Receiver Craphonso Thorpe wants to be more than a deep threat.
By BRIAN LANDMAN
Published September 4, 2003
TALLAHASSEE - His speed can make you hold your breath.
Florida State junior receiver Craphonso Thorpe stole the show at the ACC outdoor track and field championships in April, winning the 100 and 200 meters.
But his speed can make you hold your praise, too.
"A lot of times, a fast receiver gets labeled as only a deep guy," Thorpe said.
Someone capable of running a 10.43 100 meters can run by cornerbacks, but can he break tackles or dare to cut across the middle? With those spindly legs? Right.
"Sometimes, that's tough," he said. "I don't want to be thought of as only a deep threat, because I feel that I can catch the ball underneath and across the middle or wherever. It doesn't really matter."
For one of the first times in his career, he showed that versatility in the Seminoles'season-opening 37-0 win at North Carolina on Saturday.
He had seven catches for 83 yards, both career highs, and several receptions were on short routes and screens that he turned into first downs by defying the stereotype that all he can do is outrun defenders.
"He looked like a different receiver than he did last season," said quarterback Chris Rix, extolling Thorpe's route-running, cutting and leadership. "He wants to be the complete package, a complete receiver, and play at the next level. I think he's realized you're not going to make it by just running by people."
At least the Seminoles hope he has.
With the losses of Anquan Boldin, Talman Gardner and Robert Morgan, the receiving corps lacks experience. Thorpe led all returners with 17 catches for 377 yards. Historically, when the Seminoles have had big turnover at receiver, they have had someone jump out of obscurity.
Think Marvin Minnis in 2000, who had an All-America season after playing a supporting role as a junior.
Think Javon Walker in 2001, who played himself into a first-round NFL draft choice after a pedestrian junior year.
"Oh yes, he's ready to make that jump," coach Bobby Bowden said of Thorpe.
His son agrees, and thought as much last season when he said the former Tallahassee Lincoln star could have - and should have - assumed a larger role.
"He wouldn't quite push himself over the hump," offensive coordinator and receivers coach Jeff Bowden said. "I tried to nudge him and nudge him and nudge him as best I could. It's not a negative. He didn't realize there was more in him."
That apparently has registered. He zealously worked out in the offseason to improve his upper body strength. He now carries nearly 190 pounds on his 6-foot-2 frame. That's 15 more than his listed weight.
"I really focused on the weight room this offseason," Thorpe said.
"Cro, P.K. (Sam), me, we've always been hard workers, but we always had that feeling, it isn't our time yet," receiver Dominic Robinson said. "Right after the (Sugar) Bowl, it was already in our minds, "This is it. This is on us. We've got to work like we've never worked before."'
He used his newfound power, along with a greater zeal and improved technique, to round out his game, helping spring tailbacks Lorenzo Booker and Greg Jones on several long runs.
"He's the best blocker I've got right now; it's unbelievable," Jeff Bowden said. "I never would have thought it. It's amazing. You tell a guy to pick a weakness and work on it, and he's done it. ... He wants to compete now and he's a lot more focused."
That translates into trouble for opponents.
Just ask Robinson, a former cornerback who went against Thorpe routinely in practice.
"When I used to line up against him, I'd know he would be going deep," Robinson said. "I'd have my hips turned and be ready to go at any second. But now you can't afford to do that. He'll kill you short all day, as we saw against North Carolina.
"The knock against him was he didn't catch anything short and he didn't go over the middle. Well, you can forget that. He caught some short passes, juked a couple times and dipped his shoulder once or twice. ... He's going to be a headache for corners. I know as a corner he would make me nervous. He's going to be dangerous."
Dangerous to the perception he's a track guy who plays football.
Thorpe is intent on disproving that.
"No doubt, no doubt," he said. "Every chance I get I'm going to try to catch it, and that'll speak for itself."
