By Bill Curry
Special to ESPN.com
Jamal Reynolds will be the best defensive end at Doak-Campbell Stadium this Saturday. Does he have some competition on the Gator side? Yes. Does his competition always play as hard as Jamal plays? No. Jim Gladden, FSU position coach of a bevy of number one draft choices (Peter Boulware, Andre Wadsworth, Reinard Wilson) at DE says he has never had a harder worker than Reynolds.
Growing up in Aiken, S.C., young Jamal collected snakes, fascinated by their quick strike capacity. Every Saturday in the fall he works with serpent-like focus, intensity, and quickness to whip his opponents. With the national championship on the line, he was the only man on the field, indeed the only man all year, that could sack Michael Vick three times. Frank Beamer said, "We have guys who have chased Michael for four years that haven't sacked him once."
Reynolds is 6 feet 4 inches, 258 pounds, runs a 4.45 forty, bench presses 510 pounds and has a 34 inch vertical jump. He is a combination of a ball peen hammer and rattlesnake strike. Beware Gator quarterbacks.
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By Rod Gilmore
Special to ESPN.com
Is Alex Brown a better defensive end than Jamal Reynolds? That question will be debated for the next several years as the two of them play on Sundays. This Saturday, however, Brown will have the better game. Florida State will not run the ball, and Brown shows up in big games.
Brown has great speed and quickness, and loves to use his athletic ability. He can dominate a single blocker. The Seminoles don't believe in the running game. Florida State's M.O. is to throw the ball, and run just enough to keep you honest -- a draw here, a trap or sweep there. Make no mistake about it: FSU wants it that way. With Chris Weinke at QB, why wouldn't they? The Noles penchant for throwing presents a great opportunity for Brown because he will play in space and will know where Weinke is. Weinke will not scramble, and if he does, Brown will chase him down.
OK, so Brown has a reputation for not playing hard every play. That was more true last year than this year. His motor has been running much better this year. And you know he shows up in big games. His performance against Tennessee last year is one of the all-time great defensive performances (sacks, fumbles, a pick, you name it -- he did it). This game is huge. The National Championship and bragging rights are at stake. He won't be blocked by one guy this weekend. FSU will have to double-him or have a running back bump or "chip" Brown as the running back comes out of the backfield. Reynolds is a great player too, but he was a non-factor against Miami in FSU's only other big game this year.
If you can bear to do so, take your eyes off the ball Saturday and watch Brown and Reynolds wage their competition. Judge for yourself who is better. But, the debate won't be settled Saturday. We'll compare these two for years.
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