* Shout outs are in order to USF and the Bucs for providing free Ray Jay admission last weekend to first responders and, in the case of the Bulls, also to high school teams and coaches. The Bucs also donated $1 million to the American Red Cross. That’s what community assets do in the time of need. They also help, frankly, with community spirit and hurricane diversion when they win. USF routed Illinois 47-23, and the Bucs beat up on the Chicago Bears 29-7.
* So, look at who’s off to a 3-0 start besides Charley Strong. Former Bulls coach Willie Taggart has his Oregon Ducks undefeated and ranked 24th in the country. USF is No. 21. The early Oregon success is being attributed to an improved defense. The defensive coordinator is Jim Leavitt. Yes, that Jim Leavitt.
* It’s been 25 years! Indeed, the Tampa Bay Lightning will have a 25th anniversary celebration next month at Expo Hall at the Florida State Fairgrounds. And the locale couldn’t be more appropriate: This is literally where the franchise began playing–before moving to the “Thunder Dome,” now Tropicana Field.
* Speaking of the NHL, the league is talking expansion again–just a year after admitting the Las Vegas Golden Knights as the 31st team. The two favorites are Quebec, which had an NHL franchise until 1995, and Seattle, which would be a good fit in a Western Conference that only has 15 teams.
* One of the down sides to watching the NFL is that too often we are reminded that showboating is an integral part of the presentation. At times, it can seem as much show business as football. This was, in effect, confirmed by the NFL’s new ad campaign that promotes the entertainment value of the game. “Let the Show Begin” portrays football as the longest-running “entertainment show” on television. It’s also a way of diverting brand-bashing attention from head injuries and domestic abuse cases.