Opinion
Ex-Seminole should have been kicked out
Letters to the Editor
© St. Petersburg Times
published September 14, 2003
Your article on Laveranues Coles' bitterness toward FSU (Coles expresses bitterness at FSU, Tuesday) correctly noted that both he and Peter Warrick were charged with felonies while at Florida State but that only Coles was cut from the team - Warrick, the Heisman candidate, wasn't. You left out that it was Coles' second serious black mark.
As your coverage from then showed, you knew that, and you should have mentioned it.
-- Ernest Lane, New Port Richey
I am totally thrilled by the whining interview with Laveranues Coles.
He is upset because FSU yanked him because he is a criminal. Furthermore, he is probably upset because Peter Warrick got to stay when he was banished from the team. Bobby Bowden made probably the best call he has made as coach of a national caliber college team.
In their last national championship season, Coles had several criminal problems and Bowden gave him another chance. Warrick was only involved in one problem. Big-time college football has always had a double standard. Most big-time football high schools in Florida have the same standard. Coles is the perfect player for a whiner coach like Steve Spurrier.
-- Rande Ricketts, Seminole
Don't penalize players for getting excited
It didn't really matter to me who won the exciting Florida-Miami college football game (Sept. 6), but what upset me was the referees' calls on two plays could have affected the outcome of the game and potentially the season of these two fine teams.
I can understand the rule about taking off your helmet on the field. It's pretty clear. But Miami's Devin Hester, after scoring on the opening kickoff, didn't even take his off on the field. He was clearly off the field. And to penalize another teenager, Miami receiver Ryan Moore, for simply bowing after scoring the biggest touchdown of his short career was ludicrous, considering players tackle one another, butt helmets and always seem to run around in circles pointing to the sky. Isn't this "excessive celebration"?
Let the kids play and have fun, too.
-- David Lubin, Tampa
Busch needs to continue learning lessons
After reading the story about Kurt Busch (Busch is learning fast from mistakes, Saturday) I now realize what his problem is. He says, "If you look at it, you have a group of fans who like one driver, but then there's 42 groups of fans who don't like that driver."
I am a Jeff Gordon fan, but I also respect and like many other drivers. Even though I wear Gordon shirt, it doesn't mean he's the only driver I like to see win a race or be successful. I think that's the way most NASCAR fans feel.
Busch has some talent as a driver, but he also has a lot to learn. Every time he speaks, he reveals more of his personality, and it's that that people don't like. He should've learned from his experience with Jimmy Spencer. He needs to shut up and drive and stop trying to stir the pot because he's the one getting burned.
-- Donald Noll, Riverview
Network makes watching tennis easier
Hallelujah! Give the USA Network a gold medal. It has pioneered a constant display on the screen with real-time info at the U.S. Open tennis tournament, with the players' names, player serving, point score, game score and set score.
This is a godsend for viewers who are distracted or leave during play and now can be instantly updated on their return. Other sports have displayed this luxury for some time, and now we no longer have to shout, "What's the score?" at the TV during tennis matches.
Hopefully, all networks will get the picture.
-- John Stafford, Largo
Baseball
MLB acts the bully with Expos
AL: Chisox ride Colon's stamina
NL: Marlins thrill a packed house
Penny injury less serious than feared
BoxingSugar gets sweet win vs. De La Hoya
College football'Canes inconsistent but still cruise to win
Gators shake off doubt, slow start
Technical difficulty
Clarett expected to stay at OSU
'Canes contain big plays
Freshman Harris out until second trial
Special teams a bit more so
UF By the numbers
UF Game balls
'Noles seek new nonconference foe
Defense makes stand when it counts most
FSU By the numbers
FSU Game balls
Buckeyes extend streak by inches
Wolverines devour Irish
ConferencesBig East: Big third helps Pitt pull away
SEC: Georgia stifles South Carolina
State: UCF needs record day to rally, hold off FAU
Big Ten: Wisconsin stumbles, fumbles away game
Pac-10: Trojans click in all phases
Big 12: Hogs upset 'Horns
C-USA: Golden Eagles punish Tigers' errors
Nation: Air Force finds it can pass, rush
ACC: Boilermakers don't fall short this time
GolfDent's 65 within a stroke of his age
Sorenstam, Pettersen strike a blow at U.S.
Gotta minute?Rocco Baldelli
Horse racingCongaree frozen out in warmup
In briefeBay item has James agitated
MotorsportsM. Schumacher wins F1 pole
NASCAR remains a family business
NFLPicks, Week 2
Same Tuna, different diversion
Things make you go hmmm
OpinionRant, Rave
OutdoorsDaily fishing report
Preparation vital ahead of a storm
PrepsKotchman, Quick can't catch King's Bowerman
Biladeau never looks back as Jesuit wins
DQ aids Plant girls at relays; Jesuit tops boys
Jesuit's Biladeau runs away with title
King's Bowerman cruises to victory
Lecanto has strong showing
PHU gets best of Seminole
Practice as targets pays as PHU wins at Keswick
SoccerThis won't be a party like it was in 1999
Letters: Ex-Seminole should have been kicked out
RaysRays detect no signs of a Yankees decline
Lou's worst club still inspires hope
In upside, this OF is peerless
Rays tales
BucsHitting the high spots
A shutout as only Rice can see it
Waitress's joke hard for Sapp to swallow
Carolina blueprint should look familiar
Kickin' back with Thomas Jones
Sideline
Letters: Eagles fans reach the ultimate low
LightningLecavalier, Stillman highlight first day
Success depends on growth
