2008 Michigan State Spartans Preview

One year after taking a surprising step back into the bowl picture, Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio expects the momentum to continue. “We want to take another step forward,” Dantonio says. The Spartan staff is talking about New Year’s Day bowl contention. That isn’t likely this year, but Dantonio has quickly turned Michigan State into a physical and consistent team. The Spartans will build on last year’s accomplishments and progress toward becoming a perennial Big Ten heavyweight. “Our players know what they’re doing on defense,” Dantonio says. “We tackled well all spring.”

Two Minute Drill

A Quick Look at the Spartans

A reliable defense and a good running game breed team consistency, and that’s exactly what Michigan State is on the cusp of harnessing. That’s a joyful thought for Michigan State fans, whose teams have been wildly inconsistent for years. Mark Dantonio promised that Michigan State fans would see the Spartan defense return to the days of being a physical, head-cracking unit. No one expected it to happen by Year 2, but that’s exactly what could be in store for 2008. There isn’t enough depth at defensive end, and not enough maturity at outside linebacker for the defense to overcome a rash of injuries, but if the Spartans have good fortune in those areas, the entire 11-man group should be as solvent as any Michigan State defense in almost a decade. Pass defense, once an object of ridicule, appears ready to make major strides. The front seven will be stout against the run. If the Spartans are in as many close games as a year ago, much will depend on Brian Hoyer’s decision-making. Hoyer won’t have as much firepower around him, but a better defense should afford him the opportunity to be smartly conservative at times, and play within himself. The offensive line should be good enough. The onus is on young receivers to take a major step in development.

The Spartans will be faster at the linebacker level and have a defensive front to keep the backers clean. An experienced secondary is sound within Michigan State’s pressing zone scheme. Dantonio expects his sizable cornerbacks to be more confrontational and make more plays on the ball.

“We need to solidify our offensive line, but we feel we have the personnel to get that accomplished and run the ball well again,” Dantonio says.

Quarterbacks

Senior Brian Hoyer was honorable mention all-conference and finished the regular season with efficient, explosive performances in wins over bowl teams Purdue and Penn State. But he forced too many downfield passes in a four-interception nightmare against Boston College in the Champs Sports Bowl, a 24–21 loss. Hoyer will not have second-round draft pick Devin Thomas as a go-to receiver, but there should be enough capable targets for the Spartans to field another solid, balanced offense. Hoyer has improved his ability to look off safeties. He plans to be more open-minded about checking down to his running backs and tight ends. If he is complemented by a good running game and a solid defense, Hoyer is more than capable of playing winning football. Dantonio wants his quarterback to become more consistent as a closer. Redshirt freshmen Nick Foles and Kirk Cousins had good springs and have a healthy, close competition for the back-up role. One will emerge as the quarterback of the future.

Running backs

Senior Javon Ringer has averaged more than six yards per carry in his career and is poised to make a run at All-America honors. The short but explosive Ringer makes reads and cuts well in Michigan State’s Buckeye-inspired power philosophy that helped the Spartans lead the Big Ten in total offense and scoring offense in conference games. With short-yardage ace Jehuu Caulcrick no longer around, Ringer won’t necessarily increase his workload. Michigan State has been careful to manage Ringer’s carries and not wear him down. Redshirt freshman Ashton Leggett has the size and athleticism to emerge as the new power back. Classmate Andre Anderson is a gifted runner, similar in style to his cousin, former Northwestern standout Damien Anderson. Junior A.J. Jimmerson has been in Ringer’s shadow for three seasons but finished the spring as the No. 2 back. He isn’t sensational but could provide dependable relief while the freshmen learn. Andrew Hawken is a playmaking fullback who can catch the ball.

Receivers

Thomas and tight end Kellen Davis have taken their talent to the NFL, but Mark Dell and B.J. Cunningham are ready to grab the baton as Michigan State’s next standout receivers. Dell had 20 catches as a true freshman. He was capable of doing more, but there was only so much action to go around with an NFL wide receiver, an NFL tight end and a 1,400-yard rusher on the field. With good height and breakaway speed, Dell has the capacity to become a terrific downfield threat. As solid as Dell was a year ago, some believe Cunningham edged ahead of him as the best young receiver on the roster, at least in practice. Senior Deon Curry is a dependable, physical leader but not a game-breaker. He averaged only 8.3 yards on his 24 catches in 2007. Sophomore Charlie Gantt has become a pretty good blocker at tight end, and he can run a little bit. But depth is a major concern at the position. 

Offensive linemen

Michigan State has three dependable returning starters in left guard Roland Martin, center Joel Nitchman and right tackle Jesse Miller. Martin will be a third-year starter, but he has yet to become a star. He missed most of the spring after undergoing surgery to repair a bone spur in his ankle. Nitchman has the capacity to become an all-league type of performer in the future. New left tackle Rocco Cironi is talented but unproven. He has the athleticism to move laterally and protect Hoyer’s blind side. He won’t be as powerful in run blocking as his predecessor, second-team all-league graduate Pete Clifford. The spring ended with no capable back-up at left tackle. Michigan State will be okay at right guard with either Brendon Moss, utility man Mike Bacon, or rising tough guy Joel Foreman. Moss has quickness but needs to buckle down and live up to the physical expectations that the new staff has up front.

Defensive linemen

The Spartans will reload nicely at defensive end. Gone are NFL Draft pick Ervin Baldwin and NFL free agent and 10-sack man Jonal Saint-Dic, but insiders believe Cincinnati transfer Trevor Anderson is better than either of them. He might not be the pass rusher that Saint-Dic was, but Anderson’s combination of upfield burst and run-stuffing gap control makes him a coach’s delight. Senior Brandon Long performed well as an emergency starter in the bowl game. He has natural speed but is just now starting to unleash it. Senior Justin Kershaw has added weight and maintained quickness at the three-technique defensive tackle. He’s been serviceable but will be even better this year. Wall-breaking sophomore Antonio Jeremiah is emerging as a star of tomorrow at noseguard. Oren Wilson played ahead of Jeremiah last year and is game-proven.

Linebackers

Greg Jones, an All-Big Ten candidate, finished the spring at middle linebacker. Michigan State will have more speed on defense with Jones in the middle. He can run sideline to sideline and kick tail when he gets to the ball. Jones wasn’t perfect in gap responsibility a year ago as a true freshman, but now he’s ready to play smarter. Adam Decker will likely be the back-up but is as good as last year’s starter. Second-year starter Eric Gordon is also playing faster and tougher at outside linebacker. Jones was able to move inside because Brandon Denson and transplanted wide receiver Ryan Allison have improved at a steady clip as candidates at weak-side linebacker. They edged ahead of ’07 spot starter Jon Misch, who is not out of the picture. Denson is a former walk-on tailback who plays with good acceleration. Allison was a hard-hitting special teams guy who plays with more pop than you might expect from a former receiver.

Defensive backs

Boundary safety Otis Wiley has rallied from last year’s slump and is ready to live up to his all-star potential. He’s fast and playing more physical. He can play the run on the strong side. Roderick Jenrette has a nasty disposition at field safety. He was functional in relief a year ago. He must be able to play the ball in the deep middle, something that was occasionally a problem a year ago. There is a stacked competition at cornerback with the Spartans standing a great chance to get two good starters out of the fray. Kendell Davis-Clark has size, speed and 14 starts. Ashton Henderson is the most reliable technician and has five career starts, but Ross Weaver might have the most pure talent when healthy. Chris L. Rucker started four games as a true freshman last year and is being primed to play on both defense and offense (at receiver). Rookie Johnny Adams looked like a can’t-miss prospect after enrolling early and participating in spring practice, and ball-hawking junior Jeremy Ware was perhaps the defense’s most improved player in the spring.

Specialists

Placekicking is strong with junior Brett Swenson, who was 15-of-22 in 2007 and is 30-of-41 in his career. Punter Aaron Bates is better than his 39.7 yards-per-punt average as a true freshman, as he often punted to a short field.

Choose another preview: Select a Conference ACC Big East Big Ten Big 12 CUSA Independents MAC MWC Pac-Ten SunBelt WAC NCAA

Email this page to a friend | Del.icio.us | Digg it | Athlon Sports RSS Feeds