Spartan Football Media Day 2004, Part II

8/13/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football

Aug. 13, 2004

Head Coach John L. Smith
"Let me begin by saying that three days is what we've had so far as you all know, and it's been three single days. We were in shoulder pads today, so we were able to get a little more of a live look. What we're trying to do in the meantime as well is to sit down and take a look at a lot of guys on both sides of the ball. We've tried to make a decision on where they're going to get on the field the earliest, because it's our obligation to get those kids on the field as fast as we can. "We're still not totally against maybe trying a guy or two back and forth a little bit at a time, but for the most part, we've settled on some guys at this point and I think after a few more practices we're going to settle on some guys and leave them there. "Those are guys like Tony Howard, who we moved back over to the running back spot. I think we're going to leave him there at least for the time being. "Miles Williams: We're going to leave him at the corner spot for the time being. He has great feet and he has speed and to be perfectly honest I expect him to be a least a No. 2 there. Coach Smeland mentioned cramming it down their throat, that's what's going to happen. They're going to have to pick it up and pick it up quick. He shows some great talent. I'm sure all these guys are going to have to gain some toughness and things like that, but at least he does have some talent there. "The other guy we really like that we made a decision with is Tom Dance. We're going to keep him on the defensive side in the secondary (safety) as well. And again, I would expect him to work his way into that lineup. He's talented. He's got great range and the size you're looking for, so again, we're going to just have to force-feed him. "Sir Darean (Adams): It looks like we're going to leave him at BANDIT. He shows a physical enough nature, and speed and things you're looking for that he could be able to handle that. That's a tough position mentally, but it's force-feed from here on out, so that's were he's going to be for the time being. "Deon Curry is moving back to the wideout position and he'll stay there for the time being. "We tried (Tyrone) McKenzie a little bit at running back as well as linebacker, and with the move of Howard to running back, we think McKenzie is going to be back at linebacker. He's a good young kid with a lot of range and can really move. "We're very, very pleased with those guys. With the first day of practice together today, it was good to have those rookies in the mix. You're going to see, other than the ones I've mentioned, a kid like (Carl) Grimes, you're going to see possibly a kid like Nick Smith, you're going to see Hugh D'Imperio, you're going to possibly see (Eric) Andino, possibly McKenzie, (Roland) Martin. I'm just throwing out a few that could play this year. "Anyway, I'm excited about that young group of guys. I'm excited about getting out there and making sure we're giving them more and more and more, and they'll be good players. So I'm pumped up about that. "We are going to be throwing a lot at the offense. A big concern for us is hopefully making a decision as quick as we can at quarterback, but we're not going to make it until we're ready. And when that is I don't know. If all of a sudden tomorrow the light went on and we said `Hey, this is they guy', we'd name him, but we'll have to wait and see. I think for us to come together offensively like we are looking to get done, that decision has to kind of be made, without a doubt. "I'm liking what I see from us so far on both sides of the ball, and I really like the rookies." How difficult will it be to replace a quarterback like Jeff Smoker?
"Anytime you lose a senior, I think it's hard because everybody gets used to those guys. And a guy that's been in the program that long - other guys look to him. But that's part of the deal. It's always hard replacing seniors. You always hate to see those guys go, but it's the nature of the beast and we have to do it every year. Somebody's going to step up and fill that position and fill that leadership role. We'll have to wait and see who exactly that is going to be." Do you expect many incoming freshmen to make an impact on special teams?
"Great question! That's about the first intelligent question I've heard in about a year. We will use the vets if we need them, but what we expect this year - with the rookies that we have - is we expect to use those guys right now as much as we can. We're trying to make some changes. We have a lot of them lined up at second-team spots on all those special teams. As we sit down and talk in a special teams meeting, (we'll say) `Hey, you're coaching this guy? Bump him up! I expect you to get his tail up there to beat the other guy out or replace that other guy as quick as possible or step in there for that vet to give him a break.' So that's what we're telling the coaches, to prepare that guy, get him ready to go, get him bumped up to that first-team slot. That's what we want to get done, so you should see a lot more rookies than we did last year." What are you seeing from the running backs?
"I see a good battle taking place. Don't forget Jason Teague. He's a tough guy that's pretty darn sharp and can handle the protections, and runs the ball hard, and has stepped up and shown that `I want to do the right things off the field, Coach, so I can get some snaps on the field.' He's shown that now, so we're giving him more snaps. We'll give him an opportunity to work into the mix. He didn't have an opportunity to work into the mix in the spring, so now he will get that opportunity because he's earned that opportunity. You take a look at it and I'm assuming this year to a degree we're going to be a running-back-by-committee much like we were. Hopefully not as much by committee. Hopefully, we can find a guy and spot play the others where they're best suited and when they're best suited. I feel pretty confident in the running back spot. I think we're going to be more physical than we were." How much would you object to having a two-quarterback system if no clear leader emerges?
"I would object to that. It's not going to happen. I've never done that. We'll name a guy and he'll be the guy. Until we make a change (laughs), and then he'll be the guy." How important will the kicking game be this year?
"We've always placed a great emphasis on the kicking game, but this year it becomes even more important I think because we're going to rely on the defense. We've already made that statement; and the defense is going to have to carry us. On offense, we might not take as many gambles as we did with Jeff (Smoker) to give our guys a chance to mature a little bit. So it may be having to do a great job defensively and in the kicking game can win you ballgames. We're expecting to do that, so we're going to go in there saying that we're going to win the kicking game. If we win that part of the ballgame then we're going to be okay. With the two kickers (Dave Rayner, Brandon Fields) coming back, and (John) Goss - that's kids real good - we're blessed to have kickers of that ability. We're going to be better with the 10 guys around them. We're going to be more athletic. And hopefully, we can bounce some of those starters and give them a little spell and bounce them to the bench because we will have athletic enough guys in there to go ahead and play. Special teams are crucial - we have to win the special teams battle, and we're capable of winning that battle in every game we go into." Do you think you might have to scale back the offense at the start of the season?
"Normally, you would say that. I think that's not necessarily going to depend on the quarterback as much as the front and how quickly they come together. I think that may have to happen, but again, I expect our quarterback, whoever it is, to be able to handle what we're going to give him. I'm a little worried with that offensive front and just how much we can throw at those guys, because they can't afford to make mistakes." Do you like the fact that despite last year's success,s you are not picked to finish in the top half of the Big Ten by many people?
"To be honest with you, that is not our goal, without a doubt. Our goal is this - the guys down the road have the bull's-eye on their chest, right? We want that. That's what we have to get. We want to take away that bull's-eye and pin it on our chest. And the only way that's going to happen is for us to win a championship. So no, we want to be picked as No. 1, but the only way we're going to get picked No. 1 is to be No. 1 and win that spot. So to be perfectly honest with you, no, we want to get this program to where we're picked to win it all." Defensive Coordinator Chris Smeland
The defense is kind of getting a lot of attention in terms of being the strength of the team. Is the defense something that can keep the team in games, create easy scores and do those kinds of things to help the offense along?
"Well, we hope so. I think that the reason the defense is getting a lot of attention is because we have the most returners on our side of the ball. You look at some of the guys we've got coming back from last year's squad, all have quite a bit experience which we feel good about. Other than those first 11 guys, we don't have a lot of experience behind them. So we'll have to keep them healthy and keep rotating some of those young guys in the ballgame, and try to get them some game experience as we go and see if we can bring them along as fast as we can." Does the secondary have the cover skills that will allow you to blitz more?
"We're going to continue to pressure people. We said that last year at this time and I think it played out that way. We led the Big Ten in sacks and we know we're going to have to continue that pressure scheme as we roll into the season. We're not quite as deep at the defensive line as we were a year ago, so we're going to have to keep pulling people through there; and maybe try to find other people on the defensive side of the ball that can pressure the quarterback whether it's coming from the linebackers or the secondary. When you pressure people, you've got to take some chances and play some man coverage. I think that we're going to be a lot better in doing that this year." Can you talk about the impact that junior defensive tackle Brandon McKinney has when he returns and how tough it was for him not to play last year?
"I'm sure that it was very tough for Brandon. He had an excellent spring and came out of the spring as a team captain. He hurt his foot during preseason and didn't have a chance to participate last year. He is kind of chomping at the bit, and anxious to get back on the field on Saturday afternoons having some fun. As a staff, we're awfully excited to have him back and looking forward to seeing him play on Saturdays." Coach, you had great success creating turnovers last year. How do you duplicate that? Is it a scheme thing?
"No, it's not just a scheme thing. It's more of an attitude. We try to make that a high priority on the defensive side of the ball. We create short field position. We get the ball back in our offense's hands because when our offense gets the ball anything can happen. They can score in one play or they can go on a 10-play drive. It's much attitude as it is scheme." Can you talk about senior safety Jason Harmon and what he means in the secondary for you?
"Jason Harmon is one of our captains on the defensive side of the ball. A very quality young man in everything he does and I think that's one of the reasons why he became a team captain for us. This spring was excellent for him because he got to play more than just the free safety position; he also plays strong safety for us. He creates some flexibility and also created a little bit of depth at the safety and BANDIT positions. We're excited about Jason and what his contributions are going to be. He was our leading tackler last year on defense and he's been healthy the whole time. We expect him to continue on to the wedge." Are you planning on your first-year players to contribute right away?
"We hope they contribute in those early ballgames, but it's still early in the camp. We've only been out there for three days and haven't really put on full gear. It's hard to make that evaluation at this point. We're excited for Sunday to show up to actually put full pads on and start getting after it a little bit. Obviously, the next thing is two-a-days and we'll see if they can hold up. We're counting on them to provide some depth on the defensive front." What roles and responsibilities will sophomore defensive end Clifton Ryan and senior MIKE linebacker Ronald Stanley have on defense?
"Cliff Ryan has really stepped it up for us since last spring to right now. He's going to be a young man who we're going to rely on a great deal this fall in terms of his play. I can't tell you how hard of a worker he is because he is one of our best guys we have. He's got a tremendous work ethic and a guy that we're sure glad that he is on our side of the ball. I can't say enough about Ronald Stanley. He is a two-time captain for us. Not that very many of those guys come through Michigan State, but he is sure deserving of that recognition. He's one of those guys that is inside the defense from the linebacker position. He takes charge not only vocally, but also by example. He comes to play everyday and makes sure everybody gets better around him everyday. We're glad to have those two guys involved in the defense." How important is the BANDIT spot going to be this year? How is senior Tyrell Dortch coming along in the position?
"Dortch has been a very pleasant surprise in the position at this point. He's really taking to the position well. He brings athleticism to that spot that we maybe didn't have a year ago. Here's another young man that has earned the respect of his teammates and become a team captain. I think it's well deserved on his part. We all know the injury that he came back from. Obviously, this staff wasn't here when it happened, so we don't know how bad it was. At this point, Tyrell is physically in good shape and able to do some of the things we asked him to do." Coach, can you talk about junior Jaren Hayes' move from running back to cornerback?
"I can't thank Coach Smith enough for making that move for us. Jaren Hayes is a young man who will see a lot of time on the field this season. He will eventually become a starter for us and be a big contributor. He is a competitor that has done everything we've asked him to do and I think that he will be a quality competitor on our side of the ball." Offensive Coordinator Dave Baldwin
On picking a starting quarterback:
"Leadership is always the key. Who can understand this offense and make the right calls at the line of scrimmage? Who is going to be accurate? It's not so much who has the strongest arm, but who is hitting their target. We need to be able to play catch, to throw underneath to the backs and hit the right person. Whoever can read the defenses and hit their targets will probably get the job. Drew Stanton did not participate in spring but has come back really sharp. We still question the knee; I think we need to see him take some hits until we are comfortable with that. Damon Dowdell has stepped it up and he wants to win the job. Stephen Reaves is probably the most talented of the bunch, but he has to show us he understands the complete offense. There have only been three days of practice, so we just need to give it time and see who's going to make the right choices." On Drew Stanton:
"Drew just has a little moxie to him, a little cockiness, and I think that's good and you need that as a quarterback. He has leadership ability. When he steps into the huddle he looks at you. He's tough, he showed that on our special teams last year. I think the offensive linemen like that. He shows those qualities." On the running back position:
"The running back position is a three-horse race right now. Jason Teague is a physical runner and he got a little bit of playing time last year. Jehuu Caulcrick has shown us that he has the ability to do some exciting things as a freshman, and of course there's DeAndre Cobb who has the lightning speed." On the offensive line and team chemistry:
"One concern is our offensive line. Two are returning starters and we have about seven guys who have a shot, so it's not a personnel problem. Stefon Wheeler is our left tackle; Kyle Cook has moved to left guard; Chris Morris returns to center; our right guard is Whittaker and Sean Poole is the right tackle. Mike Gyetvai is challenging Poole and Gordon Niebylski can play at any one of those positions. The challenge is just getting the starters to gel together as a unit and combining that with a running back and a starting quarterback. But the line is the center of all that. We need to be an 11-man unit. We don't have Jeff Smoker anymore and there will be more pressure on the line to open up holes and we need to be able to run the football." On being a young team:
"Anytime you are young it's dangerous but once it comes together, we will be fine. These kids are working so hard, and things will fall into place. We will have to protect the ball. We may not be able to spread as much as we did early last year. We need to find ways to get confidence. I think our defense can pull us through early. We just need to play for field position and not make mistakes." On the tight end position:
"They are very important because we are going to motion them and play with two tight ends. For us to have a running attack in a single-back offense, your tight end has to be a big part of that. I think they came back in much better shape than they were last season. Jason Randall and Eric Knott shared time last year, and I'm not naming a starter. We've had some freshmen come (Kellen Davis and Craig McGovern) in and make an impression. The tight end position is a strong position." On the offensive game plan:
"We aren't necessarily going to run two tight ends more often, we just need to get things underway here and figure out our strengths and just play to that. We need a quarterback to step up in this offense. So far I'm impressed, they have been making the right reads. I'm concerned with who makes the fewest errors, when we start throwing to the wrong color (uniform) that's when we have problems. The quarterbacks just need to play catch. I feel pretty confident with the guys we have." On picking a quarterback:
"When we pick that one quarterback that's who we will go with. Of course, we want to get everyone some reps just to have experience, but you don't want your starter out there thinking that if I make one mistake somebody is coming in for me. We don't really have a No. 1 right now, and that's good because competition makes us all better." On Stanton's progress compared to Smoker:
"Drew has come back very confident. Just like Jeff, Drew missed spring ball as well. Drew was there and he didn't get reps. He is farther along in the mental aspect than Jeff was last year. I think all three quarterbacks are ahead of the curve." On the wide receivers:
"I like the wide receivers because they are competitive. Matt Trannon had a disappointing year, then he went and did well with basketball and I feel he has really improved. Agim Shabaj has come on. As talented as Shabaj is, Grimes will push him, and he is the real deal. He is a super talented young man. Kyle Brown has been named a captain, and that's just the kind of work ethic he has. Aaron Alexander will be moved in and out of all positions. You may see him be a little goofy off the field, but believe me on the field he is all business. He is very intelligent football wise. Jerramy Scott can play too." On the weaknesses of the running backs:
"I think we need to work on picking up blitzes. That's one thing over the summer that you can't work on until it's full speed, full contact. We need to see our running backs hold on to the ball and because we are a zone running team, we need to make sure we make the right jump cuts. Jason Teague is leading because he knows the offense best. I have confidence he can step in and not make mistakes. Then Cobb and Caulcrick can just step in and run the ball. We will progress from there." On Tony Howard and Sir Darean Adams:
"Tony Howard is a fluid running back. He makes the jump cuts and we are excited about what he can do for us. He is smooth. You can tell he has been a running back for a long time. Right now, it looks like Sir Darean Adams will be on defense; and he will play. You will definitely see some freshmen on the field making a difference (on both sides of the ball)."