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What should be the main focus this offseason?

Okay, I know the coaching staff doesn't make a to-do list like I am about to do, but I think this concept can still work. If you were in charge of this team (so imagine you're Jimbo Fisher), what would be your main objectives this offseason?

Star-divide

Here is mine:

1. Recruiting. I'd like to see us take all of our current commits, in terms of new guys I'd like to see us bring in some good DBs. Byrd, Thomas, Hosley and McDougle are some names that come to mind, I'd be happy if we got 2 of those guys. Now, if we offered all 4 we'd probably go 4 for 4, but whatever. I'd also like to see another OL this class, as well as another DE. I don't think we need any more WR with how many we have, and how many young guys on the roster already, and with how deep south florida is next year with WR. Debose is the only WR I'd spend any time on anymore.

2. Quarterback development. Ponder, Manuel, etc. No matter how good we are everywhere else we will not be among the nation's elite until our quarterback play improves. I want the QBs to spend as much time studying film as Amato spent watching Wisconsin tape. We are going to face lots of zone defenses next year, we need to have a QB who can attack it and isn't afraid.

3. Coaching staff. I'd like to see us find another defensive coordinator, linebackers coach, defensive ends coach, running backs coach and defensive backs coach. EIther the DE, LB or DB coach should also be the DC.

4. Add strength to that offensive line and running backs. It is vital that we get bigger up front, they were pushed around too much this year. We will always face big DT, and the only way to control those guys is with muscle. Our RBs should add some muscle as well, no longer is Antone Smith the lone guy up the middle, we'll need Pressley, Thomas and Jones to be ready for that.

5. Work on discipline on the defensive side of the ball. We get beat by misdirection and throwbacks almost every time. The players need to learn to trust each other and worry about their own responsibilities. I know Mickey's defense is centered around attacking the ball and being aggressive, but teams nowadays take advantage of that kind of defensive style, especially UF.

6. Teach our defensive backs how to cover. We get called for so many pass interference penalties and miss tackles all too often. Let's teach our DBs how to play the ball and not take yourself out of position.

 

Thoughts? I know some of you guys might put my #3 at #1 but I figure #3 will get done next offseason if not this offseason, whereas #2 I'm not so sure about.

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And obviously with recruiting I'd like to see us get a head start on 2010

Get guys like Joyner and Clements close to committing, or better yet get a commitment. We need a big time QB next year, some LBs, some DE, some DB and some OL. If we could get another 15 commitments by our opening kickoff I’d be thrilled.

by tdchrisdavis on Dec 27, 2008 10:04 PM EST reply actions  

Yep

This worries me also. If bobby keeps extending and Fisher has to go through year after year of taking on all this work. Eventually he’s gonna break and say F it and leave us :(

by Cee on Dec 28, 2008 2:41 PM EST up reply actions  

Give up on McDougle

Maryland or VT

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

by FSUSOM on Dec 28, 2008 12:29 AM EST reply actions  

Oh yeah

give up on Hosley as well.

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

by FSUSOM on Dec 28, 2008 12:30 AM EST up reply actions  

Also

I am very opposed to taking another offensive linemen. We have a ton.

by Bud Elliott on Dec 28, 2008 2:09 PM EST reply actions  

seems like u covered everything. One question I have is do u want ponder back or would u hope manuel passes him out and starts next season?

by Cee on Dec 28, 2008 2:39 PM EST reply actions  

Whoever gives us the best chance to win

I don’t want another freshman starter, but if it’s the same Ponder again…

by tdchrisdavis on Dec 28, 2008 3:25 PM EST up reply actions  

well , i know that. I guess what i’m trying to say is. Do u think ponders mistakes were due to youth? Or will he always have trouble reading coverages and throwing to the right places?

by Cee on Dec 28, 2008 6:37 PM EST up reply actions  

I am sort of undecided on this.

Youth contributed, and he never learned to trust his OLine despite the fact that they did improve.

I also think Mickey is extremely childish in going all-out with his veteran defense in practice instead of letting our young QB/ Line get a bit of self confidence. More on the Ponder deal later.

by Bud Elliott on Dec 28, 2008 7:20 PM EST up reply actions  

thats crap

I think ponder is a lot better than people are giving him credit. when the line gave him time IE the first 2 games her was great. then when the line got blown away he had problems. I think with the O-line getting better over the next 2 years He will get better with them. I dont think his the best we ever had but behind a better line and Jimbo calling the plays we are going to see Ponder for 2 more years.

by Desman on Dec 28, 2008 10:50 PM EST up reply actions  

Well yea obviously in the 1st 2 games he would put on a show

It’s vs FCS

Ponder was brutal versus FBS teams, and there is no way around it. Weatherford and Rix had bad offensive lines, but they could at least complete a pass over the middle. When they faced a zone defense their arsenal was still more than just a bubble screen.

Ponder threw 8 TDs this year vs FBS teams in 11 games… and how many of those came on screens/fades? The throw to Caz might have been his only non-screen, non-fade TD all year.

by tdchrisdavis on Dec 28, 2008 11:09 PM EST up reply actions  

Yea, it was an amazing diving catch by Holloway

I’d be interested in seeing how good we were in 3rd and 5+. I know we were pretty good on 3rd downs all year, but I’m willing to bet a lot of those were short running conversions.

by tdchrisdavis on Dec 28, 2008 11:48 PM EST up reply actions  

I thought it was just a very well executed play

I don’t like throwing to Holloway, but he did put it in the only place Holloway could catch it

I think Ponder was light years better than Drew. He picked up 1st downs and moved the chains.

Drew has better throwing numbers, but he was the king of selfish, AKA, throwing for 5 on 3rd and 8. That helps your stat line and hurts your team

Note to those with a mancrush on Drew… I am kidding about the selfish… sort of.

by Bud Elliott on Dec 29, 2008 12:13 AM EST up reply actions  

5 yards on 3rd and 8 is better than

Ponder airmailing a wide open receiver.

The percentage of times where Ponder threw accurately to an open receiver on passes downfield is just astonishing. Okay I don’t have the numbers but I got to see a bunch of games, and it was the same thing every game. Jimbo has almost NO trust in the kid. Bubble screens, short crosses, slants and fades are what he throws, and for good reason. I remember one throw where on 3rd down Givens was wide open and even the walk on gave that “Is he serious… that was an easy throw” look… the walk on!!

I like Christian and want him to succeed just as badly as I’ve wanted every FSU player to succeed, but he needs to improve a LOT this offseason. I think the increase in offensive production this year was because of an improved O-line, the best RB corps we’ve had in a few years and the best WR corps we’ve had in a while. Plus a better OC.

I confess, I’ve always been a huge fan of Drew when others were not. Even from the start in the time between his and Lee’s commitments I wondered why FSU needed Lee so badly. Now obviously that was me being nieve… who wouldnt want a “5 star” QB… but even when they were rfreshmen I liked Drew more. As a freshman he beat Miami, BC at BC with myself in attendance and the acc champ. I would have liked to see what he would have done this year if he had a better QB coach and offensive line.

by tdchrisdavis on Dec 29, 2008 2:25 AM EST up reply actions  

No, it's not. At least Ponder is trying for the 1st down. We punted 76 times under Drew. He didn't or wouldn't try.

Bubble screens are thrown when the defense cheats. It’s not really a choice to throw them, and it’s not out base offense.

I honestly think our protection is really poor and that we’d have missed a bowl is Drew played.

Ponder also helps the run game a ton because teams have to watch for the QB keep off the back end.

I personally think the OLine got WORSE in pass protection (expected) and a lot better in run blocking. We do need to be able to separate this, however, and I’m seeing both lumped together and packaged as “OLine got a lot better why didn’t QB play.”

by Bud Elliott on Dec 29, 2008 9:58 AM EST up reply actions  

VT and BC 2005?

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

by FSUSOM on Dec 29, 2008 2:48 PM EST up reply actions  

Yeah... I didn't say FSU played well,

I asked if Drew played well.

This is sort of the same problem I have with people claiming he played well against Miami, ever.

by Bud Elliott on Dec 29, 2008 10:06 PM EST up reply actions  

Consider Drew's lowly standards

i think he played out of his mind those game. of course, that is terrible for any other qb.

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

by FSUSOM on Dec 29, 2008 10:07 PM EST up reply actions  

I agree he didn't have many good games

But I just don’t think Ponder has either. Who did Ponder throw for over 200 yards against? Anyone?

by tdchrisdavis on Dec 29, 2008 10:13 PM EST up reply actions  

NC State

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

by FSUSOM on Dec 29, 2008 10:13 PM EST up reply actions  

Ponder can get us out of trouble with his feet.

Drew = statue

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

by FSUSOM on Dec 29, 2008 10:14 PM EST up reply actions  

want a laugh?

look at Drew’s stat lines vs Miami in 05 and 06.

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

by FSUSOM on Dec 29, 2008 10:13 PM EST up reply actions  

7 for 24

I believe in 05. That was also his first game vs a FBS school. Better than Ponder’s first game.

by tdchrisdavis on Dec 29, 2008 10:14 PM EST up reply actions  

I'm saying

That he got rocked so much that he never got to a point where he could trust his line. Occasionally he had good protection, but the focus was almost always on sack avoidance, so that it was basically a shock when they did give Ponder good protection.

Our drop back game was horrid, and I put that on everyone involved.

by Bud Elliott on Dec 29, 2008 9:00 PM EST up reply actions  

I do see a place were Ponder needs to work.

Hes not good going deep. It showed in the Wis game. I think hes a real good short passer and some med throws. thats about it though.

by Desman on Dec 29, 2008 10:18 PM EST up reply actions  

His throws into the flat are better than anyone i have seen in a long time

i remember Drew couldn’t make that pass if the RB/WR was standing 2 feet from him and he got to throw it underhand.

Ponder is excellent at leading our slot receivers in those type of situations which allows them to catch in stride and make a move upfield

by Renegade11 on Dec 30, 2008 10:29 AM EST up reply actions  

Also...

we called 15 passing plays on 2nd (8+)/3rd (5+) and long

The results on those 15 plays

4 of 11 for 54 yards
2 sacks
2 scrambles for 16 yards (the 2nd down scramble made it 3rd and two. the 3rd down scramble on 3rd and 5 picked up… five)

Honestly, that’s not good, but I think our performance in obvious passing situations highlights our trouble with blocking straight dropback stuff.

by Bud Elliott on Dec 29, 2008 12:27 AM EST up reply actions  

Well...

1. Agree – with a few small exceptions.. I’d like a DT or two more…. 3 star or better but HUGE.
2. Ponder is farther along than you think… he seemed a tad bit healthier at wisky and settled in as the protection got better… Let’s not forget this was his first year with significant snaps. (again turn down the negative volume a tad)
3. We could use the LB coach…I’m ready for a change a D Coordinator, but don’t think that is as desperite a need as some others here. I totally disagree that we need to move away from a 4-3 bas scheme.
4. I think Ty Jones is already a pretty big and will only get bigger Jermaine could use 20 pounds.
5. For whatever reason… and I don’t know why… our underclass linbackers looked great last night. cut back or no….they ran through blocks took great angles and reacted more quickly.
6. I think the DB negativity is getting tired too. They aren’t the problem We could use a bigger set of DT’s and LB’s who don’t run out of position. Other than that I think we’ll be fine over the next couple of years.

Yeah, right!

by truecolors on Dec 28, 2008 6:19 PM EST reply actions  

I totally disagree that we need to move away from a 4-3 base scheme.

We’re in lockstep on this.


For whatever reason… and I don’t know why… our underclass linbackers looked great last night. cut back or no….they ran through blocks took great angles and reacted more quickly.

I think they are promising. I am so happy we have some actual size at linebacker coming back.

I think the DB negativity is getting tired too. They aren’t the problem We could use a bigger set of DT’s and LB’s who don’t run out of position. Other than that I think we’ll be fine over the next couple of years.

I don’t get this bigger DT thing. I am fine with two 290lb guys, which we will have. I think we need to use a 290lb defensive end type and I’m totally against moving McAllister inside. Look at the elite teams using 280LB defensive ends. UF, USC, OSU, LSU, even Miami.

by Bud Elliott on Dec 28, 2008 6:23 PM EST up reply actions  

I'm okay with a little bit smaller DE if he can use leverage and contain the outside run.

You don’t have to drive the OT or TE into the backfield on every play but you must be able to turn it back inside. Everett Brown was a special player and he doesn’t come around that often, but he is the type of DE that can be successful in a variety of schemes. I really think you need to have speed on the outside against a lot of these offenses, particularly ones running bubble screens, toss plays and a lot of misdirection. The athleticism is key. One big DT anchors a defensive front in that it allows at least one of the LBs to run free. A DT needs to be able to stuff their gap and maintain their respnonsibility on the run and take up blockers. If you have one that can do that, you’re ahead of the game. A slightly smaller second DT can allow you a lot of flexibility with stunts with your DE or your big tackle.

by TrueCubbie on Dec 28, 2008 6:30 PM EST up reply actions  

I think you'll be very interested in the front 7 size piece I'm working on

We’re tiny overall. Shokcingly tiny.

Now, I do think McCray is the answer to our Big DT issue, as he’ll be 300+ next year.

The reason I want more of a 4 guys between 260-290 look is I think you have to be able to zone blitz these spread teams AND be able to stop the run with 7 against a oneRB set.

by Bud Elliott on Dec 28, 2008 6:42 PM EST up reply actions  

Looking forward to it.

You need that big DL that the offense consistently needs to think about double teaming. If they know you’re small and can run you out of the play with one OL, then they don’t worry about you. Flexibility within a scheme is key these days. Plus, the athleticism of bigger athletes is improving constantly. It’s amazing how agile these guys are at 280lbs.

by TrueCubbie on Dec 28, 2008 6:53 PM EST up reply actions  

De acuerdo re: size at DE

But only at Strongside DE is it really needed. A weakside speed rusher is is still beneficial and sufficient. The best example of the big SDE that would be preferred is Tyson Jackson at LSU in a 43.

by CaStauch on Dec 28, 2008 10:07 PM EST up reply actions  

Also, TrueColors

I like that you are positive with reasons as opposed to some of the blind optimism I sometimes see and wonder about.

by Bud Elliott on Dec 28, 2008 6:26 PM EST up reply actions  

Thanks

I agree on the DT size. To my knowledge we only had one that big this year and he is a true frosh…?

I think we need at least two more is all I’m saying.

Yeah, right!

by truecolors on Dec 28, 2008 6:28 PM EST up reply actions  

Yep

The likes of Dakota Williams and Bradham single-handedly stopped that first drive that was getting out of hand at the begining of the 3rd. LB’s were getting handled, they put in the two with either watson or NIicholson (can’t remember) and bang! No more running game! K Smith and the other outside LB look great against the run too.

Yeah, right!

by truecolors on Dec 28, 2008 6:30 PM EST up reply actions  

For instance,

this year we weighed 1735lbs inthe starting front 7.

which was by far the smallest for any BCS conference team ranked in the top 25 in that defensive efficiency measure I like so much.

Next year, we should be:
DE WHITE 255 (not going to project him to blow up, maybe hw will surprise us)
DE McNiel 260 (if he stays in school, which I hope he can. if not, Dawkins at 265)
DT McCray 300 (he’s very close now)
DT Mincey 290 (though more feel he is gone than believe he is staying.)
WLB Bradham 245 (I want him at 260 personally, like Muaglauga or the guy from SoCarolina)
MLB Williams 245 (ow Wright at 230-235)
SLB Watson 235 (he’s probably 228ish now)

That’s 1830lbs, off of a fairly conservative estimate. 1830 is slightly below avg for elite bcs defenses, and i’m fine with this.

My premise is that you can’t be super tiny against 1RB option type teams. We were small at DT AND LB this year, which won’t make for a truly elite defense.

by Bud Elliott on Dec 28, 2008 6:47 PM EST up reply actions  

We might be smaller but we have the speed that

Makes up for it.

Where do you get the stats on weight? Did you find these yourself or did you find it from somewhere else?

by tdchrisdavis on Dec 28, 2008 7:02 PM EST up reply actions  

LBs

I thought this was our worst LB group in a decent amount of time. Nicholson had stats. But he filled the wrong hole and gave up a TON of big plays this season. Verdell wasn’t really consistent. I thought bradham was better. But it’s impossible to say for sure without seeing the film. Watson battled injuries all year.

A healthy watson, bradham, williams seems leaps and bounds better than watson/verdell/nicholson

by Cee on Dec 28, 2008 6:43 PM EST up reply actions  

Our front 7 was terribly undiscplined at times missing assignments left and right...see the Gtech and BC game for classic examples.

Bradham is certainly aggressive and an athletic freak who I am so excited to see play on a regular basis as he consistently contributes when he enters the game.

Our guys need to play within a better system with better direction from the coaching staff. We can’t rely on the fact that they are incredible athletes and will beat their opponent one on one. This needs to be a unit playing together rather than 11 athletic machines playing under an umbrella of a system.

by TrueCubbie on Dec 28, 2008 6:48 PM EST up reply actions  

For Sure

Seems like a lot of times are tds were only given up due to missed assigments. Especially on mis direction like u said. it’s not often we got out manned and out skilled on defense.

by Cee on Dec 28, 2008 6:52 PM EST up reply actions  

I agree that we are really poorly coached in the LB unit,

but after doing this study on front-7 size, I think part of our undisciplined run defense (and PA Pass defense), was due to our complete inability to get off blocks and the subsequent adaptation that was essentially guessing where the play was going trying to use our only weapon (speed) to just beat blockers to the ball.

by Bud Elliott on Dec 28, 2008 6:54 PM EST up reply actions  

Right, but I think we should consider sizing up other positions as well...

If you are going to use small defensive tackles, you must compensate with a big position elsewhere, such as defensive ends (Ohio State, Iowa, UF), or linebackers (USC, and SoCarolina).

We went Small DT, avg DE, TINY LB

by Bud Elliott on Dec 28, 2008 7:00 PM EST up reply actions  

I just thought of something

Wide receiver is the only position on the field where we are bigger than most other teams. Everywhere else we are smaller, QBs I guess we are average.

I guess we used to do this but we had the speed to more than make up for it, now everyone has speed. Doesn’t matter if your small defenders are fast if the big RB on the other side is just as fast.

by tdchrisdavis on Dec 28, 2008 7:04 PM EST up reply actions  

Also, if we were to have a 2010 defense like this:

DE Dawkins 270
DE McAllister 285
DT McCray 305
DT McDaniel 285

Talk about versatility! Anyone could drop back in coverage!

Then
LB Bradham 250
LB Williams 245
LB Carr 230
LB Mizell 235ish

That is a ton of size! We could play honest coverage and still stop the run. We could stop having to guess and overreact to everything because we could actually shed blocks.

Imagine a Nickel package of

DE Dawkins 270
DE McAllister 290
DT McDaniel 285
LB Bradham 250
LB Carr 230
LB Mizell 235

That…. would generate insane pressure and would give whoever the DC is just.. wow… just a great many options to drop any player into coverage. This defense would make it hell on a spread team trying to execute their hot reads.

by Bud Elliott on Dec 28, 2008 7:07 PM EST up reply actions  

What about Kendall Smith

I know he’s on the light side, but I was impressed with him from what I saw and I think as a senior he’ll be a big time player.

by tdchrisdavis on Dec 28, 2008 7:12 PM EST up reply actions  

I always forget about him for whatever reason.

If he doesn’t get bigger, however, I don’t think I want him starting. He could offer good depth. We’re not about to switch to a BC style monster dt scheme to let lb’s roam. Smith must be able to shed blocks.

by Bud Elliott on Dec 28, 2008 7:15 PM EST up reply actions  

I prefer Smith starting next year to Williams.

I think Vince will be good, I just don’t know that he’s ready yet.

If we switched Smith to an edge rusher in passing situations and put Williams at LB it would be sick. Think about how great Lawrence Timmons was in that role his last year.

by MattDNole on Dec 29, 2008 11:25 AM EST up reply actions  

Smith actually has pretty good size

He’s about 230 now which puts him about the same size as Watson. The only LB’s we are bringing back that are bigger are Bradham, Williams, and Gresham. Smith could easily put another 5 on and be 235 next year. It will be interesting to see who will be starters next year. Watson obviously has a starting job locked up but who gets the other 2? Is it possible we will move Bradham to middle or keep him at Will? I think we may move him to middle just so we get our best 3 LB’s on the field, that is unless we thinjk Smith can handle the middle. Would Williams be a better choice to start at ike? What about Wright? Is Wright lost in the mix? What about Harris and Gresham? Will they even be on the team next year?

It could look like this:

W: Bradham, Carr, Harris
M: Williams, Wright, Gresham
S: Watson, Smith, Alexander

What do you guys think? All I know is that is a stacked LB corp and I’m not sure if I got them all right.

by s_barrow1 on Dec 29, 2008 1:04 PM EST up reply actions  

not if he's the best man for the job

if he is, then yes

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

by FSUSOM on Dec 29, 2008 1:20 PM EST up reply actions  

No EDIT button for the loss

let me rephrase: If Bradham is NOT the best man for the job, he shouldn’t start.

If he is, he should.

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

by FSUSOM on Dec 29, 2008 1:24 PM EST up reply actions  

Well yea

But from what I saw I really think he’s the best man for the job.

by tdchrisdavis on Dec 29, 2008 2:42 PM EST up reply actions  

agreed

as i said in my other post. I thought bradham looked better than verdell and should have started…

by Cee on Dec 28, 2008 6:52 PM EST up reply actions  

..

makes sense. I mostly only saw him stopping the run. As he didn’t play much. Maybe that’s why lol.

Thanks, the posters seem very knowledgeable here. Nice change up from talking to people who have no clue on fsu lol. I love the site thus far :)

by Cee on Dec 29, 2008 1:11 PM EST up reply actions  

It would be awesome if

Dionte Allen has a really productive off season.
Staying healthy, gaining weight, and participating in all of the scrimmage.

He was highly recruited for a reason, and I’d like to think he still has a chance to be a big-time player.
We really need him next year, especially if P-Rob declares.

by Zach_Nole on Dec 28, 2008 9:01 PM EST reply actions  

we need Terrance Parks to step up as well.

Personally, he is my favorite DB on the roster.

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

by FSUSOM on Dec 28, 2008 9:52 PM EST up reply actions  

yep

parks seems amazing from what i’ve read about him. He should be just as good as a healthy allen imo. It seems like he’s underrated as a 3 star recruit, just like Jermaine eh?

by Cee on Dec 29, 2008 1:13 PM EST up reply actions  

thanks

makes sense then. Injuries usually always downgrade players. Cheers.

by Cee on Dec 29, 2008 4:52 PM EST up reply actions  

my 1-5 things to do this off season

1) STR and Con. I want our O-line and D-line to do 3 things here. I want them to get BIG, fast, get strong. This will be where we when our games next year in the trenches.
2) develope the WR/CB. Ponder will get his reps and so will EJ. I want to get our WR and CB to understand the game Jimbo sees. To know why hes doing and where hes going. I want the WR to understand how good they could be. With that I want the CB to know they are young and need to get the game real fast.
3)recruiting- We need not only to get this class in and ready, we need to start getting the 2010 guys looking at us thinking FSU is back and make them want to come and play at FSU.
4) Boosters, and Fans. We need to get the boosters behind Jimbo and get the school back on FSU side. We need the fans to start to be loud and proud. We need to start selling out home games. even the crapy ones.
5) we need to start getting a game plan for the teams we will face next year. Went we play GT we need to know that we can teach the D how to shut down the Option so we dont have this problem next year. We need to have the Spread zone/reads so NCST and BC/WF dont run the same play down our throats all game.
This is the things I think we need to get ready for and my reasons. I think we will have a good year if our Secondary comes in willing to play stays out of trouble and wants too.

by Desman on Dec 28, 2008 10:45 PM EST reply actions  

Everyone wants the coaches gone and what not. I think they have there plan down and in motion. I dont think we need to worry about that. If MA stay one more year I think that this will be BB and MA last year. They might keep them around one more year because they dont want to try to compeat with all the HC jobs and what not. I think Jimbo needs to talk some guys into coming to FSU and With BB and MA on to DL trying to stay on one more year.

by Desman on Dec 28, 2008 11:00 PM EST up reply actions  

Top priority

Personnel-wise, our biggest need area imo is DB’s. If P-Rob leaves, we are in HUGE trouble back there. It will take a dominating front 7 to cover up for our weaknesses.

Nothing scares me more about 2009 than Mangum starting at CB.

by Fsued on Dec 29, 2008 1:47 PM EST reply actions  

Steele to Clemson?

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

by FSUSOM on Dec 29, 2008 3:45 PM EST reply actions  

why

did we let steele get away?

by Cee on Dec 29, 2008 4:53 PM EST up reply actions  

Family things called him back to the Birmingham area...

is the official story I remember.

Step up in pay and responsibility.

Hopefully Steele doesn’t feel that Jimbo took his spot in the pecking order and wouldn’t have a problem coming back here.

by MattDNole on Dec 29, 2008 5:20 PM EST up reply actions  

Uncensored rumored this a few weeks back.

I cannot begin to say how pissed I would be if Kevin Steele were looking for a new job and we didn’t have him first on our list to call.

There is not a single coach on the defensive side (no not even Odell) who is currently worth letting Kevin Steele get away without a phone call from us.

Maybe he wouldn’t come back here because of being passed for HCIW, I don’t know. But it will be very difficult for us in the coming years if Kevin Steele is coaching at a division rival.

by MattDNole on Dec 29, 2008 5:19 PM EST up reply actions  

Yeah, I got wind of it a few weeks ago,

but I can’t say I totally believed it.

I would swap our current staff with Clemson’s (including Steele) in a heartbeat.

by Bud Elliott on Dec 29, 2008 9:03 PM EST up reply actions  

This was expected...

anyone have any inside info on leading candidates to replace him?

by Zach_Nole on Dec 29, 2008 9:32 PM EST up reply actions  

dirk koetter

Our goal is simple: Best in the land

by FSUSOM on Dec 29, 2008 9:55 PM EST up reply actions  

Why was he fired from ASU?

I hope they hire him. He sure lit it up this year with the Jaguars…

by tdchrisdavis on Dec 29, 2008 9:58 PM EST up reply actions  

so as of right now BB and MA are not stepping down

This might sound crazy but I think there is a method to the maddness. I think with all the drama at Clemson, Auburn, Tenn, and Wash I think this might not be the year FSU wants to try to go after a high power DC. I think the FSU staff know this and are going to make us all happy with the out come of all this

by Desman on Dec 29, 2008 10:28 PM EST reply actions  

I tend to agree

Still very curious on who the strong candidates would be next year…

by Zach_Nole on Dec 29, 2008 10:30 PM EST up reply actions  

Since everyone is intent on removing Ponder's stats against the D-1AA teams

let’s remove all games from drew or ponder’s record that aren’t against bcs conference competition.
I am also removing Duke, as they were horrid 05-07

by Bud Elliott on Dec 29, 2008 10:45 PM EST reply actions  

Fair enough

I don’t think Drew was a very good QB in his time here, but I still think he was no worse than Ponder and I disagree with the thought that we would not have made a bowl with Drew as QB. Ponder might have been a better fit for this offense with the pass blocking we had, but that is another story.

by tdchrisdavis on Dec 29, 2008 10:49 PM EST up reply actions  

One thing we have to keep in mind is that Ponder and Weatherford are two very different quarterbacks with different styles of play. I look forward to seeing how we compare them...

They played behind very different offensive lines, Drew has had a different offensive coordinator than Ponder etc…

Great discussion though.

by TrueCubbie on Dec 29, 2008 10:53 PM EST up reply actions  

Yes and it is going to be hard to compare

Ponder had a better running game due in part to himself and better receivers. He also had a more… imaginative offensive coordinator.

Drew had better pass protection and due to less running he threw the ball more which padded his stats. He also got the benefit of being the QB while Carr and JB were on his side… think of how many TDs and yards he got that anyone who can throw a ball 40 yards could have thrown for.

by tdchrisdavis on Dec 29, 2008 11:03 PM EST up reply actions  

Here we are

Passing Rushing
CMP ATT YDS CMP% YPA TD INT SACK RAT ATT YDS

Drew ’05
209 374 2356 0.558823529 6.2 11 15 23 110.48 52 0

Drew ’06
118 229 1451 0.515283843 6.3 5 10 15 103.22 48 -13

Drew ’07
124 236 1378 0.525423729 5.8 5 2 16 106.89 53 87

Ponder ’08
153 279 1630 0.548387097 5.8 8 12 17 104.77 112 375

To me, those QB ratings all look very similar, and NONE are good.

I will say that Ponder was pretty good avoiding sacks given our very much run oriented line.

by Bud Elliott on Dec 29, 2008 11:03 PM EST up reply actions  

Sorry, trying again

Passing Rushing
CMP ATT YDS CMP% YPA TD INT SACK RAT ATT YDS

Drew ’05
209 374 2356 55% 6.2 11 15 23 110.48 52 0

Drew ’06
118 229 1451 52% 6.3 5 10 15 103.22 48 -13

Drew ’07
124 236 1378 0.53% 5.8 5 2 16 106.89 53 87

Ponder ’08
153 279 1630 55% 5.8 8 12 17 104.77 112 375

by Bud Elliott on Dec 29, 2008 11:07 PM EST up reply actions  

Ponder's was VERY high

which is really weird, as mobile qb’s usually have a very low %

Leads me to believe this oline was very poor in pass pro and very good in run game

by Bud Elliott on Dec 29, 2008 11:19 PM EST up reply actions  

Sack %'s

Drew in
05: 5.8%
06: 6.1%
07: 6/1%

Ponder
08: 5.7%

Drew
08: 16.7%

To me, a simple look at Ponder v. UF and Drew v. UF showed just how ill-equipped we were to pass pro for dropback passing. We must improve our bulk this offseason so that we don’t have to worry so much about a bullrush.

by Bud Elliott on Dec 29, 2008 11:27 PM EST up reply actions  

Thanks. Wonder how many sacks Drew would have taken if he started.

But then again, when he was in the games were already decided and he had nothing to lose… so throwing the ball away wasn’t in his head.

by tdchrisdavis on Dec 30, 2008 12:41 AM EST up reply actions  

That's a very valid point as well.

It would be very difficult to tell.

To me, it seems like… Ponder great mobility… yet similar sack % numbers to not great mobility Drew… equals bad OLine play in passing downs?

by Bud Elliott on Dec 30, 2008 1:11 AM EST up reply actions  

It could also be Ponder trying to do to much with his feet before he gets rid of the ball.

Since Ponder is significantly more mobile, there have been numerous times that he tries to run around in the backfield before, hanging onto the ball for too long, before getting rid of it. Drew may have had a better understanding of his limitations and get rid of the ball sooner, even if it wasn’t for a completion. And, line play is obviously a huge part of it.

by TrueCubbie on Dec 30, 2008 9:32 AM EST up reply actions  

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