Tampa Bay Times from St. Petersburg, Florida • 87

4 TIMES SUNDAY. FEBRUARY 27, 1983 pa sportilog Good advice steered Floyd to football Flag football New Pert Rlchey PAL Field TODAY'S GAMES Wrecks v. BWyi Body Shop, 11 am Bandit v. Bomber, 12:30 p.m. Wolverine vs.

Buc1, 2 pm By PETE REINWALD HTnando Timet Stff Writer Adult leagues Florida Suncoatt Soccer League TODAY'S GAMES Women ExcaHburt I vs. Great Spirit I In Clearwater, 11 a.m. ExcaMwrs II vs. Good Buy Spurs In St. Petersburg, Ham Tournaments I 1 1 x.

SS -v a (- 17-. 'r jf- rSSSfe I if 'f' I i 'l V. (TJi I' Ivj 9 -It "i The Action Bowlers Association (ABA) J4th bowling tournament Is 12 p.m. today at Tarpon Lanes, US 19, Tarpon Springs. Tournament is singles and open to ABA members only.

Cash awards to first eight places. Application are at the tournament site, and Johnny's Pizia Express, 502 Ridge RoadPortRichey. Tides HIGH HIGH LOW LOW 1 04a' MONDAY NP Rlchey Crystal River Bayport Tarpon Springs 1:1 Op 1246a 7:1 Op Andote Key Very strong tide. Pasco County BROOKS VILLE For George Floyd, it's a good thing his coaches knew talent when they saw it. If it weren't for them, Lord knows what he'd be doing now.

As a junior at Hernando High School, Floyd had his sights set on the Army. But his coaches said no, that football and college were for him. And as a junior at Eastern Kentucky University, his goal was to teach after earning a degree in physical education. But his coaches disagreed, saying he had a good chance to play professional football "if I wanted to," Floyd said. "I wasn't thinking that much about going to college and the pros until my coaches opened my eyes." Today, Floyd's eyes are opened wide.

He knows exactly what he wants out of life a career in professional football. And as a rookie defensive back for the New York Jets last season, he got off in the right direction. Floyd didn't play much. As a fourth-round draft pick, he saw only limited action on special teams and at safety, although he played regularly during preseason. THE IMPORTANT thing to Floyd is he was where he wanted to be.

He was in the NFL, where most every young man to ever pull on a pair of shoulder pads dreams of playing. Better yet, he was with a respectable team, one that came within a game of reaching the Super Bowl. "I like the Jets," said Floyd, now a resident of Florence, Ky. He was in Brooksville Thursday visiting his brother Willie Butts. "I'm just happy that I got drafted." Of course, Floyd would have preferred a little more playing time.

Because he played in every game throughout high school and college, he wasn't accustomed to standing on the. sidelines for any length of time. "I think I made one tackle, but that's about it," Floyd said. "I had a lot of blocks on the punt returns." Floyd might had gotten a chance to play more had the season not been shortened because of an eight-week NFL Players Association strike. But he was realistic.

He didn't expect much more. "It bothered me at first," he said. "But I didn't expect to play too much on defense." For Floyd, it was a typical rookie season. He did most of his heavy work during practice. When he wasn't running wind sprints, he was running errands.

"I HAD TO go and get stuff for them (the players) during practice," Floyd said. "During the season I had to bring doughnuts." In the NFL, the law of the land for rookies is to do chores for veterans. "They (the veterans) said they had to do some (similar) things as rookies," Floyd said. "So I didn't want to disrupt the program. I just went along with it.

I guess it was just like an initiation to my rookie year." Luckily for Floyd, there will be no initiations next year. And just maybe, there will be a little more playing time, he said. Although head coach Walt Michaels and most of his offensive staff quit at the end of the season, most of the defensive coaches remain. Also, Floyd pointed out that the Jets have primarily a young secondary. "Next year, I'm hoping to run back some kicks for a change," said Floyd, a 5-foot-ll, 188-pound 22-year-old who runs a 4.6 40.

"I guess this year I didn't get to run back kicks because I was a rookie. That's what the players were telling me." But before he worries about running back kicks, Floyd has to worry about making the cuts. "I think about it all the time," said Floyd, who reports to camp in mid-May. "Of course, they bring in rookies every year, and I'll have to prove myself all over again. But I don't let it bother me until the time comes." THE ONLY thing on his mind now is his personal life.

Floyd is getting married March 26. recreation directory GOLF (Private or Seml-prlvate) Beacon Woods, Hudson, S6S-9S2 Seven Springs, New Port Rlchey, 376-0035 Innitbrook, Tarpon Springs, 937-3124 Timber Oaks, Hudson, (63-1072 Magnolia Valley, New Port Rlchey, S47-2342 Valley Oaks, Zephyrhits, 788-4112 Quail Hollow, ZephyrhlKs, 9734097 Saddutbrook, Wesley Chapel, 973-1 1 1 1 ZephyrhWs, Zephyrhits, 782-9424 (Public, nine holes) Point West, Hudson, 856-3052 Forest HWs, Holiday, 934-7317 (Public, 11 holes) GuH Harbors, New Port Rlchey, 849-7675 Saint Leo, Saint Leo, 588-2016 BOWLING Rlchey Lanes, New Port Rlchey, 849-2608 (32 lanes) Village Lanes, Port Rlchey, 848-2566 (24 lanes) Leisure Lanes, Hudson, 868-0204 (40 lanes) Hudson Bowl, Hudson, 863-5481 (16 lanes) Tarpon Lanes, Tarpon Springs, 937-5253 24 lanes) Zephyr Bowl, Zephyrhms, 782-0951 (8 lanes) Stardust Lanes, ZephyrhWs, 782-5511 (24 lanes) Royal Lanes, Land Oi-akei, 949-3606 (24 lanes) SOFTBALL New Port Rlchey Recreation Department, 848-6920 Dade City Recreation Department, (904) 567-5141 Pasco County Parks and Recreation Department, 847-8118 TENNIS (Privete) Gulf Harbors Tennis Club, New Port Rlchey, 48-9302 (Public) Ridge Gardens Racquet dub. New Port Rlchey, 848-0992 Pascc-Hernando Community College West Campus (New Port Rlchey 847-2727 and East Campus (Dade City) 848-6889 or (904 567-6701 New Port Rlchey Recreation Department, 848-6920. RACOUETBALL (Public) Rlchey Racquet, Port Rlchey, S42-1455 RACING (Dogs) Derby Lane, St. Petersburg, 576-1361 Tampa Greyhound Track, Tampa, 932-4313 (Horses) Tampa Downs, Tampa, 855-4401 JAI-ALAI Tampa Fronton, Tampa, 441-9469 Ocaia Fronton, Ocata.

(904) 591-2345 SHUFFLEBOARD Suncoast Shuffleboard Council, (42-4935 or (63-5513 SKATING Congress Skating Center, Inc Port Rlchey, (47-4336 Skateway Roller Rink, Hudson, (68-9761 Southland Roller Palace, Port Rlchey, (63-2550 Star bunt Skate and Games, BrooksvWe, 796-0040 Midway Roller Rink, Homosassa, 795-1212 I a a -'i' Paico Timet CHERIE DIEZ Instead of enlisting in the Army after high school in Brooksville, George Floyd went to Eastern Kentucky University to play football, and instead of settling for a career in teaching he started working for a career in professional football. Floyd, pictured with his niece Erica Butts, and sister, Lynn Floyd (right), now is a defensive back with the New York Jets. "That's all I've been thinking about," he said. The conversation shifted to his days at Eastern Kentucky. Floyd pointed out that EKU waited until the year he left to win the Division I-AA national title.

After winning it Floyd's sophomore year, Eastern Kentucky was runnerup his junior and senior years. "I could have had another ring," he said with a smile. Then he quickly added, "For a while, I thought I was going to have a big ring this year." Error delays payment for doctor bills, but money now on the way ACTION FflT FEIMEn iu By now you will have received a letter from Blue Cross-Blue Shield explaining that when you were transferred to the Florida Plan in December, two contracts were issued in error. They were soon canceled and a two-person contract issued, but not until you had been billed, had your check returned, and received another bill for twice the original amount No wonder you were confused. You also will have received another bill, which reflects the rate increase, for the period from Feb.

1 to April 1, which must be paid immediately so the computer does not automatically cancel your new contract But if that should happen due to the mix-up, we're assured that upon receipt of your check, your coverage will be reinstated. Footnote: To J. Rhodes says you have a legitimate complaint. Your heater is "perfectly safe," but has the loudest expansion noise he has ever heard. If he can't locate and correct the problem, hell install a new heater.

ACTION answers questions, open government door and fights consumer battles for ell residents of the upper OuH Coast. Given auffiolent information we process or refer every aerioua Inquiry. emM guarantee response. Requests wiH bo eooepted only by man. We cannot be responsible for returning personal documents, so pleeoe eend only pno-tostatle copies.

the oomplalnt concerns a mall order, we will need copies of both sides of the canceled check. Upon request, names wiH be omitted from Heme uaed tor pubHoation. Address your letter to ACTION, the St. Pfnburg Tmee. 1 81 2 U.S.

1 Port Riehey, Fla. 33868. Nocona boots from Billy Martin's Western Wear. Soon thereafter the seams on both boots came apart. I wrote to Nocona and was told to take the boots back to Billy Martin's for return, which I did on Sept.

26. 1 have been trying to get a replacement pair without success ever since. Could you possibly contact one or both parties to see if they have any intention of replacing the boots? Thank you for any help you can offer. Bradley C. Neff Martin's says that Nocona replied on Jan.

24, with a copy to you, stating that it "could find no fault in either material or workmanship. We feel the boots have received a lot of good wear and that no adjustment is due." That was before you contacted us, and as far as the company is concerned, that is the end of the matter. It would have been better customer relations if Nocona had at least stitched the seams up for you, but it is simply returning the boots. Sorry we couldn't help. If I ever needed help, this is the time.

I will be eternally grateful if you can do something about the enclosed mess. I tried my best to condense the information and hope the enclosed is sufficient. My wife and I are at our wit's end. John J. Diebel Enclosed are doctor's bills and receipts showing they were paid in full, also letters from the doctor's insurance secretary.

You will notice that on a review hearing; I was awarded an additional allowance. In spite of telephone calls and letters to Blue Cross-Blue Shield, I can't get any satisfaction. The bills and receipts are in the name of my wife, who passed away Sept. 16. But I paid them and am entitled to the check from the review.

Hope you can help. Wallace L. Bailey Blue Cross-Blue Shield says that due to an error, payment was delayed pending a decision about a second claim, also denied on the first go-round. But you'll be happy to know that your claim for hospital visits has now been allowed, so you may expect checks for 80 percent of an additional $200 for that bill plus the $93.50 for the surgical procedure in "the next few weeks." The company apologizes for the delay. Upon leaving New Jersey, I thought everything was fine with the unemployment office.

I was unable to find work there, so I relocated in Florida and as instructed, reported to the unemployment office here. I have reported every two weeks since Nov. 7. My former employer filed an appeal stating I voluntarily resigned. As the enclosed termination notice shows, I was involuntarily terminated for "excessive unexcused absences" also untrue.

Also, I am concerned that all of my mail is still going to my New Jersey address. My problem is that I have only received one check, and I am in dire need of money to be able to continue looking for a job. I am no longer able to borrow any. I don't know why this is taking so long and hope to hear from you soon. L.

E. P. You should have received one back check soon after you contacted us (not our doing), then another about three weeks later. Because New Jersey has no record of your reporting for any week of continued unemployment since then, we assume your job hunt was successful (If there's another snafu, let us know). In mid-1982 I purchased a pair of $150 1.