TCP/IP options flags?

[Mbeck () GIANTSTEP COM (Matt Beck)]

I'm seeing lots of packets denied at my firewall with the IP options flag
set.  The firewall logs the flag set as HEX 0x14.  I cannot convert this to
any of the standard TCP/IP options such as loose or strict source routing.
My first thought was that maybe machines were somehow misconfigured and I
need not worry about it.  But for grins I looked up all the addresses and
noticed a disturbing pattern.  During just the last 5 days I've received
these packets from the addresses below.  They are mostly .edu domains and
what appear to be cable-modem users.

So I began searching for tools or scanners that would set IP options flags
as part of their work.  I have had no luck finding such tools.  Can anyone
comment on why these packets would be arriving at my firewall and whether or
not I should be worried about them?  I'm attempting to capture these packets
for deeper analysis.

Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks.

Deny IP from 128.59.139.23 to X.X.X.X, IP options: 0x14""
chemstore05.chem.columbia.edu
Deny IP from 128.6.135.7 to X.X.X.X, IP options: 0x14"" antonio.rutgers.edu
Deny IP from 129.174.186.20 to X.X.X.242, IP options: 0x14""
99F1443.dorm.gmu.edu
Deny IP from 136.165.132.243 to X.X.X.201, IP options: 0x14""
dhcp04.hsc-b.louisville.edu
Deny IP from 204.210.205.115 to X.X.X.71, IP options: 0x14""
c21b115.neo.rr.com
Deny IP from 216.233.75.58 to X.X.X.103, IP options: 0x14""
node-d8e94b3a.powerinter.net
Deny IP from 24.142.55.37 to X.X.X.28, IP options: 0x14""
cm-24-142-55-37.cableco-op.ispchannel.com
Deny IP from 24.24.37.4 to X.X.X.201, IP options: 0x14""
d18182504.rochester.rr.com
Deny IP from 24.24.47.133 to X.X.X.121, IP options: 0x14""
d18182f85.rochester.rr.com
Deny IP from 24.29.235.217 to X.X.X.201, IP options: 0x14""
ro02-24-29-235-217.ce.mediaone.net
Deny IP from 24.8.146.42 to X.X.X.178, IP options: 0x14""
c849719-d.ptbrg1.sfba.home.com
Deny IP from 24.92.69.43 to X.X.X.176, IP options: 0x14""
m1has1n43.midsouth.rr.com
Deny IP from 24.92.91.37 to X.X.X.73, IP options: 0x14""
m7hfs1n37.midsouth.rr.com
Deny IP from 38.30.76.38 to X.X.X.27, IP options: 0x14""
ip38.miami12.fl.pub-ip.psi.net