Happy 4th To All Nole Fans !

" Jeff got blamed for everything."

"Jeff got blamed for everything. What he got butchered on, my dad needs to stand up, wave his hands and say, 'I'm the guy that was running that ship.'"
Terry Bowden who is new head coach at North Alabama commenting on his father and Jeff Bowden who he just hired as a volunteer coach to his staff as quoted in Birmingham News

Note: Jeff Bowden is currently being paid more than $107,500 annually by Seminole Boosters as part of an agreement made during the 2006 season to step down

" It's worked out a lot better."

"It's worked out a lot better. I still wish we had the $3.5 million. There's a lot of things that we are delaying ... But [the cuts] are not something you really see. It's just internal to us."
FSU AD Randy Spetman regarding FSU athletic budget cuts for 2009-2010 which are less than anticipated as quoted in Orlando Sentinel

" The NCAA agenda in these types of cases has nothing to do with student privacy...."

"The NCAA agenda in these types of cases has nothing to do with student privacy whatsoever. Their agenda is to maintain control of the information flow in NCAA cases and to cover up bad decisions."
Don Jackson,a Montgomery, Ala.,lawyer as quoted in an article in Columbus Ohio The Columbus Dispatch discussing how NCAA skirts public record laws and bad decisions

Harris Suspended Indefinitely

Bobby Bowden announced today that he has suspended sophomore linebacker Maurice Harris indefinitely following his Monday-night arrest.

“We’re suspending Maurice Harris, indefinitely, beginning today until the matter has been resolved,” Bowden said.

Harris Latest Nole To Be Arrested

The Noles may want to consider moving their conditioning drills to the Leon County Jail given the number of players being arrested recently. The latest is weakside linebacker Maurice Harris who was arrested late Monday evening.

Harris faces charges of grand theft, property crime (possession of a vehicle with altered numbers) and a traffic violation for attaching a registration and license plate not assigned to the vehicle. He’s being held on $3,500 bail.

" He's really picking up what he's supposed to do."

" He's really picking up what he's supposed to do. He's running routes a lot. "
FSU QB Christian Ponder regarding junior college transfer running back Tavares Pressley who tore his left ACL shortly into his first preseason camp at FSU last year as quoted in Tallahasssee Democrat

"... hijacked by a misguided committee of pinheaded bureaucrats."

" The legacy that Bobby Bowden has worked 50 good years to build and grow and earn is being hijacked by a misguided committee of pinheaded bureaucrats."
Greg Cote of Miami Herald regarding NCAA vacating wins in FSU academic cheating scandal

NCAA Relents And Will Release Documents

The Tallahassee Democrat is reporting that the NCAA has agreed to allow Florida State University to release documents in the university’s academic-misconduct case.

According to the paper,"...Naima M. Stevenson, the NCAA’s director of legal affairs and assistant general counsel, informed Betty Steffens,FSU’s general counsel, that the school could release documents from the case so that FSU can comply with the state’s open records laws."

" This action concerns a scheme created to avoid public access."

"This action concerns a scheme created to avoid public access. The scheme developed by the NCAA and aided by FSU and its counsel is particularly insidious to Florida's constitutional and statuory guarantee of access to public records."
Excerpts of 21-page lawsuit filed by Miami Herald and other news organizations regarding the NCAA keeping secret its response to FSU appeal in academic scandal case

Wetherell Set To Retire?

The AP and ESPN are reporting that FSU president T.K. Wetherell will tell the school's trustees this week that he wants to retire. According to the reports, he will tell them of his intent at a meeting on Wednesday. It's routine for university presidents to give a year's notice or so to allow a replacement to be found.

Can't say that I am surprised nor disappointed. I think Wetherell has been too much of an apologist for Bobby Bowden which has tainted the image of FSU.

"... this is about Ponder."

"The Noles have many unknowns, but, to repeat, this is about Ponder. If he's not up to the task, another middle-of-the-pack season could prompt Bobby Bowden into retirement."
Lindy's magazine which predicts FSU will win the ACC Atlantic division in 2009 and finish No.18 in the nation

2009 FSU Football Poster Now Available

FSU football fans can now get their 2009 FSU football poster with the slogan "83,000 Strong".

" Wetherell's athletic department has carefully fashioned a mentality of winning at all costs...."

"Bull. Wetherell's athletic department has carefully fashioned a mentality of winning at all costs that has permeated to every corner. The NCAA must send a message that such a mentality must change immediately -- and it better start at the top."
Sports columnist Neil Woelk of Colorado Daily Camera regarding FSU academic cheating scandal and NCAA response

" I had some problems with him (Trickett), with the way he treated me...."

"I had some problems with him (Trickett), with the way he treated me and the way he talked to me."
Former FSU guard Will Furlong regarding offensive lines coach Rick Trickett as quoted in Daytona Beach News-Journal

NCAA Grants FSU Additional Time For Rebuttal

And who said the NCAA was made up of hypocritical and pompous old guys? The NCAA has granted Florida State an additional two weeks to file its rebuttal in the university’s ongoing academic fraud case. The NCAA Committee on Infractions responded last week to FSU’s original appeal, and the university was to originally have until June 17 to submit its rebuttal. Now because of the NCAA and its geneorosity, the university must submit its rebuttal by July 1.

" Right now I’ve got to give them a B-plus on their report card."

“Right now I’ve got to give them a B-plus on their report card.They are doing a much better job in terms of accountability."
FSU strength and conditioning coach Todd Stroud commenting on FSU receivers regarding their offseason work as quoted in Tallahassee Democrat

"... a 40-0 win in 1962 against Mexico National University."

" Well, it does seem a little weird counting a 34-0 win in 1959 against the Tennessee Tech freshmen, a 60-0 win in 1961 over Memphis Navy, or (my personal favorite) a 40-0 win in 1962 against Mexico National University."
Joe Henderson of Tampa Tribune discussing Bobby Bowden's 31 wins at Howard College (now Samford )

" The NCAA doesn’t believe in such transparency."

" The NCAA doesn’t believe in such transparency. The NCAA’s actions have placed Florida State in a strange position."
Comments regarding NCAA response that was put on secure internet site and only allowed to be accessed by FSU counsel as quoted in Orlando Sentinel

NCAA Files Its Response

As anticipated, the NCAA did file its response on Tuesday to an appeal from Florida State University regarding the academic-misconduct case that resulted in sanctions for the school's athletic department. The response from the NCAA will not be made public for two weeks or until FSU can prepare its rebuttal.

FSU issued the following release:

As expected, the response by the Committee on Infractions to Florida State University’s appeal of one of the penalties recommended in the academic misconduct case was submitted to the NCAA today (Tuesday). Florida State University was notified via attached correspondence that the submission had been filed.

Florida State University also learned today that information from the Enforcement Staff and the Committee on Infractions is, by NCAA procedure, posted on a secure NCAA custodial website. The NCAA’s site does not allow for the submission to be downloaded or printed, nor will Florida State University be sent a paper copy. Florida State’s outside counsel will be able to access the NCAA’s secure website in a read only manner.

Florida State University General Counsel Betty Steffens will work with FSU’s outside counsel to prepare a rebuttal to the response by the Committee on Infractions. The rebuttal, which FSU will make public with certain adjustments due to state and federal privacy laws, is due to the NCAA Appeals Committee by June 17, 2009.

FSU Anticipates NCAA Response Today

Odds and ends:

The ongoing appeal of vacating wins by the NCAA is scheduled to take place today. That is the extended deadline for the NCAA Committee on Infractions' response to FSU's appeal. Once FSU receives the response, it has 15 days to file a rebuttal.
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FSU right guard Will Furlong has decided to transfer to North Alabama. Furlong, who started five games at right guard last season as a redshirt sophomore, has had a succession of injuries since first breaking his foot last October.
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USF has been given an additional 2,500 seats to sell for the Sept. 26 football game at Florida State. The original allotment was 5,000, but ticket sales have been going well for the first meeting between the two programs. Due to the economic crisis, FSU was more than willing to increase the allotment.

"... Florida players have punched women, stolen property and been involved with guns and drugs."

"... Florida players have punched women, stolen property and been involved with guns and drugs. Yet nobody on ESPN is so much as reporting this."
Sun Sentinel sports columnist Dave Hyde regarding University of Florida football team who over last four years have had 23 players arrested

Goodman Arrested For On Campus Fight

And then there were three. Florida State wide receiver Richard Goodman was suspended Wednesday following his arrest in connection with a November on campus fight between football players and members of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity.

“We’re suspending Richard Goodman, indefinitely, beginning today until the matter has been resolved,” FSU head football coach Bobby Bowden said in a news release.

Goodman, 22, was arrested Tuesday on a charge of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon causing great bodily harm or disability, a second-degree felony, FSU Police Maj. Jim Russell said. Goodman was taken to the Leon County Jail and released on $1,000 bail.

Goodman is the third FSU player arrested in connection with the incident. In addition to Goodman, wide receivers Cameron Wade, 20, and Bert Reed, 20have previously been charged earlier with misdemeanor battery.

NCAA Response Delayed Until June 2

ESPN is reporting that NCAA has delayed its response to FSU appeal regarding vacating of wins until June 2.

" I won’t lose a minute of sleep over it."

“It seems very unfair to me. I won’t lose a minute of sleep over it. They can take it away — how? — on paper."
Bobby Bowden regarding NCAA penalty to take away wins as quoted in Thomasville Times-Enterprise

Note: The university expects to hear from the NCAA as early as Tuesday on its appeal of sanctions resulting from an academic cheating scandal.

Remembering Those Who Gave The Ultimate

WVa and FSU Flip Schedule Locations

Odds and ends:

* According to FSU Sports Information, Florida State center Ryan McMahon has been named to the 2009 Rimington Trophy Spring Watch List.The redshirt junior is appearing on the list for the second consecutive season. The ten-year old trophy is presented to the nation’s top center by the Boomer Esiason Foundation.

* West Virginia University Director of Athletics Ed Pastilong has announced that the Mountaineers and Seminoles have switched the locations for their series scheduled for 2012 and 2013. The Mountaineers will now travel to Tallahassee, Fla., in 2012 and will then play the 2013 meeting in Morgantown.

* The Atlanta Journal Constitution has named its top nonconference games in the ACC this fall. Three games involving FSU are BYU, South Florida, and Florida. The paper says this about the FSU-South Florida game,"How sad is it that this game is no longer a gimme for Bowden?"

NCAA Delays Response To FSU Appeal

FSU will have to wait a little longer in regard to the NCAA appeal process. It is awaiting the response from the NCAA’s Infractions Appeals Committee.

On Wednesday, FSU announced that the appeals committee granted a seven-day extension to the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions, which had requested additional time to respond to Florida State’s appeal.

" Naturally, I would love to win more games than anybody...."

" Naturally, I would love to win more games than anybody, but there is nobody behind us. It's not like there are seven guys. It is just Joe and me."
Bobby Bowden regarding the most wins battle between himself and Joe Paterno as quoted in The Philadelphia Inquirer

NCAA Denies Surrency Request

FSU Sports Information has released the following statement regarding a request to the NCAA for another year of eligibility for WR Corey Surrency:

The NCAA has notified Florida State University’s compliance office that the final appeal made by football player Corey Surrency of the decision regarding granting him another year of eligibility has been denied. The result of the ruling means that he has exhausted his college eligibility.

“We are disappointed that Corey has lost his appeal, but I appreciate our administration going to bat for him,” said head coach Bobby Bowden. “I hope that Corey can continue to play on the next level and we will do all we can to help him get that chance.”

" Pampers made a killing off us last year.”

“Pampers made a killing off us last year.”
Jimbo Fisher speaking at Orlando Boosters meeting regarding the fact that the team came out of the tunnel late five times a season ago because coaches were dealing with issues behind the scenes as quoted in Orlando Sentinel

Bobby Talks Football

Bobby Bowden talks football in a recent television interview on his annual Booster golf tour.

"... we didn't change our name from Seminoles."

"... the NCAA "might not like us because we didn't change our name from Seminoles."
Bobby Bowden regarding the NCAA penalty to nullify wins as quoted in Miami Herald

ACC Adds GMAC Bowl To 2009 Schedule

Here is the ACC bowl schedule lineup for 2009:

FedEx Orange Bowl: Jan. 5, 8 p.m. FOX
Chick-fil-A Bowl: Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m. ESPN
Konica Minolta Gator Bowl: Jan. 1, 1 p.m. CBS
Champs Sports Bowl: Dec. 29, 8 p.m. ESPN
Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl: Dec. 27, 8:15 p.m. ESPN
Meineke Car Care Bowl: Dec. 26, 4:30 p.m. ESPN
Emerald Bowl: Dec. 26, 8 p.m. ESPN
EagleBank Bowl: Dec. 29, 4:30 p.m. ESPN
GMAC Bowl: Jan. 6, 7 p.m. ESPN

Note: GMAC bowl replaced Humanitarian Bowl

" We need (receivers coach Lawrence) Dawsey to step up."

“We need (receivers coach Lawrence) Dawsey to step up. He’s been a great coach on the field, great recruiter. But he’s going to have to get a little bit of a Leonard Hamilton school of coaching."
T.K. Wetherell regarding receivers and receivers coach Lawrence Dawsey as quoted in Tallahassee Democrat

Note: Like many of Wetherell's statements, I have no idea what he meant with the Hamilton comment. Not sure he should be using Leonard Hamilton given the lack of success the basketball program has had under Hamilton.

"... we're going to have to pay Jimbo Fisher $5 million."

"...[if] we decide he (Bobby Bowden) isn't ready to go, we're going to have to pay Jimbo Fisher $5 million."
FSU AD Randy Spetman regarding fact FSU would owe Jimbo Fisher $5 million if he's not head coach by January 2011 as quoted in Orlando Sentinel

" I don’t think there’s much of a story there.”

"I don’t know what that is. Maybe he has a very logical reason. But maybe he doesn’t. I don’t think there’s much of a story there.”
Bobby Bowden speaking to Orlando Boosters on Saturday in regard to WR Cameron Wade missing a court date as quoted in Orlando Sentinel

" I thought they’d go late."

"But Antone (Smith) didn’t get drafted, Greg Carr didn’t get drafted. That surprised me. I thought they’d go late."
Bobby Bowden on recent NFL draft and having only one player drafted as quoted in St. Petersburg Times

" It makes you wonder what the criteria is for selecting...."

“It makes you wonder what the criteria is for selecting, not that the other guys aren’t worthy of it.”
FSU defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews regarding Deion Sanders being snubbed by College Football Hall of Fame for third straight year as quoted in Tallhassee Democrat

One And Done

Don't look now but our reason for not winning a lot of games in the past few years is showing. Case in point. The recently concluded NFL Draft that saw only one Nole drafted. Everette Brown was drafted in the second round and that was it. Graham Gano after the draft was offered a free agent contract with the Baltimore Ravens.

Remember when gasoline was selling for 89 cents a gallon, a postage stamp was 24 cents, and disposable contact lens became available? Well, it was 1987 and it was also the last time before yesterday that only one Nole was picked in the draft.

FSU Appeal Timeline

Here's the NCAA timeline relating to FSU's appeal regarding the vacating of wins:

The Committee on Infractions has 30 days to submit their response.

FSU has 15 days to submit a rebuttal.

The enforcement staff then has 10 days from acknowledgment of receiving the rebuttal to submit a response.

There is yet another option for the university to appeal within the next 10 days.

" I'm not going to stay in it long enough to overcome it...."

"I'm not going to stay in it long enough to overcome it, especially with Joe staying in it."
Bobby Bowden as quoted on ESPN regarding having to overcome losing 14 wins with the NCAA penalty in his race with Joe Paterno

Note: On Thursday, FSU filed a formal 28-page written appeal with the NCAA regarding the vacating of wins

" Yeah, I think it's [penalties] more than fair."

"Duke suspends a guy for a year. They (Florida State) got 36 of them and they don't lose a whole year? Yeah, I think it's [penalties] more than fair. They're [Florida State] playing with the guys I can't play with."
Maryland head football coach Ralph Friedgen regarding the NCAA ruling to vacate FSU football wins as quoted on CBSSports.com

"... gaining some really good strength from several of (Trickett's) guys."

"You see putting on body mass and gaining some really good strength from several of (Trickett's) guys."
FSU Strength and Conditioning coach Todd Stroud regarding the offensive line

"... they can come see me with their resignation in hand."

" If this is unacceptable to the boosters or athletics,they can come see me with their resignation in hand."
FSU President T.K. Wetherell's comments in email sent to athletic staff and boosters after athletic department spokesperson had indicated that there would be no furloughs of coaches if budgets cuts have to be made. Wetherell indicated that coaches would not be exempt from possible furloughs.

" Now we've got all five of those guys back...."

"Now we've got all five of those guys back, and that does make a heck of a difference."
Bobby Bowden commenting on the Nole offensive line as he kicked off his 34th annual Bobby Bowden Golf Tour in Clay county on Monday as quoted in Florida Times-Union

Noles Hand Out Spring Awards

The Florida State football coaches announced the 2009 spring award winners on Monday. Patrick Robinson won the Hinesman as the most dominant player as well as the most valuable on defense while Christian Ponder took home MVP honors for the offense.

" Is his college career really over....?"

"Is his college career really over because Surrency supposedly gained "competitive advantage" by playing a couple of games with a bunch of dreamers and has-beens in a loosely organized semipro league?"
Orlando Sentinel sports columnist Mike Bianchi regarding NCAA decision to not allow Corey Surrency another year of eligibility

Noles Hold Last Scrimmage Of The Spring

FSU Sports Information Excerpts:

On Wednesday the FSU football team held its last practice of the spring. The coaches decided to get one last full pad practice in and the second half was spent scrimmaging on the practice fields. The team worked on down-and-distance situations and then in the 4:00 and 2:00 offense.

Head Coach Bobby Bowden
Opening statement:
"That wraps it up, 15 days. We challenged our kids before spring training started to see how many of them can make all 15 days without missing a drill. It will be interesting to see how many of them finished up like that. I think it's going to be more than we normally have. We've made strides, but we still see question marks out there. They've have to be solved by getting better or hoping that some of your freshman can come in and give you some support in that area."

Noles Get In Early Morning Practice In Frigid Temps

FSU Sports Information Excerpts:

The Florida State football team was back out at practice just over 12 hours after Monday’s half scrimmage ended. The squad practiced for 22 periods in shells in frigid temperatures. The Seminoles are scheduled to practice Wednesday for the final time this spring.

Head Coach Bobby Bowden
Opening statement:
“We went out in shells today and started at about 7:20. Kids got through it okay. It was cold as heck out there. We had too many missed assignments today if you were evaluating the practice. Entirely too many missed assignments out there. It usually goes back to mental (the missed assignments)”

Do you feel pretty good about spring practice?
“Thank goodness we have had quite a few of them that have gotten through the whole spring. That’s very important in spring training. We’ve made strides but we can still see strides that we must make. Our turnovers scare us to death right now offensively. Defensively we have done a better job of shutting down the big play although we had some yesterday. I think that’s one little progress they’ve made in the spring.”

Noles Begin Final Week Of Spring Practice Scrimmages

FSU Sports Information Excerpts:

The Garnet & Gold Game usually is a celebration of the end of spring football but not in Tallahassee this year. Originally the team was scheduled to have two practices following the annual scrimmage but rain forced a third practice in this final week. The Seminole players won’t have to wait long to celebrate the end of this portion of the off-season as they will practice Tuesday and then conclude organized practices on Wednesday.

Head Coach Bobby Bowden
Opening statement:
“The offense looked much better today. Looked liked them old selves today. I guess next year we won’t let anybody come to the (spring) game and maybe we’ll do better.

“Pretty good scrimmage. We worked on a lot of different situations. We worked one two-minute offense; we gave the offense the ball 60 or 70 yards away with two minutes and they scored both times. First and second unit. Hit a couple of long passes.”

Offensive Coordinator Jimbo Fisher
On today’s scrimmage:
“The thing I liked today better – we still made mistakes – still did some bad things – our attitude and effort was better and we overcame things when we had the chance to even when we had bad plays. We turned around and overcame them because our attitude and effort were there.”