Noles Hold Monday Scrimmage

FSU Sports Information Excerpts:

There was no rest for the Seminole football team as far as scrimmages are concerned. After a long scrimmage on Saturday, the players were back out in full pads on Monday. The team spent 12 periods on the practice fields and then another 12 inside Doak Campbell Stadium as the team participated in a half scrimmage. Most of the scrimmage was spent working on situational play.

Head Coach Bobby Bowden
Opening statement:
“I’ve never seen as many long runs in my life. I’m talking 60 yards, 70 yards. In the end the defense kind of tightened it up a bit. Anyway, it was a pretty good practice. I think we got by without any serious injuries”

On the offensive line play leading to big plays:
“That’s the starting place. If you can’t do it there, usually you can’t do it anywhere. They have been doing a pretty good job.”

QB Christian Ponder:
On today’s scrimmage:
“We had a lot of great plays today and I feel like all spring that’s how it should have been. We came out and didn’t make a lot of mistakes early. We learned a lot from the last scrimmage. We just have to maintain it. Towards the end we got kind of sloppy.”

On the blocking of the offensive line:“They are doing a tremendous job. Since the first day of spring ball I have had a ton of time. I’m sitting back there and I feel relaxed because of the time I have. They are doing an amazing job.”

" I don't think that should have anything to do with Bobby's record."

"I don't think that should have anything to do with Bobby's record. I don't think Bobby had much to do with what happened."
Joe Paterno regarding the NCAA decision to vacate FSU wins

Noles Hold Saturday Scrimmage

FSU Sports Information Excerpts:

Friday the threat of serious weather caused the Seminole coaches to cancel practice. On Saturday the threat of bad weather was even worse and the coaching staff adjusted again moving practice up three times. The move paid off, despite dark skies and high winds, there was no rain or lightning and the team was able to get in a two-hour scrimmage Saturday morning.

The biggest storyline of the day was the defense’s intensity right from the start. The first team offense went three-and-out twice on its first possession. It started with Ochuko Jenije laying a big hit on a screen pass. Patrick Robinson broke up a pass intended for Avis Commack and then Kendall Smith held up Jermaine Thomas in the backfield on third down.

Jarmon Fortson picked up a few yards on a pass from Christian Ponder but Nigel Carr helped stall the drive with a sack. The final play was a nice run by Ty Jones who leapt over a would-be tackler but did not pick up enough for a first.

Head Coach Bobby Bowden
Opening statement:
“The offense made first downs but they didn’t make that many touchdowns. Carlton Jones broke one about 40 something yards then Louis Givens got one on a reverse – and when they got down on the goal line (Daniel Gard) caught a touchdown pass. But the offense – we are making first downs, not bad, but they couldn’t sustain a drive for a touchdown. The defense has a lot to do with that.

“In the second half of the scrimmage I thought the offense moved the ball better. They were hindered by bad snaps, they were hindered by a fumble, and they were hindered by penalties. I thought our pass rush was better; we got a little bit better of a pass rush. They had more sacks then they did last week.”

Twittering

For those of you who are on Twitter, I added a companion page on Twitter to the blog. Will post snippets and bits of information that I won't necessarily post on blog.

New Poll:Do you think FSU is correct in appealing vacating of wins?

There is a new poll question: Do you think FSU is correct in appealing vacating of wins?

Poll Results: How do you feel about Bobby Bowden's expected new one year agreement with FSU?

Results of the poll question: How do you feel about Bobby Bowden's expected new one year agreement with FSU? were:

51.7%- Agree with it and he should stay as long as he wants

24.9%- Agree with it but this should be his last

23.4%- Disagree- Bobby should have retired this year

Noles Hold Second Scrimmage Of Spring

FSU Sports Information Excerpts:

After 11 periods, the team moved to Doak for the second scrimmage of the spring.

On Monday the Seminole coaching staff felt the running backs were too banged up to hold a full pad scrimmage. That wasn't the case on Wednesday. After starting the day with 11 periods on the practice fields, the squad moved into Doak Campbell Stadium for the second full scrimmage of the spring. The hour-long scrimmage was highlighted by big plays on both sides of the ball.

"... Wetherell is throwing money at lawyers to preserve football victories."

"As Florida State's faculty frets over looming budget cuts that could push 200 staffers out the door, Wetherell is throwing money at lawyers to preserve football victories."
Selena Roberts,Sports Illustrated columnist, commenting on FSU's appeal of NCAA decision to vacate football wins

Noles Begin Week With 22 Period Practice

FSU Sports Information Excerpts:

Following five days of practice last week including the first full pad scrimmage, the Seminole football team had Sunday off. Following a day of rest, the squad was back out on the field Monday practicing 22 periods in shells. This week FSU will practice four times with off days coming on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

Head Coach Bobby Bowden
Opening statement:
“We previously had planned on going out in full pads today, but our running backs are kind of beat up so we decided to come out in shells.”

On who stood out in the first week and at the scrimmage:
“Some guys that caught our attention last week. Bert Reed has made some real good strides. Shows a lot of potential out there if he will just keep up the work. Avis Commack also, a freshman, is coming along pretty good. Looks like he will be able to help us there. Pat Robison is playing big league at corner. He is playing big league cornerback for us. (Ochuko) Jenije has made a lot of improvement as well. Marcus Sims…I told Marcus a while ago he ran as good Saturday as any back I have seen out here in a long time. He must had more broken tackles than…I know he had more broken tackles than anyone on Saturday but that was some really great running by him. Ty Jones ran well. Kendrick Stewart has played well inside. Everett Dawkins looked better rushing the passer. Now if he can get his play against the run better that will really help him but his pass rushing was pretty good. (Kendall) Smith to me kinda stands out among all the linebackers. Playing pretty good.

On the scrimmage:
“It was a pretty good scrimmage. We are not going backwards. We are going forwards and again it is just a matter of how quick they can learn everything and just coordinate.

NCAA Looks The Other Way

Let me make this clear. I am no big fan of the small minded folks who govern the NCAA. Remember their politically correct position to ban the Seminole nickname? These guys in my opinion are hypocrites and look the other way when certain schools may be involved in an impropriety. Take for example USC.

Does anyone recall Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush who was alleged to have been paid for over two years by prospective agent Lloyd Lake. He was supposedly paid $300,000 in cash, cars and other gifts for the benefit of him and his family! In fact the sports agent met with the NCAA 17 months ago.

In addition, a book was published called "Tarnished Heisman," detailing all of the cash, gifts and NCAA rules broken. As with FSU, there is no proof that the USC coaches were involved or knew anything about it. However, if these moral dimwits would apply the FSU standard toward USC, then at the very least, they would have to "vacate" the 2004 national championship.

Can you say double standard?

" The man just gets too full of himself. "

"The man just gets too full of himself. If FSU wants to win this appeal, talkative T.K. had better put a lid on his mouth."
Gene Frenette, Florida Times-Union columnist, regarding T.K. Wetherell and his outbursts against the NCAA

Noles Hold First Scrimmage Of Spring

FSU Sports Information Excerpts:

Saturday’s full pad scrimmage couldn’t have come any sooner for the Seminole football team. After busting at the seams to hit someone on Friday, the squad finally got to go full contact on Saturday as the first full scrimmage of the spring took place inside Doak Campbell Stadium.

The FSU football team went through a two-hour scripted scrimmage and will now take Sunday off bringing the first week of spring practice to a close.

Head Coach Bobby Bowden
Opening statement:“I thought it was a good first scrimmage. They did better than I really thought they would for the first scrimmage. Defense did better than I thought they would do today. I thought we got some good things done.”

On the play of Ponder:

“I think we are getting some pretty good catches out there. I thought Ponder threw good today. He made some very nice throws. If you can protect him, he can do it. I thought the protection was pretty good, you know.”

Offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher
On the offense:
“Not bad. I loved the intensity. I loved the aggressiveness. Of course we made some mistakes here and there. For the most part I liked what we were doing. Like I say, a few plays you wish you had back, you try to make but that is kind of where you expect to be right now. Get the kinks out but I love the intensity. I love the effort. I like the direction we are going, thought I saw some good things out there.”

On Ponder’s performance:
“Really nice. Stepped up two or three times and made some good throws. Only ran when he really had to run. I thought his pocket presence, so far in the spring…and I think that is a tribute to two things. I think our offensive line is doing a pretty good job and our backs.”

Defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews
On the defense:
“We gave up too many long runs, too many long passes. We had 50 missed assignments. We got folks who won’t fight for the ball. We won’t finish plays. There wasn’t much out there that looked like defense.”

“There wasn’t much that resembled football. Looked like we still had shorts on. You don’t play football with shorts on. We could go out here and make excuses. It is the first time we tackled but we are not going to make excuses. We are going to get better.”

" Why wouldn't FSU eagerly accept vacating a few wins ....?"

"Why wouldn't FSU eagerly accept vacating a few wins instead of compromising the ability of future teams to perform at their highest potential?"
Tim Stephens, Orlando Sentinel, pointing out that NCAA could impose harsher penalties such as scholarship reductions if FSU were to prevail on vacating wins

Noles Get In 25 Periods On Friday

FSU Sports Information Excerpts:

Thursday was a day off for the Seminole football team but the squad was back at work on Friday. The team practiced for 25 periods in shoulder pads this afternoon. The Seminoles will put on full pads Saturday for the first scrimmage of the spring.

Head Coach Bobby Bowden
Opening statement:
"We have a scrimmage tomorrow. First full scrimmage. I am anxious to see how they do. The intensity is pretty good. The kids are going after each other pretty good. Everybody is not sure what they are doing. Some are and some are not. That will come with time."

On if the offense is ahead of the defense
"They should be. They should be because they got so many more guys coming back and I think that is true."

"... they're killing a flea with a hammer."

"It just seems like they're killing a flea with a hammer."
Bobby Bowden regarding the NCAA penalties that will vacate wins as quoted on ESPN

Noles Don Shoulder Pads For Practice

FSU Sports Information Excerpts:

For the first time this spring the pads came out for a Seminole football practice. The team was still in shorts on Wednesday but the shoulder pads were on as the Seminoles practiced for the third straight day. Thursday will be the first off day for the team since spring practice began on Monday.

Head Coach Bobby Bowden
Statement on the NCAA sanctions:
“My reaction to the NCAA sanctions is that it was too stiff and I think that (FSU President) Dr. Wetherell is right in making that appeal. The thing about it to me, this thing ain’t about me. That is really all I hear from commentators is ‘Bobby Bowden this’ and ‘Bobby Bowden’. It is about all of our coaches and our teams, you know. I think everybody is putting everything on my wins, which is just part of it. The big thing, the whole crux of it to me men does the punishment fit the crime? Does the punishment fit the crime? I think that’s the thing, that’s the thing we gotta find the answer to right there.”

Note: You are wrong Bobby. This appeal is all about you. Your enabler T.K. Wetherell and yourself may get FSU stiffer penalties if FSU is able to win the appeal on vacating wins.

On Wednesday’s practice:“Practice today, pretty good practice. We put the pads on. Not full pads but we had our shoulder pads and hats on. The boys handled it pretty good. It was a little bit hotter today and I guess it will get a little bit hotter this spring. Boy that throws it into a different intensity once that heat comes out.”

"... I am deeply embarrassed and very sorry...."

"On a personal and professional level,I am deeply embarrassed and very sorry for a remark in which I inadvertently described Samford Uuniversity in an unflattering manner."
FSU president T.K. Wetherell's letter to Samford University president Dr. Andrew Westmoreland regarding his comments at Tuesday's press conference

" Now, we understand all the rest of it."

" Now, we understand all the rest of it. We’ve heard Bianchi (Orlando Sentinel sports columnist) over there saying, well hell, 31 wins don’t count anyway because they were at some dipshit school..."
FSU president T.K. Wetherell at press conference on Tuesday going "nuts" regarding the wins by Bobby Bowden

Note: Wetherell was upset that someone had questioned the 31 wins by Bobby Bowden when he coached at Samford college. Hardly the kind of language you want to hear from a university president at a public gathering.

"... Bobby Bowden's win total matters more than anything."

"For FSU President T.K. Wetherell to argue otherwise sends a message that Bobby Bowden's win total matters more than anything."
Joe Henderson of Tampa Tribune regarding T.K. Wetherell's appeal to NCAA to vacate wins

Noles Hold Early Morning Practice

FSU Sports Information Excerpts:

As will be the case throughout the spring, the Florida State football team held an early morning Tuesday practice. The squad hit the Doak Campbell Stadium turf at 7:20 a.m. and spent 28 periods in shorts. After two days getting acclimated, the pads will come out tomorrow as the team is expected to practice in shells on Wednesday.

Head Coach Bobby Bowden
Opening statement:
“We had to go in the a.m. because the class schedule is pretty well full this afternoon. Tomorrow we will go at the regular time. Again we are making progress. I saw a little bit, I thought we executed a little bit better today than we did yesterday. I see some good things happening but again you are looking at potential. You are looking at potential. Potential means you haven’t done it yet but at least it is potential. It would be a shame to look out there and not see any potential.”

On how they will handle the injury to Manuel:
“He (Christian Ponder) is getting most of (the reps) but some of those others kids aren’t doing bad. Thank goodness cause (Ponder) can’t throw all day long. He’ll get a sore arm. Some of those other kids will be able to help us in our drills and things.”

" It isn’t just for Bobby Bowden’s wins."

“It isn’t just for Bobby Bowden’s wins. You need to understand that. It’s about a bigger issue."
FSU president T.K. Wetherell at press conference announcing FSU's appeal of NCAA decision to vacate wins

Manuel Out For Spring Practice

Christian Ponder need not worry about any competition this spring. Florida State backup quarterback E.J. Manuel will miss the rest of the spring with a compound dislocation of his right index finger according to ESPN who quotes a school spokesman. Manuel apparently injured his finger on Monday that required surgery and four stitches.

" The Bobby Bowden Appeal " Underway

In what could be characterized as the Bobby Bowden appeal, FSU president T.K. Wetherell earlier today formally announced that FSU will appeal the NCAA ruling that vacates wins by FSU and most notably the 14 wins by FSU football.

Given the past history of appeals to the NCAA, FSU has probably a slim to none chance of winning. Some may question the use of scarce university resources in pursuing this in light of cuts at the university level. FSU has hired a law firm who employs a former administrative law judge to handle the case.

Noles Begin Spring Practice

FSU Sports Information Excerpts:

For the first time since defeating Wisconsin in the Champs Sports Bowl, the Seminole football team in its entirety was at practice Monday afternoon. Following a busy pro day, the team hit the field for 28 periods in shorts in what will be a jam-packed three weeks as the coaching staff plans to have 13 of the 15 allowed practices in the time between now and the Garnet & Gold Game on April 4.

Head Coach Bobby Bowden
On the first practice:
"It was a good first day's practice. You could really tell the difference three years ago when we came in and put this offense in how the kids struggled with it that first spring. Then last spring when we started first day you could tell they were a lot further along. They began to grasp it better. Of course today it even looked much better. Naturally the offense is going to be way ahead because they got so many boys coming back. Especially the offensive line. We haven't had that in a long time."

Offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher
On the first day:
"Not bad. I mean we had a lot of mistakes. A lot of good things. The effort was good, I mean for the most part. We had a couple young guys that got confused at the end when they get tired. For the most part the focus, the concentration, the guy's attitudes, the things they did, I was pleased in that part of it. We got a long way to go and we gotta get a lot better."

Spring Practice Schedule

The following is the spring practice schedule which is subject to change:

March 16 Shorts
March 17 Shorts
March 18 Shells
March 20 Shells
March 21 Scrimmage
March 23 ½ Scrimmage
March 25 ½ Scrimmage
March 27 Shells
March 28 Scrimmage
March 30 ½ Scrimmage
April 1 ½ Scrimmage
April 3 Shorts
April 4 Spring Game
April 6 Shells
April 8 Shells

Pro Day At FSU

This is not only the first day for spring practice at FSU but it is also Pro Day. While there was a brief but heavy rain storm, the scouts were out in full force to watch a number of former Seminoles work out on Monday. The Nole contingent,led by Everette Brown,ran through drills to impress NFL coaches and scouts.

Silence Is Olden

In the past it has been difficult to keep Bobby Bowden from expressing his opinion on a wide range of topics. Seems that finally there is something that has stopped him cold. Has Bowden been gagged by FSU or is he simply not wanting to discuss the NCAA penalty that will take fourteen wins away from him?

He has had surrogates FSU president T.K. Wetherell and athletic director Randy Spetman comment on the vacating of wins but Bowden has not made any public comments as of now. Not a peep from Bobby while he has been hammered by many in the press.

In many ways,this latest incident is a reflection of his cavalier approach to player punishment. Bowden has always been known for his "boys will be boys" approach and let them run stadium steps as punishment for offenses that should have warranted suspensions and/or dismissal. While there is no evidence that he knew of the academic fraud, his lax attitude would certainly be known to those athletes he recruited.

Bending Over A Way Of Life For ADs

Want to know what is wrong with college football? It is the absurd salaries paid to coaches and the athletic directors who bend over and take it. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has some interesting facts on the salaries of ACC and SEC coaches.

How's this one for starters? Gator head coach Urban Meyer makes $3,487,038 and yet there is a provision in his contract that provides $100,000 per year “to assist in educational expenses for his family.” You have to be kidding me.

And closer to home, when Bobby Bowden leaves Florida State, unless it is for violating his contract, he will receive a $1 million bonus. What recession?

"... we'll always remember the 14 wins Bowden lost."

"We might never know the names of the football players who cheated, but unless the NCAA reconsiders, we'll always remember the 14 wins Bowden lost."
Ray McNulty, sports columnist for TCPalm,regarding NCAA action to vacate FSU football wins

"... despite his winning percentage, when it came to character many of his players were wide, wide, wide right."

" FSU can prop up an embalmed Bowden on the sidelines for the next 25 years and it will still do nothing to dilute the sad fact that despite his winning percentage, when it came to character many of his players were wide, wide, wide right."
St. Pete Times correspondent Daniel Ruth regarding the FSU academic fraud case

"... it definitely has dropped off the mountaintop."

"...while FSU hasn't dropped off the college football map, it definitely has dropped off the mountaintop."
ESPN senior writer Bruce Feldman regarding the state of football at FSU

" That hurt me a lot when they got on probation...."

“That hurt me a lot when they got on probation because I was so high on them."
Gainesville,Georgia QB Blake Sims who has been offered a scholarship by FSU as quoted in Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"... I got more confused listening to them than anything else."

"I listened to that press conference they had and I got more confused listening to them than anything else."
FSU President T.K. Wetherell regarding NCAA press conference last Friday announcing the penalties against FSU as quoted in Tallahassee Democrat

FSU Will Appeal NCAA Ruling To Vacate Wins

As far as I know, Bobby Bowden has made no public comment regarding the NCAA report that strips him of 14 wins. We have heard from T.K. Wetherell and FSU athletic director Randy Spetman.

Spetman has announced that FSU will appeal the NCAA ruling that FSU must vacate the victories in which 61 ineligible athletes competed. The school has until March 21 to submit a letter of notice to the NCAA.

" But I believe vacating wins is just wrong."

"Some of our student-athletes engaged in academic misconduct and we will suffer the consequences. But I believe vacating wins is just wrong."
FSU Athletic Director Randy Spetman regarding the NCAA report against FSU

NCAA Hammers FSU

There is a lesson to be learned when dealing with a bunch of sanctimonius people at the NCAA. Don't self report because it doesn't help.

The NCAA in what took far too long delivered bad news today to FSU with their report and punishment regarding the academic fraud issue.

The Florida State football team will have to vacate an undetermined number of wins, serve four years' probation, and face a reduction in scholarships and other penalties due to what the NCAA described Friday as "major violations" from an academic cheating scandal.

A significant blow is to Bobby Bowden who was chasing the most wins with Joe Paterno. That may be a moot point now. If the sanctions stand, they will force Bowden to forfeit all wins during which ineligible students competed in 2006 and 2007.

The football team will be limited to 83 total scholarships in 2008-09; 82 in 2009-10; and 84 in 2010-11; the maximum usually allowed by the NCAA is 85. Florida State self-imposed the loss of the two scholarships for 2008-09, and will self-impose the loss of three scholarships for 2009-10. The NCAA added an additional loss of scholarship from the maximum in 2010-11.

Florida State's probation extends through March 5, 2013.

" We think he can do it."

"We really feel like we've got a guy and he's got a year under his belt. We think he can do it."
Bobby Bowden regarding Christian Ponder speaking at James Madison University as quoted in The Daily News Record (Harrisonburg,Va.)

" His age is a concern...."

"His age is a concern, but at the same time it’s good because he knows so much about the game and he can teach me a lot before he leaves.”
Gainesville, Georgia junior quarterback Blake Sims who has been offered a scholarship by Noles regarding whether age of Bobby Bowden would have an impact on his decision as quoted in Atlanta Journal-Constitution