Opinion

Rant, Rave

By PETE YOUNG, Times Staff Writer
Published October 26, 2003

---

Childish behavior by two is a detriment to Bucs

Thirty is milestone. You move to the next 10-year age clump and leave the previous one behind, for good. In your 30s, you're expected to understand how your actions affect those around you. You're expected to be mature enough to take it into account.

Warren Sapp and Keyshawn Johnson misplaced the memo recently.

We know, Sapp, everyone knows: the NFL can be exceptionally hypocritical. That doesn't mean Sapp, or anyone, has the right to prance through the opposing team during pregame. Would Sapp think it was okay if Larry Allen skipped through the Bucs today during pregame? How about if 12 or 15 Cowboys did it? How about if one of them "accidentally" bumped Sapp while doing it?

As for Johnson, he has said many times he really liked playing for Bill Parcells. But his insistence on proclaiming Parcells the best coach he ever played for is a thinly veiled shot at his current boss. Would Johnson have liked it if Jon Gruden had crowed before the Super Bowl about how Tim Brown was the best receiver he had coached? Backhanded insults of your coach are a good way to fracture team unity.

Sapp and Johnson probably have a few good years left, but both appear to have left their best days on the field behind. Sadly, they haven't left behind their childish craving to be the center of attention, no matter how it affects those around them - the Bucs.

Texas Tech QB puts up Heisman-like numbers

What in the name of Ty Detmer and Andre Ware is going on in Lubbock, Texas?

There have been some obscene passing numbers compiled by the likes of Heisman Trophy winners Detmer (BYU) and Ware (Houston). Then there are the mind-boggling stats of Texas Tech's B.J. Symons.

This following is not a misprint: After passing for 408 yards and four touchdowns against Missouri on Saturday, he has 3,910 yards and 36 touchdowns in eight games. That's an average of nearly 500 yards and nearly five touchdowns a game. He's on pace to shatter the yardage record (Detmer, 5,188).

All this in his first year as a starter against a legitimate schedule. Symons and the Red Raiders put up 49 points on Oklahoma State and its (previously) highly regarded defense last week.

"Product of the system" is the label pegged on Symons, since his predecessor, Kliff Kingsbury, also put up huge numbers in coach Mike Leach's throw, throw and throw some more offense. But even the remarkably prolific Kingsbury couldn't approach what Symons is doing, and he has led Tech to a 5-3 record.

There are many good Heisman contenders but no great ones. Symons has been as impressive as any player in the country. Not bad for a guy who sat on the bench for four seasons before seizing his first and only chance this fall.

Baseball

World Series: Series becomes coming-out party for Beckett

World Series: Win or lose, Miami is getting ready to party

World Series: Yanks may be facing overhaul after Series failure

Bowling

Polk County duo teams at regional

College football

A man apart

Game, Set, Watch!

Stats do Bulls no good

Notebook: Pitt WR ties touchdown record

Long first-play TD sets tone for USM

Penalties hurt USF, frustrate players, coach

USF By the Numbers

FSU By the Numbers

Bulldogs avert upset

Confidence boost for Booker

FSU Gameballs

Returner gets back in groove

USF Gameballs

Conferences

Big Ten: Michigan knocks Purdue from top

Big XII: Sooners escape Buffs

Nation: Cinderella tale ends for N. Illinois

Pac-10: Leinart leads USC road rout

ACC: Wolfpack dodges Duke, adds to Blue Devils' skid

Big East: BC rally negates Irish's

C-USA: TCU scores enough to stay undefeated

SEC: Vols outlast Tide in five OTs

State: Schneider, Knights romp over Central Michigan

Golf

Long-distance driver ... and flyer

Daly's agent, tour official dispute report of a mandatory rehab

Singh in position to pass Woods

Horse racing

Trainer has Pleasantly Perfect day

In brief

Cohen takes third title

Motorsports

Biffle's win fuels ire about Cup car

Gordon leaves bad luck in dust

Harvick has Kenseth in his sights

Junqueira, Bourdais out front

NFL

Holmes heart of Chiefs offense

NFL picks

Things that make you go Hmm

NHL

Panthers stop the Thrashers

Opinion

Rant, Rave

Outdoors

Daily fishing report

Officials revamp plans for big reef

Preps

Gulf girls take second at 2A-5 meet

Hernando boys reach goal

Jesuit up to challenge

SPC moves ahead comfortably

Triathlon

Second race charm for Naples Ironman

World Series

Priceless

Letters: Your Turn: Offshore race coverage appreciated

Rays

2 Joshes, 2 losses for Rays?

Lee, Lugo are free-agent dilemmas

Bucs

Plop-plop, fizz-fizz ... Bucs need hangover fix

Bucs in real danger of losing Key

Lacoochee coos for Hambrick

Kickin' back with Corey Ivy

Matchup ...

Sideline

Letters: The rough patch is only temporary

Lightning

Three straight goals, 6-0 mark

He's the hot start expert