Florida State fall camp notebook: August 20

Update, 12:52 PM

Mike Norvell spoke to the media today after a ‘physical’ practice that focused on short-yardage situations. The theme of the day was brotherhood, after FSU’s team building activity yesterday. Norvell said, “We had a team function, some team building, challenges, competitive type group setting. Something I’ve done for a long time. Basically had camp fires with our position groups. Let these guys tell their stories.”

He also spoke on the physical practice the ‘Noles had today.

On the mentality of players: “I think our mentality has been better. Really competitive practice. Probably our most physical practice that we’ve had.”

On the level of intensity: “It was planned. There’s time we try to come off a lighter workload, we wanted to crank it up a little bit. I thought our guys responded well. The competitive juices were flying.”

The head coach has mentioned some walk-on’s early this fall as guys that could see the field. When asked today what walk-on’s mean to his program, he said, “It’s going to be critical for the development of our program. As I look back through my coaching career, some of the best players I’ve coached were walk-ons.”

Update, 1:00 PM

Veteran players Janarius Robinson and Brady Scott both spoke on last night’s team-building activity and their new roles in new systems.

Robinson, a fifth-year senior, said that yesterday’s activity was unlike anything he’s ever done at Florida State. He also mentioned that the brotherhood they build, will help not only off the field, but also on the field. He said, “I feel like our team got a lot out of it last night. Learning each individual’s story, that was one of the most phenomenal things I took out of last night. Ultimately, that’s going to make us grow as a team.”

Going back into a 4-3 defensive system, will put Robinson in a more comfortable spot this upcoming season. He’ll be able to put his hand back in the ground and get at the QB off the edge. “I’m very excited to be back into a 4-3 set. I’m just happy to be back into something that I’m really comfortable doing.”

Scott mentioned that while they’ve had other team-building activities in his time at FSU, nothing was quite like last night. He said, “It was actually my favorite thing that I’ve been apart of at Florida State. This was more personal, and got to know guys more. It really helps with how you respond to people. Once you get to know people, when they respond in a certain situation, you know why they are responding like that.”

Scott has been an offensive lineman that has bounced all around the O-line in his time at FSU. With Alex Atkins coaching the O-line, he’s sticking at one position. He said, “I’m at right guard now and I like it a lot.” He also mentioned that he would still bounce around to other positions if that’s what the coaches needed from him.

After a condensed practice mainly focused on special teams and situational drills, Florida State Seminoles football is back at it on the turf today.

Yesterday, head coach Mike Norvell spoke on load management, punt returners, game planning, offensive line arrangements and more.

Here’s some highlights:

“I thought Monday was a day that did not meet our standard. I’m critical of guys when I don’t see their best. I’ve really liked the response that I’ve seen the last couple days.”

“Guys need to be challenged. if they feel that comfortable in their roles or positions, then we aren’t doing our job as coaches.”

“If you can go into a season with 8 or 9 guys [on the offensive line] you trust, you can have good competition and good cohesiveness throughout the season.....The competition [at center’ is real and we’re trying to make sure that the best five guys...the best combination to put us in position to be successful is what we’re going to go with.”

We also heard from defensive line coach Odell Haggins on the lessons he’s imparting to his players, defensive back Travis Jay and defensive end Quashon Fuller about their journey’s back to the field and punter Alex Mastromanno about his adjustments to American football and struggles with bad coffee and poor Australian accents.

We expect to hear from Norvell and other members of the team starting around 11:50 a.m. today. You can follow along in the comments throughout the day, as well as on our Twitter and Instagram — and after the day wraps up, we’ll update this article.