Whine isn't improving with age Hubert Mizell, The St.Petersburg Times, published 29 November 1993 After their ninth loss Sunday, something the Bucs accomplish season after disgusting season, Sam Wyche tried coaching the media. "You're not doing your job," the Tampa Bay chief told post-game interviewers, "if you don't have a full investigation of a lot of (officiating) calls in this one." Okay, let's talk "investigation." Let's talk "doing a job." Officiating was shaky. A clock-reload to 0:02 by referee Gordon McCarter allowed Washington a 51-yard field goal after the second quarter seemingly had expired. There were many flags, and some debatable Bucs penalties. But where, Boss Sam, in our investigation, do we cross the line from legitimate complaints to sour grapes? This isn't a new issue for Sam. Are NFL zebras after Tampa Bay's coach, or does Wyche lead in paranoia? Many questions, not many answers. Now that the Bucs have clinched their 11th consecutive losing season, can anybody be sure Tampa Stadium shortcoming will subside in this century, or Sam's coaching life? Can Wyche make it through remaining games against the Bears, Raiders, Broncos and Chargers without (A) being arrested for assaulting a ref or (B) being led away by strong men wearing white coats? Is Craig Erickson the QB answer? How many Bucs "do the job?" Bottom line is, after we media sleuths investigate the men in black-and-white stripes, Sunday's favored Bucs should in no way be exonerated for losing to the troubled 2-9 Redskins and their sub-mediocre quarterback, Rich Gannon. Maybe I'm the last person in Tampa Bay to be sorry Vinny Testaverde was chased out of town, but if No. 14 had been at QB against Washington, we media investigators would be post-morteming an orange-colored win. Sam would be bellowing, "We've turned the corner!" Erickson, in agonizing Mitch "Wild Thing" Williams fashion, was Sunday's losing pitcher. Had the young Tampa Bay right-hander had enough savvy, and a hot hand, the Bucs might have skinned Washington. But each time Tampa Bay came upon a surge of momentum, Erickson seemed to puncture it with a cold, errant knife. Going into this season, I had huge NFL hopes for Erickson. He'd been such a winner at the University of Miami. Gary Stevens, Craig's old QB coach who has since gone from the 'Canes to the Miami Dolphins, said Erickson had as much pro football promise as any old UM pitcher, including Bernie Kosar, Jim Kelly, Steve Walsh and Testaverde. But now, I'm wondering. Tampa Bay began to move against Washington when Erickson killed it with a belated sideline throw for tight end Ron Hall. Celebrated 'Skins cornerback Darrell Green intruded to intercept. Despite a bushel of Tampa Bay miscues, and Wyche's short-fuse fusses with officials, the Bucs managed a comeback chance against the struggling 'Skins. Trailing 23-10, the home team sent Mazio Royster running 4 yards into the end zone, but it was erased because Bucs guard Ian Beckles was flagged for holding. Good teams overcome such potholes. Tampa Bay's quarterback needed a heroic play. On third down from the Redskins' 14, Erickson threw a miserable pass into the chest of Washington linebacker Carl Banks, who muffed the interception. Given a reprieve, Erickson sent Courtney Hawkins streaking deep into the end zone's left corner, but Craig threw a pass so high not even Shaquille O'Neal could have touched it. Blame Beckles. Blame Erickson. If you wish, blame NFL whistle-suckers. Later on, Erickson again was intercepted by Green. Even then, the Bucs eventually shrank their final deficit to 23-17 on an Erickson scoring pass to Hawkins. What if Tampa Bay had scored earlier on Royster's run? What if Beckles hadn't been penalized? What if, immediately after that torturous flag, Erickson had found friendly hands with a TD throw? Tampa Stadium "Land of What If?" Wyche and NFL lords need to seriously confer, and ease the officiating tension. Shouldn't somebody other than the media be probing, like a commissioner? Sam's total energies are demanded not on refereeing but in an eternal search for cures to Bucs' losing seasons. That, for Sam, would be "doing the job."