On FSU's offensive improvement: 'We're not anywhere close to the standard'
The Florida State offense gave fans a glimpse on Saturday of what it can look like when it's clicking. The Seminoles scored TDs on their first two drives of the game against Northern Illinois, but then struggled to play with consistency the rest of the way.
Offensive coordinator Walt Bell wasn't about to puff out his chest about those first two drives when he met with the media on Tuesday morning.
"We're not anywhere close to the standard," Bell said. "We're not as good as we need to be. I think every week the goal, win lose or draw, is just to be better than you were last week. Continuous improvement. If we can do that every day, every rep, every practice, eventually we'll get to where we want to be.
"And I think that's what the really good ones do. Because they're never really satisfied. There really never is a standard. There really never is a perfect. You're always chasing being better."
Part of being better for the Florida State offense is taking care of the football.
The Seminoles had four turnovers on Saturday, including three fumbles.
Florida State head coach Willie Taggart praised the offense for those first two drives, but then also pointed out what happened next.
"Then on the third drive, we were moving the ball ball again, and then, again, we stepped on our own toe and fumbled the ball," Taggart said. "And that's what I mean about being consistent in what we're doing. We need more consistent play ... I mean, we can't lose the football."
To try to correct that, tight end Tre' McKitty said coaches are making anyone that fumbled carry a football everywhere they go this week -- to class, to meetings, to meals. All in an effort to curb the turnover issue.
McKitty is one of those players. Along with Jacques Patrick and Deondre Francois.
"That's a point that we've got to keep hammering," Bell said.
Bell also praised receiver Tamorrion Terry, saying what he's done with the ball has been impressive this season, but what he's doing away from the ball maybe even more important.
On Saturday, Terry blocked a defensive back into the Florida State bench on a running play.
"Tough guys make big plays in really tough situations," Bell said. "That's what he does."
------------------------------------
Talk about this story with other Florida State football fans in the Tribal Council