FSU Football: Defense learning to face adversity in fall camp

FSU football has dealt with a lot of negativity the past few years with its defense not playing up to its talent level.

FSU football has traditionally been known for its fast and physical defenses, but that hasn’t been the case since the 2013 national championship team.

It has been a defense myself and other media members have called soft and undisciplined under former defensive coordinator Charles Kelly.

The disappointing thing was the defensive roster is full of blue chip recruits that either were not developed or not held accountable to develop.

However, things seem to be changing with new defensive coordinator Harlon Barnett who preaches being physicality and swarming to the ball with his players.

Traditionally the defense has the upper hand on offenses in spring and fall camps and FSU football has been no different. However, things changed a couple of days again with FSU’s situational scrimmage.

According to Coach Taggart and Coach Barnett at FSU’s Media Day Sunday, the offense had the upper hand for the first time during camp.

Taggart said, “It was one of those, a good teaching moment for our defense. They got to come ready to play every week. Can’t take a day off.”

We’ve seen the FSU defense succumb to momentum the past couple of years. Think of the Louisville game in 2016 or the second half of the Miami game last season.

The key to success is limiting the events that allow offenses to gain momentum and keep it. This team needs to find a way to make a play, whether it’s a three and out or forced turnover to swing momentum back to the FSU offense.

That never seemed to happen the past few years. Hopefully the offense getting the upper hand in the situational scrimmage lit a fire of the defense to get win every day at practice this week.

For those concerned about the offense getting the better of the defense, we have to remember it’s a situational scrimmage where the offense has some advantages at times.

It’s difficult to stop a talented offense first and goal from the 10 or three yard lines. However, it’s great the coaches are putting them through those situations so those experiences won’t be foreign when the season begins.