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Jose Jones
- Joined
- Nov 22, 2000
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Seminoles looking for payback
By Mel Kiper Jr.
Around the same time last year, I tried to alert the teams on Florida State's schedule that 2001 would provide a rare opportunity to beat the vaunted Seminoles.
As a redshirt freshman in 2001, Chris Rix ranked eighth in the nation in passing efficiency.
Excluding powers such as Miami (Fla.) and Florida, who handled the rebuilding Seminoles easily, North Carolina and N.C. State deserve applause for getting the job done. The same can't be said about Georgia Tech, Virginia, Maryland and Clemson, the ACC teams that lost to Florida State.
Considering all the 14 starters the Seminoles lost following the 2000 season, a 7-4 regular-season record and a 30-17 victory over Virginia Tech in the Gator Bowl weren't bad. Remember, making matters even worse was the loss of top-flight receivers Anquan Boldin and Robert Morgan to injuries before the season even began.
This time around, the Seminole coaching staff and players will be looking for payback. Boldin and Morgan are back at full strength, while a host of skilled young athletes have paid their dues.
Offensively, the Seminoles could be ready to light up the scoreboard again on a regular basis. For everything to come together, third-year sophomore signal-caller Chris Rix must develop into a more consistent field general. Rix needs to cut down on his mistakes and questionable decisions that come from being young and relatively inexperienced.
Last year there were too many instances when Rix would tuck the ball in and run for yardage when he could have shown more patience and delivered a strike down the field. In the spring, however, Rix showed all the signs that he is ready to establish himself as one of the nation's elite quarterbacks.
Getting Boldin and Morgan back as the starting wideouts will provide a major shot in the arm to the Seminoles' aerial attack. Both have effectively worked their way back to 100 percent from the season-ending knee injuries of a year ago, although neither participated in spring practice as a precautionary measure.
Now consider the talent and depth available at WR. Physically gifted senior Talman Gardner is now the No. 2 or No. 3 option, with talented sophomores P.K. Sam and Craphonso Thorpe becoming extra wideouts. The Seminoles will also welcome a pair of blue-chip recruits when fall practice begins -- Chris Davis, a former prep quarterback who reminds observers close to the Seminoles of a young Peter Warrick, and also Dishon Platt.
In addition, head coach Bobby Bowden landed the top receiver from the JUCO ranks in Chauncey Stovall. The last time Bowden went to the JUCO ranks for a receiver, he brought Javon Walker to Tallahassee. All Walker did was become the Green Bay Packers' first-round draft pick when they traded up to the 20th spot overall to acquire his services in April. It will be interesting to see whether Bowden hits the jackpot once again with Stovall.
Senior tight end Patrick Hughes grades out as a better in-line blocker than pass-receiving option. Lonnie Davis, a highly regarded true freshman, may have a chance to compete for playing time.
In the backfield, the Seminoles have a bruising big back in junior Greg Jones, a proven all-purpose performer in senior Nick Maddox, and a developing Warrick Dunn type in redshirt freshman Willie Reid. The 5-foot-10, 175-pounder is particularly effective at catching the football. Maddox could also line up in the slot as well.
Bowden also landed prize recruit Lorenzo Booker from Ventura, Calif., as well as another blue-chip recruit, Thomas Clayton, from Alexandria, Va. By the way, Eric Shelton, who saw action with the Seminoles during the early stages of his college career, decided to transfer to Louisville where he will be forced to sit out the 2002 season.
The fullback position looks questionable on paper, which is why a one-back set may not be out of the question. The Seminoles have even shifted redshirt freshman B.J. Dean from linebacker to fullback in an effort to strengthen the position. Also in the mix is true freshman Torrance Washington.
There is no question that the Seminoles' offensive line will be one of the team's strengths. All five starters return, led by their exceptional senior left tackle Brett Williams and battle-tested senior right guard Montrae Holland. On the right side, sophomore Ray Willis may be able to unseat incumbent Todd Williams for the starting job.
Last year the Seminoles defense allowed 31 or more points on five occasions and over 40 points in two games. If the defensive group is going to revert to its old, dominating ways, the defensive ends must generate much more outside pass pressure, bringing back memories of Andre Wadsworth, Peter Boulware, Reinard Wilson, Greg Spires, Jamal Reynolds and David Warren on the prowl.
If he can remain at full strength the entire way, senior defensive end Alonzo Jackson could be the igniter they are looking for. On the other side, junior Kevin Emanuel is listed as the starter going into fall practice, but watch out for sophomore Eric Moore, a converted linebacker who brings a great deal of athleticism and quickness to the position.
Along the inside, the Seminoles have as strong a defensive tackle tandem as any in the country. Jeff Womble operates as an effective stay-at-home type, while fellow junior Darnell Dockett appears primed to make his mark as one of the elite defensive players in college football. Last year, Dockett recorded a school-record 22 stops behind the line of scrimmage, including five tackles for loss in one game against Georgia Tech.
The Seminoles are set at outside linebacker with juniors Michael Boulware and Kendyll Pope, but in the middle it will be up to senior Jerel Hudson to make up for the graduation loss of Bradley Jennings. Hudson, who gained starting assignments late last year against Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech, checks in at 6-3, 280 pounds and should be a solid run-stopping mike-man.
Coverage is a completely different story, so look for some interesting substitution patterns depending on down and distance. True freshman Sam McGrew could be a factor at middle linebacker, while another blue-chip recruit, Buster Davis, figures to settle in as a backup to Pope and Boulware on the outside.
Even with the graduation losses of safeties Chris Hope and Abdul Howard, more concern lies at cornerback where the Seminoles had severe problems last year. Senior Stanford Samuels is locked in on the left side, but at right corner there are more questions than answers. In the mix are junior Rufus Brown, sophomore Bryant McFadden and sophomore Leroy Smith. Junior Malcolm Tatum, who struggled in coverage last season, is listed as the backup to Samuels.
Moving in as the starter at free safety is sophomore Kyler Hall, a rugged, hard-nosed performer who will make wideouts pay for coming into his area. There is competition at the rover spot between a pair of sophomores, Claudius Osei and Jerome Carter.
While Xavier Beitia is coming off an outstanding true freshman season that saw him connect on his last 22 PATs and last eight field-goal attempts, there are concerns about how the punting situation will shape up. Incumbent Chance Gwaltney averaged a respectable 40.1 yards per punt, but he had two punts blocked and lacked consistency. One of the blocked punts came against Miami and was returned for a TD, while the other block was against Wake Forest and resulted in a safety. A challenger for the punting job figures to be redshirt freshman walk-on Chris Hall.
Overview
There is no question the Seminoles will be a different team than the one we saw struggle to an 8-4 record last season. For them to be national championship material, it will depend on whether the defense is able to make the necessary strides at getting more pass pressure from the defensive end position. Dockett will provide a dominating inside push, but Jackson needs to be attacking from the outside on a consistent basis, while Emanuel or Moore need to get the job done on the other side. Given the necessary protection, opposing quarterbacks were able to successfully attack the Seminole cornerbacks. This season, a true cover man needs to emerge from a group that looks average going in.
Offensively, the healthy return of Boldin and Morgan is huge. Now Rix has proven weapons to go along with Gardner, Sam and Thorpe. It will also be interesting to see how much production the Seminoles receive from the incoming freshmen wideouts, led by Davis as well as highly regarded JUCO transfer Stovall. An area to watch is tight end. They'll need some production from Hughes as a pass-receiving option. The running game, led by Jones, Maddox, and Reid should be potent, with the necessary blend of power and quickness. Making it all go will be a Seminole offensive line that could be one of the best in the country.
By Mel Kiper Jr.
Around the same time last year, I tried to alert the teams on Florida State's schedule that 2001 would provide a rare opportunity to beat the vaunted Seminoles.
As a redshirt freshman in 2001, Chris Rix ranked eighth in the nation in passing efficiency.
Excluding powers such as Miami (Fla.) and Florida, who handled the rebuilding Seminoles easily, North Carolina and N.C. State deserve applause for getting the job done. The same can't be said about Georgia Tech, Virginia, Maryland and Clemson, the ACC teams that lost to Florida State.
Considering all the 14 starters the Seminoles lost following the 2000 season, a 7-4 regular-season record and a 30-17 victory over Virginia Tech in the Gator Bowl weren't bad. Remember, making matters even worse was the loss of top-flight receivers Anquan Boldin and Robert Morgan to injuries before the season even began.
This time around, the Seminole coaching staff and players will be looking for payback. Boldin and Morgan are back at full strength, while a host of skilled young athletes have paid their dues.
Offensively, the Seminoles could be ready to light up the scoreboard again on a regular basis. For everything to come together, third-year sophomore signal-caller Chris Rix must develop into a more consistent field general. Rix needs to cut down on his mistakes and questionable decisions that come from being young and relatively inexperienced.
Last year there were too many instances when Rix would tuck the ball in and run for yardage when he could have shown more patience and delivered a strike down the field. In the spring, however, Rix showed all the signs that he is ready to establish himself as one of the nation's elite quarterbacks.
Getting Boldin and Morgan back as the starting wideouts will provide a major shot in the arm to the Seminoles' aerial attack. Both have effectively worked their way back to 100 percent from the season-ending knee injuries of a year ago, although neither participated in spring practice as a precautionary measure.
Now consider the talent and depth available at WR. Physically gifted senior Talman Gardner is now the No. 2 or No. 3 option, with talented sophomores P.K. Sam and Craphonso Thorpe becoming extra wideouts. The Seminoles will also welcome a pair of blue-chip recruits when fall practice begins -- Chris Davis, a former prep quarterback who reminds observers close to the Seminoles of a young Peter Warrick, and also Dishon Platt.
In addition, head coach Bobby Bowden landed the top receiver from the JUCO ranks in Chauncey Stovall. The last time Bowden went to the JUCO ranks for a receiver, he brought Javon Walker to Tallahassee. All Walker did was become the Green Bay Packers' first-round draft pick when they traded up to the 20th spot overall to acquire his services in April. It will be interesting to see whether Bowden hits the jackpot once again with Stovall.
Senior tight end Patrick Hughes grades out as a better in-line blocker than pass-receiving option. Lonnie Davis, a highly regarded true freshman, may have a chance to compete for playing time.
In the backfield, the Seminoles have a bruising big back in junior Greg Jones, a proven all-purpose performer in senior Nick Maddox, and a developing Warrick Dunn type in redshirt freshman Willie Reid. The 5-foot-10, 175-pounder is particularly effective at catching the football. Maddox could also line up in the slot as well.
Bowden also landed prize recruit Lorenzo Booker from Ventura, Calif., as well as another blue-chip recruit, Thomas Clayton, from Alexandria, Va. By the way, Eric Shelton, who saw action with the Seminoles during the early stages of his college career, decided to transfer to Louisville where he will be forced to sit out the 2002 season.
The fullback position looks questionable on paper, which is why a one-back set may not be out of the question. The Seminoles have even shifted redshirt freshman B.J. Dean from linebacker to fullback in an effort to strengthen the position. Also in the mix is true freshman Torrance Washington.
There is no question that the Seminoles' offensive line will be one of the team's strengths. All five starters return, led by their exceptional senior left tackle Brett Williams and battle-tested senior right guard Montrae Holland. On the right side, sophomore Ray Willis may be able to unseat incumbent Todd Williams for the starting job.
Last year the Seminoles defense allowed 31 or more points on five occasions and over 40 points in two games. If the defensive group is going to revert to its old, dominating ways, the defensive ends must generate much more outside pass pressure, bringing back memories of Andre Wadsworth, Peter Boulware, Reinard Wilson, Greg Spires, Jamal Reynolds and David Warren on the prowl.
If he can remain at full strength the entire way, senior defensive end Alonzo Jackson could be the igniter they are looking for. On the other side, junior Kevin Emanuel is listed as the starter going into fall practice, but watch out for sophomore Eric Moore, a converted linebacker who brings a great deal of athleticism and quickness to the position.
Along the inside, the Seminoles have as strong a defensive tackle tandem as any in the country. Jeff Womble operates as an effective stay-at-home type, while fellow junior Darnell Dockett appears primed to make his mark as one of the elite defensive players in college football. Last year, Dockett recorded a school-record 22 stops behind the line of scrimmage, including five tackles for loss in one game against Georgia Tech.
The Seminoles are set at outside linebacker with juniors Michael Boulware and Kendyll Pope, but in the middle it will be up to senior Jerel Hudson to make up for the graduation loss of Bradley Jennings. Hudson, who gained starting assignments late last year against Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech, checks in at 6-3, 280 pounds and should be a solid run-stopping mike-man.
Coverage is a completely different story, so look for some interesting substitution patterns depending on down and distance. True freshman Sam McGrew could be a factor at middle linebacker, while another blue-chip recruit, Buster Davis, figures to settle in as a backup to Pope and Boulware on the outside.
Even with the graduation losses of safeties Chris Hope and Abdul Howard, more concern lies at cornerback where the Seminoles had severe problems last year. Senior Stanford Samuels is locked in on the left side, but at right corner there are more questions than answers. In the mix are junior Rufus Brown, sophomore Bryant McFadden and sophomore Leroy Smith. Junior Malcolm Tatum, who struggled in coverage last season, is listed as the backup to Samuels.
Moving in as the starter at free safety is sophomore Kyler Hall, a rugged, hard-nosed performer who will make wideouts pay for coming into his area. There is competition at the rover spot between a pair of sophomores, Claudius Osei and Jerome Carter.
While Xavier Beitia is coming off an outstanding true freshman season that saw him connect on his last 22 PATs and last eight field-goal attempts, there are concerns about how the punting situation will shape up. Incumbent Chance Gwaltney averaged a respectable 40.1 yards per punt, but he had two punts blocked and lacked consistency. One of the blocked punts came against Miami and was returned for a TD, while the other block was against Wake Forest and resulted in a safety. A challenger for the punting job figures to be redshirt freshman walk-on Chris Hall.
Overview
There is no question the Seminoles will be a different team than the one we saw struggle to an 8-4 record last season. For them to be national championship material, it will depend on whether the defense is able to make the necessary strides at getting more pass pressure from the defensive end position. Dockett will provide a dominating inside push, but Jackson needs to be attacking from the outside on a consistent basis, while Emanuel or Moore need to get the job done on the other side. Given the necessary protection, opposing quarterbacks were able to successfully attack the Seminole cornerbacks. This season, a true cover man needs to emerge from a group that looks average going in.
Offensively, the healthy return of Boldin and Morgan is huge. Now Rix has proven weapons to go along with Gardner, Sam and Thorpe. It will also be interesting to see how much production the Seminoles receive from the incoming freshmen wideouts, led by Davis as well as highly regarded JUCO transfer Stovall. An area to watch is tight end. They'll need some production from Hughes as a pass-receiving option. The running game, led by Jones, Maddox, and Reid should be potent, with the necessary blend of power and quickness. Making it all go will be a Seminole offensive line that could be one of the best in the country.
