Exciting news!

I apologize we have not been providing many updates lately.  There’s a good reason.  We are proud to announce that we have been picked up by FanSided.com.  We will be now called ChopChat and joining the 230+ affiliates on FanSided.  We are scheduled to move some time tomorrow or Monday and we’ll provide more information then.  We’re excited to cover spring practice on our new platform!

Jimbo: We’re just like Alabama

Jimbo Fisher was on the radio  yesterday and what he had to say was very interesting:

While on KFAN in Minneapolis, Fisher was asked how anyone beats Saban, and why he’s so successful.

“We beat them my first year we were at FSU,” Fisher said. “I went against him every day in practice. We were together for five years. He’s done a great job of organizing. He’s got the structure. People don’t realize he’s got the infrastructure really stet up.

“That’s why we’ve been able to make our jump at Florida State. We’ve got our infrastructure set up where can keep replacing guys, and I think we’ll be in that national title hunt every year, just like they are. But he’s done a great job.”

That infrastructure at Florida State will be put to the test this season, as Fisher has had to replace six assistants.

Another tie to Alabama, Fisher’s wife, Candi, grew up in the state as a Crimson Tide fan. She said marrying a football coach was great, since she grew up a fan of the game. She also reflected on her memories of the death of another legendary Alabama coach.

“I know exactly where I was the day Bear Bryant died,” she said. “I was in the eighth grade when Bear Bryant died. Everybody at my school was crying. It was crazy. He was a superstar in the state of Alabama. It was devastating for us.”

So, my question is: do you believe it?  I do to a large extent–we’ve been very successful under Fisher and even though we’ve had tremendous turnover this off-season, both players and coaches, FSU still may very well be a top 10 team.

I’m not convinced we are on Alabama’s level in terms of replacing players, however.  We don’t have the depth at every position.  We’re getting there, but let’s just say we don’t lose to NC State if we had a good backup for Menelik Watson.

Casher dishes on the program

One thing is absolute: Chris Casher is working very hard.  FSU is on Spring Break and while this is typically a time for students to enjoy a little down time, FSU football players are training as hard as they can before spring practice starts.  Chris Casher is working out in Alabama and caught up with one of the local reporters.  Here’s what he had to say about spring practice:

“I think we’ll be pretty good,” he said. “We will have a solid defense. Our offense should be solid once we figure out who the starting quarterback is going to be. I think we have a lot of good choices there … (sophomore Clint) Trickett, Jacob Coker from Mobile, Jaboo Winston, Sean Maguire from New Jersey.
“It will be a battle come spring. But we’ll be good. I love it down there. At FSU, there are no excuses to fail.”
Casher also said he likes what he sees from the team’s new defensive coordinator – former Alabama assistant Jeremy Pruitt.
“I like coach Pruitt a lot,” he said. “He used to recruit me when he was at Alabama so I knew him before he got to FSU. I think he’s a cool coach.
“It will be interesting to compare his style to the style we already have. I think it will be good. I’m just waiting to see how it will work out.”
This may shape up to be the most exciting spring we’ve had in a long time.  A brand new defense and a brand new offense.  Sure, a good amount of the players are the same, but the feel of the team will be completely different.  It’s time for new leadership to take over.

Do you still hold any bitterness about how Bobby Bowden was treated?

Should FSU have forced Bobby Bowden out?

FSU fans and alumni, young and old, will never agree on the treatment Bobby Bowden received as he was, essentially, relieved of his duties.

The mid-2000 graduates felt strongly and passionately that Bowden’s time had come. The graduates from the 1980s and 90s felt strongly and passionately that Bowden deserved to call his own shots.  The graduates of the 70s felt even stronger about their allegiance to Bobby.  No Bobby, no FSU.

You could argue that the FSU administration struck a compromise down the middle–offering that he could remain head coach but that Jimbo Fisher would be given control.  But truthfully, no one who has the pride of the winningest coach in college football would take that deal.  So, Bowden leaves.

Has the fan base suffered since?  Some way yes.  Especially because the issue drove such a divide between the fan base.  Bowden, despite some of the issues at the end of his tenure, still had the charm to unite a fan base.  But, the turmoil FSU dealt with from 2005-2009 was nearly a death blow; FSU was teetering on mediocrity and a small wind gust could have plunged FSU to years of rebuilding.

Instead, the FSU administration quickly sought to remedy the situation and named Jimbo Fisher the head coach.  Since then?  30 wins in 3 years.  Top 5 recruiting classes.  Wildly popular spring games.  Experienced coaching staff with recruiters and coaches.

From my perspective, I grew up a Seminoles fan, but I don’t have the same appreciation for Bowden that older fans do.  I was much more in favor of changing direction just because of how bad things were getting.  So, I pose the question to you: did you feel strongly one way or another and have those views changed?