Super Bowl XXXVII

Letters to the Editors

Give proper recognition to man who really built the Buccaneers

What a great season for Buccaneer fans. A year removed from the Tony Dungy era, and we're in the "Greatest Show on Earth."

So why, then, do the fans and media handle Dungy with such care? Why is he given so much credit for this season's success? There is no mistaking Dungy is a nice guy. The media love his accessibility. Fans love his humor and mild-mannered demeanor.

But does any of this qualify him as a great coach?

Who brought the talented core of our defense to Tampa Bay? Dungy? No, Sam Wyche! Yes, Wyche brought John Lynch, Derrick Brooks, Warren Sapp and even Hardy Nickerson to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Not a bad core of players Dungy inherited.

I can hear the deafening screams of protest now. "But what about records?" you may say. Well, Wyche never had the opportunity to see his draft picks through to fruition. He was handed a pink slip at the end of the season.

The Bucs were 7-9 in his final season, not far off the 9-7 mark Dungy averaged during his tenure.
-- David Eisenbart, St. Petersburg

I feel I should, as a yearly subscriber, voice my opinion about your sports journalists, John Romano and Gary Shelton.

How sad that they felt the need to support the Philadelphia Eagles for the win. I certainly understand that they felt the other team would win, but not to say, at least, that their hopes and support were with OUR TEAM.

Such poor judgment will not only be not forgiven, but more important, not FORGOTTEN. There are such talented writers that have graduated from our Florida schools and universities just begging for a chance. Why settle for nonloyal people?

It is so interesting to see how quickly they are praising our Bucs now. Disgusting. Is this what is called (kissing) up too late.
-- Martha Holthaus, Redington Shores

Let me start by saying congrats to the Bucs for getting to the big game. One question: Why are there so many people that say "I've been a Bucs fan since the old days?" Well, answer me this: If that is true, Tampa Stadium used to hold 75,000-plus and was hardly ever sold out (maybe four times). RJS holds 63,000 and is sold out. If ALL of these so-called fans were really fans, why did they build a smaller stadium? It's okay to be a fan, just be a true fan. Admit you started liking the team since 1997.

I've lived here for 20 years. Moved from Pittsburgh. I'm a solid Steelers fan and always will be. I liked the Bucs back in the Williams, Wilder, House, Giles, Bell, etc. days. Ask some of the so-called fans to name some players minus the four stars on the team, and they can't.
-- Tim Rinker, Largo