|
TB
Leon Washington (PHOTO CREDIT - FSU Sports
Information) |
|
2004
Statistics |
Coach:
Bobby Bowden
278-70-4, 29
years |
2004
Record: 9-3 |
|
at
Miami FL |
LOST
10-16 |
UAB |
WON
34-7 |
CLEMSON |
WON
41-22 |
NORTH
CAROLINA |
WON
38-16 |
at
Syracuse |
WON
17-13 |
VIRGINIA |
WON
36-3 |
at
Wake Forest |
WON
20-17 |
at
Maryland |
LOST
17-20 |
DUKE |
WON
29-7 |
at
NC State |
WON
17-10 |
FLORIDA |
LOST
13-20 |
GATOR
BOWL |
vs.
West Virginia |
WON
30-18 |
|
2004 Final Rankings
AP-15, Coaches-14, BCS-16
|
2005
Outlook |
Florida
State possessed more seniors on their
2004 starting lineup than any other
top 25 team. As happens, they will
now return the least. How far has
the dynasty fallen? Since 2001, their
average AP ranking in the final poll
has been No. 16. Given these facts,
it is illogical to consider Florida
State as a preseason top 10 based
on such recent past performance. Ironically,
Bobby Bowden has not struggled raking
in the usual array of high school
talent.
However,
the problems surrounding this team
recently still remain. The QB (inconsistency)
issue has not been settled; the offensive
line is still one big question mark;
and most importantly, the people/coaches
calling the offensive plays are still
calling the plays. Can FSU ever again
put together the total package of
offensive and defensive potentials
being met? Will FSU ever show an improvement,
rather than slip more and more, as
the season develops?
Expect
the defense to again carry the team,
keeping FSU close (14.1 points per
tilt) in most games. NationalChamps.net
is hedging that, barring injuries,
Wyatt Sexton will line up as the starting
QB next Labor Day when the Noles face
off against nemesis Miami in the opener.
The Bowden's are loyal to coaches
and players alike, and Sexton will
maintain the best grasp of this system
regardless of how far he falls short
in terms of physical comparisons to
the freshman competing for the spot.
But personnel won't be the main problem
- it will be just how that personnel
is utilized.
A
trip to Bean Town to face ACC-newcomer
and budding program Boston College
highlights the only major difference
from 2004's slate. Luckily, FSU benefits
from being in the weaker side of the
new conference split (Atlantic) and
will be the overwhelming favorite
to make it to Jacksonville on December
3 for the first ever ACC title game.
BC will push the Noles, and facing
them in week three is a mixed blessing
(better to see them up there in September
than in November). A 2004 final ranking
of No. 15 with only a handful of starters
back puts FSU in a rare position of
starting lower in the preseason rankings
while being forced to work their way
up as opposed to down
an unfamiliar
scenario in Tallahassee. The Noles
could be BCS bound for 2005, but any
annual talk of a National Championship
run has been cut thin.
Projected
2005 record: 8-3
|
|
FLORIDA
STATE
*POWER RATINGS |
Offense |
Defense |
QB
- 3.5 |
DL
- 4 |
RB
- 5 |
LB
- 5 |
WR
- 3 |
DB
- 3.5 |
OL
- 2 |
.. |
|
RETURNING
LEADERS |
Passing:
Wyatt Sexton, 252-139-8, 1661 yds.,
8 TD
Rushing: Leon Washington, 138
att., 951 yds., 7 TD
Receiving: Lorenzo Booker,
24 rec., 160 yds., 0 TD
Scoring: Leon Washington, 7
TD, 42 pts.
Punting: Chris Hall, 67 punts,
42.1 avg.
Kicking: Gary Cismesia, 7-9
FG, 4-4 PAT, 25 pts.
Tackles: A.J. Nicholson, 88
tot., 39 solo
Sacks: Ernie Sims, 4.5 sacks
Interceptions: Antonio Cromartie,
4 for 40 yds., 1 TD; Pat Watkins,
4 for 63 yds., 0 TD
Kickoff Returns: Antonio Cromartie,
19 ret., 22.9 avg., 0 TD
Punt Returns: Willie Reid,
38 ret., 13.7 avg., 0 TD
|
|
|
DB
Antonio Cromartie (PHOTO CREDIT - FSU Sports
Information) |
|
|
|
|
FLORIDA
STATE
|
|
|
OFFENSE
- 4 |
----RETURNING
STARTERS---- |
DEFENSE
- 5 |
|
KEY
LOSSES |
OFFENSE:
Chris Rix-QB, Chauncey Stovall-WR, Craphonso
Thorpe-WR, Dominic Robinson-WR, Paul
Irons-TE, Alex Barron-OT, Bobby Meeks-OG,
Ray Willis-OT, Xavier Beitia-K, Wyatt
Sexton-QB (medical), Lorne Sam-WR (transferred) |
DEFENSE:
Chauncey
Davis-DE, Travis Johnson-DT, Charles
Howard-DT, Eric Moore-DE, Ray Piquion-SLB,
Bryant McFadden-CB, Leroy Smith-CB,
Jerome Carter-ROV, Claudius Osei-ROV,
B.J. Ward-FS, Clifton
Dickson-DT (academics),
Antonio
Cromartie-CB (injured) |
|
|
2005
OFFENSE |
Quarterback
Although Wyatt Sexton (son of current RB
Coach Billy Sexton) handled most of the
starting duties (seven starts in '04 while
alternating with Rix), the QB job is wide
open. The other portion of this three-man
battle includes two-redshirt freshman in
Drew Weatherford and Xavier Lee. Hailing
from Daytona Beach, Lee was considered by
many to be the nation's No. 1 rated dual-threat
QB out of high school. A 2003 Mr. Florida
Football, Lee holds Florida's all-time record
for passing yards (9,082), completions (549)
and TDs (98). His 4.5-forty speed gives
FSU another dimension far exceeding the
slower Sexton. Weatherford is another in-state
recruit that offers similar attributes.
Although he does not possess the arm strength
or speed of Lee, he did get a few snaps
last fall before an ankle injury ended his
potential progress. Sexton is the top QB
heading into spring and his only hope of
holding off the youngsters rests in building
on his experience.
Running
Back
"The Washington & Booker Show"
highlights this offense. Leon Washington
(Mr. Florida Football 2001), a serious senior
contender for all-American honors, has the
right size-speed package when healthy. Washington
is the best returning RB specimen in the
ACC. Junior Lorenzo Booker is the opposite
of Leon - smaller, but also shiftier, and
with a better pair of hands (FSU's leading
returning receiver). They will once again
split time at TB, which makes getting a
1000-yard rusher difficult in this system.
The fullback sees the field often, but carries
the ball very little. FSU is blessed with
two quality FBs that block as well as any.
Receiver
With the state of Florida being a hot bed
for skill-position athletes and FSU being
known for cleaning house in this area, believe
it or not, this is the first real year since
the mid-80s that FSU does not possess a
bevy of experienced stars. Clearly, someone
new will have to emerge from the pack of
unheralded youngsters. Our choice is junior
Chris Davis, who was named the best all-around
prep athlete in the nation by Parade Magazine
in 2001 before a knee injury sidelined him
in his first season. He has already emerged
as the leader from spring conditioning drills.
Willie Reid is a versatile player who will
switch from RB to the slot when needed.
Lorne Sam, brother of former-Nole P.K. Sam,
and incoming recruit Fred Rouse (nation's
No.2-rated WR by Rivals.com) will end up
seeing a good deal of playing time.
Offensive
Line
The 2004 front line, given all of the senior
stars dotting the front wall, failed miserably.
Many of those all-Conference type players
are no longer with the program and the task
of improving this weak link will have to
be accomplished with inexperience across
the board. A new OL coach has even been
assigned - Mark McHale, who most recently
served as the offensive coordinator and
OL coach at Marshall, provides a much-needed
shakeup to Bowden's staff. A bonus can be
taken from the fact that center David Castillo
has been granted a sixth year of eligibility
after battling through multiple injuries
over the course of his tough career. Although
injuries did affect their lack of success,
another such case would be devastating.
The depth at this position is bolstered
by freshman and sophomores will little to
no playing experience.
Tight
Ends assume blocking duties as their
main purpose in this system. This philosophy
is arcane considering FSU has thrown the
ball 48% of the time the last two seasons.
OFFENSIVE
BREAKDOWN
Given their potential, it is beyond our
comprehension just how poor this side of
the ball performed. The coaching seat is
getting hotter by the minute for offensive
coordinator Jeff Bowden. The base set is
the I-formation, with a FB and TE for blocking
only. Yet they managed 15 rushing attempts
versus 48 passing attempts under this scenario
versus the Gators all while using play-action
on obvious passing downs. Accordingly, it
is no wonder the Noles only converted 42
of 177 third-down conversions (dead last
in the NCAA!). The hope in January was that
more assistant coaching changes would be
in store, which never materialized. This
side of the ball has question marks at every
position other than at RB. When combined
with coaching ineptness, on paper, 2005
is shaping up to become the worst offensive
production FSU has witnessed in Bobby Bowden's
29-years at FSU. Only an emergence of a
star QB will likely save this scenario from
happening.
|
|
WR
Willie Reid (PHOTO CREDIT - FSU Sports
Information)
|
|
|
FLORIDA
STATE 2005 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
OFFENSE |
QB |
Xavier
Lee-Fr (6-4, 230) |
Drew
Weatherford-Fr (6-3, 205) |
FB |
B.J.
Dean-Sr (5-11, 253) |
James
Coleman-Sr (6-0, 240) |
TB |
Leon
Washington-Sr (5-9, 199) |
Lorenzo
Booker-Jr (5-11, 195) |
WR |
Willie
Reid-Sr (5-10, 189) |
DeCody
Fagg-So (6-3, 185)
Kenny O'Neal-Fr (6-1, 195) |
WR |
Chris
Davis-Jr (6-0, 180) |
Greg
Carr-So (6-6, 195) |
TE |
Donnie
Carter-Sr (6-4, 254) |
Matt
Henshaw-Sr (6-4, 218) |
OT |
Mario
Henderson-Jr (6-7, 330) |
Ron
Lunford-Sr (6-5, 340) |
OG |
John
Frady-Jr (6-4, 280) |
Cory
Niblock-Jr (6-4, 296) |
C |
David
Castillo-Sr (6-2, 301) |
Dumaka
Atkins-So (6-4, 280) |
OG |
Matt
Meinrod-Sr (6-4, 300) |
Jacky
Claude-Fr (6-4, 290) |
OT |
David
Overmyer-So (6-5, 284) |
Geoff
Berniard-Fr (6-8, 320) |
K |
Gary
Cismesia-So (5-11, 209) |
Chase
Goggans-So (5-9, 160) |
|
|
2005
DEFENSE |
Defensive
Line
The DL is no exception to needs - only one
starter returns in Broderick Bunkley. Shoes
such as future NFL type Travis Johnson won't
be necessarily simple to fill, but do not
discount the replacements. Defensive ends
once had a feared reputation in this 4-3
scheme, but a lack of pressure has become
a marginal problem since the end of the
so-called dynasty days. Even though the
departed Moore and Davis were the listed
DE starters and got the majority of the
snaps last season, they combined for only
7.5 of FSU's 39 sacks. A name carrying expectations
is (former H.S. Parade all-American from
Kansas) Kamerion Wimbley, who has shown
ability in spurts. DT Aaron Jones was set
to receive quality-playing time as a true
freshman last fall before a torn knee ended
his campaign. Achieving what they did (nation's
third-rated run defense, allowed 2.39yrds
per carry and five rushing TDs) won't happen,
but holding their own and disrupting will.
Linebacker
This will be the bread-and-butter of the
entire team. One need only dissect this
unit to discover why FSU is still impossible
to run against. All three starters return
- combined with some heavy hitters as backups
- and everybody appears to be in full health.
Ernie Sims, A.J. Nicholson and Buster Davis
were each all-Americans in high school and
a great chance exists the may all be pushing
for the same collegiate honors. The trio
accounted for 234 tackles last season and
represented three of the top four tacklers.
And with eight four-star recruits dotting
the past two classes and awaiting playing
time, there will be trouble only in getting
each his on-field due. . LB Coach Kevin
Steele has been a huge pillar in getting
this team back. Even he claims to never
have been around a group such as this.
Defensive
Back
A trio of lost starters leaves FSU with
names looking for their first time in the
spotlight, though each has logged significant
game-time snaps. CB Antonio Cromartie, while
splitting time, was actually named first-team
all-ACC. The rover position, a major concern,
is up for grabs. Kyler Hall was given an
extra year of eligibility, but has been
constantly overmatched. Due to a lack of
player numbers, he becomes an integral part
of this secondary by default. Another bankable
asset is FS Pat Watkins, who considered
a jump to the NFL. As long as Watkins and
Cromartie remain healthy, this unit is likely
to remain a plus. The huge problem
depth
will come from a bevy of freshman and sophomores.
A visit by the injury bug would be devastating.
DEFENSIVE
BREAKDOWN
Most felt it would be the defense requiring
extra time to adjust last fall. The opposite
happened, and the confidence amongst these
defenders became the battle cry for the
team. With the offense struggling miserably,
the defense kept FSU alive in every single
contest. As with most FSU teams of the past,
new names do not equal a reloading delay.
The mindset has changed compared to the
pressure bump-and-run coverages the Noles
became accustomed to during the 1990's.
They'll show more zone coverages and a more
conservative pass rush as opposed to an
all out race to the QB with man-to-man.
FSU had issues collapsing down the stretch
of a few games while giving up big plays
at the worst junctures. Other than these
facets, this is a solid group
one good
enough to give FSU a chance to win every
ballgame once again.
|
|
LB
Ernie Sims (PHOTO CREDIT - FSU Sports
Information)
|
|
|
FLORIDA
STATE 2005 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
DEFENSE |
DE |
Darrell
Burston-Jr (6-2, 235) |
Willie
Jones-Sr (6-1, 242)
Alex Boston-So (6-4, 250) |
NT |
Brodrick
Bunkley-Sr (6-3, 295) |
Aaron
Jones-Fr (6-3, 285) |
DT |
Andre
Fluellen-So (6-4, 273) |
Emmanuel
Dunbar-So (6-5, 265) |
DE |
Kamerion
Wimbley-Sr (6-4, 232) |
D.J.
Norris-So (6-3, 240) |
SLB |
Ernie
Sims-Jr (6-0, 225) |
Lawrence
Timmons-So (6-3, 225) |
MLB |
Buster
Davis-Jr (5-11, 232) |
Sam
McGrew-Sr (6-3, 239) |
WLB |
A.J.
Nicholson-Sr (6-2, 234) |
Marcello
Church-Sr (6-1, 228) |
CB |
Gerard
Ross-Sr (6-2, 197) |
Tony
Carter-Fr (5-9, 175) |
CB |
J.R.
Bryant-Fr (6-1, 170) |
Trevor
Ford-Fr (6-1, 187) |
ROV |
Kyler
Hall-Sr (6-0, 190) |
Anthony
Houllis-Jr (6-0, 204)
Darius McClure-Fr (5-11, 188) |
FS |
Pat
Watkins-Sr (6-4, 210) |
Roger
Williams-So (6-1, 191) |
P |
Chris
Hall-Sr (5-10, 215) |
.. |
|
|
|
2005
SPECIAL TEAMS |
Kicker
Four-year starter Xavier Beitia's inconsistencies
made way for Gary "The Weed" Cismesia
to take the position eight games in. It's his
job now and his big leg (3-of-3 from 40+) shows
why. And then he played Miami
KO coverage
was poor for such a stacked defensive team, so
improvement here will be seen.
Punter
Senior Chris Hall, a former walk-on, demonstrates
worthy leg strength. He has to work on his hang
time, though the net results will again be strong
here, regardless.
Return
Game
With the athletes coming out of the Sunshine State,
one would think FSU could find some "Peter
Warrick"-type game breakers. Senior Willie
Reid fits the PR mold - he has consistently been
capable of giving FSU great field position when
needed. Antonio Cromartie and his athleticism
give "not as dazzling" of an option
with KOs. The bottom line is that none of the
present return men were able to go the distance
with one touch. Opponents managed three scores
a
0:3 ratio not easily dismissed.
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