Jimbo has stated on numerous occasions that you should breakup a program into three phases Recruiting/Scouting, Development and Coaching.  I wanted to compare where I thought FSU was in these phases with the rest of the ACC.  The rankings below are simply my opinion but I thought this would be good time to look at the program from our head coach's vantage point.  

Phase II

Player development in my mind ranges from physical development to mastering technique required to play a position.  To gauge where a program is on the development front you have to look at both the Strength and Conditioning Staff and the Coaching Staff.  Certain Coaches may be great at Xs and Os but lack the ability to teach technique.  Part of the issue with college football teams hiring assistants out of the NFL is the lack of focus in the NFL on teaching sound fundamentals (NFL players should be pretty advanced when comes to technique).  The best indicator of a great development program is how a player transforms from his first year to his final year.  Jimbo has broadened the scope of development by introducing Nutrition and Sports Psychology into the formula as well.

What makes a team great at developing players? 

• World Class Strength Program - Geared toward Football. 
  • Are players at their physical peak?
  • Do players lift in a manner to avoid injuries?
• Coaches that are teachers of great technique and are willing to invest the time and energy required.
  • Are players fundamentally sound?
•  Nutrition Program
  • Do players have the fuel required to compete at the highest level?
• Sports Psychology focused on an winning attitude and teaching sound life skills
  • Are players mentally prepared to face adversity? 
  • Do they have the skills necessary to stay eligible?  (Stay out of trouble and Stay on academic course)
    • If a player is ruled ineligible, all the other pieces no longer matter?
• World Class Speed Training
  • Are players flexible enough in their hips to run at their maximum capacity?

1. FSU - This could be a bit premature but due to the resources FSU uses in development, we are now the class of the conference.  During most of the lost decade, we would be in the bottom half of the conference.  

                       a. We hired a student of the legendary hatch formula (SC Staff)

                       b. We hired a Speed Coach from IMG

                       c. We use the same sports psychologists that are employed by the University of Alabama

                       d. FSU coaching staff has an unbelievable track record of developing players

 i.Odell has developed numerous NFL players

ii. Fisher's Starting QB with the exception of Weatherford has made an NFL roster since his days at LSU. If you go back to his time at Auburn, only four QBs didn't make an NFL rosters. One played major league baseball and another became a BCS QB coach.

iii.Trickett has placed numerous players in the NFL but his stint at FSU maybe his most impressive to date. In 2009, FSU had one of the best OL in the country but started 3 True SO and 2 JR with only one player rated as a 4 Star player.

iv. Numerous running backs coached by Gran have gone on to star in the NFL

v. Coach Stoops coached and developed maybe the best Defensive Backfield in college football history

vi. Coach Eliot turned Markus White from a guy to a possible late round pick.

1. NC State
   1. Coach O'Brien has a history dating back to BC of developing football players.  Rarely does O'Brien recruit well but his players are fundamentally sound and physically tough especially on the offensive line.
2. Wake Forest
   1. Wake's program of redshirting everyone and having an elite strength program has elevated their program beyond the level of recruiting they have preformed. After last year's result, I am not sure Wake will be able to maintain this ranking.
3. North Carolina
   1. Butch Davis has proved that he can develop NFL players on both sides of the ball at every position except QB. 
4. Virginia Tech
   1. VT doesn't develop top tier NFL players but they have been incredibly successful at developing good college players.  If you look at VT's roster, it's full of solid to good players.  To win consistently it requires a team to have a ton of good players.

Jimbo has stated on numerous occasions that you should breakup a program into three phases Recruiting/Scouting, Development and Coaching.  I wanted to compare where I thought FSU was in these phases with the rest of the ACC.  The rankings below are simply my opinion but I thought this would be good time to look at the program from our head coach’s vantage point.  

 

Phase I

 

Recruiting/Scouting

 

When Jimbo spoke, he did not include scouting but I believe it was implied.  You have to be able to not only get the best kids to sign but determine whom those kids are. 

 

ACC Rank

 

1. FSU – FSU has great recruiters and has a great location when it comes to recruiting.  FL had 41 players on the ESPN 150 last year.  FSU scouting success allows them to have deeper classes and get on kids prior to the competition.   They are also doing a great job of recruiting for their program, which is often overlooked when evaluating recruiting.

2. Clemson – Clemson has the second best recruiting and scouting in the league.  They make up for lack of elite in state talent with personable staff that truly gets after it.  Steele is one of the best recruiter in the country.

3. UM – UM has the greatest advantage as far as location but high academic requirements and lack of elite facilities prevents UM from exploiting those advantages.  UM will still bring good classes especially if Golden continues to hustle on the recruiting trail but will have a tough time consistently bringing a top five class.  Don’t forget a lot of Miami kids still grow up wanting to play for the U.

4. UNC – Butch Davis does amazing job evaluating talent and recruiting players.  NC has decent talent but there is a lot of competition both in state and out of state.  Butch has made up for this by going both North and South.

5. VT – Beamer does a great job recruiting for his program and not caring about rankings.  He has owned Hampton Roads and that lease maybe up.  I would not be surprised if UVA takes VT spot on this list next year.

During the spring, most of the Fall Depth Chart should be finalized.  We have at least five positions that are in play in this spring.

 

SLB

 

Contenders: Christian Jones and Telvin Smith

Dark Horse: Chad Abram

 

Christian Jones has to be the favorite heading into spring but a lot depends on how much weight Telvin is able to add during the offseason.  Telvin was able to make a lot of plays last year even though he was substantially undersized.  Jones not only looks the part but also has shown flashes of brilliance.  If Jones is able to play more consistently, I see this position as an upgrade over last year.  Alexander was a great hitter last year but was still learning how to play Linebacker last year.

 

Don’t sleep on Abram.  If he was able to maintain his athleticism with the added weight and can take on blocks.  He offers a dynamic option at LB.  Abram would have had a different rating coming out of HS if he was a 237 pound LB with safety speed.

 

LDE

 

Contenders: Werner and Carradine

Dark Horse: Onwukaife

 

I’m probably in the minority but I think Werner has a great shot at starting in the fall.  Werner unlike most true freshmen is twenty and was a move or two away last year of being a dominant player.  He was the first player, I’ve seen in long time that was able to physically push around Offensive Tackles.  If he adds a push pull move they will not be able to anchor against him.  Carradine is an athletic freak who could be one and done kid.  His film simply dominant and the spring should afford him the opportunity to unseat Werner.

 

I don’t think Onwukaife has a real shot to beat out either Werner or Carradine but I do think he’ll end up at DE.  He’ll have a much better shot getting playing time at DE.

 

MLB

 

Contenders: Vince Williams and Jeff Luc

Dark Horse: Nigel Terrell

 

The question remains if either Vince or Jeff has enough flexibility in their hips to be counted on this year.  Both guys are physically big enough to dominate the game at the point of attack but have a tough time changing direction or in coverage.  Right now, I have to think Vince is the favorite with Jeff on his heels.  I don’t expect this battle to be over until fall camp.  If either player doesn’t step up, it would not surprise me if Nigel Bradham slides inside and Christian slides to Will leaving Telvin and Chad to fight it out for the Sam spot.

 

Terrell was recruited as OLB but Kendall was really an OLB playing inside last year.  We are going to be so big inside that Terrell may be able to play pretty clean allowing his speed to come into play.  To date either Luc or Williams have impressed me and moving Terrell inside is just another idea to solve what I think is the weakest position on next year’s defense.

 

LG

 

Contenders: Jacob Fahrenkrug and Henry Orelus

Dark Horse: Blake Snider

 

Fahrenkrug has to be the leader in the clubhouse due to his massive size.  Trickett didn’t fly to South Dakota six times for a backup guard. 

 

Snider is really a distance dark horse.  I think he’ll take some snaps at LG but will see the majority of his time at RG.

 

C

 

Contenders: Henry Orelus and Bryan Stork

Dark Horse: Lovelady and Pettis

 

IMHO, when I look at Orelus I see little Rodney Hudson.  Henry is built to play center, it’s just a question of whether he can get the calls down.  He has plenty of speed to block guys in space but offers a little bit more weight in the butt then McMahon.  Bryan Stork is the linemen the coaches seem to love and want to get on the field.  He’s clearly athletic enough to play Center.  This should be a great battle.

 

Lovelady and Pettis could end up getting a serious look but I think it’s doubtful either starts.  Both Stork and Orelus have been in the program for a while so their technique has to be pretty good.  The big separator though has to be physical strength, it’s tough for a High School Senior to be strong enough to battle in the trenches as a true freshmen

 

As Jimbo says so frequently, you beat a team on Mon, Tue, Wed, Thr, Fri.  FSU is clearly focused on Saturday.  That points to having focused practices during the week no matter the competition.  From a development prospective, we need to have good practice weeks no matter who we are playing.  The progression a kid may make during the UVA practice week may help win a game down the road.  Each practice allows time for our coaches to teach and evaluate our players if they aren’t focused or going 100%.  You cannot expect them to progress or give the coaches adequate tape to evaluate. 

 

We have had three weeks of pretty good practices and as the season, progresses the more productive practices we have the more the team will improve.  We are so young on defense that the upside within the defense is beyond our comprehension.  How good will these guys be in two years if they are able to stay focused during practice week to week?  How much better will Haustead and Smith be as the number plays they run in practice and games go up?   The future of FSU football is dependent on how focused we are at practice because to be a great team, we need to develop players and you only develop players by having great practices.

 

To beat Miami this week, we needed to really progress not this week but over the last month.  That’s why I love Jimbo system of two scrimmages rather then one.  It allows coaches to evaluate twice the number of players.  We have a better idea of who can and cannot play.  It’s tough to get better by watching practice from the sideline.  The best development comes from study beforehand then doing the activity then objective evaluation of performance. 

Jimbo skills in evaluation and development will be tested in a number of ways.  Even on the offensive side the world has changed.  He can no longer dedicate his week to developing QBs and an offensive game plan.  There is only so much time in the day and his work schedule wasn't light prior to becoming the HC.  The question becomes can Jimbo develop an OC who can mirror his success.  Can he take a coach that has potential and get him to fulfill his potential.  Jimbo has hired three relatively young coaches on the offensive side of the ball, I don't think anyone doubts their talent but he has to show the ability to develop and train them to fulfill their roles.  Is Coley or Craig ready to live up to their Job Titles right now?  Can Jimbo bring them up to speed and also develop Craig to one day take Coley job?  These are my questions.  He also has show the ability to evaluate DC and hire the right one.  Stoops is talented but is only a relatively short term solution.  If we are effective on defense I would not expect him to be at FSU much longer then a five year window. Can he make another good hire and also learn to give Stoops both the feedback and room he needs to be successful?

 

As far as players are concerned, can we take talented guy and make him live up to his potential.  At FSU, you guaranteed a certain amount of talented players.   You can recruit more but until we are able to show that we can get guys to next level.  Our recruiting will have a ceiling especially when the depth becomes more apparent.  Fisher has already shown that he can evaluate players with the best of them.  Just take a look at Ty Jones and Werner, one was a two star recruit while the other was three star by most services.  i don't think any sane person would rate either below a high four right now.  The question becomes can we take a guy like Werner who has flashed very early and make him into a truly elite player?   Can Fisher still develop QBs as HC when his time is very limited?   Fisher has done all right things early on as far development but at some point the rubber must meet the road. 

 

I believe Coach Fisher will be successful at FSU but whether we become perennial favorite in the ACC or win national championships will be determined by his abilty to develop both coaches and players in IMHO.  This year will show a little light but next year will be our first look at where Jimbo stacks up.

 

Who my Defensive Starters would be in week 3

 

SDE – Werner

SDE – White

 

White just hasn’t shown anything outside of effort.  He seems like a good kid but just doesn’t have either the strength or the burst to be effective at this level.  I don’t think we’ll see Werner start this year due to White work ethic but his Snaps will soon eclipse White’s.

 

DT – Dawkins

DT – McAllister

 

IMHO, Dawkins is our best player on the defensive line.  He frequently gets pressure and looks like a dynamic player for us in the near future.

 

NG – McCloud

NG – McDaniel

 

McDaniel hasn’t been bad but McCloud is able to provide Clog in the middle of the defense.  I really like the combination of Dawkins and McCloud, it provides a great speed power combination.  McCloud has to be double leaving Dawkins in a lot of one on one opportunities.

 

WDE – Jenkins

WDE – Hicks

 

Jenkins has a great first step but I’m still a little subject to his ability to stand up against the run versus a larger ball club.  Jenkins makes up for his shortcomings with a lot of big play ability.

 

SAM – Jones

SAM – Alexander

 

IMHO, Jones just seems to be playing better if he does a better job of wrapping up vs. Sanford, he’s our Defensive MVP.  Alexander on the other hand had a tough time getting off blocks in the OU game. I saw a lot of Jones in the OU game. Physically, he looks ready to play.  In 2010, Jones maybe our best LB no matter who we recruit.

 

Mike – Williams

Mike – Smith

 

Williams just looks like a better football player right now and has the ability to take on blocks that Smith isn’t physically able.

 

Will – Bradham

Will – Smith

 

After the first three games, Nigel looks like a guy who is coming back for his senior year.  He’s playing pretty slow and looks a lot like the guy who started the 2009 season.  The game slowed down for him last year, let’s hope it does it again this year. 

 

FC – Harris

FC – Reid

 

Reid has had a tough time taking on blocks, tackling and defending taller receivers while Harris looked great against Sanford.  Reid tackling issues began in the Sanford game when his miss led to Sanford longest gain.  If we are going to be zone heavy team Reid is a better fit in a nickel capacity right now, IMHO.

 

BC – Rhodes

BC- Joyner

 

Rhodes is still learning the position but you can see flashes of what the coaches love about the kid.  He looks like a zone corner.

 

SS – Parks

SS – Demps

 

Either guy hasn’t been very impressive.  Bright would be the number 2, due to snaps played but is out this week so Demps should pickup his snaps. 

 

FS – Moody

FS – Jenije

 

Moody provides an enforcer element, which I think we all love.  He hasn’t played enough snaps to know if he’s good zone safety.  I really like him around the box against the run though.  If BYU plays the running the QB, I can’t think of a reason why you wouldn’t want Moody at FS.  The guy is a beast.

This is not really an over-reaction but I don't know if he'll ever be an elite corner due to his lack of size.  He's going to have a tough time with bigger WR and screen plays for the rest of his career.  The guy is giving up a lot size.  I just don't see him being more then a All-ACC performer on defense.  Right now, Harris looks like a better corner to me and personally I think the OU game would have been a lot closer if Reid sat on defense in favor of Harris.  I was at the game sitting in the endzone but it look Greg had a tough time getting off the WR block.

On offense the sky is the limit.  He is always one touch away from six and rarely makes a negative play.  We could design an offense around him with screens and toss.  I don't know how well he can run patterns but with ability to cut there is no reason why could be special as a slot receiver.  On offense, the guy could be a Heisman candidate if he can learn to run patterns and is able to run the ball inside and outside.  He lacks size to get off the press but his speed may discourage most corners from pressing him.

 

 

 I think we’ll be able to tell what type of defense will have after the first series of the OU game.  If there are problems with our NG play, we’ll see it against Samford.  The real test will be against OU due to the difference between SC programs at BCS schools and Div 2, there shouldn’t be anyway physically for our DT to get manhandled.  If they do, we are in for another long season.  Right now, I think McDaniel is going to start at NG or 1-Tech with Dawkins starting at DT or 3-Tech.   One thing to consider is prior to last two seasons; we were able to have statistically pretty good defenses due to the play of DT.  Odell has put a lot of guys in the pros so the coaching is there but are the players old enough and physically ready to take on grown men. The way I see things there are four possible outcomes. 

 

 

1. McDaniel gives ground and is consistently blocked one on one.  If this happens, first I think we will see both McCray and McCloud get a shot almost immediately.  If either player were unable to improve on McDaniel play there is trouble on the horizon; I would expect only a modest improvement from last year’s defense (80-90).  We won’t give up as many big plays but the defense will have a tough time getting off the field and will be forced to stunt their ends inside again to defend the inside rush. 

 

 

2. If McDaniel is able to maintain his ground and force the OU center to scrap him then the defense will be much improved (top 50).  The ends will be able to maintain proper lanes and the Smith will have a chance to make plays sideline to sideline.

 

 

3. If McDaniel forces teams to double team him and is able to maintain his ground the defense will be a around top 30.  Smith would be able to use his speed to move sideline to sideline and we would be able to stop the run consistently with seven players in the box and maintain good down distance. 

 

 

4. If McDaniel is able to split the double team during the first few series, we are looking at a top ten defense.  This asking a lot of true sophomore but it’s not out of the realm of possibility by the time McDaniel reaches his last year.  Next year, I would say it’s close to impossible.  There is no player more disruptive then an unblockable NG.  You cannot run away from him and are severely limited in your passing game.

Here's my projected depth chart.  I don't think Joyner starts his FSU career at CB instead I think he starts at FS. 

2010 Defense 1st Game
SDE	Markus White	6-4 270
	Dan Hicks	6-4 260
	Bjoern Werner	6-4 270
White finally gets back to his natural position and has added the appropriate amount of weight to maintain containment but still has enough of a motor to rush the QB.
NG	Jacobbi McDaniel	6-0 295
	Moses McCray	6-2 302
	Anthony McCloud	6-2 303
DT	Everett Dawkins	6-2 285
	D. McAllister	6-2 275
	Anthony McCloud	6-2 303
The lineup at DT and NG will be adjusted per opponent or situation.  McDaniel will play some DT with either McCray or McCloud at NG.  McAllister is a pure gap shooter at heart so I would expect to see a lot of him in passing situations.  He be a tough block at his new weight.
WDE	Brandon Jenkins	6-3 245
	T. Stevens	6-3 240
	Darius Cummings	6-3 250
Brandon Jenkins has to be a star in 2010, for us to make the leap forward some are projecting.  White has not shown the ability to get to the QB but Brandon has flashed.  Jenkins' additional size will allow him to be an every down player which should put him in a position to make the splash we need.  Stevens extra weight makes him the first player off the bench.  I don’t think Cummings will get that many snaps outside of garbage time but will provide pretty good depth in the case of injury.
WILL	Nigel Bradham	6-2 245
	Vince Williams	6-0 250
	Christian Jones	6-4 230
MIKE	Kendall Smith	6-0 240
	Vince Williams	6-0 250
	Jeff Luc	6-0 250
SAM	Nigel Carr	6-2 240
	Mister Alexander	6-2 235
	Telvin Smith	6-3 210
Everyone is hoping for big things out of the LBs next year for obvious reasons.  We lose Watson but most feel Bradham and Carr improved play will make up for the loss.  Bradham, Carr and Smith give us a very talented core with several wildcards in Alexander and Williams.  Alexander is the most physically gifted player on the squad but has yet to really find a home.  While Williams was one of the most highly recruited MLB in the nation a few years ago but is coming off a serious injury.  We have great extended depth with Luc, Jones and Smith but I don't expect them to see significant time unless there is a serious injury at the two-deep.
FC	Greg Ried	5-9 185
	Dionte Allen	5-11 183
	Mike Harris	6-0 185
BC	Xavier Rhodes	6-1 209
	Ochuko Jenije	5-11 195
	Mike Harris	6-0 185
SS	Nick Moody	6-2 226
	Jajuan Harley	6-2 210
	Gerald Demps	5-10 200
FS	Terrance Parks	6-1 196
	Lamarcus Joyner	5-8 180
	Justin Bright	6-0 180
Ried and Rhodes seem to have won the starting jobs in the spring but may still face some competition from Jenije and Allen both of which seem to fit a zone scheme.  The coaches are going to want to get Joyner on the field and the easier spot for him to get on the field is FS.  Ried and Rhodes are both underclassmen and the chances of Joyner taking either spot are pretty slim right now.  His ability to both cover and tackle, could really add a nice addition safety wise.  It also adds pressure to Parks due to the concern that Harley doesn't have the hips to cover.

Couple of additional questions

1. Which segments do you think are going to be weaker next year then last?   Right now, I’m don’t think there is a segment that would weaker when you consider scheme.  Talent wise it’s tough to replace a Robinson at corner.

2. Who do we need to have a breakout year?  Brandon Jenkins

3. Who is your darkhorse for Defensive MVP? Brandon Jenkins

 

I would like to start a post dedicated to ways to slow down the spread attack.  There are several keys to slowing down or attacking a spread attack in my opinion.  We have enough talent to slowdown most of our opponents spread attack if we play smart.  UF attack next year may not be as much of a classic spread option attack as it's been in the past with Brantley at QB.

Keys to stopping a spread

1. Play Zone - Zone allows DBs to keep their eyes in the backfield, which allows DBs to take away from one on one matches.  Spread purpose is to create one on one matchup in space.  In a man scheme, just by sending a man in a pattern you can effectively take a player out of the play.  Zone also allows you to be more aggressive with your front seven by using different blitzes but still have players in place if the WR or Back breaks containment.
2. Discipline - Defensive players have to understand and complete their assignments.  You cannot free lance against a spread attack.  Free-lancing Defenders create lanes. 
3. No Missed Tackles - Even if you do everything right a spread is going to put guys in a one on one situation.  You have to make those tackles, it's not as important to punish the ball carrier as to bring them to the ground.
4. Confusion the QB - The QB traditionally makes the majority of the reads.  Let us say UF is running the read option.  Whether the DE is lineup inside the tackle it's a QB run outside if he's lineup on the outside it is an inside run to the back.  Against a spread you have make the QB question what he is seeing.  Is the Mike in position to make the inside run tackle?   Is the OLB fast enough to offer outside containment?  Is it a zone blitz?
5. Speed - The Defense has to be able to maintain containment but also play well in space.  Can the LBs run?   How much ground can the safety cover?

 

During the recruiting party/fundraiser, Jimbo referred two of the Defensive Line recruits as Swing players.  What does that mean?  Is that a key to what we should expect from the defensive in 2010?  Will we see some 3-4 without changing personnel?  I do not have a direct line to Fisher’s Staff but will attempt to answer my own questions below.

 

Just my opinion

 

1. Fisher refers to guys that can both play the three-tech (DT) and (SDE) as swing players.  There will be more cross training of different defensive linemen so we can play either play Big with let’s say Dawkins at DE or up field with Dawkins at DT.
2. Fisher is really showing a lot of his hand with this comment.  He has said that we will run a multiple package out of the 4-3.  From watching Fisher run the offense during any one game last year, you were likely to see plays were we would line up in the spread, pistol, pro set and classic college I.  On defensive side of the ball, I would not be surprised if play out of multiple sets.  Sets will change not just based on down & distance but to create indecision in the opponents QB and OC heads.
3. It would not surprise me if we ran some 3-4 without changing personnel.  The WDE would slide to Jack and the 3-Tech or Swing Player would slide out to DE.

[Bumped to the front page because I don't think many realize the cost of the new improvements]

FSU Football has reached a crossroads.  We as a fan base need to decide what type of program we want to have in the future.  For FSU to regain national prominence we will have to do a better job at both development and recruiting players.  No matter if you believe Jimbo is the right man for the job, I've yet to hear one person say they are against a better nutrition program, strength and conditioning program, more video assistants, an indoor facility, campus housing for the football team and more camps to attract better talent.  The only problem with these programs is they are pretty pricey that is were FSU Boosters come in.  If you care about FSU football, which anyone reading this post does, then you need not only to join FSU Boosters but talk to at least five friends about joining the boosters.  If you can only afford $60 then pay that amount but if you make north of $100K there is no reason you cannot dig a little deeper pay in $300.  I have no connection to the boosters outside of being a member but I am a controller for fairly large company therefore am pretty familiar with cash flow.  We are dramatically increasing our outflow and need to dramatically increase our inflow to make up for the difference. There are only 15,000 booster members but FSU has around 45,000 students.  That number seems just seems ridiculous to me.  This may not be the ideal spot for this post but I think this something that is important to all of us as FSU fans.  If we increased our booster membership by 5,000 at $100 a person we would almost make up for the shortfall.

FSU Football Improvements & Costs
Nutritionist (4 - Additional Staff Members)				$      150,000
Strength & Conditioning Staff (6 - Additional Members)				240,000
Speed Coach				75,000
Video Assistants (8 - Additional Members)				160,000
Additional Camp Costs				75,000
				700,000

I have no idea what the individual salaries so this just my estimation with the exception of Camp cost, which Jimbo referred to in his speech on Monday Night in Jacksonville.

 

As much I see our running defense making major strides next year, I'm not sold on us being very good against the pass next year.  There are a lot of positives going into next year but some negatives as well.  I'll list the positives and negatives I see them going into fall.  

Positives               

1.       We'll play more zone with more over the top coverage forcing teams to string together longer drives to score.  Zone seems to be a better coverage in today's spread option attacks.  It allows players to keep their eyes on the QB and come off their man once the ball is in the air to prevent big plays.

1. Brandon Jenkins could be headed to breakout season in the fall.  He's showing the early signs of being a dominant pass rusher.   Having one guy on the line that requires a double team really helps a defense.  Stoops will have a better idea of the protection scheme a team will run if Jenkins requires a double team therefore he'll a better chance of blitzing into a weak spot in the protection. 
2. The Linebackers and Strong Safety will not be asked to cover players man to man with no over the top help.  As college football has changed so have slot receivers and TE, the college game is full of H-Back TE who most college LB have no chance of covering without deep help.  

Negatives

1.       We don't have another true pass rusher on the line outside of Jenkins.  White has not shown even in practices against the second team offensive line to be able to consistently produce a pass rush.  He seems to be athletic enough but doesn't have the natural ability to get to a QB against D1 competition.  Stevens could be that second guy but is too light to play every down and has too much weight to gain to be an every down player next year.  Hicks appears physically to be enough but I don't expect him to show much more then White next year.

1. We're losing our premier corner without a replacement.   Halstead and Reed consistently were open against Reid and Jenije while Allen and Rhodes couldn't contain Orange, Smith and Fortson.  The QBs were under consistent pressure with a make shift line and still were able to find open receivers.   There is a lot of hype surrounding Reid and Rhodes but either appears ready to replace Robinson.
2. Carr doesn't bring the same athleticism to the table that Watson had and may not be as much of asset in coverage as Watson was.  

If a few things happen, we can be pretty good in pass defense next year but they are anything but sure things.

1.      Eliot work with White cleans up his technique and he finds a pass rush. 

1. McAllister or Dawkins is able to be an every down three-tech guy giving us a pass rush from tackle position.  McAllister seems to have the natural gift of shooting the gap and wreaking havoc on an offense.  A DT pass rush is the toughest to defend due lack of help especially out of a three tech were the natural double team doesn't exist.
2. The corners take a big jump heading into fall camp and work hard on their tech.  The competition not just between four corners but also with Joyner and Harris should push the corners to work harder during offseason then they have in their lives.  Jenije and Allen are on their last lives football wise while Reid and Rhodes don't want fall behind Joyner and Harris.

The run defense should be vastly improved in 2010 for a few reasons.

1. We are going to be bigger and stronger at the Tackles then we were in 2009.  Last year, we had McDaniel, McCray, Stewart, Dawkins and Thacker starting at DT.  While this year, we'll have McDaniel, McCray, Dawkins, McCloud and McAllisters.  Thacker and Stewart due to injuries and body type were never able to get the proper size.  This year we have three legitimate one tech defensive tackles (McCray, McDaniel and McCloud) and three legitimate three tech defensive tackles (Dawkins, McAllister and McDaniel).   I think McDaniel is quick enough to play the three and strong enough to play one.   If we want to go big we can put McDaniel at the three and either McCloud or McCray at the one tech.  Or we can move McDaniel to one and either Dawkins at the three tech we can quicker tandem that could shoot gaps and wreak havoc. 

2. We'll play more zone allowing the Corners to help more in the run game.  If we are playing man the corners can be blocked just by running a deep route.   In a zone scheme the corners watch the receivers but are able to look into the backfield.

3. Moody is much better in run support then Mangum.  Mangum was both slow and weak.  Moody may not have the best hips in the world but he'll be asset in run support over Magnum.  I'm not saying Moody won't miss an occasional tackle but he'll be an improvement.  If Moody can be more consistent in pursuit and tackle with better technique he could be a force in run support.

4. The linebackers will be bigger and better able to take on blocks at the point of attack.  In the past, we wouldn't allow linebacker to weigh more then 230 in most cases due our over reliance on speed.  Now our LBs will be bigger and stronger so they will not have to run around blocks but take them on.  When you run around blocks you create running lanes leading to big plays.

5. Our DEs will not have to crash inside to help our DTs on inside runs giving up containment.  If our DEs are able to maintain outside containment it will allow the athleticism of our linebackers to shine.

It almost went unnoticed throughout but we fielded two separate teams throughout spring without four offensive linemen.  One was a starter and the other three were second team players.  The issue was a larger problem at tackle then anywhere else on the ballclub.  We were missing our starting right tackle (Sanders), his backup from two years ago (Greenlee), backup center (Ganguzza) and backup right tackle (Faircloth) from last year.   Forcing Trickett to use two guards as the first and second team right tackles.  There by leaving only eight scholarship offensive linemen available for practice and the spring game, this wouldn’t be such an accomplishment if we didn’t have two sets of units practicing all the time.  The fact that there was any offensive production against a mostly scholarship defense is quite telling of the degree of teaching Trickett does with all his guys not just the scholarship players.  The walk-ons who played during the spring were not as athletic but definitely were not empty suits.    Let’s look at next year’s depth along the offensive line and if that doesn’t make you feel good about the future of the program, I don’t know what will.

 

2010

LT

1. Datko - Jr.
2. Sanders - Jr.
3. Sanderson - So.

LG

1. Hudson - Sr.
2. Orelus - So.
3. Snider - So.

 C

1. McMahon - Sr.
2. Ganguzza – Jr.
3. Stanley – Jr.

RG

1. Spurlock – Jr.
2. Stork - So.
3. Snider – So.

RT

1. Sanders – Jr.
2. Greenlee – So.
3. Faircloth – Fr.

 

2011

LT

1. Datko – Sr.
2. Sanders - Sr.
3. Sanderson – Jr.

LG

 

1. Orelus – Jr.
2. Snider – Jr.

 C

1. Stork - Jr.
2. Ganguzza – Sr.
3. Stanley – Sr.

RG

1. Spurlock – Sr.
2. Snider – Jr.

RT

1. Sanders – Sr.
2. Greenlee – Jr..
3. Faircloth – So.

 

2012

LT

1. Sanderson – Sr.
2. Foose – So.

LG

 

1. Orelus – Sr.
2. Snider - Sr

 C

1. Stork - Sr.

RG

1. Snider – Jr.

RT

1. Greenlee – Sr.
2. Faircloth – Jr.

 

Notes.

1. In Trickett system Sanders is really Datko backup not Sanderson.  If Datko went down Sanders would move to Left Tackle while Greenlee would start at right tackle assuming he is completely healthy in the fall.  Greenlee came very close to stealing Sanders job in the fall of 2009.
2. Ganguzza looks to me to be a career backup and could contribute in a pinch but is not a long-term answer at center.  Stork was recruited to play center and will most likely slide to center once McMahon graduates. 
3. It’s tough to tell whether or not either Faircloth or Foose have the feet to play LT so I don’t know if either kid can really help out there.

 

Next Year for the first time in over twenty years our opponents are going to have no game film of FSU playing their new scheme.   Opposing offense coaches will be forced to examine both Coach Stoops and Hudson defenses from last year.  Even the description of defense is opaque.   Multiple Package basically means we'll play a number of fronts and coverages.  While in the past, we may put in a new set once in a blue moon but the defense was same as the one that our opponents faced in the previous year.    The film study that will happen during the offseason by opposing QBs and coaches will be a guessing game.   Great Offense are built on allowing the QB to making quick fluid progressions.  Due to our lack film, opposing QB will not be sure what type of defense we are in and have slower progressions.