FSU Football: Takeaways from Fisher’s First Press Conference

For Florida State football fans, Tuesday might not have been like Christmas Day, but it was at least Thanksgiving. Fall practice got underway, which not only means the season is approaching, but it was head coach Jimbo Fisher’s first chance to address the media.

For Fisher, who is usually an optimistic realist, Tuesday’s press conference was full of sunshine and rainbows. Here’s a look at some of the biggest takeaways:

Incumbents get first shot up front
A lot of youngsters’ names have been thrown around this season when the topic of Florida State’s starting offensive line has come up. Redshirt freshmen Baveon Johnson and Josh Ball were probably the biggest two. When it comes to the starting unit however, the veterans will get the first crack.

Fisher said Tuesday that for now, Rick Leonard is the team’s starting left tackle and Brock Ruble is the team’s starting right tackle. Those two played musical right tackles a season ago while Roderick Johnson manned the left side. Many thought those two would battle it out for the right tackle spot while Ball would man the left side, but that won’t be the case early on. Fisher said Leonard did an admirable job last season after moving over from defensive end.

“(Former All-American) Cam (Erving) even struggled a lot early,” Fisher said in regards to Leonard. “He’s really strong in the weight room. Playing is knowledge, the game has slowed down”

Fisher also said that incumbent Alec Eberle would be the team’s starting center heading into the year. Eberle has started 19 straight games at the position, but is coming off offseason hip surgery. Fisher said he’s recovered well.

“Alec had a good year,” Fisher said. “He’s squatting 600 pounds, benching somewhere in the (400)s.”

Patrick will begin the year as the No. 1 back
Another incumbent that will get the first shot is running back Jacques Patrick over 5-star freshmen Cam Akers and Khalan Laborn among others. A junior, Patrick has 664 yards rushing and nine touchdowns for his career. Patrick will have the unenviable task of replacing all-time leading rusher Dalvin Cook.

“Patrick is the starting back,” Fisher said. “He’s earned that right. Jacques can run, he can catch, we like everything about him. I’m very excited about watching Jacques.”

No academic casualties
With the roster down to 85 scholarship players, there is no need for further trimming and Fisher said that there are no academic concerns heading into 2017. One of the players to miss last season due to academic struggles was linebacker Sh’Mar Kilby-Lane who transferred this offseason.

The team is healthy
With the exception of freshman offensive lineman Brady Scott, who was injured last week in a scooter accident, Fisher said the team is healthy. Wide receiver George Campbell and offensive lineman Landon Dickerson are both a “full-go”, according to Fisher. Campbell missed all of last season with a groin injury. Dickerson is coming back from an ACL tear after making seven starts last season.

Francois maturing as a leader
Fisher said Florida State redshirt sophomore quarterback Deondre Francois has become a bit more vocal after an outstanding freshman season. Fisher said Francois won teammates over by the way he was able to rally the team late in games and get up from taking big shots.

“You always got something to prove,” Fisher said of Francois improving from last season. “Good enough is never good enough.”

Fisher not worried about youth at receiver
Fisher was asked about his concerns for the wide receiving corps being a young unit and he said there is none. Fisher noted that Auden Tate and Nyqwan Murray were each among the team’s leaders in receiving and touchdown catches a season ago. The other five scholarship players at the position have just eight combined catches for 72 yards, but Fisher said he expects the position to be productive.

Fisher likes team demeanor
Fisher said on Tuesday that he likes the team’s personality. He said that includes everything from how it practices to how it pays attention in the film room to what it does off the field and in the community.

“Culture is the most important thing for a place,” Fisher said. “The coach doesn’t make the culture. The coach can set it, but the players have to own it.”

Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson