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By BRIAN LANDMAN and ALEX ABRAMS
© St. Petersburg Times, published August 15, 2001
TALLAHASSEE -- Florida State senior Robert Morgan, expected to solidify a depleted receiving corps, tore his left anterior and lateral cruciate ligaments Tuesday morning and will have season-ending surgery next week.
With junior Anquan Boldin shifted to quarterback and senior Atrews Bell and junior Talman Gardner sidelined with mild hamstring strains, the Seminoles are down to one veteran scholarship receiver, senior Javon Walker.
"It's amazing. We had four receivers out here and three of them can't practice," coach Bobby Bowden said. "We just have to go from here."
The options for him and his staff don't appear attractive.
Boldin, the second-leading receiver on the team last season and in a battle with Chris Rix for the starting quarterback's job, could see time at both positions but "I can't give him up at quarterback," Bowden said. Double duty could compromise his preparation at quarterback.
"If that's what this team needs, I am willing," Boldin said.
Bowden could move junior Nick Maddox, the No. 1 tailback, back to the position he played last season. But Bowden doesn't want to resort to that if necessary.
The only given is freshmen Craphonso Thorpe and P.K. Sam andwalk-on Joey Kaleikini must assume larger roles.
Morgan, who has a redshirt season available, had 19 catches for 366 yards and three touchdowns last season. Bowden said he needed Morgan, dogged by injuries throughout his career, to have a breakout year, especially given the inexperience at quarterback.