[quote]Posted on Wed, Oct. 08, 2003 

Winslow, Vilma talk trash, but FSU's not biting

By Steve Ellis
Tallahassee DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER

Trash-talking in the Florida State-Miami series isn't what it used to be.  But two Hurricanes have provided bits of bulletin board material in the past two days.

Tight end Kellen Winslow, who earlier promised to tone it down, apparently decided against that idea on Tuesday.

"I go versus (linebackers) D.J. Williams, Roger McIntosh, Jon Vilma - you know you don't get better than that," Winslow said.  "I go versus (UM) safeties, I go versus (our) corners and I beat them. I get better everyday.  They make me better, so I don't think anybody can cover me one-on-one.  Nobody."

That came after FSU linebacker Kendyll Pope said FSU would pop Winslow in the mouth to let him know they're ready to play.  Michael Boulware, who actually will be the primary Seminole to cover Winslow in passing situations, didn't take the bait Tuesday.

Vilma, during a Monday conference call, said he knew what the result would be if it came down to another kick.  "I don't think there's any chance they'll make it," Vilma said.  "They haven't yet. There isn't any reason to doubt history."

FSU long snapper Brian Sawyer said the special teams, and Xavier Beitia, who missed wide left in the closing moments last season, are ready.

"Miami has always been a team that talks a game up pretty big," Sawyer said.  "We try not to do that. Coach (Bobby) Bowden wants us to maintain a level head and not get ahead of ourselves.  But I love it.  I am glad they are talking about it because if it does come down to a kick, I am pretty sure No. 47 will kick it through."

With the exception of Pope predicting that FSU will find a way to pressure quarterback Brock Berlin, FSU has been mostly quiet.

"It's easy for me not to talk this year because we know what we have ...," Miamian Stanford Samuels said.  "It's the first time I've really been speechless as far as talking trash in a long time.  I think I'm saving a lot of it for the field.  They can talk all they want but the game has to be played."

Another look for Miami

FSU isn't the only team using the shotgun offense this fall to help its quarterback. Miami has also turned to it.

"Especially the last three or four years, they have run the ball so effectively with the great tailbacks, and they can still do that," FSU coach Bobby Bowden said. "... but they've added this dimension to their team and it helps them."

Apply pressure firmly

Bobby Bowden used his post-practice comments to talk about the importance of applying pressure on quarterback Brock Berlin.  Defensive-ends coach Jody Allen couldn't agree more. His group has made a number of big plays this season.

"I saw where ol' Lee Corso said one of the keys to the game was us being able to get pressure with four people rushing, and I think that is a big key," Allen said.  "I think the guys feel pretty good about themselves. ...  To me the most beautiful thing about this game is that normally there are five or six plays that determine the outcome.  There are probably 160, 150 plays, but there are really five or six that matter.

"The beauty of it is you don't know which five or six of them are. So you have to work hard every time."

Sikes likely out

Miami is not expected to have safety Maurice Sikes for Saturday's game after he suffered a sprained knee against West Virginia. Sikes has played a key part in Miami ranking 20th nationally for pass defense.

"He definitely is doubtful," coach Larry Coker said.

Either sophomore Brandon Meriweather or former Lincoln sophomore Greg Threat will start in Sikes' place.

Noteworthy