Page 25 - Florida Sentinel 9-9-16 Online Edition

Sports
Golf World Cheers: Tiger
There are so many ties be- tween the Tampa Bay Bucca- neers and the Atlanta Falcons that it’s hard to imagine emotions won’t be high when they kick off the 2016 season in Atlanta on Sunday.
Start with Bucs head coach Dirk Koetter, who was the Falcons offensive co- ordinator under head coach Mike Smith until 2014.
Smith, meanwhile, will be entrusted to improve a Bucs defense that allowed too many yards in the pass- ing game last season.
Smith has some addi- tions on defense to help him. Defensive end Robert Ayers had 9.5 sacks last sea- son in 12 games for the Gi- ants. He is joined by Noah Spence, the second-round draft pick from Eastern Ken- tucky who will likely start at right end.
The Bucs’ secondary has been bolstered by the addi- tion of former Dolphins free agent Brent Grimes, who is coming off three Pro Bowls and 13 interceptions in as many seasons with the Dol- phins; and Vernon Harg- reaves, the team’s first round pick from Florida.
As always, the Bucs are a little under the radar after five last-place finishes in the NFC South. The defense needs another draft but has improved. But last season, the Bucs managed to beat the Falcons twice with far less talent than they have in 2016.
Smith should be no stranger to Falcons quarter-
Cecil Shorts Signs With Bucs
CECIL SHORTS
Wide receiver Cecil
Shorts will sign a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tuesday accord- ing to ESPN’s Adam Ca- plan.
Shorts was cut by the Houston Texans last Satur- day after spending just one season in Houston.
In 11 games with the Tex- ans in 2015, Shorts caught 42 passes for 484 yards and two touchdowns. He should give the Bucs a better option as their third receiver to complement Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson.
Shorts' 2016 value may have now increased after landing in Tampa. He joins a team that features a young quarterback in Jameis Winston who attempted at least 29 passes in 13 of his 16 starts last season.
With three-WR sets be- coming more common in NFL offenses today, Shorts could prove to be a valuable asset for the Bucs offense in 2016. His role in Tampa’s of- fense will likely come as the team’s slot receiver.
Play In 3 Tournaments
Tampa Bay head coach Dirk Koetter returns to At- lanta on Sunday.
back Matt Ryan, who played for him in Atlanta. He should have an inside track to knowing how to rattle Ryan and possibly slow down other-worldly wide re- ceiver Julio Jones.
Offensively, Koetter re- mains the play-caller and the continuity of the offensive system will be key to star quarterback Jameis Win- ston.
However, the Bucs’ of- fense runs through running back Doug Martin, the NFL’s second-leading rusher who signed a $7.1 million per year contract as a free agent after rushing for more than 1,400 yards. Martin and backup Charles Sims com- bined for more than 2,500 yards from scrimmage in 2015.
Winston needs a strong running game to facilitate his down-the-field throws. He still has a few good targets to throw to in 6-foot-4 receiver Mike Evans, 6-foot-5 re- ceiver Vincent Jackson and 6-foot-5 tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins.
Tiger Woods is ready to play golf again.
The 14-time major cham- pion announced Wednesday that he plans to play in three events this fall: the Safeway Open in Napa, Calif. from Oct 13-16; the European Tour’s Turkish Airlines Open in Turkey from Nov. 3-6; and the Hero World Challenge, which he hosts and his foundation runs, in the Bahamas from Dec. 1-4.
“My rehabilitation is to the point where I’m comfortable making plans, but I still have work to do,” Woods said on
While it may be evident to everyone that Serena Williams is the greatest ath- lete of all time, the tennis leg- end has reminded us in her new Nike ad campaign. Ad Week reports the company’s “Unlimited” series includes other inspiring athletes.
Serena’s ad is simple, yet powerful as it highlights her career with one-word cap- tions.
“Pro” refers to the Comp- ton native moving to profes- sional tennis at the age of 14, while “Injured” stems from her 2006 recurring ankle in- jury that dropped her from the Top 10 and to 139.
The most poignant caption is the end, with “greatest ath-
NFL Pro Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor was ar- rested in Palm Beach, Fla., on last Friday afternoon and charged with driving under the influence.
The former New York Gi- ants linebacker was driving a 2010 Bentley on the Florida Turnpike when he allegedly hit a mobile home and sideswiped a Florida Highway Patrol vehi- cle. He was arrested after fail- ing three field sobriety tests.
Taylor was brought to Wellington Regional Medical Center after initial complaints of wanting to throw up, and
Tiger Woods is still re- habbing, but feels he is ready to go.
his website. “Whether I can play depends on my continued progress and recovery. My hope is to have my game ready to go.”
SERENA WILLIAMS
lete ever.”
The quote comes from Ser-
ena herself when she was asked about her legacy during the Wimbledon games in July. “I prefer the words ‘one of the greatest athletes of all time,” Williams said to the sexist label of her being “one of the greatest female athletes of all time.”
Woods Announces He Will
DA: Ezekiel Elliott Won't Face Charges In Alleged Domestic Incident
The Columbus (Ohio) City Attorney's Office announced it has declined to pursue charges against Dallas Cow- boys running back Ezekiel Elliott in an alleged domestic violence incident from July involving a former girlfriend.
The office said it declined to pursue charges because of "conflicting and inconsistent information." It also said El-
EZEKIEL ELLIOTT
liott was cooperative in the investigation and offered up affidavits and photographs to support his case.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said Tuesday that Elliott still remains under re- view by the NFL for potential discipline. A player does not need to be formally charged with a crime to be punished under the policy.
LAWRENCE TAYLOR
then taken to Palm Beach County jail.
Taylor was released on his own recognizance is and or- dered to appear in Palm Beach County Court on September 28.
Bucs Face Familiar Atlanta Falcons In Opener Sunday
Nike’s U. S. Open Ad Calls Serena ‘Greatest Athlete Of All Time’
Lawrence Taylor Side-Swipes Patrol Car; Arrested For DUI
PAGE 14-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016