ChantRant

Christian Ponder hangs it up, as seen by our Artist in Residence

Download it, print it, display it, screen save it. Another keeper from the artist who created the Seminole war cry logo.

E.J. Manuel: Latest in a long line of FSU QBs who suddenly went from sidelines to starter

He's been cramming on FSU's playbook even before he got to Tallahassee. He's been a serious understudy since he set foot on campus. He's the future of the Noles offense. Except now the future's here long before anyone expected.

But Manuel is far from the first FSU QB to take the team on his shoulders with little or no warning. Here are five from the recent past, most of whom had varying degrees of beginner's luck

Nov. 9, 1996 - Third-ranked Florida State started redshirt freshman Dan Kendra at quarterback and he responded by throwing for 281 yards and three TDs to lead FSU to a 44-7 win over Wake Forest. Kendra, starting for injured Thad Busby, led the Noles to TDs on four of their first five possessions.

Nov. 7, 1998 - Florida State was forced to use second team quarterback Marcus Outzen the entire second half and the youngster pulled off a stunning 45-14 win over Virginia. Starter Chris Weinke left the game late in the second quarter after a jarring sack herniated a disc which knocked him out for the season.

Jan. 1, 2003 - Fabian Walker, making his first start at quarterback for 16th-ranked FSU, threw two interceptions and coughed up a fumble as the Noles lost to Georgia 26-13 in the Sugar Bowl. Walker, who threw for 69 yards, was relieved by Anquan Boldin who threw for 78 yards.

Sept. 25, 2004 - Wyatt Sexton threw for 162 yards and a touchdown after replacing an injured Chris Rix, and No. 8 Florida State forced five turnovers in a 41-22 victory over Clemson.

Nov. 10, 2007 - Christian Ponder threw for 105 yards and ran for 51 in a losing effort against Virginia Tech. Ponder, who relieved an injured Drew Weatherford, had a TD and two interceptions in his unexpected debut for the Noles.

Your somber Seminole Screen Saver for the week. Original art by Roberge

Tellingly Random and Meaninglessly Meaningless Thoughts

1. Now is that any way to celebrate an 80-year old's birthday?

2. Gene Deckerhoff summing up Saturday night’s loss to Clemson: “We’ve seen this before.” All too often lately I’m afraid. Although the seven turnovers was a new and “interesting” twist.

3. One of Bobby Bowden’s favorite sayings is “you don’t win games, you lose them.” I never exactly bought into that philosophy. Until last night that is.

4. It could have been worse. FSU could have had Clemson’s kicker.

5. And on Clemson’s kicking woes, FSU radio play-by-play man William Floyd commented, “I didn’t think missed field goals could go against anyone else.”

6. Better yet from Deckerhoff, “It looks wide!!! It looks wide!!! It looks wide!!! It looks wide!!!” In listening to that my guess is the kick was wide. But that’s only a guess mind you.

7.  Suggested solution to solve the tackling woes of FSU. Put Dustin Hopkins in on defense.

8.  Regarding Lonnie Pryor’s 49 yard touchdown catch, I know the jersey says #7, but are we sure that wasn’t Chris Weinke back there on that deft play fake? Either that or Christian Ponder studied that 1999 play VERY well.

9.  Jimbo Fisher just keeps digging into his trick playbook more and more. the newest version being that “lateral” from Jermaine Thomas to Rodney Hudson. Clemson never saw it coming. Fortunately Rodney did.

10. Apparently Miami Hurricane fans are still in Halloween mode. Many attended Saturday’s game against Virginia in the same costume dressed as seats.

Bonus Tellingly Random and Meaninglessly Meaningless Thoughts

By this time next season...

• FSU will have a defense that can wrap up and tackle.

• The D-Line won't be pushed around because of lack of size.

• The Noles offense will have a vertical passing game to complement the repertoire of screens and other short routes.

• FSU won't have a worse ACC record -- and overall record -- than Duke.

• FSU won't be last in the ACC in most defensive categories.

• Special teams will play with more discipline and not lead the country in blocks in the back, personal fouls and other dumb penalties.

• E.J. Manuel will be ready to take the team on his shoulders when C. Ponder bangs up his (though Manuel might have to do it this season if C.P. is injured worse than first thought).

• Tavares Pressley will catch passes at critical moments, earn Jimbo's trust and form a strong RB tandem with Jermaine Thomas and others in an exceptionally deep stable of backs.

• Dustin Hopkins will add several pounds of muscle and become a human torpedo feared by opposing kickoff return men.

• FSU will have a new Athletic Director. His name is Randy Spetman and he'll move up from Assistant A.D. when T.K. Wetherell retires.

• C.J. Spiller won't be around to run, catch, return kicks and pretty much be Clemson's offense.

• Uh, did we mention that FSU's defense will learn to wrap up and tackle?

Clemson Close-up with Tigers beat writer, Greg Wallace

Greg Wallace covers the rock rubbers from Clemson for the Anderson Independent Mail -- including daily coverage and a Tiger blog. (Check out Greg's good read on Dabo Swinney's support for Bobby Bowden.) We hooked up with him for savvy insights on what the Noles can expect on Saturday. 

If Clemson has a weakness, what would it be?
"Two things: Jacoby Ford is an excellent big-play threat, with 32 receptions for 440 yards and four touchdowns. But beyond him, the Tigers lack a serious No.2 receiver. Tight end Michael Palmer has 21 catches for 246 yards and two scores, and tailback C.J. Spiller has 18 receptions for 267 yards and two scores. But beyond that, junior Terrance Ashe is the top receiver with nine catches for 100 yards. Clemson's young receivers simply haven't developed the way most had thought they would this year. Also, the right side of the offensive line can be a liability at times. Converted guard David Smith has worked his way into a timeshare at right tackle with Landon Walker."

How much will DE DuQuan Bowers being out slow down the Tiger's defense?
"I think DaQuan Bowers' absence will hurt Clemson's defense. Obviously, you just can't plug in a replacement for a pass-rushing stud who has a big body, a great motor and is second on the team in sacks and tackles for loss. But defensive end is one of the deepest areas on the team. Coaches are very high on freshman Malliciah Goodman, who will likely start. They love his athleticism and frame. Sophomore Andre Branch will also fill in, as will end Kevin Alexander, the starting strongside linebacker, who'll likely slide down from backer on passing downs. He's a strong rush-stopping force."

Miami was the only team to have success against one of the top pass defenses in the nation. How did the Canes do it?
"First of all, Jacory Harris is a very talented quarterback, the best that Clemson has faced so far this year, although it will be very interesting to see how Christian Ponder compares. I think the Hurricanes offense is similar to Florida State's in that it has a bevy of athletic, talented receivers to throw to. The biggest play, a 69-yard touchdown to Travis Benjamin, was the result of a coverage bust, but Miami made a lot of big plays against Clemson's pass defense with its athleticism. It'll be interesting to see if that translates Saturday, or if Clemson has learned from its mistakes."

Will Kevin Steele's knowledge of Mickey Andrews and FSU's defense help Clemson's offense?
"I think there's a possibility it will, but Steele has been gone for three years, and much of the personnel on that side of the ball has turned over in that time. Steele personally downplayed it when asked this week. And as poorly as FSU's defense has performed this season, it's not as if Billy Napier needs that much help."

Former Noles share their views on Andrews

"I tell kids, 'This is how we did it at Florida State.' I still refer back to Coach Andrews, always. He taught me everything. Every drill, every instinctive thing that we needed to know, I learned from Coach Andrews. Only thing I learned when I went to the NFL was different defenses. And the game was faster. But all the fundamentals and techniques? Coach Andrews had us ready."

-- Dedrick Dodge, 1986 -'89, currently
DB Coach at Alabama State University

* * * * *

"I've gotta say Coach Andrews is the coach I respect most in my football career, because you can look and see the fire in his eyes. And he translates that and puts that into his players.

"This is what he told me and this has stuck with me forever. He looked me in my eyes — I think I was a freshman — and said 'I'm striving for perfection. I want you to be perfect. Every time, every snap. From your feet to your hands to your stance. I know you can't be perfect all the time. But if you strive for perfection, you'll be much better.'"

-- Alonzo Jackson 1999-'02

* * * * *

"I didn't realize how much Coach Andrews worked, how hard he
worked coaching, until working for him. I know Monday through Thursday he and the staff are coming in at 7 O'clock in the morning and staying until Miss Diane calls.
And that's 10:30 - 11 O'clock at night."

-- James Colzie 1993-'96, Grad Asst. under Coach Andrews from 2004-07, now Def. Coordinator at the University of W. Georgia

Mickey's body of work is filled with amazing stats and a few surprises

As with any true professional at the end of his or her career, it's only fair to judge them on their full body of work, not a random sample -- good or bad.

So it is with our favorite Defensive Coordinator. Evaluate Mickey Andrews on his 2009 season alone and FSU fans might be eager to help him clean out his desk. But factor in this year with his other 25 seasons as the Dean of Defense and you're looking at greatness.

Along with a few surprises.

We crunched the numbers -- FSU's Points Per Game Average over Mickey's career; the best true measurement of a D-Coordinator -- and discovered some head scratchers. Keep in mind none of the following is meant as disrespect or to detract from Andrews' indispensable contributions to FSU Football.

Andrews' Points Per Game Average was anything but. Figure in all 26 years of Mickey's body of work and you get a career PPG Average of 17.7 -- including all eight games of this season's dismal defense. Amazing.

Okay, let's lose 2009. Even when we left out all the points scored by opponents this season, Andrews' PPG average over 25 years (1984 thru 2008) is still 17.2. So the worst defense of Andrews' career can't spoil a quarter century of keeping opponents out of the end zone.

Contrary to popular belief, Mickey didn't do a 180 with Florida State's defense. In 1984, Bowden hired Andrews to turn around a horrible D., right? Actually, Mickey's PPG average in his first eight seasons (17.1 PPG) was only 1.5 points better than during Bowden's initial eight years, before Andrews (18.6 PPG). Though in fairness, the three seasons before Andrews arrival, FSU's D was allowing an unacceptable average of almost 24.5 PPG.

Bowden's best defense at FSU wasn't led by Andrews. Again, the yardstick is Points Per Game scored by the opposition. Based on that criteria, Bowden's all-time best Seminole defense was pre-Mickey: a stingy 8.6 PPG in 1980, when Jack Stanton was D-Coordinator and DB coach. It was also the year FSU grabbed national headlines by almost beating Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl.

The defense during the Dynasty Years was slightly below Andrews' average. At least, that's the picture the numbers paint. From 1987 thru 2000 -- the 14 years FSU finished in the Top 5 -- the Nole defense allowed 19.2 PPG. That's slightly worse than Mickey's FSU career average of 17.7 PPG.

Does Andrews' PPG average jump dramatically in the Post-Dynasty years? Not dramatically. The FSU defense gave up an average of 21.3 PPG from 2001 through the first eight games of this season. That average was helped by one of the Noles better PPG seasons during the Andrews years: 14 PPG in 2004.

Those are our observations on FSU's defense during the Bowden era and Andrews' tenure. Now take a closer look at the numbers in graphic form, beginning with the years before Mickey joined Bowden's staff.

 

End of an Era: Farewell, Coach Andrews

 

FSU - Clemson Stat Comparison: One match-up jumps out

You don't need a road map to find Clemson once you exit I-85. Just follow the giant orange Paws on the highway. And you don't need to be Reece Davis to know that Saturday's showdown will be FSU's high-revving offense versus the Tiger's big, bruising D. But focus in on the strength-against-strength match-up of the Noles passing game and Clemson's stingy pass defense.

OFFENSE

Rushing - FSU #74, 136.5 ypg / Clemson - #52, 150.88 ypg

Passing - FSU #9, 307.13 ypg / Clemson #87, 196 ypg

Total Off. - FSU #15, 446.63 ypg / Clemson #83, 346.88 ypg

Scoring Off. - FSU #25 (tie) 31.75 ppg / Clemson #30, 30.88 ppg

Time of Possession: FSU #38, 30:58 per game avg. /Clemson #74, 29:20 per game avg.

DEFENSE

Rushing - FSU #101, 183 ypg / Clemson #55, 131.75 ypg

Pass Defense - FSU #97, 245.88 ypg / Clemson #5, 146.25 ypg

Total Defense - FSU #109, 428.88 ypg / Clemson #12, 278 ypg

Sacks:  FSU #50 (tie), with 17 / Clemson #21 (tie) with 22

Sacks Allowed: FSU #52 (tie), 14 / Clemson #59 (tie), 15