The Florida State Offense Will Be Just Fine

Sept 8, 2012; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher reacts during the rain delay in the game against the Savannah State Tigers at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

Yesterday saw the news break that TE, Christo Kourtzidis, will be leaving the program. While the loss of Kourtzidis is not devastating, it does make a lack of depth at the tight end position real and glaring. Now, the Florida State Seminoles find themselves in a position where their offensive strategy may need to be altered.

Many formations, strategies and position changes have been speculated upon since the news. Our Twitter account, @ChopChatgoacc, saw our mentions include things as sane as three receiver sets to the more unconventional move to abandoning the running game all-together and throwing five-wide sets out every play — despite having an incredibly deep backfield and Jimbo Fisher not exactly known to air-it-out every single play.

We eventually took to those mean streets of Twitter to express out thoughts. In the interest of fairness, though, (much like our 5 receiver friend) it is really hard to describe what we think is going to happen to Florida State’s offense in the wake of the transfer in just 140 characters or less. I mean, yeah, we like to think ourselves witty at the Chop Chat offices, but we really aren’t. 140 characters is a cruel and evil monster. A monster, mind you, that we try not to tickle all to often — it’ll end up biting us or something.

Here are what and why we think Fisher is going to do with the Florida State offense.

Three Receiver Sets, A Lot of the Time

I am also assuming my fictional superhero, Jameis Winston, is going to be the starting QB. Winston is a duel-threat guy who can use the extra space that three receiver sets provide. Not to mention the fact that Florida State boasts three wideouts who are trustworthy, good and can really help out Winston down the field if he so chooses to scramble around or run down the field.

It would also eliminate the need for a second TE on the field. Florida State would either go with a two-back formation with no end or a single back with one tight end. Either way, it really helps eliminate the depth issue as far as the position goes.

Zero Position Changes

Fisher has already spoken about not moving a player to tight end despite the depth issue. Dan Hicks is obviously the player who would most easily translate to playing tight end, but he is also the guy who is likely going to start at one of the defensive end spots for the Seminoles. It would almost be like biting your ear to spite your face or something — likely something.

Running Backs Aplenty

Florida State is deep at the running back position. Being down a tight end certainly hurts when trying to throw big packages out at opposing teams, although, Fisher already planned on using an extra lineman where a tight end would normally go during that formation. So, at the end of the day, big packages aren’t going to be altered all too much because Fisher wasn’t going tight end happy anyway. Which, in turn, means the run game should be as strong as everyone is expecting.

So, the Actual Tight End Spot

Before we all get our panties in a bunch, we need to ask ourselves — what were we expecting out of the tight end position anyway? If we were to be truthful with ourselves, the answer should be; not a ton. Florida State’s strengths on offense was never going to be at the position or because of it. The already aforementioned running backs — along with Winston — provide Florida State will enough skill players behind the line that the people playing it are vital. Still, the further away you get from behind the center (tight end), the less important the role of interior blocking becomes and down the field ‘getting in the way’ matters more.

Think about it like this. If Winston was to break away from a play and run down the field, the tight end would be blocking defensive backs — not some huge defensive end. Really, all they would need to do is get in the way of opposing tacklers to spring Winston for a few extra yards. Same goes for the running backs, although, the tight end blocking linemen would be much more important in that situation.

Rebirth of the Fullback?

The fullback position is my favorite in all of football. Sure, the NFL has nearly made the position extinct, but my love for athletes not big enough to play the line, yet not fast enough to play running back has not been lost. It is the whole ‘Hey, I could play that position’ feeling that makes it so cool to me. Well, while ignoring that a fullback has to be tough, still athletic and get zero praise thrown his way — things I don’t have or would probably prefer to receive.

Even with the mobile Winston, Florida State is going to want to run the ball by design with their running backs. Without the ability to throw two quality tight ends in formations, though, it makes it incredibly difficult to push opposing defensive lines to the wayside. Enter the fullback or in this instance, likely, Chad Abram. All we really know about Abram is that he used to play safety, is nifty on special teams and isn’t really all that swell actually running the football. Thankfully, not a single person designing offensive plays for Florida State is even entertaining the thought of having him run a draw up the middle. Rather, the idea would be inserting Abram in the lineup on a more regular basis to bang heads.

What is Actually Going to Happen

The Seminoles are going to enter the season with a slew of offensive schemes at the ready. Which ones they actually decide to use, however, will likely be based off of which work early in the first game or two. Expect Fisher to rely heavily on the running game early — in large parts due to the inexperienced Winston — and see if it works better with three receiver sets or with an I-formation or etc.

None of this means they are going to completely abandon two tight end sets either. While the loss of Kourtzidis hurts, it’s not a deathblow — Florida State isn’t losing the reincarnation of Shannon Sharpe. They are losing a solid, but not spectacular tight end. The play of Nick O’Leary is going to determine how often we see tight ends on the field more than the loss of Kourtzidis does.

Should I Be Worried?

Heck to the no. I mean, it really depends on what your expectations are for the team this year and how much of that hinged on the tight end position, but this isn’t something that should cost the Noles a couple of games. The season, offensively, is/was/and always will be contingent on the play of the quarterback. If it is Winston or another, it does not matter, as the rest of the offense is talented enough that they will be responsible as to how well Florida State does this season.

Joseph is the editor of ChopChat. For the love of Sam Cassell, follow him on the mean streets of Twitter @JosephNardone