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Florida State Seminoles (official thread)

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Funny Stuff on Free Shoes at SI.com

I did have to laugh when I read this article SI.COM:

Bobby Gets Defensive About Offense

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- One of the more popular storylines at this year's ACC Media Days is the fact that, in its first year with a conference title game last season, the league managed to produce an 8-5 champion, Florida State. Miami linebacker Jon Beason raised quite a stir Sunday when he told the Orlando Sentinel's Emily Badger that he feels as if the 'Noles are "wearing my ring." "They're 7-5 [sic] and have a conference championship ring?" said Beason. "... That's unheard of."

It seems a strange point to be making when your team not only lost to the Seminoles during the season but did not even win its own division. That said, it's not like most FSU fans are puffing their chests these days about that particular ring. An 8-5 season doesn't sit well in Tallahassee, which is why Bobby Bowden's usually jovial media session here Monday seemed more like an interrogation at times.

Specifically, a reporter pointed out to the 'Noles head coach of 31 years that his adversary, Miami's Larry Coker, fired nearly half his staff after last year's 9-3 disappointment; why, then, did Bowden make no changes whatsoever, specifically in regards to his embattled offensive coordinator, son Jeff Bowden. "Because I'm not a change man," said a visibly perturbed Bowden. "I'm not going to start firing people. I believe in loyalty, and I believe if something goes wrong, it's my fault.

"Jeff Bowden does what I tell him to do. I feel like if he wasn't my son, you wouldn’t hear anything about him."

That seems hard to believe, considering how drastically FSU's once-potent attack has slipped in recent years. The 'Noles ranked just 59th nationally in scoring offense last season and 109th in rushing offense. Bowden's explanation, and it's a legitimate one at least to some degree, was the rash of injuries to FSU's offensive line. The 'Noles started 5-0 but quickly went in the tank after starters Cory Niblock, Matt Meinrod and John Frady all suffered season-ending injuries.

"The biggest thing I've learned the last couple years is, if you're going to have injuries, I sure hope it's not on the offensive line," Bowden said. "If a running back or receiver gets hurt, you can just put in another one. But we don't have a lot of offensive linemen right now."

It's interesting to hear the contrast in opinion between Bowden and one of his players, running back Lorenzo Booker, as to the woes of the running game. Booker, as might be expected of a running back, was frustrated last season when the 'Noles abandoned the running game. QB Drew Weatheford averaged a staggeringly high 36.1 pass attempts per game. "Running is all about getting into a rhythm," said Booker. "You can't run the ball only a few times and be as effective as you want to be."

Bowden’s response: "Run-blocking is a whole lot harder than pass-blocking. We [passed more] because that's what we could do. We're not going to keep doing something we can't do. When I hear a running back complaining after a game that we didn't run the ball enough, he's averaging something like 1.1 yards per carry. If he's averaging 5 yards a carry, then yeah, we'll run the ball more."

Whatever the culprit -– the O-line, the running backs, Jeff Bowden's play-calling, the reality is, FSU is running out of excuses. For four years, there was an obvious scapegoat when the 'Noles struggled. His name was Chris Rix. So reviled is Rix to this day that one FSU staff member openly refers to Weatherford as "the anti-Rix."

Quarterback, however, is no longer the problem. Weatherford went through his growing pains as a freshman last season but has come out if it a consistent passer. "A lot of teams would like to have Drew Weatherford as their quarterback," said Bowden. Six new O-linemen will arrive this fall to bolster last year's beleagured unit. Booker and sophomore Antone Smith give the 'Noles an enviable backfield tandem. And the receiving corps, extremely young last year, should be better.

The assumption in Tallahassee is that FSU's defense will reload as always, and that it will be up to the offense if the 'Noles are to return to national prominence this season. Personnel is no longer the issue. If FSU finishes anywhere near 59th in that department this year, the blame is going to fall squarely on a Bowden -- and here's guessing it won't be Bobby.
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Then the ripping on Jeff Bowden that followed in the reader comments --
Posted: 9:35 AM, July 25, 2006 by IronHeart1
FSU’s Bowden and PSU’s Joe Pa are not on the same footing. PSU is not in the top 10 “Every” year in recruiting and FSU is within a hotbed of talent down here in Florida. When PSU did get the talent by accepting changes to their past coaching and recruiting strategy bam right back to the top. Bowden will ride that sinking son of his to the bottom because anyone who watches FSU knows he ain’t about to change. As a FSU fan it’s killing me!!
 Posted: 9:59 AM, July 25, 2006 by Anonymous
"Jeff Bowden does what I tell him to do. I feel like if he wasn't my son, you wouldn’t hear anything about him."

That's because if he wasn't you son, he wouldn't be there! Bobby changes... Do you remember Jimmy Heggins, the OL coach. He was replaced by McHale just 1 year ago.

I think we will win this year with or without JB. I don't think Miami is as good, and we play 8 home games, Clemson being one of them. Also, minus Florida, our non-conference schedule must be one of the weakest in the nation with W. Michigan, Rice, and Troy.

If we don't win with this schedule then, the Bowdens' have "No Excuses!"
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Maybe it is just me but I grit my teeth whenever I see somebody say something similar to "Free Shoes University" only to turn around and act with righteous indignation when anybody says something even remotely negative concerning Ohio State or "O$U" if you will.
 
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