Meeting with the media on Monday after OTAs at One Buc Place, Schiano said that the Bucs are Josh Freeman knows this is his team, via PewterReport.com.

Josh is a confident guy. He knows this is his team. I don’t’ think it bothers him one bit. I think he’s ready to go have a great year, and that’s what we’re working for.

He also reiterated to everyone the competition at quarterback and that he and Freeman have no hard feelings towards eachother.

I told you guys from the beginning that I’m going to shoot you straight. I’m just trying to tell the truth. That I believe in competition, but also, that Josh Freeman is our starting quarterback. And maybe I should just not say anything and then it would not be an issue. But Josh knows how I feel, and you guys know, and I know that Mike Glennon does too. I told him the day we drafted him. I don’t’ sweat it.

Believe it or not, we actually do have a good relationship. Contrary to some of the reports.

Freeman, who already said on Friday that he and coach have a good relationship, told reporters again Monday that everything is good between he and Schiano. Also talked about his take the team drafting Mike Glennon.

You want to the best possible option behind you. I feel like Dan (Orlovsky) is a great player and they decided to grab a younger guy, and Mike is a perfect fit. You look at it and down the road if we’re making a run or whatever and something happens to me, you want a guy that can keep it going and win some games.

Coach and I have a great relationship. I go up there at least every week and we sit down and talk about ball, we talk about the team, we talk about life. And I know coach Schiano extremely well. He’s a guy that you’re proud to play for.

So there you have it. Freeman and Schiano continue to sound like a broken record. Nothing is different in their words and nothing is being said that should be taken out of context. Unless of course, you look at how others continue to interpret the situation — as shown here.

The post Freeman, Schiano confirm no rift between the two appeared first on The Bay Cave.

Look, I’m not against that (Glennon winning the starting job). We have a starting quarterback. It’s not like we’re looking to find a starter. But competition is competition. Mike Glennon is a fierce competitor. I knew that when he was coming out of high school. Now being able to work with him a little, you can see it on the practice field.

Schiano does a great job of addressing both quarterbacks here — reiterating that the starter is Josh Freeman and making it clear that Glennon was drafted to compete. The Bucs second year head coach has been talking about competition at the position since the end of last season. Now they have it.

But by Schiano saying that they are not looking for a starter, he shows that he supports Josh Freeman for the moment. At the end of the day, it will only make Freeman better, or worse — making it his job to win or lose.

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Odorizzi, who was acquired from Kansas City in the offseason in the James Shields trade, carries some major league experience. He posts a 3.83 ERA in Triple-A Durham this season. In 44⅔ innings,  he holds a 4-0 record with 7 strikeouts in eight starts.

Archer has some slightly lower numbers this season in Durham. In eight starts, the 24-year old has a 4-2 record with a 4.38 ERA  40 strikeouts in 39 innings.

One reason for Archer not being called up in because he is still working on his arm strength, according to manager Joe Maddon.

While a few others were in consideration as well, Odorizzi has posted slightly better numbers so far this season in Durham. With his major league experience and already being on the same schedule as Price, the Rays went with what they felt was the better choice.

The 23-year old will start Monday.

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Today, as a guest on “The Sports Page” with Rick Stroud and Tom Jones on 620WDAE/95.3FM, Freeman may have also shot down any rumors of a rift between he and the coach. (Full interview posted at the end.)

I spent quite a bit of time in coach Schiano’s office, hung with him around the facility, just getting to know him better talking about aspirations, what we’re trying to do with this team and the direction. I feel that my relationship with coach Schiano is probably best out of any coach. I’ve gotten to know him extremely well.

When reports first surfaced about the possible disconnect, it was only a matter of time that the national media would pick up on it and turn it into a much talked about debate. Then, when the Buccaneers selected Mike Glennon in round three of the draft, it immediately turned into a quarterback controversy.

Schiano has said some words that have raised eyebrows but nothing that directly pins him to disliking his starting quarterback. Besides, if he is truly saying things behind Josh Freeman’s back, that goes against everything Schiano has tried to sell since day one: Trust, belief, and accountability.

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This is the first DL stint of Price’s major league career (2008-13). His start yesterday vs. Boston was cut short when he left the game in the third inning due to the injury. He is 1-4 with a 5.24 ERA (55-IP, 32-ER) in 9 starts this year.

Torres, 25, was 2-2 with a 2.39 ERA (37.1-IP, 10-ER), 49 strikeouts, 14 walks and a .190 opponents’ batting average in seven starts at Triple-A. During major league spring training, the southpaw allowed only one run in 4.2 innings pitched over three appearances and was optioned on March 12. He pitched to a 3.38 ERA (8-IP, 3-ER) over four appearances with the Rays in 2011, his only major league action to date. Over eight minor league seasons, the Venezuela native is 48-36 with a 3.59 ERA and 755 strikeouts.

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Members of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association submitted ballots for the Lady Byng Trophy at the conclusion of the regular season, with the top three vote-getters designated as finalists. The winner will be announced during the 2013 Stanley Cup Final, with more detail on format to be released at a later date.

Following are the finalists for the Lady Byng Trophy, in alphabetical order:

Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks

Kane ranked fifth in the NHL in both goals (23) and points (55), leading Chicago to its second Presidents’ Trophy in franchise history. He played in 47 games, averaging 20:03 of playing time, but was whistled for just eight penalty minutes – the fewest among the top 20 point-producers in the League. Kane also recorded a +11 rating, his second-best plus/minus in his six-year NHL career, and tied for seventh in the League with eight power-play goals. The 24-year-old Buffalo, N.Y., native is a Lady Byng finalist for the first time.

Matt Moulson, New York Islanders

Moulson placed in the top three on the Islanders in goals (15), assists (29) and points (44), helping the team to its first playoff berth in six years. He totaled four penalty minutes in 47 games, tied with San Jose forward Logan Couture for the fewest among the top 50 scorers in the League. Moulson also posted his fourth consecutive 15-goal season, tied for seventh in the NHL with eight power-play goals and logged an average of
19:09 per game. The 29-year-old North York, Ont., native is a Lady Byng finalist for the second straight year, having finished third in voting in 2011-12.

Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning

St. Louis led the NHL with 43 assists and 60 points in 48 games to capture his second career Art Ross Trophy (2003-04). He averaged 1.25 points per game, becoming one of only three players in League history to achieve that mark at age 37 or older (Mario Lemieux, 2002-03; Gordie Howe, 1968-69). St. Louis also ranked second among NHL forwards in total time on ice (1,055:12), but was assessed just 14 penalty minutes. The Laval, Que., native is a two-time Lady Byng winner (2009-10, 2010-11) and has been voted a finalist for the award on four other occasions.

Announcement Schedule

The NHL is announcing the three finalists for its regular-season awards through May 20. The remaining announcement schedule:

Friday, May 17
Jack Adams Award (top head coach)

Monday, May 20
Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award presented by Bridgestone (player who exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team, on and off the ice)

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Spence (6-1, 307) was selected in the fourth round (100th overall) out of the University of Illinois. He started all 38 games he played for the Fighting Illini, totaling 186 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 26 quarterback pressures in only three years. Spence was a member of the Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy watch lists as a junior, while also earning second-team All-Big Ten honors from Phil Steele. Spence was selected first-team All-Big Ten by The NFL Draft Report after his sophomore season and earned Freshman All-American honors from College Football News, the FWAA, Phil Steele and Rivals.com.

A native of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., Spence attended Fort Walton Beach High, where, in addition to his football prowess, he was a state weight-lifting champion.

The latest signing leaves Mike Glennon and Jonathan Banks as the only two draft picks left.

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After letting defensive end Michael Bennett go and test the free agent market, Buccaneers’ general manager Mark Dominik let it be known that they are confident with Da’Quan Bowers starting full-time opposite the line from Adrian Clayborn. At the time of Dominik’s comments, Bowers was just four days into the uncertainty of any jail time.

The league has had the Bowers case since day one of the incident. Since being exonerated on April 11, the league has stated they would immediately begin reviewing all facts from the case.

Many suspect that he did nothing wrong to constitute a suspension. But every clause in his contract is under review and the league will determine if the incident violates the personal conduct policy. The severity of a suspension, if any, will be based on the incident itself and the outcome — which was officially classified as disorderly conduct and sent away with fines.

It is possible that if no suspension is handed down, a fine is still an option.

Since the initial charges were reduced, I still do not expect the league to suspend Da’Quan Bowers. But it’s up to the league and they may feel there is something in the case that merits a suspension.

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During his introductory press conference, general manager Mark Dominik stated the team was confident in Revis’ progress or else they would not have moved forward with the deal to acquire the All-Pro cornerback. However, the team also has stated they would be cautious with his return so the original projected return-to-the-field date for Revis is training camp — as it was when he was still a member of the Jets.

Sports Talk Florida’s Jenna Laine also confirms that her sources have told her multiple times that the Bucs are fine with Revis and his progression.

So to answer anyone’s concerns about Darrelle Revis not being on the field until training camp, don’t worry about it. In fact, the Bucs are wise to take a cautious approach. This is not a sprain that Revis suffered, it’s an ACL.

Another positive to take from this is the added work the younger guys will get, like Leonard Johnson, Anthony Gaitor, and Jonathan Banks. A point Jenna makes in her post.

For the next two months, keep in mind there may not be a Revis sighting on the practice fields of One Buc Place. Even if he returns for training camp, should the Bucs play him during preseason games? I wouldn’t.

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Today, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced that they have signed 2013 NFL Draft selection DE William Gholston.

Gholston (6-6, 281) was selected in the fourth round (126th overall) from Michigan State University, where he played in 36 games, recording 142 tackles, 13 passes defensed, 10 sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and 30 tackles for loss, the 10th-most in Michigan State history. Gholston earned second-team All-Big Ten honors following both his sophomore and junior seasons and was a quarterfinalist for the Lombardi Award (lineman of the year). As a junior, led all FBS defensive linemen with 10 passes defensed and set a Michigan State school record for passes defensed by a defensive lineman.

A Detroit native, Gholston was a high school All-American at Southeastern High School and participated in the 2010 Under Armour All-America Game.

This leaves Jonathan Banks, Mike Glennon, and Akeem Spence left from the draft class unsigned.

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