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© St. Petersburg Times, published October 29, 2000
We need Alstott -- with confidence
Mike Alstott needs to play. So what if he fumbled? The fumbles wouldn't have mattered if the Bucs offense had done its job. He is still the one to make the short-yardage plays. Nothing would ruin this guy's confidence more than to be benched because of a few fumbles. We need the A-Train.
-- Jimmie Carra, Port Richey
I am, and have always been, a diehard Bucs fan. The Thursday night game against the Lions was horrible, and was the first time I ever left a game early. However, the Bucs will regroup and surprise all jumpers today by whipping the Vikings. There is too much character in the locker room to quit now.
Something really has bothered me this week, though. I took a business associate from Wisconsin to the game Thursday. I have been bragging all year about the fan support and RJS. Well, all I have heard since Thursday from her is that the Tampa Bay fans are nothing compared to Green Bay fans. She said the fans gave up on the team early and that would never happen in Green Bay. Just thought I would share this with other Bucs fans.
-- Buck Reuter, St. Petersburg
Everybody wants to know what is wrong with the Bucs. I just finished reading the Times sports page of Oct. 24, and it tells it all. Trent Dilfer starting quarterback for the Ravens. Vinny Testaverde's five TDs in the fourth quarter. Les Steckel plans renewed emphasis on run for sagging offense. And that's just the front page.
One thing is certain. The Bucs had the best defense in the league last year and they changed the personnel.
-- Gary Wilkinson, Dunedin
Wanted: one bright flashlight for a dim falling star. Please contact One Buc Place.
-- Jerry Bruzdewicz, Spring Hill
Last year all I read about was get Dilfer out and put in King. Now King is in and everyone is saying get him out. Earlier this year everyone said open up the offense and throw the ball more. The Bucs did, and everyone's saying to stick with the run.
Well, I'll tell you what. I will trust and respect anything that coach Dungy does. ... Dungy knows what he's doing, so instead of complaining, why don't you back the team. If you want a reason why they are 3-4, it's because in the three games the Bucs won they only had one turnover, and in the four they lost they've had 13!
-- Justin Reed, St. Petersburg
Maybe the Bucs are setting some sort of NFL trend. The Dolphins seemed to have picked up how to play Bucs Ball quite well Monday night.
-- David Lubin, Tampa
We don't have a quarterback, but a 10-cents back. What about trying for Trent Green of the Rams? Salary cap could make him available. Then the Buccaneers would have a gold mine.
-- Dick Shockley, Clearwater
After all four losses, people have found someone to point the finger at. This time it is King. Although he did throw the interceptions, he is inexperienced. One bad game out of seven isn't so bad at all. Getting rid of King definitely is not the answer to the Bucs' problems. All we need is King to become another Young, or Testaverde. How can our young offense prosper if we break it up? That's ridiculous. The Bucs were 3-4 last year at this time. In my opinion the Bucs haven't been playing bad. They just have stupid mistakes and penalties that are killing them. Everyone expects too much from the Bucs. This year probably won't be theirs, but if we start breaking them up before they form a rhythm, the Bucs will never have a year. Have faith in King.
-- Shaun McKanna, St. Petersburg
Don't blame Mike Alstott or Warrick Dunn, the Bucs got to the NFC Championship game with these two at running back last season. The blame must be with Dungy. One, he needs to order Steckel to mix the plays better. Two, he must come to terms that Shaun King is not an NFL championship QB. Dungy either needs to sit King for a game or make a permanent change. This franchise has a propensity of letting go QBs who became a success with new teams (Doug Williams, Steve Young, Vinny Testaverde). I feel Trent Dilfer was better than King. Unfortunately, the Bucs QB of the future may not be on the current roster.
-- Ben Martorella, Spring Hill