ChantRant

Rick Trickett overheard singing the old Bonnie Tyler hit, "I Need A Hero [at Right Tackle]"

Here's the final installment of the long running series answering burning questions about spring's most pressing problems.

#1 Who takes over at right tackle?
by Lilburn Nole 

It looks like what was the easiest answer coming into spring may be the right answer. Bobby Hart, who started the last 9 games in 2011 at tackle for the Noles, stepped up and took the RT position from start to finish this spring. Hart struggled in 2012 after not taking advantage of his opportunity last year and being a little lackadaisical in his preparation and in the weight room. The work this offseason showed that he had a renewed since of purpose and was busting it in the weight room to get better. It seems like this was the case as Hart made what could have been a messy situation in moving players around into a seamless one. Rick Trickett likes to crosstrain his players at different positions in case of injuries, etc., so Bryan Stork and others also saw time at right tackle, but Hart heads into the fall as the number one guy on the right side of the line.  

If Hart is able to hang on to that position for Florida State it is big news in that it solidifies the four returning starters in their familiar positions. Cameron Erving (LT), Tre Jackson (RT), and Bryan Stork (C): all were 2nd Team All-ACC last year, and Josue Matias had an excellent season as well. If Hart is able to live up to his high billing that he had out of high school in his Junior season, it could mean Florida State having one of the better offensive lines in the country.

Good news for Nole Fan Favorite, no. 24

Back away from the ledge, FSU fans: A Seminole legend suggests the program is fine without Wiggins

If you're under 40, you might be fuzzy on the name Dave Cowens. But according to this Sporting News article, he's the greatest basketball player in Florida State history. 

That's probably subject to personal opinion, but Cowens definitely put FSU on the college basketball map in the late 60s -- then went on to a thirty-two year career in the NBA, including playing and coaching. 

So it's nice to know Dave stays plugged into Seminole hoops. And he's earned the right to be heard when he talks about FSU being jilted by phenom Andrew Wiggins -- even if he editorializes about basketball being the orphan stepchild to the football program:

“Everybody keeps wanting them to get over the hump and I’m not sure that’s the right way to look at them. They’re so far behind the eight-ball when it comes to budgeting for basketball that for them to do what they do and compete like they compete just for a staff and for recruiting and all the things you can offer the players in terms of how you paint the picture of your university, compared to Duke and North Carolina and some of the others, Florida State overachieves every year. And they graduate their kids."

Cowens is also a cheerleader for the job Leonard Hamilton is doing. In fact, he seems to be sending a message here to Nole fans to be patient with Coach Ham:

Bill from Tampa reads the tea leaves on Andrews Wiggins signing

Your signing eve thoughts on Wiggins.

Yes, I hope we sign him. Will we? We have good chance that we will. A lot of experts think we will as well. That is based mostly on his parents being FSU alums and former star athletes at the university. But that aside, Leonard Hamilton is very good at developing relationships with players and their families. He also comes across  as a coach that doesn't just say what he thinks a player wants to hear. In his own way, he has that intangible quality Bobby Bowden had in dealing with recruits.

Rumors?

There are plenty. And that is all they are. But anyone that should know something, is truthful enough to say they don't know. And they don't as Wiggins has played this very close to his vest. You would think something would have slipped out by now, but it hasn't. Not even his high school coach has a clue (nor did he concern himself with Wiggins' decision). Attribute that to Andrew's father who has had everything regarding his son's recruitment go through him first. It will be Andrew's decision, but Mitchell has done an excellent job in shielding his son from the circus of this whole process.

Hunches?

Hunches very rarely come my way. The one thing I notice in all of this is how quiet Kansas has been. The Jayhawks barely get mentioned in terms of securing Wiggins' services. Does that mean they are the dark horse in this? Who knows. But I find it interesting they are very much in the background in this race for the number one recruit.

How do you feel about the idea that FSU's foreign trip could turn him off?

Hey Andrew, congrats on selecting FSU ... you get to go to Greece now. Oh no!!! Not Greece. Deal's off. 

Not buying it. And besides that, this is assuming he would get to go to Greece because you know that the NCAA is going to go over everything with a magnifying glass regarding this high profile of a recruit. That goes for Xavier Rathan-Mayes as well. The NCAA may not have cleared them in time for them to make the trip at all.

Bottom line, there will be only one reporter, a local Huntington reporter, in attendance for Andrew's announcement. I suspect there will be about a gazillion more tuned into Twitter, Facebook, the blogoshere, whatever ... around 12:15pm to find out which school won the Wiggins' sweepstakes. Oh, did I mention I will be one of them?

Three months before the season and the Indoor Practice Facility is looking good

Terry Whisnant becomes the second FSU hoops transfer this week

“I’m transferring because I feel like I need to be in a better situation as far as playing time. I want to go somewhere where I can showcase my skills in an up-tempo style of game.”

According to Bill from Tampa, it was an amicable parting, though FSU is beginning to resemble an NBA team when it comes to roster moves. Full story here from Whisnant's hometown newspaper.

What the well-dressed gator fan never has enough of [just as you expected]

What shoes were to Imelda Marcos, jorts are to both Mister and Ms. of the rabid reptile clan. [Eww.]

Terrance Shannon Has Left The House

A fan favorite, when he played, oft-injured Terrance Shannon has quietly ended his FSU career. The 6-8 forward has transferred to Va. Commonwealth [story here], where he'll be eligible this year.

According to Seminole sage Bill from Tampa, Shannon "was a hard worker who gave max effort -- sometimes too much -- and a guy that struggled with a  lot of injuries and just felt it was time for a change in scenery."

Bill believes Shannon's exit "does help with the Andrew Wiggins situation, should he decide to come to FSU. And last I talked to anyone, no one knew where he was going to go. Anyone that says they do is making it up. But we have as good a chance as anyone else at this point."

One QB made his mark, one blinked, leaving two dueling for No. 2

He's baaaaack with another answer to one of 5 burning questions for spring.

#2 The QB Battle
by Lilburn Nole

During spring practice there were whispers and rumors that Jameis Winston was impressing everyone and having an excellent spring. Those rumors were solidified during an outstanding showing during the spring game where Winston completed 12 of 15 passes for 205 yards and 2 TDs all against the 1st team defense. His day started out with a bang, hitting walk-on David Tyrell on his very first pass for a 58 yard touchdown. It was fairly apparent to everyone watching the game that Winston seemed to have an edge in the QB battle, but what came next was a little shocking.

Clint Trickett, before any official annoucement from Jimbo Fisher and only days after the spring game, decided that Winston must have earned the job and decided to transfer. He ends up at West Virginia and, as he has earned his degree from Florida State, is eligible to contribute immediately for the Mountaineers. What this move does is leave nobody on the roster with any significant game action. Jacob Coker, who had a good spring, but was hampered by a foot injury, enters the fall as the presumed backup. Coker is a guy that many Nole fans would have been comfortable with winning the QB battle. It should be noted, however, that no quarterback has been named the starting quarterback, but it would be a big surprise at this stage if Winston is not the guy.  

Sean Maguire also earned praise from Jimbo Fisher through the spring for his work and strong arm. As just a RS Freshman this season, Maguire has plenty of time to improve and shouldn't be completely counted out as a backup immediately or a starting quarterback at some point in his FSU career.  

Hey, Matthew Thomas: Here's what another great LB said about walking away from FSU

Not exactly the same situation. Matthew Thomas is a 5-Star signee from Miami and Buster Davis was a highly recruited guy who was already on campus in 2003 and registered for school. But like Thomas, Davis was ready to renege on his decision. Here's what he told our sister site Garnet & Great.

"I thought about it, you know. But one thing I pride myself on is not quitting anything I do. And it was probably the best decision I ever made, which was to stay at Florida State, because I met so many great people there and had so many great moments on the field."