Florida State
Seminoles
Preview 2009 - Defense
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2009 CFN Florida
State Preview |
2009
Florida State Offense
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2009 Florida State
Defense |
2009 Florida State Depth Chart
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What you need to know:
While the numbers looked pretty good a year ago,
the 2008 defense wasn’t a classic, take-no-prisoners unit that
used to be routine under Mickey Andrews. Holes in run and pass
defense, which weren’t evident in September, began to appear
against the rare quality offense. Now, Andrews must find
replacements for much of his defensive line, half the secondary,
and all three of his all-leaguers. The big worry is up front,
where ends Everette Brown and Neefy Moffett are gone, heaping
pressure on Markus White and Kevin McNeil to offset their
production. If they fail, the secondary could get exposed as
ordinary. The least concern is at linebacker, where Dekoda
Watson, Nigel Bradham, and Kendall Smith have All-ACC skills and
aspirations. The ‘Noles are fortunate they get two home games
before having to travel to Provo to face Max Hall and BYU.
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Returning
Leaders
Tackles:
Dekoda Watson, 46
Sacks:
Kevin McNeil, 4
Interceptions: Multiple Players at 1
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Star of the
defense: Senior LB Dekoda
Watson
Player who has to step up and become a star:
Senior DE Markus White
Unsung star on the rise: Junior LB Kendall Smith
Best pro prospect: Senior CB Patrick Robinson
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Watson, 2)
Robinson, 3) White
Strength of the defense: Team Speed, Linebackers
Weakness of the defense: No. 2 Cornerback, Takeaways
Defensive Line
Projected Starters:
Even at a school like Florida State, it’s not going to be
easy replacing the meat of a defensive line that included
sack specialists Everette Brown and Neefy Moffett on the
outside. The onus to come through now falls on a handful of
holdovers, namely 6-2, 257-pound senior
Kevin McNeil. Now
entering his third season of action, it’s time to start
approaching the press clippings that preceded his arrival in
Tallahassee. He’s not going to be Brown, but he does show
good burst off the snap and an ability to get in the
backfield, making 10 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and four
sacks in limited duty last year.
Equally important is
that 6-4, 261-pound senior
Markus White can provide steady pressure from the opposite side. One
of the nation’s premier JUCO recruits a year ago, he quickly
got into the rotation and finished with 29 tackles, 5.5
tackles for loss, and a sack. He has the closing speed and
natural instincts to attract NFL attention, provided he can
improve on finishing his rush and bagging a bunch of sacks.
After starting nine games in 2008, 6-2, 271-pound senior
Kendrick Stewart has made a concerted offseason push to lock down
that job. A three-tech interior lineman, who can slice in
and get penetration, his modest size also makes him prone to
getting engulfed by opposing blockers. In the most extensive
action of his career, he appeared in every game and produced
22 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and a pair of sacks.
Clinging to defensive tackle is 6-5, 272-pound
Justin Mincey, a four-game starter, who had nine tackles, 4.5
tackles for loss, and a sack a year ago. The most versatile
of the defensive linemen, he also has the experience and the
pass rush skills to shift outside if needed. A terrific
all-around athlete, he has to guard against playing too high
and getting tied up by thicker opponents, who’ll neutralize
his quickness.
Projected Top Reserves:
In the tight battle at nose guard, 6-2, 276-pound senior
Budd Thacker lost
a little ground when he sat out the spring to recover from
shoulder surgery. A two-year starter and try-hard guy, he
won’t be out worked, but he’s also not going to wow anyone
with his overall skill set. Last year, for instance, he
started 10 of the final 11 games, yet only produced just 18
tackles, three tackles for loss, and sack. As a
second-teamer, however, he’d be a genuine luxury.
Sophomore Moses
McCray is a big part of the future on the inside for the
Seminole defensive line. The 6-2, 298-pounder didn’t play a
ton in his first season, making eight stops, but really made
his presence felt in the offseason. A cat-quick, intense
competitor, he flashes the moves and pass rush ability of
some ends, which will frustrate guards and centers.
If 6-5, 228-pound sophomore
Toshmon Stevens
plays in the summer the way he did in the spring, he’s going
to be the first defensive end off the bench. While he’ll
need to bulk up before becoming an every-down player, he
showed enough quickness and pure athleticism to warrant lots
of looks as a situational rush end.
Watch Out For ...
can’t-miss freshman DT
Jacobbi McDaniel.
Considered by many to be the top interior lineman in this
last recruiting cycle, he signed with a program that’s light
at the position. In other words, the opportunity to play
right away is there for the taking. While not ideal size, he
has the speed, balance, and determination to abuse much
bigger opponents.
Strength: Getting
penetration. All of the sacks and tackles for loss from last
season aren’t going away just because the line was hit hard
by graduation. This is Florida State, where the defensive
linemen are always quick and always capable of disrupting
the tempo of an offense. The production may not be the same
as 2008, but the ‘Noles are going to get their big plays
behind the line.
Weakness: The tackles. New year. Same
concerns. No one really stepped up in the spring and looked
like he was headed to a spot on the All-ACC team. The
interior linemen are relatively small and prone to getting
bullied, like they did last year in games with Georgia Tech,
Boston College, Florida, and Wisconsin. You can hurt this
defense by running right at it.
Outlook:
While this is not a vintage Florida State defensive line,
that does not mean that a few new playmakers aren’t about to
be born. The ‘Noles adopt a next-man-in mantra up front, so
figure on at least one or two players having career years.
The best candidate? White, who could pick up some of the
slack left by Brown and Moffett.
Rating:
7.5
Linebackers
Projected Starters:
While it’s never easy to replace your top two tacklers,
Florida State feels it has the replacements to move on
without skipping a beat. A lot, however, hinges on the
health of 6-2, 226-pound senior
Dekoda Watson,
who sat out spring to recover from elbow surgery. Arguably
the best all-around athlete on defense, he has the potential
to wreak havoc from strongside, using his blazing speed and
nasty streak to harass quarterbacks and hunt down backs.
Health issues aside, he’s the type of playmaker, who can
blow past last year’s 46 tackles and eight tackles for loss.
The rising star of the unit at weakside is 6-2,
238-pound sophomore
Nigel Bradham, the blue-chip recruit from the 2008
class. He’s got it all at the position, including a full
season of work and the 29 tackles that went with it. Now
that he’s a starter, his rare blend of speed, power, and big
hits are about to become more evident to fans outside of
Tallahassee.
One of the pleasant surprises of the
spring was delivered by 6-1, 230-pound junior
Kendall Smith,
who was consistently cited as one of the peak performers of
the month. Making the move from strongside to middle
linebacker look smart, he showed keen instincts for the
position and didn’t miss a tackle. More steady than
spectacular, he’s played in every game since arriving,
making 24 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and a pair of
sacks.
Projected Top Reserves:
With Watson out for the spring, 6-3, 230-pound sophomore
Nigel Carr received most of the first-team reps at strongside. Even
when the incumbent returns, he’s expected to have a bigger
role in the rotation than a year ago, when he had just four
tackles in 11 games. Another top recruit from 2008, he has
the size and closing speed to be an every-down player in
2010.
The caddy for Smith in the middle will be 6-0,
245-pound sophomore
Vince Williams, who had 10 tackles and two tackles for
loss in his rookie debut. A punishing hitter and classic run
defender, he’ll provide solid depth at the position,
especially as he gains more of a comfort level in the
system.
Watch Out For ... Watson to
erupt. It’s a classic case of the rising senior finally
getting a chance to showcase his skills to the NFL. As the
physical and emotional leader of this group, he’s capable of
being a playmaker, creating turnovers and altering the tempo
of a game.
Strength: Speed and
athletic ability. Would you expect anything less from the
Seminoles? All of the linebackers are outstanding athletes,
with the next level speed and range to make plays all over
the field, and the tenacity to intimidate opposing
ballcarriers.
Weakness:
Proven players. There’s lots of potential, to be sure, but
there are also plenty of young players dotting the two-deep,
who will be to mistakes and inconsistencies. After Watson
and Smith, just about everyone else is a sophomore, most of
who have only been on campus for a year.
Outlook:
While even better days lay ahead in 2010 and 2011, the
Seminole linebackers will still be plenty good in 2009. The
return of Watson from injury and seamless transition inside
by Smith will provide a solid foundation as Bradham, Carr,
and Williams take another step closer to becoming dynamite
players.
Rating: 8
Secondary
Projected Starters:
A couple of starters and all-stars need to be replaced in
the defensive backfield, leaving the program concerned about
pass defense heading into the season. The ‘Noles were solid
here a year ago, but staying that way will require an
infusion of new talent. The top holdover—and cover corner—is
5-11, 194-pound senior
Patrick Robinson,
a part-time starter the last two seasons. After making 26
tackles, two tackles for loss, and just a single pick, he’s
expected to emerge into a bona fide NFL prospect in his
final year. He’ll also be counted on to use his 4.4 speed
and loose hips to cut off half the field for opposing
passers.
On the other side, 5-10, 188-pound junior
Ochuko Jenije
better be prepared to get pick on…a lot. It remains to be
seen whether he’ll be up to the challenge, as quarterbacks
look to avoid Robinson. Mostly a special teams player up
this point, he did get on the field some as Tony Carter’s
backup, making 11 tackles and breaking up a pair of passes.
His development will be a key part of the entire defense in
2009.
The Seminoles’ top safety figures to be 6-2,
188-pound junior
Jamie Robinson, who looks ready to have his
much-anticipated breakthrough season. A gifted all-around
athlete, with ideal size, he brings the ball-hawking skills
of a corner with the physicality to support in run defense.
After making 37 tackles and starting six games as a
sophomore, don’t be at all shocked if he finishes the season
on the All-ACC squad.
The staff is a lot less
excited about 6-0, 206-pound senior
Korey Mangum, who
has been slotted in as the replacement for Myron Rolle at
rover. More of a company man than a playmaker, he’d probably
be better served as a reserve, where he’s spent most of his
career. A heavy hitter, with experience at cornerback, he
started five games last fall and had 27 stops and seven pass
breakups.
Projected Top Reserves:
The coaching staff really likes the upside of 6-1, 196-pound
sophomore Terrance
Parks, who could wind up being the first man off the
bench at either free safety or rover. Although injuries kept
him from making a move in the spring, there are few doubts
that he has the size, range, and aggressiveness to be a
defensive asset before to long.
The charge for that
all-important third cornerback spot is being led by 5-11,
172-pound sophomore
Dionte Allen. Although he played sparingly a year ago,
making five appearances, he would have gotten on the field
more had it not been for ankle problems. A star recruit from
2007 and one of the fastest members of the team, he gets in
and out of his breaks quickly and could start making an
impact in 2009.
Watch Out For ...
the newcomers. The Seminoles had their usual February haul
at cornerback and safety, bringing in one of the best
classes in the country. With a serious need for depth, CB
Greg Reid and safeties JaJuan
Harley and Willie
Downs, provided he doesn’t play on offense, will get
every opportunity to climb the two-deep.
Strength:
The Robinsons. Patrick and Jamie will give the
secondary a potential all-star and pro-caliber defender at
cornerback and safety, respectively. Both are big, athletic,
and capable of making game-changing plays.
Weakness:
Softness in coverage. Yeah, the numbers said
otherwise last year, but the defensive backs were helped
immensely by the pass rush and a schedule that featured few
quality hurlers. Against some of the decent opponents, like
Colorado, NC State, Clemson, Florida, and Wisconsin, the ‘Noles
allowed 11 touchdown passes and picked off just a pair. For
the season, they had a paltry nine interceptions, which was
next to last in the ACC.
Outlook:
Don’t be fooled by last year’s No. 6 national finish in pass
defense. The Florida State secondary isn’t quite that good,
especially with Rolle and Carter needing to be replaced.
Unless the true freshmen are way ahead of schedule, expect a
repeat of 2008, when the team was stingy versus poor passing
teams and vulnerable against the likes of BYU and Florida.
Rating: 7.5
Special Teams
Projected Starters:
There’s no overstating the loss of Graham Gano, the team’s
punter and Groza Award-winning placekicker. At least for the
time being, the favorites to replace him are a pair of
sophomores, James
Esco and Shawn
Powell at kicker and punter, respectively. Esco showed
good dependability on field goals in the spring, but has no
live experience and, like just about everyone, won’t have
Gano’s range.
Powell actually filled in for Gano for
seven games as a true freshman and performed extremely well.
Setting the table for a long run as the program’s punter, he
averaged more than 41 and showed good hang time. At 6-5 and
217 pounds, leg drive and distance is not going to be a
problem.
Gano isn’t the only All-American, who ran
out of eligibility. Combustible kick returner Michael Ray
Garvin is gone as well. Looking to succeed him will either
be sophomore Bert
Reed or senior
Louis Givens. The two receivers are also expected to
handle punt return duties for the ‘Noles.
Watch
Out For ... incoming freshman PK
Dustin Hopkins. Widely considered the nation’s premier high school
kicker, he has the rare combination of accuracy and booming
leg to compete for this job shortly after arriving on
campus.
Strength: The coverage units.
Fueled by some of the best athletes in the country, Florida
State perennially does a great job of getting downfield to
cover punts and kicks. If it keeps getting support in a
post-Gano world, the program will continue to be among the
league’s best in net punting and kickoff coverage.
Weakness: Uncertainty among the kickers. Yes,
there’s loads of potential in Powell, Hopkins, and Esco, but
between the three, there is also precious little experience.
Can Esco or Hopkins deliver in the clutch the way Gano did
in 2008? No one will know for sure until after the season
gets going.
Outlook: After being home to
one of the nation’s sharpest special teams units, Florida
State will endure an inevitable hit after losing Gano and
Garvin to graduation. Still, it’s a formidable group, which
could begin developing its next wave of young star kickers
in Powell and Hopkins.
Rating:
7.5
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