Sports: 'Noles on right path after two-season slide

Colleges

'Noles on right path after two-season slide

Offense has made great strides during spring, and FSU hopes the defense follows suit.

By BRIAN LANDMAN, Times Staff Writer

For Florida State, it hasn't just been an interesting offseason away from the field. Spring practice also has been intriguing for a team looking to rebound from consecutive subpar seasons.

The biggest questions for the Seminoles were on offense: How would quarterback Chris Rix, who missed a final exam and was suspended for the Sugar Bowl, respond? Would the young, inexperienced receivers mature? How well would the revamped line mesh?

Heading into today's 2 p.m. spring game, offensive coordinator Jeff Bowden has liked what he's seen.

"I think this is the most comfortable Chris Rix has been running the offense, all phases of it," he said. "We're definitely a different team when he's in there."

Fabian Walker, the starter in the Sugar Bowl loss to Georgia, returned from shoulder surgery April 1 and has looked sharp. Freshman Wyatt Sexton, who was redshirted last season, has seen significant action, which should help the position in the fall.

Bowden, also the receivers coach, has liked the consistent play Chauncy Stovall, P.K. Sam, Craphonso Thorpe and Dominic Robinson.

"It seems like we've had a different guy stand out each scrimmage, but the encouraging thing to me is they're more steady as a group," Bowden said. "That's much more important to me than having one star."

No matter who's at quarterback or receiver, the passing game won't get off the ground if the line isn't effective. FSU lost starting tackle Brett Williams, starting guards Montrae Holland and Todd Williams and starting center Antoine Mirambeau. Tackle Ray Willis, who started eight games last season, had shoulder surgery and hasn't played.

"I've been pleasantly surprised with David Castillo's play at center," Bowden said. "He played some last year for Mirambeau, but I thought there might be a drop off. He's done a good job."

Bowden has been pleased with guard Matt Meinrod, a former East Lake High standout, but nagging injuries to guard Bobby Meeks have slowed the line's progress.

"But we're moving the ball pretty well at times," Bowden said. "I see some good things. I think this offense can be much improved."

Can the defense follow suit?

Only one starter, defensive end Alonzo Jackson, is gone. But injuries and suspensions have meant that four of the 10 returning starters -- defensive lineman Kevin Emanuel, linebacker Allen Augustin and defensive backs Rufus Brown and Jerome Carter -- have been practicing consistently for defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews.

"You don't get better at football rehabbing," Andrews said. "Which means they didn't get better, so our defense is not better. It will be better if those seven guys who didn't work this spring find a way to get better before that first ball game."

The flip side to that is the injury situation has opened the door for some younger players, such as safety Pat Watkins, linebackers A.J. Nicholson, Sam McGrew, Buster Davis and Marcello Church and defensive ends Chauncey Davis and Kamerion Wimbley.

"The young kids really came a long way because they were getting all the reps," Andrews said. "They started to act like first-teamers instead of playing cautious. They'll be ready when we line up in the fall."