We are entering the halfway point of the preseason and it is a big week for the Florida State Seminoles. Coming off the team’s first scrimmage last Saturday, Monday morning marked the 10th preseason practice for the Noles. The pressure is on as coach Mike Norvell pushes for focus on the future and especially on the week ahead. Norvell’s goal? Defining the Noles in 2022.
Keeping It Moving
This week, the Noles will practice every day including two days in Jacksonville. The heat and humidity of Jacksonville team up to create an experience like playing football just outside the gates of hell, placing the Noles in the ultimate discomfort zone before returning to Tallahassee for Saturday’s second preseason scrimmage. Saturday’s scrimmage will be held in Doak Campbell Stadium and hopes are high after Norvell’s positive reviews of a number of players after the first scrimmage.
“This week is a huge week for us. We told our team that this is our move week,” Norvell said after Monday’s practice. He continued, “We’ve got to take all the things we’ve learned in the first nine and we’ve got to see them stack upon each other in correction, in application.” Monday’s practice saw the team keeping a fast tempo with a lot of contact and competition. Players and coaches alike contributed a lot of volume, including plenty of trash talk between players. After a positive showing on Saturday, the Monday morning Noles came ready to work and to build on last week’s high points.
Defining The Noles
Calling this week “identity week” Norvell’s Noles are challenging themselves to define who they will be in 2022. In 2021, the Noles struggled to find their stride and delivered a disappointing 5-7 finish overall. Norvell is adamant the 2022 squad not meet this same fate.
This year’s big challenge comes down to playing with more confidence and crafting informed responses to on-field adversity. Coaches aren’t letting up on challenging players and are pushing them to deliver consistently. A couple of good practices and one good scrimmage aren’t enough to placate Norvell and the Noles.
Though the future of this team should be better than the past, Norvell and the rest of the squad aren’t looking back. In 2022, the Noles have to be present and focused to show positive growth as a team and as a program.
Looking Ahead
The Noles have a lot of talent on the roster in 2022. The team and coaching staff are finding a groove, building a rapport that is crucial to a successful season. There’s a long road ahead to rebuild a National Championship program in Tallahassee. But, with increased investment in the program and greater recruiting success, FSU is on the right track.
After several turbulent seasons, this may be the year FSU regains some respect. In 2022, Norvell may be re-defining the Noles.