Three Up, Three Down: FSU Players’ Rising and Falling Stocks
By David Visser
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Trending Down: Christian Green
Christian Green failed to register a catch against Syracuse, and Rudolph’s emergence is a big part of that. Although Green is still listed above Rudolph as the starting Z on FSU’s depth chart, it was apparent on Saturday who Jimbo Fisher would rather get the ball to in space.
Unlike Rudolph, Green’s game isn’t so much making people miss as it is catching balls over the top, like he did in Florida State’s opener against Oklahoma State (pictured). On that play, the senior used his experience to correctly read the safety and adjust his route appropriately.
The problem is that defenses are taking this away from the ‘Noles and forcing them to work the ball down the field more conservatively, meaning players who excel shaking tackles — players like Rudolph, not Green — make more sense on the field moving forward.