LarryD... what's the real story?

Bowden Dismisses McPherson From FSU Football Team

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Florida State quarterback Adrian McPherson was dismissed from the team Monday for violating an unspecified team policy.

School officials would not divulge the reason for the dismissal or which policy McPherson violated.

McPherson, a 19-year old sophomore, replaced Chris Rix following a loss to Notre Dame in October and started the last four games, going 3-1.

Rix will be the starting quarterback for the No. 23 Seminoles (8-4) on Saturday against No. 15 Florida (8-3). He is 13-7 in two years as a starter.

McPherson was 80-of-155 for 1,017 yards, 12 touchdowns and one interception in nine games this season. He was replaced by Rix for the final drive in a 17-7 loss Saturday to North Carolina State.

Coach Bobby Bowden said Sunday he was opening up the competition at quarterback and would decide whether McPherson or Rix would start against Florida after watching the players practice.

"I don't like doing it, but I think the situation, the play of our quarterbacks, requires me to take a strong look at both of them," Bowden said.

McPherson led Florida State to victories over Wake Forest, Georgia Tech and North Carolina. Though his numbers through those three games were not spectacular -- 51-of-98 for 654 yards -- McPherson threw one interception while throwing eight touchdowns.

Against NC State, the Seminoles did not score an offensive touchdown and McPherson struggled, going 8-of-20 for 80 yards.

Despite the loss, Florida State won the ACC title outright after Virginia beat Maryland 48-13. The Seminoles will go to a major bowl for the 11th time in the last 12 years.

 

the upshoot is that we're real close to starting over at fsu.

lots of recent fans will whine about it.

the older ones are relishing the opportunity to start over with players we actually LIKE, to play the role of underdog again and to be excited about saturdays.

it's going to be fun again once all the smoke clears. there's a lot of BLAH on the team right now.

nick maddox is a good kid. he's about the only one i like on that team. him and a few offensive linemen.

NOBODY on that team is as good as they think they are. nobody.

you can include the coaches there, too.

 

This is a little more serious than shoes from Foot Locker if true.

McPherson off team, Seminoles' quarterback part of police investigation
By Steve Ellis, Tallahassee Democrat Staff Writer

Quarterback Adrian McPherson was dismissed from the Florida State University football team Monday amid a police investigation into his alleged involvement in a check forgery.

According to a Tallahassee Police Department news release, the case involves the theft of a blank check from a local business. The check was forged and cashed at a local bank.

No one, including McPherson, had been charged as of Monday afternoon. School officials said they do not think another FSU athlete is involved in this investigation. McPherson had not been questioned by TPD at the time of his dismissal.

His attorney, Grady Irvin of St.Petersburg, said his client might not be charged in the case. He also said McPherson contacted police about the incident.

"Adrian did not write the check," Irvin said. "He did not endorse the check or receive any funds from the check. It is our understanding that McPherson may have knowledge of the check."

Sources said the check was stolen from R&R Truck Rental on West Tennessee Street, and Irvin said the forged check was cashed for $3,500. Dale Acosta, R&R's owner, said he was "a victim in all this" and he is cooperating with police. Acosta said he would release a statement this morning.

Irvin said McPherson was disappointed by the turn of events.

"He took the initial steps. He was proactive through all of this. People who are proactive certainly warrant some reservation on the part of the institution to hold back and let's say, 'Let the dust and smoke clear and find out what is going on,'" Irvin said at a news conference in St. Petersburg. "To dismiss him from the football team is very disconcerting."

McPherson's departure comes five days before the Seminoles' showdown against Florida, although his position as starting quarterback already was in question after last weekend's stunning 17-7 loss to North Carolina State. Chris Rix, who started 20 games before being replaced by McPherson, will start Saturday for 23rd-ranked FSU.

FSU coach Bobby Bowden said he can't discuss specifics of the investigation or the dismissal. "I can't stand to talk when I can't talk," he said.

Details were unclear Monday, and rumors were rampant. McPherson's attorney further muddied the situation by giving apparently conflicting statements.

At first, Irvin said McPherson told coaches last Friday about the situation and that he was allowed to play anyway.

"At some time last week Mr. McPherson approached members of the coaching staff and informed at least one member he was concerned about some contact," Irvin said.

Irvin later said the coaching staff became aware of the matter over the weekend.

Bowden told the team Monday that McPherson was kicked off the squad because he had lied to him. Bowden wasn't specific about their conversation, according to two players. It is a normal practice for players who run into legal problems to be suspended until the case is concluded with a police investigation or through the court system.

"It all depends on the circumstances...circumstance and information we know to be accurate," FSU athletic director Dave Hart said.

Hart said McPherson has not violated any university or NCAA rules and that the decision to dismiss McPherson was made within the athletic department. Although Tallahassee was abuzz Monday with rumors that McPherson's dismissal was related to gambling, FSU compliance director Bob Minnix said his office has not investigated it as a gambling-related matter.

Sports information director Rob Wilson also confirmed that this investigation does not involve gambling.

McPherson, Florida's Mr. Basketball and Mr. Football in high school, also will not play basketball for the Seminoles. He remains enrolled and on scholarship at the university.

The dismissal of McPherson - who started the past four games and was 80 of 155 for 1,017 yards, with 12 touchdowns and one interception - stunned teammates.

"It's a shock," said tailback Nick Maddox. "A guy losing eligibility is shocking."

Offensive tackle Brett Williams said McPherson let the team down.

"It's very disappointing," Williams said. "I remember just thinking to myself ... 'Man, he's going to be a great quarterback and might win the Heisman or something one day.' He kind of let us down.

"We've been through similar situations like this around here. I think we will be able to handle it well."

McPherson's dismissal comes at the end of a roller-coaster regular season for FSU. The Seminoles won their 10th ACC title outright and will play in a Bowl Championship Series game, likely the Sugar Bowl. But FSU also lost at least four games for the second consecutive season and will be without offensive starters Maddox and Antoine Mirambeau when it hosts Florida.

 

If Adrian only knew about the check - he didn't do shit wrong IMO. I don't know any one that would "rat" on someone just because he knew about something like that.

If that is his only crime. Bunting should bring his ass to UNC.

The amazing thing is that all this crap goes on at FSU and they have had a terrible year by their standards...
and they STILL play in a BCS bowl. Crazy.

 

And there are a couple of more deserving teams that will go to lesser bowls because of the ACC's strong football reputation!