Page 12 - Florida Sentinel 12-9-16 Online Edition

Sports
Tampa Bay stretched its win streak to four games by coming back in the second half to beat San Diego 28-20 on the strength of Lavonte David's interception return for a touchdown and a Jameis Winston touch- down pass to Cameron Brate. With the win, the Buc- caneers moved into a tie for first place in the NFC South. The Buccaneers will host Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints Sunday at 4:25 p.m. on FOX.
Everything in Tampa starts with their star quarterback Jameis Winston, who has taken a great step forward in his second season in the NFL. Winston has completed 61.7 percent of his passes for 3,180 yards, 23 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, and he's gotten better as the season pro- gresses. Winston threw eight interceptions in the first four games; he has thrown four in the eight games since. Winston gets a big assist from wide receiver, Mike Evans, who ranks third in the NFL in receptions (76), third in yards (1,058) and sec- ond in receiving touchdowns (10). Beyond Evans, Win- ston likes to work to tight end Cameron Brate (47 catches, 528 yards, six touch- downs) and Adam Humphries (42 catches, 467 yards, one score). No- body else has more than 16 grabs.
Tampa Bay likes to estab- lish the run — the Buccaneers rank 17th in yards rushing per game despite ranking 29th in
New Orleans Saints At Tampa Bay Sunday
WR Josh Huff Promoted To Bucs Active Roster
JAMEIS WINSTON AND DREW BREES
yards per carry, an indicator that they stick with it — but the running back picture is unclear. Starter Doug Mar- tin (105 carries, 313 yards) suffered a shoulder injury against San Diego; if he can't go, Jacquizz Rodgers (95 carries, 422 yards) will handle the workload. Tampa Bay has invested heavily in its offen- sive line in recent drafts, and it paid off — the Buccaneers have given up 24 sacks, tied for 13th in the NFL.
On defense, the Bucs spent most of the offseason trying to upgrade its pass rush, and the Buccaneers are starting to reap the rewards. The Bucs have 29 sacks, good for 11th in the NFL, and 12 of those sacks came in the past four games. Rookie Noah Spence is an edge rusher who got a long look from the Saints in the draft; he has 51⁄2 sacks. Free agent Robert Ayers has 41⁄2. All of that is enough to buttress the efforts of defen- sive tackle Gerald McCoy, who once again ranks among the NFL's top interior rushers with seven sacks. Former LSU linebacker Kwon Alexan- der is having a brilliant sea- son with 97 tackles (tied for 12th in the NFL), eight tackles for loss, seven quarterback
hits, four passes defended and three sacks. Alexander has been better than Lavonte David, who re- mains one of the NFL's best coverage linebackers, as evi- denced by his interception and touchdown against the Chargers. David also has 11 tackles for loss. Rookie Ver- non Hargreaves is the up- and-coming player in the secondary, but the Bucca- neers offense has controlled the ball enough to mask some of the team's defensive defi- ciencies. Tampa Bay ranks 22nd in the NFL in total de- fense, but the Buccaneers are just 28th in yards per play.
Rookie kicker Roberto Aguayo has struggled, mak- ing just 15 of his 22 field-goal attempts this season and missing two extra points. Punter Bryan Anger has been solid, and the Bucca- neers' return units have been average.
With a win, the Buccaneers will be 8-5 and looking like they will make the playoffs. Go Bucs!
Colts LB Jackson Suspended Last 4 Regular-Season Games For PED Use
Colts LB D'Qwell Jackson will be eligible to return from sus- pension on Jan. 2, 2017, the day after the regular season ends.
Indianapolis Colts linebacker D'Qwell Jackson has been suspended without pay for the final four regular-season games for using performance enhanc- ing substances, the NFL an- nounced Tuesday.
Jackson will be eligible to return Jan. 2, 2017, the day after the regular season ends.
The Colts will have to make the playoffs in order for Jack- son to play again this season. They're currently in a three-way tie with Houston and Ten- nessee for first place in the AFC South.
Jackson has led the Colts in tackles in each of his three sea- sons with the team. He left Monday night's game against the New York Jets with a con- cussion.
Middle linebacker has been a weak spot for the Colts all sea- son. Josh McNary is a possi- ble candidate to start while Jackson is out.
Josh Huff officially is get- ting his second chance in the NFL.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers promoted Huff from the practice squad to their active roster Tuesday. Huff will re- place wide receiver Cecil Shorts, who was placed on injured reserve after suffering a knee injury in Sunday's win over the San Diego Chargers.
Huff was released from the Eagles last month after a DUI arrest which involved gun and marijuana possession. The 2014 third-round pick had 13 catches for 82 yards and was
JOSH HUFF
the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week after a 98-yard kickoff return for a touch- down in Week 7 against the Minnesota Vikings.
Rashaan Salaam, Former Heisman Trophy-Winning Running Back, Dies
Rashaan Salaam, who won the Heisman Trophy in 1994, has died, a family spokesperson said Tuesday.
He was 42.
Salaam's body was found in a parking lot at Eben G. Fine Park and 911 was called just before 9 p.m. on Monday, according to Boulder Police spokesperson Shannon Cordingly. The park is less than two miles from Folsom Field, where Salaam starred as a running back for the Uni- versity of Colorado.
Cordingly said there were no signs of foul play and an autopsy to determine the cause of death will be per- formed by the Boulder County Coroner's Office. Police told Salaam's mother, Khalada, they suspect suicide after finding a note. She told USA Today Sports, "They said they found a note and would share
RASHAAN SALAAM
that with us when we get there."
"The Buff Family has lost an outstanding young man and a great Buff today," Col- orado athletic director Rick George said Tuesday. "We are heartbroken for Rashaan and his family, and our thoughts and prayers are with them at this very difficult time."
The football team at Col- orado tweeted about Salaam's death.
NFL MVP Von Miller Sends Wine To Every AFC West Player
Von Miller took some time away from his sex tape scandal to spread a little hol- iday cheer to his gridiron ri- vals.
The Denver Broncos line- backer sent a bottle of custom wine and a Thank You note to every player in the NFL’s AFC West division, including practice-squad players.
That’s more than 200 bot- tles.
Miller said he’s been thinking of ways to treat his division rivals for a while now. “The AFC West has been good to all of us,” he ex- plained to the Denver Post.
Miller’s attached Thank You note read:
It is an honor and a privi- lege to take the field and compete with you twice a year. We are so fortunate to have this opportunity to ful- fill our childhood dreams of
VON MILLER
playing in the NFL. The blood, sweat, aches and pains, and endless hours spent watching film are a testament to the love and dedication we have for this game. So take a moment, re- flect on all your successes, and enjoy your accomplish- ment. Appreciate those who have helped you get this far, and start working towards your next childhood dream.
Thank you for helping to make our game great!
— Von Miller
PAGE 12-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2016