News and Notes from the Spartan Football Scrimmage Today:

I just got done with the video and we have a lot of it. It will be up in a little bit. Make sure you check out the new signs honoring the National Championships. Very cool. Greg Ianni gets big props for not only doing it right, but again it shows you can add without taking away.
Let's start with the best part of the day. The Defensive Line! They were missing Trevor Anderson and Brandon Long, but they dominated. Oren Wilson continues what Dantonio acknowledges as a great camp. He spent almost as much time in the MSU backfield as the QB's.
Kevin Pickleman was all over the place also, and you have to mention Colin Neely and Tyler Hoover. Hoover has so much ability and is so raw that it is hard to imagine a ceiling on how far he can come. Neely looked good and his first step and ability to shed blockers had me taking multiple double takes. The more I watch this D line, the more excited I get.
The OL struggled to be fair. They gave no time to the QB's, and the RB's struggled. Some might say that not having Nitchman and Roland Martin (both out with minor injuries like Anderson and Long and Curry and Gordon: read protecting them from injury. All four would have played if this was a game.) was a reason. The media was not allowed at the last scrimmage, but all accounts are that when everyone played last week the O was much better.
Freshman Jerel Worthy plays with his head up. That is very hard for the big uglies and although he is raw in some technique issues, that kid's future is very bright.
I was very impressed with Jamihr Williams. He did a very good job of shedding blocks. Like Worthy, he is very young, but I keyed in on him for several plays and he was able to shed blockers and get to the point of contact. I like his motor.
QB Hoyer was pressed, but there were two things I noticed today that stood out. A) He was out as a lead blocker, B) His fakes are much better. He hides the ball and that is important because it freezes the LB's who are watching run. On more than one occasion today with the DL dominating, Hoyer was able to do some great play action strictly on fakes alone. Sorry Hoyer haters, he looks very good.
AJ Jimmerson had a couple of nice runs and a very nice Billy Sims type dive for a TD. So many people (myself included) want to know about the 2nd string RB and although nothing has been said, I think it is Anderson's to keep. I am sure he and AJ will get reps, but he got a lot of time today in key times.
As far as the rookies, Glenn Winston showed bursts and I was most impressed with his ability to accelerate after the cut. Caulton Ray also was running a play and it wasn't there. He simply cut back and ran fifty-yards to gain two. The upside, however, was that he is strong and elusive. There is a lot of talk around the program about red shirts and ideally they would be able to throw the shirt on Ray and Winston. One very well might emerge. The way they both looked today, they could earn their way on the field. With that said, sitting behind Ringer may prove too high of a hill to get on the field. Winston took a KR to the house and that may be his key to getting on the field.
Another name that figures in the race is Ashton Leggett. He has fixed his fumbling issues from the spring and on one play today, he turned a corner and hit the gas and was gone for a TD.
TE Charlie Gantt is such a good blocker that on one score, the defender clearly bit on his down block fake and he scooted up field for a TD. He gets down the field and holds his blocks and when his number is called he makes the play. He is a sophomore in eligibility and he could be a very special player when his time in East Lansing is done.
Josh Rouse looked very good at the FB spot. His ability to catch the ball and block makes him a very good addition to a backfield that already has other qualified guys. His ability to block and catch (and not just one or the other) makes him appealing.
Aaron Bates, the punter, looked well. In fact, so did Brett Swenson the kicker (and not just because he got rid of the the ugly blue shoes...watch the video to get that) but here is the funny thing. I mentioned to my camera man how both of their backups looked very good also. Haughey and Selden, certainly, are not at those two's performance level, but both are very qualified backups and make the Spartans that much stronger.
Justin Kershaw, as noted above, and the DL played well. Kershaw, however, had worked hard and it is really showing itself. He was all over the QB's today and with Oren Wilson's play you can't forget that Kershaw is drawing blockers and that makes it that much easier for a youngster to shine. Kershaw may not get the most press, but he is a leader on this team and his unselfish play makes him well respected by his teammates and a truly great Spartan on and off the field.
Kendell Davis-Clark played very well for Rod Jenrette. He obviously hasn't taken all the fall reps there, but he is certainly capable. He understands the reads and the progressions and will do good. On the Jenrette front, MD stated that he doesn't know if he is going to be back for the Cal opener. It certainly doesn't appear to be out of the question, however, based upon MD's answer. You can judge it for yourself. I have the MD interview up in the video section.
Greg Jones is a freak of nature (You must watch his video up now from today). I would pay to watch him play. He was a good two and a half hours into the scrimmage today and I was shocked he was still playing. He was blitzing and hitting with a vengeance. I don't think anyone can say how good he will actually be by the time he is done at MSU, but one thing is certain. He is a special talent. He was all over. He played middle and both outsides and it didn't matter who was on offense, he made them look silly. Come the Cal game, the Spartans will put him all over the field not allowing Cal to game plan against him and he will bring destruction and havoc.
Here are three LB's to think about. Adam Decker is very poised and makes smart reads. David Rolf is almost a mirror image. He looked very sharp. He has to get better at shedding the blocks, but he kept his head up and was able to read the plays. Finally, you read in the spring my ranting about Ryan Allison. He is so fast. When he is in the game, you can really see why Tressel loves that kid.
Aaron Bates took some reps as the third string QB and had a very nice pass. Now don't think he was Joe Montana, he threw an interception later, but he looks the part. He was comfortable under center. Ideally, he will never see the field in that spot, but we live in the real world and it is at least nice to have a third stringer that looks the part...at the very least!

I will have another article up on Monday about the Spartans and a grade for all units so far.

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