Q & A: Bobby Bowden

Do you still enjoy coming out on the Booster Tour after all these years?

Bowden: "We have 25 of these dinners. This is the third one. We started in Winter Haven and Daytona last week. It's always good to be back in Jacksonville. We like Jacksonville so much that we have two dinners. One here, and one in Orange Park.

How does it feel to not have to go into a spring or season with a Quarterback "Situation" on your hands?

Bowden: "We finally go into spring with a stable quarterback situation. Our back up Xavier Lee missed spring training. He needed it. He's No. 2, but he didn't get it because of an operation he had. He'll be back in the fall. Weatherford is stable and gets better all the time. He's a heck of a leader and a good quarterback. We had a good spring because we were healthy. You get a lot done when people can practice. A majority of our kids got better and improved."

With Leon Washington gone, how will the running back situation look next season?

Bowden: "There's not a lot of playing time. Booker is back as a senior, Antone is a sophomore, Jamaal Edwards is a sophomore, and Russell Ball, a kid from Texas had a good spring until he got hurt for us. I just hope it's not a year deal, but we feel good at the running back position."

Is it too early to praise Myron Rolle as a freshman, or can we just go ahead and do it?

Bowden: "You're probably not making a mistake praising him. He came to FSU as an outstanding prospect. He got in school in January. To be honest with you, academically, he's probably a sophomore. He can waive so many courses. He's a four point student. After 15 days of spring training, he was one of our outstanding players. I think he'll live up to the reputation."

You lose a lot of guys early, Sims, Cromartie...How do you replace guys like that?

Bowden: "Last year, linebacker was our best position depth wise. You lose Ernie Sims, A.J., McGrew, but we have guys coming up that are doggone good. The guy who had the best spring is Timmons, No. 83. You watch him next year, he's pretty tough.

How's the golf game?

Bowden: "I sure enjoy it. This is my recreation. I don't care about hunting, I care nothing about fishing. I coach football and play golf when I'm through with football. This is golf season. How can you have more fun than playing golf."