3:00 -- OK, sorry we've had a lot going on between all of the content from practice and also a commitment in football and basketball and baseball games. But here are some additional notes from practice, which was open to the media.
* As expected, there was a lot of teaching today since it was the first day, but you could tell how much further they are than a year ago. In every position group, there are guys who know what they're doing and can help younger players. Norvell praised the energy and efficiency of the practice. It went for about two hours, with no pads.
* Corey writes a lot about this in his Observations piece, but the QBs all looked good -- Jordan, Tate, AJ and Gino English. They all had some really nice passes.
*There's not much to tell you about the OL or DL since they were in shorts, jerseys and helmets. But it was great to see the OL have three full units. It's been awhile since we've seen that. And they even had one or two guys limited, but still had first, second and third teams. That's huge. They also are able to move guys around at different spots for versatility.
* The depth in the defensive secondary is also very impressive. You have guys who have been starters in the past taking reps on the second and third teams. They're also moving guys around to different spots, such as Kevin Knowles and Greedy Vance taking reps at corner and nickelback. ... Omarion Cooper, by the way, looked great every time I saw him. And he's playing with A LOT of confidence.
* We'll be posting updates on each of the newcomers throughout the coming days, but Oregon transfer Trey Benson is very impressive physically. He is extremely well put together and has great speed. Freshman RB Rodney Hill also has a nice burst. His speed is legit, and he catches the ball well.
* In 1-on-1s, Pokey Wilson had a great catch on a deep ball from Jordan Travis. Shortly after that, Travis Jay picked off a pass from Tate Rodemaker.
* Jammie Robinson was dominant in coverage, even in 1-on-1s. He's so physical, and with no referees out there today, he could really manhandle guys.
* Freshman DBs Sam McCall and Azareye'h Thomas had some impressive moments. Their length and speed is impressive in pass coverage. The whole defense went crazy after Thomas' INT during 11-on-11. It looked to me like Duffy's arm got hit as he delivered it, but either way it was a nice play on a deep ball.
* LB transfer Tatum Bethune is well put together and you could see his instincts when he and Jarrian Jones blew up a screen pass in 11-on-11.
* Also good to see Demorie Tate and Renardo Green make some nice PBUs.
* Corey writes a lot about the new WRs in his Observations, but I thought the veterans had some nice moments as well -- Pokey Wilson, Keyshawn Helton, Kentron Poiitier and Ja'Khi Douglas in particular. Douglas really made a lot of nice plays.
* It was cool to see so many former players stopping by practice. I even saw Rick Leonard pull aside Robert Scott to show him a few things. ... Norvell said the alumni also came to a team dinner last night to spend time with the current players.
* As you might have seen from photos, FSU's players have their names on the backs of their jerseys. That's new.
* FSU also has a big flat screen in one corner of the practice fields now, so some instruction from live replays can be given during practice. Pretty cool technology.
----
The Norvell and player interviews are right here
Gene's photo gallery is here:
Aslan and Austin have video footage from practice
I'll have some additional notes shortly.
----
——
Good morning! We'll be heading out to FSU this morning for the first practice of this spring.
Practice is scheduled to start at 10, and we'll have photos, videos and more coming. We might be limited in what we can post as far as observations during the practice, but we will have plenty afterward.
So definitely stay connected throughout the day.
* As expected, there was a lot of teaching today since it was the first day, but you could tell how much further they are than a year ago. In every position group, there are guys who know what they're doing and can help younger players. Norvell praised the energy and efficiency of the practice. It went for about two hours, with no pads.
* Corey writes a lot about this in his Observations piece, but the QBs all looked good -- Jordan, Tate, AJ and Gino English. They all had some really nice passes.
*There's not much to tell you about the OL or DL since they were in shorts, jerseys and helmets. But it was great to see the OL have three full units. It's been awhile since we've seen that. And they even had one or two guys limited, but still had first, second and third teams. That's huge. They also are able to move guys around at different spots for versatility.
* The depth in the defensive secondary is also very impressive. You have guys who have been starters in the past taking reps on the second and third teams. They're also moving guys around to different spots, such as Kevin Knowles and Greedy Vance taking reps at corner and nickelback. ... Omarion Cooper, by the way, looked great every time I saw him. And he's playing with A LOT of confidence.
* We'll be posting updates on each of the newcomers throughout the coming days, but Oregon transfer Trey Benson is very impressive physically. He is extremely well put together and has great speed. Freshman RB Rodney Hill also has a nice burst. His speed is legit, and he catches the ball well.
* In 1-on-1s, Pokey Wilson had a great catch on a deep ball from Jordan Travis. Shortly after that, Travis Jay picked off a pass from Tate Rodemaker.
* Jammie Robinson was dominant in coverage, even in 1-on-1s. He's so physical, and with no referees out there today, he could really manhandle guys.
* Freshman DBs Sam McCall and Azareye'h Thomas had some impressive moments. Their length and speed is impressive in pass coverage. The whole defense went crazy after Thomas' INT during 11-on-11. It looked to me like Duffy's arm got hit as he delivered it, but either way it was a nice play on a deep ball.
* LB transfer Tatum Bethune is well put together and you could see his instincts when he and Jarrian Jones blew up a screen pass in 11-on-11.
* Also good to see Demorie Tate and Renardo Green make some nice PBUs.
* Corey writes a lot about the new WRs in his Observations, but I thought the veterans had some nice moments as well -- Pokey Wilson, Keyshawn Helton, Kentron Poiitier and Ja'Khi Douglas in particular. Douglas really made a lot of nice plays.
* It was cool to see so many former players stopping by practice. I even saw Rick Leonard pull aside Robert Scott to show him a few things. ... Norvell said the alumni also came to a team dinner last night to spend time with the current players.
* As you might have seen from photos, FSU's players have their names on the backs of their jerseys. That's new.
* FSU also has a big flat screen in one corner of the practice fields now, so some instruction from live replays can be given during practice. Pretty cool technology.
----
The Norvell and player interviews are right here
Gene's photo gallery is here:
Aslan and Austin have video footage from practice
I'll have some additional notes shortly.
----
——
Good morning! We'll be heading out to FSU this morning for the first practice of this spring.
Practice is scheduled to start at 10, and we'll have photos, videos and more coming. We might be limited in what we can post as far as observations during the practice, but we will have plenty afterward.
So definitely stay connected throughout the day.
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