On The Bench: An FSU football podcast network

Latest Episodes:

Depth-chart reaction, season-position preview and more Sep 07, 2020

Show notes

Florida State released its depth chart today, so it feels like the perfect time to run down each position to preview the 2020 season.

It’s game week -- finally -- and On The Bench has you covered with an in-depth look at the roster and the depth chart.

Plus we go over the Friday-night performances of some FSU recruits, update you on a few injuries and more.

Mailbag: Turning on-field wins into recruiting wins, season predictions and more Sep 03, 2020

Show notes

You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers.

On The Bench takes dozens of listener questions asked on our message board and goes over each of them ahead of Florida State’s 2020 football season.

Topics include how early on-field winning can impact recruiting results, debunking a few narratives, feelings on the offensive line, skimming past Sonnone’s insecurities (again) and more.

Emergency OTB: James Blackman named QB1 Sep 01, 2020

Show notes

Florida State coach Mike Norvell announced James Blackman as the starting quarterback to open the 2020 season.

He also added some insight into how Blackman won the job, as well as how FSU’s reserves factor into the rotation now that a starter has been declared. And we also have some scheduling news for the upcoming season.

So the developments made it appropriate for us to put together a quick, emergency pod. Brendan Sonnone and Chris Nee breakdown the news items in the latest episode of On The Bench.

2020 FSU Draft - The Box Checkers vs. The Landing Stickers Aug 31, 2020

Show notes

What would happen if you took Florida State’s roster and divided it into two teams to go through the 2020 season?

That’s the hypothetical at play here as Chris Nee and Brendan Sonnone each pick 22 starters and 3 reserves from the roster to field their own team. Commissioner Josh Newberg keeps the GMs on track as they go back and forth to fill the rosters for the Box Checkers and the Landing Stickers in the 2020 FSU Draft.

Who had the better team to make it through a season? Find out on this episode of On The Bench.

The numbers, they always work themselves out Aug 26, 2020

Show notes

On The Bench celebrates the hard work of two walk-ons turned scholarship players, provides the latest intel coming out of Florida State’s camp and takes listener questions in the latest episode.

Also, Newberg, Nee and Sonnone explain the scholarship situation -- as they see it -- for FSU after Deonte Sheffield and Wyatt Rector were placed on scholarship.

Scrimmage recap, scholarships and more Aug 23, 2020

Show notes

Florida State held its second scrimmage of preseason camp on Saturday, and by all accounts, it was a banner day for the defense.

Which means that wasn’t the case on offense.

On The Bench goes into the details coming out of FSU’s scrimmage, what we’re hearing about the struggle on offense and more in the latest episode. Plus we go into FSU’s scholarship situation and if there’s room to take on a late transfer.

Injuries, DT/OL recruiting, and all’s well that ends well Aug 18, 2020

Show notes

The start of the week proved to be newsy, as expected.

Florida State coach Mike Norvell addressed injuries to QB Chubba Purdy and TE Jordan Wilson, and also seemed to finalize last week’s storyline stemming from the Warren Thompson social-media post.

On The Bench lends insight into these developments in its latest episode, plus we go over some updates from the recruiting trail.

Scrimmage recap/scoop, a new commitment and more Aug 16, 2020

Show notes

Mike Norvell and his coordinators met with media to recap Florida State’s scrimmage on Saturday evening.

We breakdown what they shared with us, and add some intel we received as well to give you the inside scoop on how the scrimmage went in the latest episode of On The Bench. Plus we update the situation with Warren Thompson and go over the details of FSU’s latest commit, WR Malik McClain.

Norvell's response to player concerns over safety Aug 13, 2020

Show notes

FSU coach Mike Norvell discussed several topics relating to the concerns voiced on social media by a player and parent regrading safety protocol and testing.

The press conference is played in its entirety in this episode of On The Bench.

Protocol questioned by player, camp scoop and more Aug 13, 2020

Show notes

A roundtable discussion between governor Ron DeSantis and Florida State representatives was held the other day to discuss pushing forward with football amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

On The Bench reacts to what was discussed at the roundtable and the response to FSU’s discussed protocol. During the recording of the podcast, several associated with the program expressed concerns over their safety and the program’s leadership.

We discuss this in live time in today’s episode.