TALLAHASSEE – Jimbo Fisher won’t show Florida State fans much of the playbook.
But Saturday’s spring game is a showcase for the Seminoles' freshmen, a first look at those players who have switched positions and a time to see who may have won key position battles.
And, of course, it offers a look at quarterback EJ Manuel, the rising senior who is back at 100 percent after playing through a broken tibia in the Champs Sports Bowl victory over Notre Dame.
For the most part, Fisher has been happy with FSU’s four weeks of spring practice. The exception was Monday’s second scrimmage, when he felt the Seminoles made mistakes, committed too many penalties and were not paying attention to details.
“What I was unhappy about is I don’t want to win 9 or 10 games,” Fisher said. “If we are going to take the next step, we have to play situations smarter. Be smarter in key, little details of what we’re doing.
"Most of the guys played pretty well, but it wasn’t championship-caliber ball. And that’s what I was unhappy about. And that’s the standard we are going to hold ourselves to. And that’s the standard they want to be held to.”
FSU fans won’t see a number of key players in Saturday’s 4 p.m. Garnet & Gold game due to injuries, including running back Devonta Freeman, offensive lineman Garrett Faircloth, linebacker Vince Williams, defensive end Bjoern Werner, and defensive tackles Jacobbi McDaniel and Timmy Jernigan.
But there’s still plenty of talent on the field for FSU. Here’s a look at five story lines to watch on Saturday.
Erving’s switch to left tackle: The biggest concern for FSU coaches going into 2012 is the offensive line. Fisher and his staff may have solved one key component when they flipped Cameron Erving from defensive tackle to left tackle.
“I feel I am more natural at pass blocking,” Erving said. “Run blocking is something I have to work on more.”
Erving is 6-foot-5 and 305 pounds and displays the quickness, hands and footwork needed to be a successful left tackle. Fisher has been very pleased with Erving’s quick progress, and fans will get to see him on offense for the first time Saturday – and likely against star defensive end Brandon Jenkins.
Moves at linebacker: The position in flux is linebacker, where Nigel Bradham graduated and depth is a concern. Christian Jones will slide over from the strong-side linebacker spot to Bradham’s old spot on the weak side.
Jones was often forced to cover wide receivers, tight ends and running backs last year. Now he will stay in the box and should be more of a playmaker as both a run-stopper and pass rusher.
“It allows me to be more involved,” Jones said. “I am more in the box now. I am actually a true linebacker.”
The other significant move is that of Nick Moody from safety to strong-side linebacker. Moody, a rising senior, is good in coverage but is also a ferocious hitter. He added nearly 20 pounds in the offseason and has embraced a move that will likely take advantage of his skills and prepare him for the NFL.
First look at the early enrollees: With Freeman out this spring and with coaches likely limiting Chris Thompson’s carries as he returns from a back injury, expect to see a lot of early enrollee Mario Pender. The tailback from Cape Coral Island Coast averaged 11.9 yards per carry his senior season and has already added 10 pounds since arriving at FSU.
Junior-college transfer Daniel Glauser has also been fighting for playing time on the offensive line. Glauser, who grew up in Switzerland, is only able to play one year at FSU but could make quite an impact because of his size (6-6, 320 pounds) and experience.
And FSU also lost one of the nation’s top punters in Shawn Powell, who averaged 47 yards per punt in 2011. So the Seminoles turn to Cason Beatty, who averaged 43 yards per punt during his junior and senior seasons in Charlotte, N.C.
The debut of Kelvin Benjamin: He was considered the state’s top high school receiver in 2010, but weight problems kept Benjamin on the sideline at FSU last year. During his redshirt season, the 6-6 Benjamin shed weight and refined his route-running skills.
“Kind of like throwing LeBron James the alley-oop,” Manuel said. “You always know he’s going to come down with the dunk.”
Fisher said Benjamin has had an impressive spring, and Manuel also thinks that Benjamin is more than a jump-ball receiver; he’s someone who can find seams downfield, too.
Backup quarterbacks: Manuel missed a game and parts of two others last season. And he’s now going into this senior year. While he’s entrenched as the starter, a closely watched position battle has been for No. 2 quarterback in the fall – and the possible starter in 2013.
Clint Trickett had a 300-yard game in a loss at Clemson, an impressive first college start, to say the least. But the next week he had two interceptions at Wake Forest. Trickett, a rising sophomore, knows the playbook inside and out, and after adding 15 pounds this offseason, he has more velocity on his throws.
Saturday’s game may show if redshirt freshman Jacob Coker has been able to close the gap on Trickett. Coker is taller, bigger and considerably more mobile than Trickett. But Coker has also had just one year and it remains to be seen how much of the offense he has absorbed.
