The Rays' new stadium deal cleared its first hurdle as Tampa City Council approved the agreement 4-3, with Bill Carlson's swing vote sealing it after he used his leverage back in May to force a better deal for the city. Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick break down what changed, why the sales tax funding got scrapped in favor of an $80 million city loan, and why today's Hillsborough County Commission vote is the real one that could put shovels in the ground within a month. They also marvel at the season the Rays are having — four games up on the Yankees, six up on Boston, with a playoff rotation of McClanahan, Martinez and Rasmussen taking shape — as new ownership tries to close the deal on a new ballpark in the same year they might win the AL East.
On the Bucs, Rick previews tonight's preseason finale in Jacksonville with the QB2 competition still very much unresolved — Jalon Daniels got the bulk of the ones-and-twos work again this week, and Rick makes the case for why the rookie should start the game and get every rep he can. They also run through position battles heating up ahead of Monday's roster cutdown, including outside linebacker, offensive line depth, and the cornerback picture, and answer mailbag questions on Chris Braswell's disappointing camp and the early scouting buzz that first tipped Rick off to Jalon Daniels.
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