Athlon Sports Ranks FSU #9

Athlon Sports is doing a daily countdown of their football rankings leading up to the release of their magazine and yesterday unveiled that FSU is # 9 on their list. They devoted an entire day to the Seminoles and their football history in honor of this occasion. Several of these topics I will cover during the next few days, but I decided to focus on the team preview for 2012 today. However, also included yesterday were the greatest Seminoles since 1967, the top ten Seminoles this year, is FSU back?, team predictions as far as awards, and greatest Seminole moments. Those great articles will be shared over the next couple of days again. Here is the team preview.

FSU is predicted to be #9 in the ACC and #1 in the ACC Atlantic. They have very similar predictions to last year, but it is because they have most starters and backups coming back. The preview starts talking about EJ Manuel and how fans expectations aren't as high of him after last season. Many of us do believe that he has what it takes to lead us to an undefeated season though. Big positive factors for the FSU passing game include Willie Haulstead returning from a concussion after missing 2011. Rashard Greene returning after being the leading receiver and big play threat Rodney Smith also returning.

Chris Thompson returns at runningback after missing most of last season with a back injury. His presence should help the Seminoles. The return of freshman phenom Devonta Freeman will also help the Seminole backfield. This duo should give the Noles a great 1-2 punch. Freeman is 5'8, can you think of another 5'8 Seminole who became a legend at runningback?

As Athlon points out, the biggest question surrounds the offensive line. The Noles lose Andrew Datko and Zebrie Sanders and must replace them. Datko missed most of last year already so that one isn't as big of a loss, but what about Sanders. Zebrie broke an ACC record for most starts so that will be difficult to overcome. The Noles look prepared to replace them, but you can never be too sure. This is the key to the season in my opinion. How the offense line plays will be crucial in the Noles success.


The FSU defensive line is as good as anybody. Led by senior Brandon Jenkins, who dominated spring practice, this unit is as good as any in the country. Jenkins decided to return for his senior year and the Noles will benefit from it. The Noles also return Bjoern Werner who was an animal last season. It will be incredibly difficult for opposing teams to block Jenkins and Werner. Not only that, but the Seminoles had the top defensive line recruiting class. These guys are loaded up front. They pulled the #1 recruit in the nation off and he will likely play tackle for the Noles. Sophomore Tim Jernigan was named pre-season All-ACC along with the two ends and will likely lead the Noles on the inside. Absolutely loaded at defensive line.

The Seminole secondary also looks very strong with the returns of Xavier Rhodes and LaMarcus Joyner. Although I am not as big of a Greg Reid fan as most Seminoles, his return is also huge. The secondary looks good and so do the linebackers. Nigel Bradham is gone at linebacker, but that could be a good thing for the Noles. Christian Jones slides over to Bradham's spot and Athlon says that he appears to be more of a playmaker. This could be great news for the Noles.

Shawn Powell is gone to the Buffalo Bills as a punter and the Noles will have to replace him. You may not think much of a punter, but Seminole fans have seen how much the team has benefited from Powell and Gano in recent years. Who will take over for Powell? Luckily, we don't have the same problem at kicker, as Dustin Hopkins returns. Hopkins may be the best in the nation at his spot. I actually feel somewhat comfortable when Hopkins comes out to kick, which as we all know is rare for FSU kickers.



After all the injuries and devastation of 2011, the Noles should be able to win the ACC Title in 2012 with everyone back. We will see shortly. Football season is 120 days away.

-Noland

Bills Go to Florida State Again in the 5th Round

The Buffalo Bills are building a team full of Noles. After picking Nigel Bradham in the 4th, they pick tackle Zebrie Sanders in the 5th. Sanders went a lot lower than expected. Many expected Sanders to go on day 2 and it is quite the surprise that he went here. I was expecting Sanders to go in the 3rd all along so this was a bit surprising for me as well.

Sanders was not dominant at FSU, but he was consistently good. The guy also has great size at 6'6 307. He holds the ACC record for career starts at lineman and was a solid contributor for years. Too many penalties early on and appearing over matched against occasionally against good opponents caused Sanders to drop. He will provide great value to the Bills though. If Sanders can eliminate some mistakes and work hard, he can be the steal of this draft.

-Noland

Charley Casserly's Mock Draft (2 Rounds)

Charley Casserly released his mock draft on April 13th and it has some very interesting predictions on it. I will post some of the more interesting picks, but you can get the full mock here.

First Round
2) Robert Griffin III. No surprise here from Casserly, but my cousin Adam thinks RG3 is the greatest. I am not entirely convinced, but I like RG3. I do not think the Redskins should have given up so much to get him though.'

3) Minnesota Vikings select Matt Kalil (USC). I will go on record in saying that Kalil will be an all-pro within 5 seasons.

5) Tampa selects Morris Claiborne (LSU). Help with the aging secondary, let's see if this is the way the Bucs actually go.

6) St. Louis selects Justin Blackmon (OK St). I am a big Justin Blackmon fan and think he and Sam Bradford will do big things over their careers. Great pick if it happens.

9) Carolina selects Fletcher Cox (Miss St). Cox is an animal and will do big things in the pros. If Carolina gets him it will be a great selection. This guy will be a stud.

11) Chiefs select Luke Kuechly (BC). Kuechly is an awesome linebacker. He is my personal favorite player in this draft, even more than the Seminoles. I just love the way he plays. His grit and effort will make up for what he lacks in physical ability. I do not think he is the best player in this draft, but I think he will do great. There will be another post on Kuechly in the near future.

14) Dallas selects Mark Barron (Bama). Casserly thinks the world of Barron. He has the safety rated 7th overall and wrote an article about how great Barron is. The former GM even had Barron rated ahead of former great Sean Taylor.

29) Ravens select Peter Konz (Wisconsin). He would serve as Birk's eventual replacement, possibly playing at guard right away.

2nd round
36) Tampa selects David Wilson (VT). Wilson would be help for a weak Tampa Bay backfield. Wilson is the 3rd rated back on most boards. I think the Hokie has a pretty good chance at being a solid back on most teams.


47) Jets select Andre Branch (Clemson). This would be tremendous value with the 47th pick. Branch can play.

55) Atlanta selects Zebrie Sanders (FSU). Sanders will be the first Seminole off the board without a doubt. The question is when Sanders will be selected. I must say that as a Seminoles fan I think Sanders is overrated, but he can be a solid pro. Needs to control the penalties.

60) Baltimore selects Chris Givens (Wake). Givens is fast and would give the Ravens one of the fastest receiving cores in football. Givens would be a huge upgrade over the mess that is Lee Evans. Givens, Boldin, and Smith is a great receiving group. Lets see if this actually happens. Joe Flacco would be one happy man with this.

We are getting close. Should be interesting.

-Noland