Garnet and Gold Game Highlights- Part 2

Garnet and Gold Offensive Leaders:

A crowd estimated at 15,000 watched the game as the following players led the offensive stats:

Receiving

Richard Goodman 2-88 yards TD
De'Cody Fagg 5-48 yards TD
Damon McDaniel 4-46 yards TD
Rod Owens 4-44 yards
Antone Smith 3-46 yards
Todd St. Louis 2-47 yards

Rushing

Marcus Sims 11-45 yards, 1 TD
Antone Smith 11-42 yards

Antone Smith was named the Most Valuable On Offense for spring practice.

Garnet and Gold Game Highlights- Part 1

On a hot but windy day, FSU fans gathered outside the stadium tailgating, chatting, and talking about the upcoming season. As I walked through the parking lot, I was met with the FSU fight song, Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir". and Credence.

Inside the stadium, the pregame saw a very animated Rick Trickett very involved with his offensive line and making points with slaps of his cap.

Once the Garnet and Gold game began, the offense slightly edged the defense 20-25.Lee,Weatherford and Christian Ponder, combined to go 27 of 51 for 386 yards with four TD's and four interceptions. Weatherford was 13-23 for 219 yards with a TD and two picks, Lee went 13-26 for 163 yards with two TD's and two interceptions and Ponder was 1-2 for four yards and a TD.

"I thought they did okay," said Bowden of his quarterbacks. "They made some mistakes but I thought they did some good things."

"Makes It More Conducive To Being Efficient"

"But if you look at the LSUs and other universities that have indoor facilities, it just makes it more conducive to being efficient at times when it's extremely cold outside or there might be thunderstorms.”
Running backs coach Dexter Carter pushing for an indoor practice facility

I'm Drinking Water

Everything You Need To Know About The Garnet and Gold Game

* Parking will be available on a first come, first serve basis.

* Gates will open at 1:00 p.m. and fans can enter the stadium through gates B, C, D, F and X (Seminole Sportshop).

* The Great Hall in University Center D will be open to fans from 8:00 – 12:30 p.m.

* Fans are encouraged to sit on the west side of the stadium.

* Concession stands will only be open on the west side of the stadium. Most of the concession stands on the lower level will be open and one concession stand on the second level will be open.

* Handicap seating will be available in the south endzone and on the west side in section 39.

* Coolers and umbrellas will not be allowed in the stadium.

* Seminole Village on Langford Green will be open at 12:00 p.m. There will be inflatable games set up for kids and adults along with FSU football posters and giveaways.

* Following the game, fans will be able to walk over to Dick Howser Stadium and watch the nationally ranked FSU baseball team take on Virginia Tech. First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.

QB Race Seems Dead Even

It seems that the QB race is dead even. Jimbo Fisher said after practice on Wednesday that Weatherford and Lee remained neck-and-neck for the No. 1 quarterback job.

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Receiver Rod Owens is showing a lot of promise in spring practice. The sophomore from Jacksonville sat out all of last season recovering from a knee injury but is now showing signs this spring that he is fully healthy.
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Gary Cismesia continues to have good days and bad. On Wednesday, he had a good day. He made 2 of 3 field-goal attempts with his longest being 27 yards. But Graham Gano, 2 of 4, made one of 42 yards despite a low snap.
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The spring game begins at 2 p.m. on Saturday. The format will pit the defense versus the offense with a point system that awards the defense for turnovers,etc .

"They Are Going To Buy Into It"

“They are going to buy into it or they are not going to play. If they don't, we'll just play the guys who do buy into it.”
Offensive lines coach Rick Trickett regarding players buying into the new scheme

Spring Game Festivities

For those of you that will be attending the Spring Game on Saturday, a local Seminole club will be serving food before the game. After the spring game, the FSU baseball team will be hosting Virginia Tech in a weekend series.

When: April 14th (before the spring game)
Time: 11 AM until kickoff
Location: Corner of Pensacola and Stadium Drive - see above map
Who's invited: All Seminole fans are welcome.
Food: Hamburgers, hot dogs & free bottled water.
Special Guest: Jenn and the Cowgirls.
More: Spring game rosters and schedule magnets!

Spring Practice: Day Fourteen

The Florida State football team took to the practice fields for the final time this spring on Wednesday. The team practiced 26 periods of which 13 were spent in Doak Campbell Stadium in the final half scrimmage of the season. The offense had one of its best scrimmages as Xavier Lee, Christian Ponder and Drew Weatherford combined to throw five TD passes. Rod Owens hauled in two of those strikes and Greg Carr had the longest reception of the day on a 51-yard TD pass.

PRACTICE & SCRIMMAGE HIGHLIGHTS:
• The practice began with the team working in position groups. The linebackers then worked versus the running backs on pass protection, before splitting up into run drills and 1-v-1.
• In 1-v-1 Ponder connected deep with Carr, Weatherford threw a nice out pass to Jordan Dobbie and Patrick Robinson picked off a pass.
• In pass skel Weatherford hooked up on a deep passes with Joslin Shaw and Richard Goodman. Lee hit Antone Smith on a deep pass after Smith ran a pattern out of the backfield and also hooked up on nice passes with Carr and Damon McDaniel. Ponder went long and hooked up with Dobbie while D'Vontrey Richardson also hit Dobbie deep. Defensively Michael Ray Garvin had a pass break-up and Darius McClure knocked De'Cody Fagg's helmet off on a big hit but he could not knock the ball free.
• While the receivers and DB's were working versus one another the offensive and defensive lines squared off on the far practice field.
• The final period on the practice field ended with 3-on-3 drills.
• In the scrimmage the offense had a good day led by the quarterbacks. Xavier Lee went 7-11 for 68 yards and a TD, Christian Ponder was 4-5 for 48 yards and a TD and Drew Weatherford was 7-11 for 167 yards and three TD's. None of the quarterbacks threw an interception.
• Antone Smith ran seven times for 44 yards to lead the backs. • Rod Owens led the receivers with two TD's while Carr, Shaw and Antwaun Green each caught a TD pass as well.
• Weatherford threw back-to-back TD passes of 50 and 51 yards to Owens and Carr respectively. He also hit Shaw on a 10-yard TD pass. Lee's TD pass went to Owens and covered eight yards while Ponder hooked up with Green on a 30-yard score.
• Smith turned in the two longest rushes of the day and both went for 16 yards.
• Defensively Everette Brown, Eli Charles and Recardo Wright all recorded sacks. Geno Hayes dumped Smith for a five-yard loss on the first play of the scrimmage and Andre Fluellen recorded a tackle right at the line on a 3rd and five play. Both Patrick and Jamie Robinson broke up passes.
• In the kicking game Gary Cismesia hit 2-of-3 attempts with the longest coming from 27 yards. Graham Gano went 2-of-4 but hit one from 42 yards on a low snap. His other make came from 35 yards.
• In goal line, Wright recorded a tackle for loss and the defense held the running game to no gain on three plays. Marcus Sims scored twice from in close, Lee ran one in and Weatherford hit Jonathon Person on a TD pass in the back of the end zone.

QUOTES

Head Coach Bobby Bowden

"They (the offense) had the better day today. Offensively we just executed better; didn't make as many mistakes as they had in the past. The biggest thing that I think our offense has got to work on is our third and one. I think the defense is stopping us too many times on third down and one. They had a touchdown on third and one today - fourth and one I think - but they had to throw a pass to do it. That's the only part where it looked like we need some work there. We have to get that next fall I guess because all your spring training is over except for the spring game."

(on Antone Smith's progress in the spring)
"Anton has done well. He's not a surprise - he is doing what we expect him to do. The bigger surprises are the guys behind him because Antone, you expect it of him. He has run well. We have blocked better for him and he has done good on getting some extra yards. The other backs are running good, too. That's good news, too."

(on Drew Weatherford connecting on deep passes)
"You like to see that. You need that. I think a couple of them were busted coverages where they just left somebody wide open down there. But, still you have to protect your quarterback and still, your quarterback has to hit them. We had some nice long throws for those touchdowns."

(how much has Drew Weatherford improved in the new system?)
"I'm sure they have gained. I'm sure they have gained on it. But No. 9 (Xavier Lee) has really come along. He had more room for improvement and he's probably made more improvement. I think light's are coming on for both of then (Weatherford and Lee) - (Christian) Ponder even did some good things."

(on the receivers catching passes)
"They caught much better today then they did the other day. Very few drops out there today."

(on Coach Rick Trickett's intensity)
"Usually it catches over to your players. They see that enthusiasm and they see that intensity and they know they're going to have to do it. It has a good effect. I think they've responded the best they could. Some have responded better than others. But they are trying to respond. It's probably harder on the older guys because you are having to change the things they were doing and do this whereas the younger guys, they don't have to change, because they never did it any other way.

Quarterback Drew Weatherford
"I feel really good; I feel really confident in the system obviously and in the guys we have around each other. We all have confidence in one another and we know that we have been working hard. We fell really excited about the spring game and we think we are going to have a lot of success. It was probably easier than I thought it was going be to pick up the offense because coach Fisher and his GA's do a great job - the GA's spend countless hours with us without coach Fisher to learn the actual offense. Adapting to the new coaching style, the tempo that they set and the intensity that they brought is definitely the biggest change - that was the hardest thing to adapt to. I think we have finally got it."

(on the competition for a starting job)
"They (the coaches) really haven't mentioned it very much at all (the quarterback competition). We just come out every day and try to compete. There is a long way before our first game and we are going to have probably wait until summer and somewhere in two-a-days before they make a decision. There's a lot of work to be done and there's a lot of improvement for our team to make before they even make that decision. I wouldn't be half the quarterback that I am if I didn't have it (the competition)."

Rover Myron Rolle
"The defense - we are going to be prepared to play (on Saturday). The offense is a very tricky offense - they play very hard, very aggressive and they play very tough. We have to match that intensity or even better it and just come out here and everybody do their assignments and I think we'll do okay. We have everybody coming back and I think we have done a pretty good job of trying to get our hands on more passes this year and be a little more physical. It's something we have improved upon but Tony Carter went down with an injury and that set us back a little bit. For the most part I think our unit has improved since the first day of spring. It's very important (to make big plays) because I think we can be tone setters and let the receivers know they can't run across the middle and catch the ball or just create turnovers and make the quarterbacks a little weary of throwing the ball deep. That's what I'm looking forward to doing on Saturday and I know the other DB's are as well. It's very important to make a statement out there in the secondary because we have a lot or opportunities to day that."

ACC Spring Games and ACC Announces ACC Championship Game

Atlantic Coast Conference Commissioner John Swofford announced Wednesday that the 2007 Dr Pepper ACC Football Championship Game, scheduled to be held at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium (formerly ALLTEL Stadium) in Jacksonville, Fla., on Saturday, December 1, will have a 1 pm (EST) kickoff and will be nationally televised by ESPN on ABC Sports.

"We are pleased to announce this year's ACC Football Championship Game will be televised nationally at 1 pm," said Swofford. "Our first two championship games featured four different conference teams, and as our 12 league programs prepare for the upcoming 2007 season we know a common goal for each is to be playing on December 1 in Jacksonville."

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The University of Miami held its annual spring game as the Orange team beat the White team 7-0 at the Orange Bowl on Saturday morning in front of about 7,000 fans.
Kyle Wright threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Sam Shields just before halftime for the only score of the game.

"The most impressive thing was the competition today, with teams competing, as well as the two-minute drill that the offense scored on," said head coach Randy Shannon. "And in the other two-minute drill (just before the end of the game), the other team had an opportunity to score in the two-minute drill and it would have been a chance for us to take it into overtime or go for two (points).

"You always want to do more, but you can't show a lot when you open it up to the public because you never who's in the stands or who's filming (for an future opponent)," Shannon added. "It was a pretty clean scrimmage."
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Quarterback Taylor Bennett threw five touchdown passes, including two each to redshirt freshmen Demaryius Thomas and Correy Earls, and tailbacks Tashard Choice and Rashaun Grant combined for 120 yards rushing in the Yellow Jackets' final spring scrimmage, played in cold, windy conditions Saturday at Bobby Dodd Stadium/Grant Field.

Bennett and the first-team offense did most of their damage against Tech's second defense, but the Yellow Jackets' number one defense also had its moments against the second offense. The Jackets collected five sacks, including two each by defensive end Darrell Robertson and tackle Vance Walker, and linebacker Shane Bowen had the game's only interception. Linebacker Gary Guyton added two tackles for loss.

Banned In China

Ok, I know we say some things that may be considered "subversive" but I never thought that the blog would be banned in the People's Republic of China!

I got the information from the Great Firewall of China, which allows you to check any URL's availability in China and our blog was blocked. Oh, well, I guess we will have to spread the word about FSU football to other more open countries.

'The Coverage Is A Little Tighter"

“I believe the defensive secondary is playing better. I think I can tell a difference in a year on our corners and safeties. It seems like the coverage is a little tighter - a little tighter than it was this time a year ago.”
Bobby Bowden regarding defensive secondary

Spring Practice: Day Thirteen

With just one week remaining in spring practice, the FSU football team returned to the field and practiced for 22 periods Monday afternoon. One of the highlights of the day was a visit from Florida Governor Charlie Crist who went up to talk with head coach Bobby Bowden in his tower and then threw the ball around with wide receiver De'Cody Fagg before meeting new offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher. On the field the team worked on punt block and protection, in position groups, 3-on-3 and in skel. The practice finished with 11-on-11 and 1:00 offense.

PRACTICE HIGHLIGHTS:
• In running drills the play of the period was turned in by Marcus Sims who may not have gained a lot of yards but was impressive with his solid run between the tackles.
• In Skeleton Drew Weatherford completed passes to Richard Goodman over the middle, to Rod Owens who made a great grab for a big gain and to Antone Smith on a deep ball after the tailback flared out of the backfield. Xavier Lee connected with Greg Carr on an out and Jamaal Edwards on a swing pass that went for a long gain. D'Vontrey Richardson recorded a TD pass when he hit Goodman in the endzone.
• Pass break-ups were recorded by Korey Mangum, Michael Ray Garvin, Patrick Robinson, Myron Rolle and Ochucko Jenije.
• In 11-on-11 Smith broke off a nice run and later bounced off a tackler for another good gainer. Sims had a big run as well but the rush came to an end on a big hit by Mister Alexander along the sideline. Weatherford hit Owens twice on TD passes and also connected with Fagg. Weatherford hit Fagg again later on but Jamie Robinson punched the ball out. Lee hit Damon McDaniel underneath. In red zone Sims had a nice 8-yard run from the 10.
• Neefy Moffett recorded a sack, Mangum broke up another pass and Justin Mincey forced an errant pass pressuring Weatherford. Alex Boston got the defense fired up picking off a pass on 3rd and 10 to end the first team's drive in 1:00 offense.
• Lee had success in the 1:00 offense as he connected with McDaniel and Carr. He then dropped jaws when he scrambled out of the pocket and found Chase Walker in the back of the endzone as the wide receiver made a spectacular TD grab.

QUOTES

Florida Governor Charlie Crist
"I'm a Nole. I love Florida State University and I love coach Bowden, I really do and I love what he has done for my university."

Head Coach Bobby Bowden

"We came out in shells today and I thought we had a pretty good practice. We worked on different situations - things like that. We're not catching the ball as good; we need to catch the ball better. I believe the defensive secondary is playing better. I think I can tell a difference in a year on our corners and safeties - I think I can tell the difference. I feel like their coverage is a little tighter than it was at this time a year ago. They are making some progress."

(on Governor Charlie Crist visiting practice)
"It was good to see him. We are both Pike's (Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity members). It was good to see him. He throws the ball pretty good doesn't he? I thought he threw it pretty dog-gone good. It surprised me. He throws it better than any governor I have seen. It's the first time I have [seen] him since he has become governor. He was maybe a sophomore or a junior when I first came here. I think he went to Wake Forest then he transferred here. Then he went to - he got his law degree where I got my degree - which is Samford University. I think he was on their (Wake Forest) team. He's from St. Petersburg. He's born in Pennsylvania and moved to St. Pete when he was three."

(on his spring game philosophy)
"I'll leave that up to the coaches. They might want to just play it plain or they might just want to throw the whole thing at them. I'll leave it up to them. It won't be like we'll be trying to shield a whole lotta stuff. We really aren't doing that much. It will be like it was last year - points - offense vs. defense. We will probably go 10 or 12 plays and out rather then try to go ones vs. twos. A lot of times when you try to go ones vs. twos and the end of the scrimmage you find out that ones got 45 plays and the twos got 80. We will let them go so many plays and them put the other group in there. We will go ones vs. ones and two vs. twos. That's what we talked about today."

(on keeping the players attention through spring practice)
"There are so many battles going on that are equal. Nearly at every position there is a battle going on. I think that helps keep their attention. It seems like it has been pretty good."

(will performances in the spring game help determine the starting quarterback?)
"It could if somebody has a great game and the other guy didn't. That definitely could happen. They look kind of even to me - pretty dang close - I don't see a big separation. Jimbo will play a big role in that. I have really tried to stay out of that so we wouldn't get old opinions - so we just get a fresh opinion of this thing. I really don't know how he'll do that. Very easily, very easily (on the race going into two-a-days)."

(on jobs being more defined at this point)
"There are two ways to look at that. No. One -- you would like to know who the guy is at all positions but the other thing is you maybe have a little better depth and making a fight out of. Nothing makes them practice harder or performer harder than having competition. Every time you walk out here and have competition - it helps.

(is competition a pleasant surprise?)
"It keeps them on their toes knowing somebody might get your job - or somebody's about to take your job."

Defensive Lineman Andre Fluellen
"This is basically my fifth year - it's the last year and I have to leave something around for the younger guys. It's not all about going to the next level; it's not all about making millions of dollars; it's trying to set a legacy here and trying to set Florida State's standards for the younger guys. Everybody is coming along. I think Budd (Thacker) is probably coming along more than anybody just leading the techniques and everything. But everybody is coming along - once we have everybody healthy for the fall - we can be unstoppable, I think. I want to keep the track record going. We have had some elite defensive tackles come out in the last three, four or five years so I just want to keep the legacy going - I don't want to look back and say I was the guy that broke the links. I'm doing whatever I have to do this summer to work my hardest and be my best."

Wide Receiver Rod Owens
"I just had two big plays but I did have a mistake. The coaches are making us realize that we have to be close to perfect. I'm not too pleased with my blocking. I feel like I have to be more aggressive and really focus - just concentrate a little more. I feel like I haven't been concentrating as much. To be honest with you, I think I am still shaking the rust off. I feel like I still want to get stronger and I still want to get faster so I feel like I am still in that process right now. I'm still working on it."

Poll Results

Results for poll question: What part of Spring Practice are you most interested in this year? was very close. The highest response was QB competition @ 40.5% with second highest Offensive line @ 37.8%.

New Poll Question

There is a new poll question: Will you be attending the Spring Game this Saturday?

Easter Wishes With An FSU Twist

"Be Able To Push Them When They Get Tired"

“The way you inspire and motivate as an individual coach over your group is key. We've got to be able to push them when they get tired. We've got to be able to make them have faith in something they don't see.”
FSU Running Back coach Dexter Carter

Gano Perfect In Field Goals In Scrimmage

Tony Carter did not participate in yesterday's scrimmage nor dress out. With a bruised kidney and ribs, he is very sore.

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Scrimmage Stats:

Drew Weatherford 11-19 for 150 yards, a TD and INT.
Xavier Lee 8-21 for 108 yards, a TD and INT.

Antone Smith 10 rushes for 118 yards and 2 TD (56 and 31 yards).
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On field goals, Graham Gano was 4-4 while Gary Cismesia was 2-5.

Spring Practice: Day Twelve

Florida State completed its last full scrimmage before next Saturday's Garnet & Gold Spring Football Game, presented by University Financial Services. The scrimmage was held in Doak Campbell Stadium and lasted more than two hours. Drew Weatherford and Xavier Lee each threw for a TD and 100+ yards. Antone Smith went over 100 yards on the ground again and both Smith and Jamaal Edwards broke TD runs of over 50 yards.

SPRING GAME NOTE:
• The Garnet & Gold Spring Football Game, presented by University Financial Services will pit the offense versus the defense. There will be a point system utilized to keep score in the game.

SCRIMMAGE HIGHLIGHTS:
• Drew Weatherford went 11-19 for 150 yards with a touchdown and an interception. The pick came on a ball dropped by a receiver near the goal line and snatched out of the air by Jamie Robinson. Xavier Lee was 8-21 for 108 yards with a TD and a pick as well. Lee was hampered by numerous drops including a would-be TD where Greg Carr lost his footing in the endzone as the ball was coming down.
• Antone Smith continued his big spring. The tailback rushed 10 times for 118 yards and two TD's including a 55-yard TD run.
• Everette Brown was the defensive star of the day recording three sacks and two tackles for loss on back-to-back plays.
• J.R. Bryant wore number 15 in the scrimmage as a tribute to fellow cornerback Tony Carter who was injured Monday but back out on the sidelines.
• The scrimmage didn't get off to the best start for Smith who fumbled and the ball was recovered by Roger Williams. The next time Smith touched the ball though was on third and one. He came around to the right side but saw the defense penetrating and cut it back to the opposite sideline and went 55 yards for a TD.
• The next series Edwards one upped Smith when he took his first carry of the scrimmage 65 yards for a TD.
• Lee and Damon McDaniel started their next drive off with a short pass that McDaniel turned into a 26-yard gain with some nifty moves. Lee then went up top to Carr who had beaten his man but the receiver got turned around on the play and lost his balance before he could haul in the sure TD. Lee's unit then left the field when De'Cody Fagg dropped a ball that would have resulted in a first down.
• Fagg came back and made up for the drop when he and Weatherford hooked up on a pass that Fagg turned into a 15-yard gain by breaking tackles in the middle of the field.
• Marcus Sims then turned in a nice run as he gained 14 yards. • Weatherford showed off his running ability later on as he ran for 20 yards and was one tackle away from taking it to the endzone.
• That set up Weatherford's 38-yard TD pass to Joslin Shaw.
• Defensively Everette Brown recorded two sacks, Eli Charles had a sack as did Neefy Moffett and Rodney Gallon. Moffett also corralled Smith one-on-one behind the line of scrimmage. Ochucko Jenije made a great pick on a deep ball thrown by Lee.
• Both kickers had a chance to try field goals in the first part of the scrimmage. Gary Cismesia missed from 48 yards and Graham Gano connected from 42.
• When the scrimmage moved into 2:00 offense from the 20, the defense dominated. The offense did not gain a yard as the defense went three-and-out both times. Andre Fluellen had a big tackle for loss on third down on the first series.
• The team then practiced the 1:00 offense from the 50. The offense seemed to get off to a better start. Weatherford hit Smith underneath for a 16 yard gain. He then connected with Fagg for 21 more. Back-to-back false start penalties pushed the offense back and then on third down Toddrick Verdell broke up Weatherford's pass. Cismesia came in and missed a 36 yard field goal. In the second series Lee hit Todd St. Louis for 20 yards. He then went back to St. Louis in the end zone but just missed connecting for a TD. Lee got 11 more yards on a dump pass to Sims and finished the drive hooking up with Carr for a 16-yard touchdown.
• The scrimmage then moved to 35 yard line starts. Smith scored his second TD of the day on a 31-yard scamper. Gano then hit back-to-back field goals from each hash of 34 and 37 yards. Cismesia connected on both of his tries as well from 47 yards. His third try was not successful though as Moffett streaked in to block the kick. The last points came from Gano who improved to 5-for-5 on the day with kicks from 43 and 32 yards. The field goals were set up by Weatherford's 25 yard connection with Shaw.
• Defensively, Brown had consecutive tackles in the backfield on Edwards to go along with his third sack. Alex Boston recorded a tackle for loss, Moffett got another sack and Budd Thacker recorded two big stops on third and fourth down with less than a yard to go.
• In red zone, Jamie Robinson picked off Weatherford on a ball that got through Shaw's hands and bounced off his pads and into the air. Thacker also had a big tackle on a Christian Ponder run. Ponder got in to the scrimmage and went 2-3 for seven yards.
• The scrimmage finished up with goal line. The defense stopped the offense on five of the eight snaps. Joe Surratt and Lee each ran in a TD and Weatherford threw a TD pass to fullback Antonio White in the corner of the endzone. The biggest hit of the day was turned in by Anthony Kelly who dropped jaw with his jarring tackle in the middle of the field.

QUOTES

Head Coach Bobby Bowden
"It was a good scrimmage. We had some big runs for a change. Had some nice long runs out there. They are coming along"

(on Antone Smith)
"Antone broke a big one today and had another one for a touchdown. Antone ran real good. He sure did. In fact all the backs ran pretty good. (Jamaal Edwards) broke a long one too. That is encouraging. We haven't had that in a while."

(on whether the running game is working because the offensive line is improving)
"You can't do anything without blocking. It starts there. Then of course you have to have a runner."

(on the kickers)
"We working them both equal. I think Gano got all of his today. (Cismesia) got a couple of long ones, he missed some too.

"We'll let them compete and see what happens."

(on where the team stands with a week left in spring)
"Probably as far as we could be at this time. I haven't seen us backing off of anything. I think we are about as far as we could be at this time. Naturally it is not as far as you'd like to be. We have come a ways."

Offensive Coordinator Jimbo Fisher
(on the quarterback play in the scrimmage)
"Saw some good things. We were careless with the ball one time. Lee made a poor decision down there. We had one turnover that they were accountable for. For the most part seemed to manage things pretty well. We didn't make all the plays and there are a couple things I got to wait until I see on the film to see what happened but made some big plays, converted a couple third downs, hit a couple verticals, made a couple touchdown throws. Could have had one more, I think we had a drop down there. Had a lot of dropped balls today. We weren't catching the football well early in the game. They had a lot of unforced errors as you would say - balls we should catch and we can't catch. We got to do that."

(on if he is happy where the team is at with a week left)
"Heck no. You are never where you want to be. I mean we are making progress but we have to do now - we are making too many silly things on the field from penalties to things that come back to discipline that we have to quit. Too many dropped balls, too many silly penalties, too many little things that as an offense really you are always playing behind the eight ball down and distance wise. That will cause you to make mistakes cause you are trying to make up for a bonehead penalty or mistake. Those are the things I am started to get a little irritated by. It is time to quit those."

Defensive Lineman Everette Brown
(on his scrimmage performance)
"It felt pretty good to get out actually - had good weather - a little rusty, a little rustier than what I thought I would be coming back out after missing a week. It is good to get around, make a couple plays and did some good things out there with my hands and feet."

(on if he wants to be the `big play' guy on this defense)
"Most definitely. That's what I dream about. That's what I came here to do, pass rush, get sacks, make big plays so that's what I input in my work ethic every day to come out, get better and make plays."

Tony Carter Suffers Bruised Kidney and Ribs

Tony Carter went down hard while making a tackle on Rod Owens during the mini-scrimmage yesterday. Carter was carted off the field and taken by ambulance to the emergency room. After examination, Tony Carter has a bruised kidney and rib after undergoing tests at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital Wednesday night.

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Offensive tackle Caz Piurowski returned to practice yesterday and lined up with the second team offensive line in the mini-scrimmage. He had missed the last scrimmage with a strained calf.
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Quarterback Xavier Lee has a bruised left knee but is expected to be back to full health for the next practice on Friday.

"Seniors Got To Play The Best They Ever Have"

“ . . . Those seniors got to play the best they ever have in their life if we're going to have a great year. And there's not a one of them doing that right now.

I don't think you'll find a single one of the seniors that will tell you they're playing dominating football. Can they? Dadgum right they can.”
Mickey Andrews regarding his senior defensive players

My View: Enough Hart

Although this blog focuses only on FSU football, it is relevant to point out the state of the FSU basketball program to make a point in regard to the FSU leadership in athletic sports. The recent success by the Gators in basketball illustrates in stark contrast the dire state of the basketball program at FSU. Yet Dave Hart, the FSU athletic director, had the audacity to state that he is pleased with Leonard Hamilton and the direction of the basketball program.Does he take us all for morons?

The FSU basketball team has not been to the NCAA tournament in nine years. In addition, incredibly Florida State's entire 2006 recruiting class is already a complete bust. Not one player recruited is still at FSU. Hardly a great milestone. Why didn't Hart assert some leadership and go after Tubby Smith? Is there any doubt where Tubby Smith would have wanted to go if he had been give a choice between Minnesota or FSU? Next year, we will hear that we have to give the program some time because we lost Thornton and have new players. This while at other schools like Florida they just reload.

This brings me to the leadership of Hart. Dave Hart exerted absolutely no leadership in the last five years to make the needed changes that we all see now were necessary with the football program. He had his head in the sand and the FSU Boosters were left as the change agents for coaching changes. Due to his lack of leadership, the Gators gained competitive advantage over the Noles that was very evident in recruiting.

As much as it hurts me to say it, Florida Athletic Director Jeremy Foley has done an extraordinary job at elevating the Gators to national prominence. This while Hart is pleased with mediocrity. I shudder to envision who Hart might hire after Bobby Bowden leaves. It is obvious that he is not a good judge of talent in coaches.

I believe that it is time for FSU to secure a vibrant and assertive leader. It is obvious to me that Hart is not that man. We as FSU fans and alumni deserve much better. In my opinion, I have had enough Hart. It is time for someone new.

Rest In Peace

"Eddie Robinson and Jake Gaither did more for the integration of the southern schools of the African-American player - those two did more than anybody else in helping that thing move smoothly."
Bobby Bowden on the death of legendary coach Eddie Robinson

Spring Practice: Day Eleven

The FSU football team returned to full pads on the practice field Wednesday and went for 26 periods. The practice began with an offense walk through and then moved into special teams work focusing on punt block and protections. The squad worked in position groups, went to pass skel, 1-on-1, 3-on-3, running backs worked versus linebackers on pass protection and then ended with a situational scrimmage focusing on down and distance, red zone and goal line.

PRACTICE NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS:
• In pass skel Anthony Kelly had a pass break up for the defense but it was the offense that had most of the highlights. Xavier Lee, who later sat out the rest of practice with a bruised knee suffered last week, connected with Greg Carr and Damon McDaniel on a nice out pattern. Drew Weatherford hit De'Cody Fagg twice on plays that went for touchdowns and Weatherford also had a nice completion to Richard Goodman. Weatherford finished the drills with a short pass that Rod Owens turned into a long gain following a nice run.
• In the down and distance portion of the scrimmage Antone Smith turned in the highlight of the day. The tailback broke a run that went for close to 50 yards on a third down play. Alex Boston recorded a sack. Christian Ponder had three completions to Carr for 25 yards, a dump off to Jamaal Edwards for 10 yards and a nice throw and catch by McDaniel on the sideline.
• In the red zone portion of the scrimmage Neefy Moffett and Letroy Guion combined to get Smith just behind the line of scrimmage. Roger Williams had the best play of this portion of the scrimmage as he came down with a one-handed interception near the endzone. Jamaal Edwards broke a nice run of almost 20 yards but the rest of the highlights belonged to the defense. Anthony Kelly recovered a fumble, Guion recorded a sack on a busted play and Darius McClure made a nice 1-on-1 tackle on Edwards.
• In goal line Marcus Sims continued to rule the day. The running back had two TD's and a powerful run stopped just shy of the endzone. Edwards also scored two touchdowns. The defense made stops on four of the eight attempts from the 3-yard line and in.

QUOTES

Head Coach Bobby Bowden

"We had a pretty good practice today. We had about 30-35 minutes of scrimmaging. It was pretty tough - that's what we want. It was pretty dad-gum tough. There was some pretty good hitting on both sides; it was a very physical scrimmage. I thought the kids responded pretty dog-gone good. Tony Carter got hurt today. I don't know how bad but he got hut and had to go in. I think that was the only one that had an injury.

(on Xavier Lee)
"He got hit the other day but he still worked today. He didn't go in. They might have held him out for some reason."

(on the progress of the offensive line)
"They are making some progress - that's the big thing. Coach Trickett is beginning to settle in on who ought to be where and who out to be up there on the first unit or second and getting it lined up like that. I know we are making some progress. The question always is are you making enough?"

(on Neefy Moffett)
"Neefy is doing better. I am glad you asked that. He's doing better and for him to do better it requires effort and he is giving a little bit better effort. Neefy has held himself back by not giving quite enough effort. But he is beginning to get the massage, I believe. He has perked up lately. I hope he keeps it up."

(on where the quarterbacks are while installing a new offense)
"They are making progress. They still have got a way to go. When you throw a whole new offense at them and then every day you come out here and put tin two or three more plays, confusion reigns. I believe if it wasn't for the confusion and it wasn't for the missed assignments which comes with new stuff, I think we would really be moving along. We will get it."

(On Eddie Robinson)
"I'll always remember that when you go to the National Coaches Convention, and there will be 2,500 to 3,000 coaches there, and I remember when I spoke you look out there and see all those guys and sitting down there on the very front row is old Eddie Robinson. Must have been 74 or 75 years of age - you wonder where are the young guys? And he's out there taking notes - he's knows more then anybody already and he's out there taking notes like an 18-year old guy. I was amazed at that. Eddie Robinson and Jake Gaither did more for the integration of the southern schools of the African-American player - those two did more than anybody else in helping that thing move smoothly. There were people that were cautious, you had people that were scared, you had people who didn't know how it was going to work - those two guys steadied everybody down and supported what was supposed to be supported and Eddie Robinson played a tremendous role in that. Jake Gaither who used to be over at Florida A&M - those two were the two men who probably contributed more than anybody else to make integration a smooth thing in football in the south. Up to that time you only had white athletes playing for those schools."

Running Back Jamaal Edwards
"This is a great system and my teammates are helping me to do well. This is a team effort. It's a battle (between me and Marcus Sims) but we are also helping each other. He needs help with something and I can tell him. If I need help with something, I know he'll tell me. It is a battle but we are also teammates. We just want to make sure each other works hard and we push each other. Everything is pretty much the same (for me). I just getting a chance to get out there and really show what I can do. That's the main thing - I'm just out there showing what I can do. Nobody said this was going to be easy to come in here and just play. I learned a lot from Leon (Washington) - he taught me a lot. He was a good mentor while he was here. It's hard. You just have to keep on plugging and know that your break will come. With this zone running we have it's easy. You read your two reads and you just hit it up in there. The main thing is you want to run North and South and get positive yards."

Defensive Lineman Neefy Moffett
"Spring drills have been gong pretty good for me. The whole d-line has been trying to work hard and work on little things and get better for next year. I believe last year I was still young and I used to take plays off. This year I'm trying to gear it so I don't take any plays off. I know personally I have a far way to go and I have to continue to work to get to where I want to be."

Maryland Has Concerns At Running Back

Georgia Tech defensive tackle Darryl Richard is among 42 of the top defensive players in the nation to be named to the 2007 Lott Trophy Watch List, announced today.

Named after Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded to college football's Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Now in its fourth year, The Lott Trophy is the first college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player.

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The Maryland football team resumed its spring schedule Tuesday afternoon with a spirited two-hour workout under warm and breezy conditions at the Terrapins on-campus practice facility.

It was the fourth practice of the spring but just the second in pads which translated to a livelier tempo.

"We have a long way to go," said head coach Ralph Friedgen. "However, it is spring practice, so now is the time to see what we can and can't do. Overall, today's practice was enthusiastic."
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Maryland running back Keon Lattimore is out with a back injury and reserve tailback Da'Rel Scott was carted off the field at practice with a left knee injury, causing coach Ralph Friedgen concern about depth at the position.

"Running back, that's going to be a real problem," Friedgen said. "I don't know if I'm going to have to move somebody, which I really don't want to do, but I don't know if I'm going to have a choice not to do it."

FSU Concentrating On Block Team

Brandon Davis was on crutches and had a boot on his right leg at spring practice on Monday. He has a high ankle sprain and a fracture on the fibular. He is done for the spring.

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Former FSU All-American defensive end Peter Boulware attended practice. Former 'Nole Kenny Ingram was also at spring practice.
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Greg Carr, Joslin Shaw and D'Cody Fagg now are contributing their quickness and leaping ability to the blocked punt teams. “We're trying to put more value in the kicking game,” coach Bobby Bowden said. “They got to prove they can do it.”

Spring Practice: Day Ten

The Florida State football team went from a full scrimmage on Saturday to an 18-period practice in shorts on Monday. Monday's practice featured very little contact as the team went back to basics and worked on some of the things the coaches saw on film after the two-plus hour scrimmage over the weekend.

PRACTICE NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS:
• One of the highlights of Monday's practice was a visit from former All-Pro and consensus All-American Peter Boulware.
• The Seminoles spent the majority of the first half of practice in drills, working in position groups and versus scout teams.
• On offense, the quarterbacks spent separate periods working with running backs, tight ends and wide receivers.
• The lines also spent part of practice working versus one another.
• In pass skeleton the quarterbacks and receivers struggled to connect. The highlights came on a hook-up between Drew Weatherford and Damon McDaniel and a nice catch along the sideline by De'Cody Fagg.
• In skeleton the passing game didn't look as sharp as it did in Saturday's scrimmage. Weatherford had the biggest completion as he hit Rod Owens on a deep pass and McDaniel grabbed a ball underneath from Xavier Lee and turned it into a big gain.
• The offense found its stride in skeleton when it moved inside the red zone. Weatherford hit Richard Goodman and Joslin Shaw for short TD's. Christian Ponder and D.J. Norris connected on a touchdown and Tony Carter broke up a potential TD pass.
• In 11-v-11 Antone Smith had a nice jump cut that broke him through the line. Jamaal Edwards had a big gainer as well. Letroy Guion chased down Xavier Lee in the backfield.
• When 11-v-11 moved into the red zone, Weatherford, Lee and Smith all ran for TD's. The only TD pass came on a Weatherford to Fagg connection.
• Practice ended with the team working on the one-minute offense. Weatherford hooked up with Fagg twice including one connection for a first down. Carter and Jamie Robinson recorded pass break ups and the first series ended with a Roger Williams pick in the endzone when Budd Thacker put pressure on the quarterback and forced a scramble. In the second session Lee connected with McDaniel four times, two of which went for first downs. On the last play, fourth down on the 20 with barely any time left on the clock, Lee found Todd St. Louis for a disputed TD as the defense claimed the receiver was down at the one-yard line.

QUOTES

Head Coach Bobby Bowden

"We went in shorts today and probably needed it because we have been doing a lot of scrimmaging. Making some progress; I'd don't guess you are ever where you'd like to be but at least we are making some progress. We've got about four or five more days and that's about it. The big thing now is if they can stay healthy they can get better every practice. We need to get some of these injured guys back out here."

(what stood out after reviewing Saturday's scrimmage?)
"We are doing some things better offensively. We are doing some things better. A lot of that comes with time and they begin to learn exactly what you want. Again, we are making some progress."

(can you elaborate on the improvements in the running game?)
"That is better (the aggressiveness). That has improved. We want it to keep improving. It's not where you want it yet but it is improving. They are beginning to get the idea of this thing. You don't block one guy; you go block two guys. They are getting a little bit better at that. Downfield blocking is getting a little bit better. Again, it's a matter now of learning what to do. All these instances of where to run the ball and what track you are on when you are blocking and all that kind of stuff."

(are the running backs better able to read the new system?)
"Better. Better. Better. That is definitely better. I think every time you scrimmage you expect it to get better because they become more familiar with it. The same thing is true with the linemen. They get a little bit better at it. That did progress this past week and we want to try to keep on progressing with it."

(where are the receivers in learning the news system?)
"I like what they are doing. I think they are doing some god things. Again, we did better but I think they are getting better but they are not where we want them to be. Nobody is at this time of the year. (Lawrence Dawsey) has the very same temperament that his coach had - John Eason. John was very quiet and would explain real good - and a good teacher. That's all you have to be a good coach is a good teacher. Larry is real good at that. I didn't even think of it whether he would be a coach or not. But the way he played and the way he practiced and the way he studied the game would make you think that this guy could be a good coach. He is a good coach. All these guys are pretty good. I feel good about what they (the coaching staff) are doing and what they are trying to get across to these boys. They are trying not to leave any stone untouched."

Offensive Lineman Jacky Claude
"Every day I come out here, I am ready to go 100 percent, every rep. It's been very hard. We have benefited a lot - especially during the scrimmages. Since we lost all of that weight we have been able to have more stamina and more endurance to finish off scrimmages, to finish our reps. Honestly, I feel like we became a better unit. I feel like we are going to be pretty good this upcoming season.

(on improved run blocking skills)
"Our run blocking skills techniques that Coach Trickett has been teaching has been very good for us because we are not big, huge lineman. We are able to use our quickness instead of power every time. It's been good; I like it a lot."

Wide Receiver Greg Carr
"I'm just trying to get better each day - not just that - but catching the ball and running good routes and everything else as a receiver. This is very beneficial to the offense. That's the main focus point - to be beneficial to the team not individuals. As long is it beneficial to the team we are all for it. We know each day if we continue to work harder - there are times that we feel like we are giving good effort - but there is also some better effort that we can give. We are just getting better day by day."

Follow Up

Noel Devine, the highly recruited running back from Florida, who was considering the Noles among others has finally committed to West Virginia. Deion Sanders was his mentor and went out of his way to discourage him from coming to FSU. While I think the kid would have been more trouble than his worth, it is discouraging to hear that a former Nole would go out of his way to bad mouth his former school.

Turning On The Lights

"The light came on a little bit today for the offense. It is flickering. It ain't real bright yet but it did come on a little bit. The kids are beginning to get a grasp of it... Offense got the better of it I thought, the first time. Last week I thought the defense got the better of it."

This was the quote from Bobby Bowden after the first full scrimmage on Saturday. It seems that the offense is picking up on the terminology and starting to play like an offense.The offense gained nearly 500 yards in offense which showed a lot of promise.

Both Antone Smith and Marcus Sims have been impressive running the ball. In addition, Lee seems to be more comfortable with the system.

"Don't Even Have To Knock Them Off The Ball"

"We don't even have to knock them off the ball. . . . All we've got to do is get hooked up and get in the right place. Our running backs we've got, the two of them (Smith and Marcus Sims) are good enough to make it happen. . . . I know if we get our stuff together (on the offensive line) it will be a lot easier but it's going to be a team thing.”
Offensive Lines coach Rick Trickett regarding the offensive line