[quote]'Noles tight ends are receiving threats - just in time to face 'Canes
By Steve Ellis
DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER

Florida State tight ends have given Miami something to think about.

Tight ends can never be overlooked in the Florida State-Miami series. At least not Miami's. But this time the Seminole tight ends enter the Oct.11 showdown as a threat in the passing game.

The Hurricanes, FSU's next opponent, have used the tight end as an effective means to not only chip away at FSU's defense, but also to turn in some big plays. Now it appears the Seminoles have that capability. FSU tight ends have nine catches for 118 yards through five games. Those may not be Miami-type statistics, but consider that FSU tight ends combined for 12 catches the previous two seasons.

"We're heading in the right direction," FSU tight-ends coach John Lilly said. "Both coach Bowdens have said it's important to get every eligible receiver involved in our passing game. You hope it makes it a little more difficult to prepare for you defensively."

That's been the case for Miami opponents. Tight end Kellen Winslow leads the 'Canes with 15 receptions and also has 138 yards and a TD. He made six catches for 84 yards against FSU last season. The Seminole tight ends had no catches in that game.

FSU tight ends have rarely enjoyed a game like Saturday night's against Duke. Donnie Carter and Paul Irons combined for five catches for 99 yards. Carter's night included a 7-yard touchdown and a 50-yard catch that took advantage of Duke crowding the box to stop the run. That catch will give opponents determined to stop FSU's talented backfield something to consider.

"They respected (the run) early and they had about eight or nine in the box," said Carter, who made the transition from defensive tackle to tight end in the spring. "When we went play-action, it kind of exposed them and I snuck behind the safety to my side. It was wide open."

Carter, a power forward in high school, credits basketball for sharpening the athletic skills that he uses as a good-hands tight end.

"I go back home and play 5 or 6 games a day four days a week," said Carter, who is from Waycross, Ga. "I play in hot gyms with no air. That's how I keep my weight basically maintained."

Carter weighs 252. He is light enough to make tracks downfield and big enough to block for a running game that must be effective against Miami. Lilly said blocking remains the top responsibility of his trio of Carter, Irons and Matt Henshaw.

"We need to take pressure off our receivers and do a better job running the ball," Carter said. "We've been pretty good at passing. But we got to get the running game going because then the defenses don't know if you run, play-action or shotgun every time."

Carter believes the tight ends also can make a difference through the air against the second-ranked Hurricanes. He said the early success had its start in the spring and then in summer workouts. Carter said it is important for the tight ends to make the catch every time to gain coaches', and quarterback Chris Rix's, confidence.

"We never had dominant tight ends ... but now it's like we're trying to exploit that," Carter said. "I like to compare it to high school ... where we turned everything around. Right now, people don't respect us as far as a passing threat, and I kind of like it that way. Starting out anyway."

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