QB Chris Rix's importance to FSU is on the rise after a season of uncertainty and mistrust.
By BRIAN LANDMAN
Published August 27, 2003
TALLAHASSEE - Florida State quarterback Chris Rix couldn't have seen it coming.
Not so much the jarring hit from redshirt freshman linebacker Buster Davis in one of the first practices, but the surprising response from the offensive linemen.
"They almost started a brawl with the defense," Rix said.
"We all know that he's the guy, and we have to protect our guy," tackle Ray Willis said. "He's our quarterback. He's going to lead us to where we need to be."
In the past, teammates might not have been so quick to defend Rix.
Almost from his first day on campus, the Southern Californian came off as arrogant and aloof. While he still might not win a popularity contest, his teammates say they appreciate him more.
"You don't have to like your quarterback," coach Bobby Bowden said, "but respect has to be there, and I think he'll have it."
Part of that is his age. As a fourth-year junior, Rix, 22, is one of the team's elder statesmen. That affords him certain privileges.
Part of that is his fence mending/building. He has been diligent about getting to meetings and workouts on time, especially after missing a final exam and losing his Sugar Bowl eligibility last season. He also has tried to expand the circle of teammates he calls friends.
Part of that is his situation. With popular backup Adrian McPherson long gone, Rix is the clear No. 1. He admits that improves his comfort level.
"It's made it a lot easier, you hate to say it, that AD (McPherson) is gone because of the fact that guys really rallied around AD; guys really liked him a lot," junior receiver Dominic Robinson said. "Now that he's gone, I think guys realize that this is the ship we're going to ride. We're either going to jump on or we're going to watch it go by the wayside. Guys have decided to jump on and look into respecting Chris Rix."
Bowden believes that Rix, outspoken and confident, is a natural-born leader. But upperclassmen don't like to listen to a freshman and when Rix talked, others squawked.
"Early in his career it would have been better if he had just taken the team and been quiet," Bowden said. "Now, when he's in the huddle, it's Mr. Rix in there. He's not a little ol' freshman."
Bowden acknowledges Rix must be "very cautious how he presents" his leadership, and Rix is aware that he walks a slippery slope.
"The biggest thing I've worked on is showing the guys by actions," he said. "Not really talking about it and really being about it."
Players notice when someone is routinely late or opts out of early morning workouts. They notice when coaches don't intervene and grumble about "Jordan Rules," those special rules for special players.
They don't like it.
"Everyone didn't like (Chris) Weinke," senior cornerback Stanford Samuels said of the former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, "but everyone respected him because of how he worked."
Since his monthlong benching last season, Rix has tried to show a Weinke-like ethic.
He made in-roads but lost ground by missing an exam. His teammates felt let down. Rix had work to do and started shortly after FSU's 26-13 Sugar Bowl loss to Georgia.
"He just completely humbled himself in front of the team, apologizing, and then going out there and being consistent every day," Robinson said. "I definitely notice a difference in the way he gets after it on a day-to-day basis."
He also has tried to let more people know him away from football. He recently treated the receivers to a movie, S.W.A.T, and played basketball with Samuels during the summer.
"Before, you felt like he was kind of closed off and had built a fence around him," Robinson said. "He put out this cocky aura, but when you get to know him you realize he's not like that. ... He's now showing people that he's humble and he really is out for the team."
Rix admits he has had a tough time changing initial impressions of him and believes a team liking its quarterback can be a factor in its success. But he said he won't allow trying to win a popularity contest supersede trying to win games.
"Yes, you wish everyone loved you, but everyone's not going to love you," he said. "That's just the way life is. Hopefully by spending more time with people who maybe I don't hang out with a lot (normally), I'll be able to improve that, but it's something I really don't dwell on."
Winning is a panacea for many ills.
Rix is 14-7 as a starter.
"I didn't come here thinking I would ever win less than 10 games (a season); that was the last thing on my mind," Robinson said. "I don't blame Chris Rix for that, but, unfortunately, some guys do."
No disrespect to backup Fabian Walker, but Rix said his solidified position as the starter has made him more relaxed, and that should be reflected in his play.
If Rix commits fewer turnovers and doesn't try to do too much himself - things he did well in a redemptive win against Florida last season - the Seminoles should win with him. "I see him stepping forward and trying to lead the team, and that's all we can ask him to do," Willis said. "It's not like he hasn't tried to lead the team. I think he hasn't been able to because there's always been some type of little controversy. Right now, I think he's a lot more relaxed, a lot more confident and a lot smarter."
