Now that the Florida State football team has wrapped up its first full scrimmage and two weeks of preseason practice, it's time for a new edition of the 3-2-1: Where we offer 3 things we've learned, 2 questions we're asking and 1 prediction.
Three things we've learned
1 -- Fisher is wise to lighten veterans' load
If there was one comment or quote that represented Florida State’s 2017 spring practice, it was the one Jimbo Fisher made after the spring game about how demanding he had been for the previous month. In what almost sounded like a confession, Fisher explained that he had ratcheted up the intensity and physicality so high in practices that even he felt bad about it at times.
“I was hell this spring. I was never happy,” he said. “You’ve got to build toughness. Physically, you’ve got to build it from the hitting and the practice. But then that builds the mental toughness to be able to fight through it in those times. …
“There’s a time in football where ... somehow you’ve got to line up and butt somebody in the mouth. You’ve got to learn to take on blocks. You’ve got to learn to play banged up. You’ve got to learn to play injured.”
Fisher went on to say he has learned the spring is the best time to take that approach because teams can ill afford to lose key players during preseason practice. And through the first two weeks of this preseason camp, Fisher has certainly followed through on the second half of that equation -- he is doing everything he can to avoid unnecessary injuries to his starters.
Since camp began, Fisher has taken things slowly with several key players, most notably junior defensive end Josh Sweat and senior linebacker Jacob Pugh.
Sweat, who battled nagging knee and hand ailments last season, has been dressed out and ready to compete in every practice this fall, but FSU has limited his reps on certain days to avoid additional wear and tear. Pugh, who was honored by coaches as the MVP of spring practice, has been held back on several occasions as well. He stretched with team athletic trainers before Sunday’s scrimmage but didn’t end up participating.
Fisher also was extra cautious with the Seminoles’ receivers on Sunday. Sophomore wideout Keith Gavin wore a blue non-contact jersey in warmups, and the other receivers slipped blue jerseys on once the scrimmage began. Fisher said the skill players still received some contact -- the defensive players were instructed to “thud” them above the waist -- but he didn’t want them taken to the ground.
Several other players were kept out of the scrimmage entirely, although none of their injuries appeared to be serious. Offensive linemen Cole Minshew, Brock Ruble and Jauan Williams all were sidelined with undisclosed ailments; Williams, who had his left arm in a sling, was the only one with a visible injury.
Freshman receiver D.J. Matthews, who has missed some time with a pulled hamstring, was back working with trainers after returning to practice earlier in the week. And there were a few others out as well, although Fisher said he expects them all to be back at practice this week.
No matter how many precautions the Seminoles take, they can't protect their players entirely. Guys can get injured every time they step on the field -- even if their reps are limited. But by being prudent, especially with veterans who already should have a firm grasp of their assignments and techniques, Fisher is wise to at least put the odds in the Seminoles’ favor.
