Seminole offense back on track in Monday scrimmage
by Bud Elliott on Apr 7, 2009 4:04 AM EDT
in FSU Football
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PrintThe Florida State offense had ripped the Seminole's defense for 10 more more yards per play in four of the five spring scrimmages, so after a shocking spring game performance that saw a rather limited Seminoles playbook and a general lack of fire from the offense, everyone was anxious to see what would happen in the Monday's scrimmage.
I wonder if ACC Offensive Coordinator of the Year Jimbo Fisher gave them a talkin' to after Saturday's performance.
Allow us here at Tomahawk Nation to extend a huge thank you to TRMNole and CSINole for providing us with some great photos!
I don't know what the second team did because the guy (or girl) we usually get our information from didn't have a lot of time to share. My apologies.
- The 1st team offense ran 10 plays (2 or 3 more were nullified by various holding or offsides penalties) for 140 yards. 10 plays. 140 yards. That is more than 14 yards per play.
- Over the course of a normal game, a team runs about 65 plays. 65 plays at 14 yards per play is over 900 YARDS. 900 YARDS.
- For the 5th time in the last 6 scrimmages, the offense averaged more than 10 yards per play.
- I'm not aware of any huge contingent of defensive recruits at Monday's practice. Could be wrong, but I didn't hear about it. Check with our friends Jamey Givens of www.NoleInsider.com ($) or ThaRinger.com (free) for more.
- Considering the offense's domination in 5 of the now 6 scrimmages, Is it really reasonable to think Jimbo was going all out on Saturday? (See the comment section to the Spring Game Recap if you want details on this)
I wonder if the offense spread the defense out and ran on them? You bet.
Jermaine "MacMaine" Thomas.
A big thanks to CSInole for these great shots!
- Thomas had 4 runs for 85 yards, 3 of which were over 25 yards.
- The offensive line crushed the defensive line, especially the smaller interior guys.
- Jermaine Thomas is clearly establishing himself as the #1 running back for the Seminoles. At this point I don't want him to take any more hits this spring.
- The best two comparisons we have come up with for Thomas are Ricky Watters and Jeff Cheney.
Passing, you say? Christian Ponder was 3-4 for 61 yds with 1 TD and no INT's. That's basically a perfect QB rating.
Of the 10 plays ran by the 1st team offense, only three went for less than 5 yards. One was a run by Thomas and the other two were a result of the "one-hand touch" QB treatment rule.
Overall, it was a good day for the offense (though I'm not sure how the 2nd team did). Importantly, it was a very good day for Florida State wide receivers coach Lawrence Dawsey's crew. Bert Reed and Richard Goodman had a nice showing for the 1st team offense.
Lawrence Dawsey coaching the wideouts. Photo courtesy of TRMNole.
This was especially important for Dawsey because the last 36 hours have been rough for his guys. First, Rod Owens picked up a DUI Sunday night. Then...
Corey Surrency's application for an extra year of eligibility was denied by the NCAA
If you've been lucky enough to meet Corey in person, you know what a special guy he is. I don't know if he can handle another bad break like this. If he doesn't win his appeal, I hope some Tomahawk Nation faithful will step up and help us organize a campaign to help Corey pay for his senior year of school or find him a decent job.
We will have much more on Surrency later this week.
A bright spot for the defense:
Apparently defensive end MarKus White is still giving our tackles some trouble. Photo by CSINole
Scrimmage Recap Excerpts from Seminoles.com (FSU Sports Information) [I have inserted comments where necessary for clarification]:
- 1st Series (From own 35): Jermaine Thomas picked up almost 50 yards on just two carries but on 3rd-and-9 Kevin McNeil crashed the pocket forcing Christian Ponder to run and come up short of the first. As the ball moved back to the -35 Ponder hit Jarmon Fortson deep but the play was wiped out by offensive holding. The one's series ended on a positive though as Ponder hit Richard Goodman to convert a 1st-and-20.
- 2nd series (from 50) Things started out well for the defense with a Kevin McNeil sack on 1st-and-20 [after a hold]. On 2nd-and-27 Thomas picked up the first with a 28-yard run. Ponder and Fortson connected for 18 and then Ponder was forced out of the pocket but found Bert Reed on the run for a 21-yard TD.
- Ball on Defense's 20: The first team offense dug themselves a big hole after moving the ball down inside the 10. Thomas ran it to the one-yard line but a holding, a sack by McNeil, a false start and another hold that wipe out a big Ponder run, put the one's in a 2nd-and-goal from the 41-yard line. Ponder salvaged the drive with a 19-yard pass to Thomas and then another Thomas run for six yards. That allowed James Esco to convert a 34-yard field goal.
- 1:30 (modified 2-minute drill): The first team offense looked like an entirely different group starting from the -30 with 1:30 on the clock. On the first play Everett Dawkins pressured Ponder but the junior was still able to find Reed for a gain of 43. He then hit Goodman for nine yards and then again for a TD.
Please visit that link as there is a video interview with Jimbo Fisher as well.
GO NOLES!!
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FSU has 3 to 5 weeks to appeal the NCAA's ruling
Is there a coincidence in the NCAA’s time table and how long it takes to properly cure a fresh batch of Human Infant Jerky?
Wow, is it time to hit the panic button for the D?
" And He drank the world's sin so He could carry you in, and give you life"
I dont think so.
what is the goal for you next year. I think this is what we need to look at. This year we had a winning record and won our bowl. We were close to the ACCAG. I think next year we shoot for the ACCAG. Thats the goal. If thats the case then our Def dosent need to stop the spread. Most of the acc teams we play run a more pro-style Def. The only teams that dont are USF, BYU, and UF. GT has the option so that might be a problem. Buy USF and BYU dont have good QBs to run there spread. I think we have to see where we are after we get our FR on campus and after the miame game before we hit the panic button.
Why is the sky blue? Because, God Loves the Infantry
Theres very little chance of true FR making a considerable impact on the D with such large holes, but I hope you are right.
" And He drank the world's sin so He could carry you in, and give you life"
Holes as in weaknesses on the D
" And He drank the world's sin so He could carry you in, and give you life"
I think McDaniel and Reid will make more than a considerable impact...
Anyone know what the current weight is on McDaniel. Is he larger than 267 now? And if Downs gets in, he’ll see a lot of playing time too…
"We're not maxed out, ... The best is still ahead of us."
Bobby Bowden
No.
We’re finding out what we’ve known since last season. Our defense will be great against pro style sets and struggle against spread-option styles. I think it’s a good thing that our defense is getting ravaged. Either the defensive players or coaches will figure it out. They’ve got all summer to work on it.
If our offense isn't the in the top 10 in the country, that slides the defense pretty far down as far as comaprison sake.
FSUn had a good table going to show how the defense would be doing.
" And He drank the world's sin so He could carry you in, and give you life"
"They’ve got all summer to work on it."
That doesn’t mean they will will. The players can’t call the scheme. That’s up to the staff. And to make the sea change necessary would take a lot of research, effort, and maybe travel on their part. I can’t see any of that happening at this point. They know they’re gone by 2010. I’ve been a “short-timer” myself— worse yet, a short -timer on the state payroll. There is no incentive for them to try, and it sure ain’t gonna come from our “head coach.”
by PeachTreeNole on Apr 7, 2009 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions
Winning & avoiding embarrassment -
that’s pretty strong incentive right there.
If someone knew how to stop the spread solely with a scheme, then UF wouldn’t have won the NC last year. The Big 12 wouldn’t have been the top offensive conference. How do you stop the spread? With time, experience & the correct personnel.
Are there things you can change schematically? Sure, but you can say that from game-to-game, even play-to-play, regardless of what offense you face.
I think this says more about what happened on Sat.
Because of the people at the game Jimbo had to call of the dogs on MA. There is no question about that. the only think I would worry about is what if our Off is not that good then our Def is that damn bad. Sucks we wont know how bad tell the miami game. I want to think that FSU Off is just that much better and our Def will ba avrage.
Why is the sky blue? Because, God Loves the Infantry
We should be fine against UM.
Sounds like they’re new OC is a pro-set kind of guy.
Some pretty good rationale in this thread
“Wow, is it time to hit the panic button for the D?” Pretty funny I was thinking the same thing, it flip flops from practice to practice.
Desman is right about calling the dogs off I think. It certainly explains why the first time did not get more time. You can also look Lattimore in the eye and say son you can see we need you.
In the monday practice Thomas starts off again with 50 yards on his first two carries. I will be ecstatic to see him do that in the coming season against any team.
No McDaniels and McAllister won’t start but they will provide quality backup this season that is something that has been lacking.
Mizell can play some also but linebacking so far appears to be a strong point. Harris has shown up pretty well this spring along with the others. Don’t forget Vincent Williams should be healthy also this fall.
Unconfirmed rumors have W. Brimley challenging the coaches to lower their cholesterol by taking to 30 day challenge and extolling the virtues of whole oats to the young guys on the staff.
The coaches OK, but I would like to see the D line add some meat to their potatoes.
Last year the D line was pushed around a little too much for my liking by the big boys from BC, GT, and even Wisconsin. They need to bulk up a little, and by bulking up I mean muscle not flab.
BTW, speaking of Surrency, any thoughts on the possibility of him playing in the CFL for a few years if his appeal is rejected.
I would like to see him get a degree and go anywhere other than back to Miami. If he can get a few years experience in the CFL, maybe he has a shot to break into the NFL, down the road.
Frank we are on the same page
Not sure if you’ve seen this yet, and I’m sorry if I am pitching this piece too much, but if you haven’t I strongly suggest perusing.
http://www.tomahawknation.com/2009/3/11/737204/strategy-session-size-does
btw, something I forgot to mention earlier...
I specifically recall Jimbo’s first recruiting year (‘07 I think?) where almost everyone we signed was over 6’0". Although it was mainly on offense, I think some carried over to the defensive side as well.
See FSUn, Jimbo has a “thing” for bigger guys just like you… :)
Yeah, I read it when you originally put it out, and again when you mentioned it on the Chopping Block.
I can see why you’re proud of it, because it must have taken awhile to put together. Your article has very good info and research which seems to prove the point we are both trying to make, and one that women all over think, even though they may lie to their tinnie weenie male lovers and deny that,
SIZE DOES MATTER.
So hopefully Stroud will work the D line, the O line and every other players ass off with weights and conditioning drills all during the boiling hot Tally summer.
I don’t want to say we have been too soft in recent years, but there have been too many 4th quarter meltdowns and I have to think most of it was due to conditioning and lack of size.
I don't know when the pictures were taken
but if they were Monday, it looks like he didn’t. I hope he did though…
What happens when a defense stacks the box and stops our running game?
Ponder is not good enough yet, plus our WRs are too suspect for us to win a game through the air.
Nobody effectively did that to us last year with success.
They tried that in practice yesterday and Ponder torched them, 3-4 for 60 yards!
Va Tech tried it last year and we threw deep on them.
Teams that beat us beat us because they are BIG.
You do NOT stack the box against teams who are spreading you out. Mickey tried that yesterday after Thomas had carries of 27 and 25.
You DO respond with bigger athletes who can shed blocks and defeat inside leverage.
its always bigger is better for you FSUn
your a Texan arnt you.
Why is the sky blue? Because, God Loves the Infantry
Ft. Myers / Naples?
Which is it… I’ll guess neither and go with Estero.
"May God have mercy upon my enemies, because I won't." - General George S. Patton
Labelle - now there's a winner.
or maybe Immokalee…
It will pose problems this year if a defense can do it, which I think all will focus on during
practice before facing us, make Ponder throw will be a key for all teams we face this year.
Good!
I know the wide outs are a work in progress, but they will be ready by the end of fall (the Offense has already turned the corner in this program, the D is what is still playing catchup)
Yeah, right!
but last year
the passing game is what opened up our running game. and I think its going to be the respect of the pass that gives our running game more power this year.
Why is the sky blue? Because, God Loves the Infantry
He has ACL surgery in August, so
It’s foolish to think Pressley will even approach “average” in 2009. This is ACL surgery. I can’t name any backs who have performed well in the year following their ACL surgery. Pressley being a serious contributor is a pipe dream. He might be decent in 2010.
This really puts the pressure on Jones to eat right and get his mind right.
has or had?
thought he had the procedure done awhile back… any chance Lonnie P or Chris T will see the field this fall? Not feeling comfortable about certain positions on offense (QB, RB and WR). We have some depth at the WR position, but we’ll need those guys to really step it up.
With Everett Dawkins/Justin Bright on board, interest from Corey Miller/Brandon Willis… and a great visit in Tally this weekend, I think we stand a better chance in landing Marcus Lattimore. When I approached Justin Bright for the pic, he says… did you see Marcus? Too bad I didn’t get a group pic or one of Marcus doing the “tomahawk chop!!!” :o)
Apologies, had. It's typically a year recovery.
I think Lonnie P and Chris T see the field. Definitely will see Chris T.
To get Marcus we must get his mom. She is the key. He could say “I hate Carolina”, but if she said “I love Carolina”, he’ll be a gamecock.
If you want Marcus, root for a horrible SC season, major questions about Spurrier’s future, etc.
Root for the SC running game to tank as well as all those factors.
Kill a fly with an axe - Mickey Andrews, his 1998 playbook
NCAA OBLIGATION
I think that it would be important for the black community that the NCAA has alternatives for young black men to have other options of retention of scholarships so that they can finish school….I don’t agree will most of the NAACP but I would think this would be something they could get involved in.
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