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Fay Disrupts Florida State Practice

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 22, 2008

TALLAHASSEE A steady downpour and gusting winds turned Florida State's football practice into an endeavor that at times bordered on the ridiculous Friday afternoon.

Tropical Storm Fay proved to be a challenging opponent for a team determined to get in another day of preparation for its season opener still two weeks away.

"It was miserable. It was a tough day," said QB Christian Ponder. "It was hard to handle [the football] and everything."

And Ponder didn't even participate. A sore shoulder has kept Ponder out of action for a second consecutive complete practice - right in the middle of a three-way battle for playing time at quarterback.

"It's tough [with] a competition going on right now," said Ponder, who along with D'Vontrey Richardson is challenging veteran Drew Weatherford. "It stinks that I've got to sit out for a couple of days but I'd rather be healthy instead of hurting myself."

Despite the absences, Ponder said he felt good about his situation. Ponder said he has not undergone an MRI and he has been told he has a tight rotator cuff from throwing so much and with wet footballs in earlier practices.

"I think I haven't done as well as I should have," Ponder said. "I think my arm is holding me back a little bit. I think so far I think I've done as much as I can."

FSU coaches, if they were still looking for such a test following a sometimes rainy preseason, will be hard-pressed to find worse conditions that those that occurred during some of the practice.

But with today's scrimmage in doubt because of Fay, FSU coaches felt they needed the practice.

"We just told them before we started, you're going to get wet," defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews said. "Just keep pushing. You play 14 games and you are probably going to play in wet weather somewhere down the line."

A HIT AT LUNCH: Bobby Bowden was giving a speech in front of approximately 1,400 people at the Civic Center on Friday, but the coach might as well have been addressing every single Seminole fan in the country during the 57th annual FSU Kickoff Luncheon.

"You have got to give us a homefield advantage," Bowden emphatically told the crowd. "We go out there to warm up, nobody's there. Get into the dadgum game and start making some noise. And get that other team intimidated. That's what we need."

This statement elicited the second-biggest cheer of the entire afternoon.

The biggest came a few moments later as Bowden was quickly going through the Seminoles' schedule for the 2008 season.

"We've got Miami in Miami," he said. "They're about like us. We're both trying to fight our way back up. Right now, Florida is a little ahead of both of us. But folks, we're going to be back. We're going to be back."

Judging from the wild applause and cheering that followed, the FSU fans in attendance would love nothing more. The Seminoles kick off their season Sept. 6 against Western Carolina.

TEAM CAPTAINS NAMED: Friday was the end of a good week for Ben Lampkin.

Earlier in the week, the defensive end and special-teams player received word he had received a scholarship. Then on Friday during Florida State's annual kickoff luncheon, Bowden announced Lampkin as one of three team captains for the 2008 season.

Lampkin, a senior, was named captain of the special teams. Cornerback Tony Carter was given that honor for the defense, and running back Antone Smith was named captain of the offense. Last year, offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher named captains based on weekly performance.

"The captain probably blindsided me the most," said Lampkin, who participates on every special-teams unit except the field-goal block team. "I didn't expect it. There are a lot of good players who play special teams that would probably be more deserving of team captain. But the coaches chose me and I was really shocked."

Madison County graduate Mikhal Kornegay had the same experience at the start of his senior season two years ago. He was named captain and received a scholarship in the same week before the 2006 season.

Carter, being a senior and veteran starter, was not surprised by the honor. He said he's been trying to become more vocal and more of a leader in that way.

"I've been working on it lately, trying to encourage the guys," Carter said.

Permanent captains are named at season's end.

NEW LEAGUE FOR LEE: Former FSU quarterback Xavier Lee has gone from the preseason camp of the Baltimore Ravens to the semi-pro New England Football League where he is a receiver for the Southern New Hampshire Beavers. Lee had four receptions for 61 yards including a 50-yard touchdown catch through Friday.

Tallahassee Democrat

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