Defense looks to give ‘Noles some attitude
Switch to 3-4 scheme may help bring swagger back
TALLAHASSEE – FSU’s defensive backs have been bringing the noise during preseason practice, creating a competitive atmosphere, albeit a friendly one, among the offense and defense.
Defensive back Levonta Taylor said he wanted to see the defense give the Seminoles an edge attitude-wise this season.
“[We need to improve at] running to the ball and bringing that Florida State swagger back,” he said. “You look at them back in the day, them boys would come out there with swag. It [doesn’t] matter what the offense [does], it’s on us to not let them get in the end zone.”
FSU is switching to a 3-4 defense this year, allowing the Seminoles to utilize the many talented linebackers they have on the roster. Linebacker DeCalon Brooks said it’s been a learning process.
“You’ve got to know where to drop. You’ve got to know where the rush is coming from on either side,” he said. “You’ve got know where to drop on specific plays. From that point of view, you’ve got to know where your pass drop is.”
Several athletes have had to adjust how they cover on the field, but so far all seem up for the challenge, including Brooks.
“Yeah. I always enjoy being able to get into pass drops, especially because I know where to drop and I know how to read receivers,” he said. “Just to feel receivers and get out there and pass them off to whoever’s on my side at Mike linebacker or safety or whoever. I’m kind of used to it.”
Defensive end Joshua Kaindoh said associate head coach Odell Haggins’ attention to detail has ensured them.
“He’s stayed on us pretty hard. Very technical,” Kaindoh said. “He’s going to stay on you. Wants everything done this way. Hey, you may make a play or something, but if you don’t do the right thing getting up to that, he’s still going to get on you.”
The Seminoles’ defense also has the luxury of competing against an offense that is getting faster by the day.
“It’s good competition. It helps us get ready for opposing teams,” Brooks said. “We got the best offense in the country. So it’s always good to go against guys that everyone understands what is expected of want to compete.”
Some defensive players were winded toward the end of Friday’s practice, with their hands over their heads, but Brooks said they’re still in much better shape coming into the season than they were in the past.
“Conditioning, we’re great. We made strides in the offseason. Our conditioning got way better. We’re getting better day by day,” he said.
Defensive back Stanford Samuels III said fatigue should not be an issue this year, especially with a talented freshman class waiting in the wings.
“I expect the competition level to be as high as it’s ever been. We’re stacked at receiver and at DB,” he said. “It’s no, ‘I was tired.’ You got a backup if you’re tired. You are going to compete at the highest level the whole time you’re out there.”
Samuels said he’s happy with the energy and talent of the freshman class.
“I just got done watching the younger guys practicing. I love the young guys, I’ll say that,” he said. “Just to come in, those guys already have the dog mentality. They came in hungry. They didn’t come in with a big head or anything like that. They come in working and they’re making plays. I hope they keep coming along plays.”
He added the defense as a whole is trying to adopt the mindset Taylor mentioned, giving FSU an edge with its fierce attitude. Samuels said the attitude shift is necessary in order to get the Seminoles back to their winning ways.
“The secondary, we’ve come in with a whole new attitude. We’re leaving last year in the past,” Samuels said. “Right now, we’re just hungry. We’re sick of all the talking and all of the downtalking, all the bad things. We know what we’re capable of and we’re going to come out and show it when we get a chance.” and keep making