mayor due to his handling of the Rays. Make a deal with the Rays where they pay a decent amount of money to the City but lets them explore options in the Bay Area and no where else, when the Rays get a Tampa stadium built the city takes over Tropicana Field and get a large chunk of land close to downtown in a city where you can't find a decent sized plot.
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"Embrace and savor the moment." -- WF
I'm hoping Foster is a one term mayor due to his handling of the Rays. Make a deal with the Rays where they pay a decent amount of money to the City but lets them explore options in the Bay Area and no where else, when the Rays get a Tampa stadium built the city takes over Tropicana Field and get a large chunk of land close to downtown in a city where you can't find a decent sized plot.
I get Foster's plight and understand why he is putting up the fight he is, but I think there is a way for St. Petersburg to profit from the situation AND help the team's long-term viability if it is done right. Then again, Foster is so tunnel-visioned about his own city that he isn't seeing the big picture.
Hey guys, just wondering how the rookies have been doing for the Bucs. I'm particularly interested in hearing about Daquan Bowers.
From what I seen and read...
Clayborn has impressed in practice one on one, and in-game against the run, but has to show more splash play explosiveness.
Bowers is being brought along slowly, limited in practice and game time to bring his knee along slowly to strength. Starting to show more serious manhandling and bullrushing ability each day.
Foster has been flying, but not always to the right places. He's a natural born hitter. They want him to stop overthinking and react naturally. Starting MLB, but will have to prove more to stay on the field for 3rd downs.
Most of the other draft picks are fairing quite well in their battles for spots. TE Stocker is a shoe-in, RB Bradford probably out.
James Lee has had the worst camp of any Buccaneer. He was once expected to beat out Trueblood and now I'm hoping they scour the cut list for a RT to battle him for the backup spot.
Foster is concerning. He just looks lost when its time to drop into coverage (gave up two big plays last night) then tried to overcompensate by dropping way back into coverage and keeping TE/WR in front of him and constantly gave up the 5 yard dump passes which MIA looked like they did a bunch last night. Hes just trying to do too much.
On the other hand, it looked like we could actually contain the run which is a gigantic plus.
Is anyone else wondering if perhaps Josh Johnson's days might be numbered? He hasn't exactly had a stellar preseason other than his running ability and has pretty much been outplayed by Carpenter. Channel 28 sports interviewed Carpenter and had a caption under the video that said "Starts Thursday". Unless they were giving him an opportunity to put something on film, it would seem interesting that they'd play him ahead of Johnson.
Johnson had been rumored to be traded to San Fran since he's a UFA after this season and interesting that Crompton was not waived today. Wonder if the plan is Carpenter moves up to No. 2 and Crompton goes on the practice squad....
Add: From a stats standpoint, the 49ers QBs are pretty pathetic so far this preseason and could be interested.
Is anyone else wondering if perhaps Josh Johnson's days might be numbered? He hasn't exactly had a stellar preseason other than his running ability and has pretty much been outplayed by Carpenter. Channel 28 sports interviewed Carpenter and had a caption under the video that said "Starts Thursday". Unless they were giving him an opportunity to put something on film, it would seem interesting that they'd play him ahead of Johnson.
Johnson had been rumored to be traded to San Fran since he's a UFA after this season and interesting that Crompton was not waived today. Wonder if the plan is Carpenter moves up to No. 2 and Crompton goes on the practice squad....
Add: From a stats standpoint, the 49ers QBs are pretty pathetic so far this preseason and could be interested.
I thought it was already out there that his days are numbered as he voiced his desire to have a shot at a starting job somewhere...
Former Hall of Fame defensive end Lee Roy Selmon was hospitalized early this evening. Selmon, who spent his entire career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was named to the team's Ring of Honor in 2009.
“We’ve learned that Lee Roy Selmon has been taken to the hospital," University of South Florida President Judy Genshaft said in a statement released to the media tonight. "We are honoring his family’s wishes for privacy. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family for his recovery.”
Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Buccaneer defensive end Lee Roy Selmon, who was rushed to St. Joseph's Hospital after suffering a stroke at his Tampa home on Friday, was showing signs of improvement and responsiveness today, according to his former teammate, David Lewis.
Lewis, a former Bucs' linebacker, saw Selmon late Friday night in the St. Joseph's Hospital intensive care unit, where Selmon's family had assembled. According to Lewis, Selmon was able to squeeze the hand of his son, Lee Roy Jr., and he recognized family members, including older brothers Lucious and Dewey, who arrived from Oklahoma. Selmon was breathing on his own, Lewis said.
A nursing supervisor at St. Joseph's Hospital said Selmon was listed in critical condition Saturday morning.
Glad he is improving. Now get out of there soon and be as healthy as you can be!
I never got to see him play but you can't ignore his impact on the Bay Area. I'm glad the Bucs decided to finally have a ring of honor and he went out on a USF upset.
Hoping the Bucs do something special a week from today.
