Tony Carter did not participate in yesterday's scrimmage nor dress out. With a bruised kidney and ribs, he is very sore.
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 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.
“ . . . 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
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.
"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
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."
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.
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.
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."
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.
"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
Former Florida State offensive coordinator Jeff Bowden stood beside older brother Terry on the sidelines during Saturday's scrimmage. No, he was not selling Cokes.
Before Saturday's first full scrimmage of the spring, new offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher told head coach Bobby Bowden that he felt like the offense was beginning to understand `what we are trying to do' and from the results of the scrimmage Fisher was correct. The Florida State offense looked the sharpest it has been all spring as Xavier Lee and Drew Weatherford both had big days. Lee and Weatherford combined to go 29-for-44 for 324 yards with two TD's and one interception. Antone Smith had another impressive outing as he neared 150 all-purpose yards.
SCRIMMAGE HIGHLIGHTS:
• The scrimmage began with three straight runs by Smith, the longest of the three came on the first play and went for 13 yards. Smith's biggest gainer of the day went for 25 yards after he shed an arm tackle in the backfield. Although it wasn't his biggest run, the best carry of the day by Smith went for eight yards when he made a jaw-dropping cut and broke for the endzone only to trip after eight yards. Later Smith broke off a six-yarder where he carried Dakoda Watson for half of the run. The Seminoles projected feature back also hauled in a dump pass from Lee that he turned into a 24 yard gain and another one from Weatherford he took for 31 yards.
• Lee posted 180 yards on 15-for-23 passing with one TD and one interception. Lee's longest completion was a 26-yard pass on a dump off to Marcus Sims and his TD came on a great play by Joslin Shaw who took an inside screen 13 yards into the endzone. Lee also hooked up on another TD pass to Greg Carr for 32 yards but it was wiped out by a holding call. Lee also had a few nice runs including a 16-yarder.
• Weatherford was equally as good going 14-for-21 for 144 yards and a touchdown. His longest completion come on a 31-yard catch and run by Smith. Weatherford also hooked up with Richard Goodman for 27 yards on the first drive and then later hit Rod Owens for a 21-yard gain. His TD pass came on a two-yard pass to Carr in the corner of the endzone.
• Defensively Dakoda Watson, Toddrick Verdell, Alex Boston, Kendrick Stewart and Neefy Moffett all recorded sacks.
• Moffett continued his strong spring by forcing a Smith fumble that was recovered by Patrick Robinson.
• Myron Rolle recorded the only interception of the scrimmage as he picked off a ball inside the ten during red zone.
• Rolle also recorded a pass break-up along with Roosevelt Lawson and Jamie Robinson who had a sure interception slip away.
• Letroy Guion had a nice stop 1-on-1 with Smith right at the line of scrimmage and Stewart also registered a tackle for loss.
• Sims was the star for the offense as the team moved near the goal line. In red zone drills Sims broke off nine and five-yard runs and then in goal line Sims plowed into the end zone on the first two plays.
• Anthony Kelly recovered a fumble inside the one during goal line drills as the defense responded with five straight stops including the biggest hit of the day. Pat Davis looked like he was cruising into the endzone when walk-on Damion Harris came out of nowhere and drove him three yards back to the cheers of his defensive teammates lined up in the back of the endzone.
• The field goal kickers also got some work in before practice and during the scrimmage. Gary Cismesia went 3-for-4 with his only miss coming from 50 yards. Graham Gano went 3-for-4 missing his only attempt during the scrimmage but hitting a 45-yarder before the scrimmage.
QUOTES
Head Coach Bobby Bowden
(on the offense)
"The light came on. It is flickering. It ain't real bright yet. It came on a little bit. The kids are beginning to grasp (the offense). There was some pretty good hitting going on. Offense got the better of it I thought, the first time. Last week I thought the defense got the better of it. I thought the offense got the better of it today. Still a lot of mistakes we have to get corrected. Anyway, I thought they made a little progress offensively."
(on Antone Smith's performance)
"Antone ran well, he sure did. Marcus (Sims) is still running good, hard. (Smith) had some good runs. A guy that had a good day was (Joslin) Shaw. Shaw made a touchdown that I don't know how he got in there."
(is the offensive line helping the light come on for the offense?)
"That plus they are beginning to understand what they are trying to do. They had a couple practices since that last scrimmage where they were able to work on plays and try to get the feel of what's happening. Jimbo (Fisher) told me today before practice `I think they are beginning to understand what we are trying to do'. I hope that's the case offensively.
(on the quarterbacks)
"The good thing about it is I saw improvement out of both of them. You really see an improvement out of Lee, but the other kid is too. Lee's is probably more."
Offensive Coordinator Jimbo Fisher
(on the offenses play in the scrimmage)
"We are competing on a higher level. There's a lot more intensity. Our toughness is a little bit better. Our effort seemed to be better. We will watch the film and see...we have to contend with our discipline. We still have some crazy penalties and a few missed assignments that we need to start cleaning up, its time. They have been in it long enough. The way our kids competed and got after it, I was very pleased today.
(on Antone Smith)
"He is an outstanding football player. He has great toughness. He is getting to be more of the featured back, getting the ball all the time. I think that is even a new role. Saying you want to be the featured guy and being the featured guy, you got to work your way into that. He has showed no signs of not being that guy. He is a competitor, he can catch, he can run, he blocks well, he is tough, he has great top end speed, he makes you miss, he is a very good football player. He seems to be getting better every day."
(on his younger receivers having a good scrimmage)
"We have to have everybody who's on the field has to be able to catch the ball and be a weapon. (The opponent) has to account for them so that some of the guys that may catch a few more balls than the other guys can't get doubled and tripled all the time and you can feature guys. When the defense doubles guys and gives you a weakness on a guy he can make plays and they all made plays today. They made a few nice runs and catches and I am very pleased with that."
(on where the quarterback battle stands)
"We will just wait and see. We are only half way through. A few more weeks and we will pass judgment when the time comes."
Offensive Line Coach Rick Trickett
(on his offensive line)
"These guys are more talented than the guys I had over the last six years. They ought to be able to do anything I have been able to teach them other guys to do. It is are you accepting it, are you buying into it and are you trying to do what I am coaching you to do?"
Quarterback Drew Weatherford
"I think the process just caught up to where we are. We have a good understanding of our offense now and were able to go out and just react and play instead of think too much. As an offense there is a lot of thinking going on but it needs to be second nature. It is starting to get that way. We are not where we need to be but we made some good strides today."
(on play of some of the receivers like Joslin Shaw and Rod Owens)
"They came out and have really improved themselves. Joslin had a great day. Rod Owens had that knee problem but he is getting more work and everybody is seeing he is a real player. When he came in as a freshman he did a lot of good things. He has starting to feel more comfortable running his routes, understanding the offense. They both did a lot of good things and it is just more weapons for us to use."
(on Antone Smith)
"Antone has been playing well. If the offensive line gives him room to run, he can make things happen. Sometimes he doesn't have room to run and he makes things happen. He is just a great player and we need to give him the ball as much as we can."
Quarterback Xavier Lee
(on his improvement in the offense)
"At first I was lost on a lot of things. I really didn't understand quite a bit. As I watched the film, started scrimmaging and the more practice that I had we started clicking more as a team. I started to understand what was going on a little bit more.
"I know what to expect on this play. I know what to expect on that play. I am not just going to the line and guessing."
Running back Antone Smith
"Today we came out a little flat at the beginning later on in the scrimmage we picked it up a little bit and got a little tempo going. A lot of good things happened for us, a lot of bad things happened for us but we are killing ourselves with penalties, jumping off sides and stuff like that."
(on his role in the offense)
"I am kind of getting comfortable again and trusting my line. That is the biggest thing right now, trusting my linemen. They are coming off pretty good. They are doing a pretty good job. Just following them and making plays. That is all I am doing right now."
Rover Myron Rolle
(on the scrimmage)
"It was a little rougher for (the defense) today than it was on Wednesday. I thought it went smoother on Wednesday. We were able to shut the offense out a little bit more. We were making a few more plays. Today they sort of had our number. They were throwing a lot of plays, a lot of misdirection and new stuff at us. So it was harder for us."
(on his interception)
"I told myself this morning when I woke up I wanted to make a big play somehow, someway. I got my opportunity. (Lee) threw it up there and I was able to take one down. I should've had one earlier in the scrimmage. I got my hands on it. I just try to do the best I can to help our team win."
The Seminole football team held a 15-period practice Friday afternoon the day before the first full scrimmage of the season. Friday's practice was unlike any other so far for FSU this spring. It was the shortest practice to date and held later in the day. Also, the backdrop included Terry Bowden doing his radio show live from the practice fields, 100's of high school coaches observing and the smell of steaks grilling in front of a huge circus tent. Florida State will return to Doak Campbell Stadium at 12:30 p.m. Saturday for the scrimmage.
• Practice started out on a familiar note with the offense and defense working versus scout teams and in position groups.
• The team moved to 3-on-3 drills and then split up for run and 1-on-1. In run drills Antone Smith once again provided a highlight as he spun off a would-be tackler and broke into the open before tripping. Letroy Guion and Neefy Moffett combined on a stop right at the line on a Marcus Sims carry. In 1-v-1 De'Cody Fagg turned in a highlight reel play as he tipped a ball up and hauled in the pass with a defensive back all over him. Drew Weatherford and Fagg later hooked up on a deep ball.
• In pass skel both Patrick Robinson and Michael Ray Garvin broke up plays.
• The practice wrapped up with two periods of 11-on-11. Guion once again had a tackle for loss as the defense was carrying the day before the play of the practice. Weatherford hit Richard Goodman on a short pass along the boundary. Goodman tip toed to stay in and then took it to the endzone on a long run down the sideline.
QUOTES
Head Coach Bobby Bowden
"We had a coaching clinic; it started yesterday. All the coaches - a lot of them met with our coaches last night - all of our assistant coaches kind of scatter around and get with whichever one they wanted to talk football. We had lectures all day today and of course they came out and watched practice today. It's kind of a demonstration day really. Tomorrow we will have a full scale scrimmage at 12:30. Hopefully, they will stay healthy. We are getting something done."
(how is the spring progressing?)
"We are progressing. The thing is that it's very obvious we have been doing so much scrimmaging the offense hasn't been able to work on their execution. That really hurt us the other day - somebody not knowing where to lineup; not blocking the right guy; not taking the right step. So, the offense came out early today just trying to work on running the plays. We are still going through a learning process."
(on offensive improvement in the scrimmage)
"From an offensive standpoint, you would, that's what you would be looking for. Seeing if the guys are picking it up - that's the main thing. Are you stepping correctly; are you coming off the ball correctly; do you know your plays, have you got your assignments; have you learned the terminology. Those are the things they are going through right now. Of course, you like to see improvement and you should see some improvement each scrimmage in that regard. Of course, defensively, very much the same thing. It takes longer to install an offense than it does to install a defense."
(how long has it been since you have overhauled the offense in the spring?)
"We changed our terminology two years ago. We went with not flip-flopping the line and that changed the numbering system all the way. Usually when you flip-flop the line and you are going to run a 46 and you get in the right formation it goes over there. If you run a 46 from this formation it goes over there. Now it's not that way. All even number plays go that way and all odd number plays go that way. We did that two years ago - but very much the same plays. The thing is - very much the same plays it's just with different terminology. They know more how to do it than they do what to do. They are getting it and they'll get more of it."
Quarterback Drew Weatherford
"It's going to take probably all spring. The mechanics that I have been doing have been the mechanics I have done ever since I started playing football. I learned a certain way but I consciously try to get better and better at my footwork and how I hold the ball and everything that he (coach Jimbo Fisher) tries to teach me. It's going to be a learning process for sure but every day I continue to get better and he kind of gets on me more and more every day. The longer it takes the more upset he gets."
(on the competition with Xavier Lee)
"It's a competition - there are 100 things were are competing at -- run checks, throwing the ball, attitude, making decisions - all sorts of things. It doesn't necessarily just come down to mechanics but that's something he wants us to be able to learn and he wants us to buy into the whole system. That's what we are both trying to do."
Quarterback Xavier Lee
"I think the adjustments have been going pretty good do far. It's bee a little difficult at times but I think it's going to help us out in the long run. The terminology is a lot different than what we have experienced before. Coach Trickett is a very picky guy - he's knows exactly what he wants. If you don't do it correctly he will try to correct you on it and try to help you through it. He's very picky but at the same time it helps us get more power behind our balls and be a lot more accurate."
Myron Rolle is the perfect example of a student athlete. He is an excellent student and an extraordinarily gifted athlete. He is the type of player that all coaches dream about getting. He started 10 games in 2006 and had 77 tackles to finish third on the team. With all that, there is one thing missing. Rolle wants to get more interceptions in 2007. His lone interception in 2006 came in the Emerald Bowl.
“It was good to finally get my hands on one and bring it in,” Rolle said of his interception. “I think last year I was groomed to play a lot of run support. This year I feel we are calling a lot more coverages where I am a lot deeper and playing the pass a little more.
Mickey Andrews will be happy if that happens this year. “If (the quarterbacks) make a mistake in football you got to make them pay,” Andrews said. “You can't go back and give them another chance. We've got to do a better job at that.” And you don't want to upset Mickey.
Look for Rolle to have a great season in 2007. He's just that kind of student athlete.
"They've got a whole lot to learn.I'm talking about just learning the system. As I watch them out there, I see so many kids who are not sure of what to do. Once they learn what to do, they are okay. We've got some good stuff for them, but they've got to learn what to do. And right now that's the biggest problem."
Bobby Bowden regarding the new football system
Although no local news source is reporting the injury, a Tampa television station is reporting that the injury to Geno Hayes in practice may be more serious than reported. Florida State junior linebacker Geno Hayes injured his right leg during practice on Wednesday.
According to the station, the team's medical staff treated Hayes on the field for about 10 minutes. Doctors planned to evaluate him further and determine his eligibility for the remainder of the spring.
Kevin Ogletree, Virginia's top wide receiver, suffered a serious knee injury and is expected to miss the 2007 season.
Ogletree tore an anterior cruciate ligament in practice Friday and will require surgery, coach Al Groh said on Wednesday.
"He tried to make a cut, and it just gave out on him," Groh said on a teleconference with reporters.
Wide receiver Preston Parker suffered a dislocated shoulder during scrimmage and most likely will be out for the rest of the spring.
Former Nole great Bobby Butler played for Florida State from 1977 to 1980. Now his son may don the garnet and gold one day. The 'Noles are recruiting second generation Brice Butler. Butler is a 6-foot-2, 178-pound wide receiver from Norcross, Georgia. He attended FSU's Junior Day last weekend. 
You have to hand it to Bobby Bowden. He is saying and doing all the right things in regard to changing the mentality of the football team. A good example of this was at the end of Saturday's practice when reporters asked if he would be telling the receivers to be less aggressive. He replied in no uncertain terms,"We ain't pulling back. We're not pulling back. We've been soft. And we're trying to get out of that softness.”
For the fourth time in the last six days the Florida State football team put on full pads and scrimmaged in Doak Campbell Stadium. The last nine periods of the 28 period practice were spent in a full scrimmage. Both Marcus Sims and Alex Boston had big days for their respective units.
HIGHLIGHTS & NOTES:
• The team began the practice working on special teams, specifically on field goals. Gary Cismesia was 3-for-3 during the special teams practice.
• In run drills Dakoda Watson recorded a tackle for loss, Jamaal Edwards had two nice runs and Joe Surratt had a very impressive run up the middle.
• One of the highlights of 1-on-1 was baseball star D'Vontrey Richardson connecting deep to Damon McDaniel.
• In pass skel Darius McClure and Jamie Robinson broke up passes for the defense. Dakoda Watson broke up a pass as well but the tip was hauled in for a TD by Preston Parker. Drew Wetaherford connected on touchdown passes to Joslin Shaw and De'Cody Fagg. Xavier Lee hit Greg Carr in the endzone on a ball Carr skied to pull in. Christian Ponder also had a TD as he hooked up with Preston Parker.
• In 11-on-11 Antone Smith ripped off two big runs, Edwards had a nice run shedding tackles and Alex Boston recorded a sack and forced a fumble on the same play. The only TD passes came from Weatherford who went to Shaw and Lee who connected with Carr. Tony Carter recorded a pass break-up, Budd Thacker had a sack, Dakoda Watson had a near sack and Anthony Kelly forced a quick pass on a QB hurry to avoid a sack.
SCRIMMAGE
• The FSU quarterbacks had a tougher day Wednesday than they did Monday. Lee had the only TD pass as he connected with Shaw on a five yard strike. Overall Lee was 6-11 for 55 yards. Weatherford went 5-13 for 67 yards and he was intercepted by Myron Rolle.
• Marcus Sims had the biggest day for the offense. He compiled well over 50 yards including runs of 13 yards, 17 yards and a 15 yard run on 3rd and 10.
• Edwards had a run of over 10 yards as did Smith who took the ball from the 20 down to the five yard line.
• In the passing game Shaw had a nice 13 yard run after a short catch as did Parker who went for 20 yards, most of which came after the reception.
• Defensively it was the Alex Boston show. The soon to be senior registered two tackles for loss and had another sack.
• Michael Ray Garvin, Jamie Robinson and Darius McClure all broke up passes. McClure's came in the endzone.
• The biggest hit of the day was turned in by Justin Mincey who had a crushing hit in the backfield.
• Cismesia remained perfect on the day as he hit field goals of 40 and 31 yards in the scrimmage. It was the first time FSU kicked field goals during a scrimmage this spring.
• Highlights from goal line included a four-yard run and a three-yard run from the five for Sims plus a TD plunge and a one yard TD by Surratt.
• Defensively, the defense recovered a fumble inside the three and held Smith to no gain on a goal line carry.
QUOTES
Head Coach Bobby Bowden
"The defense really got the best of it. The quarterbacks were not sharp. They had people open at times and really missed them. It was really one of those days we were not sharp. Then they'd make a good play and get a penalty. It was one of those days. On the goal line, we must have had three or four fumbles between the center and the quarterback. We are working new people in there and you will get some of that. The offense was not sharp - but the defensive secondary played much better. If they could catch the ball - if our defensive secondary could catch the ball - they would have had five interceptions. They won't catch it, though.
(on John Frady)
"Frady was out there and they had to take him in. I don't know if the heat got to him or what. After about 10 periods he had to go in. (Ryan) McMahon was ... one of reasons the snaps are inconsistent. We are working the freshmen a lot in there."
(on Marcus Sims)
"Marcus - from the first scrimmage we had till today - he has improved in each one. I think he is making improvement. He is learning how to run the football the way we want it run. He has made improvement in that regard; he might have been our leading ground gainer today."
(on picking up the new terminology)
"They are getting better. They should get better every day they walk out here. They should get better with that. (It's about what I expect) under the circumstances."
Running Back Marcus Sims
"I just came out here and worked hard. I felt like I had a good day today and I felt like I was playing pretty good. I've got to work on my blocking a little bit but other than tat I felt like I had a good day. I am always motivating myself; trying to get better. Hopefully, I can get back to that second spot."
Rover Myron Rolle
"I think we did pretty well. I think the first team allowed one touchdown on the field and one touchdown on goal line. We had two turnovers in total today. But I think we played pretty well. We executed. Guys made tackles and guys made big plays and that's what you need out of the defense."
(on his interception)
"That was very good. It was good to finally get my hands on one (an interception) and bring it in. (One of the receivers) was running s streak down the field, the ball was a little up and Drew (Weatherford) let me or him make a play on it. I was fortunate, we got the turnover and we got the ball back. That's what we are looking for. That's what I am trying to emphasize this spring. I think last year I was groomed to play a lot of run support. This year I feel we are calling a lot more coverages where I am a lot deeper and playing the pass a little more. I think it's great to work against these receivers and work on your pass coverage myself and Roger (Williams) included and the other safeties, as well. It's a good thing to come out here and have to battle in the passing game because that's what we're going to have to do when the games come along."
It seems that the ACC league expansion and all that is associated with it is looking good for the financial health of the ACC and its member schools. A recent report reveals the following:
An increase of nearly $20 million in gross revenue -- a 15.4 percent jump -- over the previous tax year.
About $6 million of that came from the single line item of football television money.
The nine members who formed the conference before the most recent round of expansion collectively received 8.4 percent more cash from the league in 2005-06 than in the previous year.(excludes Miami, BC, and Va Tech)
Not surprisingly, the football television money is the most important single increase, having gone from $23,176,000 in the 2003 season, the final one with nine members, to $35,750,000 in 2005-06. More than 90 percent of that income comes from a contract with ESPN and ABC that runs through the 2010 season.
It is also interesting to note that unlike other major conferences,the ACC maintains a nearly 50-50 balance between football and basketball revenue. The Southeastern Conference on the other hand is heavily tilted toward football.
The ACC reported it disbursed 87.55 percent of its total revenue to its members, a slight decrease from the 88.60 figure of the previous year. The difference is attributable to start-up administrative costs associated with the football championship game.
All in all, it looks pretty bright for the ACC in the near future.
"The first question I asked [Fisher] was, `Is it going to be a fair playing ground?''' Lee said. "Because ... it's been biased ever since I got here, I just want to know if I'm going to get a fair shake. He said it's going to be as fair as possible: `The best man will play.''
Xavier Lee regarding discussion with Jimbo Fisher
Clemson starting offensive tackle Barry Richardson is one of 43 players named to the preseason Watch List for the 2007 Rotary Lombardi Award. The 38th annual award raises funds for the American Cancer Society and will be presented at the Hilton Americas Hotel in Houston on December 5, 2007.
The "Junior Day" event the FSU coaches hosted this past Saturday provided 70 recruiting prospects the chance to learn more about the Florida State campus. 
The Noles offered Tino Sunseri a scholarship on Saturday. He is a 6-foot-2, 200-pound quarterback from Pittsburgh (PA) Pittsburgh Central Catholic. He is considering FSU, South Carolina, and Ohio State among others.
Bobby Bowden on Saturday personally offered 6- foot 225 pound Davenport (FL) Ridge defensive standout Vincent Williams a scholarship to FSU. He is currently considering Florida, Alabama, and South Florida who have also offered him a scholarship.
For the second straight practice the Florida State football team put on full pads and scrimmaged in Doak Campbell Stadium. The last nine periods of the 26 period practice were spent in a full scrimmage. The majority of the practice was spent in position groups and drills.
HIGHLIGHTS & NOTES:
• The team began the practice working on special teams, specifically punt block before breaking into position groups.
• After spending the first 10 periods on the practice fields, the team moved over to Doak Campbell where they opened up in 3-on-3 drills. The Seminoles also went through 1-on-1 drills, run skel, pass skel, 11-on-11 and red zone.
• In 11-v-11 Tony Carter had a pass break up and Xavier Lee hit Preston Parker underneath on what turned into a big gainer.
• In pass skel Carter recorded an interception, Drew Weatherford connected with Joslin Shaw, Christian Ponder hooked up with Parker and Lee hit De'Cody Fagg who broke a tackle and took the pass to the endzone.
• In red zone drills Weatherford and Richard Goodman connected for a TD.
SCRIMMAGE
• The FSU quarterbacks combined to go 20-for-24 for 259 yards and three TD's. Weatherford was 10-12 for 126 yards and 2 TD's while Lee went 10-12 for 133 yards with a TD and an interception.
• Weatherford hit Goodman for a 65-yard TD and then later connected with Damon McDaniel on a six-yard score. Lee's TD pass went to Parker for 29 yards.
• Rod Owens dropped jaws on a 21 yard completion with a great move in the open field.
• Lee almost had his second TD when he hit Parker for a 44 yard completion to the one yard line avoiding heavy pressure on the play.
• Defensively Neefy Moffett, Budd Thacker and Justin Mincey all recorded sacks.
• Tony Carter picked off Lee and Myron Rolle had a pass break up.
• Jeremy Franklin recovered a fumble and Anthony Kelly had a tackle behind the line of scrimmage.
QUOTES
Head Coach Bobby Bowden
"We had a practice day very much like we did Saturday. We went out on the practice fields for 10 periods, then came in here and got some drills for about six periods and then we scrimmaged the last part of practice. We could really use it over and over and over and over. But you can't do it because guys get hurt. We are making some improvement. We are moving some people around especially on the offensive line where they are playing some different positions which means it's a possibility of missing an assignment. The big thing we want to come out of in the spring is be sure we have our best people lined up on the first team an our second best lined up on the second team playing the correct positions. That's the things we are trying to find out and we have to suffer a little bit while we are doing it."
(on the quarterbacks)
"Neither one of them stood out. They are equal in what they are doing right now. I'm not going to gauge quarterbacks every time we practice. I wish I could. Right now there is a lot of confusion going on."
(on spring injuries)
"Any of them I hate to see that. I just hate to see it. It's part of football but if it happens to Tony Carter or any of the others, I shudder."
(on pulling back the aggressiveness)
"We ain't pulling back. We're not pulling back. We have been soft and we are trying to get out of that softness."
(on young wide receivers making play)
"Yea, they are making some good plays. They get too many penalties downfield but it's not because they are not trying. We have had a couple of receivers - (Preston) Parker has really had some good plays this spring plus some others but his name is kind of new."
(on goal line success of the defense -- are you concerned)
"No, because I am the head football coach. If the defense eats them up, offense bad. If the offense eats them up, they're bad. But they are both my team. Somebody is going to win and somebody is going to lose."
(on cutting down on missed assignments)
"You are never where you'd like to be but you are probably as far along as its feasible right now because of the newness of it. A guy begins to grasp it and all of a sudden you change him over to this position now you have to start over. We are going through a lot of that right now. But we have to get that solved this spring - the fall is too late."
(on scrimmaging often)
"You'd like to - you'd like to just scrimmage all the time if you could. That's where they learn and that's where you find out what are they getting taught. But you can only do so many. I don't think we are doing any more than we have. This is the sixth practice and we have had two half day scrimmages."
Drew Weatherford, Quarterback
"I didn't feel that sharp today. There were a couple of decisions that I made that I wish I could have taken back and I lost my footing twice which lost us some yardage. Those were both on first downs and those are biog downs for us. I did some good things but there is a lot of room for improvement.
(on working in a new system)
"It's no excuse. Everybody at this point has a good understanding of what they are doing. I think we are just not thinking enough. We are not being as disciplined as we probably should be. But that is something they are drilling in our heads day in and day out and we seem to be getting better every day. It's nothing really different than what I am used to."
(on the young wide receivers)
"They are getting more and more comfortable every day. The coaches are doing a good job of putting them in situations to succeed what they are good at. We keep on giving Preston (Parker) little swing passes out of the backfield. He is a very strong and aggressive runner - the same thing with Damian (McDaniel). He's dong a good job in putting them in situations they can be successful and they are taking advantage of it."
Preston Parker, Wide Receiver
(on his increased role in the offense)
"I am just working hard. Any chance I get I just try to work hard. Every play I want to work. I thought this spring was going to be easier but it's hard. This is just like the season. I am just trying to work hard to get on the field. I want to make plays to help us win, get back to our old ways, get back to the championship like the old Florida State.
(on the team playing tougher this season)
"We just have to get hyped. Once you get up in the polls it will come back. When you are down you can lose some toughness. We lacked that a little bit. This year we are trying to get that back. Bring the toughness back to Florida State.
Jamie Robinson, Cornerback
(on being back out on the practice field after some injuries in 2006)
"It feels good to be back out here again. I had to fight through some injuries you know the ankle and then the hip. It feels good to line-up again. I am not all the way back to where I want to be."
(on playing opposite Tony Carter)
"That's something any cornerback would be excited about. You know getting a lot of balls thrown to his side. I like to have a lot of opportunities. Eventually I hope they won't have anywhere to throw the ball by midway through the season."
Here's a question. Are we all football experts? Probably not. With that said, I came across an interesting football primer on football on You Tube. It happens to involve FSU and the Gators. So for those of you that are football challenged, here it is.
