ChantRant.com

Inside the mind of the guy whose offense scared the daylights out of 77,000 Nole fans

Sept. 9, 2006. FSU faithful were expecting an enjoyable breather between a hard fought win against Miami and a visit from Clemson.

Wrong. Troy proved to be more than a handful. Buster Davis' INT set up a 4-yard TD by Joe Surratt with 1:56 left to break a 17 - 17 tie.

How did they do it? Much the same way that Bowden's early teams shocked major opponents: with a creative, unpredictable offense that kept defenses off balance.

Tony Franklin was Troy's OC in 2006 and '07. Now the architect of Auburn's offense, Franklin revealed his secrets to Tony Barnhart in the writer's AJC blog (scroll down to the July 30 and 31posts). Reading them makes clear what Franklin and Troy were up to that night. And they're a good reminder of how a determined underdog can level the playing field.

Dumaka is Done

Add Dumaka Atkins to the long list of Seminoles who, for one reason or the other, have cleaned out their lockers this year. We received official word today that Atkins "Requested his release and it was granted."

The senior from Miami was counted on to add depth at DL, especially in the first three games when that segment will be undermanned. Looks like freshman Moses McCray will be getting his feet wet early and often.

Pressley Running Out of Time

With fall practice set to begin next week, the status of JC running back recruit Tavares Pressley is still a big question mark. Today ChantRant talked to his academic advisor at El Camino CC who told us she's still waiting on grades from the two on-line courses Pressley took this summer. It's also a waiting game for "a couple of grade changes requested last spring."

In all, that's four final grades that will determine if Pressley gets his JC degree. Meanwhile, Pressley is reported to be in Tallahassee's summer heat working out with the team. You can bet he's also sweating those final grades from California that will make or break his football future.

Brown and White to Make Opponents Black and Blue

First, we wanted to get that headline out there before one of the dead-tree FSU beat writers.

Second, we wanted to be sure you heard about Markus White's 4.55 speed and eagerness to team with Everette Brown. This could (with fingers crossed not to jinx it ) be the Noles best pass rush tandem of the decade. We look forward to seeing them snorting like crazed Pamplona bulls, bearing down on Cullen Harper, Sean Glennon, Robert Marve, and an overly-hyped hero in orange 'n blue.

And we can't wait to see what puppies Jamar Jackson (RS Fresh.) and Everett Dawkins (true Fresh.) can do. Add Kevin McNeil to the mix, and the sack, indeed, should be back as a Seminole trademark.

Tamarick Vanover's coaching career on hold

Tamarick Vanover's inspiring story of redemption, going from inmate to football coach, has apparently been derailed. A spokesperson at Lake City Christian Academy told us the school has dropped its football program.

Tim Kirby of the Lake City Reporter all but confirmed it for us: "Our last story on the program reported that was likely to happen, though the school was not definite at the time. The school is still listed in a football district on the FHSAA web site. We have not tracked down Vanover for a reaction."

What a bummer for one of the most exciting players ever to suit for the Noles. Here's hoping Vanover's two years of experience in trying to build a team at a very small private school will result in a new coaching opportunity.

Four More Noles on the Bubble in '08

Antone Smith - This year, will the real Antone Smith please stand up? We're hoping it's the one who blasted through holes and broke tackles in the Music City Bowl.

Joe Surratt - He's the biggest, most experienced fullback, but third on the depth chart. This may be more than a performance issue. Could be that Joe, a Senior, is still in the dog house over last year's midnight mischief with fellow reveler, Geno Hayes.

Rod Owens - After only six catches for 55 yards last season, the redshirt Junior is #2 behind Preston Parker at one WR spot. But with Bert Reed and Taiwan Easterling nipping at his heels -- plus Corey Surrency and Jarmon Fortson coming aboard -- Owens must impress in pre-season.

Dumaka Atkins - Another Senior down to his last chance. Atkins can make a major contribution by adding depth at DT, especially in the first few games when suspensions will thin the ranks to a few good men.

Is Brian Lyin'? The party line on why Coulter never played at Florida State

Remember Brian Coulter? The D-end who's FSU career ended before it began?

Then you probably heard that Coulter recently signed with Missouri and is eligible to play this fall. But have you heard the bogus reason that Coulter never played for the Noles?

Here's what the Kansas City Star published:  "He practiced with the Seminole players in the summer of 2007 but was told he had missed the enrollment deadline. He missed the 2007 season but still planned to play at Florida State. Then the school lost several scholarships to NCAA sanctions, and there was no longer a scholarship for him in Tallahassee."

Say WHAT !?

Hannah hits the road after double-parking at Florida State

Jonathan Hannah is the latest player to "double-park" at FSU. Translation: He he hung around for awhile, took up practice time and space, then split.

Maybe the coaches saw something there and were right to take a chance on a big guy at a weak position (TE). But you wonder if there was due diligence on Hannah? Did anyone talk to his former high school coach? If so, they might have picked up a hint that Jonathan was a confused young man with weak academics.

Here's what his high school coach, Randy Ledford, told The Fayetteville (NC) Observer when Hannah committed in February 2007: "I hope it turns out well. It’s kind of a surprise, but I hope Jonathan can find a place he wants to be and that he’s successful."

You can say that again, coach.

It's Now or Never, Part One: 4 Noles down to their last chance to shine

For some on this list, it looks like a season filled with more bench splinters. A few others have key roles, but could be elbowed aside by newcomers or more productive players. Whether they make their mark, or at least contribute, is up to them and the Gods of football injuries.

Matt Dunham - How many years have we heard this is the guy who broke Herschel Walker's Georgia high school record for TDs (an amazing 111)? At 6-2, 255 he looks like the model fullback, but apparently practices like a Model-T. Now at TE/H-back, Matt's the only Junior listed here. Why? Because if he doesn't emerge this year, he'll fall behind too many younger, more talented guys.

Rodney Gallon - An undersized LB who filled in adequately a few times, Rodney has to perform a Spinach-chomping Popeye-like transformation to see the field this year. 

Paul Griffin - After a medical redshirt in '06 and so-so '07, this is Paul's money year. Play with the intensity of a Darnell Dockett and earn a high draft status, or be overtaken by true freshman Moses McCray.

Kenny Ingram - He's a safety. He's a linebacker. He's a friggin' mystery so far. Kenny has the size and the potential. He also has precious little time to break out of his special teams typecasting.

Anthony Leon headed for Californ...oops, not so fast, my friend

Anthony Leon? Oh yeah, the once ballyhooed Safety that bailed out of FSU a few months ago. First, he was headed to California to play for the College of the Sequoias, a community college in Visalia, midway between L.A. and San Francisco. In fact, the St. Pete Times reported in May that he was already at the school.

Now, College of the Sequoias Coach Curtis Allen says "it's up in the air." Obviously frustrated by Leon's indecision, Coach Allen told us, "Really, it's up to him and his family. The team reports August 5th and we hope to see him then."

For his sake, we hope Anthony gets it together somewhere, develops that potential, and parlays his size and bloodlines (remember, he's Sean Taylor's cousin) into a talented DB. If all that happens, we also hope he finds his way back to Tallahassee.