My Bad: An Apology To Jimbo Fisher

I purposefully did not blog about FSU last season because with every win, every touchdown really, FSU was closer to the National Championship. They didn't need me jinxing it for them. There's always trash talk but when the "situation gets real" and your team is going to the big game, it's time to get serious. It's time to wear your colors continuously through the big game and before and  afterwards to make sure EVERYONE knows which side you are on and that you are victorious.


Sometimes the victorious feeling causes introspection. The victory also brings out lots of information, that other times, would seem to be irrelevant.
The other day, I clicked a link that was a story about Bobby Bowden, the BCS, New Playoff System, And Jimbo Fisher. Something I read really made me pause.








Bowden has known Fisher since he was a child and kept watch over the young player and coach at Samford under Terry Bowden.
(From News Herald)


Whattttt???!! Why is this a revelation to me??! Shouldn't I have known this?! What kind of a fan am I??!! So, Bobby and Jimbo go way back. And Bobby has been watching out for Jimbo? And Bobby's sons? This calls into question the whole Jimbo kicked Bobby to the curb. So was it truly the AD Randy Spetman who Forced Bobby into retirement?! All this time I thought Jimbo was imposing his authority/ego on everyone by getting Bobby forced into retirement.


Well, now it's time to do the unthinkable. The thing I never thought I could or should do.


Dear Jimbo,


Although I have been critical in the past. I was wrong. I have felt, since standing in the Gator Bowl watching Bobby take his final bow and plunging the spear mid field, that you were responsible for ending an era. An era that has cemented my fanhood in a team that not even Tim Tebow fanaticism could shake loose. A team that readily in the late 80's and early 90's had no trouble going wide left or wide right, but always straight in my heart. Bobby Bowden was always someone that I thought would always be there. Someone who I "looked up to" in a way. You know, kinda like the way Penn State looked up to Joe Pa except for that child molestation thing. January 1, 2010 brought about a sad time for me. Would you bring winning back to FSU? Would we be a force to be reckoned with? Or would you stay for a few years and then decide the task at hand was too large and find greener pastures? Why would I care? Because I live in Jacksonville (Gainesville North) and I'm sick of the Gators. I wanted someone whose heart and soul's desire was to bring FSU back into prominence and I felt as if you ushered my hero to the door. Little did I know, probably Bobby engineered this thing, not his ousting, the only way an icon can: by putting someone in his place who he had groomed but not overtly, publicly.
With all that said, I have to apologize for doubting you and your intentions of moving the FSU-UF game. I realize that although this game is a tradition, it might not benefit us to play that game so close to the ACC championship game. I also have to credit you for putting Jameis Winston in and getting to the National Championship game. A decision that probably a lot of coaches wouldn't have made. The easy choice was Coker and if that back fired mid season putting Winston in. I'm glad you had the forethought to make the right choice.
The biggest apology yet: Being your own Offensive Coordinator. You took a huge gamble letting James Coley go to the U. I have to apologize for all the criticism I heaped upon you. I also have to apologize for calling into your call in show and running you up the figurative flag pole for losing to NC State. I didn't know your intentions. I didn't realize you were Legacy without being Legacy.
But I have to say, no thanks to Chad Scott, a fill-in at 1010XL, the biggest surprise of all was that you didn't take the job in Texas. Everyone thought you would because Texas was more prestigious than FSU. In the great words of Deion Sanders, Hold On Playa. They thought you would leave because of your son's illness because MD Anderson would be closer. Little did they know, MD Anderson isn't your son's hospital, Amplatz in Minnesota is your son's hospital. Thank you for staying. Thank you for staying for crazy fans like me who just want to win and wear Garnet and Gold.


As a side note, I think it's really cool that you have 3 TVs in your office so your kids can play video games while you watch film and fulfill all the obligations of being a big time coach without missing time with your kids. When I see you, your kids aren't far behind. And let's not forget the First Lady of FSU Football, your wife. She seems pretty awesome too!!!


Thanks for sticking with us crazy fans. We hope to continue success.


MDK In The House




We Must Protect This House




Not Vicious or Malicious, Just the Lovely and Delicious

Go Big Or Go Home

To lots of people, including some of my family and friends, this will be a painful blog. It's not as if some of them haven't dogged out my Jaguars or FSU. But this subject has finally reared it's ugly head and I'm hear to say: I TOLD YOU SO.

In 2011, there was a game called THE GAME OF THE CENTURY (TGOTC). It was between LSU and ALABAMA. It was a very important game, hence the name. Now keep in my mind, we are talking about the SEC. The SEC, that some say, MUST be included in any and all National Championship conversations, 1 loss or not. TGOTC was HYPED beyond all hyping. I watched it. It was OK. It was relatively low scoring, which is fine, but we all know that doesn't really cut it. The question to ask is why was the game so low in scoring? Let me share with you:

ALABAMA:
Cade Foster:
Field Goal 44 yd. attempt. Miss. Wide Right.
Field Goal  50 yd. attempt. Miss
Field Goal 52 yd. attempt. Miss
Field Goal 46 yd. attempt. Kick is good.
Jeremy Shelley:
Field Goal 49 yd. attempt. Miss/Blocked.
Field Goal 34 yd attempt. Kick is good.

LSU:
Drew Alleman:
Field Goal 19 yd. attempt. Kick is good.
Field Goal 30 yd. attempt. Kick is good.
Field Goal 25 yd. attempt. Kick is good.

So, Alabama tried 6 field goals and only scored twice.  LSU tried 3 field goals and scored all 3 times. LSU won the ball game in overtime. Keep in mind, this was 2 years ago. Foster showing a propensity for missing kicks in big games.

Fast forward to last weekend's Iron Bowl.

Alabama:
Touchdown X 4
Cade Foster:
Field Goal 44 yd. attempt. Miss. Wide left.
Field Goal 33 yd. attempt. Miss. Wide left.
Field Goal 44 yd. attempt. Miss/Blocked.
*of note: Saban didn't want to attempt a Field Goal on 4th and 1 on the 13 yd. line. No bueno. No score.*
Adam Griffith:
Field Goal 57 yd. attempt. Miss/Run back for a Touchdown.

Auburn:
Touchdown X 4
Missed Field Goal ran back for Touchdown: 6pts.


Auburn 34-Alabama 28


Please don't try that sympathy train for Cade Foster. He should've been benched after TGOTC. Yet, he still played on and had a 91.7% completion rate. Nick Saban. Nick. Nick. Nick.

What I want to know is how Nick Saban still has a job??!! How is that possible? He has a "lights out": Offensive Line, Quarterback, Running Backs, Wide Receivers and Defense, but a HORRIFIC kicking unit when under pressure. Keep in mind, that Roberto Aquayo, the FSU kicker, has scored more points himself than all the opponents FSU played against this year.

In the great words of Rich Eisen, Kickers (punters) are people too. You CANNOT discount the impact kickers have on the game. Frankly, that's what Nick Saban has done. He's discounted the difference a "lights out" kicking game and what it can do for you. And for that he should be fired.

*DISCLAIMER*
I absolutely positively do not agree with Cade Foster getting death threats. I don't think that is appropriate in any venue in College or Professional Football.

MDK In The House

We Must Protect this House

For the night after Auburn,
The Tide did not Roll.
The new boss in town,
Wears Garnet and Gold.