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Trouble hits FSU football with more on the way (Updated)
February 2nd, 2009, 3:52 pm · 7 Comments · posted by Brad Milner
It’s been a busy few months for the Florida State football team, with lots of news. And not much of it, save a mighty Champs Sports Bowl win over Wisconsin, has been good.
The latest bad news revolves around the wide receiving corps … the same group that decided to stage an Ultimate Fighting contest in the student union in November. Preston Parker was kicked off the team on Monday after being arrested for driving under the influence on Saturday.
He had the munchies, you know, and was found passed out in a McDonald’s drive-thru lane. He was driving a Dodge Charger, according to reports, and I would be interested to know if it was his. I’d hope not, as the last time I saw a new Charger on a showroom floor it had a list price of around $52,000.
Parker, Bert Reed and Cameron Wade are three players who have been arrested since November. Parker also was arrested in 2008 and 2006. Another wide receiver, Corey Surrency, also had a scrape with the law of the felony variety. Surrency, by the way, is petitioning the NCAA for another year of eligiblity.
I’m sure the NCAA has its hands full with another matter concerning FSU, however. The organization is expected to rule soon on any extra sanctions for the school after the academic cheating scandal broke in 2007.
Dozens of athletes, many football players, were suspended for respective contests. The school also did an internal investigation and deemed that its steps were good enough.
Prior to last football season, FSU was hoping the NCAA would take a nicer look at the situation and agree to the sanctions they proposed. But recent events, including the on-campus brawl that involved several players and Parker’s latest ignorance, is probably not being looked upon too well by the NCAA.
There is likely to be a reduction in scholarships for football over the next two or three seasons. This may affect recruiting in the future but probably not next year’s class, which will be in the fold on Wednesday’s National Signing Day.
Rumors are floating that the entire 2007 season could be forfeited. That would mean little in terms of history or change any championships, as FSU was 7-6. What it would do is put Bowden even further behind Penn State’s Joe Paterno in the quest for the all-time wins mark.
Word from the NCAA is expected soon. Wouldn’t it be grand if it came on Wednesday to upstage FSU’s “happy day?” Heck, it wouldn’t matter anyhow. There’s little good going on in Tallahassee these days.
Your thoughts?
Update, Feb. 3, 4:21 p.m.: There is a common belief that the NCAA has already informed FSU about its decision. The theory is that FSU is figuring out when to release or perhaps they are negotiating with the NCAA as we speak.
NCAA guidelines call for a release of all findings and comments on a particular case to national and state wire services. So, we all will know for sure when that happens. It’s also part of the policy to have a “sinking in” period, where institutions are given a heads-up and time to prepare.
A key thing to see is if FSU does indeed sign its expected 17 other football prospects on Wednesday. If they sign fewer then perhaps the reduction in scholarships was more than anticipated. If it’s at 17, including the one who has already signed and is in school, or more then either there was no further reduction or FSU has not learned of its fate.
I’d lean toward there was no further reduction. Self-reporting is a good thing, and the NCAA seems to look kindly on that. However, the NCAA also has a habit of making an example. We’ll see.
I guess it was a slow news day. Pick up the Parker dismissal and regurgitate it along with the student union fight and NCAA investigation. Was that glee or sarcasm with which you offered the statement, “Wouldn’t it be grand if it came on Wednesday to upstage FSU’s “happy day?”
Wouldn’t it be grand if Freedom Communications mirrored the actions of many other publications around the nation and laid you off Wednesday as a counter to the woeful advertising climate?
Preston Parker was dismissed from the team for his latest transgression. That was the right thing to do (i.e. “good news”). Recruiting efforts could produce a top ten class. That would be outstanding. As for the NCAA matter, will you think it “grand” if the administration’s internal/voluntary sanctions are deemed satisfactory? How many stories do you think you can make out of that? Hopefully one good enough to get you out of the Class Z minor leagues of sports journalism known as the News Herald.
brad ur a (expletive) idiot. shove it up your (expletive)
Comment edited by Brad Milner
(expletive) u brad, glad you feel that way. I sense some anger, no?
Jay Hawk, hopefully that doesn’t refer to Kansas because we all know what comes out of there! The fact Parker was kicked off the team was news, sorry to say if you don’t believe that. I was doing my minor league duty of following a story. Silly me. And last I checked, FSU’s class wasn’t sniffing the Top 10. Well, they were close in one ranking. But who’s keeping track?
And I don’t doubt there is a chance the NCAA will accept FSU’s steps. It’s a small chance, though. But the best thing in all of this is you read this. I appreciate the support!
I read so if your only goal is to get readers then I guess you have accomplished your goal.
I don’t care if you want to criticize the program. There is plenty there to talk about. But at least next time put some thought and effort into it instead of wasting our time with unoriginal thought and complete BS that you think passes for journalism.
Brad–I agree it was news. Past tense. You dressed up a wire service story and it was on the front page of the Web site. What I objected to was using the incident as a way to dredge up the student union fight and the potential for NCAA sanctions associated with the academic cheating. But any excuse to libel FSU is a good one, right? Your choice of words in the blog (I re-read it so you can thank me for further support and possibly keeping you from joining your bretheren in the ranks of the unemployed) was curious. Was “grand” sarcastic or hopeful? As for recruiting rankings I don’t put much stock in them, but I did read one of the services had FSU nearing the Top 10 with a chance to break into it if a player or two fell their way. FSU is going to get some good players regardless of the controversies you so often recite. The state produces too many of them and they can’t ALL go to Florida! UCF, USF, FIU, and FAU are getting some of them along with every other school that recruits Florida (i.e. all of them), but the brand recognition of FSU is still good enough to attract a blue-chipper or two. So why all the hate for FSU? They used to be a media darling. (See the 1993 national championship, for instance.)
That being said, I received my graduate degree from (rock-chalk-Jayhawk) K.U. However, I was born and raised in Panama City. I returned here several years ago to be near family. So tell us, other than me and my four children, what does come out of Kansas?
Jay Hawk, allow me to enlighten you. Something that breaks on a Monday is not in the past tense. It’s called doing a story when the school makes an announcement, plus I have enough background with the program to write the story on my own, thanks.
His being kicked off was news and hardly qualifies as old. You recall the Union fight only happened a few months ago and it was more than worthy to add it in because it spoke to a bigger problem. Plus, both of the arrested players are still in the legal process, so for now it’s all still fresh news.
Also, it’s a fact that the NCAA is getting close to a decision. That’s why it’s fresh story. That’s why it’s worthy. Do you think that if they really did have to give up 7 games that it wouldn’t be newsworthy?
And that’s why I used the word rumors. All of it is rumor until the story comes out. When it does, I’ll report on it in an objective way. One needs only to look at my stories to see that I do that, and no one can dispute it, not even those who believe they have a grasp on what I do but have no clue.
A blog is a different forum and allows me to give my opinion based on what I gather from the story.
And nice of you to be so flippant about being laid off. I didn’t attack you in the blog post. I’m sure your four kids would be wanting if you lost your job. Nice. I’m sure Santa likes you.
And FB Nole, mind the language. There are kids around! You touch your wife with those dirty fingers you used to type such words?
If we put half or more of the college teams under scrutiny, you will find the same things going on with problems and discipline. We get the blunt of the news just because FSU is close to us. Take a look at the rest of the team. How many other players are doing the right thing? Take the time to look at the ones that are good as much as you look a few who don’t do the right thing.