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Rix learns ropes

The FSU quarterback has rid himself of his brash attitude in exchange for team leadership.

By BRIAN LANDMAN, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published August 21, 2002

[AP photo] Chris Rix, throwing over linemen, gained teammates' respect late last season and is key to FSU's national title hopes.

TALLAHASSEE -- As the starting quarterback for a historically pass-happy offense, Chris Rix is recognized as a leader for the Seminoles.

"We know he can get the job done," junior receiver Anquan Boldin said.

To a man, the Seminoles, who open Saturday against Iowa State, believe Rix can take them to the Fiesta Bowl and a national title shot. But almost to a man, they didn't have that faith until recently. Before taking a collegiate snap, Rix had come off as arrogant and aloof, alienating many of the upperclassmen.

"I think we all had a problem; I think we all thought, 'This guy's too cocky,' " senior offensive tackle Brett Williams said.

Rix even had a Web site.

He had "Look out DB" on the vanity plate on his Mustang.

And he handed out business cards, "Chris Rix, Florida State quarterback," to his linemen as if they were potential clients.

"He had an air about him," senior offensive guard Montrae Holland said.

"I would compare him to Coach (Bobby) Bowden without the years of knowing how to humble himself and knowing how to say things confidently without coming off cocky," senior tailback Nick Maddox said.

In years past, the Seminoles have not entrusted the offense to a quarterback until he was a fourth-year junior. Circumstances pushed Rix into the mix as a redshirt freshman -- sooner than anyone in the Bowden era. Bowden recognized Rix's leadership skills but fretted that the athletic and brash kid could become a lightning rod for locker-room discord.

"I would think there would be some he'd rub the wrong way," Bowden said. "He's from a different country -- California. There's a difference to me between an eastern quarterback and a western quarterback. Those people out there are different. They're pretty confident, and they've got that air about them whereas it seems like guys from this part of the country are a little bit more conservative and a little bit slower about bragging about how good they are."

Rix, 21, also didn't do himself any favors by attempting to behave too much like his predecessor, Chris Weinke. He saw Weinke didn't hang out with most of his teammates. He saw Weinke's cocksure attitude. He saw how Weinke would sometimes harshly challenge a teammate in front of his peers.

Of course, Weinke was 28 at the time. He had returned to college after six seasons of minor-league baseball, had overcome a potentially career-threatening neck injury, led FSU to its first undefeated season and its second national title as a junior and then won the Heisman Trophy in 2000 as the Seminoles again played for No. 1.

He might not have won a popularity contest, but his performance commanded respect.

Rix, who switched from No. 15 to Weinke's No. 16, bypassed those crucial steps.

"I was trying to be Chris Weinke my freshman year," Rix said. "(I thought) 'This guy is successful . . . maybe I should try to emulate him and be his mirror image and maybe I could produce the same results.' "

He didn't come close.

Last season, FSU (8-4) had its worst season since 1986. The low point for Rix came against Miami in midseason. He committed six turnovers in the 49-27 loss. Afterward, frustrated senior receiver Atrews Bell publicly lashed out at his quarterback to start backing up his brash talk.

A turning point came against Maryland. Rix threw three fourth-quarter touchdowns for a 52-31 win. A few weeks later against Georgia Tech, he rallied a lethargic team from a 10-7 halftime deficit to a 28-17 win.

"He stepped up," Holland said. "He sacrificed his body to get extra yards. He made big plays. That's when we got behind him."

Rix finished with 2,734 yards and 24 touchdowns and was named ACC rookie of the year. He is mentioned by numerous preseason prognosticators as a Heisman Trophy candidate and is a major reason why the Seminoles are expected to challenge for the national title.

"He struggled early, but he shook it off and came to play every game," said Boldin, who spent the year recovering from knee surgery. "He earned everybody's respect."

After the advice of his pastor, Ron Miller, Rix spent the offseason getting to know his teammates off the field and letting them know him.

He recently treated his linemen to an all-you-can-eat buffet and invited Brett Williams to spend the night so he wouldn't have as far to drive with his ailing shoulder. He also is trying to bond with his receivers.

"It's a process," Rix said. "You can't hang out with every player every weekend, but I'm trying, not so much as a group, but individually to connect with guys and hang out with them. . . . The bottom line is I've come to realize it's not about me. That's what I thought when I first got here: 'What can I do and what can the team do for me to bring attention to myself?' But I've learned it's not about me, it's about the team. It's about Coach Bowden and him finishing the end of his career at the top."

The players recognize the difference in Rix. Williams said he is more in command in the huddle. If he gets on someone now, the player is apt to listen. He also exudes a confidence and trust in those around him and he is quick to praise and credit them first. And last.

"I've never seen a sophomore with such a mental maturity level," Morgan said.

Senior offensive lineman Todd Williams, who nearly brawled with Rix two years ago at a practice but has since become a close friend through church and bible study, said Rix is more approachable.

"Before, he wasn't able to take a joke . . . but he's grown spiritually and mentally," Williams said. "We exchanged our words, we've mended and I'd live and die for that guy."

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