The 2 biggest names coming into last year on FSU's offense were QB Chris Rix and his main target WR Craphonso Thorpe. Both struggled during the year and have now graduated and moved on to hopefully make a name for themself in the NFL. This means that the FSU offense will have a new look to it, particularly behind center and in the receiving corps, and hopefully will also have a new look on the scoreboard after each game.
The starting quarterback for the 2005-2006 season is still up in the air, as QBs Xavier Lee and Drew Weatherford will compete early and both should get their shot to prove they have what it takes to lead the Noles offense for the rest of their career in Tallahassee. Lee is the more athletic of the two and has more game-breaking ability, but he has shown concerns with his accuracy and pocket presence. Weatherford is more of the pocket type quarterback who shows good throwing ability, but is coming off an injury to start the year. Both were top prospects coming out of high school and the competition will definitely be intense.
The Seminoles top returning offensive weapon will be RB Leon Washington. The running game was the strength of the FSU offense last year and much of that success was due in part to Washington. He possesses great explosiveness and is a big "home-run" threat as a runningback with great vision, speed, and elusiveness. The other tailback in the Noles offense, Lorenzo Booker, also racked up great yardage last year as a change-of-pace back. The quicker and more elusive of the two backs will surely get lots of playing time again this year. As both backs share the playing time, neither will win over the national spotlight and no one will be expecting either to win a premium award such as the Heisman or Doak Walker but if they can both run well the offense could be in a position to perform well.
Florida State would definitely like to improve on their 57th in the nation and 5th in the ACC ranking in Scoring Offense in 2004. Much of that can be credited to the inconsistency at the quarterback position which was manned by Chris Rix and Wyatt Sexton. Neither were very successful and the passing aspect of the offense definitely lacked the spark it needed to contend for the ACC title. This year with new quarterbacks Lee and Weatherford, the passing offense can hopefully put up better numbers and look to get more points on the board. The offense will look to get a big push from an offensive line unit that lost its 2 biggest names in the draft. OTs Alex Barron and Ray Willis have moved on to the NFL with Barron being selected in the first round by the St. Louis Rams. C David Castillo will lead the offensive line if healthy with others such as Mario Henderson, Jacky Claude, and Matt Meinrod hoping to boost the firepower of the Noles running game and pass protection. Overall, the offense for this year is definitely up in the air and will rely heavily on the outcome of the passing game. Don't expect a top 20 finish, but also don't go thinking that this offense will not take strides to improve from last year.
The obvious strength of last year's and surely again this year's Florida State football program will be the DEFENSE. Florida State was 7th in the nation in total yards allowed, 3rd in rushing yards allowed and 4th in points allowed. The passing defense lacked behind at 37th and that will most likely be the weakness again this year in the Noles D. The team's top corner from last year, Bryant McFadden, moved on to the NFL, being drafted in the 2nd round by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Now the highly-touted recruit from Miami, J.R. Bryant, will get to prove what he can do alongside standout Antonio Cromartie who will take over the #1 CB spot this year. Safety Pat Watkins decided not to opt into the draft early and will stay around to anchor the free safety spot again this year where he shined last year.The power of the defense is stationed in its linebackers, who have quickly progressed into one of the top units in the country. Senior A.J. Nicholson is primed for another All-ACC year while Ernie Sims is ready to take flight and take control of the defense. To round out the LB corps are MLBs Buster Davis and Jae Thaxton and big-name recruits Geno Hayes and A.J.'s little brother Derek Nicholson. The defensive line lost its best player in DT Travis Johnson, who was selected by the Houston Texans in the first round, but is hoping to continue their run-stuffing, quarterback hurrying ways. The front four will be led by DEs Kamerion Wimbley and Alex Boston while NT Brodrick Bunkley hopes to clog up the middle. The Noles were also able to boost their defensive line position for the upcoming years with a great recruiting class consisting of top 5 DEs Everette Brown and Justin Mincey and one of the top DTs in the nation in Callahan Bright. The FSU defense will have to continue to shine while carrying the team again this year and will definitely be put up to the challenge. They will have a hard time in the ACC once again this year defending QBs such as Reggie Ball, Marques Hagans, Charlie Whitehurst, and Marcus Vick and RBs Wali Lundy, Chris Barclay, P.J. Daniels, and Tyrone Moss.
Overall though, this year looks to be very promising for the Seminoles, especially stars such as Leon Washington in his final year and QBs Xavier Lee and Drew Weatherford in their first years. We will have to wait until the year starts to see how this year will fair, and it will be a good one vs. Miami...Stay Tuned! |
