» Preseason Camp Battles Could Be the Key to the MSU Football Season
Wednesday, August 19th, 2009
Hello Spartan Fans! With the summer coming to a close, I know a lot of you are counting the days until college football season starts. Coming off of a 9-4 season which ended in a lost to the University of Georgia in the Capital One Bowl, head coach Mark Dantonio and the Michigan State Football team are looking to continue to build the program into a championship contender.
To compete with the Ohio States and Penn States of the world, MSU must be able to continually replenish player loses due to graduation after each season. This preseason training camp (which started on August 9) will be critical to the Spartan’s season because the coaching staff have to find out which new starters will step up to replace the loses of key seniors. Gone from last year’s team are first team All-Big Ten performers running back Javon Ringer and safety Otis Wiley; honorable mentioned players quarterback Brian Hoyer, offensive linemen Roland Martin and Jessie Miller and defensive linemen Justin Kershaw.
The following are some key position battles that are going to vital to the success of the football team in 2009:
QUARTERBACK: This is probably the most hotly contested position in camp right now. To continue to progress to the top of the Big Ten, Michigan State must find a suitable replacement for the two year starter, Hoyer. Although Hoyer graduated, the coaching staff feel that they have enough depth in the position not to miss a beat offensively. Two red-shirt sophomores are competing for the spot: Kirk Cousins and Keith Nichol. Cousins might have a slight edge in the competition due to his time in the program and his strong play at the end of season in 2008. Do not be surprised, however, if Nichol, an Oklahoma transfer takes the starting job. Do not forget that Nichol was one of the most sought-after quarterback recruits in the country back in 2007.
RUNNING BACK: This will be the most difficult position to fill. All Big Ten running backs and All Americans do not grow on trees. While Ringer is in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans, the Spartans must find a way to match his production. Look for MSU to use a running back by committee system to counter act the lost of Ringer. Senior AJ Jimmerson, sophmores Andre Anderson and Aston Leggett, and freshmen Edwin Baker, Larry Caper and Caulton Ray are all competing for playing time. Dantonio might go back an use a “thunder and lightning” scheme with Leggett and Jimmerson, al la Jehuu Caulcrick and Ringer back in 2007. Do not be surprised if most of the carries go to Baker and Caper by the end of the season. These two freshmen are getting rave reviews in camp so fair.
OFFENSIVE LINE: To play with the big boys in the conference, you need to protect the quarterback and provide running lanes for the running backs. Since most quarterbacks and running backs are right handed, throwing and running to the right side is very important. Therefore, you need a strong right side of the line against the rush. The team graduated the right side of the line last year. Martin and Miller were each 3 year starters. Sophomore Jared McGaha and Junior J’Michael Deane will be first in line to replace the two outstanding performers. I except McGaha and Deane to be the starters at guard and tackle, respectively, but highly rated incoming freshmen Chris McDonald, Hugh Stangeland, and Zach Hunter will press for playing time.
DEFENSIVE LINE: There seems to be two open spots up for grabs on the d-line. One of the spots is opposite senior Trevor Anderson at end. Junior Colin Neely has the most experience to start but sophomores David Rolf and Johnathan Strayhorn will also compete for the starting position. To replace Kershaw at tackle, look for sophomore Kevin Pickelman and red-shirt freshman Jerel Worthy to fight for the job.
Michigan State opens it 2009 season on September 5 against Montana State at Spartan Stadium. The game will be at noon and will be televised on the Big Ten Network.
- Shaun Holness
Tags: College Football, Football Position Battles, MSU Training Camp, Spartan Football, Spartan Football New Comers
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