Advertisement
John Romano - Sports Columnist
John Romano

Sports Columnist

Finding the right career can be hit-and-miss. In my case, it was swing-and-miss. When Major League Baseball scouts declined to watch me play, or even acknowledge my existence, journalism seemed like a plausible fallback plan. I started covering prep sports for St. Petersburg's Evening Independent as an 18 year old college freshman, and have worked for newspapers ever since. I have a daughter in college, a son in high school and a wife in charge. And I still can't hit the curveball.

  1. Turns out, not even Bill Belichick can beat Tom Brady
    Jan. 29• Bucs
    No owner, player and coach combo have had as much success in the modern NFL than Bob Kraft, Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. Sadly, for New England, it could not last forever.
  2. From laughingstock to Super Bowl with one simple change
    Jan. 27• Bucs
    It hasn't been all hugs and grins for Tom Brady and Bruce Arians this season, but that's part of the reason the Bucs have been so successful.
  3. Mayor says Tampa Bay Rays want too much to build stadium at Tropicana site
    Jan. 26• Breaking News
    Aerial photo taken of Tropicana Field on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019 in St. Petersburg.
  5. Patrick Mahomes is no Tom Brady, but he could be one day
    Jan. 25• Bucs
    Super Bowl 55 quarterbacks Tom Brady, left, of the Bucs and Patrick Mahomes, right, of the Chiefs.
  6. After all these years, Bucs finally feel at home in the Super Bowl
    Jan. 25• Bucs
    Bucs fans cheer the team's NFC Championship Game victory over the Packers at Lambeau Field.
  7. It’s game time in Green Bay, and the rest of America is envious
    Jan. 23• Bucs
    Many consider a snow-blanketed Lambeau Field on game day one of the greatest scenes in sports.
  8. Comienza la fiesta de los Lightning, aunque aún no le han subido el volumen
    Jan. 20• CENTRO
    El banderín del Campeonato de la Copa Stanley Lightning de Tampa Bay se levantó antes del primer partido en casa ante los Chicago Blackhawks el miércoles 13 de enero de 2021 en Tampa.
  9. Need reassurance? Here’s 10 reasons the Bucs will beat the Packers
    Jan. 20• Bucs
    Bucs linebacker Devin White (45) and Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers already met at Raymond James Stadium in October. The way White has been playing lately, they'll probably be re-introduced at some point on Sunday in the NFC Championship Game in Green Bay.
  10. Bucs are doing quite well on a road less traveled
    Jan. 18• Bucs
    Bucs safety Mike Edwards looked like he owned the place while celebrating his fourth-quarter interception against the Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in a 30-20 victory.
  11. For those who doubted Bucs, Bruce Arians had a colorful answer
    Jan. 18• Bucs
    Bucs quarterback Tom Brady (12) and head coach Bruce Arians bump fists before Sunday's win over the Saints in New Orleans.
  12. Tom Brady, Drew Brees share special moment before bus pulls away
    Jan. 18• Bucs
    Saints quarterback Drew Brees right, speaks with Bucs quarterback Tom Brady as Brees' children look on after Sunday's win for Tampa Bay.
  13. Saints’ Taysom Hill and Latavius Murray out vs. Bucs
    Jan. 17• Bucs
    Saints quarterback Taysom Hill, here facing the Bucs on Nov. 8 at Raymond James Stadium, may be out today with a knee injury.
  14. Forget Brady. Forget Gronk. Bucs need the kids to step up on Sunday
    Jan. 16• Bucs
    The sight of Alvin Kamara celebrating in front of Antoine Winfield Jr. (31) and Jordan Whitehead (33) will not bode well for the Bucs in their playoff game against New Orleans on Sunday in the Superdome.
  15. Urban Meyer is back, and the NFL has itself a new villain
    Jan. 15• Gators
    Urban Meyer will bring an impressive trophy collection with him to Jacksonville. He'll also bring a bit of baggage he's collected over the years.
  16. Lightning get the party started, even if the volume is turned down low
    Jan. 14• Lightning
    The Tampa Bay Lightning unveil the Stanley Cup championship banner before the home opener against the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday.
  17. Will the Lightning hoist the Cup again? Our staff weighs in
    Jan. 13• Lightning
    Victor Hedman and the Lightning brought the Stanley Cup home to Tampa. Perhaps the team can win it again this year.
  18. The legend of Lightning’s Jon Cooper is just beginning in Tampa Bay
    Jan. 13• Lightning
    Lightning coach Jon Cooper greets cheering fans during the Stanley Cup championship celebration at Raymond James Stadium on Sept. 30 in Tampa.
  19. There will be no Tom Brady magic without this one ingredient
    Jan. 12• Bucs
    Without a solid ground game to fall back on , it hasn't been unusual to see Bucs quarterback Tom Brady running for his life against New Orleans this season.
  20. Bucs’ playoff victory a long time coming, and a long way from good enough
    Jan. 10• Bucs
    Bucs cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting (23) celebrates his first-quarter interception against Washington at FedEx Field on Saturday.
  21. One violent hit and a 12-year NFL career comes to an abrupt end
    Jan. 8• Bucs
    The Bucs training staff and lineman Ryan Jensen (66) check on A.Q. Shipley (62) after an awkward block sent him to the turf with a career-ending injury against the Rams in a Monday Night Football game on Nov. 23.
  22. Lightning have grown up but haven’t yet grown old
    Jan. 7• Lightning
    Break out the pucks! The Lightning may be without Nikita Kucherov in the regular season and they may have developed a new-found respect for defense, but this team is still built around speed and offense.
  23. Forget the portents and omens. The Bucs will beat Washington.
    Jan. 5• Bucs
    Washington has won five of six games with Alex Smith as the starting quarterback this season, but his numbers do not suggest he's going to win an aerial battle with Tom Brady.
  24. Yes, your Bucs are in the playoffs. The question is for how long?
    Jan. 4• Bucs
    Bucs strong safety Antoine Winfield Jr. recovers a fumble by Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan during second-quarter action on Sunday.