How Many More Mulligans Does Bobby Get?

Bobby Bowden has concluded another FSU tour of all the booster chapters around the state and elsewhere with his message that we just need one or two more players to turn the program around. How many more mulligans does he get with this annual refrain?

In addition, he was accompanied on some of his visits with the head coach-in-waiting Jimbo Fisher. Fisher's main duty was to drum up support and money for the indoor practice facility.

Then we have the weird ramblings of FSU President T.K. Wetherell who seems clueless.

Amid all this, we had the gun incidents by Parker and Graham.

All in all, FSU seems to be getting a good start on the 2009 recruiting and one has to wonder how FSU is doing it.

" Hello, mediocrity. "

" FSU had one player -- one -- last season who played hard every down: wideout Preston Parker. And he went and left a loaded gun under the dashboard of his car. Hello, mediocrity. "
Sporting News sports columnist Matt Hayes listing FSU as one of the five college football teams with too much hype

Mail Call

Normally most of us shudder when we receive a letter from the IRS and in the case of universities, a letter from the NCAA compliance department. However, FSU is apparently eager to get a letter from the NCAA.

According to Florida State athletic director Randy Spetman,he expects a letter of inquiry from the NCAA in two to four weeks regarding the university's internal investigation into academic fraud.

In February, FSU submitted to the NCAA the results of the university's 10-month investigation into academic improprieties which found that 61 athletes were involved in academic fraud.

According to Spetman,“We’re still waiting. ...they’re still saying two to four weeks before we get our letter. .... So I want to get it here and get on with it so we can figure out [the future]."

"... I can't be Bobby Bowden. "

"I'll never be Bobby Bowden. All I can do is learn from Bobby Bowden, but I can't be Bobby Bowden. I have to be Jimbo Fisher, no matter if I was following Bobby or not."
Jimbo Fisher as quoted in Sports Illustrated discussing eventually taking over for Bobby Bowden

"... say you’re doing everything great."

“All these schools, they just want somebody to get on and say you’re doing everything great."
Fired FSU football analyst P.T. Willis in radio interview commenting on what schools like FSU want in an analyst

Happy Memorial Day !

Stork Delivers

Bryan Stork has become the 11th commitment of the 2009 recruiting class for the Noles. Stork (6-4,240) is being recruited as a tight end but could play offensive tackle also. Stork who is from Vero Beach said that he loves Florida State and knows that it is the place for him. He has received offers from Florida International, Central Florida and Syracuse in addition to the Noles.

"... I made a stupid choice."

"That's probably why I might have a problem. Everything school-wise is going great. Technically, I'm not on the team. I'm not even enrolled at Florida State, but if punishing me is what they want to do, then I have no choice, because I made a stupid choice."
Former FSU tight end Charlie Graham regarding firing a gun into the air

2008 Desktop Wallpaper For Nole Fans

Nole fans can now download the 2008 desktop wallpaper for the FSU football team by clicking on the link: Desktop Wallpaper

Dad Gun It !

You just have to love the stories coming out of the FSU camp. That is, if you are a Cane or Gator. The latest involves current academically ineligible tight end Charlie Graham. Graham faces a June 17 court date to face a misdemeanor charge of unlawfully discharging a firearm within city limits.

According to TBO.com the incident happened Friday night outside Graham’s residence. Graham reportedly fired off a couple of shots into the air from his legally possessed firearm, causing a concerned neighbor to call police.

Graham started 10 of 12 games last season, catching 11 passes for 84 yards and one touchdown. He was ruled academically ineligible prior to the Music City Bowl. Graham transferred to Tallahassee Community College in the spring in an effort to regain his eligibility at FSU this fall.

" I wish I could make what they are making."

" So how do you put a value? To me they earn everything they get. I don't apologize for their salary; it's more than mine. I wish I could make what they are making."
FSU President T.K. Wetherell regarding the salaries of head college football coaches speaking at National Football Foundation forum in Dallas last week

New Poll: Is Parker's Two Game Suspension Correct ?

There is a new poll question: What is your opinion regarding the two game suspension given Preston Parker by FSU ?

Poll Results: Should P.T. Have Been Axed?

Results of the poll: Now that FSU has hired a new analyst for the football games, do you think that Peter Tom Willis should have been axed?

No- 65.3%

Absolutely- 26.5%

Not sure- 8.2%

"... only one FSU fans care about is that he will miss just two games."

"FSU quickly released its punishment, which were lengthy but, in my opinion, not harsh enough. Several conditions were placed on Parker’s athletic probation but the only one FSU fans care about is that he will miss just two games."
Tom D'Angelo,Palm Beach Post

Bobby Bowden Makes Statement Regarding Preston Parker

Having been given a plea deal, Preston Parker will be suspended the first two games of the 2008 season, undergo biweekly drug testing, move into Burt Reynold Hall where there is adult supervision, have mandatory study hall and take on FSU-mandated community service above that instructed by the courts.

“Preston made a very serious mistake and there are consequences when one of our boys gets in trouble,” FSU coach Bobby Bowden said. “Preston will have the opportunity to continue as a student and as an athlete at Florida State but he will have to earn that right.”

Parker Gets Plea Deal

According to a story in The Palm Beach Post, Florida State football player Preston Parker pleaded guilty today in a Palm Beach County courthouse to a misdemeanor charge of carrying a concealed weapon and has been suspended for the first two games of the 2008 season by the university.

Parker also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of marijuana possession. He agreed to serve 12 months of probation, which will include substance abuse evaluation within 30 days, periodic drug tests at his own expense, 50 hours of community service, $243 in court costs and one day in jail that was satisfied with time served.

Parker will also have to forfeit his firearm but still has the right to carry a firearm in the future.

As part of the plea agreement, the felony charge will not be prosecuted.

T.K. Against Students Going To Class With Six-Gun Strapped On

FSU President T.K. Wetherell decided to also weigh in on the Preston Parker situation and guns in general. I have a suggestion for both Bobby and T.K. Get a spokesperson for the two of you. When you open your mouths, most of the time good things do not come out.

So good old boy T.K. talked about guns and how a lot of our football players come from Adel and Cairo and go dove hunting after ball games or on Sunday. Note to T. K. The last time I checked you don't hunt doves with a handgun.

"You don't want kids running around with guns and you don't want guns on campus," Wetherell said. "We certainly don't let them in the dorms and we don't want kids walking to class with a six-gun strapped on." Really T.K. ?

The point T.K. is that these comments have validity in the context of a discussion involving such incidents as the Virginia Tech tragedy. They have very little or no validity in discussions regarding a football player who was illegally carrying a firearm in his car.

"... being asked to replace the icon of college football."

“Can you imagine coming to a traditional program like Florida State, as a non-alum, and then being asked to replace the icon of college football?”
FSU AD Randy Spetman expressing relief that Jimbo Fisher has been chosen successor to Bobby Bowden

Bobby Shoots From The Hip

You can't make these things up. Seems that Bobby Bowden has weighed in on the Preston Parker gun incident with the advice that you should have a gun when traveling in certain neighborhoods.

Bowden was speaking to a few reporters at the Crescent Oaks Country Club in Tarpon Springs this past week when discussing the Parker incident. He said he is not ready to ban his players from having guns like the University of Miami did last year.

Then Bobby made this comment. " I hate to say this, but if you are in certain neighborhoods, you better have a gun. You have to protect yourself and your family. I really hate to say that, but it’s the way things have gotten.” That's right Bobby. Ignore the fact that players are doing things illegally and continue to condone their behavior.

" We're going to say, 'Where did it all go.' "

"All of the sudden that (profit) margin is going to start shrinking ..." We're going to piss away our money. We're going to say, 'Where did it all go.' Well, the head coach is making $2 million a year. The coordinators are making $450,000 a year. The charter plane that used to cost you $250,000 now costs you $400,000."
FSU President T.K. Wetherell speaking on eight-person panel at a two-day conference in Dallas addressing college football issues

Eight Is Enough

The ACC had been toying with the idea of adding a ninth game to their conference schedule. That idea has been dropped. The ACC athletic directors at their recent meeting in Amelia Island opted not to add another game to the schedule.

Bobby Bowden, who had voiced his opposition to the idea,reiterated his stance at the meetings. “I can’t think of a single reason that a football coach would want it,’’ Bowden said according to ESPN.com.

"...refusing to face the sunset no matter the expense. "

" Or are you just behaving like stubborn old men, obstinately refusing to face the sunset no matter the expense? "
John Walters, NBCSports.com, urging Bobby Bowden and Joe Paterno to retire

" To me that would work out just about right. "

" To me that would work out just about right. If I could get there, and with Jimbo set to come in, then it would be pretty clear that it was time to get out."
Bobby Bowden answering quesion in The Atlanta Journal-Consitution regarding getting to 400 victories which would take three seasons to do

Parker May Be Running Stadium Steps Soon

It looks as if there may be a deal in the works for Preston Parker. The Palm Beach Post is reporting that Preston Parker's football career at Florida State should be back on track next week. Seems that there is a deal in the works that could reduce the felony charge.

"That probably is what we are looking at most strongly," Assistant State Attorney Alan Johnson said. "We will have an offer out there. A perfectly appropriate resolution to this case would be a reduction in charges."

I am sure that Bobby is ready to have Preston running those steps immediately.

"... it's in the law's hands."

"I'm disappointed for him and his family because I know deep down he's a good person. He just made a bad choice. But choices you make make you, and he's made a bad choice so he's going to have to live with the consequences. And right now, it's in the law's hands. "
Jimbo Fisher elaborating on the Preston Parker situation for the first time on Saturday speaking before Palm Beach FSU boosters

McMahon Named To Rimington Watch List

Ryan McMahon is one of 42 centers on the initial watch list for the Rimington Trophy. The award is presented to the top center in America. No Seminole has ever won the trophy in its nine-year history.

____
Jimbo Fisher has reason to be concerned regarding the number of players who have either transferred or been dismissed since the end of last season. The number is now up to 12, including those who left early for the draft.

Underclassmen who have left the program: LB Marcus Ball, RB Russell Ball, OL Geoff Berniard, RB Jamaal Edwards, TE Charlie Graham, OL Tyler Graves, DL Letroy Guion, LB Geno Hayes, QB Xavier Lee, DB Anthony Leon, WR Damon McDaniel and OL Daron Rose.

"I can guarantee you Coach Bowden is not on a webcam."

Nick Saban is using technology and Bobby Bowden condemned it when his son Jeff was fired. Seems that the Bama coach is using webcams to talk to prospective recruits. I am going to go out on a limb and say that Bobby Bowden probably does not know what a webcam is.

Saban as has been reported is one of a few coaches currently that is using video conferences to chat with recruits because they can't meet in person. Fellow Southeastern Conference rivals Les Miles of LSU and Phillip Fulmer of Tennessee are also using the Internet tool. Saban said he speaks to "four or five" recruits a day on the Web when he's in the office.

The use of a webcam is ok with the NCAA. "We have a rule, and it's been in place for awhile, that Webcams and video conferences are considered telephone calls," NCAA spokeswoman Stacey Osburn said. "We don't see it as a violation. It would just be subject to rules we have regarding recruiting and telephone contact."

Although it may be cutting edge technology for football recruiting, don't look for Bobby to be on cam anytime soon. "I can guarantee you Coach Bowden is not on a Webcam," Florida State football SID Elliott Finebloom said.

New Poll: Should PT Have Been Axed?

There is a new poll question: Now that FSU has hired a new analyst for the football games, do you think that Peter Tom Willis should have been axed?

Poll Results: Position Battle Most Interested In During Spring Practice

Results of the poll: What position battle are you most interested in during spring practice?

Quarterback- 60%

Running Back- 17.1%

Wide Receiver- 10%

Other- 12.9%

Fisher King

Jimbo Fisher can do no wrong. After all, he is the successor in waiting - the next king of football at FSU. Not even a supposed breach of a contract will deter FSU from crowning him king in the future.

The supposed breach of contract comes with the recent court deposition of West Virginia Athletic Director Ed Pastilong in which he stated that he shared conversations with Florida State offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher during the days after former Mountaineers coach Rich Rodriguez left the school for Michigan.

According to that contract, signed by Fisher on Dec. 14, he would owe Florida State $2.5 million if he were to leave the school for another job at some point during the next three years. Further, he would owe FSU the same amount, according to the contract, if he were to "seek, solicit, invite, discuss, entertain, interview for, or accept any offer of or opportunities" to coach elsewhere.

"No contract got breached," FSU President T.K. Wetherell said in December. "I think this West Virginia thing was a unique situation. His family's up there. He's from West Virginia. That's a whole different deal than, you know, some job in Texas somewhere or something.

" Right now I do. "

" When you get my age, I can't coach forever. I've always signed a five-year contract when my contract runs out. I'm not going to coach until I'm 83, I can tell you that. So I'm going to sign a one-year contract and at the end of the year, I'll let them know if I want to come back. Right now I do."
Bobby Bowden at recent FSU booster meeting regarding how his life has changed since Fisher was named his successor

"... destroy the documents binding him to the Seminoles for the foreseeable future."

" Jimbo Fisher might want to sneak into the administrative offices at Florida State University and destroy the documents binding him to the Seminoles for the foreseeable future. "
Larry Vettel, Gator football play by play announcer, commenting on the loss of players by FSU and the academic fraud case

Faded Rose

And the hits just keep on coming. The latest Nole missing in action for 2008 is Florida State left tackle Daron Rose.

Rose who started 11 games as a sophomore last season has been ruled academically ineligible to play next season. The 6-foot-5, 285-pound offensive lineman is scheduled to transfer to a junior college and then rejoin the Seminoles when he regains his eligibility.

Rose was rated the No. 2 offensive tackle in the nation by one of the recruiting services coming out of high school. According to offensive line coach Rick Trickett, Rose was the most physically talented of FSU's offensive lineman.

Rose was linked to the academic cheating scandal that forced more than 20 players to miss the Music City Bowl and was scheduled to miss the first three games next season if he was eligible.

With Rose unavailable, redshirt freshman Antwane Greenlee is listed as the starting left tackle on the depth chart.

Dropped Ball

The Noles roller coaster ride continues. The latest dip comes with the announcement that Sophomore linebacker Marcus Ball's stint at Florida State is over. FSU announced Monday that Ball is no longer on the team after asking for a release from his scholarship.

Last season Ball had 24 tackles and a sack in nine games. He also served a one-game suspension for an unspecified violation of team rules, believed to be a failed drug test based on FSU’s student-athlete code of conduct.

Ball was also implicated in the academic cheating scandal and missed the Music City Bowl. He also faced a three-game suspension at the start of next season.

Nole Fans Can Get Inside Look At FSU Football 2008

Seminole fans can get an inside look at FSU football when Sun Sports' UNDER THE LIGHTS®: SEMINOLES SPRING FOOTBALL takes a sneak peek at the team as they get set for the 2008 college football season.

The show premieres on Monday, May 5 at 8:30pm with multiple encore presentations throughout the month, including 5/10, 5:30pm; 5/12,1pm, 5/14, 5pm, 5/16, 10pm, and 5/17, 10pm (ET).

In addition,the show follows the highly recruited and early enrolled freshman linebacker Nigel Bradham, who experienced his first spring wearing the Garnet and Gold. Fans will see what it's like to go into the practice fields and the weight room with Bradham as he attempts to impress his teammates and coaches with his attitude and athletic ability.

Also Sun Sports was granted exclusive access into FSU's offensive coordinator/quarterback coach Jimbo Fisher's film sessions to find out his first impressions.

Prime Time's Ticket Not Punched

When the players and coaches elected to the College Football Hall of Fame were announced this past week, Deion Sanders was noticeably missing from the list.

This is the second year in a row that the former Nole great has been denied entry into the College Football Hall of Fame. So what gives?

There is no question that Sanders was one of the most talented athletes to ever play for FSU or in college football. However, Sanders lack of entry may have something to do with g-r-a-d-e-s. Some are speculating that he did not get voted in because he wasn't going to class in his final semester. The voting criteria does say that consideration can be given to any "academic honors and whether or not the candidate earned a college degree.''

A lot of Nole fans are probably not that upset given Deion's lackluster support for FSU. Many Nole fans were upset when highly touted but troubled Noel Devine went to West Virginia after his mentor and father figure Sanders went out of his way to discourage him from going to FSU.

" Unless I decide I want to win two more. "

"It might, it might. Unless I decide I want to win two more. I'd sure like to get another one before I hang it up. I'm not happy the way we've been the last couple of years."
Bobby Bowden answering a question at Tampa Booster dinner regarding whether he would retire if he won another national championship

"Big Bad Ron" Named To Hall Of Fame

Long time FSU fans remember well Ron Simmons. He was credited with jump-starting the Bobby Bowden Era at Florida State. It was announced that he will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

He was Bobby Bowden's first great recruit. And he made an immediate impact as a highly touted freshman out of Warner Robins, Ga. The defensive lineman who could bench press 525 pounds and run the 40-yard dash in 4.56 seconds was a game-changer who put Bowden's reconstruction of a declining program ahead of schedule. He blocked a punt in his first game and made 19 tackles in two games that season.

He was an All-American football player at Florida State University from 1977-80 spending four years as a defensive nose guard. The Seminoles were 39-8 during Simmons' years at the school, finishing in the Associated Press Top 20 three times ('77,'79 and '80), earning back-to-back Orange Bowl trips after Simmons' junior and senior seasons.

He was so popular that a song was written about him — "Big Bad Ron."

"I'm Garnet & Gold down to the marrow."

"I'm Garnet & Gold down to the marrow. I love Florida State and I love the program. It really doesn't get any better than this. I can't wait for August to get here so I can watch practice and see how the team looks."
Comments of William Floyd who has been hired as new color analyst for FSU football