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Bob Sparks - page 13

Bob Sparks has 693 articles published.

Bob Sparks is President of Ramos and Sparks Group, a Tallahassee-based business and political consulting firm. During his career, he has directed media relations and managed events for professional baseball, served as chief spokesperson for the Republican Party of Florida as well as the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Attorney General of Florida. After serving as Executive Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor Charlie Crist, he returned to the private sector working with clients including the Republican National Committee and political candidates in Japan. He lives in Tallahassee with his wife, Sue and can be reached at [email protected].

Miami’s Brad Kaaya, UF’s Caleb Brantley among NFL Draft’s biggest losers

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Most of the Miami, Florida State and Florida players were chosen at or near their projections in the NFL Draft with two glaring exceptions. Yes, Dalvin Cook was thought to be a first-rounder, but the other state players drafted in the second or third round went as expected. The exceptions were Florida defensive tackle Caleb Brantley and Miami quarterback Brad Kaaya. Brantley was not taken until the first pick of the 6th round by the Cleveland Browns while Kaaya lasted…

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Indianapolis Colts take USF’s Marlon Mack in 4th round

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University of South Florida running back Marlon Mack dropped a little lower than he hoped, but now knows where he will be heading to training camp in three months. The Indianapolis Colts took him with the next-to-last pick of the fourth round of the NFL Draft. Some mock drafts had him slotted for the third round. Mack was a first-team all-American Athletic Conference selection in all three years that he played in Tampa. Over that span he averaged 100 rushing…

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St. Pete native, UCF star Shaquill Griffin’s story enters next chapter

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The Seattle Seahawks’ choice of Central Florida defensive back Shaquill Griffin in the third round of the NFL Draft wasn’t earth shattering, but it is a good story. From a relative unknown to a third-round selection, the Griffin story has several components. It doesn’t hurt that he is an outstanding football player as well. Not many knew all that much about the graduate of St. Petersburg’s Lakewood High. Coming out of high school, he made a vow that he would…

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NFL Draft: second and third round good for state collegians

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The second and third rounds of of the NFL Draft on Friday night saw plenty of action for players from Florida universities. It took two rounds and 41 picks, but Dalvin Cook has finally found an NFL home. The Minnesota Vikings traded up with the Cincinnati Bengals to acquire Florida State’s all-time leading rusher. “We started making some calls once we knew he was sliding into the second day,” said Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman. “We felt he was just…

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5 biggest NFL Draft Day 1 surprises and what to look for in Day 2

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There were a few unexpected things that cropped up during Thursday’s first round of the NFL Draft. Some are more impactful than others, but from a Floridian’s point of view, these stood out. Dalvin Cook’s free fall from the first round. Some of the mock drafts said this could happen, but we thought his character scrapes from a younger age would not hurt him that much. Many thought Cook would go to the Tampa Bay Bucs, but GM Todd Licht…

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NFL Draft Day 1: former Bucs legend John Lynch makes huge splash as 49ers GM

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It didn’t take long for former Tampa Bay Buccaneer John Lynch to make an impact as the first-year general manager of the San Francisco 49ers. Slated to draft second overall, the rookie executive literally hoodwinked the Chicago Bears into giving up three lower-round draft picks to move up from the third pick. Lynch, recently inducted into the Bucs Ring of Honor, simply ran rings around his counterpart, Ryan Pace, and the Bears organization. The Bears got what they wanted, North…

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If another SCOTUS opening occurs, will Charles Canady get a serious look?

in 2017 by

According to Sen. Charles Grassley, the U.S. Supreme Court may need to fill another opening this summer. The Iowa Republican, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, did not name names, but rumors are swirling it could be the Court’s swing vote, 80-year-old Anthony Kennedy. If that occurs, President Trump will go back to his list of 21 potential nominees, now numbering 20 after  the elevation of Neil Gorsuch. Rumored to be on the short list before Gorsuch’s selection was Judge William…

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