News and Notes from Spartan Football 8/18/09 Edition…

News and Notes from Spartan Football 8/18/09 Edition…  The media was not allowed to watch the scrimmage on Monday. We were given stats, so read into them

News and Notes from Spartan Football 8/18/09 Edition…

 

• The media was not allowed to watch the scrimmage on Monday. We were given stats, so read into them what you like. No one can really make intelligent comments unless we hear more from the coaches and players. I will say this, a lot of people thought that with his experience in the system that Kirk Cousins was going to run away with this thing. I would tell you not so fast. Nichol is a great QB that was barely beat out at OU by one of the best QBs in college football history in Sam Bradford.
• I am sick of talking QBs, but here is a unique angle. Kirk Cousins thrives in structure. Great kid, but with the OL being the weak point of the offense (as long as the WRs actually catch the ball), Nichol’s ability to improvise and adjust coupled with a fast release surely will make this an epic race.
• Chris Norman will probably work his way into the starting line-up like Greg Jones did, but I can tell you this. EVERYONE is talking about his speed. Even he was surprised by it. Norman loves the game of football and is respectful of it. I will be putting up some video in the morning, but he is even shocked at how well his speed is showing up in camp. He has all the star power and it can’t be denied.
• Steve Gardiner came to MSU with a lot of hype. Coach Dantonio doesn’t waste time with fake compliments and he was open that Gardiner reminded him of A.J. Hawk. He was injured last season and with all the talk about Norman, some people have forgotten about this young man. Gardiner was injured early and missed a lot this spring, so he is essentially a freshman. He has all the tools and is a name the Spartan Nation need not overlook.
• Dan Conroy continues to impress. I love his story. He had chances to go on scholarship to other division one schools and chose to come walk on because he is a life long Spartan. Super kid and with the coaches wanting to have Swenson stick to field goals if they can, this youngster is making the most of his shot.
• Blake Treadwell is playing well. He is so technically sound that he is demanding more reps with his play. He has a high motor, but is so smart that he has made a lot of people do some double takes. There is a huge monkey bars (you remember from elementary school) just outside the indoor facility and next to the practice fields. Coach Mannie last week hollered at him to go across and he jumped on and looked like a gymnast and not a defensive lineman. It was so impressive that he actually had teammates cheer for him. He is an athletic beast, and I can’t wait to see him in other teams’ backfields.
• Mark Dantonio is famous for saying that for a team to have its best success, the seniors have to have their best season. If that is true (and I think it is) Danny Fortener is poised for big things.  Whether it is special teams or defense, he is always around the ball and making plays. It is amazing, but when a big play happens you can almost count on Fortener to be a part of it. With all the depth at safety this is a battle. I have no clue how it will all shake out, but he is a warrior.
• Reason #456,789 to love Greg Jones and the family atmosphere of Spartan Football: Today the LBs were stretching and doing drills. No captains have been selected yet, but Adam Decker was in the middle leading them. Greg is surely going to be a captain and without question is the best player on this team. Greg took his spot outside of the leader’s role and gave Adam all the attention and respect that he commands. Adam Decker is a super kid as is Greg Jones, but to see the respect that Greg gives Adam as a fifth year senior. Decker won’t start, but he will get a lot of reps and the respect he has earned is warranted.
• J’Michael Deane walked by me today and pointed at his foot with no boot, and said, “Make sure you write at Spartan Nation that the boot is off and how good I look. I read when you mentioned the boot on the site and couldn’t wait for you to have to tell them it is off.” J’Mike, there you go, now go read the playbook.
• Joel Foreman continues to get better. After a freshman All American season he has come back possessed. He is a star and is by far the dominant OL. I have to remind myself that he is only a sophomore. His footwork is better than any of the OL and even in drills he is dramatically a force.
• Speaking of the big uglies (OL), wow are they deep. This may be the last season for a long time that the OL has a lot of questions. They are big, fast, and strong and they are all good.
• Rod Jenrette was standing next to me today and was more engaged in practice and the goings-on as I have ever seen. I can’t tell you how proud of him I am. Someday, a long time from now I will tell his story. It is moving and Rod Jenrette literally followed a Coach Mannie edict and earned the jersey. I am incredibly proud of him.
• Glenn Winston is back in football shape. I stand by my comments that I am incredibly proud that he also earned his way back. I, for one, am rooting him on. He has been through a lot in his life and he has shown that quitting and running aren’t for him. One day when Spartan fans learn all that was asked of him to come back, there will be a lot of people that will have to rethink some of their comments. I have no problem with people that want him gone. I do have issues with people who don’t have the facts and make assumptions. It is my opinion that you won’t ever read a statement from Winston. He paid the price and although the people who have never made a mistake in their life can still rip him, he has paid the price. Mark Dantonio doesn’t need Winston. He has plenty of players. Mark Dantonio showed why his players love him by making the road back tough, but attainable. I would guess that the first defender that gets on the radar of Winston is going to be punished.
• David Rolf is a beast. He is so intense. I am in no way saying that he is Mike Singletary; that would be unfair to him. I will say that those of you old enough to remember the Chicago Bears’ star should get my view at practice to his intense glare. I really like Rolf and I am looking forward to seeing him play. He is nothing off the field like he is on it. Off of it he is warm and kind, but on the field he is a wrecking machine whose make up and increasingly better play is going to be fun to watch.
• Ethan Ruhland is the #2 C and battle for reps at guard. He has the look and ability. He is going to be very good. I would like to see Coach Roushar tell him that he won’t get a chance to play. Like I said earlier, after this year the Spartan OL will be back. Really back.
• Lastly, Ross Weaver. One thing Mark Dantonio has done since he came is inspire this team to love the game of football. I am unsure who better personifies that than Weaver. He has a million dollar smile, ala Magic and Mateen, and whether it is running, stretching, or playing seemingly never losses it. Any person who wonders why so many of us love this game should have to watch Weaver up close. Super kid who absolutely loves every moment of being a Spartan. What a class kid.
• Lastly, part two. I don’t hide my respect for Ken Mannie and here is another reason. As we walked out of the Duffy together tonight, I mentioned a particular player and a comment he had made about coach getting him ready for the season. He turned and took all the credit that the young man had given him and put it back on the kids. In an age of coaches jumping to another job for $0.85 more a year, Ken Mannie is a classic picture of all that is right about college football. He truly loves these kids and they love him. It is no secret how all the other coaches keep praising him for how good of shape he has the team in this year. It also isn’t a secret that he hates the praise. He may act like a mean grizzly curmudgeon, but he is one of the most loving and compassionate people I have ever met. MSU is better off because he is a Spartan than the other way around.

 

I will have something very special for you in the morning so check in.