clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Florida State podcast: Can the offensive line be better?

The No. 1 Florida State podcast returns with yet another episode.

By Bud Elliott Updated

If you buy something from an SB Nation link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

NCAA Football: Florida State at Wake Forest Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Bud Elliott and Ingram Smith return with another episode of the Nolecast, the No. 1 FSU podcast.

The Nolecast is available on Apple Podcasts (iTunes), Stitcher, Google Play Music, Soundcloud, Overcast, and many other fine podcast providers.

Follow The Nolecast on Twitter @Nolecast.

As always, The Nolecast is brought to you by Louisiana Hot Sauce, and the fine restaurants of the Tallahassee For The Table Restaurant Group (Madison Social, Township, and Centrale).

Listen to the show on the player below this article, or click here to listen.

Reviewing 2016

  • We were very encouraged by the depth, in particular on the interior & size (only one player of 19) weighing less than 300.
  • Thought that even if Rod Johnson went pro the foundation for long term success had been laid - in large part based on a freshman class, one that Rick Trickett called the best he ever had
  • We did have concern with depth at Tackle, noting very little after Rubble of any kind of fill in player
  • Had confidence in Trickett getting the most out of players and having the unit well posed for future
  • Wanted to see Baveon get some snaps to set up legit battle for 2017 starter role at Center
  • 9 different players started at least 2 games. Did not expect that.
  • The line was better at run blocking than pass pro, but not by as an extreme margin as one might think. Consider: FSU almost never ran Cook on passing downs (105th nationally), which was probably a mistake by Fisher (did break tendency against Michigan). On passing downs, FSU was throwing, and opponents knew it. And Francois held the ball forever and a day. On third-and-4 or more, Francois had a passer rating of 155.5, 10 touchdowns, zero interceptions, and five scrambles for first downs. What that stat doesn’t show is sacks, which he took a lot of.

2017

  • Bruce Feldman ranked this unit at nations 6th best unit going into season
  • Tackles: Leonard, Kelly, Ball, Ruble, Frith
  • Guards: Dickerson, Minshew, Robbins, Arnold
  • Centers: Eberle, Boselli, Martinez
  • Out for year: Johnson, Williams, Scott

Next Up In Florida State Football