Spartan Football's Biggest Question in 2010 Could be the Kicker!
Kickoffs Key For 2010 Season
One of the biggest questions heading into fall camp will surround the replacement of Brett Swenson. While few will argue Swenson’s ability to hammer the ball between the uprights, it has to be stated that Todd Boleski’s departure the previous season really put MSU in a bind on kick-offs in ’09. The rule change that moved the ball back five more yards making kickoffs a premium had a lot to do with MSU’s sub 500 record last season.
I am in no way criticizing Brett Swenson and his abilities as a place kicker. The need to reach the end zone on kickoffs has become a premium in college football. A good place kicker and or kick off specialist are an area that coaches must spend their precious scholarships.
Think about the number of times that opponents received an MSU kickoff last season and galloped up field for 30-40 yards only to put the defense in poor field position. Michigan State’s opponents started their drives last season all too often on the other side of their forty yard line. Coaches routinely seized the opportunity to throw the ball up field for a big play on first down putting a suspect secondary on the ropes.
Michigan State’s defense was pinned down too many times last season inside their own territory largely because the opposition started their drive too close to mid field. This opened up the playbook on first down for a lot teams that seized the opportunity to gash Michigan State for big yardage. This is precisely why Brett Swenson, who is arguably MSU best field goal kicker in the program’s history, went undrafted a couple weeks ago; Brett struggled to put the ball in the end zone. It is precisely why Mark Dantonio continued to leave the place kicking duties wide open after spring camp.
Dan Conroy and Kevin Muma both had their opportunities this spring to prove that they were worthy of a starting job this fall. Neither separated themselves. As many receivers as MSU has sent to the professional ranks, someone forgot to mention all of the big legs that have made their way through East Lansing. As much as three points will be needed in close games this season, a kicker that gives our defense good field position is paramount. Conroy and Muma both have the ability to hammer the ball deep. Both need to show the ability to do it consistently or they will lose the battle to incoming freshman Mike Sadler.
By all accounts, Sadler was one of the best all around kickers in high school last year. When signing day approached, coaches from nationally recognized programs did their best to convince Sadler to leave the state. Luckily for all of us in the Spartan Nation, he followed his heart and stayed home. He will replace Aaron Bates in 2011 as the punter. He may also find himself being Mr. Everything covering placekicking, kickoffs and punts in 2011. The question on everyone’s mind is can he become the next great MSU place-kicker this season as a true freshman?
People have romanced the big catch or the bruising run as long as the game has been played. Rarely is field position talked about extensively in post game press conferences. It might be the single most important stat that rarely gets mentioned. Coaches know how important it is on Saturdays. Field position is one of the game’s biggest factors. It can change the way a defense blitzes. It can change the coverage scheme in the secondary. It can determine whether a team opens the playbook on first down or simply runs off tackle for two yards.  It is so important to recruit that ‘end zone reaching kicker’ that it may only be bested by a reliable quarterback.
The kicking game is a weapon when it is strong and consistent. As much as a field goal keeps an offense feeling good about themselves, a consistent kicker that makes the opposition start inside their twenty can be a huge lift for a defense. It leads to a lot of third and longs. It also leads to turnovers that can be converted into points with a short field.
Nothing makes a secondary look better than a strong pass rush. A strong pass rush coupled with good field position can make an average secondary look pretty darn good. In Coach Narduzzi’s defense, MSU likes to turn the dogs loose to create those coveted big plays we always hear him talk about. Michigan State’s secondary should be improved this fall. If they look like one of the team’s strengths in 2010, it will be due to improved field position as well as improved play on their part.
We’ll check in on this very topic during August camp. This is one of the bigger story lines heading into the fall.  Will you see Mike Sadler banging the ball high into the end zone come September 4th as a true freshman or will Kevin Muma or Dan Conroy secure the job?
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