Rebecca B

@CaptainQuahog, cogent? OK, I guess the criticism was cogent, in that it was readily understandable. However, the criticism was in no way constructive that I noticed. Just (to paraphrase): this doesn't measure up to an arbitrary Sunday puzzle (which, not for nothing, gave that creator nearly twice the grid area [441 squares vs. this puzzle's 225] to develop its concept) from 13 years ago that the columnist considers superior to this one. The column does not need to be relentlessly positive. But if the columnist doesn't include actual, helpful, constructive criticism, then the negative aspects of the column come off as a bit jaded and sniping.

@Barry Ancona, I went back and re-read the column and didn't find anything constructive in the sense of "helping to improve; promoting further development or advancement." (I'll stipulate the criticism met the definition of constructive as in "of or relating to construction," in this case, puzzle construction.) I guess you'll have to tell me which part was meant to help Mr. Marquez improve his skills. And implying that he should be more like some other constructors doesn't count.

@Sonja, my first thought for 1A was actually SEARED. I righted the ship on crosses.