Answering your Michigan State Football Questions and Emails…

Answering your Michigan State Football Questions and Emails… Hondo, I was fascinated last year when you mentioned that Marcus Rush was the least appreciated

Answering your Michigan State Football Questions and Emails…

Hondo, I was fascinated last year when you mentioned that Marcus Rush was the least appreciated Spartan. I disagreed at the time, but as the season went on and I listened intently to fans and other media I totally agree. So this year, without skepticism, who do you think as the season approaches is the most underappreciated Spartan? Kyle in Traverse City

No doubt on this one, it is Ed Davis. He is explosive, he is disruptive, and he brings chaos to the offense with his defensive attack style. MSU has a lot of great players who are under the radar so to say, but none more than Ed Davis. He simply does nothing to draw attention to himself (like Rush) other than make plays.

Hondo, can you give me a name not getting any publicity that you think at the end of the season could be an All Big Ten first team guy? Somebody coming from the shadows like a shark? Peter R.

Sure can: Riley Bullough. People are underestimating Riley for two reasons. #1 His last name. #2 People are assuming because he hasn’t solidified a spot as of yet (he has, but the public hasn’t seen him in it) that he is a failure. You need to understand his family before him, but especially Max, set the bar high. People just ASSuME that because he hasn’t been solid somewhere he failed. Riley would have been and was planned on for the starting MLB spot over Taiwan Jones. But with the failed experiment of him at RB (that sent D coaches through the roof), they wasted a year of his development. No one, NO ONE had a better spring and you will see early this is his D. He is just as smart as Max, but is liked a little bit more (not saying Max was hated at all) because as one player said, “He may not come off as acerbic as Max.” I have never found Max acerbic, and the person who said that is a friend of Max and wasn't speaking disparagingly.

Hondo, Coach D refused to talk about Craig Evans in the spring, but he wasn’t with the team. Any updates? Melanie in Birmingham

Sure. Craig is back around his teammates and still at MSU. He still has some hoops to go through, but as of today he is around and working with his teammates. That does not guarantee he will be on the team this fall, but he is now. He was a disappointment last year on and off the field. That young man has talent, but if last year was an indication he is simply throwing it away. He needs an attitude adjustment and to get in shape. Patience is thin with him. His room for error is slim to none and slim is standing on a banana peel.

Hey Hondo, you seem convinced that counting on Macgarrett Kings and Aaron Burbridge is a mistake. Can you explain? Matt Robinson

Sure Matt. First, I can tell you with ZERO hesitation that I like both young men. I know Kings considerably better, but I like them both. This is not about liking. This is about football. Both young men can make amazing plays and then just drop balls that make zero sense. If you can’t master the mundane then you can’t be trusted to make the spectacular. Both men have been disappointing on and off the field. Under classmen do not get a pass, but they do get more grace. You are looking at two men who want to be #1 go to guys, but struggle with doing their job. OK, if you can make Sportscenter highlight catch once a game congratulations, but what about the three balls you drop that were non mundane, but first downs? What about putting your foot in the ground and getting four more yards? Seniors to me should be counted on, not hoped on. Can they do it? Of course, they have the God given talent. Will they? We have no reason to count on them. Nick Saban said it best, “Heart to do the mundane is what makes players great.” If either of those players does not play in the NFL, they have no one to blame but themselves. They have the talent. Now they must develop the heart on and off the field. You can’t rely on people who as of yet, have proven to be unreliable.

Hondo, any updates on Delton Williams? Cris Holmes

Hi Cris, The MSU football staff wants him back, but it has been EMPHASIZED HE MAY COME BACK, “BUT NOTHING HAS CHANGED AT THIS TIME, AT ALL.”

Hondo, you seem really high on Jamal Lyles. What are your thoughts on him heading into the season? Carrie Gorman

Hi Carrie, I really like his game, his hands, and his blocking. He had to spend more time on the jugs machine and he has, but his greatest strength is that he listens to Coach Bollman. He may be one of the most coachable and teachable Spartans. Great player, great person, and great teammate are how you describe Jamal.

Hondo, I was a little shocked to hear you talking about Trevon Pendleton the FB in a recent interview. What makes him special? You don’t hear a lot about him. Brian Reynolds

You are correct, you don’t hear a lot about him Brian, but you should. He is like Connor Cook’s security blanket. He is reliable, he does his job, and he seems to have eyes in the back of his head. I think he is underutilized in the Spartan attack, but with some question marks this year, perhaps that changes. Trevon is FAT. That acronym stands for: Faithful, Available and Teachable as well as one of the most popular players on any side of the ball on the team. A terrific player and person, Pendleton is a rock back for this team on offense.

There you go everyone. That is this week’s question and answer article. If you have a question never hesitate to email at SpartanNationMail@yahoo.com and put in the subject line FB Q/A