Posted by TommyJack on August 2, 2008 at 7:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hang in there, brother.

Posted by General_Watermelon on August 2, 2008 at 8:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Fulmer is right on this one. WHat's the fricken delay. Just say YES or NO. Da##.

Posted by burntorangeVOLffle on August 2, 2008 at 8:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You have to think the way FSU and Coach Bowden handled this was a major PR blow. I could definitely se this effecting their recruiting.

Posted by BSweet on August 2, 2008 at 8:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Nailed it on the head, Brandon! Momma is always right, whether you like it or not, lol.

Dang commish, I would think a kid's future a little more important than a TV contract. We are the SEC. The TV thing will work itself out. This kid needs an answer NOW! Stop dragging your feet!

Posted by kimjasontaylor on August 2, 2008 at 8:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

When Warren finally makes it on the field, wonder if they will put him at DE or TE?.
either way the kid can play.
I remember seeing him announce his decision on the Locker Room Show and the hosts were shocked he picked FSU..
UT has really created a family with this years team..

Posted by BornNBredAVol on August 2, 2008 at 8:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

played against this guy in football 2x a year whilst at CAK, he was an incredible athlete, great young man, and a very good football player, i expect great things from him at UT, never thought i'd say this to an alcoa player but good luck brandon

Posted by txsvol on August 2, 2008 at 8:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It's time for St. Bobby to do the right thing and release Brandon; otherwise, I might have to do the unthinkable, and pull for the hated Gaytors when they play Free Shoes U! Go Vols! SAVol

Posted by pdhuff on August 2, 2008 at 8:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gen W, I remember when you finally won your appeal to get Dupree out of the 5th grade. The school board finally agreed 3 years was enuf.

Good luck, Warren.

Posted by RichRollin on August 2, 2008 at 8:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

He and Stocker could really give us a great 1-2 punch at TE! Stay up Brandon, and keep the faith and things will work out.

Posted by emismom on August 2, 2008 at 8:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It's my understanding that the current appeals actually pertain to the NCAA's rule on progressing toward graduation, not FSU releasing him. Still hard to understand Bobby B's thinking on this.

Posted by ETorange on August 2, 2008 at 9:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I lost all respect for Bowden when this came out. I understand the sitting out a year that's a must.But I believe Brandon hit the nail on the head in the case of his almightiness. FSU's just ticked because of the National Championship game.
He and Joe Pa are way out of touch. They need to have a cage match at some nursing home for charity with a winner take all.

Posted by givim6 on August 2, 2008 at 9:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Bowden was hardnosed with Warren, yet gives thugs and misfits the kid glove treatment.

Bowden: Your values are misguided and your actions demonstrates your real priorities!

Posted by TommyJack on August 2, 2008 at 9:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

txsvol: Let's not go overboard, Doc. :)

Posted by chrisw2967 on August 2, 2008 at 10:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Bowden didnt want to let him go because he was the best player they had on off.
but Bowden should have given him his release just for the simple fact his mom was sick with cancer. but when a person has a heart , he does but when he doesnt (Bowden) his a complete arse

Posted by FWBVol on August 2, 2008 at 10:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

txsvol, FSU and Bobby Bowden are no longer in the equation. The issue now is Brandon only completed one full semester of academic work at FSU and that becomes a SEC and NCAA issue.

I like CPF's little dig at the SEC about TV contracts. It seems like he is still steaming from the incident in Birmingham and is ready to beat up on some people.

Posted by LargeOrange on August 2, 2008 at 10:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I was always a Bobby Bowden fan until this happened a year or so ago, Branden not only had a mother with cancer, I think his brother had issues and may have died, I am not sure, but for CBB and the NCAA to block this kid from coming home to be close to his family is beyond me. They need to get a grip on reality and as Phil inferred, need to stop worrying about the big TV bucks and start thing about the student-athletes they claim to care about.

Posted by budd on August 2, 2008 at 11:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This just goes to show the real Bowden. The ole SOB has always taken the easy way out and hidden behind his good ole boy image. He is as bad as they come. Dadgum it.

Slive is a slimeball and does not like UT.
So nothing he does to screw us surprises me.

Posted by newtonrail on August 2, 2008 at 11:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

A Big part of the problem is he should have stayed at FSU through the Spring Semester, and he would be eligible right now. Only he and his mother know whether it was critical he come home in Jan or May. I certainly don't. Good luck.

Posted by TurboFan on August 2, 2008 at 11:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I thought Slive had ties to UT in his past.

Excellent article Drew. Now could you go investigate the Gerald Williams case. Mike Strange didn't seem to want to.

Posted by chrisdoc on August 3, 2008 at 3:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I love how everyone, including the reporter and Brandon Warren, just pretend like they just can't, golly gee, understand what happened at FSU. Come on, tell us exactly what his mother's condition was when he left FSU (remember: not transferred - just left in the middle of the semester; that's why he's being held up by the NCAA), not what it was at some point before, including when he signed with FSU. Tell us about the timing of when Warren left - one week after signing day, after he had led coaches to believe he was staying (think the coaches might have felt like he needed to live up to commitment - or at least have let them know so they can sign his replacement?). You don't have to get into the other stuff that's out there about shadiness, but you should just tell us the facts, not spin it like you just can't possibly figure out what is blatantly obvious.

Posted by smokey90 on August 3, 2008 at 8:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Bowden should be ashamed.

Posted by beachvol1 on August 3, 2008 at 8:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Bobby Bowden isn't on this NCAA committee is he???

Posted by orangebloodgmc on August 3, 2008 at 8:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I used to like Bowden and FSU, but not any more. Glad you are back home, Brandon.

Posted by TurboFan on August 3, 2008 at 10:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

BS, Chrisdoc. Warren talked to FSU coaches the previous fall. He was told then they wouldn't let him out.

A week after the signing date is better, from a FSU standpoint, than a week before which would have raised a bunch of questions from potential signees.

Further, the NCAA has already released him from his LOI. What's left is about academics and the SEC.

Posted by IPOrange on August 3, 2008 at 10:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)

smokey90 - agreed. Denying Brandon's desire to return home to be closer to his mother at a time like this is unthinkable. I'll never understand that one.

Welcome home, Brandon.

Posted by grvol on August 3, 2008 at 10:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Bowden is a selfish a hole. Look what the ole fart has done to that program.

Posted by hueypilot on August 3, 2008 at 1:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Watch all the gators on this site torch Bowden. He owned their idol, St. Stevie, like, well, like Stevie owned us. I always liked Bobby and don't know why he is being so dad burned hardheaded about this kid.

Posted by vol1994 on August 3, 2008 at 1:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yes it is a SEC thing. From what I understand
the SEC commish just recently recieved the Florida State transcripts, etc.........

Don't be surprised it this drags on for two more weeks. Hope i am wrong but......

I like Fulmer's comments though, little fire in his belly stating commish busy with tv contracts...

I think Fulmer has a chip on his shoulders this year and we will all be pleasantly surprise.

I am usually glass half empty when it comes to the VOls preseason but I have a gut feeling we will go 11-1 or 10-2 this year..

Losses being GA and a split b/t FLA or Auburn.

Posted by General_Watermelon on August 3, 2008 at 1:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

PD - Dupree is not smarter than a 5 month old.

Posted by invisiblekid on August 3, 2008 at 2:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Playing devil's advocate for Bowden, I don't think it was his decision alone and the current hold up is with the SEC and possibly NCAA. My understanding is he sat out a year which cleared him of any obligation to FSU.

http://www.volunteertv.com/volsfootba...

That being said, I am not naive enough to think that good ol' Bobby couldn't have cashed in a couple of favors with the faculty board.

Posted by bobbarbilly on August 3, 2008 at 2:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Brandon, my first concern is for your mother. I hope and pray that she is doing better. I know well the effects that cancer can bring into a life and a family and you have responded in the correct way. I am already a fan of yours and I have never seen you play a down.
Secondly, welcome home. Let's git orange and let's git'er done. Go Vols!!!!!!!

Posted by chrisdoc on August 3, 2008 at 3:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BS, Turbofan. Nice try though. He walked out in the middle of the night mid-semester - after telling coaches he wasn't leaving. If he was so committed to leaving before then, he could have left before the semester started. And if his story about only leaving to be close to his mother was true, then why on earth would it have hurt FSU recruiting if he left? How on earth do you think him leaving before the semester started would have hurt FSU recruiting? You can try to claim he didn't leave earlier because he didn't get his release, but the problem with that is he, in fact, left without getting his release at the worst possible time for everyone involved (including himself). The reason he's being held up now isn't because of FSU - its because of him leaving in the middle of the semester. The result of his immaturity. I just wish journalists would stop intentionally leaving their heads in the sand. I expect it from fans, but not from journalists.

Posted by Volfantm on August 3, 2008 at 5:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

FYI, here is Chris Low's blog on the Warren and Williams situations.
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/sec/0-1-13...
From this article you can also link to a good interview with Eric Berry - he has 12 yr old twin brothers who are also Vol fans!

Posted by ncvol17 on August 3, 2008 at 5:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I totally agree with Chrisdoc. This kid ( freshman in college away from home for the 1st time)should not have thought of his mother's illness. It's only cancer, right? He should have thought of FSU, it's coaches, fans, and possible repercussions to their recruiting b4 up and leaving. He should have thought about the SEC looking at his grades b4 worrying about his mother's future right? As we now know, his mothers illness wasn't immediately life threatening, he should have known this as a 19/20 year old right?

I have have had cancer visit my family and I foolishly thought of them b4 my work & community. How selfish I was. I can't believe this young kid also worried about his mother b4 the FSU program & it's fans and coaches feelings.

This kid seems to be a throwback instead of a 'me, me' generation of the 2000's. What a dope..

Boy, my tongue & Cheek hurts..

Posted by ctownvol on August 3, 2008 at 5:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Saint Bowden refuses to release this kid to go home and look after his sick mother? Not much of a saint if you ask me.

Posted by thsvolfan15 on August 3, 2008 at 6:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

chrisdoc,
U ARE A JERK!!!
Isn't this what tyler smith did? I didnt hear any criticism then!
And why wont they give him an answer? thats ridiculous

Posted by murrayvol on August 3, 2008 at 7:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Always keep in mind that it's not about the players. It's about the program.

Posted by GreenDevilVol on August 3, 2008 at 8:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Leaving early was the problem. B W has taken every step necessary to keep himself eligible Sit out a year,kept up his studies via internet,juco or whatever! The SEC has deemed him eligible its now in the NCAA's hands.So come on and get off your sorry aszes and get him on the field.

Posted by scvolalum on August 3, 2008 at 11:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The semenoles are in the same rut as the gayturds. Their coaches don't give a hoot about the well-being of their players. They (and Nick Satan) are all about padding their egos and bank accounts. It'll catch up eventually. I hope there's no other bias aimed at UT--using Warren as collateral damage. Bowden's shallow hardheadedness has caused a fine young athlete a lot of hardship, simply based upon the premise of "If I can't have you, then nobody can." chrisdoc; You just don't get it. Warren isn't an attorney. He's just trying to do best by his mother and to play football. It would be wonderful to kick FSU butt in January, but it's doubtful they'll get past a December bowl game. Shame on you Bobby Bowden. Nice posts ncvol17 and volfantm.

Posted by TurboFan on August 4, 2008 at 9:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Chrisdoc, if you read this, I disagree with your assertion that his leaving after NS day was planned that way. For FSU, the bad press of leaving a week after vs bad press a week before is preferable.

Had he left in December (after talking to coaches), I doubt FSU could have recruited a replacement that they weren't already pursueing. NO difference.

Agree that he left at the worst time for himself and FSU in regard to APR. Why the sudden bolt? Maybe a midnight phone call from home weighed on his mind.

Agree with you about the journalists and sand.

Posted by RockyTop31174 on August 4, 2008 at 5:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Whats lost in this whole thing is the fact that out of that whole class from alcoa he's the only one who has or will make a real impact on a real team. I thought all those kids were supposed to be D-1 ready? Also I've heard there are academic questions involving athletes grades over there. I just hope the N-C Double Azzholes do the right thing and clear the guy. He got all caught the whole Bobby Bowden mystique and jumped the recruiting gun but don't punish the kid anymore, I'm sure when a coach of his tenure sits in momma's living room talking her baby boy up that it gets pretty emotional.