Will Noles Be "Bad To The Bone"?

The Florida State first and second stringers took to the field for their first practice of two-a-days on Tuesday. The first two units practiced 20 periods in shorts and helmets as the team began its countdown to the September 3rd season opener versus Clemson. Today's practice was conducted with a split squad as the rest of the team will hit the practice fields at 4:30.

Highlights:

* The team came out in undershirts bearing the slogan "Bad To The Bone."
* The university announced offensive lineman Matthew Hardrick has been dismissed from the team due to a violation of team rules.
* Players Out: Dumaka Atkins is out. John Frady is the same way. Jae Thaxton has not been cleared ecause of his concussions.

Bobby Bowden Quote:
"We did something today different than we have done before - that is divide our squad in half - taking half of them out in the morning; mostly ones and twos and practice them - and we'll come back this afternoon with the threes and fours - the freshmen - and go through the same practice. How long we will do that, I don't know. That's what we are doing that and that's why it's a little bit different. That's why you don't see a lot of kids out here."

2007 Season Will Be Closely Watched

As FSU begins practice, there are several sub-plots to this 2007 season. The one major thing to watch is the complete overhaul of the FSU coaching staff. The biggest change was at offensive coordinator and Jimbo Fisher will be as closely watched as anyone on the team.

Running back Antone Smith is now the top back and it's now put up or shut up time. Smith will attempt to become the first 1,000-yard rusher since Warrick Dunn in 1996.

And of course we have the QB competition between Drew Weatherford and Xavier Lee. Jimbo Fisher does have a history of playing more than one quarterback. Could this be the year that we have a two QB offense?

FSU Begins Practice

The 2007 season starts today as FSU begins practice. The Noles will practice once a day through Saturday. Deviating from their usual regimen, the first and second team will practice this morning and the other players will practice late in the afternoon. The Noles will begin two-a-days on Aug. 14. The team will hold three full scrimmages during two-a-days that run through Aug. 23.

The National Trophy Caper

You just have to love this story. It involves a Gator and an attorney. One of the people involved in the theft of the national championship trophies at FSU has been disciplined by the Florida Supreme Court.

Jason Paul Rojas, a local attorney and University of Florida graduate, had been charged with hiding a stolen Florida State University trophy at his home.The Supreme Court suspended Rojas for 60 days.

What a fine example for the local bar and the Gators.

Colorado Suspends Three And Meyer Pleased

The University of Colorado football team has suspended three players after allegations of brawling, said sports information director Dave Plati.

Sophomore linebacker Michael Sipili, 19, was suspended indefinitely from the team after an arrest Wednesday on charges of second-degree assault and criminal mischief, Plati said Friday. The arrest came after a fight in June. Sipili was out of jail on bond. Sophomore defensive tackle Chris Perri, 20, will miss the first three games of the season. He allegedly had a role in the same fight. He also was arrested in July after police said he fought with teammate Taj Kaynor. Kaynor, a 21-year-old defensive tackle, was suspended for one game.

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On the first day of practice for the Gators, Urban Meyer said he was pleased with the incoming freshmen. "I was very impressed," Meyer said. "It's not fair to single one guy out or two guys out. ... In my opinion, they're all going to play. It's sheer numbers, first of all. And then I think they're that talented."
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Nick "The Liar" Saban says that the Alabama football team has no depth chart."There really isn't a depth chart, so you're misrepresenting our team when you make an issue of that," Saban said prior to Saturday's two-hour workout at the Sewell-Thomas practice fields.

"Does that make any sense to anyone except me? And is it that difficult to understand? "Practice is to improve and that's what we're trying to do with our practice." Thanks for those words of wisdom Nick.
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Among the many changes in the UAB football program this year is that newcomers won't be allowed to speak to media members until they do something significant on the field.

Duke Suspends And Va. Tech Suffers Injury

Duke suspended junior linebacker Michael Tauiliili indefinitely for violating team policy, the school announced Sunday. Tauiliili led the Blue Devils in tackles in each of his first two seasons. The release did not specify what rule Tauiliili broke.

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Virginia Tech tackle Ed Wang suffered a broken left ankle during Sunday afternoon's practice. Wang sustained the injury when another player rolled over his leg and fractured his fibula, according to assistant trainer Chad Hyatt. A redshirt sophomore, Wang had surgery Sunday night and will be sidelined at least two months.
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With the temperature still at 90 degrees, even at 6 p.m., N.C. State's football players went through lengthy post-practice conditioning today."They did a good job," NCSU coach Tom O'Brien said after the team's second preseason workout. "We conditioned pretty hard at the end and we only had only one set of cramps.
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The Miami Hurricanes football team showcased some big plays on offense and rattled off a few turnovers on defense as the team took part in its second preseason practice Sunday morning at the Greentree Practice Fields.

"The offense did a good job with a couple of big plays, but we had two turnovers, which is something we can't have," UM head coach Randy Shannon said. "Right now, we're getting big plays on offense and the defense has to stop what we're trying to get done on offense. Defensively, creating turnovers is a big emphasis in this camp."

Seminole Dates To Note In August

* August 7 - FSU Preseason Practice Begins

* August 12 - 2007 Football Fan Day 2:00-4:00pm

1:00pm - Seminole Superstars Strength and Skills Competition performed by FSU football players and Strength and Conditioning coach Todd Stroud inside the Donald L. Tucker Center.

* August 24 - 2007 Seminole Football Kickoff Luncheon at 11am in the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center

This Pie Is For You Steve

Others receiving votes: Boston College 150; Georgia Tech 150; Miami-Florida 91; Notre Dame 90; South Carolina 90; Wake Forest 71; Missouri 58; Oregon State 52; B-Y-U 47; Clemson 30; Oregon 30; South Florida 26; Texas Tech 20; Alabama 16; Oklahoma State 15; Southern Mississippi 14; Iowa 12; Kansas State 8; Memphis 5; Houston 4; Arizona 1; Duke 1; Kentucky 1; Washington State 1.

Notice anything unusual in the first 2007 USAToday coaches poll of other teams receiving votes? Let me help you. Duke which is on a 20-game losing streak received a vote from one of the coaches.

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier again gave a 25th-place vote to Duke in the preseason USA TODAY Coaches' Poll. The Blue Devils, for whom Spurrier was head coach in the late 1980s and an assistant in the early '80s, bring a 20-game losing streak into 2007.

Said Jim Welch, USA TODAY deputy managing editor for sports: "It's clear that what once might have seemed quaint has begun to lose its charm. We're hopeful that before next season the coaches association can prevail upon Coach Spurrier to find another way to salute his former team — or that Duke gets better in a hurry."

Grant Teaff, executive director of the American Football Coaches Association, whose members vote in the poll, said Thursday that he plans to discuss the vote with Spurrier.

Grant. let me give you some advice. Spare your breath. It won't help. Look up the word "jackass" or classless" in the dictionary and Steve Spurrier's picture is there. He definitely deserves a pie in the face. Unfortunately, I am not sure there is a pie large enough for his big mouth.

Practices Begin Around The ACC

The University of Miami officially opened the Randy Shannon era with its first fall practice on Saturday morning. About 500 fans attended the nearly 21/2-hour workout, which officially began at 7:52 a.m. In his effort to create discipline and build camaraderie, he has made a number of changes which have ranged from taking off names on the back of uniforms to having upperclassmen living on campus if their grade-point averages dip under 2.5.

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N.C. State began its first fall practice on Friday. Seems that there is an air of defiance at N.C. State who was picked by the media to repeat its last-place finish in the Atlantic Division.Offensive coordinator Dana Bible told players he had never been picked to finish last in his life.
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Virginia Tech junior cornerback Brandon Flowers, the star of Tech's secondary, pulled himself out of practice early Friday after tweaking his right ankle. He participated in parts of Saturday's practice. Flowers suffered a high ankle sprain last season in the Chick-fil-A Bowl and was limited in spring practices. He said his ankle felt fine during the summer but began to hurt again after the Hokies opened preseason practice Thursday.

Clemson Holds First Practice

Clemson began its practices Saturday with two quarterbacks competing for the starting position. Freshman Willy Korn, a former All-American quarterback in high school, took reps behind projected starter Cullen Harper as the Tigers rehearsed for three hours under a unrelenting sun.

"They all did quite well," said Clemson offensive coordinator Rob Spence. "They all had excellent recall, which evidenced that they've worked hard this past summer throwing and catching. Footwork was much improved from last year. They all did a great job, excellent job for a first day."

Tommy Boy's Pants On Fire

Clemson will open its 2007 preseason practice schedule today at 4:30 PM.As the Tigers get ready to face FSU in their home opener, a Bowden is on the hot seat and for a change it's not Bobby. Tommy Bowden is on the proverbial hot seat and this year is the year that Tommy boy needs to put up or shut up. A recent SI.com article rated Bowden as one of the top five worst coaches in college football.

Cupcakes

Ask Bobby Bowden or any other coach how they would like to start their season. Their response would probably be to start it easy. Face off against a lesser team to iron out the kinks. That seems to have been missed on soon to be gone athletic director Dave Hart.

The Noles start their season on the road at Death Valley against Clemson that has had our number in recent years. No cupcake here. A loss right off the bat puts the Noles in the hole early.

Other Nole opponents seem to know that. Maryland starts their season with juggernaut Villanova. Va. Tech will have to play tough against East Carolina. The Hurricanes take on Marshall and the Gators face feared Western Kentucky.

New Poll Question

New poll: Who do you think is the best head coach in the ACC ?

Poll Results- Most Anticipated 2007 Game

Poll results for the most anticpated game of 2007:

1. FSU-Alabama - 36.4%

2. FSU-Florida- 25.5%

3. FSU-Clemson- 23.6%

Preseason Coaches Poll Has FSU At #21

USAToday released its first coaches poll of the 2007 season this morning.The preseason poll has ACC teams the Noles at 21 and Virginia Tech at 9.

1. Southern California
2. LSU
3. Florida
4. Texas
5. Michigan
6. West Virginia
7. Wisconsin
8. Oklahoma
9. Virginia Tech
10. Ohio State
11. Louisville
12. California
13. Georgia
14. Auburn
15. Tennessee
16. Rutgers
17. UCLA
18. Penn State
19. Nebraska
20. Arkansas
21. Florida State
22. TCU
23. Boise State
24. Hawaii
25. Texas A&M

Tommy Boy Loses One

They say what goes around comes around. Seems as if that may be true. Remember Markish Jones who had committed to Clemson but changed his mind to go to FSU. Tommy Bowden accused FSU and his father of dirty tactics in regard to his change of mind. Later Jones signed with Clemson after the ACC ruled that the Letter of Intent was valid even though he had not faxed it to Clemson.

Well, guess what? Receiver Markish Jones has now signed paperwork to enroll at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College first-year Hutchinson coach Rion Rhoades said. That means Jones will not be playing at Clemson for at least two years. I feel your pain Tommy boy.

"A Lot Tougher Than People Give Me Credit For"

“I'm tough. I'm a lot tougher than people give me credit for. But if my toughness is a question, it won't be after this year, I promise you that.”
Greg Carr regarding his toughness as a receiver

Questions Going Into 2007 Season

After a disastrous 2006 season. Seminole fans can at least rejoice that Jeff Bowden will no longer be directing the Nole offense. Bobby Bowden has made major coaching changes in hopes of resurrecting or reawakening the program. There are however many questions to be answered as we head into the Clemson game. Here are some of those that need to be answered:

1. Will the offensive line show marked improvement under new offensive lines coach Rick Trickett? This after all is where all plays begin- up front.

2. Will Antone Smith be the runner that FSU needs in order to have a muti-dimensional offense? Smith is expecting big things from himself. Now it is time for him to show us what he can do.

3. Who will be the starting QB for the Noles? This has been a lingering question and seems to be one that divides Bobby Bowden, football analysts, and the fans. Many feel that Xavier Lee was clearly the best QB in 2006 and yet Bowden stuck with Weatherford in the bowl game. He seems to be still vacillating. This will be a critical decisison and hopefully Jimbo Fisher will add to the discussion.

4. And then we have the yearly question regarding the kicking game. Gary Cismesia ranked fifth in the ACC in field goal percentage in 2006. Cismesia has always talked a good game but his actual performance has been less than spectacular. I guess the standard "wait until next year" applies.

5. Will the receivers be improved in their catching ability and passing routes? New coach Lawrence Dawsey seems to be a great addition to the coaching staff and is a great model for the receivers. Greg Carr is obviously a gifted athlete but he needs to improve his route running and catching.

Fisher The Man And Uncertainty At QB

Florida State DT Paul Griffin, a projected starter this fall, is almost free of the probation that resulted from two recent run-ins with the law, the Leon County Probation Division said. Griffin, a redshirt junior who pleaded guilty twice in the past eight months to charges of DUI and driving with a suspended license, appeared in court last week in Tallahassee almost a month after he had been arrested for missing a June court date for a violation-of-probation hearing. Bowden told reporters that “we'll do whatever is appropriate” in regard to any discipline of Griffin.

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During his 30-minute address at Florida Sports Writers Association media days, Bowden said Jimbo Fisher will handle all of the play-calling responsibilities. "One of his strengths, in my opinion, is that he's highly confident and has a knack for calling plays," Bowden said. "Some people have it, some people don't. He has it."
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Seems that Bobby Bowden is still vacillating in regard to who will start as QB this year. In regard to Lee, Bowden said ,"He's done a lot more of that than last year (studying) and I saw improvement this spring." And then in the same breath. " But at the same time, Drew Weatherford has improved."

The Best Money Can Buy

The new football changes cost Florida State University and its boosters more than $1 million in increases.

Helped by the Seminoles' boosters, Fisher will make $415,000 and Trickett $300,000. Amato received $200,000 from FSU. Other FSU retained assistants received raises, while Carter and Dawsey will start at $130,000.

Let's not forget the $537,000 paid to Jeff Bowden for his horrible tenure as offensive coordinator. What a deal!

"It's amazing what money can do, isn't it?" Florida State coach Bobby Bowden has said. "We couldn't do it in the past. I think we're on the same page this time. Whatever it takes, let's go get 'em."

Follow Up: Terry Bowden

Bobby Bowden sought to clarify the status of Terry Bowden at the Florida Sportswriters Association media days. Apparently little Terry will attend meetings, film sessions and practices. He’s supposedly doing it all on his own, so he won’t be compensated or considered an official part of the coaching staff.

So, what is he? Terry uses the term “observer." Others call him a “consultant". In typical Bobby Bowden fashion, he states “He is not a consultant. I ain’t asking him nothing." My personal guess is thst he is more of a consultant than observer which is where the problem lies.

Another Bowden Joining FSU?

Terry Bowden,the height challenged but know it all offspring of Bobby Bowden, has according to several sources quit his radio talk show and will become an unpaid observer for FSU football. What??? First, what the hell is an unpaid observer?

You really have to question why Bobby Bowden would think this is a good idea. One Bowden on the FSU football team is enough. There are just so many things wrong with this. T.K. should step in and put a stop to this before it happens.

Citrus Bowl Game Looks To Be Reality For Noles

Florida Citrus Sports had announced July 10th that they had reached an agreement with Florida State University to play a neutral site football game in Orlando, pending a renovation of the city's Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium. The game, which would pit the Seminoles against a quality non-conference opponent, would be played in either 2012 or 2013, if renovations were completed. Late Thursday night, it looks as if the game is now going to be played. Orange County (Orlando) leaders approved a $1.1 billion plan for a new arena, performing-arts center and major Florida Citrus Bowl upgrades.

"You Won't Do Things A Lot Of Times Until Someone Makes You"

"It's funny, you won't do things a lot of times until someone makes you. If I hadn't lost my son as offensive coordinator, I wouldn't have made the changes. But when Jeff resigned, I thought to myself, 'If it's going to get this drastic, this is my last shot, so I'm going to make it the best I can make it. I'm going to get the best coaching staff I can get in here. I don't care what it costs.'"
Bobby Bowden regarding coaching changes as quoted on ESPN

Around The League News

The Miami Herald reports that Bobby Bowden is expecting his QB duo to perform this year. According to the Herald, Bowden says the redshirt juniors have been in the program long enough to be more efficient.''I expect them to produce,'' Bowden said at the ACC's annual football preview. ``I expect them to be ready to go.''.... The State(South Carolina) reports that all ACC football jerseys this season will have a black stripe on one arm to honor those killed in the Virginia Tech campus shootings....The Atlanta Journal-Constitution lists Rick Trickett and Jimbo Fisher as one of the top new assistants in the ACC for 2007 who will have the biggest impacts....The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that Virginia Coach Al Groh has a less than flattering distinction. In six seasons as coach at his alma mater, Groh has compiled a 42-33 record. The Cavaliers have advanced to four bowl games, winning three, and are 25-23 in ACC play. However, apparently that doesn't impress SI.com columnist Stewart Mandel, who recently picked Groh as the nation's worst coach....The Baltimore Sun reports on the ACC's background check of football officials. Officials who want to work in the ACC must authorize a private investigative firm to look into their backgrounds. Their initial paperwork also asks about any history of sports gambling, but it is the background check that delves into personal records for any clues. Credit card debt, substance abuse, driving records and criminal history are checked at the local, state and federal levels....The Winston-Salem Journal reports that upstart Wake Forest did not impress the media. They have the Deacons picked to finish fourth in the Atlantic Division in the preseason poll announced at the ACC Football Kickoff.

Gators Picked To Win Their Division And Saban Sounds Off

In a vote at the conference's annual Media Days, the Florida Gators are a clear choice to win the division and return to Atlanta for the SEC title game on the first Saturday in December.The Gators received 41 first-place votes, while Tennessee was second with only 16.

In related news, just two Gator players were picked to the preseason All-SEC first team in voting by the league coaches announced Thursday. Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own players. Florida's first-team picks were defensive end Derrick Harvey and offensive lineman Drew Miller, who is expected to move to center this season. Miller is a senior, Harvey a junior.

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Nick "The Liar" Saban said Thursday that he wishes the SEC would follow the Big Ten's lead and not play any conference games until the fourth week of the season. He believes it would raise the competitive level in the SEC even higher and encourage teams to play a tougher non-conference schedule.
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Colorado senior cornerback Terrence Wheatley was named to this year's Jim Thorpe Award preseason watch list on Thursday.

Wheatley was one of 35 college football players on the list and he will try to become the third Buffalo to earn the award.

Noles On Thorpe Watch List And Tight End Position Thin

Junior cornerback Tony Carter and sophomore rover Myron Rolle were both named as candidates to the Jim Thorpe Award pre-season watch list. as the top defensive back in the nation. Florida State tied four other schools with the most selections on the list.

Both Carter and Rolle have already been selected as members of the Bednarik Award watch list and both have been named to numerous pre-season All-ACC teams. Rolle was named the eighth-best safety in the nation by The Sporting News as well.

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Tight end will be a questionable position this year. With the transfer of Brandon Warren and the position change of Caz Piurowski, Madison County graduate Charlie Graham is the only tight end on the roster with playing experience.

Deion Deserves A Pie

The Noles have some great former players as ambassadors for the FSU football program. Names such as Dunn, Ward, and Brooks immediately come to mind. And then there is Deion Sanders. Sanders is probably the most gifted athlete to play at FSU. He also is probably the biggest moron. Sanders has never been one to give back to FSU. He is usually too busy running his mouth in regard to things he knows nothing about.

Seems that Deion in a weekly column that he writes for a Florida newspaper has weighed in on the Michael Vick dog fighting allegations. Here is what this genius has to say about Vick and dog fighting:

".... I bet Vick loves the dogs that were the biggest and the baddest. Maybe, he identified with them in some way."

And there's more. "I believe Vick had a passion for dogfighting. I know many athletes who share his passion. The allure is the intensity and the challenge of a dog fighting to the death. It's like ultimate fighting, but the dog doesn't tap out when he knows he can't win."

Well, Deion you deserve a huge pie in the face. Also, do me a favor and shut your mouth. When you open it, you show how stupid you really are.

ACC Opens Bidding And NC State Loses Key Player

With Jacksonville's three-year run at hosting the game over in December, the ACC has re-opened the bidding process for the 2008, 2009 and 2010 seasons. Jacksonville, who has hosted the ACC Championship for the last three years, ends its contract in December.

Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando and Charlotte, N.C., have been sent bid applications to submit a proposal. The Atlantic Coast Conference league office will then analyze the proposals and a final vote will take place by mid-December.

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Boston College senior quarterback Matt Ryan has been selected as the Pre-Season ACC Football Player of the Year in voting by media attending the annual ACC Football Kickoff at Pinehurst earlier this week.

Ryan, the 2006 All-ACC quarterback, received 31 votes in the balloting. Virginia Tech junior running back Branden Ore was second, being named on 21 ballots.
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The N.C. State football program took a big hit Wednesday when the school disclosed that tight end Anthony Hill, the Wolfpack's leading receiver in 2006, would be lost for the season.

Hill, a second-team All-ACC selection last year, underwent surgery to repair an anterior cruciate ligament on Wednesday.

My View: Beware The Knock On The Door

Be very careful FSU. That knock on the door may be the NCAA Political Correctness Police coming for you. The latest victim is Arkansas State. The chancellor at Arkansas State said Wednesday the school would retire its Indian mascot. Arkansas State had been targeted by an NCAA ban on mascots that are ethnically or racially hostile or abusive. Their nickname? The Arkansas State Indians.

As should be clear, the NCAA hierarchy is made up of petty small minded people who revel in meddling in the affairs of their member universities. Last year the NCAA took action against schools they deemed to have racist mascots and/or nicknames. FSU was able to dodge the NCAA bullet due in large part to the efforts of T. K. Wetherell to engage the Seminole tribe of Florida to endorse FSU's name. By the way, this may be one of the reasons that Hart is on his way out as athletic director. Hart was content in trying to work with the NCAA to see that FSU would be able to retain its mascot and nickname. This clearly showed Hart's naivete.Anyone knows that you don't try and "make nice" with a snake. The only thing that is going to happen is that you will be bitten. I think it is safe to assume that Hart is a devote of political correctness himself.

I am still waiting on these small minded imbeciles to deem "the Fighting Irish" of Notre Dame as ethnically offensive to the Irish. Notre Dame's name, if not their actual mascot, implies that Irish people are hostile. For many people, it brings to mind turn of the century stereotypes of Irish people as heavy drinkers, getting drunk and fighting in bars.

It is my view that you can never rest easy with the NCAA. Once a snake always a snake.