FanShot

One more reason to attend the G & G Spring Game-Weldon & Johnson to duel

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Their fierce but friendly rivalry began on the Florida State football practice field in the spring of 1990. On April 10 - 20 years after it began - former quarterbacks Casey Weldon and Brad Johnson will tap into their competitive juices and direct respective flag football teams comprised of Seminole greats at halftime of the Garnet & Gold Spring Game. The game is just part of a jam-packed weekend of activities scheduled, which bridge Florida State's rich football history with the start of a new era under first-year head coach Jimbo Fisher. It all kicks off with Friday night's Seminole Get Down in downtown Tallahassee, with live music, food, fun and special guest appearances. The action spills into Saturday when Seminole Village comes to life with a variety of activities for all ages, including the Best of Tallahassee BBQ Cook-Off. Of course, the spotlight event in the first spring game of the Fisher era, with kickoff set for 5 p.m. and followed by a fireworks display. Weldon fired off a few fireworks of his own when asked about his halftime clash with Johnson. "Brad won a Super Bowl; he played for 18 years [in the NFL]," said Weldon. "I understand all of that. He just texted me and asked me if we were going to play golf before the game. I told him, `I'm going to be stretching, watching film, eating and studying the playbook with my team.' Obviously, I'm taking it more seriously than he is and you should see the results of that at halftime." Of course, Weldon's words elicited a response from Johnson. "Casey is about the glitz and the glamour," said Johnson. "He'll be throwing bombs and trying to relive his glory days in Tallahassee. It's time for him to shine, but when you look at final score, it will be interesting to see who will be on top." Neither will be short of weaponry at their disposal when it comes to the aerial game. The rosters of the two teams will include many of FSU's all-time greatest receivers, including Peter Warrick, E.G. Green, Kez McCorvey, Shannon Baker, Tamarick Vanover and three-fourth of the Fab Four - Bruce LaSane, Terry Anthony and Ronald Lewis. The fourth member of the Fab Four, FSU receivers coach and passing game coordinator Lawrence Dawsey, was largely responsible for putting the halftime game together. All-Americans Terrell Buckley, Corey Simon, Tay Cody, Jamal Reynolds and Corey Fuller have committed to the game along with fellow former Seminole stars John Davis, Tony Bryant, Derrick Gibson, Mario Edwards and Pat Watkins. "I'm pumped," said Johnson, after learning which former `Noles will be competing. "It's going to be fun to share it with the fans." Weldon said he's looking forward to the game, but also excited about the future of the program under Fisher. "The energy level and just the fresh start - nothing against the old guard - but its just something new and we're all excited to see what's going happen," Weldon said. "I think what makes a lot of us (former players) feel good is that Jimbo has brought in an attitude of open arms - `Please come back here. You're always welcome. We want you around.' That's refreshing." From FSU SID press release.