Seminole Spotlight: Marcus Sims

With injuries taking running backs Antone Smith and Jermaine Thomas out of the game, Marcus Sims played both fullback and tailback on Saturday. The North Florida Christian graduate made the most of his chance to lobby for even more playing time by rushing for 29 yards on eight carries.

He also had two catches for five yards and made some key blocks.
"Marcus came in and played real well," coach Bobby Bowden said. "He's really been important to our football team."

Yeah, yeah, I'm biased. So what?! I have not made it a secret that Marcus Sims is one of my favorites on the team. He's a wonderful young man and I want to see him carry the ball even more this year. We need him for the rest of the year, Jimbo. I especially want to see him kick the crap out of Florida. I personally believe he is as powerful a full back as William Floyd. Still looking for great things from him.

Marcus Sims is "Singled Out"

Me with Marcus at the Ernie Sims Celebrity Weekend Silent Auction

'Nole coaches praise QBs, Sims for scrimmage Tallahassee Democrat: "Jimbo Fisher saw plenty from his review of Florida State football's first preseason scrimmage to address in Monday's practice. The offensive coordinator was encouraged by his group's first real test."

That included the work of his three quarterbacks — Drew Weatherford, Christian Ponder and D'Vontrey Richardson.
"For the most part, most of the decisions were pretty good," Fisher said. "We missed a couple and a couple of them we missed had a chance to be big plays. But for the most part it wasn't bad."
The offense scored one touchdown in the regular part of the scrimmage, but Fisher liked the group's fight. He also said FSU's young offensive line is making progress.
"The young guys are taking steps and doing things right and then you see the youth show up at times," Fisher said. "Back and forth. They did some good things for the first time (they) ever walk in that stadium and scrimmage. There weren't a lot of bust assignments."
Head coach Bobby Bowden pointed to the play of running back Marcus Sims after watching tape.
"Marcus Sims, I singled him out because he ran so good in that scrimmage Saturday," Bowden said. "I thought (Antone) Smith ran much better, too.

"There's some good things happening. We just got to get all the mistakes corrected."

Defensive line borrows Dawkins

Defensive line coach Odell Haggins already knew he would be without Budd Thacker, Paul Griffin and Justin Mincey, provided Mincey retained his academic eligibility, for the first three games. He's also been without Moses McCray for part of the preseason.

That has left Haggins with two healthy scholarship tackles in Emmanuel Dunbar and Kendrick Stewart during preseason camp.

To help that situation, freshman defensive end Everett Dawkins moved to the interior line on Monday.

"You need four (interior linemen) and we've got three with Moses," Bowden said. "Of course, he hasn't been able to get a lot of work which makes you think you better get somebody else in there, too."
Enter Dawkins, who played at high school powerhouse Duncan (S.C.) Byrnes.

"It's not a permanent thing," Haggins said. "He's just helping us out. He can play inside. He's strong. He can move.

"Put him in certain situations and he'll be OK. But we have to have some help in there."

FSU was without freshman running back Jermaine Thomas again on Monday. The freshman did not participate in Saturday's scrimmage.

"There's a little glitch in there that I feel like is going to work out OK," Bowden said.

The Seminoles continue to wait on word on Mincey and tight ends Charlie Graham and Matt Dunham.

Injury updates

Two FSU running backs are nursing injuries and are listed as day-to-day. Antone Smith has a bruised thigh and Ty Jones has a hip pointer.

Marcus Sims is definitely one of my favorite Noles. He is an extremely humble and genuinely nice guy. I credit his parents. I'm also looking forward to seeing him do great things this season. Look for #35 to do it big this year.