Florida State 1/3rd Way Through Spring Practice
by Bud Elliott on Mar 23, 2010 10:17 AM EDT
in FSU Football
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PrintFree Video Interview of Jimbo Fisher
- FSU was in full pads today and got after it. They are definitely hitting.
- The defense is focusing on invidual assignments and then working on the mesh when they all come together as a unit.
Fisher specifically cited a handful of players as standing out to this point, including free safety Terrance Parks, defensive tackles Amp McCloud and Everette Dawkins and a host of linebackers, including veterans Nigel Bradham and Kendall Smith."Nigel Carr has come far," Fisher said of the rising junior strongside backer, who is challenging to replace graduated standout Dekoda Watson. "His demeanor and attitude - he's jumping around, making plays - has really changed."
And it goes without saying that continued improvement is expected from that side of the football. "The more you know the road, the faster you go on it," Fisher added. ...
"It's been a little bit tougher," said Ochuko Jenije. "I was under Coach [Mickey] Andrews for four years, so I got to the point where you knew pretty much what he was going to call. It's been a transition. ... It's definitely more difficult because of the scheme."I like the challenge (of learning a new scheme), but I'd like to see me succeed a little more. I'm confident that I'm coming along."
Jenije has been amazed by the level of energy and omnipresence of Stoops, his new position coach.
"He's everywhere," he said. "He'll be with the D-line, the linebackers, the secondary. He's a great teacher, but you've got to focus and learn. He's got all kinds of terminology. You've just got to know football to play in this defense and I'm learning." --Seminoles Press Release
And having playbooks that enterprising players will take home and study helps. I'm told that Dawkins has really been performing quite well and that is great news with Moses McCray out (elbow). The Parks praise is extremely encouraging as FSU looks to control the middle of the field.
Look to TomahawkNation for more on the new defense in the coming months. We'll be pooling the resources of the entire SBN network to explain what FSU will run and why running certain schemes is smart for Florida State.
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“It’s been a little bit tougher,” said Ochuko Jenije. "I was under Coach [Mickey] Andrews for four years, so I got to the point where you knew pretty much what he was going to call. It’s been a transition. … It’s definitely more difficult because of the scheme. "
Yeah, you and everyone else, Ochuko!
Always wanted to be first...
Good to hear Coach Fisher referencing JMan as having a good spring. Very encouraging, as he’s gonna be a nightmare for ACC defenses
by Randall W. Spetman on Mar 22, 2010 7:44 PM EDT reply actions
Oooh, if you ain't first you're last.
MiNDSET? SWAG-ER-ISM!!!
---------------------------------------------------------
"Trick is right."
"Wherever you are, Trick, you are wise, indeed."
I just wanna go fast...
"If lessons were learned in defeat, our team is getting a great education." -Murray Warmath
that doesn't even make sense
you could be 2nd, 3rd, 4th…hell you could even be 5th!
by DownByTheRiverWalkinOnWater on Mar 23, 2010 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions
The thing is, I was first!
When I first posted, then I logged back in later to see that coonhound had supplanted me. He must have super powers.
by Randall W. Spetman on Mar 23, 2010 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions
I would not be surprised by Parks being good
He seemed to be good in the All American game he played in his senior year if I am not mistaken.
"Nigel Carr has come far," Fisher said of the rising junior strongside backer
Is that correct? I thought everyone was expecting him to be a weakside backer.
"Change is inevitable. Growth is optional." - John C. Maxwell
Nobody knows at all right now.
They are at every LB position. Additionally, the people writing this up are questionable at best with their knowledge. They consistently misspell player names, etc.
There was also some comment the other day that the Will is the Sam in this defense
Bc the Will lines up against the strong side of the offensive line, so maybe the statement is accurate? And yes, its not a good sign that I’m reaching to clarify a statement from FSU ID
"I got a PBS mind in an MTV world"...Jimmy Buffett
by The Ryno and I Know on Mar 23, 2010 9:09 AM EDT up reply actions
The bigger point here,
is that we have a head coach who knows the players’ names and what they’re doing!
And a defensive coordinator who’s teaching and making sure all the units get taught!
Man, this is new feeling…
Bring back Peter Tom- a true Nole!
by PeachTreeNole on Mar 22, 2010 9:29 PM EDT up reply actions
a tingly feeling of hope?
"I am the way, the truth, and the life...no one gets to the Father but through Me"
sounds like the flu to me
"I am the way, the truth, and the life...no one gets to the Father but through Me"
Could this just be a terminology mix-up
Didn’t bradham say the defense is really flipped, ie the strong side of the defense being on the weak side of the offense. Not sure what that means either, just a thought.
by BenDNole on Mar 22, 2010 10:59 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
He did and it could be
but in breaking down what Nigel said, it didn’t make any sense. I think he was confusing strong side with the boundary and the field. Taking straight what he said, he said that he would be aligning over the tight end and be on the weak side of the offense. And the tight is is typically the strong side. I’m trying to make sense of this.
by Bud Elliott on Mar 22, 2010 11:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Makes sense
I’d assume (no offense to bradham) that he would more likely be mixing up terminology than jimbo.
by BenDNole on Mar 22, 2010 11:30 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Well Fisher was asked who would replace Dekoda Watson
not necessarily what position the replacement would play.
by Bud Elliott on Mar 22, 2010 11:49 PM EDT up reply actions
We are running an over front
So what Nigel said makes perfect sense.
our linebackers flipped
We are going to be running an over front predominantly so the Sam is still the Sam but he plays on the weakside of the defense. Very confusing! When we play an under front he’ll have the same responsiblities he’ll just line up on a different side.
thanks..
was going to post it but trying to teach lol. Over fronts are way more important then geometry.
The play(s) that concern me out of that formation:
Toss sweep out of I-formation to the strong side. If the OLB (in this case the Will) gets chopped by the FB, and the CB is stalk-blocked…..then the RB is 1-on-1 with the safety for a potentially long game. Then again, #22 is gone.
Option to the strong side out any 2 back set. Tackle blocks down on the 3-technique, then combos to MLB. TE has a straight down block on the OLB (Will). DE is left alone & QB pitches off of him. You now have a free blocker (FB) leading the RB down the field.
These are, of course, worst-case scenarios, and neither of them account for a SS who may be rolled up to cover the strong-side flat in cover-3
Oderint Dum Metuant
I assume we're playing cover-3 out of it as well.
by Bud Elliott on Mar 24, 2010 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions
At least.
I’d guess cover 2 cover 3 a zone blitz scheme, and some push cover 2, then suddenly…..man!
of coarse all with various adjustments and blitzes.
Yeah, right!
A lot of that, I'm sure.....
…But there is also quarters (in which case the SS would not be rolled up), and cover-2 (ditto). I am biased against what—essentially—amounts to the SDE playing 2 gaps. My personal preference is either put him in a “5” technique on the outside shoulder of the OT and be solely responsible for the C gap with the OLB pinching the TE (a traditional “over” defense), or put him in a “9” on the outside shoulder of the TE with the OLB sitting in the C gap on the inside shoulder of the TE.
As I said before, those were “worst case” scenarios….ones which I expect to be a factor no more then 2 or 3 times/game—where Coach Stoops (a far smarter football mind then I) will have a wrinkle for it.
This is FAR better then the “worst case scenarios” we saw last year, such as:
“Oh shit…..GaTech’s offense has the ball”
(worst-case scenario)
Oderint Dum Metuant
by DRusso97 on Mar 24, 2010 9:16 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I think he will be playing the 9 or the 5 depending on where we want Nigel.
Post more, I enjoy reading.
It also depends on the DE
A big, strong DE you would want in a 5 more, because he can jack up the OT and set a shorter edge. Having him in a 9 on passing downs puts him at a disadvantage in pass rushing because he has much further to go to engage the OT. (unless he simply uses that extra 1.5-2 yards’ worth of steam to bull rush)
A lighter, faster DE is better off in a 9, where his primary engagement will be a more athletic (but smaller & weaker) TE. Putting an undersized DE in the C gap exposes him to the OT in the running game—all the Tackle has to do is get his hands on his jersey/shoulder pads & yank him around until he is blocked.
Also, should the 9-technique DE squeeze the TE and effectively eliminate the C gap, then the OLB is basically free to flow to the ball……DT takes B, DE squeezes TE eliminating C while simultaneously maintaining outside leverage/playside contain, OLB & DE are 2-on-2 with single blocker & TB. OR, DE forces QB to option pitch, OLB flows freely to ball.
These are better-case scenarios….
Oderint Dum Metuant
I like Markus at the 9 squeezing the TE
That’s what Fisher implied a few weeks ago and what he hopes he can do. Though if the TE is away him as a 5 works as well.
Rec'd
You brought knowledge and still found time to make me laugh. Well done, I say, well done.
"I got a PBS mind in an MTV world"...Jimmy Buffett
by The Ryno and I Know on Mar 25, 2010 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions
Good to hear the Parks praise.
I’m hoping somebody, anybody, puts a strangle hold on the safety positions. I’m tired of seeing average (at best) play out of our safeties the last few years. I hope he keeps it up.
I'd love to see Parks dominate back there like many of us thought he could coming in
A big athletic guy back there that will tackle and can cover when needed will be a huge step in the right direction
Fortson doing the "little things" huh?
“His best Spring practice ever”, Wow!
by westcoastnolefan on Mar 22, 2010 8:21 PM EDT reply actions
I really hope Fortson, Carr, and either Parks or Harley step up their games a few levels this year
They are the best athletes at their respective positions and give the team more upide( I look at Carr as a Will), so they must contribute a great deal
by westcoastnolefan on Mar 22, 2010 8:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Basically, all the players are confused by the new scheme and terminology
It’s definitely more difficult because of the scheme.
He’s got all kinds of terminology. You’ve just got to know football to play in this defense and I’m learning."
and noone knows what Stoops is talking about
Well, they haven't heard any of those words before. What do you expect?
Especially words like “tackle”, “contain”, and “cover”
by Randall W. Spetman on Mar 22, 2010 8:42 PM EDT up reply actions
RonRico the rum or RonRico the boat capitan?
It's a beautiful day in Tallahassee
by RaysnNoles on Mar 22, 2010 10:33 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Hello everyone
Not really new here, I come daily but decided to sign up.
I love this site and everyones comments
GO NOLES
Making big strides
I am disgusted by how little Jody Allen did here. It is ridiculous. The new defensive coaches think that the defensive ends just screwed around in practice all year.
Is the new defensive staff happy with the talent level?
Unlike when Fisher got here and found an cupboard bare, are they at least happy that they have enough talent to field a credible defense this year? Its hard not to get bursts of irrational exuberance about the progress they are making but I want to keep it grounded in reality.
Sheriff Branford: The fact that you are a sheriff is not germane to the situation.
Buford T. Justice: The god damn Germans got nothin' to do with it!
Excellent point, Gonz
I think there is much more talent here (plus that which was just brought in) than the amount of offensive talent that was here when Jimbo arrived. Much higher starting point IMO
A talent upgrade from their previous schools as well
I would imagine that Stoops, Hudson and especially Eliot are looking at a more talented group then they had before. I know that Stoops and Hudson have been around top talent in their careers so they probably have a higher level of expectation.
Jimbo definitely helped get the overall talent level up. It’s funny how the offensive coordinator was involved in bringing in the top talent on the D side too.
Sheriff Branford: The fact that you are a sheriff is not germane to the situation.
Buford T. Justice: The god damn Germans got nothin' to do with it!
Thanks Bud
I think Jenkins will for sure start,
but didn’t he lose weight?
Hopefully he add’s a good 10-15 lbs
He did drop some
I think well see lots of rotation on the DL this year. There’s not much difference between some of the guys.
true the 2nd guy may as well be considered a starter... then theirs down, distance and game clock....
It will get really giggy at that point.
Yeah, right!
Dawkins
I am going out on a long limb here and saying I think Ev. Dawkins will be our best DL this upcoming season. He fits this style so well. He may not start because at 270 he won’t be able to maintain that many reps but I think he’s going to be a real terror moving around and penetrating.
He can be an excellent asset for 30 maybe even 40 snaps per game
Tough, quick player with good leverage (usually).
Plus, he’s 269 right now. I bet he is 280 by fall.
Do you think Stoops will employ the Dawkins + 3 DE's on passing downs that we did some last year?
Or maybe Dawkins, 2 DE’s and MIster
I'd rather have a NT who can consistently stalemate two blockers on passing downs
While Jaccobi and the ends are able to get as many one on ones as possible. I hope we have THAT player on our squad
by westcoastnolefan on Mar 22, 2010 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions
New energy
Longer time reader finally signed up. I love this site. I have already recommended to 5 people. Thanks for the insight Bud
Cjones6121=Carlton Jones?
No. Maybe if he has a break out year or maybe just rename my son after him.
Safety
When is the last time we actually had a playmaking safety or a hard hitting safety. I remember last year Jamie Robinson was the second coming but he underperformed. Please give me some hope for this year.
Myron played really well for us but our defense asked him to cover slot receivers as a strong safety and that's not much of an opportunity to make plays
We saw this year, however, what happened without Myron.
Before Myron we had Kyler hall and Roger Williams. As teams adjusted to our scheme, it became more difficult for the safeties to make plays.
We don’t need Parks to reinvent the wheel. We need consistency and prevention of explosive plays.
by Bud Elliott on Mar 22, 2010 10:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Tough to make plays the stand out
given the “scheme” last year, so I think its hard to say Jamie underperformed. More accurate to say he was not put in a position to make plays.
by Brian Ahern on Mar 22, 2010 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed. Mangum was the larger culprit though I think you can say Jamie underperformed without saying he was terrible.
Interceptions are not a good way to judge a DB
by Bud Elliott on Mar 22, 2010 10:36 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't agree that Jamie underperformed. I think people picked on Mangum relentlessly and he....
attempted to compenate for that at times.
Watch the GTech game He actually was a beast against option from the FS spot… problem is he was the ONLY ONE on the whole defense.
Yeah, right!
Schedule
Jimbo had said something about making a weaker schedule. I know they set up schedules years in advanced. When will be the first schedule he can actually change?
Already has, dropped AF
It's a beautiful day in Tallahassee
by RaysnNoles on Mar 22, 2010 10:41 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Already has, dropped AF
Didn’t they drop us. I am talking more about teams like OU or BYU. Although I think we will be BYU again this year.
The official line is that they wanted out
I want him to get WVU off. We’ll see what he can do.
>>---l>
They did drop us.
It’s too late to drop Oklahoma or BYU. Plus, BYU should suck this year (losing like 7 defensive starters, their QB, their best wr, te, and rb, and 2 olinemen).
We need to drop either WVU or USF for 2012 because that schedule is stupid.
by Bud Elliott on Mar 22, 2010 10:46 PM EDT up reply actions
I debated this for 30 minutes yesterday...
with my fiancee. She is still convinced that playing close games against better competition helps in the long run and builds team character. I pointed out that this isn’t like Indy getting a regular season read on NE’s defense in preparation for the playoffs. When you play that close game in college, you’re a missed kick or phantom celebration call away from a season-crippling loss.
I'll say it again: Folks cannot have it both ways
You can’t want to have an “NFL” OOC schedule, and then come Febuary complain when the coaching staff has problems selling a .500 program to recruits. 3 pinatas and UF is all the OOC schedule we need. Gotta ‘play the game’ nowadays
by westcoastnolefan on Mar 23, 2010 1:05 AM EDT up reply actions
Agreed
the most important thing we can do is win games. Period. Nothing even comes close. Winning games helps with ranking and recruiting more than anything else. There’s a lot of talent out there that FSU is just incapable of signing at this point b/c (and only b/c) of our record.
Nothing can stop us....
She's obviously not the one then
It's a beautiful day in Tallahassee
by RaysnNoles on Mar 23, 2010 7:41 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
I beg to differ
She understands the issues and can argue the point intelligently.
From what I read here, that’s a keeper.
by ladyjustice on Mar 23, 2010 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions
Mine pretends to care, but it's not the same
by FLAK8 on Mar 23, 2010 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
My woman would rather watch a history channel special on Anne Boleyn.
You guys who’s women even ASK questions about sports really piss me off.
by Randall W. Spetman on Mar 23, 2010 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Mine is busy touring and making certain MattD is 500 yards away at all times
"I got a PBS mind in an MTV world"...Jimmy Buffett
by The Ryno and I Know on Mar 25, 2010 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions
Mine sometimes edits my articles
and enjoys baseball.
by Bud Elliott on Mar 24, 2010 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Well played, Rays
Although she gets a free pass on this one since she was a varsity athlete (unlike me) and actually has good insights most of the time.
“Tomahawk Nation – the only FSU site where you’ll find expert analysis of the spread-option, and your relationship.”
I agree
my wife is still hung up on the fact that the coaches name is “Jimbo”….
My wife still thinks Bobby’s the coach.
by ApalachNole on Mar 23, 2010 3:43 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
What do you think.....
……about the Jim Tressel “brilliant” scheduling theme?? - all four non-conference games at home one year, only play one away the next, with the home and away being the only good non-conference team on the schedule. They never play more than five away games in a season the way it’s set up (throw in one occasional neutral site game), and the teams they don’t play home and away with are all pretty much terrible. Eastern Michigan, Bowling Green, Toledo, Akron, etc. Is this an option? After all like you’ve said in the past the voters don’t care about who you’ve beaten, just that you won the games.
I am under the theory that we dropped them regardless of what the official word is
It's a beautiful day in Tallahassee
by RaysnNoles on Mar 22, 2010 10:48 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Spetman does have past connections with AF doesn't he?
Maybe he called in a favor…
favor
asked Ponder to call their AD and get them off our schedule?
by DownByTheRiverWalkinOnWater on Mar 23, 2010 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions
Now why would I do that?
Besides, having Ponder call is an NCAA violation, since he’s still under scholarship.
I got Dekoda to do it.
by Randall W. Spetman on Mar 23, 2010 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I believe WVU is going to slower start to slip off the radar. I believe Rich Rod was the only reason they were ever a good team. USF got a pretty good coach coming in but they will take a step back as well.
They do have good connections with many SoFla schools due to their rock bottom admission standards.
They got Ivan McCartney into school. And Noele Devine. I think WVU will continue to be a good team but not a team that can win BCS games.
by Bud Elliott on Mar 22, 2010 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Someone said McCartney might have qualified at Miami just chose to go to WVU due to PT
He would have been behind a decent fleet of wideouts at UM regardless barring transfers
by westcoastnolefan on Mar 22, 2010 11:30 PM EDT up reply actions
I really wish we played GT this year
I great measure of how far our defense has truly come would be against that GT option. Coach Stoops is preaching assignment football. Well there is no better test than the option. They tore us up with it last year. I think they scored on every other play.
Wake should still be a decent test. They do a lot of misdirection.
Yes and by my count he's not exactly recruiting at the level Chan Gaily was
I.e. eh’s not gonna refill.
Yeah, right!
He's def not.
Also, if he doesn’t throw a few more wrinkles in, he’s going to ultimately find himself behind. Anyone w/ more than 10 days to prepare usually kicks their asses.
Very tricky because its so simple but so damn diff from
what you normally see. Very hard to prepare for in less than a week.
However, like you said, i don’t see them beating the VT’s, UM’s UNC’s etc. on a regular basis. If they are its a BAAAAD reflection on the ACC.
If teams spend 10 minutes at the end of each practice, they should be able to completely stop them just like we did last year.
>-----:----:------>Spear 'em then Scalp 'em
by FrankDNole on Mar 24, 2010 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Not me, unless it's in the ACCCG
"If lessons were learned in defeat, our team is getting a great education." -Murray Warmath
I love the comments Coach Fisher made.
He said some very encouraging things, especially about Parks and Fortson. I am starting to get a pretty good feeling about our d this year.
Looking forward to the analysis of the defensive schemes
I think the technical discussions really set this site apart from others.
Btw, what’s the over/under on how many times in history the word “omnipresence” has been used in the context of a football press release. I’m going with 1.5.
After the spring game....
What do the coaches usually do after the spring game? Are they aloud to still work with the plays like say in the film room… or going over the new playbook? Or is just work out in the weight room everyday?
Come on Terrance!!!!!
I’ve been the most excited and one of the most disappointed fan of his since he signed
Amped
I’m excited about a 300 lb dt in the middle again. Amp should be an improvement over Dud Thacker. We need a Corey Simon type clogger, 260 lb guys just can’t get the job done. Especially, when they are stunted to the outside or have no gap assignment.
by NoleySmokes on Mar 23, 2010 7:28 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Agreed.
Improving the D-Line alone is going to enable us to climb up the defensive rankings quickly. Amp and McD in the middle, along with the new scheme will make it much tougher to run the ball on us.
by BigWorm on Mar 23, 2010 7:32 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I got your money Big Perm
It’s Smokey!
by NoleySmokes on Mar 23, 2010 8:15 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Playin with my money,
is like playin with my emotions.
by BigWorm on Mar 23, 2010 9:51 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
AMP
Great to hear praise for Amp, but I’m not sure if that’s based on lowered expectations. Him and Jacobbi really can be game changers for this squad.
"I got a PBS mind in an MTV world"...Jimmy Buffett
by The Ryno and I Know on Mar 23, 2010 9:22 AM EDT up reply actions
Question on the "one voice"
Ok, so I went to the CBS link, and really enjoyed the videos there. But with the new “one voice” policy, I’m guessing that Jimbo decides which players can be interviewed by the media. I gotta say I liked the choices of Ochuko and Dustin, and am wondering if this is also going to be the shape of things to come.
Not all football players are going to be able to address the media with the same degree of eloquence and class, and I’m glad we seem to be looking to showcase (what appear to be) good guys on the team that can speak to the changes, and handle questions well.
It is amazing what having a complete plan can do for a team. GO NOLES!!!
I found this interesting
The one’s on one’s and the two’s on two’s.
Now that the pads are on, maybe the practice structure is changing?
>-----:----:------>Spear 'em then Scalp 'em
still better than the old 1 on 2 philosophy. IMO
let’s get guys better by playing them against easier comp. mentality
Yeah, right!
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