Brad Barr- USA TODAY Sports
Following the close of the Florida State Seminoles spring practice, the prospects for a successful 2013 season have grown stronger. The main focus for this has been the phenomenal play of redshirt QB Jameis Winston. Winston certainly doesn’t lack experienced wide receivers this season to help him ease into his new role neither. With the ‘Noles returning a reliable corps of receivers, including the likes of Kenny Shaw, Kelvin Benjamin, Greg Dent, and Christian Green, the freshman will have outlets to help him out of any trouble.
And, if we’re speaking on the condition of reliability, there may be no one more reliable in that group than junior Rashad Greene.
Entering his third season in Tallahassee, Greene has amassed 1337 receiving yards in his first two campaigns with strong progression shown between 2011 and 2012. He’s speedy, elusive, and has that rare ability these days to haul in passes with his hands successfully rather than trap it into his chest.
However, what Greene brings most to the group is that reliability factor spoken about before. He has consistently come up big for the Seminoles in tight situations since arriving on campus.
In his first career start in 2011 as a freshman, Greene hauled in a game-tying 56-yard catch-and-run touchdown in the fourth quarter of a tight game against the top-ranked Oklahoma Sooners. Later that same season, on a crucial third-and-5 from their own 21, the youngster made an impressive diving catch for a 33-yard gain in the Champs Sports Bowl against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, propelling them to an eventual 18-14 victory. Greene would later be named the MVP of the game.
As recent as last season, the wideout showcased his big game abilities once again, In a November matchup against the Virginia Tech Hokies, the ‘Noles seemed to be falling flat in the cold Virginia weather and seemed destined to be upset. With just 40 seconds left in the contest, Greene struck again. Down 22-21, Greene grabbed another E.J. Manuel pass and sprinted 39 yards for the game-winning score. He would finish that game against the Hokies with six receptions for a season-high 125 yards.
The point being, is this. Jameis Winston did have an impressive showing in the spring game and is undoubtedly on his way to an impressive career at Florida State. But, people shouldn’t be blinded by a performance in an April scrimmage nor should they fall too much in love with lofty expectations just yet. Winston will have his share of hiccups this season and confusing situations.
However, should Winston find himself in any kind of bind–in or out of the pocket–my best advice would be to find number 80. Chances are he’ll be more than willing to take that football off his hands and make something happen.
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Jack is a College Football Writer for Rant Sports. Follow Jack on Twitter @JackJ14RS
