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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. When it comes to W’s and L’s, turnovers are what matter for the Bucs
    • Viewpoints
    Baker Mayfield has not thrown a lot of interceptions this season but when he does, like this fourth-quarter pass picked off by Eagles linebacker Jihaad Campbell, the Bucs are 0-6.
  2. Patience and a ton of Advil all the Lightning need right now
    • Viewpoints
    Lightning goaltender Jonas Johansson gets beat by Panthers center Anton Lundell (15) in close for a shorthanded goal during the first period Monday night.
  3. What would it mean for the Rays if Wander Franco is found not guilty?
    • Viewpoints
    It's been more than two years since we've seen Wander Franco in a Rays uniform. Does the news that a new trial has been ordered in the Dominican Republic mean he has a second chance at life? Or do we know too much to want him back in Tampa Bay?
  5. Is it fair to blame Bowles? Is it justified? Either way, it’s reality
    • Viewpoints
    That unhappy expression on the face of Bucs head coach Todd Bowles was just the beginning of a postgame meltdown after Tampa Bay blew a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter against Atlanta and fell out of first place in the NFC South Thursday night.
  6. This could be the collapse that sums up an inexcusable Bucs season
    • Viewpoints
    Bucs head coach Todd Bowles watches from the sidelines, as the referees review a touchdown catch by Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. during the fourth quarter of Thursday's game in Tampa.
  7. Last week was bad, this was worse. Bucs blow late lead, lose to Falcons
    • Bucs
    Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) turns the corner on Bucs safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (31) during the first quarter of Thursday's game at Raymond James Stadium.
  8. Time is running out for the Bucs defense to show up, make a stand
    • Viewpoints
    Celebrations have been in short supply for the Bucs defense this season. Vita Vea, left, and Zyon McCollum enjoyed a missed field goal by the Saints during Sunday's 24-20 Tampa Bay loss.
  9. If things don’t change, judgment day may be coming for Todd Bowles, Bucs
    • Viewpoints
    NFL owners tend to notice things like unhappy fans and empty upper decks in their stadiums. After a 24-20 loss to New Orleans on Sunday, the Bucs are 2-5 in the past two months and seemingly unable to find answers.
  10. Stink, stank, stunk. The Bucs blow it against the last-place Saints
    • Bucs
    New Orleans Saints running back Devin Neal (24) carries the ball into the end zone on a 3-yard scoring run during the first quarter of the Bucs' 24-20 loss Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.
  11. It’s a new day, a new era for the Rays (but with the same payroll)
    • Viewpoints
    While the city and the team are working feverishly to get Tropicana Field ready for the April 6 home opener, the real challenge for the Rays is getting a new stadium built that would hopefully change the franchise's economics.
  12. Not to get too excited USF landed Brian Hartline, but holy smoke!
    • Viewpoints
    Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline will bring his offense along with an incredible recruiting track record with him to to Tampa as the new coach of the USF Bulls.
  13. Instead of dancing into December, the Bucs still have some work to do
    • Viewpoints
    These fans have it right. December was supposed to be a time for Baker, drinkers and partiers in Tampa Bay. But Carolina's resurgence has made the final month of the season a little uncomfortable for the Bucs.
  14. With Alex Golesh gone, what’s the best USF can hope for in a coach?
    • Viewpoints
    Alex Golesh is introduced as the new Auburn football coach on Monday. “We’re going to be the most violent freaking team on the football field every single Saturday,” Golesh says. “... We’re going to outwork, outthink and out-process people across the entire country.”
  15. Gather ’round for the tale of how Tristan Wirfs found the end zone
    • Viewpoints
    Center Graham Barton lifts Tristan Wirfs to celebrate the left tackle's first NFL touchdown on a 2-yard pass against the Cardinals in Tampa Bay's 20-17 victory on Sunday.
  16. It wasn’t pretty, but signs of life as Bucs end 3-game skid
    • Bucs
    Bucs defensive tackle Vita Vea, right, sacks Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday.
  17. A guy not named Lane Kiffin is the new football coach at Florida
    • Gators
    Jon Sumrall, 43, emerged as Florida's top coaching candidate after it became clear that Lane Kiffin was not going to be coming to Gainesville. Sumrall has a 42-11 record in four seasons as a head coach at Troy and Tulane.
  18. He came, he saw, he leveraged a new job. Alex Golesh is departing USF
    • USF Bulls
    USF CEO of Athletics Rob Higgins chats with head coach Alex Golesh after Saturday night's win over Rice. Golesh completely reversed USF's fortunes with three consecutive winning seasons and a flirtation with the American Conference championship game in 2025. His stay at USF, however, was brief. It was announced Sunday that Golesh had accepted the head coaching position at Auburn.
  19. No Kiffin for UF, no bowl for FSU, no way this should be acceptable
    • Viewpoints
    Their head coach was fired and they finished with the program's worst record in more than a decade. But at least Florida players were able to celebrate a 40-21 victory over rival FSU in their final game of the 2025 regular season.
  20. Rookies? Peach fuzz? Yeah, and also first place for the Lightning
    • Viewpoints
    Charle-Edouard D'Astous is one of a handful of rookies who have arrived in Tampa Bay with a different kind of energy and enthusiasm than the Lightning have seen in recent seasons.
  21. Is USF’s Alex Golesh headed to Arkansas?
    • USF Bulls
    USF head coach Alex Golesh is reportedly the top choice as head coach at Arkansas. The Bulls play their final regular-season game against Rice on Saturday at home.
  22. Rays set to add former AL Manager of the Year in front-office role
    • Rays
    Brandon Hyde took the Orioles to back-to-back postseason appearances in 2023-24 but was fired six weeks into the 2025 season after getting off to a slow start. Hyde is expected to join the Rays front office next week in a senior adviser role.
  23. Jake Fraley finally has a home with the Rays on a 1-year deal
    • Rays
    Back in 2016, Jake Fraley was a second-round pick by the Rays out of LSU. Following a trade to Seattle, he spent parts of seven seasons in the big leagues but now appears ready to finally play in a Rays uniform after signing a one-year deal.
  24. The one thing the Bucs have always counted on has vanished
    • Viewpoints
    Is there a more worrisome sight in Tampa Bay than Baker Mayfield down on the field? The Bucs are already struggling with the passing game, and the problems will be much worse if Mayfield's sore left shoulder keeps him on the sidelines.