http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/players/christian_ponder/60906 Recent articles about Christian Ponder en-us Many football fans were surprised to see that former FSU star EJ Manuel was the first quarterback to come off the board in the first round of the draft on Thursday. However, upon further review, EJ Manuel was a great pick for the quarterback hungry Bufalo Bills franchise. Manuel left a heroic legacy at FSU. As a freshman, he led Florida State to a victory in the Gator Bowl as well as MVP honors, after replacing an injured Christian Ponder. Filling in for Ponder again as a sophomore, he was able to lead the Seminoles to a victory in the 2010 Chick-fil-A Bowl, against South Carolina. Manuel became a full time starter in his Junior and Senior seasons. As a junior he threw for 2,666 yards and displayed his mobility as he scored 4 rushing touchdowns. However, the best was yet to come, from the young quarterback. As a senior Manuel led the Seminoles to a 12-win season and dazzled fans with commanding wins over good football teams. He threw for 3,392 yards (second most in team history) and also won the fir Thu, 02 May 2013 13:00:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/bills_pick_ej_manuel_for_success/13536317 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/bills_pick_ej_manuel_for_success/13536317 Bills Pick EJ Manuel for Success http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/bills_pick_ej_manuel_for_success/13536317 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/a/e/aec3a7092cf3dc847b117af238527e98fe5550ce/mini/5526966.jpg EJ Manuel smiles so easily and his passion for football shines through. But on Thursday night, his image was tears of joy and the fact that his mom, Jackie, has been able to survive breast cancer and see him picked in the first round. The former Florida State standout was the first quarterback taken in the draft at No. 16 overall by the Buffalo Bills. Im just so happy for me, my family, my teammates, Florida State, coach (Jimbo) Fisher being here, Manuel told former Seminole star Deion Sanders on the NFL Network. Just proud. Its been tough. As a football player you want to just focus on football. But when your mother is sick, shes doing better now, but its just you think about the journey. This moment comes, you get that call, its amazing. Manuels journey to the NFL was a long and patient one. He was one of the top quarterbacks in the class of 2008 and committed to Fisher, then FSUs offensive coordinator and head-coach-in-waiting. He redshirted and then backed up Christian Ponder for two seasons. And Thu, 25 Apr 2013 22:23:03 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/fsus_ej_manuel_selected_by_bills_first_qb_drafted/13486627 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/fsus_ej_manuel_selected_by_bills_first_qb_drafted/13486627 FSU's EJ Manuel selected by Bills, first QB drafted http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/fsus_ej_manuel_selected_by_bills_first_qb_drafted/13486627 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/3/939ddefd908f7c40eafb058304ace25beb8bc3d6/mini/5841796.jpg TALLAHASSEE Florida State had few major position battles the past few seasons. The Seminoles were starting so many younger players and gaining experience. Or had smooth transitions from a graduating starter to elevating a backup that had received some playing time. This year is very different. Florida State is replacing four starters on offense and six starters on defense. A few positions will feature natural replacements like freshman kicker Roberto Aguayo for Florida State and ACC career scoring leader Dustin Hopkins. And Chad Abram will take over at fullback for the versatile Lonnie Pryor. Here is a look at five key position battles for the Seminoles, who won the Atlantic Coast Conference and went 12-2 last season but are in the middle of a spring of change with six new assistants and a number of starting jobs up for grabs. Quarterback Starter lost: EJ Manuel (threw for 3,392 yards, 23 TDs and 10 INTs while completing 68 percent of his passes in 2012). Contenders: Clint Trickett (947 passing yards, 7 TDs Tue, 26 Mar 2013 10:35:54 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/fsu_has_number_of_starting_positions_to_fill/13237162 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/fsu_has_number_of_starting_positions_to_fill/13237162 FSU has number of starting positions to fill http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/fsu_has_number_of_starting_positions_to_fill/13237162 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png AUBURN, Ala. -- Auburn has hired former quarterback Dameyune Craig as co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach. Craig spent the past three seasons as Florida State's quarterbacks coach and recruiting coordinator. He played quarterback for the Tigers from 1994-97, and holds school marks for passing yards (3,227) and completions (216) in a season. Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said Thursday that Craig is one of college football's "top young coaches" and best recruiters. The Seminoles won the Atlantic Coast Conference championship this season and went 12-2. Craig also worked with quarterbacks Christian Ponder and EJ Manuel. Before that, he spent two seasons coaching wide receivers for South Alabama. Malzahn brought Rhett Lashlee with him from Arkansas State as offensive coordinator three days after his hiring. The Tigers will run Malzahn's fast-paced, spread-style offense. Thu, 03 Jan 2013 21:38:21 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/auburn_hires_craig_as_co_offensive_coordinator/12572362 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/auburn_hires_craig_as_co_offensive_coordinator/12572362 Auburn hires Craig as co-offensive coordinator http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/auburn_hires_craig_as_co_offensive_coordinator/12572362 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Auburn has hired former quarterback Dameyune Craig as co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach. Craig spent the past three seasons as Florida State's quarterbacks coach and recruiting coordinator. He played quarterback for the Tigers from 1994-97, and holds school marks for passing yards (3,227) and completions (216) in a season. Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said Thursday that Craig is one of college football's ''top young coaches'' and best recruiters. The Seminoles won the Atlantic Coast Conference championship this season and went 12-2. Craig also worked with quarterbacks Christian Ponder and EJ Manuel. Before that, he spent two seasons coaching wide receivers for South Alabama. Malzahn brought Rhett Lashlee with him from Arkansas State as offensive coordinator three days after his hiring. The Tigers will run Malzahn's fast-paced, spread-style offense. Thu, 03 Jan 2013 21:04:02 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/auburn_hires_craig_as_co_offensive_coordinator/12572068 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/auburn_hires_craig_as_co_offensive_coordinator/12572068 Auburn hires Craig as co-offensive coordinator http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/auburn_hires_craig_as_co_offensive_coordinator/12572068 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png TALLAHASSEE, Fla. Erik Manuel had mentioned to his son that he was close to accomplishing something special, a feat that no other Florida State quarterback had ever done. EJ Manuel is already 3-0 in bowl games. And while he didnt start the 2010 Chick-fil-A Bowl win over South Carolina, he relieved the injured Christian Ponder after halftime and led Florida State to a win. Manuel would be the first Florida State quarterback to play a significant amount of time in four bowl victories if the Seminoles (11-2) defeat Northern Illinois (12-1) on Jan. 1 in the Orange Bowl. He would also be the first Florida State quarterback to start and win three bowl games. My dad mentioned that to me when I was home a few weeks ago, Manuel said. Im looking forward to it. If you can have a 4-0 record, that says a lot. That says enough in itself. Just got to keep the streak going. Manuel hasnt had the best numbers in bowl games, but he has delivered clutch performances and victories. Last year, on a broken leg he suffered a Mon, 24 Dec 2012 11:25:34 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/ej_manuel_looking_for_fourth_bowl_victory/12504310 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/ej_manuel_looking_for_fourth_bowl_victory/12504310 EJ Manuel looking for fourth bowl victory http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/ej_manuel_looking_for_fourth_bowl_victory/12504310 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png TALLAHASSEE -- Jimbo Fisher knew when he put together his coaching staff in 2010 that it would only be a matter of time. At some point, Florida State's success on the field -- a combined 30-10 the past three seasons -- meant that his assistants would be moving on to jobs with better titles and more money. And it has been that way for the past three weeks as coaches have interviewed elsewhere. Defensive coordinator Mark Stoops was also hired Nov. 27 as Kentucky's head coach. And he has hired Florida State defensive ends coach D.J. Eliot to be the Wildcats' defensive coordinator. Florida State also lost running backs coachspecial teams coordinator Eddie Gran, who on Thursday was named the offensive coordinator at the University of Cincinnati. New Bearcats coach Tommy Tuberville has close ties to Gran, who was an assistant coach on Tuberville's staff from 1995-98 at Mississippi and 1999-2008 at Auburn. "This is the first time in three years we've had a coaching change," Fisher s Fri, 14 Dec 2012 18:48:14 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/seminoles_success_leads_to_coaching_turnover/12439600 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/seminoles_success_leads_to_coaching_turnover/12439600 Seminoles success leads to coaching turnover http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/seminoles_success_leads_to_coaching_turnover/12439600 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/b/6/b689d0d4241a565cbbff7920e6317841f4c50500/mini/florida-state-miami.jpg TALLAHASSEE -- Jimbo Fisher knew when he put together his coaching staff in 2010 that it would only be a matter of time. At some point, Florida State's success on the field -- a combined 30-10 the past three seasons -- meant that his assistants would be moving on to jobs with better titles and more money. And it has been that way for the past three weeks as coaches have interviewed elsewhere. Defensive coordinator Mark Stoops was also hired Nov. 27 as Kentucky's head coach. And he has hired Florida State defensive ends coach D.J. Eliot to be the Wildcats' defensive coordinator. Florida State also lost running backs coachspecial teams coordinator Eddie Gran, who on Thursday was named the offensive coordinator at the University of Cincinnati. New Bearcats coach Tommy Tuberville has close ties to Gran, who was an assistant coach on Tuberville's staff from 1995-98 at Mississippi and 1999-2008 at Auburn. "This is the first time in three years we've had a coaching change," Fisher s Fri, 14 Dec 2012 18:48:14 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/seminoles_success_leads_to_coaching_turnover/12455089 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/seminoles_success_leads_to_coaching_turnover/12455089 Seminoles' success leads to coaching turnover http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/seminoles_success_leads_to_coaching_turnover/12455089 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/b/6/b689d0d4241a565cbbff7920e6317841f4c50500/mini/florida-state-miami.jpg TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida State quarterback EJ Manuel remembers the day well, too well. Manuel watched helplessly from the sidelines three years ago as Christian Ponder's understudy while an untested freshman from Tallahassee, B.J. Daniels, led South Florida to a 17-7 upset of the Seminoles in his first collegiate start. "It was a bad feeling," Manuel said. "We haven't forgotten it at all." Saturday the two fifth-year seniors square off when Florida State (4-0) hits the road for the first time this season to play South Florida (2-2) in Tampa. The fourth-ranked Seminoles are a 17-point favorite. Manuel, who was frustrated with being redshirted a year earlier, marveled at how Daniels shined in what was his first collegiate start. "B.J., being from Tallahassee, was kind of his coming out party," Manuel said. "He had a huge game." And Daniels has had many more since. He has amassed 9,333 total yards, sixth best in Big East Conference history. Manuel put hi Thu, 27 Sep 2012 10:23:02 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/qbs_take_center_stage_in_fsu_usf_game/11823286 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/qbs_take_center_stage_in_fsu_usf_game/11823286 QBs take center stage in FSU-USF game http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/qbs_take_center_stage_in_fsu_usf_game/11823286 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Florida State quarterback EJ Manuel remembers the day well, too well. Manuel watched helplessly from the sidelines three years ago as Christian Ponder's understudy while an untested freshman from Tallahassee, B.J. Daniels, led South Florida to a 17-7 upset of the Seminoles in his first collegiate start. Daniels has gone on to a stellar career at South Florida while Manuel put himself into the Heisman Trophy discussion with his performance in Florida State's 49-37 win over Clemson last week. Manuel passed for 380 yards and ran for another 102 in that comeback win. The two fifth-year seniors square off Saturday when Florida State (4-0) hits the road for the first time this season to play South Florida (2-2) in Tampa. The fourth-ranked Seminoles are a 17-point favorite. Thu, 27 Sep 2012 10:12:42 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/qbs_take_center_stage_in_florida_state_usf_game/11823028 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/qbs_take_center_stage_in_florida_state_usf_game/11823028 QBs take center stage in Florida State-USF game http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/qbs_take_center_stage_in_florida_state_usf_game/11823028 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Jimbo Fisher with E.J. Manuel. FSU head football coach Jimbo Fisher has a possible Heisman Trophy candidate on his hands with Seminole starting quarterback E.J. Manuel. That don't expect you can Fisher to orchestrate a massive Heisman campaign like the one centered around former FSU QB Christian Ponder. It seems that he has either moved on from such bawdy schemes, or  wasn't too crazy about them in the first place. In a recent interview, Fisher has a term for Heisman hopefuls - he called them 'show dogs.' ''Like I say, that's for show dogs,'' Fisher said in response to a question at his weekly media availability. ''If you want to parade him around and do all that, I'd rather have a hunting dog. ''When I let him out that truck, he's ready to go,'' Fisher said. ''I think that's what he is and I think he understands that. He's mature enough to understand that.''... Tue, 25 Sep 2012 04:49:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/jimbo_fisher_calls_heisman_hopefuls_show_dogs/11802991 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/jimbo_fisher_calls_heisman_hopefuls_show_dogs/11802991 Jimbo Fisher calls Heisman hopefuls "show dogs." http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/jimbo_fisher_calls_heisman_hopefuls_show_dogs/11802991 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/4/a/4a64a17c73714d72b1817de9fdabac6b34ca0147/mini/Konica_Minolta_Gator_a70a.jpg The most experienced collection of quarterbacks in the country this year can be found in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Ten of the 12 schools return their regular starting QB. The backup for an 11th team used to be a full-time starter at another school. Those projected starters have combined to make 172 career starts. Half the league's starters have at least one 3,000-yard season on their resumes. Only Maryland - which lost one quarterback to transfer and another to season-ending injury - has no experience at the most important spot on the field. With so many teams having proven commodities at the sport's most important position, this sets up as a strong year for the entire league. ''I can't think of a time'' when there were 10 starters back, second-year North Carolina State starter Mike Glennon said. ''I think it'll definitely show.'' Nine of the 10 most efficient passers from 2011 are back, and so are nine of the top 10 in total offense. The only one who Wed, 29 Aug 2012 13:12:09 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/acc_enters_season_with_deep_pool_of_qbs/11579260 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/acc_enters_season_with_deep_pool_of_qbs/11579260 ACC enters season with deep pool of QBs http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/acc_enters_season_with_deep_pool_of_qbs/11579260 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher is introducing a new offensive line in Saturday's opener against Murray (Ky.) State. The seventh-ranked Seminoles' hopes for getting back to a BCS bowl for the first time in seven years depend on their younger and bigger offensive front keeping quarterback EJ Manuel healthy. Protecting the quarterback has an issue in Fisher's first two seasons at Florida State where injuries have knocked Manuel out of the lineup just like they did his predecessor, Christian Ponder. Fisher released his depth chart for Saturday's game and will be going with two tackles making their first college start on the offensive line along with two guards each making a second start. Center Bryan Stork is the veteran of the group with seven previous starts for the Seminoles. Mon, 27 Aug 2012 14:42:37 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/no_7_seminoles_debut_new_offensive_line_in_opener/11561113 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/no_7_seminoles_debut_new_offensive_line_in_opener/11561113 No. 7 Seminoles debut new offensive line in opener http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/no_7_seminoles_debut_new_offensive_line_in_opener/11561113 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/b/6/b689d0d4241a565cbbff7920e6317841f4c50500/mini/florida-state-miami.jpg According to @YiannisTally, a strip club in Tallahassee, Florida, Christian Ponder is spending most of his summer at their strip club. Ponder, the Minnesota Viking first round draft pick looks to be the starter this coming season and apparently is spending some time in his college town of Tallahassee. Ponder played for the Florida State Seminoles in college. JUMP! Have something from the NFL today that we missed? Spotted a hot chick we need to investigate? Do your thing. mail@bustedcoverage.com jQuery(function($){$("a img.gallery-wall-fade").hover(function(){$(this).stop().animate({opacity:.5},{queue:false,duration:400});},function(){$(this).stop().animate({opacity:1},{queue:false,duration:400});});}); Follow ParadigmShift35 on Twitter Filed under: NFL Sat, 30 Jun 2012 11:53:10 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/christian_ponder_is_spending_his_offseason_at_tallahassee_strip_clubs/11123927 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/christian_ponder_is_spending_his_offseason_at_tallahassee_strip_clubs/11123927 Christian Ponder Is Spending His Offseason At Tallahassee Strip Clubs http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/christian_ponder_is_spending_his_offseason_at_tallahassee_strip_clubs/11123927 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/7/1/71518705b3112f451a492af2cdad4f241ace0dfc/mini/Florida_State_v_af29.jpg