Michigan State University Athletics
Preseason Football Update: Spartans Begin Two-A-Day Workouts
8/11/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 11, 2003
EAST LANSING, Mich. - With temperatures in the low-80s, Michigan State first-year head football coach John L. Smith sent his team through two two-hour workouts in full pads on Monday, Aug. 11.
"I'm pleased with what the team accomplished today," Smith said. "The second practice was better than the first session and that's an encouraging sign. Normally, the team isn't as sharp in the second practice of the day but today, our players remained focused and the execution was good. Hopefully, it's an indication that the players are becoming more mentally tough.
"We're looking for improvement every time this team steps on the practice field. Offensively, we're striving to become a well-oiled machine. The offense can't get bogged down by mental mistakes. We're going to smooth things out and improve our execution.
"Defensively, I like the way the guys are running to the football. The defense is beginning to develop a little attitude and that's exactly what we're looking for on that side of the ball. The players are giving great effort and that's what we need because we're not going to overwhelm anyone on our schedule this season with our talent. We're going to have to find a way to win games with our attitude."
After working at center for the first five practices of preseason camp, Kyle Rasmussen (6-4, 303, Sr.) returned to his customary spot at defensive tackle Monday. He has led the defensive line in tackles each of the last two seasons, recording 49 stops in 2002. With 28 career starts under his belt, Rasmussen is expected to push Matthias Askew (6-6, 294, Jr.) and Kevin Vickerson (6-5, 298, Jr.) for a starting job at defensive tackle.
"Over the summer, Kyle Rasmussen requested the position change to center," Smith said. "If Kyle wasn't a senior, I'd be tempted to leave him there, but he had two talented players in front of him at center, in Chris Morris (6-4, 291, So.) and Kyle Cook (6-4, 287, R-Fr.). It's a positive getting a player with Kyle's experience back on the defensive line. He's had a great attitude throughout camp, and he accepted the switch back to defense without hesitation. Kyle wants to do whatever he can to help this team win football games."
Additional emphasis has been placed upon upgrading Michigan State's special teams. During his five-year tenure at Louisville, Smith's teams gained a national reputation for outstanding special teams play. In 2002, the Cardinals produced six touchdowns from special teams, returning four punts and two kickoffs for scores, and blocking 11 kicks, including nine punts.
"We take great pride in special teams play," Smith said. "Far too much attention is focused on the placekicker and punter when it comes to talking about special teams. Special teams success is determined by what the other 10 guys do on the field.
"Our top priority is to have a solid punt team, from both a protection and coverage standpoint.
"Our punt return team can perhaps help us steal another win or two this season. We're still working to identify the right personnel for this unit, including the punt returner. We have to get production from this unit, especially in terms of creating some blocks.
"We're also still experimenting with personnel on the kickoff return team," Smith continued. "We're trying to get the right players in the right spots. We need to watch a lot more film to improve our execution on kickoff returns."
The top punt return candidates include Ziehl Kavanaght (5-11, 180, Sr.), Agim Shabaj (5-10, 194, So.) and Kyle Brown (6-1, 205, So.). Those three players along with JUCO transfer DeAndra Cobb (5-10, 186) are competing for the right to return kickoffs.
"Attitude is what wins players a spot on the kickoff coverage team," Smith said. "Ideally, we'd like the kicker to put the ball in the end zone every kickoff. We want to find guys that want a 50-yard head start, fly down the field and look for somebody to hit."
Under new NCAA legislation, prohibiting consecutive days of double sessions, the Spartans will alternate between double and single workouts through Friday, Aug. 22. Michigan State has one practice scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 12 at 9:30 a.m. EDT.
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.
