FSU Practice Report: Friday

The Seminoles closed out the week in the hottest practice of fall camp thus far today, as the temperature was at 99 degrees as practice commenced. The heat may have affected behavior slightly, as a rather intriguing incident led off practice and does the same with today’s FSU practice report.

•  Head coach Jimbo Fisher engaged in a brief exchange with starting running back Karlos Williams before practice even began. Fisher was smiling and swapping words with Williams from a distance, when the latter got up from where he was sitting along the sideline, removed his shoulder pads, and left practice without either his pads or helmet. While Fisher had been smiling, Williams did not look pleased. Fisher then pursued Williams, who had headed in the direction of the lockerroom. Mario Pender, who witnessed the exchange, collected Williams’ pads and helmet and followed the pair off the field. Pender reappeared shortly thereafter, sans number nine’s equipment—though he did not seem distraught, perhaps for good reason: Fisher and Williams returned shortly, and Williams ran with the first-team offense as usual. I won’t speculate as to what was said—this kind of thing happens as camp wears on, and it’s probably nothing. But the whole sequence of events just had a very odd feel to it.
• OL starters Cam Erving and Josue Matias were again back in pads, but unlike yesterday, Erving today went full contact.
• The entire offensive line unit was out working in the oppressive heat before pretty much any other players or coaches. This is rather typical for Coach Trickett’s guys.
• A handful of WRs also hit the field early to get in some extra catches. Senior Rashad Greene showed out early with Ermon Lane, Travis Rudolph, and Levonte “Kermit” Whitfield. New wideout John Franklin III also got in some early work.
• Starting QB Jameis Winston was the first ‘Nole signal caller to show up.
• Not dressed today were DB Colin Blake, LB Matthew Thomas (again), and DE Lorenzo Featherston.
• Unlike yesterday, frosh quarterback J.J. Cosentino did not wear a scout team jersey today. Wearing the number four of Oklahoma State’s starting QB J.W. Walsh, Jr. was the Seminoles’ Troy Cook.
• P.J. Williams and Ronald Darby again participated, but Marquez White and Nick Waisome kept the first-team spot in shell drills. Reggie Northrup continued to work with Terrance Smith at LB, and DeMarcus Walker took first-team reps on the left edge in the dime package.
• Christian Green continues to break out of the first-team huddle as the wideout opposite Rashad Greene. Whitfield started in the slot today.
• The FSU offense again worked on the option early in practice, and for the second straight practice featured a reverse to Whitfield, although today’s variety saw him duck in under Winston, so it was really more of a shallow shovel pass.
• The kick coverage team ran threw a few reps. In addition to kicker Roberto Aguayo, it currently features White, Northrup, and Smith, along with Lamarcus Brutus, E.J. Levenberry, Nate Andrews, Jalen Ramsey, Freddie Stevenson, Trey Marshall, and Tyrell Lyons.
• Finally, Strength Coach Vic Viloria could be heard chiding the big guys who requested water while stretching. In his own words: “If you need water while you stretch, your ass needs to do some more cardio.” But his antagonism wasn’t relegated strictly to the bruisers. After he noticed Dalvin Cook walking back after a rep., he exhorted him thusly: “Rookie, we ain’t looking for walking backs. Run your ass back.”

While I’d love to ask Fisher about the exchange with Karlos, unfortunately, he’s not speaking to the media after practice today. Tomorrow’s practice will be closed to the press, as FSU isn’t entirely sure of when it will be, given the heat. And the ‘Noles are off Sunday.