Florida State Head Coach Becoming a Snake Oil Salesman

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Yes,
Florida State secured a 34-7 victory over FCS Central Arkansas to even
its record at 2-2.

Yes, the defense played better, albeit against lesser
competition, recording three sacks and 10 tackles for loss.

However, the
biggest statistic of the game was the penalties and the Seminoles committed a
deplorable 10 infractions for 115 yards.

Last week during
his game week press conference, Norvell was asked about the wrongdoings of the
defense in the collapse against Alabama.

“None of it is solely on the players,”
said Norvell. “It comes down to the things as coaches and what we do putting
players in the right position.”

No one saw
Norvell or defensive coordinator Tony White suit up in the garnet and gold and
trot on the field and line up on defense, ready to execute the defensive play
calls. It was the players themselves out there on the field not communicating, not
making tackles, and allowing explosive plays that led to Crimson Tide
touchdowns. And, this was after two weeks of preparation.

Against
Central Arkansas, it was the players out there on the field with the lack of
focus, the lack of preparation, and the lack of execution that caused many
Central Arkansas drives to be extended because of stupid penalties that should
have never happened.

For
example, the Bears were backed up to their own end zone and lined up to punt.
Two Florida State defenders broke through the line and had a clear path to
block the kick. Instead of going for the ball, the Seminoles went for the punter,
crashed into him, and drew a roughing the kicker penalty that led to 15
yards and an automatic first down.   

Norvell said penalties like that one come down to technique, which “is fundamental.”

“Some of the penalties that extended drives
were unfortunate,” said Norvell, at his post-game press conference. “It's just
one of those things the way it all played out, we've got to be cleaner, we got to be better. Anytime you have 10
penalties, pisses me off.”

Is Norvell’s team actually
capable of playing a complete game on both sides of the ball for 60 minutes? In
each of their four games this season, something has been off. Whether it is Ashton
Daniels and his interceptions killing Florida State drives, or head scratching
penalties, or at times, a lack of killer instinct.

A departure from the norm,
Norvell and Florida State won the coin toss and elected to take the ball first
against Central Arkansas.

“You wanted to try to maximize, first half possessions and to get off to a fast start offensively,”
Norvell said.

What about the second
half? Norvell put inserted backups into the game to get them valuable game reps.
As a result, Florida State did not score any points in the fourth quarter against
an FCS opponent, points that can come at premium against much tougher opponents
in the ACC.

That lack of player development
resulted in a missed opportunity to make a statement and hone the offense into a better version of itself ahead of ACC play next Saturday against Virginia.

Norvell continues to
support his team and recognizes the need to get better and fix issues, and talks
about Daniels’ confidence and continued growth at the position. Four
interceptions in two games moves the needle of concern, or at least it should. It
also pokes holes in that growth talk with every turnover.

Norvell is a coach that believes in his players. But each week, Norvell’s press conferences are beginning to sound like you are listening to Charlie Brown’s teacher. And, it is getting harder to buy what Norvell is selling.  

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