FanHouse Preston Parker

Update: Parker was dismissed by Florida State Monday. Apparently Bobby Bowden's getting tougher in his old age: Nowadays you only get three strikes before you're kicked off the Seminoles roster.

Earlier: There's been a disturbing trend of athletes/people falling asleep in the cars after getting drunk ... while driving. Preston Parker, a Florida State wide receiver, is the latest "victim" of the trend, and most embarrassingly, he was in the McDonald's drive-thru when he got busted.

Florida State coach Bobby Bowden remains mum on exactly when he plans to hang up his whistle and clip board and turn the reigns of the Seminoles' program over to offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher.

While speculation begins that this could be the farewell tour for the coaching legend, who recorded his 378th head coaching victory against N.C. State on Thursday, Florida State's players are left in the dark about Bowden's impending retirement decision.

"I have no idea when he'll step down," sophomore quarterback Christian Ponder said. "I think as long he is healthy and he feels like he can be out here, he'll be out here. I don't know if that will be this year, next year or five years down the road."

The 'Noles' players still see a fire burning inside of Bowden, and as long as he's got that, they believe he'll be patroling the sidelines in Tallahassee.

Welcome news for beleaguered Florida State fans who have seen their team decimated by academic scandal and other off-field issues:

The Palm Beach County State Attorney's Office on Monday formally charged Parker with a felony for carrying a concealed firearm and a misdemeanor for marijuana possession. But a resolution is in the works that could reduce the felony charge.

"That probably is what we are looking at most strongly," Assistant State Attorney Alan Johnson said. "We will have an offer out there. A perfectly appropriate resolution to this case would be a reduction in charges."

If Parker's charge gets dropped to a misdemeanor, he'll be free to rejoin the team. Bobby Bowden said he would be suspended for "a few" games at the beginning of the year, like a dozen other players implicated in an academic scandal.

Previously on Fanhouse:
Florida State Rapidly Running Out of Football Players
FSU Linebacker Marcus Ball Is Gonzo
Preston Parker Surprisingly Caught With Non-Musket

Not pictured... but he totally could be that guy.

"Preston Parker" is the sort of name that conjures up images of ascots and yachts and golf clubs and maybe the sort of fraternity you get in because your grandfather's grandfather's grandfather was a member of the Continental Congress.

So this is kind of surprising:

Florida State star Preston Parker was arrested late Monday and charged with carrying a concealed .45-caliber pistol and a small amount of marijuana.

The 21-year-old receiver was released Tuesday from the Palm Beach County Jail, Palm Beach Gardens Police spokeswoman Ellen Lovejoy said. The gun charge is a felony.

Personally I would have bet on an heirloom blunderbuss and Macallan 20, but life is weird sometimes.

Those who didn't watch much of a mediocre ACC team last year might also be surprised that Preston Parker is a pretty excellent wide receiver. Last year he led the team with 62 catches and over 1500 total yards. He's now suspended until the gun charge is cleared up.

It was nice to see that offense is still possible for Florida State. Joe Surratt's TD run on the opening drive was the first time we have scored a touchdown in the first half all year. Even crazier is that this is the first time in the last 10 games that we have had a lead at halftime. No, that is not a typo. Things have been that bad lately.

The J-Train's 1 yard plunge was his 4th score in 4 games this year. What a weapon. The running game has piled up 150 yards. Booker looked good with 90 yards on 10 carries. He still had a couple runs that could have been nice gains had he not shown off what dance moves he'll be using in the club tonight.

Drew also had an effective first half. I believe they put points on the board on all of the drives he led. Xavier Lee got his first real playing time of the year. He did nothing to suggest he should be playing more than DW. I'm not saying he's not a productive player. He still has to play with what Baby Bowden deals him just like Drew, but I didn't see anything that should create a QB controversy.

We did our first non-conventional offensive pay of the year on a reverse to freshman WR Preston Parker.

The defense played well after a horrible start. Rice made it look easy on their first drive finishing it with a wide open TD pass. Marcus Ball looked great. Fellow true frosh Dekoda Watson looked pretty good as well.

The commentators are lousy. They definitely are not very familiar with FSU football. They were surprised after we passed the ball on 2 of our first 3 plays, stating "This is not very characteristic of Florida State, not trying to establish the run to start the game." Where have they been the last few years?