'Surprised' Lee adjusts to decision
Compiled from Times Staff, WiresPublished August 29, 2007
TALLAHASSEE - Xavier Lee was surprised when offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher announced last week that Drew Weatherford would be FSU's starting quarterback against Clemson.
"I thought it was equal," Lee said Tuesday. "I thought I was doing pretty well. I do know I made mistakes; that's what practice is for, you make mistakes and you correct them. For the most part I was a little bit surprised."
Speaking to the media for the first time since the announcement, Lee admitted he was frustrated by the decision at first, but he also said he is committed to helping FSU whether he is playing or on the sideline.
"I'm preparing like I'm going to start," he said. "I just hope Drew does well and we just come out on top. That's all that matters to me; I care about this team more than myself."
Loving Labor day: The Seminoles notified the ACC and ESPN that they would like to play on Labor Day at home in 2008, which would be their fifth straight year in that slot.
"Some people say, 'Why don't you open with a softer team? You don't need the exposure,'" athletic director Dave Hart said. "Any program that says they've reached that point has got blinders on. We'll be in the spotlight, and you can't put a value on that."
If FSU is again in that game, it likely will face an ACC foe.
'NoleS notes:Geno Hayes was named to the watch list for the Butkus Award, given to the nation's top linebacker. Hayes missed a week of camp with a neck strain, and defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews hinted that Hayes might not be at full speed by Monday. ... Senior Gary Cismesia was named to the watch list for the Lou Groza Award, given to the nation's top kicker. ... Junior college transfer Jonathan Hannah watched practice in street clothes as he waits for an academic issue to be resolved. His status for Monday is still uncertain.
Brian Landman, Times staff writer, and Jamey Givens, correspondent
UM: WR suspended
CORAL GABLES - Miami receiver Sam Shields has been suspended for Saturday's opener against Marshall after an unspecified violation of team rules.
"He's upbeat and positive about it," coach Randy Shannon said. "Sam accepts his role."
Shields was one of UM's top receivers last season, with 37 catches for 501 yards and four TDs - including a 78-yarder, the team's longest pass play of the year, against Nevada. Khalil Jones will likely get the start.
Times wires
UF: Two-way Rainey?
GAINESVILLE - Running back Chris Rainey may become a two-way player. The highly recruited runner out of Lakeland High, who also played defensive back, has offered his services to the UF defense.
Rainey is expected to get carries at running back, but coach Urban Meyer said he most likely will never be a full-time running back at UF because of his size (5 feet 9, 156 pounds). Cornerbacks coach Chuck Heater said it's possible Rainey could help in a limited role in nickel or dime schemes.
"There are things you could probably do if you decide to put that on his plate that keep it real clean and simple," Heater said.
ANDERSON UPDATE: Meyer said cornerback Markihe Anderson "is almost for sure not going to play" Saturday against Western Kentucky, but there's a chance he could play next week. He tore a medial collateral ligament in his right knee last week.
NO JAMES: With Brandon James suspended for one game after his arrest this summer on suspicion of trying to buy marijuana, backs Kestahn Moore and Jarred Fayson will return kickoffs.
NOT YET: Former Southern Cal running back Emmanuel Moody hasn't attended class, so Meyer can't comment on the new transfer. Moody could work out at UF as early as today.
Antonya English, Times staff writer
USF: Grothe positive
TAMPA - After missing a week of practice, quarterback Matt Grothe returned Monday and believes he's fully recovered from his hip injury.
The sophomore didn't want to admit he enjoyed his time off, but the break was welcomed two weeks before Saturday's season opener against Elon.
"It was kind of nice, if you really want to be honest, but after a couple of days it got old standing there," Grothe said.
"I wanted to get out there, but Steve (Walz) and some of the other trainers didn't want me to rush it."
Status updates: Freshman defensive back Jerell Young, a graduate of Gibbs High in St. Petersburg, practiced with the special-teams unit after being academically cleared. ... Linebacker Chris Robinson, recovering from an ankle injury, did some contact drills for the first time in more than two weeks. His status is still questionable. ... Special-teams player Houston Hess returned to practice after a knee injury kept him out for more than a week. Hess was in pads but didn't participate in drills or scrimmages.
Brendan Galella, Times correspondent