FSU Seminoles 2009 Team Preview

June 26th, 2009 by Jeremy Shory

100px-floridastateseminoles

2008 overall record: 9-4

2008 conference record: 5-3, Atlantic Division co-champions

Returning starters Offense: 8, Defense: 5, Punter/Kicker: 0

Top returns: OG Rodney Hudson, C Ryan McMahon, QB Christian Ponder, DT Budd Thacker, LB Dekoda Watson, TB Jermaine Thomas, WR Bert Reed.

Key losses: DE Everette Brown, LB Derek Nicholson, RV Myron Rolle, CB Tony Carter, P/PK Graham Gano, WR Greg Carr, RB Antone Smith, WR Preston Parker

Fall Fantasy Question

Defensive Secondary. There’s going to be an infusion of freshmen this summer who could challenge for playing time. Greg Reid from Georgia is a big-time player. The staff is also expecting more from Terrance Parks, who was banged up this spring and didn’t get a chance to compete much at rover/safety. Either way, there is a complete lack of experience in this secondary which will look to Patrick Robinson for leadership.

Team Breakdown

Ponder throw incomplete pass to some receiver likely now in jail.

Quarterback -The Seminoles might have finally found the quarterback they’ve been looking for since Chris Weinke left earlier this decade. Christian Ponder showed plenty of potential last season, leading Florida State to nine wins last season. He threw for over 2,000 yards, and as a second-year starter should improve quite a bit.
Ponder also has good mobility as he ran for 423 yards last year. After Ponder is a five-star redshirt freshman E.J. Manuel. Manuel broke his finger on the first day of spring practice, and didn’t get to play during the spring, so he has yet to show what he has. 2008 Stats: Ponder – 177 for 318, 2,006 yards, 14 TDs, 13 INT, 119 rushes for 423 yards, 4 TDs.

ACC Rank – 4

Running Back – The Seminoles will have a new starter at running back that will have to replace Antone Smith’s and team-leading 792 yards and 15 touchdowns. The most likely candidates are sophomores Jermaine Thomas, who rushed for 482 yards last year, and Ty Jones. Thomas in particular is a very good receiver too. Both had great spring games as each broke the 100 yard marker and each are probably the most likely duo out of any backs in the ACC to have the breakouts for long gains. Tavares Pressley will be the power back and should get the goal line touches. 2008 Stats: Thomas – 69 rushes for 482 yards, 3 TDs, 6 receptions for 48 yards.

ACC Rank – 7

Wide Receiver – The Seminoles don’t have a huge amount of experience returning for the 2009 season, but there is talent. Gone are last years’ top two receivers Preston Parker, due to legal reasons, and Greg Carr, due to graduation. The third leading receiver Taiwan Easterling ruptured his achilles tendon during the off-season, but FSU coaches are hopeful he will be available by the time the season starts. Bert Reed caught 23 passes last season, and without Easterling is the No. 1 receiver. Richard Goodman, who caught 20 passes in 2007, returns after missing 2008. Watch for non-scholarship Louis Givens as well in 2009 as there is a ton of hype surrounding him. 2008 Stats: Easterling – 30 for 322 yards, 1 TD. Reed – 23 for 295 yards, 3 TDs. Givens – 4 for 44 yards.

ACC Rank – 6

Tight End – Caz Piurowski provides some pass-catching ability at TE. Piurowski caught eight passes and had one touchdown last year. Jimbo Fisher has said repeatedly that he wants to get his tight ends involved in the passing game this year now that he knows he can trust the offensive line to hold strong. Look for good red zone looks for Piurowski. 2008 Stats: Piurowski – 8 for 83 yards, 1 TD.

ACC Rank – 5

Defense - Last year, Mickey Andrews’ defense was very good as there was a wealth of senior leadership on the team. This year, they will have to find a way to cope with the loss of safety/rover Myron Rolle, cornerback Tony Carter, and star defensive end Everett Brown. However, the Seminoles have a ton of young talent, and I’d look for the D to continue to impress as Florida State played the most underclassman of any team in the nation last year in anticipation for this year. The front seven should be just as stout as last year and most likely one of the best in the ACC as they welcome back linebacker Dekoda Watson, defensive tackle Bud Thacker, and five star recruit, Jacobi McDaniel.

ACC Rank – 6

Kicker/Special Teams – Long gone are Graham Gano and his Lou Groza award winning leg. His replacement has some unbelievable shoes to fill as Gano had a 97% field goal accuracy with 5 of 7 beyond 50 yards! Good thing is that the Seminoles lured the #1 kicking recruit from last year’s class in Dustin Hopkins. It has yet to be seen how well he’ll be able to handle the pressure of 100,000 plus eyes on you. Fall camp will help determine his ability as he will have a lot of attempts to score. Returners will probably be Jamie Robinson and Patrick Robinson. Both have quick feet and have the potential to break it loose. 2008 Stats: None for any returning players.

ACC Rank – 10

2009 Schedule

Sept. 7 Miami
Sept. 12 Jacksonville State
Sept. 19 at BYU
Sept. 26 South Florida
Oct. 3 at Boston College
Oct. 10 Georgia Tech
Oct. 17 BYE
Oct. 22 at North Carolina
Oct. 31 NC State
Nov. 7 at Clemson
Nov. 14 at Wake Forest
Nov. 21 Maryland
Nov. 28 at Florida

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