Colleges

FSU takes caution with hurt RB Smith

By RKENDAN
Published August 11, 2007

TALLAHASSEE - Florida State starting running back Antone Smith missed most of Friday's practice, sitting out with a mild hamstring strain.

"He had a slight, slight pull," coach Bobby Bowden said. "He thinks he caught it before it did any damage."

After playing behind Leon Washington and Lorenzo Booker during his first two years, Smith is the feature back and will be counted on to steady an offense that has been marred by shaky play. With Marcus Sims moving to fullback, Smith had taken almost all of the repetitions at running back during the first three days of practice.

"It's just some leg fatigue catching up to me," Smith said. "I could have practiced more, but for precautionary reasons they held me out. I should be all right tomorrow though."

DEFENSE STANDS OUT: Practice ended with 11-on-11 session, which was mainly controlled by the defense. Linebacker Dekoda Watson had a big hit in the backfield and defensive tackle Justin Mincey also made a nice play getting into the backfield and batting away an Xavier Lee pass.

The other starting quarterback candidate, former Land O'Lakes standout Drew Weatherford, hit a deep pass to receiver Rod Owens, who was promptly hit by rover Myron Rolle.

Odds and Ends: Florida State will practice in full pads for the first time today. ... Offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher said he has no timetable for naming a starter at quarterback. ... Defensive end Kevin McNeil sat out practice with a minor shoulder injury. ... The Seminoles will hold a special skills competition during Sunday's Fan Day, including weightlifting and a competition with the quarterbacks.

Jamey Givens, Times correspondent and Times wires

USF: Aching ankles

TAMPA - Two potential starters missed practice, but another was back in action.

Linebacker Chris Robinson, who had seven sacks last season, and right tackle Walter Walker, one of two returning offensive linemen to start every game in 2006, were out after each sustained a left ankle injury the previous day. Both players wore boots; Robinson walked with crutches.

"They're out for a number of days," coach Jim Leavitt said. "They've got pretty good sprains. We'll go day to day with them."

Meantime, guard Zach Hermann, who had the flu Thursday, returned.

ON HIS OWN: Asked if he had given any advice to first-year Freedom High coach Marquel Blackwell, once a standout quarterback for USF, Leavitt responded: "He doesn't need any from me. He's one of the best (players) we've ever had around here."

Keith Niebuhr, Times staff writer

UM: Linebacker numbers no worry

CORAL GABLES - Coach Randy Shannon said he's not worried about the having a huge linebacker corps.

"Really, you play with only four or five linebackers a year," he said. "You don't ever play with seven or eight. We have plenty of time to figure it out."

Juniors Eric Houston and Spencer Adkins, sophomore Colin McCarthy and senior Tavares Gooden all rotated in with the first and second teams during a light workout.

"We did a lot of special teams stuff," Shannon said.

"Basically, we worked on mistakes from (Thursday) in the scrimmage. They did well. They responded."

INJURY UPDATE: Shannon said that senior running back Charlie Jones was a little banged up after the Thursday scrimmage and sophomore offensive tackle Chris Barney was nicked up from Wednesday. Both sat out Friday but should be back in the next few days.

Times wires

[Last modified August 11, 2007, 01:22:41]