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Bowden Defends His Discipline Of Hayes

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By Michael McGuffee/The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 26, 2007

TALLAHASSEE Junior LB Toddrick Verdell likely will start Saturday in place of WLB Geno Hayes, who was demoted to the second team this week by FSU coach Bobby Bowden. However, Hayes is expected to play against Alabama as Bowden opted not to suspend the junior after he was arrested on misdemeanor charges last week.

"I do them all alike," Bowden said on determining Hayes' punishment. "If a boy breaks a rule then we would rather do the punishment ourselves. A lot of papers mentioned him this morning but they forgot to mention we run him every day. There's more than one way to skin a cat."

Neither Bowden nor linebackers coach Chuck Amato would elaborate on a more specific plan to rotate Hayes into the lineup. Amato did say that he is very confident in Verdell, who has made steady progress this season.

"He's played a little more each game in the first three games and he made some real good things happen up in Colorado," Amato said. "We're confident in him."
According to Amato, backup SLB Marcus Ball and junior Rodney Gallon are also capable of filling in on the weak side if needed.

STEPPING UP: Bowden said Tuesday that he expects senior DT Andre Fluellen (elbow) to be cleared to play Saturday, but that sophomore Budd Thacker (toe) has been downgraded from questionable to doubtful.

"Budd was playing so doggone good," Bowden said. "You get a guy hurt in an off week and you say we shouldn't have practiced. Well, fifty other guys got better. But you hate for that to happen."

Whether Fluellen is able to go or not, Letroy Guion is expected to earn the start after a productive start to the season and a strong showing against Colorado. Meanwhile, NG Paul Griffin likely will join Guion in the lineup in place of Thacker.

"I just come out here and give it my best," Guion said on the possibility of starting Saturday. "I let coach make decisions. I work hard every day whether I'm starting or not.

"I have been working very, very hard this week. This week is really special because I really do want to beat Alabama."

While injuries could hurt the Seminoles against a tough Crimson Tide offensive line, players and coaches agree that the lineup is still deep enough to be effective.

"We got enough D-line for about three D-I schools out here at Florida State," Ball said. "That's the heart and soul of our defense. I'm not concerned. Odell [Haggins] will coach them boys up and they'll be ready. They're always ready.

Michael McGuffee

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