TAMPA, Fla. -- Josh McCown is excited to have another opportunity to prove hes a No. 1 quarterback. The 34-year-old has been a backup for most of his career and will enter his 12th NFL season as a starter with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after signing a two-year, $10 million contract in free agency. The move reunites him with new Bucs coach Lovie Smith, who is overhauling a team that finished 4-12 in 2013, missing the playoffs for the sixth straight season. "I understand why people would say this is kind of surprising," McCown, whos joining his eighth team since entering the league as a third-round draft pick in 2002, said Thursday. "But in my familys world, this is kind of par for the course to have something relatively unusual happen," he added. "I really feel like I played my best ball last year and look forward to building on that." McCown, who turns 35 in July, started five games as a replacement for injured Chicago starter Jay Cutler last season, going 3-2 and finishing with 13 touchdown passes and one interception. Because he hasnt played a lot over a decade that includes stops with the Bears, Cardinals, Lions, Raiders, Dolphins, 49ers and Panthers, the Bucs are counting on his body being a lot fresher than most quarterbacks his age. McCown played under Smith for two of the three seasons the quarterback spent in Chicago. Both are confident what hes learned as a long-time backup will be beneficial in settling into a role ahead of second-year pro Mike Glennon, who started 13 games for Tampa Bay as a rookie. "Josh is exactly what youre looking for in a leader to get that 4-12 taste out of our mouths," Smith said. McCown was joined at a news conference by new starting left tackle Anthony Collins, who agreed Thursday to a five-year, $30 million contract. The 28-year-old Collins replaces Donald Penn, who was released. Hes the sixth player to join the Bucs through free agency as Smith and new general manager Jason Licht reshape the roster. The team welcomed defensive end Michael Johnson, cornerback Alterraun Verner, defensive tackle Clinton McDonald and tight end Brandon Myers on Wednesday. "We talked a lot about defence (Wednesday), but (the NFLs) about scoring points," Smith said. "The game is more about offence these days. We feel like weve made strides." McCown started 13 games for the Cardinals in 2004, going 6-7 while throwing 11 TD passes and 10 interceptions. He was 2-7 in nine starts with the Raiders in 2007. Overall, hes 16-22 in 38 career starts. "The good thing is that Ive gone through an off-season as a starter when I was in Arizona, so I understand what comes with all those things," McCown said. Glennon was 4-9, taking over Tampa Bays offence after Josh Freeman struggled and subsequently was released. The third-round draft pick threw for 19 touchdowns and just nine interceptions as a rookie, but also was sacked 40 times while failing to demonstrate he was the teams clear-cut quarterback of the future. The signing of Collins, a part-time starter the past six seasons with Cincinnati, upgrades a porous offensive line that needs to do a better job protecting the quarterback. Like McCown, the 6-foot-7, 315-pound tackle is savoring the chance to show he can flourish as a full-time starter. "Im very ready," said Collins, who will step in for Penn, a 2011 Pro Bowl selection who had been scheduled to earn $7 million next season. "Patience is a virtue," Collins added. "Now is my time." Trevor Richards Rays Jersey . -- David Freese is starting to pick up his run production, which is something the Los Angeles Angels have been waiting half a season to see. Diego Castillo Rays Jersey . "Its embarrassing what were doing here," leading scorer Phil Kessel said Wednesday. The most recent failed season came with even more pain than the six that preceded it. There was no hint of an impending implosion when the Leafs came roaring out of the all-star break with back-to-back games against Pittsburgh -- a 5-4 shootout loss followed by a 1-0 win the next night. https://www.cheapraysonline.com/116i-and...ersey-rays.html. The former Toronto FC designated player played three of his 15 professional seasons with the team. Mike Brosseau Rays Jersey .Manager Brendan Rodgers told the Liverpool Echo on Friday that Sturridge pulled his calf muscle in training as he prepared to return from a five-week layoff due to a thigh strain. Brandon Lowe Jersey . -- Chris Jones and Louisville have done a tremendous job protecting the basketball this season and thats led to easy victories.ARLINGTON, Texas -- Yu Darvish will get some extra rest before his next start after throwing 126 pitches in another near no-hitter. The Texas Rangers announced Sunday that Darvish will not start as scheduled Wednesday at Houston. The right-hander from Japan will instead pitch the series opener at home Friday against Toronto in place of lefty Martin Perez, who reported discomfort in his left elbow after not making it out of the fourth inning Saturday night in his third consecutive bad start. "I dont know because I dont know the particulars," manager Ron Washington responded when about his level of concern on Perez. "Weve just got to wait and see what the evaluation proves out." Perez allowed six runs and 14 runners (nine hits, four walks and a hit batter) in 3 2-3 innings of an 8-3 loss to Boston. Since the end of his 26-inning scoreless streak over three games, Perez (4-3) has given up 19 runs over 13 1-3 innings in his past three games, raising his ERA from 1.42 to 4.38. Perez will stay in Arlington for MRI and treatment instead of going with the team to Houston. The pitcher said he has never had elbow trouble in the past. "Im not nervous. I want to keep working and get in a good situation," Perez said after the Rangers 5-2 loss to Boston on Sunday. "I want to make sure everything is good. Its day to day." Darvish came within one out of a no-hitter Friday night in the sseries opener against the Red Sox before slugger David Ortiz grounded a clean single with two outs in the ninth on the aces 126th and final pitch.dddddddddddd That was just short of his career high of 130 pitches. Nick Tepesch was scratched from his scheduled start Sunday for Triple-A Round Rock, and is slated to pitch for Texas on Wednesday in Darvishs spot before the Rangers have a scheduled day off Thursday. Tepesch was 4-6 in 19 games (17 starts) as a rookie last year for the Rangers, but has spent this season at Round Rock. The right-hander is 5-1 with a 1.58 ERA in seven starts for the Express. Right-hander Scott Baker and infielder Josh Wilson both cleared outright waivers after being designated for assignment Thursday. Baker, who pitched 5 1-3 innings in relief in his Rangers debut Wednesday, accepted an assignment to Triple-A Round Rock. The Rangers were still waiting for a decision from Wilson, who can refuse the move. The extra rest for Darvish could also be good news for the Astros. Darvish was within one out of a perfect game during his first start of 2013 in Houston when Marwin Gonzalez singled through the pitchers legs. Darvish then lost a no-hit bid with one out in the eighth inning against the Astros last August. Last month in Arlington, Darvish retired the first 15 Astros batters and pitched eight scoreless innings in what became a 1-0 Texas win in 12 innings. ' ' '