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Smurf TV: The Corey Surrency highlight reel

For FSU fans, the anticipation of seeing Corey Surrency's act at DCS is like waiting for the latest "Girls Gone Wild" DVD to land in your mailbox. And if you haven't seen this video, check out his size, speed, hands and moves. 

The reality check is IF he graduates from El Camino CC and qualifies. Surrency (a.k.a. Smurf) wouldn't be the first JC player who commits to the Noles, then slips through the cracks.

So we'll believe it when we see it. And, Scouts Honor, there's nobody we want to see more in Garnet & Gold in 2008 than this 6'-5" Smurf.

It's not nice to play tricks on old people: Canes' cut up ambushes Bobby

Here's a photo making the rounds of Miami message boards. The story goes that Bobby was in a CVS Pharmacy when an employee asked to pose with him for a picture. As always, the obliging Bobby was more than ready to accommodate a fan. Except this guy was a fan of U know who -- which became painfully obvious as the shutter clicked.

Bowden's expression says it all: "Dang, I've been had."

Hey, Coach. Instead of rolling Randy Shannon's lawn, how about getting the last laugh on all Canes fans come October 4th at Dolphins Stadium.

Before they're Noles, they'll knock heads this Summer

FSU fans who'd like a sneak preview of two heralded recruits need only travel to Hershey, PA this Summer. There they can check out OL Zebrie Sanders and WR/RB/KR A.J. Alexander in the annual Big 33 Football Classic -- aka the Ohio - Pennsylvania High School All-Star Game.

Come August the two will be teammates. But on June 14th they'll be on opposite sides of the ball: Zebrie suiting up for Ohio and A.J. playing for Pennsylvania. The Big 33, now in its 51st year, is billed as "the Super Bowl of high school football." And for good reason. The all-star classic has provided at least one player to the NFL's championship game every year since the first one in 1967.

Parker runs afoul of the law -- and maybe out of chances

What we loved about Preston Parker is how he was in a different league when it came to intensity. He demanded the very best of himself every time he stepped on the gridiron. So how could his standards slip so low off the field?

We'll probably never know. But we're pretty sure he'll receive punishment that fits the crime. That's because he's playing on a neutral field, legally speaking. Palm Beach County prosecutors have no reason to take the overly aggressive approach of Leon County D.A.'s. Nor the boys-will-be-boys justice meted out in Hogtown (recent case in point: Safety Tony Joiner arrested for felony burglary last October had charges dropped a week later -- just in time to play against LSU).

But if Parker is lucky enough to see his felony charge reduced, he still faces Judge Bowden. With one misdeed already on his record, will the weed and gun affair end his FSU career?

While it's not looking good for Parker, the future suddenly appears brighter for Taiwan Easterling. Not to mention a player who hasn't even been issued a uniform yet -- much ballyhooed JC receiver Corey Surrency.

Thank goodness for them. And for incoming guys like E.J. Manuel, who bring character. Something at least as important as talent right now. 

Focus on the Foes: Cats sharpen their claws for a trip to Tallahassee

Up in Cullowhee, reportedly not far from Mayberry, Western Carolina finished up spring practice Saturday with the Offense thrashing the Defense, 34 - 16.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Adam Hearns heaved a pair of touchdowns and the offense scored four TDs in all, adding a pair of field goals late.

First-year Coach Dennis Wagner said that nearly half to two-thirds of his offense was installed this spring, but the lessons start over in the fall. "There are currently 58 players on roster and we are allowed 90 in fall camp, so almost half of our team will be new. We are going to count on these guys who went through spring practice to help the new guys in the transition as they continue to improve," said Wagner."

Cats will get a jump on the season. Just as the Catamounts are an early season tune-up for the Noles, Western Carolina has its own version of a creampuff kickoff. The Cats will play Shorter College of Rome, Georgia, the week before their trip to Tallahassee. Shorter is an NAIA school entering its fourth season of football. Older Noles will recognize a familiar name on the Shorter coaching staff: Bill Peterson, Jr., the son of the architect of FSU's early success in the 60s. The younger Peterson doubles as Shorter's running backs coach and Athletic Director.

Rumors about Anthony Leon leaving FSU football apparently true

He looks like what a big time safety should look like, and he has the bloodlines (Sean Taylor was his cousin). But potential never developed into performance as a Nole. Now it looks like the rumors are true that Leon is leaving -- or has left -- the program, according to a veteran FSU football beat writer.

"The kid never figured it out," is how the writer described Leon's lack of playing time. Blame it on a combination of his late start in high school ball and playing against lesser competiton at a small, private school.

So will the Safety position opposite Myron Rolle ever be in good hands? Our writer contact, who watched all spring scrimmages, said Darius McClure definitely made progress and "should be an upgrade" over last year. Also, Jamie Robinson is back at the position after being suspended for the first three games.

Other quick comments from the scribe about players on the defensive side:

Dionte Allen played much better this spring and had some time with the ones. Korey Mangum performed well all spring and is deserving of a starting role. Terrance Parks showed good potential and may avoid a redshirt. And, in his eyes, Vince Williams actually looked better at LB than fellow freshman Nigel Bradham.

Good News for Noles: Markus White "on track" to graduate in May

Markus White is the sack master that FSU fans are eager to see in Garnet and Gold. The 2007 JC defensive player of the year, White could be the bookend D-end who teams with Everette Brown to create a nasty pass rush.

Just one hurdle White has to leap before chasing ACC QBs: graduation from Butler Community College.

Well, relax. According to his position coach at Butler, Markus is "on track to graduate the first half of May," and he expects White to head for Tallahassee soon after receiving his diploma.

In addition, defensive line coach Steve Braet told us White has stayed in condition by playing on the Butler basketball team, and by going through spring workouts with the football team.

Can White make a quick transition to the D-1 level? Says Braet, "he should because he's got that motor. He pushes himself." Besides speed, size and strength Braef says the difference is that "he just wants it."

Questions about the offensive line abound (We are talking about FSU, right?)

"With the spring now complete, the questions about the offensive line will linger into the summer and fall after both defenses combined for 11 sacks."

If you guessed this was from a story about FSU's spring game, you'd be wrong. It's a quote from a South Carolina newspaper after Clemson's spring game last Saturday. But we understand the confusion. Especially when compared to something eerily similar from a Florida newspaper:

"...FSU's defense racked up 11 sacks, intercepted two passes and recovered two fumbles Saturday night."

Clemson must replace four offensive line starters from last year but is still a favorite to win the ACC. FSU's OL is a work in progress, with incoming freshmen counted on for depth. Which coaching staff can turn a spring liability into a late season asset capable of giving its team an offensive advantage? A potential conference championship, Tommy Bowden's job and Rick Trickett's reputation are all riding on the answer.

What a Difference a Year Makes

Last year at this time, Terry Norvelle of Sun Sports and 1010XL in Jacksonville had this ear witness report on Jimbo Fisher during the Garnet and Gold game:

"I was ten feet from the offense huddled around Jimbo at halftime as he addressed them. He could have filled up a thousand coloring books with the colorful language he used. Most was at the line for 'not (blocking) anyone."

This year Jimbo had a somewhat different take on the overall progress of the Noles:

"I was very pleased with where we came out of spring. I really am," Fisher said. "I didn't think we played well tonight, had some jitters, one of the worst performances [of the spring] probably that we've had, but . . . I'm not disappointed. I still think we're a long way ahead of where we were a year ago."

So you call yourself an FSU football fanatic?

We've been critical of how FSU's athletics handled the P.T. Willis firing. Now we're shamelessly beating the war drums for season tickets. Why?

A critical element in the Noles return to greatness is you. A stadium full of non-stop chopping fans really makes a difference on the field. The season ticket deadline is Friday. So Monday we talked to Patrick Martin, Asst. Athletic Director for the Ticket Office, about getting seats without losing your shirt.

Can you still get season tickets without a booster contribution?
That's correct. But we have to wait until all the numbers come in to know how many non-booster season tickets are available. The priority three seats (in both corners of the North and South end zones) --  if you're not a booster, and I've got season tickets there, that's where I'd put you.

Even the lowest Booster contribution of $60, would give somebody an advantage over non-boosters, right?

That's correct.

What about single game ticket buyers?
The yellow seats (on the stadium chart) are pretty much single game ticket areas, and I don't sell season tickets there. We have to hold 10,500 for Florida (no single game tickets for that game). But when we play Wake Forest and teams such as that, obviously they don't use near that. So I've got those (not bought by visiting team fans) to sell as single game tickets.

Any other advice for people with tight finances this year?
Well, we have a payment plan for those renewing their tickets, though not for new people. But if you're renewing on-line with a credit card you can spread the cost over three payments.

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So are you an FSU football fan or fanatic? The latter are drawn to Doak like Muslims to Mecca. Fans? Well, they're usually on the couch. So get off that sorry sofa and dig in the cushions. Sell something on eBay. Even if you buy single game tickets, this team needs you in the stands, not in front of the tube. Besides, is there really anywhere else you'd rather be Saturdays in the fall?