Sports: The Plan for 2008 is to Stay Hungry

            After a successful debut, Mark Dantonio wants the Spartans to stay hungry and to continue taking steps forward.

            By all measures, Mark Dantonio enjoyed a successful debut as head MSU football coach last season. Not only did he lead MSU to its first bowl game in four years, but he reversed a recent habit of losses turning into blowouts. In 2007 MSU managed to stay competitive in every game. No loss was by more than a touchdown (at most), and the Spartans fought hard to the bitter end.

            “The biggest thing I want to try to do as the head football coach and we as a staff want to do is maintain that hunger for excellence and that drive for excellence,” says Dantonio, shortly after the spring game.  “Take two steps forward, not one step back. Two steps forward and then take another step. Keep putting the building blocks together, build a foundation.

         “The differences between the wins and the losses on the football field are very, very small thing,” he adds. “We have to finish the ball games, we have to take the next step, understand those things.”

            After an eventful Spring game, which drew some 20,000 fans to Spartan Stadium, Dantonio remains optimistic about the fall season.

            The Spartans lose considerable offensive firepower on offense.  Devin Thomas, who set MSU records for receptions, kickoff return yardage and all-purpose yardage, was drafted by the Washington Redskins.  Three offensive line starters have graduated, along with short-yardage bulldozer Jehuu Caulkrick and NFL draftee Kellen Davis at tight end. 

            MSU does return three veteran linemen—center Joel Nitchman, tackle Jesse Miller and guard Roland Martin.  Dantonio notes they are big, powerful and experienced.  Dantonio believes junior Rocco Cironi can step in at left tackle. Others vying for playing time are Mike Bacon, J’Michael Deane, Joel Foreman, Jared McGaha and Brendon Moss.

            At tight end the prospects are young, but sophomore Charlie Gantt seems to be emerging.  “He made a lot of progress this spring,” says Dantonio. “He’s physical enough; he just needs to take that next step.”

            Two stellar seniors will anchor the backfield, quarterback Brian Hoyer and running back Javon Ringer.  “Take away the bowl game and Brian had an outstanding year with limited turnovers,” says Dantonio. “Now, the jump that Brian has to make is closing the game. I believe that that’s where you separate the John Elways, Joe Montanas and Brett Favres from the rest of the quarterbacks.”

          Two redshirt freshmen, Nick Foles and Kirk Cousins, have emerged as capable backups.

         “Javon is one of the most explosive athletes that I have ever been around,” notes Dantonio. “He has remarkable acceleration and tremendous vision. He’s also one of the toughest players on the field.  He’s a completely selfless person.  He wants to do so much for other people.

            “Javon epitomizes everything that’s great about college football.”

            Last season MSU’s system produced 470 carries by the tailback position, and Dantonio believes that allows for two—or even three—running backs to be featured. A.J. Jimmerson, along with red-shirt freshmen Andre Anderson and Ashton Leggett, have all shown good signs of explosiveness.  At fullback, MSU has Andrew Hawken, who boasts running skills, and Jeff McPherson. Linebacker Josh Rouse is getting some reps at fullback.

            The biggest question mark for the offense is whether someone can step up and be a Devin Thomas-type playmaker at wide receiver.

            Dantonio believes several wide receivers could step up:

• B.J. Cunningham “has outstanding ball judgment, leaping ability and hands. He’s also displayed the ability to run after the catch.”
• Chris D. Rucker “is a good tough athlete with speed.”
• Mark Dell, a starter last year as a true freshman.  Says Dantonio, “We look for great things from him. Mark should be our next premier wide receiver.”

            Others in the mix are Deon Curry, Carl Grimes, and David Williams along with some incoming freshmen.  MSU’s offensive coordinator is Don Treadwell.

            On defense, MSU also lost key players—including three defensive linemen. But Dantonio believes the defense can be rebuilt. 

            Defensive end Trevor Anderson, who sat out last year after transferring from Cincinnati, will take over at one end. Dantonio considers him a returning starter, since he has had starting experience in the system. “Trevor is extremely strong and explosive,” he notes.  “He’ll certainly set the foundation for our defensive ends.”  On the other side is Brandon Long, who is expected to excel in his senior season.  Backing them will be true freshman Tyler Hoover, who some have described as a phenom—big and strong, with football smarts.

            MSU returns Justin Kershaw at defensive tackle, with some additional 20 pounds.  Dantonio expects him to provide experience, quickness and leadership.  In addition, MSU returns Antonio Jeremiah and Oren Wilson, who played inside as true freshmen last year.  “Antonio might be the surprise player of the spring,” says Dantonio. “He’s done a great job on managing his weight. He’s now in the 300-pound neighborhood, so he’s lost over 20 pounds. Antonio is a great athlete, who is so strong at the point of attack.” Sophomore Ryan Wheat is yet another 300-pound inside force who “can play with power.”

            The linebacker corps will be anchored by sophomore Greg Jones, who surprisingly won a starting position last year as a true freshman. 

            “Greg is a big-play guy, who plays with a tremendous amount of effort,” says Dantonio. “He’s an instinctive player, who seeks contact. Greg comes to the field every day with a willingness to work. He’s going to be an outstanding player for us for the next three years.”

            Also returning is starting outside linebacker Eric Gordon, who boasts explosiveness. Undersized Brandon Denson has surprised the coaches with his ability this spring. “He has emerged as a playmaker,” says Dantonio. “He can run and he likes the contact.” Other linebackers include Adam Decker, John Misch and part-time fullback Josh Rouse. Converted wide receiver Ryan Allison tried out at linebacker and showed play-making ability, says Dantonio.

            Perhaps MSU’s deepest position is the secondary, where seven players return. Anchoring the backfield will be senior safety Otis Wiley. “You see him making a ton of plays, but most importantly, he’s really taken command of the entire defense,” says Dantonio. “Otis is playing with sound technique, and he’s paying great attention to detail.”

            Roderick Jenrette and Danny Fortener have impressed the coaches during spring.  Cornerbacks Chris L. Rucker, Ashton Henderson, Kendell Davis-Clark and Ross Weaver all return with playing experience.  Pat Narduzzi is MSU’s defensive coordinator.

            In special teams, a number of players are auditioning to return kickoffs as well as punts.  Brett Swenson is a proven kicker, and as a true freshman Aaron Bates was solid punting the football. Todd Boleski, who boasts a powerful leg, will kickoff for MSU. 

            “I hope there’s excitement (this season),” says Dantonio. “We’ve got to stay hungry. We have to maintain that attitude that nothing is given to us.  We have to earn everything we get.”

CEMENTING MSU AS WIDE RECEIVER U

            Junior Devin Thomas was the top-ranked wide receiver in this year’s NFL draft, a fact that helps cement the case for MSU as Wide Receiver U.

            Over the years—especially the past quarter century—MSU has had a disproportionate number of outstanding wide receivers succeed in the pros, playing in the Pro Bowl, and making memorable plays in the Super Bowl.

            This year’s Spartan wide receiver prospect, Thomas, a junior from Ann Arbor, set MSU’s single-season record for receptions (79), 100-yard receiving games (7), kickoff return yards (1,135, a Big Ten record) and all purpose yards (2,590). He led the Big Ten in kickoff returns (29.1 avg.) and all-purpose yards (199.2 yards per game).  Fifty-two of his 79 receptions (66 percent) resulted in either a TD or a first down. He was the first wide receiver drafted—third in the second round (No. 34 overall) by the Washington Redskins. 

            In recent years, MSU produced the likes of Mark Ingram, Darryl Turner, Andre Rison, Courtney Hawkins, Muhsin Muhammad, Derrick Mason, Plaxico Burress and Charles Rogers—all NFL caliber wide receivers.  Burress, Ingram, Mason and Muhammad have made memorable plays in Super Bowls, while Rison and Mason have been All-Pros.  Previously, MSU boasted the likes of Bob Carey and Gene Washington.  Kirk Gibson could have succeeded as an NFL wide receiver had he not chosen to play professional baseball.