Five things we've learned from Taggart's spring booster tour

No matter where Willie Taggart has traveled in the state, one of the first questions from fans is about the Seminoles' offensive line. Specifically, will it be better than it has been in recent years?

“I keep hearing all these questions about the offensive line,” Taggart said during his recent stop in Orlando before taking a few moments to defend the unit.

For starters, Taggart points out the offensive line fans saw in the spring game was depleted by injuries. Two or three projected starters this fall were not available for most -- or all -- of spring drills.

Taggart also doesn't believe the group was quite as bad as fans and media have portrayed it. He is quick to point out that FSU has produced 1,000-yard rushers in each of the past five seasons -- from Devonta Freeman in 2013 to Dalvin Cook in '14, '15 and '16 to Cam Akers last season.

“If you’re gonna have a 1,000-yard rusher in college football, your offensive line can’t be that bad," Taggart said.

Pass-protection has been another story, of course. Both Deondre Francois in 2016 and James Blackman in 2017 were under constant pressure when they dropped back to pass.

But the Seminoles' first-year coach believes two factors will help the offensive line going forward: One is the weight program under new strength coach Irele Oderinde, and the other is having a more simplified offense. Instead of having to make multiple decisions before and after ever snap, FSU's offensive linemen will have only one or two keys to focus on in their new system.

"When we say lethal simplicity," Taggart explained, "a big part of that is being simple for our offensive line -- and allow them to come off the ball and rattle the fillings in the defensive linemen’s mouth. ...

“I think you all will be proud of the O-line."