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Curfew violations overblown
Posted: Sunday January 02, 2000 06:26 PM
NEW ORLEANS -- The hubbub coming out of the Big Easy on Saturday was that at least three Florida State players missed curfew on New Year's Eve and would be disciplined prior to Sugar Bowl. Coach Bobby Bowden refused to name the players but the 70-year-old coach is sure to take appropriate action against the offenders -- like holding them out for one play. The players weren't drunk, they weren't involved in a fight and they certainly weren't arrested. With all the media attention surrounding college athletics and the hoopla involved in a game with the magnitude of the Sugar Bowl, we seem to forget that beneath the pads and helmets are kids. And 18-to-22-year-olds like to have fun and to push their limits. So a few Florida State players left their hotel and tried to sneak a peek at the craziness on Bourbon Street (and trust me, it was crazy). So what? "Nobody will be suspended for curfew violations," said Florida State offensive coordinator Mark Richt. "It's not going to have any effect on the offense. I can assure you that." By game time, this episode will be long forgotten, but it never should have been a big deal in the first place. The media likes to write about the every move of college athletes and we treat them as if they are professionals. But they aren't. They are just college students who happen to play football. So before we go on overanalyzing and chastising them for having a little harmless fun, we have to remember that.
Hokies' special lossVirginia Tech received a major blow when senior wide receiver/punt returner Ricky Hall broke his foot in practice Friday. Hall, who averaged 15.9 yards per catch, set a single-season record for return yards and was an All-Big East selection as a return man. The loss could have a major impact on the game. The value of having someone who can catch punts, let alone return them, is often understated and the Hokies could be in trouble because the lights in the Superdome will be hard to adjust to. Look for the Hokies to use wideout Andre Davis and running back Shyrone Stith to return kicks and expect Florida State's return team to come away with at least one big play.
FSU's Minor impactIt would be easy to look at FSU running back Travis Minor's career and wonder what happened. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound junior was the national high school player of the year coming out of Catholic High School in Baton Rouge, La., yet he hasn't thrown up spectacular numbers since coming to Tallahassee in 1997. But although Minor has yet to rush for 1,000 yards in a season he led the Seminoles for the third straight season with 815 yards and seven touchdown. "I know I could have been the featured guy in many other offenses," says Minor. "But I don't care about yards as much as winning. And here I am playing for the national championship for the second straight year. I can't ask for much more than that." Minor went to the same high school as former Seminoles star Warrick Dunn and he's been compared to the current Tampa Bay back ever since he stepped on campus. Minor may not be as flashy or as explosive as Dunn but he's just as valuable to this FSU team and could very well be the key to Tuesday's game.
Moore's media adventures continueIt seems as if Virginia Tech officials had enough sense to advise Corey Moore that his childish Friday afternoon tirade was a mistake, but they didn't teach him how to be a man. Moore was supposed to be available to the media on Saturday but he bailed and had someone else do the talking for him. "Corey is very sorry for what happened the other day and would have like to come here to apologize to the media," said Virginia Tech offensive coordinator Bud Foster. "But he was unable to attend, so I'll apologize for him because that's not the way he is." Well, that's sending a good message. Next time hold his hand and tell him not to do it again.
Dumb question of the dayQ: To Richt: "Would you take another 27-year-old quarterback?"A: "I'd take a 28-year-old quarterback if Weinke decides to come back."
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