A lot develops during Spring ball. I've heard several things out of East Lansing already. Apparantly, there is a big surprise in Jesse on the offensive line. He is looking dominant. 300 pds and very mobile. Two defensive players are being switched to a different position also (Not really excited about this).

I refuse to get excited about anything in regards to MSU football. (last year was the last straw for optimism, I put my 25 years of optimism in) But, I'm still a die-hard fan and I like to talk about the positives.

MSU's offense will be the best in the Big Ten and maybe the nation in my opinion. Ohio State and Michigan will be on their tails though. Stanton at the helm will be great again. Ringer as the starter is going to be a HUGE upgrade. I think he becomes a star this year. Caulcrick will add toughness and Jimmerson will be a big home-run guy. He clocked a 4.3. We've got a loaded receiving corp. again and I'm very excited about the arrival of 4 Star T.J. Williams. I'm going to stick my neck out there and make a prediction, Kellen Freeman-Davis is a future 1st round draft pick. Have you seen this guys body? Sorry if that sounded a little shaky, but after offseason workouts, the dude is the most cut football player I've seen at Michigan State.

The offensive line will be the biggest question mark. If they are a good line, lots of points will be put up.

I honestly don't have a clue on the defensive side, which is a growing trend. I really like the fact that we've actually got DBs now. Our new 4 Star DB will start from day 1 in my opinion. Hopefully the Jucos add some depth. Man, if we could just have a decent defense things would be good.

But, the D will most likely suck and we'll lose close ones because of it. We'll see I guess.

I think State could have a decent year this year if they can figure out a way to keep their offense going for 4 months.

They come out firing early on and look like they'll be exactly what you're predicting them to be. I don't know what happens after that. Is it coaching, conditioning, scheduling? Is it the fact that John L. has 5 great plays that work until opposing coaches have had time to study game film? I'm not sure. Maybe guys are getting tired as the season wears on. All I know is there are some serious players on the offense that seem to have trouble putting up numbers late in the year. Averaging 49 points per game in September, which State did, is awesome. But following it up with 20 points per game in November is rough, but it will kill you when your defense is allowing 33.

With the experience the offense has in the skill positions, they certainly have the potential to be a dominant offense. The line has done the job in the past without studs, so with the right schemes they should be able to do it again this year.

As for Davis, let me say this. Often Michigan fans will rip State fans about their players, saying they get the guys that Michigan didn't want. A lot of times that's somewhat true, but Davis is a guy Michigan really wanted. There's a reason for that. This guy is a lock as a first day draft pick in 2008 (that's right, after his junior season) unless the coaching staff or an injury really screws it up for him.

The defense can't possibly be worse than they were.

It would seem impossible for State to win fewer than 6 games. I predict 8 in the year that saves Smith's job. With Mooch hovering around the area, he's got to be feeling the pressure.

Yeah, I don't know what's been up with the drop in offensive numbers. I think it has something with teams having more game film and time to prepare for what State is doing and something to do with State's coaches being unable to counter.

In addition, I think the biggest thing that hurts their offense is their defense. They start out decent early in the year and as they get exposed and tired, they give up long drives and the offense goes stale.

As far as Kellen goes, I'll try to get some pics up from Spring practice or maybe Moodini can hook us up from Rivals. There is one pic Rivals has up now that shows the dudes freakish build.

Yeah, I don't know what's been up with the drop in offensive numbers. I think it has something with teams having more game film and time to prepare for what State is doing and something to do with State's coaches being unable to counter.

In addition, I think the biggest thing that hurts their offense is their defense. They start out decent early in the year and as they get exposed and tired, they give up long drives and the offense goes stale.

As far as Kellen goes, I'll try to get some pics up from Spring practice or maybe Moodini can hook us up from Rivals. There is one pic Rivals has up now that shows the dudes freakish build.

Stanton broke his freaking thumb, that was a lot of the problem.

That and Wheeler and Trannon's injuries.

Wheeler's injury destroyed the line. Everybody was out of position and suddenly struggling, when the line was one of our strong points earlier in the year when healthy.

You know what though, I'm done making excuses for Spartan Football players. WIN and quit being mental midgets!

More great things continue to come out of East Lansing about the offensive line. I'm the most excited about Roland "Baby Pace" Martin. He is one of the most highly touted Offensive Line recruits in Spartan history and he is now going to start. Jesse Miller is the big surprise though. He is looking fantastic. There is a story about the "Three M's" on scouts. If anyone has access it would be greatly appreciated.

"The "three M's" - Roland Martin, Jesse Miller and John Masters have stepped up their collective games to give Michigan State a comfort zone as Spring Football winds towards conclusion."

Tre...Who is your Diamond in the rough this year...

You were balls on with Ringer last year...Lets hear it...

Tre...Who is your Diamond in the rough this year...

You were balls on with Ringer last year...Lets hear it...

I'm not Tre and I'm not sure what constitutes a diamond in the rough, but I'm really excited about T.J. Williams. He was a 4star recruit and JUCO transfer so I'm not sure any impact he has will be as surprising as Ringer (true freshman) last season, but the fact he's in Spring Drills and getting a look on both sides of the ball is intriguing. I like him to emerge despite a pretty deep receiving core.

Alright Muhme, let me give it a shot. I might have a more thought out prediction later, but I've only got a minute here to get ya one. So here it is,

Nehemiah Warrick Strong Safety

He will be the definition of a diamond in the rough for several reasons. 1) He's not the biggest name, but he'll play like one. 2) He might be the only diamond in a very very rough defense.

It could be difficult to see if I hit this one on the head, because the defense in its entirety might make Warrick look worse because he doesnt' have help. But, I think we'll see him shine often.

He was my pick prior to this weekend, his weekend performance only solidified it a bit.

Tre...Who is your Diamond in the rough this year...

You were balls on with Ringer last year...Lets hear it...

I'm not Tre and I'm not sure what constitutes a diamond in the rough, but I'm really excited about T.J. Williams. He was a 4star recruit and JUCO transfer so I'm not sure any impact he has will be as surprising as Ringer (true freshman) last season, but the fact he's in Spring Drills and getting a look on both sides of the ball is intriguing. I like him to emerge despite a pretty deep receiving core.

You are thinking of Devin Thomas.

TJ Williams was a 3 star high schooler.

I'm not Tre and I'm not sure what constitutes a diamond in the rough, but I'm really excited about T.J. Williams. He was a 4star recruit and JUCO transfer so I'm not sure any impact he has will be as surprising as Ringer (true freshman) last season, but the fact he's in Spring Drills and getting a look on both sides of the ball is intriguing. I like him to emerge despite a pretty deep receiving core.

You are thinking of Devin Thomas.

TJ Williams was a 3 star high schooler.[/quote]

You're right, I got the backgrounds mixed up. However, I believe Williams is the one getting looks on both sides of the ball.

I'm not Tre and I'm not sure what constitutes a diamond in the rough, but I'm really excited about T.J. Williams. He was a 4star recruit and JUCO transfer so I'm not sure any impact he has will be as surprising as Ringer (true freshman) last season, but the fact he's in Spring Drills and getting a look on both sides of the ball is intriguing. I like him to emerge despite a pretty deep receiving core.

You are thinking of Devin Thomas.

TJ Williams was a 3 star high schooler.

You're right, I got the backgrounds mixed up. However, I believe Williams is the one getting looks on both sides of the ball.[/quote]

Yeah, he said he wanted too, don't know if he actually has though.


A 6'3" corner, with 4.4 speed.

*drools*

At this point, I'd take any corner with any speed and any size that is effective.

One thing I realized with Jaren Hayes, it is very difficult to teach corner instincts. Hayes ran a 4.3, but he got burned more than a preschooler with a lighter.

I felt bad for the guy being changed from his natural position that he could have excelled in. That's another story though.

It'll be interesting to see if we can finally put together a decent secondary. At the very least, I think we have a little more depth than the last couple of years.

I just noticed this.


2) He might be the only diamond in a very very rough defense.

[smilie=great.gif] I feel it Tre.

At this point, I'd take any corner with any speed and any size that is effective.

One thing I realized with Jaren Hayes, it is very difficult to teach corner instincts. Hayes ran a 4.3, but he got burned more than a preschooler with a lighter.

I felt bad for the guy being changed from his natural position that he could have excelled in. That's another story though.

It'll be interesting to see if we can finally put together a decent secondary. At the very least, I think we have a little more depth than the last couple of years.

TJ played in high school, and supposedly has decent insticts. Also, his brother or cousin is Cromartie from FSU, so the big corner thing is in the genes.

Alright Muhme, let me give it a shot. I might have a more thought out prediction later, but I've only got a minute here to get ya one. So here it is,

Nehemiah Warrick Strong Safety

He will be the definition of a diamond in the rough for several reasons. 1) He's not the biggest name, but he'll play like one. 2) He might be the only diamond in a very very rough defense.

It could be difficult to see if I hit this one on the head, because the defense in its entirety might make Warrick look worse because he doesnt' have help. But, I think we'll see him shine often.

He was my pick prior to this weekend, his weekend performance only solidified it a bit.

Oh...excellent a new name that I have not heard yet...Good stuff Tre

Thanks playa


Good news out of EL, Adams is back at bandit where he excelled last season. This is the one playmaker we had on defense last year and I'm excited to see him back again.

According to rivals, Devin Thomas is impressing everyone.

Thanks playa


Good news out of EL, Adams is back at bandit where he excelled last season. This is the one playmaker we had on defense last year and I'm excited to see him back again.

According to rivals, Devin Thomas is impressing everyone.

This year I actually feel bad for MSU's football team. The defense looks like it is just going to be a mess... Offense will be excellent but...wow the defense... It is a shame because with a MEDIOCRE defense MSU could make some noise I think...

I honestly think that with a good defense they'd probably win the Big Ten or fall a game short. Because their offense is up there with the best in the country. I think their offense this year will be the best offense MSU has ever had. Unfortunately, we've had 3 years of terrible defenses and defenses win Championships.

Defensive Kool-Aid....

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060416/SPORTS0202/604160319/1132

http://greenandwhite.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060416/GW01/604160507/1023/GW

Defensive Kool-Aid....

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060416/SPORTS0202/604160319/1132

http://greenandwhite.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060416/GW01/604160507/1023/GW

I come here and an escape..and now I have to see your Spartan spam on this board as well, lol.

Defensive Kool-Aid....

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060416/SPORTS0202/604160319/1132

http://greenandwhite.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060416/GW01/604160507/1023/GW

I come here and an escape..and now I have to see your Spartan spam on this board as well, lol.

You bet. By Thanksgiving you will be VERY sick of me, lol.

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/1543/msuflag6jn3hy.gif