We will be on hand this morning for the third day of spring football practice. Keep in mind that most of our coverage will come after practice, starting around noon. Note: FSU does not permit us to report on injuries or depth chart information during practice.
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Observations:
Gene:
Quarterbacks - Nobody did well but IMO but J. Blackman was clearly the most consistent today. He was on target on most of his throws and looked the most comfortable. However, he made a bad throw near the goal line that should have been picked by E. Rice (see below). Rodemaker was OK but wasn't able to complete anything down field, which may be partially do to not having much time. Didn't see Travis throw much during the 11-on-11. NOTE: Corey watched the 7-on-7 and 1-on-1 so he should have more to add.
Running backs - There are nine players in drills including four scholarship (Grant, Laborn, Douglas and Corbin) and two very good walk-ons (Sheffield and Webb). Grant had the longest run of the day in 11-on-11 but fumbled after a hit from Brownlee. Douglas showed off pretty good speed making it to the sidelines a couple times. Corbin was held out of full contact but make a really nice move on a LB in a 1 on 1 drill. He looks impressive so far.
Wide receivers - T. Terry stood out above the rest today making some impressive catches despite tight coverage from Samuel. Since there wasn't much going on down field today nobody else stood out in 11 on 11. But again, Corey saw the other passing drills and should have more to add.
Offensive line - Arnold needs to drop a couple pounds but had some nice blocks today where he moved a defensive lineman out of the way to spring runs. Same Boselli, who is cross-training at guard and center (so is Johnson). Saw some other OLs have positive moments during drills vs. DLs including Neal, B. Johnson and J. Williams.
Defensive line - Really nice day for Quashon Fuller and Malcolm Ray. Both made an impression in the OL vs. DL drills. Ray has a real nice burst for a DT. Fuller needs to get stronger but he's very quick off the ball. Also, Dennis Briggs Jr. is really coming into his own. He got the best of the DL on at least three different occasions. J. Chatman had a TFL and sack during the final 11 on 11 session.
Linebacker - There's little doubt in my mind that this will be one of the most improved segments this season (if not the most improved). Really liked what I saw from Kevon Glenn, Stephen Dix Jr., McRae, Kevon Glenn and Gainer. All these guys were flying around making plays. Nice interview with McRae talking about the LBs in case you missed it.
Defensive backs - There wasn't much down field in 11 on 11 so not much to say on this segment. Corey watched the passing drills and will have more.
Kickers - Much better day for the kickers. Both Fitzgerald and Grothaus hit two of two on field goal attempts.
The W-drill (similar to the old Nole Drill) - It was slightly different than the old Nole drill with the three levels of blockers/defenders separated by about 5 yards apart.
T. Terry had the highlight of the day with a decleater block on a DB that had the players and coaches celebrating. Other standouts included R. Cooper, C. Boatright, and C. Becker. Other than won battles were Johnson, Glenn, Douglas, J. Young, Ray, McRae, Fuller, Laborn, McLendon, Gainer, and R. Cooper.
In conclusion, the defense is way ahead of the offense at this stage. Part of that is because it's only the third practice and the players are learning a brand new offense. it's a bit sloppy at times and you can tell some players are still hesitating because they aren't fully comfortable yet. The main positive for the offense has been getting off a few decent runs. Seeing a little better push at times from the OL to open holes, but still not on a consistent basis yet.
Corey:
Blackman and Rodemaker were the only two scholarship quarterbacks to participate in 7 on 7 and 11 on 11. Travis got reps in the zone read drills, but that was it. Never saw him actually throw a pass. As for the two who did throw, Blackman was much sharper, in my opinion. That doesn't mean he was terrific, just that he was better than the early enrollee going through his first practice in full pads. Rodemaker, I believe, completed just one or two passes to a receiver all day during those drills. One was a nice sideline fade to Warren Thompson for about 30 yards.
Blackman hit Terry on a couple of nice seam passes and also got one on a sideline route to Terry, who outfought Asante Samuel for the ball.
Speaking of those two, as Gene mentioned earlier, Terry was a beast in the W Drill. He had two great blocks, including a pancake. He was about to go against Samuel in the the drill for the first time when the whistle blew to end it. Terry and Samuel, who had shaken hands right before they lined up against each other, started frantically waiving for Norvell to give them a turn, but it was too late. Thought that was cool to see. Not only the competition-seeking, but the respect they have for one another.
Stephen Dix Jr. made a couple of splash plays that I saw, including an impressive TFL. He certainly looks the part of a big-time linebacker. Jamarcus Chatman also had a couple of TFL's during 11 on 11 drills.
D.J. Matthews made a great diving catch for a first down in 11 on 11. Overall, I thought Matthews had his best day. He had 5-6 catches during the 7 on 7 and 11 on 11. He looks as fast and agile as ever. He's still wearing green because of an injured hand/wrist, but he's out there making plays.
The best single throw of the day that I saw was a deep fade from Blackman to Terry in one-on-one drills. It probably went for about 35 yards. It was against Samuel.
Renardo Green continues to make splash plays as well. I notice that guy at least twice every practice making a great break on the ball or being physical. During the one-on-ones he literally pancaked a receiver at the line of scrimmage before he ever made a move.
As for the offensive line play? Eh. There were a few holes. Anthony Grant, in fact, had a nice 30-yard run. Right up until the point he fumbled after being hit by Brownlee. But too many times it seemed like the QB was scrambling quickly.
Overall, yeah the defense is still ahead of offense. That's to be expected. Though, unlike Tuesday, I didn't see any interceptions from the quarterbacks. Bad snaps and exchanges led to a handful of fumbles, but at least there were no picks thrown.
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Practice updates:
Very active start to the first day of full pads.
Had a period of a Nole/Oklahoma drill. It was slightly different than the old Nole drill with the three levels of blockers/defenders separated by about 5 yards.
T. Terry had a decleater block that got the offensive players and coaches celebrating. Other standouts included R. Cooper, C. Boatright, and C. Becker.
In 11 on 11 Cooper, Glenn and Fuller had TFLs. Sheffield had a couple decent runs. Grant had a nice spin move that resulted in a long run but Brownlee forced a fumble. Really nothing in the passing game.
On one play from the 5 Blackman threw it right to Rice, who dropped what should have been a pick.
Both kickers were 2 for 2 on field goal attempts.
Mickey Andrews is out here.
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Mostly thud so far. Don't see much tackling. Corbin had a nice run vs. an LB in a 1 on 1 drill. DJ Matthews and Camm McDonald had nice grabs during the early 2 minute drill.
‐------------
Observations:
Gene:
Quarterbacks - Nobody did well but IMO but J. Blackman was clearly the most consistent today. He was on target on most of his throws and looked the most comfortable. However, he made a bad throw near the goal line that should have been picked by E. Rice (see below). Rodemaker was OK but wasn't able to complete anything down field, which may be partially do to not having much time. Didn't see Travis throw much during the 11-on-11. NOTE: Corey watched the 7-on-7 and 1-on-1 so he should have more to add.
Running backs - There are nine players in drills including four scholarship (Grant, Laborn, Douglas and Corbin) and two very good walk-ons (Sheffield and Webb). Grant had the longest run of the day in 11-on-11 but fumbled after a hit from Brownlee. Douglas showed off pretty good speed making it to the sidelines a couple times. Corbin was held out of full contact but make a really nice move on a LB in a 1 on 1 drill. He looks impressive so far.
Wide receivers - T. Terry stood out above the rest today making some impressive catches despite tight coverage from Samuel. Since there wasn't much going on down field today nobody else stood out in 11 on 11. But again, Corey saw the other passing drills and should have more to add.
Offensive line - Arnold needs to drop a couple pounds but had some nice blocks today where he moved a defensive lineman out of the way to spring runs. Same Boselli, who is cross-training at guard and center (so is Johnson). Saw some other OLs have positive moments during drills vs. DLs including Neal, B. Johnson and J. Williams.
Defensive line - Really nice day for Quashon Fuller and Malcolm Ray. Both made an impression in the OL vs. DL drills. Ray has a real nice burst for a DT. Fuller needs to get stronger but he's very quick off the ball. Also, Dennis Briggs Jr. is really coming into his own. He got the best of the DL on at least three different occasions. J. Chatman had a TFL and sack during the final 11 on 11 session.
Linebacker - There's little doubt in my mind that this will be one of the most improved segments this season (if not the most improved). Really liked what I saw from Kevon Glenn, Stephen Dix Jr., McRae, Kevon Glenn and Gainer. All these guys were flying around making plays. Nice interview with McRae talking about the LBs in case you missed it.
Defensive backs - There wasn't much down field in 11 on 11 so not much to say on this segment. Corey watched the passing drills and will have more.
Kickers - Much better day for the kickers. Both Fitzgerald and Grothaus hit two of two on field goal attempts.
The W-drill (similar to the old Nole Drill) - It was slightly different than the old Nole drill with the three levels of blockers/defenders separated by about 5 yards apart.
T. Terry had the highlight of the day with a decleater block on a DB that had the players and coaches celebrating. Other standouts included R. Cooper, C. Boatright, and C. Becker. Other than won battles were Johnson, Glenn, Douglas, J. Young, Ray, McRae, Fuller, Laborn, McLendon, Gainer, and R. Cooper.
In conclusion, the defense is way ahead of the offense at this stage. Part of that is because it's only the third practice and the players are learning a brand new offense. it's a bit sloppy at times and you can tell some players are still hesitating because they aren't fully comfortable yet. The main positive for the offense has been getting off a few decent runs. Seeing a little better push at times from the OL to open holes, but still not on a consistent basis yet.
Corey:
Blackman and Rodemaker were the only two scholarship quarterbacks to participate in 7 on 7 and 11 on 11. Travis got reps in the zone read drills, but that was it. Never saw him actually throw a pass. As for the two who did throw, Blackman was much sharper, in my opinion. That doesn't mean he was terrific, just that he was better than the early enrollee going through his first practice in full pads. Rodemaker, I believe, completed just one or two passes to a receiver all day during those drills. One was a nice sideline fade to Warren Thompson for about 30 yards.
Blackman hit Terry on a couple of nice seam passes and also got one on a sideline route to Terry, who outfought Asante Samuel for the ball.
Speaking of those two, as Gene mentioned earlier, Terry was a beast in the W Drill. He had two great blocks, including a pancake. He was about to go against Samuel in the the drill for the first time when the whistle blew to end it. Terry and Samuel, who had shaken hands right before they lined up against each other, started frantically waiving for Norvell to give them a turn, but it was too late. Thought that was cool to see. Not only the competition-seeking, but the respect they have for one another.
Stephen Dix Jr. made a couple of splash plays that I saw, including an impressive TFL. He certainly looks the part of a big-time linebacker. Jamarcus Chatman also had a couple of TFL's during 11 on 11 drills.
D.J. Matthews made a great diving catch for a first down in 11 on 11. Overall, I thought Matthews had his best day. He had 5-6 catches during the 7 on 7 and 11 on 11. He looks as fast and agile as ever. He's still wearing green because of an injured hand/wrist, but he's out there making plays.
The best single throw of the day that I saw was a deep fade from Blackman to Terry in one-on-one drills. It probably went for about 35 yards. It was against Samuel.
Renardo Green continues to make splash plays as well. I notice that guy at least twice every practice making a great break on the ball or being physical. During the one-on-ones he literally pancaked a receiver at the line of scrimmage before he ever made a move.
As for the offensive line play? Eh. There were a few holes. Anthony Grant, in fact, had a nice 30-yard run. Right up until the point he fumbled after being hit by Brownlee. But too many times it seemed like the QB was scrambling quickly.
Overall, yeah the defense is still ahead of offense. That's to be expected. Though, unlike Tuesday, I didn't see any interceptions from the quarterbacks. Bad snaps and exchanges led to a handful of fumbles, but at least there were no picks thrown.
---------------
Practice updates:
Very active start to the first day of full pads.
Had a period of a Nole/Oklahoma drill. It was slightly different than the old Nole drill with the three levels of blockers/defenders separated by about 5 yards.
T. Terry had a decleater block that got the offensive players and coaches celebrating. Other standouts included R. Cooper, C. Boatright, and C. Becker.
In 11 on 11 Cooper, Glenn and Fuller had TFLs. Sheffield had a couple decent runs. Grant had a nice spin move that resulted in a long run but Brownlee forced a fumble. Really nothing in the passing game.
On one play from the 5 Blackman threw it right to Rice, who dropped what should have been a pick.
Both kickers were 2 for 2 on field goal attempts.
Mickey Andrews is out here.
-------------
Mostly thud so far. Don't see much tackling. Corbin had a nice run vs. an LB in a 1 on 1 drill. DJ Matthews and Camm McDonald had nice grabs during the early 2 minute drill.
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