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Weinke gaining on being good
By HUBERT MIZELL © St. Petersburg Times, published September 27, 1998 Tough, challenging pitches. But then, on elementary little flairs, Weinke repeatedly overthrew running backs. Maybe there were valid excuses. Football could've been slippery, as Hurricane Georges feeder bands periodically flogged Doak Campbell Stadium. Then again ... "Weinke's biggest problem is unquestioning firing too soon," said 'Noles coach Bobby Bowden. "Rushing his throws even when there is plenty of time. It's a matter of building confidence. It'll come." Weinke is learning on the job. As a big-eyed, critical world watches. Chris bottomed out against N.C. State, a six-interception horror in FSU's unfathomable 24-7 failure. Two weeks later, Bowden confidence is considerable in the 26-year-old sophomore, even if the coach's patience occasionally quivers. There are powerful contrasts. Let's focus on back-to-back Saturday episodes involving Warrick, a gifted junior receiver from Bradenton. One was bitter, the other sweet. Typifying the pressurized, erratic Weinke maturing process. First, there was Warrick running a wondrous first-half pattern, suckering USC defenders to break free for what should've been a long TD play. Easy pickings. Weinke's offensive line was beautifully protecting. Still, the 6-foot-5 Minnesotan rushed. With less than ample confidence, Weinke did not allow the play to fully develop. Uncorking just as Warrick was straining free of pursuers. Too quick, too wide. Too bad. FSU's crowd groaned. Before long, Warrick would go blistering downfield again, this time finding only a sliver of daylight. Weinke's throw had to be far more precise. A laser through a keyhole. Bingo! It was perfect. That was the 41-yarder. "It's amazing, to see Chris complete such difficult passes," Bowden said, "then keep messing up the simpler stuff. But the confidence will build. Rhythm will get better. Consistency will increase. "We really are gaining on it, after a disgusting setback at N.C. State. Weinke didn't have the luxury of spending a season or two getting ready for his big opportunity, like a Charlie Ward or a Danny Kanell. It's going to come with time. I just don't like waiting. "Playing like we did (against the Trojans) is not going to hold up against a great team, like Florida. Right now, I would grade Weinke as playing at perhaps 60 percent of his potential. That number should keep rising. It had to." Warrick gave his slant. "Sometimes, we're running the wrong patterns, so the incompletions are not always Weinke's fault," said FSU's finest catcher. "There should be no finger-pointing at anybody. At times, Chris throws excellent passes and they get dropped. We're all in this together." Cheer up, 'Noles. It's not as though FSU lost. Southern California came to Tallahassee unbeaten and gregariously hopeful. A rare intersectional opponent for the Seminoles, with fancy portfolio and a renowned array of talented individuals, was sent home in pain. Florida State's defense put a major strangle on Troy polloi. USC quarterbacks became fresh meat in the 'Noles grinder. While a hot-and-cold Weinke was passing for 228 yards, his opposite numbers from the Trojans, Mike Van Raaphorst and Carson Palmer, were skidding to 3-for-19 misery. FSU and USC are among college football's more noted programs. With these universities from the NCAA horse latitudes, Chief Osceola's hoofbeats are far more imposing in the 1990s than those of Tommy Trojan's mount. Florida State is still fuming at the N.C. State thing, still not at its offensive best, but still a winner over the Trojans by a knockout.
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ALLAHASSEE -- Florida State quarterback Chris Weinke made lovely, high-impact Saturday passes in a 30-10 tanning of Southern California. Thirty-five-yard touchdown spiral to Ron Dugans. Also an adroit, deep-floating bazooka to Peter Warrick, gaining 41.
