My question to you
by Desman on Dec 12, 2008 11:54 AM EST
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PrintThere are some of you that are thinking FSU might just take a step backwards next year. Some think its because of the DC pos. and our Def will not be very strong. Some think we will be hurting on the Off line. Some think Ponder is just not good enough. And some think our WR and RB will not be able to hold out be that they just get into to much trouble off the field or injurys.
I want to say what I think will happen next year. We are lucky this year isnt over yet and we have one more game to get some exp. to the team and guys coming back next year. Ill talk about that later. As of right now we have the youngest O-line. Most would say they did a great job for being so young. I know they are not the best in the world but If there is one thing FSU has right now its a damn good O-line coach.
Second, when it comes to play calling Jimbo has played to our strengths all year. We lost 4 games this year. Some are thinking we might lose 6 next year some think only 3. I think its going to be just as crazy in the ACC next year as this year. But I think it will be our year. WF did not beat FSU. FSU beat FSU in that game. GT beat us hands down and could have killed us but their QB got hurt. VT was the same way I'll chalk that up to luck. BC Thats going to be a fun game.
The way I look at next year is our Def. is going to be ok. Not great maybe not even good, but ok. Also we will see who we get in the DC spot if we get one. There are only 4 Off we play next year that I would even worry about. 1 UF we prob wont win. GT, BYU, NCST. You can laugh about NCST but I just got a feeling If its not us going to the ACCCG it will be NCST. BYU well they can play they are ranked 16th right now and put points up on almost everyone. Dont get me wrong I think we can win but here is my problem.
I realy think our Off is going to be good next year. They might even be Great. I think FSU Off has grown so much this year and going into next year its going to be something new. Ponder will start throwing down field because he will have time because the O-line will be blocking better. We are going to have teams so scared of the screen and the zone read they try to put 7 in the box they will get burned everytime. Its just a matter of time before this happens. I wouldnt be suprised to see it happen in Wis. Before you strat thinking how bad our Def could be next year think how good our Off could be. Def wins Champs. Off win Games. I think Our Off will win most of our games and our Def will come around sooner or latter.
Why do some of you think we are going to take a step backwards next year?
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sorry guess I didnt get that out
Why do some of you think we are going to take a step backwards next year.
Simply put
- I think we will face a difficult schedule.
- Our offense will improve, but
- Our defense could be a lot worse, and
- The entire program is waiting for Bowden to leave. They are in a sickening holding pattern. 2009 will have an insane feeling of “ok, finally we are done with this stuff”
For instance
We had the 22nd best offense, I think that will improve to top-15
We had the 18th best defense; I’ll be shocked if we aren’t outside the top 35
by Bud Elliott on Dec 12, 2008 12:51 PM EST up reply actions
I expect
The offense to be much better next year and will get us to win the games we should win. This was Ponder’s first year under a young OL and the Wake game scarred him, so we will see how well Jimbo can undo that.
The defense: IF Mick is gone the defense will do a little better than peoples expectations (which will drop significantly, so low it puts a chip on their shoulders). But that is still at a lower level than how they played this year.
If Mick stays for one more year does about the same because of the motivation— meaning they play above their ability (which still drops next year).
I think its more probable to have a DE have a breakout season and put pressure on QB’s then to have a DB star on the rise, so I’m really hoping for White or someone else to step up. If that doesn’t happen, the passing defense is what I’m most worried about.
IF we get the defensive changes that I hope
I think we’ll be pleasantly surprised. But, as I’ve expressed before, I don’t think Ponder can take this team from 8-4/9-3 to 11-2/12-1. Despite that appearing to be a marginal difference, its huge and immensely difficult to attain.
If EJ makes the leap during the spring and doesn’t look back, and lives up to the potential that Fisher believes he can attain, I wouldn’t be surprised with any result. The precedent for RS Freshmen QBs to take their teams to success is becoming more and more enforced.
I concur with your point about Fisher adjusting his offense to the teams skill set wholeheartedly. Just a cursory look allows you to notice the considerable difference in style between last year and this year. When X was in, our offense was vertical oriented. With Ponder, its horizontally oriented. With Drew…meh.
If EJ can reach the mental aspects that Ponder has with respect to the “at the line adjustments” I don’t see anything that Ponder can do that EJ can’t, only things that EJ can add . Specifically and most importantly a vertical component.
I don't think EJ can take us from 8-4 to 9-3 next year.
We will see. Honestly, the seasons remaining with Bowden are throwaway prep years. If EJ isn’t ready, I don’t want to ruin him. Colt McCoy took a huge step back after his 1s year starting.
by Bud Elliott on Dec 13, 2008 12:59 AM EST up reply actions
Anyway Des I agree with you
I don’t think we’ll take a step back next year.
Our offense looked very raw and had a LOT to improve on, and it was still the best offense in the ACC somehow. If Ponder can figure out how to throw downfield over the middle and JT lives up to expectations, this will not only be the best offense in the ACC it will be one of the best in the nation. I have full confidence that the OL improves and the WRs have a strong year, as I have lots of trust in our OL and WRs coach.
The question obviously is defense, and I don’t see the collapse some of you are predicting. Look at who we lose – Everette Brown, Moffett, Griffin, Ingram, Nicholson, Verdell, Rolle, Carter, MRG, McClure. Looks like P-Rob and Watson are staying. While it is a lot of bodies and a lot of starters, only one of them was really a great player for us.
Replacements:
Brown – Markus White… It’s a drop off but White will be a pretty darn good DE
Moffett – McNeil… Not as good vs the run but probably a better pass rusher, this guy looked great his freshman year hopefully he picks up where he left off there
Griffin – McCray… As a reserve DT Strong as heck but he didn’t do much on the field
Ingram – V Williams… didn’t start and Williams should be just as good if not better
Nicholson – Bradham… I think Nigel will be better than Nicholson, so we improve here
Verdell – Kendall Smith… I think Smith is as good or better
Rolle – Jamie Robinson… We lose a lot here, but Robinson has the skills to have a pretty good year
Carter – Parks… I think Parks can be just as good as TC was in 08
MRG – Allen… MRG was our 4th corner last year, Allen should be fine here
McClure – ??… Okay, this is where he get hurt as we have nobody here to step in. Maybe it’s Harley or Demps, maybe Starling
Thacker, P-Rob, Watson Stewart will be back and improved. Of all the players that leave there is not one position where the guy replacing a former player is a serious downgrade. Sure Brown was excellent, but White will be fine. Sure we won’t have a R coming in, but was McClure really all that good?
Plus, we might have a DC who adjusts us to the spread better.
We won’t be better in 09 I don’t think, but we won’t be much worse, either.
Don't count in Thacker as improved.
We’ve heard that forever. Same old story. I’ve given up on him.
Our goal is simple: Best in the land
ture true
I see a few things also. WF is loseing steam, so is clemson, maryland, and BC. I think NCST is on a rise and GT sad but true is going to become the nightmare if they can keep up this option crap. I think we will take over next year because our Off will just be better than anyone Def in the ACC. I think our Def will stay as good as most of the ACC Off. We will have a prob with Out of conf teams. but If we can beat all but UF we could be looking at a 9+ season eazy. Last Its realy going to help know what/if we are going to get a new DC. I think it hurts us that there are so many HC jobs opening and that means we might not get the pick of the letter. It might be good enough to keep MA for one more year for all this Auburn/Was/Tenn to cool down so we dont have to get someone FSU doesnt need. Unless Jimbo has an Idea.
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