|
WR
Chris Davis |
|
|
2005
Statistics |
Coach:
Bobby Bowden
286-75-4, 30 years |
2005
Record: 8-5 |
|
MIAMI
FL |
WON
10-7 |
THE
CITADEL |
WON
62-10 |
at
Boston College |
WON
28-17 |
SYRACUSE |
WON
38-14 |
WAKE
FOREST |
WON
41-24 |
at
Virginia |
LOST
21-26 |
at
Duke |
WON
55-24 |
MARYLAND |
WON
35-27 |
NC
STATE |
LOST
15-20 |
at
Clemson |
LOST
14-35 |
at
Florida |
LOST
7-34 |
ACC
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME |
vs.
Virginia Tech |
WON
27-22 |
ORANGE
BOWL |
vs.
Penn State |
LOST
23-26 (3OT) |
|
2005 Final Rankings
AP-23, Coaches-23, BCS-22
|
2006
Outlook |
Can
this program ever revert back to the
golden years of a decade ago? Each
year the talent seems to remain the
same, equating to a mountain of qualified
pigskinners. Top five recruiting rankings
are still the norm. And while 2005
saw a youth movement develop (which
still applies), many point to ‘07
as the year FSU puts the program back
on the national title race map. That
argument is hard to dismiss looking
at the current depth chart. 32 of
their 44 players (on the spring two-deep)
will be back next year, with 18 of
them being freshmen or sophomores.
Under the NationalChamps.net microscope,
the Seminoles fail to place one single
player on our 2006 Preseason All-American
Team, an unheard of concept. These
youngsters are talented enough to
put the pieces of the puzzle together
sooner as opposed to later.
However,
FSU has two main issues continuing
to haunt their immediate fortunes:
coaching and the offensive line. In
particular, son Jeff Bowden (offensive
coordinator) has taken much criticism
for the offensive ineptitude. Granted,
QB play has hampered the upside of
the talent for the last five seasons.
Now it appears Jeff has found a QB
capable of taking his schemes to another
level with Drew Weatherford. At the
same time, the offensive line remains
the antagonist in this plot. With
so few bodies and the lack of a standout
performer up front, efforts to make
improvements (especially in the running
game) can easily/again fail. First,
the running game diminishes, then
the play-calls become predictable
and the defense is left to bail FSU
out. Sure, this scenario can win some
of the games some of the time, but
not all of the time, especially against
the talent the ACC now possesses.
Thus, FSU is left staring down another
8-4 type of campaign.
The
offensive coaching seems to be making
baby steps in the right direction.
In particular with the hiring of OL
coach Mark McHale in time for last
season. The Seminoles seemed to circle
the wagons those last two games, and
the promise from those results (a
win versus Virginia Tech to take the
conference title, and then a three
overtime loss to Penn State in the
Orange Bowl) puts FSU in a position
to remain in the preseason Top 15.
The
“Noler-coaster” will again
go down if FSU travels into Miami
(to open on Labor Day) and again fails
to defeat the Canes (haven’t
won there since 1998’s 26-14
result). Unfortunately, the tone gets
set from here in terms of the national
implications. In terms of the ACC,
FSU is favored to win the Atlantic,
with Clemson (Sept. 16 in Tallahassee)
called out to finish right on their
heels. Therefore, all should have
a good indication by mid-September
on where these Seminoles stand.
If
the defense is to bail this team out,
the prognosis is still exceptionally
strong. This is as good of a defense
as any to take the field under Bowden’s
30-year tenure. Depth, speed, size
and strength are all part of the equation.
Long time defensive coordinator Mickey
Andrews (22 years) has much from which
to work and generally this spells
trouble for opponents.
Anything
short of nine victories in this now
12-game regular season is still considered
a major disappointment for those who
remember the great Nole teams of pre-2001.
Going unscathed is really not an option
given the parity their challenging
conference now brings. 2007 may still
be the pinnacle in this new millennium,
but this upcoming campaign will go
far into settling just where this
program stands from a coaching standpoint
and, accordingly what the future holds.
Even with all of this substantiated
doubt, FSU can beat anyone across
the country on any given day. FSU
can also lose to just about anyone
outside of Troy, Rice, Duke and Western
Michigan, all part of the 2006 schedule.
This means every week is an adventure
for this inconsistent team –
if you are a fan riding the Noler-coaster,
it will again be a wild ride. An exciting,
unpredictable result means the final
BCS prospectus is still unknown at
this point.
Projected
2006 record: 9-3
|
|
FLORIDA
STATE
*POWER RATINGS |
Offense |
Defense |
QB
- 4 |
DL
- 4 |
RB
- 4 |
LB
- 4 |
WR
- 4 |
DB
- 3.5 |
OL
- 2.5 |
.. |
|
RETURNING
LEADERS |
Passing:
Drew Weatherford, 469-276-18, 3208
yds., 18 TD
Rushing: Lorenzo Booker, 119
att., 552 yds., 4 TD
Receiving: Chris Davis, 51
rec., 666 yds., 5 TD
Scoring: Jamie Christensen,
16-25 FG, 25-26 PAT, 73 pts.
Punting: none
Kicking: Jamie Christensen,
16-25 FG, 25-26 PAT, 73 pts.
Tackles: Buster Davis, 91 tot.,
38 solo
Sacks: Lawrence Timmons, 3
sacks
Interceptions: Tony Carter,
Roger Williams - 1 each
Kickoff Returns: Kenny O'Neal,
21 ret., 24.0 avg., 0 TD
Punt Returns: Lawrence Timmons,
2 ret., 34.5 avg., 0 TD
|
|
|
DT
Andre Fluellen |
|
|
|
|
FLORIDA
STATE
|
|
|
OFFENSE
- 7 |
----RETURNING
STARTERS---- |
DEFENSE
- 4 |
|
KEY
LOSSES |
OFFENSE:
James Coleman-FB, Leon Washington-TB,
Willie Reid-WR, Matt Henshaw-TE, Donnie
Carter-TE, David Castillo-C, Matt Meinrod-OG,
Fred Rouse-WR (dismissed), Cornelius
Lewis-OG (dismissed) |
DEFENSE:
Brodrick
Bunkley-NG, Kamerion Wimbley-DE, A.J.
Nicholson-WLB, Marcello Church-WLB,
Gerard Ross-CB, Kyler Hall-ROV, Pat
Watkins-FS, Chris Hall-P, Ernie Sims-SLB
(NFL), Antonio Cromartie-CB (NFL) |
|
|
2006
OFFENSE |
Quarterback
No QB controversy exists, for now. Yes,
two top-flight signal callers are still
on the roster with Drew Weatherford and
Xavier Lee (2004 starter Wyatt Sexton has
given up football). But Weatherford, coming
off a season where he passed for more yards
than any freshman QB in ACC history, has
taken the reigns. After being named a first-team
Freshman all-American (FWAA), Weatherford
continues to improve by leaps and bounds
with every “passing” day. Through
two weeks of spring ball, he had purportedly
thrown just one incomplete pass. His confidence,
timing and knowledge of the system have
been nothing short of amazing. With his
backup Xavier Lee sitting out spring following
off-season shoulder surgery, the job is
his. In fact, Weatherford could easily be
the best thing to happen for Bobby Bowden
when looking at the QB situation the past
five seasons. If coaches need to call on
Lee (a former Mr. Florida football), they
will get a guy with extreme talent(s), but
he hasn't quite adapted to the position
since he has not logged the same real-game
experience behind center. Look for Weatherford
to go nuclear this season given his progress.
In other words, Drew may be the best signal
caller in the ACC.
Running
Back
The Seminoles dismissed the run completely
last fall (109th nationally) and paid the
price. An extreme priority has been placed
on revamping this facet, enough such that
coaches convinced Lorenzo Booker to return
for his senior season after promising to
make the necessary changes. In his fourth
year of sharing the starts, Booker has to
be more than another receiver out of the
backfield. But when it comes to pounding
the ball between the tackles, the answer
will come from Antone Smith (yet another
former Mr. Florida Football). Aside from
the QB Weatherford, Smith has shown the
most improvement/promise of any one player
on this team. FSU will still be hard pressed
to find a 1000-yard rusher once again with
so much depth in the backfield splitting
the carries. Nothing seems to have changed
in this approach, and it has to do with
FSU signing so many top rated RBs. Maybe
a nice problem to have, but it has been
a problem more in terms of finding that
one guy who can be counted on. So much talent
resides here that anything short of a semi-dominating
rushing attack has to fall on the coaches’
shoulders. The FB position has been wiped
clean with departures. They need a blocking
back, pure and simple, which may have to
be provided by an incoming freshman or a
guy (Joe Surratt) who has yet to garner
more than two rushing attempts.
Receiver
Finding skill positions in the Sunshine
State has never been an issue. Ergo, FSU
is blessed with a plethora of veterans combined
with a newfound youth movement. This is
important in terms of what FSU does when
they have the football should coaches (continue
to) attempt over 500 passes. The player
getting all of the publicity seems to be
6-6 Greg Carr, the only offensive Nole to
receive all-Conference honors last fall,
and it was just his first season. FSU loves
the deep/jump ball and Carr does it better
than anyone nationwide with his leaping
ability. But when searching for the main
target, that honor likely falls on senior
Chris Davis. He'll be the leader; the player
that likely stands out in this scheme for
reception totals. His glory may go unsung,
but his athletic ability, experience and
pass catching skills are the best of the
group. The promise of the freshman receivers
from a year ago took a hit when Fred Rouse
(nation's top-rated prep WR) was dismissed
from the team. De’Cody Fagg, a major
part of the rotation, will be the guy counted
on instead. He is not as athletic as Rouse,
but seems to have a knack for getting open.
Speaking of that youth, three freshmen from
a year ago will find their way into this
mix (Kenny O'Neal, Richard Goodman, Rod
Owens). One of them will take his play to
the next level and becomes an eventual staple
in the rotation. If two/all of them do,
it just helps the team that much more.
Tight
End
With the TE position being revolutionized
at both the college and pro level, FSU fails
to recognize this trend. For example, although
top recruiting classes continue to churn,
the Noles are still left with absolutely
no one here on their depth chart. Sleeper
Charlie Graham will attempt to give the
team some reps at the position as a frosh,
but the high hopes are that incoming first-year
guy Brandon Warren (rated nation's No.1
prep TE by ESPN recruiting) can start immediately.
Given the inexperience here and the devotion
to developing a running game, apparently
the offense will continue to suffer from
the ignorance of what a TE can truly accomplish.
Offensive
Line
The key to how far FSU travels starts here.
With the above-stated priority of fixing
the running game already in place, the task
simply won’t be accomplished with
the same dismal 2005 effort from this unit.
Injuries crushed this (already questionable)
group last year, and such plagues the new
campaign, too. Each position has a player
that has garnered starts at some point of
their career. But coaches have failed to
address improvements here via recruiting.
Only five healthy scholarship players are
available this spring. The two tackle spots
still have some serious questions. Mario
Henderson seems to be getting better, but
all-American JUCO-transfer Shannon Boatman
(already enrolled) is going to make a push
for starting duties at one of the spots.
If he lives up to the hype, this would be
a huge bonus. The most watched position
may be at center as John Frady continues
to be hampered by injuries. Dumaka Atkins
can take over, and this would allow Frady
to slide over for more support at guard,
where he seems better suited. In short,
not one of these players stands out as a
certified top caliber blocker. OL coach
Mark McHale will pray this unit stays healthy
or it will be just another case of a one-dimensional
passing offense. Ugh!
OFFENSIVE
BREAKDOWN
Run the dad-gum ball! The Seminoles must
develop some/any form of a rushing attack
or else opposing defenses will continue
drop seven cover men while stopping the
run with only four/five men. Such would
not produce more than eight victories. Weatherford
looks to be a star either way, but his individual
accomplishments won’t be enough to
get them over such humps. In any other system,
any one of the four TBs FSU possesses could
flourish, so the talent is there, just seemingly
being wasted until this notion is proven
wrong. The progress and health of the OL
is the team’s measuring stick, period.
All the skill position players in the world,
which FSU seems to maintain, cannot make
up the difference if the big men cannot
open holes and protect their passer.
|
|
QB
Drew Weatherford
|
|
|
FLORIDA
STATE 2006 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
OFFENSE |
QB |
Drew
Weatherford-So (6-3, 220) |
Xavier
Lee-So (6-4, 227) |
FB |
Joe
Surratt-Jr (6-1, 263) |
Matt
Dunham-Fr (6-2, 250) |
TB |
Lorenzo
Booker-Sr (5-11, 193) |
Antone
Smith-So (5-9, 190)
Jamaal Edwards-So (6-0, 215) |
WR |
De'Cody
Fagg-Jr (6-3, 221) |
Joslin
Shaw-Jr (5-10, 183)
Kenny O'Neal-So (6-1, 195) |
WR |
Chris
Davis-Sr (6-0, 180) |
Greg
Carr-So (6-6, 203) |
TE |
Charlie
Graham-Fr (6-3, 241) |
Caz
Piurowski-Fr (6-7, 234) |
OT |
Mario
Henderson-Sr (6-7, 304) |
.. |
OG |
Jacky
Claude-Jr (6-4, 308) |
Marcus
Ford-Jr (6-3, 280) |
C |
John
Frady-Jr (6-4, 306) |
Dumaka
Atkins-So (6-4, 310) |
OG |
Cory
Niblock-Sr (6-4, 300) |
Geoff
Berniard-So (6-8, 342) |
OT |
Shannon
Boatman-Jr (6-7, 309) |
David
Overmyer-Jr (6-5, 303) |
K |
Gary
Cismesia-Jr (5-11, 214) |
Graham
Gano-So (6-1, 189) |
|
|
2006
DEFENSE |
Defensive
Line
Some holes need to be filled due to senior
departures, but do not be fooled into thinking
this group isn't ready for the limelight.
Experience may not be as prevalent, but
tough, qualified bodies are plentiful. The
first-team assurances afforded when fielding
DEs Burston and Boston have been affected
by the injury bug, but this has given others
- such as freshman Everette Brown - a chance
to shine. Brown is going to be one of the
nice surprises for FSU this year with his
tenacity. Before signing with FSU, Aaron
Jones was everybody's prep all-American.
He has failed to live up to the billing,
as fans and coaches have questioned his
drive. Apparently he has finally found such
and is expected to make a considerable contribution,
which could not have come any sooner with
the departure of NG Broderick Bunkley. One
of the handfuls of surprises this spring
was the announcement of Kendrick Stewart
as the starting NG. Throw highly regarded
Emmanuel Dunbar into the list and it's easy
to see how deep this group goes. The anchor
is DT Andre Fluellen, who will push for
post-season award honors. Watch out for
this assembly of raw talent - the expectations
should not be quite as high as usual, but
that will only help them to produce needed
results.
Linebacker
This unit is unparalleled for how many top-rated
players the Noles have from which to pick.
The first misconception would be to assume
that because a few are gone (NFL) that they
must reload. In actuality, many players
on the current roster have logged extensive
playing time without the unit missing a
beat. One of those players is Lawrence Timmons,
the team's returning sack leader. LB coach
Kevin Steele expects a brilliant season
from this prototypical bruiser. Buster Davis
is back and will be the anchor/leader/tackling
machine needed for the entire defense to
revolve around and rely upon. He surely
will get looks for post-season all-American
consideration. How Steele is able to attract
these kids in abundance has been nothing
short of amazing – but he produces
results, and who wouldn’t want his
tutelage with such a reputation. Given the
fact many of these players are athletic,
fast and strong enough to lineup at any
LB position affords the defense the luxury
of being as capable as any that Bobby Bowden
fielded in the last 30 years.
Defensive
Back
There's a new sheriff in town and his name
is Myron Rolle. The Princeton, N.J.-native
was ESPN's No. 1 rated prep recruit at any
position, and he was smart enough to have
enrolled in January so as to be part of
spring ball. Through the early spring he
has proved to be as good as advertised.
He was named as the top January newcomer
by the strength and conditioning coach and
can already be seen covering every corner
of the field. The timing could not have
been better as the safety position is/was
a major concern with the graduations of
Pat Watkins and Kyler Hall, the transfer
of Clarence Ward, the academic problems
of Kenny Ingram, and (finally) the injury
to FS Roger Williams. Both starting corners,
Carter and Bryant, are being held out of
contact drills this spring following off-season
shoulder surgeries which opens the door
for Jamie Robinson, another four-star recruit
and workaholic gaining praise with each
practice. CB Michael Ray Garvin, even another
prep all-American, will join the fold as
he concentrates on both track and football.
Because of his lack of height (5'9), most
felt he would not be able to effectively
cover taller receivers, but he has proven
quite the opposite, mostly due to his tremendous
(runs the 40 in 4.3 sec) speed. In short,
the corner position is deep, but the safety
position is one injury away from forcing
some roster moves. Although just a first
time freshman, the health of Rolle cannot
be overemphasized.
DEFENSIVE
BREAKDOWN
After a short-term drop off in the new millennium
under long time Coach Mickey Andrews, the
defense is back with a vengeance. This may
be one of the most underrated defenses,
but they proved already (via 2005’s
14th-rated total effort) that they can keep
the Noles in a game when the offense struggles.
Andrews’ bunch allowed foes to score
more and more as the season went on, and
FSU lost four of the last five. Still, holding
potent Virginia Tech and Penn State under
30 (22 and 26, respectively) to end the
campaign allows us to think that this trend
was an aberration which won’t continue.
Why? Talent-wise, (outside of safety) most
positions have three to four reserves that
could presently start at most Top 50 schools.
Recruiting has been as good as ever despite
the recent downward spiral of the program,
and the defense is reaping the most rewards.
If FSU is to repeat as conference champions,
once again the defense will be the reason.
|
|
LB
Buster Davis
|
|
|
FLORIDA
STATE 2006 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
DEFENSE |
DE |
Alex
Boston-Jr (6-3, 264) |
Everette
Brown-Fr (6-4, 240)
Neefy Moffett-So (6-1, 263) |
DT |
Andre
Fluellen-Jr (6-4, 286) |
Letroy
Guion-So (6-4, 286) |
NG |
Kendrick
Stewart-Fr (6-2, 271) |
Emmanuel
Dunbar-So (6-5, 292)
Aaron Jones-So (6-3, 285) |
DE |
Darrell
Burston-Sr (6-2, 240) |
D.J.
Norris-Jr (6-3, 252) |
SLB |
Lawrence
Timmons-Jr (6-3, 230) |
Jeremy
Franklin-Sr (6-2, 202)
Toddrick Verdell-So (6-3, 215) |
MLB |
Derek
Nicholson-So (6-2, 232) |
Jae
Thaxton-So (6-3, 246) |
WLB |
Buster
Davis-Sr (5-11, 240) |
Geno
Hayes-So (6-2, 215)
Rodney Gallon-So (6-0, 200) |
CB |
Tony
Carter-So (5-9, 160) |
Michael
Ray Garvin-So (5-8, 181) |
CB |
J.R.
Bryant-Jr (6-1, 172) |
Trevor
Ford-So (6-0, 192) |
ROV |
Myron
Rolle-Fr (6-2, 218) |
Anthony
Houllis-Jr (6-0, 210) |
FS |
Roger
Williams-Jr (6-0, 200) |
Darius
McClure-So (5-11, 198) |
P |
Graham
Gano-So (6-1, 189) |
Brent
Moody-Jr (6-2, 185) |
|
|
|
2006
SPECIAL TEAMS |
Kicker
Just when a top high school kicker with great
promise to change the tide here steps on the field,
it seems he is cursed. Gary Cismesia is just the
next in line. After missing multiple key kicks
in the Orange Bowl just months ago, one has to
wonder about the Bradenton-native’s confidence.
While he looks good at times (14-for-18 from beyond
the 30), he struggles when you need him most.
Graham Gano has a stronger leg as he took over
kick-off duties, but his accuracy and consistency
is still questionable enough to have Cismesia
keep his job.
Punter
The battle for punter is open. Gano (and his 42+
prep average) is first in line, but look for Louisville-transfer
Brent Moody to make a run at the position.
Return
Game
With so much skill-position talent/speed, one
would think kick/punt returners would easily put
up all-American numbers. Willie Reid came close
last fall, but losing him (in fact, the top three
punt returners are no longer with the team) forces
FSU to look elsewhere. Needless to say, the PR
job is wide open. Kenny O'Neal will continue to
return kicks. His numbers were decent (22.7 avg.),
but he has yet to display the ability to run one
back for six. Expect tryouts this August to give
a chance to just about anyone and everyone.
|
|
|