ChantRant.com

FSU has a tight end gem just waiting to shine

With a long list of Nole tight ends in academic purgatory or sitting out punishment, what in the Sam Hill can an offensive coord. do? Play Jarmon Fortson, that's what. The big freshman is a glue-fingered, physical specimen (check the photo) who appears to be made for the position.

And we're not just talking about a placeholder at tight end. Fortson is a playmaker, especially in big games. In last year's Georgia state semi-finals, he scored 20 unanswered points in the final six minutes to pull off a miraculous 26-24 comeback, making spectacular catch after spectacular catch. Newspaper accounts the next day said "The big, physical receiver will be a threat in all levels of the passing game."

Jarmon is taller than Brandon Warren, though about 20 pounds lighter. So put the kid on a pizza and milk shake diet for the next week, teach him the basic routes and blocking schemes, and let him fill the bill until FSU finally has a stable TE situation. Or unless and until Forston proves that he's best man for the job.

Five reasons for hope as Noles work to end the breakdown on third down

When it came to third down last season, you could count on FSU -- to fail. With a 32.2% success rate, only a handful of D-1 teams had a worse third down conversion percentage.

No question that stat has to improve in 2008 (can't get much worse, right?). Here are five reasons we believe it will.

1. A giant step up the learning curve with Jimbo's offense. This translates into, among other things, fewer missed assignments. Last year you could almost guarantee one or more players would be out of position -- or just clueless -- on practically every play.

2. More playmakers. Opponents will have more than Preston Parker to worry about this year. Guys like Bert Reed, Tavares Pressley, Brandon Paul, Corey Surrency, Taiwan Easterling, and Jarmon Fortson should keep defensive coordinators working late into the night.

3. Stronger discipline. It's clear coaches won't tolerate unprepared players. Knowing the playbook and your assignments will be as important as talent. Don't expect to see a QB calling plays that the other ten guys in the huddle don't recognize, as happened in last years Wake game.

4. Better conditioning. Todd Stroud has had more than a year to mold a stronger, faster team with greater endurance.

5. "The offensive line is better than I thought it would be." That sounds pretty scary when spoken by most OL coaches. From Rick Trickett, it's reason to feel (guardedly) optimistic about '08 and even better for beyond.

Western Carolina starting at square one with new staff

With three weeks to go til the 2008 opener, FSU's first opponent has gone to school. With a whole new staff, the Catamounts are prepping for their first game, at home against Shorter College on August 28th.

Head Coach Dennis Wagner is teaching his version of the West Coast Offense. Meantime, the Cats defense is "still in the learning process," according to D-Coordinator and Asst. Head Coach Matt Pawlowski.

"First off, we're trying to install the package", said Pawlowski. "The good thing is our kids are playing hard. They're running to the football. But we still have a long way to go to understanding our technique. The game plan for Shorter's done, now just practicing it should come quickly."

Quarterback Quandry: Who's the best guy for the worst situations

Who should be under center and when? We think the choice has much to do with this year's weakest link, the offensive line. So here's part three of our FSU Quarterback scenarios for 2008.

Worst Case Scenario: Things go South in hurry as Trickett's kiddie korps struggles. Too many snaps turn into a Chinese Fire Drill. Stuff happens. And the inevitable -- injuries -- further slow the learning curve of linemen who will weather the storm and make the future look bright.

Advantage: D'vontrey Richardson. Who better to make the most of the situation? Using his escapability and quick release, D'vo can turn chaos into positive yards. Simply put, Richardson allows Jimbo to make the best of bad situations (for proof, check out any of his videos from high school). Would he be an overnight success? Probably not. But you'll recall it took Charlie Ward a few games to get in the groove.

Alternate Scenario: A blend. Some kind of two-headed QB combo that leverages the best talents of both Richardson and Ponder.

Major Disclaimer: Our three scenarios are based on a fair QB competition, including who "wins" the job in practice and other intangibles. All without regard to school class, age, pre-conceptions, etc. If scenarios two or three unfold and Drew continues to be the starter, FSU fans' fears are realized and something is indeed rotten at Doak. (Note the Nole Poll on the right in which fully one third of voters believe Drew will be a fixture at QB, no matter what happens.) Nothing against Drew, he's a great role model and excellent representative for the school. But is he the best man for the job just because he's a three-year starter? Because he's earned it? Because he might make fewer mistakes? We hope the beginning of the Jimbo era means a return to coaching that pulls out all the stops to win, instead of playing not to lose.

Comments?

More on Latecomer Lineman, Joe Tonga

He's big. He's full of potential. And best of all, he's apparently qualified. But Joe Tonga, the late addition to the Noles OL, is also a bit of a mystery. So we asked the good folks at Joe's community college alma mater to fill in some of the blanks:

Q: Why did Joe choose FSU over Oregon State?
A: Because Florida State is the school that petitioned the NCAA for Joe's hardship (scholarship).

Q: Was he a two-year starter for Mt. San Antonio CC?
A: Yes, Joe was a two year starter.

Q: Did he win any conference or state CC honors?
A: He was named 1st team all conference and was a member of the All California team

Q: And has Joe officially graduated from Mt. Sac?
A: Yes, he just graduated from Mt. Sac.

Quarterback Quandry: Scenario Number Two

The Proposition: The Noles young OL is so critical to the team's success this year, its performance will -- or certainly should -- help determine who plays QB.

Realistic Scenario: It's on-the-job training from the first play of the first game. The not ready for prime time linemen give their all but don't jell until deep into the season. Not the ideal situation for Drew Weatherford.

Advantage: Christian Ponder. Why? He offers the best combination of brains, arm and mobility. Ponder shows that his best moments in the Va. Tech game were no fluke. And those interceptions? Simply a matter of first game jitters. In this scenario, when the work-in-progress OL gives him a little time, he's accurate with just the right touch. When pass pro breaks down, he knows when to scramble for a few yards, and when to throw out of bounds or hit the deck -- anything to keep from coughing up the ball. Best of all, he wins the coaches' confidence, which carries him into 2009 as "The Man."

Next: The Worst Case Scenario

Bobby and Jimbo won't be the only ones determining who plays QB

You can bet the guys on the offensive line will have their say. Not a vote, of course, but how they perform will speak volumes.

So here's the first of three scenarios about who, depending on how fast the young OL develops, along with luck and injuries, will line up under center this year.

Best Case Scenario: Trickett works his magic. Greenlee, Sanders, Spurlock, Datko and Ganguzza grow up fast -- even faster than Hudson and McMahon did in '07. By the Wake game, FSU's OL is playing better than the most optimistic Nole fans had dreamed, both individually and as a unit. Advantage: Drew Weatherford. Enabled by the overachieving wunderkinder OL, Drew recaptures the confidence and productivity of his freshman year. He's lighter and a bit more mobile, with no trailing problems from spring surgery. Finally at the top of his game, Drew plays smart, and mostly mistake free. Jimbo is able to tailor an attack in which Drew doesn't have to be the star -- just an efficient pivot man who gets the ball to what could be the most  dangerous cast of playmakers FSU has seen in years. (Remember, we did say best case scenario.)

Next: The Realistic Scenario.