TAMPA, Fla. Boomer Esiason Bengals Jersey . -- Former Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith is set to take on the challenge of rebuilding the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Two people familiar with Smiths plans said Wednesday night that the coach has reached an agreement to fill the opening created by the firing of Greg Schiano following a 4-12 finish. The people spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because an official announcement hasnt been made. One of the people also said that former Minnesota Vikings coach Leslie Frazier will be the Bucs defensive co-ordinator. The 55-year-old Smith will replace Schiano, fired Monday after going 11-21 in two seasons in Tampa Bay. Frazier also was fired Monday. Smith was 81-63 in nine seasons with Chicago, leading the 2006 team to the Super Bowl -- where the Bears lost Indianapolis. He was fired a year ago after the Bears finished 10-6 and missed the playoffs for the fifth time in six seasons. Smith was Tampa Bays linebackers coach under Tony Dungy from 1996-2000, then spent three seasons as the St. Louis Rams defensive co-ordinator on Mike Martzs staff. Smith will take over a team that made strides on defence after acquiring cornerback Darrelle Revis and safety Dashon Goldson last spring, however the offence sputtered badly following the abrupt benching and subsequent release of quarterback Josh Freeman. With rookie Mike Glennon running the offence, Tampa Bay sank to last in the NFL in passing and total yards per game. One of Smiths first orders of business figures to be deciding if Glennon, who went 4-9 as a starter while throwing for 2,608 yards, 19 touchdowns and nine interceptions, showed enough to prove hes the teams quarterback of the future. Tampa Bay, which lost its first eight games before going 4-4 over the second half of the season, will have the seventh pick in this years draft and can use help in several areas, including defensive end, offensive line and wide receiver. Dre Kirkpatrick Bengals Jersey . Manager Ryan Nelsen has confirmed Brazilian No. 1 Julio Cesar will be rested for Wednesdays first leg of the semifinal. That opens the door for Bendik, who started 33 games for Toronto last season. Geno Atkins Jersey . Stones three-point effort helped lead the Brandon Wheat Kings to a 5-3 victory against the Red Deer Rebels. Jordan Fransoo, Alessio Bertaggia and Darian Dziurzynski also scored for Brandon (19-12-2).MONTREAL - Ignacio (Nacho) Piatti says his knee feels better, but coach Frank Klopas wants to be careful with the Montreal Impacts star midfielder.Piatti is coming off surgery to repair tendinitis in his left knee and has been training on his own through the first week of camp at Olympic Stadium.He expects to resume full training in just over a week and be ready when the Impact play the opening leg of their CONCACAF Champions League quarter-final against Pachuca on Feb. 24 in Mexico.Klopas doesnt want to rush his best attacking player, adding it was still to be determined if he will be able to play a full 90 minutes.We know hes feeling good, the second-year coach said Friday. We have to make sure there are no setbacks.The important thing, especially on (artificial) turf, is to make sure theres no swelling. The plan was to have him with the team at 100 per cent in Mexico, so I think well push him even more next week and then well stick to the plan. I think hell be ready to go full out in Mexico.Klopas is looking forward to having a healthy Piatti help lead a club that has made major changes since finishing last in Major League Soccer in 2014.The 29-year-old Argentine inked a 3 1/2-year deal as a designated player with Montreal on July 2, but stayed behind to help his club San Lorenzo win the Libertadores Cup (South American championship). He joined the Impact on Aug. 13 and made his MLS debut three days later against Chicago.Piatti dazzled with his quickness and skill, but a sore knee limited him to six league games, in which he scored four goals.He could have chosen to rest the knee, but opted for what was considereed minor surgery. Pat Sims Jersey. He said all went well and his recovery, slated for three months, is on schedule. And he doesnt expect it to hinder his play.No because it doesnt touch the knee as it is, he said through an interpreter. Its on the side of the knee, so it shouldnt have any effect on my speed or skills.Piatti is to start full training when the Impact move to Mexico for the second phase of training camp on Feb. 8.Ill be ready, he said.The Impact have rebuilt their central defence with the addition of Belgian international Laurent Ciman and MLS veteran Bakary Soumare and a pair of new holding midfielders in Nigel Reo Coker and Italian Marco Donadel. There is also a new left back in Ambroise Oyongo, a veteran midfielder in former New York Red Bull Eric Alexander and speedy new forward Dominic Oduro.There may even be a change in goal as newcomer Eric Kronberg competes with incumbent Evan Bush. The club hopes to fix its porous 2014 defence and be better at building attacks from the back.Nacho came late last year and I think the team played a lot better with him on the field, said Klopas. With the changes we made this year, I think hes also more excited.They still hope to add a proven striker, likely as a second DP, but that may not come until the summer.Meanwhile, Ciman has looked smooth since joining camp this week.Hes got a lot of quality, Klopas said of the former Standard Liege defender. He has the ability to switch the point of attack and make good decisions.Hes a very good passer of the ball with both feet and hes a very smart player who reads the game really well. Thats what we expected. Cheap Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ChinaWholesale Jerseys ' ' '
