FSU Saturday Practice Recap and Links
by FrankDNole on Aug 8, 2009 3:55 PM EDT
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PrintQuick recap: Hot day today with 12 hour turnaround. Defense looked better today early but offense caught 2nd wind and had some big playes. PRob int's Ponder. JRob diving breakup of pass for Reed. In freshmen battle Haulstead best Reid. Seniors munch out at Bobbys tonight. No practice tomorrow, but team meets media and gets pictures taken in AM, then sign autographs for fans at Tucker at 1 PM. Next practice in 45 hours.
Maybe we should we start calling Rick Trickett "3M" for Master Motivator and Manipulator. Sounds like he is trying to motivate Spurlock and Sanders, and this is what I found most interesting today, from AC..
RG David Spurlock and RT Zebrie Sanders started the majority of last season, but Brandon Davis and Antwane Greenlee have moved onto the first team at those two positions, respectively. Trickett made the changes, he said after practice on Saturday, because Davis and Greenlee earned the promotions during spring practice.
Spurlock and Sanders, of course, are now working to earn their positions back.
From AC's Chopping Block
Quick Saturday practice update
and
From Seminoles.com
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Oh Yes!
“-Jimbo Fisher and some players have said this, but after two days of practice it seems true: Christian Ponder really does look different. Difficult to tell too much, of course, but Ponder is carrying himself better and his arm strength seems to have improved. He’s been throwing a crisp, tight spiral and it’s getting where it needs to go quickly. He looks good.”
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This is the biggest deal to me
I firmly believe that if Christian is consistently good and sometimes great our offense could potentially be too good for us to speculate on for fear of sounding like we injected the kool-aid directly into our veins. But realistically speaking, if Ponder is as sound a decision maker and has improved his downfield accuracy and arm strength our offense could be incredibly good.
I look at it this way:
Were Danny MacManus, PT Willis, or Thad Busby as far along as Ponder is at his present age?
Does Ponder have worse, or better, physical tools than the above successful QB’s for Florida State?
How did even our best QB, Charley Ward, look his first year, protected by a solid line? How about Chris Weinke? How would they have fared with the lack of pass-blocking Ponder had to suffer his first year at the helm?
Hang on for the ride, folks; it gets better and better with Ponder and our revamped line.
by PeachTreeNole on Aug 8, 2009 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions
That's just it, I really do agree its possible
I think its just hard to get too excited given the recent run we’ve had with QB’s. I do believe that Ponder has a very good shot at being really good. I expect him to be somewhere between good and great the next couple of seasons but the only way i’ll say he’ll be an ELITE QB is if I see it happen.
This was always easy for me
About a year and half ago Fisher said Ponder will play in the NFL.
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McCoy, Bradford, & Ponder
Here’s a question – Colt McCoy [TX], Bradford [OU] or Ponder… Who would u rather have? Honestly all things equal (playing w/ same talent & line) I take Ponder. I think we have a top flight college QB in Tallahassee … Actually two of them!
by FSU on Aug 8, 2009 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Wow
http://today.sportingnews.com/sportingnewstoday/20081229/?pg=2
by tdchrisdavis on Aug 8, 2009 5:56 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Um.....
You’re not…..
You’re not……. being serious……. are you?
FSU, please tell me that was sarcasm. Do I have to break out the Happy Gilmore quote?
He's FSU. The actual university.
Whaddya expect him to say?
by pillsburysoldier on Aug 8, 2009 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions
I think he's serious
Allow me to try and lend a helping hand lol. I suppose if you look at the lack of Defense played in the Big 12, the superb line play surrounding them and the fact that both were in their second (and McCoy’s case) third season starting, Ponder could very well have a break out season that none of us were expecting . . . anything is possible right? Colt McCoy played like hot garbage his sophomore year only to be one of the top 3 QB’s in the nation the very next year . . . anything is possible (I won’t believe Christian Ponder is in the same league as those players until I see it with my own eyes starting on Labor Day and ending in January 2010 week after week), but like I said . . . Its not impossible.
Not to mention
Bradford displays, hell, EXCELS at a bunch of NFL QB qualities. His accuracy is freaking UNREAL.
by pillsburysoldier on Aug 8, 2009 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions
idk if its the garnett and gold in my blood
but i have high hopes for ponder also.
colt and sam are great qb’s, but ponder i think is following in the same mold, so im in the same boat as FSU, swirling the ice in my cup of kool-aid.
I know there are similarities
A lot actually. Its impossible to say whether or not he can ever have that kind of success but I wouldn’t pissed at any man that says Ponder isn’t in the same league as Bradford and McCoy because as it stands today that is 1000% true. But on the flipside, if he really has progressed as much as is being reported, an improved O-line a more explosive and sustainable run game and the year of both good and bad experience gained by Ponder could prove to pay off in a big way for us this season. He’s a QB from Texas which is usually a plus and he honestly isn’t lacking ANY Physical tool necessary to be an impressive QB. He has the arm strength and can make every throw necessary on the field, he’s 6’2 223 lbs and has made very impressive gains in the weight room benching 400+ and power cleaning 300+. He has the athletic ability to run and we all know just how intelligent he is after graduating in 2 years from the school of business with a 3.7 GPA. Its an impressive resume to boast but he HAS TO SHOW THAT IT CAN ALL COME TOGETHER ON THE FIELD. Until then, its just a resume. Nothing more, nothing less. Chris Rix had an impressive resume as well (wonderful difference between the 2 of them is that Ponder isn’t an idiot like Rix was).
My point
That’s my point. He has the physical tools, seemingly has the mental tools and now has a solid year under his belt as the starter and now (like the guys at OU & Texas) he has an offensive line that will give him time to hit weapons that will give him gaudy numbers.
(Kool-Aid sip) Look at it this way … If you put those other two in the same situation as Ponder was last year (better defenses and a shakier offensive line and freshmen/first year players as his best threats Reed, Easterling & Surrency) … Would they have numbers that were really that different or better?
(Gargling the Kool-Aid) We have receivers, we have backs, we have a line coach who knows what he’s doing combined w/ a strength coach who knows what he’s doing …. AND and offensive coordinator who’s solution to moving the chains isnt just JUMP BALL.
LOL. I’m giddy … But I still take Ponder.
by FSU on Aug 8, 2009 6:40 PM EDT up reply actions
I would give Bradford and McCoy the edge in experience & that translates also into accuracy
I would also give them the edge in supporting cast the last two years.
I would have to give Ponder the edge in arm strength, mobility and mental acuity. He also has two years left to play and they don’t.
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Bradford
He has a good arm but not a great arm. He is not John Elway but will probably be the #1 pick next year. His body type also gives the impression a solid hit could end his career. He is however extremely accurate.
Don’t forget Bradford was the local hometown boy and a three star athlete slated to back up Bomar much like Ponder at FSU. He had a break out year last year with over 40 touchdown touchdown passes and he is certainly better than Jason White or Josh Heupel.
McCoy on the other hand has questionable arm strength and that is not really debated by many pro scouts. He once again is very accurate however.
If Bradford or McCoy had played behind the FSU line last year it is doubtful they would be discussed as elite quarterbacks. They might not even be alive as they are not as mobile as Ponder.
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Extending plays
Doc,
Thats where I like our OB situation … They both can extend plays with their legs if that have to or so designed
by FSU on Aug 8, 2009 7:03 PM EDT up reply actions
I would have to give Ponder the edge in arm strength, mobility and mental acuity
How do you measure mental acuity without working with all three of them? Because a ton of NFL Scouts would like to know…
The kool-aid
might have a little whiskey in it.
Mmm……whiskey. Don’t mind if I do!
by pillsburysoldier on Aug 8, 2009 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions
I keep posting this in the wrong place
Let’s remember
Putting on pads has absolutely no effect on arm strength, accuracy and tight spirals. Lack of pass protection however can have a very deleterious effect upon it. We still have yet to see on game day what Ponder can do with pass protection. When you have to take off like a jack rabbit it doesn’t make your passing look that crisp.
I think it will be interesting to see just what type pro careers shape up between those 3 quarterbacks.
gahnki I would go by 3.7 GPA and graduating in 2 years at least until we see the wonderlic tests.
I wouldn’t take it for granted Bradford and McCoy are automatically slicker than our quarterback.
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gahnki I would go by 3.7 GPA and graduating in 2 years at least until we see the wonderlic tests.
Football acuity and school intelligence are two completely different things. Smart Football has a good post on this:
Very rarely does a football player use their “rational brain” during a game the way solving a math problem would. Jonah Lehrer, in his book How We Decide, tells a story about Tom Brady. He describes Brady’s mindset as an elite quarterback in the pocket which — especially considering that quarterback is considered maybe the “most intellectually demanding” of all sports positions — is surprisingly instinctual and unthinking. He drops back and scans his receivers. He gets to one and simply lets the ball go. Brady is asked: “Why did you throw it to that guy?” He replies: “I just felt like he was open.” That’s it. That’s it?
Former Eagle coach Buddy Ryan
“I like a smart quarterback a dumb one will get you beat every time!”
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I am with gahnki on this
Speed is a great asset; but it's greater when it's combined with quickness - and there's a big difference.
- Ty Cobb
Bradfords first year
He accounted for 3126 yards with a pretty good cast around him and they lost to Colorado, Texas Tech and West Virginia.
Ponder accounted for 2429 total yards including his rushing in the first year ending a string of winning streaks by Clemson 3 and Miami 1.
If FSU were coming off a season having just lost to the above I would not be near as optimistic. We did beat Colorado.
I think it is safe to say Bradford’s starting tackles were not off a few months from the senior prom.
Colt McCoy threw for 2570 yards his first year. Texas was beaten by Texas A&m, Kansas State and Ohio State.
Neither quarterback did much better than Ponder in their first year and I think many would give Ponder a mulligan and a pat on the back for winning nine games under very difficult and extenuating circumstances which we should all be familiar with.
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also remember that 9 could have been
10 or 11. Despite the poor display in the BC game we were very much in that game only losing by 10 (our defense was terrible and our running game was non-existent). And we all know the story at GT.
I would take ponder over the other 2 also
Ponder has some legs. With Our Off we need legs. he might not be the best out of the group but he is the fastest. Thats what we need I think.
Why is the sky blue? Because, God Loves the Infantry
Running is Christians best attribute.
Hopefully with time to pass this year he proves me and other doubters wrong about his passing ability. I am not holding my breath.
Speed is a great asset; but it's greater when it's combined with quickness - and there's a big difference.
- Ty Cobb
Do you remember the feeling in November 2007....
….when he hit De’Cody with a beautiful touch pass in traffic for a TD against VTech? I didn’t even know what he looked like before that game. I was thinking, “Wow, this kid has some touch, instincts, and brass balls”.
I think he can recapture that if he’s able to block out the past and gain confidence in himself.
Passing wise no, at least he has not shown it yet.
Speed is a great asset; but it's greater when it's combined with quickness - and there's a big difference.
- Ty Cobb
I think its incredibly early to speak that way
As many have mentioned before, he definitely isn’t the first QB to struggle passing in his first year starting. There were a lot of reasons contributing to his poor passing numbers that for the most part were out of his control.
Incredibly early?
He played an entire year at QB. Rix had a better first year, 700 more yards through the air, 10 more TDs, better completion %. Same can be said for Weatherford, 1000 more yards, 4 more TDs. Rix and Weatherford both had significantly better numbers during their first campaigns. Also lets not forget Rix was in his 2nd year at FSU and Weatherford his first, as opposed to Ponder in his 3rd when becoming starters.
Speed is a great asset; but it's greater when it's combined with quickness - and there's a big difference.
- Ty Cobb
Ponder's one season was more successful....
With a worse defense. You know what 5000 yards got Drew Brees in Jan? A seat in from of his big screen to watch the Super Bowl…
I have six locks on my door all in a row. When I go out, I only lock every other one. I figure no matter how long somebody stands there picking the locks, they are always locking three.
Elayne Boosler
Yes entirely too early.
Chris Rix played on a team with a much better offensive line and skill players that had already been established at FSU. Don’t give me Greg Carr because he was terribly overrated in his time at FSU. Ponder had 2 tackles that were FRESHMAN. Tackle is probably the most important position on the line. Charlie Ward didn’t have a favorable first season starting for FSU numbers wise. He went on to be one of if not the best College QB of all time. Not saying Ponder is destined to do so but it is too early to tell. And please stop with the Drew Weatherford non-sense, regardless of the type of first season Weatherford had it was clear to everyone (coaches included) that after that first season and 2 more of experience that Ponder was the better QB. There wasn’t a single time last season that I thought Weatherford would have done any better than Ponder.
Chris Leak (National Champ)
Vince Young (National Champ/Heisman finalist)
Both had shaky first years as starters. Ponder has yet to take the field with odds in his favor so yes I stand by my claim that it is incredibly early. He has 2 full years of eligibility left and will coming back with a solid Offensive Line in front of him. Don’t forget that our record last season very easily could have been 10-3 or even 11-2. With Weatherford at QB we wouldn’t have even SNIFFED 10 wins.
I like your optimism
Just wanted to point out that not all, or even many “first year starters” had shaky first years, most of the past Seminoles first year starters had far superior numbers than Ponder through the air, as evidenced with Rix and Weatherford. Now this whole thing started when I said I thought Ponder in essence is not a good passer, and I stand by that. That does not mean that he doesn’t possess the intangibles that make quality college QBs, I think he does.
Speed is a great asset; but it's greater when it's combined with quickness - and there's a big difference.
- Ty Cobb
well I like Ponder
I dont think hes a great passing QB yet but He is what we need right now. A QB that wants to lead this team. Someone that is not going to quit or work on his stats by throwing for 5 when we need 6 or sliding so he dont get hit on 3rd and whatever. Also Didnt Rex have a better o-line thank ponder.
Why is the sky blue? Because, God Loves the Infantry
well all he has to do is keep his feet and improve 10%
With a O-line improvment that should happen. With a better running game his running and passing should improve. Wont know tell the 3rd game to find out how much.
Why is the sky blue? Because, God Loves the Infantry
shorts, and helmets, no pads
All good things aside, let’s remember that for a little bit.
Not surprised to see Toshmon getting the starter thing with McNeil’s…speed bump
by pillsburysoldier on Aug 8, 2009 5:28 PM EDT reply actions
Moving forward
Everette and Toshman have already put in more work than the guy they’d be replacing, and in 1/4th the time.
by The K-Man on Aug 8, 2009 5:38 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Agreed
I’d even argue that Brandon Jenkins has as well (already). Kevin McNeil’s talent has never been in question but his work ethic always has. In my opinion we have some true gems in the aforementioned Toshman and in Jenkins. They’ve both received rave reviews in regards to both talent AND work ethic and the fact that they’re so early off in their careers would lead one to believe that they aren’t done developing and will continue to work hard. After McNeil’s big year a couple of seasons ago he’s almost been a no show. I don’t expect the same for the ones behind him and if he’s not careful he could be backing them up once his academic issues are cleared.
How much more weight
Can Dawkins put on his frame? It seemed really weird to me to move him to inside (even though the need was there) and I was always under the impression his natural place was on the outside.
by pillsburysoldier on Aug 8, 2009 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions
I wish mini-bar had another year of eligibility left
it was awesome seeing him out there
by pillsburysoldier on Aug 8, 2009 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions
It is on the outside
as is Justin Mincey’s but Odell Haggins’ obsession with malnourished interior lineman left us bare and reaching to make every lineman that came in a DT or NG. Both Everette Dawkins and Justin Mincey should both be DE’s right now but are playing out of position (obviously Mincey has been doing so his entire career and is still undersized at 278). I don’t know how much more weight Dawkins can put on but right now he’s a little over 265. Which is still a good weight to play on the edge.
Weight's there
I hope we can get the right people so we can move him back on the outside, and that he still has that agility for the edge.
LSU v FSU on Sunsports right now
by pillsburysoldier on Aug 8, 2009 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions
It wouldn't be difficult for me to see
Dawkins get kind of lost in the shuffle if he doesn’t nail down and become successful at a position very soon (this is to no fault of his own). Considering that next season Markus White, Toshman Stevens, Brandon Jenkins and Jamar Jackson will all be back. Corey Miller coming in, hopefully Brandon Willis and Damien Jacobs (who we both anticipate will be in the class). Amp McCloud making it in, Jacobbi and Demonte both developing. It’ll be hell to get on the field for an undersized interior lineman very very soon. Couple that with DE’s that I just mentioned and its easy to say Dawkins has his work cut out for him. Hopefully he’ll really use it as motivation and we can see the absolute best that he has to offer at either position.
Plus cummings
http://today.sportingnews.com/sportingnewstoday/20081229/?pg=2
by tdchrisdavis on Aug 8, 2009 6:24 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
jeez, we are in prime position to have a scary DL the next couple years.
Jamar Jackson’s been kinda silent since he’s been on campus. I can’t imagine him challenging that much without a big turn-around this season.
by pillsburysoldier on Aug 8, 2009 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Well apparently he's healthy
for the first time in a long time. A lot of people are saying he shouldn’t be written off just yet.
And yes my bad, I did forget about Cummings and Tavares Barnes (who will undoubtedly be a beast as well)
Let’s remember
Putting on pads has absolutely no effect on arm strength, accuracy and tight spirals. Lack of pass protection however can have a very deleterious effect upon it. We still have yet to see on game day what Ponder can do with pass protection. When you have to take off like a jack rabbit it doesn’t make your passing look that crisp.
I think it will be interesting to see just what type pro careers shape up between those 3 quarterbacks.
gahnki I would go by 3.7 GPA and graduating in 2 years at least until we see the wonderlic tests.
I wouldn’t take it for granted Bradford and McCoy are automatically slicker than our quarterback.
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Let's remember
Putting on pads has absolutely no effect on arm strength, accuracy and tight spirals. Lack of pass protection however can have a very deleterious effect upon it. We still have yet to see on game day what Ponder can do with pass protection. When you have to take off like a jack rabbit it doesn’t make your passing look that crisp.
I think it will be interesting to see just what type pro careers shape up between those 3 quarterbacks.
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^_^
i must have kool-aid for blood, but i am reallllyy optimistic for the season, a powerful o-line (with greenlee and davis in the starting line up means we’ll have spurlock and sanders as backups meaning depth also), 3 running backs with potenial big play ablity from chris thompson (therefore adding a 4th running back) , goodman starting from game 1, taiwan full strength…..am i too optimistic or do i have grounds, what do yall think?
You have grounds
I think we all do but we’ve been jaded and disappointed in the past so we all tend to use terms such as “cautiously optimistic” because we don’t want to get too excited only to be burned later on.
Just think back to the first 18 minutes of that 2007 Clemson game for a reminder of how fast things can go bad. LOL
A lot of things can go wrong
When Shannon Boatman and David Overmeyer are your offensive line and Drew is your quarterback and nobody on the team can bench 400 pounds.
But this is not 2007.
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Pretty sure Trickett is just trying to push Sanders and Spurlock...
Especially Sanders…that kid is loaded with talent…
I have six locks on my door all in a row. When I go out, I only lock every other one. I figure no matter how long somebody stands there picking the locks, they are always locking three.
Elayne Boosler
That is the MO on Trickett
You are first team until the next practice.
That is what the boys at WVU say. If Trickett sees you take a few plays off you are most likely going to be watching the next game from the bench.
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I Hope You Guys are Happy!
I just proclaimed to my tennis partner (who is a rabid Gator) to put it down in ink. Tebow and the hapless water lizards are going down in the Swamp! Why do I do this EVERY season, you guys and TN are a bad influence on me!
Lol blame it on the alcohol
the alcohol laced kool-aid that is.
Stick with the red koolaid
The blue sucks and take you the other ways.
The hype is all about the Offense. But none on the def. If you want to think that we are going to go 10+ this year you have to understand and know that Our Def is going to have to do what the o-line did last year. They dont have to be the best every play but they have to make the most out of what they. have. And hope the Offense outscores everyone else. When we play teams like GT, UNC, Clempson, and NCST we have to stop them at least 3 time and just outscore them. Its going to look like the Big-12 last year.
Why is the sky blue? Because, God Loves the Infantry
jfree
Welcome aboard I think you have carefully dissected the situation.
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Apparently this Jonathan Johnson transfer kid
could contribute to some extent as well. I don’t know much about him at all but he’s 6’5 250 and playing DE. I suppose we’ll see if he has the talent to make anything happen in the weeks to come.
I'm not sure. Some JUCO?
Like I said I just heard about this kid like today lol.
http://floridastate.rivals.com/viewpros … 088#ticker
Was a juco class of 2008 signed with lynn made the grades and decided to transfer and did so.
Here are his stats from 2007
Johnson,Jonathan 7 games played 11 solo tackles 10 ass 16.0 total 5.0 tfls for 23 yards 1.5 sacks for 9 yards 1 quarter back hurry.
Link didn’t go through. Can you post again, please?
"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable."
"But How will I know limits from lies, if I never try."
by geoffissiffoeg on Aug 8, 2009 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Sorry for the delay
http://floridastate.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?pr_key=78088#ticker
Not very much information there but its all I could find.
A little bit of digging
This link shows after the 2007 season he transferred to Arkansas Tech.
No info at all about a “Jonathan Johnson” at Arkansas Tech.
This roster shows he was a sophomore for the 2007 season. Could be we’re looking at a RS Junior?
"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable."
"But How will I know limits from lies, if I never try."
by geoffissiffoeg on Aug 8, 2009 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Its a mystery
Hopefully he can be a Bobby Bouche’. A bit of a diamond in the rough ready to wreak havoc on the ACC and bring a reign of terror to all Seminole opponents!!!!
Either that or serviceable player that provides depth to a D-line that needs it. You know, whatever’s clever lol
MVPs
One aside as we’re beginning camp … With the numbers the kids have been putting up in the weight room the off-season & Easterling returning. Anyone think that our real MVPs maybe the Strength & Conditioning staff and the Athletic training Staff?
They along with younger players having experience are the reason for the Kool-Aid party :)
After 2 days of practice, some of us are not only drinking the Kool-Aid, but also
>-----:----:------>Spear 'em then Scalp 'em
Light one up for our noles!
Maybe just a cigar
by pillsburysoldier on Aug 8, 2009 9:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Frank
This is not jumping out to anybody else?
After two days of studying the practice reports I can see now that nobody will stop us. There will be one big play after another as we grind down hapless opponents. Nobody will know what is happening.
I am really beginning to look down my nose at the also rans and wannabes of college football.
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I love these comments on Ponder
I hope it’s not another case of people getting too hyped up about Fall practice. It seems like every year we are reading the same type of stuff, but hopefully this year it comes true and Ponder has a break out year.
ME TOO!
I just want to see this superstar I keep hearing about on game days.
Ponder and past QBs
I like this kid, but he has a hell of a lot to prove before we start comparing him to Danny Mac!
Danny was a VERY good college Qb.
Cedat Fortuna Peritis
by spear72 on Aug 8, 2009 10:42 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Offense
I think we’re just all excited about an offense that has the ability to run, pass & a QB who has an experience with an offense to understand it and can extend plays on his own when he needs/has to run – And this is the 1st time they’ve had a chance to get on the field
Danny MACmanus
as Bobby Bowden would call him, may have been my favorite FSU QB. His strength was his brains. But to be fair:
- He had been in the system for 4 years before he started his first and only season.
- He had a very solid O line to protect him (The Ionata boys and others)
- He was not as mobile as Ponder
- He was not as tall as Ponder
- He was nowhere as strong as Ponder.
Let’s see where Ponder is his senior year. I think we’ll like the comparison. A lot.
by PeachTreeNole on Aug 9, 2009 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions
I am cautiously optimistic. Every preseason you here good things so that early practice days has me less excited than the numbers given from the preseason workouts. Knowing guys are putting on lean muscle and retaining speed, or even getting faster is great.
Though Kevin McNeil may not be a start to come this year, I hope he can play just for depth’s sake. I want the coaches to be able to rotate lots of guys to keep them fresh.
I am somewhat being a devil's advocate here
On the other hand I am trying to show there is really no empirical evidence as yet to show that Ponder cannot be an elite quarterback.
He has all the tools needed in comparison with aforementioned quarterbacks other than height and I think his mobility makes up for that.
As I have shown the others did not set the world on fire their first year and Ponder has variables in this equation which also favor him.
I can tell you that Charlie Ward and Peter Tom Willis were interception machines also their first year and I can remember telling friends and associates they would never be an FSU quarterback. Weinke struggled also. So I won’t make that mistake on Ponder.
It is my opinion that much of the pessimism here is a result of FSU falling from prominence as opposed to real attributes that could be associated with Ponder. Christian is going to do as well as his offensive line will allow him. That is basically the machine that drives an offense. It is like saying such and such driver is going to win the firecracker 400 with a volkswaggon engine installed in the vehicle.
It is a mindset that coaches are now in the process of eliminating from the players and I think they are well under way in this regard.
Fisher himself is changing the offense fairly drastically from what he used at LSU with Trickett’s zone blocking schemes. He is known as a coach who is very adept at using the talent on hand and fitting them with schemes.
At LSU remember he did not have final say on his offensive lines coaches and other assistants. He had to work around Lester Miles there and there is a substantial list of coaches who had problems doing that.
He is also very good at relaying such concepts to recruits as he has been a virtual recruiting machine since he has been at FSU. Once the program is back in the top 10 it will be rolling down hill from there.
Let us remember than in some circles Fisher was rated around the #3 offensive coordinator in the nation. Some of hoopla wore off the first year with a 7-6 record but last year bear in mind he was ACC offensive coordinator of the year. He probably will be again this year.
Some coaches have not gotten on too well with Nick Saban but it doesn’t seem to be the case with Fisher as he is quoted as saying "It would be hard to find anyone who knew more about football than Nick Saban. " The feeling seems to be mutual as Saban commented in regard to Fisher, “He has no weaknesses as a coach, none.”
So for now it is all hearsay and opinions but the opinion I will go with is that of Fisher when he calls Ponder an NFL type quarterback. Fisher has been there and done that vaulting Jamarcus Russell into the number one pick and placing more quarterbacks in the NFL than I care to list at this point.
I think he knows quarterbacks better than anyone on this board and for now I will stick with his opinion on the matter. I also watch the games and it is very evident Ponder can thread the needle when he has an opportunity. I hope he has the opportunity to stand in the pocket this year and deliver the football.
I hate to call a big year for Ponder because it seems every time I do that something happens. I was adamant the Tavares Presley and Ty Jones would be a tremendous boost last year and both were injured. But I am still anxious to see how they do this year.
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On the other hand I am trying to show there is really no empirical evidence as yet to show that Ponder cannot be an elite quarterback.
The Gators’ fans say he won’t be. And they’re always right. They called us “DelusioNoles” and said that we think we “don’t have an inferiority complex towards UF, and that [we] really wanted the 2 star WR from Mississippi that no one’s ever heard of over the 4 star RB from Florida.” … Look in the comments section for one by NGator
Well, let’s compare theirs careers so far, shall we?
Taiwan Easterling – 322 Rec yds, 20 Rush yds, 1 TD as a RS Freshman. Could be a starter and have a HUGE season in 2009
Antwain Easterling – 85 Rush yds, 0 TD as a true frosh in 2007; kicked off the team Feb. 2008.
I think we got the man we wanted. lol
"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable."
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by geoffissiffoeg on Aug 9, 2009 12:09 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
My wife has been picking on me today
I become more prone to debate when that is the case.
I am also usually more vocal as the season draws near.
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one liner
For Doc that was a one liner. A dissertation from Doc would crash the server.
Cedat Fortuna Peritis
by spear72 on Aug 8, 2009 11:31 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
LOL
“…do not keep babling as the pagans do, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.” (Mt. 6:7)
by PeachTreeNole on Aug 10, 2009 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions
I will try and remember to shorten my responses.
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