Over your tea glass of chilled Florida orange juice, two very soft-boiled Florida brown eggs on two slices of warm white buttered bread (not toast), three slices of crisp bacon, small pile of yellow, buttered grits, two slices of ripe Ruskin tomatoes (now in big season), side of buttered brown bread toast with Florida guava jelly, a glass of cold white milk, cup of hot coffee as you like it, these nippy Fall morning additives:

Q:You take wins however you get them. Remember the one point loss on a blocked extra point? That would have made the Buccos 7-2. They’re in a tough division, so its’ imperative to keep the walking wounded playing as long as they can. Carnell coming back would be a plus, but he won’t be in condition to play an entire. If Graham is done for the season. that’s a whole different story. I don’t think they bucs can do it without him.
- WILLIAM GOLDMAN, LAND O LAKES FLORIDA

A: The loss of Ironman Ernest Graham to the Bucs was as bad as it gets. He WAS A WONDER workman and do-anything. However, this is precisely why Cadillac Williams was drafted so high out of Auburn. Truly, this is his shot, as it is for WIDEGUYS JOEY Galloway Michael Clayton. Look for greybeard Ike Hilliard to step up.

Q:Nice column. Glad to know that you can still see the keyboard...probably still using an Underwood!. We spend a lot of time in South Tampa. Wife’s daughter had a stepson on Plant’s championship team in 2006. He graduated last year and went to USF as walk-on but think he is ready to walk off...nice to read your prose after so long.
- Harris B Williams, Sarasota, FL

A: Harris, you old friend and colleague, Happy times ahead, hopefully for you. Wrong. Used a Royal before the modern stuff. Thank Goodness the keyboard is the same.

Q:Unfortunately, my father passed away several years ago in Tampa.  So glad that you had the opportunity to know my Dad. Quite the individual!  A Bull Gator all the way.
There was only one, Bob Robinson.
- Al Robinson, Atlanta, GA

A: Indeed he was. Would be proud of this current Gator team. Has there ever been a better one, so far anyway?

Q:I once worked for you, Jim Selman, Bill Kirby covering HS sports back when Gabe Prado was answering the scoreboard. A group of guys. A memorable time.
Great to read an article from one of the masters...none of the biting sarcasm seemingly considered indispensable by today’s writers.
If anyone has earned the right to voice opinions about the Gators it is you. Let’s hope they can again achieve the once unfathomable..win an SEC followed by a national championship.
-Cliff Price, Lutz, Fl

A: Nice, Cliff. Sure I remember that Tribune Sports Gang. Might add Jerome Sierra to the Gabe Parado Scoreboard team. Yes, indeed, the Myrtle Hill Grave Whispers just might become Grave Shouters if these Gators do indeed pull off what was so long thought impossible, and, win it all, despite Mississippi misdeeds.

Q:Once again… a fantastic article from you. Since I was born and raised in Tampa, I have been reading your stories since the early 60’s when I attended Gorrie Elementary, Wilson Junior High… and then played football at Plant High School.

My older brother, Rock Robinson also played at Plant High and then, for the Gators in the late 60’s.
Later, as I attended Florida, I continued to read your material over the years.  I was there on that cold November evening in 1984, dancing in the streets on University Avenue and 13th Street in Gainesville when we clinched our first SEC Title.
So, your story, once again of the Myrtle Hill Cemetery… brings deep emotion to the Gator’s heart.
Well done!
- Al Robinson, Atlanta, GA

A: Plenty out there, sir, await that illusive opportunity. Recall Rocky Robinson well, and his times at Plant and Florida.

Q:Tom, I am 68 and I lived in Clearwater in the from ‘49 to ‘58 and I remember your name from then.  My question is if you remember a colorful character named Rockhead Pell, who was a distance runner long before his time.  I think he used to run laps in the outfield for entire baseball games (minor league).
I remember reading about him in the tribune.
This is unrelated to your latest column, I know.  Thanks for any information you may have.  Google is no help.  Thanks again. 
-Michael O Plunkett, Berkeley, CA

A: Mr. Plunkett. You said you were in Clearwater in 1949-58 and mentined and asked about an early distance runner from Clearwater named Rockhead Pell. Those were they heydays of the Clearwater Bombers, of fearsome pitchers Herb Dudley and John Hunter. I have some recollection of Rockhead, did a piece on him, but the BEST KNOWN Pell was the late Charley, of course. 

Q:Like so many others, I grew up in Tampa with your writing about the (mostly) terrible Bucs.  Times have changed, but stil enjoy your writing the little I see of it.
I believe the kicker you are refering to is Donald Iquebuike who played in Tampa for a couple years out of Clemson.  He was a pretty good kicker if my memory is correct.
Good to see you online.
- Sam Shukovsky, Short Hills, NJ

A: Mr. Shukovsky, great name. Perhaps your friends call you Shuky, as we all called Donald Iguebuike, Iggy, when he place-kicked, and well enough, for the Bucs of the early days.

Q:What a pleasure to read you again.  I grew up reading your fine work and was upset at your well deserved retirement.
Will have my son read you when he gets out of school so I might avail him to another aspect of my life.
- Steven L. Lopez, Tampa

A: Senor Lopez, sir, thank you. Please do introduce me and that which I continue to write for the Senors and their heirs. I hope you WERE RELATED to the Tampa Al Lopez of big league and managerial skills.  What a man he was, what a Tampa ambassador he was.

Q:What a pleasure to find you after such a long absence. I miss your perspective on sports and your long and colorful history in our area.I miss stories about Wauchula, Malios, ect…Most of all I miss the breakfast menu. Treat us with a culinary delight again please.
-Rick Davis, Valrico, Fla.

A: Mr. Davis, sir, there is breakfast at the top of these bonuses, including yours.

Q:As always you see things from a different perspective than most of us.
If you remember, we’ve exchanged emails for many years. I’m the guy who grew up reading Mother Trib with Pete Norton as the head of sports. Lots has happened since then, but you seem to keep your level headed sense of humor, which is much appreciated.
Keep on keeping on,Tom.
-William Goldman, Land O Lakes, FL

A: Bill Goodman of Land O Lakes, nice of you to write and mention humor. Don’t have enough of it these days, do we? Should HAVE MORE. Some of the best—Willie and Joe—came out of war, depression times, defeat, OF WHICH there is plenty around.

Q:Thanks for a good article. I’m pleased to have found your column on the Bucs page. I’ll be sure to look for it.
Keep plugging. We’ve come too far down a long road with these Buckos!
- Bill Roberts, Tampa Carrollwood

A:  Muchos. Has been a long way indeed, from the early day at Number One Bucko Place when the player raised his hand, asked Coach John McKay if he could go to the bathroom. Got the okay.
Never came back. Needed him. The Bucs went 0-14 then 0-26. After one game McKay told the team that which he had told a University of Southern California team after a trouncing by Notre Dame, “Those who need showers, take them.’’ And left the locker room.