Michigan State University Athletics
Preseason Football Update: Spartans Don Full Pads
8/10/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 10, 2003
EAST LANSING, Mich. - With temperatures in the low-80s, Michigan State first-year head coach John L. Smith sent his team through a two-hour workout in full pads on Sunday, Aug. 10.
"I was really pleased with the tempo and intensity of today's practice," Smith said. "I really liked what I saw in the first half of today's practice, but the team wasn't as sharp during the second half. The intensity level was great through the conditioning period in the middle of practice, but the team simply made too many mental mistakes during the second hour of practice. We have to improve our mental toughness because the second half of practice is mostly mental.
"I'm pleased with the progress, effort and attitude the team has displayed over the last five days. We've thrown an awful lot of material at these guys. We're probably halfway there from an installation standpoint because we've been adding roughly a formation a day."
Under new NCAA legislation, prohibiting consecutive days of double sessions, the Spartans will alternate between double and single workouts, beginning Monday, Aug. 11 and running through Friday, Aug. 22.
"We're going to learn a lot more about this football team now that the players have put the full pads on," Smith said. "We're looking forward to the first double day tomorrow because that's when the team begins to grow and pull together. The players need to deal with and manage the stress that goes along with double sessions. This is how players learn to fight through injuries, soreness and fatigue. It's going to be important for our captains to step forward and provide leadership during this stretch. This growing stage will be critical for our football team.
"As we prepare to begin two-a-days, the weather needs to cooperate. We need some hot, hot days. Thus far, camp has been too easy because there hasn't been a lot of heat. The players need to learn to fight through the heat because we're going to face it on game day."
The Spartan coaching staff used the first five days of preseason camp to evaluate personnel, especially first-year players.
"The new NCAA preseason calendar that requires the first-year and veteran players to report together didn't help us," Smith said. "We certainly could have used the three days of orientation to evaluate the first-year players. We've taken a look at several freshmen at positions on both sides of the football. We've been forced to make some hard decisions, but we've found a home for most of the freshmen.
"Offensively, Samuel Champagne (6-3, 210) and Terry Love (5-11, 165) will contribute immediately at wide receiver. Both players have good hands and natural instincts as receivers. Champagne is a big target, who adds a little maturity to the position because he's a little older (20) than the other freshmen. Love is a good route runner, who gets out of his plants naturally.
"At running back, Bobo Brown (5-9, 204) has pushed his way into the rotation. We simply need to get him more reps. We took an early look at Kris Bush (5-11, 184) in the secondary, but now he's been a pleasant surprise at running back.
"(Offensive tackle) Mike Gyetvai (6-7, 323) is perhaps the sleeper in this recruiting class. Gyetvai is going to be a great player here because for a man his size, he can bend his knees and move. He's also strong and athletic.
"We've moved Sean Clayton (6-4, 233) from quarterback to tight end. Clayton needs to add another 20 pounds to his frame, but he's going to grow into that position. He's a big, athletic kid that looks like a natural pass catcher. He'll become physical enough to block in our offensive scheme and athletic enough to go down field and make plays.
"Stephen Reaves (6-1, 187) won't be in the mix at quarterback this season, but we've really been pleased with the progress he's made. Reaves has a great arm and looks so natural in the huddle and under center."
Several newcomers on the defensive side of the football have caught the coaching staff's attention.
"Daryl Melvin (6-6, 227) is an athletic defensive end that can really run," Smith said. "He looks like a thoroughbred coming off the corner. We're not worried about Melvin as a pass rusher, but he has to gain weight and improve his strength so he can hold up and help stop the run.
"We're so thin along the defensive line that we need to get Joe Toth (6-2, 278) some reps at defensive tackle. He runs well and has a great work ethic.
"Jehuu Caulcrick (6-0, 234) and Kaleb Thornhill (6-1, 222) are a couple of linebackers that should contribute right away. Caulcrick is a smart, athletic kid that really wants to play the game. He was a running back in high school, so now we're going to find out how much he likes delivering the hits. Thornhill is a tough, blue-collar guy that gives you everything he has on every snap.
"Greg Cooper (5-11, 183) is a physical, athletic safety that's capable of making big plays. He's a guy that needs more reps in practice and more time watching video, so he's ready to step in and play.
"We're going to continue to work Jamar Jones (6-3, 198) at safety, but the jury is still out about his best position. We may move Jones back to wide receiver, but we wanted him to get his feet on the ground at safety before we make a decision.
"I can't say enough about the attitude of these freshmen," Smith continued. We've been moving guys from position to position without complaints. They have been willing to do whatever it takes to get on the field and make this team better."
Michigan State opens the 2003 season Saturday, Aug. 30 against Western Michigan at 3:40 p.m. EDT in Spartan Stadium. ESPN Plus will televise the game on a regional basis.
