FSU's Fisher exudes confidence during ESPN 'car wash' appearances
One week before the Florida State football team opens preseason practice, head coach Jimbo Fisher took part in ESPN's "car wash" on Tuesday, making appearances on a number of the network's television and radio programs.
And one thing was readily apparent during those interviews -- Fisher is very excited and confident about his 2017 Seminoles. Not merely for the reasons most frequently cited by fans and media.
Fisher went out of his way to cite the overall experience of this year's FSU squad, on offense and defense. He also expressed confidence in his young wide receiver corps and his reshuffled offensive line -- both of which have been thought to be question marks.
During his "Mike and Mike" and "SportsCenter" appearances, Fisher acknowledged that the Seminoles lost some key players from a 2016 team that went 10-3 and defeated Michigan in the Orange Bowl. Gone is all-time leading rusher Dalvin Cook, sack leader DeMarcus Walker, All-ACC left tackle Rod Johnson, leading receiver Travis Rudolph and a handful of other key players.
But Fisher was quick to point out that virtually everyone who will be counted on as a starter this season has plenty of college experience.
"I think right now we've hit a really good cycle," Fisher said. "Last year, we had a few seniors that were really dynamic, and of course Dalvin who went out early, and Travis and big Rod Johnson. But other than that, we've hit one of our most experienced teams. Up front, we'll have four of the five starters back. Two of the three wideouts right now had great years in the second half of the year with Noonie Murray and Auden Tate. And we're bringing in some other young guys coming in -- some young backs that are challenging Jarquez [Patrick] to play well. And we've got an experienced quarterback.
"Any time you have an experienced quarterback, I think it's big. And defensively, we return almost everybody. And we get a guy named Derwin James back, who I'll be real happy to watch play."
* Click here for a complete rundown of Fisher's comments throughout the day
The comment about returning "four of the five starters" on the offensive line -- which he reiterated on "SportsCenter" -- could give some insight into what Fisher expects his lineup to look like entering camp. That likely means he's planning on having junior Alec Eberle at center, senior Rick Leonard at right tackle, and sophomores Cole Minshew and Landon Dickerson at the guard spots.
The status of Eberle (hip) and Dickerson (knee) have been in question during the offseason following major surgeries, but Fisher has said he expects both to be ready to play.
If that's how it plays out, the only new starter on the line for FSU's Sept. 2 season opener against Alabama would be at left tackle -- with the leading candidates being redshirt freshmen Josh Ball and Jauan Williams.
Fisher also heaped praise on redshirt sophomore quarterback Deondre Francois, who he said has established himself as the Seminoles' leader on offense. While much has been made about Francois' individual development, in terms of making quicker reads and improving his accuracy, Fisher said his greatest strides have come in his ability to help elevate his teammates.
"Where I really saw his growth is in his relationships with players," Fisher said. "Once he established his feet on the ground, 'OK, I can play. I'm a tough guy. They respect me. They'll follow me.' But what he has done is he's learned to control his teammates and help them.
"In other words, the guy he has to get on at practice. The guy he has to walk in private and pat on the tail. The guy he has to talk to away from there. Like I tell him, 'It doesn't matter how much talent you have at quarterback. Will those guys lay down and play for you?' I think they respected him. But now they see him in a different light. ... Really getting guys to understand his mentality as a competitor."
* Receivers: Five things to know about FSU's wideouts in 2017
Fisher also spoke at length about the Seminoles' high-profile season opener with Alabama. He said the game not only is great for keeping players motivated during the offseason, but it also helps prepare them for the distractions that they would face in the College Football Playoff or a major bowl game.
"The only way that you can create that environment for those guys is a neutral-site game," Fisher said.
--------------------------------
Talk about this story with other Florida State football fans on The Tribal Council