After this weekend's NFL draft many experts have been claiming the Seminoles should have had a better season last year with so many first round picks.  Although they were ACC champs and barely lost in the Orange Bowl to Penn. St. it was still a down year for Florida State.  This year, however, will not be a down year for the 'Noles.

While they may have lost many players to the NFL draft this does not phase the Seminoles.  The four first round players that were drafted were all defensive players.  This bodes well for Florida State because they reload on defense every year.  Some players on defense that will continue the outstanding defensive tradition at FSU include Lawrence Timmons, Myron Rolle and  Everette Brown.  Aside from Myron Rolle many of these names may be unfamiliar, but by season's end, they will be household names.  Lawrence Timmons is a player many FSU insiders feel will not only do well in replacing Ernie Sims, but could actually be BETTER THAN ERNIE SIMS IN COLLEGE.  Another reason this defense will reload after losing many talented players to the NFL is because Sims and Nicholson still play for Florida St.  Not Ernie and A.J., but Marcus, and D.J, their little brothers.  These two guys will have big time careers at FSU, just like their older brothers.   

Although the Seminoles recruit well on offense every year as well, it is not an area of concern for the 'Noles at this point because they started freshman all throughout the offense last year.  Two of the teams most important contributors, were quarterback Drew Weatherford and wide receiver Greg Carr.  Both were only freshman last season and will be even more dangerous with a full season of experience under their belt.  The offense will be able to handle the loss of wide receiver Willie Reid and running back Leon Washington with ease as their are budding stars at both of these positions for the 'Noles. 

The running game will be a two-headed monster of senior Lorenzo Booker and sophomore Antone Smith.  For those of you unfamiliar with Smith, he was the top running back in Florida and one of the best in the nation coming out of high school.  He shocked everyone by choosing FSU on signing day.  Antone Smith is a Reggie Bush type player.  This is not a bold statement claiming he will become the next Bush, it just simply means he has similar speed and size of Reggie Bush and also has playmaker ability.  At wide receiver there is a whole slew of players who will be able to fill the void left by Willie Reid.  Also FSU will have weapons at tight end this year, for the first time in perhaps ever.  The Seminoles were able to snag the number one tight end in the nation this past offseason in Brandon Warren, as well as 6'7 Caz Piurowski.  Piurowski was also teammates with Drew Weatherford at Land O' Lakes high school in Florida.   With so many potent weapons on offense, and a defense that is dominant once again--combined with a schedule in which eight of the 12 games are at home--it could be a return to greatness for the Seminoles once again. 

Just when teams think they got the Seminoles knocked out.....they come back to punch you right in the mouth.            NOLES.

Freshman Safety Myron Rolle