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DT Fluellen Will Worry About The Future Later

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By SCOTT CARTER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 6, 2007

TALLAHASSEE At the start of the season, Florida State senior DT Andre Fluellen was projected as high as a third-round NFL draft pick on some projections. That was before a series of injuries turned Fluellen into a doctor's dream.

Healthy for the first two games, Fluellen's first major setback was an elbow injury. He missed a game, then played sparingly to give the strained ligaments time to heal. He then suffered a strained hamstring and a dislocated ring finger. Fluellen eventually had to miss two more games, putting his senior season in jeopardy.

However, Fluellen is back on the field and ready for FSU's final three games, hoping to salvage a spot in the draft and the rest of his FSU career.

"I want to go as high as possible, because that's my future,'' Fluellen said Tuesday. "But at the same time, from what I'm hearing from all the coaches, NFL scouts really love that I'm playing hurt. They know I'm playing hurt and can't do the things that I want to do. Right now, I'm just playing for the team, because I know we need help. I'll worry about that when that time comes.''

Fluellen said he remains only about 75 percent, but with his FSU career down to three regular-season games and a bowl trip, Fluellen isn't about to miss any more time.

"Time will heal it, but I don't really have that time right now,'' he said.

RECORD HOLDERS: Asked if he had heard of Terrell Buckley when he first arrived at FSU, sophomore CB Patrick Robinson fessed up.

"Not really,'' Robinson said Tuesday.

Now, the two are linked in FSU's record book. Robinson picked off a pass for the fifth consecutive game Saturday at Boston College, joining Buckley as the only players in school history to accomplish the feat. Buckley went on to play 14 years in the NFL after he set the record in 1991.

Robinson can break it Saturday at Virginia Tech. If he does, Robinson can thank Buckley in person. Buckley, back at FSU getting his degree and working as a student assistant, is helping coach the defensive backs.

"He makes sure I keep doing what I'm doing so I can break the record and help my team win,'' Robinson said.

NOLE NUGGETS: FSU coach Bobby Bowden said starting LT Daron Rose, who suffered a sprained left knee Saturday at Boston College, won't play at Virginia Tech. The Jefferson High product remained severely hobbled Tuesday … FSU's home game against Maryland on Nov. 17 will start at noon on Lincoln-Financial Sports.

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