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© St. Petersburg Times, published December 3, 2000
As usual, Sapp gets plenty of attention
Maybe Warren Sapp should concentrate more on how the defense could do its job better rather then telling Steckel how to do his. Last year all we heard was that the Bucs offense was too predictable. Now the complaint is that the offense is too unpredictable. Could it be that some Bucs players thought that the other teams in the league would just roll over come game day because they were going against that mighty Bucs defense, and a trip to the Super Bowl was a sure thing?
At least two losses this year can be traced to the defense giving up a big play (or two) late in the game. Or maybe Sapp thinks he's so good that he could strap on a headset after the defense does its work and call the offense better then Steckel (who has a track record to prove he knows what he's doing).
-- Robert Wierzba, Palm Harbor
I was glad to see Warren Sapp finally showed his frustrations in the article in the St. Petersburg Times. He is not only speaking for his teammates on the defense but also for the many suffering fans who had great expectations and dreams for the Bucs this year.
Tony Dungy should not start Shaun King this week. He should make King cool his heels (at least in the first quarter), and maybe some of the frustrations being vented by the fans and King's teammates will go away. To blame Steckel is unfair and to wish for the return of Shula is a joke.
Tony Dungy's "win with defense" attitude will always overshadow any decisions made by Steckel. Tony should insist on the same excellence from his offense as he does his defense.
-- Paul C. Schulz, St. Petersburg
Warren Sapp's big head has finally pushed his big mouth too far. Now he knows more than the coaching staff. His criticism of the fake double-reverse in the Chicago game is pitiful. If you're on the 12-yard line and the defense is stacked against you, try something different. I side with coaches like Lou Holtz and Les Steckel, who throw in a wild one now and then to keep the other side off balance.
I think the addition this year of another big mouth to the team is making Sapp crazy to retain his title as the biggest mouth.
-- Al Younghaus, Belleair Bluffs
Congratulations to Warren Sapp, not only for his courage to criticize offensive play-calling, but also for his astute analysis of our Bucs' major problem. We now have an outstanding group of athletes, capable of winning every game, but not when the calls are so obvious that even the fans can predict them.
This is pro ball, coach, and our wins have come from imaginative calls -- not from playing it safe.
-- W.R. Wordsworth, Clearwater
I guess the Bucs are still a minor league team for the NFL, training quarterbacks to go somewhere else to become great. Dungy and Shula cut Trent's arm off by not using his ability. Now that we have Steckel and Keyshawn, Dilfer would fit great in this system. Nothing against King, but he's still a rookie. I would be surprised if we make it to Super Bowl this year.
Maybe next year we can bring in free agent Trent Green. I would love to see Trent Green vs. Trent Dilfer in the 2002 Super Bowl.
When are you going to learn your lesson, Bucs?
-- Bill Dosal, Tampa
I'm tired of everyone bashing Warrick Dunn and his size. He has proven time and again that he can get it done. The only thing missing from his game is opportunities. Almost all of those so-called "bigger backs" have had season-ending injuries.
-- Dorian Levy, St. Petersburg
I think we need to look at the boss, Tony Dungy. He's in control of the team and he wants the offensive coordinator to play his stupid conservative game. Dungy is happy to get a field goal and then have the defense try to hold them. Let's play football -- open it up, practice for next year 'cause you can forget this year. Also, get another quarterback in there to get some practice.
-- LeRoy J. Burchardt, Seminole