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Letters to the Editors

Reasons to vent

During the week we asked you to vent about your team's (UF or FSU) disappointing season. Here are some of your responses
--
When I am able to tell you what play the other team is going to call and the FSU defense cannot defend it, then I know times are bad. I knew Notre Dame was going to come out throwing on their first possession, which of course they did and scored. How come the defense wasn't ready for this?
I also knew that FSU should come out throwing but would choose to run the ball. That is exactly what happened and they went 3 and out. Jeff Bowden does not have the experience needed to be in his position.
I hate to say this, but I truly believe it is time for Bobby to retire. He has lost control of his coaches and team. I think Jim Leavitt would be a great replacement.
Mickey Underwood, Redington Shores

Lots of lows for these Gator fans this year. Losses that shouldn't have been, chances blown. Beating the Vols in their own back yard makes up for a lot of that, though.

What has unquestionably stuck in our craw all year has been the pitiful play of the kicking game, especially considering Zook's background with special teams. All year he said he would get it fixed and it just got worse. Both of us just turned 50 and either of us could have done as well.
-- Richard and Sue Kirchner, Tampa

FSU has the most talent in college football this year, as it has for the last decade plus (see recruiting). The problem is coaching!! They need to make the changes before the recruiting slips and before Bowden's legacy becomes tarnished. I realize this will be very, very difficult and probably won't happen in time.

UF is pretty thin talent wise (see recruiting). New coaching staff has done okay but can't be excused for the dismal special teams play. Win against Georgia and either a win against FSU or bowl opponent (or both) assures Zook another year. For him to survive beyond 2003, he will need top 15 recruiting class, at least nine wins and solutions for kicking and punting woes.

Prediction: FSU vs. UF -- 0-0 tie! Game called (by players) after many overtime periods.
-- Sandy Barber, Belleair Beach

The problem this year and last points directly to Jeff Bowden. Critical third and 6. Coming out of one of ABC's commercial timeouts, Adrian McPherson has to call a timeout because the call comes in late. After another 10 minutes of commercials, the offensive genius prodigy calls a draw play for 2 yards.

Roll up those sleeves, Jeff! Maybe you can find a cheat sheet from Mark Richt (dare we say we miss the much maligned ex-assistant?).

Good riddance to a senior class who believes they can just don an FSU uniform and beat their opponents. It not only takes talent but heart to win in big games and this class has proven time and again that they have none.

Darnell Dockett is the most overrated player to ever come through FSU, and Stanford Samuels needs to prepare for something other than the NFL career he thinks he is deserving of.
-- Chris Spoto, Tampa

Florida has excuses for a lackluster season; as a Gator fan, I've heard them all season long:

1. New offensive scheme;

2. New head coach with limited recruitment time;

3. Replacement of a legendary coach;

4. With the new addition to the stadium, now the opposing team will be out of the blistering sun earlier in the game. Okay, so I made this one up, we are drawing at straws not to point a finger at any one individual or their decision.

You asked for worst plays, lowest moments; there are too many to mention. Maybe this Saturday's game should be renamed the Tidy Bowl game. Not in reference to the toilet-like season but rather, the team that plays the most "tidied up game" will leave Doak Campbell Stadium victorious. As a Gators fan of long duration, I would like to share a common Gator phrase with hurting Seminoles fans: "Wait till next year."
-- Rose Sierra, Coral Gables

I have to say the worst thing that has happened to FSU this year is unfolding before our eyes right now. I have a feeling that Adrian McPherson is just the start of some bad things to come. It pains me to say that, as an FSU alumnus, but I think there is more to the story than what is currently being told.
-- Geoff Willoughby, St. Petersburg

My opinion on the decline of the 'Noles is one thing, and I really don't care about the Gators.

FSU is having internal problems, we can all see that. How can such a talented team do so poorly? It just doesn't add up. I really think they are throwing these games they lost so McPherson could take Rix's place, and the only way Coach Bowden would listen is to play poorly.

It worked. But now what?
-- Lorie Cornelio, Trinity

A true Gators fan has nothing to vent about! With almost all new coaches, not just the head coach, they played right where they should have. Steve left us with many missing positions for Ron to fill, and he will do an excellent job at it given a few years.

The low point had to have been the lineman down field in the Mississippi game on the trick play. Instead of the Gators having a first down on the 15-yard line, we got backed up to midfield. The high point, walking out of Neyland Stadium soaking wet after beating the Tennessee Volunteers!
-- Eric Howe, Largo

The UF-FSU game pales next to a traditional rivalry such as the Army-Navy Game. If we try to identify a problem, it may be that the UF-FSU game needs help from the media to create the national intensity that it has enjoyed over a few years. This year, even the media can't help.
-- Pete Leniart, Clearwater

Quarterback controversy my arse, it's Jeff Bowden who MUST GO!
-- Ron Hayes, Jacksonville

I am a little disgusted at some of my fellow Seminoles out there blaming Jeff Bowden. Give me a break. He can only do so much with not a single player he can legitimately call a quarterback. I do believe Chris Rix is a lost cause and that A.D. has the most potential.

But neither of them belonged behind center at any point this season. Do we forget a fellow by the name of Jared Jones? This would have been his senior season. If he never would have broken those rules to have gotten himself kicked off the team, we could still have been playing for the national title last year and especially this year.
-- Craig P. Cochran, Belleair

Alonzo Jackson and other players complained loudly in the locker room after the Notre Dame game. The St. Pete Times article said that Jackson complained so loudly that he "had to be restrained" and taken out of the locker room by other players. It seemed Jackson felt the only missing piece of the puzzle for another great FSU team was the quarterback, and he demanded that Chris Rix be replaced.

The following week Wake Forest ran through Alonzo Jackson and his defense as if they were high school players. Obviously, there were more missing parts of the puzzle than Chris Rix.

Bobby Bowden is a fine man and has had a great career at Florida State, but when you allow players to tell you how to coach it's time to step aside and let coaches who aren't intimidated by players take over.
-- J.H. Brown, St. Petersburg

Coach Bobby Bowden is a good coach, but to compare his record to Joe Paterno is not fair. Paterno's teams were mostly Big Ten teams while FSU was whipping up on the Wake Forests and the like. FSU could have joined the SEC but knew they could win more games in the weaker ACC.

VENT? Yeah! Drop the Seminole logo and call yourselves the CHICKENS.
-- Cappy Bie, Indian Rocks Beach

This probably is the stupidest thing I have ever read in your paper. Are we really supposed to complain about our college football teams because they are not ranked 1 and 2 in the nation? How about the fact that they are in the top 25 and have been for the past 15 years. What do you want? There are probably about 200 other schools that would love to be in either teams' position.
-- T. Martin, New Port Richey

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